Vanilla Bake Shop, Los Angeles

I really wish there were enough hours in a day to get everything I wanted done. Between work and travels, I just haven't had the time to share all of the other great meals I have had in San Diego and L.A. I'm back in Ottawa but am leaving for Germany tomorrow, so I'll leave you with this post before I head off to the land of brats and beer. I'm meeting a friend in Nuremburg for a few days so it should be fun. There's a really cool restaurant...

Read More

Little Gordon: Gordon Ramsey's Mini Me

This little boy may look sweet and innocent, but he is in fact a vulgar, potty mouthed, British a**hole! While taking a break from my writings about my weekend in L.A., I came across these promotional videos on You Tube. It is a character called Little Gordon, Gordon Ramsay's twin but 40 years younger! These videos are hilarious, and were created by a restaurant recruiting firm to promote jobs in the hospitality industry. My favorite video is the...

Read More

Carney's Restaurant, Los Angeles

I couldn't help but be charmed by Carney's Restaurant. Who wouldn't want to eat a burger in a train car on the Sunset strip in LA? Carney's is a casual family owned fast food restaurant that serves burgers and hot dogs in a 1920's Amtrack passenger car. Their menu is more extensive than that, but people mainly come here for their dogs, burgers, and chili. Their hot dogs have won awards, and there's a sign in the restaurant that says they...

Read More

Paulette Macarons, Los Angeles

I have to confess, my breakfasts weren't exactly the healthiest on this trip. While I tried to feel bad about it, I just didn't care. How can you when there are so many amazing bakeries available? This past weekend, I ditched the whole wholesome breakfast idea, and packed my body with sugar and sweet goodies instead.My breakfast Saturday morning was at Paulette Macarons. My first experience with a macaron was awful. The cafe I was at sold me...

Read More

Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles

Iron Chef America is the reason I became addicted to The Food Network. I remember watching an Iron Chef America marathon into the late wee hours of the night. I kept telling myself that as soon as they revealed the next secret ingredient, I would go to bed. Of course, I wasn't satisfied with just knowing what the secret ingredient was, so I would wait until the first commercial, then it became the second commercial, then until the dishes were...

Read More

The Mission, San Diego

I love discovering neighborhood cafes and restaurants, especially if the ambiance is charming and the food is good. CK and I wanted a quick lunch where we didn't have to travel far, so we ventured around the corner to The Mission in Mission Beach for lunch. Although The Mission is better known for it's all day breakfast menu, we both decided to try something from their lunch menu. We weren't sure what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised. If...

Read More

Corvette Diner, San Diego

Whether or not you like the food here, this is a FUN place to eat! Corvette Diner is a 50's style diner that will take you back in time. They've got the 50's thing down to a tee. Not only is the restaurant covered with 50's decoration, but the waiters wear their hair greased back, and the waitresses are in poodle skirts with retro hairstyles.Eating here was like a scene in a movie. EVERYONE was genuinely having fun. The staff was bopping to the...

Read More

Vosges Haut-Chocolat: Black Pearl Bar and Red Fire Bar

While wandering through Whole Foods Market in Hillcrest, San Diego, I came across this wonderful wall of chocolates that resembled a complete set of exotic, rare, collectible books waiting to be discovered. It was so enticing that I had to pick some up to try. What I'm referring to are the exotic candy bars made by Vosges Haut-Chocolat. Vosges has marketed themselves as a high end exotic chocolate retailer. The bulk of their boutiques are in...

Read More