A couple of weeks back, I stumbled across Lasa, a Filipino fusion restaurant, on Yelp. As someone who is Filipina and deeply engraved in her culture, I'm always on the lookout for delicious and high-quality Filipino restaurants in the Los Angeles. Fortunately for me, my boyfriend and I have almost the exact same taste in food, and he was down to try Lasa out.

Situated in a plaza in Chinatown, parking was relatively easy to find and we ended up walking to the actual building. When we got there, however, we were pretty disoriented to find an ongoing burger + art show featuring artworks by the makers of Bob's Burgers. We initially thought that we might have been misguided by Yelp. However, due to boyfriend's suggestion to call the actual restaurant, we found out that Lasa is in that very vicinity! Yay!

The interior is cozy and warm. It even boasted a couch seating for diners near the entrance. Our host immediately sat us down though it did take a while for our waiter to approach us. We were there immediately after it opened so there was only one other couple. However, after about an hour, it definitely became more packed.

We ordered the Adobo Peanuts, "Pancit", Red Snapper Kinilaw, Lumpiang Sariwa and Kesong Puti Fritters. They had a pre-fix menu for $40/head. However, since we are pescetarians, we couldn't really eat the entree they were going to serve. Our waiter took the time to explain everything we had, and while some people might appreciate that, I really prefer my waiters to be more personable and less loquacious about the menu. I mean, we were hungry and he practically spent all of five minutes explaining the menu to us.

The food arrived after nearly twenty minutes, which isn't necessarily a good thing. However, we forgive a lot of things for really good food. Once our food was served, the waiter took another five minutes to explain everything that we've gotten.

From left to right: Pancit, Red Snapper Kinilaw and Adobo Peanuts

We already knew that the taste would be nothing like the typical Filipino versions. The "Pancit", with its egg noodle, calamansi butter, scallions and fish sauce cured egg yolk, was delicious and multidimensional. I did feel it was less savory than I preferred. This dish was boyfriend's favorite. The Red Snapper Kinilaw, showcasing watermelon radish, red snapper, calamansi Kosho, asian pear and fish sauce-vinegar sauce, was my favorite out of all the three appetizers. It was just tasty and although it wasn't quite what I expected it to taste like, it was well-balanced and satisfied my palate well. The adobo peanuts were definitely reminiscent of adobo and I liked how they integrated the taste with the crunchiness.

Fresh Lumpia

The fresh lumpia, with Brown Rice Flour Crepe, Roasted Cauliflower, Black Kale, Shaved Cabbage and Peanut Soy Vinegar, was boyfriend's favorite out of all the dishes. I, on the other hand, still gravitated towards the kinilaw. While the Fresh Lumpia was better than the typical Fresh Lumpia I've had in my lifetime, it didn't quite cut it for me. It was delicious, sure, but I like my lumpia savory and oozing with flavor. It was a refreshing entree but it wasn't quite as filling as I wanted it to be.

For dessert, we got the Kesong Puti Fritters, which had the Muscovado Cream Glaze and some delicious persimmon compote. The "fritters" resembled donut holes and based on the waiter's description, it should have had some kesong puti inside. However, none of our fritters did. The only reason I still enjoyed the dessert was because the persimmon compote was extremely delectable and satisfying. That was one dessert I did not feel guilty immediately after.

Are we going to go back? Definitely - even with the long drive. The waiter mentioned that they tend to rotate the menu based on what's fresh and in season. However, it's not the type of food or taste I will have a regular hankering for. 

Catching the sunrise is always one of my favorite things, and I never realized how the rising sun creates an aura of somberness & petulant optimism until seeing the sun rise in such a metropolis. Waking up earlier has led me to healthier habits, which include a more regular meditation habit or doing at least a few yoga moves in the morning. Waking up earlier is also helping me focus on what I need to do, and has helped me find more reasons to live for. Have you tried to catch dawn at least once in your life? If not, you totally should. 

Over the weekend, boyfriend and I hiked to Griffith Park. We've decided to hike more regularly, especially since it's less hot in the winter. It's more difficult for me to work out in the winter just because it's colder and it's so much more tempting to cozy in with a soft comforter & sip hot chocolate. Hopefully, our regular hiking treks will help me stay in shape throughout the season of food.

