Food – Page 11 – Insider Irene

Eating LIVE Lobster at The Original Lobster Festival in Long Beach

Published on September 13, 2017September 11, 2017 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

Lobster will always be one of my favorite things to eat because the taste is unmatched by any other shellfish. The texture and depth of flavor is hearty, without tasting fishy and the large claws make an impressive statement to any dish. So, when I was invited to cover The Original Lobster Festival in Long Beach I couldn’t say no. After-all who could say no to lobster, especially ones flown in from Maine? 😀

Steamed whole lobster and dipped in hot melted butter, mMmmm… sounds like the perfect feast to wrap up summer and if you love crustaceans as much as I do then this post is going to be a real treat! Held in the beautiful Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach the festival is an annual tradition for many California natives and tourists to enjoy. The Live steamed lobster was the star of the show and for a steal! $30 if you purchase your ticket online (includes admission and a whole lobster!); however, patrons could also try lobster roll, lobster on a stick among other things.

It was my first time attending this event, but as I was waiting in line I saw many veteran festival goers bring in lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Considering the beautiful weather and live local entertainment, this definitely was a perfect event for a family to enjoy.

How would you enjoy your lobster? in a roll? steamed with butter? Chinese style?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Drizzle OC Dessert Truck Grand Opening

Published on September 11, 2017September 6, 2017 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

While summer may be coming to a close, the weather in Southern California sure doesn’t feel like it’s cooling down anytime soon. I periodically look at my car’s thermostat and it’s often in the 90-100 degree range – ouch! Thankfully, the warm climate attracts cool desserts like this ice cream and funnel cake concept!

Drizzle OC’s recently held it’s Grand Opening in the McDonald’s plaza in Fountain Valley (18972 Brookhurst, Fountain Valley, CA), so I went with some high school friends to welcome them to “A Nice Place to Live.” At the debut event, the first 100 guests were given the option to pick up a free keychain or t-shirt, as well as a complimentary honey green tea drink with purchase of a “Drizzle Specialty” item. I ordered the strawberry delight and picked up a t-shirt. My friends picked the Peaches N’Cream and Matcha Madness.

Once we got our orders, we snapped a few shots then proceeded to eat the sweet treat quickly – the ice cream was melting and the heat wasn’t helping. My first impression was that the two dessert items paired well with each other, and while the funnel cake didn’t quite taste like what you’d eat at the fair (It tasted more like a dense pancake), I felt like it complimented the ice cream and gave good texture. The dessert is definitely very photogenic and a tasty treat that everyone would enjoy.

What flavor would you choose?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Kicking off the Ultimate Bites of LA hosted by Curtis Stone (Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival) with glitz and glamour

Published on September 1, 2017August 31, 2017 by Insider Irene3 Comments

If I were a celebrity this is how I would imagine an Oscar afterparty to look like – patrons dressed to impress, a red carpet filled with the best chef’s showcasing signature dishes, and booze galore! While I may not be an Oscar recipient anytime soon, this foodie red carpet event was nothing short of spectacular. Held just outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall (111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA), I had the opportunity alongside @FoodieJudge (Instagram Food Influencer) to attend the kick-off party to celebrate the 7th Annual Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival.

During the event we enjoyed the kick-off celebration entitled – the “Ultimate Bites of LA hosted by Curtis Stone” which featured some of LA’s most celebrated culinary talent from Downtown, Westside, Hollywood and MidCity/Beverly Hills. There was a DJ spinning pop tunes, photographers capturing every moment, and a plethora of delectable bites and strong spirits to enjoy. Some dish highlights include the BBQ Pork Brisket from Belcampo Meat Co, donuts from The Church Key, sugar custard from 71 Above, and sandwiches from Fleishik’s #nomnom!

I definitely felt like this was one of the most glamorous tastings I’ve ever attended and one thing that I loved about this event was the VIP treatment! The lines were short and the servers took away all finished plates and drinks throughout the event keeping the venue in impeccable condition. If you consider yourself a food and wine connoisseur this is definitely the place to be.

