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

Chew Noodle Bar - Anaheim, CA

Chew Noodle Bar just opened a few weeks ago and still going through with their soft opening. Their Chef, Amy Pham, competed on Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen (such an intense show). They are currently serving a course menu for $15, but will have a full menu out soon. 

Here's what I had:

Short Rib Gyozas - Very tender, flavorful and decadent. 

Smoky Shishito Peppers - Flash fried with a mild yuzu aioli.

Spicy Shoyu Ramen and Tonkotsu.

Death by Affogato - Perfect dessert and wake-me-UP.

918 S Magnolia Ave Ste B Anaheim, CA 92804

The Attic on Broadway - Long Beach

The Attic reminds me of a restaurant I went to when I was in La Jolla. It feels very homey and beachy at the same time. Walking in is almost like walking through a small cottage, just with plenty of tables around.

Their menu is simple yet experimental. They are known for their hot cheetos mac and cheese. No, I didn't get it this time around due to a long day of activities. I am lactose intolerant so it was not the day to load up on cheese. They also have other selections like shrimp and grits, jambalaya, and ribs to say the least. They also have your classic eggs and bacon, waffles, chicken and waffles, and all the good stuff.

We ordered there: Short rib poutine, FGT Benedict (Fried green tomato), and Duck Confit omelet. 

Fried Green Tomatoes, andouille sausage and poached eggs on an english muffin topped with their signature cajun hollandaise and green onions. This was served with their house cajun potatoes and a mixed fruit cup. The tomatoes were tart which helps all the richness from the egg and hollandaise sauce.

Red onion, spinach, sundried tomato in an omelette topped with crispy duck, goat cheese, and cranberry gastrique. Also served with mixed fruit and cajun potatoes. I liked the touch of the cranberry gastrique. 

Hand-Cut fries, topped with braised short ribs, caramelized onions, mozarella cheese curds, red wine demi-glace, and of course, topped with red onion. This will go perfect with any time of day. If you are sad and depressed, eat this. Happy or mad? Eat this.. with Louisianna Hot Sauce. Definitely a fork stabbing food, but I couldn't help myself picking at it with my fingers from time to time.

They get pretty packed. I recommend you make a reservation.

3441 East Broadway Long Beach, CA 90803

562.433.0153

Osteria La Buca - Los Angeles

I got to visit Osteria La Buca during Sunday brunch over the weekend. Los Angeles. You would think the 101 is free or at least think people are at church. No. The 101 towards downtown will forever be filled with cars along with stop and go traffic. Oh the joy. Knowing this restaurant is located on Melrose is also another stinger to think you will need to drive into LA. Before I got all boo-hoo-crybaby-face. My gps told me my destination would be on my left in 1 mile. 1 MILE. Melrose blvd is no joke. But to know the restaurant is on the outskirts of the busy street was music to my ears.

And I got the ultimate VIP parking right in front. It was all luck and perfect timing coordination on my part. So Sunday, 12 PM, time to eat.

Aye Aye to a full bar. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever mood you are in, they will fix you up.

No cocktails for me that day. Played 9 hours of Final Fantasy XV the night before so coffee was definitely imperative that day.

California Toast - Toasted rosemary sourdough, avocado, soft scrambled eggs and an arugula herb salad. I loved the arugula herb salad. It was a nice touch and not something I expected when I took a bite. The eggs were perfectly soft scrambled for all the Chef Gordon Ramsay's out there.

Neighborhood pizza - Guajillo sauce, taleggio cheese, pancetta, pickled pearl onions and baked egg. What part of that do you not like? This pizza was delicious. I loved the pickled pearl onions touch. We keep a jar of these all the time and it's a great palate cleanser. The pickled onions helped by cutting the richness from the pancetta and baked eggs. The guajillo sauce and taleggio cheese was a nice touch. And Pancetta? Well, Pancetta.

Grab a slice, and swim it through the eggs.

The famous Bucatini Carbonara that I've been seeing everywhere. Made with house pancetta, poached egg, and freshly cracked pepper. The pasta was perfectly al dente that springs back with each bite. The egg was also executed beautifully with a soft runny yolk. The element that brought this home for me was the cracked black pepper. It gave it a nice heat element that warms your face and your throat as it goes down. It had great flavor too.

The steps to eat carbonara: Pop that yolk. Toss the pasta. Twirl your pasta from your fork in your spoon. Keep spinning. Eat.

Make your reservations.

 5210 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038

TLT Food - Pasadena

A good foodie colleague of mine recommended this place that just opened not too long ago. Even though I work in Pasadena, surrounded my tons of restaurants, it's still hard to find a place to eat around here. After having dinner at TLT, it definitely felt like a breath of fresh air. There's a lot of variety on their menu with playful ingredients. I didn't find their menu to be boring, but unique to their offerings. TLT used to be a food truck. Like all ambitious entrepreneurs, only a few make it to open a brick and mortar. 

36 South El Molino Ave Pasadena, CA 91101

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Tamara getting her Monday drink on. 

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Shishito Peppers

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Cali Ceviche - Cauliflower, Avocado, Lime, Red Onion, Cilantro, Jalapeño, Corn Tortilla Chips. Additional charge to add tuna.

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Ahi Tuna Tostada - Tostada with Sushi Grade Ahi, Garlic Ginger Dressing, Pickled Veggies, Avocado, Lime, Cilantro, Iceberg & Sesame Seeds

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Beet Salad - Pickled Golden Beets, Roasted Red Beets, Arugula, Mint, Spiced Candied Almonds & Whipped Goat Cheese

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Pee Wee Potatoes - Cheese Sauce, Chimichurri, Scallions (these were freaking GOOD)

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Blue Crab Grilled Cheese - Blue Crab, Cheese Blend, Scallions, Jalapeños, Sambal, Grilled Sourdough. No Substitutions (For $12, this was worth it.)

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Amazing Chimmi Wings - Tossed in Chimichurri & Topped with Chipotle-Honey Aioli. Green Apple & Lime Garnish. 6 Wings total. These were one of the best wings I've had! Not comparing them to your typical bar wings or game day wings, but the flavor of these are so different than anything I've ever had. Must order. The lime does wonders to this as well.

I'm counting on them to stay open, so check them out.

36 South El Molino Ave Pasadena, CA 91101