2019 simply flew by and here we are at the end of the year with my last blog post for 2019. My Year in Review is always one of my favorites to write because it gives me a chance to reflect, remember and share some of my favorite moments of the year! I am truly blessed and thankful.

Hello Foodie Jenn Best Travel Foodie Destinations 2019!

I had so much fun visiting both Portland and Oahu this year! From coffee spots in Portland to breakfast eateries in Oahu; I sure did have a lot of fun Hello Foodie Jenn adventures.

Bistro Agnes (blog post: June 2019)

Bistro Agnes in Portland, Oregon was one of my favorite places for dinner.

I had their Truffled Vegetable Pithivier and love this dish with butternut squash, oyster mushrooms, black truffle, leeks, chèvre & comté in a crispy puff pastry. It was even complemented with truffled vegetable demi. 

Stripsteak by Michael Mina (blog post: December 2019)

Stripsteak was one of the best steakhouses I tried this year! This place really made my trip to Oahu memorable. Their Washugyu flat iron was so tender.

Hello Foodie Jenn Best Local Eats 2019!

I love traveling but there’s something really special about new places right at home.

Thai Hub Torrance (blog post: January 2019)

Thai Hub Torrance was a great little Thai place that opened up in the South Bay this year Their Yellow Curry Chicken with tender chicken breast, potatoes, onions and carrot was one of my favorite curry dishes that I got to try. 

Rakkan Ramen Redondo Beach (blog post: March 2019)

Rakkan Ramen reminded me a lot of my Toyko trip. With their umami dishes; I quickly became a fan. Their Rakkan Ramen buns are the best in town!

Blazin’ Hens (blog post: April 2019)

Though not new to the South Bay; it was only this year that I tried Blazin’ Hens! Needless to say; I absolutely loved their Nashville fried chicken.

Their Jidori style chicken dipped in buttermilk makes for the most juicy, tender chicken. Hot and fresh; their chicken is the best.

Shiok: Asian Street Food (blog post: September 2019)

Shiok; opened up at Rolling Hills Plaza this year and became a quick favorite of mine. I love their take on Asian street food. Their crispy golden baos are awesome! Outside it is a crisp golden brown bun and inside is steamed pork with egg. 

The Brews Hall (blog post: November 2019)

The first ever food hall/brewery concept arrived to the South Bay this fall! With two breweries and four food concepts (Mexican, Chicken, Seafood and Burgers); I along with the rest of the South Bay found this the place to be!

Hello Foodie Jenn Best Breakfast Eats 2019!

Kicking off the day with a smile is a must and these breakfast places truly made me smile.

Modo Hawaii (blog post: June 2019)

Mochi Donuts was all the rage this year! When Modo Hawaii opened up a pop-up shop at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Torrance over the summer; folks lined up for hours. Their Lilikoi Mochi donut was definitely one of my favorites to eat for breakfast with coffee.

Tasty N’ Alder (blog post: June 2019)

Tasty N’ Alder was my favorite brunch place in Portland.

Duck…Duck….Steak breakfast with double R Ranch teres major on a stick with potatoes confit in duck fat, onion sour cream and a sunny duck egg was a hearty and great dish.

Liliha Bakery (blog post: December 2019)

Liliha Bakery in Ala Moana Center in Hawaii was a great place to have Hawaiian style breakfast. I couldn’t visit the Islands and not have Loco Moco. Here at Liliha Bakery; their loco moco had thick gravy, gooey egg yolk and tender burger patties. It was truly ono.

Hello Foodie Jenn Best Desserts 2019!

2019 was sweet! From local desserts to tropical desserts in Hawaii; I had one sweet year!

Somi Somi Torrance (blog post: March 2019)

Somi Somi Torrance is an amazing dessert place that opened up in the South Bay this year. I loved their take on Ah-boong. My Ah-boong with ube and oreo ice cream in gold-fish waffle filled with taro and topped off with fruity pebbles, Captain Crunch cereal and graham crackers was amazing. My kinda “fish!”