What would you be most excited to try at the LA Food and Wine event?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Testing out Timeout Cafe and Bar in Gardena, CA

Published on August 30, 2017September 1, 2017 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

As a food and travel writer I’m often looking for different locations to enjoy a good meal while working on blog posts – kill two birds with one stone. Haha…. I’m efficient that way 🙂 So when my foodie friend (@foodiejudge on Instagram) invited me to a private media tasting I was curious to see if this cafe could be another remote LA work station for me. The Korean fusion restaurant serves traditional cafe fair, but recently launched a new concept for a day and night crowd.

Like any good cafe, quality coffee is key to a good start. The owner informed me that they had serve Intelligentsia, which is a celebrated coffee brand with distinct robust flavors. They had to purchase special equipment to brew the beans to bring out the flavors, so you know that they’re serious about their product. Be sure to order your coffee black so that you can really taste every note. Mmm… and of course all good cafe had wifi, which worked well for me.

Once everyone arrived, we were treated to their most popular items family-style. If you’re a vegetarian or looking to eat something light their Berry Garden Salad was amazing! Their raspberry vinaigrette dressing topped with avocado feta cheese, strawberries, and blueberries over a bed a mixed greens was not only a beautiful display but tasty as well. On the flip side, if you’re looking anti-veggies their chicken wings brought some heat. And if you’re like Switzerland and fine with both meat and veggies, their sandwiches are solid. I tried the Korean Cheese Steak, Apple Tuna, Pastrami and the later two were my favorite. Apple Tuna is a solid cold sub and the hot pastrami was so mouthwatering. I loved it!

While the restaurant is known for their home-made recipes and secret sauces, they recently got their alcohol license and based on the atmosphere I can definitely see it as a prime spot to cheer on afternoon sporting events.

What do you usually get when you go to a cafe?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Wining and dining at the Pacific Wine and Food Classic at Newport Beach

Published on August 23, 2017September 1, 2017 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

Orange County is home to “the real housewives”, beautiful beaches, and some amazing restaurants so it should come to no surprise that there’d be a spectacular outdoor festival to wrap up summer in pure California style. Over the weekend I partnered with Trip.com (a travel app) to attend the Pacific Wine and Food Classic at the Newport Dune Waterfront Resort (Newport Dunes, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, Ca 92660), where more than 100 food and beverages were prepared by some of Orange County’s finest chefs and mixologists.

If you need a vacation this resort-style tasting basically transports you to a relaxing getaway. With the event held on the sand overlooking the dunes, I enjoyed the warm weather and scenic view. The water glistened and the weather was perfect with the sun shining brightly with a small ocean breeze. Most foodies have to choose environment or food quality, but both were equally desirable here. I loved the variety of food available at the tasting and felt that the samples were light and evoked the essence of California cuisine. Some of the small bites that I enjoyed included fusion tacos, seared sashimi, scallops, gazpacho and sliders just to name a few.

I spent quite a bit of time at the VIP Patron Patio as the area was equipped with fun photo booth opportunities and unique booze infused creations. I had a patron infused pineapple popsicle, which kept me cool under the hot sun. The area also had several couches and seats for patrons to lounge around while enjoying the beautiful day – something I took full advantage of 🙂

Food samples and Simon Majumda of Food Network

During the event guests could also watch different cooking demonstrations of executive chefs signature dishes on the Fisher & Paykel / DCS Culinary Stage. Food Network Star, Simon Majumdar of Cutthroat Kitchen hosted and provided his own culinary tips and tricks as well.

I had such an amazing time at this tasting and one thing that I loved about this event was that it was well organized and not too crowded. The lines for each vendor were all very manageable and it was such a classy affair. I’d definitely come back next year, but will wear flip flops. I made the mistake to wear wedges not realizing that it was actually on the sand. Nevertheless, a great event and one where I think all adults would enjoy.

Whats your favorite food to enjoy on the beach?

