First off, I'm very thankful for the wonderful birthday events and dinners I had with my friends, families, and love ones! Another year has just flew by and I am totally not ready to be another year older. Someone once told me: "Time goes by a lot quicker once you turn 21, so enjoy every single moment". Totally true!!
This year, a few days before my 23rd birthday, some of my favorite ladies (and one guy) took me out to a lovely Japanese dinner at Chotto, then to lounges for drinks. I met them when I was 19 and we started off as coworkers. We then became good friends and party buddies! Many good memories together! Because everyone have different jobs and work schedule, we don't meet as frequent as before. Love hanging out and just chatting away with them very much!!
Japanese b-day dinner
Happy Birthday to me! HAHAHAH!!!
Me and Wendy
Chotto was close to Matrix Lounge in Fillmore San Francisco and we were all expecting to drink and dance after dinner. We loved the house music and used to party like crazy there! Hahahha! But... the lounge is closed on Tuesdays... Why?!!
Of course we didn't call it a night yet^^ One of the ladies, who is good with all the nightlife in the city, took us to two lounges in Downtown. Not feeling the first one so left after a drink and headed to Novela lounge. I loved the design and ambiance of Novela.
Sophisticated and elegant lounge
Wendy, Wendy, me, Jig, Vivian
Love you guys ^~^
This lounge is so classy and elegant. I liked the lightening, furniture, and especially the chandeliers!! Not to mention, the restroom was also very elegant and creative! Bartenders are very nice, drinks are good, and great companions^^ This lounge is definitely a must go for cocktails and catching up with friends. My friend said that this place is always packed Thursdays to Saturdays. It was a Tuesday night when we went so not too many people, which is not bad because we got own table and enjoyed quality time together.
Me and Jig^^
Tipsy little me ><
I love "ALL I CAN EAT" meals!! Because of that, I chose to so Shabu House on Geary for "All We Can Eat" Shabu Shabu! ^^ These friends had been with me ever since middle school. Because everyone is busy with school and work, we managed to keep in touch, but rarely meet up. Therefore, I am really glad we had dinner together. Darrin also joined us!!
Unlimited everything!!!!!!!
This is Megan...
...Whitney...
...and Laurie!!
I also went home to celebrated with my family (should have took more pictures tho)...
Green tea mousse cake
Coffee wants the cake!
They had to do this... Hahahha!!!
And with Darrin's family^^
With my bf and his family!
My fav! Tiramisu^^ Thanks YoYo (Darrin's sister)
Me n my hunny bunny
Darrin's sisters, nephew, and nieces
Hannah, Leo, and Gabby^^
Hannah making a wish with me! So cute!!
Blowing candles together
Happy birthday to me^^
On the day of my birthday, Darrin and I both had work. Surprisingly, Darrin left work early and was waiting for me at home with a rose he brought last minute. Hahahhahah! He told me he made reservation at a French restaurant, but I think I kinda ruined his surprise/plan because I was tired after work and canceled the reservation... After my nap, we went out for dinner and he took me to shopping. ^^ I picked a Vegetarian restaurant near Downtown!!
Combination appetizer
Vegetarian beef pot
That night, he also surprised me with cheesecake! He said I had to have a cake on the day of my birthday^^ I really wasn't expecting any of these since we agreed on doing a birthday trip in August. Really thankful for him and everything!!
Got to try out a lovely cafe in San Francisco called Akiba, which is like a maid cafe. Yup!! For all you anime lovers out there, the waitress here dresses up as maids to take orders and serve. I know there are a lot of cafes like this in Japan... rare in San Francisco tho.
Look at the cute cups
~ Sweet Crepe ~
Bread topped with strawberry and choco dip
I feel like the crepe was a bit small for the price...! If comparing to Crepe Temptation and Sophie's Crepe, I would prefer both over this. On the other hand, Darrin and I really liked the chocolate dip!! And it goes well with the bread. But without the dip, the bread tastes plain and dry.
Shibuya honey box
The honey box was around $10 and ... since it's a bread box, it tasted very dry.
The box unfolds^^
Feels more like I was paying for the experience rather than good food. If you have not been to a maid cafe, visit Akiba to try it out. Decorations and furniture were very cute! They have 2 flat screens playing anime too. Food-wise, do not expect much. They also charge me for tea... which was $2 each? Most Asian dessert place in San Francisco does not charge for tea...>< Oh well, every restaurant is different.
