Monday, June 30, 2008

More lamb chops, please!

We were invited to join friends at Solare,Solare on Urbanspoon a new restaurant in the revamped Liberty Station Saturday evening. I was kind of hoping they meant Volare because Mom just ate there the other day and reminded me how wonderful it still was. Anyway, we ate on these lovely oversize teak couches in the bar that reminded me a bit of an Asian living room. David, our server was very well-versed on their wine list. I sipped Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio and husband tried the Barbera d’Asti “Vespa” upon David's suggestion. We each enjoyed a slice of their cheese pizza and loved their cold cuts and cheese plate. The gherkens were sweet and adorable (as every gherken should be). Nicoletta and I went crazy for the shaved prosciutto and brie. I would've appreciated a couple of olives, of course.

The lamb chop appetizer was attacked by all of us attempting to get one more bite. We should've simply ordered another. It was cooked perfectly medium-rare and was exceptionally juicy. The horseradish potatoes underneath were music to my mouth.

Before we left, we were introduced to Mark who explained the chef's table. Yes, I said chef's table. The more of these we get in San Diego, the happier I will be! Husband and I are planning an evening very soon when we will be coddled by Mark and the rest of the staff at Solare. Mark already gave me permission to ask as many questions as I want. Yippee! As I like to say, Culinary School is everywhere, you just have to know where to study.

We want to go back not only for the chef's table, but because I'm always excited by a new restaurant. They also have a private dining room for about two-dozen people and a table to fit up to four people inside their wine room (otherwise known as: very romantic dinner). There are plenty of nooks for a fun night out with your loved-one or your entire family. Once I've gotten another opportunity to sample more dishes, you will be the first to know about my favorites.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Gmail Tip of the Day

I love Gmail and I'm sure you do too. But the signature that always ends up at the bottom of my replies drives me nuts. I found out how to fix it! Go to Settings on the top right. Then click Labs on the far right. Enable the sixth option down called Signature Tweaks and it removes the two dashes and places it at the top of your replies!

Thursday, June 5, 2008

I think I'm upset, but I might just be confused

Lacotse intolerant. That's what we thought I was. Now I'm not so sure. I've been doing a bit of research about this affliction. It is supposedly natural and happens to most Spanish and Asian decedents. Many elderly people stop producing the lactase enzyme as well. That's the definition of lactose intolerance. We stop producing lactase, which breaks down lactose. Simple chemistry. Unless you don't produce lactase and you love dairy products. Then it sucks. It can hurt. It can smell bad. It can ruin your day.
All this research has only confused me further. I'm going to reference "them" and "me", like how "they" say that cheddar cheese has no lactose in it. Then what has been happening to me after I eat it? "They" also have mentioned seeing my doctor and getting "tested" for lactose intolerance. There is a test? I hope I get an "A", or a "negative" ... I guess. What if I don't?
So, I guess it's time to make a call to my doc. "Excuse me Dr. Falquier, but can you please test me for lactose intolerance?" Yeah, I can just see her face. "Test you for what?"
Cause I can eat cheddar cheese with no problems now. Sort of. Sometimes something happens. Aw man, I'm a bit upset. The simple brilliance of taking a lactase pill when I want to join my friends in a slice of pizza now seems stupid. What have I been wasting my money on (those lactose pills are not cheap!)?
So, the quest continues. Am I lactose intolerant? Or am I suffering from something else? I had a pretty bad bout with colitis when I was 21. Maybe that should be revisited. Or?
I can eat the wondrous tastiness of Red Mango Frozen Yogurt (I know you all think I'm a Pinkberry devotee, but a girl can only wait so long). Red Mango Frozen Yogurt on UrbanspoonI can eat it without any pills and without any issues. They (Red Mango) claim they pump live active cultures into their yogurt. I had heard previous warnings about live cultures in "frozen" things. The cold temperatures supposedly puts the cultures to sleep and therefore do not do their duty of eating the lactose for me. What? I know … right?
Me thinks this is getting ridiculous. And not ridiculous in a good way. I need to take a Nutrition class. Again. The one at Mesa College in 1992 is clearly not gonna handle it for me.
So even though I'm kinda mad, I'm just confused and need more education. Don't we all.