Bodega Noemia de Patagonia ‘A Lisa’ malbec, Patagonia Argentina 2010. Glass $12
Toast, Oakland CA
We were spending a day in the East Bay and ended up at Toast for a late afternoon/early evening meal out on their front patio. You really can’t beat yummy wines and small plates enjoyed outdoors on a beautiful, sunny day.
Pinot Envy Flight $18 – Tessier Winery, Alameda CA
2010 Russian River Valley, 2009 ‘Trenton Station’, 2010 ‘Las Brisas Vineyard’
Chicharon bulaklak (deep fried pork intestines), lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino spring rolls), and chicken empanaditas. $9.75
Tastebuds, San Bruno CA
I don’t think I’ve had chicharon bulaklak since I was a kid, and now I remember why. These things are super hard to eat, lol! They’re difficult to bite into and you definitely need the vinegar to help soften them up. For those of you who’ve never tried them – be careful, hehe. The lumpia and empanadas were delicious, otherwise.
Spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla, Xanthorrhoeaceae), West Field Road. I’m always mesmerized by the phyllotaxis of this beautiful succulent.
Vittle Monster 