We got to the restaurant about 10 minutes before opening on a Sunday (Father’s Day) and stood in a short line. We were able to get seated outside without waiting once the restaurant opened. There are tables outside but only stool seating at the bar or along the windows inside. Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

The local box crab and uni were definitely the highlight of the restaurant. The crab was spikey but the shell was surprisingly soft.

Local abalone with a lemon, garlic sauce. Also very tasty!

The chowder was loaded with clams, potatoes and bacon. Very flavorful. The crab bisque was lacking flavor and was very clumpy – wouldn’t order it again.

Best uni we’ve ever had. It was so fresh the urchin was still moving on the plate when it came out.

Dinner at Bouchon in downtown Santa Barbara during our staycation. We had reservations and were seated in the outside patio area. The patio was nice except for the crazy guy that was yelling for about 5 minutes on the sidewalk. Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Juan and I both started with French onion soup. I had to add salt because it lacked flavor. Nice and cheesy, but I don’t think I would get it again.

Duck breast was nice and tender and the demi-glacé was delicious – I wish there was more of it!

Juan’s review of the rack of lamb – delicious! It could’ve used some more mushroom and less rice but otherwise it was perfect.

Not pictured – local SB wine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and crème brulee ⭐️⭐️

Dinners made at home

Dinner at Momofuku in the Cosmopolitan. They have an a la carte menu but they also let you choose a price point between $75-$150/person and create a chef’s tasting menu for you. This is what $150/person gets you. Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

The server asked me if there wasn’t anything we didn’t like and I told him I don’t eat foie gras but he insisted that I had to try this dish. I’m kind of glad he did because it was unique and wasn’t terrible but I don’t know if I would eat it again. Juan loved it, though! Apparently this dish was created by accident when someone in the kitchen accidentally froze a hunk of foei gras and they didn’t want it to go to waste so they decided to shave it on to some ahi tuna.

Hands down, this dish and the brussel sprouts were the best ones of the night (I don’t know that Juan agreed 🙂)

Started off Vegas with a dinner at Michael Mina in the Bellagio. Juan had the seasonal tasting menu and I had the traditional tasting menu. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Seasons of Mina Tasting Menu

Signature Tasting Menu

Matteo’s – The Venetian ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Mon Ami Gabi – Paris Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gordon Ramsey Pub & Grill – Caeser’s Palace ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jaleo – The Cosmopolitan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Shang Artisan Noodle – Las Vegas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yomie’s – Chinatown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Mian – Chinatown ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Broad Street Oyster Co. – Malibu ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Cici’s Cafe – Westlake Village ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stonehaus – Westlake Village ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Lure Fish House – Camarillo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Nonna – Westlake Village ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mastro’s – Thousand Oaks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Los Agaves – Westlake Village ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Aloha Steakhouse – Ventura ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Marugame Monzo – Little Tokyo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ramen Nagi – Westfield Century City ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kappo Miyabi – Santa Monica ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Daikokuya – Little Tokyo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle – Sawtelle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Lai – Mar Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chinchikurin – Sawtelle ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Lawry’s The Prime Rib – Beverly Hills ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Din Tai Fung – Westfield Century City ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We went back to The Brother’s Sushi in Woodland Hills to try “The Sushi Omakase” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (see Part I post for “The Omakase”). Suggestion – don’t sit in the outside patio area. I don’t know if this is an issue all year round but there were tiny gnats everywhere that kept landing and dying on our table. I had to ask for a new glass of sake because one landed in it, and then they brought us coasters to cover our drinks so that they wouldn’t keep landing in there. I’m pretty sure I probably ate some along with my dinner… extra protein?

Omakase from Sushi Tadokoro in Old Town San Diego ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fried amaebi head was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+