Restaurant Review

BLOSSOM

Neighborhood: Silver Lake 

Cuisine: Vietnamese 

Price: $$

Website

When meeting friends for dinner, I'm usually asked to pick the restaurant (or at least type of food), since I am the one that can't eat most things. When meeting my Aunt and Uncle for dinner, I suggested what has become one of my major food groups and a staple in my diet: pho. 

You may not know the incredible deliciousness that is pho (pronounced FUH). I didn't before I moved to LA, so let me describe it for you. It is a large bowl of delicious broth, rice noodles, chicken (or your choice of meat/tofu), and onions. On the side, they serve you a plate of fresh basil, bean sprouts, jalepenos, and a lime wedge, for you to add in as you please. Obviously, I add in everything - and request extra jalepenos. As I'm not supposed to be eating peppers, I merely float them in the broth to add a litte kick. 

{photo courtesy of Google Images}

I would consider myself almost a pho expert, as I have tried various places all over LA, from trendy to total authentic hole in the walls. My aunt suggested this place called Blossom in Silver Lake. She said it was hip and trendy, and the food was good. She was right! 

I ordered the Vegetarian Spring Rolls (rice paper rolls with tofu, rice vermicelli, and fresh herbs), and of course, a large bowl of chicken pho. It was delicious. The spring rolls weren't my favorite that I have had, but the pho was incredible. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. It was a very cool vibe, wooden booths (which were a tad uncomfortable, but cool looking). 

{photo courtesy of Google Images]

Overall out of 10, I would rate it:

Food: 8.5

Ambiance: 7

Smooth Moves

One thing I have been missing greatly is a smoothie. With so many fruit and dairy limitations, it makes it incredibly difficult to ever order one at a smoothie bar. So I did one better - I created a delicious smoothie of my own!

-1 cup cultured Coconut Milk
-1/2 sliced Mango
-1/2 cup frozen Sweet Dark Cherries
-2 Tbsp Organic Cinnamon

Add to blender, blend, and enjoy! The great part about using frozen cherries is there is no need to add ice; the mixture is already nice and cold. The smoothie is delicious and creamy, completely fulfilling any sweet, icy cravings.

Blind Taste Test

Today at work, we happened to have something very few people have. It is rare, and almost unheard of. We had both Pellegrino and Perrier in our fridge. So, I could not just sit back and watch people drink these rival sparkling waters (and only watching, as I can't have carbonation, remember?). Instead, I decided to host a blind taste test!

Personally, Pellegrino is my favorite sparkling water. Of course, that comes with many rolled eyes from people, and lots of, "can you even tell the difference?" Today - I put this to rest once and for all.

I took out a bottle of each water. 

I wrote on the bottom of white cups, marking which is Pellegrino and which is Perrier. I filled each cup equally.

Four coworkers participated in the tasting. Might I add, none of them even like sparkling water. 

Jordan, who cannot get over how bland sparkling water is, and wishes it were sweeter.

Christina, smelling the odorless bubble water.

Kimi, sampling the waters.

Adam, the pro, quickly distinguishing which water is which.

The one quote that kept being repeated: "I keep waiting for it to taste like Sprite...and then it doesn't." 

I'll admit, I was envious. I love Pellegrino, and wish I could have added a squeeze of lemon and lime, a splash of fresh lemonade, and downed the whole bottle. 

In the end, the winner of the blind taste testing was:

My favorite, Pellegrino! Now I can say, I told you so. There is a difference, and I was right. After my in-depth scientific blind taste testing, it is proven. 

Let's Not Go Hungry

You may be asking, so what the heck do you eat? I've learned a few very important things so far.

1. Keep hydrated. I have always been a big water drinker, and it turns out I was still dehydrated. Now I know better! My headaches have disappeared, and I am not constantly so hungry.

How do you know if you are drinking enough water? Take your body weight and divide it in half. That is the amount of water you should be drinking daily. For example, if you weigh 120lb, you should be drinking 60oz of water per day, at the very least.

I'm also a very hangry person (hangry: whiney, angry, and difficult when not fed for long periods of time). That has made me realize the importance of always having things on hand that I am able to eat. It is incredibly frustrating to be hungry, and feel as though I am unable to eat anything due to my limitations.

So - I've created a guide to what is in my kitchen. These are things I try to always have on hand, as things can be easily mixed and matched to make delicious meals, and great for my constant snacking.

They are a lot of the basics for my recipes to come!

