It’s been more than three years since I moved from Silver Lake to a more low-key and quiet neighborhood in Los Angeles. Though miles away from downtown LA, the excellent and convenient public transportation (Metro train and bus system) has made life easier for commuters like me if I had to be in the inner city. Technically, the San Fernando Valley or The Valley is still Los Angeles. I love my own little corner in the valley and at the moment reorganizing my future with family who have recently joined me. My workplace is just a bus ride away from my home. I have friends who I get to see often, like today, I went to the opening of Good Belly and Shrimp at the Northridge Fashion Center Farmers Market. Carmelo Bonoan (son of my Laoagueño friend Odette) and his wife Richie Chua Bonoan, who just graduated from culinary school, have just activated their Filipino-Hawaiian food project in the most culturally diverse city in the world. Food was good! In fact, we had a repeat order of lechon belly, not to mention a double order of grilled shrimps with Tajin-dusted fresh pineapples. A great start for the couple, they actually ran out of rice to accompany the last serving of lechon by closing time. Congrats, Melo and Richie!

The Northridge Farmers Market on Tampa Ave. (near the cinemas) is open 5-9PM on Wednesday nights.

Contact Good Belly and Shrimp for inquiries 818 271 1460.

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I haven’t been to the Far East Plaza since 2019. Whenever I go, there’s something new. I don’t see some of the spots I used to frequent. And I also missed the opening of Pearl River Deli by the same chef of the famous Hainan chicken rice place in Arcadia, Side Chick. So Chef Johnny Lee is now closer with PRD, but his Hainan chicken is available only on certain days. I got lucky that one of his weekend offerings was something perfect for my special diet. Dieting was never in my vocabulary before. Now, it’s my number one concern. I literally want to live longer as in longevity is something I’m working on currently. It has turned into a full-time career, taking care of my health. Back to what I ordered, I was so happy with my lamb neck pancake wrap — well-seasoned, tender lamb bits with a nice, chewy, flaky pancake underneath.

Alex and my mom enjoyed char siu on rice and silky shrimp scramble. Amazing that they have vegan options, so I tried the healthier mushroom chow fun which turned out to be a great alternative for beef chow fun.

The cooking was distinctively Chinese, but you’ll know it comes from a different level, like it’s not your typical grandma’s style. It has that modern flair and youngish vibe to it that someone like my mom could still appreciate. Happy she was happy.

For dessert, we went to Lasita, the space that Filipino restaurant Lasa used to occupy. One of the chefs is still the same one running Lasita. I will need to go back for the chicken inasal which is a family fave.

I was drooling while looking at my mom’s white halo-halo with a modern mix of melon, sago, honey brittle, melon horchata (instead of milk), chia seeds and pinipig. It sounded definitely more interesting than the classic halo-halo with ube ice cream. She said it was good. Again happy that she was delighted with my pick. We were lucky to have chanced upon Tito Rudy’s halo -halo pop-up.

Until our next food adventure. I wish to blog more often now that I have more time doing nothing.

Oh, thanking you for dropping by BlauEarth after all these years. I hope you are all healthy, safe and vaccinated. Keep your masks on peeps!

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