December Birthday Meals 2018

December was my birthday month and I enjoyed many birthday meals and drinks throughout the month. You can google search "Eat Free For Your Birthday" and you will find many options. However, many restaurants have rewards cards, so sometimes you may have to ask them about these rewards cards upon your arrival (some restaurants will have something on their tables to remind guests).

Shrimp Mac 'N Cheese (appetizer)

1/2 lb. All-American BBQ Burger (entrée)

Strawberry-something smoothie

This was the first time that I've been to Bubba Gump. I went to the one at the Anaheim Garden Walk near Disneyland. I enjoyed the shrimp Mac 'N Cheese. The burger was okay, nothing spectacular and the smoothie, I don't actually remember the name of it, but know that it had strawberries in it (drinks and smoothies aren't listed on the menu online). It was good except if you didn't drink it fast enough, the "juice" and other ingredients would separate. Bubba Gump is one of the participating restaurants for "Laudry's Select Club". There is a one time $25 fee to be a "member", however, you get a $25 welcome reward for signing up and $25 birthday reward every year for your birthday. I don't know about the expiration date for the welcome reward, but you can use the birthday reward anytime during your birthday month. There is a list of participating restaurants, so you will have to check the Laudry's Select Club website to decide where you want to go.

Oreo Shake and Royal Red Robin Burger

I went to the Red Robin in Brea and I went by bicycle because I wanted to "work" for my food. The commute was 22 miles round trip. The shake was not free, but the burger and fries were. Red Robin also has a rewards card, however, I'm not sure if they are still giving out cards. I think they still do if you ask for one. I do know that you can sign up and register cardless through their website. Let them know upon your arrival that you registered for their rewards, but don't have a card and they can help you redeem any rewards. Free burger during your birthday month and a free tenth burger (pay for nine burgers and get the tenth for free). I have two Red Robin cards - both are "old" as I've had them for awhile now - because a Red Robin restaurant gave me a card, not knowing that I already had one. Of course, I used the second card.

Peppermint Mocha Frappacino and Pumpkin Bread Loaf

The pumpkin bread loaf was not free, but the drink was. Starbucks has a rewards card that looks like gift cards. You can also download their app on your phone to receive free drinks during your birthday month and if you order there often, you get free items throughout the year.

Tall Stack Original Pancakes and Chocolate Milk

Birthday meal at IHOP. The chocolate milk was not free, but the pancakes were. Normally, I'd like to have bacon, eggs, hasbrowns, and sausage with my pancakes, but a tall stack of pancakes was plenty for me. IHOP doesn't have a rewards card, so you will have to google "Eat Free For Your Birthday" and sign up for free pancakes from IHOP.

Peppermint Swirl Shake

Sauteed Shroom Burger

I went to Red Robin in Chino by bicycle. The commute was ten miles, but I took a different route going home to make my total commute 22 miles. I enjoyed the burger, however, I didn't really enjoy the shake. They took my go-to shake (brownie mint) off the menu and I wanted to try the peppermint swirl shake which was a new item on their menu. I think this was a holiday/seasonal shake, so it will probably not be on the menu if I decide to go to Red Robin during non-holiday/Christmas season, although I don't think I will try it again for my birthday next year.

Tlayuda L.A. - Oaxacan Mexican Restaurant

Did you Know that Oaxaca is a southern region of Mexico? Oaxacan food is based on the Mexican staples such as corn, beans, and chile peppers. Tlayuda (tlah-you-dah) is a large toasted tortilla, covered with spread of black bean puree, fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, Oaxacan cheese and topped with meats or vegetarian. The tlayuda can be served open face like a pizza or folded in half. Traditionally, they are smeared with asiento, unrefined pork lard, they usually just stick with beans at Tlayuda LA! Tlayuda LA, located near Downtown Los Angeles, is a restaurant that Oaxacan flavors with a contemporary twist. You are greeted by a pleasing aroma and the affable, personable staff when you enter this small, yet very charming restaurant. While it has been here for three years, it is really making a name for itself and is becoming very popular with the locals in the area.

The space is small, but everyone still gets to enjoy their meals without feeling overcrowded. The kitchen is semi-open, so guests can somewhat see their meals being prepared.

Horchata

Sauces from very mild spicy (left) to very spicy (right). If you really love very spicy flavors, the far right one (yellow) is the one for you!

Home-made style chips with mole

Enchiladas de Mole

Chorizo and Egg Burrito

Fire It UP! BBQ Competition

 

Fire It Up! BBQ competition had its third annual event on 20 October 2018 at the Fire Credit Union in Eagle Rock where eight teams of local Los Angeles firefighters/families came to compete for best BBQ champions. Free to attend, but guests got to taste various BBQ food from different teams by purchasing taste tickets. Anyone unable to attend also got a chance to make a donation. The Fire It Up! BBQ competition is a fundraising partnership between two nonprofits that serve and honor the firefighting community. Proceeds benefited the Fire Family Foundation and the African American Firefighter Museum.

