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the most happy bagel sandwich in all the land.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Crest Cafe
After a week furlough from brunch (possibly the longest week in my existence), we resumed our vigilant weekly quest for the best way to start a Sunday. This week brought us to the Crest Cafe on Robinson Street in Hillcrest. The small but determined crowd outside again reaffirmed our decision. As if there was a need for further confirmation, there was a menu hanging in the window that tantalized us with its promises of tastebud delight. We waited for about 10 minutes until we were informed that there was no wait at the bar. Obviously we jumped at this offer, and pored over the menu in exciting indecision until my final selection was the Artichoke and Ham Strata for $8.95. Freshly baked casserole of artichokes, ham, gorgonzola, monterey jack, sourdough bread and unique blend of herbs, served with fresh fruit. GAHHH. Artichoke, meat, cheese, and sourdough. Delightful. Ashton settled for the Machaca, and at $8.50 it consisted of chopped onions and tomatoes with scrambled eggs and your choice of freshly baked turkey, shredded pork, shredded top sirloin or chorizo, served with salsa fresca, beans and tortillas. (He went balls out and got the chorizo).
In my enthusiasm upon its arrival, I gobbled a few bites before I remembered my duty as a blogger to snap a photo. It reminded me of a strange egg-y lasagna, with meat and cheese and artichokes but with bread instead of noodles. It was wonderful, and unlike many restaurant artichoke experiences these seemed to be above average. I find many times the artichokes are soggy and canned, and while I don't doubt the can-ed-ness of them, they were prepared magnificently. And the fruit! What a pile was offered to me. Pineapple, strawberries, melons, grapes, and oranges spilled over half of my plate, and added just the right light counterbalance to my coma-inducing main selection.
Ashton's machaca fulfilled in flavor what it lacked in presentation. Basically it looked like someone had puked on his plate and then served it with a side of corn tortillas and an unidentifiable cheese on his beans. Once you took a bite, however, it was a smorgasbord of yummy that would have been ideal with a little more spice. The corn tortillas weren't great, but my personal preference with corn tortillas is that they be cooked past the norm to a piping hot crispy stage, or else they are just too chewy and hard to tear with your teeth. Flour tortillas are always a safe bet in that aspect, but sometimes corn just provides that flavor that one craves. Regardless, the tortillas in this case were, in my opinion, unnecessary but provided.
Another point I'd like to mention was that I've found OJ in restaurants is a hit or miss in terms of quality. Some restaurants skimp and get the cheap-o carton stuff, but I commend the Crest Cafe for their insistence on quality. I was treated to a BRIGHT orange glass of yummy that was clearly picked out by someone with an eye for detail. Kudos.
I'd rate this a "definite go back" situation. From what I saw of the rest of the menu, they have a lot more to offer in terms of sandwiches and entrees. Sounds like my kind of place. I'll end this post the way we left brunch.
I hope they appreciated our enthusiasm, but considering they were working brunch instead of eating it, probably not.
In my enthusiasm upon its arrival, I gobbled a few bites before I remembered my duty as a blogger to snap a photo. It reminded me of a strange egg-y lasagna, with meat and cheese and artichokes but with bread instead of noodles. It was wonderful, and unlike many restaurant artichoke experiences these seemed to be above average. I find many times the artichokes are soggy and canned, and while I don't doubt the can-ed-ness of them, they were prepared magnificently. And the fruit! What a pile was offered to me. Pineapple, strawberries, melons, grapes, and oranges spilled over half of my plate, and added just the right light counterbalance to my coma-inducing main selection.
Ashton's machaca fulfilled in flavor what it lacked in presentation. Basically it looked like someone had puked on his plate and then served it with a side of corn tortillas and an unidentifiable cheese on his beans. Once you took a bite, however, it was a smorgasbord of yummy that would have been ideal with a little more spice. The corn tortillas weren't great, but my personal preference with corn tortillas is that they be cooked past the norm to a piping hot crispy stage, or else they are just too chewy and hard to tear with your teeth. Flour tortillas are always a safe bet in that aspect, but sometimes corn just provides that flavor that one craves. Regardless, the tortillas in this case were, in my opinion, unnecessary but provided.
Another point I'd like to mention was that I've found OJ in restaurants is a hit or miss in terms of quality. Some restaurants skimp and get the cheap-o carton stuff, but I commend the Crest Cafe for their insistence on quality. I was treated to a BRIGHT orange glass of yummy that was clearly picked out by someone with an eye for detail. Kudos.
I'd rate this a "definite go back" situation. From what I saw of the rest of the menu, they have a lot more to offer in terms of sandwiches and entrees. Sounds like my kind of place. I'll end this post the way we left brunch.
I hope they appreciated our enthusiasm, but considering they were working brunch instead of eating it, probably not.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Apologies
I'm sorry to build everyone's hopes and dreams up so high with promises of a brunch post on Sunday. Unfortunately, I had to (sob) pass on brunch this week due to a volunteering obligation at the San Diego Museum of Art. As I do not have any more Sunday volunteering shifts coming up, there is no reason why the normal brunch experience will not go on as usual this week.
I think to prove that skipping brunch in order to volunteer was a terrible idea the gods of brunch punished me by making me dehydrated at the Museum. Now I am recovering from the nausea, weakness, sore throat, and loss of appetite associated with the affliction. Thanks a lot, gods of brunch. It won't happen again!
I think to prove that skipping brunch in order to volunteer was a terrible idea the gods of brunch punished me by making me dehydrated at the Museum. Now I am recovering from the nausea, weakness, sore throat, and loss of appetite associated with the affliction. Thanks a lot, gods of brunch. It won't happen again!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Meet Basil
This is Ashton and I's first pet in California, albeit a stationary one. Meet Basil, the basil plant. Don't be fooled by his name, it's actually pronounced "bahhh-zil", like the friendly English butler, or the sound a sheep makes followed by the first half of zilch.
So far he has proven to be quite delicious and we have added him to a number of our experiments with food. He's actually part of the tomato/toast bite you see above. I think he will have a female friend soon by the name of Rosemary. I know it's a bold step for them to move into the same windowbox together so soon, but when you're in love, you're in love, right? I think it will be a blessed union.
So far he has proven to be quite delicious and we have added him to a number of our experiments with food. He's actually part of the tomato/toast bite you see above. I think he will have a female friend soon by the name of Rosemary. I know it's a bold step for them to move into the same windowbox together so soon, but when you're in love, you're in love, right? I think it will be a blessed union.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
New beginning!
First post of the new blog!
This is going to be dedicated to FODO FOOD FOOD! Just what the world needs, another food blog. BUT, this one is first and foremost dedicated to the most magnificent, scrumptious, important meal of the week- BRUNCH! Stay tuned on Sunday for the first brunch of the blog history!
If you can't wait until then for a tantalizing preview, go to my other blog art-i-choke. Hit the tag "brunch" and enjoy the fruits of my labor for the last few months. Until Sunday!
This is going to be dedicated to FODO FOOD FOOD! Just what the world needs, another food blog. BUT, this one is first and foremost dedicated to the most magnificent, scrumptious, important meal of the week- BRUNCH! Stay tuned on Sunday for the first brunch of the blog history!
If you can't wait until then for a tantalizing preview, go to my other blog art-i-choke. Hit the tag "brunch" and enjoy the fruits of my labor for the last few months. Until Sunday!
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