Kat's 9 Lives

Having just returned from Dublin recently, I was very reluctant to try Dublin 4 as I thought it may be unfair and I had been fed up with European food.  Little did I know that I was tricked by some people to come here AGAINST my will and then they failed to even show up.  Needless to say that I was furious, but I decided that I should just stay since I made the effort to come out here and try to enjoy the rest of my evening despite the rudeness that these people showed me.  Can we say friendship over?  Such inconsiderate people are not worth my time.
First off, the parking situation here is not the best.  It's a very small area to park and most are just 20 minute parking spots so I was a bit concerned.  If you drive to the back, then you have to valet for $5 so be sure to get there early for a parking spot or pray someone is leaving.  You can park in the 20 minute spots at night as they don't mind as much.  The server told me it was okay and that they are more stringent in the morning than at night.
Everyone there was very friendly and after I sort of told the server what happened with my horribly lame friends, she even offered to accompany all night and keep me company.  I thought that was very sweet and endearing of her.  The service here is super friendly and great.  This is definitely their best seller as the feeling of being welcomed and that they really care.
This place is definitely no Temple Bar in Dublin, as it is clean and not everyone is drunk or smoking.  Dublin 4 has a very comfy homely feel to the place.  I enjoyed the dark decor.  From the outside and location, you would not remember where you are.  This strip mall is tucked away near the freeway and can be easily missed but there's a lot going on in this plaza.
To start off the night I decided to try the D4 Reuben Rolls, $12.  At first I thought this would be mini rolls but to my surprise they were rolled up in egg rolls and fried.  For those of you who know me, I absolutely love fried foods.  It's house cured corned beef, sauerkraut, and Blarney cheese inside accompanied by the D4 dipping sauce.  The flavor was very light and did not wow me.  There was also quite a bit of oil dripping out of the rolls when I took a bite.  Maybe I like my food a little bit more flavorful, so the roll needed to be a little bit more savory for my taste and a little more tightly packed so that the oil does not seep through.
After looking the menu up and down, there were a few items that looked decent but in the end I decided to try one of their gastropub pies.  To be fair, I had a really great Shepherd's Pie in Dublin so I had some high expectations as I am not necessarily a big pie fan.  At first I expected it to be laced with potato on top but it had a flaky pastry on top instead.  A great twist as I love a good puff pastry.
I decided to try the Dublin Lawyer Lobster Pie, $21.  It was made with Maine lobster, cognac cream sauce, and fresh shucked peas.  Maybe I should have went with my gut feeling to avoid this as I am not that big of a fan of peas.  The sauce was very flavorful.  I used the pastry to dip into the sauce.  There were tons of carrots and peas, but no lobster in sight.  After some more digging, I found the chunks of lobster.

All in all everything was fine but I wasn't really impressed with the food.  The service was very good, which helped make up for a lot of it.  I did try my best to save the night and they did try to help as well.  Food-wise, I will still have to be honest that it was just okay.

It's voting day and it is every citizen's right to have their voice heard! I proudly marched into their office and voted! The process seems to be a lot harder than I remembered. If you don't want to go through the hassle then register as an Absentee Ballot and make sure you send it in!
Don't let anyone throw it out like my family did. You can still vote but it is just a longer tedious process. The people were very nice there but a little disorganized so it took a while to sign the affidavit that you won't be voting twice and make your vote.
Walk in high and proud to make a difference and let your voice/opinions be heard. Proudly and happily wear the "I Voted" sticker! Normally a lot of participating chains give free goodies to people who voted. So be sure to get the goodies you deserve for voting!
I voted! Did you? O=)

Okay so I have never really been to Sports Authority or made any effort to enter one. Today, by chance I was down shopping for a Hula Hoop and decided to check them out on the strip of chain stores for one. As I often check into Four Square these days, I happen to notice a deal button. They often appear at some stores check in area, so I clicked on it. Wham! Coupon code for $10 off today's purchase! Say what? I was very excited and this was perfect! Ms. Lin and I both wanted to pick up a Hula Hoop and with a coupon? How can we say no!
So here is the 411. At first it said you need to have at least checked in 2x to get this code. I don't think I have checked in twice but decided to give them the code before I even checked in. They took the code. At first they were very confused at what this was but I showed them my phone and Four Square. The manager told and showed the employee. There was a little confusion on when I can use the $10 off but I just made it easy for them. Even though the phone said on today's purchase, somehow the cashier said it was if we buy something and use it next time. My advice is buy something small or the cheapest item that you are looking for to get that $10 off and then buy the item. =D

