Everyone has their own Best Husband Ever, but mine really is The Best. Aside from putting up with my everyday nonsense, he indulges me when I get an idea stuck in my head that inevitably involves a lot of heavy labor on his part. And he doesn’t even roll his eyes when I insist it won’t take long to complete.
Posted in backyard
Congrats to Faye, winner of the San Diego Restaurant Week dinners to Del Mar Rendezvous! I hope you enjoy your walnut shrimp! Mmm… walnut shrimp…
I thought it was interesting that Mary and Kirbie tried the walnut shrimp and soup dumplings and kung pao pork, too. But, I think they are dishes you kind of have to try. Obviously, if someone in San Diego has xiao long bao on the menu, you have to find out if they’re good or forgettable. Same with walnut shrimp. I’ve had some pretty terrible walnut shrimp dishes, so I’d consider it a small measure of overall quality if I’m served a really good version. I do admit that the walnut shrimp stuck in my head after reading that Mary’s was crispy and good.
In related news, Del Mar Rendezvous has provided a link if you’d like to sign up for their e-mail list. You’ll get a 20% off coupon for your first visit. It’s probably not valid during Restaurant Week, but you’re also getting a pretty good deal there, since their 3-course meal is only $30.
And now, we’re off to Portland for a mini trip. I have no idea what we’re going to see or do, or where we’ll end up eating (I have a list, but you know how those things go), but I’m sure we’ll have a blast. Also, our house is being looked after by friends, in case you were thinking of coming by and robbing us blind. Also, also, we just gave a bunch of stuff to Salvation Army since I’ve been on a clean and purge kick, so we’re running out of things to steal, anyway. If you’re going to steal a dog, please take the skinny white one.
Posted in food, giveaways, restaurants
Way back in 2011 (December), we celebrated our friend Jeff’s birthday at Alchemy. Not just for tasty bites, but for their whole suckling pig dinner. I heartily endorse this method of celebrating birthdays, since it involves a good group of friends and some really delicious food. I’m a fan of good food, in case you haven’t noticed. And since you need 8-10 people to really do this pig dinner right, a birthday seems like the perfect excuse to gather everyone up, which is exactly what his lovely wife Cami did.
Posted in food, restaurants
Disclosure: Our meal was complimentary but I was not compensated for this review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Sooo… happy New Year? I’m not really going to apologize for ignoring this blog for weeks on end. Life got busy, but the fun kind of busy, and life in the sunshine takes precedent over internet musings any day. Besides, I was just giving you plenty of time to go make your own tomato jam and candied jalapenos (which I have been enjoying with Brie and waffles as a lazy leftover lunch).
We’ve been doing a fair amount of eating out, thanks to hectic schedules, odd hot wing cravings, and restaurant coupon expiration dates (not all in the same visit). But the visits have been about eating, ending my hunger, and not really about blogging. But then Jennifer Jenkins at BAM Communications asked if I’d like to review the menu at Del Mar Rendezvous prior to San Diego Restaurant Week. I have to be honest, it’s been a couple of years since we’ve participated in SDRW. And we probably won’t make it this month, what with a short weekend trip out of town, my birthday, and a pending baby arrival (not mine!) I was also considering whether or not I wanted to review a restaurant in Del Mar, since we don’t really get up there very often (although, now that I work up there, it’s more feasible).
Spoiler alert: I accepted, we dined, and I’m so glad we did. You’ll be glad, too, since I now have a fun giveaway for you!
Posted in food, giveaways, restaurants
Similar to the jalapeno plants, tomatoes are always present in my summer garden. Beefsteak, heirlooms, cherry, and some sort of plum tomatoes are usually in the mix. Travis loves a good beefsteak tomato sliced onto a sandwich. I feel there’s nothing better than a warm, just-picked heirloom tomato drizzled with olive oil, sea salt, and a chiffonade of fresh basil from the garden. The cherry tomatoes are for salads or oven roasting with garlic (scooped up with crusty baguettes). And the plum tomatoes get crushed and canned or pureed into sauce. I’ve tried growing San Marzano varieties and they don’t do well, so I just stick with the hearty plum tomato starts from the nursery.
