In Love with San Diego

Salt & Cleaver

2013-05-21T15:59:00.001-07:00

Spring is in the air,

and flowers are not the only things blooming!

New restaurants are popping up all over San Diego,

and I am on a mission to visit as many of them as possible.

Salt & Cleaver has been open for barely a week,

but it's already gathering some great reviews from the locals.

The concept is simple -

pick your wiener, and dress it up however you like.

For those who have a hard time making choices,

there are some pre-picked favorites that are bound to tickle your fancy.

I stopped by the sausage fest during lunch time,

and was able to sample a few different combinations by ordering family style with my buddies.

(always the best route when dining out)

The crowd favorite was definitely the Duck.Duck.Pig from the protected list,

with the IPA Bratwurst coming in close second.

The cucumber fries were not quite what I expected, but interesting nevertheless,

but the real money maker were the S&C fries.

In my opinion, the options are already pretty good,

considering that the full menu hasn't even rolled out yet.

Already planning a comeback during happy hour, to sample some beer from S&C's impressive list,

and I obviously wont be able to sleep until I get my hands on that Lobster Roulade.

Duck.Duck.Pig - duck & bacon sausage, crispy duck confit, bacon-aze, orange marmalade, house bun.

IPA Bratwurst - smoked pork sausage, malted sauerkraut, roasted peppers, smoked brown ale mustard, pretzel bun.
Cucumber FriesFresh - cold cucumber spears. Served with Tzatziki.

Mild Italian - garlic and fennel pork sausage, blistered cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto, toasted pine nuts.
S&C Fries - twice fried, skin on. Served with S&C sauce.

Salt & Cleaver

3805 Fifth Ave.

Hillcrest, San Diego, CA

Double Date Night

2013-05-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

Date nights are fun,

but you know what's even more fun?

DOUBLE date nights.

Last weekend the husband and I decided to take a break from our kitchen renovation project from hell,

to go out for some dinner/movie action.

Our friends met up with us for some pre-dinner cocktails <reads: a couple of bottles of wine>,

and then we were off to the beatiful land of La Jolla.

Our dinner destination for the evening was Amaya,

the newest addition to the glitzy pavement of Prospect Street.

Little sister to her namesake at the Grand Del Mar,

Amaya Jr. had quite a reputation to live up to.

The theme?

Dressed up American without the dress code.

"Soooo.. what do I wear?", asked the husband.

In reality, the place is very nice -

a type of joint where you don't necessarily want to stumble into after a day of beach lounging at the adjacent La Jolla Cove.

But, to be fair, it's not stuffy..

Picture the scene from the restaurant where Jack Nicholson takes Helen Hunt in As Good as it Gets,

one of my all time favorite movies, right before he gives her the greatest compliment ever.

No, Amaya is not like that at all.

It's classy enough to impress a fancy-pants date, yet there are no table cloths, meaning - no jackets required.
Perfect.

One of the great benefits of doubling your party size, (besides great company, of course),
is the fact that you get to order twice as many dishes, which means you get to try more items from the menu!
Unless your friends don't like to share... in which case you may want to look into new friends.
Luckily, this scenario worked out in our favor,
and after ordering a few bottles of wine and a good range of items from the menu we were all happy and stuffed.
Some standouts?
The sweetbreads were very tender, and the duck with the cornbread puree? Spectacular!
I was a little dissapointed with the fried quail,
which I've heard people raving about on multiple occasions.
It wasn't bad by any means, but I wouldn't call it groundbreaking either.
Tasted... well.. just like chicken.

Sautéed Skate Wing and Veal Sweetbreads - Braised Romaine, Veal Jus

My dress and clutch are both from ASOS.

Buttermilk Fried Quail - Smoked Mac and Cheese, Coleslaw

Angus Beef Carpaccio - Pickled Vegetables, Parmesan

Friday Special: Lightly Breaded Market Fish - Hush Puppies, Tartar Sauce

Cheddar-Herb Biscuits, Jalapeño Cornbread and Deviled Eggs served with every order of the Daily Rustic Southern Specials

Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast - Cornbread Purée, Butter Beans

After a well-fulfilled meal, and some excellent conversation,
we proceeded to the Arclight Cinemas in La Jolla.
It was our first time to this theater,
and although it's not as glamorous as Cinepolis Del Mar,
they still had a bar that offered up stiff cocktails and assigned seating which just takes the average movie-going experience to a whole other level.
Our movie of choice?
The Great Gatsby.
Can I just say that I am so sad to hear that it's been getting mixed reviews?
I thought it was amaaazing.
The glitz, the glam.. the hard contrast between the classes.. all there!
And Leo? In 3D?
Case closed.
Best movie of the year!

