Tag Archives: orange county

À La Minute Handcrafted Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont, California

I love my best friend Rhea and I love ice cream.

And tonight I got to combine those two loves when I met up with my bestie and her fiancé Manako at the new local ice cream shop, À La Minute, in Claremont, California.

The latest addition to the downtown Claremont scene has thrown a new spin on everyone’s favorite frozen treat.Chocolate chip ice cream from A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.comA La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

They handcraft your individual serving of creamy goodness with the use of liquid nitrogen! Because science.

If, like me, you hear the words liquid nitrogen and have no clue what that actually means…

Here is a description from À La Minute about their special ingredient:

“Liquid nitrogen is simply nitrogen (which makes up 78% of our atmosphere) in a liquid state.  It is -321 degrees [fahrenheit] and is obviously very cold.  Using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream minimizes the size of ice crystals and results in a much creamier ice cream.”A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

On top of that, À La Minute also uses a 100% organic ice cream base and places a high priority on using local & seasonal ingredients.

Your order is literally as fresh as it gets. And on top of that, we also watched our waffle cones being made right in front of us!

The shop – which shares a space with Augie’s Coffee House – is located inside the Packing House (the largest historic building in The Village)!A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.comA La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

If you’re looking to spend an entire evening in the Claremont Village, a scoop from ALM would make an extra special post-dinner treat after a drink/meal at Eureka Burger or The Back Abbey.

Back to our experience…

Staring at the board of flavors and making a decision took us quite awhile.

Finally we made our choices…

I ordered the Espresso Chip with added caramel sauce on top! Needless to say I was more than happy with my pick, and highly recommend it!

A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

Rhea opted for the most unique flavor — Butternut Squash and Black Garlic with Burnt Sugar Syrup! She and I both liked it but Manako wasn’t a big fan of the frozen vegetable and garlic concept.A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

Manako (A.K.A Beast Mode) chose the classic Chocolate Chip! Let’s just say it was pretty much gone in a manner of seconds. A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

We all LOVED our super delicious indulgences. As we were leaving Manako exclaimed, “I’m going to be coming back here!”

I have to say that I completely agree.

If you’re curious about this liquid nitrogen ice cream you can grab a scoop (or two! or three!) from À La Minute at one of their three locations in Southern California: Claremont, Redlands and the city of Orange!

A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

532 W. 1st Street Claremont, CA 91711

19 East Citrus Avenue #105 Redlands, CA  92373

117 N. Glassell Street Orange, CA  92866

If you still want to know more check out this video to learn how they use liquid nitrogen to form their extra delicious desserts!

 

Day Date in Laguna Beach, California: What to See, Eat & Do

View of Laguna Beach boardwalk, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Laguna Beach, an upscale, coastal, & artistic Orange County community in Southern California, is famous for a variety of reasons: the “Laguna Beach” reality television show, the Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters, the Sawdust Art Festival, it’s gorgeous, snorkel-worthy beaches, the list goes on and on…

View of Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

There’s no denying it’s a beautiful place any direction you look. It’s also chock-full of great food, great shopping, and great views. Here are some of my favorite things to do on a day-trip to Laguna Beach.

So grab your mom, your dad, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your husband, your wife, your best friend, your dog, your grandma, your grandpa, your daughter, your son, your pet rock! Grab them and enjoy a day here with my best recommendations to get the very most out of your day in Laguna Beach.

Laguna Cinema in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

What better way to begin a day-date than with… a movie.

The small Laguna South Coast Cinema is a cool place to catch the latest flick. Adult tickets are only $8.50, or $6.00 for a matinee (before 5:15).

Afterwards grab a bite at my absolute favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach, The Cliff, located in the Laguna Village. The restaurant offers a reasonably priced valet parking service for your convenience.

Entrance to the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Here is one of the many reasons I love eating at The Cliff. Just let that view sink in.

View from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

If you can tear your eyes away from the turquoise waves long enough to take a glimpse at the menu, you’ll find a variety of delicious seafood options, as well as sandwiches, burgers, salads, and so on.

Menu at the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Did I mention the view?

View from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Alright alright, back to the food.

Scallops Wasabi from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

I recently ordered two “Scallops Wasabi” for the first time. They’re described as “raw scallops on the 1/2 shell topped with seaweed salad, pickled ginger and wasabi cream sauce”. As of March 2014, pricing is $3 ea. / $25 doz.

Scallops Wasabi from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Now… let me just say… I love seafood. I love sushi. I love scallops.

These scallops were the BEST scallops I’ve ever had. They were SO GOOD. If you like raw seafood (i.e. sushi), you have to try these. I could eat these everyday for the rest of my life. A little tang, a little spice, a little crunch, a lot of YES.

Fish and Chips, well fruit, at the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

My mom ordered Fish N Chips ($16), minus the chips, plus fruit. So. Fish N Fruit you could say. I had a bite of hers and it was ALSO some of the best fried fish I’ve had. Light, not oily, and flavorful.

