Inflation!
Was 4.25 now 6.49!
Vagawandering.com Blog
Travel risks
Recent travel activity levels have nearly reached pre pandemic levels but that doesn’t mean travel risks have disappeared. We ourselves are eager to start traveling internationally yet Covid levels and local responses vary drastically around the world. Imagine the almost Squid Game level of panic you might have felt if you’d been in Shanghai Disneyland this weekend: https://www.wsj.com/articles/shanghai-disneyland-suspends-operations-as-visitors-queue-for-covid-19-tests-before-exiting-11635755117 We ourselves...
The Hanger (Long Beach)
Somewhat akin to Liberty Station in San Diego, The Hangar houses multiple eateries and provides ample indoor and outdoor seating. We loved the Jaybird’s hot chicken and DonerG. Spied a multitude of other eateries surrounding it that also look fun, like Handel’s Ice Cream, Panini Kabob Grill, Silver Lake Ramen, Georgia’s. 4150 McGowen St, Long Beach, CA 90808
19 Addictive South Korean Dramas to Binge After ‘Squid Game’ (Lifehacker)
I couldn’t watch the entire first episode of Squid Games but here’s 19 Addictive South Korean Dramas to Binge After ‘Squid Game’ https://lifehacker.com/19-addictive-south-korean-dramas-to-binge-after-squid-g-1847850135
Bread and Butter part 2
So then I notice Beurre D’Isigny at Gelson’s. And now we have to do a taste test. The rich golden color is very similar between (top to bottom) Les Pres Sales, Beurre D’Isigny, and Kerrygold. And the Vons sourdough overpowers the butter flavor so I have to taste the butter on its own. I thought I was a butter connoisseur...
Megavalanche 2021
What did I just watch. I have done very little mountain biking so this was terrifying to see. Don’t watch this just before bed, you won’t be able to sleep. Then before I start thinking “that looks like fun, I should take up mountain biking”, I will watch the following again: Carnage. Trigger alert for those with already busted knees....
Bread and Butter
I dont remember now when I switched from margarine to butter. We were brought up on margarine when butter and saturated fat were the big evil. As an adult, I encountered butter in fine dining restaurants and then finally decided that life was too short to not have butter at home. Now we have bread and butter for breakfast almost...
Gumbo
3 hours prep time, says the recipe? Ahahahaha. And does that include going to the store for ingredients normal people don’t have at home?? N.B. Someone said a good dark chocolate roux tastes terrible but for some reason doesn’t ruin the gumbo, i.e. it’s normal. Turns out this is true! And, my roux was so dark and thick the vegetables...
Hitching Post 2 (Buellton)
The finest meats, grilled smoky and tender. Smoky steamed artichokes, halved, seasoned, and grilled. The cheese stuffed pasilla pepper was tender and delicious. Homemade desserts, just big enough, dense and rich, cheesecake and key lime pie not too fluffy or cut with fillers. One of our very favorite restaurants.
Davanti Enoteca (Del Mar)
We never get tired of Davanti Enoteca. Mr A loves the Cacio e Pepe, I like the pizza, and we also get the bruscetta.
Sky Deck
There’s been a lot of buzz about Skydeck, even on Nextdoor of all places, and so we decided to drop by the other day. Even though Nextdoor seemed to pan it a bit I think the restaurants look interesting to try and it certainly makes a great place to impress out of town visitors. Yes, it would be better if...
California Fish Grill (San Diego)
We are really excited to see more fish casual dining restaurants in San Diego. We have now been to all three California Fish Grill in San Diego. Their fish seems to be pretty fresh and their side dishes are really on the mark; we love the sweet potato fries and the fire roasted street corn. Today we tried the dynamite...
BLT
Cook thick cut bacon at 350 for 15min. Cook until crisp. The bacon should break when you eat it. This is Savory Bacon from Whole Foods. At about $1 per slice (don’t tell Mr A) On my Weber: front burner only, halfway between med and high. Line pan with foil and crimp edges to catch grease. Layer with the ripest...
Flavor of Himalaya (San Marcos, CA)
How have we not run across this place earlier? It is a genuine original! Himalayan and Nepalese food seems to draw on Indian and Chinese cuisines yet of course has its own unique flavors. We enjoyed everything we ordered. Take your adventurous friends (we did) and explore the menu! From left to right, top to bottom: Chicken Chilli – sweet,...
Galapagos dreams
Check out this itinerary for the Galapagos (and Machu Pichu). After seeing the ocean going, seawater-snorting marine Iguanas on TV, we have to see them in person. I don’t know why, I just do. I like the offbeat destinations like this or Easter Island. And of all the ways to visit, I am definitely interested in the new Celebrity Flora....
The Hero’s Journey
One of my favorite bloggers… Barry Ritholz. https://ritholtz.com/2021/09/misunderstanding-narratives-the-heros-journey/ “A hero who goes on a great adventure, where a great challenge awaits; confronted with a crisis, the Hero has a crucial realization, allowing him to emerge victorious, returning home transformed by the experience. This is a great structure for creative works, as it sets up the narrative in 3 parts, including...
We are all Detroit
“Go ahead and laugh at Detroit because you are laughing at yourself.” — Charlie LeDuff, author of Detroit: An American Autopsy “It is more complex than simply (1) we were successful and grew, (2) people left and now (3) we don’t have enough money to maintain everything. Eventually the affluent coalesce in a handful of neighborhoods. Where they are outside...
Lost River (Detroit)
Took a drive east of Detroit In the wrong direction they said The door was black and dank Heavy smoke was in the air The drinks they were complex The music loud and tropical A menu deep as the ocean But next time take an Uber
Capital Prime (East Lansing, Michigan)
Not a credit card, but a $$$$ steak house in a sort of defunct mall next to the Hyatt House. One thing you can say about the Midwest, they know their steak and potatoes. That Filet au Poivre was the best filet I’ve had in a LONG time. The London Broil was also very good. The Ahi Tartare…just don’t order...
Meat BBQ (Lansing, Michigan)
Exactly what I want out of a BBQ place. Spicy creamed corn, very dry, not soupy. Meaty beans, so flavorful, half meat, almost a condiment. Excellent moist cornbread. Brisket was great (you get 3 pcs). Decor is pure metal (has to be seen to be believed). This place will be a must-do on future trips. GO EARLY. First time we...