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My brother, our friend Tammy and I recently returned from a trip to California. For the last two years, we’ve been participating in the AIDS/LifeCycle Ride – a 545-mile charity event for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center that takes over 2,000 cyclists down the California coast from San Francisco to L.A. over the course of 7 days (collectively raising over $15 million this year and last year, over $16 million). While in camp, meals are provided for you. But before and after our ride… Well, that’s a different story.
While we were in a cab in San Francisco, our driver was kind enough to let us in on some of the hot spots to eat at while we were there. High up on his list was a noodle and yakitori place called Halu (which wound up being walking distance from where we stayed!). The food, needless to say, was fantastic. I ordered the veggie ramen (which I do believe has a meat-based broth in it) and the “Steak of Veggie Trumpet Mushrooms” Yakitori. For those who haven’t heard of Yakitori before – the restaurant describes it as a popular Japanese pub food, skewered and grilled with special charcoal for a smokey flavor. Seasoned with sea salt or a soy-based teriyaki sauce. In other words – It’s delicious. To top it off, this place is known for their collection of Beatles memorabilia, making this a really fun place to sit and look around.
Halu, honestly, was the highlight of our food adventures in San Francisco outside of a quick jaunt to Boba Guys for a boba iced tea (definitely worth a stop if you’re cruising by! Just note, there’s usually a line – but it goes fairly quickly.).
After hitting the road with the AIDS/LifeCycle ride for 6 nights and 7 days, we were ready to find a nice little spot to relax and grab some good food in L.A.. Within walking distance (we walk a lot on vacations) we found this wonderful little place called The Sit Down. It has a perfect secluded back patio seating area with cozy lighting and even red blankets draped across the back of each chair in case you need extra warmth from the cool evening air. We fell in love instantly and promptly came back the following morning for brunch. Everything was delicious and it felt like our own little paradise. Plus, you could see the Hollywood hills if you look to the left as you walk out. Highly recommend you stop by if you get a chance!
The final place we stopped by was a little dive-y punk rock bar called Ye Rustic Inn. Good food (I had the veggie burger – it was killer!) and great music. The drinks were priced right and the bartender Kim was super friendly. The next morning we stopped by Caffe Vita where I found my new summer drink obsession – Iced Blueberry Hibiscus Tea. Or any flavor hibiscus tea, for that matter. It’s super thirst-quenching plus has a whole bunch of bonus suggested health benefits including: *relief from high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as digestive system woes, strengthening your immune system and relieving inflammatory problems. It is also said to help cure liver disease and reduce your risk of cancer. It might also help speed up your metabolism and help in healthy, gradual weight loss. As well as help reduce anxiety. I find myself tossing a few teabags in a mason jar every night, filling it with filters water and tossing it in the fridge until morning. Then I take out the teabags (usually), add some ice and maybe some frozen blueberries (if I’m feeling fancy) and I’m good to go! The one I’ve been using lately is The Republic of Tea’s, Hibiscus Blueberry. Wonderful company – delicious tea!
*As suggested in https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/beverage/hibiscus-tea.html