Breathe

2013-05-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

The last 24 hours have been rough..

I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say I needed to escape my daily life and gain some perspective...

to breathe in some fresh air.

So I called in sick, packed up by babe, and headed out to my favorite dog beach.

The warm sun rays and the calming ocean breeze was just what I needed.

Thanks San Diego. I love you.

Two for One Special

2013-05-03T16:01:00.002-07:00

May Gray my butt.

I'm happy to report that San Diego has been going through a little heat wave for the past two days,

and it's been 95 and GORGEOUS.

And who wants to be stuck inside when it's so nice out?

Not me!

My bestie and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather,

so we met up for cocktails right after work last night.

Destination: Polite Provisions,

the shiny new product brought to us by Consortium Holdings,

the same peeps that spoil us with Craft & Commerce, Noble Experiment, Underbelly and Neighborhood.

Love all those spots, and Polite Provisions is no exception.

Packed with hipsters to the brim, this place is cool.

As we made our way past the plaid shirts and suspenders, I was immediately smitten by the decor.

The open air ceilings may have been my favorite part,

letting a nice breeze and great lighting into the place, while we pondered over which cocktail to indulge in.

We let the crafty mixologists entertain us for a while, until we got hungry,

and that's where the second part of the story begins.

The Swine A La Carte - smoked pork with chipotle and pepperjack

Mac & Cheese and Asparagus

Right next door to Polite Provisions, is a tiny little meatball shop called Soda & Swine.

No, you can't order food directly from the bar, because after all, they're two separate businesses,

and one of these things is not like the other as far as liquor licensing goes.

BUT,

what you can do, is politely cover your cocktail with a napkin,

cross your fingers that you won't get roofied,

and walk over next door to place your order.

Grab your number and bring it right back to the bar.

The nice thing is that they will bring your meal over and even allow you to take your time as you slowly shovel all this glorious food into your mouth.

A few hours later, and you'll be as giddy as the two fools pictured below.

Definitely recommend this place!

Polite Provisions

4696 30th Street

North Park, CA 92116

Soda & Swine

2943 Adams Avenue

North Park, CA 92116

Love a Hero

2013-05-02T15:52:00.001-07:00

Ladies!

Get excited, because on May 10th,

Block No. 16 will host a bachelor auction benefitting Love a Hero,

a nonprofit charity organization honoring service people who risk their lives to save others,

by providing assistance like scholarships, relief during grievance periods, grants, counseling,

and other charitable programs for them and their families.

Need more convincing?

Christopher Lynch, Cosmopolitan's Bachelor of the Year and Selma Alameri from this past season of ABC's The Bachelor will emcee the night.

Guests will enjoy drink and food specials, live music, dancing and a chance to win a date with San Diego's hottest bachelors.

Do you need a better excuse to check out some eligible hotties?!

Didn't think so.

I know you're as excited as I am.

Plan your outfit, do your nails, and I'll see you at Block 16 next Friday!

The Baked Bear

2013-04-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

I'll start this post off by saying that I'm not a sweets person.

Say wha?

That's right.. given a choice between salty and sweet,

I'll choose something savory 98% of the time.

That's just how I roll.

But there is that 2%..

And once that rare craving comes over me,

I now know where I'll be heading.

The Baked Bear,

an artisan cookie and ice cream sandwich parlor,

is hitting San Diego on Saturday, May 4, 2013 with a grand opening celebration,

bringing customizable desserts to beach-goers and locals all year long.

The brainchild of a lifelong ambition between San Diego natives and best friends Shane Stanger and Rob Robbins,

The Baked Bear offers a modern take on an old-fashioned ice cream sandwich with made-to-order combinations of baked in-house gourmet cookies and California-crafted ice cream flavors.

Waffle and brownie ice cream sandwiches, creamy milkshakes and chocolate dipped bananas are also on the menu.

I had an opportunity to try out a yummy combo for myself,

when I dropped by the ice cream shop last week to chat with Rob and Shane.

I can tell you first hand that these sandwiches are delish!

I had the boys concoct me a combo from a tutti-frutti and snicker doodle cookies,

held together with strawberry cheesecake ice-cream.

It was a perfect treat to take along for a walk on the boardwalk on a sunny San Diego day.

The grand opening celebration is Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.;

the store will remain open for normal business hours, until 2 a.m.

The event will allow guests to sample scrumptious confections as they benefit the Drew Kurtzman Foundation,

a nonprofit organization formed to help those suffering from Muscular Dystrophy.

This foundation was started in honor of Robbins and Stanger's close friend who suffered from this disease before passing away in 2010 at the age of 20.

