Harvest International Market- Eat in the store (Clairmont)

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog.  Kirk, Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy write most of the posts here.  Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are both busy this week before Thanksgiving and Cathy is not busy.

The building on the North East corner of Balboa at Clairmont Drive had finally opened in early 2013, as another location of North Park Produce.  Then it closed. IMG_1537Harvest International Market opened in its place.  There is another location of Harvest closer to home, in El Cajon, but it's smaller (used to be a 99 Cents Only store) and there is no eat in area, but a nice 'grab and go' selection.  Harvest has some tables and chairs inside the store and out in front.IMG_1533IMG_2326When you walk in the door, to your right is the bakery, deli and kitchen. There is also a cash register there, so you can order and pay.  The hot tea is always brewing next to the baklava area (to the left when you walk in).IMG_1534IMG_1535The by the pound area has a vast selection of premade salads, olives and cheeses, all sold by the pound.  There's also a good variety of flatbreads and small loaves to choose from.   IMG_2317That white stuff? It's a saltier version of Kirk's garlic sauce and quite heavenly.  The other items are baba ganoge (eggplant dip) and shirazi salad (cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley and mint mixed with olive oil and lemon juice) all very fresh and very good with the flatbread seen beneath ($1).

IMG_2332I purchase the yogurt based beverages from the vast selection in the back corner store refrigerators.

IMG_1522IMG_1531There is also a good selection of daily soups; I've tried most by pointing at the selection behind the glass counter.  Some are tomato based, others are cream based.  The above one had spinach and garbanzo beans, was in a creamy chicken based broth and was topped with crispy onion. The bowl was $3.IMG_1524The beef shawarma plate ($7.99) comes with a salad and basmati rice. There is a lot of everything and any of the plates can be shared.  On this visit, the shawarma tasted dry on its own and the tzatziki sauce was needed; I usually don't have to add any. It was very flavorfully seasoned and the next day, I heated the meat up and mixed it into scrambled eggs for breakfast and no additional seasoning was needed.  IMG_1530There was a sign that beef or chicken kabobs were five for $10 and we asked and ordered just one of each at the $2 each price.  Both kabobs were flavorful and very large.   It was nice they gave us two roasted tomatoes on the plate…so much nicer than a sprig of parsley. IMG_2321Next to the shawarma spinning upright rotisseries is a third rotisserie with gyros meat. This platter was also $7.99 and when we asked if it came with pita bread, the lady told us to grab one out of the bread box near the front.  It's a really good bread topped with sesame seeds.  We also were given a choice of specialty rice, and asked for 'the green one', as there were eight different rices in view.  

After some research, I found the rice choices are basmati with other primary ingredients: Zereshk Polo (barberry), Baghali Polo (Persian dill with lima beans), Shirin Polo (orange and carrots), Albaloo Polo (sour cherry), Adas Polo (lentils), Lubia Polo (green beans), Biryani (spices and meat mixed in) and Aloo Polo (dried plums).  

All in all, we've enjoyed exploring the deli counter and trying various offerings before we go shopping in the store.  It's a pretty standard Mediterranean Market with halal meats and some seafood and interesting cookies, sauces, teas and coffees as well as ice cream and snack offerings. 

Harvest International Market 4220 Balboa Avenue San Diego 92111 (858) 810-8228 open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily Website

Tip Top Meats, again – The restaurant (Carlsbad)

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! during this short week before Thanksgiving.  Kirk is still vacationing and Ed (from Yuma) is enjoying the week before a holiday without having to rush and finish up things at work so Cathy is writing.

There has been a birthday breakfast postan ordinary breakfast posta lunch (sandwich and a steak and stein) post so now I will write about some more lunches and a dinner choice that's only available on Friday/Saturday/Sunday after 4 p.m., thereby still not covering even half of the menu available at this wonderful German Meat Market in store restaurant which has been in Carlsbad since 1977.IMG_0789Here's a photo of the actual entrance door into the market area, instead of the the side parking lot photos in all the other posts.  The restaurant is to the far left as you walk in. IMG_0777 Lentil, vegetable beef, beef barley or oxtail soups are some of the daily three usual choices.  We tend to order the soups instead of salads here, because the salads are ordinary and served with a packet of dressing you squeeze on yourself…the soups are made fresh daily. IMG_0782The Lamb Chop meal ($9.99) is listed on the 'other' side of the menu board (which is above and on the way toward the cash register).  Some people miss that other side of the menu board, although I've noticed the paper to go menus are stacked so that people can grab and read while waiting to order and pay. 

