Happy with Hazel

Photo: the spread

Being a gracious host takes a lot of practice and learning. You can read books on it. But it's not the same as doing it yourself. Being a host does not only take place in your own home but also when out when you invite people out or are introducing people to each other. Being a gracious host is an important skill to have and something I am most definitely learning still!

 Last Friday was the first time I officially hosted an event and it was with the help of my sister. I was helping her host a Motives cosmetic party and I like make up so I actually wanted to host this party. My sister called the event, "happy with hazel," and even made the cutest Invitations. 

First came the menu planning. People sometimes ask me where my ideas for food come from. I think my food muse is always nearby and she is there to always inspire me. Sometimes it's a dish I've seen on a menu or recipe. Recently they really are inspired by trips to the farmers market. "Come try a fresh date." "What would you do with this?" "Cheese plate or make bacon wrapped date." Ooh ok. I will do that!

Cocktail of the night:

Mezcal Mule 

Mezcal, ginger beer, lemon, lime, and mint. Later in the evening this had cucumber. 

Dish #1: bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese.  You just take bacon cut in half. Remove pit of date and stuff. I stuffed mine with a soft sheep cheese. And then wrap with bacon. Use a toothpick to hold together. This can be prepped night before, and then just thrown into oven right before party. While this dish is good served hot, it is also good served room temp. So it's easy to prepare in advance. 

Item #2 was a rustic hummus. Hummus does not have to be blended. You can smush beans halfway. I used white and garbanzo beans, mix it with purple onions, avocado, garlic, cilantro, parsley, tahini, lime. lemon, and a good olive oil. I served it with lavash crackers. This is a good thing for a party because you can prep it night before and your guest will have something to eat right when arrive. If you prep night before I suggest adding avocado right before serving though. 

Dish #3 "crack a plate" Brie on just made crostini, served with a peach bourbon or Arabian apple jam. 

Dish #4. Fries with parsley and Parmesan. I just used frozen shoestring fries, baked, added freshy gratsd Parmesan and parsley! 

Dessert: 

cardamom and orange choclate ice cream served with a lavender shortbread cookie and dressed with a sweet guerztiminer "almost vinegar" 

 This was supposed to be served with fresh figs I had picked up but forgot about it when serving but nobody noticed of course. But sad I have a basket of figs to eat by myself now. 

See. Hosting and menu planning is easy peasy. 

So lessons learned.

For the guests that stayed later they even got an "appetif" of ginger pineapple keffir water served with strawberry, cucumber, lemon,  and mint. 

1) my place is small. And it gets hot when I cook. Guest were sweating up in here for as long as the oven was on. I would have tried to get all the baking done before the guest arrived. This was not possible though bc most guest pretty much arrived soon after I got home which was I was expecting of course. Regardless it was not something I took into acct when I had planned the cooking while they arrive. Also a good host will not still be prepping while guest have arrive. But remember I was helping host and was not main event thrower. 

2) write down every component of my menu somewhere such as a board. I wrote down my menu. But I did not write down ALL components. It was helpful though. As I read it and went "oh yes oh yes I wanted to make fries." I forgot to add the figs in the moment too as I mentioned.  I also forgot to add cucumbers to the cocktails. Darnit! 

3) remember the name of items you served. Everyone liked the cheese but what did I say when everyone goes, "what type of cheese is this?" I actually just realIzed now I could have looked in the trash for the wrapper and go above and beyond. But instead I blurted out it was called "crack a plate" at the market. Hah. 

The cocktail:

Mmm fries. 

The "appertif" of keffir. 

Just a reminder

2nd grade

Teacher:  Why aren't you doing your work? 

Me: "oh I was daydreaming." 

 

Lykke Li -WCW (woman crush wed)

I skipped Outsidelands this year. I've been going for 3 years in a row, but I wanted to be responsible and paid bills and school loans instead of spending almost $400 on a concert ticket. That is called, being an adult. Although I guess we all carry debt, so maybe I could have just gone on carrying it. Anyhoo I did miss a Lykke Li performance, so I was happy to find out she had show the Fox Theater in Oakland. I heard it was a great venue, so thought this was a perfect opportunity.I first discovered Lykke Li, maybe around 2008. Around that time, I had finished culinary school, but was uninspired to look for something in my field, and trying to figure out what to do with my life, I started listening to music more and here I found Lykke Li.

