110 lugares
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Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: Oh Tierra Mia...You live up to all the hype!! It's not hype. This is the real deal cafe Mexicano people! If you're Mexican or are Mexican by relation ( you know who you are !!!) You'll love this coffee house. I'm pleased to see that it's quickly growing into a successful chain. This coffee is made with LOVE, or shall I say, CON AMOR! Yes. Ever roll through a coffee place and walk out thinking "Who the F$^% pissed you off, Barista??!!" because your coffee tasted like a skunk pissed in it? And then have you ever walked away with coffee and you feel like a warm hug just blanketed you?? That's how I feel every time I've walked away with a coffee from Tierra Mia! I love this location because it has a drive thru and I can be a lazy biotch (especially when I'm in sweats, no make up, and my hair's a mess, or I just came from hiking!). I get a kick of how they used the old KFC bucket and made it a coffee cup! HA! Genius :) I love the coffees because they have the taste of real Mexican Chocolate, makes me feel as if my mom just shaved slivers of Abuelita's Chocolate into my cup. You can ask for the drinks half-sweetened, and they're happy to oblige. They can make some of the hot drinks iced as well if you're not a fan of fraps like me. Everyone I know LOVES the horchata frap. I'm a fan of the Caramelo Macchiatto and the Mocha Mexicano. My favorite pasty has to be the divine Tres Leches Muffin. Foodgasm heaven right there!!! San Francisco will be getting a taste of Tierra Mia soon! -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: I love looking for new and unique breakfast spots. Sqirl was mentioned in an LAist article weeks ago, "....harder to get than a table at Sqirl." Sqirl?? Ques que c'est "Sqirl"?! I wandered over to Yelp and voila. Sqirl. Bookmarked. Recruited one of my early bird foodie buddies. Ready, set, GO! First, the setting. Neighborhood is not what I expected. I thought it would be hipsterville. Au contraire ! We were smack dab in the middle of El Barrio. I felt like my Tia Lena was going to walk out any moment from one of the neighboring homes and sweep the sidewalk . I even asked my friend, "Are we in the right location?" Yes. Yes we were. Street parking was kinda easy. Then again we arrived at 7:40. We kept an eye on Sqirl like we were on a stake out. We said if 2 or more hipsters arrive, we are jumping down. No one showed up. Hmm...I thought this place was popular. Then at 7:58 they swarmed and we jumped off the car and joined the heavily growing line. Ok enough story telling, let's get to the nitty gritty! 1. Yes. Get there early. 2. Street parking only, you may have to walk. 3. The line moves at a decent pace 4. Be ready to know what you want to order 5. Patiently await your food 6. NOM NOM NOM PROS - this is a unique eatery - there are vegetarian and gluten free options - QUALITY - DELICIOUS CONS - the chairs. OY. - really isn't good for large parties - a little pricey. This ain't Denny's yo! Can I talk about the quiche plate for a second?? Oh my word it was so delicious!!! The quiche was flavorful, fluffy, and so savory! The taste was buttery and exquisite. The side of greens had a dressing that must have been made from unicorn tears!!! I would have this dish every day if I could! The brioche toast...it was ok. I think I ordered it wrong. Just an excuse to go back and try it again! The jam was amazing though. Lastly, I ordered the Malva Pudding Cake. It was the best decision I'd made that morning !!! Wow! Talk about foodgasmic. I tried my friends Flaky Ass Biscuit with butter and jam and it was tasty. The chairs are NOT comfortable. They are NOT big butt friendly or child friendly (a tot behind my friend was squirming on her chair and she fell back and got stuck. Luckily she wasn't hurt!). My friend and I think that maybe the chairs are cheap and flimsy so as to discourage people from overstaying their visit to Sqirl. I loved the music they were playing. Vibe was decent. The people were hit or miss, but I wasn't there for them. I was there for the FOOD!!! Sqirl delivered. I can't wait to go again! -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: Dunkin Donuts coffee is name I've heard throughout the years, never really cared until one opened in my hood. I happily drove down to see what all the fuss was about. Is their coffee really that good??? I'm happy to report that DD has some seriously good coffee! I've been able to taste their coffee several times now and I've done a few combinations, even went with regular iced coffee and I have to admit that it is great coffee! You can't beat the size of the coffee either. Their small coffee must be the size of Starbucks grande. Aside from the obvious donuts, they have breakfast and snack menus. I've had their veggie flatbread breakfast sandwich and it's really tasty. The combo comes with yummy tater tots. I've also tried their Texas toast and it's super delicious too. Granted it's not gourmet food but for being what it is, a fast food style drive thru, the gastric experience is pretty good! Now for the donuts. I admit, I am not a donut fiend. I can't get into this whole donut craze everyone is going through. Donuts can send me into sugar overload make me feel nauseated. However, I've not been disappointed by any of the donuts from DD. They even make fun holiday shaped donuts! Be warned that powdered donuts should be eaten with caution or else you will get powder every where! I'm glad for the new addition to Downey! I sincerely hope Dunkin Donuts thrives here.