XOXO,

Rockstar

NEW rolled ice cream at “The Joint” in Garden Grove, CA

Published on August 18, 2017September 1, 2017 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

Rolled ice cream is all the craze and Garden Grove recently welcomed a new addition – appropriately called “The Joint Creamery” (13281 Brookhurst Street). Tucked away in a strip mall, this little hidden gem has colorful creations that would certainly stand out in a crowd, and with the weather heating up this is a great place to cool down.

The trendy dessert shop created quirky names to match their unique creations such as “Franken Beans,” “Cracked Ice,” and “Pineapple Express,” and the fun doesn’t stop there. Patrons can select one of the popular combinations and have the exotic flavors crafted before their eyes. I ordered “Purple Rain” to test out their taro ice cream.

Everything worked well together and ice cream is always one of my favorite desserts to indulge in especially in the summer. I’m curious to try the galaxy, which is a sesame favored. What flavor would you be interested to try?

XOXO,

Rockstar

The Exchange Restaurant – New Fushion Mediterranean Concept in DTLA

Published on July 21, 2017August 21, 2017 by Insider Irene1 Comment

When my friend said that he wanted to eat Mediterranean food at a new restaurant in DTLA called “The Exchange Restaurant“(416 W. 8TH ST, Los Angeles, CA) I was skeptical about driving from the OC for falafels and hummus. Boy was I in for a big surprise. This restaurant is an upscale fusion Israeli cuisine that uses bright and fresh ingredients for their healthy dishes. I’m on a diet, so finding anything that’s both appetizing to look at and to eat ranks top of my list (at least for now – I can be fat for winter 🙂 ).

Upon entering you’ll notice the high ceiling and wood decor. It’s very rustic in nature and the natural lighting made it perfect to snap photos of all the Instagram worthy food and let me tell you the food not only looks but tastes uh-maz-ing.

My favorite dishes were as followed:
1) Pate – oh my gawd, so creamy and light. It just melted in my mouth. It was so luxurious without being overly indulgent. It’s really out of this world and you would be a fool not to order this.
2) Exchange Chraime – Presented in a pan filled with seafood galore swimming in a sea of tomato sauce. The presentation was on pointe, and tasted flavorful as well.

(Left to Right – 1st Row to 2nd): Pate, Exchange Chraime, Sweet Potatoe, and Olive Oil Cake

3) Sweet Potato – I would hardly think that a vegetable could be a star dish, but this one definitely held it’s own. It’s roasted so it really heightened the root vegetables flavor and made a unique statement in taste. Super delicious!
4) Olive Oil Cake – OMG! I rarely order dessert at a restaurant, but I would definitely order this again and again. The flavor profile of this treat is moist and sweet, but not overly so. The dollop of cream or whatever was on top paired with the cake perfectly. I’m a believer in desserts now!

Overall, this is a fantastic addition to DTLA. The atmosphere is beautiful, food is delicious and the service was on friendly and accommodating. Whether you’re planning to impress a hot date, discussing business, or going with a group of friends this is an excellent destination to enjoy a great meal with good company.

Which of the dishes would you be most excited to try?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Main Squeeze Grand Opening in Fountain Valley!

Published on July 14, 2017August 21, 2017 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

You know that popular colorful lemonade drink that you often see at night markets and fairs? The ones in the oversized mason jars with the cute lemon in the front. Yes! That one! Did you know that they (the Main Squeeze -9430 Warner Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA) recently opened up a brick and mortar store in Orange County? *Does happy dance*

My friend and I recently attended their Grand Opening to welcome Fountain Valley’s newest addition. Because the weather has been atrociously hot as of late, an ice cold lemonade made for an excellent beverage choice to counter the unbearable heat. My friend and I were so excited that we were actually first and second in line! Yes, we were quite enthusiastic about redeeming swag as they advertised the first 100 people get a complimentary iphone 7 case or a baseball cap, plus a mason jar upgrade with light cube on the beverage of choice.

Left: iphone 7 classes; Right: Mason Jars with lemonade

There was a wide array of drinks and desserts to choose from, but I decided to go with the cucumber mint lemonade with boba, which was incredibly refreshing. My friend ordered the lychee lemonade with added lychees and both were bright and super colorful. These made-to-order drinks were just as I remembered at the fair and I’m glad that I can now enjoy this year-round!