Here's my tour of her music and what it means to me. I'll have to start with her first album. Indulge me, I need concert/music friends!

So one song I first liked was "Let it Fall" where she talks about how she likes to cry. Sounds familiar? Funny thing I could not understand her, so I thought she was saying "So happy" and then I found out she was talking about crying, and I liked the song even more. A happy tune with sad words. I like the contradiction
"I like it salt. I like it wet. I like my makeup in a mess. So I weep. It feels so good when I let my water fall. And I won't stop until my tears are all shed."
 I like to indulge in my sad feelings. Listen to songs. Watch a certain movie. And I can cry for  a whole week too. Oh to be a girl.
http://youtu.be/CMOOVUhxXcg


"Little Bit" -- "Hand's down I'm too proud love, but with eyes shut it's you that I am thinking of. I think I'm a little bit in love with you but only if you are a little bit in love with me."  Is that possible to be a little bit in love? Nope.
http://youtu.be/G6Qqhhlb3T0

Dance Dance Dance. "I was a dancer after all." I've always said, "I can't dance." But then I grew up and realized that I can. Maybe in my strange way but I can, Here is a version of Dance Dance Dance, which is with Bon Ivar, another band I love. But try to look for the one on her album too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fgbTvfCgSk

"Everyone but me." For those days you don't feel like being in the crowd. "Everybody is dancing. I don't want to. Everybody is drinking, I don't want to. Everybody is using, I don't need one." Maybe the club isn't good all the time right? I've had a lot of these moments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wkDfujp0CQ

OK. For her 2nd album. A lot darker and a little more poetic.  
You can tell with the first single on the album. Watch the music video and see how mysterious the lyrics and the video has become. But this still a good catchy song. "I follow you to deep sea baby." Love that. Since I love the ocean. But the video made me LOL, because I decided to wear cute heels to the concert, and then I took the BART home, and then walked barefoot home. Yah I did. She runs barefoot in the video. And that kiss is so good in the video.
http://youtu.be/vZYbEL06lEU

Ok I Love this one "Sadness is a Blessing." You must watch this video. Shows you how cookoo she is. And I mean that in a the best way possible "Sadness is a blessing. Sadness is my boyfriend. Sadness, I'm your girl." I could not agree more with that line. I would not be as happy as I am if I were never sad. And I'm single now, so sadness you are my boyfriend. I'm your gal. I've begged him not go. Yes I've done this too.
http://youtu.be/Xu-b3u5jDiU

For most recent album you wonder, "Who has she fallen in love with and left and longs for?" This album is more painful to hear.
This one is called "Sleeping Alone." 
Cannot get used to. Cannot forget you. Will I get used to sleeping alone?  I never used to. I didn't get to, never get used to sleeping alone. Tomorrow's a long time. Getting so alone. I love you a loved you a long time. I loved you long. Someday somehow. Somewhere down the line. You save your heart for mine we'll meet again. Will I get used to? Cannot forget you. Don't want to get used to dancing alone." Dancing alone. This is just what I just did. I saw the show alone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB1aoelO_Ow

One more. And also a good one.
never gonna love again
"Every time the rain falls think of me on a lonely highway. How can we turn around the heartache? I'm never gonna love again. Baby wait a long time, before you love somebody new. Can we start all over again because I'm never gonna love again?"
Ugh OK,. Heart hurts now. Must stop writing.

http://youtu.be/O-tMD2Tqt5w

And to end WCW, Lykke Li said during her show, "This is the girliest city I have every been to!" Hah. Cute.

Dinner and drinks in the Mission

I planned dinner with sister, baby, and a few coworkers a few months ago. We stopped by Lolo's for southern Mexican cuisine. And then Chino's for Contemporary Asian cuisine. Both are good small bites plus drink kind of places. Are you seeing a trend here? Yeah. I like places with drinks and small bites. Hah. I just realized it's just another way I have turned into my dad. 

Too cute these 2! And thier outfits totally matched the theme of both restaurants we ate at. Lolo's had a lot of "green" upcycled art. Take a look at everything. The lamps were made out of buckets. A lot of doggie art. Tire rims. Just a fun place. And of course they have Mezcal. Yum. 

This has corn fungus w pasta in a green sauce. It sounds much nicer in it's native name (huiteloche?)I've heard it been compared to truffles. I had to get. 