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Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: Every expectation was met. I knew I wouldn't be let down by anything that this spectacular dining experience had to offer. If you are a true Disney afficionado and a connoisseur of fine food, you will be beyond satisfied with Club 33. Club 33 is a private, members only, Disneyland dining experience which includes many fringe benefits. I've known about Club 33 for many years and I had hoped to one day dine here. The dream came true and I am forever grateful that it did. I thought eating at Club 33 would be a challenge since I don't consume beef, pork, or poultry meat (I'm pescatarian) but I was pleasantly surprised to see so many pescatarian and vegetarian friendly options on the menu. The food surpassed all my expectations. Every bite was delicious, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. My first course was Lobster Rockefeller on Crispy Oysters with Hollandaise sauce. The lobster was rich and flavorful and the crispy oyster was cooked to perfection. A+ . For my second course I chose Garden Salad with Shaved Radish, Baby Cucumbers and Vinaigrette Maison. The small and light salad was a perfect choice after the richness of the lobster and oysters. The tanginess of the radishes mixed with the vinaigrette was amazing. My third course choice was Iron Seared Fish and Crayfish Hoppin' John and Potato Leek Stew. It seems as if every dish got better and better. The fish was lemony, flaky, and buttery. The crayfish were delicous, as well as the potato leek stew. It was flavorful and delighted the senses. Thank goodness for the pause in between courses to allow the food to settle! As with most restaurants, there was a bread basket. I don't know where this bread comes from or how it was made, but I can only assume that the gods on Mt Olympus helped create it and maybe angels tears were dusted on it. It's just bread right? No. I would give my entire daily calories to the consumption of this bread. It's that good. Before our main course we were given small shot glasses of lemon sorbet with Saint Germain liquor. As if my palate could take anymore more decadence! Alas, there's more. For my fourth course I chose Roasted Cauliflower, Golden Raisin, Gruyere cheese tart with Carrot Coulis. What an amazing dish!!! If you're vegetarian or like vegetables, you will love this dish. The roasted cauliflower was crispy and it was a perfect pair with the creamy Gruyere cheese and flaky, buttery tart. My fifth and final course choice was the dessert plate of Meyer Lemon Crème Brûleé with Fresh Citrus and Lemon Drop cookies. I'm a lover of Crème Brûleé, it's one of my favorite desserts. This did not disappoint. The Meyer Lemon and citrus was a perfect punch to the taste buds. The service at Club 33 was amazing. It was obvious from our large, mixed group that we were guests but we weren't treated any different than the members. The cast members were polite, friendly, and always quick to be of service. The interior of Club 33 is lovely, the artwork beautiful. The ladies room was so beautiful, I could have stayed in there for a while. The lounge booths were fun and cool to look at. I didn't get to gawk at the Haunted Mansion themed booth as much as I wanted to since there were patrons occupying it. Club 33, you have my heart. I hope to visit someday again. Thank you to those who made this possible.
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Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: If you're up for long reviews, keep reading. If you want the gist of this review, BEST CUPCAKES I've ever tasted! (and I've tasted A LOT) so PLEASE go, visit Miss Priss Cupcakes :) Thank you. I've been a cupcake connoisseur since 2nd grade. The moment that perfect sized little cake topped with frosting and garnished with the just the right amount of sprinkles touched my lips I was sold. Cupcakes equal happiness. It's not a foodie issue. Cupcakes were cool with me before they became the new black. Alas, with the advent of cupcakemania in the last 10 year's, I have experienced the best of the cupcake frenzy. I buy them. I bake them. I decorate them. I create them. I also eat them. I discovered Miss Priss a year or two ago. At the time I was still loyal to another Long Beach cupcakery which I shall name here. Recently I've been making more stops at Miss Priss since I realized I'm always in the area. I have not been let down even once. To begin with, the place is literally a hole in the wall, hidden among other small businesses. You'll almost miss it, actually you'll almost miss Norse Way if you drive too fast. Once you see it, it's like the little door to Fairy land you always thought might exist. The decor is pastel tones of green and pink. There's even a cute little table outside to enjoy your cupcake in the shade. The cupcakes are delicious and fresh. They are very moist, which I've noticed cupcakes in mass production are lacking these days. Most important of all, are the flavors. It's important to know that when you're buying a cupcake that's called "PB & J" it's going to taste like you're biting into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The flavors of these cupcakes are AMAZING. I just tried the Hispanic delicacy themed Tres Leches cupcake and true to it's word, it was like a slice of tres leches cake. Not too long ago I tried their Banana Blueberry cupcake and it was like a slice of heaven. There are staple flavors available daily, and there are flavors of the day such as the Tres Leches, Candied Apple, and Strawberry Pie (with a real graham cracker crust!). There are also "Big Daddy's" which are muffin sized (or jumbo sized) cupcakes. Lastly, there are the delicious, irresistible mini's. They're mini-me's of the regular cupcakes. Service is great, girls are young and energetic, very polite and attentive. There are beverages on hand as well. I've been there during weekdays, weekends, and different hours. Service is prompt. Parking is close, most of the time I find parking right in front of the door. I can't complain about anything and these really are the best cupcakes I've ever tasted so this business gets a complete 5 star review from me :) -
