Soup Plantation (Porter Ranch, CA) [Locations within CA too]

As I recall, there used to be a healthy eating restaurant called, Fresh Choice. Who remembers it? I do. I remember when they first opened, and when the last one had closed. Now, we have Soup Plantation. Of course, you give it some time, and there are other small pop-ups opening like Salad.

I think Soup Plantation is a great concept for those who want to dine and eat healthy. They certainly have revamped their menu's and eating areas. I do hope they stay in business forever, but one can only hope for so much. There will always be competition; however, it does not get as great as Soup Plantation. As you enter the restaurant, the salad bar is to your taking. You have set salads and you also have the option to create your own salad with the many dressings and toppings. You can also add to your already set salad. You can choose from tomatoes, mushed boiled eggs, croutons, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, corn, etc. There are just so many to choose from and then you have so many different dressings. Once you have made your salad, then you go and pay for your meal. A tip: install the Yelp app and check in. You will be offered a 15% discount for checking in and it will be applied to your meal. It's a great offer. Also check in your monthly mail for coupons. Now, usually when it's not busy, you can seat yourself. Otherwise, be ready for a host/hostess to seat you.

Once your done, if you fancy for more salad; you can make your way to the salad bar as many times as you desire and get some more salad. If you fancy some soups, they have some really good soups. They also have different types of spaghetti's  (mac and cheese), linguine, etc. There's also the option for baked potatoes and its condiments. In addition, there are blueberry muffins and other muffins to choose from and of course a soft-serve machine that serves soft serve ice cream.

I really do enjoy eating here and I know you will too. Every month is a set menu and changes with it's many themes. For the month of May, they are celebrating Cinco De Mayo and adding a Spanish flavor to its salads and soups. What's in it for the month of June. We shall soon see.

Custom-Salad

Sadly, I only have this picture to share. Here I have Romaine Lettuce, with quinoa salad, some plain pasta, white mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and corn. I will hope to take more pictures and add it to this post. Hope you've enjoyed this review. Check out my youtube channel at TravelDude1981.

Creamistry (Irvine, CA)

Creamistry.... a wierd name for a company, but who am I to say for a popular ice cream shop in Irvine, CA.

It doesn't look like much outside, but when you open the door; it does feel like you are in the movie, "Back to the Future." You hear the hissing sounds of the instrument at work which makes your ice cream. The magic happens while you make your order of ice cream which is made with organic milk and these machines that use dry ice to make your ice cream. Sounds futuristic eh? As you queue up, these machines hiss and you see white smoke coming out from the machines. It's like a De Lorean doors opening and this arctic smoke coming out from inside. You can also picture fog machines in this ice cream area blowing out fog. This is a pretty legit place.

feels like a chemistry lab in HS

These are how the ice cream is being made

Yummy. Captain Crunch Ice Cream. Real Captain Crunch Cereal

Futuristic eh?

Tons of smoke... 

Sitting area

There are tons of flavors to choose from. Of course as a kid at heart, I chose Captain Crunch flavored ice cream. They really use the cereal, no fake flavors. There is one other location located in Beverly Hills which I haven't visited yet. So, if you are in the vicinity of Beverly Hills or Irvine, CA; be sure to make a trip to Creamistry. It will be a trip that you will never forget. Indulge in the future!

Del Taco (Santa Clarita, CA)

     Whom do you visit when you crave some cheap burritos and quesadillas? Well, Del-Taco. This location is always busy which is good business for this location, but horrible when it comes to buying food inside. They have messed up my orders more than a few times. They always seemed rush, or at least the supervisor/manager. When I see him, he looks jumpy and wants to get the move on with the orders. I think that is the reason why my orders keep getting messed up. The last time I ordered 2- 1/2 lb bean and cheese burrito with extra green sauce with some cheddar quesadillas. I got my cheddar quesadillas (mini), but ended up with 8 tacos with hard shell. I hate hard shell tacos. I did get more than I paid for, but I wanted my 1/2 lb bean and cheese burrito!!!! Can any of you relate to this? Well that's my rant for this Del-Taco. Let's hope for some really good reviews for this year. I won't be reviewing restaurants that I have dined the next couple of months, but will do reviews that I had done last year and never came across to do it. Hope you enjoy this years blog entries!!!! And try to avoid the Santa Clarita Del-Taco location. It's the one near magic mountain, gas station, Tommy's Burgers and the Starbucks.

C'est Si Bon Bakery (Newport Beach)

I am always up to trying anything new. I got some unique taste buds. So, as I spend time with my brother earlier this year with my mom, too. We had mentioned that we were looking for some coffee places. My brother knows my mom's tastes very well and knows she loves scones. So, he had brought us to a place called C'est Si Bon Bakery. This bakery is located in Newport Beach and serves not just scones but also serves coffee, tea, sandwiches, slices of cake, salads, and sandwiches. The seating area inside is not appealing and very limited in such a big space. So, what they should do is more tables and chairs with a floor that doesn't looks so dirty! The restrooms are located outside... so I would recommend to steer away from them. There's a Starbucks close by.. just use those instead.

