Project 8

Lots of walking around LA. 

Of course, we were perched!

A bubble tea is a must!

I got the Mango Oolong Tea with bubble, it was warm and that just did the trick!  Not too heavy, not too sweet, and for sunny LA, this is perfect. 

Had to take a pic on this one.  The Zoltar right next to the bubble tea place, so I must document that. 

Project 8

inside Farmers Market

6333 W. 3rd Street

Los Ángeles, CA 90036

323-813-9881

https://farmersmarketla.com/merchants/figure-8-tea-project

https://www.instagram.com/figure8tea/

 

The French Crepes

The Original Farmers Market is a MUST when you come to LA. 

They are doing some constructions, but if you come here early enough, there's parking at the front, if not, there are parking structures behind World Market. 

I got the La Roma - which has prosciutto over a layer of diced potato and onion, and raclette cheese. 

They even have buckwheat batter, which is perfect for gluten free consumption.  Of course besides savory crepe, there's sweet ones.  They have panini's and waffles too.  

They have counter for seating and tables on the side, so if you can definitely dine in.  As you pay, you can ask for your parking to be validated, so be sure to do that, it will knock out 2 hours of parking. 

The French Crepes

inside Farmers Market

6333 W. 3rd St

Los Ángeles, CA 90036

323-272-4055

https://www.thefrenchcrepes.com//

https://farmersmarketla.com/merchants/the-french-crepes

 

Takagi Coffee

Thanks to Instagram, found this Japanese coffee place. 

Supposedly they get busy during the weekend and since we have stuff to do early, we went right at the open. 

The design for the place is very sleek and straight lines everywhere. 

Got a coffee and look at that cute presentation. 

Each hot drink came with a Biscoff cookie and it is truly a good coffee dipping cookie!

Takagi is really known for Japanese cuisine, so naturally we want to dry the fluffy pancakes.  This is the original.  The cream was light and not sweet. 

We have mango flavor.  Lots of mango chunks, but the beauty of these is that in between the layers has created and fruit.  So on top of light and fluffy, it's flavorful with fruit and not too sweet. 

Here's the Strawberry & Mix Berry pancakes, like the others, there's fruit and cream in the middle.  The butter is lightly whips. 

This is a unique one, this is chocolate banana pancake and the half banana is brûlée-d.  So you have to crack that top layer and then eat that with your pancake.  That's the only 'extra' sugar there is.  Pretty good. 

Parking for the side street is easy early in the morning, but if not, do check out the signs.  The street parking have alot that are reserved for residents that needed permits.  So pay attention.

Takagi Coffee

8048 W 3rd St 

Los Angeles, California 90048

https://www.instagram.com/takagi_coffee_la1/

 

Republique

Fresh off from LA and got some really yummy food.

First off, we went to Republique. 

The inside looks very cute!

Got a zero proof Mint refresher. 

Potato & Leek Beignets - those are small but super duper delicious.  Highly recommend. 

We were delighted when they gave us a cup of the Porcini mushroom soup.  It was delicious, not heavy on the mushroom but very delightful and totally add to the night.

Per our server's recommendation, we got the baguette it came with butter and salt, but we also added pan dripping.  Yep, the juice from the meat they cooked.  Yes! They put it on the menu so we can all enjoy.

p.s. you can order more bread free of charge, and take it to-go. They will give you a coat-check tag for it, and when you're ready to go, you can pick it up.  And it's nicely packaged for you. 

Yellowtail tartar with apple jelee.  The dish has charred banana, chili and avocado.  It even comes with house made potato chips.  I can eat that all day!

This is Wood Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts, it actually has more other stuff than Brussel sprouts.  It has bacon, frisee, egg, vinaigrette and yep, that's potato chips on top. 

Here's pork belly with caviar.  They are sold per person, and this is 1 person's serving.  The bubble you see there is cauliflower mousseline, who wouldn't like that?!  It' sit on top of potato and leek at the the bottom and it's pretty nice melt-in-your-mouth kinda good. 

