Newport Bay Nature Preserve, Newport Beach, CA
Where will you leave a trail?
Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of my favorite writers. If you ever need some inspiration, considering reading Self-Reliance. 💕
Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Usually with a New Year, comes a time of reflection. You all hear that saying, “New Year, New Me!”, meaning that this year will be different, this year, you’ll make that change. But is that really true, or have you already changed?
Change can mean a number of things. Change is defined as to “make or become different”. A change can take on many forms. It can be tangible, intangible, physical, or emotional.
Personally, I don’t believe in the “New Year, New Me” mantra because we are constantly evolving. You may be making goals for yourself for this new year, and that is great! But it’s not because this year will be different, it’s because of how your life has already changed. You are already starting off this year as a new you!
Take the time for self-reflection right now. Perform an introspection of who you are, where you’ve been, and how you got there. Find the things that you are grateful for.
Maybe this past year has been tough. Maybe you experienced some very difficult days, or even months, but remember that those things have passed, or will eventually pass with time. Every day will not be difficult. Decide how you want to move forward from here. It’s already the new you.
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Feeling a little fancy, I decided to dress up and venture out to Julienne’s in San Marino to enjoy a nice breakfast with fancy toast. The weather was just a bit crisp but sunny. We opted to sit outdoors since the overhead heaters made for a comfortable environment. This was my first time trying the restaurant, but I had heard great reviews about it.
Julienne’s is well known for their breakfast. Their signature dish is a creme brûlée French toast served with fresh strawberry sauce and creme anglais. Of course, this was the first item I had to try!
This dish is so decadent and sweet! I would recommend sharing it so that you don’t end up in a sugar coma.
The ambiance of the restaurant is intimate and quaint. The restaurant consists of a dining patio and three adjacent store fronts, one of which serves as a gourmet market and gift shop. During this particular visit, holiday music played in the background and the restaurant was decorated with twinkle lights and garland.
Complimentary Rosemary Raisin Toast with Butter and Jam
After looking over all of the egg options, I opted for an omlette. While all the egg dishes sounded delicious, the Green Omlette caught my attention since it was served with avocado.
Green Omlette – Asparagus, Broccoli, Spinach, Scallions, Avocado, Feta and Roasted Pepper Salsa
Everything was fantastic. From the complimentary toast to the ambiance. Julienne’s is a great place to start your morning with your girl friends chatting over a hot cup of coffee. Or a nice date place to take that special someone or even mom and dad.
Breakfast is served Monday – Friday from 7:00 am to 10:45 am, with an intermission menu available from 10:45 am to 11:30 am. Brunch is served all day Saturday and the restaurant is closed on Sunday. Check out their website or Yelp for more information.
When my friend first asked if I wanted to try out Plan Check Kitchen and Bar, I thought maybe he typed too fast and autocorrect had changed the name of the restaurant… but no, Plan Check it was indeed!
Plan Check is a quirky neighborhood restaurant,
Their claim to fame is their ketchup leather, a dehydrated square of ketchup with a fruit roll-up texture. (Tomatoes are considered a fruit right?) I had to do a doable take when seeing this on the menu, but knew I had to try it right away.
PCB (Plan Check Burger) – americanized dashi cheese, ketchup leather, schmaltz onions, mixed pickles, crunch bun.
While I opted for the Plan Check Burger, my friend was more adventurous and tried the Chefs Favorite Burger; served with a fried egg and topped off with hot sauce!
Chefs Favorite Burger – cheese two ways, bacon two ways, ketchup leather, sunny fried egg, hot sauce.
To compliment the entrees we decided to split a goat cheese plate, sweet potatoe fries, and churro dessert.
We both agreed that the ketchup leather was delicious. However, the most tastiest treat on the menu has to be the churro donut! Dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar, the crunchy outside hides the vanilla flavored lightly moist texture on the inside. I’m not quite sure why they call it a “cruller donut” because true cruller fashion would consist of a dense filling, whereas this donut is light on the inside. Served on top of cream with fruit, asking for it a la mode is really the only way to go.
If you are visiting Los Angeles and looking for your burger and churro fix, make sure to check them out. They have three locations within the area, with one conveniently located in downtown. Visit their website or check out their reviews on Yelp.
You can never go wrong with a Southern Californian breakfast. A nice big cup of coffee, fresh eggs, fruit, and bread make for the perfect comfort meal. Urth Caffe is a great place to indulge for breakfast. The cafe offers a great variety of coffee, entrees, and baked goods. Everything is fresh, made-to-order, and simple.
The spinach and feta omelette is my favorite. It is a three egg omelette with sautéed spinach, red onions, and imported feta cheese. The dish is served with a spring salad and a side of bread. A simple combination which compliments the omelettes very well. When it comes to choosing a beverage, the coffee and tea options can be overwhelming. There are hot, cold, and blended, caffeinated and non-caffeinated varieties. Out of all of the delicious coffee options, my favorite has to be the honey vanilla latte. The combination of vanilla and honey makes this choice just the right amount of sweet – no sugar needed.
Currently, the Urth Caffe has four locations throughout Southern California. Each cafe’s architecture is unique. I love the Pasadena locale for it’s laid-back ambiance and Spanish colonial design. All locations offer outdoor seating, which is a must in Southern California, and great for people watching.
Here is a peek of some of the different items from the menu. If you are ever in the area, make sure to check them out!
CURLSXOXO 