(more) Monterey munchies

While my previous Monterey post mainly featured our B&B and the Aquarium, I know I alluded to a few good meals, so I figured I should go into some detail about those…I mean The Old Monterey Inn is definitely worthy of being highlighted, but this is a food blog after all.

First, and most importantly, the caffeine.

Plumes Coffee won my heart over with their insanely extensive coffee selection.

Ree-dik

I ordered the Kona coffee (which was the most $$$ by the way), while Kyle got Steve’s Smooth French.  His was the brew of the day (so there was a full pot ready brewed), but my cup was made just for me. 

As a Starbucks frequent flier Gold card carrier (obsessed much), I’m not used to having a single serving of beans ground just for me.  This place did precisely that, and I got to watch as my Kona beans dripped straight into my mug and my mug alone. 

It was so cool!

Naturally I added in soymilk (which was already at the condiments bar and didn’t cost extra).

Plumes Coffee is apparently quite popular because there was a line through the door…and boy oh boy did the treats look and smell delicious.

 

Kyle broke the fast with a cheese and broccoli quiche.

He said it was great because it wasn’t too doughy (instead it was more flaky – which he prefers) and “perfectly proportioned” for a warm breakfast.

They also have non-brekkie eats, including sandwiches made to order (you can make the veggie deluxe vegan by nixing the cheese).

Another notable restaurant in Monterey is Amarin Thai Cuisine. 

It is located on Cannery Row, which is the cutest street ever, complete with old fashioned soda shops and the likes.

There’s a brewery too, which (thank God) wasn’t open yet. 

 

I’ve been a big enough lush lately…boozing is the one department I can safely say I don’t need any help in. 

But back to Amarin Thai Cuisine…

It’s a good thing I did some research beforehand because my Blackberry was having issues finding our location.

I promise I wasn’t where it says I was.

Following the waiter’s recommendation, I ordered a tofu dish (I can’t remember which one!).

The tofu was sautéed with green beans, bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, and I don’t know what else. 

The sauce was super tasty too and there was the perfect amount.  I mixed it all up in the rice and went to town.  Don’t believe me?

No messin’ around, yo.

Other random eats/drinks:

Cab

Pinot

Bread (yes please)

Fried Calamari (no thanks)

Caesar Salad (meh)

House Salad (uber meh)

But beyond our own eats, I’d like to give major props to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the pro-vegetarian propaganda exhibits.

Be green – go meatless for a day!  It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint

Cows are better utilized when they aren’t being eaten…

Mmmm…poop soup.  Love me some methane!

Rather than sign off on such a stinky note, I’ll leave you with my slightly tipsy fiancé drawing a blueprint of our dream house.

How adorable is he?  I saved the napkin, but I don’t think it will make much sense when we are sober and trying to make out his chicken scratch.  From what I can make out, there were more fireplaces than closets, so I’m thinking it’s a bit far fetched.  In the meantime, we are going to have to figure out a compromise in the Santa Monica area.  Wish us luck!