Word Cesspool // Happy 16th of July? [[a 4th of July post]]

Hey guys! I know it's too late but I wanted to make sure I shared this experience with you 

>////<

I know it took a long time before I could post this but I just wanted to share with you all how I spent my 4th of July.

4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, not only because I'm off at work but also because it commemorated the moment our courageous soldiers fought for what we have right now... Freedom.

The Sleeping Giant has proven to everyone that no matter what situation life puts you in, there will always be hope.

I was born and raised in the Philippines so I apologize if my grammar on most of my post or the way I word them seems pretty, darn horrible. I'm striving to be better and as I continuously do what I do, I believe I will get better. I wasn't born in this beautiful country but I still feel blessed that she treats me like as if I did. 

I'm not gonna start a lesson about the history of this nation's independence, so you can go back to your seats and keep reading as I'm about to unfold what I really came here for...

(*≧▽≦)ﾉｼ))

= / / =

My 4th of July was spent with my friends at their place wherein as tradition, just had an All-American (slightly Italian) lunch. It was a simple lunch treat that we thought would pay respect for living in this amazing country for the past 5 years or so.

My best friend and I were the ones who prepared and served lunch. I was in charge of one entree and she was in-charge of the other. We prepared  pretty hefty lunch by accident and sadly, we never got a chance to eat dessert but no matter, as all bellies were filled.
And that for me is more than enough.

So without further a do, here it is....

For my side of the plate, I prepared an All-American... *wait for it* 

Burgers!!

While I prepared the patties, my best friend was already cooking hers which is a Traditional-style Spaghetti. We thought I'd be nice to prepare a lot that day. Both of us made these dishes ourselves and for that, we are pretty proud of ourselves.

I originally planned to make sliders so it's not that heavy, unfortunately, the store was out of slider buns that came in bulk that I had to resort to the regular sized ones.

In the end, this is what the table looks like.

The burger was home-made. I thought that if I make them by scratch it'll give me more leeway to add some and subtract some. 

The buns with sesame seeds are actually more expensive so I had to improvise and buy some sesame seeds and just put them there, which worked like a charm!

After everything, we were able to make at least 9 burgers to feed a group of 7, and I'm very elated to say that there were no leftovers.
 (＾▽＾)


In the end, we just chilled in the living room and ended up playing Risk [the board game] and basically just continued watching my guy friends play the Resident Evil 6 game and ended up finishing it in less than a whole day. Sure it's not a family BBQ in the backyard but it's definitely what we wanted to have...just chilling out with your friends.

Oh what a marvelous sight~ ヘ(￣ω￣ヘ)

Recipes will be posted next time as this post is long enough already it already missed the 4th of July train.

I hope you guys had a great 4th as I did.

Please do not forget the real meaning of our country's independence. It's not a day like any normal weekends that you get at work but it's to give respect to those who has served this country well.

As Paul Sweeney said;

"How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy."

And that is that.

Thanks for tuning in~
 ┌（★ｏ☆）┘

Food trip // Goldilocks

I am Filipino. 

Let me be one of the few people to say that Filipinos are Asian and not Pacific-Islanders. 

You may or may not agree with me but it's true. Unfortunately, this post is not about that. 

I will discuss that later on.

Today, I will talk about a famous restaurant here in California, not so much back in sweet, ol' Philippines called 

Goldilocks 

[[^^ You know the drill, click the linky for more infy ^^]]

Back in the Philippines, Goldilocks is famously known for a local bakeshop where you can usually get your last-minute birthday cakes. [[Yup! I know Dad, you forgot my bday again (ʃƪ ˘ ³˘) ]]

Any cow, here in Cerritos lies the famous restaurant.

From fairy tale to famous Filipino bakery grail

I was never really a fan of Goldilocks 5 years back but I am a sucker for sweets so I gave it another shot.

In the Philippines, there are numerous house garages turned to small cafeterias. For someone who was born and raised there, you get that nostalgic feeling whenever you encounter a place where it reminds you of home and that is exactly the atmosphere that Goldilocks gives you when you first enter the restaurant.

Once inside, you are then greeted by a host that will escort you to your table. Around you, you'll see copious 'kababayans' (fellow Filipino) eating with their family. This place really gives off the sense of home.

Filipinos, filipinos everywhere!

