Tropicalia Brazilian Grille in LA

We went out for one of my best friend's birthdays, Ms. Caroline Motus :)  

I love going out with my Fatima girls.  We always dress up to go out to some of the cool spots in LA.  Before we headed out I had to give Carol her gift!  

 

I got her a beautiful MK's bracelet, gold all around so classy and dare I say it fabulous.  Shoot I wanted it for myself.  And I also got her a dainty ring by Ariella that says "love"

 

Finally! We arrived at Tropicalia Brazilian Grille in LA.  Our tummy's were so ready for food, we even played some samba and bossa nova on the way there.  ahah It's a small restaurant, but a very popular one.  The place was entirely packed when we left.  We started off with some Sangria.  

I wish I could remember the names of the plates that each of us ordered. But what I love South American food, is how different it tastes and looks!  I mean if you look at these photos they're the typical things you put on a plate, but the ingredients that they use, how they use it makes it stand out from a dish we'd eat at a Mexican restaurant or at home.   I noticed they like to tenderize and pound their meat very very flat.  Another thing that's different is that they bread their meat with seasoned bread crumbs and then fry it.  SOOO Good! Oh and can't forget, they add fried plantains to your dish!  I never thought banana and meat would go so well together. ahah

Susan spoils me with sweets :)

Every time I have a practice session with Susan she has me taste test her desserts :) I'm so lucky haha

mini caramel pie bites with fresh whipped creme 

lemon meringue tartlet :) 

Birthday

It was my 23rd birthday on the 21st, but was blessed to have celebrated for a few days with  all the people whom I love so dearly.  My celebration started early this year.  Days before my birthday my coworkers had brought me a special surprise.  Anh bought me my favorite kind of dessert: FRUIT TART CAKE!  I go crazy over these.  The best part about fruit tarts is that they taste better the next day, because the custard gets to soak in the tart just a little bit.  I love it! 

My supervisor is from Peru, and I have always told her that I loved one of their well-known dishes,  PAPA LA HUANCAINA  After months of begging her to bring it to one of our potlocks, she made it for my birthday!!! Definitely worth the wait. The dish is more an appetizer and usually served like the picture above.  It's boiled potatoes cut into slices, with lettuce, olives, and hardboiled eggs on the side.  The sauce is what kills me the most: chile, olive oil, evaporated milk, saltine crackers,  fresh cheese, and seasoned with salt and pepper. 

If we get the chance, one of my bffs from elementary school, Jonny and I meet for lunch.  We both work around the same area,  so I am grateful that I can catch up with him for a rushed hour before we have to drive back to work. For my birthday, we went to  J&J SUBS in Fountain Valley.  You'd think they'd be very popular for their subs, but actually people love to come here for their burgers and apparently their fries are to DIIEEE FOORR..  But because obviously I'm at a SUB place I'm going to get myself a sub.  This is one of their popular ones, THE ITALIAN COLD CUT. 

Jonny was so sweet (hehe get it) to get me cupcakes from PINKY'S CUPCAKERY from Fountain Valley.  

ahhah Jonny's drawing of himself.  

My parents spoiled me this weekend too.  We went to Orange Hill for a sweet buffet all the way up up up up high where there was a beautiful view of the OC.  It was quite delicious and quite expensive, so you know we stayed at the buffet for quite some time. 

they brought me a birthday plate. shwweeeet 

Mimosas? Yes, please! Cappuccino?! OH Yeahhh! 

Corner Bakery

So I am pretty sure I got hit on by a girl today.  I went to Corner Bakery today and as I was looking at the menu, I catch the cashier's attention because my light on my phone went off.  We have this pointless conversation about the iPhone, and finally interrupts me because a man was waiting to order.  He seemed a little irritated.  So when it was my turn to order finally, she apologized and she ended up giving me a free drink!  She said she felt bad about that guy being a "jerk".  If anything I was thinking I was being a jerk for making him wait while we talked about nonsensicle things and then she said, " I like people wo make my day, and plus I like you." WAAAAAAHHHH?????? 

Anyway, I love Corner Bakery's combos.  They're all about $8!  Soup or Salad with Sandwich, Salad with soup, or what I tried the TRIO.  You can pick 3 different types of salads or a soup and 2 salads for a wopping $8!  I ordered the tomato basil soup, with the mozzarella tomato arugala salad and the avocado wedge salad. 

What do you think is better Corner Bakery or Panera?! 

California Fish Grill

Solo dolo.  Check out my new necklace.  One of my friends go it for me for my birthdayyyy.  It's pretty sweet cuz one its handmade and two it's yellow!

I've been trying to eat healthier lately, but of course that is very impossible for me! Dont know about you, but I enjoy eating fish or seafood on a nice sunny day, probably because I like being by the beach.  Anyway, I associate healthy with fish.  That's where I was going with this. 

I went to CA fish grill, and I think I ordered a tad too much!  I always thought their portions were a little small, so I decided to get tacos and sides, but man those tacos were filling!   The seared Ahi Tuna was yummy, a bit dry though.  I should've put more sauce or something.  The corn chowder was pretty delicious.  It was creamy and hearty, I was full off of that alone! 

Stefano's

Italian restaurant off of Imperial highway and la Palma.

Green Bliss

Vegan!!!!!!

The little courtyard  in Fullerton off of Wilshire Ave. has a new vegan restaurant!  Green Bliss has a great menu to choose from.  Although vegan, they really know how to put ingredients together to make your dish very flavorful and filling.  

Panini that has a spread of basil pest, roasted mushrooms, artichokes hearts, and avocado. OMG :) 

By far my favorite salad.  Kale salad with carrots, avocado, sesame seeds drenched in this amazing dressing which I wish I could describe to you. gah! you guys just need to visit this place. 

I paid about $11 for my meal.  I bit pricey, but of course it's vegan! You're gonna pay a little more for vegan and ingredients that are fresh and have good quality.