LA Life

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Sushi No TV

~ yvonnepearl ~ Leave a comment

As you must have understood now, I’m a sushi lover. When we don’t feel like cooking at home, take out sushi is the best solution. At Whole Foods the sushi boxes are pretty expensive for what they are and not really good. We found that the Japanese Market in Japan Town had amazing fresh salmon and great punzu imported straight from Japan. So we usually get that, slice it at home and also buy good sushis at Vicente Food in Brentwood. It’s hard to find the Red Bean Mochis now in supermarkets but it’s still available in Japan Town. Make your sushi/cut roll look good on a plate. It’s very important that you like what you’re about to eat. Eating out of a take out box is a bad habit, you do not enjoy the food as much and you will not feel as satisfied.

The nicest thing about having a sushi nite is that you can focus on the rest. When you cook an entire meal at home, you do not have time usually to set a nice atmosphere. So get some nice scented candles, subdued lights, create a playlist for this special evening (Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong …) I’d recommend not turning on the TV, it just ruins everything. Enjoy the person sharing this meal with you, or if you’re alone, just enjoy, relax and start dreaming of Japan …

Sushi’Thon

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We decided to try out every sushi place in town to share with other sushi lovers.

I called it the Sushi-Marathon also known as the “sushithon”.

As I already said in an earlier post, LA sushi are the best. There is no comparison allowed with French Japanese restaurants. I could eat Japanese food for lunch and dinner everyday. It’s fresh, healthy and amazingly tasty.

#1:  Hama Sushi in Venice

For the quality of the fish, freshness, originality (rolls/fish selection), friendly Japanese chef . The best spot, especially if you want an experience sitting at the sushi bar (cf. post “dinner at Hama“)

#2: Kushiyu in Tarzana 

Price is good for the quality. I’d recommend the HAMACHI CILANTRO to start (Yellowtail sashimi w/cilantro and jalapeno, garlic olive oil ponzu sauce). It awakens your senses.It was my first time trying sea urchin. I’m not a big fan but the people say it’s very good there. My favorite rolls were the CORN CRUNCH ROLL (Shrimp tempura roll with corn tempura outside) and the SWEET CRUNCHY ROLL (Sea eel tempura w/cucumber inside, avocado outside w/crunchy green onion & eel sauce on top) Don’t forget the tastiest sushis: MEBACHI MAGURO TORO (Big Eye Tuna Belly / NJ) and the KANPACHI (Premium yellowtail / Hawaii)

What I loved about this place is that they tell you the provenance for each fish on the menu. Best for a party of four or more. I forgot to take pictures since it was so enjoyable!

#3: The Izaka-Ya by Katsuya West Hollywood 

The menu is similar to Katsuya but the spot is way more relaxed and laid back. I prefer this kind of atmosphere to eat sushi.
We got the Salmon Sashimi w/ Black Caviar to start which in my opinion was a mistake. It was soft, not much taste and pricy. I’d get the Seared Salmon Sashimi w/ Truffle Sauce if you’re looking for new experiences. Don’t miss on the Crispy Rice w/ Spicy Tuna,  the Halibut Carpaccio w/ Yuzu Vinaigrette, the Seared Crispy Salmon Tempura and the famous Creamy Rock Shrimp Tempura roll yum! 

#4: Sugar Fish (many locations) 

This place is not the most original. If you want to get an extraordinary experience, new flavors and awesome creations it’s not the spot. Nevertheless, I have to admit the fish is pretty good, smooth, fresh. I specify that because I had bad experiences in other Japanese Sushi restaurants with the fish not being easy to cut with your teeth. It shouldn’t happen  if the chef knows what he is doing and the product is fresh. I usually go either for the “Trust me menu” (30 dollars) or the “Trust me lite” (20 dollars). I love these names for sushi menus.

It is really true that the number one thing you should do when going to one of the places listed on this post, is to TRUST. Yes, trust the waiter/chef and just go with the flow. Just specify what you dislike, your allergies, … It’s an amazing experience each time for me. Thanks to this place, I discovered all the different sauce you could put on your fish to make it taste way better (ponzu, onzu ponzu …) I take out a lot from this place now, it’s a bit cheaper too.