A portion of the proceeds from the opening weekend will be donated to this organization that was founded in San Diego.

So mark your calendars boys and girls!

Hit the beach this Saturday and be sure to treat yourself for a good cause.

ArtWalk

2013-04-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Do you know the forecast for San Diego this weekend?

Well, in case you're not aware, it's bound to be perfect - seventies and sunny.

So why not take advantage and head down to Little Italy for the 29th annual ArtWalk,

Southern California's largest fine arts festival.

This is a free event that fills 17 blocks of San Diego's most charming neighborhood with more than 350 visual artists.
I had a chance to get a little preview of the festivities at the VIP reception this past Wednesday.
The event took place at the gorgeous Westgate Hotel in downtown,
and showcased pieces from just a few of the participating artists.
Attendees had a chance to hear from some key ArtWalk sponsors,
all whilst sipping on free wine and munching on tray-passed hors d'oeuvres.
I couldn't think of a better way to spend my hump day.

San Diego City Council President, Todd Gloria.

Gorgeous decor inside of the Westgate Hotel lobby.

Perhaps a few glasses of vino too many? Never!

ArtWalk will be going on April 27 & 28, 2013, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m..
Admission is FREE.
Hope to see you there!

I Dream of Kitchen

2013-04-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

All photos via, via, and via.

My life has been consumed lately,

with all things kitchen-related.

We officially started our remodel last week,

and it. is. exhausting!

To say the least.

These are a few images that have been sitting pretty in my pinspiration board for the past year...

We're going with neutral tones to achieve a clean and spacious effect.

I cook A LOT, so practicality and efficiency was a big part of our design.

And although this project is seriously testing my patience,

I'm also enjoying being actively involved in every step of the process.

The hubby and I personally picked out every single detail of this kitchen,

and I cannot WAIT to see the finished product!

I'll be sure to post some before and after photos as soon as it's all done,

but in the meantime,

I have to get back to the construction zone.

L.A. Quickie

2013-04-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

Jumping on our suite bed at Hotel Roosevelt. Girls just want to have fun.

Gorgeous interior of our hotel.

Sneaking off during dinner at The Bazaar to take shameless bathroom pics.

Incredible dinner by Jose Andres.

Food captions, clockwise, starting from top left:

Jamon Iberico, fried farm egg with truffle butter//"Philly Cheesesteak" air bread, cheddar, Wagyu beef// Seared Mary's Farm Chicken, honey dates, mustard caviar// Braised Wagyu beef cheeks, California citrus.

Dirty dancing at Teddy's.

Tourist time at LACMA.

Too much fun with my bestie.
I was wearing: Velvet jumper, H&M leather pants, Karen Millen booties, Alexander McQueen scarf as a turban, Chanel bag.

Amazing desserts at Bottega Louie.

Poolside drinks at The Standard Hollywood.
I'm clearly wearing too much clothing.

Decadent dinner at The Aventine.
Must try: Margherita Pizza and Lasagna. So good!

A few weeks ago I spent 24 whirlwind hours in L.A.

Based on the photos above, I would say that we were very efficient with our time.

Just another reason I love living in Southern Cali - when you need a change of pace, just hop into a car,

and two hours later you'll find yourself in a whole new world.

Weekend Diary

2013-04-09T11:30:00.001-07:00

I don't have too many photos to share today,

because 85% of this weekend was spent inside the house.

It may sound lame, but the hubby and I seriously needed some down time.

We're on the go so much, that sometimes, it's the little things in life that make me happiest.

Cooking elaborate meals, catching up on my favorite shows (btw, who watched the Mad Men season premiere?! so good!)..

Speaking of cooking - we are making progress on our kitchen remodel, which makes me one happy girl!

It's the last part of the house that we need to upgrade, and obviously the most important.

On Saturday we ordered all our new appliances, so now we can focus on building all the cabinets, picking out backsplash and tile for the floor, and all the other fun stuff.

I've been pinning photos onto my pinspiration board for a while now, and can't wait to see how it all turns out.
I'll be sure to post some before and after pictures as soon as the whole thing is complete.

There were other developments this weekend too...

The huzband and I officially booked our next trip!

In less than two months we are going... to... ASIA!

I could not be more excited.

Neither of us have really been to this part of the world before,

and my imagination is running wild as I plan out all the details.
We'll be gone for a little over two weeks,

during which time we plan to cover the following countries:

Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore.

All I can think about are elephants and tigers, delicious cuisine and gorgeous beaches.. oh my!

Does anyone have any recommendations or travel tips for any of the places listed above?

I'd love to hear from you!

Hawaii Withdrawals

2013-04-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

I know I may live in one of the most beautiful cities in the nation,

and I know that the beach is easily accessible any time I want it,

but there's just nothing like the carefree feeling of being on vacation.

