New Capital Seafood Restaurant in San Gabriel

There are many restaurant you can find good dimsum around Los Angeles area. There are even more choices if you go down to Monterey Park, Alhambra and San Gabriel area. This New Capital Seafood Restaurant is one we like to return to. It is located on the 4th floor of Focus Plaza in San Gabriel. The nearest cross streets are Del Mar and Valley.

We go on weekdays as they have special pricing for their dim sum. I believe is $1.80/plate for all plate sizes. But only on weekdays. Previouly, this restaurant was name Sam Woo Seafood Restaurant. But recently it was taken over by
'Poon Tho' thus the name was changed to New Capital.

The dining area is comfortable and clean. The bathrooms are considerably clean and well kept compared to some other restaurants in the area. Beside dim sum, this place also offer live seafood dishes. I believe many Chinese wedding couple will hold their wedding banquet at this restaurant.

After having our dimsum here, we will proceed to the 99 Ranch Market that is also located in the same plaza to shop for groceries.

New Capital Seafood Restaurant
4th Floor
250 W Valley Blvd
San Gabriel, CA 91776
Ph: (626) 289-4188

Where to trick or treating?

If you live in the South Bay area, put on your costumes and head down to South Torrance. There is this community in South Torrance that has it big. Most of the homes in that neighborhood are decorated beautifully with Halloween Theme and they give out good candies too. The cross streets of this location are Linda Dr and Reese Rd. The nearest main street cross streets are PCH and Calle Mayor. Two years ago when my friend came visiting from Malaysia, we took her family here for trick or treating and they has so much fun. This year, we will again return to the same place. We usually go around 7pm as soon as the sky turns dark. Parking is usually available on the street when you go early.

Gas: 9/13/08

Gas prices are getting much lower nowadays. I do want to see them lower definitely, don't you?

The above picture was taken on Saturday morning when we were heading out for my husband office's open day at Redondo Beach. The gas station is the Union 76 on Western and 182nd Street.

Regular: $3.733 9/10
Plus: $3.83 9/10
Premium: $3.93 9/10

From what I know, the gasoline per barrel has gone down from being in the mid $100 to the low $100 per barrel. That why we see such a big reduction at the gas station recently.

Jamba Juice Del Amo Mall

Need a refreshing healthy drink in this hot weather? Want to try Jamba Juice? We love Jamba Juice. Even my boy loves to drink this. He particularly likes the Banana Berry Classic Smoothies (mix of apple-strawberry juice, blueberries, banana, raspberry sherbet, non-fat frozen yogurt and ice). Me too. The Daddy likes the Razzmatazz Classic Smoothies (tart twist of raspberry juice, strawberries, banana, orange sherbet, ice).

This store we went to is the one located inside Del Amo Mall in the newer section of the mall. It is kinda crowded on the weekend, especially now in the summer time. We have to wait a few minutes in the line, but the service is fast. We were just there last week when they had the promotion where you buy one and get one free smoothies. $3.95 for two small smoothis from Jamba Juice is great deal. :)

Jamba Juice
Del Amo Fashion Center
3525 Carson Street Space 80
Torrance, CA 90503
Ph: (310) 406-3266
Fx: (310) 406-3268

Gas price going down

Finally the gas prices is heading down. The highest I've seen so far was above $4.50 per gallon. Now you can find $4.09 per gallon for the regular at the pump.

These are the gas prices at Union 76 on Western Ave and 182nd Street in Gardena.

Regular: $4.09 9/10
Plus: $4.19 9/10
Premium: $4.29 9/10

Even though the price is going down, to fill up my Camry full tank still takes $50. That's expensive compare to when I was filling it up for only $25 a few years back ... that's double the price.

Earthquake 5.8 Chino Hills

We had an earthquake today! At approximately 11:42am, while eating inside the Pat & Oscars Restaurant in Del Amo Mall, Torrance, we felt the ground was moving very slightlly. Tt became a little stronger a few seconds later and we noticed the signs and fans above the ceiling were swaying. Even the ketchup bottle on the table was shaking. Me and my mommy friend were there for a lunch appointment and were enjoying our lunch then this thing happened. I was calm and I told my friend, "It's an earthquake." But we didn't immediately leave the restaurant. We finished up our food and packed the leftover and then only we left. Outside the restaurant I tried to call my Hubby but the cell phone service weren't available. I then saw many people on their cellphone talking about, "Earthquake."

I came home later and used the house phone to contact my Hubby and found out the epicenter was in Chino Hills at 5.8 magnitude. I heard and read on Yahoo! News that some buildings down town LA was swaying and the workers evacuated the building for precaution. This is my second time I felt an earthquake and know it was an earthquake.

Tasty Kitchen in Gardena

This is the nearest Chinese restaurant to my house. I can basically walk to Tasty Kitchen in 15 minutes, and usually I do. This restaurant is located inside the plaza where the 99 Ranch Market is located on Artesia Blvd. I like their lunch specials $6-$8. Their portion is more than enough for myself. My lunch order usually is their Beef Chow Fun. Some other dishes that I highly recommend including the Salty Spicy Pork and Sweet & Sour Pork. I usually pay around $13 for two lunch specials. They also have dimsum on weekend.

