Aquarium of the Pacific's Seahorses and Seadragons

The Aquarium of the Pacific has some new critters: seahorses and seadragons! I was lucky to get an invitation to tonight's preview before the opening to the public later this week. What a treat to visit afterhours when it is not so crowded. I found myself mesmerized by these amazing creatures!

This is a leafy seadragon, camouflaged by leaf-like appendages. It's definitely my favorite of the group! These guys are probably 10-12" long. We also saw miniature seahorses maybe 1" long. Other members of this classification are pipefish and razorfish, with various colors and sizes. Attendees learned that although the males in this group are responsible for incubating eggs and giving birth, not all of species carry the eggs in a pouch. Yes, seahorses do, but seadragons carry the eggs on their tails!

And, if you haven't yet seen the sea jellies, go! I give you official permission to log off this post and head down to Long Beach. If you have been, I think you'll be surprised by the number and variety of jellies now on display.

This is a white-spotted jelly, and there are at least nine other specimens, each as amazing as the next. Jellies also range in size from tiny to dinner-plate size; some are even bioluminescent, meaning they produce light!

Click here for the Aquarium's website.

Good Girl Dinette revisited

Another most-stop on my farewell food tour was Good Girl Dinette. You may remember the 2011 post about the pot pie? (Click here.) YUM!! And today's meal was just as spectacular!!

I ordered the Rice Noodle Salad (rice noodles, spring greens, pickled daikon and carrots, bean sprouts, basil, toasted peanuts and shallots) with beets. I was only momentarily disappointed to hear that there were no beets today (GGD gets their produce from the Farmer's Market, so subject to availability), but there were fresh snap peas, served with lemongrass chili oil. Oh my goodness!! Everything was soooo fresh and tasty! I also had a house-made blood orange soda that was out of this world! And I'll even admit to the side of one amazing buttermilk pancake with ginger maple syrup. It is a farewell food tour, afterall!

Click here for Good Girl Dinette's website.

Merengue Bakery and Cafe revisited

My farewell food tour is underway! Since I've shared with friends about my upcoming departure from Los Angeles at the end of June, I've been treated to several "one more time" and bon voyage meals at some of my favorite places.

This is the Cuban-style Caprese sandwich from Merengue Bakery and Cafe in Monrovia. The pop of yellow is mariquitas - or plantain - chips. Thin, crispy ribbons with just a shake of salt are the perfect accompaniment to the mozzarella, tomato and basil. Yummm!

Click here for Merengue's website.

Click here for my 2009 post.