Obligatory Brussel sprouts: 

Squid ink 

And then even after all this food we walked to Chinos. This is the only pic I have from chinos apparently left in my phone. It's a paper fortune teller. Fun. We were full by the time we got there! But they were nice enough to give us wings and lumpia on the house! Uh Yeah! Thank you! Also "Yay" for boba cocktails! Sounds awesome but all my balls ended up frozen and drink was super sweet which is would be ok if I wasn't so full! Frozen boba balls is not always a bad thing though. 

Yay. Alva will be closer

One of my friends, Alva, has spent a good time traveling and working abroad. I've gone to school with her since preschool, and decided I want to hang out around with her more around middle school when we became classmates. When we went to high school we were the only 2 in our group from middle school that ended up in our high school together. And then I also followed her to the same university in college, became dorm mates and then roommates even off campus. And then pretty much after that she caught the travel bug and has not stayed put anywhere for too long. But she decided to try settling stateside again. Unfortunately she will still be a little far away in Minnesota for now. Not sure if Cali will ever lure her back. She visited me over the summer to get a feel for it and in the end was not sure. Plus the job market in the education field in the state is tough. Happy to have you back Alva! 

Here's a recap of her trip her over the summer. 

Us at cha cha cha cha (hey funny we used to take cha cha lessons together. It was really ballroom dancing classes but I only got as far as the waltz and the cha cha) 

We went up to sacramento to see another high school buddy. Here's me at Capitol. 

I took her to Muir woods. We did the main walk and then went off into the dipsea trail. I like the main trail way better. Larger trees plus the stream. (I know where are pics of Alva?) 

We were able to celebrate another old friend's bday. You see the couples? And then her and I? Haha. Maybe this will be us forever. And I'm kinda ok with that. I've considered following her to Minnesota too (hah).

Met one her friends that she met while abroad at Outer Lands in the outer Sunset. You must go. Chef is now Bayani, who've I've mentioned in another post. I think I got too tipsy at thier bar. Place was renovated recently. And covered in the owner's personal collection of wood. (Heh)

Persian food at Lavash with our friend from Guam, Markie plus his fiancé. 

Things that blow my mind

This is the stuff I think about like everyday. 

When I pee, I'm peeing out my filtered blood. I used to just think that peeing was excess water. It's not. It's what's left from your kidneys filtering your blood. This is why you should reconsider what they say about taking vitamins because you will just pee out the excess. Does your kidneys need to do all the extra work? Your decision. I take some vitamins. I need vitamin d because I am barely in the sun and it will be good for calcium absorption. I'll take vitamin c when I am sick or about to get sick. And when you eat. Your intestines are pulling nutrients out to feed your blood so your blood can feed your organs. 

When I put on make up

I'm really walking around pretending I look like a just had the flush that women get when they orgasm. So when I put on my blush you bet I'm thinkin about that. 

When I drive. My car is being fueled by dinosaurs! Gas is made from that gunk deep under earth that the old forest and dead dinosaurs left behind. I'm so amazed! Thank you dinosaurs for helping me drive to work everyday. 

Why is the Starbucks lady on the cup holding her legs wide open?  Close them legs honey. 

Sometimes when I cook

Sometimes when I cook and I finally take the first bite I am so elated i dunno what do with myself. I think sometimes I feel almost a tear coming. Is that wierd? Lol. Maybe. Sometimes I think about what I want to make days before I actually get to cook it, sometimes I come up with it at the moment, but maybe all the anticipation and that feeling of accomplishment just builds up and I end up happy. My food is sometimes really simple. And l like that I can make something really fast too. Some of my blog posts have featured stuff I have made. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I make stuff and it sucks. But most of the time, I am happy.

Here are photos of simple dishes I have made.

This quesadilla. So quesadillas are easily a good quick savory meal to make. I try to find good tortillas. These are just "handmade white corn with green chile" tortillas. I would rather learn how to makes tortilla from scratch bc I am almost positive it is super easy. (On my checklist. I'm already imagining fancy tortillas in the bear fugue. Masa (lye treated corn) and duck fat tortillas. ) Mmm! 

And then choose your own cheese: goat cheese, Brie and apples, a good cheeder. This one pictured has alive and wells' raw tempeh, goat cheese, and a roasted padron peppers inside. Secret to quesadilla? Don't overstuff. Don't put more than 3 ingredients in it. Press the tortillas  together while cooking. Let cool a little bit before slicing so cheese can become sticky. 