The lamb chops?  Excellent, beautifully grilled to a barely medium; tender, juicy and flavorful.  Sides are the soup, mashed with gravy, a dinner roll and both red and regular sauerkraut (red kraut is sweet, the white kraut is more stringent (vinegar based) and has pieces of ham or bacon in it).  IMG_0788IMG_0786There's a 'Cold Sandwich' menu board as well as a 'Hot Sandwich' menu board.   Pretty much all the sandwiches are $8.99.  So, the above pork cutlet sandwich was my choice one day; tender grilled pork cutlet on a fresh toasted roll with lettuce, tomato and grilled onion.  I chose German potato salad as my side-it sort of reminds me of a smashed up baked potato (probably because of the bacon bits along with the fact that it is a warm potato salad).IMG_2199Year round, an Oktoberfest Plate is available ($8.99) Three grilled sausages: Polish, Knackwurst and Bratwurst along with German potato salad, kraut and red cabbage and a roll. The sausages are made fresh in the store and have a wonderful mix of seasonings and fresh flavors.IMG_2200IMG_2205Then there is my craving-stuffed cabbage ($9.49) a giant cabbage leaf stuffed with lean meatloaf then baked.  It's topped with some sour cream and a tomato slice (excellent flavor, texture and temperature contrasts) and soup or salad, a sweet pickle slice, dinner roll and choice of cabbage…which I can never choose between, so I get both.IMG_2207Looking up at the menu on the wall/ceiling, both the Steak and Stein and 'Special Steak' Dinners have been 'special occasion' meals.  My brother was visiting last month and we drove up to Tip Top and had a little feast for about $15 a person. IMG_1841Each us did choose a soup (two vegetable soups and one oxtail soup, which is pretty much a rich gravy rather than soupy), The Mister had chosen a Steak and Stein meal- so that's his stein (it was a tangerine wheat beer).IMG_1842The Mister's New York Strip ($14.98, including the stein of beer).  It was topped with the grilled onions (which I received unceremoniously on my plate right after photos were taken) and His chosen sides of a baked potato and broccoli, along with a slice of sweet pickle and a roll.   IMG_2209Look at the menu sign again, bottom right- Special Steak Dinner.  Choose a steak, pay for it and it will be cooked for you…add $4.98 to get all the sides. IMG_1846 Choosing the filet mignon size and marble he wanted, my brother's choice still ended up costing around $10 (the filet is $24/lb) plus the $4.98, but he did get exactly what he wanted, and the butcher gives you a selection of seasoning to put on the filet.  (The Steak and Stein filet choice is probably smaller.)  IMG_2193While waiting in line  (all those people are in front of us waiting to order and pay). Notice the menu board ahead to the right above the refrigerated pastry case.  {It's the third menu board from the left; those two are the breakfast menu}.

"Prime Rib Roast  $14.98   From 4:30 – 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only
A massive portion of prime rib served with mash potatoes and gravy, baked potato or french fries, red cabbage, sauerkraut or broccoli, soup or salad and a dinner roll".IMG_1844The first time that The Mister and I came to Tip Top Meats, the line was the same, the menu board was the same (except for the prices- the Prime Rib Roast was $4.98 then) and the food was almost the same; you also were given one rib bone on the plate back then.  

This is a weekend evening only special and so very good.  Yes, you are looking at two very thick slices of prime Prime rib plus everything else I usually choose for my plate. 

I hope you have an organized, planned week ahead! 

Tip Top Meats 6118 Paseo Norte Carlsbad, CA 92011 (760)438-2620 Open seven days 6 am-8 pm WebsiteIMG_0780

2016 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road test #7, Quick meal at Pharo’s Burgers (Alhambra)

Here you are, looking at mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Today's post takes place North of San Diego, because that's where Cathy went to eat and do some other stuff. As you know, Kirk is on vacation.  Essentially, Ed (from Yuma) is also on vacation. 