Goldilocks' icon is nonetheless the famous fairy tale character herself, as shown below. Kind of creepy but you get used to it.

I don't know how they did it; how they owned such a famous character but they did.
And for that I salute you.

A waiter then approaches you in your table and gives you the menu. A mid-size menu full of  the restaurant's specialties.

For a native, you will see very familiar words in the menu, delicacies served in a normal Filipino household such as Pancit (Noodles), Sinigang (Sour soup), Nilaga (Stew) and even Lechon Kawali (Deep fried Pork belly)

The menu has english descriptions for non-native speakers. Very convenient!

Just a brain blast moment; I didn't know that Filipino's have soul food. Very interesting. 

Crispy Dinuguan - Crispy Pork Blood Stew for your soul, anyone?

Once done ordering, the waiter then distributes the tableware suited for what you ordered.

I think this setting is really dashing.

Unfortunately, I was too hungry to even take a picture of what we got. It's simply Fried Rice but of course, Filipino-style which means it's sweet and just right for my palette.

For desserts, my friend got an Avocado Chiller which looks definitely refreshing

She has her own blog and her own review of the place.

Check her out HERE

Avocado Chiller - Avocados, silky evaporated milk, tapioca with shaved ice all over.

And as for myself, I got the traditional Halo-Halo which means Mix.
Very tantalizing to the eyes and very refreshing to the tummy.

Halo-Halo - (Mix) consists of a shaved ice and evaporated milk MIXed with a variety of sweet beans, plantains, nata de coco, dash of pounded crushed young rice (pinipig) and a scoopful of flan and/or purple yam ice cream or purple yam itself.

Top view of this majestic masterpiece before it is then pulverized to mix  thoroughly for  fun.

Last but will never be the least, if there's one thing that Goldilocks never got rid of; its the bakery.

Still the top leading bakery in the Filipino community, showcases of assorted cakes and sweets lined up on the glass cases waiting to be taken home.

For pricing, it's not that bad. Brazo de Mercedes (Rolled Meringue cake with Custard Filling) - a famous, Spanish-named  roll has taken its toll in my child-like heart. This roll has been my cake since I can remember.
≧(´▽｀)≦

Of course, there are the grand cakes suited for every birthday need!

I like this one, very simple yet sophisticated.

Price: ★★★☆☆

• For something you can simply make at home, the price is good for reminiscing old times.

Food Rating: ★★★☆☆

• Knocked out 2 stars because again, you can try and make your own recipes for these dishes. This place is meant for those who wants to reminisce home or those Filipinos who wanted their Non-native  friends to have their own Pinoy experience.

Overall Service/Experience: ★★★★☆

• For someone who cannot cook that well, I love this place as it reminds me of home. 

Would I come back?

• In a heartbeat. Goldilocks has a special place in every Filipino's heart, especially mine.

Thanks for tuning in! 

о(ж＞▽＜)ｙ ☆

Places // What time is it? It's Boba Time!!

Hello and welcome to my blog.

Ahhh Koreatown, how I miss you so.. how long has it been? 3 years ever since I last visited you?

Kidding aside, let me be the first one to say THIS SUMMER IS WAY TOO HOT FOR EVERYONE! 

｡ﾟ(TヮT)ﾟ｡

It is a good thing Ice was invented, most especially shaved ice mixed with refreshing flavors such as tropical fruits or simply, just fruits. 

Lying in the heart of Koreatown is a boba place called Boba Time. 

What is boba? Boba are black tapioca balls that taste kind of like jello but it's a bit harder around the center.

They were first incorporated with Milk Tea which makes it a Bubble tea but later on, thank God for our  creative human minds, ventured on other flavors.

This is the exterior photo of the place.

It's pretty dainty but definitely packs a lot of people. Imagine, lemonade tycoon with the right recipes on a hot summer day.

Once inside, you are then greeted by walls and walls of their menu, ranging from their favorite picks of smoothie to customer picks of shaved ice.

In front, you'll see a black board of the flavors to choose from. It's like any cafe's like Starbucks or Jamba Juice.

The place is pretty small. The lady on the right signifies the other end of the cafe, as she patiently
waits for her thirst-quenching treat.

When it's your turn, look down.

Look down again!

You would think that the walls of choices are enough, but you are dead wrong. 

