A New Year means Mochi! Fugetsu-Do, a 115 year old family-owned and operated Japanese confectionary company in Little Tokyo.

Japanese tradition is to have soba (buckwheat) noodles on New Year’s Eve. The noodles symbolize the bridge between the previous year and the New Year. But, since I’m a very traditional Japanese-American (inset canned laughter here), I had Udon (wheat) noodles instead of soba (buckwheat) noodles to end 2017.

Crab Roll from the Lobsta Truck (Pasadena) with fresh Dungeness crab on a split roll with butter ($12). Also ordered a cup of clam chowda ($4), great for dipping crab roll too!

The “Macarthur Park” sandwich $13 with Pastrami, Cole Slaw, Swiss Cheese and Russian Dressing on Rye. Don’t forget the mustard too!

I turned an award-winning Paleo Beef Chili into something no longer Paleo (Chili Spaghetti) 😂 It was Vice’s Paleo Beef Chili...

In keeping with The Last Jedi, Toastea created “Leia’s Lemonade” A great tasting lemonade for a limited time.

(Restaurant has Closed - May 2018) Rigatoni with Meat Sauce $8 It looked better than it tasted, but fresh pasta was good, as well as, the roll was delicious. Other fare served here; steaks, burgers, salads and desserts.

A must stop for dessert and coffee is FrankieLucy Bakeshop in Silver Lake. I love the Lemon Bars!

After a start at Smorgasburg LA, “We Have Noodles” in Silver Lake. Lots of vegan and vegetarian options, with beer and wine too!

Teriyaki Beef Short Rib bowl $7.50 (Kalbi)

Great grab-n-go sushi too!

Sea Salt Green Tea 🍵 Butterfly Pea Bleu27

I’m a sucker for Mochi

Amorcito (Strawberry, Rose, Maple Syrup and Chia) from Todo Verde and a Porchetta Sandwich from Porchetta Republic at Smorgasburg LA on Sundays.

#2 - Two Taquitos and a Tamale $7.50 with beans and cheese. Love they stay open late. For orders Togo, get the avocado sauce on the side.

At #ChinatownAfterDark (First Thursday of the month) on the 2nd Floor of the Far East Plaza on Broadway. Chef Ted Montoya’s Smokey Beef Shank Pozole Rojo was just amazing! Follow Chef Ted for his next pop up.

Cremia with Matcha in a cone or cup. Matcha with Black Sesame was Great!

Penne Bolognese with homemade meat sauce, chianti wine, vegetables, basil & grated parmesan

AYCE Gold $21.99

“Taco on a Bun” at Bobby’s in Pasadena

When your friend gives you some tuna belly, you treat it with respect. Not bad for not having anything to serve it with.

It was a busy “Black Sunday” at Smorgasburg LA. I only had time for a Todo Verde agua fresca, Amorcito. With strawberry, rose, maple syrup and chia seeds, it’s my favorite agua at Todo Verde. See them on Sundays at Smorgasburg

Those who know me, know...I’m not really a Curry fan (more of a Durant fan, but that story is for another time). At a friend’s party last night, I’m still thinking about the amazing chicken curry (pic), jerk tofu (vegan), rice and empanadas catered by Caribbean Gourmet. #CaribbeanGourmet is one of the very few that I’ll actually eat and enjoy their curry 😊. . A must have is the Jerk Tofu, which can be mistaken for meat and that kick of spice really makes this dish. . Follow Caribbean Gourmet to find out where they’ll pop up next OR head to the new ChefBox (gourmet Grab-n-Go) in South Pas for some of Caribbean Gourmet’s popular dishes. #caribbeanfood #guyanese #curry #jerktofu #vegan #vegetarian #currychicken #empanadas #tofu #notacurryfan #vegetarianempanadas #catering #caterer #chefbox #gourmetgrabngo #grabngo #southpasadena #sgv #sangabrielvalley #inthe626

Pre-Thanksgiving meal, thankfully not a long line. A great Togo spot.