Month: July 2013

From Sad to Glad- Quick Tip to Brighten Your Day!

Published on by Insider Irene2 Comments

Hi Yu Bargain Rockstar Fans! So sorry that I’ve been out of the loop for so long! I’ve been sick for the past two and a half weeks and my pup passed away during this time, so it’s been an extremely difficult time for my family and me. I miss Boomer and while I know that he’s lived a long life, I’m sad to come home and not have him follow me around (even though it’s only because he wants food- I still miss him).

With so much sadness and illness around in Casa De Yu, I decided to add a pop of color to brighten up my mood and from the looks of it I think I actually got carried away. What do you think of my masterpiece?

From Sad to Glad- Quick Tip to Brighten You Day!Vibrant colors are a simple and easy way to help elevate your mood and painting your nails with fun colors can add personality to an even a gloomy day. As you can see from my very apparent rainbow thong-tan, these toes definitely show!

But this trick works for apparel as well! So for all you gents out there, consider wearing a bright shirt or tie or. You’d be surprised at how a simple change in garment choice can help lighten your mood. I think fuchsia and warm colors (like yellows and orange) are great! But I know it’s not for everyone

What’s color helps you put a smile across your face?

Rockstar

$6.95 AYCE Lunch Buffet @Vishnu in Irvine, CA

Published on by Insider IreneLeave a comment

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India is such an exotic country and their food is just as (if not more) intriguing.  The bright colors and different spices make this culture’s food a fest for the eyes and stomach. So when I stumbled upon this little AYCE lunch buffet in Irvine on yelp, I could not have been more ecstatic, although the drive there was an adventure in and of itself! After driving loops around the industrial complex we finally found the restaurant- Vishnu (Yelp Review).  It’s definitely a no frills joint, and we helped ourselves by loading up our sectioned styrofoam plate!

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The selection was diverse with curries and other traditional Indian dishes. I’m embarrassed to say that my knowledge for Indian cuisine is rather limited, but I do know that each dish had it’s own distinct flavors and that the variety was incredible for a whopping $6.95 a person. I can’t even imagine how this is profitable considering the selection and how time-consuming it is to make all the items.  I’ve been told that certain dishes take more than 5 hours to prepare, as it needs to simmer to allow the flavors to meld into one another.

I inquired with the owner about his business and was informed that it had only been opened for three months (!!!) but that he’d been in the catering business for well over 15 years. He’s done events as far as Reno, NV and the Bay Area, so I imagine that’s he’s your guy if you want an authentic Indian feast in the Golden State (and surrounding bordering states).  The restaurant is only open Monday-Friday from 10:30-2:30 since evenings and weekends are reserved for catering gigs. Ah! It’s all coming together now.

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Lucky for me this little shop is not too far away. Muahaha… delicious food for a fraction of the cost, although, I am curious about his catering options. So if you’re in the market for authentic Indian, Vishnu’s Restaurant and Catering’s got you covered.

What’s your favorite lunch special spot?

XOXO

Irene

Date Worthy Dessert to Share @Scraps in Huntington Beach, CA

Published on by Insider IreneLeave a comment

New York has Serendipity3 and Orange County has Scraps.  For all you non-chick flick movie goers, Serendipity3 is where they shot the ironic romantic comedy called Serendipity staring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. It’s a must see feature that is the epitome of romantic comedy and there are very few movies that even come close to this classic.  The two stars shared a dessert and the rest is history- gosh I miss New York!

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So for the Orange County hopeless romantic, I found the best substitute! The Panna Cotta ($7) with homemade kumquat marmalade at Scraps (Yelp Review) is amazing and way too good not to share. It’s silky smooth, but with a firmer consistency than pudding. Combined with the tart kumquat, this dessert is heavenly.

What’s the perfect dessert to share?

XOXO

Rockstar

The Great Food Truck Race Season 1 Winner- Grill Em All @Alhambra CA

Published on by Insider Irene1 Comment

IMG_0928 I’m a huge Food Network junkie and absolutely love all of the different shows on that channel.  One show that I am particularly fond is a reality show called The Great Food Truck Race,” a competition where food trucks from across the country competed for $50,000.  The rules were simple, make as much money as you can with a given budget in designated cities from LA to New York.

And what’s crazy was the fact that I was in New York while they filmed their last episode.  I remember a girlfriend of mine texting me to come support the Nom Nom Truck (1strunner-up) while I was studying in New York. Unfortunately I choose not to leave the library, asI was nose-deep in textbooks.  *snaps fingers* What a lost opportunity!

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Anyways, this past weekend I attended a networking social in Alhambra and noticed a peculiar sign in the theater plaza.  It looked vaguely like Season 1 Winner Grill Em All (Yelp Review) and as I stepped closer to check out the store it indeed was!  Turns out they actually bought a storefront with the money and publicity earned from the competition.  So obviously I had to check it out the local celebrity!

Upon entering I could not help but notice all the rockin’ artwork plastered over all the walls.  The setting is definitely home to heavy metal enthusiasts and the menu was presented on an enormous black chalkboard.  After carefully examined my options I decided to try the powerslave, a ½ lb burger with brie cheese, bourbon apple compote, balsamic aioli, and field greens. And because the sign said so I ordered it medium rare—good choice!

IMG_0927It was definitely a gourmet burger with the juices goeying all over. I’d never imagine putting an apple as a burger condiment, but combined with the soft brie cheese and field greens it was a tasty treat.  It’s a bit on the pricey side at $9 or $9.50 for a burger, but it had all the elements of a Rockstar. Solid!

What does a Rockstar meal look like to you?

XOXO

Rockstar