3rd Generation - Huntington Beach

3rd Generation Sake Bar specializes in Ramen, Sushi hand rolls and popular Japanese side dishes like chicken karaage. I've been to their location in DTLA location and now a new space has opened in Huntington Beach. 

Shishito Peppers With Dried Bonito - One of my favorite appetizers. Simple, doesn't need much seasoning, and 1 out of 10 is spicy so may the odds be in your favor.

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One of the things I get super excited to see on the menu is baked blue crab. In Japan, handrolls are shaped like a cylinder, so don't be alarmed. The blue crab handroll is wrapped with soy paper so it doesn't overpower the crab. Dab of wasabi and a dip of soy is how I like to eat this.

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"Toro My Belly" - Ground Yellowtail, Albacore Belly, Topped with Chu Toro and Caviar. Melts in your mouth.

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Highly recommended Grilled Seabass. So buttery and velvety. Each bite was meaty, but tender from the fat. One of my favorites of the night. Those crispy brussels were also amazing with fried garlic chips.

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Yellowtail Carpaccio - Yuzu Citrus Sauce, Cilantro, Olive Oil, Tomato Micro Greens.

Address: 7311 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Tel: 714.892.1700

The Wall - Orange County

With over 50 beers on tap, it's enough reasons to come back to try them all. Every month, The Wall launches a new "secret" burger. During the month of February, their #behindthewall burger is a chili cheeseburger stuffed with freshly battered onion rings, American cheddar cheese, peppadew peppers, an all beef juicy patty and chive cream.

Find them on 80 Plaza Sq Orange, CA 92866 at the roundabout.

Come thirsty, and with stretchy motherhood pants.

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February #behindthewall burger.

Secret jerk chicken wings

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Their version of hot chicken over white bread served with house pickles.

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Elote - Fresh corn with garlic aioli, cotija cheese, tajin.

Food items accompany beer really well. Items are tapas style so order a few plates to share with friends.

208 Rodeo - Beverly Hills

Rodeo Drive is definitely a tourist trap. But, as much as it is, there are plenty of great restaurants around there that I am willing to drive out for. 208 Rodeo definitely caught me off guard. I was very pleased with what I had tried. Typical brunch items are normally what you would expect from one to another. What I had here was not only delicious but convinced me that I would come back for brunch if I ever was in the area.

208 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills CA 90210

Double Cappuccino. 

Flatiron Steak, roasted potatoes, eggs, and toast. The flatiron was cooked perfectly, extremely tender, ridiculously juicy.

proof of perfection.

CRAB CAKE BENEDICT - Loaded Crab Cake, grilled tomato, poached eggs, English muffin, and topped with a lemon hollandaise sauce. What I couldn't get over was the lemon hollandaise. Such a slight citrus touch, but made the dish very bright.

Proof, of perfectly poached egg.

208 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills CA 90210

Philippe The Original - Los Angeles

I've been contemplating about LA the past few weeks. I grew up here, so the thought of leaving this place was never something that crossed my mind. I've never lived in a different state or ventured long enough to make somewhere else home. But now that I'm older, being faced with adult situations, you kind of think about things you normally don't. 

I kind of ask frequently what's great about Los Angeles. When family members or a friend who have people coming over different places ask where they should take them, I immediately draw a blank. But the more I'm thinking about it, the more I'm thinking how great LA is. We have all kinds of food for once that is accepted. The culture in LA is such a huge conglomerate where authenticity lives on. If I wanted legit Korean food, I can find it. Same with Mexican, Oaxacan, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, etc. We also have great museums: The Huntington Library, The Getty, MOT (dark, depressing, amazing testimonies). Beaches! We can find snow if we really wanted to. Theme parks. Whatever it is, it's reachable.

I thought about this when I ate at Philippe's. It's been a while since I've been back here. Doing a food blog really pulls you away from spots you frequently visit. Because of that, It's been over a year since I've been back to Philippe's. Read about their history here.

There were no lines when we arrived. Everything still looks the same with the additions of accepting credit cards (FINALLY). Soft wood or hamster bedding, whatever you want to call it, still scattered across the floors. I also go for the same thing. Roast Beef sandwich, half dipped, with a side of coleslaw.

I like to enjoy each bite with a generous dose of spicy mustard. Beware of nostril stings. Cool off with a big for of coleslaw and a bite of that perfectly pickled pickle. Just remember to not die when crossing streets. 

One of the most nostalgic staples of Los Angeles. 

1001 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA, 90012

Sushi Gen - Downtown Little Tokyo

I found Sushi Gen a few years ago when I started making more cash to afford higher end sushi. I didn't start to understand the craft until after my first visit here. After my first visit, I came back a few more times and it never fails to deliver. The ratio between rice and fish is always perfect in the nigiri. The quality of their seafood surpasses the expectations of local joints. There's a lot of great sushi places out there, but Sushi Gen always has that charm every time I go. People think it's all about the hype and the long lines that drive people to go. I'm not going to say that's not part of it, but they deliver on what they are proud to serve and I like to stick up for that because they shouldn't be shunned out for being "popular" just like they shouldn't be raved about just because they are "popular".

I've heard great things about their lunch specials. The sashimi lunch here is what everyone goes nuts for. The line was also no joke. We got there at 10:40 to wait in line. They don't open till 11:15AM. After the first crowd gets seated, the rest of us leave our name and the number in our party. Make sure your party is here or you won't be seated when called. Don't be mad about it either. There's a lot of hungry eaters waiting in line ready to take your seat anytime, so just be prepared. We got seated at 12, perfect timing for lunch.

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Each entree is served with marinated steamed tofu and lightly pickled cucumber and cabbage.

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This is the unagi set with side sashimi. The unagi was very flavorful, fatty, and scrumptiously decadent. Dust a little sansho pepper on top and dig in. I highly recommend this set. For $28, it's a great deal.

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The side sashimi that comes with the unagi.

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Their famous $17 sashimi lunch. Comes with a good portion of hot rice, this was a lot of food than what I bargained for! Fish was absolutely amazing. The tuna slice you see behind the hamachi, I believe was bluefin tuna. I could see the fat marbling throughout and knew this bite was going to be a treat. My eyes literally lit up after my first bite. They also served chopped up spicy tuna, negitoro, a few ends from the yellowtail and tuna. Also a grilled salmon piece in the back. Totally worth it.

422 E 2nd St Los Angeles, CA 90012

Little Tokyo, Downtown