I just happened to stumble upon this deal and just had to share it with everyone! If you need anything from Sports Authority, now is the time! Keep in mind, I only did this at this location:
25462 El Paseo
Mission Viejo , CA 92691
(949) 448-8500
I must say this is a great way to get people who are there just to browse to buy!

Happy buying and I hope you get a great deal! ^_-

What to do when you are hungry and lazy on a rainy day... On 1/19/10, I was wondering where could I order delivery home so that I don't have to leave the comfort of my own house. After pondering for a long time, I decided to check out pizzahut.com to see current deals because you can always get pizza delivered. Fortunately for me they have a huge promotion off "Any size and Any topping for $10." I called the local place nearby and they had delivery but they charge $2.50! Heck no! I might as well drive down the hill and pick up the pizza. My plan to not leave the comfort of my own home failed. Luckily it stopped pouring and I save $5 by driving myself down.
Sometimes you just want some good ole comfort food. I still like the Pan Pizza at Pizza Hut. Of course I chose the Meat Lovers Pizza so that I can get almost all types of meat and I got a Large. They asked if I would like Medium or a Large... I was like... uh duh! Got to get the most out of my money. O=9 The sausage on the pizza was a bit over cooked and you can taste some stale burnt flavor, but other than that... the pizza is fine. It tastes about the same as it did many years ago. Pizza Hut is one of those classic comfort foods that you have to have once in a while. I can actually eat pizza for days and I can eat it cold. ^_^ Still got some in the fridges. I have been eating 2 slices a day and still going! lol Get on the deal while it is hot!

Pizza Hut
25098 Marguerite Pkwy
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 454-1700

Sushi Zone keeps popping up with rave reviews in the Mission Viejo area and I never realized where it was located. Here is a secret... Ironically... My parents used to own the restaurant here a long long long time ago. The decor has definitely changed a lot and every restaurant in this location has not survived for long. My friend had unfortunately lost his job and we were trying to find a place nearby that's good and not expensive. Originally I was going to take him to Santora's but happened to see the Sushi Zone sign and gave him another option. They are open all day and there was only one other person inside when we walked in. As soon as I opened the menu I saw all the rolls and realized.... hmmm... this is not what I had hoped for.
I refuse to pay for expensive rolls because it is just not worth the money and calories. The simplest way to pass time is to order the combination meals. I decided to get a 3 item combo because it will be much cheaper than trying to fill up on rolls that aren't worth my time. They have your normal selection but there are a lot of supplemental charges.... so I chose Teriyaki Beef, Teriyaki Salmon, and Sashimi. I detest Maguro, Tuna, so I asked if I could get only Salmon Sashimi and they said it would cost $1.50 extra... which is fine. The sashimi was fresh but nothing special. For the same price, I could go to Mitsuwa and get a ton of fresh fish and slice it up myself. Each piece was thick, which is good in value but bad in that you will lose a lot of texture on the palette.The Teriyaki Salmon was riddled with fish bones! I spent most of the meal picking out bones from my mouth. It really upset me that they would serve something like this because it can be dangerous if people are unaware that there may be a choking hazard or chance of being stabbed inside the mouth! The fish was also slightly overcooked and dry. My friend ordered only one thing different from me, the Spicy Chicken. The flavor was intense and it was actually pretty spicy. It's a sweet glaze reminiscent to the Korean flavor and the chicken was dry.
All in all this place was not too bad for your regular Korean owned Japanese joint that is filled with Americanized dishes. I would not come here to satisfy or delay my sushi/sashimi hunger. The staff here is nice, but you can tell who is the owner as she orders her employees around. Maybe one day I will go back to sit at the sushi bar to give them a try, but after my last meal here... I don't think I would be that inclined to go. With all the other choices around and many of the all you can eat places... I'd rather go there for the same price.

