Lala's Argentine Grill - Not So LalaLand

Hmm... this one is not gonna be easy. Don't get me wrong, I totally like the whole concept, decor and the cool vibe of this Argentine restaurant. From the get-go, this place is definitely famous for their steak. Wide variety of the menus is also a plus but meat dominates the list. The food is not terribly bad, but unluckily, let's just say I had a bad piece of steak.

weird thing I prefer to eat this whole basket of bread and uber tasty dipping oil rather than the steak.

spinach-onion and ground beef-onion empanadas. definitely a kick-ass appetizer. the crust is very crunchy and fillings are all well seasoned and satisfying.

Entraña al Champignon. Grilled Certified Angus Beef skirt steak, topped with sautéed mushrooms in a light red wine cream sauce, and fries. the infamous steak really let me down. not only they tasted bland, this piece was a bad cut and hard to chew.

Costilla. grilled choice ribeye steak. still cannot believe that this place is raved for the steak, because this one is even worse than the champignon. bland was an understatement.

Panqueque de banana con dulce de leche. Warm caramel crepes and diced banana, with caramelized sugar on top. this one is a yummy dessert for those of you who wants of to get the sugar rush. after three bite of the sweet chunk, I think I'm high...

Lala's Argentine Grill

7229 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 934-6838

www.lalasgrill.com

Ord Noodles - Porky Galore

Krrissspy pork....I'm a total sucker for major fatness of crispy pork. So wherever I could find them piggy, I will hunt them down! Thai food is no stranger for their crispy pork and word on the street is Ord Noodles handle the business like a BADASS!! Wait, crispy pork and noodles?? Good news keep on comin'.

As a noodle lover, Ord Noodle is one of the best noodle that I crave for the same way I do for Indonesian noodle. If you like spicy, this place will keep up with you 'till your tummy can't handle it. Selection of thin egg noodle, thick rice noodle, and thin rice noodle are available for your choice. Don't let the bowl size fool you, the small portion is only a fistful of noodles, so don't think twice just get the large size times two. 

everything pork. thin egg noodle with ground pork, bbq pork, pork balls with dried shrimp and peanut. and of course extra crispy pork.

thin rice noodles with bbq pork, spare ribs, dried shrimp and peanuts.

the inglorious basterds!

Besides their noodles, the crispy pork and Chinese broccoli over rice is the next best thing in this Thai joint.

Ord Noodles
5401 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 468-9302

Sunnin - Old & New

beef kefta kebab platter. Finely ground beef with chopped onions and parsley, seasoned with a blend of spices, grilled on a skewer served with hummus, rice, Lebanese salad and pita bread.

The first time I visited Sunnin, it was hole-in-the-wall which had no more than six small tables with "intimate" kitchen full blast of order yelling, long waiting, and paper plating. I'm not a fan of the place, but the good food and reasonable price, I'm in! 

The second time I visited Sunnin, it moved across the street to a new and improved spot. With larger space, cozy settings and cleaner look. Although I'm a fan of the new place, it causes price increase and slower service. blah~

combo grill. beef kebab, chicken kebab, and kefta Kebab, served with hummus, rice, Lebanese salad and pita bread.

I'm always here for the kefta kebab and hummus. OMG, their hummus is the best, hands down!! Their kefta kebab is good, but not as delish as Shamsiri's, another Mediterranean restaurant one block up from Sunnin. Sunnin's kefta kebab is tasty but a bit dry. I recommend to put the green hot sauce on your kebab to make your experience at Sunnin more sizzling.

Sunnin Lebanese Cafe

1779 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 477-2358

www.sunnin.com

Joe's - Lunch Long Overdue

Jidori Chicken Crisp "Panzanella", Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Cipollini Onions, Japanese Cucumber, Lemon & Basil, Chicken Sauce

Long before I went home for my winter holiday, I spent an afternoon at Joe's located at one of my favorite neighborhood, Abbot Kinney. When I looked at the Michelin guide, this place used to have one star, I wonder maybe the quality has changed. I tried this place for dinner and it was not memorable, so I thought Joe's will redeem itself for a round of lunch. All of the food tasted good, but not spectacular. Especially with splendid presentation, I expected to have sensational bite after bite. Thank goodness for the chocolate crunch cake, which change the mood to an A-OK ending.

