Mei Zhou Dongpo Coming to Irvine

I was slightly upset that the Marie Callendar Restaurant in Culver Plaza, Irvine was closed down.  We loved to get the dessert pies from there during their pie-month sale (Feb and Oct).  Unfortunately, they had to go.

The other day, as I was going to have lunch at Little Sheep, I walked past the empty shop.  Quickly, my eyes noticed a poster on the front door.  From it I found out there is a new restaurant coming to Irvine - Mei Zhou Dongpo!



It is all covered up, I am assuming they have having renovation inside the shop.  As I visited the website listed on the poster, I found that it has another location in Santa Monica Century City Westfield Mall.  There is not much information about it on the website beside the menu and the location.

Farther researching online, Yelp reviewers rated the restaurant in Santa Monica with an average of 3 stars.  From the name of the restaurant, probably their signature dish would be Dongpo meat.  This restaurant may have only 2 locations (including Irvine) in US but has 110 locations across China since 1996.  They serve Sichuan / Szechuan cuisine.  

Guess you all have to wait till its opening to find out more about this place.  I am interested to find out how this restaurant will do with the ever high competition among the many restaurants in Irvine.

Honey & Butter Macarons Coming Soon to Irvine Spectrum

It has been a long while since I visited Irvine Spectrum.  But there was a surprise for me.  I was excited to find out that Honey & Butter macarons is coming to Irvine Spectrum.   It says to be open in spring 2016, should be before June, I guess.  I can't wait! 

Honey & Butter started at The LAB in Costa Mesa.  I especially like their character macarons because they are just too cute, to a point that you just want to keep them rather than eating them.  You can view some of their creations at their Yelp Page.

Saks Off Fifth Coming to Metro Pointe at South Coast

Saks Off Fifth is coming to Metro Pointe at South Coast. It is located in the same plaza as Nordstrom Rack and Edward Theater, right next to Marshall.  Don't confuse this with the Saks Fifth Avenue at South Coast Plaza.  Saks Off Fifth is where you want to go to get a good deal. 

This will be the nearest outlet for us living in Irvine.  Currently, for the nearest Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, I have to drive up to Orange Outlet (previously known as The Block of Orange), which is about 15 minutes drive.  Now that it will be opening soon at South Coast, it will be less than 10 minutes drive.

UNIQLO Coming Soon to South Coast Plaza

I was at South Coast Plaza this morning for shopping. As I was walking into the mall from the structure parking, I saw this big sign:

    From Tokyo to LA, UNIQLO will be joining the West Coast. They are opening several locations in LA area including at Glendale Galleria, Beverly Center and Northridge Fashion Center.

South Coast Plaza will be their only location in Orange County for now.  The anticipated opening date is September 5th, 2014.  The store at South Coast Plaza is located in front of Sears (near the Lego store).  That location used to be a hair salon, Mrs. Field's Cookie and another clothing store. 

Their online websites already selling items with sales and for now, they offer free shipping for orders $50 and up.

Old Malaya Grill in Huntington Beach

Go guess the acronym for Old Malaya Grill and you will find yourself saying, "O-M-G!" I just love the creativity of the owner. 


Her name is Nur and she is 100% Malaysian and she prepares all the food from scratch with no MSG added.  She gave me a quick tour of her kitchen.  If you do see her when you are at O-M-G, please say,  "Hello!"  She is very friendly and she loves to share her passion about cooking with you.


The restaurant had just opened about a month ago.  O-M-G is located in the small plaza on the southeast corner of Garfield and Beach in the City of Huntington Beach. You can find the address at the bottom of this post.  The interior of the restaurant is very simple but pleasant.  It has seating for up to 30 customers.   


Just because this is still a very new restaurant, their menu may be limited but they are trying to expand with more dishes.  The above picture show you the items they served here.  Most of the dishes here are under $10. 

Are you ready for the food pictures?  Let me start with the appetizer we ordered today.

