operation WANDERLUST

Free Falling

2012-01-29T21:16:00.000-08:00

Today, I jumped out of a plane and survived. It was the most incredible experience. Since Thursday, my heart has been pounding non-stop and even hours after the jump, I'm still on a natural high. The way I felt free falling from thousands of miles up was unreal - so liberating. My instructor led me through a few flips and once the chute opened we were just soaring above the Earth with our feet dangling. He even let me drive the parachute. I'll never forget my first time skydiving.

Ike's Place: Menage a Trois

2012-01-26T20:22:00.000-08:00

#100 Menage a Trois at Ike's Place
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die in SF 2011
Castro

There's a reason why this place always has a long line. The sandwiches are the bomb (do people still say that)!? Well, in this case I will. The Menage a Trois is one of over what seems like a million sandwiches. It's filled with halal chicken, real honey, honey mustard, bbq sauce, pepper jack, swiss and cheddar. Who would have thought to pull all of that in one sandwich? Once you see their menu, you'll be asking yourself that over and over again. Some of their sandwiches are filled with items like mozarella sticks. Can't wait to try their other sandwiches.

El Farolito: Super Carne Asada Burrito

2012-01-26T20:12:00.000-08:00

#75 Super Carne Asada Burrito from El Farolito
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die in SF 2011
Mission District

I was once surrounded by several delicious Mexican eateries when I lived in San Jose. Working in San Francisco, there aren't many good spots here unless you head out to the Mission District. All of the worthwhile restaurants are all condensed in this area and El Farolito is one of them. One of the best burritos in the city! Throughout my college years, I found myself here after-hours to help absorb all of the liquor I consumed while out and about. Great place to end the night since it closes at 3am. I've had my share of El Farolito burritos and It deserves it's name on the 7x7 Big Eat SF list.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T20:15:00.001-08:00

For 2012, I'm keeping my resolutions simple. I resolve to make healthier choices for my mind, body and soul. It's going to be the best and biggest year of my life yet...

Channeling Maya Angelou

2011-12-15T13:48:00.001-08:00

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. ...I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

- Maya Angelou

That $&@# Kray!

2011-12-14T09:09:00.001-08:00

Rockin the faux fur to work today. Ready for tonight's Jay-Z and Kanye concert!

Albondigas

2011-12-07T15:59:00.001-08:00

I'm a total soup kid and when the weather started getting chilly around here I jumped at the opportunity to make something comforting and warm. So, I found this on Allrecipes (but slightly modified it) and am glad I did. It's really easy and yummy. I'll definitely make it again!

If you're not familar with Albondigas, it's a Mexican soup dish :)

Ingredients

1 quart water
4 carrots, sliced
2 small potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 1/2 cups salsa, medium or hot
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I combined ground pork and ground beef)
1/3 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup milk
chopped fresh cilantro (I didn't have cilantro, but I added watercress instead)

Directions

In a large stock pot, bring water, carrots, potatoes, onion, salsa, and bouillon cubes to a boil. Reduce to a medium simmer, stirring occasionally, approximately 10 minutes.
Mix the beef, breadcrumbs, and milk together in a bowl. Form into 1-inch meatballs, and drop into boiling broth. Once soup returns to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low.
Cover and cook 20 minutes, or until meatballs are no longer pink in center and vegetables are tender. Serve with sprinkled cilantro for garnish.

Muracci's Japanese Grill: Katsu Curry

2011-12-07T13:42:00.001-08:00

#16 Katsu Curry from Muracci's Japanese Grill
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die in SF 2011
Financial District

The Katsu Curry here at Muracci's is definitely good, but I think my expectations were a bit high going in. I blame that on the hundreds of 4-5 star reviews on Yelp and the line outside the door when I arrived. Luckily, we called ahead so we just walked right in to pick up our order.

Overall, I really enjoyed the curry (you can have it spicy or mild - of course I went spicy), but the chicken was a bit dry for my taste. Also, I love anything pickled, but their side of pickled cabbage and radish had a strange bitter taste to it that I could live without. The verdict: I would eat it again, but I probably wouldn't crave for it. Overhyped.

Red Lobster Style Cheese Biscuits

2011-11-14T09:22:00.001-08:00

Worked off of this recipe and it was pretty delicious: HERE.

This makes 12 biscuits:

1 pack buttermilk biscuit mix (I used Bisquick, about 1 1/2cups)
1 1/2cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp oregano
3/4 tsp garlic salt (use slightly less than this - i found it to be slightly salty with this amount)

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Spray cooking sheet with non-stick spray.

2. Put biscuit mix, cheese and milk in a bowl and mix well to form a sticky dough.

3. Using spoon, drop lumps of dough onto cookie sheets 1.5in apart. Bake for 10min.

4. In a bowl, melt butter and mix with oregano and garlic salt.

5. When the timer goes off, take them out and brush with butter mixture and bake 5min at 400F and another 5-6min at 350F.

6. Transfer into a plate and serves immediately.

Warriors, prepare for battle!

2011-11-07T18:30:00.000-08:00

There were a lot of "firsts" experienced this day. The first time I swam through mud, jumped over fire, walked a tight rope, went through a legit obstacle course and took an ice cold shower with hundreds of people. The dirtiest I've ever been in my entire life - hands down. Everyone should do something like this at least once.

"The only person standing in your way is you."

2011-11-06T20:22:00.000-08:00

It was a Black Swan kind of Halloween this year.

Pucker Up!

2011-11-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

Look at whose lips are featured on the Sephora blog!

Our very own Google commercial

2011-10-21T18:22:00.001-07:00

Zipping Down the Embarcadero

2011-10-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

Ziptrek tours are still in SF at the Embarcadero. They extended til the end of the month so go while you still can. It goes by quick and it's only one line so their full price may not be worth it to you, but if you can score a half price voucher from a deal site like I did, it's definitely worth that amount.

Dave Chappelle at Yoshi's

2011-10-02T14:22:00.000-07:00

If you ever have a chance to see Dave Chappelle, GO! I happened to be on the right website at the right time when I saw the show flyer for Yoshi's. In the Bay Area, when Dave Chappelle comes to town no matter what venue he's at, the show sells out in minutes. Luckily, I was able to score tickets and thank god I did. This man is more than just a comedian, he's an awesome story teller and when you watch him live it's almost like you're hanging out with a funny friend in your living room. I would definitely see him again.

Eat Real

2011-09-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

It's our annual visit (starting last year) and thankfully, this year it was less crowded and the weather was a lot cooler. I love this festival. It's filled with workshops, performances, cooking shows and so much delicious food. Today, I tried everything from chicken masala filled naan wraps to Numi jasmine popsicles. Here's what today looked like.