I've posted about Moto Sushi before but when we came back this Sunday to celebrate being together for 26 months now but DAMN. As two, self-appointed sushi snobs, every single piece of nigiri blew us away. We ordered salmon (both regular & New Zealand salmon), yellow tail, two different preparations of red snapper, monkfish liver, uni, unagi & bluefin tuna. ALL OF THEM HAD FRESH WASABI AND I DIED.

I reiterate - every.single.nigiri.was.AMAZING. First world problems, we had difficulty choosing the last piece of sushi to imbibe upon. It's been our tradition to choose the best sushi as the last thing to eat in order to make the flavor in our mouth last longer.

For the most part, we've both chosen uni. Last Sunday was an exception because we chose the bluefin tuna. Fitting, I know, especially since the bluefin tuna had gold flakes on it. Yep, you read that right. It was such a satisfying dinner and while it was pricier than our usual sushi restaurants, it was oh-so-worth it. Rest assured, this is our monthly go-to now.

And by nothing, I mean no puns. I legitimately spent five minutes trying to come up with an original pun for September and failed. Fortunately, I have more than enough favorites to make up for it!

Eventrockit food market is a fantastic event that happens every other month and changes locations ever so often. They have new food vendors every event and some old favorites as well. We had some sushi + taco fusion and blue crab & avocado crostinis from Norigami. We both found the sushi tacos amazing while the crostinis were just okay. On the other hand, both the mango chili and a couple of delicious aguas frescas we ordered from a drink stand were delicious. We also ordered a plate of good Thai Garlic noodles from a Thai Truck (I forgot the name!).

We also ordered some authentic Belgian Waffles from Marcel Waffles for desserts. We got the Original Liege and Original Brussels waffles without any toppings. Out of the two, the Liege was definitely our favorite. Since my boyfriend is Belgian, I was also looking forward to his thoughts (we've been on a look out for authentic Belgian waffles for a while), and he thought it was definitely close to the waffles in Belgium

Recently, my coworkers and I went to Escape Room LA as part of the company's team building exercise. While in the waiting room, we played a couple of games. As we were ushered in and given our orientation, we were instructed to turn off our phones so no photos - le sigh. Our HR person chose The Theatre theme, and off we went! I managed to solve one puzzle and felt mostly confused half of the time. While it was definitely fun and thrilling, I'm not much of a puzzles person (even though I like my whodunits - weird, I know). My boyfriend would definitely enjoy "escaping" though, and while I'm not as good in it as he is, I look forward to coming back regardless.

We're not big fans of shabu shabu because most restaurants serve only meat with little to no options for paescetarians like us. However, Joon Shabu Shabu was different. They offered a good seafood plate that was more than enough to entice us. It had a few pieces of big scallops, salmon and shrimp. We were given an elaborate orientation on "how to of shabu shabu". It was quite an exciting experience. My only criticism would be that we left feeling a wee bit hungry, which is kind of unacceptable for the $50+ bill.

Out of sheer curiosity, we decided to try out Lola's Peruvian Restaurant and HOLY COW, it's amazing. We've been there three times in the last two weeks (yep, we're obsessed), and it never disappoints. We've had their salmon plate, seafood paella and seafood pasta. The salmon plate probably had the best grilled salmon I've had in my entire lifetime, and trust me when I say, I've had a lot. The seafood paella and seafood pasta were extraordinary as well.

Alfajores - Peruvian cookies

We also had the Lucuta ice cream, corn flan and alfajores, all of which we've never had before. Out of the three, the corn flan was probably my favorite, although they have all been gastronomically orgasmic. I can't wait to go to this place again!

As a lover of all things ice cream, it seemed a travesty not to try Flavors Creamery, the new gelato place in Glendale. It was cheap (I got a small size for only $2!), and while it didn't wow me, it was a good price for what I paid. Besides, the people were friendly and I prefer supporting mom and pop shops in lieu of big companies.

Granted, I've only been to three German gastropubs in LA but Wurstküche slays them all. Touting one of the best fries, bratwursts AND beer selection in the area (it has my favorite sour beer on tap!), this place has carved a place in my heart and decided to hibernate there. In fact, I've always regularly craved for a visit to this restaurant. It's quite a drive and the traffic is horrible, but it's forever worth it.

This street art I saw while we were stopped in traffic in Glendale. I love it not only because of my affinity for art but also because of my affinity for puns. I thought it was cute and witty, and definitely worthy of being on my September favorites!

