Meet Pargoal Arab | Food and Travel Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pargoal Arab and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pargoal, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from California, but my family is from Iran. I grew up in two cultures, which influenced my upbringing. Food plays a role in this because my family’s food was different from outside (American food).

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am currently a student, but on the side, I love blogging about my food and travel adventures. I have always love food, traveling, and taking photos. With photos, I like to capture the moment. While attending school in Los Angeles, I begun exploring dessert and trendy places in Los Angeles as a study break. I really enjoyed taking pictures of the desserts and started posting them on my Instagram stories. Then it became cafes and brunch places. My college friends came along, which was memorable. However, in 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, I had so many food pictures that I just decided to make entire Instagram to my foodie journeys. In December 2020, I officially started my foodie Instagram, @pastelfoodiediaries. Since then, I have been running the account. I added a travel component as well, so now it is a food and travel account. From this, I learned that I love telling my story and life journey via food and travel.
One of the challenges is adjusting your account to the new trends of Instagram/TikTok such as the shift from photos to reels. I think as a creator, it is important to evolve with the trends while still staying true to yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First , I would ask for their top priorities of the trip, which everyone has their own while traveling. Based on their suggestions, I will create an itinerary. I would also research the top tourist sites, restaurants, etc. Then I would ask them which ones are their preferences.
In the Los Angeles context,
I would dedicate each day to a part of LA since it is spread out.
One day in West Hollywood
– Brunch at The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker
– Walk around Melrose
– Coffee Break at Carrera Cafe
– thrifting
One day in Malibu
– Getty Villa
– wine tasting
– Walk around the pier
One day in Westwood/Beverly Hills
– Explore UCLA
– Lunch at Hangry’s Moon
– Have dessert at Saffron and Rose
– Walk around Beverly Hills
One day in downtown LA
– The Broad
– Lunch at Grand Central Market
One day in North Hollywood
etc.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family. Growing up, my dad ran a pizza business, which I worked at for a few years. This made me appreciate food and small businesses. Food plays a role in this because my family’s food was different from outside (American food). This made me appreciate different cultures and cuisines. This allowed me to try new cuisines. This eventually inspired me to travel to new places and try new things.

Instagram: @pastelfoodiediaries

Image Credits
Personal Photo:
Carette in Paris, France
Additional Photos:
Broad Street Dough Co. in Encinitas, CA
Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon, Portugal
Tatte Bakery and Cafe in DC
Iron Teapot Dim Sum and Bar in Culver City, CA
The English Rose Cafe and Tea Shop in London, UK
Kumonocha Cafe Kyoto in Kyoto, Japan
Sweet Moments in New York, NY