Our Engagement Photos

I am so behind on updating my blog. My schedule is pretty hectic right now. We are moving into our new house next week (YEAH~~~~ I'm so excited... more on that to share later), our wedding (YEAH~~~~) is in 2 weeks (and honeymoon to Costa Rica after that... another YEAH~~~~), I'm still in summer school taking my last class for the Register Veterinary Technician program (and graduating after this class, YEAH~~~~), and I have to prepare for the state board exam to get my license (I will say YEAH once I pass the test). Phew.... even though there are so much to do, everything is toward a happier future. I'm busy, but I'm doing everything with a big smile. And when I say YEAH~~~~, I'm doing it with the Y signs with both hands like how us Asians do it. haha....

Anyway, we had a great engagement photo session with photographer Marc Weisberg last week. We had a great time posing on the street, as well as wearing high heels to conquer the canyon. We love the photos. Here are a few to share....

3 Simple Dishes

When I cook Chinese/Asian dinner, I always like to make 3 dishes. There is 1 meat dish, 1 vegetable dish, and 1 more whatever I feel like making dish. I think I do that because that's how my mom cooks our everyday dinner at http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com.


Pork Bulgogi

I bought marinated pork bulgogi at Korean supermarket.  I cooked the meat first in a pan, then used the juices and drippings to sauteed some onion.  That way, the onion soaked up all the flavor form the pan.

[Alhambra] [Seafood] The Boiling Crab

The Boiling Crab
33 W Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 300-5898
http://www.theboilingcrab.com

Dr. P and I love The Boiling Crab.  All of our friends love The Boiling Crab.  Recently we took Dr. P's brother and his girlfriend to try Boiling Crab for the first time, and they love it as well.  So I thought I gotta take my parents to try it, too.  I picked the new Alhambra location on Main street because I heard it's less crowded than the Alhambra Valley Blvd location.  We got there around 6pm, and there was no wait.


King Crab Leg ($17.99/lb)

Since we ordered all the same fixing as my previous visits, I didn't take many pictures.  We got a pound of shrimp with sausage and corn added, cajun fries, hot wings, gumbo, and 2 pounds of King Crab Legs.  I had King Crab Legs at Euclid location before.  It was super fresh and delicious.  But the crab leg at Alhambra wasn't as fresh.  The shell was really soft and soggy.  Some pieces were better than others, but overall I think the Orange County locations has better food.

[Irvine] [American] Mimi's Cafe

Mimi's Cafe
4030 Barranca Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 559-8840
http://www.mimiscafe.com

Dr. P felt like having American style breakfast.  We signed up for Mimi's Cafe's eClub, and printed out a buy 1 get 1 free breakfast coupon.  Even though we got there around lunch time, they have an all day breakfast menu.


French Toast Breakfast ($7.99)
Served with two eggs, bacon or sausage.

Dr. P ordered French Toast Breakfast with two eggs and bacon.  The French toast was good, but a bit oily.  Egg was cooked perfect.  It also came with fresh squeezed orange juice.

[Irvine] [Chinese] Chong Qing Mei Wei Szechwan Restaurant

Chong Qing Mei Wei Szechwan Restaurant
重慶美味川菜
5406 Walnut Ave #C
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 651-8886

Dr. P came back from his 3 weeks long business trip.  He said there was no Chinese food in Utah, and he really missed spicy Chinese food.  We headed over to Chong Qing Mei Wei for some authentic spicy Szechwan food.


風味冷菜 Cold Appetizer ($5.50)

As usual, we started with the 3 item cold appetizer combo.  The waiter thought we were getting it to-go, and put the food in a to-go container.  My favorite cold appetizer is the spicy kidney with onion.  I can have just that dish with rice and be very happy.  The spicy beef & tendon is always good.  Strings of potatoes was very refreshing.