Tasty Kitchen
1324 W. Artesia Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
Ph:(310) 515-2251

Gas: 7/22/08

Gas price is stabilizing this week and I notice a few cents decrease in the price. While driving past this Union76 at Crenshaw and Sepulveda in Torrance, I was able to capture a picture of the price for 7/22.

Regular: $4.33 9/10
Plus: $4.41 9/10
Premium: $4.49 9/10

I am just hoping the price will go down more, but to think about it, it may not go back down under $3.50/gallon. We probably have to get use to paying at least $4 for the coming years.

LAX Tom Bradley Terminal Renovation

When we departed for Kuala Lumpur on the night of June 2nd, I only realized that LAX Tom Bradley Terminal is going through a series of remodeling. Some of the check-in counters were closed due to on-going renovation. And was it crowded at the terminal ... Oh YA!! But I saw a row of new counters and they look so much nicer and updated. I definitely won't miss the old ones.

We were boarding through gate 1 and when we got there, it was muggy and hot. And guess what? They were remodeling that section of terminal as well.

There were no airconditioning and the lights were dimmed. It was VERY crowded and hot. There were two fans but it didn't help much. There were actually two flights boarding from this section, China Airline and Malaysian Airline. And just because the school holiday had just begun, thus the big crowd of students leaving US and going back to their own respective countries. Wasn't sure if it was due to the renovation of this terminal but our flight was delayed for almost an hour.

We were away

Sorry for neglecting this blog of mine. We went for a 5 weeks vacation to Malaysia and had just returned to Los Angeles the past week. Of course we had a lot of fun over there, we ate and enjoyed the local food so much that I had put on almost 7 pounds.

What did I see different after my return ... the gasoline price and the weather. It is amazing we are having such a nice July weather. But I also know we had a very hot June and had caused the forest fires in California. And with the gasoline price so high, I am not sure if we are going out as much as before. Gosh ... would we able to see the gas price down under $3 again?

Gas price sored above $4.00 per gallon

Picture above was taken on May 25th. Gas price has sored above $4 mark. It is crazy and we are just in the beginning of our summer. The gas price may be as high as $4.50 - $4.75 when the summer comes. Will it go over $5 per gallon? It may but I hope not.

Regular: $4.03 9/10
Plus: $4.11 /10
Premium: $4.19 9/10

Rodeo Dr Beverly Hills

Do you know one of the top ten places to visit in Los Angeles is Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills? My brother told me when he was researching what to do around LA. So we took him there to walk around. We went on early Sunday morning. You can find free parking available inside the structure. It is free for the first 2 hours, thereafter you need to pay. But since we were only there for a walk, 2 hours were more than enough.

There are many high end shops if you walk along Rodeo Drive. Something we can afford but not necessary we want to buy. We did check out the Tiffany shop there. While walking around browsing their items on display, there were servers with wines and desserts asking if we wanted any. It is a different experience but since we weren't really buying anything, we didn't take any of the free food.

Here are some pictures to share of our trip to Rodeo Drive.

Gas: 4/26/08

Last nite we had to fill up our car again. After our 170 miles trip down to Carlsbad to the Flower Fields, our tank was almost gone. We stopped by the Union76 on 182nd and Western on that evening and the gas prices went up again by a few cents.

Regular: $3.87 9/10
Plus: $3.97 9/10
Premium: $4.07 9/10

Officially, the gas price has gone above $4/gallon. This will be the summer we may just need to stay at home to avoid filling up more gas. The prices are ridiculous. Our full tank cost above $70 pretty soon.

The Flower Fields @ Carlsbad

Spring time is where all the flowers blooming. One of the nearest spot for us to visit to view these beautiful flowers is at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad. It is not free, the entrance fee is $9 for adult, children 2 and under are fre

Basically, you can see the beautiful over 50 acres farm of Tecolote® Giant Ranunculus from the 5 freeway. There are many activities within the Flower Fields. There is a rose garden, a playground for kids, art & craft fair, performance by musicians, and more.

Enough reading here, let me show you some pictures from the Flower Fields.








It is off the 5 freeway between Los Angeles and San Diego. It is about 80 miles from our home, it took us about 1.5 hours to get here. If you are coming either way, you just exit Palomar Airport Road and head a little east and make a left turn. There is an outlet mall next to this Flower Fields. We stopped by here for shopping after our trip to the Flower Fields this afternoon.

Address: 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Season: Spring (March 1 through May 11, 2008)

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Prices: $9.00 for Adults, $8.00 for Seniors 60+, $5.00 for Children 3 - 10,
Children 2 and under are Free

Season Passes: $17.00 for Adults, $15.00 Seniors 60+, $9.00 for Children 3 - 10

Wagon Rides: $4.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Children 3 - 10

Information Line: (760) 431-0352

MAS Office in Los Angeles

This will come in handy if I do need to contact the MAS office in Los Angeles area. I was searching online for the number and wasn't successful with it until I can to Pacific Island Website where it listed all the contact information for MAS offices worldwide.

Here is the address and contact / phone numbers for MAS office in Los Angeles. It is not too far of a drive from my home.

Malaysia Airlines

100 North Sepulveda Blvd
Suite 400, El Segundo
California 90245,
United States of America

Telephone :
R - Toll Free - 1-800-5529264
G - 310-5359288
C - TOLL FREE - 1-800-2335597