Honey & Butter

If you're a true macaron fan, you would've had Honey & Butter on your radar.

Not only that their macarons tastes good, they also do character macs.

Hi Totoro!  Just chilling at the store?

Another Totoro to teach you all about how to make macarons.

Wow, talk about a Tsum Tsum collection.  This place has them all and then some.

Here's their macarons selections.

They also has tea and pins.  I got the Jasmine tea and of course some macaron goodies.

Out of the ones I got, I want to share the unique one that I wanted to share.  That's the French Toast Crunch.  And how cute are those mini toasts.  You do taste the cinnamon from the filling.  That's pretty clever. 

They have your standard flavors, but they also have unique flavors, like Churros, Milk and Honey (which I'm told that's a popular one amongst fans), Fruity Pebbles and Oreos.  The trick is that they're around the corner of Old Navy at the Irvine Spectrum Center (which is close to the middle of the shopping center).  If you want the special characters they release them at Noon.  Don't be surprised, if it's a popular theme, they do have a line out the door waiting for them.  The other thing is that because it's so popular, they do limit how many you can get.  More on that, next post.

Honey and Butter

633 Spectrum Center Dr

Irvine, CA 92618

949-536-5556

http://www.honeynbutter.com/

Hello Kitty Cafe

So we were coming back from Carlsbad back to LA, and had to pass Irvine.  

Quickly find the Irvine Spectrum Center and go visit the Hello Kitty Cafe.

Super cute decor.

Dessert display case, they have macarons, tarts, cakes, pocket pies and cookies.  All the Hello Kitty goodness.

Got me a Passion Fruit Iced Tea, super cute napkins and cups to match.

Chocolate Opera Cake, cute touch with HK chocolate on top.

Check out the details on the side, it's Hello Kitty and desserts printed on the chocolate slices.

Since I spent enough, they have a rewards program and I earned a cup of mocha.  Too cute!

No no, Keroppi, that coffee is mine!

The store is a container converted to a store.  It is situated by the Ferris Wheel, and can't really miss it, because it's pink and right in front of the constructions of the new section of the Spectrum Center.  

Parking is pretty convenient, they have a garage which is a short walk from everything.  Highly recommend taking some time and enjoy the California sun.

Hello Kitty Cafe

670 Spectrum Center Dr

Irvine, CA 92618

929-753-5180

https://www.yelp.com/biz/hello-kitty-cafe-irvine-3

Beach Plum Kitchen

For breakfast, we found Beach Plum Kitchen.

It's super cute and actually very popular with the locals.  It's actually on the 2nd floor or the back end of the shopping center.  Parking can be a challenge, depending on when you go.

Beach Plum, not a common name, and they bother to tell you why.  You can read it here.

Saw lot of recommendation on coffee, so got a mocha.  Purrty... it tastes good too.  Perfect amount of chocolate and milk ratio.  Nice and hot.

I got the Ben's breakfast burrito with pork belly... whoa!

That's a lot of food... you can see the pork belly, very nice and tender and juicy.  Eggs, not sure how they fit the potato, cheese, and pepper in there.  But it went very well with the Salsa Verde.  I'm typically a fan of the tomatillo salsa, but it was a tad too spicy for me and I'm a whim.  There's a lot of food, towards the end I was just picking on it.

The place is very popular to the locals, a lot of them come here for their regular gathering; we were lucky to be seated right away, but by the time we get up, there was a line out the door.  There was some confusion on the servers assignments, but luckily our server was astute and picked our table up.  Strangely, we got our food before we got our coffee, not sure what the set up is, just thought that was strange.  They also sell home made jam, and you can ask them for a sample.  By the time I remembered that, I had already stuffed my belly with the burrito and didn't get to try it, but next time for sure.

Beach Plum Kitchen

6971 El Camino Real

Ste 201

Carlsbad, CA 92009

760-931-1362

http://beachplumkitchen.com/home

Tin Leaf

After so much theme park food, we needed to get some real food.

Came upon Tin Leaf that has healthy selections.  

They operate very much like Ruggles Green, you walk up with what you want to order, they give you a number and deliver food over.

I got the seared ahi tuna salad.  I'm not a fan of the noodles chips, like the sesame does that enough, no need to add more crisps.  The lettuces are mixed field greens, and there's tomatoes hidden in there.  That said, the vinaigrette has a hint of wasabi, that was an interesting twist.  Overall, it's a good healthy and quick salad.

The place is casual, but food is good.  The adults definitely take advantage that they serve alcohol, but the place is definitely kids friendly.  They have large seating both inside and out.  The parking may pose as a challenge, but not terrible.

Tin Leaf

6985 El Camino Real #108

Carlsbad, CA 92009

760-431-5323

http://www.tinleafkitchen.com/

Legoland - Churros

On our way to Miniland, USA...

... New York City.  Streets not to scale.

I saw Churros with Chocolate.  WHAT!!!!  Must try!  Churros is like 'The Thing' to get in the theme parks in California, and if it comes with chocolate, why wouldn't I go line up?

So, here's what they look like, and the chocolate is warm and it's a hot mess as you walk and dip.  It is full of cinnamon sugar and it's delightful.

The stall is up on the hill right before you get to Miniland, USA.

Awesome Guggenheim that's all made out of Legos.

Churros Stall

Legoland, Miniland, USA

One Legoland Drive

Carlsbad, CA 92008

www.legoland.com

Legoland - Noodles

Legoland is located in Carlsbad which is between LA and San Diego.

Not only do they have tons for the kids to choose from.

They also have various food to choose from.  The day we were there, the creperie wasn't open just yet, so we settled on Wok N Bowl.  It is located in the Friends Heartland area, by the stage.

I got the Pork Belly Ramen for $10.95.  They do have the mushroom, ginger, nori, and pork.  It's not the broth that they've made for hours and hours, it does have some taste but faint.  The meat is tender, I'll give you that.  The noodles is the egg noodles than really ramen of any incarnation.

Alternatively, they have an udon station or a stir fry noodle station.  So, you can get some variation.  They also have kid friendly options too, like Orange or Teriyaki Chicken.

They have lots of seating outside, the issue is to find one with shading since the sun in Cali is strong.  Like the rides, there is a peak time for lunch, so time yourself accordingly.

Wok N. Bowl

Friends Heartlake City

Legoland, California

One Legoland Drive

Carlsbad, CA 92008

https://www.legoland.com/california/legoland-california/rides-and-attractions/park-areas/lego-friends-heartlake-city/dining/wok-n-bowl-ramen/

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