[Arcadia] [Fusion] 嘉頓港式西餐 Arcadia Garden Cafe

Arcadia Garden Cafe
嘉頓港式西餐
850 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 446-0688

I spent the night at my parents' house since Dr. P was out of town on a business trip.  Parents and I decided to go get dim sum for breakfast.  Our first stop was Capital Seafood on Huntington Drive.  What?  Closed?  It was about 9am, and they open at 10:30am.  I thought dim sum restaurants always open early?  Next stop, Hop Li on Baldwin.  Well, they were also closed.  What's up with all the dim sum restaurants opening late in Arcadia?  Since Arcadia Garden Cafe is right across the street from Hop Li, we decided just to there for breakfast.


咖啡 Coffee

I remember this place used to be a French restaurant.  Growing up in Arcadia, my parents always take us here for Sunday brunch.  I miss that restaurant.  I've been to Garden cafe in Alhambra and Rowland Heights, but this was my first visit to the Arcadia location.  We ordered 2 breakfast combo to share.  Both combo came with coffee or tea.  I like Hong Kong style coffee with condense milk.

[Covina] [Light Meal] IKEA

IKEA
848 S Barranca Ave
Covina, CA 91723
(626) 732-4532
http://www.ikea.com

Sister is moving into a new apartment.  We went to IKEA to shop for furniture.  I wasn't really hungry.  But when I go to IKEA, I just instantly start craving for their meatballs.


Meatballs Kids Meal ($2.49)

Since it was only a snack, I decided to get Meatballs Kids Meal.  I tried to order the kids meal once before, but they refused to let me order it because I'm not a kid, and I didn't have a kid with me.  This time I had no trouble though.  There were 5 meatballs, mashed potatoes, and a small drink in the kids meal.  I just love IKEA meatballs.

[Alhambra] [Chinese] 川渝麵莊 Chuan Yu Noodles Town (CLOSED)

Chuan Yu Noodles Town
川渝麵莊
525 W Valley Blvd #B
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 289-8966
(CLOSED)

My dad heard about Chuan Yu Noodles Town on a Chinese radio show.  This show airs weekly.  The DJs from the radio station visit a restaurant, try their dishes, and rave about everything.  I don't trust anything they say on the show because it's basically glorified advertisement.  Any restaurant can pay the radio station to be on the show.  So when dad suggested to try this restaurant, I wasn't expecting much.



This place used to be Dai Ho Kitchen (大合滷味).  It's a tiny place with only 5 tables.  They serve Sichuan style dishes.

[Irvine] [American] Stonefire Grill

Stonefire Grill
3966 Barranca Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 777-1177
http://www.stonefiregrill.com

I love Stonefire Grill's Tri Tip BBQ Salad so much.  I have been thinking about it ever since I had it.  After studying their salad menu, I thought the South of Border Salad with Tri Tip looks good, too.


South of the Border Salad (Small) ($7.99)
Choice of grilled chicken or tri tip with mixed greens, roasted corn, red pepper, avocado, red onion, tomato, red cabbage and pepitas, tossed with tortillas and chili lime vinaigrette and topped with feta cheese

South of the Border Salad had similar ingredients as the the BBQ salad.  But instead of jack cheese, this salad comes with my favorite feta cheese, plus avocado!

[Irvine] [Fast Food] El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco
88 Corporate Park
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 756-0380
http://www.elpolloloco.com

I had been starring at a sheet of El Pollo Loco coupon for days.  The picture of their new grilled chicken sandwiches looked so good.  I tried very hard to control my urge for fast food because the wedding is only a month away.  But no, I just couldn't do it anymore.  El Pollo Loco, you won!


Jalapeno Chicken Sandwich ($4.29)

There are two new grilled chicken sandwiches: Guacamole and Jalapeno.  Both are made with citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken breast, crisp lettuce and pico de gallo on a telera roll.  Jalapeno sandwich includes pepper jack cheese and a southwest sauce.  With a coupon, a sandwich is only $2.99.  I picked Jalapeno with the thought that spicy food probably speeds up metabolism to burn more calories.  Is that true?