And today I miss that feeling. A lot.

The video above is a compilation of random clips that we collected during our time in Honolulu last month.

I love vacation videos, and have to constantly remind myself to film rather than just snap away during our time off.

Either way.. I truly enjoy looking back on these moments of pure bliss,

and I hope you find it as a welcome distraction.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend!

Winning

2013-04-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

Did you guys watch The Taste this season?

If your answer is no, then I'm sorry to tell you that you missed out on some good tv.

Don't worry.. there's always next season {fingers crossed}.

The show is based on the same concept as The Voice,

except instead of singing, the contestants must prepare dishes that are judged in a blind taste.

The judges?

Check this out - the show featured no-holds barred chef Anthony Bourdain, British food star Nigella Lawson, expert chef and author Ludo Lefebvre and last, but not least, my foodie crush and restaurateur Brian Malarkey.

Eight episodes later, guess who ended up winning the whole shebang?

Chef Khriristianne Uy, who was mentored by San Diego's favorite chef - Mr. Malarkey himself!

To celebrate, the dynamic duo paired up to bring a sample of The Taste to three of Malarkey's restaurants:

Gabardine, Searsucker and Burlap.

Of course I had to make it to at least one of the events,

and after much deliberation,

I decided to pay a visit to Burlap, a place where I've had a fabulous time in the past, as described here and here.

The meal was comprised of an amazing five-course menu that we decided to pair with corresponding drink tastings.

Amuse Bouche - the sexiest oyster shooter I've ever consumed.

Lamb Poutine, petite basque, with triple cooked fries.

Adobo Chicken Liver Arancini with onion confit.

Mussels with chorizo, coconut broth, chilies, and garlic mops.

Braised Oxtail with pea risotto, pea tendrils, charred onions.

Not pictured are the crispy brussels sprouts and "ears",

that were simply inhaled within mere seconds.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for Khristianne -

she's such a talented chef, and I'm so happy she won!

Burlap

12995 El Camino Real

Del Mar, CA 92130

Oh Yum Oahu

2013-03-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

To make up for our active lifestyle in Hawaii last month,

we decided to spoil ourselves rotten with the most decadent meals we can get our hands on.

So what if we had to be in bathing suits every day?

This food was seriously worth it.

On our first night on the island we decided to go as big as it gets,

and a fifteen course omakase dinner was just what the doctor ordered.

The chefs at Sushi Sasabune proceeded to feed us the freshest seafood that we could have ever asked for.

From squid stuffed with blue crab to the famous negi toro hand rolls,

every bite was absolutely delicious.

This was not just a dinner,

this was an experience.

If you ever plan on visiting Sasabune, be prepared to spend several hours learning how to eat, drink and be merry.

I must put a disclaimer out.. because this is not a cheap thrill.

Our bill for four people was a hefty $800,

although that did include plenty of liqueur, and in my opinion, the best type of happy ending - a satisfied tummy!

________________________________________________________

As soon as I started posting Hawaii pictures on Instagram and Twitter,

I recieved a whole slew of "foodie" recommendations from both locals, and from friends who spent a fair share of time on the island.

Thanks guys! There's nothing better than checking out a place that's been tried and tested.

One common term that kept reappearing was malasadas.

Now I'm not going to lie, I wasn't even sure what these things were,

but all I knew is that I had to go to Leonard's to get the best ones in Honolulu.

So we went, and boy were these things yummy!

What are they, you ask?

From what I was told, malasadas are yeast donuts of Portuguese origin,

rich with eggs, butter and milk.

In other words, little balls of goodness...

a perfect substitute for breakfast.

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Oxtail Empanadas - tomato, golden raisin chutney

Brown Butter Gnocchi - house pancetta, garlic puree, charred tomatoes, lemon confit, manchego, oyster mushrooms

Charcuterie Board - chef's selection

Do you like bacon, salami, ham, and everything else that has to do with pork?

Yes?

Well I have just the place for you.

Salt is a perfect combination of modern, hip and upscale.

The food is rich and delicious,

and the ambiance is fitting for any type of night.

Take your date upstairs for a romantic evening,

or grab a place at the bar and enjoy the hustle and the bustle that happens all around you.

No matter where you find a spot,

just be sure to try as many things off the menu as possible.

You won't be disappointed.

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Fish Tacos - grilled fish with Cajun seasoning, flour tortillas, tomatillo sauce, guacamole, pico de gallo

Calamari - seasoned panko breading with lemon caper aioli

Mac Nut Chicken Katsu - served with guava and lilikoi-honey mustard sauces, steamed rice and macaroni salad

If you're vacationing in Honolulu, you're bound to spend at least one full day wandering around Waikiki.