Sushi Zone

28251 Marguerite Pkwy
Mission Viejo, CA 92692

What to do when you don't know what you should eat and you don't want to spend too much? With the economy the way it is, we are better off eating special deals at places like Subway. Even though they are famed to be super healthy, I always get the unhealthiest sandwich there. It's all about the Meatball Sub! ^_^ I love it loaded with Swiss Cheese and toasted. Melted goodness! I don't know why but the meatballs are pretty good and the marinara sauce is not bad. It's always good for a quick fix! ^_-

I know this might sound weird, but I actually think that Pavilions have pretty good dessert. Since I am not feeling well and I don't really believe in starving a cold and feeding a fever... I fed myself! I might just have cold and I don't want to starve myself, nor do I wish I had a fever... so the best option is just to not listen to any saying and just make myself happy! So I popped by Pavilions near my house for a quick 1-Layer Carrot Cake. It's only $7 and I love carrot cake, so why not. The cakes there are usually pretty moist and flavorful. Out of all the grocery stores around I think Pavilions has the best pastry/desserts.

Wow this place always brings back memories. Ms. Lin and I use to go to Santora's Hot Wings a lot when we were young. It's a great place to have buffalo wings. Now this place seems busier than before. It's really like a hole in the wall that the locals know about. I haven't been here for a while and I was planning to come here on Sunday but Tofu called... so my plans changed. Then on Tuesday I got the chance to come back since my Mom suggested to come here. She knew that I was a little perturbed about my plans being messed up and she likes this place. The decor has your checkered red and white picnic plastic table coverings. Immediately as you walk in you will see the bar and to the left there is that long thin window to peer inside to the kitchen. You can just seat yourself as you walk in. It's very laid back.
I really came here to get two things... they were the Turkey Sub and Wings! The sub is in a Roll with Mozzarella Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, Red Onions, and Homemade Dressing. For those of you who know me or have been reading my blog... I don't like sandwiches much and when I do they are really good! ^_^ Always ask for it to be lightly toasted to give that extra Umph! The sandwiches come with your choice of Salad or Fresh Potato Fries. Ms. Lin and I like to eat it by dipping or saucing the sandwich with the Hot Buffalo Sauce and Blue Cheese Dressing. It gives the whole thing an extra kick. So yummy!
We ordered a Triple Order of Mild Hot Wings. First off, I was to greedy. Second, my tolerance have spicy must have been increasing because I couldn't taste anything with the mild flavor. I had to keep asking for more and more Medium sauce. Then it was great! Very flavorful! I could have probably gone even spicier, but I was good. The Blue Cheese Dressing that comes with the Celery Basket goes great with the wings. I think their wings are now back to a decent size because they use to be a little too tiny for the price, but well-worth the taste!
Apparently they have Taco Tuesdays and we happened to be there on Tuesday. They have $1 tacos to choose from. You can get either Chicken, Steak, or Fish. We chose to try the Chicken and Steak Tacos. They had a decent amount of meat and were accompanied with chopped veggies then drenched with sauce. My Mom and Aunt really enjoyed them. I think mainly it was a pretty good deal. They did have an extra kick in taste since it was a little spicy. You can taste the jalapeño flavor in the sauce.
All in all I loved my sandwich and wings. It brought back a lot of old memories. The prices were about the same. I always feel that wings are a little bit on the pricey side, but what can I do when I love them so much! lol Will I be back? You betcha! Do I have their number stored on my phone? Heck ya! ^_^

Remember the good old days when Dairy Queen use to be cool? Yah, it's been that long. I haven't been to one in a long long long long time. When I was in RSM the other day, I was sad to find out that the Dairy Queen there had closed. On Tuesday we passed by the Dairy Queen in MV so I had to stop by since it's a rare occasion. I have been craving a Blizzard for a while and it's been hot these days.
My usual Blizzard is the Snickers flavor and my Aunt ordered the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I love the small bites of candy embedded in the frosty. They have a frequent buyer card that isn't a bad deal. All you have to do is buy 6 and you get one free. We only need to make 2 more trips and we are there. It's an evil way of luring us back and making us more chunky! lol Good plan though! The taste remains the same as it does in the old days. Next time I will have to look for the coupons in the mail too!

