Green Drinks Happy Hour tomorrow

With the state of the nation being what it is, with so many unemployed and so many concerned about our environment, I was excited to learn about a local but global group. Tomorrow I will attend my first Green Drinks Happy Hour. It is an international group with a presence in many U.S. cities, and everyone involved is supposed to be a champion of the Green Movement. The Happy Hour is scheduled at Starlite Lounge on India St from 5:30 to 9pm. There will be drink specials, whose proceeds will be donated to Creative Seeds. They are expecting to expand to San Diego soon, to help the boys of The Eluxolweni Boys Home in Port St. Johns, South Africa.

Dress For Success benefit October 25, 2008

There is a great event coming up thrown by some event planner friends of mine. The event, "Boardroom Babes & Boys", on Saturday afternoon, October 25th at 1pm at The Palm Restaurant benefits Dress For Success. There is a bachelor/bachelorette auction for the charity.

The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Tickets are $50 in advance and $75 at the door. For more info see the flyer above or click: Dress For Success or Buy Me Love Benefits to purchase your tickets.

Rookie maneuvers are not acceptable

We decided to hit Mary Jane's Coffee Shop at the Hard Rock Hotel last night while some friends were in town. We barely made it in time to order off the Happy Hour menu (ends at 7 pm), but Jenn was accommodating. We started with a plate of $5 wings of the "wild" variety and some chips and guac. The wings were served with celery and carrot sticks and bleu cheese dressing instead of ranch. I think this was the first time no one ordered a side of ranch for their wings, in the history of sharing chicken wings. So I had to share all the bleu cheese. But they were tasty and actually filled me up a bit. You know I slogged down most of the guac too though. Alyssa and I split the meatloaf. It was served with fluffy mashed potatoes and peas that were the largest I've ever seen. They were sweet and buttery. The meatloaf was served with a smoky, almost barbequey sauce (I don't care if that is not a real word, it describes it perfectly). And the meatloaf, was cold. I didn't ask if my friend's portion was properly heated, although now I'm thinking I should have because I couldn't finish it. It was disappointing, 'cause it tasted good and I would have finished it. So I pretended like I ate too many wings and too much guacamole.
Husband had a burger with bleu cheese that was really good. I took a bite and felt it was almost worth the $13 price tag. If only Rocky's Crown Pub served their burgers with bleu cheese ... ah, a girl can dream, can't she?!
I did steal a French fry off husband's plate the moment it was placed on the table, but it had a sadly common theme: cold. Disappointing again, because I thought they were good too.
We were about the fourth table in the place, so I can see how sometimes its harder to keep everything perfect when there's less to do, but I expected more. Still, good friends and good conversation was the point of the evening and it was a great time.
After dinner, we headed upstairs via the newly opened Pinkberry! I guess I was full after all ... I walked right through it with a wave and a smile (I know they were expecting me after all!). We got a round at Moonstone Lounge and sat by one of the fire pits for more intriguing conversation. The boys talked about video games and slipping on other people's puke while us girls discussed the finer points of living healthily and happily. So much healthy talk that I didn't even finish my beer! Well, I did put it next to the fire pit like a rookie, so it was warmer than my meatloaf.
We've eaten at Mary Jane's before. On a November morning last fall when the Chargers thought it would be acceptable to not beat the Ravens and after a jovial night of celebrating what we liked to call our "third honeymoon". Some friends met us for breakfast. And between the French toast and pancakes we tried all of the different kinds of syrups: Log Cabin, Mrs. Butterworth, Aunt Jemima and Eggo syrup. That's what they want you to do, or at least know that they serve your favorite, if you've already tried them all at home. So, that's why we thought we would try Mary Jane's again for dinner. I think I'll go back, maybe when it's packed and there's a line outside though. Mary Jane's Coffee Shop is open till 3 am on the weekends and breakfast is served all day.

Blue Fin Tuna is a rare and beautiful thing

Our dear friends went fishing on Thursday and caught a Blue Fin Tuna off the San Diego coast! The best part is, we were invited over for Sashimi night on Sunday. You know how I like to say that Culinary School is everywhere, you just need to know where to study? Well, I got to study fish filleting at its finest. Doug brilliantly walked me through not only the 19 pound tuna, but I observed quietly while he sliced the yellowtail too. I was so enthralled I couldn't speak at first. Have you ever heard of me not speaking?!

We all donned our pair of chopsticks, and popped yellowtail sashimi and poke as the appetizer, along with grilled yellowtail collar. I was excited for the belly, or toro, my favorite tuna cut. And it was everything I hoped it would be. Beautifully marbled and extra yummy. A few pieces of the tuna was seared with black sesame seeds for the two pregnant ladies. Man, I felt for them. But no raw fish for the pregos, means more for me! :-)

More lamb chops, please!

We were invited to join friends at Solare, 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.

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!

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). I 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.