LAUREL TAVERN, STUDIO CITY

      Laurel Tavern in Studio City is a great place to go for happy hour and drinks. This charming, rustic, and always packed tavern is on Ventura Blvd. in the heart of Studio City, next to a bunch of bars and restaurants. I've been hearing about their menu for a while, and wanted to go for some food and drinks with some friends.
     I went around 8:30pm, and the place was packed. We actually had to wait outside before even being let in because the place was over capacity and there was no room. When we were let inside, my friends and I ordered a couple of glasses of Dr. L 2009 Riesling white wine, (which is my favorite wine by the way- fruity, light, and smooth), and we waited for a table. The place was so loud and crammed, but once we got a table it was great.

     Ok, about the food. The CHORIZO SLIDERS are amazing! I swear I was in heaven. It had SO much flavor, and tasted even better than the regular Laurel Burger (which is also very good). The chorizo was charred outside and juicy inside. Pork just has so much flavor, and I had never tried a pork chorizo burger, so I was definitely pleasantly surprised. Highly recommended if you eat pork! We also ordered their famous Laurel Burger which is also very good, but the chorizo sliders were to die for. They have a couple different burgers there such as the Hickory Burger, and Bleu Cheese & Bacon Burger, which are all supposed to be very good as well.

Amazing Chorizo Sliders

The Laurel Burger

     We also ordered the Peppered Steak Fries. They are handcut, homemade steak fries coated lightly in hot pork fat and seasoned with black pepper & sea salt with a side of "secret" hickory sauce but what really tasted like ketchup with a sweet kick to it lol. The fries were OK. I love steak fries, but I actually wasn't crazy about these. They weren't bad by any means, just expected a little more flavor.

Peppered Steak Fries

     Laurel Tavern has a great, eclectic menu. Next time I go I would love to try their Grilled Artichoke, Pork Belly Sandwich, and Chorizo Fondue, but I also have to get the Chorizo Sliders again lol. They also have an extensive selection of unique microbrews such as an apricot brew, a blueberry ale and so many more beers on tap. I will definitely return to Laurel Tavern soon!

LAUREL TAVERN

11938 Ventura Boulevard

Studio City, CA 91604

http://www.laureltavern.net/

GET ON IT.

Photo by: http://www.laureltavern.net/

LUKE'S LOBSTER, NEW YORK CITY

LIKE LOBSTER? LUKE'S LOBSTER IS WHERE IT'S AT.

     Luke's Lobster is literally a hole in the wall with great fresh seafood in New York City. Known for their seafood rolls on warm buttery toasted buns, I swear their lobster roll is the best I've ever had. Their lobster roll was recommended to me by a friend, she swore it was the best she ever had, so naturally I made sure to make a stop while in the city. I of course have to put my readers up on the best food right?! Well, I never let you down, because this lobster roll at Luke's is the best.

Luke's Lobster- Order up front and pick where you want to sit!



Left:Lobster Roll (cut in half) Right: Shrimp Roll (in half)
(The shrimp roll is good, but lobster is way better!)

      This place is "bloggie" paradise. Like my new word lol? But it is. Luke's Lobster has been written up in the New York Times, New York Mag, Wall Street Journal, a bunch of food blogs, and featured on the Today Show & the Food Network. It's a great foodie spot because it's a tiny, casual spot with great food, and the place isn't oversaturated- many people don't know about it, especially if you don't live in NYC.
     Anyway, back to their signature amazing lobster roll lol. It has chunks of lobster meat, a dab of mayo, seasoned with "secret" spices inside a buttery, toasted golden-brown bun. It's literally perfection. Not too much mayo to overpower it, and the lobster is seasoned just right. The bread is so amazing. It makes the roll extra delicious. The roll is so simple, but so flavorful. Not too saucy, just fresh, flavorful lobster on a great bread roll. The lobster is shipped straight from Maine. The roll is kind of tiny, and a little expensive, but well worth it. It's $15 and it's not that big, but because it's such good quality lobster, and it's SO good, I swear it's worth the money! I mean it's not that expensive, but for a sandwich from a hole in the wall, some people may think it's a little pricey. It is a good amount of lobster though, and lobster isn't cheap nowadays. I'm telling you, you are paying for quality & it's money well spent! I could easily eat two though, because one defintely doesn't fill you up!

Luke's Lobster Roll

This bread is amazing! Toasted perfectly.

     The guy working at Luke's was super nice and brought us complimentary samples of snow crab claws, and samples of their Spicy Crab & Sweet Potato Bisque. Both yummy :)

Snow crab claws

Spicy Crab & Lobster Bisque samples! Yumm



I can't wait to go back to NYC and go to Luke's Lobster! Their lobster rolls are to die for!

Luke's Lobster- GET ON IT.

