Whenever I think of El Torito, I remember big plates of food, the hum of conversation, and that special feeling of weekend indulgence. It had been years since I last visited, but when I spotted them on this year’s dineLA list, I knew it was time to return. This time, instead of brunch, I was…
Category: spice
It’s a savory Hello Kitty life!
Hello dineLA @ Rakkan Ramen!
Rakkan Ramen has long held a special place in my heart (and stomach!) as one of my all-time favorite ramen shops in LA. When I saw they were participating in dineLA, I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to visit and try out their multi-course dineLA menu. First Course: Spicy Garlic Chili Edamame The…
Hello dineLA @ Unico Tokyo Pasta!
One of my favorite times of the year is DineLA. It is the perfect excuse to explore new restaurants while enjoying curated menus at a great value. For this season’s DineLA, I finally made it to a spot that had been on my radar for a while – Unico Tokyo Pasta in Redondo Beach. This…
Hello Yelp Elite Experience – Lucky Pizza Gardena!
As a Yelp Elite, I’m constantly reminded how lucky I am to be part of a community that not only loves food but also supports local businesses. One of the most flavorful reminders came during a recent Yelp Elite Experience at Lucky Pizza in Gardena, California. This spot is Lucky Pizza’s second location. Their original…
Hello Starbird Torrance!
Starbird Chicken sure has come a long way in the South Bay since I first discovered them back in 2022 during a Yelp Elite experience at their ghost kitchen in Hawthorne, California. That initial visit definitely made an impression — crispy chicken, bold flavors, and a fresh take on fast-casual fried chicken. Not long after,…
Hello Saiga Eatery Orange!
“Eat Good. Eat Fast.” That’s the tagline of Saiga Vietnamese Eatery, with locations in both Orange and Irvine, California — and after my visit, I can confidently say they live up to it. While the concept centers around fast Vietnamese takeout, the quality of the food is far beyond what you’d expect from a quick-service…
Hello Nam Kitchen!
Nam Kitchen is where Vietnamese meets Peruvian in the best way! Located in Gardena, California, thus spot offers a unique fusion of two of my favorite cuisines. Seeing them come together on one menu? Yes, please. I kicked off brunch with their Vietnamese-style chicken wings—crispy, a little spicy, a little sweet. These wings are absolutely…
Hello Carnival Firenze! 🚢
Seas the Flavor While Sailing on Carnival Firenze! I recently came back from a cruise on Carnival Firenze and it was a truly fantastic trip on this ship that’s all about “Fun Italian Style!” It was also a full-on flavor voyage! From poolside bites to elevated dining, this ship brings bold tastes and casual fun…
Hello JINYA Ramen – 2nd and PCH
I’m such a “Ramentic” 🍜 🥰! Today was seriously a good day for trying out new spots! After a fun Yelp Elite Experience at nearby LATHER Long Beach, I stopped by JINYA Ramen Bar at 2nd & PCH. If you know me, you already know I love ramen — so I was super excited to…
Hello and Farewell, Black Angus Torrance! 🤠
Black Angus in Torrance was always the place I wanted to go when I was a little girl. It was just down the street from where I grew up, and every time we passed by, I’d look up at the big sign and wonder what it was like inside. It seemed like the kind of…
hello foodie jenn 