Throwback to six months ago

Outfit for July 4th

Chester nose says no

More previous outfit of the day

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Outfit of the day

Best Restaurants in the World and Restaurant List

Here is a sampling of some of the Best and Most Expensive Restaurants in the world that I've visited:

Disclaimer: Sorry if you are offended by this expensive huge restaurant post, I’m not trying to brag, just trying to give you ideas if you’re going on vacation where it is worth it to splurge a little and spend your money. I have had the privilege of accompanying my parents on business trips and family trips and I am very grateful, but my palette is now very spoiled by some of the best food out there :) If only I could cook like that.

L’Atelier by Joel Robuchon (Vegas and Paris)

Locations in Vegas and Paris. Amazing small plates where you can pour the mashed potatoes out of a teapot. Best quail I have ever eaten. Pot de creme for dessert by a world famous chef. My parents met him when they were at the Vegas restaurant one night and they say that was one of their proudest moments.

Addison by William Bradley at the Grand Del Mar Hotel (Del Mar, California)

Only 5 Diamond rated restaurant in ALL of Southern California (including LA). All the restaurants at this 5 star hotel in Del mar are AMAZING, but Addison takes the cake for most courses, most amount of food, best tasting, and most expensive. On par with Sage at the Aria and L’Atelier, few restaurants in the world compare to this place if you are looking for the ultimate in culinary experience and service.

Schloss Hotel Kronberg in Frankfurt, Germany

This restaurant is located at an exclusive resort outside of Frankfurt and Bad Hamburg in west Germany. We had an amazing five course french meal for half the price as the food in Paris and equally amazing. The lady sitting next to us had a $10,000 purse on her shoulder, so you know this place was legit.

Grand Hotel Mackinac Island, Michigan

If you are looking for a fun way to spend a weekend or a honeymoon in the midwest, Mackinac Island is a blast from the past. This place has the best fudge and NO CARS allowed on the island. Horses pull carriages everywhere, and the highlight of the island is the Victorian Grand Hotel (very similar to the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego). The best smoked chicken chowder soup I have ever had. One drawback, it’s like going to a country club, men have to wear ties and coats and ladies have to wear a dress.

General Store restaurant by Beverly Gannon in Hali’imaile Maui

The drive to get here is long and bumpy, but definitely worth it. Even our sea sick passengers enjoyed their meal. Best mango margaritas and overall great seafood-inspired meal. My dad and I fought over the remainder of the appetizers. 

Paul Beaucuse in Lyon, France

This was the most over-the-top extravagant restaurant my parents and I have ever been to. The brocade in the restaurant looked ridiculous, along with the gold silverware and the waiters dressed all in white. It is also the most expensive meal my parents say they have ever had. We tried it since Paul Beaucuse is a world famous chef and it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Also, this is the only time my dad ate or will ever eat veal kidneys. The servers were obnoxious but I felt like I was having dinner with the queen. 

Marche Moderne in South Coast Plaza Orange County California

This is a nice little French restaurant near Nordstroms at South Coast Plaza. The pork belly is amazing and the service is always impeccable. The only other French restaurants worth it in Irvine-Costa Mesa area are Pinot Provence at the Westin and Basilic on Balboa Island. 

Merriman’s Restaurant, Waimea Big Island of Hawaii

Amazing seafood and steak if that’s what you’re into. Tiny old building in beautiful rainforest town of Waimea. Going here for dinner is a Hawaiian tradition in my family, but bring a jacket because Waimea isn’t always as warm or dry as the beach area.

(these next three are from my previous Vegas post)

STK at the Cosmopolitan Vegas

Amazing steak and wine at the Cosmopolitan. Loved the ambiance and the menu for a contemporary steak dinner. I drank a lot and talked with family, so I admit I don’t remember every detail except that the service was great and there was not a bad bite of food that night.