Here's some Cacio e Pepe - noodles with cauliflower, parmesan, and black pepper.  It's one of the better pasta dishes I've had.  Too good. 

We got the Roasted Chicken with potato, roasted carrots, parsnips, bacon, and coq au vin sauce.  The sauce kept everything moist and delicious!

Of course, we have to get the duck fat fries!!! Need I say more? 

For dessert, we got the tiramisu.  A little different, not chocolate or coffee, but strawberry.  

We got coffee to go with our dessert.  Great way to end the night and great start for the girls weekend!

République is actually James Beard award winner for pastry and they got a Michelin Star this past year.  The inside it's like a church, very unique design to match the food.  So needless to say, a reservation for brunch and dinner is a must!  Do be on time, they do want to turn the table by a certain time.   They do charge 4% for health care for the employees.  And in California, they charge 3% for using credit card for the transaction. 

They do have a valet parking there, and they charge $17, it would be smart to bring cash.  The place is on a busy street, so do spare extra time for getting there. 

Republique

624 S. La Brea Ave

Los Ángeles, CA 90036

https://republiquela.com/

 

Hui Lau Shan

It's neat to see Hui Lai Shan in the mall.  

I've never been to the Galleria location before.  It is hidden under the escalator by the staircase from food court going up to the shopping area inside the mall. 

I got the Mango Sago.  I always forget that their version is not a drink unlike Lomichi (formerly Mia's Goodies).  It's really a dessert in a bowl.  It comes with chunks of mango, mango blended goodness on top of a bed of tapioca.  Of course you mix it all up so every bite you get some of the sago (tapioca), some of the mango blend and some of the mango chunks.  It's not like the real deal, but it came close to it. 

Hui Lau Shan

inside Galleria food court

5015 Westheimer Rd 

#1452 A

Houston, TX 77056

https://huilaushan.us/

 

Loro

Went back to Loro for lunch. 

Since I usually go after the lunch crowd so easy to find parking and lots of open seating. 

Started with a Yuzu Soda - YUMM!

Then got the zero proof cocktail - Spicy Cucumber.  It has lime, cucumber, agave, pepper (which gave it the spicy).  You drink it and at first it tasted sweet, but when it goes down is when it feel like heat.  Not too spicy, just enough to have a kick. 

I ordered my usual - Seasame Rice Noodle.  

It has black sesame, scallion, chili vinaigrette, and cilantro.  I just mix it all up and add a side of protein.

Protein of choice, I got the Char Siew Pork Belly.  They have a house hoisin sauce that is delicious.  This round however, there were more fat than meat on some of the pieces.  I mean, I know it's pork belly and fat is part of it, but entire piece of fat it's not exactly ideal. 

Anyway, I will still come back, don't get me wrong.  And next time I might mix my proteins, but this is a quick meal.

Loro

5333 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77005

713-930-2330

https://www.loroeats.com/locations/houston/kirby/ 

 

Hey Tea

When you're in the mall and just wanted something to drink....

They are obviously promoting tea, lots of tea cups and leaves to proof.

I've never had them before, the decor is very sleek, so had to check that out.

I got the Supreme Matcha Latte - it has matcha with real milk blend topped with matcha cloud (foam).  It is very full-bodied of a drink.  

They were pushing the cloud pretty hard though, that's essentially is cheese foam.  Now, let's not poo poo on it yet.  Cheese foam doesn't taste super duper cheesy like you're thinking Asiago or something.  But it does provide that saltiness with the drink.  Basically to cut the sweet if you were to get your drink with normal sugar.  That said, I don't usually do normal sugar, I do 50%, so that's cut in half.  Though calories-wise the fully leaded milk is not going to help me there. 

Overall, it's a good drink.  The service is quick, and they are ready for a mad rush with their service system.  Will definitely return.

Hey Tea

inside Galleria - food court level

5015 Westheimer Rd

Ste 1305A 

Houston, TX 77056