Pre-Vacation Staycation Continued...

Mom and her Spicy Korean Soup.

And so the pre-vacation Staycation continues. The days are blurring together, and until I saw more than a dozen people in costume- I hadn't realized it was Halloween. Mom and I got our fitness jam on this morning and then headed to center city to Giwa for some epic Korean eats. I'm sure that there is a super cheap hole-in-the-wall , super-authentic Korean place somewhere in the city, but Giwa was pretty damn good. Mom had the spicy kimchi soup and I had the vegetarian Dol Sot BiBimBop. It was served piping hot in a cast iron pot, with kimchi and pickled cucumbers. In Central America, I have seen FIGHTS go down over the "carruncha", the crispy rice at the bottom of the pot. Well, this dish had the best damn "carruncha" that I've ever had.

After lunch we strolled around and (unfortunately) strolled through anthropologie and lululemon, where I treated myself to a few nice things :) The conversation at lunch had actually been about how when I'm traveling I don't want "things" and I don't feel attached to "things", being completely content with my modest backpack of goods. But being home, I want STUFF. I love "things"...$90 yoga pants? Yes please. 10 of them. Meanwhile, that'd pay for 2 months of a good life in Asia. Ayeyaya. So after spending (too much) money on some of my favorite things in my two favorite stores, I walked down the block and carved into the cement was exactly what I was thinking...

Brooke and I did a yoga class at Dhyana, and then my mom joined us and we had a kickass Mexican meal at Distrito in West Philly. Octopus Ceviche, lobster tacos, tortilla soup, jicama salad, and unbelievable margaritas. Brooke was super stoked on the decor as well, which included a VW beetle that was made into a seating area.

Another great night on our pre-vacation Staycation.

Food Friends Fun

Beach Yoga 41st Street Beach, Ocean City.

Started my morning on the beach with Katy, Eileen and Gen for some beach yoga. The sun was shining, the weather was glorious and the flow was just what the doctor ordered. Went home and got some things done at the house that needed doing and then met Rochelle for our afternoon adventure. I had somewhat of a nervous breakdown the other day and Rochelle just so happened to witness it. So she played hookie from work and we had a girls day. We went for a later lunch in south Philly @ my favorite GREEN EGGS CAFE. We shared the epic duck pastrami sandwich with fries and a roasted peach and Gorgonzola cheese salad with almonds. Deeeeelightful. Then we bopped through shops in the Promenade (in Marlton) and ended with a trip to whole foods to stock up on healthy essentials. We are en route back to beach now to eat pizza and watch Game of Thrones. Thankful for good friends.

The Duck Pastrami sandwich, the french fries, and the homemade garlic dill pickle at Green Eggs Cafe are LIFE CHANGING.

Mesculan greens with grilled peaches, gorgonzola and almonds. MmMmMmMm.

Hank Sauce Round 2

Stopped over Hank Sauce last night on 86th and Landis for more delicious food and some quality time with the boys. Once again, delicious food and good times. If you havent made it over yet, get your butt in groove!! There's even a Philly made HANKS Root Beer!

HANK SAUCE!!

Brian Ruxton (aka "Hank") and I have been great friends and surf buddies since the 4th grade. Brian is an amazing chef (he has worked as a chef at Braca's Cafe in Sea Isle City for several years now) and has finally branched out on his own. Just last year he made his delicious hot sauces available for the masses: Hank Sauce (there are four varieties that are always available, with more being added into the rotation). With his two best friends and business partners, Josh and Matt, they have opened up a Florida-Mexican restaurant in SIC on 86th street (across from BUSCH'S) offering up some delicious food. It is DEFINITELY in it's early stages. The restaurant is bare bones, no decorations, and theres barely a sign outside that lets you know its open. But all that will come before summer hits, and details aside - the food speaks for itself. The benefit is that you have all of the delectable hank sauces at your disposal. The star on the menu, as far as I'm concerned, is the "Ahi tuna Roll". Sesame seared ahi with Brians amazing mango salsa, and lettuce in a burrito wrap, sliced to look like sushi. I recommend using the Cilanktro hot sauce on this one - it is finger licking good. Please show your support and head in for a bite if you can...the boys have worked so hard to make this dream come alive. 8605 Landis Ave, Sea Isle.

the Diving Horse.