Sage at the Aria Vegas

BEST meal other than L’Atelier in Vegas. Five course meal was a lot at over 100 dollars per person but one of the best restaurant experiences I have had. (I will post more about best restaurants in the world I have been to later). I had caramel coated scallops and an amazing chocolate flavored short rib and they had BACON bread. Need I say more?! Oh yeah, the drinks were fantastic and the dessert was amazing. The service was FLAWLESS. They would get a 5 Diamond rating in my book.

Gordon Ramsey (London and Vegas)

Amazing amazing meal. The meal began with the best martini I have had in a while and the bread selection included over 5 different kinds that all tasted like a pastry shop. The steaks were Ruth’s Chris worthy and custom cut, but very expensive. I loved the restaurant and the ambiance until we got the bill and they had charged us 10 dollars for a bottle of water. Try his Bread Street Kitchen restaurant near St Paul’s in London for another dose of awesome.

Great Maple at Fashion Island in OC California

I am obsessed with cheese and meat plates and they always have the best. Formerly known as Rustica, this place is also known for their flatbreads, pizzas, and delicious dessert. They have great drinks too and are located right next to Nordstroms.

Pelican Hill in OC California

This hotel rivals the Grand del Mar in San Diego. Beautiful tuscan style resort, the dining room has a gorgeous view down the hill all the way to the ocean. The main restaurant Andrea is a fancy Italian place, but if you’re looking for more casual, you can eat at the Grill and sit on the porch to watch the sunset.

Yellowtail in Bellagio Vegas

As I said in the Vegas post, this place has the best sushi japanese-inspired food in Vegas. Great for large parties, or for eating before going clubbing at the Bank in Bellagio.

Andina in Portland

This is an amazing trendy place in Portland with Peruvian cuisine. Most interesting spices I have eaten in a while, other than Indian food, and their bread had three dipping sauces which I always find interesting. I remember everything I ate there was delicious, and it is located in a fun area of downtown.

Blue Hour in Portland

Very fancy, this restaurant had white chairs with dark colored curtains hanging throughout the restaurant for a cozy romantic feel. The food and service are always fantastic and the bar makes really strong drinks.

Star Noodle in Maui

one word- Malasadas. Caramel dipped warm donuts melting in your mouth deliciousness. Amazing pad thai and asian-inspired food. Even the people that like boring steak and potatoes kind of food will love this place. 

Olives by Todd English at the Bellagio in Vegas

All I need to say is there was WHITE CHOCOLATE bread and it was heavenly. Yes, I judge restaurants on what type of bread they serve.

Gulfstream in Newport Beach California

This is a regular spot for my family. The have amazing ice cream sundaes with perfect chocolate sauce, and a giant ahi tuna burger with tiny string french fries. They also own the restaurants in Newport: Banderas and R+D at Fashion Island. Their food is perfect every time, we’ve never had a bad experience.

Harbor Grill on the Big Island of Hawaii (discontinued) Honorable Mention

This restaurant is no longer open and it makes me beyond sad. This is the location where I ate at least a pound of prime rib (possibly two) as a growing teenager. They have koa wood smoked meat, which was the most interesting flavor, I cannot even describe it to you. The only thing I like better than an amazingly prepared steak is SMOOTHIES, so you know it was good.

Old Vine restaurant in Costa Mesa California

This is a tiny restaurant located in “The Camp” anti-mall in Costa Mesa. It’s located near Native Foods and Umami Burger, and you can have a wine selection with each course they serve, but watch out if you don’t agree with the waiter, he’s grumpy. 

Nobu in Downtown San Diego

This is the most expensive sushi place ever but they make my favorite martini Passion Fruit White Chocolate. If you want to impress your date, this is where you go. The only martini that’s better than this in my opinion is the Watermelon Drop at the Melting Pot.

Lawrys Los Angeles, California

Best steak dinner, traditional and delicious. Don’t forget two helpings of yorkshire pudding and those meatball appetizers while you wait for your table. Don’t order the rabbit though if they have it on special, or I will have to hurt you.

