Stuck in "Limbo"...Turks and Caicos

The back of my horse "Limbo's" head...swimming in the ocean in Provo, Turks and Caicos

I can still summon to mind the exact moment that I discovered that in Turks and Caicos, you can take a horse for a quick jaunt into the Caribbean Sea. Pure ELATION would be the best description for my response. Suddenly my obsession with meeting the swimming pigs in the Exuma Cays, (Bahamas) had been surpassed by this novel idea.

Swimming pigs in the Bahamas...courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

Since we were planning on having our wedding on the island in May I began planning our itinerary...first on the list: Provo Ponies!

After tallying up the list of friends who would be willing to take the plunge with me I hopped onto the website and made our reservations. Yippee! Plans for the dream excursion were now in full swing.

Unreal beauty of the Provo waters

Nearly ten minutes after booking the deposit on my credit card one of my girlfriends sent me a text saying that she'd like to be taken off the list. She had just received an uber-negative review about another of our friend's past experience on one of these sweet little ponies.

"Nonsense!" I exclaimed. "Nothing can happen to you on a pony ride in the ocean. That's ridiculous. Don't be such a chicken."

As the story goes, she decided to come along...and I got my wish....boy did I. Well, you know what they say...

A quick pose with my "Man of Honor" before my long-awaited fantasy ride

From the moment that I was paired up with my horse "Limbo" otherwise known as "Bossman" I knew that his name was no joke. As he began displaying major signs of unrest and what they called "excitement" I asked for a new horse...pretty please?...but my guide just assured me that he was "one of the best" and that I'd be "just fine".

The other girls getting prepped for the big event

"Oh wait...there are just a few things that we need to tell you about "Bossman" before we ride...he's kind of the leader and tends to get upset and will kick or bite if any of the other horses get too close. He also likes to be in front of the pack...just make sure that he gets what he wants and everything will be perfect."

The other sweet, calm, horses waiting to be mounted

Wait...what??!! Suddenly the happy visions dancing through my head became a terror-filled nightmare. I had never heard anything like this before. I'm BEGGING you to put me on a new horse!

"Oh no, not necessary at all. He's a wonderful horse. We put young children on him all of the time. Okay, everyone ready? Let's go! Giddyup!"

The butterflies in my stomach were turning into full-blown seagulls. I was absolutely certain that I was going to die...two days before my dream Caribbean wedding.

Everything...up until now...had been WAY too perfect. I now had a firm belief that this would be my ultimate demise.

As we traveled down the (excruciatingly long) dirt trail that had lead so many others to that oceanic escapade that I had once dreamed of...I became riddled with anxiety. The other horses kept coming too close to Bossman...and he did not like it.

Another added bonus was the stable dog that decided to embark upon the journey with us.

Alive and well...for now

It seems that this pooch had an insatiable lust for chasing cars...every car that would drive past us on this never-ending road. Each time this pup swerved in front of the car tires my stress levels went through the roof.

This fantasy joyride through the Caribbean Sea had become the expedition to hell.

I tried to convince myself that everything would be better if we could just reach the ocean. The open waters would enable us to have our space. Then we could float through the clear blue waters with no distractions from all of the other stallions and fillies.

Why is it taking SO LONG to get there? Will I survive long enough to make it?

Just when I thought my heart could take no more...thank you GOD...we spotted that almighty, boundless, and ethereal ocean! 

My saving grace...open waters!

As we plunged into the sea my fear began to melt away slowly. I could barely take in the beauty that was surrounding me.
I couldn't get my camera out of my fanny pack (yes we wore fanny packs for the ride) fast enough!

Smiling for the camera

But of course that couldn't last forever. Limbo made a quick decision to slip so deep into the ocean that he could barely touch down on the sand below. All of the others were sauntering through with only their calves submerged in the salty waters.

That's me with my arm up...disappearing into the deep blue

I on the other hand, was completely saturated almost waist high...wondering if my horse was going to make it out of this alive. He was panting, groaning, and making a loud choking sound. The guide assured me that THIS TOO was normal behavior for good old Limbo. Well, that's reassuring. At least he's not going to die today.

Great at faking it...taking a moment from my heart palpitations for another photo

When all was said and done I ended up with a boatload of gorgeous pictures. I guess it was worth it ;)

Yep...still sinking

Me on the far left...thinking "wouldn't it be nice to have a normal ride like the others"?

