New Years Eve

 

Road Trip Round Up

Alderbrook Resort and Spa (Union, WA)

   

       

We took a few road trips in 2011.  The best part for me is the relaxing time on the road.  Joe and I have a good rhythm going - he drives while I navigate and we love being on the road and taking in the different scenery.  We went to Alderbrook Resort for our babymoon.  Union, WA is definitely out there and that's what we like about it.  The lodge is beautiful inside and out, and the people there were very friendly.  The spa was great and the restaurant decent, but it's also the little things that make the difference.  The pillows were unfortunately not comfortable so that little thing is what will prevent us from going back again.

Vancouver, BC

We love going to Vancouver.  We go there quite often and it's really a no brainer for us.  We've had some low key trips there this year, including one where we took Joe's great uncle to see one of his relatives in BC and one where we just jumped into the car and headed north.  Smaller sized road trips take less work but you end up seeing more of your favorite haunts.  We did get to try a new Ramen place - Kintaro on the edge of Robson street in downtown Vancouver.  We weren't big fans but it was a fun experience overall.

Sunset in Stanley Park

Kintaro Ramen

Portland

We took a couple trips to Portland as well.  The city has such a laid back feel and the strangers are super nice.  Portland reminds me of Tacoma, a much bigger version of course, but I get the same feeling when I'm in Tacoma.

a city block surrounded by food trucks

Pastrami breakfast at Kenny and Zukes

We got to try a lot of the restaurants that were on our list.  We had a quick french happy hour at Little Bird Restaurant.  We had cauliflower soup, roasted bone marrow, along with a juicy burger. We went to Apizza Scholls where there was a 45 minute wait at 5pm!  They are known for their handmade dough and the pizza was great, but I'm not sure I would go back.  I actually had a much better experience at a small taco restaurant at the same block.  I had to have a small snack during our wait.

The highlight was going to the Japanese Garden.  It was a huge garden and we loved every part of it.

The post-pregger list

The thing that keeps me sane from all the dietary pregger restrictions is to keep a list of the foods I can't wait to eat.  The restrictions that I'm putting myself on is related to chinese philosphies as well as current modern philosophies of prenatal care, albeit on the conservative side.  I love looking at this list occasionally- the anticipation increases the enjoyment, right?

roast duck/squab
fried gizzards
hot pot
good sushi
tiramisu
ceasar salad
red wine
white wine
good cappuccino
mimosa
lemon drop
earl grey with grand marnier 
good eggs benedict - portage bay cafe 
salt and pepper crab - flying fish cafe 

the Pho Place

I can't even tell you the name of the pho place that we frequent in Everett.  We know exactly where it is on Evergreen Way though and frequent the restaurant monthly, if not weekly.  The only reason we know about it is because good friends of ours had told us about it and that it is a regular Boeing haunt.  They had good things to say about the broth and I would agree.  The pho always hits the spot and my latest favorite is the grilled pork/prawns over noodles.  The grilled pork is extremely flavorful and pairs well with the pickled veggies, cilantro, and fish sauce. The flavors in this dish satifies all the demanding pregger tastebuds for me.

Korean BBQ feast

Nothing makes me happier than having a ton of food with varied flavors, textures, and colors sitting on a table, waiting for you to finish your bite so you can start on another!  I could hardly keep my end of the conversation at the table because I was too busy stuffing myself and enjoying every bite.

That is why one of my favorite meals involves a korean BBQ on the table and the myriad of dishes that you get alongside the meat.  The best if it's all you can eat - just make sure you wear something very comfortable (i.e. sweatpants) to dinner - you will be glad you did!  The restaurants that have all you can eat options include Palace BBQ in Bellevue, and Secret Garden in Lynnwood.  I believe there are some good ones in Federal Way as well but that is normally out of my jurisdiction.

Roast Pork

Roast pork....how I love thee....how thee makes my heart sing...  Nothing beats a piece of roast pork, hot from the BBQ shop, where the skin is crispy and you get a perfect layered piece of skin, fat and meat.  It really is to die for.  Most BBQ shops (the busy ones) run out of the good stuff by 6 or 7pm..  So you usually have to pick it up earlier, and the right thing to do once you get home is to pick out the perfect piece and to cram it into your mouth before dinner.  Because eating it with rice dilutes the deliciousness of the pork. 

Here's one thing I learned recently about the pork - if you go to the shop even earlier - say sometime around noon or early afternoon, that is usually when the belly is sold.  Basically, the butcher just cuts down roast pork from top to bottom and the piece that you get depends on the time of day you come in.  The belly piece is one of the best parts of the pig to get roast pork from.  Kau Kau is a shop that only sells belly pieces in general, while BBQ shops like Kings BBQ sells the entire pig.  For some reason (and call me crazy), the belly of the pig from Kings BBQ tastes a little bit better than the one from Kau Kau.

Barking Frog

I love driving into Woodinville.  I forget how close it is - it's just about 10 minutes from Totem Lake/Kirkland, but when you drive through Woodinville, with its wineries, pumpkin patches, and large patches of farmland, you get transported to a quaint little town.  Barking Frog is a great stop - it's the sister restaurant of the Herb Farm, the much fancier restaurant with their set 9 course dinner and wine pairing.

The food was so delicious - I had the steak with grilled polenta and it's the better steaks that I've had in a while.  Their chocolate creme brulee was to die for.  It made for a very pleasant lunch and a very affordable one as we were able to catch it during Seattle Restaurant week.