Last night, LP and I had one of our epic nights out. We headed into Avalon, stopped at Fred's and picked up a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, then we strolled across the street to The Diving Horse. I ate there once last year with Mom and remembered it being good, but last nights experience was outstanding. Let me begin by saying that the service was really spectacular, which to me is just as important as the food itself. Our waiter's name was Nick, and he was able to answer every question I had to ask (and there were many questions). The atmosphere in the Diving Horse is super cute...it's one of the only restaurants in all of South Jersey that has a comfortable ambiance. No cheesy shore decorations, no stuffy 80's-esque decor...just sturdy wooden tables, clean lines, pews for seating along the walls, and super hip graphic design {their logo, menu and website are amazing}.

The Diving Horse

BYO

Avalon, NJ / 2109 Dune Drive / 609.368.5000

Dinner Served Nightly 5pm-10pm

**Reservations are highly recommended.

The dinner began with the most delicious dinner rolls ever: a hybrid between a soft pretzel and a really yummy, moist bun. Along with the warmed rolls was a red pepper whipped butter, topped with sea salt. Boom! Paulie and I agreed that we have never enjoyed the complimentary bread anywhere as much as this!

LP had the Watermelon, Tomato and Feta salad. I didn't order this because it's something that I make at home. But lucky for me LP doesn't like olives or tomatoes.... :) This was pretty good, but the one I make is better. I'm glad that I didn't order it, saving room for the divine plates that were yet to come...

Holy Good God Almighty. I have never like oysters on the 1/2. I'll eat a thousand raw clams, but oysters just never vibed with me. That was UNTIL I had them at La Bete, a fabulous french restaurant in Seattle. They were tiny, juicy, salty raw bits sent from heaven. Nick, our server, assured me that this were the perfect size (not too big), and he told us that the oysters from the west coast {if you're looking at the above photo, they are the 3 on the left} were creamy, smooth and a bit less salty. The ones on the right, from the cold waters of the North East were a bit more acidic and salty. Though they came with cocktail, freshly made horseradish, and vinegar - none of this was necessary....these were best enjoyed au-naturale. Pardon my language for a moment, but fucking fuck holy hell -- this put a smile on my face that lasted throughout the evening. Though LP and I both agreed that the East AND West Coast oysters were delicious, the best were the ones from the NE. I could have eaten about 30 more and called it a night, but $22 for 6, this extravagance was simply not in the budget. I'm telling you, these were so good, I would buy them again if they were DOUBLE this price (but please diving horse, don't do that to me...).

Thursday nights they have a double cut porkchop, but this evening for special there was a Seared Pork Loin done with a chipotle watermelon sauce and accompanied with a cucumber slaw. Again, profanities are the only way that I can imagine to do this dinner justice: HOLY SHIT! The pork loin was done TO PERFECTION {unlike most places that cook it too much and send it out dry}. You can tell that after it was seared it was given enough time to rest and absorb the juices. Then this buttery pork goodness was finished off with a just-the-right-amount sprinkling of sea salt. The chipotle watermelon sauce was outstanding - the perfect combination of sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy. And the icing on the cake was the cucumber slaw! When most sides are just some thoughtless vegetable or starch thrown on the plate, this MADE the dish. The fresh acidity cut through the heaviness of the pork and just made me want to do backflips through the restaurant. I won, hands down. LP got the tuna (boring), which he enjoyed...but I've never ever ever been one to order tuna out at a restaurant - again it's one of those things that I make really well, and growing up with a fisherman father it seems silly to order something that we constantly have in the fridge. Well, we also are pig farmers - raising, butchering, processing and eating our delicious organic piggies, so I usually don't order much pork out - but this dish was calling my name, and I'm glad that I answered.

My CLEAN plate.