What a day.  The Mister and I thought we were getting a head start by leaving home at around 4:50 this morning and we hit all sorts of traffic- a horrible accident, a lot of road construction…more accidents and just backups of traffic everywhere.  We zig zagged on side streets and finally got to Phoenix Decorating Company at about 7:30, just in time to see the three floats which will participate in the 127th Rose Parade being tested for safety and maneuverability today. IMG_2443Union Bank is back with a float this year, teaming up with the American Heart Association. Their "Union of Hearts" float celebrates both the 30th year for Union and one of the many goals of the AHA- exercise.  It's a cute float…the 'female' heart waves one arm while the 'male' heart arms are alternating 'lifting weights'.   IMG_2461This is what the float collapses down to, so it can fit along the parade route.   IMG_2409Honda, the sponsor of the parade, will have this extremely long float at the start.  We were fascinated watching it maneuver back into the decorating barn.  The wheels are independent and the float seems to work like a ladder fire truck.  The front part (in front of the bridge) will depict National Parks in Japan, and at the rear of the bridge,IMG_2410
where the driver is seated (up high) is a diorama depicting National Parks of the USA.  The 2016 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade is co-sponsored by the National Park Service.  The theme is "Find Your Adventure". 
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Western Asset has another beautiful float this year, "Let Your Imagination Run Wild". IMG_2451Taking a peek inside the barn, I could see the amount of work that has taken place since we were last up here…painted outlines are on most of the floats and so much is being done- Dry Decorating starts in two weeks! Here is a link to The Examiner's article about all the floats which will be in the 2016 parade. 

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On to the food portion of this blog post.  

You might recall I mentioned that the traffic today was the worst we've ever experienced. We drove a completely new-to-us route and ended up in Alhambra on the way to Pasadena, so we left the same way…and stopped here.. IMG_2464The corner of Garfield and Atlantic is where Pharos has been since 1994. 'Pharos' means lighthouse…see the shape of the front sign? IMG_2475Inside, up on top of the shelving and scattered on the counter near the cash register are a collection of lighthouses. IMG_2467IMG_2476The menu is on the wall.  Order, pay, have a seat and your number will be called.   IMG_2470Usually, my order anywhere is a 'breakfast sandwich with bacon, on rye'.  It was no different today. ($5.79) A good rye toast, griddled eggs, a thick slice of tomato, folded lettuce leaves, mayonnaise and plenty of crispy bacon.  A perfect meal…for me. 
IMG_2473The Mister asked and then ordered a pastrami burger ($6.79) and also a large order of onion rings ($3.75).  Charbroiled burger.  Good pastrami (not peppery) on a toasted sesame seed bun.  Wonderful not greasy onion rings.  The food here was excellent; we brought home leftovers. 

I hope you're having a good weekend.

Pharo's Burgers 1129 N. Garfield Alhambra 91801 (626) 284-2800 Website  IMG_2456
2016 Float tests: #1  (we couldn't make it to road test #2)   
#3 and #4 #5 #6  

This link is to the artist renditions of all the floats that Phoenix Decorating Company is producing for the 2016 parade.

Maritza’s Mexican Food (and carnitas Wednesdays)

Thanks for stopping to see which food ethnicity mmm-yoso!!!  is writing about today.   Our blog posts are a sort of ongoing diary of where and what we eat.  Cathy is writing; Kirk is enjoying nice weather and Ed (from Yuma) is busy with other things (in Yuma).

When The Mister and I first moved to San Diego, we lived near this small nondescript strip mall, in the middle of a neighborhood.  There was a great little market on the far end, 'Green Grocer', where we regularly shopped.  After moving out, we still came back to shop at Green Grocer and noticed Maritza's moved in (around 1987).  This was the same time that small taco shop (run by their in-laws) had opened across the street from (presently under reconstruction) K Sandwiches.  Maritza and her husband still own and run this wonderful little shop.IMG_6886Nondescript was the word I used. There's a Liquor Store on the other end of this strip and some other shops in between.IMG_6867IMG_6860IMG_6861Walk up, order and pay and have a seat.  Marita brings the food out to you.IMG_6869When you walk up to order look at the wall to your right, not just straight ahead.  There are specials listed.  The above 'Flying Saucer'($6.75) is a good choice when you just aren't sure.  The shredded stewed beef, on top of refried beans on top of a crispy fried flour tortilla and topped with the generic lettuce, tomato, cheese, guacamole and sour cream is a good way to eat what you want…with drops of the wonderful multi flavored, spicy/medium heat house made salsa.IMG_6875The enchiladas are a similarly easy to try option…again the unique house made enchilada sauce is really good.  I just wanted to take a photo of the sauce.  These are cheese enchiladas ($3.25), my Friday standard order.IMG_6872Look at the order counter in the second photo, there's a paper taped to the beverage dispenser, in the center.  

