Part of the fun of a new city, is learning your new favorites. Where are you going to go to shop? What is your favorite thing to do for fun? Favorite restaurant?
Over the last month that Nick and I have been here, we have been slowly finding some of our favorites.
Nick's favorite restaurant by far is Poquito Mas. They have homemade tortillas, fresh ingredients, and lots of cilantro. Which means, it isn't MY favorite. But thankfully I have found something on their menu that I can eat. :) I actually don't know what my favorite restaurant would be yet. Still working on it...
We head to Ralph's for groceries. Ralph's is a partner of Kroger--so we can still use our Kroger Plus Card! I am also going to be going to the Farmer's Market for fresh produce.
We haven't found a great Mexican restaurant yet.
We have tried many different Chinese restaurants, but the best food is actually in the same block as us: Little Siam. YUMMY. Lots of Chinese restaurants here are buffet-style, which means you get a styrofoam container and fill it with 3 or 4 pre-made dishes. Yick. Anyone ever have Panda Express? Same type of deal. I think it's disgusting, but maybe I am a snobby Chinese food eater.
There are two malls really close to us. One is like the Dayton Mall, and one is like the (old) Salem Mall. They are separated from each other by an open block (that they are turning into a Greene-type outdoor mall). The Topanga Plaza (Dayton Mall) has all of the major chain stores (Am. Eagle, Sephora, Apple, Journeys, H&M, etc), plus a Target, an awesome food court (much more high-end), and a bunch of high-fashion places, too (Michael Kors, Armani Exchange, Jimmy Choo). The Westfield Promenade (Salem Mall) has a bunch of no-name stores and karate dojos. But they also have the Barnes and Noble, Maggiano's, Corner Bakery Cafe (which is like a Panera), and the AMC Theater.
The best fountain Mt. Dew spot is the 7-11 near us. There aren't many McDonald's close, but the one with the best sweet tea is the McD's in the Wal-Mart. (which, btw...we live within 5 minutes of one of 3 Wal-Marts in all of Los Angeles County. not sure if this is a lucky thing or not.)
Places we miss:
SKYLINE Chili
Los Reyes mexican restaurant
El Toro mexican restaurant
Speedway
China Garden/Dragon City
Waffle House aside, I'm a snooty eater too!
ReplyDeleteAnd if you can't find good Mexican food out there, well...ur scewged!
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Two things: I just read The Hiding Place and did you know the Corrie T.B. spent the last years of her life in OC? Second: I want a photo if you see J.Garner at the Farmers Market. She is always there too. Great post.
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