Dessert was....alright. We had the key lime panna cotta with toasted coconut. The panna cotta itself was absolutely delicious...not too sweet, not too tart - just right. But the toasted coconut was chewy, which wasn't a nice texture when combined with the panna cotta. Oh well, just pushed the coconut to the side and dove into the yummy dome of deliciousness. And not to be forgotten was their perfectly brewed espresso. Yum!

All in all, the Diving Horse is NOT TO BE MISSED ...whether you live here, or your on vacation - make a point to have dinner at this Jersey gem. The prices are super affordable, especially for the quality of the food that you're getting. Better yet is that it's a BYO, which saves heaps of cash. The menu isn't pretentious, but it's still exciting -- not your average Spaghetti and Meatballs or Prime Rib with french fries that you get at every other half-assed restaurant we have here in South Jers. The staff is professional and well-educated about all that's on the menu, which makes your dining experience all the better. Be sure though to make a reservation for your next visit here, because they fill up quick. Go goddamnit, go already! You will not be disappointed.

http://www.thedivinghorseavalon.com/

I've already planned my next meal there:

oysters on the 1/2

ratatouille (poached hudson canyon lobster, farm stand vegetables, saffron + zucchini dressing)

fried willapa bay oysters

and whatever pork they have on special!!!!

Ready for Round 2

WELL. Round 2. Here we go...

We hopped in the car and headed up to Philly yesterday to see Dads new doctor, Arati Desai, at the Hospital University of Pennsylvania. Let me begin by saying that Dr. Desai is AMAZING. She made us feel so comfortable and she really helped us to understand exactly what was going on. Dr.Desai actually brought up Dads' past two scans so that we could compare and contrast - and therefore better understand what exactly is going on. Before they thought that Dad's growth may have been a residual affect of the radiation he went through last year. BUT, this scan shows SIGNIFICANT growth within the past three months - which is definitely not a result of the radiation, but a progression of the disease. We knew that we weren't walking into good news -- Dad's vision, memory and mobility have been getting worse recently. His numbness is back and his shingles are bothering him again as well. As always though - he is a trooper, and rarely (if ever) complains. Dr.Desai discussed our plan of attack and helped us to understand the pro's and con's of this and that. She said that the upcoming weeks and months are going to be an extremely difficult battle -- but all of us, in our hearts of hearts, know that we are prepared to fight til the bitter end. She put him on steroids instantly to save that vision that he has less. The steroids will make him ravenous and heavy - but who gives a damn...more to hug! The steroids have helped instantly - helping with the pain that he feels from the numbness and shingles. In another week he will begin oral chemotherapy, via Temeador. We've been down this road before with this exact drug, so we have an idea of what to expect and what to prepare for. In the following months we may be looking at more Avastin infusions as well, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. SO, the news was less than desirable - but we are ready to weather the storm. As is our way - we finished our day in Philly with a delicious meal (@ my favorite, Green Eggs Cafe in South Philly). The next few weeks we are going to enjoy endless amounts of family time -- filling our house with food, laughter, family and friends. Prayers, intentions, and positive vibrations are welcome and encouraged. We couldn't have done this the last time without you - and we hope to have you on "the team" once again. Love and Light everyone <3

Green Eggs Cafe has the most outstanding coffee in Philadelphia - and it's made even better by the small touches, like these super cute little raw sugar cubes.

I knew that Dad would need some cheering up after the bad news - so I ordered him "the Kitchen Sink", once of Green Eggs signature dishes. Served in a cast iron pan, it begins with sauteed potatoes, onions and peppers on the bottom, topped with scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese, finished off with biscuits and gravy!

As always, I had the outstanding Quinoa Porridge. I've recreated it myself, and it's definitely a breakfast of champions. Check out my rendition here.

The two love birds. <3

...Just For Adults.

El Gaucho

2505 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 728-1337

A trip to the movie theatre has been taken to a whole new level by my beloved Seattle-ites. EL GAUCHO in downtown Seattle is a showing room for 21 and up. It's a very small, "boutique" theatre, with an epic lounge area and a full bar. Make sure that you book your ticket ahead online, otherwise you'll be shit outta luck -- it's guaranteed to sell out, no matter what is playing. It's tough to nail in a good seat too...so get there EARLY and get to the front of the line if you plan to sit with the people you came with. Also, it's best to come with atleast one other person, that way one person can get the drinks, while the other waits in line, charges the door and secures good seats.