For the menu and locations in NYC, go to:

LUKE'S LOBSTER

http://www.lukeslobster.com/

VILLA BLANCA, BEVERLY HILLS

      I had the most beautiful dinner at Villa Blanca recently. This restaurant is so gorgeous. If I were to ever own my own restaurant, it would have a very similar vibe and look as Villa Blanca. So my style! I went on a warm night when the outside patio was packed and everything was lit with candles. Villa Blanca is all white and has a very romantic and elegant vibe. It is a fusion of Italian and Asian cuisine.
     Before going, I had heard the food was good, but nothing special, so my expectations for the food wasn't high. Everyone was saying to just go because it is a beautiful restaurant. I must admit though, I was pleasantly surprised with the food. I had a great dinner. The place was packed on a Saturday night- I sat inside on the edge of the open door patio, and since it was a warm night, I felt the warm breeze throughout dinner and with the candles everywhere, it just had a great vibe.

This is what was ordered:

First they bring you yummy bread with an olive tapenade dip!

COCKTAIL:

~Spa Cooler- Very similar to a Mojito (which is my favorite cocktail). With Vodka, Acai, cucumber & mint. Really yummy!

APPETIZERS:

~Crispy Rock Shrimp- OMG. This was my favorite. I LOVED this. It was tempura shrimp with a warm, creamy chipotle aioli/mayo, served with ponzu sauce on the side. It was melt-in-your-mouth. I seriously would go back just for this! It was my favorite part of the whole meal.

~Ahi Tuna Tartare- Very good. A bed of spicy tuna and avocado, with their house truffle chips on top. Layer the tuna on top of the chips obviously- amazing.

ENTREES:
~Fusilli & Sausage Pasta- I was recommended to get this by one of my friends. I really enjoyed it. It was pasta with sausage, sun-dried tomatos with a pink sauce. I never usually order pasta like this, but it was a nice change and it was really good. I substituted it with spagetti noodles. Tasty! Had a nice kick...

~Penne "Arra Blanca" & Tiger Prawns Pasta- Penne pasta with butterflied tiger prawns, spicy seasonal tomatoes, crushed red pepper, garlic and fresh purple basil. We substitued penne pasta with linguini. I don't like penne too much- doesn't hold the sauce well. The prawns were good. The pasta didn't have as much flavor as the description sounded, but still pretty decent. I liked the sausage pasta better with the pink sauce though!

DESSERT:
~Molten Chocolate Cake-  Delicious- & I'm not even a big chocolate person. It was a warm chocolate cake/brownie carmelized on top with a side of vanilla bean ice cream and caramel/raspberry sauce drizzled on the plate. I was so full by the time this arrived, but it was so good I couldn't refuse!

VILLA BLANCA~ GET ON IT.

VILLA BLANCA

9601 Brighton Way

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

(310) 859-7600

http://www.villablancarestaurant.com/

Great date night with my man :)

BABY BO'S CANTINA, NEW YORK CITY

     Whoever said there is no real/good Mexican food in NYC, I am proving them wrong right now! Baby Bo's Cantina in Murray Hill, NYC, was one of the best Mexican meals I've had in a long time. It was soo good!

     I went with my sister and a friend, and it is the cutest little Mexican spot- total hole in the wall, but charming and cozy. It was packed when we got there, and when we sat at the bar, a couple minutes later we turned around to look at the door and there was a line of people waiting to be seated.



Me (middle) & sister (right) & friend at Baby Bo's Cantina!

This is what we ordered:  

~Quesadilla Enorme with shredded beef-  this was one of the best quesadillas I ever had! Inside was shredded beef, gooey cheese (the cheese was so creamy and amazing), beans, and topped with gaucamole, jalepenos, and chipotle sauce. I love my chipotle sauce, or any sauce for that matter! It was perfection. A quesadilla done right!



QUESADILLA ENORME at Baby Bo's Cantina, NYC

  ~*BBQ DUCK BURRITO-  3 words for this. I COULD DIE. It was so good! This was one of my top favorite things I've had in New York. It was bursting with flavors. So unique. It's roasted duck in their tequila-habanero BBQ sauce (which isn't too spicy for all you people who can't handle the spicy lol), and inside was melted monterey jack cheese, black beans wrapped in two tomato tortillas with a side of black beans, red rice & grilled pinapple pico de gallo. I of course had to have a side of guacamole with this. Everything tastes better with avocado or gauc! :) This BBQ duck burrito is *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*.


BBQ DUCK BURRITO at Baby Bo's Cantina, NYC



 BABY BO'S CANTINA

627 2nd Avenue

New York, NY 10016

http://www.babyboscantinanyc.com/

GET ON IT.

Sisters <3

PINK'S HOT DOGS, HOLLYWOOD

OK, LISTEN UP FOLKS. THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO DO PINK'S...AND THAT'S MY WAY!

     Pink's Hotdogs in Hollywood has been a family-owned Hollywood institution since 1939. Located on La Brea Ave., you will rarely drive by this hot dog stand and NOT see a long line. It's always packed with tourists to see what this famous hot dog stand is all about.
     I have heard many mixed reviews about this place. A lot of people actually don't think it's anything special. At least not what it's hyped up to be, and my response......it all depends what you order. I've been to Pink's many times, and have gotten it wrong many times. Everything I tried was just "OK", nothing amazing that made me want to rush back. But when I decided to give it another try, I finally got it right. After waiting in line FOR AN HOUR, like, what was I thinking? lol, this is what I ordered and I won't try ANYTHING else from this place. It's a masterpiece. Ready???