Why did they get rid of their coupon?!?! I used to be more inclined to come here with a coupon. As many of you know the prices of Persian restaurants are relatively static. It's actually more expensive now though because they raised their prices by $2 on every dish! >_<# Since I had been craving some Persian food we stopped by Hatam #2 again without a coupon. They are usually not too busy and the decor is still the same. Apparently they are moving across the street near where the Papa John's. I often wonder how this place survives. Despite all that the food is not bad.
The service here is questionable sometimes. I usually see the guy who must be the owner or part of the family chatting away on the phone. He's pretty friendly when he is not on the phone, which is rare. Some of the servers have this attitude or air about them. Their busboys are much more efficient and friendlier. After you order they bring out the usual Lavash bread and raw onion. I usually save the onion.
My favorite dish here is the Lamb Chop. It's charbroiled Lamb Chops marinated in their Special Sauce served with charbroiled Tomato and Imported Basmati Rice topped with Saffron. Sometimes they overcook the meat, but it's usually pretty flavorful. I think what really brings out the flavor is the lime though. So be sure to add some to each bite and not only initially. There is a difference if you add it on top and directly onto the piece you cut off.
I actually really like their Chicken Koobideh so I ordered a side order. It's seasoned ground Chicken. This also goes great with lime. The best part is you get more charbroiled Tomatoes. I eat my rice in a particular fashion. Most people who eat with me end up copying how I mix my rice. I am very detail and precise about how I want my food done. I will sit there and slice the raw onion to tiny morsels. Then when the tomato comes I will break it apart on top of the rice so that no juice will be lost. You can easily tear the tomato apart or attempt to slice/chop it. Then you mix everything thoroughly to make your own instant fried rice. This method really brings out the flavor of the Basmati Rice and Saffron.
Normally I always get the Soltani because it provides the most meat, even though I love the lamb. It's a combination of charbroiled Filet Mignon and strip of seasoned ground Beef served with charbroiled Tomato and imported Basmati Rice topped with Saffron. The filet is my favorite part. Another name for it is Barg. I am only okay about the Beef Koobideh that's why I get the Chicken Koobideh on the side. ^_^
All in all the food is not too bad that's why I come back and get my Persian food fix. I just wish they still offered the coupon especially with the huge price increase. This is my thought and I hope you know what I mean but... when you've gone to a place with a coupon for a while and they take it away... you just can't go back without a sigh thinking that it could be cheaper! GRR! lol That's just my own opinion. I get spoiled by the coupon! lol

I rarely ever eat fast food if you know me. Saturday morning I went here with my Mom after a pedicure because she had coupons in her car for Carl's Jr. It was super early so we were wondering if they were still serving breakfast food. I don't know if it was because it was getting closer to lunch time but we were able to order their regular menu. Since it was still breakfast time and I never wake up for breakfast, I had to get the hash browns! They were fried to order because they came out piping hot hot. Yum Yum Yum!
This place is pretty clean for the fact that it has been here since I was in elementary school! I actually like Carl's Jr. more than the other burger joints because of their Chicken Club Sandwich. Of course our coupon this time was for buy one get one free Prime Rib Burger. It's their newest edition. We got the Double Burger because we might as well maximize the deal! ^_- The portion is pretty huge and it comes with a Ciabatta-like bread. There is a lot of meat on it but you can't really taste the prime rib. Inside the wrapper there was a few drop of Au Jus and it's not bad. I wish they gave an extra saucer of the Au Jus to add more flavor. Overall it's not a bad deal for buy one get one free. I don't know if it's worth it without a coupon. Since I am not a big burger fan I actually liked it, I might be inclined to order it again.
Before I saw what the burger looked like, I had ordered their Spicy Chicken Sandwich for 99 cents. I remembered that it was tasty. When I opened it up, I realized how tiny the chicken is. It was almost flat, but it was still very flavorful. I think I would actually prefer this over the burger because you can have a lot more! lol Also I have to give a shout out to their delicious Criss Cut Fries! =9
Fun fact for those who don't know. Carl's Jr is called Hardee's in Tennessee and on the East Coast.