NY Eats

2011-09-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

As with every visit to New York, there's never enough time to rest. Between wedding festivities for the bride & groom and hanging out with NY'er friends, we tried to squeeze in as many food spots as possible. This city never disappoints on the food front so I have a few places to share for next time you're in the Big Apple.

Ippudo

This place deserved it's own post, so you'll find that by clicking here.

Grimaldi's Pizza

Thankful that there is now a 2nd location (the first being at the Brooklyn Bridge) because the wait at their famous original location can sometimes take 2 hours. Here, we didn't have to wait at all. I actually wanted to try Lucali in Brooklyn instead (all of my NY'er buddies say this is actually the best pizza), but they're only open for dinner each night which didn't work out with our schedule. The pizza here has such tasty cuts of meat and perfectly thin with a slight crisp. Definitely a must-try.

Shakeshack

Basically the In-N-Out Burger of NY. My Cali folks may hate me for saying this, but I would take a Shake Burger over In-N-Out any day. To me, the bun and meat here is far better than that of my hometown joint. Plus, they serve frozen custard. Yum.

I didn't go during this visit, but I have to give some love to Peter Luger. If you are a steak lover, this is a must-try.

SF Street Food Festival

2011-09-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

It's festival season in San Francisco! Today, we headed out to the Eat Real festival in Oakland but, that's not what I'm going to talk about. Instead, here's a snapshot of our time at the SF Street Food festival that happened a few weeks ago. It's a great food festival, but not my favorite. MANY vendors were not equipped to feed the masses all day. The best places sold out super quick so I wasn't a happy camper getting there hours after it began. Highlights of the day, watching the Mr. eat Don Bugito's moth larvae tacos and food from the Kasa truck (twice).

Chairman Bao: Steamed Bao with Pork Belly & Pickled Daikon

2011-09-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

#32 Steamed Bao with Pork Belly & Pickled Daikon at the Chairman Bao truck
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die in SF 2011

Due to all of the hype, I have been following Chairman Bao on Twitter even before I tried their famous buns. At all of the food festivals, they always have the longest line. Just recently they made it onto the Zagat. I was pleased to find out that they were making an appearance at the Truck Stop (an area by my work that features about 3 food trucks per day). The line was long, but not as long and unbearable as the festival lines. So, I waited patiently and am so glad I did. Definitely the BEST food truck vendor at least in the Bay Area. I had the pork belly bun as well as the sesame chicken and they both met and exceeded my expectations. I could eat 20 of these in one sitting - that's how good they are.

Soul Train's 40th Anniversary

2011-09-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

While spending some time at Millenium Park taking pictures at the Cloud Gate (aka The Bean), we couldn't help but notice an enormous crowd of people in one area equipped with a DJ blasting jams from earlier time periods. Our initial thought was that crowds were likely surrounding street performers, but when we walked through the crowd it was actually a massive dance party in celebration of Soul Train's 40th anniversary.

I spent a few minutes as a spectator and the music put me right into my happy place - so much that I had to join the diverse crowd which, btw, was filled with people of all ages. Not only did we join forces to create the biggest Soul Train line in history, we even danced the electric slide as a group also. This is probably the closest I'll ever get to my dream of being part of a flash mob so I had a blast and enjoyed every single moment.

Later that evening, we attended a free concert at Jay Pritzker Pavillion for the same celebration. We stood among the people of Chicago, visitors, performers like the Chi-Lites and Impressions - even Don Cornelius made an appearance and said a few words. We really just stumbled on both of these events and it was such a nice surprise.

I Love Ramen

2011-09-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

I am a soup fanatic who doesn't discriminate any type of soup. Plain old broth, hearty, Mexican caldos, pho, ramen, the list goes on. I can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner days in a row and never get sick of it. So, that brings me to the best ramen I've ever had at Ippudo. Weeks prior to my NYC departure, I asked around and read a few articles and thought Momofuku was the one to try. It wasn't until I was in Manhattan chatting with friends until I realized I had been looking at the wrong place. Turns out, Ippudo is actually considered the best. So, I followed the advice of my favorite NY'ers and headed for that restaurant and made sure we were there right before they opened. I'm glad we did because unlike many Yelpers, we only had to wait 5 minutes before we were seated. I ordered the Akamaru Modern and the pork belly buns and I wasn't disappointed one bit. He had the same with the braised pork belly and soft boiled egg add-on (highly recommend it!). The BEST ramen I've ever had. I've never been to Japan so I can't compare, but this will definitely do for now. If you're a ramen/ soup lover like me, don't go to NYC without stopping by.

The Rick Bayless Experience

2011-09-12T21:55:00.000-07:00

When you're from California, you don't think about eating Mexican food anywhere else because well, we have the best Mexican food outside of Mexico. Since it was recommended by friends and since Rick Bayless has quite the reputation (and we couldn't get reservations at Girl & the Goat or Sprout - both Top Chef restaurants), we figured we'd give his restaurants a try. So, we tried both XOCO and Frontera Grill while in Chicago. XOCO was his "fast food" type spot and Frontera was more of a nice sit-down spot. They were both delicious, but XOCO really blew me away. The tortas and caldo were so ridiculously tasty that we went back the next day to order food to bring home with us. It's a MUST TRY when you're there!

XOCO

FRONTERA GRILL

Chi-Town Eats

2011-09-12T21:41:00.000-07:00

There's so much to be said about the food here! We didn't eat a bad meal during our visit. Everything from the Chicago style hot dogs, deep dish pizza & italian beef sandwiches - everything was so satisfying. Here are a few places to try that are special to Chi-Town:

Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza

Al's Italian Beef

Portillo's Chicago style hot dog

Portillo's chocolate cake shake

A Windy City Visit

2011-09-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

10 years ago, I came to Chicago for the first time to celebrate my good friend's birthday and you can also say it was a bit of a graduation gift to myself. With one of those same friends, we came back to reconnect with a city we remember loving so much. It was just as we remembered (maybe even better than we remembered). The architecture, food and love for music this city has is unbelievable. If it weren't for the nasty winters, I would consider living here. Thanks for treating me well Chi-Town!

10 Years Ago Today

2011-09-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

...I was starting my first year of college at my new apartment. I woke up, turned on the tv and saw the first plane fly into the World Trade Center. Shortly after, the second plane hit. It's a day I will never forget. Here's to the people that lost their lives, the people who were affected by it, those heroes that live on, the heroes that were lost and everyone I shared the day with. 9/11, I'll never forget.

Parking Lot Pimpin'

2011-08-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I decided to clear my place of every single unused treasure and head on over to the Berryessa Flea Market in San Jose to set up shop with a few friends. This has to be one of the biggest flea markets in Norther California and always an interesting past time if you're ever in the area.

I've always wanted to own my own shop and this is probably the closest I will get to it haha. Even if we had to wake up at the crack of dawn and schlep our once prized possessions out there, it was a ton of fun socializing, people-watching, negotiating and bringing home some extra money (and a lot less clutter). We plan on doing it at least one more time before the summer ends. Go clutter-free home and more room in my closet for fall apparel!