Do us both a favor, and stop in for a lunch break at Duke's, one of Hawaii's main staples.

This place has everything one can ask for from a beach hut -

offering seating right by the water,

with yummy local favorites to go along with that mai tai.

I can personally say that Duke's Katsu chicken was the BEST I've ever had.

Nom.

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The mister and I have developed a little tradition,

whereby we like to say goodbye to our latest vacation with a decadent dinner.

We're so glad that on this trip, our friends were there to partake in the festivities.

Chef Mavro was a perfect choice to send us off in style.

Our group decided that a four-course dinner with wine pairings was a perfect choice,

so we sat, we dined, and we reminisced about the amazing time we had over the past five days.

It was a perfect farewell to paradise.

Carnitas Snack Shack

2013-03-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend I spent a night in LA LA Land for a girls getaway with my bestie.

More about Hollywood later..

Today I want to tell you about how nice it was to come back to the beautiful, smog-free streets of San Diego,

and to eat the most gluttonous, delicious meal I could get my paws on.

Carnitas Snack Shack has been getting A TON of foodie buzz lately,

and I'm a little ashamed to admit that it's taken me this long to finally check it out.

Better late than never though, right?

And yes, this place was worth the hour-long wait because let's face it,

the weather couldn't have been better and the food really is that good.

I'm not the only one who thinks so either -

the restaurant was voted as the #1 restaurant in North Park,

and included in the Top Ten San Diego Restaurants in Zagat's 2013 survey.

Not bad for a shack, eh?

So what's the big deal, anyway?

Let's put it this way.. sometimes it's just really hard to be simply great.

The key word here is simple.

There are typically only ten things on the menu, which by the way, changes daily,

so please don't get mad at me if you get attached to one of the items you see below.

The decor is not anything to get worked up about either,

but it all just fits - the outdoor seating, the paper napkins...

This place may not scream romance,

but then again, it's a pretty safe bet that if the girl you're dating isn't ashamed to down a giant pork sandwich in front of you, she's probably a keeper.

Triple Threat Pork Sandwich - pork loin schnitzel/ pulled pork/ bacon/ pepperoncini-pickle relish/ shack aioli

Baby Back Ribs - served with tator tots

Under all that lettuce lies the most delicious burger I've had in a LONG time..
Snack Shack Burger - lettuce/ tomato/ bacon jam/ white cheddar/ shack aioli

Side of Fries - with homemade ketchup

And for the grand finale, please do yourself a favor and indulge in a Bacon Crunch Bar.
So. Stinkin. Good.

Carnitas Snack Shack

2632 University Avenue

San Diego, CA 92104

Postcards from Hawaii - Part II

2013-03-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

The second installment of our Hawaii photos offers a glimpse into some of our island adventures.
We were so happy to have our best friends along with us during this trip,
because together we were constantly out and about, being active and getting into just a little bit of trouble.
One morning, we decided to go on a hike up to Manoa Falls,
one of the easier trails that led through a rainforest on to a beautiful, lush waterfall.

Looks like a scene straight out of Jurassic Park, doesn't it?

In tropical climates, you have to be ready for anything,

so when a monsoon passed over and soaked us during our descent, we decided that the best thing to do was to head straight to the beach and dry off naturally.

We drove back to Kailua beach that afternoon, because we simply couldn't get enough of the gorgeous sights from the day prior.

On the way there we stopped by Tamura's to pick up a few pounds of the most delicious fresh ahi to enjoy by the water.

Once at Kailua, we thought of an even better idea.

We rented two tandem kayaks and paddled out to a smaller island, away from all the tourists, where we set up a little picnic area and soaked in the sun.

Pure bliss!

We spent the whole next day snorkeling around Hanauma Bay,
taking breaks in between water sessions to take naps on the beach and fuel up with mimosas.

Can every day be vacation please?!

All decked out in Hawaiian flowers after finally getting leid :)

Rama Thai

2013-03-19T16:23:00.002-07:00

This weekend I was invited to come and check out the menu at RAMA,

a fine Thai restaurant, located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.

I got so excited when I recieved the offer because this is actually my favorite Thai joint in all of San Diego,

and the husband and I used to come here all the time when we lived downtown.

The experience was like a little walk down memory lane.... with delicious food included!

The ambiance of the restaurant is perfect for a date night -

the booths in the main dining room are strategically covered with sheer liners, the light is romantically dim, and the DJ is regularly spinning the right jams.

Once we were told to pick whatever we wanted from the menu,

we were like little kids in a candy store.

I'm happy to report that ALL of our selections exceeded our expectations!

