VEHICLES IN USA

DAYS INN @ SAN JOSE

On our way to San Francisco, we stopped in San Jose and overnite here. My friend had pre-booked the room via internet at USD100 per nite for the three of us. This includes western breakfast.  We checked into the hotel in a hassle free process.  

located at the hotel lobby,

a table lined up with hot water, coffee and tea which are meant for guest

free of charge for guest...hot drinks from vending machine..

 3 in 1 Cappuccino, French Vanilla Cappuccino and Hot Chocolate

inside the room

microwave oven and small fridge

iron and sachet of coffee and tea, coffee maker machine

two king size bed with plush pillows. we sleep soundly!

The next morning, we had a simple DIY breakfast at the hotel lobby the place where the vending machine is stationed. I had fun making my own waffles. Hot & fluffy yet buttery and I had two coated with Philadelphia cheese cream and drenched it with 2 cups of hot cappuccino.  I didn't pay attention to the red apples, cakes and biscuits. (forgotten to snap photos)

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS....CITY WALK

I made it to here but I didn't enter the Universal Studios.

 Tell you the reason later.

It was gigantic but alright to walk around under the sunny yet breezy wind

This is the ticket booth to buy your admisstion pass(es). If you can read clearly, one have to pay at least USD129 in order to enter the studios. But being a stingy person, I did my calculation and not way I will pay for such an expensive fee! I would rather spend on buying branded handbags, watches and etc that will last me perhaps for 2-3 more years.

For those who are lazy to walk around, just hop and sit to enjoy beautiful sceneries.

This is what I reward myself for not entering into the studios. USD80 for the latest design Guess watch which was available in Malaysia during Valentine's Day this year.

Few lovely key chains and they aren't cheap after currency conversion.  My life time habit  buying things where ever I travel...lasting memories!

JOY MARONI'S SAUSAGE KINGDOM IN UNVERSIAL STUDIO CITYWALK

Along the street of Universal Studio Citywalk are rows of colorful yet funky fine dining restaurants which are certainly eye catching. Both my friend and I were there before lunch but the weather was so sunny with strong cool wind and I had layered myself with two jackets but still feeling very cold and also hungry. 

Standing and looking at the display menu in Joy Maroni's famously known for its special sausages, I decided to have my light breakfast there. But my friend had warned me that I will not like the food here which I didn't bother at all as I was feeling terribly hungry.

Hot Dog combo @ USD6.99++

(beef sausage in a bun, fries and cold soft drink)

Not a fan of french fries, I took a few and the taste wasn't distinctive at all, dried and soggy.

Non addictive to me cos' the bun was tad dried and the beef sausage was like a regular plain sausage

Even all these condiments and sauces can't help tantalize my tastebuds

Admittedly,  the food here wasn't fresh, no quality and slight over priced. I should have listen to my friend (( @-@)).

HOME MADE PIZZA

One of the supermarket where I spent almost 4 hours is Walmart. From fresh ingredients to dried stuffs, I was totally shocked to find that most items are tagged at USD2 or lesser each. These includes branded cheese, burger patties, potatoes chips, different types of sauce, fresh strawberries, yoghurt, pre mix powder for cake/muffin/pizza, packet of SPAM ham/tuna, fresh orange juice and the long list goes on. Since it was such a bargain (even after converted into our own currency), I moved from section to another  and ended up with four bags filled with wet  & dried food. Such a good feeling.  

Earlier, I had baked muffins and cake using the pre mix powder and the result was fantastic evident by compliments from family and friends who had tasted it. Really quick, easy, non complicated method...just following the easy pressie instruction.

This the only box of pizza crust pre mix powder I bought (regretted for not buying more boxes including muffins/cake). The pizza turned out as expected..beautiful without any burn on the edges. 

Crust

Follow the amount of water and method written at the back of the box

Base

tomato paste

Toppings (own choice)

slices of button mushroom, cheese sausage rings, cut onions, mozarella cheese and cheese powder

I baked according to the temperature and duration. When cooked,  the aroma of cheezy smells filled the kitchen and everyone was salivating...can't wait to taste the hot piping  pizza from 'US'. I was so happy everyone enjoyed it so much and keep asking for more!  Luckily, I save 3/4 piece for myself.

These pre mix powder didn't failed me at all especially when I want to bake at the last minute as compared to our local pre mix powder which mostly disappoint me! 

SEAFOOD VILLAGE

This is the restaurant we had our lunch, three hours after our dim sum breakfast. Though still feeling half full, I would say all food flavors are spot on as this eatery serves excellent authentic Cantonese seafood dishes.

Most of their special menu items are nicely plastered on the wall, so you can just point to them your choice of dishes

Free large bowl of boiled pork & barley soup

 Brimming with barley and sweetness from the pork ribs, comforting enough to quench my dried throat

Hot piping white rice in a red container

Customer who can't finish this entire pot of rice can take away

without additional charges

Fried Flounder Fish drizzled with light soy sauce

 Lightly battered, it was fried till crisp while retaining the meat tenderness

 Best known for their House Special Crab,  we ordered live dungeons crab deep fried, leaving a thin crispy coating on the crab shelled and then stir fried with spices, chillies and deep-fried garlic bits.  Meaty and sweet, it is lip-smacking good.

 

Steamed Tilapia (t)

 no hint of unwanted mud smells and not overly steamed

 Fried Omelette (b) 

It was definitely an enjoyable lunch and would want to try more dishes if my tummy do permit me to do so during that moment.

LUNASIA CHINESE CUISINE

Do I miss chinese food? Not really because most of the nights, we have home cooked chinese dinner and during weekends, dine in chinese restaurant is a common practice in my friend's family. 

Unlike our Malaysian restaurant practice, most chinese restaurant here only place or give 3 menu eventhough there are more than 3 diners sitting on the same table. Their service is not as good as those in western restaurant as the servers could be rude and inattentive to you most of the times.

In a classier ambiance like this, you won't see the prerequisite dim sum ladies pushing their carts around. Instead, expect a server to take your order.

Lunasia is one of the finest chinese restaurant serving fine dim sum and authentic cuisine in Los Angeles. We were there for breakfast on a Saturday.

 Upon entering, you'll be greeted with this wood and metal based gong at the entrance

lovely plate inscripted with Chinese calligraphy

customary to have... chinese hot tea

served in a fancy and heavy black metal pot

1st item arrived at our table, my fave Har Gau (Prawns Dumpling)

translucent and silky skin stuffed with one whole fresh prawns

Beef Meat Balls

bouncy, chewable and flavorful

Jumbo Pork Dumpling

I was surprised to see such a big dumpling served in a clear broth

hidden gems...cut sea cucumber, scallops, crab sticks, black mushroom and minced pork meat nicely marinated and packed with oomph

Braised Chicken Feet

non greasy,  well seasoned and skin easily detached from the bones

XO Raddish Cake (t) too oily and

Macau Egg Tarts (b)..pastry skin easily breaks off and filled with warm egg custard

Vegetables Chee Cheong Fun
skin tad too thick and wrapped with tasty vegetables

 Steamed Layered Caked

rolled with green tea jam, it was light and fragrant

 Lunasia is impeccably clean and the menus and staff are English-friendly. Most of the dim sum are bigger in size compared to normal restaurant. This what you get for paying quality food and worth while the trip.