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breakfast

Amara Chocolate - Old Town Pasadena

August 28, 2016

I've been to Amaras a while ago before they started to serve food. Just located conveniently off the Fair Oaks parking structure on Green Street and Raymond, you really don't need to travel far after parking. It's not everyday you find a cafe that serves Venezuelan food. The menu has a lot of exciting unique offerings like Arepas and Cachapas.

I started with one of their signature lattes, the Cacao. This was 61% dark chocolate, served over ice but you can just imagine how thick and creamy this was. Extremely rich in flavor and mellows throughout your meal as the ice melts. They also carry lemonades which they sweetened with agave syrup.

The Pabellon includes shredded beef, white cheese, black beans and sweet plantains. Salsa verde of the side served with mixed greens. The arepas is grilled white corn flatbread cut open and stuffed. Really tasty and filling from the beans and plantains. I loved how crispy the arepa was even after soaking up the salsa verde.

Grilled housemade yellow corn crepes with basil pesto sauce, Italian Burrata, Spanish Chorizo, roasted tomatoes, prosciutto, salame and olive oil. The cachapas had little corn kernels running through the batter. Loved the burrata and the different types of cured meats.

Lunch was ended with some Spanish churros. These Spanish churros were eggs and dairy free. We received the Ice Cream Churros which comes with 6 ribbon shaped churros topped with a chocolate chip vanilla ice cream with a side of chocolate sauce. What's not to love about indulging in delicious sweets?

Make sure to check them out when you are in the area:

55 S Raymond Ave
Pasadena, CA 91105

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10e Restaurant - DTLA

August 24, 2016

10e is located on 7th and Flower conveniently right off the exit from the metro red line. The restaurant carries a diverse menu of authentic Armenian cuisine with modern Mediterranean influences. The space is spacious with tall ceilings with beautiful molding. It's not everyday that I eat a meal dedicated to this cuisine, so I am excited to share the items I tried.

Here were some cocktails that were available when we arrived. I liked the Spicy Crush. Very refreshing even after a long night of drinks with friends. They also carry a pretty tasty ginger beer so I would also recommend their Detox Retox.

Hummus with pomegranate seeds and roasted eggplants.

Some of the other items you see are Jalapeno topped Hummus which is made with chick peas, tahini, and lemon, aleppo peppers, and extra virgin olive oil. Beef Fried Kibbeh- Ground beef meat balls stuffed with pine nuts, served with a touch of garlic yogurt. Cauliflower topped Hummus - Creamy house made hummus (chick peas, tahini, and lemon), aleppo peppers, extra virgin olive oil and Fire Roasted Cauliflower. Muhamara. Roasted red pepper and walnuts with pomegranate molassesdip.

This deep fried Falafels was my favorite. Chick Pea, Fava bean, and Tahini served with house made pickles. I could eat more than one even though I shouldn't.

Taramosalata Tartar. Smoked Salmon, Caviar, Avocado, Beetroot Sauce served with flatbread.

Beet Salad with Filet Mignon. Golden & Red Beets, Arugula ,Fennel, Radicchio, Walnuts, White Balsamic Lemon Vinaigrette. I actually really liked the salad, The filet mignon was also flavorful and tender.

Beef Lula Kabob with Cherry Reduction sauce. Made with organic grass fed beef. This was served aside with buttery rice with vermicelli topped with slivered almonds. Will order this again.

Desert Medley. House made chocolate bar with caramel sauce and creme fresh with a side of baklava bites. The baklava was definitely a popular item.

811 W 7th St Los Angeles, CA 90017

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Tacos Ensenada - East Los Angeles

August 15, 2016

A lot of people won't even know where East LA is. To some people, this area may be extremely foreign. And it's true. East LA is known to have crime from time to time so I'm not surprised people don't pick this as their destination. But there are also a lot of love. A lot of families. And a lot of hungry people wanting good food at an affordable price. East LA is heavily populated with Hispanics, but with that said, there are some great mom and pop joints out here that I consider some of my top go-tos. That's when I stumbled upon Tacos Ensenada. And if it wasn't for taking a trip on the Metro Gold Line, this place would probably still be incognito on my radar.

5161 E Pomona Blvd
East Los Angeles, CA 90022

Here were some amazing eats:

Poppy shrimp, citrus from the lime, sharpness of the onions, sweetness of the tomatoes, herbiness of the cilantro, creaminess of the avocado, and the toasty flavors of the tostada. For around $2, why even bother making this at home.

Fish tostada is my favorite ceviche to have. I love the texture of citrus cooked fish. It really infuses the flavor and tastes that much fresher cold with fresh chopped ingredients. Another must order.

