Bomb Threat Experience and Breakfast from Burger King in SFO

Our flight left on time (7:15 PM) from Los Angeles Airport, and it was all standard procedure. I cannot wait to go home to Vancouver. However, at around 8:30 PM, the pilot made three announcements:

1. They will suspend the distribution of snacks and meals.
2. They will have to stop inflight WiFi.
3. We have to do an emergency landing at Sacramento Airport.

I was surprisingly calm through it all. I watched enough documentaries and drama series with airplane crashes to run through checklists in my head. I am on a window seat and checked if the wings or engine is on fire, but it seems to be functioning as expected. I also observed that if any passenger or crew member is panicking about a medical emergency, it is not that either.

Then, I thought that maybe there was a terrorist or bomb threat. It could be, but we're still flying and have not exploded yet, so we're good. Again, my heart was not pounding, and I was surprisingly not scared.

Afterwards, I prayed, "God, if it is my time to come home to You, I am ready. I surrender to you, my spirit." - I can only pray this because my husband is with me during the flight. Then, I thought, "Lord, please help my sister remember my insurance information so my parents can get money." - What a weird thought!

After 30 minutes, we landed at San Francisco Airport. I connected to the internet and checked Twitter (X). I found a conversation about our flight. Apparently, there was a bomb threat.

We sat on the plane for almost an hour. Then, they asked us to exit with our things, walk through security, and go to our next gate. Then, 10 minutes later, they told us we would fly the following day. They provided hotel and food vouchers. My husband and I took a Lyft to the hotel and slept a wink. Suddenly, the adrenaline of what had happened sank in.

We woke up early, took another Lyft back to San Francisco International Airport and went through the security again. We sat near our gate, exhausted. Oh, and all I can think about is how I will be late for work. I sent a message to my manager when I learned that our flight was leaving the following morning.

He was understanding and kind through it all, but I'm such a workaholic that it unnecessarily stressed me out. While waiting for our flight, we grabbed breakfast from Burger King in SFO. I got the Ham, Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Croissan'wich, while hubby got the same except with Bacon instead of Ham. It was oily and salty. I did enjoy stress-eating on the hashbrown.

Bacon, Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Croissan'wich from Burger King in San Francisco Airport

Ham, Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Croissan'wich from Burger King in San Francisco Airport

Hash Browns from Burger King in SFO

We boarded our flight at 7:00 AM, and I prayed to God for sleep. I was knocked out. I woke up an hour later with the announcement that we needed to return to the gate because the "computers have not updated with our flight." I think United forgot to transfer the luggage in our bag. We left 30 minutes later and arrived at YVR at 10:30 AM. I slept the whole flight. Thank God!

We took an Uber home, unpacked, showered, and went straight to the office. Yes, I'm a workaholic. My siblings and parents told me I was crazy. I had lunch in the office and worked the rest of the afternoon. Even my manager was surprised to see me during the daily meeting.

Chocolate Old Fashioned and Sugar Raised Donut from Randy's Donuts

Are you familiar with the TV series The Simpsons? Homer loves his pink donuts with the giant donut sign on top. While driving around Los Angeles, we spotted a store with a similar giant donut on top called Randy's Donuts. We didn't have time to stop by any of their stores.

However, as luck would have it, they have a small kiosk inside Terminal 6 of Los Angeles Airport (LAX). The Glazed Raised is sold out, so I chose Sugar Raised Classic Donut. I am a sucker for any bread sprinkled with plain white sugar.

Chocolate Old Fashioned Donut from Randy's Donuts

Meanwhile, my husband went for the Chocolate Old Fashioned Deluxe Donut. It is also so good with a slightly crunchy exterior and moist interior.

Sugar Raised Donut from Randy's Donuts

If you tell me that this is my last bite of food on earth, I will die a happy woman.

Meal before flight at The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck in LAX

Let's start this post by introducing Wolfgang Puck, in case you have not heard of him. He is a highly acclaimed Austrian-American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur. He is renowned for his innovative approach to California cuisine and is credited with popularizing gourmet pizza. He has a restaurant inside Los Angeles Airport at Terminal 6 (which primarily serves United Airlines), so we grabbed a late lunch there.

