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Hashbrown Breakfast

Here I go again. OK, so watching Homeland till like 2-3 in the morning has not been the best thing for me. I am groggy during the day and my blood pressure has possibly gone up from all the stress that has been going on from seasons 1-3. Now that I've completed season 3, I can relax for a bit, because there wasn't really a cliffhanger that begs me to start season 4.

Don't tell me I don't have a life. I have a life, and that involves watching whatever I want, eating whatever I want, and basically doing whatever I want. Don't you want this life too?

Breakfast was simple this morning. It consisted of Eggs, Bacon, and homemade Hash browns.

The video was shot on my iPhone 5S so please forgive the quality.

Everything is pretty much self explanatory. Eggs and bacon.  For the Hash Browns, I got one large russet potato which feeds 2 people and sometimes even 3 depending on how large it actually is. I scrubbed the potato under some running water making sure that it is clean. I didn't peel my potato, but you can always do so.

I grated the potato on the coarse side with a standard box grater (I used OXO < click for reference). A quick rinse will help relieve the starchiness of the potato. Make sure the potatoes are dried with a towel to relieve the moisture. On medium high heat with your choice of oil, layer on your hashes. I let it go for about 3 minutes before deciding to flip. You will know it's read to flip when the hash browns become a sheet from crisping on the bottom.

One important rule! Don't forget to salt your hash browns! I'd rather have NO hash browns than to have bland ones. AND! A nonstick pan was also used.

I sliced up a Spanish (Yellow) onion and sauteed it to pour over the hash browns. The dish is served with ketchup and hot sauce.

Daiisies breakfast plate

This face was inspired by all of you. Because this is how you make me feel. I don't even know how to explain the way it looks. Kind of like the cookie monster right? Gosh I feel so freaking creative right now. Give me a moment....

I am forever turned to home making hash browns. If you are going to make a big batch, use a food processor. I decided to use a hand grater instead since I didn't feel like washing an appliance for one potato.

Good Morning ;P

Daiisies

 

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Dandan’s Guilin Rice Noodle - with Mom

So. My mom calls me, twice. She asked me if I had dinner yet, at 6 PM. Ok just say it, what is it? She got a new car and said she wants to drive me. Keeping in mind that I was assuming she got the car some time this or last week. I got to her place from Pasadena within 30 minutes. As I parked and got out, she was getting ready to back out. After getting in, I looked at her like 'whhhaaattt are you doing..?'. She stops in the middle of the road as she was trying to switch to drive. I asked her "Did you just get the car today?!" she said yes in the afternoon.

AND.I.LITERALLY.JUST.DIED.

I'm not even kidding you. The seat belt fastened so quick it just took one click. And then, I kept my arms away from the doors, and sunk my body into the seat. I feared she was going to make an asian move into the intersection to merge and a car was going to slam on my side. If I had balls, they shriveled. I was so terrified! I'm not going to lie I wanted to cry. She sees a random restaurant and asked me if I would like to try it. I, immediately said yes. Especially because it was around the corner from her place and I don't want to be a passenger for more than 1 mile.

Dandan's Guilin Rice Noodle

600 E Valley Blvd Ste A San Gabriel, CA 91776

Just to start. I kind of felt this vibe as if our patronage was not necessary. Given they were fairly empty for their little shack, I felt bad to not try it while my mom wanted to leave and eat somewhere else. I'm not sure if I would come back because of that. My mom was speaking to the waitress in cantonese. I could hear it in her tone and see her body gestures that she was not into us. I don't tend to do this... but when someone upsets me and I feel disrespected, I give them the look. I have this thing I do, that I just stare. Into their eyes. Suck out their soul. And that's it. But my goal now, is to eat, pray for my safety as my mom drives back, and go.

First dish

Cold trio appetizer

You are able to choose 3 different types of cold dishes that they offer for this trio appetizer. My mom chose the seaweed, spicy pig ears, and some dried been curd. It was mediocre, not bad, but not great. A typical appetizer that I love to snack on. The seaweed is in a slight tangy vinegar, sesame marinade.

Beef Brisket rice

This dish was actually pretty good. It was stewed till tender, and it came out pretty quick. Literally, in about 2 minutes. There wasn't anything particularly special about this dish. It was just comforting and hearty. I doused this with a lot of chili oil.

What's not shown are some scallion pancakes that were also mediocre. Not sure if they made it in house, but it lacked a lot of color, and can be cooked a little longer to cook out the grease.

