Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO320 “Birthday Dinner” Cedar Park, 2026
Mariko had a few friends over for a birthday dinner, and the food was super delicious. It was a mix of Korean and Japanese, which meant I had to hold myself back from eating too much. But I’ll be honest, it was difficult. 😄🍜
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO1250 “Rib Dinner” Cedar Park, 2026
Even though today is National Burger Day, Mariko requested Sticky Asian Ribs instead. It’s a family favorite ever since we found it on Just One Cookbook. The recipe is really easy to make, and it’s delicious with rice. Mariko also made several veggie side dishes to really level up the whole meal. 🍖
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO2500 “Baby Back Ribs” Cedar Park, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO500 “Pen and Drink” Cedar Park, 2026
I made an Aperol Campari Spritz in one of the glasses we brought back from Mexico. I love the color combination so much. And then the pen is my beautiful new Zento Signature. Just for fun. 🍹✏️
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO640 “Scene of the Crime” Cedar Park, 2026
Someone got into the sushi today. The cover was knocked off the plate and the damage was done by the time we noticed. I have my suspicions. Anko is playing it cool, but she’s not fooling anyone. 🐱🍣
La Capilla has been one of our go-to Mexican restaurants for decades. It’s a family favorite, and tonight five of us went out for dinner. Every single one of us ordered something with carnitas. Our waitress noticed and said, “you guys sure love carnitas!” Yes we do. Yes we do. 😄
The second photo is me doing what I always do at the start of a Mexican meal. A chip with beans. It’s a silly tradition I have no plans of breaking. 🌮
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/30 sec, ISO2000 “Chip and Beans” Torrance, 2026Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO1600 “Family Dinner” Torrance, 2026
I met up with a friend for lunch today at Go Go Curry in the Gardena Tokyo Central. It was my first time trying the chain, and I have to say, it held up pretty well. I’m still a CoCo Ichibanya person at heart, but Go Go Curry is not bad! I’d go back. 🍛
We had dinner tonight at Matsui Japanese restaurant, and it did not disappoint. 🍣 The food was genuinely good and the prices were surprisingly reasonable. You could tell just by looking around the room. Most of the diners were older, Hawaiian-style Asian, lots of flip-flops and casual clothes, the kind of crowd that knows where the real value is.
I went with the Manager’s Special, which turned out to be a popular call. I spotted at least three other diners ordering the same thing. It came with delicious tempura, several pieces of nigiri, a nice salad, and I chose soba over udon for the noodles. It was a lot of food and all of it was solid. Definitely a place to return to. 😊
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My camera & photos
I use a Fujifilm X-series camera for most of the photos on this site and my Instagram. Why not pick one up for yourself?