Over Labor Day, we (and by we, I mean he but I was with him throughout the journey for moral support) drove to Oxnard for a day of exploration. My siblings have visited Oxnard once before and they regaled me with stories of its beauty so I had to experience it for myself.

We got dinner at Money Pancho, a Mexican restaurant with marvelous reviews on yelp. We were greeted with a smile and were immediately shown our table. Only one other couple was there but it definitely got busier as the night went on. We ordered the Camaron Bilbaina (Black Tiger shrimp, delicately sauteed with dry red chilies, garlic, butter, and mushroom sauce and then flambe in white wine before serving) and the Filet of Sole Veracruzana (filet of Sole cooked in Salsa Veracruz made with garlic, peppers, onions, olives, tomato Ranchera sauce & white wine). We both thought they were delicious though I preferred the Camaron better than the Sole. By the end of the meal, we had debated on getting desserts because we were both full but decided to get the flan. It was delicious, and I'm really happy we got it. We walked back to our hotel with happy stomachs and happier hearts.

Come the morning, we grabbed breakfast from Hollywood Beach Cafe. Boyfriend ordered their Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with spinach & hash browns while I got Avocado & Toast with two eggs, griddled tomatoes and fresh fruit. My boyfriend's choice tasted better but we enjoyed the fresh fruits a lot. They had the best strawberries & raspberries I've had in a very long time. No photograph of the food because, you guessed it, I got too distracted by the adorable dog.

The restaurant was close to the beach and we had initially planned on taking a walk there after eating but we forgot to bring towels, and didn't want to risk getting sand all over our shoes and my boyfriend's car. We decided to skip the beach and headed to the Channel Island Harbor Marina instead - it's where the Oxnard Farmers' Market is held every first Sunday of the month.

It was a such a good day to be in such a beautiful and calming place, and we had a lot of fun exploring the different pop up shops in the Farmers' Market. It was surprisingly bigger than I expected it to be - even bigger than Echo Park & Silver Lake Farmers' Market. We ended up buying a Chocolate Chocolate Thunder cupcake from a local baker and a small container of raspberries, which were definitely not as good as the ones we've had at Hollywood Beach Cafe but they were fresh and delicious nonetheless.

The epitome of political paradoxes

Before heading home, we swung by the Carnegie Art Museum, which is one of the reasons why I wanted to go to Oxnard in the first place. However, it was closed because they were preparing for an exhibition for late September. I was disappointed but I'm glad to be able to see its notable facade anyway. Afterwards, we headed back to LA with big smiles and lots of singing to The Smiths. I always feel closer to boyfriend after traveling somewhere new together, and I can't help but feel so grateful to have him, his company and all the conversations we have in my life. It was a wonderful three-day weekend indeed.

One of the best features that Boulder had to offer, aside from the scenic views and warm people, was their vast array of delicious food. As a food lover (but who isn't, really?), only a separate blog post could do the wonderful gastronomic experience we've had in Boulder justice. Here are some of the restaurants we visited and my verdict:

Backcountry Pizza & Tap House
Given that this it was a couple of blocks away from our hotel, this was the first place we decided to get food from once we set food in Boulder. However, once we got there, the waitress informed us that the kitchen was already closed. We decided to try it for another day - that day being a Thursday.
Food: We got the cannoli to share and a couple of beers, both of which were good. They have a huge beer selections, and is touted to have the largest number of taps in all of Boulder.
Ambiance: Laidback atmosphere with booths, bar and middle tables to cater to your desired intimacy. You could also go al fresco if you want. Albeit well-lit, the place is still dim enough to rouse a relaxing ambiance.
Service: It was okay - nothing extraordinary.
Recommended? If you're out for a casual date or just relaxing with friends, this is the perfect bar to head to. They close earlier on weekdays though.

Harpo's Sports Grill

A couple more blocks down the street, this sports bar was where we ended up going on our first dinner in Boulder. It wasn't quite our kind of place, what with the ginormous televisions blaring sports and sports paraphernalia plastered all over the place, it definitely was not the perfect atmosphere for conversation. Sports bars have always seemed to me as too rowdy and loud but given that it was around 10 p.m., we didn't have much choice.
Food: We ordered the New England clam chowder and a couple of veggie burgers. They were...'eh'. I remember the croutons on the chowder being  good but other than that, the food did not leave much of an impression.
Ambiance: As good as a sports bar can get.
Service: Nothing remarkable
Recommended? If you're into sports bar, this is a good one, I guess.

