MONDAY - Valerie and I head to our favorite corner in Sawtelle Japantown for the first time since LA Marathon Weekend in 2020

And today I'm not even carbo-loading for a marathon!

The pandemic restrictions have ended, but the outdoor tables Tsujita added remain in place around the corner from the restaurant. That said, we're sitting at a table within their original outdoor space

Of course we have have come for their tsukemen

Since the first time I slurped it, I can't imagine ever not oredering their charsiu tonkotsu tsukemen. I love Killer Noodle by Tsujita down the street, but, if I haven't been to either place in awhile, Tsujita LA is the first place I crave

I haven't even bothered trying the tsukemen at Tsujita Annex across the street...Tsujita LA's charsiu tonkotsu tsukemen has all the flavors I seek and anything other than this would likely be a disappointment. And, yes, it is still as good as ever.

"The 'Taste' creates 'Bond' of people that is Tsujita's belief"

Though still sad that Blockheads closed (it left this space even before the pandemic), another dessert shop has since filled the void. We've seen posts about SomiSomi and we know there's one at Del Amo...but with today's temps it seems the perfect time to try it

I'm thinking it's more of the perfect cold dessert for Summer, but okay

Upside-down custard ah boong with pink guava and ube swirl. Yum. I liked the pink guava more than the ube...probably would get it paired with strawberry next time. Custard works well with the ah boong and these flavors. Might try it with Nutella filling next time.

Yes, both of us liked this. We still miss Blockheads though. Shave snow is even lighter and more refreshing on a hot day like today.

What's in the box?!?!? (like I can't tell LOL)

CAT DAD's BIRTHDAY - Mochi and mirror-verse Mochi are on bathroom duty this morning

BIRTHDAY RUN - I've worked my way back to running six miles after losing a few weeks of training to travel, several more due to rib injury, and a few more due to COVID-19. I'm fairly certain I will not be setting any personal pace or distance records this year.

I had planned on running this particular route on Sunday morning when it was significantly cooler, but I was feeling very lazy over the weekend. And no, I don't particularly love the smell of freshly laid asphalt in the morning.

Life is like a box of chocolates, but it's even better when you know exactly what ya gonna get. I can always tell when Valerie handpicks a selection because her favorite (which is also one of mine) makes up a good number of the pieces

Afternoon coffee drive ... every time out helps keep the battery charged and the engine lubed. And it's also good for the car. 🙂

Perfect day to claim my birthday reward Frappuccino...well, technically, it's the only day Starbucks allows its rewards members to claim a free birthday beverage

No, I wouldn't set any beverage on my car's paint...the whole front of the car has been covered with paint protection film for over a decade

There's still some evidence I drove my NSX on the beach back in April (a necessity when parking in the Acura Car Corral during the Grand Prix of Long Beach). It's hard to believe I haven't given my NSX a bath since then (I used to bathe her far more frequently). Of course, we are in a drought...

Mom invites me to Cheesecake Factory for my birthday dinner. Of course we are going to start with Avocado Egg Rolls.

I was going back and forth between Cajun Jambalaya Pasta and Jamaican Black Pepper Shrimp. Since I had the pasta last year...