Dining Delights | Peaches Prattlings

{February 11, 2018} A day on the mountain!

What a great day! Second time on the slopes for me this season, first time for ST in a few years! Let’s do this thing!

We got up earlier than anyone should for a Saturday! 6am, ugh! But, we had to get on the road, it’s about 1.5 hours to Breckenridge from Golden, Colorado. Ok, so that’s without traffic…GPS said 1.55, ok. In reality…3 hours, we literally got there about 9:45am, wow! It was snowing pretty hard, so everyone is moving slowly and we see the snow plows…going in the other direction!

I have to say, growing up in NYC, going to college in western NY, living in Colorado for a bit, all of that helped with driving in the snow, especially since we were in a Ford Escort! Nothing more suitable for the snow this time, that wouldn’t cost me a lot extra, no thanks! There were a few slip and slide potential moments, but…according to ST, I handled it like a champ! I hope he wasn’t lying!

We got to Breck, found a place to park, thankfully! Suited up, ok, tomorrow, we are wearing our ski pants to the mountain instead of putting them on in the car and in the snow! Boots on, that in and of itself is a beast! We got our skis, walked to the shuttle and poof! We were at the gondola! We got ST’s buddy pass and up the mountain we went!

Here is where the real struggle began! This happened to me the last time I was up here and it is incredibly frustrating, but…it’s nice, sort of, to know it’s happening to others as well, not just us! The snow is so wet, it is building up on the bottom of the boots, with ice, so fast that you cannot hook into the skis! You had to scraped the bottom of the boots really well before you can snap in. About 30 minutes later! we were on the lift!

Since this was ST’s first time in a while, it was slow going, only meaning that he took his time and I was totally fine with that! I remember my first time back on skis when I moved to Colorado. There was a lot of fresh powder, which sometimes makes skiing a little more difficult when it hasn’t been groomed. He took it all in stride and like a champ!

We skied a few runs, then it was time for lunch, well, we decided to have lunch with I think everyone else on the mountain! We were lucky to find a seat! Got some lunch, wow, what they charge for food! I am not sure if the lift ticket was cheaper!

After lunch, I went back out to do a few more runs and…after about 30 minutes of trying to get the skis back on, I was done. I was SO frustrated! I called ST and told him what happened and that we were outta here! GRRRRR

Do you see the amount of snow that piled up while we were in the lodge?!

Well, it was only about 3pm, we headed to the shuttle, got on the wrong one and got a short tour of Breckenridge, then back at the gondolas, got on the right shuttle and back to the car.

Then…it turns out a co-worker from my project in Chicago, who lives in Colorado, SG, was going to be in Breckenridge this weekend with his family and some friends, as well so we made plans to meet up this afternoon. We ended meeting them at Mi Casa, a Mexican restaurant, in downtown Breckenridge, for happy hour and we oh my, a very happy bunch!

There were three couples, with five kids between them, they are all neighbors and friends. There were pitchers or beer, drinks for the kids, wings, tacos, guac and chips for all, not to mention good conversations, a lot of laughs and new friendships.

A few hours later, we all parted ways, they all headed to their hotel in Breck and we headed to Silverthorne to our hotel. The roads were better than when we came in this morning! We chilled, got settled and thought about dinner.

But…we were so bushed, guess what’s about to happen in a few? zzzzzzzzzzzz What does tomorrow hold? More!!!

{February 1, 2018} Osteria Ottimo

I was in the mood for some good Italian food and I got it!

I drove just past the hotel and found Osteria Ottimo and went in. It was dark, but warm and inviting. I sat at the bar and the adventure began. Some walls are brick, others wood paneling and others white, it all worked. The lighting was intimate, but bright enough to see where you were, your companions and your food.

The little touches were great, like I love a farmhouse sink and subway tile in a bathroom and the window pane signs for the bathroom. And then there were the pigs, oh my the pigs. Of course, I had to look up what the deal was with the pigs, this wasn’t a bbq joint after all!

