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Everywhere You Should Check Out For Dine LA!

April 17, 2023 by jessskeung Leave a Comment

My favorite week is coming to LA!! Mark your calendars for April 28 – May 12 it’s Dine LA Restaurant Week! This is the perfect time to check out that restaurant you’ve been wanting to try or revisit your faves! This post will have some of my favorites on the list, as well as some places I want to check out this time around, but you can check out the full list of participating restaurants here!

On the Westside
On the Eastside
LA Favorites
On my List
Looking to Splurge

On the Westside

The Westside has some great restaurants on the menu for Dine LA week. From West Adams to Venice, there are so many spots for you to check out the next two weeks!

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai

I finally got to check out Farmhouse Thai with a friend this week and it did not disappoint! I will say, it was definitely on the pricier side, but it’s top notch for aesthetic and quality. The pad kee mao and hat yai fried chicken are amazing! I want to come back and try the live lobster pad thai and you gotta check it out during Dine LA!

Blue Plate Taco

Blue Plate Taco is a Santa Monica staple. Located right by the ocean, this spot has wonderful tacos, appetizers, and margaritas – perfect before a sunny day at the beach! You gotta try the shrimp and steak tacos, along with their chips & guac! Their Dine LA menu is a generous 3-course $35 dinner selection consisting of ceviche, various tacos, tres leches cake, and more!

Colapasta

Another spot located in Santa Monica, Colapasta is right on 5th street serving up some delicious pasta dishes! Their Dine LA menu is AMAZING and I will definitely be stopping by during Restaurant Week. A six-course lunch/dinner menu is only $45 per person (with a minimum of two people)! Some highlights include their branzino and uni carpaccio and classic beef ragu lasagna!

On the Eastside

Although getting to the Eastside from the Westside can be quite the trek (with LA traffic), these restaurants are definitely worth the drive!

Girl & the Goat

If you know me, you know that the Girl & the Goat is one of my favorite LA restaurants! For Dine LA they have a prefix menu for two including their famous ‘naan and dips’ (one of my favs), sticky glazed pork shank (also one of my favs), mango sticky rice, and more! This menu costs $65/person, but seems like a great deal considering how pricy their dishes normally are.

PS: if you’re looking to splurge, you have to try their sautéed green beans and ‘takin care of bees’ knees’ cocktail!

Kombu Sushi

I’ve been wanting to try Kombu Sushi for a while and what better time than Dine LA week! For Restaurant Week they have a killer 5 course menu + cocktail for $55 featuring soup, a specialty roll, various nigiris, spicy tuna rice cakes, and a yuzu cocktail. Personally, I think this is a pretty good deal for quality sushi and a fun atmosphere!

Manuela

Another Eastside spot I’ve been wanting to try is Manuela! Located also in the Arts District, Manuela is a super cute new American restaurant! The only downside is they are only participating with Dine LA during lunch Tuesday through Friday so if you’re funemployed or have the luxury of taking a leisurely lunch, you should definitely check out Manuela!

LA Favorites

Here are a few of either my personal favorites or classic LA restaurants you should check out!

UOVO

UOVO has some of the best pasta (in my opinion) in Los Angeles. They have participating restaurants at their Marina del Rey, Mid-Wilshire, Santa Monica, and Studio City locations. For $45, you can get a delicious arugula & mizuna salad, tagliatelle in a mouthwatering truffle sauce, and tiramisu! They serve handmade pasta from Bologna, Italy and it’s a must try!

The Butcher’s Daughter

Another LA classic – The Butcher’s Daughter is an aesthetic plant-based restaurant! Their Melrose location is participating in this year’s Dine LA restaurant week. For $25, you can get a two course meal with selections such as the cacio e pepe cauliflower, impossible burger, and a mixed mushroom pizza. Each item generally goes for around $16-20 so getting two for $25 is a great deal! They also offer a two glass wine pairing for an additional $20 (from ‘Only the Wild Ones’). Definitely worth a try!

