Summery November

I've been back in California for the past couple weeks and it's so great to be home! It is so warm this year, even though it's already November.

Glass of Chardonnay at Splashes in Laguna Beach.

Doesn't get any better than this!

Beautiful sunset from Fashion Island.

Still summer in Venice Beach.

Zion :)

Green Curry

Made Green Curry at home for the first time. My friend who visited Thailand brought this set back for us. It was really delicious, spicy AND all-natural with no additives, which was an extra plus! If I find this set again, I want to pick up a few boxes. 

Used a lot of veggies (eggplants, zucchinis and bamboo shoots) so the flavor was a bit light, but it still turned out really good! Also used Chicken breast.

There's a paste inside which you melt with the coconut milk, throw in the veggies and meat, simmer and serve!

Frey's Famous Pizzeria

Hadn't updated with a legitimate restaurant blog in a while...

Last week, we had lunch at FREY's Famous Pizzeria. I've previously blogged about Savoy (link here) and how much I loved their margerita pizza. After that visit though, my favorite pizza chef had quit and told me that he would be opening a new pizzeria on his own. After waiting years for him to get in touch with me again, I hadn't heard back and had given up. That all changed when my boyfriend happened to drive by FREY's and noticed the pizza chef and told me that he was sure it was him. We went to eat there for the first time last week and told him the story. He was so excited and we were just as excited because he remembered us too.

I was so happy to get in touch with him again, but most of all, soo happy to be reunited with his pizzas again!! Even with the same exact ingredients, I couldn't believe how different the pizza tasted when the chef changed. I will definitely be going back to this cute pizza joint!

Sat at the pizza bar, right in front of the chef.

Marinara.

We split the Marinara and Margerita, and this was the first time I had his Marinara and must say that it was just as amazing as the Margerita!

Favorite Margerita Pizza ever.

Cute shop located a block away from Roppongi Midtown.

Revenge vs Mt. Fuji

2nd attempt at Mt. Fuji was successful!

(1st attempt blogged here)

It was incredibly draining mentally and physically that I don't plan on ever climbing it again. Super relieved and happy for this experience and that I made it!

Lazy Update Part II

Soon after coming back to Tokyo, I went back to CA again for one week. Went to Vegas for half of it so it was a whirlwind trip back home. Here are some shots from my phone:

Southern California = Palm trees.

Pizza time! Pizzeria Mozza Newport

Beer al fresco. Basically commuted to Bruery Provisions every night.

Vietnamese food fix: Brodard Cafe

Cheeseburgers: In-n-Out Burgers

Absolute favorite beach back home, Laguna Beach.

A whole new appreciation for the close access to the amazing beaches after being away from OC for a bit.

Santa Fe Eggs Benedict (substituted Potatoes with Spinach): Plum's Cafe

Enjoyed hanging out with friends and of course, this handsome boy.

Miss him so much!

Counting down the days until I'm back...!

Lazy Update

It's been a while since a proper update...

Honestly, I've been way too lazy to carry around my camera and it doesn't help that the iPhone camera is quite decent. Here are some snaps on my phone of summer in Tokyo.

I love this "tree tunnel" on the walk to the station.

Beautiful, colorful hydrangeas everywhere!

My absolute favorite pizza in Tokyo (and currently my favorite Italian restaurant):

Spinach Pizza at Tarantella-da-Luigi

(blogged about previously here)

Sunday Farmer's Market at Daikanyama T-site

Indian Curry Lunch: Priya

Shaved Ice to cool down with: Koyomi Hiroo

The homemade strawberry syrup is SO good!

My friend treated me to a fancy birthday lunch: Les Enfants Gates

(blogged about previously here)

Cherry Pie: Matsunosuke NY

Pizza lunch with bubbles: Napule Omotesando

Refreshing Tororo Soba: Honmura An 

Walking through Roppongi with an awesome view of the Tokyo Tower.

Japanese sweets: Naniwaya Souhonten

(blogged about previously here)

Where the Hell is Matt?

Am I the last person who knew about this video?

Amazing!

A Very Happy Birthday

Showered with lots and lots of love on my birthday!

So blessed!

Tomorrow...

... I am making my way back to Tokyo.

Tokyo is now home to the tallest building in the world, thanks to the Tokyo Skytree. Last week, it opened to the public and I can only imagine the chaos that will surround it for the next year or so. Probably won't go near it until it somewhat dies down...

Poules Moules

Before our train back to Paris, we had dinner at Poules Moules in Bruges.

They are known for two things: Poules (Chicken) and Moules (Mussels) and that is what we ordered. The Chicken was a bit too dry, but the Mussels were so good! It was one of the largest servings of Mussels I've ever had and of course comes with a side of frites.

Chocolate & Waffles

Chocolates and waffles were everywhere in Belgium.

Beer, chocolate, waffles... if we stayed longer, we would have gained so much weight.

Chocolate Line was recommended to us by our friend, who was taken there by a Brugge local. They have very interesting chocolates with flavors like bacon, wasabi, shiso and lemongrass.

Went to the first Godiva store in Brussels.

Chocolate covered strawberries were so cheap (a whole bag with about 5 or 6 strawberries for about 5 Euros) which was great considering one strawberry here costs like 5 bucks.

Leonidas was everywhere! Waffles in Belgium were a lot denser, chewier and richer than I had imagined.

Regretted eating this waffle which resulted in a major heartburn.

Cool window displays.

Beer Beer Beer!

Belgium is the ULTIMATE for beer lovers.

The selection is insane!