DRAGON HERBS- LA- Beverly Hills

A health haven. 

A herb heaven. 

PLACE: Dragon Herb has what your mind, body, and soul needs. 

Specializing in au naturel herb remedies for ailments- for things ranging from anxiety, to bad skin, to a broken heart- they’ve got what you need. I am very curious about Chinese medicine and am always seeking more traditional alternatives, and have been curious about what Dragon Herb is about for some time now.

Although Dragon Herb isn't a real grubery, at their Beverly Hills location they have a full elixir bar serving up fresh health tonics to meet any ones needs. I have browsed their website and have been captured by the products they have to offer. They believe in natural health maintenance through Chinese tonic herbalism so the website has pages and pages of supplements, tonics, and mixes for well-being.

“The tonic herbs (used in Chinese tonic herbalism) are defined as ‘herbs that promote a long, healthy, vibrant, happy life, without side effects, even when taken over a long period of time.  Essentially, the tonic herbs are wonderful, healthful ‘super-foods’ which benefit our well being in ways that more common foods cannot. They have a protective, balancing, vitalizing quality beyond that of any other herbs. They are generally consumed as a supplement to a well balanced healthy diet for the purpose of completing our nutritional needs and enhancing our nutritional profile.” (Dragon Herb) 

…Basically, they carry a vast variety of herb combinations that can kick your well being, or even healing, in to high gear, NATURALLY.

As soon as I walked in I knew I was in love. It was like stepping into a sanctuary of wellness- filled with various herb products and an amazing looking bar. I was then greeted by what I would consider as some of the nicest people you could ever meet in LA, who were all also certified herbalists.

On this particular day I was feeling a little drained of energy and a little perturbed about my troublesome skin, so I discussed my current woes with one of the employees. Even though their bar was temporarily closed for a recording of some type of commercial, they made my sister and I right at home in their retail section where they brought us our herbal concoctions.

At first sip, I was a little taken back by the strange flavor. It was very earthy and bitter…and truly tasted like good health and positive energy in a cup. However, this flavor is not like something I haven’t had before.  I frequently treat myself to my personally-invented healthy tea concoctions at Bird Pick Tea & Herb. Be advised that the best drinks for you may not always have the best taste to your tastebuds…but are well worth it long after the last sip is swallowed. After polishing off my elixir and chatting for over an hour, I was at ease and so content I could have sat there forever. The bill came out to be $5 per drink however they said they gave me a break since the bar was closed, so I'm not sure the exact price on their drinks (however they must be on the semi-pricey side). 

After must anticipation, I was delighted by my experience at Dragon Herbs in Beverly Hills. The staff was beyond great, the atmosphere was awesome, and I even got my schooling on some new herbs while reading their massive herb index. 

If your feeling a little out of place, stressed, physically in pain, emotionally distressed, look into Dragon Herbs for something to satisfy your soul...

Check out Dragon Herb products at either of their 2 locations in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica

460 S. Robertson

Los Angeles, CA 90048

(310)860-8965

315 Wilshire Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90401

(319)917-2288 x101

...or even order some online!

http://www.dragonherbs.com/

Also, if you like tea, Bird Pick Tea & Herb has nearly 100 jars of loose leaf blacks, oolongs, green, whites, and herbal teas. They have locations in Pasadena, Culver City, and Santa Monica.

10 South De Lacey
Pasadena, CA 91105
626-773-4372

6000 Sepulveda Ste. 1319
Culver City, CA 90230
310-313-4372

395 Santa Monica Pl. Ste.153
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-393-4372

LA- Marina del Rey- Admiralty Way

Another day, another sandwich...

PLACE: Mendocino Farms
DESCRIPTION: Reconstructing “Fine Dining” entrees to the sandwich level and take classic regional sandwiches and give them a modern interpretation


Sandwiches are one of the most simple delicacies around. Found at chains like Subway and Jersey Mikes (or a GREAT newer chain "Which Wich") or local delis and liqour stores, a great wich can be discovered on nearly any and every corner.


I've always been a fan of elaborating on a classic concept...and Mendocino Farms does that with their gourmet sandwiches. All are flavored with more of a real, satisfying, dish-like taste. 
To start off, Mendocino Farms is unlike any other sandwich establishment I've been to. It is artisan-style quality, and a fresh farmers market taste. Sandwiches with crazy-good tastes range from the "Why Did the BBQ Chicken Cross the Road?" ($7.95) (BBQ chicken, smoked gouda, red onions, romaine, and tomato on panini grilled rustic white bread) to the "French Onion Soup Melt" ($7.50) (smoked gouda fondue and cave aged gruyere with caramelized onions on panini grilled Dolce Forno pretzel roll). Today I went with the "Proscuitto and Roasted Chicken" ($9.50)- a grilled ciabatta panini decked out with proscuitto and roasted chicken, fresh local mozzarella, tomatoes, crushed honey roasted almonds, basil pesto, and balsamic vinegar. The ciabatta was crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside, the salty procuitto complimented the roasted chicken, the mozzarella was ooey and gooey... and with the almonds, it made a perfect conflicting pair. 
My friend had the "Bacon and Housemade Peanut Butter" ($8.75) sandwich. It featured housemade peanut butter with caramelized bananas, crushed honey roasted almonds, green apples, and applewood smoked bacon on panini grilled whole wheat. IT WAS INSANE. I am a peanut butter lover already, but I am HOOKED on this wich. ...Talk about spin on an old classic! 