Rigatoni Chicken Alfredo from The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck in LAX
Wild mushrooms, English peas, and goat cheese

My husband ordered the Spaghetti & Meatballs while I went for the Rigatoni Chicken Alfredo. I know that airport food is usually terrible, and I found my Alfredo too salty. Or this could be intentional since it is a common phenomenon for people to experience a dulled sense of taste when flying.

Spaghetti & Meatballs from The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck in LAX
Tomato-basil-garlic sauce, aged parmesan, and basil

The Spaghetti & Meatballs are more enjoyable.

Happy Kid at Taco Bell in LA

 In the Philippines, we (me and my siblings) absolutely love Taco Bell. It's our only introduction to "Mexican" food, of course, now that we're in Canada - we know better and have tried better Mexican food and not even the Tex-Mex kind.

Our meal at Taco Bell

Anyway, my husband and I were flying out of Los Angeles Airport this evening and slept in (woke up late) to enjoy our last day. For our last meal (outside the airport) in LA, we saw Pizza Hut, Denny's, and other American chains, but we all have those in Vancouver. Meanwhile, there's Taco Bell - they have branches in Metro Vancouver, but not the city itself. Boo!

Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell
Seasoned beef and refried beans between two Mexican Pizza shells with Mexican Pizza sauce, a three-cheese blend, and tomatoes on top.

Nacho Fries from Taco Bell
Golden, crisp Nacho Fries seasoned with bold Mexican spices and nacho cheese sauce for dipping.

We took a Lyft to Taco Bell, and I picked everything I used to order back in the Philippines. I feel like a high schooler again hanging out at the Taco Bell in Gateway in the middle of Cubao.

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes from Taco Bell

Chicken Quesadilla from Taco Bell
Simple flour tortilla with grilled chicken, melted three-cheese blend, and creamy jalapeño sauce.

We got chicken quesadilla, nacho fries, and my absolute favourite: Mexican Pizza and the Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes. I happily and giddily devoured things.

Cinnamon Twists from Taco Bell

It also made me miss my high school best friend and how our once-a-week date would be at Taco Bell in Trinoma when we were attending different universities. Thank God for the many Taco Bell memories.

Drinks at Landings Bar in Hilton LAX

After our adventure at SoFi Stadium and being safely back in the hotel, I planned to go to Griffith Observatory. However, we couldn't get a Lyft or Uber to take us. After an hour of trying, we called it quits and decided to hang out at Landings Bar, adjacent to the lobby of Hilton Los Angeles Airport.

Drinks at Landings Bar in Hilton Los Angeles Airport

Fries from Landings Bar in Hilton Los Angeles Airport

As always, I'm feeling snacky, so I got the fries and cocktails. We watched the Sunday Night Football game on one of the many TVs in the bar. We also discussed the project we were doing with close friends. My hubby and I don't drink alcohol, so when we do, it always feels special.

In-N-Out Burger near SoFi Stadium

After watching our first-ever NFL game in person at SoFi Stadium, we struggled to return to our hotel. Lyft and Uber are nowhere in sight, and traffic is horrible, with thousands of cars trying to leave the stadium simultaneously. We walked to Hollywood Park Casino, hoping it would be easier for ridesharing, but we were wrong.

We discussed plans for the rest of the evening, and the primary goal is to have dinner at In-N-Out, and it just so happens that there's one nearby. We walked there praying that traffic would be more manageable after our meal. The line in In-N-Out was LONG, but service was quick. It's the first time my brother has had the burger since 2007!

Hamburger from In-N-Out

It's also the first time I've tried it inside a restaurant since I was 18. Wow. It's genuinely an excellent classic burger and fries. It's crazy how real potatoes cut and fried in-store mean quality and taste. I'm so happy.

Cheeseburger from In-N-Out

After enjoying our meal, we tried to figure out the best way to return to our hotel. I explored walking and taking transit. There is a bus that will stop in front of our hotel. Woohoo! The trip should take 15 minutes, but the traffic makes it closer to 30. We're happy to be back at our home away from home.

Nachos, Tater Tots, and Churro Bites at SoFi Stadium

The primary reason we flew to Los Angeles was to watch the National Football League (NFL) match between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers.

In 2016, my brother watched NFL games on TV and would teach me the rules so I could understand it better. I told him that we should watch it in person. When I said that, he was still in college, and I was unemployed in Canada.

