restaurants

Hello Kitty Cafe Bow Room afternoon tea with my daughters

 in General Fashion  tagged fall 2025 / family / hello kitty / outfits / restaurants by

wearing: classic earrings / black short sleeve sweater / handbag / fall nail polish / jeans (old, also love this pair) / boots (old, also love this pair) /

If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, then you know the new Hello Kitty Cafe and Bow Room are open! They just opened a few weeks ago, so I decided to wait for the rush to subside before making reservations for afternoon tea with my daughters. I am so glad I did!

The Bow Room was busy but not crowded, and the line for the cafe wasn’t very long. We had reservations for afternoon tea, so we were seated quickly. The menu was prix-fixe, and they were able to easily make a vegetarian substitution for my daughter. She was also able to order an add-on from the cafe; a strawberry matcha. She told me it was really good!

We enjoyed the tea service and were able to order merch from the cafe and add it to our tea bill. It felt very VIP and easy! My daughters definitely want to return! They leave for their respective university’s soon, so we will go back during winter break when they are both home for the holidays. I can’t wait!

If you would like to visit, I recommend going on a weekday when it is less crowded. If you want afternoon tea, you can make a reservation through Tock. Keep in mind there is a required deposit, so be careful about the number in your party and the day/time you choose. If you just want to visit the cafe, allow about 15-20 minutes for the line; again, it is less crowded during the week so the line will move faster.

The Hello Kitty Cafe is located on the second floor by Bloomingdale’s at Valley Fair. I highly recommend going; especially if you are a Hello Fan! It’s so cute! Love!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Summer lunch and a new restaurant

 in General Fashion  tagged outfits / restaurants / summer 2025 by

wearing: sunglasses / statement earrings / black tee / summer nail polish / wide leg jeans (petite) / caramel top handle bag / black boots (old, also love this pair) /

It is always fun to meet up with my friend Dawn from Fashion Should be Fun. We met for lunch and decided to check out a new restaurant at Valley Fair for named Stick & Wok. It was really yummy!

It was the soft opening for Stick & Wok so they weren’t crowded because no one knows they are there yet! I hope by now, everyone knows they are there and will stop in for some yummy food! We really enjoyed the Sweet Corn and Chicken Soup, Vegan Mushroom Fried Rice with Truffle Oil, and the Pork and Scallion Pot Stickers. I highly recommend!

Stick & Wok is located on the second floor near the men’s Macy’s and next door to Ramen Nagi. The decor is modern and features cool posters of food. It’s clever and comfortable. Love that!

It was so much fun to enjoy a meal and talk with Dawn. I look forward to seeing her again and also visiting Stick & Wok again! So, if you are local, be sure to pop into Valley Fair and enjoy a meal at Stick & Wok. Love!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

3 favorite restaurants in Tucson AZ

 in Travel  tagged arizona / restaurants by

pictured: decor at Guadalajara Mexican Grill /

We spent close to a week in Tucson and discovered many places to eat. There were three restaurants which turned into my standout favorites. We had so much fun exploring Tucson and all it had to offer. These three restaurants I would love to revisit someday. So, if you are in the Tucson area, be sure to check them out!

Guadalajara Mexican Grill

This place was so good! Normally at Mexican restaurants they place the salsa on the table, and half the time they will make the guacamole at your table. At Guadalajara Mexican Grill, they made both the salsa and guacamole at our table, to our exact specifications. This was the first sign that we were at an excellent restaurant.

In addition to freshly made salsa and guacamole, the service was friendly and outstanding. The food, obviously delicious. We really enjoyed our meal, and I really want to go back! This is a must-visit if you are int he Tucson area!

Culinary Dropout

Culinary Dropout is a small chain with less than ten locations. It is American cuisine and has a large menu, a festive atmosphere, and large venue. I was in a pasta mood, so I went with the Bolognese. It was absolutely delicious! We really enjoyed our meal and would definitely return. Highly recommend!

Locale Neighborhood Italian Restaurant

OK, so when I NOT in a pasta mood? Very rarely. So, of course I was looking for Italian restaurants. Locale Neighborhood Italian Restaurant had good reviews online, despite the name sounding like an American restaurant. The decor was modern and the there was a large outdoor area. I can see the outdoor seating being nice in cooler weather. It was close to one hundred when we visited so we ate inside.

All three of us loved our pasta and would definitely go back for more. As a person of Italian descent, I highly recommend this place and deem it authentic. Be sure to visit when you are in Tucson for your pasta fix! Love it!

Well, there you have it. My three favorite restaurants int he Tucson area. Make sure you visit when you visit Tucson!

Thanks for stopping by,

XOXO
Cathy