Alhambra Edition

Jenna Flexner
Apr 9
6 min read

FOOD and FUN in Alhambra

Foodie Files Spotlight

Auntie Qiu Kitchen

(when was the last time you had Chinese breakfast?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL7SDtcE9pusHmDZhsLoWf64ngKeH6aXck&v=Jf63O5YYob8

Breakfast is probably our favorite meal to go out for, and we are always on the hunt for a great new breakfast spot. After falling in love with Taiwanese breakfast on a recent layover in Taiwan, we have been slightly (okay, majorly) obsessed with exploring the varied Asian breakfast options around LA. Finding hidden gems ain't easy. After all, they are hidden in all the food noise of LA. But after a bunch of effort and exploration, when you find one, OH BOY! The JOY! The sense of accomplishment! It's what we live for. The number of people who have suggested this place to us is literally zero. It required a lot of google map perusing of photos, which finally led us to Auntie Qiu.

If you think breakfast is just eggs and toast, think again—this spot completely redefines the morning meal. Tucked into the heart of Alhambra, Auntie Qiu Kitchen delivers one of the most satisfying Chinese breakfast experiences in the San Gabriel Valley, and honestly, it’s worth going out of your way for. This is not your average breakfast fare—it’s bold, comforting, and deeply craveable.

The standout for us? The fried pork chop with sticky rice cake. It’s the kind of dish that sneaks up on you—crispy, savory pork smothered in a scrumptious sauce, paired with chewy, lightly pan-seared rice cakes that soak up all that flavor. It’s dangerously addictive and easily something you’ll find yourself thinking about days later. We fought over the last bite, and I'm salivating thinking about it right now.

Then there’s the pancake with double egg and crisp fritter—a perfect storm of textures. You get that soft, eggy richness layered with a satisfying crunch from the fritter, all wrapped into a warm, savory bite, like if an omelette and a burrito had a baby. Add a little chili crisp on top and YUM! The scallion dry noodle is another great addtion to the line up. Simple on paper, but deeply satisfying in execution—fragrant scallion oil coating springy noodles, especially good when you add an egg on top for extra richness.

And of course, the Xiao long bao (pork soup dumplings). These come out piping hot, delicate, and packed with juicy broth—each bite is a little explosion of flavor. So good, so comforting, and exactly what you want from a proper Shanghai-style breakfast.

What makes this place special is how it elevates everyday comfort food into something memorable. It feels authentic, unfussy, and deeply satisfying—like the kind of meal that locals quietly treasure. Bottom line: absolutely worth a trip to Alhambra. Come hungry, bring friends, and enjoy!

Auntie Qiu Kitchen - Alhambra

📍 Details

Address: 16 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801
Phone: (626) 861-2330
Hours:
- Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Monday: Closed

PS) Okay, because we loved Auntie Qiu so much, we also tried out the original Arcadia location where we met Auntie herself. It's about 6 miles away. Same amazing food, and we liked the ambiance even more. Go to either one, but just go! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlaJ4fUgkes

Auntie Qiu Kitchen - Arcadia

📍 Details

Address: 16 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801
Phone: (626) 861-2330
Hours:
- Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00,
  5:00 PM – 8:30
- Monday: Closed

Flexner’s Family Fun Guide

The Huntington

Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

And just 9 minutes away from Auntie Qiu Kitchen is The Huntington, so the two together make a perfect day trip to Alhambra!

If you live anywhere near Los Angeles, chances are you’ve heard of The Huntington. And yet, it’s one of those places people somehow forget about—years go by between visits, life gets busy, and it quietly slips off the list. But the moment you return, you’re reminded: this place is extraordinary. It’s not just a garden—it’s an escape.

Spanning almost 120 acres, the botanical gardens encompass over a dozen themed areas, including the Japanese Garden (where little Dane is strolling above), Desert Garden, Chinese Garden (Liu Fang Yuan), and Rose Garden. Walking through the grounds feels almost transportive, like stepping into entirely different worlds without ever leaving the city. One moment you’re surrounded by shaded pathways and quiet ponds, the next you’re wandering into the desert garden where the cacti are so massive, so sculptural, they look almost prehistoric—like something out of a Jurassic landscape. The sheer size and strange, twisting shapes of these plants are mind-boggling.

And that’s part of what makes The Huntington so special. Despite being in the middle of a bustling urban area, it offers this rare sense of stillness. There’s a calm here that’s hard to find elsewhere—wide open spaces, rustling leaves, the occasional bird call, and long stretches where you can just breathe and slow down.

It’s also one of the best family outings you can plan. There’s something for everyone: wide paths for walking, endless gardens to explore, and enough variety to keep kids curious (and adults equally engaged). You can easily spend hours here—honestly, an entire day—and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface. We used to go quite a bit when the kids were little...they loved staring at the koi fish in the Japanese garden, splashing around in the Children's Garden, and burning off energy running in the wide open spaces.

What makes it especially memorable is how immersive it is. You’re not just observing nature—you’re inside it. Whether it’s the lush greenery, the serene water features, or the dramatic desert landscape, every section feels intentional and distinct.

And then there’s that quiet realization as you leave: why don’t I come here more often?

📍 Visitor Information

Address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Wednesday–Monday), closed Tuesdays
Admission:
- Adults: about $29–$34
- Seniors/Students: about $24–$28
- Children (4–11): about $13–$15
- Under 4: Free
https://www.huntington.org

Erik and Jenna’s

Entertainment Picks

All Her Fault

A limited series of 8 binge-worthy episodes - (by Jenna)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9y_QvRwu64

If you’re looking for your next binge-worthy obsession—the kind that keeps you up insisting “just one more episode”— All Her Fault deserves a spot on your list. Available to stream on Peacock, it is one of those juicy shows that locks you in from the first episode, and there’s an underlying tension that never really lets up. Every time you think you’ve got a handle on where it’s going, something shifts, and it genuinely keeps you leaning forward, fully invested.

What begins as a missing-child mystery quickly becomes something deeper. The series uses its central crisis to explore motherhood, gender roles, and marriage—examining the expectations placed on women, the quiet pressures of family life, and how easily blame can be assigned when those roles feel threatened. It’s not just about what happened, but about who is expected to answer for it.

Strong, emotionally grounded performances from Sarah Snook, Dakota Fanning, and Michael Peña anchor the show, making each twist land with real weight.The pacing is tight,

and with each episode there’s always just enough left unresolved to make stopping feel like a bad decision. I came upon the show by accident and planned to watch one episode, and the next thing I knew it was 3:00 in the morning!

Rather than offering easy answers, the series leans into ambiguity, encouraging you to sit with uncomfortable questions about responsibility and truth. It’s a crime drama that lingers—not because of what it solves, but because of what it reveals. It's not a perfect show...it can lean a little "soapy" at times, and there may be a few holes here and there, but all in all, it is a riveting watch.

Add it to your queue—just be prepared to lose some sleep!

We love hearing from past clients, and meeting new ones! We are happy to be a resource for any real estate needs, so don't hesitate to reach out.

Until the next adventure,

- Erik & Jenna

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