Chicken Satay  
Roti Jala with curry  
Roti Canai with curry
Next three pictures were our main course.  We had Nasi Lemak with Chicken Berempah (spice chicken), Char Koay Teow and Mee Goreng Mamak.

 Nasi Lemak The sambal is sweet and spicy.  It is very authentic to our local Malaysian sambal for this dish.
The chicken has just the right amount of spice in it.    Char Koay Teow The deal with this dish is you need to right way to stir fry it with hot wok. You also need the right sauce. You get both deals here.  This is not a spicy dish.  You can ask the owner for sambal on the side.    Mee Goreng Mamak The right sauce, the right wok heat. Again, this is a non-spicy dish, but sambal is provided on the side.
Now we go to our last two pictures. The dessert!

 Pisang Goreng (Banana fritters)     Ice Kacang with Rose syrup (shaved ice)
Old Malaya Grill

19072 Beach Blvd #F, Huntington Beach, California 92648

Phone: (714) 963-7319

Tue to Fri: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm; 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sat to Sun: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Monday: Closed

**HALAL**
**NO MSG**

Scoop Fest at Baskin Robbins

Swing by your nearest Baskin Robbins today and tomorrow for their Scoop Fest Amazing Deal. You can get the kid's scoop for $1, 2 scoops for $2 and 3 scoops for $3.

What is your favorite Baskin Robbins flavor?  My personal favorite is the Love Potion #31.  I will definitely stop by tomorrow to get a scoop of this deal.  Don't wait too long, this deal will end tomorrow, April 24th, 2014.

Capital Noodle Bar at Crossroad Plaza

As I was shopping at The Crossroads (Barranca and Culver), I saw a sign (picture above) for a new restaurant coming into the plaza. It is the Capital Noodle Bar.  Capital Seafood Restaurant is famous for its dim sum.  It has already two restaurants in the city of Irvine, one in the Diamond Jamboree Plaza and the other in Irvine Spectrum. 

I do not know what to expect for this new outlet at Crossroads which is a "noodle bar", but I will definitely give it a try when it is opened.  Anyone wants to join me for a lunch trip there? 

Ruby's Diner 31st Anniversary Promotion

We enjoy going to our neighborhood Ruby's Diner at Woodbridge Plaza in Irvine.  It has a really nice view of the Woodbridge North Lake.  What I like best is their promotion "Kid Eats Free" with every adult meal purchase every Tuesday.  They milkshake is a must have item if you are there.  Their Oreo Cookie Milkshake is my number 1 pick.

Every year during their anniversary, they have different anniversary promotion on.  This year, in conjunction to their 31st Anniversary, you can get the Classic Burger and Fries for only $3.10.  This is such a deal.   The anniversary celebration will fall on January 27th 2014.  If I am correct, this meal will cost $7.99-$8.99 on regular menu price.


So save the date and visit your neighborhood Ruby's anytime on January 27th, which is a Monday, for this great deal.  I can't wait to sink my teeth into the juicy burgers.

Tamaki Haiga Short Grain Rice

This is Tamaki Haiga Short Grain Rice.  Haiga-mai is a type of brown rice with the outer bran removed while keeping the nutritious haiga or the germ, intact.  It is also called as half polished rice. 

This is what we currently eat for our rice.  The regular price on this 15 pounds bag is $30.98.  It is on sale at Marukai this week (until this Thursday) for only $20.98.  That's a saving of $10. 

What I like about this rice:

1. It is packaged in 3 bags of 5 pounds each.  I like it this way because it will keep the freshness as we only need to open one bag each time we finished.


2. It is easy to cook with a rice cooker although initial adjustment may be needed. For me, I will add 1 cup of water to 1 cup of rice. If you have brown rice setting on your rice cooker, use that. Or else, like me, I leave the lid ajar when cooking the rice to give air to avoid water bubble overflow.