In the background: that's a homamade pineapple, ginger, Kalamansi keffir. It is slightly alcoholic and has probiotics. Dubbed the fountain of youth. You must try it. But making it is a whole another ritual that I enjoy. It includes feeding my starter every few days. Making sure I don't use metal around it becaus metal kills the good bacteria in it. Anyway you don't know how happy it makes me to realize I'm pretty much brewing something!

This is a fried rice. So.. Yeah. I get excited when I have leftover rice because that means I can make fried rice! Sweat onions, add garlic until aromatic, add meat, add day old rice, add veggies (kale, mushroom, green onion, even frozen veggies),  drizzle with soy sauce. Top with fresh herbs of basil or cilantro. I have million versions of fried rice because it's so flexible, but this a pork belly fried rice. 

Pork chops! Ok about the easiest trick but so good. All you have to do is marinate it for at least one night! Even just a simple white vinegar and garlic and tons of black pepper marinade makes a wonderful marinade. But you can change it up. Marinate your pork in a mixture of citrus of lemon, orange, and lime. Add a bay leaf, onion, and garlic. Add annato powder. That is a good achote (Spanish word for annato) pork.

Do you like Jamaican food? Ok. Marinate your pork chop. In the same trio of citrus of lemon, orange, and lime, garlic, soy sauce, onion, 1/4 of an orange scotch bonnet pepper, plus jerk seasoning. This will make the best jerk! This can work for chicken too. 

This one was pan fried in balsamic vinegar served with a creamy polenta.

BLAT 

Nothing like a good BLAT sandwich. I like it on a good sourdough. I chose arugula over iceberg. 

Salad

This blue cheese, tomato, spinach, almonds,and arugula chicken salad. I panned fried breast that was dredge in coconut flour. And then threw it on a salad. 

Gnocchi

Pan fried gnocchi with veggies. I purchase freshly ready made gnocchi, pan fry in a good olive oil and butter,  and add it to sautéed veggies.

Other fresh pastas. Ok. Ok. I keep dried pasta around for emergencies. But I highly recommend you get fresh pasta. Easier for you to digest. Less processed. And taste way better. Dried pasta. Tastes like well, dried pasta. I can rapidly whip up something tomato/meat sauce based. Don't forget to throw some wine in! Cream sauces are also easy to put together, all you need is a base such as cream, milk, almond milk, (I've even had to use plain yogurt). And then you throw grated cheese, a freshly cracked egg and stir like a crazy person. I like mine with smoked salmon for meat. But you can also do bacon. Lastly for fresh pasta; you can also do a naked pasta, just lemon, garlic, pepper, oil, and whatever else you please. Try adding nuts like almonds. And a green veggies. 

Breakfast! Potatoes! Meat. Eggs! To make hash: onions, mushroom, peppers, garlic, Italian herbs. I like to poach my eggs. That's a Marquez? Lamb pork sausage from the butcher (pasta shop in Oakland)

Snacks. I'll even make a rustic hummus somtimes (smooshed beans instead of completed blended, with diced, red onion, cilantro, parsley,  and lemon) or make a salsa (fired roasted canned whole tomatoes, onion, peppers, cilantro, blend-add lime if possible)

TBT

TBT to the time I thought I wanted to be a chef. Always possible for me to get back into cooking, but happy where I am at just starting my post-collegiate career. But thanks school, I can now cook like crazy person. My mom was right: "Why are you spending so much money on a hobby?" she asked me at the time. My reaction at the time was anger that she could not take me seriously, but she was right! It was 2006, I was approved the loan, low and behold....this happened!

Next music share

I noticed I like songs that are half acoustic/half electronic. But sometimes I like to just hear a piano play. Maybe it's from years of lessons. I'm not good trust me! I'm actually tone deaf! But when you start meeting new people and learn that playing an instrument is not actually common, I realize it's just another thing I took for granted growing up. But my mom was nice enough to let me take lessons for about 8 yeArs straight, at one point I even had 2 piano teachers. One to teach me classical, one to teAch me pop music. Pretty interesting. I don't have a keyboard. But maybe I'll be able to have one in my home one day. 

