happy new year!

most of you around the world are probably living in 2012 already...  as for me, i still got another 6 1/2 hours before i ring in the new year...  2011 was definitely not a best year for me since i hit several lows in life...  i sure do hope 2012 will be a much awesome year for me!  new year's resolution?!  yep, i'll think about it tomorrow...  *scratch head*  yours truly just wanna wish everyone a very happy new year with continued happiness, healthy and tons of laughter with your love ones!

xoxoxo

post christmas...

i've been feeling a bit under the weather since i got back from vegas...  but, i thought i'll share some christmas highlights before the new year...  hope you all were on santa's goody list this year!  :)

2011.12.23 @ domaine carneros (napa) - sparkling wine sampler (2006 vintage brut cuvée, 2007 brut rosé, 2006 verméil demi-sec)

domaine carneros winery
1240 duhig road
napa, ca 94559
800.716.2788
http://www.domainecarneros.com

2011.12.23 @ domaine carneros (napa) - charcuterie plate (a selection of artisan sausages and pâtés served with baguettes)

2011.12.23 @ domaine carneros (napa) - smoked salmon (rich, traditional cold smoked)

2011.12.23 @ meritage martini oyster bar & grille (sonoma) - kumamoto on the half shell

meritage martini oyster bar & grille
165 west napa street
sonoma, ca 95476
707.938.9430
http://www.sonomameritage.com

2011.12.23 @ meritage martini oyster bar & grille (sonoma) - good dipping sauce for the bread

2011.12.23 @ meritage martini oyster bar & grille (sonoma) - maine lobster salad (with avocado, cucumber, grapefruit and tomato)

2011.12.23 @ meritage martini oyster bar & grille (sonoma) - whole maine lobster (with mashed potato and seasonal greens)

only in vegas!

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - inside mandalay bay resort & casino

fleur
by hubert keller
3950 las vegas boulevard south
las vegas, nv 89119
702.632.9400
http://www.hubertkeller.com

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - wine cellar

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - ceviche (guacamole, tortilla chips)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - steak tartar (béarnaise vinaigrette, celery salad)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - skirt steak (chimmichurri, roasted fingerling, crème fraiche)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - tuna tacos (serrano, cilantro, avocado cream)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - perfect size for my tiny hands!

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - braised hamachi (pickled shiitake, soy-ginger foam)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - sautéed shrimp (cayenne butter, lime, spiced rum)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - nampol meesa wings (spicy, salty, sweet)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - garlic frites (parsley, garlic butter)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - seared foie gras (sauteed spinach, wild mushroom, brandied cherry sauce)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - chocolate soufflé (chocolate ganache, caramel ice cream)

2011.12.24 @ fleur by hubert keller (vegas) - crème brulée trio (pistachio, vanilla, raspberry)

lots of neon lights!

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - inside paris hotel

mon ami gabi
a classic french bistro
3655 las vegas boulevard south
las vegas, nv 89109
702.944.4224
http://www.monamigabi.com

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - good bread!

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - we had two bottles of this...

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - seafood platter (jumbo shrimp, oysters, whole maine lobster & tuna tartare with mustard mayo, cocktail sauce, seaweed salad, mignonette, lemon & crackers)

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - warm olive jar (roasted garlic, orange & herbs)

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - skate wing (cauliflower purée & florettes, sauce grenobloise)

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - steak au poivre (brandy peppercorn sauce, hand-cut frites)

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - sea scallops (butternut squash purée, brussels sprouts, hazelnuts, brown butter)

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - nice view from our patio seats!

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - pear sorbet (with infused vodka)

2011.12.25 @ mon ami gabi (vegas) - tarte tatin

not the real thing but still pretty!

2011.12.26 @ the chandelier (vegas) - inside cosmopolitan hotel

2011.12.26 @ the chandelier (vegas) - let's go in!

2011.12.26 @ the chandelier (vegas) - the butterfly (hangar one mandarin blossom, aperol mango and strawberry puree, yuzu sour)

2011.12.26 @ the chandelier (vegas) - inside the chandelier!

the strip...

in front of the bellagio fountains...

bellagio fountains water show!

taking it from across the street...

look who i found wandering around the street...

have a very jolly christmas!

merry christmas to you and yours!!!  just landed in vegas not long ago...  i know i won't have time to blog while i am here so...  :)

dash berlin...

my fav dj (dash berlin) was in town so i went and saw him spinning at ruby skye last night!  the event was a sell out even on a wed night...  another awesome set from the #8 dj in the world...  ahh, i just heart the guy!!!  *wink, wink*  i was lucky enough to get a picture with him and his autograph too...  this was not my first time meeting the dutch dj and he's just so friendly and humble as always...  definitely another epic night in the book!  dash berlin is the future...

2011.12.21 @ ruby skye - dash berlin

2011.12.21 @ ruby skye - dash berlin

year-end...

so, the end of the year is creeping up fast...  i am in the process of trying to get rid of things before the new year...  motivation, motivation, motivation!!  i keep a lot of things for sentimental reasons...  but i think it's time to have a clean sweep for a new start...  sometime you just gotta do it in order to move on with your life, eh!?

'tis the season...

it's my fav time of the year!  just a lil over a week until christmas time...  have you done your christmas shopping yet?!  i know i haven't...  hehe...  where will you be spending your christmas this year??  yours truly will be celebrating it in vegas, baby!!!!!  :)  here's a photo to set you in the mood for the season...  ho-ho-ho!!

(L) taipei 101, taipei  /  (R) union square, san francisco

2011 11.20 ~ 12.07 - taipei and shanghai (airline meals, small eats and street food)

here are the airline meals, small eats and street food from my trip to taipei and shanghai...

sfo > tpe - late night supper
starter - cajun prawn, tomato mozzarella (mango salsa, salad, balsamic vinaigrette)
main course - duck breast a la'orange (cauliflower, white asparagus, green asparagus, tomato, chateau potato, orange sauce)
fresh fruits of the season

sfo > tpe - chinese breakfast
assorted delicatessen (eight treasures in hot sauce, pan fried chinese long bean omelet, marinated soy bean curd with black fungus and celery, shredded dry pork)
plain congee

tsa > sha - shredded chicken and mustard greens with rice

sha > tsa - pork chop with rice

taiwanese squid rice noodle soup (first thing to get right off the plane!)

stewed spicy tofu

hwahsi night market

stinky tofu (my fav!)

caramel macchiato from agnis b. cafe

ningxia night market

pig intestine rice noodle soup

more stinky tofu

formosa chang

braised grounded pork over rice

boiled taiwanese cabbage

simmered duck egg

candied cherry tomato with plum skewer

sugarcane juice (da best!)

fried goodies (crispy chicken, fries, cauliflower, string beans)

famous icy tapioca place

my icy tapioca

raohe night market

stewed medicine pork soup

stewed medicine pork soup

fresh handmade mini dorayaki

7 different flavors

hot off the grill

different fillings

taiwanese style tempura

taiwanese style tempura

candied plum skewer

thick pork soup

thick pork soup

stinky tofu strikes again

what else?!  of course more stinky tofu...

green onion pancake (so tasty!)

omg...  i've been eating at this place for almost 30 years!  the son of the original owner runs it now...

cold appetizer dishes (spicy cabbage, spicy beans and spicy bean curd)

beef soup noodle (yummer!)

spicy wonton (just heavenly...)