Reseña de 2 estrellas de Sandra: I met up with friends at Disneyland one night and we all wanted to go eat. They voted for Uva Bar. Funny how I've been through Downtown Disney over 100 times and I've never noticed this place. It's located in the middle of Downtown Disney, a bit west of the entrance to Disney's Grand Californian Hotel . Seating is outdoors and the center of it is their bar. I didn't get any drinks but my friend ordered a White Linen (why haven't I had this before???) and my other friend a sangria. Being pescatarian (aka vegetarian but I eat fish too) I can be difficult to accommodate when it comes to restaurants. I've managed to always find choices that are available to my way of eating at almost every place I've eaten. Uva Bar has great meatless dishes. For their starters they had guacamole, a hummus trio, and calamari. I went with the guacamole. For my main dish I chose their fish and chips. I'm a fan of beer battered fish and something told me Uva Bar wouldn't disappoint. My friends got the Lamb Burger, mushroom flatbread, and a chicken salad. Now, the food was ok. The price. . .I'll pass next time. Don't get me wrong, I love a good priced meal that represents. Uva failed as far as this went. Let's begin with the guacamole. This is almost a staple appetizer in my Mexican-American culture. It isn't rocket science. Grab a ripe avocado, smash it up, add onion, cilantro, tomato, garlic, lots of lemon, and salt. Voila! Dip. It doesn't cost $13 to make. I hope Uva Bar used some organic, locally grown, sustainable avocados to make this guacamole because - $ damn $ . While I realize Uva Bar is Mediterranean in cuisine, the crispier than my mouth can handle pita bread pieces were not what I wanted to dip into my guacamole. They over sprinkled the paprika on it too. Next, my main dish of Fish and Chips. I was super hungry so I dug into it and ate it happily. There containers of ketchup and tarter sauce for dipping. The garlic fries were tasty. There was a cup of veggies that was pretty tasty too. Again, not bad but the small portion of fish and chips was not worth it's $18. These are simple dishes people! Don't hyper inflate what they're worth simply because your places name has the word "bar" in it and you're yards away from other pricey venues. My friends were content with their plates. In retrospect, my eyes were probably bigger than my stomach (and wallet) and I shouldn't have ordered the guacamole. I love my friends dearly but the next time anyone suggests Uva Bar I think I'll pass. -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: Oh how I wish I lived closer to Kopan Ramen!!! I would be here all the time. The broth is everything. It is so flavorful and delicious. Despite it being a pork bone broth, it wasn't oily or greasy at all. I seriously eat/slurp every last broth. Tonkatsu broth is one of the many reasons I won't go vegan just yet. I love how the menu is simple and ramen is customizable. I choose non-spicy since I can't eat anything spicy. I like how every add on comes in its own little plate. The lunch special comes with an appetizer for $2! Service is great, they are friendly and attentive. The ramen noodles are just the right texture. I've also tried the tempura, seafood gyoza (delicious!!), and the salad. The location is right by Downtown Fullerton, near shops and other eateries. Parking is relatively easy to get and free. The establishment itself is super trendy, ambient music is played loudly, trees with twinkly lights and so on. Maybe I need to keep trying more ramen places but for now Kopan Ramen is my favorite!! -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: *Disclaimer* I am not Salvadoran but I have tasted authentic, homemade, fresh from El Salvador pupusas so I know a little bit about what's good and what isn't in regards to these delicacies! So my friend posts a picture of the pupusas she's made at home for dinner and that triggers a craving for them. Yelp to the rescue! I don't know how many times I've driven down Imperial and I've never noticed this place! If you're heading west bound from Paramount Blvd it's on your right hand side. There's a drive way to enter into the parking lot in the back. You can enter the restaurant through the back door. The restaurant itself was so hot inside! Despite fans blowing in there it felt like an oven! Luckily I was getting my pupusas to go. The restaurant was empty which was not a problem for me. I ordered a shrimp pupusa and a vegetarian pupusa. My order took a while to get ready but that's a good thing, it meant it was being made fresh! I think in the future I'll definitely order ahead to save time. I didn't study the menu too well but I did notice that they had Mexican food as well. The restaurant looked clean, colorful and room for about 25-30 people. My to go order came with the traditional curtido and salsa. The curtido was a little spicy for my taste but I was still able to handle it. The pupusas themselves were pretty delicious! I was very content with them. They had jusy the right amount of cornmeal masa, cheese, and veggies/shrimp. I was happy and fulfilled when my meal was done. I will definitely be coming back here to fulfill my pupusa cravings in the future! I'm really happy with this local find! -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: Mariscos Sol y Mar is a regional Mexican seafood restaurant. If you think all seafood is the same, au contraire mon frere. This seafood happens to be in the style of the state of Sinaloa (a slender state that is on the west coast of Mexico). I've been here several times and often order to go. It's a close eatery to where I work so it's convenient. It went through renovations about a year ago so the interior is beautiful now. There's a stage for weekend entertainment (mostly bandas estilo Sinaloense) , a jukebox, large flat screen TVs (for, you know, soccer games and such), and plenty of tables and booths. The decor is really nice now compared to when I first started coming here. There's such a variety of dishes and prices. You can get a skillet dish for two called a parrillada that comes with chicken, steak, seafood, beans and tortillas for $30. There's tacos of all kinds, tostadas, guacamoles, tortas, burritos, and shrimp and fish served in different styles. The servings are generous and flavorful. It honestly tastes like a home cooked meal, very authentic. I'm a fan of their grilled fish. It's super flavorful and light. It comes with rice, salad, and a baked potato. Odd combo? Perhaps. It's very filling and never leaves me with regret. Their