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Notes: 1 / 10 months ago
Ramadan.
Tomorrow, 8/1/2011, is the First day of Ramadan (click link for link to the wiki page for more info).
As a muslim this can be a very rewarding and trying period. Especially with Ramadan falling during the month of August during which the days are the longest and warmest of the year typically.
None the less one gains quite a unqiue perspective on their daily lives when they live it without food/water. Not only do I learn to appreciate what i have a lot more, but i see what is possible as a result of will power and dedication.
To everyone observing and fasting good luck! I know we’ll all be just that much more appreciate of all that we have in our lives come 9/1/2011.
(Source: Wikipedia)
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10 months ago
Been real lazy to update this blog…im still making my way through my socal trip over july 4th weekend.
here is a tasty slice of pizza i picked up at Santa Monica Place foodcourt (formerly indoor mall at third street promenade that’s been redone into a very upscale shopping plaza type dealie).
It was pretty decent. The place was called Stefano’s Pizzeria.Oh wells.
Best part was their rooftop outdoor dining area deck!
after the pizza popped down to the first floor (cafeteria on third) and went to a the Bird Pick Tea and Herb shop. They have a hot/cold Tea bar inside so it’s always nice to grab a tea fusion beverage before strolling around the shops.
I believe i had one of their new drinks…something with cucumbers and mint…it was just okay. Probably won’t get it agian, but stuff i have tried int he past has always been decent! -
Notes: 11 / 10 months ago
Gaby’s Mediterranean
One of my favorite spots to get Chicken Shawarma in west LA! They have a couple locations but i ONLY go to the one on Venice blvd.
This place is great for beautiful days and nights as it only has outdoor seating. Over the years they built their outdoor seating area up and now it is almost as if you are indoors. The entire area is covered by a tent and there is a hardwood (very fancy looking) wall encompassing it all. A far cry from when i first started going here and it was just a weak looking fence with a tarp.
Anyways i really only get the CHICKEN SHAWARMA plate here. I have tried the wraps but they tend to be very dry and well the CHICKEN SHAWARMA is really amazing. My friend had grabbed the kabob plate but most of the meat on it was pretty dry also. I have also tried the the lemon chicken and it isn’t bad but doesn’t stack up to the CHICKEN SHAWARMA!Another thing that makes this place is the fact they do hookah! Although it is a bit of a challenge trying to eat the food and smoke hookah at the same time. I highly recommend eating first then getting hookah. The wood chips kept going out on us bc we were so busy enjoying our meals!
Anyways i’d say this place has a very fun atmosphere, a great date spot even, and is relatively affordable.
The CHICKEN SHAWARMA was 9.50 and the soujuk was 6.50. You can definitely make do without an appetizer as they give you plenty of free pita and dipping sauce. They also have pleanty of options on the menu so go to town!
For you lovers of drank they do allow people to bring their own wines/beer (although i do see people bring liquor in form time to time i do not think it’s strictly allowed) as long you spend at least 10 or 20 dollars (forgot what the min. was).
There is a liquor store right next door so it’s pretty easy to get your self a drink and enjoy your night.
The biggest negative of this place is the parking lot is small and typically a mess. They have also improved this but before it was not uncommon to find your car blocked in after your meal.
Also one random note, there area ALWAYS, without fail, cops eating here. I dunno if there is a police station near by (my guess is yeah) but i have not gone once without cops coming, going, or just being there.
ENJOY!
(Source: gabysexpress.com)
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10 months ago
Nations Giant Burgers and Great Pies!
They don’t lie, their burgers are huge! This is only the second time i been to this place but both times it’s been decent. Unfortuantely, i cannot enjoy the hamburgers bc their meat is not halal but both times i went i got the Alaskan Salmon Burger w/ Cheese (60 cent extra).
If you like Salmon (burgers) you will like this one. It is all you might expect from a burger. I like to load mine up with some honey mustard and Tabasco and go to town! Plus they hooks it up with the onions, tomatos, and put it all on wheat buns! Epic. Be warned they go a lil heavy on the mayonnaise so request for it light or none if you don’t like that stuff…
One thing that is annoying is they don’t offer any combos, you have to pay extra for fries and a drink. COME ON, we in 2011 players…everyone has burger combos!
The Salmon Burger + cheese was 5.35
Fries 1.75
and a large drink is 1.95
so basically around 10 bucks which is steep for a burger combo. Probably another reason i don’t go here much!
But if you like burgers or craving a PIE and never been to Nations check it out, they got multiple locations although i only been to the one here in Fremont (near work).