T/ACO an Urban Taqueria
A favorite go-to place for tacos by my boyfriend's coworkers, gourmet tacos became the center of our appetites as I joined my boyfriend and his coworkers for lunch.
Food: A wide range of menu for the taco lovers out there, but being paescetarian, we opted for the red snapper, ahi and shrimp tacos. I loved the red snapper and ahi but found the shrimp tacos okay. We also ordered a couple of margaritas, which I found to be quite strong. I finished one and was already feeling a bit woozy.
Ambiance: Boisterous, casual and perfect for a Friday evening dinner after work. My boyfriend's coworkers seemed to be good friends with the owner so he conversed with us for a couple of minutes.
Service: Very good.
Recommended? Yes. They have good tacos but be prepared to pay $3+ for a taco.

Snooze, an AM Eatery
Located on the least gregarious side of Pearl St., Snooze, an AM Eatery was  a pleasant surprise. There was a long wait for a table, but since there was only two of us, we were seated almost immediately.
Food: We came here twice and had ordered the Caprese Benedict and Benny Goodman on the first try. On our second try, we got the Caprese Benedict, Huevos Rancheros and half of the OMG! French Toast. If it isn't already obvious, the Caprese Benedict, with its poached egg doused with cream cheese hollandaise. fresh mozzarella and balsamic glaze that came with a side of pesto-tossed heirloom tomatoes, was a personal favorite. The French Toast, which was a mascarpone-stuffed, brioche toast topped with salted caramel, fresh strawberries, toasted coconut and vanilla creme, was delicious as well
Ambiance: Bustling with energy and the typical diner feel. Perfect for brunch!
Service: We've had good service from this place though some Yelpers have alluded to otherwise. I say you come in and experience it for yourself.
Recommended? Highly, and rightly so.

Smooch Frozen Yogurt & Mochi
Food: My boyfriend does not like mochi ice cream (the travesty, I know). However, he loved the mochi ice creams I got from this place. There were a lot of wonderful flavors, all of which was delightful to the palate. My only criticism would be that the mochi was a bit too hard for my taste. I like my mochi a bit soft and easier to chew. My boyfriend, on the other hand, loved the chewiness and was actually one of the reasons why he likes the mochi ice cream I got from this place. It's pretty inexpensive too - I got 7 different mochi flavors for $14. What a steal!
Ambiance: Minimalist, tiny and cute. There aren't a lot of seating options.
Service: Self-service. Cashier was helpful and cordial.
Recommended? If you're into ice cream, sweets and mochi, this is the place for you.

Sushi Tora
As lovers of sushi, we couldn't let trying Sushi Tora pass. There are three best sushi restaurants in Boulder - Zanmai, Kasa & Sushi Tora. Zanmai was apparently where the prime minister of Japan dined when he was in Denver. Regardless, since Sushi Tora was closest and we were hungry after yet another attempt at a hike, we decided to go there instead.
Food: We ordered our usual, which my boyfriend usually orders for me nowadays since he knows exactly what and how many I want. We got salmon, yellowtail, uni, bluefin tuna, eel, a tuna handroll and red snapper, all of which were delicious and very satisfying. They had what might have been the best red snapper I've ever had in my life.
Ambiance: Typical of a sushi restaurant and as I've read, has a more fancy atmosphere in comparison to Zanmai.
Service: Splendid.
Recommended? Definitely.

Chautauqua Dining Hall
After a short-lived hike on the Chautauqua trail due to the drizzle, we went to this restaurant for two reasons: 1.) It was close to the trailhead 2.) It was built in 1898 and is considered a historical building in Boulder.
Food: We ordered clam chowder, chai tea, Sockeye salmon and their Market Fish, which was, at that time, a dish with halibut. My boyfriend liked the food but I found it lackluster and wanting of flavor. It was okay to say the least, but definitely not worth what we paid for.
Ambiance: I've heard and read people say you pay for the ambiance. That part is on point. The building itself reminded me of a city hall but the interior seemed to me like what Gatsby's mansion would look like if he lived in Boulder. We opted to be seated on the patio, and while it would have been a better experience had the weather been better, it was a lovely view nonetheless.
Service: Pleasant
Recommended? If you're all for being a part of history, then by all means. Otherwise, I'd say skip it.