The pig is highly regarded in Italian cuisine. Search it on the internet and you’ll find all kinds of articles to that end. The owner-chef, Patrick Concannon, found a beautiful picture in a book about the history of the pig in Italy. He loved it so much, that we had an artist recreate it for us and prominently hung it in the vestibule of the restaurant. Upon the restaurant’s opening, we proudly displayed one pig statue for good luck. It is said that if you rub the pig’s nose it will bring you good fortune. And thus the legend began…Friends, family, customers started bringing pigs in to the restaurant and there you have it.

I started with Cavalifore alla Napoletana, it was fabulous! Roasted cauliflower, currants, pine nuts, olive oil and parsley, I left off the pecorino cheese, I’m sure it would have added a little something extra, but to be honest, so did not need it! The entire dish was diced and served warm and I could have eaten two bowls of it, I actually thought about getting a bowl for lunch tomorrow. Wow!

I wasn’t sure how I was going to follow that, but I had pasta with spinache, broccoli, asparagus, garlic and olive oil. It was good, a good amount of garlic, all the veggies were the proper proportion to each other. The chef listened, no extra stuff. I have lunch for tomorrow, maybe even dinner. Overall, yum!

I talked with some of my fellow bar mates, the bartenders, listened to their conversations, part of it, not part of it, just another bar mate. Always a good exercise in psychology. yeah, that’s about the end of that observation.

If you’re ever in Orland Park, Il, look for Osteria Ottimo. Mangia bene e divertiti!

{January 28, 2018} Had to come to Hawaii to see each other!

We had great plans of getting up VERY early to go watch the sunrise on the other side of the island. Think anyone remembered to set their alarm? Nope!

When I say very early, like 4am, so we can drive the hour to watch the sunrise. Guess what, I saw the sunrise, right outside my bedroom window just fine! Ha ha! What I need to do, is the first Friday I get home, go when I get up on my own at 4am!

Well, we got up eventually, I made some breakfast and we got some more planning done for our vacation! No, not telling! One thing I can tell you… neither of our hotel points or airline miles are going to help with this trip!

You should have see us, both propped up, laptops and cell phones in hand, comparing prices, looking for hotels, airfare, downloading guides. Adorable!

But all of that planning is getting our juices flowing and we are getting very excited! Now, if we could just get some other scheduling things into place so we can proceed and make definitely arrangements!

Then, I got the text I had been waiting for! WIS was docking in Oahu with a friend! They are on a 15 day cruise to Hawaii and it worked out for me to be here this weekend! We realized we haven’t seen each other since about September, go figure for us to see each other we have to go all the way to Hawaii!

They had a list of things to do, they had tickets for Pearl Harbor at 2pm, so the perfect place to meet, which was on their list, the Aloha Swap Meet! I’ve told you about it, it’s a giant swap meet, like a flea market on crack! It’s an Oahu staple, at the Hawaii University Stadium, open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.

To refresh your memory, it’s got everything you could imagine and I’m sure things you couldn’t! It’s a great place for souvenirs to take back home for others or yourself. T-shirts 7 for $20, how do you beat that! Car seat covers, fresh fruits and vegetables, ukuleles, candy, coffee, lotions, stickers, you name it, you can probably find it! I believe Santa found the hair bobs for Miss A at the swap meet!

We walked around together, catching up, looking, enjoying, laughing. PSM and I bought a few things, go figure! We got some snorkel masks, the ones that cover your full face and I can attach my go-pro to it!!! We also got free waterproof cases for our phones with that purchase and we bought waterproof bags that we can attach to the stand up paddle boards, which can also convert to a backpack for easy carrying. It will hold a towel and a change of clothing. We can even use it swimming and/or snorkeling! We rock! So, if you visit, we are set with whatever you need for the beach! I’ll show you the signs he got me later, I forgot to take pictures before I left for the airport.

After we got our fill, we went for raman for lunch near the stadium, which was also very close to Pearl Harbor, perfect! This was a new experience for them, so a lot of fun deciding, discussing, tasting, experiencing. We talked travel, cruises, Disney, WIS’ friend, is a travel agent and she gave us some ideas for the trip we want to take, coincidence? I did feel bad because we started catching up on work, just as we do when we meet for dinner, so at some point I think both PSM and S started to zone out, sorry! PSM and I did give them some great ideas for the other islands they were going to visit! Hope we made up for the work stuff!

