New Orleans 2025 Birthday: Where to eat, what to do

If you plan on going anytime soon to New Orleans here are my tips.

• Get a room off Bourbon a bit but still in the French Quarter especially if you're there during Marti Gras.
• Get room with a separate living room.  It allowed us to chill on the couch, relax, watch TV and regroup.  I’m not a fan of spending time in a room or a lot of money on a room because we don’t hang out in it however I do want a clean room in a nice location.  On vacation we are there to get in the sites, hang with the locals and have a great experience.  I can sit on my butt and relax at home, I love my quite home, that is not what I use vacations for.  I usually need a vacation from my vacation.
• Make reservations for the higher end restaurants before you leave home, some require months in advance like Commanders Palace in the Garden District or you may not get in.
• Can’t get into a restaurant, try the bar.

Favorite Restaurant Foods:

• Red Fish Grill:  EXCELLENT Flash fried oysters served with hot sauce (Crystal hot sauce, honey and butter), blue cheese sauce and blue cheese crumbles.  They were like boneless hot wings but better, 5Star👍🏻.  They were tender, maybe a bit mushy, but it was my first time trying oysters and that was OK, the sweet homemade sauce was just the right amount of sweet heat and I even loved the blue cheese crumbles in the blue cheese sauce.  I'm also not a blue cheese crumble fan but these were not too blue and my favorite appetizer of the week.  So much so we  had them at least 3-4 times, last day we doubled our order because during happy hour it is BOGO (buy 6 for $20 get 6 free).  Before this we didn’t eat oysters but I always want to try the local foods so we had to give them a try.  If I only remembered they were on happy hour I would have had them every day.  We also had dirty martinis (drinks in glasses are a thing for me, I don’t like plastic), alligator boudin balls also very good, I had the red fish over potatoes & butter sauce topped w blue crab & hubby had fried catfish over shrimp etouffee.  His was ok to me, not big on fried foods in general. Mine was better, it needed more butter sauce and a waiter who could time entrees but I'll return to bar for oysters, which we did 3-4 times.

• Mr. B’s:  Best lunch.  I had bacon wrapped shrimp with creamy grits.  I was told the secrete was mascarpone cheese.  Hubby had pasta jambalaya but with rice.  He later tried it as served with pasta but there is nothing to sop up all the thin gravy.  Serving it with rice allowed you to soak up all the good gravy.  Thanks to the bartender for the great tip!  The other benefit of eating an entrée at the bar was the $1.50 bloody mary’s or martinis you can order with an entrée purchase.

• Irene's:  Best dinner, best environment, great waiter, atmosphere fancy but I didn’t feel bad about how I was dressed.  I was dressed nice but I wear walking closed toed shoes in NO.  We started with dirty martinis with a free bruschetta appetizer with melted cheese then crab au gratin, Caesar salad perfectly tossed, hubby had the lasagna and I had the seafood fettuccine in a cream sauce.  All was to die for!

• GW Finns. It was very good but it would have been even better if I was more hungry😳We started with dirty martinis, I had Rare Yellowfin tuna, hubby had Scalibut (halibut compressed together with scallop slices) topped with shrimp & ended with Crème Brulee.

• Fives:  the raw oysters at Fives were on point for a first timer (2 Pretty Baby's & 2 Beau Soleil) , my Pimms Cup was great & hubby’s tequila old fashion is something I would try again.  It was much better than bourbon for me.

• Seawitch in the Garden District:  My lobster was good and I forgot to take a pix but I didn’t get my melted butter dipper instead it was sitting in a bit of flavored butter, not my favorite way to have it but it was still good.  In an attempt to get some veggies I ordered roasted brussels sprouts but didn’t realize they would be swimming in pepper jelly.  Way too sweet for me and so much for healthy.  We also had a Caesar salad which was good, hubby had a double bone pork chop & dirty rice. The pork chop was huge but a bit dry and I didn’t like the mint gremolata/sauce.  The dirty rice on the other hand was great.  I’d give them another chance.  It was my birthday so I had high expectations that were not met.  Not even an acknowledgement of my birthday beyond replying “you're an Aquarius, I’m on the cusp a Capricorn” nothing like turning the attention to yourself.

• Galatoires:  I had to try the shrimp remoulade in New Orleans.  This version was like a shrimp cocktail, good but was hoping for the white version which I believe is the French version.
• Lorettas Authentic Pralines:  Crab beignet & praline beignet, the praline was the best, the crab was ok so I wouldn’t try that again.  The crab got lost in the dough🧐

• Dicky Brendan's one of the two priciest dinners was just OK.  I was concerned if my dark black jeans and sweater with black tennis shoes would be ok😳but it was fine, some others were dressed much worse. The bbq shrimp was great since he removed the headed & shelled them, the Caesar salad was lame, skip it, it looked like a cigar with a couple of croutons and a fishy anchovy on top that I had to cut up myself.  I want it tossed so the dressing is evenly distributed.  My filet was not great, a bit chewy, not bloody but too red raw in spots making me have to cut it into baby bites so I wouldn’t choke, the potato au gratin was excellent even two days later, the baked potato was good and we were givin a free scoop of ice cream for my birthday.  The atmosphere could be better in the dining room, with the low ceiling with white acoustic ceiling tiles.  I prefer a dark wood steak house.  I would opt for the bar if I go back.  Also the hostess at the front desk was a bit rude when we walked in off the street to check availability.  She shrugged me off since she was unable to answer my question quickly and moved on to those who were just arriving.  She should have finished with me first or in a more professional manor.  I should have gotten the hint that this might not be the fancy place I was expecting.

