Currently craving... French Macaroons

I haven't had these in a while and right now I'm craving for some. I did myself the favor of eating a light lunch (fruits and cottage cheese) to leave room for a hefty dinner tonight and for some reason "French Macaroons" popped into my head.

2008 Movies I Missed

I used to be a huge movie buff. I guess I still kinda am but I used to watch movies at least twice a week. Now, I'm lucky if I get to see a movie twice a year. Sad, I know. That said, the following movies of 2008 are ones that I really want to see (in alphabetical order):

-because everyone says it's good and because I really want to see it

-because the trailer looks good and people have been raving about it

-because I love Jason Statham and car chases (I'll probably just get this on DVD since I have the other 2)

-because I've heard good things about it

I guess I still have the chance to see Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire. Here's hoping I get to these movies before the theaters pull them out.

Fraiche...01/05/09

Location: Culver City, CA
Food: 3.75/5
Drink: n/a (had iced tea and water)
Service: 3.5/5
Ambiance: Casual Elegant (if there was such a thing)
Price: $$
Overall: 3.63/5 (lol)

I've passed by Fraiche so many times on my way to Ford's Filling Station. I haven't had the inkling to wander in until last night when my Mom wanted to try someplace new. At first glance, the place is really nice - it's big and open. As soon as you enter, the bar area is to your left and the dining area is to your right.

We were seated at a table along the wall and my eye immediately went to their specials board which included 3 different types of oysters - Kumamoto, Malpeque and Gold Creek. I love oysters and I knew I had to order at the very least a half dozen. Since I really can't tell the difference between them, we got the sampler which consisted of 2 of each oysters.

The server told us the names of each oysters as soon as the tray was set down. It came with three different condiments - wasabi, vinegar and cocktail sauce. Yummy, yummy oysters. They're unlike the humongous ones from the Philippines but they're definitely yummy. My mom and I enjoyed every bite. Unfortunately, a half dozen was not enough to quell our appetite so we ordered another half dozen. This time, I picked Malpeque which I thought were the medium-sized ones but apparently we were misinformed. We enjoyed them, nonetheless.

For our entress, my Mom really wanted fish and the server suggested the Monkfish which my mom happily ordered. I went with the Lamb Spezzatino with Gnocchi and Gremolata since it's been a while since I've had Gnocchi.

The monkfish was good. The mashed potatoes were really creamy and the fish was well-seasoned. I was happy with mine as well, although I think it was a little bland. The lamb was perfectly moist and the gnocchi were pillowy puffs of goodness but the dish definitely lacked some depth.

We ended the meal with Banana Crepes and coffee. The coffee was good (although it came late). The crepes weren't anything special. The honey ice cream on that dish was probably the highlight. Overall, it was a bad experience. Our server was definitely attentive when we first got there but as soon as her section started filling up, we kinda lost her. Fraiche is good for a first date when you're not trying to impress someone with the food, it's not that expensive and it's not loud so you can actually have a conversation. It's also a great place to meet up with a friend for a chat so the attention is not on the food. I might come back...we'll see.

Orris...01/04/09

Location: Sawtelle and La Grange
Food: 4.5/5
Drink: n/a (they do serve beer, wine and sake but I've never tried any)
Service: 5/5
Ambiance: Casual
Price: $$$
Overall: 4.5/5

Starting the new year off with good food is the best way to start anything. Having been deprived of food all day long, I dragged my Mom to Orris to watch me eat (she already ate). I think I've mentioned Orris before. It's one of my good old standbys for good food. They never fail to satisfy my somewhat discerning palate.

Since I was the only one eating, I decided to just keep it light and ONLY order 3 things. As always, I started off the meal with their best-selling Grilled Romaine. It's basically grilled romaine hearts drizzled with parmesan dressing and topped off with shaved parmesan. A little plate of vegetable heaven. The cheese can be a bit overwhelming but it's awesome if you're a cheese-love like me! My Mom tried a little bit (as she can't resist just watching me eat) and she loved it (of course). Next course was the Manila Clams in Sake Butter Broth with a side of sourdough bread. This was the first time I ordered this dish since I'm not big on clams.

I think I surprised myself with how much I liked this dish. I practically ate the whole thing and I even put a few empty shells on my mom's plate just so I don't seem like a pig. The broth was buttery good and the sake was subtle. Mmm, I want some more now.

Lastly, I can't leave Orris without my Filet Mignon and Rocquefort Butter. And as always, I pair it with the creamy Potato Dauphinois.

The bite-size filet portions are so perfectly cooked (and perfectly red and bloody on the inside) and a dip in the rocquefort butter all but screams perfection. As always, Orris does not disappoint. A perfect way to start the new year.

New Year's Resolutions - 2009 Edition

Ah, resolutions...resolutions that hardly get resolved but I make them anyway. Here goes:

1.) Exercise at least once a week for at least 30 minutes - doable at the very least. Maybe this can also be interpreted as "be more active" or "be less lazy".

2.) No soda - I've done this before but only lasted a few months. This time I'm gonna try for a whole year.

3.) Less shopping for unnecessary things - I haven't quite decided what qualifies as 'unnecessary' just yet. I'll keep you posted.

4.) Work on my apartment - I've decided not to move coz it's too much of a hassle and I really like my area so I guess I just have to work on making my apartment look/feel more grown-up.

5.) Spend less - this should really be a no-brainer given the state of the economy and the fact that I might be going back to school full-time this fall.

I guess it all boils down to self-control. I guess we'll see what happens at the end of 2009. Wish me luck!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope everyone has a fun but safe New Year!!! Remember to hydrate to minimize the hangovers and DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!! See you in 2009!

2008 in Retrospect

It's a few days away from 2009. It's really weird how time flies these days. I remember the good old days when an hour felt like a lifetime.

As I reflect back on the year that was 2008, the first thing that pops to mind is the election of Obama (and the end of the Bush era). That was probably the single most defining moment of 2008. A new President...time for change.

Although 2008 is marred by a landscape of economic doom and gloom, this was the best time for us to reflect on what REALLY is most important in life - our family and friends. The American dream, paper chasing and what not gets old really quick but if we have love in our hearts and are passionate about our beliefs, we should not be so easily discouraged by the current economic crisis. As the old saying goes "Everything happens for a reason." Perhaps humanity has been so consumed with greed that we needed this economic crisis as a wake up call. Perhaps we have all been to selfish in pursuing our own dreams at the expense of others that we needed a reality check. Whatever that reason is, it will help us reassess our lives and hopefully we are all living lives that we are proud of. Lives filled with integrity and rich with love. As cheesy as that sounds, that's what we all need at the moment. At the core of it, we really don't need flashy cars or huge mansions or top-of-the-line this or that. Unfortunately, we live in a capitalistic society that fosters that sort of attitude. Hopefully, with this economic crisis in our midst, we take stock of what is meaningful and our lives an hopefully we realize that material goods will ALWAYS be replaced with more material goods and this is what drives us all into DEBT. Debt that is continually rising, debt that might never go away.

As we say good bye to a bleak 2008, let us keep our hopes up for a better 2009. If not a better economy, then definitely a more positive outlook on life and everything it brings our way.