Not sure if I will come back because of the bad attitude. I will always try a restaurant again for their food. For service, it only takes one bad impression for me to walk.

And, honestly, this is 626. I can find this food anywhere.

Thanks Mom!

Daiisies

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Pop's Cafe - Hangover post #1

It was one of those mornings. One of those 'I know my body is not going to cooperate with me' type of days. It was a hot humid Sunday, and I felt like I was crawling in my own guilt. Dehydration.  My Jameson rendezvous from the night before. Those 2 thoughts just circled my head all day and I would think about how I am just going to stop, and never drink again. And then, I started thinking 'wow, I'm really hungry'. Like, really hungry. So hungry I drank some soup my dad made me that has been sitting in my fridge for a whole week.

After a short glimpse of what's in the hood, we ended up somewhere a little stretched away from the hood. Because the food looked like it was going to be bad for me. And my body needs more bad, to counter out the other bad that is making me upset. Yes that makes a lot of sense to me.

Pop's Cafe is in Downey going South of the 5 freeway. 12 miles away from my nest.

 7840 Florence Ave Downey, CA 90240

Pop's Country Breakfast: Sausage Biscuit and Sausage Gravy. Served with Irish potatoes and egg.

This was what brought me here. This is the ultimate hang over cure. A heart stopper that will put you out of your misery. A day like this, coffee is not your friend (even though I did have coffee). I've been to a few diners, and for some reason, they don't serve gravy with sausage in it. Why? WHY?

“Tell me why, Ain’t nothin’ but a heartache
Tell me why, Ain’t nothin’ but a mistake
Tell me why, I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way”
— BackStreet Boys

Sorry, when I happen to say a phrase that's in lyrics I know, I submerge myself in the moment.

Pop's do carry their biscuits and gravy in real sausage gravy. The consistency of the gravy was a little thick, but it was the perfect choice for my current state. John as you can see there, ordered the 2 stack with hashbrowns and 4 slices of bacon. No, he was not hungover.

Irish potatoes here, are hashbrowns with sauteed onions and green peppers on top. I chose a sunny side up egg because I want the rich yolk with the rich gravy. I'm telling you, I am going all in. But that's not the reason why I chose this dish.

sausage

A sausage patty between the biscuit. That's it. That's why I chose it. I wanted the sausage patty and thought it sounded ridiculously satisfying for my painfully twisted body with a throbbing head. I ate as much as I could before feeling a dark cloud closing in. Like my body was ready to go into a deep sleep.

That is when you know what the term Hangover Cure means. You need something that will take you down. Because trust me when I say sleep is what you need. I went home after this, and knocked out. Woke up in sweat thinking my hair was still wet from the shower this morning. I felt so freaking amazing! Well not 100%, but at least I'm not feeling like I'm rocking in a boat anymore.

The rest of the day consisted of watching more Homeland with John and doing laundry. There were a few intermissions where I would contemplate about how I survived. And how much I appreciated life. And how I love everyone and everything. The couch, my water, being able to watch Homeland, awaiting dinner, going to work the next day. My hangovers are pretty serious.

So to recap. Hydrate with water. Eat crappy, comforting food that puts you in a coma. Drink more water. Pee a lot. Take a nap. And be a couch potato.

What's your hangover cure? If it's drinking more, we definitely cannot be friends.

daiisies

 

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The Perch - Happy Birthday best friend forever-ever.

On Saturday, we celebrated my Best friend, Jocelynn's birthday. I've known this chick for about 13 years. Our memories are consisted of a lot of alcohol consumption, random crying nights (NO more of those thank God), random parties, Hot Cheetos, and Starbucks.

This year, we went to Downtown Los Angeles to a beautiful restaurant/lounge called Perch.

448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

We had reservations at 5:30 PM, which worked out better for all of us. And I honestly really hate going out late. I don't mind staying out, but starting the night late is such a waste. Think about it: I want to see the sun, feel it, and see it say goodnight. If you've never thought about it that way, I hope you will start.

Before dinner, we took a few... or was it a lot, of Jameson. It's her birthday! and Who cares, we weren't driving (please drink responsibly). There's parking across the street for $10. Remember to put all your belongings out of site. And when crossing the street, always look left and right. AND! make sure drivers see you, and acknowledge you are crossing the street. Downtown LA can be a dangerous place at night with a lot of drunk and impatient drivers.

The Perch LA is pretty strict with reservations. If you want to dine here, make sure to give notice at least 2 weeks ahead of time just to make sure. If you have a party of 6+, definitely call a month in advance. When we showed up to our reservation, we were seated pretty quickly. The restaurant was also more than half empty. More reservations at 5:30 could've been accommodated. After we were seated, without much thought, we all pretty much ordered meat.

