mmm-yoso!!! a food blog, being written by Cathy while Kirk and His Missus are driving to a vacation destination.
Link to Road Test #2
Link to Road Test #3
Link to Road Test #4
Yes, it's that time of the year. 
The Theme of "Turning the Corner” celebrating the unlimited potential that each new year brings, was announced by the Tournament of Roses in January by the 2023 President of the Tournament of Roses, Amy Wainscott. “The 2023 theme celebrates turning a corner. Whether that corner is actual or figurative like the unlimited potential that each new year brings—we all enjoy the opportunity of a fresh start,” explained Wainscott. “Turning a corner means rising above – alone, or with family, friends and community. This year, as we turn the corner together, we share in the hope, beauty and joy of what 2023 will bring.”
There was a poster drawing contest and the above logo was debuted in May.
Organizations that will participate in the Parade began submitting designs to be approved by the Tournament and Phoenix Decorating Company, one of three companies which construct floats for the parade, (six organizations also build their own floats) had its first Road Test last Saturday. The floats were tested for mechanics and maneuverability and will undergo at least two more tests before decorating begins the first Saturday in December.
The Oddfellows and Rebekahs entry is "Hope for Peace". This symmetric float is a beauty. Second photo is of the Driver, who drives the float by looking down at the 'rose colored line' along the parade route. The small rectangular 'window' at the front is where the Spotter is seated.
The Spotter for the Petal Pushers and Lutheran Hour Ministries float is inside the right cube at the front (second photo).
This photo of the back of the float as well as that first photo show where the collapsing parts are. Each float has a maximum size so it can fit under signal lights, street lights and under the bridge along the Parade route.
This float is sponsored by Kiwanis International and I haven't found a link to its title. The surfing bear is wearing board shorts decorated with flags of the many countries that the Kiwanis serve. You can easily see where this float needs to collapse to stay within the size restrictions of the parade route.
The Rotary International float, "Serving with Imagination and Hope" will look like a carousal horse. You can see the Spotter seated at the front of this float.
No idea who has sponsored this float, but can see the the Spotter will be standing at the front and can also see the driver now while this float is in its rebar/pencil rod stage. 
This is the City of Alhambra float entry. Spotter is seated at the front and the driver is on the left side-near the red fuel tank.
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There was no announcement of the Road Testing and The Mister and I drove up not expecting to see any floats. Our goal was Portos for breakfast. The West Covina location is six miles from the Phoenix Decorating barn.
Well. Turns out at 8:05 a.m., there's not much of a line. I ordered pastries, breakfast and beverages all at one counter. 
The meat pie ($1.15) is filled with the same picadillo that is in the famous potato balls, but is baked in flaky pastry. A nice snack while we waited.
Also ordered: cheese roll ($0.99), apple strudel ($1.45) and a refugiado (guava cream cheese pastry) ($1.09). We took the sweets home.
Soon, the beverages were delivered to the table. Portos cortadito ($2.89) (espresso with sweetened condensed milk) and a summertime item- iced strawberry matcha latte (large) ($4.89). Both beverages are quality and flavorful. 
Soon, the ropa vieja sandwich ($7.50) was brought out. Served on fresh soft Cuban bread, the 'Cuban birria' (Cuban-style stewed beef with bell pepper, onion, olive, tomato sauce, and Spanish seasonings) was excellent and quite large. The plantain chips (mariquitas) are seasoned with garlic salt and are a perfect side to the sandwich, breakfast time or not. 
The ham and cheese (cheddar-jack blend) omelette ($5.50) is served on a fresh buttery croissant with a mayo-mustard spread and is also quite large.
Always quality, friendly, efficient. This family owned, six location, Los Angeles legacy is always a great stop.
Portos Bakery, multiple locations. website (this location is 584 S. Sunset Ave West Covina 91790) Open daily 6:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Recently, I had a craving for 
There is a chalkboard next to the cash register.
as well as a cup ($5) (vegetarian pea) were enjoyed on visits. The 'everyday' soups (tomato basil and chicken noodle) are priced $4 and $5.25.
Fresh roast turkey (as in roasted here, today), crispy thick quality bacon, shredded lettuce, house made Blue cheese dressing (excellent) served open faced on rye. This- THIS sandwich is fancy as well as wonderful. 
A similar item (in that there are crossover ingredients) is the California Cobb Salad ($12.95). Freshly roasted turkey (remarkably good), bacon, crumbled blue cheese, avocado, tomato and pickled egg.
There is quite an interest in eggs here; deviled egg dishes are used in the refrigerator and there is a collection on the wall above the kitchen. 
The Croque Madame ($13.95) is made with French ham, gruyere and a house made béchamel. Very tasty and filling. 
The Eggs Benedict ($12.95) served on an English muffin with ham and a very proper (unbroken) Hollandaise along with fruit and a hash brown patty is also filling and flavorful. 
This was indeed a sad moment for me. Even though I thought TOSEL wasn't quite the same since Koby sold SEL, the 
First off, the good…..man, I really enjoyed the mac salad here, just as good as 
The toasted roll makes all the difference since Tadian can sometimes over sauce/dress their sandwiches. Even though they say that "Thai peanut sauce" is on this sandwich; I tend to think of this as a pseudo Banh Mi because of the pickled carrots, cucumbers, and cilantro. The jalapenos are a must because the amount of bread can really tone down the flavors. Still, it's a pretty good sandwich.
The fries were nicely friend and still crisp when I got back to the office. And there's garlic and parmesan….with a light drizzle of truffle oil on them. I do prefer the toasted French roll 
Well, you get the point, right? So maybe I just gotta order in person when getting the Siren and/or fries? You know, its been my experience with 
I'm sure you know if foie gras is on the menu, we'd be ordering it, even with a $20 supplement. The fois gras was nicely seared, the interior nice and smooth, rich, earthy, though the roasted and compressed apple was perhaps a bit on the sweeter end of the spectrum for us.
Turning things over was a different story as it was pretty greasy. The meat was very moist, tender, and it had that flavor of dark meat chicken that I prefer. The batter was quite crunchy but the seasoning dust is pretty gritty, though quite spicy; but there’s a lack of other flavors….at Hatties, I remember the chicken being very spicy, but it still had some smokiness, most likely from Paprika and even a hint of garlic tones.
Unfortunately, the batter of the wings didn’t hold up well, much of it getting a bit mushy and flaking off. So, if you’re ordering this, it’s probably in your best interest to eat them ASAP….maybe even in the parking lot! Lot’s of burnt garlic which was on the bitter side, though I enjoyed the spice. The flesh of the wings were nice and moist.
The chicken really just tasted boiled lacking in the mild hints of anise-wine and devoid of any salt or mild ginger tones….just plain bland. The sauce provided had brown specks in it and tasted a bit rancid and off. The chicken while cooked nicely, just didn’t taste right.