My Pink's hot dog masterpiece is: HOT POLISH SAUSAGE WITH CHILI, NACHO CHEESE, & BACON.

Snapshot of my Pink's hot dog!

     It's messy and amazing. I use to go every Sunday at midnight (because the line wasn't long), and the workers began to know me, and knew what I wanted to order before I even said anything lol. When I was feeling out of control, I would order a side of chili and nacho cheese, drive to McDonald's down the street, order fries and make chili cheese fries. #DON'TJUDGEME. 
       Anyways, I haven't had Pink's in a long time, but I shall return soon. If you do go, what I get is pretty amazing :) BAM.

PINK'S MUF*CKIN HOT DOGS- GET ON IT.

PINK'S HOT DOGS

709 N La Brea Ave.

Los Angeles, CA90038

(323) 931-4223

http://www.pinkshollywood.com/

Photo: www.pinkshollywood.com

MALIBU KITCHEN & GOURMET COUNTRY MARKET, MALIBU CA

     I love good sandwiches and Malibu Kitchen has amazing wraps and sandwiches. It's a tiny, cute market in Malibu Country Mart on Cross Creek Rd. right off PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). They have amazing goodies from cheeses, wine and fresh baguettes, to candy and a fresh bakery with amazing desserts. But I go for their deli-they make BOMB wraps.

     I always either get the tuna melt wrap grilled CRUNCHY (which is extra $), or the hot pastrami wrap with the tortilla grilled crunchy as well. OMG. So good! The tortillas are grilled crispy, flaky, and golden brown. This is what makes the wraps so amazing. Make sure you ask them to grill it crunchy for you :)

     Today, I went on the most beautiful hike in Malibu with amazing waterfalls and after building up an appetite, decided to stop at Malibu Kitchen for one of their delicious wraps. They ran out of pastrami today, so ordered their homemade corned beef, which was just as amazing.



Tuna Melt grilled with pepperjack cheese, guacamole, tomato & side of pesto

Hot corned beef grilled with coleslaw, provolone cheese & thousand island dressing



Tortilla grilled crunchy/golden brown! YUM

 They have a great bakery with giant cupcakes! Here is a close up of the cupcakes lol

     Enjoying a beautiful hike in Malibu before going to Malibu Country Mart to eat at Malibu Kitchen! Nothing better than being in Malibu on a sunny day...

Can you belive this is in Malibu?! Breathtaking...

 MALIBU KITCHEN

3900 Cross Creek Rd. Ste. 3

Malibu, CA 90265

(310) 456-7845

RICE TO RICHES, NEW YORK CITY

 MOVE OVER FROZEN YOGURT, THERE IS A NEW WAVE COMING! 

     In and around Los Angeles, you see hundreds of frozen yogurt places everywhere. "Fro-yo" blew up the scene a couple years ago, and became trendy spots for a sweet treat anytime of the day. Frozen Yogurt became so popular in LA because all the skinny people could enjoy it without feeling guilty lol, because most Frozen Yogurt places serve NON-FAT yogurt. Therefore, this delicious low-calorie treat became popular among many. It's also fun because of the many different combinations you can create from yogurt flavors and candy/fruit toppings.
     But in New York City, it's not frozen yogurt that's popular. It's RICE PUDDING! Rice pudding places have been popping up everywhere in  NYC, and it's replacing the "Fro-Yo" craze. The most popular and famous rice pudding place in the city is a place called RICE TO RICHES. Inside this place looks like an ice-cream shop with all different kinds of rice pudding flavors, and a wall of yummy toppings to choose from. I had fun sampling all the different and unique flavors- my favorites were "French Toast", "Cookie's and Cream" and the regular "Vanilla". I decided to order the Vanilla rice pudding, with graham cracker cookie crumble and brown sugar with raisins as a topping. Let met me just tell you, it was AMAZING. It's served in a plastic "UFO" looking saucer with weird spoons---the whole theme of the place is cool- it has a "futuristic" and trendy vibe which was unique. 

      A little pricey though. it was $6.75 for a SMALL, but it's practically a meal, so it was worth it to me.



Vanilla Rice Pudding with graham cracker/brown sugar crumble & raisins.

      Some people have an issue with the consistency of rice pudding because it's chunky and cottage cheese looking lol, (and I HATE cottage cheese!), but this tasty dessert is unique and incredible. I loved the combination of the vanilla pudding with my graham cracker/cinnamon tasting topping. It was a great combination. I would order that exact combo again. You can also have this treat for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert because there is such a variety of flavors and toppings.

RICE PUDDING BITCHES. GET ON IT.

Me (w/ no make-up on) eating my pudding bowl in a UFO lol

RICE TO RICHES

37 Spring St.

New York, NY, 10012

http://www.ricetoriches.com/