El Topo roll – SUSHISAMBA

El Topo roll - SUSHISAMBA
Salmon, jalapeno, shiso leaf, fresh melted mozzarella, crispy onion. $14
SUSHISAMBA, Las Vegas NV

El Topo roll - SUSHISAMBA
This was a fun sushi roll with lots of textures. I’ve never had a roll with melted fresh mozzarella before so that was different. It was warm and creamy and the fried onions gave it more flavor and crunch. I think the sauce was sriracha based and spicy. Very good!

Soy sauce - SUSHISAMBA
Soy sauce.

Hakata cocktail – SUSHISAMBA

Hakata cocktail - SUSHISAMBA

A Samba signature cocktail – Svedka clementine vodka, yuzu juice, simple syrup, grenadine, sugared rim, lemon slice. $12
SUSHISAMBA, Las Vegas NV

I liked the flavor of this cocktail and I thought that the chipped ice was fun, but there is WAY too much sugar on that rim! It made the drink way too sweet and difficult to taste anything else. Sweet lady bartender though!

Passionfruit mimosa – The Little Chihuahua

Passionfruit mimosa - The Little Chihuahua

Salted rim and garnished with oranges. $5
The Little Chihuahua, San Francisco

What’s brunch without a mimosa?! I think I had just gotten out of the gym, so I was very thirsty. Hehe. This was delicous and refreshing. The service at the Noe Valley location of Little Chihuahua is always sweet.

Chips and salsa - The Little Chihuahua
Chips with roasted tomato and habanero salsas. Compimentary.

The Castro from Corona Heights Hill/Park
View of The Castro from Corona Heights Hill/Park. On top of 1 of 14 San Francisco hills.

Housemade Pimm’s Cup – Starbelly

Housemade Pimm's Cup - Starbelly

Served over ice and garnished with cucumber and basil. $8
Starbelly, San Francisco CA

Wow, I love the presentation! The longitudinal slice of cucumber looks really pretty especially with the basil leaves peeking through. And the Pimm’s Cup tasted great, very refreshing!

Jungle mosaic mural, 24th and York Street Mini Park
Jungle mosaic mural, 24th and York Street Mini Park. This is such a cute mini park and the artwork is so colorful and fun!

Casa Rita margarita – Cantina Loredo

Casa Rita margarita - Cantina Loredo

Signature margarita is a premium blend of Giro Silver Tequila by Sauza, Cointreau orange liqueur, and fresh squeezed lemon and lime juices, salted rim. $9.05
Cantina Loredo, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

This margarita tasted great, but I wish they gave you more of it! The glass is thick and heavy, but there’s not much volume. I guess I can’t complain too much for an airport cocktail that’s less than ten bucks.

Classic Sauza Gold margarita – Ruby Tuesday

Classic Sauza Gold margarita - Ruby Tuesday

“Get serious about kicking back with our handcrafted cocktails. These classic recipes make the most of our premium spirits, and at $5 all day, every day, even the price will help you relax.”
Ruby Tuesday, North Charleston SC

Of course, this was weak and watered down. I was really craving the salt though. These chain restaurants never seem to make very good drinks, but I knew that before ordering. Oh well…

Cocktails – Jake’s on Market

Ravenous Pineapple cocktail - Jake's on Market
Ravenous Pineapple – Herradura tequila, Ilegal mezcal, pineapple and lime served tall. $12

Jake's Takes Manhattan cocktail - Jake's on Market

Jake’s Takes Manhattan – Knob Creek bourbon whiskey, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and Amaro Averna served up. $12
Jake’s on Market, San Francisco CA

I wasn’t too impressed by the cocktails at Jake’s, especially at $12 a pop. For one thing, if something is supposed to be “served tall” I expect it to come in a highball or similar glassware, not in a short tumbler. Lame! The Ravenous Pineapple cocktail was different, but not amazing tasting. The Manhattan tasted a little better.

Mosaic snake, 24th and York Street Mini Park
Mosaic snake, 24th and York Street Mini Park. This is a super cool sculpture in the play area at this park in The Mission.

Cocktails – The Glass Onion

Blenheim Julep - The Glass Onion

Blenheim Julep – Makers Mark bourbon, lemon, mint, and spicy Blenheim ginger ale. $7

Classic champagne cocktail - The Glass Onion

Classic Champagne Cocktail – Bubbly and bitters, brown sugar cube. $7
The Glass Onion, Charleston SC

Mmm, these cocktails were yummy and pretty cheap as cocktails go. The Blenheim Julep was fruity and refreshing and the Classic Champagne Cocktail was bright and bubbly. Perfect when combined with a delicious meal.

Charleston Waterfront Park
View of Charleston Waterfront Park from Charleston Harbor. I love the row of Sabal Palmetto trees lining the waterfront pathway.

“Seven Layers of Heaven” pork belly – Anson Restaurant

"Seven Layers of Heaven" pork belly - Anson Restaurant
Spicy BBQ glaze, house ground grits, fried field peas, brussels sprouts leaves, maple jus. $12
Anson Restaurant, Charleston SC

Omg, this was SO frickin’ good! Not only was it plated beautifully, the pork belly and all the components were super delicious! One of the best appetizers I’ve had in a while! Noms!

The Willow Salon mural, Liberty Street
The Willow Salon mural, Liberty Street. This cute mural is on the side of the building. You don’t come across many random murals in Charleston so I’m glad that The Willow Salon has this one.