I haven’t done high tea with my friends in such a long time. I experienced it recently and had a great time, but thought, “I think I can do this even better.” When I was studying graphic design 10 years ago, I worked on a project where I did the branding for a cannabis cafe that had THC-infused tea, coffee, and also edibles like pastries and cakes. I was definitely ahead of my time because this was way before marijuana was legalized in California. Fast forward to now and you can find infused drinks, foods, snacks, sweets, you name it, at any dispensary. A few months ago, when I was sipping Dar ..read more

It’s that wonderful time of year again when we’re reheating Thanksgiving leftovers, starting our holiday shopping, and seeing what heat this year’s Saucy List brings! This year’s gift guide brings you flavor-packed recommendations that’ll elevate your culinary game! And guess what? It’s also my fifth year doing this and it gets better every time! Check it out, let’s make this holiday a saucy one! Amante Hot Sauce Get ready to ignite your hunger with the flavor-packed magic that is Amante Hot Sauce, Tijuana’s undisputed #1 hot sauce. What makes it the boss of all things spicy? Well, they’re n ..read more

I don’t want to seem like I’m bragging but I’ve been to a number of wagyu omakase and this is the best one! Yakiya, nestled in the heart of Hacienda Heights, offers an exceptional Wagyu omakase experience that is sure to delight your taste buds! The culinary journey here is nothing short of extraordinary, and what’s even more impressive is the incredible value it offers at just $85 per person. Prepare to leave with your palate thoroughly satisfied! The restaurant itself boasts a stunning ambiance that adds to the overall dining experience, creating an inviting and elegant atmosphere. The servi ..read more

I used to go to this pop-up in San Francisco and now they have a full-on restaurant! Living in the Bay Area, I often found myself steering clear of the super touristy Fisherman’s Wharf, much like how Chicagoans only eat deep-dish pizza when visitors are in town. However, amidst the sea of options, there is one place that has completely won me over – Abaca. My culinary journey with Abaca began with their roots as the beloved Filipino pop-up by Chef Francis Ang called Pinoy Heritage. Back then, I would make a stop before work for lunch and they now have a refined fine-dining restaurant. Witnessi ..read more

There’s lots of great Korean BBQ in Koreatown, but my favorite in LA is actually in…. BURBANK!! Who would have thought?! I have actually walked by this place while it was being built and thought it looked kind of cool. Han KBBQ is an absolute gem among the plethora of Korean BBQ spots in LA! I’ve probably eaten there like five times in the last year. There is free parking and it’s actually not that bad of a drive from Downtown Los Angeles. I think one of my favorite things about this spot is that they have a beautiful outdoor patio. It’s such a vibe to be out there on a sunny afternoon and ..read more

Idk what it is about hotel bars, BUT I LOVE THEM. And if it’s a speakeasy, I’m already otw.  Hotels that have $500+ a night rooms aren’t my style (I’m poor), but I do love a fancy hotel bar. And what do I love more than a fancy hotel bar? A speakeasy! SLS Beverly Hills is one of the nicest hotels in the city. I love hotels with random cute seating areas. Besides a really nice pool and restaurant, they have a cool speakeasy called the Wasp and a Wig, which is inspired by the lost chapter of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass. You’ll see all the inspiration in the details throughout ..read more

This story starts with the biggest damn chicken karaage I’ve ever had and ends with a menu lineup of Filipino fusion that had me pleasantly surprised. Oi Asian Fusion is tucked away in a seemingly nondescript strip mall in East Hollywood and serves creative takes on Filipino and Asian food in bowl form. Though they serve the usual suspects like adobo and fried chicken, both of those, along with the rest of their bowls, offer some extra oomph with nice touches like umami gravy drenching their pork belly or USDA Choice ribeye being the star of the bistek. Now about that chicken karaage I menti ..read more

It’s time to get saucy for the second year in a row! Last year’s Saucy List was such a hit that I had to do it again. My pantry has once again been filled with all kinds of sauces ranging from sweet, savory, and spicy. I put together my top favorite sauces that I’ve had this year and NEED to be essentials in your kitchen!! Hot Boi Chili Oil (Extra Spicy) Do you ever ask for chili oil at restaurants and they’re hardly ever spicy? I never understood that and that’s why I love Hot Boi Chili Oil Extra Spicy because it actually is spicy. This chili oil is so flavorful with ingredients like Green ..read more

It’s not often that you find two great restaurants in one building with stunning rooftop and patio views! I have this special ability to find great restaurants online without looking at the reviews. I think we all know by now that you can’t trust those reviews anyways. I’m not sure how I do it, but I look at the photos, menu, and website and get a vibe of whether or not I should try it. Richard and I were in Mexico City for Dia de Muertos and I wanted to eat at a nice rooftop restaurant at least once during our trip. I actually found Terraza Cha Cha Cha on OpenTable and decided to eat there fo ..read more

Enjoyed rooftop cocktails during sunset followed by an epically beautiful and delicious dinner. I have been waiting patiently for Hotel Per La to open! I always walk by it on the way to the dentist which has been often since I started Invisalign. It’s a high-end boutique hotel in downtown Los Angeles that just recently opened with a cafe, restaurant, and rooftop! Richard and I started with drinks at Bar Clara on the roof during the most beautiful sunset we’ve seen in a long time (thank you LA pollution?). I would suggest getting to the roof an hour to an hour and a half before sunset to truly ..read more