So, after coming here a few times with my brother.. we decide to come here by ourselves. The scones here are phenomenal and very delicious. The downside is that they sell very fast, so it's imperative to come by the bakery around 9 am. If you do come by and the scones are sold out, then you should try the slices of cake which are also very delicious. My brother has suggested that the salads are pretty good. The prices here are okay. The quality is not too bad. Like I said, the few things could be worked on is the seating and the flooring. Besides that, everything else is very good. 5-stars!

Blueberry and Raspberry Scone

Capuccino

Blueberry Scone

Sake 2 Me Sushi (Tustin, CA)

I never got into sushi until maybe middle school and it was the California Roll. My mom would make it by herself at home. Since then, I have been eating sushi and even gotten hooked on to sashimi and like sushi on rice (not the rolls). As much as I love eating rolls, I prefer the fish on rice better. So, as this foodie was in Irvine this year, I had the opportunity to spend a few months in Irvine. My brother introduced this restaurant, SAKE 2 ME which is located in Tustin, CA. Sake 2 Me is an AYCE (all you can eat) sushi restaurant. Now, I was a bit hesitant because AYCE sushi places have a time limit. However, this AYCE restaurant hands you a two-sided order form and it has 3 columns. There are no time-limits, but given that you have 3 columns is the 3 times you are being served. Make sure you order enough sushi to compliment your hunger. Usually 2 columns are good enough since we order so much. 

Lunch and Dinner are different in prices and their are certain sushi platters that aren't served in lunch, but at dinner. The parking here is quite spacious, but during the dinner time.. it's definitely hard to find parking. The best time to come here is when dinner time has just started. That is the best time for any restaurant. There is limited outside seating for when it get's busy. When that happens, there is a waiting list for people to sign on outside. When you get called in for your table, inside looks pretty nice. It looks pretty decent for a sushi joint. The service is pretty good and the quality of this AYCE sushi place is very good for the price. Now, here's a foreward warning for those who order too much sushi. You have to pay for the remaining sushi that is leftover. Plus, they don't give you boxes to put the sushi in. They charge you for the boxes. This is the only down-side. 

Now as to what to order? I would suggest the Rolly-Poly Roll. Here's what it looks like. It is imitation crab meat with salmon encompassing it. On top is some spicy sauce. It's indeed one of my favorites to order. 

Rolly Poly Roll.
Imitation Crab Meat wrapped
around by Salmon Sashimi.

Some sushi rolls
and on the bottom
Sashimi Salad.

Albacore.. is also good. they put slices of
Red Onion on here. MMMM

Seared Salmon Sushi.
Its taste is woody.

You can never go wrong
with Unagi. (Marinated Cooked Eel)

Of Course you need some
of that miso soup!!

You can never go wrong with salmon sushi

So, above are some of the things I order. Is it worth the money?? It sure is. 

13951 Carroll Way, Tustin, CA 92780

    

Little Jewel of New Orleans; Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA

Truly, this is a restaurant that you definitely must try. It's not just an eatery, but also a small market where you can buy nawlin's spices, and ready to prepare foods. The dining area is quite nice and near the dining area is the menu. The menu is written on a chalkboard style. There is tons of po-boys (sandwiches) to try from. The Beignet is the dish that we tried here and it was amazing. It's texture and taste was similar to the one you can find at new orleans square, Disneyland. Of course, I do want to visit the real new orleans, but that will be sometime in the future. There is so many other dishes like the sloppy joe that I want to try. The other desserts they offer is also quite eye-catching. I really want to come back here to experience a full menu dining experience. There is also seating outside the cafe, so if you like to eat outside there is tables and seating along the side of the street. Inside and Outside feels like eating in New Orleans and the best part .. that it's located in Chinatown of Los Angeles. Who woulda thunk? I have added some pictures of the Beignet and pictures of the cafe for you to enjoy and maybe entice you to pay a visit. I sure will.

Beignet made fresh!!

Here is where they store
the deli meats and dessert.

The market side of the cafe

Here is what the menu looks like up-close

Update

Today is 10/15/15, Thursday. It has been a rough couple of months. The reason for me not being able to post on this blog was because of a few major events in my life. The most important event that happened was the passing of my father. His passing had affected my life in so many ways. Til this day, I still see his face on certain reflections such as last weekend when I had celebrated my birthday at Cafe Sierra, his face appeared on the salad bar glass window. I saw him for a brief second. No matter the differences we had, he is still my dad! I wish I could've hugged him more! I am grateful for everything he has done for me. R.I.P. Dad!