u/japanfoodies

Spent an amazing evening at Uncorked Wine Shop in Manhattan Beach. The best time to go is right around sunset — being so close to the coast gives the whole place this relaxed golden-hour atmosphere that just makes the wine taste even better.

Every bottle we tried was excellent. No pretentious vibe, just genuinely good wine and a perfect setting to slow down for a couple hours. Sitting there with a glass while the evening light fades outside was one of those simple California moments that sticks with you.

Definitely worth stopping by if you’re in the South Bay area. Pick up a bottle, too, their stuff sells out quick.

Spent a relaxing evening at Uncorked Wine Shop in Hermosa Beach. The best time to go is right around sunset — being so close to the coast gives the whole place this relaxed golden-hour atmosphere that just makes the wine taste even better.

Every bottle we tried was excellent. No pretentious vibe, just genuinely good wine and a perfect setting to slow down for a couple hours. Sitting there with a glass while the evening light fades outside was one of those simple California moments that sticks with you.

Definitely worth stopping by if you’re in the South Bay area.

Stayed at the Belamar twice and absolutely love the breakfast at their top rated restaurant called Second Story. I’ve tried almost everything on the menu, and my favorites are the fried russet potatoes, chicken wings with spicy honey sauce, pancakes, and eggs.

I finally tried Jim Dandy Fried Chicken in South L.A.

***Best banana pudding in the world***
I’m not going to lie—the area is pretty rough, and if you’re not familiar with this part of Los Angeles, you might wonder if your GPS took you to the right place.

But once you taste the food, you get why this place has been around for so long.

The fried chicken was excellent: crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and seasoned really well.

The corn fritters were the highlight for me. They were hot, slightly sweet, and addictive. I could have eaten a whole bag of those by myself.

Jim Dandy is one of those old-school spots that proves great food can be found anywhere.

Definitely worth the trip.

Tried Heavy Handed in Santa Monica and I think the thing that surprised me most was how much the actual beef flavor stood out.

A lot of smashburgers end up tasting mostly like sauce, onions, pickles, whatever. This one really tasted like beef first. Apparently they use a ground short rib blend and you can kind of tell immediately. It has a richer flavor than the usual fast food-style smashburger.

The beef tallow fries were also ridiculous. The smell alone reminded me of old burger places before everything switched oils. Super crispy but also somehow heavier in a good way.

I expected it to be overhyped because LA has a million burger spots now, but this one actually stuck with me after. Mostly because the beef flavor was the whole point instead of just being a delivery system for toppings.

I tried the Wagyu burger at an airport in Japan and what stood out to me was how much the burger was centered around the beef itself.

A lot of “premium” burgers overload you with bacon, pickles, sauces, or towering toppings, but this one felt intentionally restrained. Soft bun, simple toppings, and a rich Wagyu patty that was clearly meant to be the main event. The cold sake added a delicate aromatic that enhanced the flavor of the premium beef and it does not overpower it.

The flavor was buttery, beefy, and clean. It almost felt closer to eating Japanese steakhouse beef in burger form rather than an American diner burger.

Honestly one of the more interesting airport meals I’ve had in Japan. Has anyone else tried Wagyu burgers that focus more on the meat than the toppings?

Love the strong iced coffees and pies at Ueshima.

I was devastated when I found out Sprinkles Manhattan Beach was permanently closed. The photo is a red velvet gluten free. Can anyone recommend a better cupcake spot? I doubt any place can be Sprinkles.

600 N Sepulveda Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245, United States.

I was back in L.A. after decades, and In-N-Out was my first stop after landing at LAX. My expectations were high, but the nostalgia never really returned. The burgers were just okay to me, and the fries were too. Anyone else with the same experience?

Nikon F 35mm Orange filter XP2 400 Ilford

How to make the most of your stay at a Japanese hotel serving puréed eggs:

First, ask the staff for some black pepper. Toast a few slices of bread — I prefer rye or sourdough. Then scoop the eggs onto the toast, or simply dip the bread straight into them.

Simple, comforting, and surprisingly good with a morning coffee. 🍳☕🇯🇵