Bon Appétit

Thanksgiving thanksreceiving

~ yvonnepearl ~ Leave a comment

It is thanksgiving and I am in Los Angeles.
The funny thing about this holiday is that everyone or almost everyone seems to be thankful for what they have, who they share their lives with and so on.
You will notice that most of the Facebook status are “I’m thankful to have such an amazing family”,”to be healthy” … What does it mean?
Is it because we know that today since it’s thanksgiving, we must be or feel thankful? Are we forcing ourselves? Do we feel good about it?
What I’m trying to understand is how people can be nice, kind, devoted and thankful on that particular day and forget about it the next morning.

The human brain is complicated we are all aware of that. How can you possibly explain that after watching an amazing romantic comedy you feel the need to say nice things to people or you want to find someone to love?
Are we in control or do we get affected by small little things without noticing?

Thanksgiving is a great holiday. Everyone gets together to share a nice meal to share their thoughts to laugh …
It’s usually pretty simple. It all boils down to a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, gravy, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and good wine. That’s the way I’ve always celebrated it. The food can be incredible if the spirit of thanksgiving is not present, you will not experience the true meaning of this holiday.
Everyone should be grateful for what they have everyday, all year round. When you wake up in the morning take a second to appreciate your heated home, your breakfast and maybe your life will make more sense. I realized a lot lately that’s why I’m bringing this up.

It is yet so simple to say nice things to the people around us, is it easy to act in that respect? I bought Christmas cards so I can send my greetings to people I love. Why? Because I feel it is essential to make others happy, content, loved. It is not much but little details, small actions as a whole, combined, can create an extraordinary strength within you …  A kindness and mindful heart. Now let’s change chapters and move on to Hanukah and Christmas, shall we?

YP

Driving your life

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You cannot do anything, get anywhere, meet anyone, if you do not have a car here in LA. Renting is enjoyable for a while, nevertheless you pay the cost. Then comes the lease option. I’ve always preferred owning. Here in LA, what you drive is who you are.

I just went on a big journey of looking for my dream car, the perfect match.
I love the environment, I figured getting a Toyota Prius was the way to go. Yes I’d save in gas but would it be worth it?

I had a conversation with a friend of mine who also moved in LA recently. She advise me to get a convertible. Being European, new in LA, usually the choice is easy: either Mini Cooper or mustang. I wanted to be original, small, discreet but fashionable. Yes, that’s who I am. I looked on ever dealer’s lot, for hours, comparing the mpg per gallon. Learning about the car business, the warranties, checking blogs on car (which trust me act as sleeping pills).

However, after all this torture, one shiny day, I finally had a crush. This crush I was expecting for so long. Yes I had a crush on a car. It felt good because I’m sure she felt it too. I’m guessing its a she, I mean the interior is beige the exterior is night blue. Okay she is convertible so it helps.
The sun is shinning, I just pull a button and in 20 seconds, I can feel wind on my face coming from the ocean, smell the salty breeze, get a sunbeam. Isn’t it the best feeling? To feel, to experience the gifts of Mother Nature.

Driving a car cannot come without a great playlist. I’ll create a special category for playlists soon. Check out the driving in sunshine one.

You do not only drive a car, everyday you drive your life. You break from time to time. When you are enthusiastic you step on the gas and even use the stick shift to feel like you control your feelings. Do you stop at the red light? You are the only one who can answer. I know it’s risky to just drive through a red light, it’s not even blinking. What if you took a bet? I am not advising you to get into an accident here. Just making some parallels with our lives.
Yes it’s easy to live comfortably, to have a mellow life. To be okay with it, maybe it’s your personality. It’s definitely not mine.

YP

Election Night Table

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Delicious and varied food to munch while waiting for the next President of the USA.

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-Pita Bread cut in quarters, humus, olives, dried edamames, gyozas, boiled eggs, cooked eggpland, chicken wings, barbecue sauce, dried banana chips, salt and pepper

You can always use this for a game night, an easy friend gathering (add cocktails such as Mojitos and Sangria)

Bon Appétit

Best Desert Pavlova Remix

~ yvonnepearl ~ 1 Comment

I had this amazing desert at the Soho House.

It’s really easy to make and easy to eat. I’ve been craving this desert  ever since I tried it.

You can either buy or make the huge meringue.

Egg Whites Whipped gently.Use superfine sugar when making meringue because it dissolves faster than table sugar.

When beating egg whites and the recipe calls for sugar, gradually add the sugar a few spoonfuls at a time and beating the whole time. The meringue will become more done if you bake them at a lower temperature for a longer time. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.