Yum Salad - with chili, mint, basil, cherry tomatoes, onions and shrimp

Shaking Beef - cubed rib-eye with cherry tomatoes, onions and shallots

Spicy Basil Lobster - lobster tails stir fried with basil, onions, bell peppers, and fresh thai chili

Sticky rice with mango for dessert!

Erik and I had such a great experience,

and we can't wait to come back the next time we're craving Thai food!

Postcards from Hawaii - Part I

2013-03-15T09:55:00.001-07:00

You may have seen through my Instagram feed that I was in Hawaii a few weeks ago.

It was kind of a spur of the moment decision..

we saw a flash sale on flights, somehow finangled our friends into coming along, booked a condo on the beach, and boom,

we're sunning our fannies on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Erik and I have been to Hawaii a couple of times before,

so the loveliness of the tropics wasn't too much of a surprise for us.

My friend on the other hand, was a Hawaii virgin,

so we opted to participate in all the touristy goodness that Oahu has to offer.

The photos above capture some moments from the first two days of our stay.

Gorgeous sunrises over Diamondhead, crystal clear water of Kailua beach, traditional Luau at Germaine's, and long walks along Waikiki beach... that's what life is made for.

Oh and that last snapshot?

Yeaahh... that's our expression after getting struck by a monsoon after dinner one night.

Welcome to the tropics baby!

Weekend Diary

2013-03-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

Where on earth does the time go?

Another weekend came and went,

and although it flew by really quickly,

we still took advantage of every minute.

This weekend I:

-Celebrated Friday with a yummy seafood feast at Oceanaire.

The Oyster bar is one of the best in San Diego (mental note to come back for happy hour soon),

and the ahi salad pictured below was super fresh and delicious.

-After dinner on Friday, my bestie and I walked over a block (in the rain!) to Fluxx for a little dirty dancing.

Can't tell you much about that night, because I honestly don't remember..

All I know is that we had a fabulous time.

-On Saturday Erik and I went up north to celebrate my mother in-law's birthday and to play in the SNOW.

How beautiful is this?

Love getting away for a little R&R, even if only for a day.

-Sunday was definitely a fun day!

The mister and I teamed up with our best friends to participate in the San Diego Challenge,

an Amazing Race type of event that had us chasing down clues all around downtown.

If you ever have a chance to participate in an event like this, do it!

Just think of it as a giant scavenger hunt.

-And although we didn't even come close to winning,

the four of us decided that we should still reward ourselves for our efforts with an extravagant meal.

It just so happened that one of my favorite restaurants, Gabardine, was hosting a special four-course dinner with wine pairings from Laird Family Estate that night, so we decided to go for it.

It was such a phenomenal experience!

Brian Malarkey's young chef proteges prepared a feast from some of my favorite foods,

that went along pefectly with the wine.

Fresh oysters, tender lamb, decadent blue cheese strata... yum!

I'm drooling just thinking about it.

The amount of wine we consumed was definitely too indulgent for a Sunday night,

especially when we had to lose an hour of sleep the next morning before work (side eye time-change deciders).

So worth it though!

How was your weekend?!

Bruges, Belgium

2013-03-08T14:39:00.001-08:00

Chocolate temptation on every corner!

Christmas spirit all year round. Perfect!

Just a typical Sunday afternoon performance in the park....

Oh Bruges.. you're better than a fairy tale.

This tiny city was our last stop during our latest trip to Europe last year.

I'm so glad that we dedicated a day to make it out there.

It felt like we stepped back into history the minute the train stopped.

Sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North",

Bruges has been gaining notoriety as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belgium over the past few years.

And it's no wonder why!

This place is absolutely gorgeous.

Have you ever been?

If not, I recommend you add it to your wander list immediately!

Weekend Diary

2013-03-05T22:32:00.000-08:00

After a jam-packed month of traveling, it was really nice to spend a few days in my beautiful city.

This weekend I:

-Attended two different art shows in one night with my bestie.

The first event, The World of Caleb Aero: An Exploration of Aerosol Art got us a little high off the fumes,

while the artist demonstrated his technique at the beautiful Andaz Hotel.

It was all in good fun of course.

It's always impressive to watch artists at work.. their passion is contagious.

Before heading to Vin De Syrah for the next show, Underground Art Walk,

we decided to stop by the Pussycat Dollhouse for some little pick-me-up cocktails.

The show itself was just as good as I thought it would be,

filled with a showcase of pieces by various artists and live music.

The remainder of the weekend was filled with mellow dinners at our friends' houses,

family time, and housework.

The mister and I decided to reward ourselves on Sunday, with brunch at one of my favorite San Diego restaurants, Herringbone,

and some time at the beach.