After lunch we parted ways, lots of hugs and goodbyes and they headed off to Pearl Harbor and we went home. I finished packing, gathered whatever I needed for my flight, said goodbye to Mollie, stopped at Down to Earth for some vegan munchies, oh my! And then off to the airport.

I have to say, it gets harder each time I have to leave. Especially after a great weekend like this, relaxing, no pressure and quality time together! I cannot wait for our vacation, it is going to be that times a lot!

And then it was up, up and away. I watched a few movies, got in about an hour of sleep and we’ll be landing soon and then it’s back to the grind and the cold. Looking forward to another great week in Illinois! How was your weekend!

Day 23

{January 28, 2018} A day with my fella…

Why can’t we sleep in on Saturday? Seriously? It’s Saturday, the weekend, ever hear of a day of rest? Yeah, me neither! Up early, let’s just say the sun hadn’t greeted us yet. Not fair!

PSM and I sat out on the lanai and had our morning drinks, talking and just enjoying each other’s company, the sunrise and the view. It doesn’t change from this spot day to day, but it’s so wonderful, peaceful, inspiring, calming and beautiful, who cares!

After a while, we decided on a plan for the day, so he went off to do his PT exercises and I did my workout for the day, that trainer of mine is trying to kill me, even virtually!

Then, load up the car; beach blankets, towels, chairs, bottles of water, book, headphones and sunscreen, of course, pet the pooch and away we went. We went to Haliewa Town, on the North Shore and stopped at Cafe Haliewa for breakfast, we were famished! We sat out back, which is only open until 11am, we were lucky. We had a yummy breakfast of a veggie omlet and hawaiian sweet bread french toast with bananas. Doesn’t it look yummy? Tasted just as good!

Then…after a rough morning of nothing, ha ha, we needed a break, so off to Waimea Bay. We found a great spot under a palm tree and set up camp. PSM settled in for a long winter’s nap, ha ha, couldn’t resist that! I went to the shoreline and thought I’d go in and go in I did. The waves were rough, I made it in, was really enjoying myself and a big wave came and stole my fabulous $5 sunglasses from Walmart that I’ve had for about three years. I la la la love these glasses and I hope I can find another pair! I really think Mother Nature has something against me! First my ankle and now my shades, what gives momma!?

After some frolicking in the ocean, and by the way, I cannot wait, like PSM, I know! for his shoulder to heal so that he can frolick and play in the surf with me! I headed back to PSM, grabbed my towel and laid down in the sun, sunblocked, I promise, I learned my lesson! I finished the book that TS had given me and I, OMG, LOVED it! I’ll tell you about it soon!

We sat, hung out, enjoyed, watched people and then…can you see the little bubble of surf? We saw whales! Awesome!!! January is the time for whale watching in Hawaii and there they were! It was cool seeing some yesterday and here we are today seeing them again!

I did like that the lifeguards would give a warning every once in a while about the surf being strong, keep the kids out eventualy and if you wanted recommendations for calmer waters, come to the tower. Very cool. They also warned people to not jump from the rocks if you are not a strong swimmer. I saw t-shirts to that effect! Oh brother!

Eventually, we thought about getting something to eat and along the way up the North Shore, we stopped at Ted’s, which is a famous bakery and got some sweet rolls. Then on to the next beach! I apologize, I can’t remember the name, but look at it, gorgeous,sigh! The sand was much more course, I love how diverse the beaches are!

On this beach we started planning our next vacation. Guess where?! Not telling, but it’s in the Pacific! Yup, we live in the Pacific, in paradise, on an island and what are we going to do for vacation? Go to another island! We figured as long as we live in this part of the country, go see things on this side of the world! I cannot wait to tell you where we’re going!

Now it really was time for food! We went to the Kahuku Sugar Mill, it is now a tourist attraction with food trucks, shops, not much else. They didn’t have anything we really wanted so we went back into Haliewa and went to a Thai restaurant that neither of us cared for, so I’m not going to tell you the name, but the atmosphere was nice and the company even nicer. One of the things I marveled at was that in Hawaii there aren’t many places you actully have to get dressed up to go. Most places you can walk in after coming off the beach, they’re ok with it. Welcome to island life!

After dinner, back to the house to chill and pass out, wouldn’t you after that day?! Beach and beach, it can wear you out!

What does tomorrow hold?!