Crunchy fresh fish tacos with shredded cabbage, pico, red sauce and crema. Finger licking good so you better chomp on these quick. Large lumps of seafood around $1.75 a pop, and well worth it.

Better than some street carne asada tacos. Meat was juicy, flavorful, and tons of umami in my mouth. I hope it's not lard... but a part of me loves that it might be.

Unlimited condiments. Be mindful, not wasteful.

Total for 1 bottle of coke, 4 fish tacos, 1 shrimp taco, 1 asada taco, and 2 tostadas... $20.ish dollars. Yeah you bet it was good. And guess what? They also accept credit cards, Double that what now.

5161 E Pomona BlvdEast Los Angeles, CA 90022

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Kings Row - New Menu - Old Town Pasadena

July 27, 2016

I've been to Kings Row multiple times the past few years. I am pretty excited to share a few of the new items that Kings will start to serve. To keep this review brief, you can find Kings Row on 20 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105. You can also stumble through the back which I prefer on Mercantile Pl. Keep in mind it's first come first serve. All food and drinks are to be ordered at the bar.

Pig Roast

As always, don't forget about their pig roast every 3rd Thursday of the month.

Underworld

In Watermelon Sugar

The Pearl

The Crossing

The Beach

Knots and Crosses

Ulysses

There actually wasn't a drink I didn't like. I recommend going with a group of friends and try a bunch of these together. My favorite was their American Gods Old Fashioned. Made with citrus sugar, you really taste the orange peels that they used to create the distinct flavors.

Food:

Classic Double Cheese burger

Naan stuffed with provolone

Thai Chile-Lime

Chipotle Honey and Hot Wings

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Crispy Apple Hand Pie

Fries with cheese whiz

Great place for food, drinks, and hanging out. They also have live music from time to time. Kings Row is a solid place to go to if you want to hang out in Pasadena. I'll probably be back twice in August. Maybe I'll run into a few of you.

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Magnolia House - Pasadena

June 27, 2016

When people say Pasadena, the first thing I really think of is Old Town. It's until recently the past few years that people are starting to reach their endeavors elsewhere. The Paseo has really become that place along with the few around Colorado and El Molino. But to go even further, you now have Lake Ave booming with new restaurants and concepts. From Sunlife's Acai Bowls, to Sugar Fish by Chef Nozawa, you have classic old school fine dining like Smitty's and not so long ago Del Friscos that just made it's way on Lake about a year ago.

With that said, there's Magnolia House. It's tucked away on the corner of Lake and California. It's a great hang out spot for the local workaholics to get away after a dysfunctional 8-5. Trust me, I know a few.

Magnolia House launched a few cocktails that will sure help you escape the monotonous cycle of the case we call Monday's. But I like to just accept the fact that I will use any excuse to grab a drink.

I'm not a cocktail person, but I will honestly say I enjoyed each and every one of these sippers. I've been drinking old fashions pretty consistently lately as my beverage of choice. I would easily pick any one of these, especially a hot humid day like the ones we've been facing in LA.

These finger licking wings are available for Happy Hour. For $6, you get 3 pieces, fried and doused in Korean sweet and spicy sauce with a side of pickled chili cucumbers.

Beer Cheese sauce with vegetarian toppings. Vegetarians are safe as this contains no meat.

Local yellowtail, yuzu vinaigrette, Pickled red onions and micro shiso. Would love more citrus kick from the yuzu, but the portions of the yellowtail were generous and lump-sum. On the Happy Hour for $9, you get 3. Loved these bites.

The sweet onions are, obviously, caramelized and mixed with smoked gouda. Fried and served with a dipping sauce of greed goddess. Sounds pretty amazeballs to me. Happy Hour, $5 you get 3.

You can always find fresh oysters here as well. 6 for $16 (not on Happy Hour) served with mignonette, horseradish, and cocktail sauce. Get your afrodisiac on. It's always a great topic for conversation. Haha..

I say yes to everything pork belly. Don't even ask me. They use a heritage duroc pork served with cherry puree, pickled lady apple, frisee, and french breakfast radish. The pork was briny from the cure, but that fat is just melt in your mouth stuck in the back of your neck goodness. Paired nicely with the cherry puree, apples, radishes, frisee, basically everything to cut down the richness of the fat.

The brussells sprouts are cooked down with smoked bacon and tossed with a cilantro pistachio pesto. Topped off with a fried egg with Pecorino shavings. All vegetables need to be eaten this way.

Yup, you should plan your next happy hour accordingly. Remember to invite me when you do. Every excuse to drink remember? Happy grubs!

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Wine & Dine

Amara Chocolate - Old Town Pasadena

10e Restaurant - DTLA

Tacos Ensenada - East Los Angeles

Kings Row - New Menu - Old Town Pasadena

Magnolia House - Pasadena