The weather this weekend was unbelievably perfect.

Who can complain about 80 degrees on the coast in February?!

My niece and nephew at Mission Beach. Picture perfect.

All in all, this weekend was absolutely perfect!

How was yours??

Brussels, Belgium

2013-03-02T16:47:00.000-08:00

Not going to lie.. I wasn't sure I wanted to write this post,

but my optimistic side prevailed.

Our memories of Brussels will always be bittersweet (at least until our next visit).

A beautiful city that we almost missed out on because we wanted to spend the last two days of our vacation balling our eyes out over this incident.

But I'm so glad that we sucked it up and went exploring.

Brussels is truly gorgeous.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this place,

mainly because Belgium was our last destination after more than two weeks of traveling, and I had no energy left to plan out any more details besides our hotel and transportation;

AND, because when I asked my parents about their experience in this country from more than 15 years ago,

their response was less than enthusiastic.. something about dog poop everywhere..

Well, apparently a lot could change in 15 years, because once we hit the pavement on the streets of Brussels,

I was blown off my feet by the city's beauty.

The French influence is very strong in this part of the country,

yet there is still the small-town feel to it, that makes Brussels oh so charming.

Smitten!

Erik and I stayed at the Le Meridien Bruxelles,

which was wonderfully luxurious, and situated perfectly in the center of the city.

Besides the beautiful sunsets, we were consoled with extra helpings of Belgian beer and waffles,

which were of course, amazing!

Amsterdam Yummies

2013-02-28T11:36:00.000-08:00

The food situation in Amsterdam is a good one, my friends.

When you're not busy stuffing yourself with french fries,

(the hardest part of sight-seeing in Amsterdam is not caving into the temptation of the french fry stand on every corner),

treat yourself to a great meal at any of these restaurants and you won't be sorry.

Let's start with the traditional cuisine first, shall we?

If you want an authentic Dutch experience,

I would highly recommend Restaurant Greetje.

We kicked the night off with Greetje's Big Beginning for two,

which is basically a giant presentation of all the appetizers on the restaurant's menu.

A lot of the dishes were different from anything we've ever tried before,

and the thin sliced pastrami of "Beemster" lamb with duck liver curls were unbelievably tasty.

For the main course, Erik opted for the tri-tip while I indulged in a veal cheek...

Wow.

The most tender piece of meat I've ever had in my mouth.

The cheek that is. Pervs.

Definitely worth a visit!

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Insalata con agnello al rosmarino e carciofi - salad with lamb, rosemary and artichokes

Pizza al carpaccio - with tomatoes, rocket salad, mozzarella cheese and thinly sliced fillet of beef

Fettuccine nere con capesanti, coda di gamberi e scalogno - black fettuccine with scallops, shrimps and small onions

After lots of walking on a blustery day, there's really nothing better than some comfort food.

One of my girlfriends who recently visited Amsterdam highly recommended Casa di David,

for their quatro formaggi pizza and an outstanding wine list.

Everything was so delicious! Just what we needed to warm our bellies and carb-load for another half-day of walking.

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On our last day in the Netherlands, we wanted to treat ourselves to a fancy farewell.

I have read amazing reviews about Restaurant De Kas, but I'll be honest, I wasn't ready for what this green house had to offer.

After our cab dropped us off on Middenweg, we followed a footbridge through a park until we saw the glass structure of the restaurant.

I got so excited the second I smelt the organic essence from the garden before it was even in sight.

Situated in Frankendael Park, between the Rembrandt Tower and the nineteenth century facades of Watergraafsmeer,

De Kas is an oasis of calm for the fifty-thousand guests who dine there each year;

either in the breathtaking dining room designed by Piet Boon,

or - if weather permits - outside in the herb garden.

The menu is created daily, based on the harvest of their own nursery.

The cooking style is inspired by the Mediterranean, the presentation was simple yet stylish, and the flavors light and exciting.

The concept, the design, the food... everything was absolutely exquisite.

I still dream about this place, and will definitely be back one day.

Underground Art Walk

2013-02-26T15:46:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

Sorry I've gone MIA again..

had to step away from the blog for a while, to visit a little island by the name of Honolulu.

The tropical getaway was just what I needed,

and now I'm back in full swing and ready to party!

Want to join?

I'll be heading downtown in a few days for another "Thirsty Thursday" session.

This week, my girlfriend and I are planning to hit up Vin De Syrah,

one of my favorite spots in the Gaslamp,

to check out the Underground Art Walk event.

I've been on the lookout for a perfect art piece for our living room for quite some time,

so when Lauren Turton, one of the featured artists, contacted me about coming to the event, I couldn't say no.