Inn of the Seventh Ray...Worth a Drive Any Day

The entrance to this lovely little place tucked away in the woods (during the day).

After having dinner at this magical restaurant over five years ago with three of my (then) single friends we all exclaimed, "I'm coming back here when I'm in love"! Not that you have to be in order to come here...but it's definitely romantic.

Well, I've been in love for several years now...my husband and I FINALLY made our way to share this experience together.

A toast to our arrival

We were lucky enough to nab the seats next to the fountain

From what our waitress told us there have been a few chefs to pass through in the last few years...lots of menu changes. Whatever they've done...it was a huge improvement. This time around I was not only blown away by our surroundings and the overall feeling that you get from visiting this hideaway...but I truly enjoyed the food.

Pretty statues like this are found all around the courtyard...a very Zen feeling

Even the menus are pretty!

We started with the Crispy Jaime Farms Squash Blossom with Goat Cheese, Balsamic, Smoked Sea Salt, and Espelette (chili pepper). I probably wouldn't need to order it again although it was very creative...we actually ate flowers!

Along with the blossoms came our Beef Tartare (65° Egg, Soy Mustard, Paprika Remoulade, Capers, Espellete Coated Fingerling Potatoes and Crispy Toast).

Now this was my very favorite dish of the evening! Beef tartare is not for everyone...but if you like it...you HAVE to try this one. Since Saturday I have found myself thinking about it randomly and salivating.

Above left...squash blossoms...lower right...a beautiful presentation of beef tartare, toast, egg yolk, and potatoes...gorgeous!

I'm not a person who orders chicken when I go out to eat...but something about reading "Chicken Breast with Achiote Essence (Soft Polenta Crème Fraîche, Spring Pea tendrils, Turnips, Roast Beets, Ramps, Pimento Granulate and Himalayan Rock Salt)" made me interested in this version. Fortunately for me the waitress urged me to go with those instincts. It was tender, flavorful, and one of the more interesting chicken dishes I've had.

The polenta, beets and rock salt really added to the unique flavor

 Tommy ordered the Crab Angel Hair Arrabiatta with Blue Crab, Trio of Basil, Tomatoes, Chili flake and Zoe Extra Virgin Olive Oil...which was fabulous.

Lots of blue crab and excellent flavor

If you happen to live near Los Angeles...or plan on visiting...this is a destination that should be added to your "list". There is no other place like it...at least in Southern California. A gorgeous restaurant covered in lights, with amazing food, all tucked away in the middle of the woods. Ahhh-mazing.

Such a pretty setting we could stay all night

Above the main seating area

Another beautiful statue

A truly gorgeous place

The front entrance...in lights

Pretty drive home down PCH

MB Post...hand-delivering AWESOME food

Our first visit to this in demand Manhattan Beach establishment was...to say the very least...long-awaited. The minute that I heard about the opening of David LeFevre's first solo venture I was intrigued. Chef David comes from Water Grill which is Michelin starred...sort of a rarity in Los Angeles...at least in South bay. Aside from Darren's (one of my all-time fav restaurants here) this would be one of the only top chef endeavors in the neighborhood.

Needless to say...many others must have been equally intrigued...we couldn't get a reservation on a Saturday night without at least two weeks notice. On my fifth attempt I was able to predict my schedule only seven days in advance...so we went for dinner at 6:15pm (the ONLY opening). Wow...this better be good :)

Our entire experience did not disappoint. Not one bit.

The building that this hideaway is located in was once a post office...hence the name...and theme. Keeping with the whole post office idea we were handed a cute little envelope with my name on it...containing our menus which were folded in like letters...such a nice touch. Details details.

The cocktails are hand-crafted by a true artist. I opted for the "Old George" which is a salty dog with chopin, grapefruit, basil, and raspberry pepper jam. Phenomenal. Very fresh and perfect for summer!

"Old George" with typed and hand-written menu in the forefront

My husband broke tradition from his regular martini in a tumbler glass and went for a white wine...pinot grigio called Scarpetta. Fresh, light, and only $40 a bottle. Wonderful choice if you want to try several plates and never feel weighed-down. I joined him after my first cocktail.