Sopes ($2.75)…hand made circles of fried dough (crispy on the exterior and soft and kind of fluffy on the interior) (so tasty of sweet corn) topped with refried beans and, in this case, carne asada. Standard toppings of lettuce, tomato, guacamole and cheese round this out.  An order of one is very filling.  

The carne asada here is the best of anywhere.  Maritza's husband makes it himself, mixing the spices and marinating and it is just perfection.IMG_7153Here's a cross section of a carne asada burrito ($5.55).  It is really, really flavorful steak.  IMG_7151Scrolling back up to the second photo again, taped on the wall straight behind where you order is a sign: "Wednesdays Special Carnitas".  

Again, Maritza's husband makes the carnitas and it's available until sold out.  A great carnitas…fried pork, shredded and served with corn tortillas…and everything you see above, including the house made green salsa, seen on the far right in the above photo (and mentioned in my post about sauces and salsas and divorce.) The plate is $9.95 and a burrito is $4.95.

Maritza's is a local little shop and a treasure.

Maritza's Mexican Food 3582 Mount Acadia Boulevard (between Mount Burnham Drive and Mount Abbey Drive) San Diego 92111  (858)279-8866 open 11:30-8:30 Mon-Fri Closed Saturday and Sunday

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Pho Hoa (Huong?)(I Eat Pho!)

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog.  Kirk is out and about, in a different time zone.  Ed (from Yuma) is also in a different time zone and Cathy is in the here and now, blogging.

When I started to write this post, checking on whether or not I had written a prior post (to link) was a bit tedious.  Of this location, I saw that Kirk had  blogged about it twice now, calling it Pho Hoa-Huong', but the signage now has …"I eat Pho!"…IMG_1610

In addition, there is also a Pho Hoa located on El Cajon Boulevard, about which Kirk has also twice posted. 

Then there is Pho Hoa Hiep, located on the other end of this same parking lot as "I Eat Pho", which is anchored by Thuan Phat supermarketIMG_1609Anyhow, this pho shop has been here a long time, the interior hasn't changed, the food is consistent and gets to the table extremely fast once you order.IMG_1602IMG_1606Delivery from the kitchen this visit was so fast that the Pho Tai ($6.30, small) raw beef still wasn't cooked in the hot broth when it was placed on the table.  We like the pho broth (herbal-meaty) and noodles (not in a clump) here.   IMG_1605You can order Cha Gio as a full or half order ($3.50), which is nice.  The rice paper fried wrapper is my favorite.  The fresh fried spring rolls have a good meat to veggie filling ratio. IMG_1607For years, I've been trying Bo Kho (beef stew) ($6.65) at various Vietnamese restaurants, even though I know the best is at Pho Lucky.  The stew here is my second favorite in the County; it's rich and satisfying, with tender meat and a multi flavored broth.  

Hot foods on a cool day, what a nice feeling. Hope all of you are enjoying this weather. 

Pho Hoa 6921 Linda Vista Road San Diego 92111 (858) 492-9108 open daily 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

 

Golden Egg Omelet House-Escondido

Thanks for stopping and reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Kirk is not here, Ed (from Yuma) is in Yuma and Cathy is writing a post about another San Diego breakfast-lunch place.  

Golden Egg Omelet House is located at an obscure corner of an obscure mall just South of the 78, on Broadway at Centre City Parkway(at the NorthEast corner).  Once you see the McDonald's, drive in and go around and behind the building that is behind the McDonald's Drive Thru. IMG_1972You may or may not have ever seen or heard of it, but it's been in Escondido over 35 years. A local spot.IMG_1971The decor is unique…let's call it 'Country Charm'.IMG_1970Walking in, there is a White Board of daily specials. 