• Napoleon house:  I wanted to try a Sazerac, hubby added the absinthe the more traditional version.  Bourbon didn’t fail me, still grouse.  My first taste of gumbo however was good, dispite how the pix's look (I often forget to take a pix until it's too late) and I wish I would have tried it again before we left.  It wasn’t slimy like I was afraid it would be because of the okra.  I also ended up liking the warm Muffaletta.  I didn’t think I would because I’m not crazy about olive salad but the melty cheese made if for me.  They are the only one who makes it warm.  If you would prefer it cold you should try the original at the Central grocery store by the outdoor market.   The jambalaya was OK but I like mine better.  The waiter wasn’t friendly or very helpful.  He didn’t know what he likes or was unwilling to share his advice.

The Bars:  I’m not a sweet drinker, sugary drinks give you a hangover so I stuck with my normal drinks (Stolie and soda or Martinis).  I also don’t like drinking from plastic.  Some places only serve in plastic and others switch to plastic when it gets crazy.

• Ryans Irish Bar:  Favorite Bar:  We ended our first night at Ryan's Irish bar with my favorite drink, Stolie blue and our 2 drinks were $13.  I was so happy that I could find Stolie let alone Stolie blueberry and the prices and bartender couldn’t be beat.  We stopped by this bar several times.
• Erin Rose for 2 drinks and we split a Beef Po boy with pickled veg.  This is a historical bar and if there is a seat at the bar grab it.  We were not able to get in on our first try.
•  Lafittes Blacksmith Shop:  Historical a must stop just.
• Hideout Bar:  Music with Dirty Martini & 3 Olives Citrus vodka with Muddled cucumbers
• Jimani: A true dive bar for a chicken Caesar wrap to end the night and then again later in the week.  I needed some greens and I loved it.  Hubby had a burger but the second visit was a tasty cheesy Philly

To Do:  Beyond eating and drinking which is the majority of what you do in New Orleans you can also do the following:

• First full day: Start your vacation with a 10:30 historical tour to try and get your bearings or learn about the city your visiting.  Check Groupon to see what is available.  Our tour was $15@
• Walk the Market:  Shop for some cheaper novelty gifts and souvenirs
• Music at Famous Door:  The band was great, the two girl singers had powerful voices
• Marti Gras Museum:  A must see, take the tour so you get the additional information incase you can just roam around on your own.  The float characters are   They have a free shuttle.
• Trolly over to the garden district, it’s only $1.25 but have exact change or get the day pass. 
• Take a Garden District tour to get the history.  We saw many beautiful houses including the American Horror Story house.
• Walked around and over to Frenchman but it was too early so we just saw a lot of homeless sleeping & we didn't go back at night.  We should have gone their at night to listen to music.
• Pay your respects at the memorial of those that were killed on Bourbon street was touching and so heart breaking🙏🏻
• Uptown:  skip or have a plan.  We walked Magazine street, not worth the street car ride all the way to the bend because we spent the day walking back looking for bars, restaurants and shops.  There were a few but they were far between.  Granted this was during the day and most things didn’t open till after 3 but we were looking to get away from the craziness not looking in peak in windows.  We stopped at the first open bar, LeBon Temps Roule dive bar for a drink they were not serving food, next NY pizza slice that we had to wait for awhile for them to make a slice, odd but it was a hot good thin cracker crust.  Then Bulldog for a drink but after the stinky bathroom I didn’t have an appetite, finally one more bar and then back on the trolly mid way.

We also ate or drank at these establishments: 

• Clydes for a burger, owner was from SF hence the SF burger where he use to work, chef gave him permission to use her recipe as long as he promised not to add tomatoes. I liked it more than the classic with bacon jam but it wasn’t my best burger.  The Classic burger was too sweet for me, Roy liked both. I was still full after 5-6 hours
• The Channel bar for 2, Stolie blueberry is everywhere 🎉, hubby had a frozen Irish coffee baileys chocolate, too sweet & brain freeze for me. We also had brown gravy beef cheese topped fries. Only OK.
• Pierre Maspero's for spinach dip & a drink cause Napoleon house had a line
• Saddlerack but no live music & empty.  You can ride a bucking chicken if that’s your thing.  I was expecting live country music.  They need to work on this.  It was during the day so maybe they have it at night but I was looking for a more Nashville experience here.
• Drinkery for local music.  Nice establishment but plastic glasses and hubby’s syrupy batch made strawberry lemon drink was way too sweet and lacking booze.

We Missed:

• Superior seafood uptown grilled oysters
• Acme oyster house

NASHVILLE TRIP & TIPS

Back from a 5 night stay in Nashville from Thursday through Tuesday.  Like New Orleans your liver can't really handle more than 4-5 days.  Since it was our first visit we had to do all the touristy things which helped give us more things to do besides drink.  The area wasn't quite what I expected.  I thought Broadway/The Honky Tonk area was a small quaint town but it is a street in a city with skyscrapers.

Here are my tips:

• Country Music Hall of Fame:  If you have to pick one do this.  I typically spend about 1-2 hours in a museum but we were there for over 4 hours.  I think we read it all.  I would recommend the audio tour so you don't have to read but it was excellent.  I don't typically listen to country music unless it crosses over to the pop charts but I did grow up with it all so I know it well.
• Ryman tour:  Nostalgic and interesting tour.  I would recommend looking at the venue before you go in case you are able to attend a show.  It is a small venue so any seat will be good.
• Grand Ole Opry:  We did the backstage tour but I was very disappointed when I learned that Keith Urban would be there the night we were leaving.  Definitely see the radio show when you are there.  It may not say someone you know but members are required to preform and sometimes they just make a surprise appearance.  I was sad we didn't understand that.  We didn't know this was the longest running radio show, over 90 years I believe.  If we return it will be to see this show.
• Johnny Cash Museum:  OK, better if your a Cash fan but price wise the others are more worth it to me.  My parents were big fans so it brought back a lot of memories for me which I loved so I'm glad I didn't pass it up.
• Bars:  Don't worry about where people tell you to go.  They are all basically the same, some more divey (no shade, I love a good dive bar) than others but the key is to walk by and if you like what you hear go in.  If there isn't a seat, head up to the roof and check out the other floors as you head up.  Don't like it, leave and try another.  Since there are no cover charges you can do this.  The musicians play multiple venues and can be in multiple bands so you may see them at several places.  Also it is not only country, you will hear rock & roll and pop.  Genres are crossing, country has crossed over into pop and visa versa, eg Taylor Swift.  I didn't learn about her through country even though I learned that is where she started.
• Have bills on hand, $1s and $5s and when you love them give them more especially if you stay for their set.  They rely on tips since they don't get paid by the bar.  I say $1, not so you only give a dollar but depending on when their set is ending you may walk in right before the tip bucket is passed and if you have $1s you can give them a few.
• Drinks:  Drinks are a measured 1 oz., not as strong as I like so I didn't catch a buzz but that also allows you to drink all day, 10am to closing :)  I try not to get drunk on vacation because I hate a wasted next day.
• Food:  Not the food mecca I always hope for, Hot Chicken (fried chicken with hot sauce, think hot wings sorta)  is what Nashville is known for.   They also have BBQ, which we tried once at a place on Broadway but I wasn't impressed.  It was chopped dry pork and the Mac & Cheese however very creamy was more like the blue box version, not a lot of flavor.  I did however have mac and cheese at another place for dinner and it was excellent, more adult with the garlic flavor.  What I missed while there was veggies.  We are use to sandwiches or bar type food for lunch but we have healthier dinner meals but all we had was bar food.  On a positive note when you drink all day you need sustenance, bread or foods that soak up booze and you don't want to walk into a nice restaurant half lit so it all works out.  Luckily our hotel included breakfasts and they were very good.  It also allowed us to forgo the decisions of where to go first thing in the morning.
• Walk ability:  The downtown area is totally walk able and although I saw lots of heals I couldn't imagine wearing them.  I went comfy.  We even walked back from The Gulch after riding the Hop on Hop off trolley tour to get there but it's a short Uber ride.  The Grand Ole Opry however is not in walking distance but less than a $20 uber ride.  If you are adverse to walking scooters are everywhere just be careful.  I saw one girl who had crashed and that would make for a bad vacation. The Parthenon is also not walk able, we took the trolley over.  Since I left my trolley pass with the Parthenon pass in it on the trolley, I was too much of a wreck to really enjoy the mosaic gallery so we took a pix of the large statue inside and caught the next trolley out.  They were so nice to let me into the  museum for free, the trolley let me back on without my pass and they found my pass by the end of our ride.
• Murals:  Look at them online and get the addresses of the one's you like.  I saw the famous wings but there were others that I should have noted the address.
• Weather (in May):  We lucked out after feeling how hot it must get as it gets closer to summer.  It was overcast our trip which I was not happy about especially when it was drizzling but on the one blue sky day the sun was blistering.  I don't like it too hot and I hate humidity.  Even tough it was overcast my hair was a frizzy mess because of the humidity and it was extremely mild.  An umbrella can be hard because of the crowds so a rain jacket with a hood may be better.
• Pictures:  Your camera phone is fine.  I carried around my Canon Rebel camera but I didn't find enough opportunities to take the kinds of pictures I like using my better camera.  I like architecture, historical sites, flowers and murals (which they have many) but the pictures I ended up with are not pictures I will blow up and frame.  They are more memories and social media photos so a good camera phone is fine.  The think I missed were the neon signs at night.  I wish I would have gotten night time pictures of them.
• One refreshing thing was that the people were enjoying their time in Nashville with the people they came with or met there.  They were not spending time on their phones, taking selfies or recording the musicians.  I can count on my hands how many people I saw focusing inward on themselfs or providing updates to their online friends.  It was GREAT!

"forgot to post this back in May, oops"

Veronic voices at Las Vegas - Starting june 20th

Newest thing I found that I want to do!  She is amazing.  Now through Jan 18, 2014 at Ballys in Vegas.

Danville Fall Festival, Oct 26-27, 2013

Although Fall may not totally be here in CA the mornings and evenings are getting cooler which is nice.  But if you need that fall boost, check out the

Danville Fall Festival:  Oct 26-27, 2013

Placerville Antique Fair

Placerville Antique Fair, Sunday, Sept 29, 2013
8am-3pm
 

 

 

 

 

Oktoberfest in Forest Home Farms, San Ramon

Oktoberfest at Forest Home Farms
September 28, 2013
Time;  11-4pm
Location: 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA

Live music and dancing.  Food & Beer provided by Schubros Brewery (a local San Ramon brewery)
Tickets:  $30-35, purchase here or call 925-973-3284,  includes beer stein, 1 beer and a soft pretzel

Breweries in Northern California

Although I am not a beer drinker all of my friends are so after some research I have started to put together a list of breweries to visit.  Some offer tours, others offer food, some just beer.  As we check them out I will give you the opinion of the beer drinkers and if a fruity or hoppy beer appears that I like (or at least doesn't give me the "face") I will note that for those not so much of a beer drinker.  The list came about after trying one morning to find something to do in Napa Valley besides drink wine.

Lagunitas:  This one started it all.  Plan was to visit this one today.  Two friends had heard about it and want to check it out.  They have live music on certain days so check their calendar.

Stumptown Brewery:  15045 River Rd, Guerneville, CA (707) 869-0705.  This one got added to the list because of the outside bar area pix's.

Heritage Public House:  1901 Mendocino Avenue Santa Rosa,  707-540-0395.  Check calendar for music schedule.

Carneros Brewery:  22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma,  (707) 938-1880.  Self guided tour.