KazuNori

KazuNori is an LA classic and luckily it’s on this year’s Dine LA list! There are many location options, so you should be able to find one near you! During lunch and dinner, you can get salmon sashimi and toro, yellowtail, bay scallop, crap, and lobster hand rolls for only $25! Although still not the cheapest meal, this is a great deal compared to their usual pricing!

Some of my others favorites:

SugarFish
Emporium Thai (Westwood)
Gyu-Kaku

On my List

You already know I constantly have a running list of restaurants I’ve been wanting to check out in Los Angeles. Here are a few that happen to also been part of Dine LA Restaurant Week.

Vino Wine and Tapas Room

Located in the heart of Encino, Vino Wine and Tapas Room has been on my radar for quite some time! This spot has a phenomenal happy hour and their Dine LA menu does not disappoint. It consists of items such as various red and white wines, tapas like empanadas and croquetas, and churros. Their regular menu has additional items like cheese boards, paella, and more delicious desserts! This is definitely one of the top places I want to try out during Dine LA (and after)!

Tagine

To be completely honest, I haven’t gotten the privilege of trying Moroccan food so I’ve been wanting to visit Tagine! This quaint and intimate spot is located in Beverly Hills and is a perfect date spot. Their Dine LA menu has a three course dinner for $55 – everything on there is making my mouth water I don’t know what to pick! I can’t wait to try it out!

Little Sister

Little Sister has many locations throughout LA with two participating in Dine LA’s Restaurant Week – El Segundo and Redondo Beach. They have a $55 lunch or dinner menu including items such as papaya salad, lemongrass pork, and ‘shaky shaky beef’. With Dine LA, you get a choice of an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Although a little more on the pricier side, I’ve heard great feedback about Little Sister and I’m excited to (hopefully) try it out in the next few weeks!

If You’re Looking to Splurge… (over $65)

If you’re looking to spend a bit more money, here are a few of my favorite Dine LA restaurants for you to check out!

Soulmate, West Hollywood ($70/person)

Soulmate is a family style Spanish restaurant located in West Hollyood. They serve amazing bites and delicious cocktails within an architectural dream. For $70/person, you can choose from a selection of appetizers, small plates, and desserts. Ranging from tuna tiradito to crispy chicken thighs, you’ll surely find something for everyone at Soulmate.

Kodō, Arts District ($75/person)

Kodō is a Japanese American restaurant located in the Arts District. They serve fish caught locally and from markets in Japan! Their Dine LA menu is a four course dinner for $75/person including items like bonito cesar, chef’s choice nigiri, and prime ribeye. This chic restaurant is a must try during Dine LA and after!!

Matú, Beverly Hills ($90/person)

Matú is a beautiful steakhouse located in Beverly Hills and serving 100% grass fed wagyu. Their Dine LA menus do not disappoint with their Matú philly cheese steak & salad for lunch ($35) and a scrumptious tasting menu for two for dinner ($90/person). I definitely want to come and try their steak tartare and 8 hour braised beef cheek!

Omakase by Osen, Silver Lake ($130/person)

The priciest tasting menu I’ve seen thus far – Omakase by Osen. However, for good quality omakase, $130/person is a pretty good deal. This 10 course meal serves items like king crab miso soup, dashi jelly, and various chef’s choice sashimi & sushi. Located in the heart of Silver Lake, Omakase by Osen is the perfect spot for authentic sushi lovers!

Overall, this post was so difficult to make because there are SO MANY amazing restaurants in the Los Angeles area! I’d love to hear your thoughts if you visit any of these and let me know if there are any I missed. If you want to visit any of these, I recommend you JesssBookIt soon as reservations go quick!!

What I Spent In an Authentic Weekend in Chicago

April 11, 2023 by jessskeung Leave a Comment

Like most cities in the United States, a trip to Chicago can get pretty pricy. As someone who loves to travel, I understand the importance of budgeting and being transparent about costs. That’s why I wanted to share my experience with you and give you an honest account of what it really costs to visit The Windy City. While I may have splurged on a few things, there are many ways you can save money on your trip to Chicago!