Pre-Show...the bar is 5 people deep... and this is no beer and "red" or "white" wine establishment...only the finest cocktails and a large selection of fine wines - served in proper glasses....ooolala heaven.

After an epic day of food (surprise!), wine (surprise!) and shopping (surprise!)...Janice, Julisa and I decided that it was only appropriate after trying on wedding dresses and planning Julia's upcoming nuptials to go and see the new movie BRIDESMAIDS. Janice selected us a nice bottle of white wine, Julisa nabbed us the best seats in the house, and I...well, I enjoyed the seats and the wine!! The movie was absolutely, slap-your-knees and grasp-your-sides HYSTERICAL. I think that we missed half of the movie because we were laughing so hard. There were several people in the cast from SNL, and they were sure not to disappoint. And anyone who has been in a bridal party can attest to the madness that goes down. Whether you are male, female, married, unwed, straight or sideways....this movie is a must see. And it's even better served with alcohol, because isn't everything??

By BEAUTIFUL Seattle Sisters...Janice and Julisa. Thank you for being two of the most outstanding, outgoing and simply epic people.

The small theatre...filling up....

Northwest Food & Friends.

Julisa scooped me up at the airport and into her arms after my loooong journey home from Asia. Despite going nearly 20 hours without sleep, I was ready and raring to go - as Julia knew I would be. We dropped my bags, picked up Gordon, I shed my flight clothes and threw on a nicer getup - and we were off for brunch! The food was absolutely delicious. I, as is my way when in Seattle, ordered a Burger & Fries. The fries were the highlight of brekky...Julia was pretty stoked on them (see photo below), and they were served with homemade ketchup. MmMmMmMm. Julia had fresh, heavenly biscuits topped with sauteed mushrooms in a gravy, and scrambled eggs. Gordon had a turkey club, and we shared a really fantastic grilled vegetable platter. Of course, we washed it all down with a champagne cocktail and some coffee, afterall -- it's not brunch without a little bubbly! Stuffed to the gills, we headed to the farmers market to pick up some local, organic goodies to bring to dinner at Carl and Erin's later that night. Then we headed home and Jules & Gordon putzed in their garden, enjoying the "hot sunny day" (aka, I had a sweater on, and socks, and a blanket wrapped around me!).

Jules, stoked on fries and champagne.

Gordon and Jules, gameplanning their veggie beds...

A few hours to digest, power naps all around, and then we were ready for round 2 of food and booze. We headed to Carl and Erin's. Carl and Erin aren't a couple, but they are a dynamic duo that is entertaining to hang out with and simply to observe!! Carl is...carl. He's a pretty eclectic, random, multi-faceted person...with not a single bad bone in his body, and generosity that is over the top. We aren't sure how old he is, but after years of research and asking around, Erin gathers that Carl's 49 or 50. The asian in him makes guessing his age nearly impossible. So, the age-less Carl owns a big, beautiful home just outside of Columbia City in Seattle. Erin, a young, boisterous traveler has been his roomate for a few years now. She works at La Medusa with Julisa and Gordon, as well as another side job. Living with Carl for next-to-nothing has allowed her to save save save and Carl will tell you that he enjoys the company of his outgoing roomie more than anything. It's a great partnership. Both Carl and Erin are AVID bikers....this is bicycles I'm talking about. But for shits and giggles they will ride to Portland, Oregon and back. Fucking hell! Erin has an enthusiastic addictive personality, and anything that she does she will put her whole heart and soul into. SO, in just a year she has taken her cycling to a whole new level -- investing in all the gear, a coach, and has even begun competing in races...and doing great!! Needless to say, I'm super proud of her. She truly is a go-getter...and I love to be around people like this. They are inspiring. Anyways - Carl and Erin. Not a romantic thing, but a roomate thing. They hosted us for dinner and we all pitched in to make an outrageously delicious, nutritious local meal. Carl had FRESH halibut filets that he did on the grill in a simple salt, pepper, lemon concoction that was absolutely divine. The fish was cooked to perfection - moist, tender, and fresh fresh fresh. We also did some grilled onions and asparagus that had been marinated a bit, grilled baked potatoes and a bread salad. Gordon did the bread salad, and no one could speak - we all just moaned our way through it.