BOEUF BORDELAISE $29 ("braised short rib, roast garlic potato puree, beets, cippolini and pearl onions")

The short rib was braised for who knows how long till it was literally melt in your mouth, fork tender, fat rendered-good sh*t. If you come here, I highly recommend this. I also loved the beets and the bits of citrus to cut through the fat of the short ribs.

FILET MIGNON AU POIVRE $37
("parsnip + potato puree, asparagus, fines herbes, bordelaise, mushroom ragout")

The filet Mignon was cooked perfectly. Not much to say besides it being another classic French dish that they offer at Perch. The flavors are not as rich or heavy as it may seem. I do wish there was more of a punch of flavor since filet itself, or at least to me, has a mild beef flavor. A little FYI, I am NOT a filet Mignon gal. I love my fatty rib eyes and new york. The portions by the way, are decent and acceptable.

Steak Frites $26
("'flat iron, maitre d’ butter, bordelaise, truffle cheese fries")

Maitre D'butter is basically compound butter. It's butter set in room temperature where it becomes softened enough to mix with whatever concoction you want. Roll it back up into a log, fridge it, and then VOILA! The bordelaise is just a red wine base sauce. The "truffle" cheese fries, however, had zero truffles in it. Not even one trace. And I never send back truffle complaining there's not enough, because in reality, if you are not paying $100 for it, then you really aren't ordering it. This is just cheese fries. Unless they really did forget to add artificial truffle oil. Who knows. Don't care, the Jameson is kicking. The flat iron was cooked perfectly and tasted pretty good actually. My friend Mark even said it was as tender as the filet, figuratively speaking.

From the 3 meat dishes, I would definitely order the short ribs again. It was just executed very well and it's always something I love to order, especially if it takes hours till it becomes fork tender.

Hey, where's our waitress? I swear she left to go home or something because she never stopped by. Not having it.

So after dinner, we headed upstairs to the lounge.

Upstairs looking down at the restaurant.

There's no food served at the rooftop lounge, but there is a bar, and a pretty beautiful, bad ass view of Los Angeles. And notice how pretty everything looks when there's still light out? Hey, and you will never know who you can run into. We ran into an Ex Senator with his family and friends. Super friendly and kind. They also offered their seats when leaving so we can enjoy the rest our evening there. How sweet is that?

Mark and John


Jocelynn on the left, me on the right.

Jocelynn on the left, me on the right.

What I love about Jocelynn the MOST is how reliable she is. Yeah, you can say your friends are fun, do crazy things, love to go out, whatever. How often can you actually count on someone that's within your circle? And know that every single time you are in some kind of rut, they will be there? My ruts consisted of a lot of hunger issues.. but on the real note, she is the best and I can count on her to be by my side for the rest of my growing old years. And if you do have a friend like this, you will know exactly what I'm talking about. But mine is still better.

This night was unforgettable. Literally. I'm all kinds of messed up from it. But I'll never tell.

Cheers!

Daiisies

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The Habit Burger Grill

If you know me, you will know that I love and pretty much obsessed with The Habit Burger Grill. And I'm not the only one, my dad loves it too. I would even run into him sometimes. Or he would just come up to me and grab my arm instead of being a regular person and say hi in front of me. I could've knocked him! Anyways, their charburgers pretty much says it all "CHARBURGER". With char, it comes with mounds of flavor. And for some strange reason, it always comes out perfectly. I eat at The Habit, pretty religiously (at least once a week). Like some folks who crave In & Out all the time, I need my charburger, with a side of onion rings, all the time.

Right now, you can go to The Habit and donate to No Kid Hungry. No Kid Hungry focuses on ending child hunger in America. What I also love about their campaign is teaching low income families how to prep and make healthy meals for their family. At the Habit, with a $2 donation or more, you can receive a free charburger on your next visit.

Double Charburger with cheese

Hashtag your image with #SayCheeseburger and win a chance to be featured at the Nasdaq tower for national burger day. Yes, I want to win. Because I am the hugest fan of their charburgers. But since this campaign is for a great cause, I need to share this with you.

So start snapping and hash tagging #saycheeseburger. My tummy was happy, but I felt even better knowing I contributed to a cause that ends hunger here in America.

Another great thing about this is that all 100% of the donations that you give at The Habit will go directly to the organization. Again, why not?

Start eating!

Burger cheers,

Daiisies

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