Saturday, July 30, 2011

More Vacation Foods and Misc.

So, first thing when I got to Utah, I went to Cafe Rio, a Mexican restaurant in Provo that locals love. Their taco salad is out of this world, so good that many have tried to emulate it with their own recipes. I got the sweet pork kind, and it had lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, tortilla strips, beans, rice, and a nice cilantro dressing to go along with it. It was so big I couldn't finish all of it in one sitting, but most of it. I'm going to have to find a Cafe Rio closer to me and go there again as soon as I get the chance, or maybe try to make a taco salad of my own.

In Sunnyvale, we all went to Outback Steakhouse for my boyfriend's birthday. I got the parmesan pasta with scallops, which was very good, and shared his birthday treat with him-- a scoop of vanilla ice cream with lots of fudge. I think there was a brownie in there too.

Later on, the two of us went to this nice little Chinese restaurant near his house called Ginger Cafe. From the outside, it looks like it could be just a little health food restaurant, but once you go inside it's this beautiful Chinese restaurant with big red curtains drawn back by the windows, a majestically high ceiling, and ornate Chinese decor on the walls. We got the Dim Sum Sampler: two of each- Bok Choy Shrimp Dumplings, Blue Crab Dumplings, Curry Scallop Puffs, Crab Puffs, and Steamed Pork Buns- with some fried rice on the side. My favorites were the bok choy shrimp dumplings, the pork buns, and the curry scallop puffs. Dim sum is one of my favorite things ever, so I was very happy. The website has lots of pictures and an incredibly extensive menu, so check it out. :)

After I got back home, I baked a loaf of chocolate chip banana bread. It is so good, I could eat it for breakfast every day. It was so easy to make, and it turned out perfectly. The chocolate chips didn't even sink to the bottom of the bread during baking or anything. I think I'll go have some right now.

Until next time... have a nice weekend!

9 comments:

  1. Hi Jen!

    Something tells me you are quite a natural when it comes to reviewing fine restaurants and sharing some of their favorite dishes--have to give all of the above examples double thumbs up!

    May you and yours share many more tasty birthday treats together. Have a wonderful week!

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  2. Thanks Al :). I've had fun wit it, it's always exciting to go to new places and see what they're like.

    In a couple weeks it will be my birthday, we'll see what I make for the occasion :)

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  3. Hi Jen!

    You are welcome! Yes, couldn't agree more that traveling to new places adds a sense of adventure and wonder to life--Happy you are enjoying such exciting experiences in your own life. May many more special moments lay ahead for you and yours...

    Listen, I need a favor...upon each visit here I happen to glance over at your blogroll along the right column and see "2012" still there, so I'm wondering when you have a free moment, please insert the following web address http://af12.webs.com/ onto "2012" to point folks to my new setting. Thanks in advance, Jen, and hopefully you and yours can create more romantic magic on your upcoming birthday--(something tells me vanilla ice cream with fudge tastes so much better when it's shared with someone you care about). Back next week to view and read about what's next on tap at your Mmm, mmm good site--Best Wishes!

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  4. Sure, no problem :). Nice to see you have a new blog, I will definitely check it out.

    I've got lots of fun activities planned for the time around my birthday, I can hardly wait!

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  5. Hi Jen!

    Many "THANKS" to you! Sounds like your birthday plans are going to be amazingly wonderful--Woohoo!!! I'll be sure to check back here, and read all the exciting details. Carpe diem! Safe travels to you and yours--He sounds like a winner(Keeper). I won't press the issue, and you may dodge this question like a seasoned politician if you like, Jen, but Did you guys manage to catch the wedding bouquet in Utah?

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  6. Well he's very nice :).

    I did not catch the bouquet, and he did not catch the garter, but neither of us were really right up front trying to catch them before anyone else. We just had fun being part of the rituals, haha. And actually the wedding was in San Pablo, CA where our friend lives.

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  7. Hi Jen!

    Appreciate you taking the time to answer my question--thanks! Sounds like you guys were just being thoughtful enough to allow the other wedding guests an opportunity to catch the garter and bouquet. Glad you guys had fun just being a part of the festivities on your friend's special day--woohoo! Back next week to discover what's next on tap on the menu here at your place

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  8. Hi Jen!

    Stopped in to check your latest menu plans here at Epic Treats. Split a pizza earlier today at a Uno Chicago Grill. Your favorable review and recommendation in a previous post of their delicious deep dish style pizza was well deserving. Hope all is well, and your birthday plans are shaping up nicely. Back later this week to see what's on tap at your Epic Treats. All my best to you and yours. Have a great week!

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