Introducing Asiana Grill Yoshinoya! And Giveaway Ends 12/26/2012


Last week I was invited out to Asiana Grill Yoshinoya.  From the same company that brings us the chains of “Yoshinoya.”

Last May, the first Asiana Grill Yoshinoya location opened up in Fullerton, CA, and then this past August the Los Angeles chain located right off of Figueroa Street near USC opened.

And let me tell you, the food is AMAZING.

When you first walk into Asiana Grill Yoshinoya you will be greeted by the staff saying hello.  You will notice the BRIGHT green tables lined along the place, and the giant pictures on the wall of the food options available.

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So, how does Asiana Grill Yoshinoya work?  It’s quite simple really.  You can start off by ordering one of four styles: Big Platter, Lots of Soup, Super Salad, or the Great Yellow Bun.

Big Platter: Served with plump, steamed white rice, fresh grilled vegetable medley (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage and bean sprouts,) and romaine spring salad mix with sliced cucumbers, julienne carrots, scallions, and a light Sesame Miso dressing.  All topped with Daikon sprouts, sesame seeds, and a garnish of red ginger.

Lots of Soup: Lightly sweet Shiromiso base served with a grilled white rice cake and fresh vegetable medley (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage and bean sprouts,) topped with scallions.

Super Salad: Fresh romaine spring salad mix served with grilled rice wedges and a light Sesame Miso dressing.  All topped with sliced cucumbers, julienne carrots and scallions.

Great Yellow Bun: Baked fresh daily and served with Asian Cabbage Salad (napa and green cabbage with shredded carrots, chopped parsley, vinegar, and mirin) and sweet potato fries.

next you then choose your protein: Charbroiled Steak, Charbroiled Chicken Breast, Grilled Chicken Thigh, Charbroiled Pork, Grilled Shrimp, Grilled White Fish or Grilled Tofu.  You can add Shitake Mushrooms with your protein for 69cents.

And then you choose your SAUCE: Teriyaki, Sweet and Sour, Ginger Snap, Ponzu, Gekikara, and Mushroom sauces are available.

I went with the Great Yellow Bun, with Charbroiled Chicken Breast and Sweat and Sour Sauce, and boy oh boy, did it ever hit the spot:

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That evening I was also given a sample of their Asian Chicken Salad:

IMG_20121212_190223Which I must say I was admiring the handy work of the Chef when this was delivered to me.  Almost too pretty to eat.  😉

And then for dessert, yes dessert.  There were a variety of options.  Think Ice Cream on a Stick and yes, Cheesecake on a Stick.  The cheesecake comes out miniature, but it’s the perfect size for how truly rich it is.  They also have frozen bananas for you to enjoy too.

IMG_20121212_191919The Cheesecake on a Stick.  You can add crumbs to your cheesecake and ice cream for no additional charge.

Appetizers are also available to order: Gyoza, Chicken Wings, Shrimp Tempura, and Edamame.

And, my end of the night take home was the Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Bowl which was a newly created addition to the menu.

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Doesn’t it look good?? A personal favorite. So, do I approve of Asiana Grill Yoshinoya?  Absolutely.  I love their creative design, their fresh concept, and their thoughtfulness on all avenues.

And if you’re looking for a beverage make sure to try out their flavored waters that come in Lychee Lemongrass and Cucumber Lemongrass varieties.  I tried the Cucumber and I couldn’t get enough of it!

And now one of my lucky READERS has a chance to try out Asiana Grill Yoshinoya on their own.  MN Girl in LA is giving away 2 coupons for free Entrees at Asiana Grill Yoshinoya

Mandatory Entry: Leave a Comment

No purchase necessary, void where prohibited.  Must reside in Southern California, be 18 years or older.  Giveaway ends at 9pm PST on 12/26/2012. 

Disclosure: I was provided with a free meal of Asiana Grill Yoshinoya.  All opinions are my own.

Categories: Cooking, Fun Stuff, Giveaways | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Thoughts I just had to get out: Gun Control, Mentally Ill, Right to Bear Arms.


2 years ago, I would have hit social media and bashed “guns, bashed what happened, and called for stricter “gun control laws.”

However, times have changed.  I’ve spent the past two years residing with a person who is indeed “mentally ill.”  I have also spent the past two years residing with someone who has a love for “guns.”

My thoughts have changed.  Before I write further, I just want to begin by saying, yesterday has weighed heavily on my mind.  My hearts truly go out to EVERYONE affected by this tragedy.  The victims, Sandy Hook Elementary School, the lives of small precious children that have been loss, and to any mother or father who has young children at home.  Yesterday was an extremely emotional day for many.  Prayers have been sent, prayers have been made, and candles have been lit. 

However, yesterday, as I watched the conversations that were said, as I watched the postings made via twitter, via facebook, and elsewhere, I grew sad, frustrated, and irritated.