BREAD SALAD:

Get a good loaf of bread, slice into 3/4 inch slices. Drizzle with olive and grill. Dice into cubes. Do the same to large scallions: drizzle, grill, dice. In a bowl mix fresh salad greens, bread and scallions. Drizzle with HIGH QUALITY extra virgin olive oil and HIGH QUALITY balsamic vinegar. Salt, Pepp. Enjoy.

First round of drinks was Carl's famous (deadly strong) margaritas, and then we finished the night with white wine.

The Dynamic Duo: Carl and Erin.

Erin, Gordon and Julia...snacking and slavin'.

Fabulous Foodies and Fabulous Friends: Erin, Me and Julisa.

We got home around 11:30pm, and I fell straight to sleep. In the previous two days I had slept only about 5 hours total, so I was wrecked. Jet-lagged and totally confused by the time difference. Well, at half past noon Julisa walked into my room and said "Are you alive??". BAH. Needed that! I felt bad that I missed quality time with my bestie, but sleep was necessary and it was nice that her and Gordon got some quality time together on their day off. We putzed around the house and drank a couple cups of coffee (Julia makes the best! It's the combination of Bialetti espresso and the beans that they use: HERKIMER COFFEE, its the BEST!). Then we got cleaned up and headed out on our expedition: wedding dress. We got to the plaza a bit early so we had to stop into H&M. Well, their bathingsuits were in - and they are GOOD this year. SO, I got a few... You know me, my weakness: coffee and bathingsuits. Yeeeew! We met Erin at a restaurant in the plaza after H&M for a glass of wine. Then we were off to JCREW for wedding dresses. This JCREW is one of the 5 in the country that actually have the wedding dresses at the store. It was supposed to be a "big deal", but the situation was this: a mono-toned college student who lacked enthusiasm, personality and wedding-dress-knowledge put us in a dressing room for the handicapped and said 'holler if ya need me'. Ha. Not quite what we were expecting, but we made it fun none-the-less. There weren't any winners, or even any semi-winners, but the process of elimination is good sometimes by realizing what you DONT want you come closer to knowing what you DO want.

Wine to warm up for the wedding dress excursion....

Miller...trying to figure out whats going on. Where do we sit? Where is the lady? WHERES THE CHAMPAGNE? This was supposed to be a consultation...

Julisa, paying homage to her Dad....

Yeah, no. No, No, and another No.

Pearls? NO THANK YOU.

She'd look beautiful in anything....

Size 12 dresses, had to clip em up....

So, no dress. What now? Food and booze of course!! Janice met up with us and the 4 of us headed to SERIOUS PIE for some seriously outstanding pizza pies, appetizers, and .... wine. Grilled octopus and garbanzo beans, Greens with Caviar and Ham, 3 stupendous pies, a bottle of bubbly rose followed by a bottle of white, finished off with chocolate mousse and americano's. Boom. Get 'er done. Us ladies don't mess around.

Julisa, JANNNNNICCCEEE and Me.

Jules, Me and the PIG @ Serious Pie. This photos for you Dad! We love you.

Loves Me, Loves Me Not.