3.  It is a type of brown rice so the texture is chewy yet fluffy.

Apple Coffee Cake from Sprouts Farmers Market

When I saw the Apple Coffee Cake on sale in the weekly sale flyer for Sprouts this week I told myself - "I have to get this."  We were running out of eggs so I went to Sprouts today to get them (with no intention to get this coffee cake at all).  While browsing through the bakery section I saw the sale sign above this cake - Apple Coffee Cake $2.99 Save $1.  Now I know their regular price is at $3.99, not too bad.

They package the cake in a 8"x8" aluminum pan with a clear plastic cover.  Just by looking at the crumbs, I can just feel them in my mouth.  My mind was weighing the pros and cons of bringing this cake home.  We were trying to eat more healthy this year. But in the end, my devil side won.  I bought this cake.
 

Immediately after I got home, I cut a small piece of this cake for myself.  It was so delicious.  The crumbs just melted in my mouth.  The cake itself was moist enough for me.  It wasn't overly sweet either and you can actually bite into some apple chunks in the cake.  I couldn't help it but had another piece. 

Final verdict - I will definitely buy again but may have to share half of it with another friend.  It is also good bake item to serve during a tea party for adults and kids.

Where can you get this yummilicious Apple Coffee Cake?

At Sprouts Farmers Market.  It is on sale for this week (Oct 16th to Oct 23rd 2013) for $2.99.

I bought mine from the Sprouts at this location:

Sprouts Farmers Market
3775 Alton Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 705-5435

Open daily 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sebamed at Costco

Surprised to see Sebamed products in USA at Costco.  I've known this skincare line for a long time from my visit to Malaysia.  My aunt always buy this brand for her family especially the body wash.  All the products has a pH of 5.5 which is very healthy for the skin. 

When I saw the table with all the different Sebamed items, I went to check them out.  The lady said this German company had just started their USA retail two years ago and that she is having the road show promotion at this Costco (Tustin the District) for two weeks.  She said the items are sold at a discounted price, almost like buy one get one free. 

I was interested in the eye cream.  The price for one is $34.99 outside according to her.  But at this road show, they are selling 2 item for this price.  I can choose to buy 2 boxes of eye cream or 1 eye cream and 1 moisturizer.  I bought the combo deal with 1 eye cream and 1 moisturizer.

These two items I bought have the Co-enzyme Q10 which supposedly help to reduce fine line and wrinkle.  I can see fine lines emerging on the side of my eyes thus I need a quick fix for it.  I also needed a new bottle of face cream for night time use.  It says on the box that visible improvement can be seen in as short as 28 days.  I'll find out about that and attest to it.

When I came home, I went to Sebamed US website and saw that they are selling this product for $29.95 each on their website.  It is not really $34.99 like what the lady told me.  But it is definitely a great deal to get two items just for $34.99 plus tax.

You can find them at Costco at the Tustin District from Oct 11th to Oct 20th 2013.

Malaysian in Orange County, Southern California

We have a growing number of members for our Malaysian in Orange County group.  Currently we have about 40 members.

It all started when I met another Penang mom at Pretend City.  We both were attending Parenting Skill program offered by KIDA.  The program was seven weeks long and I only met her on the last week when I heard her talking to her son in Hokkien dialect. We exchanged phone numbers.  At that time she was still living in Costa Mesa and was moving to Irvine in another month.

I still remember vividly on the first week, my husband and I were sitting in the same table as her.  She has fair complexion and never in my mind would ever thought she's from Malaysia.  When she spoke in English, we could tell she is not native speaker.  My first thought was that she's a Taiwanese.  Later, I also met her husband whom is also from Penang.

Second mom I met whom also from Penang was from my son's summer school at Eastshore Elementary.  He was attending Jumpstart to Kindergarten and the other boy was also in the same program.  His mom and a friend of mine were friends.  So we would be standing and waiting together for the kids at pick up time.  We all conversed in Cantonese and initially I thought she was from Hong Kong but not long after that, I found out she is from Bukit Mertajam.  Well, by then I already knew three people from Malaysia and all from Penang.