The menu  is one large page-breakfasts on one side and lunches on the other side.  There are almost 100 omelet creations to choose from, with primary meats of Bacon, ham, sausage, ground beef, turkey, chicken, Italian sausage, Polish Sausage, corned beef, shrimp and even chili.  There's a choice of just about every vegetable imaginable: tomato, spinach, mushroom, zucchini, bell pepper, green onion, green chiles, avocado. artichokes, olives, broccoli and potato. Of course there's also a choice of cheese: Jack, Cheddar, American, Pepper Jack or Swiss. If you don't see an omelet listed, you can make your own; they have the ingredients.

One note: the omelets are HUGE.  They come with toast, no potato.  If you'd like Dudley's date walnut toast, it's an extra 39 cents.IMG_2160IMG_2163IMG_2167The #89 omelet ($11.09 plus 39¢ for the fancier Dudley's toast). Bacon, ham and Polish sausage with Jack cheese.  A wonderfully filling, protein packed meal. So flavor packed.

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 There is also a separate menu of just potato casseroles.  A midwest favorite, sometimes referred to as Hotdish - all the components of a meal in a dish.  Each casserole is named for a State. 

 

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This is the Nebraska ($9.99) It's one of those Costco sized baked potatoes, chopped up and topped with ground beef, mushrooms, onion, tomato, Jack cheese and topped with a mushroom sauce.  This is quite large, filling and easily could be shared or used as a side to share at the table.IMG_1955IMG_2153Here's some more of the eclectic indoor decor.  Just about everything decorating the interior is for sale…this is good in case something strikes your fancy.IMG_1953One Friday, The Mister decided to order the White Board "Rat Race Special" ($8.59) (it's only available Mon-Fri).  The soup of the day was mushroom. Made from scratch, wonderful, solidly mushroom flavored. IMG_1959The fact that it comes with a full (not half) sandwich is great.  Turkey- a lot of turkey, on very large slices of fresh, soft whole wheat with mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato.  This was a wonderful meal.IMG_1963IMG_1965Ever since I had 'found' a tuna salad stuffed tomato at The Village Kitchen this summer, I've been on the lookout for other versions.  The version here ($9.69) exceeded all expectations. 

The (excellent) tuna salad stuffed tomato is on top of a bed of lettuce- enough to be its own salad.  The accompaniments- artichokes, hard boiled egg, avocado, cheese and pickle fully round out the plate and then there's the delightful toasted garlic bread…a meal.  A wonderful meal.   

Golden Egg Omelet House 316 West Mission Avenue  Escondido 92025 (760) 489-6420 Website   open 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., dailyIMG_2170
This wonderful 1950's signage (and store) is on the opposite end of the same parking lot.

 

 

Chowking (Mira Mesa)(revisit)

This is mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Kirk needs a break, Ed (from Yuma) is on a break and so Cathy is writing  the posts for a few days.

As mentioned in prior posts, The Mister and I choose a different ethnic market each week when it's time to go food shopping.  There are several locations of Seafood City in the county, but the one in Mira Mesa is closest to home.  There is a (new) food court inside, but just next door is a storefront location of Chowking, which I've posted about, a couple of times.  Chowking is a subsidiary of Jolibee, the largest fast food chain in the Philippines. IMG_1906Straight ahead in this photo is the front door to Chowking; there is another door where you can enter from inside the Seafood City store.IMG_1893The menu is pretty straightforward and contains breakfast and lunch/dinner items as well as snacks and sweets.  There's even a small freezer which holds Siopao to take home (Filipino-Chinese buns that can be steamed or heated in the microwave for a few seconds).IMG_1897This is what we ordered for one lunch the other day.  That's a coffee milk tea (because I can never decide). I like how the styrofoam packaging is manufactured with steam holes, so the contents, if fried, will remain crispy.IMG_1902The 'Chinese Style Fried Chicken' plate ($4.99) is pretty much my go-to item here, because the fry is always fresh, crispy, not greasy and so very tasty.  It's 'Chinese' because of the spices used-and because Chowking is (and initially was only) a fast food Chinese restaurant before it was bought out by the Philippine based company (notice the Chinese lettering on the front of the counter, two photos up). The steamed rice, with egg and vegetable is always fresh.IMG_1900The Garlic Chicken Lauriat ($5.99).  A 'Lauriat' is a rice meal, so is essentially the meat (nicely battered and fried dark meat chicken pieces) and rice along with veggie Canton noodles, two small veggie spring rolls and two red bean paste filled sesame balls…not lumpia, not pancit…Chinese food… IMG_1904Remember this hot days we had not too long ago?  The mango shaved ice here is only $2.99. Quite large, with lots of ice, mango and condensed milk; it's a refreshing break.

