Urban Solace is not only the name of the next restaurant in my “To Try” list. It’s also my most sincere wish for our dear city during this time of blazing sadness.

As a native San Diegan, I’m just so sad for our city and its people, all the loss and the displacement and the hardship. But I’m trying more to focus on the heroism of our firefighters and law enforcement, and the generosity of the common San Diegan. There hasn’t been any violence or misconduct and I think that says a lot about our character during tough times… which is when it really counts, of course.

As for us… we did pack up our car with cherished mementos, but somehow we didn’t have to evacuate. I only know a few people who didn’t have to evacuate. A friend lost her house, and I’m just so ridiculously sad for her and her family; it seems so pointless and surreal.

I’m sending strength and solace to our city. I love San Diego so much.

~Beth

We just got back from the most phenomenally delicious and overwhelmingly indulgent week in San Francisco. I wish I could FedEx the extra 5 pounds I gained back to the 415, but the tightness in my jeans was definitely worth it. We ate and drank like gluttons and loved every minute of it.

Our hotel room and location couldn’t have been better. We stayed at The Donatello right in Union Square so walking was always an option. But we also brought our car, so we could drive and take day trips when we wanted. Friends and family met us for a couple meals, and we researched every meal in order to make the most of our eating opportunities in the Bay Area.

Honestly though, I’m actually kind of depressed about being back in San Diego. The food scene is just so much more rich and vibrant and just plain ripe for the picking in San Francisco. I wish I was a 55 year old millionaire “lady-who-lunches” so that I could start a foundation aimed at improving the culinary scene here in my hometown.

Maybe I’ll make a few people mad with these statements dissing S.D., but I just was so impressed with the food choices and the attention to quality in SF. Artisan, craft cuisine (wine, beer, cheese, bread, everything!) abounds and the population seems ready to eat it all up with enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, I’m afraid too many San Diegans are perfectly happy with an alfredo sauce from The Olive Garden. Ugh.

Anyway, I’ll stop my rant and focus on the positive… namely, where we ate on our trip. I plan to add our detailed thoughts and impressions, but that will take a larger block of time than I have now. So for the moment, check out where we feasted and try not to be too jealous!

Little Delhi in the Tenderloin (the husband’s #2 favorite meal of the trip)
Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe in North Beach
Trish’s Mini Donuts on Pier 39
Tajine in the Tenderloin
Burma Superstar(my #2 favorite meal of the trip)
Fish. in Sausalito
Mijita in the Ferry Building
Coco500 (our #1 meal of the trip, by far!)
Marakkesh Hookah Bar in the Tenderloin
Mom’s Apple Pie in the Russian River Valley Wine Country
DeLoach Winery in the Russian River Valley
Russian River Brewing Company
Flavor in Santa Rosa
Naan & Curry in the Tenderloin
Ace Wasabi’s Rock N Roll Sushi in the Marina
Taylor’s Refresher in the Ferry Building
Luisa Ristorante in the Marina
Big Sky Cafe in San Luis Obispo

I could hardly have been happier with all of our meal choices. My husband Daniel was slightly disappointed by Tajine, Mijita, and Naan & Curry.

I’ll write more details later, but I’m already feeling overwhelmed just contemplating all the things I want to share with you about the meals and the restaurants and our experiences. Thanks again to everyone who offered their recommendations for our trip.

And if you live in San Francisco, know that you are lucky and I’m envious!!!

♥Beth

Yesterday, the husband and I were sitting down to lunch on a beautiful outdoor patio on a sunny day when we noticed a subtle and rhythmic clicking sound coming from the next table. We quickly came to realize that a man was clipping his fingernails… right there where he was eating lunch… with no shame… and his wife didn’t even make any attempts to set him straight.

WHAT THE #^@$?

Many years ago, we met a man who did that during conversation, but I never thought I would see someone do that at a meal! Mega-yuck!

Needless to say, we promptly relocated ourselves to a table inside and tried to put the disgusting incident out of our minds and enjoy our meal.

People, this is not acceptable behavior! Women, don’t let your men get away with this!

OK, I’ve gotten this off of my chest now. We can’t be the only people who’ve encountered this before. Are we?

Totally not food-related… I’m seeing Madonna’s Confessions Tour in LA tonight! Can’t wait!

♥B

It has felt refreshing to take a week-long break from the food-blogging routine. As my favorite non-food blogger wrote this week… just as farmers let the land lie fallow so that the richness of the soil can regenerate, it’s important for people/writers/cooks to take a breather and regenerate in order to come back stronger than ever.

I’m committed to food-blogging for the long haul. So, I’ve got to pace myself and not write crap posts just for the sake of updating.

Besides, I’m trying to drop a couple pounds, so I don’t think anyone wants to hear about my snacks of edamame and carrots, followed by dinners of super-bland, ultra-lean turkey burgers with 2% cheese slices.

Ugh. Don’t remind me. Think bikini, bikini, bikini…

In the meantime, I’ve been making lots of new hummus flavors for my husband, ordering fun new kitchen tools, reading my food magazines, and daydreaming about savory treats and summer tomatoes and blueberries in season and so much else…