After 7 years, we finally made that dream a reality. We're inside the beautiful SoFi Stadium to watch the game, and of course, I'm here for the food, too. Honestly, none of the items looked super appetizing, so we went for what looked like a safe bet.

We got the Barbacoa Loaded Nachos and Churro Bites from Olvera Street and the Korean Chicken Loaded Tots from Sawtelle Blvd.

The Barbacoa Loaded Nachos is the perfect game-day food, with the crisp tortilla chips topped with tender barbacoa and covered with gooey melted cheese. Yum!

Barbacoa Loaded Nachos from Olvera Street inside SoFi Stadium

Meanwhile, the Korean Chicken Loaded Tots features crispy tater tots topped with succulent Korean-style chicken covered in a sweet-spicy sauce.

Korean Chicken Loaded Tots from Sawtelle Blvd inside SoFi Stadium

To end our meal are the churro bites. They are bite-sized pieces of delight! They are oh so perfectly crispy on the outside and irresistibly soft on the inside. They are tossed in a generous coating of cinnamon sugar. I want more.

Churro Bites from Olverra Street inside SoFi Stadium

The Los Angeles Chargers lost, but I am happy and blessed to be able to watch an NFL game in person with my husband and brother. Thank God!

Sipping Wellness at True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica, CA

Following our heartwarming reunion at Ellie's, the family embarked on a journey back to Murrieta, finding solace in the embrace of our auntie and uncle's serene retirement haven. Meanwhile, my cousin offered to drive us to our hotel near Los Angeles Airport (LAX). As we navigated through the bustling cityscape, the question arose - what did we want to see in LA? Inspired by glimpses in Criminal Minds, Monk, and the spectacle of 2012, I suggested the iconic Santa Monica Pier.

As the sun dipped into the Pacific horizon, casting a warm glow over the historic pier, I found myself not craving a hearty meal but rather thirsting for a refreshing drink. Our cousin recommended True Food Kitchen.

I opted for the invigorating Kale Aid – a blend of kale, ginger, apple, celery, cucumber, and lemon for drinks. In sync with the vibrant California spirit, my husband chose the Bright Eyes, a concoction of pineapple, carrot, apple, ginger, turmeric, beet, and lemon. The drinks, vibrant and bursting with freshness, were a testament to the commitment of True Food Kitchen to wellness.

Left: Bright Eyes (Pineapple, carrot, apple, ginger, turmeric, beet, and lemon)
Right: Kale Aid (Kale, ginger, apple, celery, cucumber, and lemon)

While my appetite called for moderation, the Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap, with its medley of avocado, roasted red pepper, mixed greens, and hatch chilli ranch, emerged as the perfect choice. 

Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap from True Food Kitchen
Avocado, roasted red pepper, mixed greens, hatch chilli ranch

My husband, drawn by the allure of seasonal flavours, savoured the Hawaiian Fried Rice. A harmonious blend of quinoa brown rice, uncured ham, pineapple, pickled red onion, and fried egg was a delightful journey for the taste buds. I love it!

Hawaiian Fried Rice from True Food Kitchen
Quinoa brown rice, uncured ham, pineapple, pickled red onion, Vital Farms pasture-raised fried egg.

As we concluded our wholesome meal, the satisfaction echoed from satiated stomachs and hearts filled with the joy of shared moments. The drive back to the hotel was adorned with the glow of contentment – a testament to the power of family, the beauty of exploration, and the simple pleasures of a thoughtfully prepared meal.

With stomachs full and hearts fuller, we retired to our hotel, cherishing the day's memories and anticipating the adventures ahead in the City of Angels.

Family Reunion Brunch at Ellie's, Long Beach CA

In the winter of 2007, our family from the Philippines flew across the Pacific Ocean to share the festive season in the sunny embrace of Los Angeles, CA. It was a special time filled with first meetings, warm family bonds, and the beginning of cherished connections with my mom's three sisters and family.

More than 15 years later, we are back in the City of Angels, this time from our new home in Vancouver, BC. With its vibrant culture and coastal charm, Long Beach became the backdrop for our reunion with aunts, uncle, and cousins. The reunion had an added layer of excitement as one of our cousins embarked on the journey of marriage, introducing us to our newest family member, our nephew. We also met his wife for the first time.

With Long Beach as our chosen rendezvous, we sought a spot that would encapsulate the essence of our familial reconnection. The recommendation led us to Ellie's.