shrimp quesadilla is really good too as well as the shrimp and fish tacos. The best treat is their guacamole! I'm really picky about guacamole and Sol y Mars is one of the few that I like. Mariscos Sol y Mar is great for brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks, take out, and they also do catering! Clean facility, decent service, locations not the best but definitely not the worst. -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: I've been watching my Disney going friends post pics of this place for months now. One of my friends invited me to go one Saturday night after hanging out at Disneyland. Needless to say, I am impressed! Pizza Press is located on Harbor Blvd, sandwiched between busy hotels and across from Disneyland. If you're not a Disneyland visitor, please don't let that deter you. It's a smallish place, nothing spectacular to say about its appearance. Don't let that fool you from the amazing gastro experience to be had! You enter, stand in line to the left (I might have gone to the register and ordered had my friend not directed me) . There's a few grab and go items and several IPA's if you're into beer . When you get to the glass window, there's an menu of things you can get on your pizza. Think of this as pizza, Subway style. There's also a menu with pizza styles you can order or you can customize your own. The pizza is a perfect size, I believe it's a 10 inch pizza. I went with half red sauce and half white sauce, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, green onion and red onion (don't judge me!) . Then off to bake it went. There are a ton of other toppings, different meat selections, lots of cheeses (gorgonzola! Feta! Cheddar!) , plenty of veggie toppings, and then at the end you can add sauce lightly drizzled on top. I went with ranch but they also have Sriracha. What a flavor burst in my mouth!! It was just amazing The pizza crust was nice and thin, not too doughy. The sauces were delicious, especially the white one. I didn't want to overload mine with toppings, it was just right. Pizza is a pretty simple food if you think about it, but it can easily be made wrong. Pizza Press has fresh ingredients, fresh dough, and is baked to perfection. That combination makes for an amazing pizza! The price is pretty perfect too - $10 for a custom made pizza, enough to share or for one. The pizza ends up being cut into 6 slices. If you're hungry you can finish it all. They give great to go boxes in case you can't. The Pizza Press crew is so nice and polite! We went so late yet they were still all smiles. They even remembered my friend who's a frequent visitor! Very happy with my experience here, I can see why it's a favorite among my friends. I'll definitely be visiting Pizza Press more often! -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: OOOOH Golden Bowl. You are my comfort food when I'm lazy and don't feel like getting out of my car or cooking. I don't even remember how I found this place or when I started eating here. All I know is that it keeps me coming back. First major plus, LOCATION. I am from the area and Golden Bowl is a few mere 10 minutes from where I live in Downey. It's on the way home from work. It's on the way home from my dad's. It's right off the freeway. It's a great place to stop before or after the movies. 'Nuff said about location?? Second plus, DRIVE THRU!!!!! Yes! We are the instant gratification culture who thrives on drive thru services. Drive thru car washes, drive thru coffee, drive thru pharmacies, and drive thru rice bowls. More than half the time I come to Golden Bowl I will utilize their drive thru service because of one of the following; A) I am lazy B) I look horrible C) pajamas. Third, price. While places like Chipotle and Panda Express will extort money from you for their tasty comfort food, Golden Bowl remains fair in their pricing and not to mention variety. There are different size's of bowls and combos you can get and you can easily eat for $10 or less. Last but not least, quality of food. While I'm not sure how to judge this rice bowl venue on their authenticity, their food is always fresh and delicious. I stopped eating meat 5 years ago and I'm now pescatarian. I get their shrimp bowl and it has vegetables and I add avocado. It's the best ever! I love their shrimp bowls. When I used to eat meat I would get their teriyaki chicken bowls and they were so delicious. There are other items on their menu, but I'm a creature of habit and I stick to their shrimp bowls. There's free parking right in front of their restaurant or nearby. The inside is spacious and always clean. Their portions are good, their prices reasonable, their hours are great too. 11 pm on a Friday and Saturday night?? Yes please! If you're in the area and in the mood for a good rice bowl, stroll on by and give Golden Bowl a chance. -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: Have good food, will travel. A friend of mine recommended this place for breakfast so I went to check it out. Gourmet Cafe and Pie Company is located on Katella in the city of Los Alamitos. It's easy to get to and has plenty of parking. The longest I've had to wait is 15 minutes and that's when it was super busy. The ambience is perfect for large or small groups. The service has always been good. I think the two biggest points for me are the vegetarian options and the portion sizes. They have an amazing veggie omelette that I like. I love that their pancakes are available as singles, short stack, or long stack. I've ordered their single pancake and it is a huge pancake! They're so generous with their portions. Their prices are so reasonable too. The average plate costs around $10. That being said about the portions, bring your appetite or someone to share with! I once came with 3 friends and we each ordered a plate with the intention to share. I think we could have done with 3 plates for the 4 of us! We were satisfied and still had leftovers to take home. The food is tasty and hits the spot too. The menu is simple but it does the job of offering something for everyone. Granted I've only been here for breakfast and I've never looked at their lunch or dinner menu, oops! I will next time. This restaurant isn't the most local to me but I like the atmosphere, food, and service. I've always left satisfied and my friends like it too. I'll definitely return in the