Day 22

{January 26, 2018} My happy office…my happy dog…my happy place…my happy honey

It was a pretty happy day, wouldn’t you say? Wait, I haven’t told you about my day for you to make a determination!

Since it was my first morning at home in Hawaii, of course, I woke up way to early, 4am, but that was perfect for starting work, 8am central time, that means I can knock off about 12pm/1pm local time. I did some work from bed, I wasn’t quite ready to get up officially. When I was ready, I got dressed, my weekend uniform: bathing suit, shorts and a tshirt. Then to the table downstairs and then outside while the sun was coming up.

So, not too shabby for a temporary office, wouldn’t you say? My happy office.

Oh, that plane…I texted SDL, she was convinced that it was the same plane, every day!

Eventually, I had to go back inside, the sun was high and in my eyes and no sunglasses were going to help.

A little while later, Mollie came home, she’s been with the dog walker all week since PSM has been on Maui for work all week. So nice to have her home, it was so quiet coming home last night, no dog, no honey. Now… see, my happy dog.

I had a few conference calls, did those, sent emails, updated some materials and then I was done for the day. My happy time of day.

I got a towel, book, blanket, bottle of water, pet the puppy and off to… you, you guessed it, my happy place! What more do I have to say?!

I talked to a few people, some locals, some home to visit, some on vacation and as a treat, we got to see whales! January is the time to see them in Hawaii! We saw two moms with their calves, so cool!

I bobbed in the water, played in the surf, started to read an amazing book that TS gave me, napped for a minute, went back in the water, only to get my left ankle pummeled by some rocks, ouch! But… Mother Nature made up for it by this amazing sunset, wouldn’t you say?!

What was missing? PSM and Mollie! Mollie isn’t traveling as well as she used to and admittedly, without her, I was able to stay on the beach a lot longer. PSM on the other hand, was coming home from Maui and I would meet him for dinner later, that would be my happy honey.

So… what do you think? Happy office, happy puppy, happy place, happy honey, happy me!!

Day 21

{January 26, 2018} Daisy’s Cafe…you made my flights yum-my!

I found a new vegan restaurant yesterday! And so worth it!

I was talking to someone at the client’s site about being vegan and she’s pescatarian, so we had a lot to talk about! She told me about a vegan place she was going to for lunch and even invited me to join her. I couldn’t, but I knew what I was getting for my flight today!

After work, I went to Daisy’s, it was about five miles from the client’s site, and grabbed a menu and placed my order. Then I took a minute to look around, I had been on a conference call when I arrived and only looked at the menu.

It is a small storefront in a neighborhood, if you didn’t know you were looking for it, you would miss it. It was unassuming on the inside, bright colored walls, one salad case in front of the window where they make smoothies, a counter with the register and about six tables. It was a busy place, a line when I got there, tables were all full and the door opened and closed the entire time with people coming and going.

I ordered a tofu filet, a good size square of tofu, breaded and lightly fried, layered with lettuce, tomato. I also ordered a BLT made with pressed seitan, lettuce, tomato and their own mayonnaise. Lastly, I added a container of mac-n-cheese.

I don’t always get a chance to get food before I fly and I’m so glad I did! A while after we took off I dug into the tofu filet and it was fabulous! I am sure it would have been much better hot and crisp, but it really was good. I tried it with some of the mayo, which was fabulous!

On my next flight, I had the BLT, equally fabulous! It was smokey and rich, you could smell the flavors through the foil. I even put some of the mayo on it, wow! A few hours later, the mac-n-cheese, some of the best I’ve ever had and I was never a mac-n-cheese fan!

Let’s just say, I’m hoping to go there at least once more time before I leave Chicago!

https://www.happycow.net/reviews/daisys-catering-cafe-phoenix-60600

The dinosaur has nothing to do with Daisy’s, he’s just cool!

Day 20

{January 23, 2018} Soul Vegan/Soul Vegetarian – Either way, yum!

I love this place!

I discovered Soul Vegan/Soul Vegetarian about two years ago when I was schedule to teach at the site I am at this week. When I was looking for somewhere to go for lunch today, what to my surprise did I find on my Happy Cow app? Majani for one! Do you remember me telling you about going to Majani, the vegan restaurant near DLP? It was about nine miles from the site. Well, Soul Vegetarian is about seven miles from the site, wow! I knew what I was doing for dinner!