If you’d like to jump to a particular section, feel free to use these anchors:

flights
lodging
transportation
food & drinks

Flights

First things first, you gotta book a flight to get there! If there’s one thing I’ll always encourage my friends to do, it’s to get a travel credit card! I personally LOVE the Chase Sapphire Preferred! If you’re interested in signing up or checking out the card click here!

I flew a nonstop flight through United, which was perfect and only a four hour flight. The flight left around 6am and we were able to get to Chicago by lunchtime!

Although the flight should’ve been $400, I was able to book my round trip flight from Los Angeles to Chicago completely free through my points on the Chase portal!

*If you’d like a breakdown of my favorite credit cards that have helped me save money while traveling, leave me a comment or dm!

Lodging

When planning a trip, I always have a solid debate with a pros and cons list between staying in a hotel and an AirBnB. For this quick two-night trip, we decided to stay in an AirBnB because it ended up being cheaper for everything we wanted.

We booked a stay with Sonder and had an absolutely wonderful experience. Hoping to get a referral code soon, but I’ll update y’all on Instagram if/when I do!

Our stay was extremely clean, aesthetically furnished, and the customer support was impeccable. Sonder has a ton of locations and I highly recommend booking one of their stays for your trip!

For two nights and for my half of our stay, I paid $200.19 or about $100/night – keep in mind we could’ve found a cheaper stay if we wanted!

Transportation

Getting around Chicago is pretty simple with many affordable options such as the L train and buses, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft widely available. Our stay was pretty central so we also walked a decent amount during the day. However, as two girls exploring the city, we often opted for Ubers to safely get to and from our destinations. Our trip to Chicago was also pretty short, so Ubers helped us explore most of the city quickly and more efficiently. I ended up spending $72.88 on rideshare services – a bulk of which were to get to and from the airport.

Food & Drinks

If you’re anything like my roommate and I, you’ll plan your entire trip around the restaurants you want to try. I’m very happy we did because the food scene here was great – that says a lot coming from an LA foodie.

Each restaurant was a great experience, but I will admit they were all on the pricier side. If you’re looking to save some money, there are plenty of cheaper options throughout the city that I’m sure are amazing as well!

All in all, I spent $286.03 total on food and drinks throughout the weekend (~3 days) – $197.31 on four upscale meals (check out my blog post about them here), $39.25 on two cocktails, $37.20 on casual snacks and lunch, and $27.27 on coffee.

Although not particularly cheap, I enjoyed indulging in some memorable food and drinks in Chicago!

If you’re curious about the restaurants I ate at during my trip, be sure to check out my Chicago restaurant post here!

Overview

flights: $0 (would’ve been $400)
lodging: $200.19
transportation: $72.88
food & drinks: $286.03
total: $559.10 (would’ve been $959.10)

In conclusion, I spent a bit more than I wanted on this short trip to Chicago, but my credit card points really helped make it much more doable! Also, as I mentioned before, there were definitely many ways I could have made this trip cheaper (ie not as nice of an airbnb, eating at cheaper restaurants, and no shopping), but this was a trip well saved for!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram to vote for my next blog post! @JesssBookIt

If you’re thinking of booking a trip to Chicago anytime soon, JesssBookIt!

The Perfect One Week Itinerary in Aruba

March 30, 2023 by jessskeung Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for a breathtaking island getaway, look no further than Aruba! Located in the mid-south Caribbean, Aruba is the perfect balance of sun, sand, and sea for a relaxing, yet adventurous vacation!

*note: links in this post may provide me commissions at no additional cost to you. thank you for supporting my blog!

Check out ALL my posts on Aruba here!

Day 1: Getting Settled

Welcome to Aruba!! Coming from California, we had quite a long travel day so we spent most of the first day getting our rental cars, unpacking, getting groceries, and finalizing our itinerary for the week. Our amazing AirBnB was located on the western coast of the island near Eagle Beach. We decided to make dinner at home and sit by the pool as we prepared for the wonderful week ahead.

