Big Secret...I'm not telling!!!

This is my absolute favorite place for Happy Hour.  I love this place for dinner, big meat-fest and hardly any waiting.  I am not telling you what restaurant I am talking about, because I don't want to go there one day and not be able to get a seat.  Yum, Yum...I hope you don't find me, hee, hee!!!

Funny Finger Food...Deviled Eggs



Chelsea's Deviled Eggs ROCK!!!

I use to always laugh when I would see deviled eggs make an appearance at parties, but I always eat them.  My sister Cindy owns deviled eggs in my family and makes them for most holiday parties.  This year her daughter, my niece Chelsea, made the deviled eggs.  Chelsea is a ROCK STAR baker and she is also a ROCK STAR cook!!!    Her deviled eggs were awesome!!!  Actually, without the deviled eggs, we'd be stuck with chips, dips and a boring veggie tray. 

I thought to myself, wouldn't it be nice to have the sassy deviled eggs when we're out. After all, I don't always want a fancy appetizer or a bowl of the spiced nuts when I am sipping a cocktail...a deviled egg...PERFECT!

roe vs. egg at Black Bottle Postern



I guess the deviled eggs have always been out there, but I never order them.  Well my friends times have changed.  The designer deviled eggs are here and I love them.

I love what Black Bottle Postern is doing with deviled eggs, salty, spicy, creamy and delicious.  Bargain at $5.00 for 4 or 5 pieces.  Just enough to go with my Manhattan.

OK, I wanted to keep these a secret, because they are not on the regular menu at Peyrassol Cafe at Southport...YES...Deviled Eggs!!!  On occation, Peyrassol closes for special dinners and I went to one a few months ago.  I can't remember if each person was served the tiny little bowl with the deviled quail eggs, but I wanted more, More, MORE!!!  If you haven't been to Peyrassol Cafe, you need to find it and go there.  Owner, Pastry Chef, and Chef Sashia, along with her husband Co-Owner, Sommelier, Scott serve a flawless meal.

Best Manhattan on the Eastside...truly madly deeply, I'm serious.

I love a good Manhattan. I have to say the best one on the eastside has got to be at Bis on Main.  Maybe it was the bartender, maybe I was in a good mood, whatever it was...YUM!

Make your own Energy Drink..."Bonne Sante"

Next time you want a refreshing beverage on a hot day (if it ever comes) or after a run, or any time, don't grab an energy drink or pop.  Although water is the best choice, sometimes, it doesn't do the trick.  My son made the best drink the other day and soooo simple.

He brewed organic green tea, chilled it and added slices of orange and a few mint leaves.  No sugar needed.  Brilliant and so good!

Try it, you'll love it.

Fabulous Snacks at Chez Garcia

On occasion, or rather snowstorm - when we lose power, my family & I have checked into Chez Garcia, or Tita Lily & Uncle Jorge's home, and we get to nibble on so many yummy treats.

Scotch Eggs

There are people in life who you just can't thank enough.  My Tita Lily and Uncle Jorge are those people.  I was their flower girl in their wedding, may decade ago.  Also, they, along with my little cousin Melissa, drove with my family to bring me back to University of San Diego my sophomore year in college; the year I discovered the chicken little from KFC (tell you later). 

I have to say we all have very different interests in life, but we all connect when it comes to FOOD!!!  We love it!



Missy with her husband Toby - both FOODIES!!!

My aunt, Tita Lily, is by far the best cook, after her mother, my grandmother, in her family.  She makes the best egg rolls, lumpia, fresh lumpia, and holiday cookies and more...BEST ON EARTH!  When her daughter, my cousin Melissa, was little, she was so picky, thus the chicken littles!!!  On our road trip from Seattle back to San Diego, Melissa would NOT EAT, unless it was a chicken little from KFC.  KFC doesn't make those anymore, but they did make way to the modern day "slider".  For years I thought "sad that Melissa is so picky, her mom's such an awesome cook".  Many years later at a fundraiser in Belltown, where Melissa and I drank too many martinis and bid on way too many crazy things, did I realize, WOW, she's not that picky, chicken little eating little toddler anymore.

Tita Lily's Lumpia Shanghai



I have to say I really enjoy eating adventures with Melissa, it has been a pleasure sipping good wine with delicate spoonfuls of marrow and trying creative cocktails with a perfectly seared foie gras AND desserts, don't get me started.  I look forward to many more eating adventures with her and her husband Toby.