I messaged DLP and eventually we worked it out, I had to go into the office, so I picked her up and we headed to Soul Vegan, which happens to be about a 15 minute drive to her house, perfect!

It’s not a fancy restaurant, bare bones, there are tables in the front room and back, a large counter for ordering takeout, an open case that has prepared sandwiches, desserts and some other cold things. Where it lacks in furnishings, it makes up for in energy and flavor. Every time I have been in there, there are a few people eating at the tables, but so many more at the deli counter or online to place or pick up orders.

On the other side is a deli counter, you can get hot or cold food. I was excited because I knew I was getting a fabulous dinner and then, from the deli counter, food for tomorrow! I need lunch in advance as there is not much happening around the site I am at!

We ordered nachos-n-cheeze, no jalapenos for our appetizer and I had the gyro and DLP had the ribs, both orders came with french fries. Once again, the food did not disappoint! That gyro was fabulous and I cannot wait to have the rest of it for lunch tomorrow!

From the deli, I ordered a few prepared salads, cous-cous, both large and small, egg-less egg salad, I know, let it out! and a carrot salad, the last one I tasted, oh boy! I love finding fun and new places that I can frequent and this one is on the list, especially having someone to go with!

If you’re in Chicago and you’re vegan or just curious, I recommend this place very highly. Ok, I have to go to sleep, I’m excited about lunch tomorrow!

Day 17

{January 22, 2018} Let’s get cultured and then kill brain cells!

Order of the day? Ended up Museum, lunch, movie, tv.

So…rouse ourselves about 9am, breakfast, then drive into Manhattan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Met, for those of you ‘in the know’. There was a David Hockney exhibit and we both like Hockney.

Now, if you’re familiar with David Hockney, it’s most likely paintings of swimming pools, which he is most known for. This exhibit was pools and more, earlier work, later work, portraits, compositions, famous people, wild brush strokes and one or two pieces we looked at with our heads cocked and said ‘Huh?”. The pieces did exactly what art should do, evoke emotion or response, even if the response is one of confusion.

There were some pieces I liked and some that I really didn’t and that’s the beauty of it, I don’t have to! There were some portraits of famous people, like Andy Warhol and Van Gogh and then there was this watercolor of someone named Celeste, dad and I were both drawn to it and I wonder if I was because she reminded me of my mom. Check out the piece that depicts a road, it was actually photographs that he pieced together like a collage of different roads in California. I thought it was fabulous!

Then it was on to the Michelangelo exhibit, much darker, lighting wise than the other exhibits. It was sculpture, paintings, drawings and sketches, oh my! The hard part was there were so very many people, you really couldn’t get that close to any of them and with my lack of stature, it was hard to see some pieces at all!

We looked at some of the impressionists, Rodain, Monet, Manet, Pissaro, Cezanne, Matisse, so wonderful! Unknown artists, known artists, a joy! I love going to the museum with my dad, not only does he have a wealth of knowledge of art, he has a passion for it! There were advantages to going to the museum with both of my parents. With mom, she was very knowledgeable as well and we liked a lot of the same painters, ones that dad doesn’t care for, but she wanted to read every single placard!

With dad, he and I love a lot of the same pieces and we have an affinity for the modern, a way of viewing that might not gel with some people. And…he doesn’t want to read every placard, so we could see more of the museum in less time! He was great when I was in high school and had art projects, he and I would go into the city and go to the different museums together to help me get what I needed.

Next it was, you got it, modern! Picasso, Leger, O’Keeffe, Chagall, Rockwell, Davis, Miro, just makes me happy. Some of it is bizarre, but some of it, pure genius, fun, frivolous! Sometimes I look and wonder how it would be possible, not to be happy looking at this much wonder!

When we were done, we had a hunger! So back to Staten Island to a Turkish restaurant we both like for appetizers that fill you up! Babaganoush, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, lentil soup, shepard’s salad, couscous, all delicious! We were stuffed, just like the grape leaves! A little grocery shopping and then back to the house, but then turned around and went out again, I decided I wanted some new boots and away we went!