My husband, guided by the suggestion of my cousin and his wife, opted for the monumental Short Rib Hash – a dish that unfolded as a masterpiece on the plate. Crispy potatoes formed the base, crowned with a massive piece of succulent short rib, salsa macha, pickled peppers, perfectly poached eggs, and a velvety hollandaise sauce. The dish, a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, mirrored the complexity and richness of our family's journey.

Short Rib Hash from Ellie's Long Beach
Crispy potatoes, salsa macha, pickled peppers, poached eggs, and hollandaise

In contrast, my culinary desire leaned towards the sweet side, and the French Toast beckoned with its promise of delight. A canvas of pork butter, adorned with seasonal fruits and generously drizzled with maple syrup, presented a symphony of sweetness that resonated with the joyful moments we were creating.

French Toast from Ellie's Long Beach
Pork butter, seasonal fruit, and maple syrup

As the sun bathed us in its California glow, our family relished the culinary delights, shared stories, laughter, and the warmth of familial bonds. The experience at Ellie's became more than a meal; it became a celebration of the ties that endure the test of time. In these moments, we were again reminded of the profound blessings we have received.

Gaucho Beach Bliss: A Coastal Retreat in Long Beach, CA

Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of Long Beach, Gaucho Beach stands as a testament to coastal charm and relaxation. Our hour at this beachfront haven was nothing short of bliss, accompanied by refreshing sips of pink iced tea that mirrored the vibrant hues of the ocean.

As the waves serenaded the shore, we delved into a delightful array of treats. The chips with Guacamole, a medley of creamy avocado, zesty onion, and jalapeno, drizzled with the richness of olive oil, presented a burst of fresh flavours. The fries, generously coated in garlic butter and parsley, complemented this coastal symphony, offering a perfect blend of crunch and savoury goodness.

Fries with garlic butter & parsley and Guacamole with chips from Gaucho Beach

Gaucho Beach emerges as a destination and an experience—a serene escape where the sea breeze dances with laughter, and each bite carries the essence of a perfect beach day.

Costco Food Court Menu and Prices | Hawthorne Los Angeles, CA Warehouse

I have this obsession with the Costco food court. We went to Los Angeles, California, for the long weekend, and I decided to drop by the nearest Costco, which happened to be their Hawthorne Warehouse. I am so excited to see their menu.

The menu below is from the Costco food court in their Hawthorne Warehouse, Los Angeles, California location and is subject to change without prior notice. All prices are in US dollars and do not include taxes and tips.

Below is a link to other Costco Food Court menus and prices that I have visited. I am planning to make #CostcoTourism a thing.

• Richmond, BC Warehouse
• Vancouver, BC Warehouse
• Willingdon Burnaby, BC Warehouse

Menu Item	Price
Pop 20 oz with refill	$0.69
Ice Cream Cup Vanilla or Strawberry	$1.99
Ice Cream Sundae Vnilla Ice Cream Strawberry or Chocolate topping	$2.49
Pizza Slice Pepperoni or Cheese	$1.99
18" Whole Pizza Pepperoni or Cheese	$9.95
1/4 Pound Plus All Beef Hotdog and 20 oz pop with refill	$1.50
Chicken Bake	$3.99
Roast Beef Sandwich	$9.99
Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad	$6.99
Cold Brew Mocha Freeze	$2.99
Fruit Smoothie	$2.99
Twisted Churro	$1.49

Santa Monica Omelet from The Café inside Hilton LAX

Good morning, sunny Los Angeles! I had minimal plans for this trip except to relax. For breakfast, we ended up at The Café in the lobby of Hilton Los Angeles Airport.

The menu is standard American breakfast. I chose the Santa Monica Omelet, while hubby picked the Southern Corned Beef Hash. Our choices were determined by the names.

The Santa Monica Omelet offers a burst of savoury goodness, with the creamy texture of melted cheese perfectly complementing the smoky crunch of bacon and the tender sautéed veggies.

Santa Monica Omelet from The Café inside Hilton Los Angeles Airport
Bacon, bell pepper, onion, shredded cheddar, and choice of bread

Meanwhile, the Southern Corned Beef Hash gives you the hearty and robust corned beef and the richness and gooey goodness of the eggs. Yum! I prefer the hash to the omelet.

