This was girls weekend. Son in law was out of town so my step daughter
Vicky and I decided to take advantage and have some girl time. I went
to town Fri. night and got home this morning.
We had two must do-s, take the Coaster up to Solana Beach for the
Farmers Market and go out for sushi. Luckily I checked the Solana
Beach web site and discovered that the Farmers Market is only on
Sunday afternoons. Vicky has business out of town Monday and would be
flying out Sunday morning so that idea was out.
Friday night we had dinner at Lido's Italian Restaurant and made some
alternative plans.
I had the Eggplant Parmesan, it was delicious and came with either
minestrone soup or salad, a side of pasta of your choice and garlic
bread. I had the shells in marinara sauce, and I was served one little
scrawny piece of garlic butter bread, un-toasted from what I could
tell and a tad on the mooshey side. I made the mistake of ordering the
soup, which was lacking the amount of veggies they normally serve, but
the broth was really good. Vicky ordered a pineapple, pepperoni pizza,
no comment here.
We decided to take the trolley downtown to the Gaslamp District. Vicky
hasn't been on the trolley for years and has never been to the Gaslamp
District.
Once we got there we wandered trough the historic U.S. Grant Hotel. It
is now owned by the Sycuan Indian tribe.They have done wonders with
the hotel and have kept its history safe, they also have the best Eggs
Benedict I've ever had.
Once in the Gaslamp District we wandered around and shopped a while
before stopping at Dublin Square http://i14.tinypic.com/4mjh635.jpg
for a half and half and a snack. We ordered Holohan Brothers Beef
Crostini which according to the menu is, "select pieces of beef tips,
braised in Guinness served on toasted baguettes and topped with cashel
blue cheese sauce."
http://i15.tinypic.com/67ilnk9.jpg
http://i11.tinypic.com/4pj9kyh.jpg
Oh, man!!! how great is that. It was delicious and moist.
We sat outside at the little counter facing the street and had some
interesting conversations with some of the passers-by. It was a lot of
fun
Next door to the Pub is a little art gallery. The artist was kind
enough to let me take some photos of his studio
http://i10.tinypic.com/6gvtixy.jpg I assured him I wouldn't take any
close ups (his main concern) and showed him the photos I did take
before leaving. http://i9.tinypic.com/6f5ips4.jpg He tried to move
his palate out of the way, I told him that was the charm of the
studio, an actual artist owned working studio. He is a very gracious
older gentleman.
We shopped some more and came across a little gelato shop.
http://i12.tinypic.com/4xx9n61.jpg I had the mocha nut crunch
http://i8.tinypic.com/5ykkyuo.jpg
Vicky made sure he was making it right.
http://i10.tinypic.com/4tzsutt.jpg
On our way home we got stopped off at Fashion Valley and shopped a
little more then went into Nordstrom Café
http://i10.tinypic.com/4t5shgz.jpg for a pear almond dessert and
coffee. http://i2.tinypic.com/6h6bo9i.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/4kxsftj.jpg
Got back on the trolley and back to our car about 7:45 p.m. Wow, what
a day.
Right from the trolley stop we went to Sushi Time in Lemon Grove.
Vicky just discovered it a few weeks ago but they've been in business
a few years. We enjoyed ourselves so much. Our lack of sushi knowledge
shows but the staff is friendly and more than accommodating.
We sat at the sushi bar and struck up a conversation with the couple
sitting next to us. They recommended a good Vietnamese restaurant for
us to try, they are Vietnamese so I'm sure they know of what they
speak. I of course had to brag a little that I know how to make Pho
and Summer rolls.
They were duly impressed.;-)
They ordered a lot of good looking food and even passed their sashimi
and dessert plates for me to photograph. How nice is that!!
From my observation the guys (chefs?) wearing black were like sous
chefs, they only made the rolls and the chef wearing white was the big
sashimi guy. Only the fancy plates came from him. Any sushi rolls that
went on them he got from the others in black.
Our sushi guy was very nice and friendly.
http://i6.tinypic.com/5yufw2o.jpg
It all starts with a plate of Edamame beans, pickled ginger and
wasabi.
http://i4.tinypic.com/4tzmyxt.jpg
Then we had California rolls
http://i4.tinypic.com/4md3u6v.jpg
Tuna, don't remember the name
http://i2.tinypic.com/5yuqsnl.jpg
Crab filled salmon roll.
Starting of the roll
http://i1.tinypic.com/549godw.jpg
Slicing the salmon
http://i2.tinypic.com/4zybfpu.jpg
Getting closer
http://i18.tinypic.com/4yrajc1.jpg
Finished roll
http://i7.tinypic.com/5yvpyjr.jpg
Close up
http://i7.tinypic.com/4mtamva.jpg
The couple we met at the counter had the sashimi plate. This was put
out by the sashimi chef in white.
http://i9.tinypic.com/680yvsl.jpg
I have that same bowl. I got it while Barb was here.
They also had dessert
http://i14.tinypic.com/6atg5j4.jpg
Another masterpiece from the chef
http://i4.tinypic.com/61nqq13.jpg
http://i4.tinypic.com/4vetu6s.jpg
The fish case
http://i9.tinypic.com/4zldah3.jpg
I'd say the girls did good.
Koko
---
http://kokoscorner.blogspot.com
"There is no love more sincere than the love of food"
George Bernard Shaw