Oh Joy!

currently snacking on... 1 Feb 2013

Every so often, something so simple yet unexpected comes along and blows my mind. This thing, my friends, is the mix of savory cheddar popcorn with sweet caramel popcorn. I randomly picked up G.H. Cretors' Chicago Mix at the grocery store the other day and have since become obsessed. Sometimes you want a sweet little snack, sometimes you want savory...and pow! Here's both, playfully dancing together in a way you wouldn't expect would work, but actually does—really, really well.

{Photos by Oh Joy. Glass egg coddler from Herriott Grace, tea towel from Design Within Reach.}

{oh joy eats} half & half tea house... 30 Jan 2013

You know might know that I love a good boba tea. Since I'm not a big coffee drinker, I love milk teas as a little midday pick-me-up, and Half & Half Tea House in Rowland Heights has become my new favorite spot.

With drink options like sesame black milk tea, lavender green milk tea, milk tea with caramel, pudding, and honey boba, plus a million other flavors, these teas are serious treats if you're up for some fun, exotic flavors. And Half & Half Tea House's tasty concoctions come in the most giant cups I've ever seen. They don't even fit in the cup holders in my car and they make me look like I have tiny hands! It's probably a good thing this place isn't too close to where I live because I'd be here every single day.

Half & Half Tea House | 17575 Colima Road, Ste. C | Rowland Heights, CA 91748 | 626.810.8778

{Photos by Bonnie Tsang. I'm wearing headphones by Frends, Madewell dotty leggings,  Milly jacket from a past season, eyeglasses by Rivet & Sway, hoodie from past season of J.Crew (similar), and boots c/o Loeffler Randall.}

currently snacking on... 21 Jan 2013

Nothing's more comforting than a grilled cheese sandwich. My favorite combination is Gruyère on sourdough, slathered in butter and grilled on the stovetop till crispy. And I just recently starting putting a little extra something in my grilled cheese: Spinach dip! It adds a slight tang and a creamy texture...and, of course, a little nutrition thanks to the spinach!

P.S. My other favorite recipe to make using spinach dip...

{Photo by Oh Joy}

{oh joy eats} breakfast at the parish... 16 Jan 2013

The Parish has been getting lots of praise for being one of L.A.'s best new resturants, and one of my favorite things to do is explore the breakfast or lunch menu at restaurants that are known for their dinner menus. For me, it's like seeing what a chef might make at home...a more casual version of their palate, if you will...

The breakfast staples at The Parish include a few kinds of biscuit sandwiches, like Fried Chicken with Maple Dijon and Pickles, Trout with Jalapeno Slaw, and Grilled Tomato and Cheese. They were all warm, savory, delicious and the perfect breakfast way to start the day.

I also loved the industrial, yet still warm and homey, feel of The Parish's Downtown L.A. space. The restaurant reminds me of one you'd find in Portland, with its very distinct aesthetic and comforting staples.

The Parish | 840 S. Spring St. | Los Angeles, CA 90014 |  213.225.2400

{Photos by Bonnie Tsang for Oh Joy. My outfit: Trench jacket from A-Thread, corduroys by J.Crew, blouse by Lauren Moffatt (similar), bag by Clare Vivier, boots c/o Loeffler Randall.} 

currently snacking on... 13 Jan 2013

One of my favorite desserts of all time is chocolate mousse. Today, I got a craving for it...but didn't have a ton of time to make it the real way. So, my quick version? Combine 8 oz. of heavy whipping cream, one packet of hot chocolate mix {I used salted caramel hot chocolate}, and a teaspoon of sugar. Then, whip on high until thick and fluffy. You can eat it by itself or with berries of choice. Even better, if you freeze the mixture and wait at least an hour, it turns into a light chocolate treat...almost like a Frosty!

{Photos by Oh Joy. Napkin by September Designs, glass egg coddler from Herriott Grace, spoon from Design Within Reach.}

{los angeles} top 20 bites of 2012... 9 Jan 2013

With a new family member in tow, 2012 included a lot more casual dining as we attempted to keep meals on the quicker side whenever possible. But I certainly continued to snack {a lot!} and explore the range of foods that L.A. has to offer. Here are my Top 20 Bites of 2012 in Los Angeles {in no particular order}...

