Beer vs. Wine

It's always fun to attend work events esp our Dining Odysseys. It was the 5th annual Beer Vs. Wine, Beer and Wine were tied 2-2, this dinner was the tiebreaker. Food was fabulous (of course) and the drinks were even better, (the menu is below). Our chefs did an amazing job dining and entertaining 90+ people. To everyone's surprise BEER won! My favorite dish was the Hamachi "Fish N' Chips" paired with beer and my favorite wine was the Field Blend. YUM!! I'm pretty sure I'm still full from this dinner.



ROASTED GARDEN BEETS
Avocado pudding, beet gelee, arugula, minus 8 vinaigrette, candied walnuts
Beer: Stone Brewing, Cali-Belgique IPA
Wine: Raymond Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

HAMACHI “FISH ‘N CHIPS”
Hamachi en croute, onion chip, yuzu pickles, caper pistou, frisee, malt vinegar espuma
Beer: Iron Fist, Spice of Life
Wine: Sonoma Cuvee Chardonnay, Russian River Valley


SONOMA DUCK BREAST
Truffle butternut squash, fried brussel sprouts, pistachio crumb, duck jus
Beer: Lost Abbey, Lost and Found
Wine: Raymond R. Collection Lot No.3, Field Blend, California


SHORT RIB EN SOUS VIDE
Bleu cheese polenta, freeze dried corn, English peas, horseradish beef jus
Beer: St. Bernardus, Abt 12
Wine: Raymond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

MEYER LEMON PANNA COTTA
Candied persimmon, cookie crumble, micro lemon mint
Beer: Alesmith Horny Devil
Wine: Chateau Grand Piquey Sauternes, France

La Jolla

A few days ago I spent my work day in beautiful La Jolla visiting our bed & breakfast. Once there, we were welcomed by the pet concierge! (Too cute!) The property sits right along the shores of La Jolla and the room views are incredible. For lunch we dined at one of trusted restaurant partners and had items "off-menu" courtesy of the sous chef. It's always fun "to work" by the beach for the day!

Goodies

This week I experienced my first yakyudori (Japanese skewers) and ramen house in San Diego, Yakitori Yakyudori & Ramen. I played it safe by ordering beef and chicken breast yakudori then trying the ramen. MY goodness the portion was huge, the ramen enough could fill you up. Probably looked like a fat kid from ordering all this food.

Side note: At one of our hotels, we got a sneak peak of the one of the items we'll be offering during the holiday season. YUM!!

El Lay

Went to LA over the weekend, spent it with the amazing fiancé. What we did: The Getty, Wokcano, and Third Street Promenade. The Getty is flipping amazing, a much bigger space than I imagined. We were there for 3 hours and missed a few exhibits. Plan ahead and plan a whole day (unlike us where it was a spur of the moment visit). Wokcano was a little dark inside (insufficient lighting and I get the whole ambiance idea, it was still too dark), but delicious asian cuisine. Later the evening we went to fiancé's company party and met more of his amazing coworkers from the studio.

Sunday was spent in Santa Monica and strolled around Third Street Promenade with my cousin my UCLA (Weird that UCLA is located across the street from Bel-Air). At Third Street Promenade, there was an awesome impromptu Steve Jobs memorial in front of the Apple store. Anywho check it!

Duchess of Cambridge

Rumor is Anna Wintour is dying to get Kate Middleton on the cover of US Vogue. YES PLEASE, that editorial spread would be amazing! Since Mario Testino is BFFs with the royal family and shoots 99% of Vogue's covers it's destined to happen and hopefully soon!! Side note: I adore these pics of Kate and her hubby!

Steal of the Day

I cannot believe I got these cute wedges from Target for $30. Perfect for fall. I saw them last week and decided I didn't need them. I went to Target again, saw them STILL in my size and I thought, "this has to be a sign that I must own these."

California love

Let me start with that I am SO glad it's the weekend! It's been a very busy week, but all fun! Along the coast ride to Laguna Beach, Sweet Deposition by The Temper Trap played on the radio and the Metro Link Train was pacing on my right side. It was a moment where I thought, "I LOVE my life right now". Up in OC, Laguna Beach Magazine threw their annual fall launch party at one of our properties. The food prepared by the chefs was delicious and you could tell everyone was just having a great time.

On a side note, today is the first day of fall. It started without a cloud in the sky then late afternoon there was sudden rain, hail, thunder and lighting! It was madness.

More food!!!

I love this charcuterie bar at Bice in downtown. We were here to film a morning TV segment and I just couldn't help myself, but gawk at the beautiful display of different cheeses and meats! They are participating in San Diego Restaurant Week, I hope I'm able to make it there for dinner!

Speaking of San Diego Restaurant Week, yesterday I dined at Kitchen 1540 (one of my favorites) and finally sat outside! It's such an amazing setting out there, more so than their dining room. There is an outdoor fireplace, candles in mason jars hanging from the trees and the vertical gardens next to their awesome semi-private dining cabanas. During dinner a few chefs picked herbs from the vertical garden and bought them back to the kitchen. The service was impeccable! On Monday I was at Flavor Del Mar and prior to dinner I was found at their wine bar Sip. Food was great, but the wine was much better! Sip is the perfect place to hangout and have great conversations with friends.

For my last SDRW dinner adventure is Kensington Grill! Can't wait!

Favorite Spring 2012 RTW

Bright colors? Gorgeous gowns? I really wish there were more occasions where you could wear beautiful romantic gowns other than your wedding day and prom night. I want almost EVERYTHING from Christian Siriano's SS12 collection. The separate tops and bottoms, I can see worn to work or on an exotic tropical vacation. Below are some of my favorites from the collection. See his full collection here.