Eat Out. Oak Tree Inn. [Guest Post]

Touted by Caltech scientists as the best Chinese restaurant near campus, Oak Tree Inn serves great fine dining for Chinese cuisine. The name might throw off a lot of people and the outside may look a little off-putting, but that's part of the restaurant's charm. It is based on word-of-mouth -- and now you have mine.

Be sure to get the peking duck, with its succulent cracked skin and the white sweet fluffy buns they're served with. The walnut shrimp is pretty spectacular as well if you want a simple seafood dish. If you can't decide what you want, the chef's specials will be able to help you out. And of course, your entrees are served family-style. Your meal is finished off with white chocolate covered fortune cookies, a sweet ending to perfect meal.

Oak Tree Inn is located on 1315 Fair Oaks Ave. in South Pasadena.

-- Muriel Nacar

Photo credit: eatoaktreeinn.com

Check It. Howie's Ranch Market [Guest Post].

Remnants of Americana culture sounds like something few and far between to the rest of the Los Angeles County, but look no further -- aside from the all-American ice cream shoppe, the local grocer has still survived the test of time.

Howie's Ranch Market, a small grocery store located on the central street of San Gabriel Boulevard, provides choice cuts of beef from Alexander's meats -- potential idea for a nice homemade dinner for two -- baked goods from Lisa's bakery, as well as high quality produce. Though it is small, it provides shoppers all they need for their grocery lists. Howie's has everything that can remind many of 1950s nostalgia. What's missing is the milkman.

Though the prices are slightly higher than say, the more corporate high end markets (Whole Foods or Gelson's), it is definitely worth the splurge for the quality and the service.

Howie's Ranch Market is located at 6580 N. San Gabriel Blvd. in San Gabriel.

-- Muriel Nacar

Photo credit: hometown-pasadena.com

Eat Out. Tasty Garden Restaurant [Guest Post].

Trying to navigate the San Gabriel Valley for Chinese food can be pretty overwhelming when you're not Chinese, or a foodie at that, but a broken engagement with a colleague somehow found me here.

The aptly named Tasty Garden Restaurant, located on the constantly bustling Valley Blvd. in Alhambra, turned out to be a fun dining experience for my friend and I. Everything inside seems to reflect a departure from the typical Chinese decor one would encounter -- I was enamored by the turquoise tile lined mirror on one of the walls -- showing that perhaps, the place was not really catering to tourists, but rather, the residents of San Gabriel Valley, students and workers alike.

Philosophies aside, the service was pleasant. The servers seemed to follow the Westernized approach to customer service where they were always accommodating and nice. And they smiled too. We ordered the popular fare on the menu: French style filet mignon, fried pork, and fried rice. My filet mignon, not really a tender piece of steak, were really chunks of beef sauteed with a flavorful sauce and topped with green onions. The fried rice was delicious as well, but really, it wouldn't be right if a Chinese restaurant screwed up on your fried rice.

Our meal ended with dessert, and boy, did I not skimp on that. Tasty Garden is known for its Hong Kong waffle (pictured above), which I indulged in. It had enough crunch, but the eggs in the batter kept it from tasting too dry. My friend ordered one of the many puddings on the menu, which was also satisfying to her sweet tooth.

From its satisfying food, its great service, and its late night hours (it's open 'til 3am Fridays and Saturdays), Tasty Garden offers a great Chinese food option in Los Angeles.

Tasty Garden Restaurant is located at 288 W. Valley Blvd, Ste. 110 in Alhambra.

-- Muriel Nacar

Photo credit: Yelp

Eat Out. Fosselman's Ice Cream Company [Guest Post].

I'm a simple girl, and while I've been exposed to more experimental desserts, it really just comes down to that simple scoop of ice cream.

Where else can you get that than a family-operated working soda fountain on Main Street?

Opened in 1919, Fosselman's Ice Cream Company still serves their signature homemade ice cream of up to 40 flavors. In addition, the shoppe churns out malts, milkshakes, and even vends candy (Jelly Belly first started selling their jelly beans here). With its old menu and services intact, it's really easy to get lost in the nostalgia.

Even though Fosselman's retains its old-town gem reputation, the younger generation family members have established some seasonal flavors, such as heirloom tomato in August and snowballs in December. The more Asian-oriented surrounding community has had some influence, so you can still get your lychee or taro ice cream fix if you're craving something different.

Warning: To follow up on its fairly decent prices, Fosselman's is cash-only, so withdraw accordingly.

Fosselman's is located at 1824 W. Main St. in Alhambra.

-- Muriel Nacar
Muriel is a lifetime student.

Photo credit: readysetgrowla.org