Here is a good one from James Blackshaw, Fix. 

http://youtu.be/uAHciN4BnDg

Nesting mood

Pic: savory french toast with eggplant, tomato, and runny eggs. 

Not sure why I got into a homemaking mood this week. This means I cooked well, cleaned, and things for my home. 

Maybe it's because I've been having the occasional guest over or maybe I'm just simply in the mood. 

Plants

I love having some type of plant in my home, be it orchids, fresh flowers, or succulents. This time I went for a cactus, baby succulent, and Venus fly trap.

Home good

Found these cool kitchenaid nesting bowls with lids. I could use it to bring food to work or store food or use it while prepping. Very versatile. Will show you pic soon. I got other stuff too like cupcake pans and a large cookie sheet pan for when I feel like baking! And just other objects to help things feel like they are in it's place. Why does that make me so happy?

Artwork

Moved my black and white Marilyn poster to my room. So that the gray colors run through out the room. And I got a blue octopus piece for my living room. So that it goes with my mermaid piece that has mostly blue too and my blue bubbles on my wall. 

Coffee table books

I got a coloring book for adults with the neatest artist collaborating in it to be colored. Isn't they better than a coffee table cook? Have guest color if they want to!

Food

I made salads everyday this week for work. See something about healthy food does not look right on my feed! But I also made a good eggplant, wine, and grassfed beef sauce with stock and fresh bucatini. I even got up early and made this awesome open face egg on french toast. Good use for stale bread! This is salad I ate everyday at work. It's mixed greens, avocados, pea shoots, almonds, sprouted garbanzo beans, heirloom tomatoes,  and a little mint and parsley. I then used Amphora Nueva tangerine balsamic vinegar and blood orange evoo for for dressing. 

State bird provisions

Always on the list of the best restaurants in the city, and loved by local chefs, sister and family took me to State Bird Provisions. There was an a la carte menu but also a cart that went around with food. This meant it was one of the fastest dinner services I've ever experienced. Food is contemporary Asian with a lot of strong flavors such as spicy peppers, pickled veggies, fresh herbs,  and fish sauce. Just the concept already added a fun aspect to the experience. Reservations are def hard to come by. So when my sister logged onto their website and saw an opening she just jumped on it! They do take a few walkins at the bar. You'll have to wait of course. The line starts before opening of course. 

Amphora nueva

I went to a food science networking event and it was at Amphora Nueva in Berkeley. An olive oil and vinegar store. We learned about the oils. That it's ok to cook with evoo as long as it comes from a reputable source (in scientific terms: as long as the free fatty acids are low.). They carry oils from thier own farm but also international brands. The've won nationwide taste test and provide oil for the olive oil center in Davis. 

I had a blast tasting all the oils. They provide a lot of flavored/Infused oils and vinegars. Blood orange oil. Lavender balsamic vinegar. Endless choices! I must go back. You should stop by too!

Best part. It is right next to the Claremont Hotel. You can walk over for the view and maybe a drink. 

Malibu

Photo: looking into the valley from the Red Rock Trail in Malibu

So a few years ago, I decided I wanted to be a barista in Malibu. When you think about me, a challenge would be to talk to people, getting good grades in school came easier, so signing up for a job that forced me to interact with people was quite interesting. Anyhoo. Driving up and down highway 1, the Californian coast, the beautiful homes.. It just felt so nice.

Coffee

Stop by Starbucks in the Malibu country mart. You can stroll around the shops too.

Food

Malibu seafood for fresh seafood plates, tacos, and chowder. It's also byob, so sont forget to stop by store come prepared. It's in. Shack by the highway. 

Or you can head to paradise cove for 

Drinks and food. It's a private beach so you will either have to eat at the restaurant, pay for parking, or walk in from the highway.

Dessert 

Malibu yogurt

Some of the best frozen yogurt I've ever had. It's classic frozen yogurt so expect yummy flavors such as peanut butter. They had a good selection of toppings such as banana strawberry topping, fresh fruit, and brownies. 

Best burritos

Who knew Malibu has some of the best breakfast burritos. Head to Lily's cafe. Call ahead, at least 10 minutes ahead. This place gets off the hook on a Saturday morning. And I think they might be closed in Sundays. It's the hot sauce I love the most too! 

Hike

Red rock trail.  Windy road up. It's   short hike with Interesting rock formations, views of the canyon. 