The show will start at 7 p.m. and will feature art from Lauren (check out some of her images below), and other great artists,

as well as live music by Maria De La Paz.

Sounds like it's going to be an amazing night.

Hope to see you there!

I Amsterdam

2013-02-18T15:29:00.001-08:00

Hey remember when I went to Europe last year?

Yeah.. I still haven't finished telling you all about it.

Ooopsie.

We spent three fun-filled days in Amsterdam,

doing... a lot of things that are probably not appropriate to mention on this blog.

Certain things I can recommend though:

1. Rent a bike and pedal your way through this gorgeous city.

It may be a little intimidating at first,

simply because of the overwhelming amount of bicycles every where you look.

That, coupled with cars, trolleys and pedestrians,

makes for a pretty tricky ride,

but I promise you'll soon get the hang of it and even find it quite enjoyable.

We started out with a bike tour to get into the groove, and it was a perfect intro to the culture.

2. Pay a visit to the Anne Frank museum.

Granted, you may walk out a few hours later in a pretty somber mood,

but the experience is a must and will leave you humbled and more appreciative of life.

3. Grab a street-side table at one of the numerous cafes around Dam Square,

and just people watch for a few hours.

It's pretty entertaining.

Or, join the rest of the crowd and get lost in one of the many tiny side streets of city center.

You're guaranteed to stumble across something interesting.

4. Get out at night and wander through the Red Light District.

No, you won't be considered a perv.

This is such a big part of the culture that you'll regret not seeing it with your own eyes.

Hop into one of the many bars, take an unknown shot, and chat with random strangers about just how gorgeous some of those window girls are.

5. Grab a seat along one of the canals and take in a stunning sunset.

Amsterdam is honestly one of the prettiest cities we've ever had a chance to visit.

I can't wait to go back!

Spread the love San Diego

2013-02-12T15:28:00.001-08:00

For Your Valentine

Pssst..

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

Do you have plans?

If you're attached, you probably fall within two categories:

A. You're in the honeymoon phase of your relationship, and you, along with your significant other, have an amazing evening planned down to a tee (flowers, dinnner, dancing..).

Let's be honest, ain't nobody got time for that.

B. You completely forgot about this convenient holiday, again, and are now scrambling to put something together last minute.

Alright, it's not always black or white.

The husband and I, for example, fall somewhere in between the two categories...

dinner reservations made, and that's about it.

"Let's just go with the flow" is our motto.

But if all signs point towards the second category for you,

don't fret!

San Diego has PLENTY of last minute options to help you sweep your luvah off his/her feet.

Below are just a few options for a guaranteed romantic gesture on any budget:

1. Dinner at Acqua al 2 - This restaurant, located in downtown San Diego, will be having a special Valentine’s Day menu.

Enjoy a sampler of five items from the first course list, soup, and salad, a choice of a main entrée, and a dessert selection for $60.00 per person.

2. Cups La Jolla personalized sweetheart cookies - Cups, located in downtown La Jolla, now has “sweethearts”-inspired organic cookies for Valentine’s Day.

These yummy treats are available in traditional organic or gluten free options.

Get creative and write your own message on each cookie!

$1.50 for the small and $2.50 for the big one.

3. Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill Take Home Pizza Kits - The restaurant will be selling their popular take home Valentine’s Day Pizza Kits beginning February 4th through 14th.

These kits provide an easy, fun, and enjoyable way to celebrate Valentine’s season.

Partial proceeds from all pizza kit sales to benefit the American Heart Association.

Sammy’s will also be hosting a photo contest on Instagram.

Customers are invited to upload their best heart-shaped pizza photo with the hashtag #iheartsammys and be entered to win dinner for two at any Sammy’s location.

Valentine’s Day Pizza kits start at only $6.50 each!

4. Dinner at TOAST Enoteca & Cucina - This East Village restaurant will be having a special Valentine’s Day menu.

Enjoy a sampler of five items from the first course list, soup, and salad, a choice of a main entrée, and a dessert selection for $45.00 per person.

For My Single Ladies

Single this year?

Chins up!

There is an awesome event going on this Thursday at the Andaz Hotel,

which involves cocktails, bachelors, and dancing.

Anyone in attendance will have an opportunity to bid on the bachelor of their choice,

and the best part is that you don't even have to feel guilty about spending money,

because 100% of the auction proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association

Go Red For Women Movement.

If you're having any doubts about attending,

check out some of the eye-candy you could potentially win a date with:

Mmmm kinda makes me wish I was single.

Just kidding, hah!

Interested? Click here to check out the rest of the bachelors and find more info about the event.

So. What are your plans for Valentine's Day this year?