Bottle of Scarpetta next to another nice touch...candles in mason jars on each table

It's fair to say that I do my research before hitting any new eatery. I check pictures, read reviews and blogs, see what "Yelpers" have to say...you name it. After finishing my studies on MB Post it was clear that you really cannot go wrong...on anything. There were however some stand-outs that seemed to be on the "Dean's List".

First...we just had to start with the ever-so-notable Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits with Maple Butter. They taste as wonderful as they sound...divine. Along with that first plate we devoured the Roasted Brussel Sprouts with emmental (a cheese from Switzerland), hazelnuts and sage. Again...superb.

   Bacon Cheddar Biscuits and Roasted Brussel Sprouts

 Our waitress was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about everything on the menu. She informed us that all of the food is artisanal, seasonal, and local...sounds great to me! When I recited a short list of options that we were considering she suggested that we stick to our main three:
1) Steamed Mussels with green curry, vietnamese sausage, and coriander rice (the sausage combined with the mussels is mind-blowing!)

Tommy enjoying the steamed mussels in green curry

2) Softshell Blue Crab with singapore chili sauce and apple coriander puree. The blend of flavors here was so unique...and perfect

Beauty of a crab!

3) Crispy Potato Gnocchi with lamb neck, summer squash,  and bianco sardo (a hard, Italian cheese). I've never tasted lamb neck before...I'm not even a huge fan of lamb...but this dish is phenomenal. Chef David really knows what he's doing with this crispy gnocchi deal.

Crispy Gnocchi with large slices of bianco sardo...thank you David LeFevre!!

Though I want to return (very soon) and re-order this entire list...I won't allow myself. Return? A resounding "YES"!...repeat dishes? No way...well...maybe a FEW dishes. We'll be adventurous until we've tried it all...and I know that we won't regret it.

Sadly we only had room for these ambrosial plates...no dessert. We will be back with friends though...and will conquer much more of this delightful carte du jour! To be continued...

A final toast...rather a swirl...to the chef :)

Right outside the MB Post front door...our walk home

A San Francisco Treat

A fun little fact that I learned during the short time that I lived in San Fran last year...the people there LOVE egg whites in their cocktails. They also enjoy things like absinthe, bitters, french vermouth, and even egg yolks (really?) in their concoctions. There's no better place to explore this oddly intriguing kind of libation than at 15 Romolo in North Beach.

Walking through North Beach/Telegraph Hill

While living in that gluttonous city I discovered all kinds of fascinating restaurants and bars...but I was missing something...someone to enjoy it with...my partner in crime. My husband (who was my fiance at the time) was back at home while I was walking every inch of SF and taking copious amounts of notes in my spare time. The notes were of all of the places we would visit together when he was able to fly over. After all...how great can an experience really be without the one that you love?

My love has arrived...finally!

By the time he came to visit I had a long list of pizza joints, watering holes, and little hideaways for us to hit...one of the top places on my list was 15 Romolo.

Usually referred to as a "modern speakeasy", they specialize in artisanal cocktails. There is nothing but solid execution going on here. The "Track 42" AKA "The Frothy One with the Leaf on Top"- (manuka honey vodka, apple juice, lemon topped with egg white and a basil leaf) is something I only wish I had the skills to recreate.

The food that they dish up is just as appealing...maybe even better. Between the tempura fried avocados, the peanut butter and bacon burger, and the Nutella pancake ballz with brown butter ice cream and snookie dust...you just cannot go wrong. Ever. This place is an experience that's unique, inventive, decadent and entertaining.

When the day arrived that we would be sightseers and explore all that San Francisco had to offer, we walked the entire city...well, at least it felt like it. We started in Union Square and walked to Nob Hill (where my house was located) and covered Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower and then headed through North Beach to ultimately find 15 Romolo...the final reward.

Quick stop to Nob Hill for a drink on my rooftop. Wearing my "Love SF" shirt in SF...what a shameless tourist :)

We were the perfect tourists during our mission...well at least I was...snapping photos of every landmark, statue, and graffiti-covered building that we passed during our journey. It was exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.

One of my favorite things about walking SF...gorgeous graffiti everywhere

Only one trolley ride was taken the whole day...and we were parched. I mean REALLY thirsty.  Visions of basil leaves floating atop apple juice and vodka were dancing through my head. Of course we planned to hydrate with water first...and wouldn't think of skipping lunch or dessert.