Pizzeria Delfina: Margherita Pizza

2011-08-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

#21 Margherita pizza from Pizzeria Delfina
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die 2010
Mission District

If you love thin crust pizza, small restaurants, great service and simple quality food - this is your place. The margherita pizza was delicious, but I have to say - the best thing is the Arancini (fried risotto balls). I can't stop thinking about them and even though these aren't on the 7x7 100 list, if you have to try something here - it's that. Don't get me wrong, the pizza is good, but wasn't anything mind-blowing.

Hogwarts, Quidditch & Magic Spells

2011-08-24T09:14:00.001-07:00

I held off on watching any Harry Potter movies for this one reason. I wanted to have the full experience of reading the books first and see what J.K. Rowling is all about. So far, so good! On to book #2 and somewhere in between I'll manage to watch the first movie. Cheers to all of the existing HP fans out there!

Konad Nail Art

2011-08-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

Late in the game, but better late than never. Just discovered these weeks ago from one of my favorite (and nail obsessed) ladies, Valerie. Konad Nail Art is crazy cool. So many different things you can do. Here, I opted for polka dots. After Valerie helped me apply these via Konad nail stamps, I couldn't stop looking at them. I don't know if the nail craze is slowly fizzing out, but I LOVE it. Can't wait to try other designs and colors.

One of Life's Simple Pleasures

2011-08-05T16:25:00.000-07:00

I've been keeping myself so incredibly busy lately that I've been missing out on one of life's (and one of my personal) simple pleasures - being home alone. There's something about having time to kick up your feet, relax and do things around the house that you've been putting off (not to mention, catch up on all of those shows piling up in your DVR). For me, alone time is essential. It allows you to fall in love with things that once brought you to a happy place all over again. On that note, I've decided to bring more of these moments back into my life no matter how busy I am.

Speaking of things that I've been putting off - I've been slacking on updating this blog due to the sched, but posts are in store...

Obon Time

2011-07-21T23:11:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year. Time to visit an Obon festival near you and play some Bingo, eat Spam musubi or tempura, watch the Taiko drummers and win a goldfish. Or win 3 in my case.

My 3rd year in a row visiting the Mountain View Obon!

Where did Summer go?

2011-07-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

What happened to the warm weather? Just a few weeks ago we were enjoying the sun in Sausalito and now it appears that June gloom has carried over into July. Not sure how I feel about these extremes. It's either too hot or too cold. Why can't we get a consistent 75-80 degrees? I'd like to spend more time outdoors enjoying what I love about California.

DIY: birdcage headpiece with peacock feathers

2011-06-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

In preparation for a Mad Hatter birthday party (Happy Birthday, Rex - of REXINEFFEX), I was scouring the pages of eBay trying to find a hat. Instead of shelling out big bucks for an out-of-this-world fascinator or Kentucky Derby hat I decided to stroll over to Britex in San Francisco and get a little crafty. I opted for something simple, but with a pop of color. Here's what I ended up with.

Materials:

french netting
peacock feathers
hot glue gun w/ glue sticks
felt
hair pins or an alligator clip

2011-06-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

"I love the feeling of being anonymous in a city I've never been before."

Last Night in Lima

2011-06-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

Game plan for our final day in Peru, EAT! It was a nice change to be in Lima after being in Iquitos for a few days. Our hotel was beyond my expectations, definitely a treat to end the trip with La Hacienda. The location was perfect, the service was outstanding and it was the only place we could find alcohol (I'll explain later).

After we checked in, we headed over to El Pez Amigo (recommended by a friend for having amazing ceviche) and every single one of us ordered the seafood combo ceviche. Wow, some of the best I've ever had. While we were eating, we discovered (thanks to our server) that during the weekend before a presidential election they don't serve alcohol in Peru (same goes for many countries, I hear). The whole plan was to "rage" on our last night in Peru and celebrate Ryan's birthday, but that plan turned out to be a major fail since we couldn't get our hands on anything (no wine, beer, etc.). Yes, we pretty much looked like crack fiends scouring the streets of Lima in search of liquor. We killed some time at Larco Mar, a shopping/ entertainment center overlooking the Pacific.

After hours of sightseeing and searching, turns out our hotel had no problem serving up the pisco sours! So, we had a few drinks, went out to dinner at chef Nobu's first restaurant Matsuei (had the BEST cab ride ever - think tv screens and dance music), then came back to have a few drinks. At some point in the night, some of us headed over to Manolo's to feast on delicious churros. We got carried away and bought way more than we could eat so I had a few more for breakfast in the morning. Can't let those churros go to waste! Overall, what a great night in Lima and one of the best trips.

Iquitos -> Lima

2011-06-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

Leaving Iquitos to head back to Lima for our last night in Peru! So sad to be leaving (I rarely get homesick on vacations). I wish I could just keep jet-setting for the rest of the month and visit Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and the list goes on. I love South America - I just want to keep exploring it. Now on to reality. One last night in Lima. We have to make it a good one! BTW, this is our attempt at an Entourage photo (can't wait for the final season to start).

Common Meals in Iquitos

2011-06-02T22:05:00.000-07:00

Alligator, beans, catfish, palm salad & rice

Dorado, palm salad & rice

Paiche (though we found out it was endangered later into the trip), fried bananas & palm salad

Smoked pork, fried yucca & palm salad (yes, palm salad comes with almost everything)

chicken & chifa (fried rice)

...and everything was yummy!

Belen

2011-06-02T21:52:00.000-07:00

Belen is a community on water in Iquitos. The water levels go up and down with the seasons, but the homes here are always tethered to large poles and either float on water or are on stilts. Everything from the gas stations and night clubs to churches and schools are on water. The people of Belen live such a simple life, but they seem so happy.

The Amazon

2011-06-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

At about 8am, we left on motorcar to a small market with a port where we docked off for the Amazon River. We had the option of taking a small, slow boat or a speed boat. We opted for a small boat so that we can take it all in and try to get good shots of wildlife. Bad idea. It ended up taking us 3.5 hours to get back upstream. At one point, we were in the middle of the Amazon and it was pitch black all around. Crazy experience. It was all worth it in the end, but next time, I'm taking the speed boat.

Highlights of the day: monkeys jumping on Ryan and Peter (and hanging out on Ryan's shoulder for quite some time), carrying a sloth (I passed on the anaconda, but I'll post Allison's photo), seeing how the Yagua tribe lives and swinging from the trees (though the not so great part was getting a bunch of mosquito bites in the process).

