UTC + La Colombe Coffee Roasters + Sprinkles, lunch @ The Purple Mint & The Cupcake Store

Both of us hadn't been to UTC in years...

There is all kinds of new construction going on. I didn't realize the mall was undergoing a major overhaul...

New Easter Pez

Happy Easter...

for those that celebrate...On my mantel are the Easter themed Pez...

Roasting Waters, Westminster

Earlier this year, TC saw some of her friends post drinks from this place.

There is more than one location, but this one happened to be in Westminster...

Homage

This morning, Bert paid a visit to a place I recommended...

as if I'd been there before, ha ha. But in researching online, saw that they had interesting drinks and so could he go there and try it?

"Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty" @ the JANM in LA

Our French dip sandwiches from Cole's were quite filling and proved to be the right sustenance to get through the next phase of the day..

which was visiting Little Tokyo's Japanese American National Museum

Easter 2015

Aw, isn't this cute...

(The bag, a present from Cathy, as originally seen in my "More Food Gifts" post, February 4, 2014)

This year we stayed home and enjoyed the day....

Dessert at Blush once again...

Astroboi and I were originally going to go to the Food Blogger Bake Sale in PB but spent more time in Mission Hills without realizing that they would be closing up soon (as alerted by Mary)...

Plan B was over in Kearny Mesa...

where we passed by what used to be U-Mart (the old Zion Market), which is now Hana Mart...

Our dessert destination was supposed to have it's "grand opening" today...

Daiso & return to Paris Baguette in H-Mart

Since we were "in the area", which is my justification for coming here, we decided to brave the parking lot of H-Mart for my Paris Baguette Fix...

We managed to snag THE one LAST spot in the back and as we walked towards H-Mart, we heard the loud rhythmic pounding of Taiko drums...

(photo taken when the drummers were on break)

Apparently, there was a new Daiso Japan store opening that very same day and out of curiosity, we went to go check out the hubbub...

Cuteness Overload - The shops at Atlantic Time Square

This entire center, called the Atlantic Time Square is a combined retail and residential complex located in the middle of Monterey Park.

It seems to have it all, from restaurants, to a fitness center and walking distance to various ethnic markets...I noticed they had Curry House here. The one in San Diego by Nijiya is long gone, having been replaced by Koon Thai...

TC and I wanted to check out some of the shops before leaving, especially the candy store....

Gifts, snacks, and other random stuff...

This is just another compendium of photos that don't quite warrant a full post...

like this awesome GREMLIN that we saw in a friend's neighborhood!

Now, I need to spot a Pacer, a Vega, and a Pinto!

But wait, there's more...not found in any store!

Dessert Part 2 - Adore Cupcakes

[Well hello, Karma strikes - This place no longer exists. It sure didn't last long. Maybe one year or so? Plus, the owner stole one of my photos without asking permission and posted in on her fb. Well now...ain't life a bitch. Anyhow, in its place is Heartsleeves Coffee, which used to be Mad Fix Coffee]

Last November when we ate at Napizza, we saw this tiny pink awninged shop from afar. Hoping to try it out after our lunch,  we were disappointed to see the gates locked and closed. Until today...

where we were happy to see this unassuming pink arrow pointing the way to road to hell dietary destruction...

Sugar & Scribe Bakery

It was fun discovering new places all within a few steps away from each other...

Up the street from Papa Luna's was this cute little Irish owned bakery, Sugar & Scribe, which is the only bakery in Pacific Beach. It's been there for about two years and I feel like kicking myself for not coming here sooner...

Angels & Hearts Harajuku Creperie

Well, our original plan to go to H-Mart was changed so we could go to the parking lot from HELL...

Yes, this one...

More odds and endz...

Just a few random photos from the past month or so...

These were unusual flavored sodas I bought from the new Bev Mo last month - Pineapple Coconut Nutmeg (not a fan, I was), and a really intense blueberry soda.

I would have liked the fruit soda better without that nutmeg taste in my mouth...Ugh!

Fern St. Cafe

[Update - This place is now closed as of 2013 and has since reopened as an Italian sandwich shop/gelateria - Piacere Mio]

Fresh from our trip to the market, we once again headed to a different neighborhood to get our lunch on.

Traveling past the very striking and very pink Calvary Baptist Church in Barrio Logan...and this cool looking house in Sherman Heights. I really like how the door is situated at the corner of the house!

Our next destination would be the very charming neighborhood of South Park...

Flutter

I love seeing stickers and street art...

You can't see it, but it was drizzling when I took this photo. Of course...rain in Portland.

Indulge

[Update - Closed as of 4/2012. Boo.]

While looking at the SD Reader for new eats, I saw a coupon for this new place in downtown Chula Vista...

It seemed promising. I was going to meet my former student, The Activist for lunch and it was near her work...

Royal/T Cafe - Culver City

I'd been hearing about this place from several bloggers so we couldn't pass up the chance to come here...

I was already intrigued by the astroturf covered walls and the whimsically painted windows...

Cayucos - Brown Butter Cookie Company

TC felt better after our the drive became less windy and twisty. Before heading down to Pismo Beach, we wanted to check out Cayucos. a tiny seaside town along the coast near San Luis Obispo County. Marie from Meandering Eats had a nice write up on a local cookie company (link at end of post).

Ironically, we received our June/July Westways (triple AAA magazine) AFTER our trip and lo and behold, a two page article on Cayucos (and one page on Lompoc, but I'll get to that later!)!

Rosie Lee's

[Update - Rosie Lee's closed earlier this year]

TC and I tried going here a few months ago not knowing Rosie Lee's was closed on Mondays. This establishment caught my eye because the FoodBlogger bakesale last May featured a gift basket from Rosie Lee's. Plus, they had a way cool mod looking postcard.

Rosie Lee is not the name of the owner but rather is Cockney Rhyming Slang for the phrase "cup of tea"...