Mexican style, thin cut beef steak seasoned, broiled and served with guacamole, refried beans and rice. $14.95
El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana, Palm Springs CA
Mmm, this was SO good! The beef was nice and tender and had great flavor. They advertise the cut was “thin”, but they’re actually pretty substantial. Yes please!
Random building, Mt. San Jacinto summit.
Dirty Blonde: Makers Mark, Dekuyper peach schnapps, lemonade, mint. $10
Escena Martini: Pearl cucumber vodka, Beefeater gin, tonic, lime juice, cucumber garnish. $12
Escena Lounge & Grill, Palm Springs CA
Mmm, a couple of refreshing cocktails on a warm sunny day. You can’t beat that!
Assorted rolls. Complimentary
View of Idyllwild country from Mt. San Jacinto.
“Some say the best in town.” With ranch and buffalo sauces. $7
Bongo Johnny’s, Palm Springs CA
I really didn’t think these chicken strips were “awesome” or “the best in town”. Actually, they were pretty pedestrian and not much better than those you can get from the freezer aisle at the grocery store. They were even on the small side. 😦
Mt. San Jacinto peak, elevation 10,834 feet.
With fresh mozzarella and mixed vegetables. $3.25
Papplecco, San Diego CA
This was more flatbread than focaccia to me. If it was focaccia, then it’s the thinnest focaccia I’ve ever had, hehe! It was ok – I liked the ovalina better. I think part of the reason it wasn’t as good was because it came out cold and it wasn’t as cheesy.
Balboa Park Botanical Building, center dome.
With breakfast potatoes. $17
Purple Palm Restaurant, Palm Springs CA
I was really disappointed in this place! We had brunch reservations so we stood at the front hostess area for 10 minutes while the staff worked on 3 tables. We finally got fed up and just sat ourselves down. The wait staff was super slow and bored looking. Sheesh!
This eggs benedict was overpriced for what you got, and the hollandaise sauce was cold. Probably because it took forever to get it out to us. Lame – get your act together Puple Palm!
View from our table of the Colony Palms Hotel pool area.
Broiled and marinated pork steak with a spicy and distinctive flavor, with rice and refried beans. $14.50
El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana, Palm Springs CA
I’ve never had carne adobada before and it tasted great! I loved the deep flavor of the marinade combined with the charred pieces from the broiler. Yummy!
Ranger station, Mt. San Jacinto hike.
With sage-truffle beurre blanc, mixed green salad with asparagus and citrus. $12.75
Cafe Chloe, San Diego CA
Omg, another delicious brunch dish from Cafe Chloe! The sauteed wild mushrooms combined with the beurre blanc sauce and runny poached eggs created heaven on a plate. Noms!
“It’s Panda Monium” wall graffiti, downtown San Diego.
Housemade mushroom tortellini, rapini, hedgehog mushrooms, truffled sherry sauce, parmesan cheese. $17.95
Bankers Hill, San Diego CA
Both these dishes were really tasty! Unfortunately, we didn’t plan our entrees very well though and weren’t ready for two super heavy and rich dishes. Sorry for the almost indistinguishable pics! 😦
Crispy skin duck confit, andouille sausage, cassoulet, braised collard greens. $19.25
Lady slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum spp., Orchidaceae), Balboa Park Botanical Building.
Wow, this was a super large mimosa glass! But I ain’t complaining, lol! It was great having a relaxing lunch and catching up with an long time friend. Two for $7
Bongo Johnny’s, Palm Springs CA
Stacked rocks, Mt. San Jacinto summit.
Flatbread with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil. $3.25
Papplecco, San Diego CA
This was a great morning bite to start off our day. It was like a cheesy pizza pocket that was grilled to order, yum!
Medium coffee. $2
Natural History Museum, Balboa Park.
Candied almond and chocolate, apricot meringue. $8
State Bird Provisions, San Francisco CA
This was a really fun and delicious dessert! I liked that it wasn’t overly sweet and the components worked well together.
Pink crystalline ice plant flowers (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, Aizoaceae), Great Highway.
Served on a soft flour tortilla with cheese, red cabbage, salsa fresca and white sauce. $3.50
South Beach Bar & Grille, San Diego CA
This fish taco was ok, but verging on being on the dry side. The toppings were great though and it was a great value.
Ocean Beach with wispy clouds.
Vittle Monster 