1. The Brown Bread and Brown Rice Green Tea ice cream from Scoops {more here}.
Photo by Bonnie Tsang.

2. Crispy Pork &and Shrimp Potstickers with Curry Aioli &and Sweet Soy Reduction from the Asian Cravings truck.

3. Twenty-course omakase from Sushi Nishi-ya.

4. An ice cream sandwich {made with cupcake tops!} from Sprinkles Ice Cream {more here}.
Photo by Bonnie Tsang.

monogrammed cookies... 4 Jan 2013

My friend Mari is a baking genius. For the holidays, she made a custom cookie and treats sampler boxes for her closest friends and family. We were lucky enough to be some of the recipients, and I had to share a few of her amazing creations. Two of my favorites were the coconut macaroons and the stained-glass ornament cookies. I think the idea of monogrammed cookies is so fun and would be great for a gift at any time of the year. You could turn the ornaments into simple circle shapes and make them for a birthday party (or as a birthday gift!) in a variety of candy colors. Thanks, Mari!

{Photos by Oh Joy}

{oh joy eats} breakfast at sqirl... 3 Jan 2013

I've been a fan of Sqirl, the L.A.-based, jam company, since I first tried its delicious canned delights a couple years ago. So I was excited to visit Sqirl's new brick-and-mortar space—a tiny little cafe with an adjacent outdoor area—that serves a twist on cozy morning comforts.

Instead of PB&J, there's brioche topped with chocolate ganache, almond hazelnut butter, and fleur de sel. Instead of oatmeal, Sqirl serves the best sweet rice porridge I've ever had (and what I wish oatmeal tasted like!), topped with jam and roasted hazelnuts. Really, I dream about this porridge! And then (if you're looking for something more savory) there are some dishes inspired by Australian and Filipino flavors like the crispy rice salad topped with cilantro, lime, and a fried egg. Supposedly they have amazing freshly pressed almond milk tea, too. This is my new go-to spot when I need something quick to warm my belly...

Sqirl | 720 N. Virgil Ave. | Los Angeles, CA 90029 | 213.394.6526

{Photos by Bonnie Tsang for Oh Joy. My outfit: StyleMint tee, Lauren Moffatt skirt, vintage belt, Ban.do smooch brooch.}

currently snacking on... 17 Dec 2012

While candy canes are still in season, I've been trying to use them as an accent to some of my favorite snacks. So, I used the leftover candy canes I had from these cookies to sprinkle them on dark chocolate ice cream. For some extra texture, I blended up sugar cones into an ice cream cone dust. Yum! The combo is pretty magical...

{Photo by Oh Joy}

{oh joy eats} no. 1 noodle house... 11 Dec 2012

One of my favorite places to eat in Philly (my hometown) is Han Dynasty. It's the best Chinese food in the city, in my opinion. And ever since moving to L.A., I've been trying to find similar Szechuan-style food here. Thankfully, out in Rowland Heights (about 40 minutes outside of L.A.), there's a mecca of Chinese food options. I was so happy to come across No.1 Noodle House and find a close-ish match to some of my favorite dishes back in Philly.

I loved the wontons in chili oil and the dan dan noodles. I love things on the spicy side, and there's a Szechuan pepper used in many of the dishes that has an intensely fragrant, citrus-like flavor and produces a tingly, numbing sensation in the mouth.

It's kind of weird, but also really delicious! I could seriously spend the day in Rowland Heights eating up a storm of noodles and other niche foods you can only get out there.

No.1 Noodle House | 18180 Colima Road, #B | Rowland Heights, CA 91748 | 626.839.7093

{Photos by Bonnie Tsang. My outfit: Coat by Crewcuts (a kids size 14 fits a women's size XS/S! or adult size here), eyeglasses c/o Rivet & Sway, corduroys by J.Crew, shoes by Madewell.}