Background

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Cherry Blossom Festival in White Plains!

I went to the Cherry Blossom Festival in White Plains for the first time in my whole life! There weren't any cherry blossom trees but it was very Japanese and therefore very exciting for me! Mind you, I'm very behind on my posts, so this was like May 1, 2010.

Anyways, there was food, fun, and awesome performances.
I would just like to announce now that I want to learn how to play the Taiko (Japanese Drums)!

Look at how freakin' cute they are!

When we got there we got some food, which unfortunately, was yucky. It wasn't there fault though. It was like 289374928374928374 degrees and keeping sushi in an ice box is not an ideal way to preserve it.

Since it was so crowded, we couldn't sit at a picnic table so we found a random table and stood and ate.

We walked around and played some fun games. And bought Japanese Bread at Parisienne, my favorite Japanese bakery that no longer exists in Hartsdale!

They were selling udon but I couldn't imagine it being good because the noodles were like already cooked and sitting in a bowl. And the yakitori looked super dry.

I did some Japanese calligraphy... what a throwback! I used to take Japanese calligraphy lessons when I was like 7!

This is a popular game in Japan... "catching" balloons- yeah we are pretty simple people!

And this one too.. scooping out Goldfish! (I was super violent and impatient so my scooper broke immediately)

And we did the tea ceremony! The women working the tea ceremony were so cute :-)

The candies were homemade by one of the women!


Twas a nice experience! I know I was hating on the food but they could have done so much better! The entertainment, especially the White Plains Taiko group, was great!

And F.Y.I. great place for little kids because they had a blowup castle!

This year was the first year (I think) that they had it in a bigger park. It was at a park on Lake Street called, Turnure Park.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

California, The Final Day

We made it a point to get to another In-N-Out burger before leaving California. So on the last day, we went. And we got those damn good burgers, and Tiny got his Animal Style!

Check out the Animal Style Drippage

Another last one, to make you jealous:


We said that for dinner on the last night, we would cook a nice meal for our gracious host for taking care of us so well...

Remember these?

Stuffed Pork Chops, Yams, Green Beans with Bread Crumbs :-)

Finished off with a "French Cheesecake" from Vons! If you don't know Vons, it's like the equivalent of like A&P, or Food Emporium. It's like the Grocery Store Chain of San Diego...

The next morning, we woke up at like 4:00 AM, and we were home in NY by 6:00 PM! And after thinking I couldn't eat for another week, my mom took out me, Tiny, and Tiny's friend for Korean BBQ!!


Hahahahaha! I <3 FOOD! In-N-Out Burgers
2910 Damon Avenue
Pacific Beach, CA 92109

California, Day Ten: Peruvian in San Diego

Ughhh... one of my favorite meals in San Diego was here at Latin Chef Peruvian Cuisine!

Not only was it my first time having Peruvian food, our waitress was super sweet and helped us out quite a bit.

We were started off with these crunchy corn things

"You're gonna love my nuts"-SlapChop


Appetizer was Anticuchos- Beef Kabobs.... Yum-O


My Picante de Marisco... Oh man, this was so good. The creamy, tomato-ey sauce reminded me of Tikka Masala. Only in the way that it had the right amount of spices in it, but was still do-able for undaring eaters.


Tiny's Lomo Saltado... How can chicken, french fries, and veggies not be good!

For dessert, we asked for the waitress' suggestion and were given these delicious, buttery cookies:


Alfajores... it looks like a macaron, but the cookies are like this buttery shortbread, and the inside is ooey-gooey caramel!

Latin Chef Peruvian Cuisine
1142 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
Phone: (858)-270-8810


Oh... F.Y.I. The little mexican breakfast spot was on this street!

California, Day Nine: Food and Tanning In Pacific Beach

So, we were in the Pacific Beach section. And everyday we went to the same beach. But before going to the beach, we went to the same place for breakfast every day...

Maria Juana's Cafe- the cutest little food spot ever! And the nicest waiter!


I always got the Fruit Bowl with Cottage Cheese...

Sometimes with a side of one Oatmeal Pancake!


Tiny tried a few different things but his favorite was the Chilaquiles

Tortilla, eggs, veggies, cheese and beans! It was awesome!

Unfortunately, I don't know the address or contact information for this cute place. But it is on the Main Street that leads to the beach!

For dinner, we went to a random Japanese place on the main street... ironically called Haiku (it's ironic because there are way too many Haiku's in Westchester and I thought I got away from them!)

We got a Sushi Roll, Tiny got Tempura, and I got Sukiyaki... really it was kinda awful.
Just so you can avoid it, here is the information:

California, Day Eight: Chinese in San Diego

So let me just say that during out stay in San Diego, we did nothing but eat and go to the beach. I got a savage tan!


On the second night, Tiny decided he wanted to take out our host to his favorite Chinese restaurant: The Mandarin House. I don't even know if it is his favorite restaurant but all they talked about were the Popcorn Shrimp!

We started off with the Pupu Platter for 3! It was all like lit up with fire and shizzzzz, it was cool!


Asparagus wrapped in Chicken... it was a hit!


Mongolian Beef


And of course... Popcorn Shrimp!

It was really good! It was light and crispy, and it was a little bit spicy and had scallions or leeks or something....

After our disgustingly full tummies told us to stop eating, we somehow made a decision as a group that ice cream would be a great idea! Our host guided us to Baskin Robbins :-)
My new favorite!


Oreo Outrageous (ugh, seasonal flavor) in a Chocolate Dipped Wafer Cone!


So, totes happy!



Mandarin House
6765 La Jolla Blvd
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858)-454-2007

California, Day Seven: Hello Saint Diego!

OMG San Diego... I was so excited! We left L.A. early because it was raining... booo....
Upon our arrival in San Diego, it was still raining, yuck. But we had some tacos to cheer me up!

Tacos Mi Rancho

I got a Fish Taco and a Shrimp Taco


Tiny got two Chicken (soft)


and two Beef (Crunchy!)

We stayed at Tiny's mom's cousin's house... it was heavenly... The house was gorgeous, it was like a 10 minute walk to the beach, 10 minute walk to the main strip, and our host was so gracious!

For dinner on the night we arrived, he too served us some ham!

We were ready for an early bed time in a nice comfortable bed :-)


Tacos Mi Rancho
5010 Cass St
San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: (858)-270-6343

California, Day Five & Six: Monterey-Big Sur-Los Angeles!

Most of Day Five was spend hiking the Vicente Trail in Big Sur..... GORGEOUS. It was quite a hike and the views were incredible. It was like being on an airplane and seeing all the amazing landscapes from far above! Our 7 hour hike was rewarded generously with Italian food at Caruso's Corner. It was like straight up, nothing fancy, Italian food and it totally hit the spot! I got a Calamari Steak and Tiny got Meatball and Spaghetti Parm... omg literally. Hahaha. It was really just, yeah.

So Day Six, we headed to Los Angeles, where a couple of his friends live. It was Easter Sunday and we were welcomed with the most adorable Ham dinner!

Here were the apps:

Triscuit Pizza, Crackers with Brie, Caprese Salad


The Pile o' Ham



The Whole Plate: Ham, Salad, Green Beans with Bread Crumbs, Mashed Taters
(All homemade!)

Tiny and I brought a fruit tart from Whole Foods:



The excellent hosts!
Not to mention their apartment was sooooooooooo nice! We slept on the most comfy couch!
Thanks!


Caruso's Corner
2101 Fremont St
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831)-375-5014