Los Angeles

We've been to Los Angeles quite a few times and over the years, grew to love certain restaurants, mall,  aspects of LA.  We compiled a list of our favorite places to eat and things to do in the city.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email or call us.

To Eat-

San Gabriel Area

* Newport Seafood-Chinese and Vietnamese Seafood

• Our Favorite Dishes- Lobster, Bo Luc Lac (French Style Beef), Basil Clams and Fresh Boba Smoothies.
• Our Advice- Bring a group of people so you can try everything and go starving! Yes, you'll probably be grumpy from the hour wait, but it'll be well worth it.   

* Pho Huynh-
9706 Garvey Ave * El Monte, CA 91733

• Our Favorite- Pho Bac
• Our Advice- If you haven't tried the non-typical Pho, this is a must try! You'll get a taste of the Northern Vietnamese pho.

 * Mein Nghia-
7755 E Garvey Ave * Rosemead, CA 91770

• Our Favorite- #1- Assorted Meat and Shrimp with Fat Rice Noodles
• Our Advice- This is our favorite breakfast spot, but make a decision quickly.  A lady (that looks kind of like Annie's mom =) ) will be at your table right after you sit down and will become annoyed if you don't know what you want.  Don't be discouraged because she's wonderful and will remember your order for life after the first or second visit.

* Half and Half Tea House- Boba Tea
120 N San Gabriel Blvd * San Gabriel, CA 91778

• Our Favorite- The Gigantic Green Milk Tea with Aloe and Almond/Coconut Milk Tea
• Our Advice- Go really early or really late.  If you go anytime in between, you'll be in a never ending line.

* Boiling Crab- Cajun Seafood 

• Our Favorite- Raw Oysters, Head On Shrimp, Crawfish, and Clams
• Our Advice- Go any time before 5:00pm to avoid the wait and be prepared to get messy!

* Tea Station - Taiwanese Tea and Food

• Our Favorite- Green Milk Tea with Aloe, Coconut Milk Tea, and Sweet Butter Toast.
• Our Advice- If you're looking for a late night place to hang out and play cards, this is the place to go. 

Downtown Los Angeles Area

* Tahoe Galbi-  All You Can Eat Korean BBQ

• Our Favorite Dish- Everything! Especially the Pork Belly and Bulgogi.
• Our Advice- If you have 10+ people in your group, make a reservation.

* Sapp's Coffee Shop- Thai Food

• Our Favorite Dish- Pad See Ew, Yum Woon Sen, Pad Gra Prow, and Thai Ice Tea... or 2.
• Our Advice- To go! It's is, hands down, our favorite Thai restaurant.

* Louie Bottega-  American

• Our favorite dish- Any pizza and salad, and portobello fries.
• Our advice- Try it for brunch.  This is a very typical Los Angeles restaurant and don't forget to grab some macaroons on the way out.

* Urthe Caffe

• Annie's Favorite-  Spanish Latte and Japanese Tea Latte
• Annie's Advice- If you have time to kill and like to people watch, this is the place to go.  Maybe you'll see a celebrity, or two.
• Kenneth's Advice- Skip it.

* Hugo's- Breakfast

• Our Favorite- Anything on the breakfast menu.
• Our Advice- Definitely a must try if you're in the West Hollywood area.  This place has the non-typical breakfast items that's worth a try.

* Honda Ya Japanese-

• Our Favorite-  Ramen Noodles, Okra Bacon, Beef Tongue, and Quail Egg Yakitori.
• Our Advice- If you're in the mood for Japanese, this is the place to go with a variety of food.  

 

Rowland Heights

* Class 302- Taiwanese Shaved Snow
1015 S Nogales St * Rowland Heights, CA 91748

• Our Favorite- Mango and Strawberry Shaved Snow
• Our Advice- Go early or the middle of the day.  The place is extremely small but definitely worth the wait. "It feels like I've died and gone to feather heaven". - First timer. 

Manhattan Beach Area

* Father's Office- Bar Restaurant

• Our Favorite- Their famous burger with a side of fries.
• Our Advice- If you're really into burgers, definitely a must try.  Right after lunch, wander into the neighboring furniture stores to check out some antiques.

 

* Quality Seafood-

• Our Favorite- Everything! They have a variety of fresh seafood and will cook it on the spot for you.
• Our Advice- Try the sea urchin.  They will cut it open for you and it will still be alive and wiggling when you eat it.  

Malibu

* Paradise Cove-

• Our Favorite- The environment! The food is decent but nothing beats digging your toes in the sand while having lunch.
• Our Advice- Head out there early in the morning.  It's in Malibu and quite a drive away, but you can visit Zuma beach right after.

To Explore-

* Visit Griffith Observatory and view the breathtaking sites of Los Angeles.

* Hike Runyon Canyon.

* Stroll along Hollywood Blvd to see infamous Hollywood Walk of Fame.

* Visit the J. Paul Getty Museum.

* Visit one of the many amusement parks: Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags, and Knox Berry Farm.

* Shop and Explore the town of Pasadena.

* Visit one of the many beaches- Santa Monica, Manhattan, Redondo, Venice, etc.

* Explore Santa Monica.  Shop on the Promenade, stroll over to the Pier, and relax on the beach.

To Shop-

* The Grove
Located next to the Farmers Market, which is a great place to have lunch.

* Americana at Brand

* Melrose
Vintage shopping with a good variety of local owned shops.

* Beverly Center

* Santa Monica Promenade

* LA Fashion District
A great place to find flowers, fabric, dresses, knick knacks, etc at a lower price.