Taking a break from fashion week posts for a moment, I wanted to share some snaps and good eats from our brief stay in southern California last week. Each time Nick and I visit, we have a long list of spots to try (mostly drool-worthy screenshots from Instagram saved on our phones!).
I got a few questions on this scarf from my packing photo…it’s actually a poncho wrap from LOFT. I really wanted it to work as it has a beautiful color scheme, but had to return as it’s several inches too long on me and tough to alter (perfect for someone a few inches taller). Stores really need to start offering their ponchos / capes in shorter lengths too!
My favorite area to eat at in San Diego has to be Convoy Street ~ it’s an Asian food-lover’s dream plus has all the novelty desserts one could desire! We popped into Square Bar Cafe for one of their signature cereal-studded ice cream cones and crepe cakes. The crepe cake doesn’t compare to Lady M, but the red velvet ice cream was rather good. This spot seemed to be most known for their milk teas and other beverages which you can get to-go in these nice copper-top glass jars. We were all sugared out this time, but will have to go back for those.
Nick wanted to try a different taco spot from our usual TJ Oyster Bar or Tacos El Gordo (both soo good) so we ventured to the more modern Tacos Perla. They were out of almost everything so we didn’t get to try many items. As a condiment-phile, one thing I did love though was their array of 6 house-made salsas & sauces ranging from mild to super hot, with some creative flavors like a creamy carrot habanero.
China Max dim sum is a tradition whenever we visit Nick’s parents. The ambiance is nothing to write home about, but the little dishes are good, and I love the full picture menu for minimal confusion! One of my favorites there might be the wide rice noodles filled with roast pork (pictured below). This is also located on Convoy St, so dessert afterwards is just a hop & skip away!
I keep seeing the rolled ice cream trend all over Instagram but hadn’t tried it myself. Bing Haus was right down the street from dim sum and was in their soft opening stages, so of course we had to try. Each individual order of ice cream starts out in liquidy form and is poured thinly onto a frozen pan, then gets scraped into rolled-up ribbons. Both the cookies & cream and matcha green tea bowls were delicious, although I didn’t taste much of a difference between rolled vs. regular ice cream.
Alongside Pacific Beach in a strip mall of sorts, we came across this little acai bowl spot called Rum Jungle Cafe. The acai blend was a little icy and not the best I’ve had, but it did fill me up and I loved the presentation inside a fresh pineapple (all the fruit gets scooped out and served off to the side).
Each time we drive from San Diego up to the LA area, an absolute must is to try a different poke bowl spot along the way. This time we picked Calipoke for their array of free toppings and it did not disappoint. I am still waiting ever so patiently for a good poke bowl spot to come to Boston – it’s astounding to me we don’t have one, because any good sushi place should basically be able to offer it! I hear one might be opening up in Davis Square this fall…it’s a ways outside the city, but I’ll take it over nothing!
I also tried to take Nick to Brodard’s but of course we went on the one day they’re closed, and he was so bummed. I feel like every one of my Vietnamese friends from around the country know of their famous spring rolls with crunchies inside!
This is one of my last outfits from our CA trip which I wore out in Santa Monica. I re-mixed these two separates (see the top also styled here, and the skirt also styled here) for a look that resembled a dress.
For fellow food-lovers planning a visit to SoCal, see my past posts on our favorite places to eat here and here. For those who live in the area, I’d love to hear any recommendations for us to put on our list for next visit!!
Hi Jean,
I live in San Diego and I have lots of suggestions for places for you to eat here. Try Raki Raki around Convoy or Little Italy area. The owner opened a restaurant next door that centers around poke called Pokorito. Carnitas Snack Shack is a local favorite. City Taco and Puesto have good Mexican (that's not in a hole in the wall). For other foods try Barbusa, Sea180 Coastal, Wine Vault and Bistro, Polite Provisions, Bueno Appetito, and Tribute Pizza.
I have been searching high and low for a petite wrap/poncho/cape. Every fall I think "this will be the season I find one" and it never happens because they are all huge on me. I appreciated your comment about the one from The Loft. If you ever find one, please post about it! Thanks you.
Looks like an amazing time!
http://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
http://www.fashionnotfear.wordpress.com
Hi, I love the look of both the pink shoes and the white ones. Both have a beautiful shoe shape and appear well made with some padding inside. However to have a truly comfortable high heel, especially one with a pointed toe it should fit with at least a half inch of space or even more so that the toes have wiggle room at all times. To ensure that the toes don't get crushed and the foot remains stable in the shoe, you should put in inserts designed to hold back the foot from sliding forward. One design, very new on the market, that does this very well is called Killer Heels Comfort.
Dim sum and poke bowls, gah! Also love the color scheme of that poncho — it's a shame the sizing didn't work out!
Jen | affecionada
That ice cream cone with the little chocolate chip cookies around it looks almost too good to eat! ALMOST 🙂
Such a beautiful photos!
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
Thanks for that advice, jean. I too have been wondering this. Also, has your jacket been smelling odd over time? Mine has gained this very….metallic scent that comes from the zippers…
Looks like a fun vacay!
xoxo
Sharan
http://www.MyGoldenBeauty.com
You are welcome! Actually it doesn't come with rice so it is technically not a poke bowl 😉
I went to school in San Diego but haven't been back in a while and really miss it! Definitely want to hit up all the dessert spots you listed here my next time back 🙂
Diana | http://www.thechicdiary.com
Hi Jean, I've been reading your blog for a while and never commented before, but seeing that you were in San Diego I had to post! I had to scroll to your prior entries to make sure you had tried Oscar's! I love their taco especial, and usually go over to Uncle Biff's next door (the Hillcrest location), for some delicious cookies afterwards. Other great spots you could check out is Carnitas Snack Shack (their pork belly app is well known, tacos are excellent too) or Lucha Libre (I usually can't pass up their chicken enchiladas). Both have several locations in SD. For poke, Pokiritto is a pretty new restaurant on Convoy that has poke-burritos and also more traditional poke bowls. I'm usually impressed with how fresh their fish are! And one more rec- if you like seafood, we like to go to El Pescador fish market and restaurant in la jolla. Their sea bass and ceviche are awesome and they have some great beers on tap. I could go on and on, but chances are you've already been to a lot of different places, some I have yet to try! Hope that you come out to SD again soon!