*Note: we had a large group of ~12 people so we decided to make a few meals at home, but you can choose to eat out as well!

Day 2: Eagle and Palm Beach

YAY! Our first full day in Aruba! After a nice, restful night of sleep, we went to Eagle Beach. Such a beautiful, open beach with soft sand. My friends played some spikeball and we all enjoyed the warm, clear water.

After drying off, we ate and got happy hour drinks at Paradise Beach Villas’ Tiki Bar & Restaurant, just a short walk from the beach.

Since Aruba is such a small island and most things are nearby, we went back to our AirBnB to shower and get ready for a night out. We traveled about 20 minutes north to the more touristy area of Palm Beach where you’ll find hotels such as The Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott, and The Hyatt. There are tons of restaurants in this area, but we decided to eat at Tandoor The Indian Grill House, followed by dessert at Gelatissimo.

Day 3: Snorkeling!

With such warm and clear waters, snorkeling is a MUST!

We chose a day time catamaran snorkeling tour through Viator and it was one of my favorite experiences on this trip! For our dates, we paid $59/person and it was SO worth it. The three hour excursion included two snorkel stops (equipment provided), a light lunch, open bar, rope swing, and an “I Love Aruba” t-shirt which was a fun souvenir.

If interested, use this link to book directly with Viator!

Following this excursion, we stopped along the road to Malmok beach. As always, the water was extremely calm and beautiful.

We ate dinner home on this day 🙂

Day 4: UTV Tour & Cliff Jumping

Depending on whether you’re looking to jam pack your trip, I may or may not recommend doing 3 excursions 3 days in a row. However, my friends and I had a great time on our fourth day doing a UTV Tour, also booked through Viator.

A few highlights from our tour included:

Direct pickup from our AirBnB
Phillip’s Animal Garden
Alto Vista Chapel
Natural Bridge
Wariruri Bay
Bushiribana Ruins
Cave Pool Aruba (cliff jumping + my personal favorite stop)
Andicuri Beach

Although this tour was only about 4 hours long, we were wiped after being in the sun and a bit dirty all day. We decided to spend the rest of the evening at our AirBnB and by the pool.

Day 5: Mangel Halto Beach

On our next day, we traveled south to Mangel Halto Beach. Although all the beaches in Aruba were breathtaking, this one is a true gem. The crystal-clear waters and secluded location made it my favorite stop on our trip (despite the 57 bug bites I got…)

Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or take a dip in the refreshing waters, Mangel Halto Beach is an idyllic spot that’s not to be missed during your visit to Aruba.

After a nice, relaxing day, we stopped by Tia Rosa Snacks to enjoy delicious arepas and eventually headed back to our AirBnB. Once we had some dinner and downtime, we headed back out towards Noord/Palm Beach and hit up some bars! Although it was touristy, our group had a great time at Gusto Night Club.

Day 6: Arashi Beach + Sunset Catamarran

On our second to last day, we headed north to Arashi Beach! This was definitely more of a touristy area, but it was a great spot to tan and enjoy some drinks from the Arashi Beach Shack in the water.

With its calm and clear waters, this beach is a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, and sun bathing. The beach is also surrounded by lush greenery, providing a picturesque backdrop for sunbathing and taking in the stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.

We couldn’t leave Aruba without enjoying the breathtaking sunset from the water, so we booked an evening sunset sail with Viator. This was an absolutely wonderful excursion and I would 10/10 recommend to anyone visiting Aruba! As if the views weren’t enough, the two hour tour also included delicious appetizers and an open bar.

The experience was truly unforgettable and was the perfect way to end our trip to Aruba.

To cap off the night, we ate dinner at Gianni’s Ristorante Italiano! The Pappardelle Bolognese and Spaghetti Al Formaggio Parmigiano tossed in a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano are must tries!

