Beverly Hills

So during the summer, I attended a cello camp in Beverly Hills called the Beverly Hills International Music Festival. However, it lasts the entire day for 10 days. So, I explored many restaurants around the city. You might be thinking, wow, Alyie like pricey things! Well, I was actually surprised by the prices they offered. For no more than $20, you could get a huge lunch that will keep you full for a light dinner. I recommend:

1. Bao (the best asian dim sum)
2. Jack and Jills Too (crepes are amazing!)
3. Curvee (sandwiches)
4. The Capital Grille (twin lobster tails and truffle fries are a must!)

These 3 restaurants especially stood out in my mind. And remember, there are dozens of restaurants out there. Just don't be afraid to explore. You won't be disappointed.

Bottega Louie

Any macaron lovers out there? Let me introduce you to Bottega Louie, an upscale restaurant/bakery in Downtown, Los Angeles. The high ceilings and pumped up feel inside will make your spirits rise! Once you enter their doors, the first thing you will see are the candy colored macarons! They have many flavors, but my favorites are Rose, Earl Gray, Passion Fruit, and Matcha (green tea). You'll be tempted to buy a ton, but just be careful, macarons only stay in top shape for 3 days at max! And trust me, putting them in the refrigerator will just make them rock hard. One thing that I love about Bottega Louie is how delicate and seriously they think of their deserts. Macarons come in a cute little box beautifully wrapped. Yeah, I know, it all sounds girly! This not your cup of tea? Well, Bottega Louie isn't all about pastries. Their restaurant is amazing. I recommend that you try their fries and their pizza!

Maine Lobster

This season, lobster is in! Last Sunday, my family and I had a home cooked live lobster fest. I approve of Maine lobster. Even though its size can only supply you with half a stomach's fill, it will definitely leave you satisfied. My dad was the main chef, and he told me a few secrets about cooking crustaceans:

1. Rinse the lobster in the sink first. It'll take care of any unwanted germs on the shell.

2. If cooking live lobster, watch your fingers carefully.

3. Grab a large pot filled with hot water and stuff your lobster down. Limit of 3 per pot.

4. Let your seafood boil for 10 minutes will the pot lid on. Then remove.

5. Continue the lobster Jacuzzi for 5 more minutes. 

6. Platter your lobster!

I recommend using vinegar and/or mayonnaise as dipping sauce. Butter could work, but I don't recommend it because the lobster just gets oily. Besides, butter is empty calories!!!

Posting Frenzy Coming Soon!

OK, so I know I have been lazy in posting these days, or months... but I will be posting more soon! Thank you all the people who have even glanced this blog! I will continue to work!

Crab, Crab, and More Crab

One of my parent's friends from San Fransisco came to my house a couple of days ago at around dinnertime, and she wanted to eat something that represented where we lived (beach city!!!!). We could only think of one restaurant: Pacific Fish. It's not really a fish restaurant, but a place where shrimp and crab are abundant because it's located on a pier. There's always a abnormally big line, so it's fun just to walk around and enjoy the ocean breeze (which lingered on my hair long after dinner). After waiting, walking to our table is as exciting as your favorite baseball team winning the World Cup. Since you have to order before you get to the table, the food just comes quickly and soon, the table is full with goodies. That day, we had boiled shrimp, fish soup and of course, crab!!! The fun part is that you eat everything (except the soup) with your hands, wooden hammers, and bibs! Always be careful not to splash crab juice on anyone! I recommend seafood lovers to go and try Pacific Fish!

85 C

85 c is a bakery where you can find the best bread that you have ever ate. Chinese bread and American bread is different. American bread is just bread, while Chinese bread has all different kinds of flavors. Anyway, my favorite breads from there is the calamari bread that tickles your tongue with its garlic ness. Brioche doesn't have a significant taste but milk and plainness. It is very soft and is perfect for a clean snack. Third, their mochi egg tart is great and very creamy with not very much egg because of the mochi bottom of the tart. I am not very sure of the address of this bakery, so if you are interested, you should google it.

Asian Bar-B-Q

In most countries, Bar-B-Q means meat, but in different places, the seasoning, the type of meat, and the way to eat is completely opposite. A couple of days ago, I ate at a restaurant called Gye-Maku, which means cow in Japanese. It is a very big music with friendly servers and great food that you have to cook yourself (Japanese Bar-B-Q). That time, I ate the limited Kobe beef (not the basketball player Kobe). Kobe is a more expensive and exclusive cow, where they are fed beer and massaged everyday. Gye-Maku only sells 20 dishes per day, but it's very unlikely for it to run out. It's a very small proportion but it comes with rice, miso soup, and a big salad. When the time for cooking comes, I recommend to do it quickly and cook all of them in two times because the heat from the stove gets in your face and is very uncomfortable. i have to say, the meat was a little to hard for me. It took me 2 minutes to eat one piece. Other wise, everything else was pretty good. If that doesn't sound enough for you, they also have appetizers at 50% off, of you could get the all you can eat meal starting at roughly $12.
A couple of weeks ago, my family and I went to my dad's friend's house for dinner. We had Korean Bar-B-Q which is about the same thing, but with green onion salad, daikon, rice paper, miso paste, chili sauce, garlic, and a salt and pepper sauce. This is how I eat it:

1. Cook the meat
2. Dip the meat in the sauce
3. Get the daikon and put it on top of the rice paper
4. Put the meat on top of the rice paper and daikon and add garlic
5. Enjoy!!!

Most of the time we eat this when we go to their house because everyone can have fun!