I got frustrated when people made mentions to the mentally ill, made notions about gun control law, as people were trying to UNDERSTAND what happened.

The fact is, I don’t think there is anyway to UNDERSTAND what did happen, because, none of us have the mind of a “killer.”  None of us could create such a heinous act.

The other part I truly feel is that if a person wants to create such a heinous act, no matter the gun control laws that are place, no matter the services available, they will DO WHATEVER it takes to create such a crime.

In Norway, one of the heaviest countries on Strict Gun Control Laws, had a heinous crime take place, on an island, of all places using a gun and car bomb, killing 69 people.

In China, yesterday morning, a man went into a school with a knife, and hurt 22 children.

Yes, since 1999, 31 school related crimes have taken place, and it breaks my heart.  Is there a way to stop these crimes from happening?  At this point, I just don’t know.

The US National law states if a person is deemed harmful to themselves or others by mental health professionals, they may not buy a gun.  (http://www.jaapl.org/content/35/3/330.full.)

However, yesterday, many cases were made about the mentally ill owning guns, preventing them, etc.  Although I am no care specialist, no Ph.D, I have resided with a person WHO is indeed capable of owning such a weapon.  This same person has taught me how to operate a gun, how to care for one, and how to shoot one, and in the safest of ways.

There are a lot of “mentally ill” out there, but a lot of the “mentally ill” are fighting inner battles within themselves for only wanting to cause harm to themselves, and not others.  There is such a SMALL SMALL number out there who actually want to cause harm to others, and the ones that do, aren’t talking loudly about it, most likely aren’t even talking about it at all.  So there’s no signs showcasing that they EVEN need help.

The first time I ever held a gun, I was in tears, I was afraid, I never thought I’d touch one.  There are so VERY few of us who would actually go out and create such a crime, would EVEN think about creating such a crime.

But the ones that do, those are the people we need to be fearful of.  However, it is these same people, that won’t go out and seek the help they need.  They are very much in their own worlds, and very set on what they believe at whatever point in life they have reached.  These seem people that very much need the help are the same people that will FIGHT getting any sort of help at all.

I don’t think any amount of gun control laws, services available, will EVER reach these people, or stop them from creating the crimes that they do.

If guns were banned completely there would be other means: knives, fires, and other things I can’t even create in my mind.

And that brings me to The Second Amendment, “The Right to Bear Arms.”  This law was put in place, and more than ever, I believe in it.  This law was put in place so our government could never grow too strong.  This was another measure to protect the citizens of this country, for them to stand up, if the government EVER became too powerful.  Must we not forget that in the months that lie ahead.

I just needed to write about this, the thoughts of the mentally ill are very much in my mind.  Not EVERY person with a mental illness is BAD, or even capable of creating such a heinous crime.

And not only that, I don’t think it’s possible to “CONTROL something we have no CONTROL over.”

And on a last note,

With every tragedy, stories come out about the heroes that stood up during these hard times.  TEACHERS, who protected the children of those classrooms, who lost their own, need to be remembered.  Take this time to thank the TEACHERS in your life for what they do.

The names of the victims were released today, and let us lift these names up, may these innocent people with warms hearts, warm thoughts, and warm memories be remembered for who they were.

I didn’t write this post to start debates, I didn’t write this post for my own political agendas.  I took my blog off of triberr so no one was forced to share something they didn’t feel comfortable sharing, but I wrote this because this is what has heavily been on my mind.

 

 

Categories: Life | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Anything Goes Now Playing at Ahmanson Theatre!!


anythinggoes

“Anything Goes” is now playing at the Ahmanson Theatre through January 6th, 2013.

This play, written in 1934, is about the lovers, liar, and clowns aboard a transatlantic cruise ship known as the S.S American.  As it sails off to sea, two unlikely mates come together on a course of true love.  With a little help from singing sailors, an exotic disguise, and some good old fashioned blackmail.

Raving reviews have come out about “Rachel York” in her performance of Reno Sweeney.  Other performers include: Fred Applegate, Erich Bergen, Jeff Brooks, Joyce Chittick, Alex Fincke, Dennis Kelly, Vincent Rodriguez III, Marcus Shane, Sandra Shipley, Edward Staudenmayer, and Chuck Wagner.

Anything Goes Tour

The Ahmanson has special discounted tickets available through December 21st:

Special Extended Ticket Offer Now Available! 
Save on select performances of Anything Goes through December 21!

Weeknights only $39* (Reg. $65) and $49* (Reg. $85)

Weekends only $49* (Reg. $75) and $59* (Reg. $100)

Visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/SAILOR or call 213.972.4400 and mention code SAILOR

Disclosure: I will be seeing the performance of “Anything Goes” on Wednesday, December 19th

 

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