Back home, it was time for a movie. Blade Runner 2049. Um…yeah. The popcorn was good and we got to see Harrison Ford. Yeah, the popcorn and Harrison Ford.

Then we needed something fun, so we watched another episode of Brokenwood, which was really good and so was the Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy Caramel Almond Brittle. O M G!! Yes, it is that good!

When the episode was over, it was time to talk to you and then crash, my alarm is going off at 4am, back to Illinois!

I hope your weekend was as fabulous as mine!

{January 20, 2018} Breakfast, then a movie, then dinner

That was my day, a good day at that!

No alarms, just waking up. It helps to get in and crash about 1am, then you sleep until about 8am, from sheer exhaustion, I’m not complaining!

Dad and I got up, got ourselves together and then headed to Z One, a local diner/restaurant for breakfast and good conversation. We talked about travel, life, work, all sorts of things. I do love one-on-one weekends with my dad, it’s special.

Then back to the house to regroup and head out again and see Star Wars, FINALLY! I may be the only person on the planet who hadn’t seen it yet! Oh my! Dad saw it and was up for going again and enjoyed it a second time, I enjoyed it, I’ll tell you about it in another post! I did, however, finally get to tell BG that I saw it, he’s finally quite pleased!

After the movie, some errands and then back to the house to chill, we watched an episode of Brokenwood, a detective show on Acorn TV, out of New Zealand, enjoyable and interesting.

Then it was time to meet friends for dinner. More like family, these are people that have been in our lives for years. My mom worked at the same school as both Mrs B and KS and Mr B was my teacher of French. I always looked at all these other women as moms, ‘all the moms are coming over’ that sort of thing. KS’ husband, dad and I made 6 on the group.

We went to Brunos, it used to be Bruno’s Patisserie, but lucky for me, who was having the hardest time saying that, it’s now just Bruno’s! http://brunosnyc.com/

The bakery counter, which is what they’re known for, is impressive. The food, matches the bakery counter.

We had appetizers and then the main course, I had spinach and potato gnocchi, yum! With spinach, garlic and cooked in garlic and olive oil. For dessert, there was tortufo, sorbet, an assortment of cookies and mousse.

Overall, aside from the noise level, there were quite a few large parties, the food was good, the service…not as good, it was crazy busy, so understandable, but the server was charming and funny. Same opening line at every table “so, four burgers well done with fries?!” Ha ha.

What was great was the conversation and the company, it’s always good to be with family. Maybe you can join is next time!

Day 15

{January 18, 2018} A welcome and tasty surprise!

Have I mentioned it’s not easy being vegan on the road? Nah, I’m sure this is the first time you’ve heard it, ha ha.

Today and tomorrow, I’m in Kankakee, IL and it’s not a hotbed, so to speak, of choices for me for food, especially as a vegan, either grocery store or Burger King, I do love their veggie burger! Now, I’m not disparaging any of these areas, but there generally isn’t a lot around the offices that I am supporting, even the people that work there tell me that!

I went out for lunch and on my way to Burger King, I saw Stefari Cafe and hung a quick louie, that’s a u-turn for anyone not in the know! I pulled in front of the building and went in.

It’s in a charming brick-front building, you can tell they are trying to revitalize the downtown area. You walk in and you are transported to a small hometown cafe with a modern air. You can tell they are trying to keep it small town, but the touches have a modern feel.

When you walk in Stefari, https://www.stefaricafe.com/, you feel like this is a place you can hang out. As one reviewer said, a great meeting place.

The decor is kitschy/ country sheik. Hand written menus on a chalkboard behind the counter, comfy chairs to sit it, all of this warm and welcoming.

There were some people working at the few tables in the main room as well as the dim back room. A group of ladies were playing mahjong, it looked like their weekly get together. You almost wanted to ask if you could join.

Turns out, they are not all fluff, the food was good as well, happy to see that! I had the veggie sandwich panini style, yum! Hummus, eggplant, zucchini and red pepper. Admittedly, it would be better with the feta, but a tasty treat overall. I chose the fresh food versus the chips. Well worth ita With it, I had apricot loose leaf tea, yummy.

I have to say, Stefari Cafe is here to stay, I hope it’s widely discovered! And i, for one and thrilled that I discovered it!

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