Add whipped cream and blue/black/raspberries.

Bon appétit

Day 3

Aside ~ ~ yvonnepearl ~ 1 Comment

KEEP CLEAR. Yes, that’s what you can see if you’re driving in LA. It’s written on the ground (huge letters so you cannot miss it) at a cross street usually or in front of a fire station … Why am I bringing this up?

Oh it’s very simple there is no ticket if you do not keep clear. So why do people usually follow the rules here? Even people who would drive very fast way over the speed limit generally follow them. It’s call courtesy it’s called living as a group of individuals in a society where the established rules are followed. Where people abide by these rules without complaining.

Also I’ve noticed that if there is one line that goes to the freeway and three lines available, you have the possibility to cheat. You can take the middle line for instance, put your indicating light and switch back to this horrible line with horrendous traffic (you’ll save a lot of time doing this) No no, some people really prefer to stay and wait in this single line that is heading towards the freeway.

I obviously do not know where I am going yet. I do not even own a GPS. Sometimes I get a little lost and I could end up being the cheating driver. I wouldn’t call it cheating since I realize the right line is the line to enter the freeway at the last minute.

Parisian people are all about getting there. Whatever it costs! If they can get a little closer to the lights and to their final destination, they’ll do it without even thinking about the consequences. For instance, they wouldn’t mind blocking some other driver at a crossing. Then the honking starts … It’s such a nice melody! You can hear it a lot in Paris. Light honking, horns, people yelling, it’s a daily thing. You live with it; it’s part of the culture.

Here in LA, I’m surprised to see that most of the cars are huge. I look inside and there is usually only one person inside: the driver. I’ve been wondering about the waste of energy a lot lately. If all family members (let’s say 5 people over 18 years-old) own a car, that’s 5 cars total! Which means, they’re spending money and gas 5 times. I mean this seems crazy for the environment. The odd thing though is that I realized my breathing is better in LA than Paris.

People told me LA was a horrible city, always traffic and polluted. I don’t know why what I do not feel it this way. Maybe it’s because I live close to the ocean and the wind freshens the air.

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Back to this “keep clear” sign really says a lot. About the people and the culture shock. In Paris, I’d never keep clear. I have to admit this. I’d be the first to try to cheat on the road to get closer to my destination. Should we infer that it’s the same with the human personalities? Are Parisians never keeping clear?

We could say that keeping clear is an expression that holds different meanings. Being clear is what comes first. In order to keep it, one must BE first. Clear or transparent, unambiguous, obvious … Many synonyms exist for this word. I tried to compare my relationships with American people and French ones. It’s a rather hard comparison to make. Nevertheless, I must say that French people are more ambiguous and less transparent than Americans. I am not saying this is good or bad. Just pointing out a fact here. I guess the French culture is more about keeping secrets, having hidden thoughts or even hidden lives sometimes.

I think this ambiguity and blurriness comes from the lack of taboos. I’d focus on that in another post. For instance, I just noticed that in the US, if someone is cheating (professionally, sport, couple…) he is judged and put on trial by society. He is viewed badly by others. However, in France, it seems society: either doesn’t care so much about his cheating or do not take it seriously. It is as if people could cheat without consequences. Without being judged, without suffering and questioning their actions.

Maybe this is too harsh but I am just telling you how I see and experienced things in my life.

So keep on being clear, transparent … it seems to work and help everyone live in a better society.

YP

Lunch in Colour Part 3

~ yvonnepearl ~ 1 Comment

After my yoga class I made myself this very healthy/tasty plate. You’ll need:

– Half of an avocado

– One fresh red beet (cooked in pot with water and green peas that will turn pink) Remove beet from pot and cut into small pieces. Leave pink water, add 2 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider. Add lime juice. Cool down, place in the fridge for one hour and you have a great healthy colorful drink.

– Fresh carrots

– Soy sprouts

– Fresh salmon from a fish market (small piece for one person)

– One small cucumber

–  One leaf of Salad 

– Rice paper

 

 

 

 

For the roll: lay a rice paper flat and with a paper towel gently apply water until it’s soft enough to roll without breaking. Cover the surface with the salad leaf.  Cut the best part of the salmon in a thin long slice. Place this slice in the center of the paper. Add thin slices of cucumber and carrots and the soy sprouts (add red cabbage if you like too) . Roll gently the paper and make a nice roll. Cut it in pieces.