Beach

Zuma beach is the most popular beach. So if you are up for a picnic head here with a volleyball.

Camp

Camp at Point magu 

Beach camping. Secluded and relaxing. 

Another good local thing to do which is actually in Santa Monica but right of highway 1 is to hang out at the Annenberg Beach house. This used to be the Hearst Beach house. It's a public pool so expect families. They sometimes recommend reservations too. Look on their website. They have a pretty cool cafe too. They redid the beach house, but the original pool is still there. I love all the restored Art Deco details in the tile work for the pool. I feel like I'm In a great gatsby movie. Visit the guest home to the side where a docent can give you a Tour and share some Hearst family gossip. They named the guest house after his mistress. His 18 yo mistress! So Hollywood. 

me: circa 2011 at paradise cove

Beverly Hills (ish)

Selfie at the Getty

Point of interests

The Getty

For it's architecture, art, gardens, and view, plus it's free! You only pay for parking. You can take the tram up or hike. I've never hiked up! Hah. Lots of happy people. Pay attention to th details, such as the way certain areas frame the view, the fossils in the limestone walls, or that whole place was built with theorized perfect porportions in mind.

Drive down Sunset Blvd. Take it to the beach! Or take towArds the city to WeHo. 

Hike up Runyon canyon for awesome views. Distance is short, but most of it goes up hill, so you can still get a good workout. Love the view and the nice homes you can see! 

Brunch

My favorite brunch spot was definitely BLD! I always got thier vegan Benedict but they have great meat options. It's not a vegan place! Even thier simple dishes were good. Their pancakes looked awesome as well. And of course a decent brunch cocktail menu. Mimosas, I mean. 

Best steak/spurlge 

BLT (bistro Laurent). I know confusing confusing. Similar letters. But this is the best steak house I've ever been too! Good sides! Like the best mashed potatoes (w jalepenos) the beat creamed corn and the best creamed spinach. And that steak! cooked right and the quality is good.

Best dinner/cocktails

Red medicine for modern Asian food. Small plates. Chef has a strong background. Food is very rich and beautifully plated. I think thier price for a prix fixed meal is not bad. They are also open late so it makes a place chefs don't mind stopping by. (i heard this place closed down! boo!)

Drinks

go the Standard In Hollywood for  drinks by the pool. Sometimes there is music too.

Stroll

Stroll down melrose for shops. There are 2 sides of it, one with the higher end stores, and one with more random shops. 

Coffee

Urth caffe

Spanish lattes and even boba. :) 

Pasadena/eagle rock/Glendale

Pasadena is where I first decided to live in L.A. It was pretty and I enjoyed the drive on the 110, the country's first modern freeway. Eventually its prettiness bored me. But I think it was a good transition place. Otherwise L.A. would have been way too harsh for me.

Points of interests

Huntington Library

Very picturesque. A collection of themed gardens and art exhibits. There was a Japanese Garden, a Chinese one, a rose garden, an Australian one.. I pretty much felt like I traveled the world in a span of a few hours. They do tea parties too. There is an entrance through of about $20.

Food

Drive to eagle rock for Oinkster for burgers and pastrami. Menu is by a Filipino chef who grew up in New York so he has pastrami recipe down! He also served Ube shakes and has a good beer selection! 

If you crazy about seafood head to Newport Seafood in the San Gabriel Valley for Vietnamese style crab and lobster! Lobster cooked with basil and jalapenos.  Another good place in the valley is DinTai Fung for dimsum or Golden Deli for Vietnamese food. 

Shopping

Stroll around Old town Pasadena. Or drive over to the Americana in Glendale for outdoor shopping. 

Coffee

Intelligentsia or bird pick for tea

Boba
Half and half tea house is the clear winner here. But you must call in your order about an hour before! Yeah. It gets that crazy. Ozero takes 2nd place, order your tea "fluffy." It's almost magical. 

Dessert

Papa rich, for fluffy buns of sweet bread with a slight coffee taste and salty butter! 

Drinks

There's a lot of decent options in old town for drinks, walking around won't be too hard. You can start of a red, white, and bluezz for wine and cheese. Cocktails at the Blind Donkie. End your night at a sports bar  such as  Freddie35er.

Late night food

Doghaus for awesome hotdogs. They even have a very believable vegan dog. They have toppings such as Guac, salsa, cheese... Etc! They also have sweet potato tater tots! Cool space and beer too! 