Ruths Chris Anaheim California

The best sizzling steaks that money can buy. Try the blue cheese topping for extra amazing deliciousness. I don’t think this place will ever go out of style. Recently I went with my parents and ordered a surprisingly good elderflower cocktail as well. The only thing they don’t have is Mastro’s gorgonzola mac ‘n cheese.

Truluck’s in La Jolla, California

This restaurant is located near the Hyatt by UCSD, and has the best lobster for surf n turf that I have ever had. Perfect for eating out on New Year’s Eve, the staff knows what they’re doing and if you don’t want to spend as much, split everything with your date and you’ll still have plenty to eat.

I do have a master restaurant list for different cities, so here it is if you’re interested:

Santa Barbara, California

Elements

Blenders *better than Jamba*

Freebirds

Natural Cafe

Silvergreens

San Diego

Phil's BBQ

The Cottage for brunch in La Jolla

Living Room

Urban Plate in Del Mar Heights

Prep Kitchen *owned by Whisk n ladle*

Whisk ‘n ladle

Burger Lounge *best burger*

Chocolat Cafe- best crepes in Hillcrest

Stacked -build your own burger with pretzel buns 

Croutons -like Silvergreens in SB

Grand del Mar -Addison or Amaya for lunch on the patio

Nobu

Truluck’s in La Jolla

Japengo in La Jolla

Cozymel's in UTC La Jolla

which wich in Pacific Beach

melting pot

urban solace in Northpark 

Searsucker downtown

Burlap *same company as Searsucker?*

Linkery in Northpark

Karl Strauss -beer, beer, beer

Stone Oven at the mall -focaccia bread

Orange County, California

Great Maple (formerly known as Rustica)

Bruxie -waffles, waffles everywhere

Umami Burger -also in LA

Gulfstream

Marche Modern

Pelican Hill’s Andrea or the Grill

Old Vine in Costa Mesa

Lawry's (cheaper version in south coast plaza)

the Habit -get teriyaki, bacon, and avocado on your burger

Roy's -seafood

Native foods -all vegan menu

neiman marcus’s Mariposa -strawberry butter on your breaded popover

Seasons 52 (also now open in UTC San Diego)

Ruth's Chris

Javier's -best drinks and high end mexican food

 Katsuya -in Laguna

True food Kitchen -funky and delicious

LA

Cafe Gratitude -life affirming

Maison Akira -in Pasadena, French japanese fusion

Lawry's

Umami Burger

Sprinkles cupcakes -only ice cream and cookies store

Wurstkuche -German inspired

Hawaii

General store in Maui

Star Noodle in Maui

Aloha Plate in Maui, mixed plate at its best

Alan Wong’s on Oahu

Merriman's 

Europe

London:

Claridge's for tea (very expensive)

Gordon Ramsey’s Bread street kitchen

Garrison Pub 

Imli -Indian restaurant in Soho

Mango Tree- Dimsum at Harrods department store

Inn the Park -more reasonable for great tea, at St James Park

Crussh -juice bars with cheap breakfast all over london, the one we went to was at The Brunswick mall in White Hall near Russell Square

Nando’s -cheap eats amazing african restaurant with Peri Peri sauce

Berlin, Germany: 

Phoenix lounge in Schonberg Berlin for biggest brunch ever

Cafe Retro with literally the best lemon bars in the world 

12 Apostle for great pizza

Midtown Grill at the Marriott -different kinds of sea salt on your bread and steak YUM

Coa -at the Sony Center between the Ritz and Marriott, asian inspired fusion food

basement of the Lafayette Galleries -we had pasta with truffles

Paris:

L'atelier by Joel Robuchon

le Cerisae -tiny amazing restaurant (I ate wild boar)

Laduree Bakery (of course)

George V cafe (on the Champs Elysees)