Iquitos, Peru

2011-05-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

Cusco -> Lima -> Iquitos

2011-05-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

Last leg of the trip. We're headed for the Amazon! It'll be a nice to change to finally get consistently warm weather. I don't really know what to expect from this place, but I'm excited. I'm always excited to visit new places. Just as it's been a dream to visit Machu Picchu and hike the Inca Trail, it's also a dream to see the Amazon. Just about an hour left on this plane ride and we're there!

The Birthing of a Llama

2011-05-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

I experienced many "firsts" today. I am walking on the ruins of Machu Picchu, it's my first day as an engaged woman and my first time witnessing the birthing of a llama. As we were exploring the ruins, we noticed a small crowd of people surrounding a llama. Once we got closer, we saw what the commotion was - she was giving birth.

Machu Picchu

2011-05-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

2,430m above sea level lies the mystery and beauty of the Inca ruins, Machu Picchu. Photos just don't do this place justice.

An Intipunku Proposal

2011-05-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

After hiking for about 5 straight hours, we finally reached the final steps to Intipunku (the Sun Gate). This is the highest part of Machu Picchu and you have to climb this to get the first sighting of the famous ruins. After climbing up like a monkey, we got our first look and it was breathtaking and unlike anything I've ever seen before. The mystery behind it is captivating in itself. We felt so accomplished and what a reward!

After letting it sink in for a moment, I looked over at Craig who had this expression on his face and immediately I knew what was going to happen next.

Through all of my awkward fidgeting (while also nervously laughing), I managed to miss half of all the great things he said but was still able to mutter the word, "yes." May 29, 2011 - was a special day and I even got a special stamp at the ruins! There's nothing like the feeling of getting a new stamp on your passport (especially on the day you got engaged).

Wondrous things can happen at one of the wonders of the world :)

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

2011-05-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

We woke up at about 3am today to get ready and pack everything we needed for the trek. We planned to do the shortened Inca Trail trek since we only had about 11 days in the country and I wasn't sure I could camp out for 4 straight days. At about 4am, we met our guide Nelida of Llama Path to head out to Ollantaytambo which was about an hour away. Here, we then hopped on a train ride to the 104km point. This took about another hour and after all that - we finally arrived!

So much excitement was running through me, yet I was nervous at the same time because I didn't know what to expect. It was also just crazy to me that 2 years ago I was planning this trip until it fell through. Now, it was finally happening.

The trek was a challenge for the first few hours. Everything was uphill, there were a ton of stone steps (300 just in one area alone) and when you throw in the elevation factor it was a whole different ball game. The beauty and history along the trail really made it worthwhile and I'm so glad I did it. I highly recommend the walking stick - it definitely helps in those moments when you're just completely exhausted.

Throughout the trek, we saw several archeological sites, learned about the Inca history, learned a few Quechua words and phrases and even had a picnic lunch in an old temple. It was an amazing experience and visiting Machu Picchu wouldn't be the same without the work it takes to get there by foot.

Check back for what happened towards the end of the trek as we approached the famous ruins...

The City Tour of Cusco

2011-05-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

Apparently everyone goes on the Cusco City Tour so, we did the same. When I travel, I don't normally do city tours because I like to stay at my own pace and not have to wait for people or stay at places longer than I need to and my reasoning for this was confirmed after we were just one hour into the tour. We definitely saw beautiful sights, but I don't really need to know what every little piece of item is made out of inside a church especially when almost everything inside the church was made out of Cedar wood or painted in gold leaf. Anyway, it was beautiful nonetheless. In addition to the cathedral, we also visited nearby ruins and even stopped by an alpaca factory - one of the few places you can buy 100% alpaca products.

Cusco City

2011-05-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

Completely tired out by that unexpected 4-hour hike, we pile into a few taxis and head back to Cusco city which will be our hub for the next few days. This is the main city that tourists stay in prior to heading out to Machu Picchu. We checked into the Amaru Hostal. Don't be fooled by the name, this place is unlike any hostel I've ever been to. I am still bewildered by the name myself because here, our rooms were cleaned daily, the place was spic and span, there was delicious free breakfast every morning and the service was outstanding. All of that for an extremely reasonable price. After check in, we explored the city and my poor sister Kristi managed to slip, fall and sprain her foot in the process (be careful here - the city is dusty and there are lots of stone walkways that are slippery and it's not a good idea to wear flip flops).We ended the night with dinner at the Inka Grill. Not one of us had a bad meal and we even got to try Chica, a traditional alcoholic drink of Peru made from purple maize.

Pisac Ruins

2011-05-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

Before we headed out to Cusco, we decided to hike the Pisac ruins. I've read through a ton of travel blogs and books that recommend this place as good practice before the actual Machu Picchu trek and a good way to acclimate. It was a lot more strenuous than we thought. It ended up being 4 hours long, hot as hell and we got lost (they said there's only one way down and it's easy to find, but that's a total lie). Luckily, we found our way out and back to town. The Pisac ruins were absolutely gorgeous and I highly recommend visiting it if you're ever on your way to Cusco.

Pisac

2011-05-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

There are so many bright colors that surround us here in Pisac town. Our Inn is right across the street from the daily market where everything happens - it's filled with so much culture and history.

Lima -> Cusco -> Pisac

2011-05-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Woke up at the crack of dawn today to catch an early flight to Cusco. This is just the first of many very early mornings for this trip. I was pleased to find out that the Pardo's Chicken chain was conveniently located at the center of the airport. This place was another recommendation from a friend. The chicken sandwiches here are so good, especially the sauce they serve it with.

While we waited at the airport, we also made sure to grab coca goods - Peruvians swear by these to help with acclimation.

After a one hour flight on Star Peru, we touched down in Cusco. Our driver was waiting for us once we arrived to drive us to the town of Pisac about an hour away. We'll stay here for one night - the first of our 3 day acclimation period. Before going on any of the treks to Machu Picchu, they recommend you acclimate for at least 2-3 days due to the high elevation. This place was small, quaint and conveniently located right next to the market.

Touching down in Lima

2011-05-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

We finally touched down in Lima! We checked into a B&B and found out that Edo Sushi Bar doesn't close until 11pm. This restaurant was recommended to us by a friend as having the "best sushi ever" so how could we not try it? Apparently Lima has an unusually large Japanese population and the cuisine is supposed to be amazing here. Well, the restaurant lived up to our expectations - best sushi I have ever had (though I've never been to Japan so I may not be a credible source). Here, we also had our very first round of pisco sours, the drink of Peru.

After dinner, we had just enough energy to check out a small outdoor strip of bars/ restaurants. We had a few drinks, people-watched and then had the most amazing sandwiches at a random late-night spot called La Lucha Sangucheria. This trip was off to a good start!

SFO to San Salvador

2011-05-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

At the crack of dawn we departed for Peru. First stop, San Salvador. We initially had a 7-hour layover that we were all excited about since we'd be able to leave the airport and venture off into El Salvador, but the flight was changed and we were left with one hour. The upside is we'd get into Lima right away and not be so exhausted. Another plus, we had enough time to enjoy authentic Salvadoran pupusas, empanadas and local beer. Yum!

