8.10.2014 | TI8

SUNDAY I ATE

Breakfast: Leftover waffles

LunchPizza at Gilroy Gardens. In all honesty, the pizza does not have much to recommend it, but in other respects, Gilroy Gardens is an amazing place. If you have kids between about 4-11, it’s a great day. Think of going to the fair, but without the whining for tickets. There is a water play area that is great on a hot day (i.e., most of them in Gilroy) so have them wear swim clothes. Eliza couldn’t believe that they just let her stay on the spinny Mushroom Swing ride as long as she wanted.

Afternoon snack: Popcorn

Dinner:  We had promised Eliza a burger, but then ate pizza for lunch. Truly, we thought we’d be home by dinner, but we were having such a good time at Gilroy Gardens that there was no way to make it home in time. Punched in “Burger” into Waze from on the road and selected one that wasn’t too far off the route. It brought up The Counter, which I”d just noticed in an airport last week. What we didn’t notice was that this one was at Santana Row, a fancy shopping mall. Nor did anyone realize what a zoo that would be on a Sunday evening. It turned out to be a 45 minute wait, but it was a gorgeous night. After 15 minutes of waiting, we finally got smart to the fact that we could order to go and sit at a lovely outdoor table to eat. The build your own burger is great. I highly recommend the fried onion strings, both as a side and on the burger. But it’s also a chance to experiment with stuff I wouldn’t normally put on a burger, like pineapple (not bad). Next time, I’ll go when it’s less crowded and check a few more boxes and see what I get.

 

8.8.2014 | TI8

FRIDAY I ATE

Breakfast: Grapenuts with cranberry juice and fresh strawberries. Have to enjoy this while it lasts, because the crop is running out.

LunchLeftover mac and cheese

Afternoon snack:  Hummus and pita chips. Also some Hershy’s kisses. And a Coke Zero.

Dinner:  Ramen

Dessert: Chocolate milk shake

8.7.2014 | TI8

THURSDAY I ATE

LunchPeanut butter and jelly sandwich

Afternoon snack: Hershy’s kisses. I’d held out buying candy for a long time, but I was needing something after my trip.

Dinner:  Mac-and-cheese. Along with a Caprese salad.

Dessert: Skillet cookie with ice cream

8.6.2014 | TI8

WEDNESDAY I ATE

 

LunchChicken ceasar salad from Carolyn’s Seaside Cafe. Fair, but not great. The service was slow (at the height of the lunch rush) so I had to get it to go. Which meant that the dressing came in a little cup, which means it ended up in blobs. Honestly, the reason I like salads at restaurants better than at home is that they are generally willing to get a big bowl dirty tossing the salad and dressing evenly.

Afternoon snack:  Frapucchino sort of thing.

Dinner:  Leftover tomato onion tart. This is one of my favorite things to eat in the world. Only problem is that it was a small piece.

8.5.2014 | TI8

TUESDAY I ATE

Location: San Diego

Breakfast: Jamba juice.

LunchCarnitas buritto from Chipotle. I actually really like Chipotle, but I never can remember that I prefer the chicken to the pork. Maybe next time.

Dinner:   Grilled Romaine Salad at Karl Strauss Brewery. Honestly, I was skeptical of this one, but it turned out to be pretty good. I’m not a huge fan of warm lettuce, but the dressing was tasty, and the chicken with it was great.

Dessert:  I also had a brownie sundae, which was forgettable. It had great ice cream, but the brownie was bland and then they squirted canned whipped cream all over the top.

8.3.2014 | TI8

SUNDAY I ATE

Breakfast: Grapenuts with cranberry juice and fresh strawberries

LunchLeftover pizza

Afternoon snack: Kettle corn

Dinner:  Ceasar salad, fried chicken at Casa Orinda. This place has such an old-school feel, it’s incredible it still exists. I mean, there’s a moose head on the wall, plus a bunch of long horn cows. And waggon wheel chandeliers. Plus, if what you’re looking to eat was popular in the 50’s – 60’s (think steak or fried chicken), this place will do it with rare skill.

Dessert: Hot fudge sundae

8.2.2014 | TI8

SATURDAY I ATE

Breakfast: Doughnuts from Toot Sweet. First time here for doughnuts (though I think I’ve had cake from here). I would probably rate them as mediocre. They were out of the custard filled by 9:00. The saving grace, though, was the buttermilk doughnut with chocolate glaze. This was just a different take on the genre, and I loved it. Suzanne described it like a biscuit, deep fried and covered with chocolate.

LunchLeftover pizza

Afternoon snack:  Chips, salsa, watermellon, a ham sandwich, and some birthday cake with ice cream. Sweet jesus. Birthday parties are trouble!

Dinner:  Baked potato with leeks, tomato, cheese, and salsa.

Dessert: Popcorn (while watching movie)

8.1.2014 | TI8

FRIDAY I ATE

Breakfast: Grapenuts with cranberry juice and fresh strawberries

LunchPork chili verde burrito from Burrito Express

Dinner: Pizza with zucchini, salami, leeks, and corn

pizza

Dessert: More chocolate bundt cake

7.31.2014 | TI8

THURSDAY I ATE

Breakfast: Grapenuts with cranberry juice and fresh strawberries

Morning Snack: Some sort of chocolate-currant roll thing. In a conference all day, I needed it.

LunchTurkey sandwich. Oh yeah, and a ham sandwich. Conference, again.

Afternoon snack:  Chocolate chip cookies. Are all day conferences great, or what?

Dinner:  Gorgonzolla zucchini pancakes. Soon to be on Flourarrangements

Dessert: Chocolate whiskey bundt cake

chocolate whiskey bundt cake