future! -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: Great food! Very, very tasty. It's located in/on a strip mall smushed in between a dry cleaners and a liquor store. When you walk in, you'd think you walked into some swanky hole in the wall place in Hollywood. The ambiance is excellent, perfect for dates or an intimate dinner with a friend. I've had so many items from there, I won't go down the list and itemize, I'll just summarize it by saying that everything is good, every time I've eaten there. JUST GO. You won't regret it!! -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: This is a great little gem in La Mirada! I met up with friends here recently. My friends are locals and have been here before. I probably would have never visited this cafe on my own. It's a small cafe located in a small shopping center, it doesn't stand out from the outside. On the inside, everything is pretty simple and no frills. The menu was really great, it had some pretty good dishes. My only issue was that they didn't seem to have a lot of vegetarian or meatless options for breakfast. I resolved that quickly by getting the Healthy Wrap minus the chicken. It was really tasty and definitely a decent sized portion. My friends and I shared a french toast dish. I didn't get the name of it but it had strawberry cream on it. I had one slice and it was delectable. The dish was enough for two people to share. The atmosphere is really casual, it was obvious that it was a local favorite. The waitress was sweet, on the ball, and attentive. She reminded me of a character from that TV show "Mel's Diner" . All she needed was a pink uniform and apron! I was really satisfied with her prompt and attentive service. Coffee was decent, definitely a great little cafe to visit if you're in the area or a local! I'll definitely come back here again or recommend it to friends! -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: I love sushi, I love Japanese food period. I admit I'm no expert but I'm also not a novice. I'm so glad this eatery is local. I used to go to Kabuki in Cerritos and back in the day Downey had Sambi's. Sambi's sushi bar back in 2004 is where I got my start and I also used to eat raw sushi. Now I opt for baked sushi. Service here is amazing. Every single time I've visited whether it's for pick up or dine in, I've always been greeted with a smile. I've never had to wait for a table. There's always the option to choose between the sushi bar or a table. The decor is nice, it has a classy and simple look to it. The restaurant and bathrooms are always clean. I've tried mostly baked sushi dishes and they do not disappoint. My favorite is probably one of the most simple sushi rolls, the baked crab roll. I'm also a fan of their miso soup and veggie gyoza. I also like their seaweed salad and cucumber salad. Everything has always had a fresh taste to it. The best part is the variety that Starfish offers. My friends love meeting up here for dinner. It's our go to spot. It's not the absolute best sushi or Japanese food there is in Los Angeles, it is definitely worth trying if you live in the area. I eat here at least once or twice a month. It's great for a date or group dinner. I love Starfish! -
Reseña de 3 estrellas de Sandra: The Hummus Factory is relatively new to Downey. Being a huge fan of middle eastern/Mediterranean food, I've been wanting to try this place. I felt the menu was pretty basic and uncomplicated. I chose the appetizer combo for the decent price of $9.99 . The interior of The Hummus Factory is clean and maintained. It's large and roomy, friendly service. It's actually thriving and that makes me happy. We need more variety in Downey. The plate was a beauty to look at. Great presentation! There's nothing like eating food that doesn't look thrown carelessly. The hummus was decent, the baba ganoush was too, falafel was warm and surprisingly moist. I felt the taboule could have been chopped more finely and maybe moister. The food itself was ok. I'm a bit spoiled as far as authentic Mediterranean food since my best friends mom is middle eastern and is a former chef. Her food is amazing and holds the bar very high when it comes to this type of food. I can't complain about anything regarding The Hummus Factory. The interior felt a little too modern for my taste, kinda like a Chipotle style. There's nothing with that, I just felt it didn't mesh well. Service was great. The man taking orders was also clearing and cleaning tables and was greeting everyone that came in. Overall The Hummus Factory was ok, satisfactory. -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: I was so pleased with Goofy's Kitchen the first time I came, I couldn't wait to come back again! True to form, Disneyland does not disappoint when it comes to it's culinary experiences. Granted, this is no Steakhouse 55 or Napa Rose, Goofy's Kitchen is an all you can eat, buffet style restaurant with characters walking around ready to take photos with you and give you tons of attention. If you're a vacationer from out of town or want to give your children a super fun treat, this is the experience for you! Yes, I'm an adult and I'm also a Disney fan so maybe that's why I like Goofy's Kitchen so much. In truth, this is a great experience! Goofy's Kitchen is located on the bottom floor of the Disneyland Hotel. If you're an annual passholder and have a parking pass, you can park at the Mickey and Friends parking structure and cross Magic Way over to Disneyland Hotel. If you're just visiting for your meal, park at Downtown Disney parking and receive the first 3 hours of parking for free. It's a good idea to make a reservation or your wait can be 30-45 minutes. While you're waiting to be seated you can stand in line to take a picture with Chef Goofy (yes, Goofy dressed up as a chef complete with a chef hat!) in his kitchen background. As soon as you're seated, a server comes to take your drink orders. You're free to go to the buffet and select from a variety of foods. There's a full dessert bar, a fruit bar, omelette maker, salad, hot foods, and the pizza bar which includes my personal favorite, MAC N CHEESE PIZZA!!!! If the God's on Mount Olympus had a junk food, it would be the MAC N CHEESE PIZZA!!! Everyone raves about the peanut butter and jelly pizza but I have yet to try it. The food is good, it's not gourmet fare but it's definitely pleasing to the palate. I can't complain. Is it worth the $35 + for brunch?? That depends on how you look at it. You're not paying just for the food. You're paying for the experience as well. Characters such as Minnie, Pluto, Chip and Dale walk around dressed in their chef uniforms and hug guests and willingly pose for photos. Every so often a special song is played and they go around twirling their napkins while dancing to the song. It was awesome to see so many children's faces light up as their favorite characters went up to them at their table. Adults and children alike were ecstatic to see all these Disney characters. Now that I've been to Goofy's Kitchen I'm good for quite a while. I'll revisit after I've visited the other character breakfast/brunch experiences! In the meantime, I definitely recommend Goofy's Kitchen for a fun and special experience! -
