Eating temaki sushi rolls is an enjoyable and interactive experience, as they are meant to be consumed with your hands instead of chopsticks. These delicious “hand rolls” feature roasted nori wrapped around rice and a variety of flavorful fillings. SORA Temaki Bar recently opened at the Original Farmers Market on Fairfax. The owner, Vincent Benoliel,…
Experience Vaca: A Culinary Journey Near Segerstrom Center
I enjoy attending live events, and for our anniversary, my wife surprised me with tickets to a play at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. She also included a gift certificate for Vaca, a Spanish restaurant steps from the theater, to enhance our evening. Amar Santana, a former Top Chef contestant, co-owns…
Tokyo Central Opens New Location: A Must Visit for Japanese Food Lovers
Tokyo Central is a specialty Japanese grocery store in California and one of my go-to markets. It offers various imported Japanese goods, fresh produce, beauty products, and prepared Japanese food. They opened a second Torrance location on Pacific Coast Hwy and Hawthorne Blvd, next to Best Buy. Tokyo Central’s newest location opened on the weekend…
Explore Parker’s Lighthouse: Iconic Views and Culinary Delights
Discovering new dining options is always exciting, but supporting restaurants that have proven their worth over the years is equally important. As food trends and preferences evolve, successful establishments must embrace change while maintaining their core values. One shining example is Parker’s Lighthouse in Long Beach, where I dined during its 40th celebration. It had…
Patchwork Show Returns to Long Beach
The Patchwork Show is Dear Handmade Life’s bi-annual makers’ festival. It showcases local emerging artists, crafters, and designers alongside delicious food, DIY craft workshops, and live music. The Patchwork Show returns to Marine Stadium in Long Beach on Sunday, Nov 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Long Beach Patchwork Show is their largest…
Where to find Holiday Tamales in LA
For many Latinos, the holiday season is associated with tamales. Each year, friends and families settle on a date and prepare a mammoth amount in assembly-line fashion. They do so because they also give their homemade tamales as holiday gifts. Here’s where to find holiday tamales in LA. Downtown LA Yucantan-style tamales at Chicken Itza…
Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill Delivers Excellent Value
I recently learned about Orange County’s walking trails. They often traverse scenic country parks featuring picturesque waterfalls and panoramic views from mountain vistas. After hiking Peter’s Canyon in Tustin, my daughter and I worked up an appetite and decided to go to Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill and try their lunch express. We were happy to learn…
October is National Seafood Month
October is National Seafood Month, and there are many ways to enjoy it. From fish tacos to plump lobster tails, crispy fried catfish, and sushi, there’s a kind of seafood for just about everyone. Did you know eating fish may help reduce cognitive decline and improve bone and eye health? Here are some ways to…
Experience Global Flavors and Craft Cocktails at the Edgemar Restaurant
Most Angelenos are familiar with the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which world-renowned architect Frank Gehry designed. However, many people are unaware that Gehry also designed the Edgemar, a mixed-use commercial village in Santa Monica. Operating partners, restauranteurs, and designers recently collaborated to devise the eponym Edgemar Restaurant. Upon approaching the boldly designed structure constructed with…
Tigawok West LA: Affordable and Flavorful Chinese Dishes Cooked by Automated Machines
Cali Express made big news in LA when it opened a fast-food restaurant where the preparation of burgers and fries was wholly automated using AI and robotic technology. More recently, Tigawok, a Chinese fast-food restaurant that uses automated cooking machines, caught notice when it opened on the Westside. Tigawok’s commercial cooking machines resemble front-loading washers….