The next person I met was Bee from Rasa Malaysia.  Another Malaysian friend who lives in Pasadena told me the author for Rasa Malaysia also lives in Irvine.  So out of curiosity, I emailed her to ask if she would love to join us, the three Penang ladies for lunch.  Surprising, she replied and said Yes. 

And from Bee, I also met another two friends, one from Penang and the other from Johor.  And our list grew longer and longer. 

Now we have gathering once every few months.  The purpose is to get together, eat and talk.  Just like back home, we always have conversation over food.  It is fun to be able to see so many Malaysians in Orange County.  If you are reading this post and you would like to join our gathering, kindly leave me a comment here.
 

Carter's Boys Cotton 7-Pack Briefs / Underwear

Back in April 2011, I bought the Paul Frank Toddler / Kids Underwear from Target.  They didn't last long enough.  The elastics became less stretchy after sometimes.  But I like them and used them all till now. 

When it was time to look for some new underwear, I checked out many places and couldn't find something that suit my son.  We prefer something that has shorter length from the waist to the crotch.  Most of the ones we found at Target or Kohl's (made by Fruit of the Loom or Hanes) have deeper crotch to waist length. 

Finally I found the underwear that fits well for my son at Carter's.  And they were having 50% sales during the Labor Day's weekend.  I got the Carter's Cotton 7-pack briefs at $12.  Regular price is at $24 + tax.  I think I score a good deal here.  I bought 2 packs of the size 6-7, Carter's largest size for kids.
    

They have the 3-pack briefs for $12 regular price, sales price at $6.  The 7-pack is a better deal.  I think this is the best offer I've seen at Carter's for the underwear.   

FREE McDonald's Breakfast for Students

Southern California McDonald's restaurants are promoting their healthy breakfast for students to kick start the new school year. 

When students from kindergarten to 8th grade accompanied by an adult visit participating McDonald's restaurants on September 10th from 6am to 9am, they may receive free of charge any breakfast muffin, apple slices and 1% milk.

Shown in the picture above is their Egg White Delight McMuffin.  This breakfast sandwich features 100% egg whites, extra lean Canadian bacon and white cheddar on whole grain muffin.

McDonald's Back to School Breakfast Offer

Students: Kindergarten thru 8th grade
Date: September 10th, 2013
Time: 6am to 9am
Venue: Participating McDonald's Restaurants

Bruxie in Irvine

We now have a Bruxie in Irvine at Heritage Plaza off Culver and Walnut (same plaza as Mitzuwa & Daiso). The outlet just opened last week when I was still in Malaysia. I returned to Irvine last weekend and the first thing I did this week was to pay a visit to this restaurant.




My first impression on this new Bruxie location was, "Wow! They have a lot of seating!" The original Bruxie at Old Town Orange, if you ever been there, the seating space is very limited. I know they do have other locations, but we only visited the one at Old Town Orange. I am glad they have one now in Irvine as it is much nearer to our home and with more tables.






The interior design is very simple and clean. There are two ordering cashiers where you place your order and a condiment island towards your right side. They noted down my name after I paid for my order and then passed me a pager with a number, like one of those pager you get while waiting for a table at a restaurant. They said they will deliver the food to my table when it is ready.

We ordered the Bruxie Angus Beef (savoury) and Crème Brulee (sweet). I also ordered a P&J kid's meal for my son.


Kid's Meal - Peanut Butter & Strawberry Preserve, waffle fries and strawberry lemonade

Sweet Waffle - Seasonal Crème Brulee

Savoury Waffle - Bruxie Burger
We will definitely go back again to try the other waffles on the menu. I am really glad they have the kids' menu that comes with lemonade because my son just happen to like their lemonade a lot. Do check out their weekly special. This week is the Carolina BBQ Pulled Pork and Country Sausage & Egg.