Live band performing great music with the greatest hits

Winners who won awards in different categories

Please visit this link for more photos from the event!

Horse Thief BBQ

Guy Fieri travels throughout the U.S. with his show, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" to feature many small restaurants and eateries. Horse Thief BBQ located at the Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles was one of many.

Horse Thief BBQ has their own dining area (outdoors), however for those rainy days, there is seating inside the Grand Central Market.

Featured on the show were the pork belly (served on apple fennel slaw and spicy mayo) and the fried chicken sandwich. The pork belly needs to be featured on another food show called "Best Thing I Ever Ate" because it deserves to be there. The fried chicken sandwich was crunchy, crispy and juicy.

What was not featured on the show, but was a popular favorite with customers was the beef brisket. Or was it the brisket sandwich? The beef brisket was most likely used for the sandwich as well. It was juicy, tender and flavorful.

   

Also at the Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles includes a few other restaurants and eateries that were featured on "Incredible Edible America", "Andrew Zimmern: Delicious Destinations" and "The Next Food Network Stars". Maybe "Best Thing I Ever Ate" as well, but I can't remember.

Luigi Al Teatro

Luigi Al Teatro is a new Italian restaurant in Santa Monica, CA who recently had a grand opening. It sits in a historical landmark, a 100-year-old building, that went from an Edison company to a place of worship to a dance theater production. The restaurant is located within a few minutes from the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade as well as the Venice Beach Boardwalk. You can spend a few hours at the beach or Third Street Promenade followed by a romantic meal at Luigi Al Teatro. It is a true hidden gem, off the beaten path. 

The restaurant has a semi-open kitchen so the guests can be entertained by the kitchen staff while their meals are being prepared. Guests can also sit in the patio area. The roof is retractable where it can be open, so guests can enjoy the summer air. Also in the patio area is a fresh herb garden to which the restaurant uses for many of its dishes. The wait staff is inviting and personable. They are knowledgeable about the menu and wine lists. The wine cellar is impressive and can be seen above the bar area. The menu changes according to what is in season, but it always features fresh seafood and the fresh pasta is made in-house daily.

Chef Luigi Fineo started his love for cooking at a young age from accompanying his mother to local markets while growing up in Puglia, a southern region of Italy. His passion grew and his dreams were realized when he traveled to the U.S. to continue his culinary journey where he worked with many great master chefs. He is very humble and gives extreme attention to detail in many of his creations.

Chocolate Martini

Tuna Cannolo

Baked Split Pea Soup topped with Scallops

Linguini topped with Sea Urchin

Lasagna with Seafood Medley

Lemon Tart

Pastiera Napoletana

For more information about Luigi Al Teatro or for reservations, visit its website here.

Thaitwist

Looking for an authentic Thai restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley? Visit Thaitwist in the Rowland Heights/City of Industry area. This restaurant is fairly new to the area and people are still getting to know about it. Thaitwist is  a quaint little restaurant with friendly and attentive staff. The manager was very sweet helping me pick out the dishes. Many dishes on the menu are very tasty.

Don't let the emptiness of the restaurant from the photos discourage you from visiting. I got here very early, few minutes after they opened at 11am for the day. Parking can be a struggle depending on time of day and day of the week as there are many other businesses sharing the same parking area.

Thai Iced Coffee

Rotti With Yellow Curry Sauce. 

Rotti is an Indian pancake and this is very popular dish with customers.

Crab Meat Fried Rice with real crab meat. Another very popular dish with customers

Thai Twist Salad, a signature dish.

Steak, mango, noodles, cilantro, peanuts tossed with mixed greens and spicy lime dressing

Khoa Soi, another signature dish

Northern style curried noodle soup with chicken, shrimp and egg noodle

Zama Tea and Kombucha

Zama Tea and Kombucha is a very quaint and very cute tea boutique with a tea bar plus retail store located in Old Town Tustin, CA. Tea products include specialty loose tea leafs (over 100 flavors to choose from), herbs, raw Kombucha and tea accessories which also includes tea pots and tea cups. Kombucha is fermented tea and tea on tap is lightly effervescent (giving off bubbles; carbonated/fizzy). Loose tea leavs have ools from antioxidants that will absorb into the water and they are better for health benefits. While Zama Tea does carry tea bags in store, there is a limited flavors in stock. You can enjoy tea on tap or a hot brewed tea from the tea bar with a sandwich, salad and hummus, a lively probiotic vegan yogurt or a vegan soup.

Before Zama Kombucha and Tea came, this was the site of the first doctor's office. Then it became a "go to spot" for teens clothing where many lovingly knew it as "Jabberwocky".