SEATING: Mendocino Farms has tables inside, and also a picnic-like setting outside with several tables and chairs. There always seems to be plenty of room for everyone, but the place can get pretty packed when the sun and nice weather is out.


OVERALL: Yet another amazing got-to-go-to eatery. This place has a sandwich to meet anyones taste craving. They also offer salad options of any of their wiches...good for anyone watching those waistlines for the summer ;)


Mendocino Farms has several locations in the LA area:


300 South Grand Ave.
LA, CA 90071
213-620-1114
+
444 South Flower St.
LA, CA 90071
213-627-3262
+
4724 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
310-822-2300


Also, check out their website for a full glance at the menu!
MendocinoFarms.com

(Their cute mascot thing!!)

If your a sandwich junkie like me, then Which Wich is also a great spot to hit up! Check out their website to see what their all about!

Which Wich

Conquering Home Cooking- part two!! :)

(THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE POSTED LAST WED BUT APPARENTLY THE INTERNET CONNECTION WAS LOST AND IT DIDNT GO THRU...SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!)

After trying to decide on a simple yet scrumptious snack to satisfy my sweet tooth, apple crisp came to mind. I love apples and have yet to find a form of them that is undesirable- apple butter, apple pie, apple crisp, apples in greek yogurt- love 'em all.

So for this weeks food tid-bit, Conquering Home Cooking is back with APPLE CRISP.

This is one of my classic go-to recipes that always satisfies.

Ingredients: 
4 cups thinly sliced apples
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/3 cup sifted flour
1 cup oatmeal (uncooked)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup melted butter
1/3 chopped nuts (optional) (walnuts rock)

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
Lay apples in a shallow, greased baking dish.
Splash apples with lemon juice.
Then mix dry ingredients.
Add melted butter to dry mixture, and mix until crumbly.
Sprinkle crumb mixture over apples.
Bake for 30 minutes or until apples are tender.
Top each serving with ice cream, gelato, or whipped cream for a special treat!


This recipe is affordable at only $ 10 or less depending on what ingredients you may have at home. The time to prepare this dish before oven time is 5-10 mintues...EASY! 

The California Burrito- San Diego

After growing up in the So-Cal city of San Diego, I honestly thought everyone ate Mexican food. If you've never been to SD, then you are seriously missing out on some good chow!! There are authentic type taco shops on almost every corner serving up spicy grub until the wee hours of the morning. 


About a year ago after moving to LA I was SHOCKED to see lack of the familiar "Robertos" and "Los Dos" Mexican joints, then EVEN MORE SHOCKED to find no "California Burritos" on ANY menu ANYWHERE! After some intense google researching, I was able to concur CA Burritos are a staple solely in SD and am not going to find one in LA. 


A CA Burrito consists of carne asada, guacamole, cheese, salsa fresca, and (the coveted) french fries all packed into a warm, fresh flour tortilla. Then to accompany the perfect burrito, you gotta drench it with the good stuff: spicy chili infested salsas and hot sauces indigenous to sunny San Diego. 

While on my most recent day trip to visit the fam, I had to check out a place I saw on one of my favorite shows (Man Vs. Food). Named Lucha Libre, this pint size grubery packs a big punch! Featuring gourmet tacos and burritos (available in vegetarian and meat-eater options) as well as mouth watering specialties such as "TJ corn" (corn with queso enchilado, mayo, chile, and lime). Lucha Libre is decked out with wrestling memorabilia creating an awesome museum kind of feel with plenty to look at while chowing down. 
I couldn't help but order what I had seen eaten on TV- their "Surf & Turf" burrito (grilled steak, shrimp, avocado slices, pico de gallo, rice, and super secret chipotle sauce), as well has the "Champion Fries" (carne asada fries). The burrito was unreal. BUT SERIOUSLY. The savory carne asada paired perfectly with the sweet shrimp and creaminess of the avocado...amazing. The carne asada fries were flowing over my dish and were also superb.
SEATING: The seating at Lucha Libre is pretty minimal but even with the long yet fast moving line there seemed to be plenty of open tables....maybe a lot of people get it to go. But there is one seating option unlike any other grubery... THE CHAMPION BOOTH! --->

This special table can be reserved for those champs seriously loco about Lucha. 

OVERALL: 

Taste/Flavors: 8 
Service: 10 (how hard though can service be though at an order-yourself-pick-up-when-name-called place) but friendly staff none-the-less!
Quality: 9
Return factor: 7 - just because there are so many great carne asada everything places throughout SD...
Must try at least once factor: 10! This place is more then just an eatery, its a semi-cultural and fun experience!


Visit the Lucha Libre website to take a looksy at what they've got goin' on...
Lucha Libre
or head to Mission Hills in sunny San Diego and take on the meaty fries one-on-one!


1810 W. Washington St.
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 296-8226