Santouka Ramen @ Los Angeles

SANTOUKA is the best ramen ever. Legit. Hands down. I've been to a few of the "best" ramen places and this is the one place I'm still dreaming about. When I went to Ippudo, I thought it was great. Then I went to Totto Ramen, which was better. I've had Tanpopo in SF, and that was just ok. I have yet to try Daikokuya in Little Tokyo, LA but I will.

Santouka is inside the Japanese supermarket, and at first I was confused. I was disappointed, I mean how great can a ramen joint be if it doesn't have its own store front. I was wrong. I walked in and while there were other food joints, Santouka was the only one that had so many people slurping their noodles. I knew that we went to the right place.

The ramen was delicious. Everything about it was perfect, from the broth, to the noodles, to the chasu, to even the other little toppings. I loved my broth, it was so flavorful and definitely stewed for hours if not days. They really use the finest and freshest ingredients. I loved the chasu too, especially mine - I got the special that uses pork cheek. Heaven! It was the perfect ratio of lean to fattyness. I may go back in a day or two because I'm having a major craving now. I can't even describe the delicious experience I had with my bowl of ramen.

 Salt Ramen

doesn't it just look like a perfect bowl of yummyness?

Small Bowl of Pork Belly and Rice

so if you order the combo set, you get a bowl of ramen, a small bowl of rice with your choice of topping and a soy-sauce egg.  

I got the special ramen - miso flavor broth. The noodles and broth were in one bowl, and the toppings were on a separate plate, which I then proceeded to just throw it all in. Of course I tasted the broth first, and wow. It was quite the experience. My taste buds exploded! 

 Chasu via pork cheek, wood ear mushroom, green onion and bamboo shoots

all slopped together! 

Lunch @ Culver City (LA)

Lots of restaurants booming around downtown Culver City and one of these is Lunch. I like the name "lunch" it is simple and describes what you can eat there, "lunch." A lot of "trendy" restaurant names are simplistic these days, one or two word names that has you guessing, "what's so special." Salads at Lunch are amazing! Filling, crisp, refreshing, and good topping combinations. Only downside is that the lighting in the room is too dim. So that's not fun. However! If you go for Lunch on a Tuesday, you can step outside to the Farmer's Market, which is tons of fun.

I really liked this display. I want something like that in my future home

Russian Mob Cob

[Chopped Iceberg Lettuce, Turkey, Ham, Swiss, Egg,  Avocado with Russian Dressing]

one of the better cob sandwiches i've had. i think because there was no blue cheese, and it was actually kind of healthy, no bacon! i asked for dressing n the side.

Bachelor's Beef

[Roast Beef, Caramelized Onions, Provolone, Tomato, Horseradish on Sourdough]

the bread was tasty...especially after not having carbs for a week. i needed more lettuce and tomatoes. i like my veggies in sandwiches. instead of horseradish i asked for mayo. much better.

Diddy Riese @ Los Angeles

I remember when I first arrived at UCLA, and then heard about Diddy Riese. I could not believe that you could get an ice cream sandwich for $1. Two giant cookies of your own choosing, and a giant scoop of ice cream, also of your own choosing - sandwiched together. It was magical. The ice cream sandwich was HUGE. How could it only be $1? It must be a front for some money laundering place, it has to be, what else could be the explanation? I also found my other love at the place, two cookies (preferably chocolate chip cookies) and a carton of non-fat milk, also only for $1! Great! This deal lasted for about two years, and then they had to up the ice cream sandwich to $1.25, because of increase cost of Dreyer's ice cream, but my combo was still only $1! Well after three years since graduating UCLA, I head back to the old hang out, and it's all $1.50. More expensive than I remember, and sure a good deal for anyone else, but it's disappointing. But it tastes just the same! I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside, so it reaffirms my idea that it's a front for a money laundering place. Hmp...ideas?