Tasty Bite Peas Paneer

I like the Tasty Bite Punjab Eggplant I tried last week. So this week I bought another Tasty Bite's quick Indian meal to try.



I picked Peas Paneer.  "Green peas & paneer cheese in a spicy tomato sauce" was the description.  I always like paneer cheese.  It tastes like firm tofu.  Spicy tomato sauce sounds good with rice.

[Temple City] [Taiwanese] 旺旺小廚 Won Won Kitchen

Won Won Kitchen
旺旺小廚
9461 Las Tunas Drive
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 287-5500

I spent a night at my parents' house.  Before coming back to OC, I wanted to get some pork chop rice for my family and also take one http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com.  I miss Pork Chop Rice from QQ Cafe a lot.  When I went to QQ, I found out they had changed into a vegetarian restaurant.  They still sell pork chop rice and other Taiwanese dishes, but everything is now vegetarian.  I didn't recognize any workers nor the lady who appeared to be the owner behind the counter.  I guess QQ Cafe was sold.  I already had my mind set on pork chop rice with real pork chop, so I went around the corner to the plaza next to QQ to Won Won Kitchen.


排骨飯 Pork Chop Rice ($4.60)

Pork Chop Rice was pretty disappointing.  The pork chop was really thin, dry, and salty.  Oh and very oily, too.  My parents also thought the pork chop was horrible.  They kept on saying QQ Cafe was much much better, and this place can't even compare.  Besides the pork chop, I actually like everything else in the box.  The rice had meat sauce over it, and it was pretty good.  The sauteed cabbage was very tasty.  Soy braised egg and tofu were both good. And I like the dried radish (蘿蔔乾) that was over the rice.

[Arcadia] [American] BJ's Restaurant

BJ's Restaurant
400 E Huntington Dr
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 462-1494
http://www.bjsrestaurants.com

Most of the time when my parents go out to eat, they eat at Chinese restaurants.  So I like to take them to try different cuisine sometime.  I asked mom if she would like to try Boiling Crab or BJ's.  My mom said that shrimp has high cholesterol, and it's not healthy to eat too much of it.  So she picked fatty pizza at BJ's.  Hmmm.... so pizza is healthier than shrimp?  Strange concept.  haha....


BJ's Brewhouse Blonde ($4.95)
A light and refreshing pale beer in the style of a German Kolsch. Slightly malty with delicate hopping to balance. Well-conditioned for exceptional smoothness and drinkability.

My dad was very interested in their beer menu.  He picked BJ's Breshouse Blonde to try.  The beer was light and tasted crisp.  He loves it.  He started asking me what time does BJ's open, and what time do they close.  I think he's planning to come back to drink more beer.

Tasty Bite Punjab Eggplant

When eating by myself, I want food that's fast and easy to prepare.  I found Tasty Bite's Punjab Eggplant at Sprout Farmers Market.  It was on sale for about $3.  On the package it said "heat and eat in 90 seconds".  That was exactly what I want!



The back of the package read: "Punjab Eggplant is made using all natural, fresh ingredients hand-picked on our farm.  Enjoy flavors from around the world for lunch, dinner or as a quick and easy snack.  There are so many ways to explore exotic, authentic Tasty Bite cuisine - 'it's delicious, good for you and ready to eat in just seconds."  The Punjab eggplant came in a pouch.  Instruction for heating are either heat the pouch in boiling water, or get the content out in a bowl and heat in microwave.  I did the microwave version.

[Irvine] [American] Stonefire Grill

Stonefire Grill
3966 Barranca Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 777-1177
http://www.stonefiregrill.com

Dr. P went on his business trip.  I don't feel like cooking at all when I am by myself.  I was sorta carving for Stonefire Grill's tri tip.  After browsing through their menu online, I decided to get a BBQ chopped salad with trip tip for to go.