I hope your week has gone well!

Chowking 8955 Mira Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92126 (858) 653-4977

Harbor Town Pub – Brunch (Point Loma)

Thanks for stopping to look at mmm-yoso!!! a food blog of San Diego and other places.  Cathy is writing today; Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are just too busy. 

One of those mornings when it was hot and humid before 9 a.m. and The Mister and I thought going closer to the water would be a good idea.  The drive West was nice and it seemed cooler on Point Loma. IMG_9698The rather ubiquitous frontage of Harbor Town Pub (located on Rosecrans, about two blocks from the Harbor and from the entrance to Shelter Island) makes it easily overlooked, but being open daily at 8 a.m., it's an easy breakfast stop, especially for locals.  The menu remains the same on weekends, so basically Brunch is available daily.IMG_9676IMG_9678After downloading my photos, I realized that somehow the camera phone was set on a sepia toned filter.  I apologize for the 'artsy' look.IMG_9683Harbor Town is located in the Portuguese neighborhood of San Diego and so linguisa is on the menu.  I chose a Linguisa Scramble ($10.95) for my meal.  Eggs, tomato, green onion, cilantro, Cotija cheese and a chipotle cream were all mixed with a good amount of the smoked, garlicy Portuguese sausage.  A topping of crispy tortilla strips was the perfect texture that this hearty (and large portioned) dish needed.IMG_9681IMG_9686The Mister has been trying variations of chicken and waffles ever since encountering 'the original version' a couple of years ago.  The version here ($11.95) fit the bill; large portions of boneless, skinless white meat chicken is dipped in waffle batter and then fried.  Served with a biscuit, eggs and home fries, this hearty meal was really good.  

There are several other scrambles, a banana bread french toast as well as a high end country fried steak also available for breakfast…great quality and a non-touristy vibe. 

Harbor Town Pub 1125 Rosecrans Street San Diego 92107 (619) 2241321 Open daily 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Website

2016 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Float Road Test #6, breakfast at Sandwiches by Connal

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. There are always reasons about how we (Kirk, Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy) get around to the food.  Today, Cathy is writing about one of her monthly road trips to Pasadena.

Late October and yet floats are being constructed and necessarily being tested for safety and maneuverability prior to their participation in the 127th Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, which will occur on January 1, 2016.  The Theme of the parade this year is "Find Your Adventure" and will be held in conjunction with the National Park Service, which will be celebrating its 100th year since being entrusted with the care of over 400 locations of the National Parks of the United States. 

The day starts early for road tests.  We have to be on the road by 5 a.m., to be at the Phoenix Decorating Company barn by 7 a.m..  There is another company which constructs floats along with six floats which are self made and all have different road testing days.  Since The Mister and I have decorated floats with the Petal Pushers, who assist with many of the floats made by Phoenix Decorating since before I began writing on this blog, we usually only drive up to see the Phoenix floats being road tested.  IMG_1782The American Armenian Rose Float Association will have its second float, "Discover Armenia" in the parade in January, and it is again very detailed, showing 17 different Armenian architectural symbols.IMG_0229Back in August, this very long float was road tested.  (You can see the Driver to the right in a red shirt and the Spotter of the float to the left, with the yellow chair).IMG_1770IMG_1772IMG_1808Knowing that base showed nothing of the float design, I waited for more details of this steampunk design titled "Fearless Flyer".  Once the colors are marked for the live and dry materials, this Trader Joe's float will really take shape.  It collapses down on that accordion pleated central area…and yes, there will be steam coming from various parts of the float as it drives down Colorado Boulevard.  This will be one of the more magnificent floats in the parade.IMG_1814The Destination Irvine float, "Innovation Rocks" has been outlined and colored and now looks like the artist rendition.  It is ready for decoration, which will begin on December 5.  

You can see the artist renditions of all the floats I've shown you so far this year at this link.IMG_1811Peeking into the barn before leaving, we saw this small boat with an outboard motor…and I know Honda (the parade sponsor) makes outboard motors…so I'm thinking this is part of the first float you'll see as the parade starts.  {I was wrong: the above outboard motor is part of the Farmers Insurance "Along for the Ride" float.  Additional artist renditions of the floats were added to the above link after this post was published.}

We were off to breakfast and decided to stop at Sandwiches by Connal, which has been in Pasadena since 1958 (and which I wrote about last year, after another road test).IMG_9638IMG_9631Not much has changed since September 2014.  The prices are for 'to go' items and it costs a bit less because we eat in.  We've been here more than once, so here's a compendium of breakfast items.  IMG_9635The bacon breakfast burrito ($4.99) is made with three eggs and hash browns and bacon. The sausage croissant ($3.99) is similarly prepared.  As always: hearty, fresh and excellent. IMG_1824The bacon breakfast sandwich (on wheat) ($4.59) is made with folded (not shredded) lettuce leaves, tomato, egg and bacon. Always a favorite. IMG_1828IMG_1829The chorizo burrito ($5.29) weighs more than a pound (because, again, three eggs and hash browns as well as a lot of chorizo) and comes with red or green sauce added for you.IMG_1827The Ribeye steak and eggs ($7.99). Three eggs, hash browns, toast and a good size piece of tender meat…a nice way to begin the rest of the day.

I hope your week is going well!

Sandwiches by Connal 1505 East Washington Pasadena, CA 91104 (626)794-5018 Website (the menu website links have old prices, the wall prices in the photo above are 'to go' prices, it's about 50¢ less per item when you eat in).

Urbn St Brewing Co (El Cajon)

Thanks for stopping to see what mmm-yoso!!! is writing about today.  Kirk is under the weather and Ed (from Yuma) is otherwise occupied (in Yuma) so Cathy is writing this short post.  

There are five different locations of URBN and the one closest to home is this one, URBN St Brewing Co, in El Cajon.IMG_1513This is the building from the parking lot.  The front door is on Magnolia at Main (the North West corner, next to the Starbucks).IMG_1508The 'windows' are the roll up garage door kind, so everything is exposed.  You can see the bar area has plenty of taps. The side televisions are beer menus.IMG_1495IMG_1491IMG_1493Once inside, the industrial hipster brewery look is obvious.IMG_1483The Mister was here to try some of the house beers ($7 for an URBN flight) (of four): Saison (bright and light in flavor), Unite (a red Belgian rye, brewed in collaboration with Twisted Manzanita Brewery (located in Santee)), Brown (graham cracker with chocolate undertones) and Triple Brown (strong coffee notes).  Each beer was unique and fresh in taste.  We enjoyed all of our choices.

The menu at dinner is straightforward, with pizza and salad being the primary choices along with four appetizers and desserts.IMG_1488The URBN salad (small, $7).  A nice mix of greens topped with gorgonzola, pears, a walnut brittle and a light vinaigrette.  This could be a meal for one (the bowl is deep), but we shared. It was very fresh and flavorful.IMG_1497IMG_1501None of the preselected ingredient pies appealed to us, so we chose to 'Craft Your Own'.  We chose a Small, White with parmesan/garlic/evoo ($10) then added Ricotta ($2) and artichokes ($2).  

That small pizza is on a regular size cookie sheet (half sheet cake size)! More than enough. 

The flavor combination was just right, with the garlic and olive oil complimenting -and not overpowering- the Ricotta or artichoke hearts.  The crust was more cracker-like than the edges, which I don't normally like, especially when cold..but this pizza never got to the point of being leftover…

URBN St. Brewing Co. 110 N. Magnolia (at Main) El Cajon 92020 (619) 328-6922 Website Open Sun-Thurs 11:30-10, Fri-Sat 11:30-midnight