Cauldron Ice Cream (blog post: May 2019)

Cauldron Ice Cream has some of the prettiest desserts. They offer ice cream in rose shapes. They are also inside puffle cones or egg waffle cones. It was instagram and drool worthy!

Pix Patisserie (blog post: June 2019)

Pix Patisserie was one of my favorite places in Portland. Their macronuts (French macarons + Donuts) were so soft, sweet and perfect. I should also list this place in the Best Coffee Places list because their lattes were so delightful! Their Oregon Hazy latte is a must try when in Portland.

Urban Plates (blog post: October 2019)

Urban Plates Torrance is one amazing place for healthy dishes full of flavor. From savory to sweet; they have scratch made food that is so enjoyable. I particularly am fond of their freshly made desserts. They are not only beautiful but tasty too!

Roy’s Waikiki (blog post: December 2019)

Roy’s Melting Pot Soufflé with Lappert’s Ice Cream was definitely one of my favorite desserts during my trip to Oahu! It takes 30 minutes to prepare and comes out so soft and with oozing hot chocolate. It was paired with sweet vanilla Lappert’s ice cream. It was two Hawaiian desserts in one!

Hello Foodie Jenn Best Coffee and Tea Places 2019

Offset Coffee (blog post: January 2019)

Offset Coffee is on the top of my list of best coffee shops in the South Bay. Their hazelnut latte is perfectly creamy, nutty and sweet.

Steelhead Coffee (blog post: March 2019)

Steelhead Coffee is another new amazing spot in the South Bay. Their caramel latte made for a great morning drink that wasn’t too rich or too sweet!

Stumptown Coffee (blog post: June 2019)

No visit to Portland would’ve been complete without trying Stumptown Coffee! I throughly enjoyed sipping their smooth lattes.

Their Hazelnut Latte and Woodblock Mocha were perfectly rich and bold.

7 Leaves Cafe (blog post: July 2019)

The new 7 Leave Caffe in the South Bay quickly became one of my favorite places for boba and tea. With real flavors and raw ingredients; their drinks gave a whole new look to the boba scene.

Urth Caffe (blog post: December 2019)

I was thrilled to find out Urth Caffe came back to the South Bay. Their fresh made coffee is some of the best out there! They also have baristas who make amazing latte art!

Hello Foodie Jenn Best Foodie Experiences 2019

All my foodie experiences are fun but there are some that were simply very memorable!

189 by Dominique Ansel (blog post: March 2019)

Located at The Grove Los Angeles; is Chef Dominque Ansel’s first restaurant venture. Though we did not try his famous cronuts; we were treated to a wonderful unforgettable meal. Their grilled lamb chops dipped in mustard seeds was a savory, delightful entree and is one of the best lamb dishes I have ever tried.

Mix Mix Kitchen and Bar (blog post: July 2019)

Mix Mix Kitchen and Bar by Chef Ross Pangilinan was one of our favorite places to visit this year. My boyfriend and I tried the “Oui Chef” tasting menu and each dish that came out kept getting more and more delicious. I loved Filipino Chef Ross’s take on adobo. His Pork Cheek Adobo came with with tasty garlic fried rice and chimichurri. It reminded me of home cooked Filipino food.

Napa Rose (blog post: September 2019)

I got to celebrate Napa Rose for my birthday year and loved every single moment of my dinner there! Our entrees of Pomegranate-glazed Veal Osso Bucco and the Quail Stuffed with Prosciutto Wrapped Summer Peach were executed perfectly and made for a phenomenal dinner. I loved the pleasant surprise of getting a birthday treat with the Pineapple Streusel Crumble Crunch Bar. It was such a sweet birthday!

2019 was one amazing year and I definitely had some wonderful meals with wonderful people this year! Thank you to all those who were a part of my Hello Foodie Jenn adventures this year. I can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store!