BBQ Chopped Salad (Small) ($7.99)
Choice of BBQ chicken or BBQ trip tip with mixed greens, black beans, roasted corn, carrots, red cabbage, cilantro and jack cheese tossed with tortilla strips and buttermilk ranch dressing and topped with tomato and scallions

Inside the bag, there was the salad in one container, a bag of tortilla strips, and another small plastic bag with ranch dressing and BBQ sauce inside.  But no utensil?  Since I brought http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com, that wasn't a problem.  The salad green was super fresh and crisp.  Lots and lots of veggies: carrot, purple cabbage, black beans, tomato, and roasted corn.  The tri tip, as always, was super delicious.  The meat was tender and juicy.  I finished this "small" size salad in 4 meals!  The portion is HUGE!  I am so in love with this salad.  I can eat this everyday!

[San Gabriel] [Chinese] 成都蜀風園 Shufeng Garden (CLOSED)

Shufeng Garden
成都蜀風園
140 W Valley Blvd #211
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 569-1815
(CLOSED)

I came http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com to visit my parents.  Dad suggested that we go to Shufeng Garden for dinner.  He had lunch at the restaurant before and thought the food was good.  I also heard good things about their Rowland Heights restaurant.


泡菜 Spicy Pickled Cabbage

It was Tuesday night.  We were the only customers there for the whole night.  The meal started with complimentary spicy pickled cabbage.  I like the cabbage.  It was spicy and slightly sour.

[Newport Beach] [Japanese] Nana San

Nana San
七三
3601 Jamboree Rd #15B
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 474-7373

Dr. P went on a business trip to Utah for 3 weeks.  We planned to have a nice dinner together the day before he left.  Dr. P wanted Japanese, so I suggested Nana San.  I passed by the restaurant on my way to the animal hospital where I interned at.  The name Nana San means "seventy three" in Japanese.  I thought it was unique, and looked the restaurant up when I got http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com.  Nana San has great review on Yelp.  A lot of people raved about their omakase.  When Dr. P heard "omakase", he said "let's go!"



The restaurant opened for dinner at 5:30pm.  We called around 5pm to try to make a reservation for 6pm at the sushi bar.  The waitress said that they don't take reservation.  It's first come first serve.  She also told us that there were already about 10 people waiting outside the door.  We better get there quick!

[Irvine] [Pizza] Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut
3972 Barranca Pkwy
Irvine, CA, 92606
(949) 551-1505
http://www.pizzahut.com

We were feeling lazy.  Pizza Hut's $10 delivery pizza seemed like a perfect solution.  We tried to place our order online, but somehow it didn't work for the $10 any pizza special.  So we called in to order.


Super Supreme Pizza / Chicken Supreme Pizza ($10.00)

This time we ordered a large pizza with 1/2 Super Supreme and 1/2 Chicken Supreme plus pineapple and jalapeno on the entire pizza.  We both like the chicken supreme better.  It was lightter, and the chicken and pineapple went really well together.  They did a great job on the crust that day.  It was soft and fluffy.

[Los Angeles] [Thai] Hoy-Ka Noodle House

Hoy-Ka Noodle House
5401 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 468-9302

We went up to LA's courthouse to get our marriage license.  Of course we would take the opportunity to have lunch up there.  My first choice was Pink's.  It was Lakers Parade day.  It wasn't very smart of me to suggest Pink's.  The line was long, I mean looooooong!  Majority of the people in line were wearing purple and gold jerseys.  We estimated the wait to be maybe 2 hours.  Oh well.  So on to my second choice, Ord Noodle. (Thanks to Miho, I found out Ord Noodle is now called Hoy-Ka Noodle House.)



I really miss the authentic Thai noodle at Ord Noodle.  Everything can be made either with soup or dry.  When I am in the mood to try more options, I would order 2 small bowls.  But when I know exactly what I want, then I order a large one.