Shake a Hair Feather

2011-05-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely obsessed with my new hair feathers. I think I want one more!

Put on your dancing shoes

2011-05-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

I was a little skeptical about going out on Broadway (not really my scene), but it was a special occasion! To my surprise, this new place we checked out called Monroe was actually a very cute bar/ club. We had tons of fun and danced the night away. I miss making moments like this with the girls.

Goapele at Yoshi's SF

2011-05-02T22:19:00.000-07:00

The last time I saw Goapele perform was 5+ years ago when she opened up for a Hieroglyphics concert at the Fillmore. This time, she was the star of the show at this intimate venue. She performed songs from her last album, Change It All and mixed in a few other tracks like an acapella version of A Change Is Gonna Come (which she also performed for Obama 2 weeks ago when he was here). She did such a beautiful rendition that I was nearly moved to tears. I fell in love with the music of special guest, Mateo, who sang a duet with her (watch out for his upcoming album).

This city never ceases to amaze me

2011-05-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was one of the most beautiful days in the city this year. San Franciscans never waste a sunny day and you can tell by this picture. Crowds gathered at Dolores Park to pop bottles of champagne, cans of PBR and bottles of fine wine or even 2 buck chuck. Food trucks were in attendance, the SPCA was holding a doggy event/ fashion show and there were even people tanning with their bikinis on. To top it all off, a mariachi band even played tunes beneath one of the few trees at the park. Can't get enough of this place.

La Mar Cebicheria Peruana: Ceviche & Pisco Sour

2011-05-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

#47 Ceviche and Pisco Sour from La Mar
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die 2010
Embarcadero

The food is nothing spectacular - definitely good enough to come back. The ceviche, on the other hand, is amazing (for $17, I wish they gave more of it). Even better when you pair it with a pisco sour. Since the big trip to Peru is right around the corner and a lot of positive things have been happening, we thought we'd celebrate by having a Peruvian dinner and we heard so many great things about this place. They have a few different types of ceviche, but we opted for the cebiche mixto (catch of the day, calamari & octopus). The seafood tasted fresh and had the perfect amount of spiciness. I love ceviche! BTW - pisco sour was good, though I have nothing really to compare it to. I'll update you on that after I try them in Peru.

Bi-Rite Creamery: Salted Caramel Ice Cream

2011-05-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

#35 Salted Caramel Ice Cream at Bi-Rite Creamery
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die in SF 2011
Mission District

Pure deliciousness. Don't be turned away by the long lines that trail down Dolores St. for Bi-Rite Creamery, they move fast and the ice cream is worth any kind of wait anyways. The Salted Caramel ice cream makes it on the 7x7 Things to Try Before You Die list every year and unlike some of the other spots on this list, it truly deserves it. You can't go wrong with this flavor. Also deserving of a mention: Toasted Coconut & Roasted Banana. If you don't want to wait in line, you can grab a few pints and bring it directly to the register. Can't wait to go back.

Royal Wedding Tea Party

2011-04-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

I wasn't part of the royal wedding craze going on months prior to the big day, but once this week hit I've been watching a few specials on TV and the excitement hit. The fact that we haven't had a royal wedding in 30 years, I've never seen one for myself and the couple happens to be around my age is what's keeping me interested. At work today, I walked into a royal wedding [viewing] tea party celebration equipped with tiaras, crumpets, bangers and more. I love weddings in general, how can I not love a royal one. I'm a sucker for fairy tales.

Thia Megia

2011-04-26T22:56:00.000-07:00

My parents & American Idol's Thia Megia have something in common - they both live in Mountain House. It's a small town where not much happens so it's a pretty big deal to everyone that lives there. Unfortunately, Thia got eliminated a few weeks ago and has break before she starts touring with the top 11 contestants, so Mountain House had a welcome home festival for her to celebrate. Since I was visiting that weekend, we decided to stop by. It was packed with tons of people, yummy food and I managed to get my photo taken with her. She's such a cutie.

P.S. The sisig fries at Papa Urb's Grill stand were delicious!

Brussel Sprout Chips

2011-04-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

So I already told you I'm obsessed with these (good thing they're healthy), so here's how we've been making them.

WASH & PREP This is what will take the longest. Get some help in the kitchen to speed up the process. Trick: cut off the part that holds the leaves together. This will make it easy to pull apart the leaves. Pull apart the sprout leaf by leaf. Once this is done, wash and spin (a salad spinner comes in handy here).

PREHEAT Set oven to bake at 250 degrees.

SEASON Toss the leaves with olive oil, salt and pepper and spread them on a baking sheet.

Now you're ready to put the tray in the oven. These cook within minutes so make sure to monitor closely. You may have to take out a few leaves at a time because some will burn quicker than others. Once they're all done, remove from tray and place in a serving bowl. These taste great with a little lime juice. Serve immediately with a lime wedge as they will get soggy after an hour.

Social Kitchen & Brewery

2011-04-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

If you love a great beer and you're in the Bay Area, you must check out Brewmaster Rich Higgins microbrews at Social Kitchen & Brewery. Before moving on to Social Kitchen, he was brewing at Thirsty Bear (also a great spot in San Francisco) and has since then moved on to Brewmaster statu. I stumbled upon this place after celebrating my brother in-law's (sister's husband) birthday here. Turns out his friend is one of the owners. I tasted almost every beer on the menu (it was strong beer month!) and they were unlike anything I've ever tried. The brussel sprout chips are AMAZING - in fact, they're so amazing that we just made some at home last night. It's my latest obsession.

Sur La Table Cooking Class

2011-04-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

Recently went to a cooking class at Sur La Table and it was tons of fun. We learned how to make Spanish-style tapas and the cheater version of paella. I highly recommend it for a group outing with friends or for a work team outing (which is what we did). Tons of fun and you learn all kinds of tips and tricks. The best part is, you can enjoy your creations!

Janet Jackson in Concert

2011-04-20T15:08:00.001-07:00

Last night at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Janet Jackson performed her #1 hits. Every song that played sent me down memory lane and although her performances were a bit lackluster, I couldn't help but still enjoy them and have fun. How can you not when you're listening to songs you've grown up to? Some of my favorites last night were Let's Wait Awhile, Escapade, That's the Way Love Goes, Control, If and the list goes on. The venue was more of an intimate setting which I loved and I can't complain about our seats. She didn't have any costume changes, but she still looks great (her biceps are enormous) and her dancers are just as amazing. She even played clips of Poetic Justice.

Toasted Panzanella with Tomato & Fennel

2011-04-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

The traditional panzanella dish is made by soaking pieces of rock-hard bread in cold water then squeezing them dry and tossing with tomatoes. This recipe (by Michael Romano) is a crouton version that uses day old bread (I used fresh bread and toasted it in the oven longer). It's easy, a great dish for spring/ summer and really really tasty.

