Friday, October 28, 2011

L.A. Food Find Favorite: Porto's Bakery

“I need to buy some potato balls” was what our family friend said. Potato balls? Baby potatoes… those you bake and dip with butter? Apparently not. It was so much better.
After a quick stop at Ross, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom, and Staple, our friend asked us if we could drop by Porto’s on our way back home. Since we were clueless what that is, we said, “Sure!”
We were greeted by brown interiors and furniture (what’s with cafés and the color brown?) and I can’t help but notice that there was also a party store on the second floor.
*Confused* I wasn’t sure if I could check the pastries first before lining up (for people might think that I was cutting in line) or if I should patiently wait for my turn, take my time browse through the different mouthwatering sweets and savory dishes. Anyway, with the help of my dear (how I wish it was longer) neck, I was able to find something I fancy (plus the famous Porto’s Potato Balls). I called out to my mom and pointed out the Triple Chocolate Mousse while my sister stared at her so eagerly and pointed with her mouth the Chocolate Éclair and Tiramisu. Since we heard that the Cheese Rolls were popular too, we ordered 3 of that as well.
 
We hurriedly went back home to try the goodies.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Myeongdong in L.A.?!?

I’m sure that all K-Pop fans know what Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Namdaemun are… shopping havens. Well, I found a similar one here in L.A. and they call it Americana.
A classier looking Myeongdong, I’d say it looked more like Apgujeong (less the posh clubs), Americana was the first place I fell in love with here in L.A.. Filled with families during the weekends, this place is filled with good stores such as Forever 21, H&M, Barnes & Noble, and restaurants and cafes such as Crumbs and The Cheesecake Factory.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

IN goes the burger N a burp comes OUT

“Go to In N Out!!!” was what my friends told me when I told them that I will be visiting L.A. soon.
Day 2 in L.A. means In-N-Out trip. 
We made sure to eat inside as the drive thru queue was quite long. “It was a craze that people haven’t gotten over… yet” was what our American companion said.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Got Crumbs?

Hello Americana! This place is love. It had a lot of nice places to visit and there’s a trolley!!!
Our family friend suggested that we stop over Crumbs before heading back home. Curious as it sounded a place serving edible items, we said, “game!”
Ooh, it’s a café! Just like other cafés, the place was predominantly brown in terms of interior with the oh-so-good aroma of coffee. Don’t you just love the smell of freshly roasted coffee? (cue: drool now)
We ordered 4 cupcakes (mine was S’mores, $3.75).
As soon as we got back home, I started to munch on my cupcake. 

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Kyoto in L.A.

We have finally landed and are hungry for… well just about anything edible actually. Good thing that our family friend brought us to an eat-all-you can place here at Glendale.
Kyoto. It was definitely screaming Asian. The place was packed and we had to wait for 20 minutes for us to be seated. Well, that was a good sign for it meant that the place is popular and the food’s good. 
Right across a peaceful lane.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Pinoy Food Master: Pepita’s Kitchen

I’ve been saying this for quite a lot already but I want to say it again. I love my job! I get to try new food, meet interesting people, and try more new food because of my work. I love love love it! 
Last Thursday, some of my officemates and I went to the lovely home of Dedet de la Fuente and tried her Pepita’s Kitchen Lechon Degustation. We arrived at around 7PM hungry and desiring lechon like never before. 
I heard that they have really good lechon as these were stuffed (yes, stuffed!). I never thought of having stuffed lechon as it alone was enough to get me stuffed.
We waited for a few more people from press and we started off with Pinoy Patè and Pinoy Caviar. It looked pretty ordinary but the taste of these two were just so addicting!
The Pinoy Patè was made of bihon. Who knew that bihon can be transformed into pate, and a good one at that? It had this grainy texture that went well with the crackers. It was not salty at all and was quite light. Quite a delightful appetizer.
 The Pinoy Caviar on the other hand was made of balut. It seemed to be a bit oilier and it tricked some to think that it was fish or liver. 

First Bite: Cookbook Kitchen

I woke up at 4am craving for bulalo. This is the moment when I realized that my tummy has finally taken over my mind.

Random craving. Random dinner plans. Random desserts.
 
I told my friend about my food craving and he suggested that we get bulalo for dinner. However, that didn’t push through because my mom told me that she will cook bulalo for breakfast tomorrow. I just can’t resist homemade meals.

Thus we decided to go to Cookbook Kitchen instead.
As Cookbook newbies, we checked the menu thoroughly. Yet, we were still clueless on which ones to try. We opted to ask the server choose for us. “What are your bestsellers?”

Sunday, October 16, 2011

2012 Belle de Jour Fair

Got nothing to do on October 16, 2011? Then you might want to check out the 2012 Belle de Jour Fair. It will be at Eastwood Mall Open Park from 2PM to 10PM. 


Lazy Sunday you mean? Well what if I tell you that...

-The entrance fee is only PHP50 and 100% of the proceeds will go to the sydents of Scuolla dela Guioia (Tondo children) and SKR Program (Romblon scholars)--feels good to help right?

-First 1000 pre-registered guests will get something from the BBDJ brand partners!!! Email them now at BDJFAIR@belledejourpowerplanner.com!

-But wait, even if you failed to email, you could still join the fun! And here are more reasons:

-You get 20% off when you buy your BDJ 2012 planner during the event.
-You get to join these great activities:
  • Karaoke with Redbox
  • Tarot card reading (Get to know if he's the one for you!!! Or if you'll ace that next exam!)
  • Style yourself with Azta's Style Clinic! 
  • Create fond memories and pick prizes from Fitflop and Flipsters!
  • Get your own K-Pop Makeovers + Free Hug and Pose with Missing-U mascots from Etude House!
  • Conquer your fear by trying bungee jump and soar through great heights!
  • Thirsty? Get some drinks from Sober Club.
  • More makeovers and tips from Pure Beauty/MUD!
  • Learn to whip up sinfully good desserts and quick dishes with Enderun. 
  • Be safe and get vaccinated with Affinity Health & Wellness.
  • Sparkle up with Glitter Tattoo!
  • Wanna try something new? Play Strip The Guy with The Strip!
  • Bring out that inner child in you and play Pop the Balloon with Browhaus! 
  • Play pachinko with Ace Water Spa.
  • Try out Facial Skin Analyzer with Athena and Carbtrim.
  • Be camera ready with Lightspire!
  • Have fun with the Twister Floaters!
  • Explore with Ticketport and Adams Travel!
  • Learn from the best in image training and get tips from John Robert Powers!

Still not enough? What about these:

Munch on delicious treats from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, CarbTrim, Selecta Gold Series, Bizu, Magnolia Drinks, Tanduay Rhum and Fiesta Bites

Splurge and update your wardrobe with Goody, Jellybean, Leyende, Artwine, Sinude, Suelas, Sole Sisters, Stylo Mylo, F*ART, and The Bling Project (accessories).

Score raffle prizes from Ace Water Spa, All Flip Flops, Bayo, Beauty Bar, Browhauys, F*Art, Flipsters, Flyshades, Get Laud, Good, Michellis, Nivea, Pet Express, Promod, Parfois, Purebeauty, Serenitea, Shujikida Salon, Sinude, SM GTW, SM Ladies, Sole Sisters, Suelas, The Ramp, The Strip, Browhaus, Affinity Health And Wellness! 

And get amazing gifts from partners Ace Water Spa, Athena, Beauty Bar, Garnier, Goody, Nivea, Pet Express, and Yves Rocher.

There will also be a scavenger hunt, talks on shopping, traveling, and life, live performances and just about anything a BDJ girl should know.
 See you all there!!!