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Polar bear with carrot

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Happy, Happy!



Leslie and I live in a great town. Fallbrook has fantastic weather, beautiful orchards and most of all, wonderful people. Sunday, accompanied by a whole bunch of friends with the very loose title of the Fallbrook Gastronomic Society, we ventured down to San Diego for a day of frivolity. A perfect day with friends that I will always remember.















We all met up at Jasmine in the late morning, an excellent and spacious dim sum restaurant in Clairemont Mesa where we had brunch. Squid gave way to chicken feet, pork buns, salted shrimp and then an avalanche of tasty fare beyond measure. We finally cried uncle and the bill was less than $20.00 a head. Lost a twenty betting that Retha wouldn't eat a chicken foot. It is as good a Dim Sum restaurant as I have found in San Francisco or Toronto.


We lost a couple to a prior engagement at the opera and then the remaining group reconnoitered down at the San Diego Harbor for a whale watching trip. Two members of the group have a pretty amazing yacht and were gracious enough to invite us out. We saw no whales but followed a school of rare and elusive blunt nosed Risso Dolphins for a time. And had a really delightful voyage for three or four hours. Got boarded by the Coast Guard for the boat's annual inspection. We saw sailboats, frigates, tugs, fast Naval Security boats, Cruise Ships, America's Cup boats, everybody was out playing on the water. Relaxing, with calm water and beautiful skies. Renee brought a great assortment of interesting cheeses, like Humboldt Fog, sweet tangerines and a nice seeded baguette that we all scarfed up. Champagne and a lovely Pinot. Screw the depression.


After we disembarked, a bunch of us high tailed it down to Little Italy. India Street was hopping and we stopped at Cafe Zuccero for rich gelato and italian pastries. I sampled delicate sfogliatelle filled with ricotta cheese. I was absolutely stuffed and absolutely content.


After dessert, we were all totally pooped and headed back home, completely drained and happy.


I hope that this group can stay together for more fun and hijinx. If you weren't invited, we couldn't let it get too big and I'm sorry. Sketchy plans for the Huntington Gardens and Montrose's La Cabanita in the future. Maybe we will see you on board one of these days.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Yobro,

Love the “Babu” shot! Hey, was it intentional that you put the “my health” column right next to “my culinary pig-out expedition” column the other day?

If you find time…and a copy, look for Peter Fleming’s “Brazilian Adventure”, c. 1933. I think you’d enjoy the style as much as I have…not exactly your ‘normal’ travelogue! I’d quote you a few lines but there are too many great ones to choose from.