Halibut Laguna at the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

For my main entree I had Halibut Laguna ($25), “fresh grilled halibut filet topped with mango and papaya tropical salsa served with rice and fresh mixed greens”. Also fabulous!

View from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

That view again. I can’t help myself.

Shops in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

The rest of the Laguna Village is filled with cute, little specialty & art shops. I bought a gorgeous gold-filled anklet from Shelby’s and my mom bought some coral and shells from Rudi’s (located on the eastern side of the Laguna Village, near the street.

Shelby's foot jewelry shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Meeting and chatting with Rudi and Linda was a highlight of our day! Rudi is from Vienna, Austria and Linda is from Cape Town, South Africa. Since I have previously visited both of their original hometowns we had a blast discussing our favorite parts of each destination. They told me about the under-rated Tokai wine region in Cape Town, a place I’ll most definitely be visiting on my next visit to Cape Town (which is hopefully sooner, rather than later)!

Rudi's Seashell shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Rudi's Seashell shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Their adorable dog, Bear, greets customers with a wagging tail when he’s not lounging in his cushy bed.

Rudi and Bear at Rudi's Seashell shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

My mom was so inspired by Bear’s haircut that she requested I groom up our Pomeranian/Papillon pup just like him. I tried. But I’m saving you from the visual. I’ll leave it at that. Admire Bear’s handsome looks, instead.

Bear, Rudi's dog, at Rudi's Seashell shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

After checking out the Laguna Village I recommend taking a stroll along the sand… because everyone likes long walks on the beach. Am I right or am I right?

Laguna Beach Lifeguard Tower, California via ZaagiTravel.comI also highly recommend heading to the main downtown streets, Forest Ave and Ocean Ave.

Here, you’ll find Scandia (248 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651), an awesome bakery popular with locals.

Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

It’s filled to the brim with salads, pastries, and a comfy warm coffee aroma.

Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

From cookies, to tarts, to danishes… they have something for every sweet craving.

Baked goods at the Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Choosing between a danish and a coconut macaroon was next to impossible. I ended up “eenie-meenie-minie-mo”-ing it.

Baked goods at the Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

You’re lucky I paused to take a quick photo before gobbling this baby up! Ain’t she a beaut?

Coconut macaroon from the Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

 ANDDDDD… MORE SHOPPING! Because shopping. Duh.

I was ecstatic when I came across Tuvalu (295 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651), a home furnishings store with a shabby chic/oceanic theme. Totally my style!

Being that I semi-grew up in Orange County (die-hard beach baby since birth, just ask my mama), and sailed around the world on a ship, I have a deep LOVE for coastal interior designs.

Tuvalu Home Furnishings and Interior Design Shop in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Tuvalu is the epitome of unique, rustic and beautiful. Their furniture, lighting, dining, bedding, art and accessories have even been featured in Coastal Living, Sunset Magazine, Ocean Home, Real Simple, and InStyle.

(Heads up: Their website is currently under construction, but Pin this and come back to it later! Even if you can’t make it out to Laguna Beach, you can still browse/shop online when their website is back up!)

Tuvalu Home Furnishings and Interior Design Shop in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Tuvalu also has a fun and eclectic book section towards the back of the store.

Tuvalu Home Furnishings and Interior Design Shop in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

And it gets better. The owner/buyer, Laurie Alter, is totally awesome! She’s very hands-on in the store and one of the most helpful and cool business owners I’ve come across since I started blogging.

Tuvalu Home Furnishings and Interior Design Shop in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Be sure to check out the Tuvalu blog and Pinterest account! I’m already obsessed.

Next up, one of my favorite clothing boutiques in Laguna Beach: Muse!

Muse Clothing and Accessory Boutique in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Muse, formerly known as Ivory Moon, has been around for fifteen years. I’ve been coming here for at least five of those years.

Muse Clothing and Accessory Boutique in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

The clothes are consistently interesting and desirable. This is because Muse sees itself as more than just a clothing store; they aim to be an art and fashion gallery by showcasing up-and-coming designers.

After speaking with the owner, I learned that he is inspired by the casual, artistic feel that the Laguna Beach community is known for. The boutique/gallery hopes to inspire it’s customers to be different and unique.

Muse Clothing and Accessory Boutique in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

The clothing and accessory pieces are discovered and brought to the shelves and racks of the store from all over the world. For example, the canvas bag (on the left in the photo above) is from Madagascar!

Dressing rooms at the Muse clothing and accessory boutique in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Muse is a fun place to explore the future of the fashion world. I’ve often wondered if fashion-mogul Lauren Conrad gained inspiration from the boutique as she was growing up in Laguna Beach. (Shout out to LC! Her blog is to-die-for!)

 

If you’ve been to LB, what are your favorite things to see, eat, and do? Have I missed anything note-worthy?