Reseña de 2 estrellas de Sandra: The Promenade is a new shopping center in the city of Downey. It's commercial chain stores and restaurants are already thriving since their openings this past winter. Pick Up Stix is a familiar fast food Asian eatery that has made its home at The Promenade. I was once a fan of this establishment from the first time I ate at a Pick Up Stix in San Diego. I would travel often to the Long Beach location and then to the Lakewood location. I gave this location two solid chances and I think I'm done. I have to say that the logistics deserve an A+ . There is plenty of parking, the physical establishment itself looks clean and there's plenty of room to dine indoors or outdoors, and the atmosphere is friendly. The service is great, the employees are incredibly friendly and helpful. The food is their downfall . I'm well aware that Pick Up Stix is not genuinely authentic Asian food to feast on and I've definitely had better. It just used to satisfy a craving before and it was fast. I tried their grilled salmon plate. The salmon was so dry , the white rice accompanying it was undercooked. I ate it only because I was hungry but the dish really disappointed me. How do you go wrong with grilled salmon and white rice?? I gave this location a second chance and tried the fried rice, adding shrimp and vegetables to it. I also ordered veggie spring rolls (they're of the fried variety). I took my dish to go and decided to eat a spring roll on the way home. It was cold. I don't know how long it had been sitting around or maybe they're didn't cook their frozen spring rolls all way. When I got home and dug in to my fried rice, I discovered that the shrimp were undercooked! You could almost see the grey! I put them aside because all of the shrimp were undercooked and I didn't want to get sick. At least I had my veggies. The barely cooked veggies in my fried rice. Disappointment all around for the second time. I rarely like to give any place less then a three star rating unless they deserve it. Not a fan of this new location for this chain. -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: Snack Eos is where I spent my birthday dinner at and I couldn't have chosen a better place. Picture it...two cold, starving California girls walking around Hell's Kitchen searching for the perfect place to celebrate. They figured they couldn't go wrong in Hell's Kitchen with the plethora of restaurants. Yelp was consulted repeatedly as they stopped in front of different restaurants, "What about this one?" Some restaurants had weak ratings, others didn't sound appealing. They couldn't waste a birthday dinner on just any place. Then they came along Snack Eos. It looked appealing from the outside, ratings were great, and ::gasp:: it was Greek/Mediterranean !! Winner, winner! Upon entering the establishment the first thing asked was "Do you have a reservation?" Initially we feared we would be rebuffed when we answered "No" . We weren't and we were seated immediately. Our server was Michael and he was amazing! He was attentive, funny, and very prompt with our service. We ordered an appetizer, a salad, a main dish, and dessert. Before our appetizer arrived, Michael came along with an amuse bouche of celery root soup in a shot glass. It was so amazingly delicious and it surpassed any expectation. Well done chef. Next came our appetizer of tzatziki. I don't know if I've ever tasted a creamier or more delicious tzatziki and I've had this simple appetizer so many times. It was creamy and incredibly flavorful. It was served with toasted pita bread. We ran out of the pita bread quickly and our server quickly brought out more, and he wasn't stingy! Then came our salads. I had the roasted beets and gigantes which had candied walnuts and skordalia. I love roasted beet salad and the gigantes were a perfect accompaniment. I don't think I left a leaf of arugula behind. For the main course I chose a small plate and went with Shrimp "Santorini", it came with tomatoes, feta, and horta. The picture does not do it justice! It was incredibly savory and flavorful, the ouza scented tomatoes gave the shrimp the perfect taste. I almost didn't have room for dessert but I took one glance at the menu and had to try the warm vanilla rice pudding! I'm a big fan of rice pudding , it's one of the many desserts I grew up with in my Mexican-American household. I'm so glad I made an allowance for the rice pudding. It was so perfect! The pine nuts and apricot were the perfect add on to this dessert. I have to add that since it was my birthday, my friend mentioned it a few times and requested that Michael sing me happy birthday. I didn't want the attention, so I sheepishly said "No! No. Please don't! This isn't Olive Garden!" And he jokingly said "I can't sing anyway!". When Michael brought out the desserts , he brought them out with a candle on each plate AND he sang happy birthday to me. Michael actually sings well! We asked him to take a picture of us and he took a selfie with us ! Michael was so much fun. He truly made my birthday night special. The food was amazing, my friend agreed to this. There was no "but" or exception. Everyone single plate delivered and exceeded our expectations. The service was impeccable. The atmosphere was perfect. It was a nice, intimate setting. I really wish that I lived closer to NYC because Snack Eos would definitely be one of my favorite places to dine. -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: Not all donuts are created equally and The Donuttery is a great example of this! I first came here years ago because