As we walked through town and approached The Basque Hotel on Romolo St. I began to feel a fever of excitement. Not because of the strip club located at the front of the building...though I have to admit the man at the door did make quite a case for us to come and see the beauties that they were showcasing in the middle of the afternoon. As enticing as that may sound...that's not what the flutter was about. It was all for this little gem located down the alley in the back of the building.

I made Tommy pose in front of this sign...even though he felt like a pervert

Further up the alley...are we there yet?

We snapped a few pictures of the alley walls as we walked up a 179 degree grade hill to find the front door. The excitement was building with every step. We're getting closer and closer...wait...let me catch my breath...we're almost there....yes! we made it!...and the sign says..."Closed". What? This can't be!

But it was. Sadly, we had arrived around 4pm and the bar didn't open until five. With nowhere to go to waste that hour we walked back to where we started...good old Union Square...and grabbed something that was undoubtedly awesome (as I believe every dish might be in SF)...although I can't recall what.

We find solace in the fact that we will be back to that great city...and when we do return...we will hit the ground running for Romolo. They've been there since 1998 so I'm pretty sure they're here to stay.

They do say it's about the journey...not the destination...right?

Our very short trolley ride

The Best Little Shrimp...on Kauai

We have arrived in paradise!

Savage Shrimp Truck in Kauai...near Poipu/Koloa

A Very Basic Menu :)

A quick drive-by photo

Shrimp Station on Kauai...the contender

Who has the best shrimp on Kauai? There seems to be quite a debate between many of the various food bloggers and "Yelpers" out there.

Before arriving on the island I researched all of the best places to see and restaurants to visit (as I always do prior to traveling). One thing kept coming up in my food searches...the mysterious Savage Shrimp Truck on the south side of the island (in the Poipu and Koloa Town area).

When does the truck arrive? Nobody knows. Where does the truck park? On the side of some unknown road. What time does it stay there until? When the shrimp is gone.

Since I hadn't been on this island before the task of finding this elusive truck seemed daunting...but I was determined. I had read that it was usually found near the round-about on the way to Spouting Horn. Guess where we went the second that we reached the south side of the island? Good old Spouting Horn. The entire way there I had my eyes peeled. No truck to be found. Granted, once we reached the attraction it was beautiful to look at the water "spouting" out of the hole in the rock formation...but all I cared about was finding that darn shrimp truck.

It wasn't until the next day that we were able to lay our hands on that enigmatic food freighter. When we did, it all started to make sense...and become well worth every bit of energy that we used to find it. We started by ordering two coconuts...she proceeded to poke holes in the top with a metal tool...then stuck red straws in the holes for us to drink from. Awesome.

There were 3 styles of shrimp available: Garlic, Bahia, and Grasshoppa. We ordered the first two and were blown away. The two scoops of rice on the plate were swimming in these mouthwatering sauces and the shrimp tasted like they had been marinating in flavor since they were still alive and floating around in the sea. We both licked our plates clean and began feverishly searching for extra cash in order to buy a plate of the third flavor...Grasshoppa. No luck...and no ATM on the side of the road. That's okay...my hunger had been satiated for the time being.

As we began telling bartenders and waiters...basically anyone who would listen to us...about our experience we were urged to try Shrimp Station in Waimea. It was a harrowing search...similar to that of the Savage Truck...but I'm not sure why we had such an issue? We had a GPS and this place had an actual address...ah anyway! We finally found it after seeing the awe-inspiring Waimea Canyon (that's a whole blog entry in itself). This shrimp place was great. They have a wide selection of food...well, wider than Savage...and the shrimp I had was fantastic (Sweet Chili Garlic Shrimp was my fav). I can completely see why there's a debate between the two.

There's just something about pulling over to the side of a dirt road and drinking straight out of a coconut in your car that wins my vote. In all honesty though, I don't think there needs to be a winner. Although they serve shrimp they do things differently. Both worth exploring. When I return to Kauai...and that's a definite...I'll go to both!

*** Ironically enough, after writing this I read that Savage will move to an actual shopping center sometime in 2011. No more truck? Bummer. There is a silver lining though. Open at all times of the day and always to be found.