Hike

Hermit falls

An easy 2 mile down hill and you end up at pools. People like to jump off the 60 foot rock. I rather not. Saw someone get really hurt, but for the adrenaline junkie, it's a good pick. I just relax and jump off the small rock.

Place to stay

Westin: next to old town
feeling fancy? do the Langham

Did I ever tell you I like music..

I know that's a "duh" but let me try sharing what I like. Here is Sean Hayes. I've seen him 2x. He's a local artist. Like super bay area. I've seen him at outside lands and at a small show in Oakland.

Best thing seeing him live in Oakland was realizing he was the vocals to "dream machine by mark farina" and then discovering "fucked me right up"'or maybe it's called "goodbye" as his finale and singing it along a room full of broken hearts. It was the first time I've heard that song too but I was able to sing along. But "powerful stuff" and "when we fall"  is a good place is start. Here is his you tube playlist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbu7pJWvEeY&list=RDHCFCE1TvzHX_Y

Painting the town red

Rockridge

My little town. I loved it when I first visited and I still do too, plus it's accessible by Bart. Neighborhood is definitely gentrified as my boss described it as a a really scary place to be in the 90s. I like it for it's neighborhood feeling. I would not mind living in one of the old craftsmen homes that line the streets.  

Since I've been getting off a little earlier now, I've able to stop by a few local joints. Here are a few recommendations for libations and food in the area. 

Trappist provisions 

This is an offshoot of thier original bar in downtown Oaklamd. This place is for the beer lover. They have a few beers on tap that is always changing and also a refrigerator to pick bottles from. Bartender is very informative. They also have interesting snacks to match your beer such as pickles, nuts, and cheese. I love the simple design of the space too. 

Photo of on tap beer at the bar. 

Drinks from their refrigerator:

Toast

While many come for breakfast. Toast has a pretty good bar area 

See look bar. Plus they have a happy hr.

Bourbon and beef

I've ended up countless of times. The good service brings me back. And there are always specials. Be it happy hr, bottomless mimosas or a living social deal. This drink is called "warm winter." Food is good too. A lot of Latin influenced cuisine and one of the best French onion soups I've had.

Osmanthus

Which I have mentioned before. But they have good cocktails too. I love the interior decor of this place. Feels like China circa 1930s. Did I just discribe a hipster Asian place? I think I just did. 

Do you like tiki bars? I mean who doesn't. There is this super tiny place that is easy to miss called Conga Lounge. This is a stumbling islander: 

A coté

A cute French place. So expect good cheese plates and other French classics. We were crazy here and ordered fries with garlic aoili after dessert. Needed salt after our sweet! 

Box and Bells

Box and Bells I will have to return to try cocktails and food. Because all I got was a dessert plus beer. But the dessert was really good. It had a malty taste to it. Which i love. 

Oakland Oakland!

I live in Oakland. And Iove it so far. I live in the Temescal/Rockridge area. I feel like I live in a bubble sometimes, because I've barely explored outside my town.  

Also such funny thing to realize that carefree weekends and free evenings are a new concept for me. I've never had evenings available because I've worked evenings for the past how many years I've been working in retail or in a kitchen or in a production facility. And weekends are newish too since I have always been in school and usually have had to manage weekends with fun time and homework. 

So what I'm saying is I'm just starting to get a chance to explore a little bit. 

Few weekends ago, I met up with a new friend and explored Oakland a little bit. We started off at Jack London Square for the craft fair they have every 3rd Saturday. 

I enjoyed it. I didn't buy anything (yes!) but saw things I would definitely consider investing in, mostly handmade jewelry and leather goods. 

There were a few food trucks park there including a Filipino one. So I kinda had to try it. I got the tocinolog. Which is pork marinated in basically sugar. And egg. Egg in Tagalog is itlog. So tocinolog combines the 2 words. Cute huh? Except it's really supposed to be "tocilog"! I was glad that they made it from scratch but dish did not look pretty. Just chopped pork, rice, and egg. It was still nice to enjoy this food by the water. 

Next we walked around a few art galleries, mostly around 24th st. I'm fascinated by people who create art. 

