JJ Cafe in Monterey Park

A Hong Kong style cafe in the main street of Monterey Park. The portion was big and we barely managed to finish the dishes. Parking is at the back. Reasonably priced and service was quick too. I prefer this restaurant than Harbor Kitchen.

Freshia Market in Tustin

Freshia Market is a Korean supermarket in Tustin and Torrance. Things are generally cheaper than H-mart and they have over the counter marinated meat for sale. Within the same complex, there is a small food court, a boutique shop and a mobile phone shop. Korean beer also seems to be cheaper here.

Henry's Farmer Market in Tustin

A good fresh food/organic supermarket in Tustin. Compare to The Whole Food Market, it is much smaller in size. But everything is so easy to find and the staff are extremely helpful. While we were shopping inside, one of the staff was wheeling a trolly of freshly baked french bread and offered to customers... which I think it's a very nice touch. Price is also inexpensive, we will definitely shop here more often from now on.

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza in Carlsbad

We came to this restaurant after we went shopping at the Carlsbad Premier Outlet. The restaurant itself looks like a sports bar kind of place. There were quite a few choices for think crust pizza on the menu. We were genuinely surprised by the quality of pizza and spaghetti, both dishes were delicious. The spaghetti dish wasn't too authentic though as noodle was used. $35 dinner for 2 wasn't bad at all. If we ever go to the outlet again, we wouldn't mind coming to this restaurant again.

Honda-Ya Japanese Restaurant in Tustin

We tried out this popular Japanese restaurant at Tustin this evening - as recommended by my brother. There's usually queuing at this restaurant but not today though, maybe because it's a Monday. We had yakitori, salmon avocado, grilled Shishamo (Willow Leaf Fish), chawanmushi and more. We were most impressed with a dish called Avocado Volcano... it's not only delicious, but it also look the part (see photo). Service was good. Two people for just less than $70. We would come back for more at this cozy looking place.

Cocary BBQ Restaurant (可加麗) in Monterey Park

Cocary is a Taiwanese hotpot/BBQ place. They serve hotpot/BBQ on a table for 4 peopl as well as on the rolling-belt at the bar individually (as seen in picture). You just grab the meat plates ($2.99/dish) and veggie plates ($1.99/dish) from the fridge, and cook that yourself. Tea, rice and sweet potatoes congee are all included. There is currently a 20% off for lunch. Only $20 for 3 of us, that's a bargain. There was also a railway train going around the rolling-belt, but no food was on those small plates on the day. Recommended.

MPV BBQ & Seafood Restaurant (新順景海鮮燒臘) in San Gabriel

It's the second time we came to this restaurant. If your order is over $30 (dinner only), you have a selection of dishes that can be ordered with a discount, e.g. lobster for $1.99, baby pigeon for $2.99 each, prawns for free, etc. We opted for the lobster as usual. Peking duck was only $9.99. However, the scallop weren't that good, they were rather small and overcooked. Apart from that, food was great but the restaurant does need a good renovation.