Undercover Gourmet

The long drive home begins today. An early breakfast at Medina Cafe for their infamous waffles was a meal of mixed feelings. We were warned by the waitress the waffles were small, but somehow when they arrived the size was still slightly deceiving. Each waffle cost $3.50, and each accompanying dipping sauce was another $1. The milk chocolate lavender was absolutely wonderful. The chocolate was velvety to the touch and delicate to the taste. The mixed berry compote and raspberry caramel sauce were not as unique but meet my standards. The milk chocolate lavender mocha also had a similar floral note to it.

Due to a very long unexpected traffic jam, we arrive in Vancouver B.C. much later than expected (the day’s previous meals were nothing worth noting – continental breakfast included at the hotel, and lunch at Ikea in Redmond, Washington), but just in time for dinner. Zeffirelli’s Spaghetti Joint offered great food in generous portions in a cute library/cellar-like setting. The restaurant was located on the second floor, with seats by the open window overlooking Robson Street. My chicken Michelangelo consisted of chicken, peas, and cream in rigatoni was delicious, but my husband’s Spaghetti Carbonara surpassed in flavor.

The end to our vacation draws near as we continue north up the Pacific Coast Highway. Portland is our last stop in the United States. A stop at the food court in Downtown Portland for a quick bite of sushi and California rolls at Express Japan Sushi Bar. We stumble across The Spice & Tea Exchange, a franchise re-creating the look and feel of an 18th century trading post. I pick up a bag of Cyprus black lava salt, and Murray River sea salt, as well as a solid block of pink salt.

Buffalo Wild Wings was conveniently located by the parkade, and we stop for some wings. Honey bbq, spicy garlic, and hot bbq are up for tasting. While the wings were average, their sauces were marketed in an interesting method, displaying all 14 flavors on a hotness scale.

Our last day in San Francisco closes with a happy ending. A quick breakfast of salami, butter, and pickle sandwich at a bakery just off  Union Square and we were almost ready to check-out and leave. But not without a quick stop in Japan Town for lunch! I was quite upset that yesterday we perused the area, but was too full after my breakfast to sample the cuisine. We noticed that Suzu had patient patrons waiting outside their restaurant, and decided this was an excellent indication of a good restaurant. How right we were. A warm and delicious bowl of tempura soba noodles warmed the dreary and overcast San Francisco day. The soup was clear and flavorful, with perfectly textured soba noodles. Before long the tiny noodles shop was packed to full capacity, and I was glad we arrived a few minutes early.

By the time we arrive in Medford, Oregon, it’s dinner time already (after a mid-day stop at Popeye’s shhh). A recommendation from a local to Kaleidoscope Pizzeria proved to be excellent advice. We ordered The Alaskan – chorizo, sun dried tomatoes, red onions, mozza, provolone, parmesan, special Alaska sauce. The Alaska sauce was their version of pesto, substituting spinach for basil, and had a impressive flavor to it. The entire pizza came together very well, not to mention the crust was well seasoned, very light, and airy.

For this vacation, today was my favorite day for eating as 2 out of 3 meals left me almost speechless. It starts off mid morning on Guerro Street as we queue up to enter Tartine. I’ve heard many stories of this bustling little bakery, which raises my expectations for what’s inside. We split a pain au jambon, and croque monsieur. While the open faced croque monsieur was quite delicious, it was the ham croissant that blew me away. The croissant was incredibly flaky, the outer shell emanating a perfect shade of golden brown, with a juicy slice of ham neatly rolled between layers of buttery pastry. It was absolutely mouth watering… even reminiscing about it causes my stomach to rumble. We take away a fruit tart and frangipane tart for later. It turns out to be a good decision.

Nick’s Lighthouse at Fisherman’s Warf. As I peer over the outdoor stall, watching in awe as the skilled men shuck fresh oysters and clams at a very impressive speed, all the while smelling a couple clams to esure his customers only receive fresh seafood, I squirm in excitement for another to-die-for favorite… oysters on the half shell. Our mollusks get tossed into clear plastic containers, and are topped off with a couple handfuls of lemons. Excellent, those are all the ingredients that should be allowed for ocean fresh seafood. It wasn’t the oysters and clams itself that made this one of my most memorable meals, it was the whole environment that made it unforgettable. We sit on a bench with plastic tray balancing on our laps, swarms of sea gulls several feet away are squawking and eyeing tourists’ leftover sourdough bread, the waves are lapping, the juice from our shellfish sloshing and spilling over the sides as we try to eat in a somewhat civilized manner. This is a moment I won’t soon forget.

For the drive back to Union Square, we take some fried shrimp and calamari along for the ride. Dinner takes place at King of Thai Noodle House on O’Farrell Street which turns out to be a very affordable place for Thai cuisine. The restuarant is very casual and has all the characteristics of an Asian noodle joint. The tables are long and cafeteria like, the service was quick and efficient, and the food was fairly authentic. We start off with a papaya salad, then progress into green curry with chicken and basil chicken with noodles. We order the salad mild, with regret not going for medium spice as there was no spice at all. The curry itself was good, although the chicken pieces were a little chewy. The noodle dish was more similar to Chinese ho fun than Thai noodles, with more after taste of soy sauce for my liking. The Thai iced tea was delicious.