The Mediterranean Restaurant
Also lovingly known as 'The Med', this restaurant is owned by the same wonderful person who owns Brasserie Ten Ten. In fact, it is situated adjacent to the Brasserie.
Food: They have a LOT variety but what drew us the most were their reasonably priced tapas plates. You'd be hard-pressed to find tapas plates for less than $7 in LA so we engorged ourselves. We ordered the Gambas La Plancha, Polenta con Funghi, Calamari Fritti, Truite Fumee, & Burrata Caprese. My favorites were the calamari, the burrata & the polenta, which were all fantastic to the palate.
Ambiance: It's somewhat fancy yet casual at the same time. It seems good for a first date or catching up with friends.
Service: Good.
Recommended? Yes

Avery Brewing Company
We went to Avery on their 23rd Anniversary celebration, and had an amazing time! Tickets were $60/person, which included one lunch and 9 glasses of beers from tap. I barely got to finish three glasses, but was quite impressed by the quality of the beer I did end up getting.
Food: We got a salmon burger and a vegan sloppy joe (I've never liked vegan sloppy joes or just sloppy joes in general). Obviously, I didn't like the sloppy joe but found the salmon burger delicious!
Ambiance: The whole place was ginormous! There are also some spots where you could see their brewing plant. It was a cool sight.
Service: Fantastic! Everyone was so nice.
Recommended? You gotta, man.

Thrive
A block away from our hotel, this awesome vegan restaurant wouldn't have been on our list of restaurants to try had I not done my due diligence in researching it on yelp. We decided to try it on our last day in Boulder.
Food: We ordered the the kombucha on tap, the Tropical Sunshine smoothie (made from Sprouted Cashew milk, pineapple, papaya, banana, chamomile, coconut oil, camu camu, mangosteen, hemp protein and coconut crystals), Elevated cheesecake (don't ask me why it's elevated), the cheezy broccoli soup and a sandwich (I forgot the name - you'll know why in a minute!). Between everything we've ordered, we definitely loved the elevated cheesecake and smoothie the most. They were just bursting with flavor! We also liked the kombucha on tap as well as the soup. The least praiseworthy and was honestly just 'eh' for me, was the sandwich. Except for the texture and the nutrients, nothing about the sandwich was memorable.
Ambiance: Aside from the food choices, one of the most interesting things about Thrive was their ambiance. We sat on the countertop tables and was mildly enthused with stones embedded onto it.
Service: People here were so chill albeit the food took quite a while.
Recommended? Yes!

Tibet Kitchen
Coming highly recommended by a couple of acquaintances, both of whom have been residing in Boulder for quite some time, we decided to give it a try for lunch.
Food: We ordered the Tsel Vegetarian Momo (Tibetan/Nepalese version of dumplings), Gyathuk Long Noodle soup with vegetables and Gyathuk Ngopa. We both loved the Momos and found the Gyathuk Long Noodle Soup just okay. I liked the Gyathuk Ngopa a lot but my boyfriend didn't like it as much as the other two items we got. They also gave us free chai tea, which we both enjoyed.
Service: It was self-service but the cashier who greeted us was nice. She also recommended the food that we ordered.
Ambiance: What it lacked in fanciness and glamour, it made up for in coziness and warmth.
Recommended? Yes, but only if you lived in or near the area. Don't drive an hour for this.

Brasserie Ten Ten
BEST. FRENCH. RESTAURANT. I'VE. EVER. BEEN. TO. IN. MY. LIFE.
Granted, I haven't been to a lot, which is weird given that my boyfriend is Belgian. Regardless, this place blew all the LA French restaurants we've been to out of the water. Yes, it's THAT good.
Food: We ordered oysters, Moules a la Mariniere (which was my boyfriend's mom's favorite dish) and Bouillabaisse. My boyfriend also got their IPA for the day. The Moules a la Mariniere was probably my favorite dish though the Bouillabaisse came a close second. The mussels were cooked to perfection and I think my tongue high-fived me a little.
Ambiance: Exuding a classy and modern vibe, Brasserie encouraged high expectations and enjoyed the rewards of gracefully exceeding them. We had such an amazing time, notwithstanding the ambiance. Everything just seemed perfect.
Service: Phenomenal. Our server was efficient and friendly without being intrusive.
Recommended? 101%. I wish there was a branch in LA. I'd be a regular for sure.

A big part of the reason why I travel is because of the food, and Boulder definitely did not disappoint. I can't wait for more adventures - both food and places - in the future!