I can never have enough of your beautiful outfits! So elegant. Particularly loved the last combination that resembles a dress. All the food looks amazing, I think you should do these types of guides more often. I'm planning a trip to HK and your tips were super useful! 🙂 xoxo, nano | http://www.travelwithnanob.com
Is summer rolls the name of a restaurant or the dish (like the Vietnamese summer rolls)? Looking forward to trying : )
Thanks soo much!! I just ordered them in a lower heel so hopefully they fit right off. But now that you mentioned it maybe I should order another pair just to see haha. Enjoy your time in San Diego, so jealous of all the in-n-out burgers you get to eat!
I seriously wear the blue dress all the time b/c it's so comfy and forgiving (everywhere)…hope you love it too!
Haha but you guys have Joanna Gaines!!
Ooo, thanks for the suggestion Trini! I do love my BBH and spicy food ; )
Hi Shirley! I LOVE my plexi pumps, however I had a very inconsistent experience with them. I had ordered two pairs to try on in the same exact size, just different colors. One pair was so snug and narrow in the front and pinched my toes, whereas this pair was comfortable. The plastic didn't feel any different to me than my other shoes, and I walked quite a bit in them during NYFW. So to make a long story short, I think they might run a little inconsistently unfortunately in terms of fit and comfort. For that reason, if one pair is uncomfortable, maybe try another pair before writing them off completely.
I take it to my dry cleaners about once a year to get the inside cleaned. However I try my best to typically wear it with a tee, long-sleeved, or turtleneck layer underneath so that any makeup or sweat will get on that more easily washable layer than on the jacket lining.
Wow, Kantaro sounds amazing. Thanks for these suggestions!
Isn't it fun? I've been using it as a wallet : )
Interesting! Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely have to look out for it next time I'm at BPM : )
OMG, love, love, love the yellow skirt. You look great as always!
Everything looks amazing and beautiful! Glad to hear you enjoyed your time in California <3
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
Amazing! 😀
Hi Jean, could you write a review on the GIANVITO ROSSI plexi pumps? I've seen them everywhere, but hesitant to buy because of the plastic material. Could you address whether if they are comfortable or not? How long can you walk on them? Do the plastic create blisters? I just never buy shoes that are uncomfortable no matter the design. Looking forward to your review, even if it's a mini one. Thanks so much again and please come to Chicago!!. By the way, I'm Chinese and a CPA, so I always feel so relatable to you! I always really enjoy your reviews. I'm xsshirley on IG.
omg the icecream looks heaven!
Jabeen x
http://www.spilling-the-beans.co.uk/
Lovely icecream! inspiring 😀
http://www.guestobeats.com
All this food looks so tasty!
xx
http://www.mybeautrip.com
Must check these out next time in area. Thanks.
oh my the food looks amazing! Getting hungry now!
lifeisashoe
Hi Jean! This is completely off topic but a friend of mine and I both recently bought the blanknyc faux leather jacket you mention frequently. I was wondering how you wash it, because the tag literally says you aren't allowed to do anything other than wipe it down, yet I'm sure sometimes the lining needs to be cleaned too!
I recently visited SoCal. I had the best pho I've ever had at Pho Cuong in Anaheim (the broth was fantastic) right after going to Disneyland. If you like Japanese omakase, I recommend Kantaro in Torrance. It's a mom and pop shop but is an incredible steal at $50 per person for the quality and quantity. It was better and more authentic than some pricier places in New York City!
Since you like bun bo hue, you must try Ngu Binh in OC next time (hope you can handle its spicy-ness!) 😉
I have the same passport holder! I love it
They serve a "mini" poke bowl at the seafood vendor towards the back of Boston public market. Just seasoned sashimi (tuna or salmon) with minimal toppings. Small but tasty!
I wish I could take food photos like yours! I always try, but mine never turn out! Maybe you just know where to find the most photogenic food! I love visiting southern California! Looks like you had a fantastic time!
: signe :
: the daily savant :
This really makes me want to visit SoCal…the food looks soooo good! And if you think it's a food desert in Boston (well, for poke bowls anyway) just trying living in Waco TX…no Asian grocery stores nearby and all "Asian" food is highly Westernized! Thanks for sharing your photos!!
stunning, babe!
Shall We Sasa
I miss living in SoCal coz of all the yummy yummy food! Brodard is one of my favorite places! Yum! Great post!
Awesome food and photos!
Everything looks so tasty! I've never heard of rolled ice cream or poke bowls, but now I need to try them!
Bought the yellow skirt and blue pleated dress!! Love them!!
Those Gianvito Rossi are gorgeous! x
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Everything is so sweet (you!) and yummy in this post!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Such lovely photos! X
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
Everything looks and sounds amazing! Also that Morning Lavender skirt is just beautiful!
Rxx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
oh wow that ice cream looks so delicious!
Fash 'n' fudge
Fash 'n' fudge
Summer rolls! Ita similar to brodards with true crunchies inside but they specialize in the lemongrass flavored meats. It's in Rosemead area. Tons of other great Chinese food in that area as well!