I came to this little shop just wanting a drink to cool down, but was reminded of the lemons and lemonade concept – where you can always change for the better. If you’re going through a rough patch or feel unhappy, remember this it’s only temporary and that you can use your hardships and/or struggles for something greater. Just take a deep breath and take it one day at a time.

Are there lemons in your life? What kind of “lemonade” are you planning to make?

XOXO,

Rockstar

626 Night Market

Published on July 7, 2017September 1, 2017 by Insider Irene2 Comments

I’ve gone to my fair share of Night Markets (Ktown Night Market post here), but I’ve yet to visit the largest one in Southern California – The 626 Night Market! I know, shocking right? But I digress. Held at the Santa Anita Park, vendors from the greater Los Angeles area and guests from all over attended the two day event. I decided to get a sneak peak on Day 1 to get the scoop.

The 626 night market was definitely an enormous event with various carnival games, food trucks, pop-up stands, and businesses promoting asian products. Spread across the vast parking lot, patrons could comfortably walk around the aisles to try the latest food craze. There were tons of options and while I was sweating off all my sunblock, my foodie friend and I tried some bold treats!

img_4908-1 — Roasted Corn, July 4th Watermelon Drink, and Rainbow Grilled Cheese

I think it’s safe to say that many vendors were bold in experimenting with colors and the rainbow/unicorn trend is here to stay. Which colorful treat are you interested to try? The watermelon drink was my favorite, because it was super refreshing and cooled me down on the hot day.

Tickets to the 626 Night Market is $3 on Friday and Sunday, and $5 for Saturday. Parking is free and they’ll be back on July 21, who will be going?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Ktown Night Market Recap!

Published on June 23, 2017September 1, 2017 by Insider Irene1 Comment

Attending a night market is a great way to sample a lot of vendors in one centralized location while also browsing pop-up shops and playing carnival games. Oh how I’m so reminded of Taiwan’s nightlife – they have THE BEST night markets. I’d heard so much about the Ktown Night Market that I wanted to see if could be my US version of my favorite Taiwan activity. Held at a local community college in Los Angeles, this event was a popular destination among teens and college students for their Instagram worthy food. My foodie friend and I ordered a ton food to share and were stuffed by the end of the night. Here are the highlights!

Spire Works, Mix-E, India Jones Chow Truck, and Sakura Monster

Spire Works: Casual, yet robust flavors. At this event they featured their Bangkok and Peking sammys, which were inspired by Thai and Chinese palates respectively.

Mix-E: Specializing in Filipino Desserts such as Halo-Halo (shaved ice with toppings such as ice cream, red beans, etc.) this fun and colorful pop-up shop will be at the 626 Night market in July and August.

India Jones Chow Truck: Talk about flavors that are on a roll! I ordered a combo and got to try Butter Chicken Curry, Saag Paneer (Spinach and Cheese), naan, rice, and a samosa. Beautiful and extremely filling.

Sakura Monster: This truck made takoyaki balls (octopus balls) to order. It was so delicious and probably my favorite snack of the night. They don’t have a website, so check out their twitter page to see where they’re going next! Totally legit!

PuChao, Taco Fix, and Manini Kine Grindz

PuChao: Japanese Candy that’s gummy and soft. Yum!

Taco Fix: Priscela must be every dude’s best friend because her “Insane Nachos” and “Crazy Quesadilla” both have generous portion of meat and cheese. The plantains in the former is a nice touch and something I don’t usually see, but delicious. Homemade guacamole was extra and definitely worth it!

Manini Kine Grindz: Hawaiian food with entrees not commonly served on the mainland. My friend and I tried their Longanisa Loco Moco and Meat Jun and looooved it. They’re in the beginning stages of their business so give their Facebook page a shoutout!

What a fun and easy way to enjoy so many different Asian cuisines in one spot! The food was excellent and entertainment was lively and engaging. I would definitely come back here next year to check out LA’s latest and greatest!

What would you be most interested to try?

XOXO

Rockstar