OK, so I am forgetting my Uncle Jorge.  My uncle is very scientific and very precise about food and EVERYTHING.  I love that he REALLY researches the "who, what, where and when" about food he is interested in.  There are many food items my uncle has perfected and spent endless hours, days, weeks, pounds of flour, dozens and dozens of eggs, pounds of chicken wings, and countless other pantry items and bottles of wine (for the sake of research), and we thank him!



One year Uncle Jorge introduced us to Scotch Eggs. We love them and thanks to Uncle Jorge, we get to have the best version ever made on earth!!! My son loves them so much that when he came home from college for the Holidays, he said, "I love Scotch Eggs, I know Uncle Jorge makes them since they're my favorite!"

  

Tyler, Uncle Jorge (in deep thought before Melissa's Wedding) and Tita Lily on the way to
Melissa and Toby's Wedding Ceremony



It has been many years since I was the flower girl at Tita Lily and Uncle Jorge's wedding, but since then, I got married and Melissa was my only Junior Bridesmaid, Melissa got married recently and both Tyler & I were so honored to be part of the wedding party.  

 

So, CHEERS to Health, Happiness and continued GOOD food!

Finally snuck over to LONG Provincial Vietnamese and Jelly Bar

I love checking out new places AS SOON AS THEY OPEN...however, if I already have a similar favorite, I just feel like I am cheating.  I don't know what took me so long to go to LONG Provincial Vietnamese Restaurant and Jelly Bar.  Well, I love Tamarind Tree.  I know they are related, but still. 

Decor, nice.  I didn't get the jelly fish tank in the middle of the room, until I realized the Bar was called Jelly Bar, get it?  They sat us in the Jelly Bar, event though there were only  few people in the restaurant.  The bartender was busy on his laptop and the server was not too attentive, better service at Tamarind Tree. 

 I had the Long Provincial Noodles, grilled pork and chicken, dried spring roll, grilled shrimp on sugar cane served on vermicelli rice noddles, peanuts, veggies and a mixed herb fish sauce, perfect combination of flavors.  YUMMY!

I might go back if I'm in the neighborhood, but I prefer the International District when I crave anything Asian.  You be the judge.



Pho, a safe and delicious choice



Dark & Stormy at the Palace Kitchen

Palace Kitchen, once the hot spot for cocktails, but not so much anymore.  Don't get me wrong, there are nights when it is PACKED at Palace Kitchen, but no longer on the top ten.  For me, this is great news...easier to get a seat!  I was there on a very gloomy night recently and ordered a Dark & Stormy to start.

Not a fan of the Dark & Stormy, but that's just me.  I should have ordered something I was a little more familiar with, like a Manhattan, which by the way is ALWAYS PERFECT at Palace Kitchen.

I wasn't particularly hungry on this last visit, so I can hardly comment on dinner...

Clams...Good.

Everything else was good, burger, salad, but all I cared about was dessert...

COCONUT CREAM PIE...yummy!

I forgot all about my gloomy Seattle day, my so-so drink selection and VIOLA!  All is good in the world.

What's for dinner?

My son has been away at school so I haven't really needed to make dinners.  I work in the food business, I need to support it, right?  So, What do you mean, "What's for dinner?"  In this past year, I have spent way too much time eating at every restaurant around, not at home.  When I started this blog, I was fortunate enough to have the time to COOK AT HOME!!!  I had all day to plan meals, shop, re-introduce myself to all my cookbooks.  OK, now I work, live and breathe FOOD, but in my house, the only meal I can put together is a cheese plate.  Sad.



The Bees Knees from Bennett's...YUMMY.

 As much as I love to check out a new restaurant, EVERYDAY, I can't.  Even with workouts 5 out of 7 days a week, all my restaurant picks are taking a toll on my body.  Many will disagree, but I have no self control in a restaurant AND I do not believe in moderation.  Once I take a seat in a restaurant, I WILL EAT THE BREAD AND BUTTER and I will order one, or two, of the creative cocktails the bartender has created, and whether I am full or not, I AM HAVING DESSERT.

Today, I have roasted sweet potatoes with a little olive oil, sea salt and paprika, for a simple salad with grilled chicken for dinner.  Earlier, I steamed clams with some celery, onions, salt and pepper.  I plan to make chowder later.  I've missed the Farmer's Market for today, but as long as I shop the "Organic" section, I won't feel guilty.

So, off I go.  Now I need to make sure John can make my current favorite cocktail, Bees Knees, just like the bartender at Bennetts.  Kissed to all...Ciao-Chow!