Traditional Ice Cream Sandwich 

[white chocolate macadamia nut cookie with cookies 'n cream ice cream]

 Two Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tito's Tacos @ Los Angeles

My favorite Mexican food is CRUNCHY TACOS, and the best place to get crunchy tacos is Tito's Taco's in LA. Best thing about it, is that the taco shell is freshly made, super crunchy, uses shredded beef and not ground beef, there's lettuce, tomato and freshly grated cheese. This place is authentic and CHEAP! $1.70 for a taco, and while it used to be cheaper, it's still really affordable. Each order comes with chips and salsa. I crave this all the time, it's just that good, and yes sometimes my jaw gets tired from all the crunch. But totally worth it!

Tacos

Enchillada

saucy and cheeeessyyy

Pinkberry @ Los Angeles

Oh Pinkberry...how I love thee...and why have you not opened a single store in northern California? Why do you grow like there's no tomorrow in New York City and Los Angeles...but none in San Francisco? Honestly, Pinkberry is my most favorite yogurt place. I've tried the Red Mango, the Tutti Melon, the Yogurtagogo...Pinkberry is the best. I think it has to do with its recipe in the original flavor. It's the right amount of sweetness - not too sweet, and tartiness...I love it being more tart than sweet...and a slight hint of creamyness. That's all I need. I know I sound like Goldilocks from the Three Bears...but meh...what can you do? I know what I like!!

Original w. Mangos, Mochi, Macaroons and Cookies n' Cream

...nom nom nom nom....

Manna @ Los Angeles

Manna. Korean BBQ. Yes it may not be the bestest Korean BBQ establishment in Los Angeles (K-Town), and while BCD is great (it is open 24-hours). Manna has a certain nostalgia, and that plus all you can eat for $16.99 I'm sold on a poor student budget.

There are new signs posted and apparently the police has been there several times regarding noise complaints, and now happy birthday music and champagne will only be served until 9:30pm. We were fortunately there to see an old man get doused with two bottles of champagne, hilarious.

So full...so much food...so many calories.

Salad with spicy-mustardy dressing

Korean Pancake
complimentary - this is new...wasn't here before

Bulgolgi
[Korean BBQ Beef]

Kalbi
[Korean Short Ribs minus the ribs]

Egg Drop Soup

Meat on GRILL!

Rice Paper
used to wrap...

the meat!!!! look how delicious it looks...man i kind of want some more now

Pink Taco @ Los Angeles

Panda, Lobster and I had a stop over at Century City Mall after Sprinkles before we headed over to Korean BBQ. We were just walking, and looking around, and then we decided to go get happy hour. We didn't know where, but a sales lady at Metropark suggested we go to Pink Taco. We saw it when we pulled into the garage and it looked pretty cool. Went over to the 2nd floor of Century City Mall, and it was pretty amazing. Let me just tell you, happy hour = 1/2 drinks and $6 dollar apps. Margaritas which would originally be $10-$14 became $5-$7!!!! GREAT! I really need to go back to this place another day to have serious tacos...any takers?

Front Door - literally

Bar with TONS of different tequilla

Complimentary Chips & Salsa
chips and salsa were really fresh. not too greasy, and great flavor...esp since they were free!

Pomegranate Margarita
it was good...but way too sweet. the boys had the fine casa margarita, which is just regular margarita and that was way better

Sprinkles Cupcakes @ Beverly Hills

The time has finally come when this Penguin has been reunited with her all time favorite cupcake...Sprinkles. Anyone who is ANYONE has been to Sprinkles, and you cannot be a Sprinkles follower until you have been to the Beverly Hills shop that has started it all. I saw someone walk into Sprinkles with a Crumbs cupcake, why did they wasted money on that cupcake is beyond me. I assume they were trying to compare, but why bother. Sprinkles is the best. Bar none. Hands down. Period.

Favorite: vanilla milk chocolate.

Problem is that I think due to the recession, their cupcakes shrank a little, but still uber in taste and deliciousness.

Vanilla Milk Chocolate
[vanilla cupcake with milk chocolate frosting]

Ginger Lemon
didn't like it...but then again i don't like ginger. so biased maybe?