Las Casuelas, Palm Desert, CA

If you get a chance to make it out to Palm Desert, you will need to have a meal at a Desert institution, Las Casuelas. Las Casuelas has restaurants in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and La Quinta, so no matter where you are staying, you can get yourself a great Margarita and great Mexican food as well. The Palm Springs location is an institution with it's old world charm and fabulous outdoor patio. So, if you find yourself in the Desert and you are craving Mexican food, check out Las Casuelas, you will not be disappointed.

Pizza and Cholula

As I sit here at the computer, recovering from my St. Patty's Day debauchery, I have my favorite Amici's delivery pizza, a coke and some Cholula. Cholula for those of you who don't know is a Mexican hot sauce that is second to none. If you like spicy food, you will probably love this stuff. It is tangy and spicy and goes well with everything from Pizza to salad. I have not found something that Cholula doesn't really go with. So, if you have a chance to pick some up, I highly recommend it. It has a wooden top and a yellow and red label. Go Cholula!

Beetlenut Beetlenut

It has been many moons since I have made it down to Beetlenut in Cow Hollow. Beetlenut is kind of like San Francisco's "Hollywood" chinese restaurant. 5 or 6 small tables outside with an expansive bar inside greet you with lots of energy. You know when you walk in that this is no ordinary Chinese restaurant. I love the lettuce cups and the fun drinks (did I say that?). It is one of those places where you just feel like having one of those dorky drinks that you put 8 straws in. Why not? So, tonight is the night that I make it back to Beetlenut. Hopefully, there won't be too many of those foofy drinks on the table.

Left at Albuquerque

Today is one of those amazing "spring" days that you only get in California. It is about 80 degrees outside, sunny and with the slightest of breezes. Being in San Francisco it is an even more rare occurence, which is probably why you will find so many people around the bay today. On a day like today, not much is better than sitting outside in one of the many outdoor cafes and restaurants and enjoying some great, light, food, the beautiful weather and the company you eat with. To me, a chicken taco salad at Left at Albuquerqe is just what I am looking for. Fresh grilled breast meat chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, shredded cheeses, guacamole, black beans and corn along with the spicy/tangy dressing is one of my favorites...and perfect for a sunny day lunch. So, if you find yourself in San Francisco and you are looking for a great inexpensive meal where you can enjoy the weather, a chicken taco salad from Left at Albuquerque is tough to beat.

Carney's a Los Angeles Institution

I don't live in LA anymore, but if I did, I would probably be dead right now. Not because of the smog or from a fatal gun shot wound, I would probably have died from a coronary attack. Carney's, located on Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, is probably some of the best food you will find in LA. In high school, I would eat at Carney's at least 3 times a week. So, what do you get at Carney's? Simple, a chili cheese burger and chili cheese fries...and a large coke. Plus, they have that small barrel ice that you only get from those great old ice machines. The menu at Carney's has changed pretty dramatically over the years to include things like fish and chicken...I think they even sell tacos in there now. But, if you know what you are doing you stick to the hot dogs, chili burgers and chili cheese fries. If you have never experienced what they have to offer and you are planning a trip to Los Angeles, it is worth taking the time to go and visit my friends in the train car. You can't miss it.

How About Some Wine

I don't like to drink booze. I like to drink a cold bottled beer, like a Budweiser when I am out with the boys. But, in the past 5 years I have really enjoyed drinking wine. It is funny to me to think about how I talk about wine now, because I must sound like such a dork. I was in Costco a couple of weeks ago, and to my surprise they were carrying the new 2004 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. My fiance and I drink quite a bit of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (from the Marlborough region) and it has a very distict style which is pretty true to most wines from this area. Anyway, I am in Costco to purchase 2 items and I decide to take a swing by the wine. I don't think I have bought any wine in there before as they usually carry wines that I know the wineries can't sell or wines that are simply overpriced for what they are. But, this day, I found my favorite Sauvignon Blanc sitting there in one of the boxes. So, I managed to grab six bottles, as I had no cart, and made my way to the front to checkout. The price was about 2 dollars cheaper than we normally purchase it for, so it was a good deal considering we drink it quite often.

As I am standing in line, a man from the next line over is looking at the wine and I can tell he wants to talk to me. So, I look over at him and he asks me if there is a good deal on the wine that I have. I respond with something like, "It is a good deal if you like Kim Crawford and New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc...especially those from Marlborough." The man replied with, "I like any wine." I told him he would love this then. He then asked me if there was a special deal if I bought six bottles, and I told him there was not, and I grabbed six simply because that is all I could carry.

This is probably not a very funny story, but I was thinking about how I must have sounded to this guy who really did not know much about wine. And, I don't care if he knows Chardonnay from Viognier by the way. I was thinking that I must have sounded like some pompas wine jackass. I got a good laugh out of it.

But, for those of you who enjoy a glass of wine, or know someone who really does, wine clubs are a great way to learn more about wine and experience different varietals (wine made from one grape) and wines from different regions. It is really amazing to see how a Syrah from Santa Barbara can taste so different from a Syrah from Sonoma or Napa. It sounds silly, but it is true. So, if you are at all interested in wine, I recommend you find a good wine club and try out some new wines, you may find something you really like.