Spring Break!!!!!!!

Scoping out individuals in bikinis and boardshorts, white sand beaches, hot sun and hormone infested individuals all in some wonderfully colorful and crowded location by the perfectly sparkling blue water. Meeting new people, dancing, drinking, exchanging a phone number, if not two, three, four...while laying on a brightly colored towel so I can add some color to a much needed pasty complexion.

Uh..yeah. Unfortunately, you would not want to see me in a bathing suit, nor would my 20+ (almost 30) self be caught dead at some Spring break-MTV-teenybopper infested-party-all throwing up random signs and yelling "I'm in love with a st*pper". It's just one of those times of the year that I realize that I have turned into an official "working girl" with responsibilities and other more important things to take care.

Except, I really am on spring break. And I sort of wish I actually had something to do. At least I have a week to do nothing. Being a first grade teacher does have its perks. ;)

I started off the week at Manna Korean BBQ restaurant. Upon driving up to the location for a birthday celebration, we were quickly turned away to park elsewhere. Is this place always this crowded? Unfortunately, yes. But, fortunate for us, I made a reservation. So many people, so many different kinds of people. While waiting, there appeared to be a class of middle school aged hakujin kids filing out of the restaurant. We also saw a group of very dressed up girls that were going (most likely) to a club afterwards. Odd, but not fully unusual for a typical LA rest.


As they were calling my name, we began filing into what looked like the hallway to the kitchen. Then, they told us to wait right there next.to.the.meatroom.with.the.window.opened.to.the.alley. Uh...that couldn't be a good thing. And I don't think it was the best to see right before we began to chow down on some meat.

Eh, just cook your meat well done. So, we were given three tables to fit our party of 25. The panchan were a-typical, nothing special. But, because I didn't eat anything all day to satisfy my urge for all-you-can-eat bbq, it was tasty. ;)

The meat, overall, was not of the best quality, which is to be expected at an all you can eat place for $14.99. But, what I really liked was the equivalent to a Japanese chawanmushi...warm egg custard, which was almost souffle like. It was brought in those hot pot bowls, with bits of green onion on top. Dipping your spoon inside, the souffle deflates, and the aroma of egg and broth fills the air. Yum.

Apparently, there are like hundreds of birthdays there every night...and they love playing this bday song to accompany their TGI Fridays like celebration. Instead, they turn off ALL the lights (I kid you not, since we were outside, we could only see the small flame from the grill) and bring a cake/sundae/whatever you have. And, what's more, they bring a cheap bottle of champagne, shake it, and POP! The cork flies off and the champagne goes with it. The waiter didn't seem very concerned with the fact that he got a couple of people in my party wet. He just brought over some newspaper to cover up the spill and left. Interesting...

All in all, the place was an interesting experience. And a steal for the price.

Manna Korean BBQ
3377 Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles 90019