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces day-old sourdough bread with crust, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (4 cups)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon pine nuts
1 red bell pepper
2 large tomatoes, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 small fennel bulb, tops trimmed, bulb very thinly sliced
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/4 cup brined black olives, such as Gaeta or Calamata, pitted and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup loosely packed shredded basil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large bowl, toss the bread with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Spread the bread on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, or until nicely toasted. Let cool, then return to the bowl. Put the pine nuts on the baking sheet and bake for 3 minutes, or until golden. Add to the croutons in the bowl.
Roast the bell pepper over a gas flame or under the broiler until charred all over. Transfer the pepper to a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let cool slightly. Peel and seed the pepper and cut it into 3/4-inch dice. Add the bell pepper to the croutons along with the tomatoes, fennel, onion, olives and basil.
In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar with the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil. Season the dressing with salt and pepper and pour it over the salad. Toss and let stand for 5 minutes, then serve.

Let the festivities begin!

2011-04-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

During my birthday week, I managed to do everything I love to do and spend it with the people who are near and dear to me. I dined well, drank well (yay for all-you-can-drink mimosas), saw friends that I don't see as often anymore, danced my butt off, had amazing conversations about anything and everything and I even had free day all to myself for some much-needed relaxation and pampering. Everyone should take a PTO day on their birthday and wake up naturally (without an alarm clock). It's definitely on my list of simple pleasures. Until next year!

Gary Danko

2011-04-12T16:29:00.001-07:00

Even after hearing so many positive reviews about Gary Danko, it still lived up to my expectations. This fine dining restaurant offers up a very diverse menu where you can order items a la carte or go with a 3, 4 or 5-course tasting option. Since it was our first time, we decided to go all out with the 5-course and the wine pairing. It was ambitious of us, a little too ambitious. By the end of the second course, we were already full. I love that you can completely customize your meal. If you like a certain appetizer, you can get an entree size of that and vice versa. Next time I go back (yes, I'm already planning the next time) I'm opting for the 3-course.

Here were my picks for the evening:

Risotto with Lobster, Rock Shrimp, Shimeji Mushrooms & Peas
Roast Maine Lobster with Potato Puree, Pickled Radish, Spring Onions & Sauce Marechal
Roasted Pork Belly & Tenderloin with Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, Parsnip Puree & Maple-Cider Glaze
Lemon Pepper Duck Breast with Duck Hash, Celery Root-Garlic Puree and Roasted Grapes
French Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwiches with Three Sauces

His picks (he's more of an adventurous eater):

Foie Gras with Carmelized Onions
Roast Maine Lobster with Potato Puree, Pickled Radish, Spring Onions & Sauce Marechal
Quail Stuffed with Foie Gras, Mushrooms & Quinoa, Braised Artichokes, Peas, Prosciutto & Olive Butter
Juniper Crusted Venison with King Trumpet Mushrooms, Glazed Cipollini Onions & Herb Spaetzle
The famous Cheese cart (sadly, he was so full he didn't make it to this one - he loves cheese too)

My favorite was the lobster. It was the most tender lobster I have ever had in my life. How they get it so tender? I have no clue, but it was so delicious and I'm glad we each had our own because that's something I definitely didn't want to share. I had no idea they were going to bring me dessert for my birthday. Had I known, I wouldn't have ordered that for my 5th course because they even gave us a plate of bite-sized desserts on the house. At one point we had 3 dessert plates on our table haha. The photos don't do the food justice, but I am usually a bit shy about busting out my camera at nice establishments like this one. Anyway, try this place out and you won't be disappointed.

So they say it's your birthday

2011-04-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

My how I've grown since then. Now if only my skin was just as resilient as it once was.

Studio Swag

2011-04-07T22:46:00.000-07:00

Just realized I got a quick mention from one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Rachel, of Studio Swag. I've been out of the loop for a bit, but finally had the opportunity to catch up on posts to find out. Thank you!

PERU-READY

2011-04-03T16:05:00.001-07:00

I didn't realize that shopping for a backpack/ travel pack would be so complicated. My knowledge of these types of bags is minimal so its a good thing REI has amazing service and trained/ knowledgeable employees. After being measured and trying on/ walking around the store with a few (packed with 30 pounds worth of bean bags), I think I found the one...

Oh Mr. Sun

2011-03-31T20:12:00.001-07:00

We've finally been hit with sunshine. 78° today and I'm loving every minute of the warmth. I had to bust out the brand new maxi dress from my closet that has been waiting to be worn for the last few weeks. Hope the sun stays for my birthday!

26 poses, 90 minutes, 110 degrees

2011-03-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

After reading up on Bikram yoga and finding a nearby place that offers an unbeatable deal for newbies, I knew I had to try it out. "The poses work synergistically and cumulatively to return the body to a balanced state. The yoga builds energy, stamina, and flexibility. It incorporates strength, challenge, gravity, balancing and most importantly the tourniquet effect. This technique allows the stretching, squeezing and massaging of the internal organs, flushing out the cardiovascular system and stimulating the endocrine and nervous systems in order to release any deficient hormones and enzymes."

So, on to my first experience at Funky Door Yoga. After hydrating and eating healthy all day in preparation for my class, I arrived in my spandex shorts and dri-fit tank. I was told people dress like they're going to the beach. What I love about this place is they really make you feel comfortable by introducing all of the newbies and they keep an eye on you during class/ offer assistance during the sessions. After finding my spot and setting up my mat and towels, I did my best to get used to the temperature (and weird odors), but really there isn't much adjusting to 110 degrees - it feels like hell the whole time. After savasana, I walked out of there with a slight headache likely due to not being hydrating enough and completely drenched in sweat. I have never sweat like this, EVER. I don't even sweat very much after running half marathons. The rest of the day, I felt completely relaxed and in a daze. The next day and entire week after I was incredibly sore in parts of my body where I never knew I'd even be able to feel soreness. Just a few days later, I found myself in class again. Being able to stretch every single muscle in your body is an amazing feeling. This type of yoga isn't for everyone, but I definitely recommend everyone try it. It's one of the most physically challenging things I have ever done and I'm so glad I was open minded and gave it a chance.

[image from FunkyDoorYoga]

Lately

2011-03-22T23:42:00.000-07:00

Guzzling beer for St. Patty's Day

Surviving through earthquake weather (ie. hail storms)

Watching Caroline complete a Das Boot challenge

Celebrating itty bitty birthdays (Happy 2nd Birthday, Tali!)

2011-03-16T20:57:00.001-07:00

"Look at the sunny side of everything & make your optimism come true."

Shattered!

