150.8...Escaping, Celebrating and Traveling

On Saturday night in Palm Desert we went to Mikado at the JW Marriott for dinner. My meal started with the usual Japanese salad:

Followed by steak, fried rice and veggies. 

Sunday’s breakfast:

We got packed up and went to lunch at Armando’s Dakota Bar & Grill  before heading back to San Diego. We shared chips and guacamole.

I ordered the fish tacos which is what I usually get there but they were awful. Dry and boring. Boo!! 

For dinner we all went over to Joe and Alicia’s. Alicia made spaghetti, meat sauce and salad. Yum!

Monday’s breakfast:

After I took the kids to school I went to the gym to meet with my trainer, then took my dog to the vet for a checkup. I picked up my son’s Bar Mitzvah invitations and put them in the mail. It’s really happening now!! ;)

I stopped for lunch at Chipotle and had a steak bowl. 

I ran some more errands then picked up the kids from school.

That evening I met one of my PTO groups and Brainy Actz for an Escape Room activity. I had never done one of those before and it was fun!! 

We had dinner afterwards at Karl Strauss. I ordered the Ginger Crusted Salmon (sustainably-farmed Norwegian salmon topped with ginger-panko crust, sautéed spinach and red onion, avocado, steamed broccoli and firecracker sauce on the side):

It was really delicious!

Tuesday’s breakfast:

After I dropped the kids off I went to spin class, then a cooking class taught by Phillis Carey. The class was “Wine Country Cooking”. The first recipe was Warm Asparagus and Bacon Toast with Roasted Red Pepper-Shallot Vinaigrette:

The vinaigrette was outstanding. Loved this.

Next up was a cocktail! Passion Fruit Aperol Prosecco Spritz:

I was worried it would be too sweet but it wasn’t. Very refreshing!

Next up was Cioppino Seafood Stew with Gremolata Toasts:

This was really good! Loved dunking the toast in the broth.

The next plate had two different recipes:

Fresh Herb Crusted Filet Mignon with Horseradish Hollandaise

Roasted Carrots, Potatoes, Radishes and Snap Peas with Herbs and White Balsamic Vinegar

Really enjoyed everything. But the fun part was trying roasted radishes! They were delicious!!! 

Dessert was Darkest Chocolate Cake with Red Wine Glaze:

So rich and fudgey! Yum!

Last night I met some friends at Piacere Mio to celebrate Cathi’s birthday. We shared a couple of appetizers. 

Brie alla Milanese (deep fried brie cheese on marinara sauce, topped with shaved parmesan cheese and bacon):

Fried brie!?! So good!

Prosciutto e Burrata (sliced Parma prosciutto and burrata cheese):

This was good too!

For my entree, I ordered my favorite dish there: Pappardelle Wild Boar (large flat pasta noodles tossed with slowly cooked wild boar ragu):

Fabulous, as usual! 

Happy Birthday Cathi!!!

This morning’s breakfast:

After I took the kids to school, I went to get a spray tan because I’m leaving for Cabo tomorrow (!!) and need a tan BADLY. 

Lunch was sushi I picked up at the grocery store:

I need to get my laundry done and get all packed up. Vacation here I come!

Technorati Tags: Armando's, Armando's Dakota Bar & Grill, Chipotle, Everyday, Karl Strauss, Mikado, Palm Desert, Phillis Carey, Piacere Mio