Red wine, fruit liqueurs, fruit juices, fresh fruit. Pitcher $17.95
The Prado at Balboa Park, San Diego CA
After a day of walking around Balboa Park, this pitcher of sangria was welcomed with open arms. Mmm, SO refreshing!
‘Poet and Muse’ mosaic sculpture, Niki de Saint Phalle, located outside of the Mingei International Museum.
Fresh made white meat chicken salad served on wheat bread with lettuce, tomato, and cheddar cheese. Side of fresh fruit and a kosher pickle. $11
Escena Lounge & Grill, Palm Springs CA
Wow, this chicken melt was SO good! I think the caramelized onions in the melt totally put it over the top. I was also happy with all the fruit they put on the plate.
Fresh made potato chips with Russian dressing. Complimentary
Omg, these were frickin’ amazing!
Sunset at the Escena Golf Club.
Fresh Hawaiian fish, basted with garden herbs and lightly grilled. Served with salad, steamed rice, tropical fresh fruit salsa and tartar sauce.
Bamboo Restaurant, Hawi HI
Sorry that I forgot what kind of fish this was, but it was their catch of the day. It was pretty good and the portions were generous on everything.
Black sand beach at Lololu Valley.
Two island large eggs scrambled, served with corned beef hash patties and fresh fruit. $8.95
Big Island Grill, Kailua-Kona HI
I love corned beef and these patties were soft and tasty! David ordered this because it was healthier than the loco moco, but I was able to convince hime to get the corned beef patties even though they were an unhealthy choice, hehe.
Kona coffee. $2.25
Old lava flows, Kekaha Kai State Park.
Two eggs over easy, stacked on house-made wheat toast with applewood smoked bacon, fresh avocado, tomato, arugula and chipotle aioli. Served with a cup of fresh fruit. $11.95
Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona HI
This was SO nommy! The bacon was perfect and I loved the chipotle aioli. Even their homemade wheat bread was tasty. I wish the eggs were less fried (they were advertised as over easy) because I love a super-runny yolk but that’s only a minor criticism. Noms!
We actually drove to Waipio Valley on the north side of the Big Island and it was beautiful and impressive! Although the breakfast stack was delicious, I think the Valley takes the cake. 😉
A generous whole-egg omelette filled with roasted veggies, Big Island goat cheese, macadamia nut pesto, avocado and parmesan cheese. Served with fresh fruit. $13.25
Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona HI
Mmm, this omeltte was great and the ingredients were very tasty. I loved the macadamia nut pesto and the large portion. And orchid blossoms in your fruit are always a nice touch! 🙂
100% extra fancy Kona coffee, full city roast, over ice. $3.25
We sat outside where they had a local musician serenading us with some Hawaiian flare. He was actually really good and we tipped him accordingly.
Local, grass-fed fresh ground lamb and cracked wheat, seasoned and baked with pine nuts. Served with green salad, fruit and cheese. $13.95
La Mediterranee, San Francisco CA
I had NO idea what I was ordering, and when it came out it was NOT what I was imagining, lol! But it was SO frickin’ good! It’s kind of like a very moist, flavorful lamb meatloaf. I really enjoyed it, and it was large enough that I took some home and enjoy it the next day. Heck yeah!
Complimentary cookies with the check.
Colorful painted van, 16th Street.
Chicken Cilicia, Grecian spinach and feta, Levant sandwich, and Lule kebab (lamb meatball) over rice pilaf. Served with cup of curry cauliflower soup, hummus, fruit and cheese. $13.50
La Mediterranee, San Francisco CA
Damn, this plate was certainly a value! And all the components were really yummy, expect maybe the levant sandwich because it was a little dry for me. This was enough food to feed two people though especially after having had an appetizer.
San Francisco Federal Building at dawn, 7th Street.
Whenever we’re down at the PS house, I always make a large batch of sangria to keep in the refridgerator. I love the stuff because it’s so refreshing and nice to have around on a hot, sunny day!
At the nearby grocery store, I look for a variety of fruit that are on sale or look particularly good. I like to get a nice mixture for extra flavor. Here I have nectarines, pears, oranges, mangoes, and apples.
Slice up the fruit and place in a bowl. I like to keep them in large chunks because eating the alcohol soaked fruit is the best part.
Here’s where I cheat. I mix 1 part bottled sangria (I really like the Cruz Garcia Real Sangria brand) with 1 part red wine (I’ll just get anything on sale because I’m just mixing it with the sangriz mix anyway). I’ve experimented with the different sangria brands and have found that a higher quality brand really makes a difference on the end result. The bottled sangria tends to be too sugary for my taste so adding more wine helps to temper the sweetness.
Pour some sangria into a decorative glass and enjoy poolside. Cheers!
Marinated chicken on the grill (with Maggie girl in the background)!
Our work group decided to have another weekend bbq to celebrate a birthday/last day of work. We decided to switch it up and have it in the East Bay this time around. It was a little cold and windy, but we had a great time eating, drinking, playing volleyball, and just hanging out.
Marina Park, San Leandro CA
It took a bit of effort and lot of lighter fluid to get this baby going!
Kalbi spareribs, fried chicken wings, more meat and corn on the cob wrapped in foil.
Cheese and fruit plate.
I made a lemon cheesecake!
Levain bread, prosciutto, chevre, deviled eggs, brown sugar-glazed bacon, pickled vegetables, fresh fruit. $14
The WestWood, San Francisco CA
I am torn about this place. The food was decent, but the wervice was really mixed. I think the two owners(?) were running service that morning and the older white-haired man was really nice, but the younger dark-haired man was rude and unattentive. I liked the variety of this breakfast platter, but I’m still not certain that the cheese was actually goat cheese. I asked for confirmation, but the affirmative still seemed unsure. It’s also really dark in the back so you should request to sit outside or near the front if you want to enjoy the bright sunny weather for a leisurely weekend brunch. Otherwise, it feels like you’re dining in a cave.
Tribal medusa mural/mosaic, 16th Street.
With Swiss cheese, served with potatoes, fruit, and nine grain toast. $11
Jake’s, Palm Springs CA
I really liked this omelette. It had simple ingredients, but it was executed perfectly. The egg was fluffy and I really enjoyed the peppery arugula folded inside.
Misters are going stong at Jake’s outdoor dining area.
Vittle Monster 