2011-03-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

I'm officially obsessed with the new nail polish line Katy Perry has created with OPI. It's unlike any other nail polish out there. After stalking a few different places, I finally came up on a bottle of Black Shatter. You can put this on top of any nail polish in any color and it always gives that shattered effect. Just one apply one coat and let it do it's magic. Love!

DIY: Repainting an old used filing cabinet

2011-03-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

Being the uber organized neat freak that I am, it was even a surprise to me that I still didn't own a filing cabinet. All my documents are either stored on a shelf at home or in one of my filing cabinets at work (probably not the best place for confidential information). So, in an attempt to better organize my life, I finally embarked on a hunt for something standard-sized, inexpensive and with a pop of color. Turns out, they're all drab and overpriced at about $75.

So, I took it into my own hands and found a used one on Craigslist for $10 and turned it out. Instead of paying $75 for a brand new one, I spent a total of $20 (total includes price of cabinet + supplies).

Supplies:
-1 can of primer
-1 can of spray pain
-Sandpaper
-1 paint marker pen
-drop cloth

1.) Sand it. This is optional. By sanding it down, the paint sticks better. You can also sand down any uneven areas or sand off paint if it has any already on it from a previous DIY project.
2.) Clean it. Remove any dust and residue. Wipe down and let dry.
3.) Prime it. Use a primer that works on metal like Rustoleum. Dry.
4.) Spray on paint.

*Tip: Spray one side at a time and make sure the side you're painting is rightside up/ laying flat. I made the rookie mistake of spraying the sides and had paint drip marks. I ended up having to sand these down and repainting. Avoid this time-consuming mistake!

Lent Begins

2011-03-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

I was raised Catholic, but am definitely not practicing. Each year that lent comes around I figure if I can do something small, this is the time. This year, instead of doing less of something I decided to do more. So you heard it here first, this is what I'm doing for lent:

1.) Floss every morning and every night - I always try and do this religiously, but I fail every time.

2.) Read a book from beginning to end. - I haven't read a book since I got a smart phone in December :(

3.) Read at least one news article each day. - I have not been up to date on current events like I should be.

Hope I can do this!

Welcome to the World

2011-03-04T20:49:00.001-08:00

Miss Kourtney Milan was born on February 17 and (after pestering) her mommy & daddy for a few days, I finally met her!

BIEBER FEVER!

2011-03-04T20:33:00.001-08:00

Not too long ago, I started hearing about this kid. Justin Bieber this, Justin Bieber that and the whole time I was thinking, "Who the hell is Justin Bieber?" So one day, I YouTubed his name and after one video I'd click on another and another and another. Before I knew it, an hour had passed and I'd watched every single video and fell in love (with his talent of course). There are a million haters and I'm happy to say that I'm not one of them. At the end of the day, the kid has a voice, can play 3 instruments and has the most amazing fans. So people should stop saying Drake is better than him (because he's not). After watching Never Say Never 3D, I'm even more of a Believer!

$9 for TWO movie tickets via Fandango

2011-03-02T08:48:00.001-08:00

Awesome deal that is only available today. Just purchased mine (I'm a sucker for deals, especially when it's for things I already know I'd use with or without the discount). Get yours!

https://livingsocial.com/deals/28498?ref=conf-jp&rpi=6799779

Stuffed Dates

2011-03-01T23:30:00.000-08:00

After recently trying stuffed dates for the first time during my visit to Firefly in Vegas (details are here), I realized how simple yet delicious these bite-sized snacks are. So of course, I attempted to make them myself with the help of a recipe I found on the delishdishblog/ Bon Appetit. Enjoy!
.................................................................................
Gorgonzola Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

12 Medjool dates
12 pieces gorgonzola cheese (can also use asiago, manchego, percorino, etc..)
4 slices thick high quality bacon, cut crosswise into 3 pieces
Paprika

Tip: Medjool dates can sometimes be very large. To prevent the date from taking over the entire appetizer, try cutting them in half before adding cheese and wrapping in bacon.

1) Preheat oven to 425C
2) Remove pits from dates
3) Insert 1 piece cheese into date
4) Sprinkle bacon generously with paprika on one side
5) Wrap each date with 1 piece bacon with paprika side against date
6) Secure with a toothpick.
7) Arrange on baking sheet and roast 6 minutes (till bacon is browned on the bottom). Turn dates and roast 6 minutes longer till bacon is cooked. Transfer to plate and cool slightly before serving.

Could it snow in San Francisco?

2011-02-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

Rumors of possible snow fall in San Francisco are circling. Could it be? I don't think I'd ever want to live anywhere with a snowy climate, but that doesn't mean I'm not excited about a possible snow day. Speaking of snow, during my last visit to Tahoe I was reminded of how much fun sledding is. It's not just for kids! It was actually pretty scary going down steep hills. Also, I went snowmobiling for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it (although my sister said I ride like a grandma).

Drais Hollywood

2011-02-22T22:39:00.000-08:00

In celebration of a friend's booming business, we headed out for a night of fun with his company at Drais Hollywood. Despite the block long lines and #$%@#$& security guards (hello Hollywood!), we managed to have a blast. Not hard to do when they put 6 bottles on the table and tell you to drink.

NBA All-Star Weekend in LA

2011-02-22T22:26:00.000-08:00

I wonder how LA deals with events week after week in February: SAG awards, Oscar's, Grammy's and more. It's insane. Just look what the the Beverly Center looks like...

More updates coming soon!

2011-02-18T14:07:00.000-08:00

Hi friends,

I've been wanting to post a few fun Tahoe details, but I've been really wrapped up this week and leaving on a jet plane tonight for LA in celebration of NBA all star weekend and a friend's event so check back for more on that later. I just downloaded the Blogger app so maybe I can get a few post in on the road.

Stay tuned!

Happy 40th Anniversary!

2011-02-13T11:16:00.000-08:00

On February 13, 1971, my parents exchanged vows and til this day they are going strong and very much in love. I hope to be just like them when I'm older. They set such an amazing example. I know I've probably shared this photo with you before, but it's my favorite and never gets old.

Family Weekend in Tahoe

2011-02-12T10:33:00.001-08:00

In Tahoe for the weekend celebrating my parent's anniversary. The first time we've been complete for a mini vacation since my sisters had kids (my oldest niece is 10) so it's been awhile.

Photo Booth

2011-02-07T21:34:00.000-08:00

Ventured off to the Venetian to find 1 of 4 photobooths in the US that my face is on and here it is! I didn't even know this picture made the cut.

Beef Brisket Sandwich at Il Cane Rosso

2011-02-05T19:15:00.000-08:00

#14 Beef Brisket Sandwich at Il Cane Rosso
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die in SF 2010

Another visit to the ferry building for the farmer's market and this time I attempted to get the #12 item on the 2010 Big Eat list (Porchetta sandwich from Roli Roti) but the line was soooo long and I try not to go over an hour for lunch so since Il Cane Rosso is inside the building I decided to try that instead. We ordered the beef brisket sandwich, creamy polenta and the panchetta collard greens. Overall, the collard greens were my favorite thing. I wish the sandwich had a bit more meat. Their salads looked really good (wish I had ordered one). Not sure why this item is on the list, it was just okay.