On Saturday, Lil Bel and I hit the mall up. I hope she got the Prada sunglasses she liked. They looked wonderful ^_-. Since she has never tried the Nordstrom Cafe, I had to introduce her! I have been going to this place since High School. This time I decided to order something different from the first post. Just a friendly reminder, I have been to many different Nordstrom Cafes and they all vary slightly. My favorite one is still in Mission Viejo Mall. The service there varies, but the interior decor is always pleasant. It can get rather crowded on the weekends, but it's worth the wait.
As usual, I had to get the Roma Tomato with Basil soup with delicious extra Garlic Cheese Bread. They were actually out when I got there, so I had to wait a while to get my soup. It was a little annoying that they took a really long time to bring out the soup because it came with the sandwich. I couldn't really get a head start on the soup, so it got a little cold as I kept trying to work from one dish to the next. The soup of course was great as usual.
I decided to showcase the Pesto Chicken Panini. If you like sun-dried tomato and creamy pesto, then this would be perfect for you. The sandwich is always loaded with thinly sliced chicken breast. It's a very filling sandwich and goes great with the soup. The only thing I don't like about the sandwich is that after eating it for a while, it scrapes the roof of your mouth. It came with fresh made potato chips on the side. This is the best panini there in my opinion. It has the most flavor out of the three.
Lil Bel decided to try the Roasted Chicken with Roasted Vegetables. I have never ordered that dish, because I hate chicken with bones. To my surprise it was almost boneless. There was only a small wing bone still attached. The chicken was roasted to perfection and very moist. It was a little lacking in flavor, but very healthy. I liked the slight lemon flavor. There was a ton of roasted vegetables, which would be my Krytonite. Yuck! lol O=P I am a carnivore! I am allergic to all vegetables. O=) The dish was very filling over all. I had to help Lil Bel with her dish, which led me to take half my sandwich home.
To fulfill her sweet tooth, Lil Bel ordered the Crème Brûlée. They seemed to have forgotten it and I just told the server, she immediately brought one out without even checking to see we ordered one. I must say they were very trusting. They have pretty good desserts at this location. I have tried them all. The Crème brûlée that day was a little TOO creamy for me. It was very thick. The torched sugar made it taste a lot better. I wish they put different fruits, but I guess they weren't in season. Usually there's a wide variety of fruits and not just a lot of raspberries.

All in the food was good and solid. The service here varies. I like the mint chocolate strips they give you at the end so that you will tip them. I guess it's a smart ploy. The cafe is always nice and clean. I will most likely be back soon again with MBA, as I have made her addict of the soup. ^_~

I love my coupons. Even though I was running late for my class today, I just had to stop by Gloria Jean's Coffee in the Mission Viejo Mall to get my drinks. On a warm day, it's great to have a cool refreshing drink. Of course if I didn't have my buy one get one free coupon, I'd be at Godiva across the escalator for a Chocolixir. The drinks are pretty huge and definitely not the cheapest, but a much better deal than Godiva. I believe they were 24 oz. drinks for $5.50 or $5.70 each. Of course with the coupon, I only paid $5.70 ^_^ The Mint Chocolate Cookie was very sweet and minty. I found it very interesting that they put peppermint taffy to give the minty flavor. The chocolate had a dense dark flavor, but the sweetness was a little overpowering. I also got the Cookies & Cream. It was nicely decorated with crumbled Oreo-like cookies. This was a creamier drink and sweet. I couldn't even finish one, but that was my plan all along. After class, I brought the to drinks over to my Grandmother so she can enjoy the drinks. The servers there were extremely friendly that day. They usually aren't that busy there, but the people who work there were always laid back and nice. All I have to say is.. How can you go wrong with buy one get one FREE! ^_^