Below you can see dozens more choices of fruits and flavors to put in the drink.

I admit though, it's very cute. Like Purikura. 

\(///Σ///)\

In the end, I chose a Soy Strawnana Smoothie with Extra Boba.

Why not right?

With this Summer coming in, I'd be needing it.

Price: ★★★★☆

Drink Rating: ★★★★★

• Thank the heat for a perfect score!

Overall Sevice: ★★★★☆

• The overall service was pretty fast. We got there just in time before a whole barricade of people gushed in. Reminds me of my Pinkberry days to be honest о(ж＞▽＜)ｙ ☆

:EXTRA:

Afterwards, we ventured on to Little Tokyo for dinner stuff; found a cute fountain to chill while drinking our refreshing, bubbly drinks. 

I'd rather stay behind the camera so here's my best friend sporting her Milk Bubble Tea.

I am not photogenic. =_=;;

Thanks for tuning in!

(￣□￣;)!!

Food Trip // Thai Original BBQ

Good evening Ladies and Gents...

It's time for another Food Trip!

Now to all of you living in California, you know how culturally-diverse our little state is; you have food cuisines ranging from Chinese, Soul, American (new), Vietnamese, Filipino, Thai, Greek and Mediterranean. The food choices are endless.

For today, Bugsy's mom felt like treating us outside so we headed to a Thai restaurant a few blocks away from their place. It lies in the heart of Culver City. I believe that if you're a Foodie like I am, you're already familiar of this place.

.The Thai Original BBQ Restaurant.

[[ ^^ click their website, I dare you not to drool  ^^ ]]

[[ Photo Credit to YELP ]]

I forgot to take an exterior photo of the restaurant so thanks to Yelp but any photos down below are originally mine. I promise!

Any moo, when you enter the place, you feel that rustic feeling of being in well, an Asian restaurant. You then are greeted by a waitress/waiter who will assist you to a table available (sometimes, if you're a early, you can choose your own seat!)

This is the view from our table, it wasn't that crowded that day since we went after lunch service.

Most customers prefer having their food as take-out, I don't know why but we're all different so whatever.

The menu was pretty simple and easy to follow. For our starters, we started off Bugsy's Mama's favorite; The Spicy Shrimp Soup.

Just look at the steam it's producing, I cannot wait to have another one.

The Spicy Shrimp Soup
combination of Spicy and Sour soup packed with juicy Shrimp, scrumptious mushrooms, leafy greens and tomatoes.

It didn't take us long to finish the soup, but luckily the service was fast enough our entrees started coming. We just ordered two (2) of them since the restaurant gives some pretty big servings.

To start of we got the ever so famous, Pad See Ew that I'm definitely positive my Thai readers love ( I hope...) and their lunch special, the S-2 BBQ Pork Spare Rib Dinner.

Starting off with the Pad See Ew; this dish is one of Bugsy's must when going to a Thai restaurant. The combination of sweet and savory is all I could come up with whenever I needed to describe this dish. 

It is served stir-fried with the accustomed green, crisp broccolis,  delectable cuts of beef (our choice) and what is Pad See Ew without the rice noodles.  

As I've said before, the serving can feed up to 2 people, so this dish is a definite must when going to a Thai restaurant !

You can see how vivid and colorful this dish was, I am a witness that this dish is yummy and fresh

And finally, last but never ever the least, the S-2  or how the restaurant describes it; the 

BBQ Pork Spare Rib Dinner.

This dish comes with plenty serving of succulent shrimp rice enough for again, 2 people, a set of savory spare ribs grilled to perfection and of course, their sweet sauce in which I-am-not-familiar-of-that-is-why-I-am-so-obsessed-with-it.

I'm not a Shakespeare when describing food but I can assure you that this mouth-watering dish can most certainly satisfy your palette, IF you're into or craving Thai cuisine.

The orange is optional. its garnish and edible at the same time ^-^

Price:  ★★★☆☆

• I give it three stars, just because as a broke adult, the price is not your typical Mcdonald's. It's a nice on-occasion event though. Very rewarding.

Food Rating: ★★★★☆

Overall Experience:  ★★★★☆

• We're all happy campers.

This is what I get when I asked him to take a photo us his Mom and I.
Silly Bugs~

Happy Campers!




Thanks for tuning in!
(〜￣▽￣)〜