Southern Corned Beef Hash from The Café inside Hilton Los Angeles Airport
Two farm fresh eggs, corned beef hash, choice of protein, and choice of bread

That's it for now! We're taking a Lyft to Long Beach.

Filipino Food from Lasa Street Food in Seattle Premium Outlets

After a long day in Seattle and before heading back to our beloved Canada, we window-shopped at Seattle Premium Outlets. I was hoping to get a backpack I can use daily for work since, starting next month, I'll return to working in an office for at least 3 days weekly.

LASA Street Food in Seattle Premium Outlets, Tulalip Washington

On the south edge of the outlet store, there's a stall called Lasa Street Food. I was pleasantly shocked to see a Filipino store in the middle of an outlet store in Tulalip, Washington.

Kwek-Kwek from LASA Street Food in Seattle Premium Outlets
Deep-fried  battered quail eggs

I ordered Kwek-Kwek (deep-fried battered quail eggs) and Squid Balls (deep-fried squid balls), which are popular street food items in the Philippines. They're both worth it!

Squid Balls from LASA Street Food in Seattle Premium Outlets
Deep-fried squid balls

If you're looking for something more substantial, they have a wide array of menu items for lunch and dinner. They also offer Filipino beers like Red Horse and San Miguel Pilsner.

Lasa Street Food menu

Below is the menu of LASA Street Food. Prices are subject to change without prior notice and are presented in USD excluding taxes and tip.

LASA Street Food menu

Sabaw (Soup)	Price
Lugaw Rice porridge topped with scallion and fried garlic. Choice of: boiled egg, fried tofu, chicken, or kawali	$10.00
Ulam Entree served with rice and atsara	Price
Chicken Adobo Traditionally braised chicken in soy and vinegar	$14.00
Spicy Pork Adobo Traditionally braised pork in soy, vinegar, and chilies	$14.00
Lasa Express Pork in Coconut Milk and Chilies	$14.00
Bistek Beef and onions sauteed in soy and calamansi sauce	$16.00
Pulutan Street Food	Price
Crispy Pata Crispy, juicy fried pork hock	$20.00
Lechon Kawali Signature tender, fried pork belly	$16.00
Sisig Sizzling pork with fried egg	$14.00
Fish Balls Deep fried fish ball	$5.00
Kwek-Kwek Deep fried battered quail eggs	$5.00
Lumpia Deep fried beef spring rolls	$8.00
Side of Rice	$2.00
Beer & Wine	Price
San Miguel Pilsner	$4.00
San Miguel Light	$4.00
Red Horse	$5.00
Fremont Lush IPA	$4.00
White Wine	$5.00
Red Wine	$5.00
Drinks	Price
Soda Coke & Sprite	$1.50
Juice Mango, Calamansi, Guava, or Pineapple	$2.00
Water	$1.00

Halo-Halo and so much more from Chowking in Seattle, WA

My siblings and I are so giddy and excited to eat at Chowking again after four years. Although, I don't remember eating here in 2019 during our wedding vacation in the Philippines.

Anyway, I ordered a 1-entrée Lauriat with Chinese BBQ Pork as requested by my husband. While I got a 2-entrée Lauriat with 2 pieces of Chinese-style fried chicken and Lumpiang Shanghai. The Lauriat comes with steamed rice, Pancit Canton, and a 1-piece Buchi (a golden brown gelatinous dough ball coated with sesame seeds and filled with sweetened red bean paste). I also ordered a 4-piece siomai and halo-halo.

2-piece Chinese-style Fried Chicken + Lumpiang Shanghai Lauriat
2-piece Chinese-style Fried Chicken, 5-piece Lumpiang Shanghai, steamed rice, half-serving of Pancit Canton,  and 1-piece Buchi

Let's start with the neutral. The experience feels like being in the Philippines. The crowd - there's a long line both in Jollibee and Chowking - is available just as you would experience back in Manila. Sticky and dirty floors are also present. "Ah. Just like back home."

Chinese BBQ Pork Lauriat
Chinese BBQ Pork served with steamed rice, half-serving of Pancit Canton, and 1-piece Buchi.

The good - the Pancit Canton, Buchi, fried chicken, and Lumpiang Shanghai tastes like the one in the Philippines.

