happy lady eats

a lovely & luxe lunch in {san diego}...

Cucina Urbana in Banker's Hill has become my new favorite go-to spot for always pure, always good California/Italian-inspired food. Lovely and rustic {yet cush} in ambiance, dining her always feels comfortable and fun with an attentive and friendly waitstaff...especially during lunchtime when the dining room isn't so packed. Standout dishes for me include the Polenta Ragu Board {5th photo}, Chocolate Budino {1st photo}, and the Zucchini Bread Pudding with Pistachio Ice Cream and Candied Carrots {3rd photo} - yum! I also love the Lavender Lemonade and the Aquazul Strawberry soda.

Final thoughts...4.5 out of 5 happy ladies. One of the best restaurants in San Diego, hands down.

a virtual paradise in {malibu}...

Paradise Cove is like a little hidden gem of sand & sun just outside of busy Los Angeles, in Malibu. Off a windy path, this cheeky seaside restaurant unveils itself inch-by-inch past million dollar celebrity-owned beachside trailers. The restaurant serves basic casual fare like cold seafood platters, burgers, and salads in enormous portions. The food is nothing to write home about {and on its own wouldn't be worth mentioning here}, but the draw of Paradise Cove is certainly the pretend-you're-on-vacation beachside location. Be prepared to take off your stilettos as all tables sit in the sand on the beach with sea gulls flocking to every leftover morsel. Afterwards, digest your meal away in one of the seaside beds that look just perfect for an afternoon slumber and a full belly.

east meets sweets in {los angeles}...

I love gelatinous things. Gummy candy, jello, flan, and custards make me giddy with glee. So I was thrilled when a foodie friend brought me these crème custards from Phoenix Bakery. The Chinese-style desserts mix sweet with a little bit of savory. With flavors like Black Sesame & Almond {bottom photo} and Cappuccino {top photo}, they're most similar to a mix between flan and jello. And, they make a lighter dessert option when you want a little sugar without diving into a big ole piece of chocolate cake!

{To find crème custard where you are, check out your local Chinese bakery or Asian grocery store. Photos by Happy Lady.}

happy lalalady...

Fun news! This Happy Lady is moving to lala land! Come August, you can expect my location-based posts to include more Los Angeles area culinary adventures as I travel the far ends of the city in search of gastric delights. But fear not, I aim to help food lovers everywhere eat more happily so there will always be culinary treats and treasures here for all of you...no matter where you are!

{print by gandol photo}

oceanside brunching in {del mar}....

For a lovely brunch or lunch by the ocean, take your dearest to dine at Kitchen 1540 in the L'Auberge Hotel in Del Mar. Like a mini sun-filled vacation, the modern space surely feels like an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. The almond french toast was a decadent breakfast treat while the beet salad offered a refreshing lunch-perfect palate cleanser.

Final thoughts...4 out of 5 happy ladies for calm ambiance, service, and delicious fare.

{photos by happy lady}

the prettiest tavern in {brentwood}...

Tavern in Brentwood is a spot where I could spend a whole afternoon laughing, lounging, and lunching with friends. The gorgeous, sun-filled dining room feels like your dream outdoor patio mixed with a swanky indoor hotel lounge. I found their Sunday brunch {with lunch desserts} to be quite lovely as well as the French Macarons I grabbed on the go.

Final thoughts...4.5 out of 5 happy ladies for food, decor, comfort, and the attached bakery!

{photos by happy lady eats}

get your milk on in {los angeles}...

I love it when my dreams become realized and food stops on my Lust List are fulfilled. On Friday, I made a post-lunch dessert stop at Milk in Downtown LA. The tiny shop is home to an incredible array of desserts–mostly ice cream and cake based. I devoured the coffee macaron ice cream sandwich which was the icing {of ice cream} on top of the cake {of French macarons} that I already adore. I watched a fellow foodie friend indulge in the delicious coconut ice cream sundae, and the floats were also a big hit among our crew.

Final thoughts...4 out of 5 happy ladies for originality, quality, and for indulging the child within.

{photos by happy lady eats}

happy tweeting...

This Happy Lady loves to tweet! Over on Twitter, I often post various snapshots of things I'm eating at home, on-the-go, or from new culinary adventures that aren't always posted here. I love sharing these behind-the-scenes moments, so for those of you not on Twitter, you can check out some of the tweet photos right here!

bread heaven...

Dear Con Pane,

I've touted your glorious abilities in bread-making before, but now I really know the power of your abilities. I could cuddle up with your cinnamon buns on any given Sunday, and I'd gladly use your Pane Ciccolata {chocolate bread} as a pillow for a restful slumber. Just in case you didn't know it before, I love you a lot. I'm scared to say this {but I believe it to be true}, you've got the best freshly baked bread this Happy Lady has ever had.

Yours in carb heaven,
Happy Lady

{photo by happy lady eats}

{mix & match}: the doughnut burger

I love exposing my dear readers to new and unexpected foods. So over here at Happy Lady, we're whipping up a new series called Mix & Match where we'll share some of our favorite unexpected {yet delicious} food pairings with you. Most of the time, they'll be made or tasted-tested here in the kitchen and then shared with you virtually. But today, I wanted to introduce a combo I haven't yet had the pleasure of trying...the doughnut burger! Also known as the Luther Burger, this amazingly indulgent treat combines all the insides of a traditional burger sandwiched in the middle of a glazed doughnut. It may be a heart attack on a plate, but it sure does look good...

{Photo by Marshall Astor. If you have a mix & match combo you'd love to share, send us your suggestions to try to: hello(at)happyladyeats(dot)com.}