Second day of the drive north up the Pacific Coast Highway. We wake up in the city of Monterey, and stroll down the wharf in search of breakfast food. The weather is a bit chillier in the morning, and a clam chowder soup in a bread bowl seems like an excellent way to warm our hands and stomachs. Every stand claims their clam chowder is the best, but I think my choice of the Old Fisherman’s Grotto was superb. The soup was creamy and hearty, although I would have preferred more of that versus the bread bowl. By the time Rappa’s opens for lunch at 11:30am we are ready for some more seafood. A light snack of Fanny Bay Oysters on the half shell, and steamed local manila clams with garlic and parsley were decent but not as fresh as I hoped it to be. The view on the other hand was their main selling feature.

The scenic drives begins. A random stop at a farmer’s stand by La Gropa Beach for some freshly picked strawberries, followed by several more hours of driving lands us in San Francisco. Yee’s Restaurant in Chinatown was the picturesque example of a bustling restaurant in Hong Kong. A table full of soy cooked duck and chicken wings, and fried chicken wings sat on a table inviting people to pick what they eat. The take-out portion of the restaurant was extremely busy with customers shouting for bbq pork, roast pork, roast duck, other typical Chinese bbq joint goodies. I order a bbq pork lai fun, delicous round shaped noodles (similar in shape to spaghetti, but with the texture of rice noodles) in a savory broth topped with slices of tender bbq pork.

Cocola Bakery and Pastry located on the to level 4 of Westfield San Francisco Center draws us in for dessert. Their Millefeuille is excellent as well beautifully crafted, and they offer one of the best mocha’s I’ve ever had.

My ideal Southern California lunch scenario takes place at Zinc Cafe in Laguna Beach. Perfect weather, paired with a patio for people watching, and fresh pressed sandwiches combines for an ideal morning. My hot brie sandwich with gazpacho was light, but filling enough for the first meal of the day. The soup on the other hand, was too similar to drinking liquid tsatziki sauce. Green iced tea washed everything down beautifully. Now begins the drive up the Pacific Coast Highway.

Our next stop was also an excellent one at Baby Blues BBQ in Venice. A gigantic pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and a side of mac and cheese for me, while the hubby had ribs. Both dishes were incredibly tender, and the dousing of jalapeno vinegar and bbq sauce made it even better.

The last meal of the day was a guilty pleasure that I don’t admit to eating too often… Carl’s Jr. Teriyaki chicken burger good. Teriyaki beef burger even better. That’s all I’m going to say.

Breakfast at Sherman’s Deli & Bakery was a slightly disappointing start to our day. The waitress sold us on the breakfast special of 2 french toast, 2 slices of bacon, and 2 eggs for $5.95, but unfortunately was cooked in so much butter we were unable to finish our plates.

A quick stop in the food court at Cabazon Premium Outlets (yes, of course there’s more shopping involved!) for some Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom for a Coney Island dog combo gives our feet and arms a rest.

Mission Viejo was our resting place for the day. Word of mouth (and Google), leads us to Nirvana Grille for dinner, where our waitress re-assures us that there is not much good food offered  in the area, and that we are in the right place! Their $40, 3 course prix fixe dinner does not disappoint. First course was a delicious grilled romaine lettuce served with corn, caramelized red onions, tomatoes, basil, goat cheese, and pine nut with house balsamic dijon vinaigrette. Next was a pistachio crusted sea bass with beurre blanc, asparagus, and leek mashed potatoes. The fish was incredibly fresh and cooked to perfection. The dessert was not as impressive as I later discovered their dark chocolate molten bundt cake was not prepared in house, and that I should have opted for the baked Fuji apple pie. Luckily my husband was willing to share

The Mad Greek Cafe located at the Primm shopping outlets on the border of Nevada and California serves up one of the tastiest gyros I’ve ever had (the best was a lamb gyro I had from a shop in New York Times Square). A gyro meal for $10.71 comes with a pretty large wrap loaded with meat and veggies, very fragrant rice, and tzatziki on the side. Excellent energy food for more shopping!

By the time we arrrive in Palm Springs, the temperature is a balmy 105 degrees fahrenheit, and we enjoy the weather at Las Casuelas Terraza. A huge order of pork tamales with frijoles rancheros beans for myself, and beef tacos for the husband. Both delicious dishes, but of course incredibly heavy and filling as most Mexican food is.

         

 

Inside Greenberg Deli

A stop at Greenberg Deli in New York New York for a delicious and juicy corned beef Reuben served with potato salad and a pickle before the real shopping begins in Caesars Palace.  Ciao Ciao Cafe and Bar located in front the Armani Exchange store whips up some delicious, but pretty expensive gelato. A scoop of the Italian Pistachio Supreme costs a hefty $9.99 plus tax, and is devored in minutes.   

   

Just when I thought my food intake for the evening was over, while crossing the casino floors heading to the parking lot, we bumped into friends from Edmonton. And what are the chances! They had just landed and are heading to a late dinner at Augustan Cafe. We accepted the offer of drinks but ended up submitting to an appetizer of tempura vegetables with spinach dip while the other couple enjoyed the cafe’s special feast of steak and crab. As we drag our extremely full stomachs back to the hotel, we agree that tomorrow we will eat in moderation