Woke up today and taught a yoga class to Erin Miller and Julia @ Er's house. It was deeelightful and it felt good to get back into the groove of teaching - it's something that just feels good to me. Julia had to jet to work, but thankfully my new friend {the goddess} Miller ran me around so that I could do some important "last minute" errands. She dropped me at Safeway a few hours later as she made her way to work, and I picked up some of this and some of that necessary for my upcoming months. As I was waiting outside of the supermarket for the bus, I decided to check my FB account on my crackphone, I mean "iPhone". Well, well, well...JOEL {the handsome butcher} had messaged me! yeeewww! Granted, I had messaged him first, but none-the-less, he replied! He told me that he was still in town and that he was having drinks at Melrose Market. WELL - I hurried back to Julia and Gordons and QUICKLY packed my bag {the ONE bag that I'll be living out of for the next 4 months...the ONE bag that probably needed a little bit of consideration while being packed}. Anyways, I grab the bus and was in downtown Seattle by around 5:30. I decided against popping into Melrose to see Joel, he'd probably think I was a looney. I walk down the many flights of stairs to the Light Rail, buy my ticket, wait for a minute or two - and then decide that I genuinely want to see the handsome butcher, and I was pretty damn thirsty for a Gin & Tonic. SO I make my way BACK up the large flight of stairs and walk well over a mile to Melrose Market. A block away from my destination and I think, "God, you crazy bitch. What are you going to do? You have no wingman, no mojo - and you're wearing a hooded sweatshirt for christ sake." I attempted a "driveby" {aka takin a gander in the window} and then decided that I was a chicken shit. I turned around and walked a mile and a half back to the light rail - muttering to myself the whole way back...the crazies thought that I was crazy, and no one asked me for some 'spare change'. As someone who always takes charge {I've asked out EVERY one of my past boyfriends}, I was totally ashamed at my lack of courage. Oh well, better luck next time {aka when I visit Jackson Hole}. So instead of being a babbling idiot with the handsome butcher, I opted for an OUTSTANDING dinner at LA MEDUSA in Columbia City. Thankfully it was slow, so I got to spend some Q.T. with my darling Julia. I had THE BEST spagghetti and meatballs OF MY LIFE, along with a repeat of the endive salad {and several glasses of wine, and a gin&tonic, and a glass of bubbles}.

Pasta...no more.

Aside from missing out on Mr. Dreamy, it was an epic evening. The icing on the cake was my new Seattle fave's: JANICE & JEREMY. Jeremy rips on me pretty hard - for pretty much everything, though he focuses mostly on Twilight. BUT, I don't mind. I think that Jer likes me. He's alot like my Dad...if he's not ripping on you, it means that he doesn't care. His wife Janice is as sweet as hooooooney. Delightful. I was so glad to spend my last night in their company, laughing and debating and rambling with these fine people. They gifted me the novel, "The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food and Love". I'm sure it's not winning any literary awards, but it's cute to boot - and it's about a city girl falling in love with a real man, a farming man. Ha. Well, I'm no city girl - but I understand the pull towards a man that knows his way around meat, dirt, and a kitchen.



Okay, going to give my mad rambling and trash talking a bit of a break. I leave tomorrow morning for Asia and don't think that I'll be able to blog for a few more days. As I always do in my travels, I'll be keeping a notebook and then posting my dated blogs whenever I'm near a computer. For the first time ever I'm a bit nervous about my trip....Asia is pretty foreign, and I don't speak the language. BUT - I'm optimistic because no matter where I go I encounter intelligent, vibrant, amazing human beings....and I'm sure that this trip will be the same in that sense!

Seize the day my friends.

Solo in Seattle

Today is my first day flying solo in Seattle. I got lucky this trip- Julia and Gordon only have off 2 weeks out of the WHOLE year, so I planned this trip with that in mind. Did they really wanna spend 10 of their 14 days off with me.....honestly, Yes, I believe so. We have had such an amazing time and I feel so very blessed to get in some quality time with my best friend. Today though they both had to go back to work. So here I am, sitting in Starbucks, about to head into my second yoga class of the day.

Woke up this morning and had coffee with Julia before setting off to run some last minute errands (for my trip). Jules dropped me at the light rail in Columbia City and I took it into the heart of Seattle. Started out with a power yoga class @ BeLuminous and followed that up by rewarding myself with a pizza @ the well-known Serious Pie. Sipping some tea now and about to take a Restorative Yoga class @ BeLuminous. I'm gonna shower there (they have a ton of great Aveda products!) and then I'm cruising to catch Kurt Timmermeister for a book reading/signing @ Elliott Bay Books.

