angles

Stumptown: Portland's Best Coffee #3

a rough morning at...

Olea: PDX #2

More food porn! This was my second trip to Olea, and I was not disappointed. Scallops three ways, amazing pork rib and an action shot of the Lobster Pot Pie, a signature dish.

Heading back to SFO after breakfast at Bouchon

French Laundry

Here's a bit of food porn from my meal at the French Laundry - it's a mix of courses from the regular chef's menu (Anh's) and the vegetarian menu (mine). Some photos are not ideal due to low light and a need for us not to look like freaks taking photos of the food (though, we were not the only ones...).

Eating here was a very cool experience - though, not one I have to do again, though I would in the right circumstance. The preparation was impeccable, though, the creations weren't blazingly inventive - but this is Thomas Kellar's schtick - food that is perfectly prepared; he does not claim to be the most creative. That said, the lobster in a saffron-vanilla sauce was fascinating, and off of the veg menu, a lovely concoction of chard, chantrelles and potatoes in a corn emulsion made me very happy. Everything was just so detailed, and that was the part that made it worth it. Glad to have had the opportunity and the means to have the experience!









/>

Wine Tasting Today!

We're in the Napa Valley, staying in Yountville, so today headed out today and saw a couple of wineries, got our toes done and tried to rest up for our dinner tonight. It is wickedly hot here - like insane heat. The locals are even sweltering and apologizing to the tourists for the weather. "It's usually not like this...we're so sorry!"

Somehow Anhl and I are surviving, though, I admit we are sporting less energy than usual. Alas, we are somehow making it through! French Laundry tonight - watch for a full report tomorrow!

On Our Way to the Napa Valley

San Francisco: Meeting up with Anhl!

Anh, who has been away from Seattle for 4 weeks now, drove from Santa Barbara to meet up with me for a night in San Francisco before heading to Napa Valley for our dinner at the French Laundry in Yountville. She is sooooo tan from her days on the beach in her temporary home of Santa Barbara! Here we are having an afternoon cocktail...imagine that!

Escape, run away, avoid: All of the above.

Can't wait to say this to someone again...

nighttime at the lake

Bella!!

Billowing

Discovery Park

Greenlake Bunny

Barriers

Stumptown: Portland's Best Coffee #2

Olea: PDX

Olea is a restaurant in Portland I've been trying to get to for a while. Feast your eyes on tonight's entrees: Lobster Pot Pie (Signature Dish), Rock Salt Roasted Branzini and Duck Two Ways. Followed up by a nightcap at Saucebox near my favorite hotel - it was gorgeous and we sat outside.

Baxter 3.5

pretty city

creepiness

Heather Lake

herbfarm

urban hike

happy 4th!