Merry Christmas and Happy New year

Now it might be late for Christmas and new year occasions but let's hope for a better year yet to come. Here are the photos I took during Christmas and January, 1st to show how many places in LA celebrate these special events.

Live Show at Universal CityWalk, LA

New Year Fireworks, Marina Del Rey

3rd street Promenade, Santa Monica

Americana, Glendale

St. Anne Church

The Grove, LA

Cafe Mak, Koreatown - LA

Cafe Mak, located in Koreatown, is a coffee/tea room for someone who might looking a place for quietly study, drinking, and relax. The atmosphere of the store is nicely decorated. They serve tea, coffee, and wine but very expensive prices to make up with those nice looking surroundings. I stayed there for 4 hours doing my own things, such as facebooking, emailing, gaming, reading, etc.
Here are some pictures of the place:

I paid 12 bucks for this Tiramisu cake and Sencha tea pot:

Overall, this place gives quiet, relaxing experience to me. This place is indeed a good place for any couples or friends to spend time on special occasions, such as Christmas (if disposable incomes allowed).

Mendocino Farms, West Hollywood - LA

After the final exams that own me badly, it's time to seek for good food again. I'm told to try Mendocino Farms's sandwiches. Nothing I can say but so gooooooooooood.

“Not So Fried” Chicken 

Today I got “Not So Fried” Chicken. According to its description, roasted chicken breast rolled in Mendo’s “Krispies” with herb aioli, whole grain mustard slaw, tomatoes, and pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta with a side of chipotle BBQ sauce.

The special thing about this sandwich is its BBQ sauce. I can say it is the best BBQ sauce I've ever had. I will return to this place another time for sure.

More info, http://mendocinofarms.com/

Yang Chow, Chinatown - LA

I have been here several times already. I firstly knew about this place from my cousin. Yang Chow offers very tasty Chinese foods located in Chinatown, LA. Every time I get inside the place, Slippery Shrimp is the dish placed on the tables of anyone there. It is similar to Orange Chicken offered by Panda Express but much better in quality. Other dishes, such as Kung Pao Chicken offered here are also good. Price point is similar to any other Chinese places (around $12-$25 per person). Highly recommended.

Slippery Shrimp

Find more information at http://www.yangchow.com/

Izakaya Honda-Ya, Little Toyko - LA

I haven't updated my blog for a while due to massive assignments and my Las Vegas trip. Today I will introduce some cool place that serves alcoholic drinks and Japanese food. It is called Honda Ya Izakaya located in Little Tokyo, LA. This place is so good for chilling out with your folks. I am a big fan of good beer, so let's get started with beer served here:

Sapporo Draft Beer

This beer is incredibly good; it's so blend, fresh, and "smooth." I can say it can go with any dishes.
Japanese food here is various: sushi, sashimi, yakitori (separated menu), etc.

Scallop with Bacon

Scallop with Bacon is a must that should be ordered every time you visit this place. It's so good.

Meat Balls and White Meat

White Meat yakitori has wasabi on top, so it is not good for someone who doesn't like wasabi. However, what I can say is it offers very good and interesting taste.

Ginger Pork with Rice

Fried Tofu in Soy Source

I'm pretty much full and happy. The price point is around $15-$30, which is not bad.
More information can be found here: http://izakayahondaya.com/

Highly recommended!

Hop Woo BBQ & Seafood, LA

Today I found an amazing place for Chinese food, called Hop Woo BBQ & Seafood Restaurant. Food here seems to be Hong Kong style. I got Roasted Duck, Pork Chop with Garlic and Salt, and House Fried Rice (beef, chicken, and shrimp).  What I can say is they are all amazing. I'm really pleased with my time and all money spending here. The price point is not bad at all: expecting to pay $10-20 each. It is located on West Olympic Blvd between Bunny Dr. and Sepulveda Blvd. I will definitely get a chance to go there again.

Roasted Duck

Pork Chop w/ Garlic & Spicy Salt 

House Fried Rice

Castle Korean BBQ, LA

I'm suggested to try  Korean BBQ at Castle BBQ. The price is surprisingly low. With just $9.99 (all day price), I got 4 options of meats: brisket, pork belly, pork chop, and chicken. It is served with Korean side dishes, including stream egg and miso soup. I like kimchi in particular.

Brisket

Side Dishes

There are 5 dipping sauces available on the table: sesame oil, salt, spicy sauce, soy sauce, and some Korean sauce. I like how it is prepared because I don't have to ask for sauces whenever I need any of them. The service here is decent. If one's looking for a good deal on Korean BBQ, this place might be a good choice.