nobu malibu
NOBU Malibu is that thing on your bucket list that you do one time, and then you don’t need to do it again for years. The food is incredible. I don’t care what anyone says; the food in itself is worth it. The ambiance is impressive, but the people are not. The experience was incredibly rushed and not personable at all. I am confident that if we were celebrities, the experience would have been significantly different. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
Lychee Martini: A classic have to get.
Market Margarita: Not on the menu if you love spicy margaritas this one was made for you.
Rock Shrimp: Still dreaming about it.
Miso Black Cod: Nobu is known for this have to try it at least once.Yellowtail Jalapeño- just get it you won’t be disappointed.
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice: People love this stuff I personally do not but get it, it is a crowd favorite.
Tuna Tacos: They’re small but mighty. I want like 5 of them right now.
Ribeye with Truffle Butter: Skip.
Cod Fish and Chips: Only on the lunch menu, do it.
Toro Nigiri: Insane have to get.
Shrimp Tempura Roll: Classic but skip.
mateo
Mateo is one of my favorite restaurants in Boulder. The ambiance is incredibly warm and inviting. Mateo serves all the classic French fare: French onion soup, charcuterie, fromage, duck confit, etc. However, what keeps me coming back are the steak and chicken frites. These are the ultimate comfort food. They are each served with fries, a small salad, Bearnaise, spicy ketchup, and garlic aioli. I would eat either of these dishes every day if I could. The garlic aioli is not the main star of the show but still leaves an impression. I have asked the staff there on several occasions to give me a gallon to take home.
You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu but get the steak frites.
oat bakery
Oat Bakery is a sourdough-focused bakery in Santa Barbara, California. My friend Anna brought me to Oat because she used to work there.
We got a slew of things: date almond and sesame charcoal sourdough, supersede cookie, and vegan truffle cashew and cilantro pesto spreads. Honestly, I did not think anything of getting sourdough from a bakery. I did not think I would be wowed in any way, but boy was I wrong. The date almond sourdough was the perfect mix of sweet and salty; you could easily place a variety of spreads on it or just eat it plain.
THE SPREADS. We have to talk about the spreads. Since visiting Oat Bakery, I have been trying to remake these, but nothing compares. They are both vegan, which is insane.
Oat Bakery, I love you, and I will be back.
the ivy
The staff was incredibly sweet from the start. My family and I had to push our reservation back two times due to LA traffic, and they were nothing but accommodating. Even when we got to the reservation, we were sat inside; when we asked to sit outside, they let us move with no problem.
The ambiance in the restaurant is a dream. Florals and pink everywhere. We ordered the lobster ravioli with pink sauce, 1/2 pound lobster linguine, fish and chips, and spicy corn chowder. Everything was delicious, no complaints.
Was the food overpriced? Probably. Are you paying for the ambiance and too maybe see a celebrity? Yes. Everyone should go to The Ivy at least once.
erewhon
Erewhon popped up on the scene in 1968, so why is everyone so obsessed with it now, you ask. I have no idea. What I do know is that I dragged my parents here the minute we got to LA. I had to see what all the fuss was about.
My mother, who didn’t want to go, was even taken aback and instantly tried to buy the whole store. Erewhon is essentially a Whole Foods with a way better hot bar; I got a crazy expensive juice and a steak breakfast burrito. Both were very good. I tried to choose the least expensive juice I could find, and it was still eleven dollars.
I essentially had a twenty-dollar breakfast, but I mean, when you’re eating a completely non-GMO, all-organic meal, it kinda feels worth it. The valet at Erewhon was incredibly friendly and gave my parents and me these yummy probiotic sodas when we left. That in itself was worth it.
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