You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

For the month of March, it’s been non-stop birthday madness!

I swear, it seems like every day is someone’s birthday. If it’s not a birthday dinner at Hatsune, it’s birthday drinks at Apothecary/d.lounge or a proper birthday party at Bling/Xiu/Suzies….you get the idea. If anything, this month has just been more excuses to celebrate!

So naturally, for any given birthday party, you can appropriately expect to find a pretty fabulous birthday cake whether it’s homemade or courtesy of 21cake.com or Comptoires de France (I’m a big fan of their rich, chocolate fudge cake).

And a recent discovery I’ve made – Lollipop Bakery, the most delightful cupcakes in Beijing!!  After cupcakes have taken the US by storm, someone FINALLY brings proper cupcakes to China’s capital.  Having sponsored International Women’s Day, Lollipop Bakery made a big impression on everyone, especially me. Finding these beautiful, precious little desserts have been such a breath of fresh air.  I’m telling you, cupcakes are now the way to go.

Every cupcake made fresh to order, with quality, imported ingredients, they come in basic flavors – Classic Vanilla, Classic Chocolate, Red Velvet and Earl Grey. RMB 200-220 per dozen cupcakes. They can cater to your needs whether it be a giant cupcake, mini cupcakes, special flavors or specially designed frosting.

For orders,  just email Lexie, aka the “Cupcake Girl” : Cupcakes@LollipopBakery.cn or phone: 13552772683

*Note: Order 24 hours in advance, minimum order is 2 dozen cupcakes (Free delivery within 3rd Ring Road)

But out of all the birthday celebrations this month, I’ve got to give it to Cody’s birthday cake – the most glorious homemade birthday cake I’ve ever seen.  Completely original with bright colors bursting out and cookie crumbs on top, never have I seen such a unique cake, something that was created after hours of labored love.

The picture speaks for itself.

Cody's Glorious Birthday Cake

March Birthday Shout-Outs:

• Mike Chen aka Big Mike
• Cody Leung
• Matthew Van der Zwan
• Jennifer Mao-Jones
• Blake Stone-Banks
• Lee Mack
• Jamie Kung
• Omar
• Christian Liu
• Rebecca Karlstrom
• DJ Keza

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIENDS!!!! Nothing but Love, xoxo

Luga’s Pho-Shizzle

Luga’s is all over the place – he’s gone from Mexican to Thai and Vietnamese.

I was not impressed with Luga’s Villa Mexican restaurant the few times I’ve been there, but I tried Luga’s Pho-Pho for the first time this weekend and had a great experience!

After disappointing experiences at Va Va Voom on multiple occassions, I ventured out to find good pho. Who would have known Luga’s Pho-Pho had the magic recipe to fantastic pho this whole time? 

Recently moved to the main Luga’s location down the way from Tongli Studio above the main Luga’s Villa, the venue is all tiki’d out with a straw hut section in the middle of the room.  Decor was a bit lame, but this aside and more importantly, their fresh spring rolls were fantastic and so was their pho.

This is my new Pho destination in Beijing.

Review of Luga’s Pho-Pho: 3F of Luga’s Villa, Sanlitun North Street, 三里屯北里7号楼, 3层;  Tel: 6413-2786

Best Part:

• Great Pho and other Vietnamese dishes at a decent price
• Jun Trinh is Luga Pho Pho’s F&B consultant, so you can trust he’ll produce quality Vietnamese food
• Quick, friendly service

Comments:

• Place was empty when we were there, which is strange because I heard that it’s normally pretty busy
• Decor could use an upgrade to match the quality of the food

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 8
• Atmosphere: 5
• Service: 6
• Overall Experience: 7