of their red velvet donut. I remember leaving with them and some blueberry donuts as well. The Donuttery was much simpler back then with only the front case display. I've passed this location several times in the last few years and I finally stopped by again. Their donut shop has grown in size (just slightly) and definitely in variety! I really shouldn't have these delicacies but as the current saying goes, "treat yo self!!" , so I did. The front case to the right currently has vegan options . I love that there so many vegan donuts! They also had bear claws and croissant donuts in their front display. When I was informed that the front display was vegan donuts I looked up and see the plethora of other donuts available (insert heart eyes galore). I was overwhelmed by so many choices, I settled on getting the S'mores Devils Food and a Salted Caramel Apple. The S'mores had two varieties , the raised donut and the Devils food. I think the Devils food cake donut wasn't the best choice, it gave the donut less of a sweet test. The salted caramel apple donut was delicious !!! Yelper Emil let me know that a Creme Brûlée donut is also available. I hadn't seen it otherwise I would have tried it! Now that there are so many more varieties of donuts , I will definitely be back at The Donuttery to sample more flavors! -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: I loved Wasabi Sushi and Bento! I was visiting NYC from Los Angeles and had just exited a train station. I was making my way back to my hotel when I spotted Wasabi. Wasabi was unique to me, I've been to dozens of Sushi places in Los Angeles but I liked the quick, cafeteria style atmosphere of Wasabi. I loved how everything was laid out and ready to be picked up, even the drinks. I didn't grab any sushi rolls, I went for the salmon and rice bento box instead. I also had a side of seaweed salad. Everything was super delicious and the portions were just right for me. I we famished after walking around NYC all morning and Wasabi hit the spot. Even though it was super busy and crowded (it's a hop, skip and a jump from Times Square) I still managed to find a seat. My only issue was the proximity to the guests next to us, it meant zero privacy as far as conversations went. I was there to eat though, not chat, but even so. I got an earful of how my neighbor was in the music biz and what they were up to during their tour. I liked the clean, white and green vibe to Wasabi. It had a good aesthetic appeal. I truly wish the LA area had a Wasabi or something similar to it. It was fast, easy, and hit the spot!! -
Reseña de 4 estrellas de Sandra: After having Blackbird Cafe bookmarked for months, I finally had the pleasure of having breakfast here. It's a small and busy restaurant located on Orange near Wardlow in Long Beach. It's easy to find if you exit the 405 and head north. Parking is free street parking and since it's located in a residential area, pay attention to the signs. There is an outdoor patio that is pooch friendly and an indoor eating area, we were also offered seating at the bar. I really wish I had caught our servers name, she was so amazingly funny and on top of everything, loved her! Maybe I'll call later to find out her name. That being said, service was really A+ . The menu is so diverse! I look for primarily vegetarian friendly options and that was the first thing I saw. I ended up choosing the breakfast tacos made with soyrizo. I asked for egg whites instead of whole eggs. It came with a side of black beans and a lovely orange slice garnish. I have to admit that I was NOT happy with the breakfast tacos. From the first bite they tasted very bitter. I thought it was me, maybe my palate was off. Then I gave my friend a taco to try and she had the same taste from it and couldn't finish her taco. Out of 3 tacos I ate only one and a half. Maybe the soyrizo had gone bad. It just didn't taste very good. The black beans were tasty. My bestie went with the Greek omelet and she loved it. We split an order of Cinnamon Roll French Toast which was garnished with banana slices and raisins. There were 6 slices of French toast and they were so delicious, prepared just right and the garnish was perfect. There was also icing drizzled on them. We were super happy with our French toast. Prices were reasonable , the bathrooms were clean, check out the artwork displayed in the bathroom!! (I posted pictures) I seriously wanted to stay and admire it. There's a nice chair in the bathroom, perfect for setting down your purse. The staff we encountered was friendly and courteous. I definitely want to come back! I love the neighborhood it's situated in, there are about 5 vintage/consignment shops near it so it's a perfect little area to dine and shop in. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and this nice little cafe is a great way to start it ! -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: Yes, it is thriving with eccentric hipsters sitting around using their Macs, but aside from that if you want a delicious, real cup of coffee this place is it. If you're a Starbucks afficionado and double brownie frapps are your thing, DON'T come here. If you yearn for a good cup of joe, this is your place. This coffee shop does not have a convoluted menu posted on the wall full of funky, sweet, made up coffee flavors. It does have the basics and enough options to satisfy your taste buds. The guys at the counter were friendly and accommodating, that was a plus. The place is thriving and after tonight's cup of coffee I can see why it's so loved :) P.S. try the cookies!! -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: My best friend always eats at Pizza Antica up north CA, and brags about how great this place is. I don't like venturing to the west side as much as I used to, LA traffic is biznitch! But after tonight...oooh Pizza Antica...you have my food lovers heart. I will brave the 10 freeway traffic any day for you! Located on the third floor of the now open air Santa Monica Place, it's got a casual atmosphere. I went tonight for dinner (Saturday, February 9th). We were told our wait would be 20 minutes and it was more like a 10 minute wait. The ambiance is a bit noisy, lots of people having dinner after shopping on the promenade or coming in from spending a day at the Santa Monica Pier. Goldfrapp's music and the like playing overhead. We were in the mood to be calorie