Bruxie Irvine
14376 Culver Drive,
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 556-4894

Lee Kum Kee Non-GMO Light Soy Sauce

Asians can't live without soysauce.  I've been using Lee Kum Kee's Premium Soy Sauce for a while now and I like it.  Not until recently that I learnt from a friend of mine that Lee Kum Kee has a line of soy sauce that is produced using non-GMO (genetic modified organism) soy beans.  I definitely was interested to find out.

When I was at the 99 Ranch the other day, two of the Lee Kum Kee's soy sauce bottles were on sale.  One of them is the same one as my friend showed me at her house.  She usually buy the light soy sauce and it is in the green bottle.  It is on sale for $2.38/bottle.  Regular price at 99 Ranch at Culver Plaza is $3.49.

I bought one bottle of this Lee Kum Kee non-GMO Less Sodium (Light) and will try it when my current bottle of soy sauce is out.  When I look at my current soy sauce bottle, only then I realized that I've been using the non-GMO all these while without knowing.  Well ... you can read the labels to find out.

Thermos Funtainer Food Jar

My son will be starting 1st grade in September.  I am getting a new food jar for him to bring his warm lunch to school.  This Thermos Funtainer Food Jar is so cute.  There are many designs including some superheroes - Avengers, Spiderman, Batman, Starwars, for boys and for girls they have Hello Kitty and Barbie. 

The food jar has a capacity of 10oz and can keep warm for 5 hours and cool for 7 hours.  It has a wide opening/mouth for easy filling, serving and cleaning.  Most importantly, it has stainless steel interior and exterior.  It is also BPA-free.

I chose the Ninja and Fire Truck designs in hope that not too many kids in his class will have the same as his. 

They are on sale at Toys R Us.  Regular price is at $12.99.  I bought it during their sale with the promotion "Buy 1 and get 2nd at 50%."  It means I paid $19.50 (tax not included) for two Thermos Funtainer Food Jars!  That's less than $10 each.  I don't think you can get that pricing at Amazon online.

Buy Backpack and Free Lunch Bag

The promo is back at Toys 'R' Us!!!  Buy any backpack and get any lunch bag $9.99 and under for free. 
The last time we got my son's backpack was 2 years ago and it was the same deal, also at Toys 'R' Us.  But now that Domo's lunch bag has interior damage and his Domo's backpack is slightly too small for 1st grade. So we got him new one this year.

The backpack is a bit too big, but this is the only one without any big cartoon such as Mario, Angry Bird, Avengers, Spiderman and so on.  I hope there is no one else in his class using the same back pack. 

We paid $14.99 plus sales tax for the backpack and the Ninja lunch bag $9.99 came free!

Circus Vargas Westminster

As a child, I love going to circus with my family.  Why?  Not because of the performances, but because of all the food I could enjoy at the circus - cotton candies, roasted corns, slushies and more.  I remember how the circus had animals performances but not anymore now.  At least not at Circus Vargas.


A friend had invited our family to join hers for an outing to Circus Vargas recently.  We bought our tickets online.  I surprised my family the next day that we'd be heading to Circus Vargas on Sunday.  My son was ecstatic.  He has heard about circus from a tv show but hasn't been to one.  He kept asking us everyday about the circus and on the day of the event, he asked us how long more before heading out to the circus. 

I didn't have any expectation going to the circus for this new generation.  However, Circus Vargas surprised me with its uplifting performers and shows.  It brings circus to a new level.  I really enjoyed when they invited kids and parents to sit around the ring and let the kids to have first hand being a performers in the center stage.  The kids played the hula hoops, balancing with a peacock feather and juggling with handkerchief.  What can be more fun than for the kids to have first hand experience than this.

The show was a little under 2 hours long with an approximately 10 minutes intermission.  Overall experience was magnificent.  Well worth the price we paid for the tickets ($25 for arena bleacher seating).


Entrance to the arena

The seating in the arena

The ring in the center

View from our seats

Circus Vargas
May 24th to June 4th - Westminster at Westminster Mall
June 7th to 11th - Santa Ana at Westfield Main Place
June 14th to 25th - Irvine at Irvine Spectrum

Circus Vargas FAQ