Then we met up for dinner with a few coworkers at  Mua. Supposedly you are suppose to say it like the sound of kiss. "Muah!" But I turn into a rebel and just say Moo-ah. I loved the space. It's in an old building with high ceilings, exposed beams, brick walls, and   fun art. Food is contemporary American. Menu is large with a lot of small plates. I ordered pate on toast and polenta in a tomato sauce. Both were good and probably around $7-$9 each. They have happy hr on Saturday! Cool. 

We ended the night with a movie at the New Parkway Theatre, which is this cool theatre where you can drink beer or wine and order pizza and burgers while enjoying your movie and it can be brought to you. Plus it's cheap! $8 for a movie! Wow! Yes please!

Kbbq night + fentons

I planned a kbbq night recently. I must have been missing LA Huh? Everyone warned me, "it's not as good as LA up here". I did my research and ended up with a reservation at Koryo BBQ. I was expecting bad service. And that's what we got!  The manager runs the show all by himself on a Saturday night. Aiy! That's crazy because you  want food to keep coming for kbbq.  The meat was good though. A good number of banchan was offered but wish they offered the good stuff such as egg caserole or soup. Place has been revamped recently so space is nice. My guest were not happy with having only 1 grill in the middle though. Also the outside of thier restaurant says "charcoal" grill. We had gas grills. I knew all this before I picked the the place but still chose it for ambiance and thier offering of all you can eat. Plus the owner was nice, just that there needs to be 2 more of him. 

We got to end the night with a good note at fentons creamery. First time I've dined in and I enjoyed it. Expect to be transported to the 1950s so a lot of classic American flavors such as rocky road and chocolate.  Ice cream is light and smooth. Servings are humongous! They also offer classic diner foods such as fries and burgers. Sweet and salty. Yah!

We got a slice of blueberry pie with a scoop of almond ice cream! Thumbs up! Crust is flaky. The almond flavor of the ice cream was different and refreshing.

Hollywood

Me: Dec 2009, trying to pose like a tourist

Ok! So probably the first place a guest will ask to visit. They are usually underwhelmed. It's a little grimmy, but the trick is so know what to do! I say, do visit the Gruman's Chinese Theatre but I recommend you actually watch a movie there or across the street at the Disney El Capitan Theatre. These 2 majestic movie theatres built during Hollywood's heyday. Ornate details and velvet curtains that actually open before the movie. This is me

Me: Jun 2011 in the lobby of Roosevelt Hotel

Walk to the next block to the Roosevelt hotel and have drink by the pool if you feel like it. but the best bar in town is hiding in it's lobby. Look for the little window on the side, and inside will by the tiny library bar. On the bar you will see ingredients at straight from the farmers market, that will be used for your cocktail. Your bartender will gladly make suggestions based on what you like and pick something seasonal for you.I just love to stare at the old Art Deco Moroccan themed design while I am here.

You can walk up to or drive to nearby Yamashiros  just for view (even when they are closed). This is another old Hollywood haunt. During the summer they have a Wednesday farmers market up there. You can stop in for drinks and food too but I've never done that.

Are you in Hollywood on a Sunday? Stop by the farmers market off Ivar. 

Food!

Go to Cleo's! Modern middle eastern food. Small bites and good cocktails. Please make a reservation. Otherwise you can wait for a seat at the bar and eat there too! These are in the city's list for best brussel sprouts. The chef knows what's up. There's even longanisa (Filipino pork sweet vinegar sausage) on the menu.

Dessert

Mashti Malone for the most refreshing Persian ice cream. They will have your usual flavors like chocolate and vanilla but they also other fragrant flavors such as ginger, lavender, rose, saffron ice cream. 

Bars

I suggest La Descarga. You are required to make a reservation on a weekend. Why? It's another speakeasy bar. I don't want to give it away. It's fun actually surprising friends with it, because you get lead into a room, and the hosts opens the coats in the coat closet.. And viola! You are lead downstairs to a bar. Salsa themed. Bar is small so.. So.. Hard to stay the whole night.. So I highly recommend...

Harvard and stone as your next stop with the same owners. This place has a more edgy Hollywood trying to be rockstar but not making it yet feeling. Heh. Hah. You know? No you don't. Just go! 

You can also head to Cahuenga Blvd. It's an area of Hollywood with bars right next to each other. I liked starting  out somewhere quiet such as Hotel Cafe that always have live bands playing, and then end up somewhere nearby with thumping music blasting. You pick.

View at Yamashiro's: