Garden Therapy

Moving back to CA, one of the things I was most looking forward to was having a balcony.  A balcony allows me to have two very important things:

1) a BBQ

2) a garden

Ok, it’s not quite a garden, yet.  But it’s getting there…

As an early birthday present from my in-laws, I got organic rosemary, basil, and thyme to give my green thumb a jump start. 

Since it was raining the other day, I was in a zen kind of mood.  I blasted classical music on the iHome and got to work repotting the basil.  Our balcony is covered so while the rain poured all around me, I enjoyed the symphony of pitter patter mixed with Mozart.

Time to get my hands dirty. 

Voila!  My repotted basil, lined up and ready to grow.  I can’t wait to make some fresh pesto.  🙂

There’s something so therapeutic about gardening.  And I still have room on the balcony ledge for more. 

Cut to yesterday morning…it was bright and sunny from the break of dawn. 

This is looking South from our balcony.   No overcast sea mist to be seen. 

I drank my coffee in my PJs and slippers on the balcony, soaking up the rays with my latest read.

I watered my babies.

I noshed on peaches, figs, and grapes in greek yogurt.

I blogged and read some more. 

I had an Ezekiel english muffin with home-made cashew butter and apples.

And lots of cinnamon. 

I enjoyed it very much. 

Then I felt a burst of energy come over me…and I had to get outside.  So I went on a 3 mile run.  Followed by a bike ride.  It was awesome. 

My snackage flunks for presentation.  But then, how pretty can brown rice and roasted red pepper hummus look?  Not very. 

Dinner was another Dine LA (restaurant week) experience.  This weekend is our friend’s 30th birthday, but Kyle and I will be out of town…so an early celebration was in order. 

In honor of our previous NY apartment on West 92nd and West End, we went to a place called Upper West.  Awww…

They have a full bar along one wall of the place and nice open space for the restaurant.  There was a pretty happenin’ vibe going on inside for a Thursday night.  I loved the artwork on the walls too (random, I know).  The only negative thing I have to say about the place was the hideously rude and inefficient valet.  If I could have parked my own car, I would have.  They were awful.  But let’s get to the important stuff…the food.

Ethel and Nick both went with the pre-set restaurant week menu, while Kyle and I went rouge.  The regular menu had a delicious veggie burger calling my name so clearly the $34 three course meal was out the window.  What can I say, when you know, you know…

Despite what I just said, we all got the same appetizer of Ahi Tuna Crispy Tacos.

Sushi grade ahi tuna loin, crispy plantain shell, rice crackers, sprouts, orange chipotle vinaigrette, and jicima cucumber salsa. 

Of course Kyle needed the jicima cucumber salsa on the side because of his extreme aversion to anything in the pickle family (meaning cucumber).

It was pretty good.  I was glad the taco shells were nice and light and didn’t taste like deep fried greasy messes.

Nick (the birthday boy) got the Chile spiced salmon with haricot verts, Israeli couscous, and sweet tomatoes.

Ethel got the (6 hour) braised short ribs “osso bucco” style with cannellini puree, and root vegetable pan gravy. 

Kyle got the charbroiled flatiron steak with pomme frites and chipotle honey ketchup. 

Like I mentioned above, the second I browsed the menu, their roasted veggie burger was all I could think about.  The house-made patty came with grilled pineapple relish, avocado, peppadew pepper and tomato aioli. 

I was given the option of home-made potato chips, pomme frites, or a house salad on the side, and naturally craving my greens I chose the salad.  Somewhere along the way there was a communication breakdown and the burger arrived with a bucket of fries.  They were happy to bring me a salad once I gave them a heads up about the error.  And the fries remained…win for the table!

Innards. 

I’m always a bit skeptical about ordering house salads at restaurants because sometimes they can be a total snooze. 

House salad criteria:

• fresh greens (not iceberg, not limp, preferably from a local farmer’s market)
• unique dressings (if I can buy a better dressing from Vons then you’re failing as a chef)
• sweet and savory combo (I love dried fruit on my salads)
• no cheese (why is goat cheese on everything lately)

This salad met 3 of the 4 criteria.  There were delicious assorted greens from a local farm and the dressing was a nice balsamic concoction that I wanted way more of. 

Sorry about the crap lighting…my camera is being a beezy as of late.  No cooperation whatsoever.  And yes, I took a bite prior to taking this pic.  😉

The burger was EXCELLENT.  It was kinda mushy like it was mostly a bean based patty, but there were nuts too.  Also there was a whole lotta avo on it, and the pineapple salsa was such a yummy sweet topping. 

By the way, how cool is the plating?  It’s on a cutting board. 

For dessert, Nick got the Key Lime tart with a graham cracker crust, blueberry syrup, and basil-coconut sorbet. 

Ethel got the semi-sweet chocolate cake with rum braised apricots, coffee bean caramel, and sea salt chocolate sauce.  Plus, horchata ice cream on the side. 

I held off on dessert at the restaurant, since I had my own chocolate plans…

When I got home, I still hadn’t packed for the weekend, so I made tea, mangled off a piece of the monster vegan truffle, and started throwing clothes in a bag.  In case you were wondering, the Celestial Seasonings Honey Vanilla Chai tea tastes as good as it sounds.  I bought the box just a week ago and I’m already on my last tea bag. 

Ohpleaseletheavenbelikethis.  I felt like Gollum, licking my fingers and talking to the chocolate like it was “my precious.” 

 

P.S. Thank you all so so so much for your comments on my hair.  Seems like several of you have gone through a similar thing.  With each comment, I felt better and better about my decision, and I can’t even put into words how appreciative I am to have your kindness and support. 

P.P.S.  I’m going to be home in Nor Cal this weekend for the UCLA vs. Cal football game.  Flackback Friday Saturday post anyone?