Master List for Napa Valley Wineries

I decided to put together a list of all the wineries I can remember that we have tried and make some notes and their pluses and minuses.  As I learn more I'll make more notes and as I go back to places their ranking may change.  They can move because of some of the reasons I listed above or over time it can be that my tastes change and like now I like a bolder red, not crazy about oaky or buttery whites and love a good port but not quite sure if there are characteristics that I can point out that I like better than another. 

I have also linked back to the specific trips I've taken.  I will break this list up into Silverado Trail and Highway 29 so they appear in order as you head North.  One thing about visiting wineries is your experience not only relies on a great wine but also the atmosphere, the server and who you are with.  Sometimes what you thought was a great wine at the time when you try it later at home you are not as blown away.  That's because the day was better than the wine.

Here is a wine map to help you see what else is out there, click here.

We end up at Rutherford Grill for lunch quite often and this is a good point to cross over to the other side.  Here are also links to some specific trips: Trip 1, Trip 2

SILVERADO TRAIL:

• Del Dotto: (R?)  8/22/2010:  Beautiful candle lite caves but a bit out of the way.  Tasting $20, cave tour barrel tasting $40.  We didn't purchase any wine here but I liked the 2005 Caves Merlot at $39, hubby liked the 2007 Napa Valley Sangiovese at $49.
• Reynolds: (R?)  8/22/2010:  Nice server who gave us other suggestions, close grape vines for pictures and a lovely pond. Tasting $20.  Purchased the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Estate Select.   Reynolds Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Estate Select 2006
• Black Stallion (R4) 8/22/2010:  Their wines were good but not quite our taste so we didn't buy.  We like bold reds and even their cabs were a bit mellow.  The Merlot or the Sarah were the two we liked the best but not enough to buy.  Their wines on this day ran between $35-$50.  The tasting was a two for one, for $10 (love a coupon, go on line and print the coupon before you go). 6/24/2013:  Did a second trip to Black Stallion, the wines were much better or my tastes have grown but we liked all but the one Merlot (first one served in the flight we purchased for $25).  The wines however are more pricy, averaging $75 with one as high as $175 and of course that was the best.  We bought no wines this day enjoyed the second server.  We had a 241 coupon which made it doable but painful since you had to check in.
• Clos du Bois 1/4/2012:  Purchased Merlot 2006, it was good but also older and made the cross country trip so maybe it was better before.  Give another try.
• Chimney Rock:  (R4) 8/22/2010:  Beautiful garden & view of the vine lined hills.  Tasting $20.  Did not purchase any wine.   6/24/2013:  Made a second visit and the server was quite nice and informative.  We did the Terlato Family Vineyards Owner’s Selection tasting at $25 but they were not skimpy.  I still find this too much for a taste so if you are from the area and there are four of you it is less to buy a bottle and taste it on your own outside.  Especially if you know what is good or can get them to suggest one or provide you one taste first.  They where bold reds like I like
• Regusci:  Need to revisit (R?)  Don't know when I went but I came home with Regusci Stags Leap District Merlot 2001
• Robert Sinskey:  Need to revisit (R?)  I purchased  Los Carneros Merlot 2003
• Silverado Vineyards: (R4) 8/22/2010:  Beautiful view over valley on Silverado trail, sit outside, relax and enjoy your wine.  Server gave us lots of suggestions for future trips.  Owned by a Disney relation but no memorabilia.  Tasting $15-75 depending on flight (we did the $15).  Check on line for a 2-4-1 coupon.  Good white, OK reds, did not purchase any wine. 
• Pine Ridge:  (R?) 8/22/2010:  Tour sounded great.  Tasting $15 or 25 (we did the $15).  Purchased the 2007 Charmstone Table Red.  Pine Ridge Vineyards Charmstone Red Table 2007
• Cliff Lede:  (R3) 6/23/2013: Did a tasting here, didn't buy anything, server was OK but a bit scattered.  Experience not the best of the day.
• William Harrison Vineyards:  Need to revisit.  I purchased Cabernet Franc2005
• BV: (R3)  Need to revisit to see what I think of the winery.  I purchased Ensemble Red Table 1999
• Conn Creek Winery:  (R?) Need to revisit.  I purchased the Cabernet
• Mumm: (R4)  Great place to sit outside and do a tasting.  There is also a little shop.
• Rutherford Hill: (R5) 8/22/2010:  The Merlot use to be my favorite, this trip purchased the Petite Sarah.  Good reds, great port and loved those chocolate covered blueberries.  Great view over Silverado Trail.  Tasting Fee:  $20, look online for a 2-4-1 coupon .  Purchased RH Winemakers Blend 2000.  Rutherford Hill Vintage Zinfandel Port 2000
• Raymond: (R?)  Purchased the Reserve Merlot 2002

