Tofu, peanuts, apple, lemongrass, carrots, basil, lettuce. $5
Hula’s Island Grill, Santa Cruz CA
These rolls were pretty bland and lacked Vietnamese flavor. They needed some mint and fish sauce or something. You really had to dip the rolls in the sauces to get any flavor – kinda disappointing.
Wild radish flowers (Raphanus sativus, Brassicaceae), Pigeon Point, Pescadero.
With blue cheese, apples and walnuts, balsamic. $11
Oswald, Santa Cruz CA
This salad was very tasty. I loved that they used two different colors of endive as it created visual interest. The toppings were in great proportions and everything tasted delicious together.
Bread and butter. Complimentary
Sunset on the San Lorenzo River.
Whiskey, apple, lemon and bitters. Served on the rocks. $9
Oswald, Santa Cruz CA
I liked this cocktail especially since it wasn’t too sweet. The apple flavor was a nice counterpoint to the whiskey.
Red fuschia flowers (Onagraceae), The Mystery Spot.
Lacinato kale, apple, crispy shallots, cider vinaigrette. $13
Fable, San Francisco CA
This isn’t what I expected, but I really loved this dish! When I read “braised pork cheeks” on the menu, I assumed it was going to be wet and saucy. These cheeks were probably braised first, them coated in mustard and bread crumbs and sauteed. They were delicious and the accompanying kale salad was the perfect match. Noms!
Sparkling wine, Grande Cuvee Brut, Torley, NV (Hungary), chardonnary, pinot noir, riesling. Glass $9
Clean and crisp, with a subtle almond and green apple flavor.
Spotted pink Pelargonium flowers (Geraniaceae), Castro.
$3.49
Java Detour, Las Vegas NV
I attended another conference in Vegas and always had to run to the coffee shop downstairs to grab food beforehand. None of it was really that good but it kept my stomach at bay during sessions. 🙂
16 ounce coffee. $3.49
Banana. $1.50
Statues facing the Flamingo.
Napa cabbage and daikon pickle, apple-soy sauce. $17.50
Nojo, San Francisco CA
I’m a huge fan of duck, and this dish was cooked perfectly! The duck had a great grilled exterior while the meat remained moist and tender. The nice layer of skin fat gave the breast such an amazing flavor. And you can never go wrong with pickling some napa cabbage?!
Ocean Beach, Great Highway.
Apple, grapes, Temecula honey, crackers. $12
Escena Lounge & Grill, Palm Springs CA
Omg, they certainly gave us A LOT of cheese! We weren’t expecting such a large plate when we ordered it, but we’re not complaining, hehe. I’m not sure what all the cheeses were but there an herb-crusted goat cheese, bleu cheese, brie, gouda, some kind of cheddar, a soft sheep’s milk cheese, and a couple other kinds. I can never say no to cheese so I liked everything. And the honeycomb chunk was awesome!
Cholla Cactus Garden filled with Teddy Bear chollas (Cylindropuntia bigelovii, Cactaceae), Joshua Tree National Park.
Green apple emulsion, braised leeks, hazelnuts. With extra scallop $40
Workshop Kitchen + Bar, Palm Springs CA
Mmm, this was SO delicious! The green apple emulsion went perfectly with the scallops. The whole dish tasted fresh and new. BUT I think $40 is pretty steep even with an extra scallop added. This restaurant was good overall, but they’re on the border of being overpriced. Just sayin’.
Wood-charred brussels sprouts, aged balsamico, herbes de provence. $9
Bread and olive oil. Complimentary
Boomers Palm Springs. This park is fairly small, but it’s Palm Springs so that’s expected.
Golden apple, sage, maitake, sherry. Bloomspot 4-course chef’s tasting menu with cocktail pairings for two.
Maven, San Francisco CA
I purchased a Bloomspot dining certificate for this restaurant because I wanted to try it out for the first time. Overall, the food and cocktails were good and the certificate proved to be a great value (unlike some others I’ve purchased). All the food were shared plates, and we were pleasantly surprised at the generous portions we received especially with this pasta course. There were plenty of ravioli to share between us and the dish tasted amazing!
Fireside Cocktail: rye, chestnut, apple, cinnamon, lemon, egg white.
The cocktails ended up being smaller portions than normal, but I didn’t mind since we were served different cocktails with each course. I didn’t want to get too drunk, hehe. I enjoyed the Fireside cocktail and thought it paired wonderfully with the chestnut ravioli.
Place setting.
Pork belly, honey lacquer, shaved apple. Summer prix-fixe menu $38
Tinto, Palm Springs CA
Duck confit, serrano ham, black cherry, la peral spread.
Montaditos are delicious bites on slices of baguette. These were very tasty and had very different flavors. I liked the pork belly montadito a little better, perhaps because the duck montadito was a bit on the salty side.
Pretty flower box, E Tahquitz Canyon Way.
This scone had a great strawberry aroma! It tasted good, but I think I’m partial to more savory scones. $2.75
Arizmendi Bakery, San Francisco CA
Debris covered bike at the Mojo Bicycle Cafe.
I liked how this pastry wasn’t overly sweet. It looks like a cute, little empanada! $2.50
Cafe Flore, San Francisco
Coffee. $2
Random planter and colorful house number.
Vittle Monster 