1800 Reposado tequila, orange liqueur, sweet and sour, fresh lime juice and a float of Grand Marnier. Grande $14
El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana, Palm Springs CA
I really don’t mind paying $14 for a large margarita, but I hate it when a server tries to up-sell you and purposefully keeps you in the dark regarding the price of the larger item. I think it’s tacky and irresponsible. The drink always tastes worse when this happens anyway. Boo!
Chips and salsa. Complimentary
Popcorn shrimp with cabbage slaw and salsa. $3
Escena Lounge & Grill, Palm Springs CA
These tacos were pretty tasty and at $3 a pop they made the perfect afternoon snack! I know it’s kinda ghetto for me to admit it, but the popcorn shrimp was probably my favorite. I don’t eat a lot of fried seafood so perhaps I just had a craving for it that day, hehe.
Chicken tinga with guacamole and salsa. $3
Carne asada with guacamole and salsa. $3
Mt. San Jacinto hike, looking back down into Coachella Valley.
Chicken, refried beans, pepper jack/cheddar shred and scallions on tri-colored tortilla chips with pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. $9.95
Bongo Johnny’s, Palm Springs CA
This was a huge plate of nachos, but they weren’t anything special. I guess the multi-colored chips were supposed to elevate it but that didn’t really happen. It was pretty standard nachos, and dare I say a little on the bland side.
Mountainside, Palm Spring Aerial Tramway.
Their food warmer was down, so I had to eat this cold. Definitely not as good. $4.25
La Boulange de Noe, San Francisco CA
Small coffee. $1.75
Yellow-orange African daisy flowers (Gazania sp., Asteraceae), Point Lobos Avenue.
Each $12
Purple Palm Restaurant, Palm Springs CA
So I’ve mentioned that the service here was HORRIBLE, but I forgot to mention that they also overcharged us for our mimosas. The menu stated $10, but we were charged $12. We were gonna order bloody marys, but they were out of it. What?! How is that possible? Sheesh, what a disappointment!
Coffee. $3
Mt. San Jacinto trail.
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.
Vittle Monster 