Places

This is the go-to-place for South Bay area to buy/rent their outdoor gear. They even feature the ski/snowboard bus that takes you to the slopes and back, same-day. All-in-one, full service, outdoor recreation spot here in the South Bay area. Read my Sports Basement Rental Guide Read more...

During childhood visits to Taiwan, I recall warm rolls of rice, stuffed with shredded pork, preserved vegetables and hard boiled eggs. They were conveniently rolled up within an outer layer of rice. These are called fan tuan. This was always paired with a cup of lightly sweetened soybean drink (dou jiang). Back in California, fortunate as we were to have Read more...

Many years ago, a good friend of mine introduced me to Genevieve Santos’ work and I fell in love ever since. I can’t believe it took me this long to add her shop to my website, but here it is! I’ve gotten custom art from her, as well regularly purchasing birthday and thank you cards. I love the whimsical and Read more...

I discovered this maker from the Summer 2022 SJMade event in DTSJ and have been smitten with her work ever since. We’ve purchased  several of her artistic map pieces for ourselves and as tasteful gifts. Love them! Read more...

This is another favorite confectionery shop and patisserie of mine in Los Gatos that specializes in bonbons. I also enjoyed their fresh made marshmallows, which is just miles apart from the average store-bought marshmallows if you have never tried. Read more...

Ever since my former favorite confectionery shop closed (Teuscher in Stanford Shopping Ctr), I had to find a new place. I highly recommend Royce’ Chocolates, Nama chocolate line, for fine and delicate chocolates. You can find their booth in Valley Fair Mall as well as Mitsuwa Marketplaces. Read more...

If you’ve read my articles, you’ll know that we use bar soaps in our household. So I was really delighted to find this soap maker at the Fall 2022 SJMade faire. I haven’t gotten around to using this vendor’s soap yet, but I will definitely update here with thoughts when I do. In the meantime, adding this listing here so Read more...

We bought an adorable crocheted octopus plush from this vendor from the 2022 Fall SJMade faire. Love their creations and love that it’s two sisters working hard to run their little boutique. Adorable! Read more...

We came across this cute vendor in the 2022 Fall SJMade faire and really loved their creations. I am pleased to see that they have a brick n mortar shop locally. Listing them here so I remember to go shop there next I am in the area. Their products are hand-drawn maps of various locals that you can buy as Read more...

Came across this artist from the 2022 Fall SJMade faire and also really liked her art for a video game we play called Genshin Impact. Read more...

I have one of their vinyl stickers on my car from many years ago that I bought at a local boutique way back. This past fall when I went to SJMade I met the artist/maker and bought another identical sticker to replace the UV faded one that’s been on my car all this time. 🙂 I can see myself going Read more...

Whimsical light vendor I saw at SJMade. So pretty! Read more...

Another cute, anime and video game artist we found at SJMade convention. Read more...

Discovered this cute maker from the 2022 SJMade Craft Faire. We like their cute and whimsical illustrations. Read more...

Last month I went to one of my favorite local activities.. makers market by SJMade. And boy was I delighted to find some of my favorite old and new vendors there. Most of all, I was so delighted to find a new confectionery that was up to my picky palate! My former favorite, Teuscher, sadly closed their shop in Stanford Read more...

Vegetarian is a widely available all over Taiwan, from shopping malls to food stalls, while less-so in other countries. I was really delighted to finally find time to swing over to try out Joyheart Cafe today. I ordered their 3 cup mushroom dish and it was really enjoyable. I could tell they used decent cooking oils, it was not heavy, Read more...

Just had a taste of their butter mochi’s at the Los Altos Lantern Fest pop-up booth. It was interesting and worth a try, if you bump into their pop-up, as their location varies. Read more...

Over the summer, we had a fun visit up in the Santa Rosa area and stopped by this farm for a little olive oil tasting. Very fresh olive oil. Would recommend if you’re already in the area and enjoy nice olive oil. They also have some nice lavender flowers too. Read more...

Stopped by this summer with reservations to see the lavender fields. It was quite small and can be finished under an hour (reservations are about that long anyway), but it was a great spot for photo-ops. We were amused with how many women we saw there dressed in red evening gowns for instagram photos, lol. But truly, it is a Read more...

We had an absolutely amazing tour and overnight stay here. I highly recommend the overnight tour if you can do it, especially with friends. We also did the dinner package and we were so glad we did. After our tour, we checked into our rooms and relaxed. Having a room there allowed us to wander the grounds nearby and revisit Read more...

My new favorite dessert place. They are take-out only. You can order in person (iPad ordering) or through their site: https://itongsui.square.sitehttps://itongsui.square.site These are different from the classic Hong Kong tong sui’s of old, but a different spin that is actually lighter and healthier.  These are made with with coconut and seaweed (agar). They have a very fine jello-like consistency, but Read more...

Mushroom Meringue from Moonside Cafe Quaint little bakery in Half Moon Bay with delicate pastries and most-of-all, fairly decent meringues! I’ve been pretty impressed with the quality of their baked goods and definitely am adding it here to my list to return to. Their coffee is decent and their half moon cookies are really adorable. Read more...

Local cafe that features hard-to-find arepas! If you have never tried Venezuelan/Colombian arepas, it’s a must, and you can find them here. (The only other place I know that has arepas is down in SoCal, in Pasadena.) The two Palo Alto locations: 538 Ramona St. Palo Alto, CA 94301 111 Lytton Ave.Palo Alto, CA 94301 For more locations, check out Read more...

The best(?) Greek place in the Bay Area. Enjoy high quality Greek dishes in a festive restaurant atmosphere, watching your food cook in a large oven, and enjoying unique desserts, finishing with Greek coffee. One of my favorite places, perhaps a bit pricey, so good for special occasions. Read more...

