Just as soon as VBS was over on Friday, we loaded up the kids and all their stuff and whisked them off to Ventura where we met the grandparents for a switcheroo. They took our van full o’ kids back to their house while we drove my dad’s green truck back to our house. For a glorious five-day staycation. We figured instead of spending money on a hotel for only a couple of nights, we’d put it towards eating instead and stretch out our normal two to three day getaway into five days. Did I say it was glorious already? Because it was. Glorious.
On the drive back home, we hit tons of Friday evening traffic so Phil made the executive decision to stop at the Sherman Oaks Galleria and catch a movie while waiting for traffic to die down. Because we could. So we saw “The Hundred Foot Journey” and really enjoyed it. It also led in nicely to all the fun eating of beautiful food we were about to do.
We started off with lunch at Seoul Sausage. Yum. Though Phil thought there was too much going on with the fries. I liked em. He does want to go back to try their burger sometime. I wouldn’t disagree with that.
We hung out on the west side for the rest of the afternoon. And we found ourselves in a Ross as we always seem to on our annual getaways. A little girl the next aisle over was asking her dad why I was taking a picture. Because, little girl, this is how we roll.
Some more browsing… (If you ever wondered who the real shopper is between the two of us.) Phil found the perfect gift for the boys- wooden katanas. But in my mind, Jonah+wooden sword=trouble. Still, two black wooden katanas were purchased that day.
“Like the hat?”
Was arrested by this cluster of little bright red flowers with yellow centers growing outside a business building.
Dinner that evening was a surprise, as it usually is for me since Phil is the master planner of dates. But even he seemed excited about it as he asked me more than once where I thought we were headed as we drove down Sunset Boulevard. I didn’t have the slightest clue until we drove up to the front door.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
I forget what drink this was, but it was very very nice.
And then the food started coming. Oh. The. Food. Beginning with this bowl of egg yolk gnocchi, mushroom brown butter, hen of the woods. We still talk about this one as the stuff of legend. As in, “remember that gnocchi with the egg yolk inside?” And then we both pause in a moment of savoring silence.
Beef tartare, hearts of palm, sea bean chimichurri, horseradish, rye. This one didn’t do it for either of us. I didn’t enjoy the very icy bites in this one.
Octopus, ink. shells, young fennel, pimenton. All was made right again with the world with this one. Wow this was so good.
Potato polenta, bone marrow, sour cream & chive. Another one so good. But getting full.
Lamb belly, braised lettuce, mushroom hay, yogurt curds. Also very good but quickly going beyond feeling stuffed.
Wagyu beef cheek, eggplant, golden raisin, shawarma spice. Sadly way too full to appreciate this one.
Mountain yam, caramelized white chocolate, popcorn, coconut. Thankfully, a whole different stomach handles desserts because this one was awesome. YAM ice cream! We ate every bit of it.
And topped it off with iced coffee.
Sad that our beautiful meal had to come to an end. But happily, we had four more glorious days ahead of us!
Oh my goodness. That looks so yummy. What a great staycation. I didn’t realize Phil was the shopper … but yes, it’s coming back to me! Beautiful pictures, Michelle … felt like I could reach through the screen and almost taste it. 🙂
Haha Kim, you know all the many items strewn throughout my house? All Phil. Thanks for coming along on this staycation recap. Now I’m “only” two months behind. Sigh…
4 Comments
kim
Oh my goodness. That looks so yummy. What a great staycation. I didn’t realize Phil was the shopper … but yes, it’s coming back to me! Beautiful pictures, Michelle … felt like I could reach through the screen and almost taste it. 🙂
michelletsai
Haha Kim, you know all the many items strewn throughout my house? All Phil. Thanks for coming along on this staycation recap. Now I’m “only” two months behind. Sigh…
James
wow the food looks great. need to check it out with the wifey. mmmm…fooooood…
michelletsai
Yes, definitely check it out with Jami! Belated birthday dinner, James!