Vegas

Gordon Ramsey Steak at Paris

Sage at the Aria

L’Atelier at MGM

STK at Cosmo

Olives at Bellagio

Yellowtail at Bellagio

Coca Cola store (near MGM) try their around the world soda sampler for $7

Paris Buffet

Aria Buffet

Cosmopolitan Brunch (BEST BRUNCH IN VEGAS) it’s called the Wicked Spoon

Serendipity

Tea at Mandarin Oriental

Sugar Factory

Portland, Oregon

The Vault for the best martinis

Voodoo Donuts (try the maple bacon bar)

Le Pigeon -best french food, shady area

Irving street kitchen

Blue hour

The Nines hotel Urban farmer restaurant

Andina

Genoa for Italian food 

Book Recommendations

Happy New Year everyone! One of my resolutions was to have a better posting schedule for my blog so today I’m going to talk about some books that I love. I haven’t done any reading for a while since I soak up so much information on the internet, so I’m looking for some reccomendations. Here’s my list of books:

Last on Earth by Marilyn Kaye

This is a trilogy of books about a class of high schoolers that are left on earth alone after the rest of the world is abducted. Basically, whatever would happen if teenagers were ruling the world, and there were only 25 people on the planet. I haven’t read it in a few years, but it was interesting. Also, this author wrote the Replica young adult series which I loved, but this trilogy was a little more grown up.

Broken Sky by Chris Wooding

This is a fictional anime-like series of a feudal society where each person has stones in their back that give them superpowers, and the powers you have are based on how many stones you can afford to buy your child. There are two worlds living side by side, and the two main characters are twins. I enjoyed the strong female character and the originality of the writing.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

This book is very long and very different from the Broadway show but I love them both. Very adult and descriptive language, he also writes many other fairy-tale inspired books but this one is my favorite. I need to read the rest of his Wicked series.

Wasteland by Francesca Lia Block

My favorite book by one of the most imaginative authors alive. A boy and a girl fall for each other but they are siblings so they don’t act on it. Later the one dies, and they find out they were adopted. Super intense amazing novel about growing up and facing your fears.

World War Z by Max Brooks

Yes, there is a movie coming out based on this, but I don’t remember the book having a main character. This is a better version of Resident Evil.

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf is maybe one of the best writers of the 20th century. I love Mrs Dalloway because it shines the spotlight on an ordinary day and shows what makes life and living great. If you watch the movie The Hours, you will appreciate this book more.

Perfume by Patrick Suskind

Read the novel, watched the movie, loved both. Amazing french historical fiction, complete with gripping murders and an evil genius. About a young man who can create based on smell the most amazing perfumes, but he is driven to kill to capture the one scent he cannot recreate- the scent of a young innocent girl.

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite

This is a very disturbing book, but if you like Anne Rice, Stephen King, and gay fiction, this is the strange most interesting book for you. Set in New Orleans and London, two serial killers find love as they share a passion for destroying young men.

Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris

The True Blood series is based on these novels, and I love Charlaine Harris’ writing. Her imagination is amazing and if you’ve watched True Blood and liked it, you will like these characters.

Sleeping Beauty by Berta Ruck

This is a book from 1936 sitting on my shelf that isn’t about Sleeping Beauty at all. It is about a young woman engaged to a WWI pilot who is shot down and must find his way home. I need to reread it but I’m wondering if my book is a secret treasure or just one of the many old books out there today.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Love this as a feel good novel about high school and finding love. Very fantastic like Francesca Lia Block, but he’s also written some historical fiction.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Graham Smith

The book was better than the movie. I like vampires, and this was one of his better books. 

The Lover by Marguerite Duras

An intense affair between a French school girl and a Chinese business man in Vietnam. This novel might have been based on the author’s own experiences? The movie was super intense and their relationship suffers because they like each other too much and they know they can never be together. (dramatic pause...dun dun dun!!!) 

So that’s my list and I know it’s a strange one. Let me know if you have any ideas! Thank you for reading. I will probably do another restaurant post soon.