Sidecar Restaurant

When I found out Sidecar was closing, I decided to come by as often as I could.
I went 4 times in one week. No regrets
Here's some of what we had on our last visit.
You will be missed

brussel sprouts

steak with mashed potatoes, collard greens and kale

pudding

cheesecake with strawberry jam at the bottom

sweet potato fries with goat cheese and burger

lettuce wrap with bacon

salad with bacon

deviled eggs

Sidecar Restaurant

3029 E Main St  
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 653-7433

Sidecar Restaurant has been operating at this location for the last decade, 
but unfortunately they'll be closing in a few weeks.
I'm just bummed I didn't come here often. A few days ago, my friend told me
that they offer a whole hog dinner menu.
I told her I was in not knowing what came with the menu. 
Whole hog were the magic words I needed to hear. We
decided to come in for lunch instead of dinner. 6 people, 5 courses + dessert 
all for $450. Well worth it. Everything was
ridiculous delicious. Tim (executive chef and owner) came out to explain 
what we were getting with each course.
Unfortunately, none of us really paid attention because we were all
excited to eat. 
Easily, one of the best meals I've had.

My refreshments: water, arnold palmer and pinot noir

Starter: 2 big pieces of chicharron. I loved how they served it like that instead of in  small pieces. That sweet/spicy sauce was killer

 crispy pig ear lettuce wraps with a sweet asian glaze, pickled red onion, cabbage, cilantro and a hint of siracha

kale salad with apple, pig liver (I couldn't handle it), and radish

All I know about the bottom part is that it's a pig dish. Also with collard greens and sunny side up egg

look at that ooey goodness. This was my favorite dish

The last course before dessert. A whole pig. Those are veggies around it

You did good pig, you did good.

French toast with whip cream, lemon curd and topped with bacon

Paradise Cove Cafe

28128 Pacific Coast Hwy  Malibu, CA 90265 (310) 457-2503 www.paradisecovemalibu.com I'm not sure how many times I've passed the sign for this place while driving down the PCH and told myself "I should stop by" but never do. I finally got to drop by this past weekend right after hiking Sycamore Canyon. I've been kicking myself for just now discovering this awesome place. It was a bit cloudy/overcast, but we opted for outside seating. Luckily, they have heaters so that worked out. The great thing about this place is that you can bring your drinks outside and lounge at the beach like you're on vacation. The food was spot on, but a bit pricey. Then again this is a tourist spot and it's located right on the beach so it made sense.

Hot Combo Sampler: macadamia coconut shrimp, bbq baby back ribs, papa joe's fried fish, bbq jumbo shrimp,  beer battered chicken tenders, crispy calamari and fries.

I opted for their famous tacos. Chose bbq kobe beef, shrimp and fish. The rice that came with it was bomb

Clam Chowder in bread bowl

Sandwich "In" Soup. Crab and shrimp melt on grilled sourdough "in" clam chowder

Cafe Nouveau

1497 E Thompson Blvd
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 648-1422
www.cafenouveau.net

Another one of my old hangout. This is where Alena, Robert and I typically went for brunch on sundays. We were usually hungover. I remember one time we decided to order a pitcher of mimosa and our server said "Are you sure?" with her judging eyes. Alena wanted to slap her.

Rachel, Cat, Calli and I went the morning after my birthday. The wait wasn't so bad. They have coffee in the waiting area which was nice. We got to sit outside where I normally like to be seated.

Rachel jokingly said "you should keep drinking" so I took her words seriously and ordered  a  champagne/pomegranate juice cocktail

2+2+2 Two eggs + 2 bacons and 2 pancakes. That bacon was legit the best I've had

The 2 pancakes. Instead of maple syrup, they use some cinnamon type syrup. I  ended up taking some home. It was that good

Brioche french toast

Barrel 33

1067 E Thompson Blvd

Ventura, CA 93001

Phone:(805) 652-181

www.barrel33.com

In my early 20s, this place used to be called Wine Lovers. Alena and I spent most of our nights there since we happened to be friends with the bartender. We loved WL and were sad to hear that it closed. A few weeks ago I heard something about it being open, but no longer as WL. We decided to give it a shot.

Nothing much has changed, the outside seating area is still the same. They did add some curtains and a chandelier, but aside from that the furniture was the same. The only real difference is that now they serve food and more beer. Wine Lovers only served cheese plates.

We just might make this our new hangout.

We're going to try this special the next time we visit

Brie with strawberries, blueberries and apple. I wish I didn't have to share

House salad. Not sure what type of dressing they used, but it was delicious

Olives. Too salty. I only had 3. We didn't even finish it and there was 4 of us

Caprese salad. As soon as this was served, I said "WTF is that" The mozzarella  was way hard  and that mess on the side was out of place. Who puts greens with caprese salad. This place went there

El Chilito

733 S Oxnard Blvd  Oxnard, CA 93030
(805) 385-8451

This spot is conveniently located right next to Rebecca's Juice Bar.
I've passed it numerous times and always take note of how inviting the smell is of whatever it is they're cooking
when I drive by so I finally decided to drop by.
Definitely a must try, but Rebecca's is far better.
I did like how they had a picture of all the items on their menu posted on the wall.
Not many places do that nowadays.
The staff are also very friendly.

chips and salsa and pico de gallo

strawberry licuado

nachos. nice presentation

carne asada tostada

La Llama Pupuseria

Pupuseria y Restaurante La Llama

2655 Ventura Road

Port Huenem, CA 93041

Phone: (805) 984-1309

During my one week stay in Honduras in the summer of 2011, I was introduced to pupusas in Roatan. My sister and I spent the whole day at the beach and were hungry when someone suggested we try the pupusas that a street vendor was selling. I had no idea what they were, but I was game. What a great discovery! I can't believe I had never had it til then. When I got back home, all I could think about were pupusas then someone mentioned that there was a pupuseria where i live. Color me surprised. I visited La Llama the day I found out about them. What a great place. The owners/staff are awesome. It doesn't hurt that I get to practice my spanish and have El Salvadorans be impressed that I can parlez their language.

pupusa

topped with the pickled cabbage

cabbage with hot peppers

my other favorite - plantains with beans

Rebecca's Juice Bar & Cenaduria

719 S Oxnard Blvd 

Oxnard, CA 93032 

(805) 487-1015

Rita introduced me to this place last year. I can't believe it took 
me this long to discoversuch an awesome spot. Rebecca's is located 
right in downtown Oxnard. If you blink, you'll miss it. It's definitely 
a hole in the wall type of joint. But you know they're the spot to 
visit because all the locals eat there. 

We ended up going twice this weekend after finishing a 5 mile hike.
 The girl working the

front was definitely happy to see us. When I left yesterday I told her
 "see you next weekend." 

Their licuados are the best. It's basically a fruit drink with milk and ice
cream. You can tell the fruit is fresh by the way it tastes. I basically
go there just for the strawberry drinks.

Tostada de Ceviche

Licuado de Fresa (strawberry)

Torta. This was the combination which had everything

Flautas

Left: Licuado de Melon. Right: Licuado de Mango