Rubies and Emeralds: Southbay

Showing posts with label Southbay. Show all posts

W's China Bistro in Redondo Beach

When I want Chinese food, I have a few favorites spots that I just can't pass up. When I want chicken lettuce cups and honey sesame chicken, I go to W's China Bistro. I'm tellin' ya--these are the best chicken lettuce cups in town! I don't know what it is...maybe a secret sauce, but the flavor is outstanding. Sometimes, I just eat the chicken mixture with a spoon instead of wrapping it up in lettuce! You know how at Mexican restaurants they give you chips and salsa when you sit down? Well W's equivalent is wontons with sweet and sour sauce. Mmm... I could eat those all day long! I also must mention that they have a fabulous happy hour! Ok, ok, maybe this place isn't the most traditional kind of Chinese restaurant but whatever they are cookin' up in that kitchen--I'm eating.

[Delicious Wontons with Sweet & Sour Sauce]

[Wrapping up my chicken]

[The Amazing Chicken Lettuce Cups]

[Beef Skewers with a Peanut Dipping Sauce]

[Honey Sesame Chicken]

140 S. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA (310) 792-1600
www.wschinabistro.com

I've Got A Bad Habit

My bad habit consists of loving good ol' American food like a burger and fries! No matter how much I try to be healthy, I always give in to my delicious food cravings. Good thing my boyfriend suffers from a similar syndrome, so it wasn't too difficult to convince him to join me at The Habit. For fast and cheap burgers, I have to say...this place is on the top of my list! The one I went to happened to be across the street from 5 Guys. I've decided that I like the Habit better because the burgers have more flavor and the french fries are grrrreat! Just looking at these pictures is making me want to eat there again... but wait--I'm trying to eat healthy right now....um...

[His and Hers drinks]

[Ranch is a must for onion rings]

[Close up of the burger perfection]

[Tons and tons of onions]

311 N. Sepulveda El Segundo, CA 90245 (310) 524-9016
www.habitburger.com

Shackin' Up On Saturday

I spent last night drinking and dancing for hours on end. As a result, I woke up with a killer hangover and a killer hankering for some delicious food that would hopefully get me out my post-partying funk. I knew right away that the cure was some lomo saltado from the Chicken Shack in Hermosa Beach!

This Peruvian establishment may trick you because the name includes the word "chicken" and while their rotisserie chicken (which they are supposed to be famous for) is quite good, it is their lomo saltado which keeps me coming back time and time again! For those of you who don't know what lomo saltado is, I shall explain: tender chunks of seasoned beef that are sauteed with red onions and tomatoes and served over a bed of golden french fries and served with garlic rice (are you drooling yet?) Because I'm a french fry addict, I like to forego the rice and get more french fries... even though I can neverrrr finish them all. From the street, you could drive past this over and over again and never notice it. But once you eat there, you will never pass by it unnoticed again! After our meal, I can say that I am completely satisfied... but not feeling much better. Oh well, I tried!

[The Chicken Car]

[Hungry and ready to eat]

[Coca Cola...as always]

[Lomo Saltado]

1030 Aviation Blvd. Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 (310) 372-1522

www.chickenshackrotisserie.com

Au Revoir At Hot's Kitchen

It was a sad, sad, day at the office. Our boss had decided to move on and it was his last day of work. Naturally, we had to pick a fabulous lunching spot to send him on his way with a full stomach and full of ambition! We agreed on Hot's Kitchen, which is a Hermosa Beach establishment. Throughout the year, we have had many great lunches at this spot, sharing stories, laughing, and eating tasty food. It only seemed natural to have one last hoorah at one of our fave spots. Normally, I over-order here and end up with tons of leftovers or an awful stomach ache. This time, I got it just right by ordering one "Diner" burger and one "steak & potato taco" (the picture below does not do it justice). Hot's is known for their street tacos with a twist. As you may be thinking, steak & potato is not a normal filling-and that's just the beginning. In addition, they have great "slider" size burgers. My co-worker's fave is the "fat" burger which includes a fried egg, yum. Although we were all sad about our boss's departure, it was hard to remain sad while we enjoyed each other's company and dined on delicious tacos. Sad day, good food.

[Hot's Burger & (2) Fat Burgers]

844 Hermosa Ave. Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 (310) 318-2939

www.hotskitchen.com

Two People At Five Guys

Maybe it's my Southern California roots, but when I want cheap, fast and delicious burgers, my loyalty remains with In N Out. When I heard about this supposed "rival," I was hesitant and weary. Is it gunna be good? Is it even worth trying? Well, I managed to go this far without trying it, but this particular Saturday, we drove to Five Guys with an open mind and and empty stomachs. As total newbie's, we walked in and stared at the menu for a good 5 minutes, even though it's relatively small. Sensing our "first-timer" vibe, the guy taking orders quickly explained the menu to us and off we were ordering. One thing that was an immediate turn off was that they display the calories on the menu. Look--I know as a society, we are trying to move forward in a healthy direction but please, anyone eating at Five Guys KNOWS that it's not going to be a healthy meal. My boyfriend announced he wasn't going to order soda to be healthy--after he ordered the double-patty burger....right. But anyways, after we ordered we headed to a table and on our way, noticed that they have barrels of peanuts! What a fun addition. Time for the actual meal. The fries were decent...but I prefer a thinner cut and the burgers were tasty. Was I blown away? No. Five stars for Five Guys? Ehhh, try a solid 3.5.

[Peanut appetizer]

[Golden french fries]

[Time to salt]

[Burger shot]

460 N. Sepulveda El Segundo, CA 90245 (310) 322-0155

www.fiveguys.com

A Tale Of A Gigantic Hot Dog

When we all decided to go to Rock & Brews for lunch, I had no idea I was about to encounter a monster hot dog. I think I managed to eat 1/3 when the stomach ache settled in. No more hot dogs for me, please.

143 Main Street El Segundo, CA 90245 (310) 615-9890

www.rockandbrews.com

I'll Have Some More, Please...

So, I just realized I've done a lot of posts regarding my birthday! Okay, okay… I guess I'm a little obsessed with birthdays…more like all the fun stuff I get to do! But alas, the endless celebrations have in fact, come to an end. So enough of that, time to tell you about this delicious Mexican restaurant I went to on Sunday!

I decided to hang out with my parents on Sunday… I'm so nice, I know. My dad had just gotten back from the Farmer's Market and my mom had just gotten home from running errands. I had just arrived, and like a typical 20-something, I hadn't eaten yet and was more than ready for a meal paid for by my parents!

We decided to try this restaurant called Ortega 120 on PCH in Redondo Beach. Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE Mexican food. I could honestly eat it every day. Because I have dined at numerous Mexican restaurants throughout Los Angeles, I have become a bit of a chip snob. Right off the bat, the first thing I judge a Mexican restaurant on is….their chips! If they are going to dish out a lousy old bowl of burnt, or stale chips, you've already lost my vote! However, Ortega 120 sure did it right. The chips were hot and crispy and altogether, totally delicious. We started with the corn…calle… uh, something like that (I forgot the name) which was excellent! Wow--I could've eaten that all day. My mom got a jalapeño scramble while my dad opted for a spicy soup and I chose the Tres Sopes which were filled with carnitas, shredded beef, and chicken. Yes, yes, and yum. Will I go back again? You betcha.