Happy 2024! It was so awesome and exciting to finish off the end of the year with so many opportunities. I hope the next year continues to bring these amazing opportunities to help promote local businesses!
1) Blk Dot Coffee (Cypress, CA) - @occomestibles
I was so excited to hear that a Blk Dot Coffee was coming closer to me! I had visited their Irvine locations and loved their great quality coffee and awesome toast options. This time around I tried the BLK'nd Mojito Coffee, Hot Honey Avocado Toast, both of which were great, and kept me fueled for the day! They also gave me two mugs to take home, one of which expressed me in the mornings very well: “Dear Coffee, I Need You”.
2) Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (Arcadia, CA)
Yi Fang had a Halloween promotion through Halloween, featuring three drinks as part of the promo: Brown Sugar Pearl Coco Latte, Fresh Taro Green Tea Latte and Brown Sugar Pearl Matcha Latte. I had so much fun watching them make the drinks in the kitchen. The Brown Sugar Pearl Matcha Latte was definitely worth a try and very photogenic too!
3) Izakaya Bizan (Los Angeles, CA)
I got invited to check out Izakaya Bizan in Little Tokyo! It was in the Little Tokyo Galleria. While I was initially there to check out the izakaya, we learned that izakaya was only for dinner, but we were still able to enjoy some delicious options during lunchtime, including some Uni Cream Udon, Sashimi, Nigiri, and Hand Rolls.
4) Loose Leaf Boba (Los Angeles, CA) - @happyhoursgroup
Loose Leaf Boba moved from Melrose to its new Los Angeles location in DTLA, so I was looking forward to it being closer to me! Located at Pershing Square, the new store was very easy to find. I’m already a big fan of their drinks and we were there to promote their grand opening promos and freebies! We got the Strawberry Matcha Latte, Osmanthus Oolong Milk Tea, Purple Roots, and Hong Kong Milk Tea.
5) Melo Melo Coconut Dessert (San Gabriel, CA)
Melo Melo invited me to try some of their newest flavors! I’m a big fan of their coconut desserts and their pretty jars, but it had been a while since I last visited. I got to try the Caffe OAT, Nutella Coconut Jelly, Osmanthus Oolong OAT, and Osmanthus Oolong Jelly. I couldn’t get enough of the Osmanthus Oolong flavors!
6) Calaca Mamas Cantina (Anaheim, CA) - @ajendapr
I was invited to check out Calaca Mamas Cantina. I had no idea it was literally across the street from Disneyland! This place is known for its refreshing cocktails and Mexican-inspired plates, and we were definitely impressed! We got some delicious cocktails, Under the Sea Duo, Elote, Quesabirria Tacos, Mahi Mahi Plato, and Churros from Calaca Mamas Cantina in Anaheim, CA. The churro cart was the most adorable thing!
7) Lady Byrd Cafe (Los Angeles, CA) - @snackssocial
Lady Byrd Cafe invited me to check out their quant and whimsical cafe in Echo Park! It was hidden in a residential area and from the outside, I thought it was a craft faire. We got seated in the patio area, which was full of greenhouses and cute decor. We came around Christmas time too, so the decorations were so lovely! We got the Berrylline and The Little Bee Hummingbird Juices, Steak & Eggs, Salmon Benedict, Cappuccino, and Vanilla Latte.
8) Postino WineCafé (Irvine, CA) - @wiseassistant
I had been curious about Postino WineCafe, and was so happy when they invited me in for a meal and to help share about their holiday gift card promotion! I was amazed at the menu, but I was mainly there for the bruschetta and I was not disappointed! We got the Chef's Charcuterie, Crispy Cauliflower, and Bruschetta. For the Bruschetta, we got the Warm Artichoke Spread; Brie, Apple & Fig Spread; Sweet N' Spicy Pepper Jam & Goat Cheese; and Smoked Salmon & Pesto.