All Dolled Up

2011-02-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

One of the funnest parts about coming to a city like Vegas is getting dressed up. Since I don't party as much as I used to, I rarely get the opportunity nowadays. Fun times.

Sandwiches & Frozen Custard

2011-02-05T17:41:00.000-08:00

When I got to Vegas I wasn't planning on eating sandwiches, but after I tried Earl of Sandwich I ended up having 3 over the next 2 days. The meatball, italian and original were equally tasty and the huge plus is that they sell frozen lemonade. I am ALWAYS craving for frozen lemonade (especially when I have hangovers) so you can imagine how happy I was when I found that out. If you come during lunch hours there's always a line here, so just do what we did and come after the clubs/ bars.

If you have a car while you're in Vegas, don't forget to stop by Luv It for frozen custard. It's off the strip, but they have lots of yummy flavors.

Marquee

2011-02-05T17:29:00.000-08:00

The hottest new club on the strip is the Marquee at the Cosmopolitan. This place is gorgeous (so is the crowd) and reminiscent of a Miami club/ hotel. There are several bars throughout, a pool in the outdoor area, cabanas and more. Drinks are pricey, but you'd expect that from any Vegas club - especially a new one. $15 for a shot of Patron.

Music is great - Steve Angello was spinning in the main room when I went last weekend. What I love about the main room is that the DJ is the center of attention and the crowd really gets into the music. Bottle service is a bit steep here, I was quoted about $2k for a party of 8. Girls get in free if you're on the guestlist and there before 11pm otherwise it's $20 and for guys it's $30. Either come really early and wait in line, or do what we did and come REALLY late, know a few people and avoid the line period.

Serendipity

2011-02-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

The famous NYC Serendipity has come to Vegas and what more perfect way to enjoy a beautiful day than to sit outside on the strip with a frozen hot chocolate.

Tapas at Firefly

2011-02-05T17:01:00.000-08:00

For Tiffany's birthday dinner, we headed off the strip to Firefly a restaurant recommended by locals. The prices are incredibly low for a place with delicous food. For a party of 6, our tab was only about $150. Some of the stand out dishes included the stuffed dates (stuffed with gorgonzola cheese and wrapped with bacon) and the machengo mac n cheese. They have both red & white sangria which is great and overall the service was pretty good.

The Lion King

2011-02-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

I've heard nothing but great things about Lion King on Broadway so when I found out that they were performing in Las Vegas I made it a goal to check it out. I stumbled upon a 50% off promo code from Travelzoo and jumped on the offer before I headed to LV and I'm glad I did. This was such a memorable show with incredible performers, unique costumes and fun music. I've done a Disney Broadway musical with Beauty & the Beast and wasn't impressed, but this was an entirely different show. The first act was so good it nearly brought tears to my eyes (well, I actually did get glossy-eyed). It's definitely a must-see.

Mon Ami Gabi

2011-02-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

The Paris hotel was nearby and after getting a recommendation and seeing their reviews on Yelp, we decided to check out the French Bistro, Mon Ami Gabi. We got a beautifully lit patio table (it's really dark inside the restaurant) which was perfect since it was nice and sunny outside. Almost all of us ordered a different dish so we were able to taste a little bit of everything and it was all well prepared and scrumptious. The service was outstanding, the menu had a wide variety of options and the prices were reasonable. Usually anything french is expensive, but this surprisingly wasn't too bad.

Chicken & Waffles with a Side of Bottle Service

2011-02-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

Touching down early in LV gives you an opportunity to check out the city before the craziness starts. After dropping our bags off, we went straight to the infamous Hash House A Go Go for "twisted farm food". I was surprised to see such interesting items on the menu like the beer in a bag and bacon & beer options. Of course, I just had to get the beer in a bag for fun. The portions are enormous so make sure to share. Allison and I opted for the chicken & waffles and although it was a little on the dry side, it was still enjoyable (and nicely plated).

After strolling around the strip, resting up in our room and ordering our first sandwich at Earl of Sandwich (I'll expand on this later), we got dolled up and made it out to Eve. This club is Eva Longoria's and a lot more intimate than your standard Las Vegas nightclub which we appreciated. It helped that we knew a few people because we were able to score a few bottles at a great price (plus a free one for the ladies). After 4 bottles, we were dancing machines and had a crazy first night.

Still Recovering

2011-02-01T23:06:00.000-08:00

First off, Happy Birthday to my dear friend TIFFANY! We had a blast in Vegas. A more "grown up" trip this time around which I absolutely loved because it was filled with tons of yummy meals, lots of top shelf drinks and nothing but positive vibes. I even walked the strip! In past trips, I never made it outside during the day. Here's a teaser photo - more to come!

A Fruitful Lunch

2011-01-27T20:37:00.000-08:00

Every now and then, family friend's Becky & Tory of Tory Farms stop by our family parties and bring in crates of the best fruits to share. It wasn't until sometime last year that I found out that they set up shop twice a week at the SF Ferry Building farmer's market. So in addition to stopping by Namu, I strolled around to find the Tory Farms tent and there they were! Today, they had Oro Blanco grapefruits, Owari Satsuma oranges, Page mandarins and Cara Cara oranges. Everything was soooo juicy and so much sweeter than fruits I pick up at the grocery store. Of course, they wouldn't let me leave empty handed so I was able to take a bag full of fruits home and some to share at work. Healthy snacks all around :)

Korean Taco at Namu's Market Stand

2011-01-27T15:09:00.000-08:00

#90 Korean Tacos at Namu's Market Stand
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die 2010

I think I've been to the SF Ferry Building way too many times the last 2 weeks. I love this place and can never get enough. Since they do a farmer's market twice a week (Thursday and Saturday), I decided to swing by and check out the offerings and turns out, many of the notable food trucks/ tents were set up today: Namu, Roli Roti, Tacolicious and more (all of which have items on the 7x7 list for 2010). Today, I went for a Namu Korean taco.

Namu has a very unique take on the taco. Rather than using a tortilla, they wrap their ingredients (kalbi, seasoned rice, daikon, kimchi salsa, kimchee remoulade, housemade teriyaki sauce) in Japanese and Korean toasted seaweed. After just reading the ingredients in this "taco" I knew it wouldn't let me down - and it didn't disappoint. Prices are reasonable considering food in the area is not cheap, but I was hoping for a slightly larger quantity though it was still good. $3 for 1 taco and 2 for $5. I've tried their Korean style pancake at a street food festival and didn't fancy it much, but this, I'd definitely have it again.