In the middle of the avocado put a drop of sesame oil, white wine vinegar and pepper.

White wine vinegar on the beet.

Bon Appétit

American vs French Breakfast

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Maybe I’m wrong but there is not a huge difference. I was happy to realize that. I mean the coffee here is just incredible.

We either buy Peets Coffee’s Beans or Intelligentsia beans (more expensive but so good-both available at Wholefoods)

Then, you can easily get a croissant (which I have to admit is not going to be as good as the one in the average French Boulangerie) so I go for Peet’s dry fruit nut scones Yum! Cheaper at Wholefoods!

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I usually eat toasts with salted butter dunked in my coffee or toast with butter and Raspberry jam from Trader Joe’s the best! LaBrea Bakery sliced Raisins and Nut Bread is fabulous toasted.

Sometimes, I buy fresh-cut pineapple for the vitamines or can (yes canned) Mandarin oranges. Can’t find these in Paris. Little vanilla yogurt (liquid kind) Wallaby.

Last but not least, the most amazing oatmeal ever John Mc Cann Steel Cut.

Bon Appétit.

LA Active Life

~ yvonnepearl ~ 1 Comment

In Paris, there is the Club Med gym or Waou to work out.  Then, you’ve got the fancy sport’s league (members only) the Racing, the Country Club (always pronounced with a very thick French accent), the Tir au Pigeon and so on. The new trend is to open a trendy gym club where you can find good looking people, artists, have a drink afterwards or even shop (The Klay).

But, are French people really into working out? Is it more of a trend or something they need to do in life in order to feel good?

For instance, the typical Parisian individual will rather choose to gather with his friends for a glass of rosé – than miss out on that gathering to go for a nice work out.

French people are slim I have to say it’s true! Nevertheless, they are not fit! I believe fit is the new slim. It’s great to be skinny and be able to wear any clothes you want size 0 or 34. I much prefer being fit and healthy. See that’s the issue in Paris. A lot of Parisian women and men now (new trend) are so thin because of their wardrobe (very slim pants, skinny jeans), they usually smoke a lot and they drink (obviously). I think they dress well and I’m not criticizing their style.

In LA, it is sexy to have muscles (okay not too much). It is normal to go to Yoga or Pilates almost everyday. You see people running every morning, evening and even at night with their special lights on their forehead  (it doesn’t shock you at all). Working out is part of society. People spend so much money on gym classes, working out clothes, special equipment for yoga (lululemon) which are so expensive for what they are. They do not care!

I’ve always had this American side of me that I couldn’t control. I had to work out and go to the gym. I went to dance classes and tennis classes when I was younger in Paris (5 years-old). Children in France usually do that because they have mandatory sport classes (badminton, soccer, handball …) at school so they get interested in sports even outside of school sometimes. Nonetheless, this feeling usually goes away (especially for girls) during junior high. It’s not trendy to do sports, it’s wasting your time and energy when you could be shopping with your friends or hanging out at Starbucks (to meet guys). That’s the way I see it.

I never stopped taking dance classes and I enrolled to the Club Med Gym at 16 years-old. I love it! I remember I’d finish class (which ended really late in France 6.30 pm) and went directly to the Waou Gym for a body sculpt or step class. The feeling I had after sweating and walking home listening to my favorite music on my Ipod (old model) was the most incredible feeling!

I still have this feeling and I’m so grateful for that. It’s a true moment of happiness.

I started yoga this year. It is so easy to do yoga here in LA, there is a yoga studio every corner. I chose YogaWorks. I just go to Brigitte’s class on the Westside. She is a great teacher and I must say I always learn something new about myself and my body. It’s also helping a lot with my other activities such as: running (better breathing) and dancing (better flexibility).

I recommend yoga for everyone especially if you’re new in LA. You can meet great people and it’s such an amazing work out (you sweat a lot).

Always wondered why dogs were involved in yoga. Maybe in ancient times they were the one who taught us. Who knows?

The most common, easy and famous pose:

Adho Mukha Svanasana is one of the poses in the traditional Sun Salutation sequence. Stay in this pose anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes breathing through your nose.


AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna अधोमुखश्वानासन


(also known as downward facing dog) 

adho = downward
mukha = face
svana = dog (but why dog?)

Many asanas are named for animals, such as the tortoise, the heron, pigeon, crow, or fish poses. Perhaps the most well knownpose is named after man’s best friend: downward dog or simply down dog.

NAMASTE.