HIGHWAY 29

• Domaine Chandon:  (R5) One of my favorite places.  I don't do tasting here anymore because I know what I like and I would prefer to order a glass of champagne and go sit outside on the gorgeous patio.  It is the perfect way to start your wine tasting experience in Napa Valley.
• Sequoia Grove: (R?) Allen Family Shiraz 2000 just OK (R3)
• St. Supery Atkins House Red Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
• Peju:  (R5) Great stop and if your lucky you will get to listen to the yolder/rapper.  Beautiful grounds with art sculptures.  Have purchased there Peju Estate Bottled Cabernet Franc 2002 Peju Province, Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (on 5/2012 didn't find one I wanted to purchase, they were very mild reds for my taste on this day)  Peju Provence Red Table 2006
• Alpha Omega: (R5)  We liked the winery so much we joined the club.  Nice tasting room with outdoor seating by the pond.  Alpha Omega Rose 2007  Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Alpha Omega Proprietary Red 2005
• Provenance Sauvignon Blanc 2006
• Whitehall Lane:  (R?) This use to be a favorite place many years ago.  I haven't been in over 15 years so I'll have to give it a try to see if I like the wine or not.   I purchased Merlot 2004
• VSattui (R5) is one of my favorite places.  Do a tasting or purchase a bottle and ask them to open it.  I like Gamay Rouge, a cold red.  It is very refreshing and good on a hot summer day.  I love their cheese shop and you can do a tasting here also, the Keifer is the best and deli so if your not prepared you can get what you need for a picnic on site.  Their tastings are either $5 or $10 for the premium taste.  You can only purchase their wines at the winery .  I've also tried t here V Sattui Petite Sirah North CA 2008  V Sattui Preston Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
• Sutter Home:  (R3) Cheap wine nice shop.  I've purchased their White Cabernet 2006
• Mount Veeder (R?)Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
• Rosemount Estate (R?) Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
• Benessere Vineyards:  (R?) Off highway 29.  Pinot Grigio Napa Valley, Carneros 2007 (Mixed notes:  We drank this 8/22/2011, it was a wonderful, light, slightly fruity white wine.  I really liked it especially since I don't normally like white wines but I had it as a R1 which doesn't match)
• Castello di Amorosa:  (R5) A must see castle even if you don't do the tour or the tasting, beautiful grounds.  Tasting is $18.  Castello di Amorosa Almond Sparkling  Castello di Amorosa Con Amore Tawny Port
• Sterling Vineyard: (R5) Although I did purchase Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.  I haven't been thrilled with their wines but it is a nice tram ride up to the top of the hill and a self guided tour.  Wines get a (R3).

• Sawyer Cellars:  Purchased the Meritage

SONOMA TASTING:  Click here for Trip 1

• Ravens Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2000  & Ravens Wood Amador County Zin 1999
• Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
• BR Cohn Pinot Noir 2005 , BR Cohn Doobie Red North Coast Red Table 2004 Carta di Imbarro Carta diImbarro Zin 2005

Here are some wineries I've been to and purchased a bottle of wine.  Some I am still waiting to drink and review, click here.

That Time Again at the Alameda County Fair: horse races, concerts and corn dogs

What more can I ask for at the Alameda County Fair, oh yea Pig Races, don't forget those.  The fair  starts June 19-July 7th.  Since fireworks have become scarce in the bay area if you have never ventured to the fair to watch the fireworks I highly recommend it.  The best place I've ever seen fireworks was in Boston.  Last year when we saw the fireworks at the fair I was totally impressed.  It is a smaller venue so it felt like the fireworks going off over my head were going to get me, making me flinch a bit but loving every bit of it.  They felt so close, it was simply amazing and it is now a tradition to hit a few horse races to see if we can win big, eat a corn dog, try a new fair food or another old favorite like a turkey leg and catch one of the free concerts.  Don't miss out on this years fair, it makes for a nice evening out either with your kids or without.  Check out last years pix.

TICKETS:

Buy online and save $2 per ticket or purchase the Fun Pack for $30 and get 4 tickets, 1 parking pass and 2, 2-4-1 soda coupons until June 18, 2013.

• $8 for adults
• $6 for seniors
• $4 for children

ADDITIONAL DEALS:

• $1 Day - $1 admission and $1 rides June 19
• $2 Tuesdays - Admission is just $2, June 25, July 2
• Seniors FREE Thursdays - June 20, June 27 & July 4
• 62 and up receive Free Admission! Sponsored by JACKSON RANCHERIA Casino Resort and Humana
• Kaiser Permanente Kids FREE Fridays - (fireworks show 9:30pm each Friday).  Kids 12 and under receive FREE admission!
• Fireworks Shows - June 21, June 28 & July 5.  Every Friday at 9:30pm
• Feed The Need Food Drive and $1 Rides - June 26.  Bring 4 non-perishable food items and receive FREE Fair admission benefiting the Alameda County Community Food Bank . All carnival rides are $1.
• Military Appreciation Day - June 21:  Free Fair Admission for you and a guest with your valid military I.D. Veterans free with proof of service.

HORSE RACES
June 20-23 * June 27-June 30 * July 4-7
Post Times:1:15pm, Racing ends around 5 - 6pm; Subject to change

CONCERT SCHEDULE:

• Hinder June 19
• Kix Brooks June 20
• The Marshall Tucker Band June 21
• The Spinners June 22
• Loverboy June 23
• The Fair is Closed June 24
• Evolution June 25
• Francesca Battistelli June 26
• Air Supply June 27
• Pablo Cruise June 28
• Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds June 29
• Los Caminantes June 30
• The Fair is Closed July 1
• Caravanserai - Santana Tribute Band July 2
• Zepparella - Led Zeppelin Tribute Band July 3
• Red, White and Blues Festival July 4
• Weird Al Yankovic July 5
• Zendaya July 6
• Clay Walker July 7

 

 

Check out Annie Leibovitz at the San Jose Art Muesum

If you have heard of Annie Leibovitz and I assume that most of you at least know the name.  Then maybe you will want to check out her exhibit starting June 6 through Sept 8.  I know I will.

It is official, me and festivals, craft fairs, street fairs are a thing of my past

This weekend we stopped by the Union Street festival.  It was jammed packed, bumper to pumper people, alcohol free unless you were able to squeeze yourself in to a hot stuffy bar and wait way too long behind 5 people trying to get a drink.  Some of the food did look good but unfortunately we at lunch before we got there.  There were a ton of booths selling their wears so if you are a shopper or looking for a gift for that person who is hard to buy for this may be a way to knock that off your list.  The were also giving away quite a few free samples yesterday (pet food, chips, granola, etc.).  Luckily we found a great parking spot, which don't count on, but the parking gods are always with the drivers.  We walked down one side of the festival, down the other, tried to get a drink but failed, popped into one great store and left.  Huge failure.  I use to like going to festivals in new towns to see if it was an area I'd like to return too but with so many people you couldn't get a feel for where you were.  We then tried to head over to Chestnut Street to get a drink but the over flow of the festival people were even crowding out those bars.  By then we were over it and it was time to move on.  So back to our favorite district, North Beach, to park our butts on a bar stool and have a nice cold cocktail with good service and less crowds.