...fast forward. It's now past midnight as I finish this blog that I began several hours ago. The reading was delightful- Kurt is an amazing person with a contagious love for the farm life. His book "Growing A Farmer" is going to be a great read, one that I'm particularly excited to share with my dad. Along with purchasing his book, I also got Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, 2 purple Moleskin notebooks for my trip, and a very special pocket sized collection of my favorite, RUMI. I figure on days when I'm down or in need of some inspiration, I'll just crack it open and read a bit of his wisdom. Anywho- the reading was packed and unfortunately I didn't have enough rime to wait in line and get my book signed :( BUT that's okay because I was rung to catch the light rail so I'd be in Columbia City before 9!! La Medusas kitchen closes right around this time, but I made it!!! I dined on some fabbbbbbulous endive salad and homemade gnocchis that were like little pillows of heaven. Amazing. Ammmazing. Gordon is a GOD in the kitchen. Came home and snuggled on the couch with Jules an Gordon- sipped some wine- and debated about homeschooling vs public school. Twas another great day. Tomorrow I NEED to pack for Asia, because I leave the next day! Bah.

Gordon Wishard.

GORDON WISHARD
also known as
"G - Breezy", "G-Unit", my best friends Fiance
...and the Head Chef @ La Medusa.

Gordon is the KING of meat. He's an amazing butcher, and the charcuterie that he produces is made with loads of love and attention that you can taste. He's kinda a quiet guy, pretty simple, and very particular. After years of watching my best friend date men that were not-at-all-up-to-par-for-her-level-of-fabulousness, I'm glad that she's found a life partner in Gordon. While we were busy eating pot cookies and drinking too much up in the mountains for our "Ladies Weekend", Gordon was enjoying his own adventure - picking up his 400lb pig that had been fed a diet of HAZELNUTS for the past month. Yep, hazelnuts. Gordon was working on the pig today at work, he'll use it on the menu in the upcoming months and the charcuterie that he'll make with it will appear on the menu sometime next year. He had me smell the cut of pork belly, and it smelled like freaking Coffee Mate Hazelnut Cream that you use in your coffee. Here's some pictures of Gordon with his pig.

Gordon showing me your average piece of pig - far less exciting than his superior hazelnut piggy.

Sitka & Spruce

Sitka & Spruce.
1531 Melrose Avenue
{East} Seattle, Washington 98122
(206) 324.0662 , info@sitkaandspruce.com

Sitka & Spruce is adorable and the food was outstanding...on par with our LA BETE experience. Though Gordon and Julia had a busy day prepping for tomorrow {their restaurant, La Medusa, reopens tomorrow after their 2 week winter break}, they managed to squeeze in some time for LUNCH! Afterall, ya gotta eat! Well, eat we did - as we have been since my arrival. I have spent more money on food and wine in my past 10 days here in Seattle than I have collectively this past year. I guess that is partly because I never have a chance to go out when I'm home - busy working around the clock - but still, you get my point. Lots of money, lots of money, has been spent...and I don't regret one cent of it, because these aint no run-o-the-mill meals. Our lunch was so outstanding, it still has me smiling {it also could be the bubbles - we shared a bottle of rose brut, you know - "the usual"}.

Here's what we dined on:

chickpea puree with carrots and a tapenade - OUT OF THIS WORLD.

Kurtwood Farms Cheese + Jam

Columbia City Bakery bread and some freaking oustanding, creamy butter.

Celery Root Soup w/ Hazelnuts & Sage Butter

Poached Chicken Leg with Cannelini Beans, Savoy Cabbage and Carmelized Onions.

King Salmon Lox, Creme Fraiche, Radish & Huckleberries.

gateau Basque with spiced sugar pie pumpkin

Espresso!!!

Our server {as well as good friend of Gordon and Julia}.

Muy Cute.

The food was better than good, better than great...simply delicious. Tonight we are laying low and cooking some dinner at home. More good times with my best friend and her main man...

"I only drink champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad.
Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone.
When I have company, I consider it obligatory.
I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am.
Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty." -Lily Bollinger