My food tour of California

First, I must say, I was rather terrified about taking a vacation in the middle of a serious attempt at shedding these lingering kajillion pounds. I am overweight, and I know this. If you see me and you know me, and you think to yourself, I wonder if she knows she's put on some weight, the answer is OH HELLS YEAH I KNOW. It's not like I'm defying gravity and fitting into old skinny clothes. But unlike college, where pounds just melted off if I even thought about skipping breakfast, it's tough to lose the weight this time. Combine a girl's vacation focused on relaxing and indulging with an already molasses-like metabolism, and, well, my waistline was scared about this trip. I wish I could tell you I maintained my weight loss or even lost more pounds, but I didn't. I gained a couple pounds, pounds I've already lost since returning Sunday, thank god, but I also enjoyed myself, walked and danced a lot and didn't give a damn about guilt or calories. I only cared about enjoying myself, and it wasn't a bad way to mentally go about my little trip away.

If you're ever traipsing across California and you'd like to enjoy yourself, may I suggest:

Los Angeles:

Lunch: The Farm, in Beverly Hills. It was very moderately priced, which was a pleasant surprise first thing off the plane from Texas. I ordered half a delicious BLTA (bacon, lettuce, oven-roasted tomatoes and avocado) sandwich with a side of black bean turkey chili. (Also, there was bubbly.) Oh, you'd like to see a picture? Well, I just so happen...

{Oh, that bread!}

From there we split a squiggle cupcake from Crumbs. I watched a skinny little thing walk by me as I was devouring my half, and I thought instead of God, I shouldn't be eating this, God, this tastes incredible. I could use some milk. 

After a quick hotel power nap, we enjoyed a tasty drink at Melrose Bar & Grill. I just had a measly beer, which I look back and scoff at. Don't get me wrong, I love a frosty beer, but on vacation? No! Beers are for parties at home and ball games, not for a girl's vacation!

We had a late dinner with my author, and he took us to Ketchup on Sunset. You should know that the very first thing I said upon walking in was OH MY GOD, BRODY AND LAUREN CAME HERE ON THE HILLS. Nothing gives an author confidence in his publicist like squealing over MTV reality shows. I had a delicious Caesar salad with a side of the lobster bisque, which is one thing I wouldn't recommend. The table shared the Threesome, a trio of fries and sauces. The table also shared some bubbly (much better than BEER). 

After dinner, Kristie begged us to take her to Millions of Milkshakes, which, we found out, is apparently a publicity stunt disguised as a milkshake shop. I felt weird just sitting out front. But, for what it's worth, I got the 90210 shake. CAP'N CRUNCH BABY, which ironically appeared under the "healthy" column.

The next morning, before hitting the road, we stopped at a great little coffee shop, Euro Caffe. I got a mocha with whipped cream. IT WAS VACATION, LET ME REMIND YOU.

Malibu:

We stopped for breakfast at Marmalade in Malibu, and this place was incredible. Great waiter, great food, great atmosphere. Seriously, perfect. Along with a mimosa (sense the trend), I got a Gilson's Scramble. Now that I type this all out, I apparently ate a lot of avocado and drank a lot of champagne on this trip. Now the inching-up-on-the-scale thing is making some sense.

Santa Barbara:

I ate the most delicious chocolate croissant, but I can't recall where. Good luck!

Carmel:

Dinner was at Merlot Bistro, which just sounds lovely, doesn't it? And it was! This was a very low-key joint, and most of the patrons were, um, quieter and more reserved than we were, but it was delicious and cozy and perfect. I got a filet mignon and Gorgonzola pizza, and I've decided I really like this steak paired with this cheese. You probably already KNEW this and UNDERSTOOD this pairing, but I'm 87 steps behind when it comes to adult cuisine. Regardless, yum. We also shared two half-bottles (uh-huh, I know) of the Ventana Sauvignon Blanc, which was the cheapest thing on the menu, but also tasty, too. Love when that happens.

After-dinner Long Island Ice Teas were at Sade's. The nightlife isn't hopping in Carmel, but if you do need an after-dinner spot, this was nice.

The next morning, we ate breakfast at The Cottage Restaurant, and I hate to do this because if YOU go to Carmel, you may love this place, and it was recommended to us, but I didn't like the food. I ate the food, sure, but it wasn't remarkable or noteworthy at all. I may have wished I were at IHOP instead. I got a choose-your-own-ingredients omelet.