Day 7: Baby Beach & Oranjestad

Sadly, our beautiful trip is coming to an end. However, we had to make the most of our final day in Aruba. We spent the first half of our day at Baby Beach, located on the southmost tip of the island. I would say this was also a pretty touristy area, but I totally understand why!

Baby Beach has a long strip of white sand and clear water, with many grass umbrellas for you to enjoy shade. My favorite part about this beach was eating lunch at Rum Reef Cocktail Bar & Grill, which had great food and drinks to enjoy with a gorgeous view of the water.

To cap off our trip, we walked around Oranjestad and explored the capital. Although there are lots of shops and restaurants, most of them were closed so it may be hit or miss! I think it’s definitely worth exploring if you’re able to catch it when everything’s open.

Overall, Aruba is a beautiful tropical destination for your next couples trip or family vacation and I can’t wait to visit again soon. As always, if you’re thinking of planning a trip to Aruba, I’d suggest you JesssBookIt!

Also, if you’re interested in a complete budget breakdown of this trip, comment below!

Best Pizza Spots in LA

March 23, 2023 by jessskeung Leave a Comment

Although LA may not be as well known as “New York Pizza” or “Chicago Deep Dish Pizza”, it is home to my favorite pizza-or, as my Italian boyfriend likes to call it, “a decent imitation” of Neapolitan pizza. If you’re like me and constantly searching “pizza near me,” here is a current list of my top 5 pizza spots throughout LA’s Westside!

Pizzeria Mozza

Starting off strong, Pizzeria Mozza located on Melrose, is by far my FAVORITE pizza spot in LA. Chef Nancy Silverton has truly mastered the art of wood-fired pizzas – must try the meatball & fennel sausage ones! Not only are the pizzas mouthwatering, but the appetizers and her Tricolore salad are incredible!

Pizzana

Pizzana is a recent favorite of mine! To be completely honest, the first time I tried it it wasn’t my favorite, but my boyfriend and I visited again a few weeks ago and I’ve been dying to go back ever since! The Diavola, Vodka, and Margarita pizzas are all amazing! Also, you have to try the Cavoletto Di Bruxelles salad with shaved brussel sprouts and a delicious vinaigrette.

Laurel Hardware

A pleasant surprise, Laurel Hardware has a phenomenal sausage pizza! Although the outside of the restaurant seems a little underwhelming, don’t be fooled because the interior of the restaurant is extremely aesthetic! The vibes play a huge part to this restaurant, I also think their food is worth going for!

Massilia

Massilia has become a staple for my friends and I ever since college. I’ve probably tried nearly every item on their menu and can say it is a tried and true spot! My favorite pizzas are their sausage and prosciutto ones, but I would recommend basically anything on their menu. Also, the brick interior and large bar shelves truly bring the experience altogether.

Great White

Last, but certainly not least, the LA staple of Great White surprisingly has some great pizza too! I was a bit skeptical at first due to their diverse menu, but their diavola pizza with honey on top is delicious! I’ve only visited their Venice location, but their West Hollywood spot looks incredible! Also, if you’ve had their smoked salmon pizza, please let me know your thoughts – been dying to try!

In conclusion, when it comes to pizza in LA, the possibilities are endless. From the classic staples to new and innovative creations, this city has something to offer for every pizza lover. Whether it’s for a casual night in or a special occasion, you can never go wrong with an LA pizza spot!

15 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Aruba

March 19, 2023 by jessskeung Leave a Comment

If thinking of visiting Aruba anytime soon, JesssBookIt!

4 Restaurants You Should Check Out In Chicago

March 18, 2023 by jessskeung Leave a Comment

My roommate and I finally visited The Windy City last month and, to no surprise, we picked the restaurants we wanted to try first and then planned everything else around it! When visiting cities outside of LA, I always realize how lucky I am to have such amazing and diverse options here–BUT I was pleasantly surprised with the food we ate. Here’s a list of the wonderful places we tried with my personal opinions on them and a cost breakdown so you know what to expect.