restriction free and we took full advantage. One word: FOODGASMIC. Yes. It's THAT good. We had the bruschetta with kale and buratta and that must have been my favorite of all the plates I tried. It's an appetizer, and it was small one (3 pieces) but it was phenomenal. YES. Phenomenal. Try it. Please. A+. We also tried the beet salad, potato and pesto gnocchi , heirloom potato pizza with truffle oil and caramelized onion. My son had the kids cheese pizza and fries . For dessert we had the chocolate tart with hazelnut and the espresso affogatto. All dishes A+. They were all full of flavor, just the right temperature, just the right seasoning. I walked out feeling satisfied but not stuffed. I wasn't put into a food coma which I consider a good thing. This restaurant has now replaced my former favorite, which was Chaya Venice. I liked Pizza Antica so much, I'm coming back for my birthday this month. -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: Awww I didn't know this location had closed when I finally got around to writing this review! ::le sigh:: Luckily, Lette is chain. I've been to the one in Pasadena. Freshest macarons ever!! Caramel and Sicilian Pistachio are a must try!! Do you like macarons? Then you will love Lette. Have you ever tasted a macaron? No? Then you must try Lette Macarons. Don't be wary of the price. Yes, it's $1.75 for a French pastry the size of an Oreo cookie. Believe me when I say it's worth every cent. I've tried ever flavor of macarons they have to offer. They are always fresh and sooooooo worth it. I must advise, buy what you will eat within the next 12 hours. I splurged and bought a box of 12 once for myself, I refrigerated them (as advised) and I was disappointed in their taste in the next few days. Macarons are meant to be eaten while fresh. Little nuggets of heaven on earth. -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: Gorgeous bakery with a definite retro feel! This bakery really has it all. The ambiance is a throw back to the 50's/60's era, complete with music. The decor is absolutely lovely. The service is wonderful, the people who work there are really happy to serve you! I went in on a cold Wednesday night and felt a ton of warmth from the staff. They give great insight into the selections you make. I tried the blueberry pie and it was divine. It had a shortbread pecan crust that was amazing. If you're longing for a true blue bakery with a genuine feel of sincerity and deliciousness, you have to try Magnolia Bakery! No complaints here what so ever. -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: I didn't leave my heart in San Francisco...I left it at La Boulange! I love this place. I was visiting San Francisco and we wanted a great place for breakfast. I did a search on Yelp and found lots of places, but La Boulange caught my eye. It was two blocks away from the hotel I was staying at. I think we couldn't stop ordering items from the menu. The coffee is served in a cup so big, it's basically a bowl. I tried the wild mushroom Mac n Cheese, the veggie quiche, the vegetables provencal, and the beet salad. It was all wonderful, divine, delicious! We went back the next day, I bought a creme de pot because it was calling my name. It's basically a creamy chocolate pudding in a little glass jar, covered with parchment paper and a jute twine bow. It was well worth the $4. I also sampled some macarons and they were great too. The environment is great, it's nice and room with plenty of room to sit. The employees there were friendly. Loved this place. Loved everything about it. -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: Awesome hole in the wall. Tuna mayo omusubi was sooooooooooo delicioso! DELICIOUS! We've been there twice already and oh how I washed I lived closer to this place! It's a tiny little hole in the wall joint. They mainly sell omusubi, different varities. There are little tables outside and chairs so you can sit and consume your yummy snack. Perfect little snack while you're out and about strolling around this area! Love it :) Let it be noted, they take credit/debit cards but it has to be over $10 : / so bring cash! -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: BEST TASTING VEGAN PLACE EVER!!! Before you scrunch up your nose at a strictly plant based menu restaurant, DON'T. Just try it. I've taken two friends who are non-vegan here and they actually liked it. I've been here so many times, I don't even recall what I haven't eaten. I do know that I'm addicted to their Buffalo Chik'n Wings!! oooooh myyyyy gooodnessss...I have to have these every time I eat here. They just added a Buffalo Chik'n Sandwich to their menu so I'm in double heaven. The soups are great, the salads are plentiful, the sandwiches can be tried as wraps, the side orders are SO delicious (try their newly added mashed potatoes! It's made with cauliflower and I hate cauliflower, this tastes divine!). I recently tried their carrot cake the other night. It made my mouth water. The frosting was so creamy, the cake was perfectly moist. Uuuuuuuuuuugh now I want to go eat there again! The drinks are delicious. I always get the Pomegranate Green Tea but sometimes I'll try the Peach Black Tea. They also have Strawberry Lemonade and Lemonade and two other drinks which I've forgotten at this time. Their staff is so extremely friendly and courteous. The vibe at this Veggie Grill is a pleasant one. The food always comes out quickly and is nice and hot. I've never had a complaint about their food or service. I'm so delighted that another Veggie Grill has recently been opened, and I believe it's closer to me. The newest Veggie Grill is in Long Beach, off of 2nd St. and PCH. I'm always in that area so I'm looking forward to frequenting that establishment as well. Don't be put off a plant based menu, try Veggie Grill! If you're vegetarian, vegan, or you're open to eating vegan, you will love Veggie Grill. -
Reseña de 5 estrellas de Sandra: Small, little corner cafe. We came because the reviews were great, plus they had macarons. Their food was delicious, we had french toast, fried egg sandwich, fresh fruit, jasmine and green tea. Their jam was fresh, there iced water available. The seating area indoors is a bit small, but there is an outside eating area that is so lovely. I was extremely pleased with my experience at Renaud's. I'll definitely be eating here whenever I'm in Santa Barbara!