San Francisco:

We had a very quick yet delicious lunch at La Mar on the water, an incredible Peruvian seafood joint. I ignored all the ceviche on the menu because nothing sort of grosses me out more than thinking of seafood marinating in citrus juice. I know it's technically cooking, but, yeah, I'm of the old traditional camp that thinks COOKING SHOULD REQUIRE FIRE. I got the pan con lomo, basically a steak sandwich, which was good, but Kristie got the most incredible risotto, the risotto de calabaz, that I actually thought about at various times throughout the weekend. Sorry, Kristie, for all those bites I stole. And then you paid for lunch. You're too to me.

Sacramento:

Dinner was at Elizabeth's house, and there are no words for the awesomeness of both the dinner and the wine tasting courtesy of Astrale e Terra. Seriously, if you want to take in a little wine tasting in Napa, AND WHY WOULDN'T YOU?, stop in this winery. The tasting was casual, laid-back and with no pressure to buy anything. I will be buying a bottle, but not because I felt I had to. 

Lunch the next day was at Cafe Bernardo, and I got something that will stun you. SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW. A roasted turkey sandwich with avocado. 

Dinner was at Zocalo, and it was so trendy and fun, I assumed dinner was going to be, well, EXPENSIVE. It wasn't! It was reasonable! The drinks were pricey, but for the most incredible blackberry margarita, I would have paid well more than the $10 I did pay. I got the queso fundido, mostly because FUN! was in the name, and I also love chorizo regardless how disgusting I know all sausage is. 

After dinner, we stopped at Lounge on 20 for drinks, and I got brave and drank champagne from a can. AND IT WAS GOOD. So good, in fact, I'm stopping in my local specialty store tomorrow to try and buy some for a party we're throwing this weekend. I want people to ask me where I heard of it just so I can talk more about my fun trip.

And to end the night, Elizabeth and I took a Patron shot at Faces. Yum. (Visit that site at home, for the security of your job.)

Oh, it was such a good food trip, and if all those avocados and glasses of champagne don't convince you, you're just plain crazy.

When Elizabeth visits Texas, she's going to be stunned when all I offer her is cheap beer and Quizno's.

Comments

[Manda]

Dangit now I'm hungry AND thirsty!! YUM!

[Rachel]

Looks like you guys had some great food while on vacation! I totally agree that you had no need to watch what you ate or drank while on vacation. You can always start back up when you get home! :)

[stephanie]

I went to an AMAZING place called Katy's Place for breakfast when I was in Carmel. When you said you were going to recap your food yesterday, I was really hoping you'd gone to Katy's. Now I wish I'd known to give you that tip earlier, now that I see your breakfast in Carmel wasn't all that great.

I love the sound of Millions of Milkshakes, but the website scares me. Most of the celebrities they highlight are ones I think I'd want to avoid.

[C @ Kid Things]

The food sounds delicious. And now I want a BLT.

[Moose]

Food tour. Oh, you are so my people.

[Amy --- Just A Titch]

How did I miss you and Elizabeth doing Patron shots?! Was I too busy smacking the tranny's ass? Ah, well.

[Heather]

Fist pump in the air for canned champagne tomorrow! You are the hostess with the mostest!

Awesome food tour!!!

[Kristie]

I shuddered AGAIN when I pictured you guys taking that shot. OMG SHUDDER. P.S. I really want to ask for the risotto recipe.

[Michelle]

I love love LOVE hearing about what people eat on vacation - especially if it includes copious amounts of avocado and champagne! Thanks for letting me live through you!

[Bobbi Janay]

Yum, that sounds delicious.

[barbetti]

BACON! CHAMPAGNE! These are two of my favorite things....

That avocado/bacon/sinful sandwich was fantastic.

And the Patron went down so smoothly. I'm cheap and usually just use tarantula or Jose in my margaritas, but Patron was a pleasant surprise. Thank you for initiating me into my first tequila shot. :)

[Jill]

Bummer on the bad Carmel breakfast! That's my fav meal of the day. When you return, I suggest Katy's Place. Sooo yummy. Last time I was there for girl's weekend we went there everyday.