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Notes: 2 / 10 months ago
Natureba Brazilian Juice and Snack Bar, Redondo Beach
If you are in Redondo beach area and in need of some refreshment drop into this place! It’s got a very laid back sleepy feel to it (unlike the overcrowded jamba juices of the world).
This place gots tons and tons of differnet kinds of juices and snacks for your enjoyment. I tried one of the classic “Brazilian” juices…
The juice was fantastic and relatively cheap. It was very relaxing chilling out side the place just looking out onto the street (nothing great to see but niice to relax). The place is like a 10 minute drive from the beach and across from a BJJ gym.
I had a brazilian guy with me who fell in love with the juices here and he’s from Sao Paulo…so must be legit!
(Source: yelp.com)
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Notes: 15 / 10 months ago
Soda Pop’s Los Angeles Deli/Cafe
I actually learned of this place from The Hundreds (http://thehundreds.com/) daily blog (by Bobby Hundreds). They featured it and soon as i read about all the variety of sodas i had to go!
It was fricking amazing seeing all the variety of gourmet and regular sodas available. It completely blasted my mind. I went with a friend and we each got a soda. Mine was the grapefruit one…it was decent but was complete trash n ext to the Creme soda one she got (which was also the register girls favorite).
I recommend this place alone for all the soda variety and uniquness but if you need more reason the sandwich/salads we had were great! I actually wanted a tuna sandwich but i actually ordered the salad pictured above by accident. None the less it was a great salad, and super big. I was stuffed completely after eating it. Highly recommend it.
I believe my friends sandwich was turkey but i could be completely wrong as i didn’t try it and it was a week ago so i don’t really recall. Either way go and grab a soda at least. There is free parking in the rear, don’t get much better!
The place is a bit pricey, my salad was 12 bucks and the sandwiches are 9-12 dollars mostly. The sodas are 3 each i believe? None the less for a once in a while treat or out of town special definitely roll through!(Source: sodapopsla.com)
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Notes: 1 / 10 months ago
John O’Groats Restaurant on Pico Blvd.
One of my fav. breakfast spots in West LA.
I don’t even eat french toast regurarly or even occasionally but i do get the maple pecan french toast business pictured above alsmot without exception here. IT is that good!
Although i have tried various other dishes (Salmon and Hash is tasty!) and have never been disappointed.
Oh also a plus, rare to find an SF Giants fan proudly displaying it in LA…so that should be good for u Giant fans out there…personally Go A’s! lol but giants coo.They have opened up a second location in the Valley but i have never been to it. I usually go early for breakfast here so never have issue finding street parking nor getting a table although there does tend to be a breakfast rush around 9.
(Source: ogroatsrestaurant.com)
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Notes: 3 / 10 months ago
Rocky Cola Cafe in Hermosa Beach, CA
So been real quiet on this blog for a while bc well i’ve been lazy.
But took a trip down to LA over the fourth of july weekend and did lots of eating.
First stop: Rocky Cola Diner in Hermosa Beach.To be honest it’s nothing really special compared to any American diner. Definitely a step up from Denny’s but probably on par with Mel’s drive in. Either way the tuna melt was decent and the fries were normal fries (we did ask for garlic fries n failed to get them).
The place has your typical red vinyl diner seats and 60s type memorabilia. Doubt ill ever go here again unless im in the area.(Source: yelp.com)
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11 months ago
“Mmm-mmm, bitch.” -Samuel L. Jackson
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Notes: 1 / 11 months ago
Hit up a generic Vietnamese restaurant for lunch today, My Tho in Newark.
It’s exactly like every Vietnamese Rice Plate resturant you ever been to in San Jose or the Bay area more or less, and just like most those places, unless you really hankering for some viet food…it’s nothing special.
My fave part of Vietnamese spots is the Soda Chanh (basically a lemonade w/ club soda). I actually prefer not to ever go to Viet resturants b/c they tend to not halal, veggie, or vegan friendly.
I recommend never touching any broth based dish in a Vietnamese restaurant without double or triple checking that it is not chicken/beef stock. I always try to go for a dry noodle dish these days.
Kind of sucks b/c viet food is very tasty (or appears to be at least)…and there is so much of it here in the south bay. Oh wells.Anyways I had some sort of seafood and veggie stir fry over rice noodles. IT was decent and very filling…the entire meal was around 10 bucks, maybe less.
(Source: yelp.com)
Wallpaper Credit: The Hundreds
Current Camera: Canon SX230 HS
