Monkey Trip: Sayonara Okinawa!

I was told that Okinawa is the Hawaii of Japan--don't mistake it for the mainland, know the love for Spam and most of all, be prepared for a warm welcome. And it was all true. There are some things that are unmistakably of this Ryuku island. In a few words? Sanshin (the Okinawan cousin to the banjo), pineapple, beni imo (purple yam), Orion beer and above all, a great connection to the sea with a plethora of coral reefs, cerulean waters and amazing fish.

Japan Bound

Only seven more days until I finally feel the ground far across the ocean, see the sights of Okinawa and eat bowls and bowls of soba! Until then, I must pack my bag and learn the fundamentals of Japanese. Kohii o kudasai? Domo arigato.

Red Eye Pak, Sleep Mask Kimono, Uniqlo Light Weight Cardigan, LA Eyeworks Twill Glasses, Diana + Camera Kit: Meg Edition, UO Striped Slip-On Plimsoll, J. Crew Globe-Trotter Centenary, Geo Travel Passport Wallet, Apple Tee by Pikucha, URBANEARS Headphones, Fab Linda Farrow Vintage 1980s Red Wayfarer Sunglasses, Nixon The Rocio Watch, BDG Fine Weave Stroller, Steven Alan Spring Sullivan Dress, TOMS Blue Tangier, Kate Spade Bow Flats, Anya Hindmarch Shopping Tote, Lala Berlin Scarf, Harvey Faircloth Skirted Top, Rogan Nasu Shorts

Curiosity and The Cat

If you missed it, here are some shots from the Hello Kitty 35th Anniversary Three Apples exhibit at the Royal/T Cafe in Culver City. While you may not be able to get your high tea fix with tiny Hello Kitty sandwiches anymore, you can still order high tea complete with a three-tiered silver tray and any pot of tea you want all while sitting amongst Japanese pop art.

Eye on Food: Hara Sushi

12222 Wilshire Blvd., 310-820-1021

Wouldn't it be great if happy hours lasted 5 1/2 hours? (Ok, minus the old jalapeno poppers). Well, at Santa Monica's Hara Sushi they decided to make a quarter of the day (that's 4-9:30pm) dedicated to 1/2 off sushi and cheap drinks! With 32 special rolls, tons of maki choices and raspberry beer, it's a pretty solid stop for dinner. Even better, if you haven't gotten your soybean fill, they serve up edamame  like nobody's business in a huge mound fit for 12. I'm serious. We couldn't finish it. To add to their generosity, Hara also serves a free cup of miso and ice cream to every diner. For production girls night out, 

we ordered the Ginza Roll (spicy tuna and avocado wrapped with albacore and jalapeno) and the Crunchy Roll (crabmeat, avocado, cucumber, shrimp tempura, wrapped with tempura flakes and unagi sauce). Both were delicious. All around us people ordered the Baked Lobster Roll which, had I been eating alone, I might have reached over and helped myself. It looked great. While the atmosphere is lacking (thanks to Mariko for warning us about the happy hour signs everywhere), this place is every bit the yummy hole-in-the-wall it should be and perfect for a Monday night. Hey, it isn't Nobu, but it serves up good toro with $2 sake. No complaints here.