4-piece Siomai
4 pieces steamed open-faced dim sum made of savoury pork filling in a special flour-based yellow wrapper

The bad - that Chinese BBQ Pork is a weird mess. It's bad. Don't order it. While the siomai tasted different. My younger sister agreed that it's unlike what we remember from the Philippines. It's possible that we've had better dumplings; that's why our expectations are higher.

Halo-Halo
Sweet shaved ice dessert topped with a mixture of sweetened preserved fruit and beans, ube jam, tapioca pearl, caramel flan, and ube ice cream.

Lastly, the halo-halo is disappointing. It has the usual shaved ice, a spoonful of leche flan (caramel custard), a scoop of ube ice cream, and evaporated milk. However, there's barely any of the sweetened beans or jelly. There needs to be something more inside to be worth the USD 6.00. I guess this is the fast food halo-halo experience. If you're trying halo-halo for the first time, go elsewhere.

Seattle Dog from Dog in the Park | Seattle Center

It's most likely that you've heard of New York Pizza and Chicago Dog, but I doubt if you're familiar with "Seattle Dog." If you're looking for that one place to try near the Space Needle for lunch, head over to the Dog in the Park food stand before or after the Space Needle.

What is a "Seattle Dog"? It starts with your usual hotdog sandwich of, well, a hotdog in a bun but topped with grilled veggies and cream cheese. Yes, CREAM CHEESE on a hotdog sandwich. It sounds outrageous.

Seattle Dog from Dog in the Park near the Space Needle
The grilled hot dog is served in a toasted bun topped with cream cheese and grilled veggies.

How did it taste like? The hot dog is perfectly cooked, which is always a good start. I surprisingly love the slight char and bitterness from the grilled vegetables. The cream cheese did add creaminess like cheese would, but the smoothness and slight tanginess were offputting for me. I prefer my cream cheese as a dip and on top of a toasted bagel.

My First Crumpet from The Crumpet Shop | Pike Place Market

We need to talk. Why have I never heard of crumpets before researching places to try in Pike Place Market?! What's wrong with me and my limited knowledge of food? Honestly, there's still so much to eat!

Let's start with what's a crumpet. It is a British tea-time treat with round, fluffy, and slightly dense bread-like cakes with a distinctive bubble texture. It is made from a batter of flour, yeast, and milk cooked on a griddle or stovetop in special circular moulds.

Egg, English cheese, & Ham Breakfast Egg Crumpets from The Crumpet Shop
Organic eggs served on a hot & toasty crumpet

My younger sister ordered the Egg, English cheese & Ham while I chose an Egg on Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese on top of a hot & toasty crumpet.

Egg, English cheese, & Ham Breakfast Egg Crumpets from The Crumpet Shop
Organic eggs served on a hot & toasty crumpet

It's soft, and the eggs are perfectly cooked. While the smoked salmon cream cheese provided a creamy and salty topping.

Egg on Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Breakfast Egg Crumpets from The Crumpet Shop
Local smoked salmon blended in house with cream cheese.

I love it! My younger sister said she prefers English muffins since she eats them at work. The difference between the two is in texture and taste: crumpets have a spongy, porous texture with a mild flavour, while English muffins have a denser texture with a more pronounced bread-like taste.

Egg on Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Breakfast Egg Crumpets from The Crumpet Shop
Local smoked salmon blended in house with cream cheese.

Do you have any suggestions on the best place for crumpets in Vancouver? I'm also heading to London, UK, on October and want to try crumpets there. Let me know of the best places to try it in London.

Maple Bacon Mini Doughnut from Daily Doughnut Company | Pike Place Market

My mom is celebrating her birthday on the same weekend as Father's Day, so we decided to take a road trip to Seattle, WA.

We arrived at Pike Place Market shortly before 10:00 AM, and I lined up for the Daily Doughnut Company. You can totally spend a day in Pike Place Market lining up for the many good places here.

I ordered a half dozen of the Plain Doughnut and another half dozen of Maple Bacon.

Plain Mini Doughnuts from Daily Doughnut Company inside Pike Place Market

My younger sister, the baker in the family, loved the doughnut. She accurately described it as a savoury deep-fried doughnut that's not sweet. I got the plain because I always worry about doughnuts being too sweet, but not in this case. I think adding the sweet topping is the way to go.

Maple Bacon Mini Doughnut from Daily Doughnut Company inside Pike Place Market

I enjoyed the crispy exterior of the plain mini goodness while I loved the balance of sweet and salty of the Maple Bacon mini doughnut.