Sochi Saigonese Kitchen

First up, I have to give a huge shoutout to Sochi. Not only was it such a cute, cozy atmosphere, the food was incredible and well-deserving of their Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition! We got their egg rolls, crab fried rice, and pho and were not disappointed (~$40/person). Definitely worth the drive north towards Lakeview as it was my favorite restaurant of the trip!

*Beware of the multiple high curbs in front of the restaurant and try not to trip over them out of your Uber…not that I’m speaking from experience… :,)

Bar Mar

I am SUCH a sucker for any type of seafood dish and I was super excited to finally try one of José Andrés restaurants. First and foremost, the decor was super bright and fun which brought such a positive energy to a gloomy day. Definitely try their Neptune’s pillows with tuna on top, fresh oysters, and lobster roll served with tomato bisque. This is a more upscale spot with pretty small portions, but I felt it was worth it for high quality seafood.

Girl and the Goat

As one of my favorite restaurants in LA, I was stoked to finally try out the original location in the heart of Chicago. The menu changes pretty often, so it was nice to try some new plates such as the pig face and goat cheese charcuterie board, as well as indulge in the delicious green beans. The pig face was served over crunch stringed potatoes and paired very well with the fried egg mixed in. Tried and true, Girl and the Goat does not disappoint.

Cabra

Lastly, we visited Cabra, a rooftop restaurant and bar by the same chef as Girl and the Goat! The aesthetic of the place was stunning with tons of natural light and greenery. However, the portions were extremely small and, in my opinion, not worth the price. We got the salmon ceviche, crab, and goat empanadas. Overall, would recommend for drinks and a light bite, but I definitely left still hungry!

If you’re visiting Chicago anytime soon, I’d recommend you look at some reservations and JesssBookIt!

All Time Favorite Coffee Shops in LA

March 22, 2021 by jessskeung Leave a Comment

As a huge foodie, Los Angeles is the pinnacle of the best food and drinks in the country! In this post we’re going to focus on my personal favorite — coffee! As an ex-barista, I’m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest coffee shops. These recommendations are curated based on my personal preferences for quality, ambience, and service! Let’s dive in!

Maru Coffee

Maru Coffee is a phenomenal minimalist coffee shop that gets full stars for all three categories — quality, ambience, and service! My favorite drinks are their iced vanilla bean cappuccino and iced matcha latte which both have an amazing ratio of milk to coffee/tea. Another popular order is their cream top (drink on the right) which is an americano topped with sweet cream. I would drive from the westside to Los Feliz or the Arts District during traffic for Maru…if that tells you anything.

Coffee MCO

If you’re looking for a coffee shop to study at in LA, Coffee MCO in Koreatown is a great choice and was one of my go-to spots in college! It has plenty of seating outside and a few chairs inside (upstairs). The best part about this place is the free parking lot! It gets pretty crowded but I’ve always been able to find parking and a seat. Menu highlights include their blood orange espresso tonic and Cohen latte. They also have a decent sized beer and food selection (the breakfast sandwich is delish!)

Good Boy Bob

GoodBoyBob is one of my favorite spots on the westside (and I’m actually writing this from there right now). I primarily visit their Santa Monica location since they have better seating, but they also have shops in Manhattan Beach and Culver City. Their mr. mañana chapati is mouthwatering and paired with a nice iced oat cappuccino … mm chef’s kiss!

The Boy and the Bear

Another great coffee shop on the west side: The Boy and the Bear. They have quite a few locations, all with a different color theme. I loved their oat milk cappuccino and have been wanting to go back to try more drinks! The aesthetic of their ‘grey’ Culver City store is quite dark and moody but in the best way!

Eyes Peeled Coffee

Eyes Peeled has been a recent favorite of mine in Culver City. Their iced vanilla cap (with oat milk of course) and Georgia on My Mind are my favorites! The staff is extremely friendly and the aesthetics are so fun and always brighten my mood. They also have a delicious selection of pastries and breakfast food! The seating is pretty limited, but I see people studying inside and outside every time I visit.

As always, if you’re looking to visit a coffee shop soon… JesssBookIt!