Solving the Stomach

My whole life, I have had issues with my stomach. I've had everything from stomach aches and pains to actually getting sick after eating. However, though I have seen numerous doctors, no one could pin down what it was, and said I was fine. 

When I moved to LA, I began seeing an amazing doctor who through muscle testing was able to easily diagnose my problem, and set me on the path to a happier stomach. I have a fungus in my stomach and a thrown-off pancreas, both of which need to be fixed. The solution? An incredibly strict eating regime...for 6-9 months. 

Well, I am 2 months in, and it is sometimes incredibly tough. So, rather than have a total melt down and stuff my face with all of the pizza, Mexican and dirty martinis I can get my hands on, I am going to channel my energy here. I have found some great new foods I never would have tried otherwise, as well as some delicious, easy, and healthy recipes. 

The breakdown of what I can't eat:

1. Coffee

2. Chocolate 

3. Alcohol

4. Nuts 

5. Citrus 

6. Carbonated Beverages 

7. Dried Fruit 

8. Berries

9. Potatoes 

10. Eggplant 

11. Sugar (including honey, agave, and any other sweetener)

12. Peppers (including bell peppers)

13. Tomatoes 

14. Dairy 

15. Bananas 

16. Rice Cakes

17. Corn

18. Sprouts

19. Wheat 

20. Grapes 

Style Me

I realize I haven't blogged in quite a while. I have been meaning to and constantly contemplating different places to go with my blog. Numerous people have suggested to me that I blog my outfits each day, so I think I'll give it a try!

Dress: Zara
Blazer: Zara
Necklace: Bar III
Tights: J.Crew
Shoes: Target

Chicago

For Labor Day weekend, I hopped on a plane and met my sister and a couple friends in Chicago. I left LA Thursday night, and after a quick stopover in Phoenix, landed at O'Hare early (lucky me!) at 4:50am Friday morning. I found my way to the terminal where my sister would be arriving, plunked myself down with my iPad, a venti Caramel Macchiato, and waited for their 8:27am arrival.

Once the group was reunited, we headed to the hotel. We stayed at PUBLIC Chicago, which was incredible. The hotel was gorgeous, had an amazing restaurant The Pump Room, and even a screening room!

After dropping our bags, we headed out and grabbed probably one of the best brunches I have had in my entire life. We ate at a place near our hotel called Hash House A Go Go.

After feeding our faces, we stormed the city by foot, exploring the streets, shopping, and taking an architectural boat tour. The city is so beautiful!

Friday night, we did what every Chicago visitor must do: try deep dish pizza. We chose to eat at Lou Malnati's, and it was a great decision. The pizza wasn't something I would choose on a normal pizza eating basis, but it was delicious to try!

Saturday we saw more sights, including Millenium Park, the Bean, and of course, a bit more shopping. We had lunch at Rick Bayless' restaurant, Xoco. 

I dragged the girls to Dick's Last Resort, because we had passed it on the boat tour the previous day, and I love cheesy places like this. While I think everyone else was horrified, I loved every minute. The waitresses were sarcastic and rude, and the menu was nothing to write home about. But it was great.

To end the afternoon, we went for drinks at the rooftop of The Wit. Ranked "One of three top rooftop lounges in the world" by Travel + Leisure, we considered it a must-see. However, we were all a bit disappointed. Though the view was nice, it didn't compare to most NYC rooftops. 

Saturday night, we decided to explore Lincoln Park. We went to Webster's Wine Bar for dinner and, of course, wine. Afterwards, we went to a nearby rooftop bar at Hotel Lincoln. 

Sunday, we decided to explore Wicker Park. We ate lunch at a great mexican place called Las Palmas. 

That afternoon, we took a drive out to Hyde Park to see Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House. Unfortunately by the time we got there we missed all of the tours, but we gave ourselves an outside tour by peeking in all of the windows! 

Also on our to-do list that last day in Chicago was to try cupcakes from More cupcakes. They were delicious! 

The last thing to check-off the list was trying a Chicago hot dog. It was my sister's priority all weekend, and it finally got completed. I only had a bite, but it was so yummy! The toppings definitely made it. 

Our last night in Chi-Town, we had dinner at the hotel restaurant, The Pump Room. The food was delicious, and the restaurant was beautiful.

After dinner, we went into the hotel screening room, which we had all to ourselves. We cuddled up on the couch with big, comfy blankets, ordered a bottle of wine, and put on a Sex & the City marathon. It could not have been a more perfect end to the weekend! 

Monday morning, we awoke at the lovely hour of 4:30am and headed back to the airport. It was such an amazing, fun-filled weekend!