If however you are into festivals, crowds, people watching, date searching or just looking to be seen then this may be the place for you.  You still have a chance but it ends today.

Craft Sprits Carnival

Craft Spirits Carnival:  Fort Mason Center, SF.  I love trying new booze and making new drinks so this would be a place I can try multiple spirits however it may be a recipe for disaster.  Yet it is an option for this weekend and it is in SF so that's always good.

PS:  Get your discount tix through LivingSocial.

San Ramon Art & Wind Festival

San Ramon Art & Wind Festival:  I've gone several different times, some years have been better than others.  I've seen balloons float away in the early morning, I've seen fog prevent the balloons from lifting off and I've listed to some good bands.  This is a close option for our "no plans" weekend.  The two bands that peak my interest a bit is Fleetwood Mac Tribute band on Sunday from 3-5 and Department of Rock on Monday from 12:30-2:30.

Click here for pictures from one of our visits.

Carnaval in the Mission District of San Francisco

It is Friday and I'm starting to worry since I didn't make any plans this weekend so here is what I've found when I'm ready to get out and about in the traffic this weekend.

Carnaval 2013:  Although I've never been this could be quite fun with beautiful costumes, great food in an area I want to explore more but also large crowds. 

The Beat Memories at the Jewish Museum

I love photography and I need to get back into checking out exhibits so here is one on my list.  Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg.  The exhibit runs from May 23-Sept 8, 2013

It is free the first Tuesday of every month or $12.  Located at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, 415.655.7800

Disneyland & CA Adventure Trip Tips for Adults

Don't do like I did and spend hours over many days researching a game plan (what to ride, what to ride first, what to eat, etc.), only to print it out and not follow it once there.  Instead read up and go with the flow.

1. Save money and book an off park hotel.  We stayed at the Red Lion Inn which is the furthest point you should stay and still be able to walk to and from.
2. Before you leave
• Book flight and Super Shuttle before you leave.  The shuttle is only $12pp and AAA will give you a $2 discount if you belong.  A car is not necessary if you are only going to the parks.  It is walkable from a lot of hotels and there is a shuttle to the park if you need it.
• Make dinner reservations if you want to go to some of the most popular nice dinner spots.  I recommend Napa Rose in the hotel next to California Adventure.  It is about $100pp ($45 filet) an excellent steakhouse atmosphere.  Blue Bayou Restaurant is a popular dinner spot, not much cheaper ($35-40 for fish or jambalaya), the atmosphere is more Disney, not as fancy but cooler since you can sit on the river on Pirates of the Carabbean and although inside you feel like you are outside.  Unfortunately the food is never as good as the location.  It is the last time I'll go here.  If it wouldn't have been my husbands birthday I would have complained about the food.  The rice under my fish and the rice in the Jambalaya was not cooked properly
• Buy your park tickets through AAA, if you belong, and enjoy free parking at the park if you drive.  But at the very least avoid the lines at the park to purchase tix.  I recommend the 3 day park hopper.  Four days was one too many.
3. Go on a Tues & Wed.  Wait times are the best and get worse as it gets closer to the weekend.  The most we waited in line was 30 minutes but that was only on a few rides, the rest were very quick.  When it hit Thur and especially Friday some rides were over 90 minutes.  Way too long for me.  I  just don't have that kind of patience.
4. Arrive when the parks open, don't get there an hour early only to wait in line to get in.
5. Pick up a map and show schedule and as you ride mark off what you have done if your intent like mine is to do it all.
6. First day Disneyland, second day California Adventure, Third day combo.  Three days is plenty.  By day four I was sick of the crowds and lines.

DISNEYLAND (First day)

1. Head down Main Street and make a quick stop at the end, on the left at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café for a Madihorn Macaroon.
2. Then head straight to Fantasyland.  The lines here can get really long and they are pretty boring lines.  I would start with Madihorn, then Peter Pan, It's a Small World, Snow White, Pinochio, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toads Wild Ride,
3. Next hit your favorite rides or the most popular aka longest lines.   And remember some rides are worth the wait but others are fun but not worth an hour of your time so ride the one's you won't wait in long lines for first.
• New Orleans Square:  Pirates of the Caribbean & Haunted Mansion (2 favorites)
• Adventureland:  Indiana Jones
• Tomorrowland:  Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Frontierland:  Big Thunder Mountain
• Critter Country:  Splash Mountain

Not worth a huge wait but worth going on:

• Main Street:  Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
• Adventureland:  Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise
• Critter Country:  The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tomorrowland:  Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Autopia

Note:  I ride all but a few rides (eg teacups) and since I don't go with kids I avoid Mickey's Toontown.


CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE (Second day):
This was my first trip to CA Adventure.  At first I wasn't too impressed by the rides, and it felt amall until the crowds picked up then it was nice to get out of Disneyland, grab a drink and relax here.

1. Head to Soaring Over California first.  If you don't like heights sit in the back row which will end up the lowest row.
2. Second over to "A Bug's Land" to get your fast pass for Radiator Springs Racers.  If there is a long line get your World of Color fast pass first then go back.
3. Third over to Grizzly Peak by the wooden bear to pick up your World of Color fast pass.  Both Radiator Springs Racers and A World of Color will sell out so getting a Fast pass for each is important.  You can always check out the wait if it is not long and ride a second time if you like.
4. Finally hit the most popular rides:
• Hollywood Land:  Tower of Terror
• A Bug's Land:  Nothing but the 3D show "It's Tough to be a Bug"
• Pacific Wharf:  Nothing
• Paradise Pier:  California Screaming
• Grizzly Peak:  Grizzly River run if you don't mind getting soaked.