One of the best Mexican seafood places in the Bay Area, with outdoor patio seating amongst colorful planters and cacti, with Mexican music playing in the background. Great place to relax and get some very well-made Mexican seafood dishes. I highly recommend the scallops quesadilla. Read more...

A decades old pizza establishment in North Beach, San Francisco. If you are ever in the city for a visit, this place is a must-try, especially their clam pizza. Read more...

My absolute favorite tea shop and vegan cafe. Authentic Taiwanese beverages and Taiwan style vegan foods.  Even though I’m not vegan/vegetarian, I try to eat in that direction whenever I get a chance and I’ve always found Taiwanese vegetarian/vegan to be really tasty. Of course the Taiwan style drinks and desserts are a must try. My favorite drinks are their Read more...

Small and friendly cafe featuring decent coffee and pastries. Open during covid/fires with socially distant ordering setup and the owners wore masks. Can order online for pickup from their website or with delivery services. Read more...

Dim sum in SF Chinatown that’s over 100 years old. Might or might not survive 2020. Read more...

Built in the 17th century by Dutch colonists, this former military fort is notable for its history. Chinese Address: 700台南市中西區民族路二段212號 Read more...

Tongji is a famous tofu dessert shop often with long lines waiting. Don’t miss this if you are in AnPing. Chinese Address: 708台南市安平區安北路141-6號 Read more...

This 17th-century fortress built on a peninsula by the Dutch East India Company is now a museum. Chinese Address: 708台南市安平區國勝路82號 Read more...

Hub of quaint shops, art studios, unique structures & cultural events in a former prison dormitory. Chinese Address: 702台南市南區西門路一段689巷12號 Read more...

Former warehouse taken over by banyan tree roots. Amazing sight. Chinese Address: 708台南市安平區古堡街 Read more...

Taiwan’s oldest street, built by the Dutch, featuring stalls & shops, plus a maze of alleyways. Chinese Address: 708台南市安平區延平街 Read more...

Grand and majestic Mazu Temple on the outskirts of Tainan. Address in Chinese: 70958台南市安南區城安路160號 Read more...

Cute little cupcake shop featuring a wide range of cupcake flavors. It’s a bit on the sweet side though, so have a cup of unsweetened tea/coffee nearby for it. Currently have these SIP features: paper towels outside for you to open door handles installed plexiglass to separate workers encourages contactless payment Read more...

Authentic Taiwanese cuisine with lots of flavor Read more...

Another one of our favorite places for Taiwan village style comfort food and very nice handmade drinks. The young owner (and his siblings, all really nice) of this place is very particular about quality. Some of my favorite drinks are Seaweed Green Milk Tea, the Pineapple Shortcake and more. Our favorite dishes are the spicy wontons, the beef wrap, the Read more...

One of our favorite pizza joints. Highly recommend trying the Founder’s Special. During ShelterInPlace (SIP) you can order for pickup or delivery here: https://slicelife.com/restaurants/ca/san-jose/95129/via-mia-pizza-san-jose/menu?utm_campaign=order_now_button&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=viamiapizzamenu.com Read more...

This is one of our favorite Northern Cuisine comfort food restaurants. Their food isn’t the finest/most delicate, but it’s very tasty, authentic and comfort food style. We order frozen dumplings from two places, and this is one of them. 1. Call (408) 996-0317 2. Order from their menu (see photos) Closed Mondays Closed for Break (Daily) 2:30p – 4:30p Read more...

The famous Hanlin Teahouse has opened in Cupertino! Yay! Update: 1/5/2022 Had a lovely hotpot meal here. You also have to try their turnip cakes, and of course, their high quality teas   Use their Online Ordering System Or call below Check out their menus Call: （408）320-1080 to place your pickup order Closed: Tuesdays Taro Milk: Sadly their taro tastes Read more...

One of our two favorite places for dumplings. During the Covid-19 lockdown, they now take email pre-orders for pickup. Email: [email protected] with the following information… Name: Cellphone: Expected Pick up time: Name of the Dumplings, # of Bags Also specify the alternative flavor if it is not available. Read more...

Cemetery/Memorial for the Navy and Air Force service members of higher rank. A very peaceful and beautiful memorial site. Located in: 高雄市立深水山公墓 Read more...

Banana Pier is where Kaohsiung used to export bananas and has since been turned into a cultural center with cafes, food, restaurants and eclectic shopping space. Chinese Address: 804高雄市鼓山區蓬萊路17號 Read more...

A really great shaved ice place near the Cijin Ferry port in Kaohsiung. Worth a stop if you are in the area. Chinese Address: 804高雄市鼓山區濱海一路107號 Read more...

While passing through Miaoli, the center of Hakka culture in Taiwan, our driver highly recommended this authentic Hakka restaurant. Though we did not have time to stop here on this trip, I am listing it here as a must-try the next time we visit/pass through Miaoli. Chinese Address: 363苗栗縣公館鄉大同路76號 Read more...

Indoor playspace that touts itself as a kids museum. It is similar to the children’s discovery museums in the US and is a great place for kids to spend hours in. Admission is based on daily rate and once you have admission, you have unlimited in/out for that day. They have additional subscription options that make it more affordable, but Read more...

Chun Shui Tang is one of the two Taiwan tea brands that claimed to have invented tapioca pearls in tea (aka. boba). In Taiwan, you can find Chun Shui Tang tea houses in many locations. This particular location is a convenient spot in Taipei for my travels in the Shinkong Mitsukoshi mall. I highly recommend their popular Tie Kuan Yin Read more...