Open-Faced Seared Albacore Sandwich, Cherry Tomatoes, Celery, Japanese Cucumber, Shaved Red Onion, Eggplant Puree, Grilled Garlic-Rubbed Baguette

  Chocolate crunch cake. Hazelnut Praline & Coffee Crunch Ice Cream, Candied Hazelnuts

Joe's Restaurant

1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 399-5811

www.joesrestaurant.com

Koi Kei Bakery - Tart Delicacies

 

presenting: scrumptios Portuguese egg tart

If you have a chance to visit Macau, you have to get your hands on these babies!! They disappeared quickly before your eyes, due to high tourist demands. The warm filling is creamy and has silky texture, the outer crust is flaky and messy once you get your bite on - just they way they perfectly should be.

Surely, Koi Kei Bakery is always jam packed with tourist grabbing their almond cookies and pineapple pastry. but I only got my eyes on you, egg tart...

Koi Kei Bakery

Venitian Hotel &

City of Dream

Macau

Aurora - Enchanted

Living up to its one Michelin star, Aurora is the go-to place to make you feel inevitably spoiled whenever you're in Macau. A serene atmosphere and wondrous Macau peninsula view created  a jaw-dropping impact, especially at night. Choice of high tables for tapas, poised dinning room, and Japanese-style rattan terrace for the ocean view are available. Just a flawless spot to celebrate our new year...

The exquisite eight courses cuisine were tantalizing our taste buds and the 500-strong wine list is no less impressive. The stellar service added touch of real class in the overall experience.

 

oysters in bellini jelly, oscietra caviar, lobster and sicilian blood orange mousse

pan-seared foie gras with black truffle, celeriac cream and rossano licorice flavored juice

scallop cappuccino with porcini mushroom, belgium endive and coffee emulsion

smoked scamorza and eggplant ravioli, orange duck ragout, five years old parmesan broth

wild smoked amadai with winter vegetables and herbs sauce

japanese beef tenderloin with purple potato puree and gaja sauce

italian cheese selection

manjari dark chocolate mousse with chesnut cream and hazelnut eclair

two sets of petit fours

the other companion. a glass of red.

As if the fascination of Aurora was not enough, we lounged at the terrace to enjoyed Macau skyline light up together with fireworks working its magic. Sealed with toasts, hugs, and kisses of new year.

Altira Hotel

10F Avenida de Kwong

Tung, Taipa

Macau

www.altiramacau.com

Modern Toilet - Holy Crap!

welcome!

Pardon me for the shitty welcoming figure above. It took me by surprise when we walked into the restaurant and the giant shit-shape cushion gave us a crappy greetings. Oh well, obviously from the name Modern Toilet, I should expect to see some random shiz...

 bathroom atmosphere with toilet seats as chairs, faucets as tables, and showers on the wall

The franchised restaurants spread in Taiwan and Hong Kong uniquely decorated the space with bathroom elements while visitors get to sit on real toilet seats. The toilet themed restaurants also went all out by serving their meals on miniature toilet bowls, bath tubs, and even squat toilet containers.

 

korean kimchi hot pot on toilet bowl

braised sirloin hot pot on a toilet bowl

toilet, lavabos, toilette, privada, lokus. you name it..

When you think the idea is really disgusting but cute, wait 'till you hear the flushing sound while enjoying your beef curry on a squat toilet. yummm...

p.s: it's best to keep potty-training-in-progress kiddies at home.

Modern Toilet
4th Floor Capitol Centre 5-19 
Jardines Bazaar, Causeway Bay 
Hong Kong