Rides I don't miss if possible: 

• Paradise Pier:  California Screaming, Toy Story Midway Mania, Little Mermaid
• Hollywood Land:  Monsters Inc:  pay attention to Roz at the end, she see's you and will talk directly to you.

FOOD (split everything so you can have more choices) & DRINK:

Disney:

• Main Street:  Jolly Holiday Bakery Café:  Madihorn Macaroon and the corndog at the Little Red Wagon Truck on the right at the end of main street.  But if you will only do one corndog don't do this one.  Instead wait for CA Adventures, Corn Dog Castle:  Hot Link corn dog (opens at 11).
• Adventureland:  Bengal BBQ:  Jalapeno & Mozzarella stuffed pretzels.  Avoid the chicken and beef skewers.
• New Orleans:  Café Orleans:  Monte Cristo is a donut stuffed with cheese, ham and turkey.  Sprinkled with powdered sugar and berry  jam for dipping is sinful.  It is pricy at $18, be sure to split it and even with that and sharing an order of fries I was ruined for food the rest of the day.  It was just too much.
• Tiki Room:  Dole Pineapple ice cream.  Although I am not a big fan of ice cream this was good.  I preferred it by itself vs. as a float with the pineapple juice.

California Adventure:

• Cars Land:  Cozy Cone Motel, Chili Cone Queso ($6.99).  The chili, cheese and corn chips were tasty.  The bread cone was a bit disappointing and could be better.
• If you drink beer you are in luck at CA Adventure.  If you drink mixed drinks it is not worth it.  After 3 Long Island Ice Teas I still couldn't feel it.  I should have been on the floor.  Face it the reason people drink is to feel the effect.  If you are just thirsty stick with a water or soda.  At $10 a drink for a measured shot you will go broke before you go buzzed.  And yes Disneyland is not the place to get drunk but a relaxing happy feeling after a long day of walking is deserved.
• Starbucks is in CA Adventure but if there is a line don't bother.  Head over to Paradise Peer's coffee cart by the bridge.
• Grand Californian Hotel:  Napa Rose:  My rating is a 5 star minus a bit of attitude from the waiter.  Don't drink here, they are the smallest TALLs in the park.  See Yelp review for full write up.  Make reservations.
• Carthay Circle Lounge:  Nice, restful lounge with comfy leather chairs.  Only 4 bar seats so good place to relax in quite for a drink but not my kind of a "bar".
• Al Fresco Lounge:  Again relaxing, quite, upper level bar with a semi view (not as impressive as I read), focusing on wine and champagne.  OK but as I said above not my kind of a bar.
• Cove Bar:  Best bar in the park however they seat you so you just can't walk up to the bar which I hated.  If you want a drink, go here but go early to avoid the lines and get a seat at the round bar.  The service was a 3/4, Long Islands were a 4 but go for the generic and save $2.  Only problem is I should have felt my 3 drinks.  AVOID like the plague the Lobster Nachos.  I read they were the best but they were fishy and crumbles of so called lobster.  Don't believe what you read about them.  I rate them a 0.
• Grand Californian Hotel:  Hearthstone Lounge:  wood, elegant, small bar top but tons of tables.  Not worth sitting at the bar but if with a group or you want some quite, grab a table.  At the bar however you get crunchies.

Downtown Disney:

• Disneyland Hotel:  Trader Sams Tiki Bar:  best bar and appetizers.  Have a mai tai, the kaluha pork flat bread & the ahi tuna.  The lettuce wraps were just OK.  Beware of the sinking stools.  There are three, one on each side and they slowly sink and rise.  It is fun to see if people notice.
• Tortilla Jose Cantina:  Happy hour between 3-5, great nachos - but not the one's on the happy hour menu get the regular "real cheese" ones.  Lively outdoor atmosphere, friendly bartenders, cheapest happy hour drinks (premixed margarita or draft $5). 
• Uva Bar:  Great spot if you are a smoker.  You sit outside at the round bar in the center of Downtown Disney.  If you are not a smoker, not the best spot unless you don't mind the smoke.  No Stolie so Kettle Soda $11.50, Harp $8.50
• Ralph Brennan Jazz Kitchen: Largest "TALL" vodka soda, more like what I expect when I order a tall anywhere else.  I prefer a pint.  Split the cheesesteak and it was pretty good.
• ESPN Zone:  loud, sports, chain restaurant atmosphere.  It would have been better if I wasn't as tired and had a better seat at the bar.  Stolie Soda $8.25, Does Eques $6.50

Garden Walk

• Bar Loui:  Bacon Cheeseburger sliders were good and was a good end to a long day.  Drinks were a 2.5 but service was a 2.

Places on my Radar

SF:

• Aria: Antique shop with treasures from Europe 1522 Grant Ave, North Beach
• Biordi Art Imports: Italian ceramics 412 Columbus Ave. (near Vallejo):  Check out the gorgeous Italian pottery.  The $14 plates with the saying "Mia Moglie ha sempre ragione" (my wife is always right) make great trinkets tucked in wedding or anniversary present., North Beach
• Coroland mansion
• Cable Car Museum

NAPA
Holdredge winery:  Not exactly sure why this is on my list beyond my note "big chair winery" maybe it is a picture opportunity.

Ventucopa

• Barnwood Vineyards:  4520 Highway 33, Ph. 888-809-VINE.  I joined the club in 2000 so it must have been good.  Need to give it another try.

Sunnyvale:

• Rabbits Foot Mead: Our tasting room is open Tuesday, Wed. Thursday 2- 7pm, Friday 2pm - 8pm and Saturdays from 1pm - 6pm unless otherwise posted. Call in advance to see if we are going to be there. We will be closed May 4th 2013.