This is the best way to start in Seattle.

Catch of the Day: Why Lucky Louie Fish Shack is a Must-Try at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

When I booked our flight for this vacation, I knew we would have a layover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). I was searching for one-must try food stall or food item inside the airport and couldn't find anything quite useful.

If you're like me and have a layover at SEA, don't miss out on trying Lucky Louie Fish Shack. Located in the central terminal, this seafood spot serves up some of the airport's freshest and most delicious fish.

During our two hours layover, we started with Pallino pizza. Then, I was craving fries and was looking for McDonald's, but it was temporarily closed, so we ended up at Lucky Louie Fish Shack.

3 Piece Fish & Chips Pub-Style Wild Alaska Salmon served with crinkle fries and Rock the Boat Tartar from Lucky Louie Fish Shack

I was apprehensive of their fish & chips because we have a handful of great joints in Vancouver, so my expectations could be unfairly high. Plus, when we visited in 2016, all the fish & chips we tried in Seattle could be better.

This is why I am pleasantly surprised that the Salmon Fish & Chips from Lucky Louie Fish Shack inside SEA lived up to my expectations. The fish & chips offer the flavours of the Pacific Northwest. The fish is perfectly cooked, with crispy, light and tender, flaky flesh. Their Rock the Boar Tartar sauce is so delicious. It has a creamy, tangy, slightly sweet flavour that compliments fried fish and fries.

3 Piece Fish & Chips Pub-Style Wild Alaska Salmon served with crinkle fries and Rock the Boat Tartar from Lucky Louie Fish Shack

My sweet-tooth husband asked that we get the Sweet Waffle Fish (I guess that's more descriptive than calling it tiny Taiyaki). It was soft and perfect on its own.

Sweet Waffle Fish from Lucky Louie Fish Shack
Creamy cheesecake filled with salted caramel dip

Boarding for our flight is about to start. Can't wait to come home!

Pallino | Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

We're almost back home! But, before that, I will give you a detailed account of how the day went before the pizza in Pallino at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

I woke up at 4:00 AM to take a quick shower and finish packing. Then, at around 5:30 AM, my Auntie (I don't put names of people in my blog) toasted pandesal and prepared hot chocolate and coffee for a quick breakfast. Then, at precisely 6:00 AM, we left their beautiful home in Murrieta, CA.

We arrived at Ontario International Airport (ONT) minutes before 7:00 AM. I was slightly worried because I didn't do a web check-in. Thankfully, the Alaska Airlines counter person was accommodating and pleasant. After checking in, we hugged Auntie and Uncle before proceeding to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and security checks.

We walked around ONT to see food options, but I was still full from breakfast. However, our flight felt delayed, so I got a Ham & Cheese Sandwich from the Hudson store and gobbled half. My husband decided to eat his half on the plane.

As soon as I fastened my seatbelt, I fell asleep. It's a skill. I slept most of the flight from ONT to SEA. However, I woke up when we took off because the turbulence was quite bad. According to the weather forecast, strong winds were expected in Southern California that day, so I did expect some shaking but not as much as we experienced.

We arrived in Seattle shortly after 12:00 NN. We exited at Gate N and had to take a minute train ride to the Central Terminal because our departing flight was at Gate C. We walked around to check the food scene. They have a good size food court in the Central Terminal. There are a lot of stores focusing on locally-produced products like coffee and chocolates.

We can't decide on what to get and go for pizza. I wanted pasta too, but it seems like a lot.

Pallino Pizza

Pallino Veggie
Eggplant, zucchini, red & yellow bell peppers, and roasted tomatoes

We ordered the namesake Pallino Veggie pizza. It's Neopolitan-style pizza, and they have an oven behind the counter. There was quite a wait. The bottom of the pizza was soft, while the crust was crispy. It's a good, relatively healthy pizza choice with all the vegetables on top.

A slice of Pallino Veggie inside Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

I also ordered Ivar's Clam Chowder. Ivar's is an institution in Seattle, so if you didn't have a chance to visit the city but want to have a taste of Ivar's, this is the best. I actually love Ivar's Clam Chowder over their fish and chips.

Ivar's Clam Chowder
Northwest-style white clam chowder with bacon, 8 oz serving

I am craving fries, so we'll walk around and see where I can get some near our gate.