GILROY

• Martin Ranch Winery: WINE TASTING: Open to the Public Every Third Weekend, From 12PM to 5PM , Call: 408.842.9197, 6675 Redwood Retreat Rd., Gilroy CA, Phone: 408.842.9197

MISC.

• Alaxander Valley Gourmet Pickles; Jimtown Store
• US Hwy 395/Eastern Sierra. Overnighter.  You can visit Bodie State Historic Park, a fabulous old ghost town preserved in a state of arrested decay.   
• Halloween 2014:  Mayhem Manor: Twisted Tours of Terror, Haunted Mansion
• Gold Bug Park, Placerville
• Preston Castle:  not far from Sac & Stockton, somewhere in the middle
• Cave Tours:  5350 Moaning Caverns Rd, Vallecito
• Old Car City, GA

Long Drives:

• Virginia City
• Hallberg Butterfly Garden
• Murphy's, caverns, big trees
• Jackson:  Found notes, need to research to see if this is accurate:  check visitamador.com, cooper vineyards, shenandoh valley, plymouth, drytown, amador city & Sutter creek

Places to Visit in San Francisco's North Beach

I've decided to compile a list of my favorite places or places I think someone else may want to see, what to do while you are there.  I already have a list of my favorite eateries.  In the past I've listed different days we have spent in different areas but what I want to do here is compile all my favorites in one location to make it easier for those traveling to the area and looking for more than just the touristy attractions. 

I already have a list of the restaurants in San Francisco I want to try so if you wish to try them first, click here, to see what I'm looking forward to trying.

I'm starting with San Francisco's North Beach district.  My absolute favorite place to hang out in San Francisco.

• City Lights Booksellers & Publishers – for those into poetry and books stop by this historic beat nick book store.  I myself don't read much so it is not my thing but I thought I should include in anyways.
• Beach Blanket Babalon:  This local play changes frequently based on what is going on in the news so it is a show you can see multiple times but it is defiantly one you must at least see once.
• Washington Square:  Stop by on a weekend afternoon and you will see people hanging out in the sun, dogs playing fetch, people exercising, and if your lucky an art show or event.  It is a nice park to hang out and people watch or to eat your sandwich in the sun.
• Coit Tower:  It is a long steep walk up to Coit Tower but it is doable and worth it.  I've done it starting from the Embarcadero side (via the Filbert Steps, where you walk through what is known as Grace Marchant Gardens), up a ton of stairs but through beautiful homes to finally get to the top for a fabulous view on a clear day and then inside for the murals.  You can drive up but it is limited parking so you may not get a spot.

Here are some links to some specific days in North Beach:  Saturday afternoon, Sunday afternoon,

A Day in Alameda

This Saturday we spent the day in Alameda (mapquest route linked here).  I purchased a coupon on Amazon local for the Pinball Museum so we decided to make a day of it.  The museum normally costs $15 per person but this was a 2-4-1 coupon which was a great deal especially if you are taking kids.  The good thing for me about buying access to the place is that I was able to try more machines than I would have if I had to put quarters in each one.

We started at McGee's Bar and Grill for our first cocktail and some appetizers.  Sit at the bar, order a drink, ask for a menu and make a decision.  You have to order the food yourself from the kitchen but they do deliver it to you at the bar.  We had the pork quesadilla which was small (two 6" tortilla halfs, giving us 4 wedges) but very tasty along with the "so called" Irish Nachos.  I've had Irish nachos before and these were not them, they were just large potato wedge with a slight drizzle of sour cream and barely any cheese.  I do not recommend these unless you want potato hunks.  Price wise it seemed reasonable but then when delivered they were small.  The place was friendly, with locals and regulars.  I got some tips from one of the patrons at the bar for our next visit.  A German restaurant called Speisekammer. 

From here we headed to Swell Bar to hook up with some friends.  It is a local dive bar, which if you know me you know it is my kind of a place.  Only heads up is if you order a tall drink make sure the bartender knows that doesn't mean a double.  Our vodka and beer cost us $16, which is how I realized something must be wrong.  Overall if in the area I would stop by Swell's again.

Next we headed over to the Pacific Pinball Museum.  Not exactly what I expected from the building but the machines ranged from old to new and there were lots to choose from.  The building itself was unimpressive, a strip mall room, with other tiny rooms off shooting from it.  At one point though I even got a bit turned around and couldn't find the exit, the mirror wasn't helpful.  The pictures on the web make it look more impressive.  Plan on a maximum of 2 hours unless you are a pinball fanatic or have teenagers with you.  From here we walked across the street to the Fireside Lounge.  If you are a beer drinker you will find something you haven't tried before. 

We were hoping to go to the Tiki Lounge for dinner but when we drove by initially we noticed a line waiting to get in so when we returned every seat and table was taken so we headed back to McGee's.  Here we had the bruchetta with buratta which didn't look to impressive but if you have never had buratta (a oozy mozzarella cheese) and like bruchetta you must give it a try.  It was full of flavor.  The calamari was pretty good, I liked the chili oil type thin sauce with a touch of sweet.  Different than most calamari sauces.   For an entrée I had the Beef and Pork belly burger which based on the description I thought was going to be ground together but instead it was like bacon on top.  It was OK, but didn't hit my top 5 burger list.  The bun fell apart, too soft and soggy and the bun to meat ratio didn't match up.  The mac & cheese was pretty good, better than the burger, didn't hit my top 5 but I would order it again.  The cheese sauce was smooth and cream, just did deep to get the sauce on the bottom.  The strangest thing about this restaurant was the fact that they sit you, you have a waitress that takes your credit card for drinks but she won't get you your food.  You get your food yourself but then give them your name and they stick it on your credit card but if you have two couples the waitress will only take one card and then the kitchen takes the 2nd card so in the end your drinks are combined with the other peoples food but your food is separate.  The waitress will split off the drinks but it just seemed a bit more complicated that need be.