Sunday Disco Brunch

@ Gargoyle's is awesome!

I love going to Gargoyle's for dinner - their signature Hoisin & Honey Glazed Duck dish is just fantastic with rice, mango, cashews, and coconut milk. It's soooo tasty. Cocktails are always great there, and it's even fun to go for an after dinner dessert and a drink.

But I had never checked out their Sunday Disco Brunch - until today. I am officially addicted. It's my favorite brunch in Davis. BF got corned beef hash with eggs, potatoes, and some kind of dijon sauce on top. They brought it out in the skillet it was cooked in. It looked great, but I don't like eggs, BF said it was fantastic though. I got french toast sticks with a strawberry maple salsa and a side of bacon - *yes I realize I don't like eggs, but some how like french toast - only when it's not too egg-y. I'm strange, what can I say?

I thought I loved the stuffed french toast at S&S - this beat that hands down.

Coffee was self serve and pretty tasty, and they had a great selection of breakfast cocktails, and coffee drinks (with booze). And who doesn't love a little disco with their coffee in the morning?

I cannot wait to eat there again next weekend!

Troquet

We went out to eat on Valentine's Day, which often, is a crap shoot. But this year it turned out well. We decided to try Troquet - the location is a little too close to the Alley for me. So I was worried it might me college-y, but luckily it wasn't at all.

First impression was that it had a nice, simple decor with lots of cherry colored wood. They took our coats and led us upstairs - where we were seated 3 tables from the window. We still had a pretty decent view from the windows of the Common. The size of the restaurant reminded me of a row house - it was multiple floors (2) and narrow and long. There were mirrors hung along the walls - which I assume was to make the space seem less narrow - and I think it worked well.

Our waitress came right over and brought us water and explained the specials. We decided to go with the tasting menu with wine pairings. She asked if we were allergic to anything, or disliked anything - to which I said that I hated cucumbers.

As the first course is coming out and being placed on our table by a runner she comes running over to say they put cucumbers on the oysters and was I allergic do I need another one. I said it was ok and I could just scrape them off. I was slightly annoyed about the cucumbers, but it seemed it wasn't her fault and she offered to take it back. I'm used to cucumbers in sushi that I have to pick out so this wasn't much different. One oyster had yuzu, green apple, and wasabi sorbet on it - which was quite tasty. Each course had a wine pairing and she brought us two different glasses of wine - so we could also sample each other's. Which I thought was great - so instead of tasting 5 wines I got to taste 10.

All of the wines we tasted were fantastic - which is good as they are a wine bar. The food was also quite good. My favorite dish was a pasta with mushrooms and truffle oil - it was fantastic. And the Lagostine wrapped in a phyllo pastry shell over a sauce (made of things I forget) was also great. And we had Tuna tartar as one of our courses that I loved as well. The main course was a lamb dish - which was decent, but by this time I was really full, and it wasn't quite as great as the other dishes. Had I just had it on it's own I think I would have enjoyed it, but after tasting so many other things I really, really liked this one wasn't quite as good.

The main entree took a little while to come out. Right before each course our waitress would bring over the two glasses of wine, explain a little about them and point to them on our the wine list. Up until the main course the wines and courses had come out quickly. But at the main course the wine came out quickly, but not the main dish. We ended up finishing the wine before the main dish came out. I think the restaurant just got slammed at this point as the entire restaurant was full and everyone was eating. I was already getting a little full so I didn't mind the delay anyway. However, our waitress was once again fantastic and brought over two more glasses of wine since the food had been delayed and we finished our wine. Dessert was nice and light - which was perfect after a really filing meal.

Overall, they had great service, wine, and food - I would definitely eat here again. Our car was already waiting for us when we got downstairs - even better.

When we were leaving - around 10pm I was shocked to see how packed the streets were, I guess I forgot that Thursday night was the big night out when I was in college. We were really close to the alley so it was just insane with cars and people trying to go into the clubs etc. All I could think about was going to bed - I couldn't believe these people were heading out at 10pm. But 10 years ago that would have been me doing the same exact thing.

Brasserie Joe

We went to Brasserie Joe this weekend with some friends. I had never been there before and I love French food so I hoped it would be good. I know it's been there for a while, but I've never gotten around to eating here. And I have heard the Colonnade has an awesome roof deck and pool to hang out at in the summer. Perhaps this year I will finally check that out as well.

We ordered some martinis - which were super tasty. And shots of patron, but that was the guys...

While we were chatting and having our drinks before we decided what to get they brought over sliced carrots that were marinated in what I thought was parley and vinegar. They were good however they were prepared. And each couple got their own baguette of bread - which was so great - it was warm and quite tasty.

We ordered salad, escargot in garlic butter, and some kind of smoked salmon for appetizers. Which were all good and the entrees were also good. We got steak tartar, sea bass, steak frites and lamb chops. There was enough food that I brought home my dinner for lunch the next day. For dessert we got the classic creme brulee, and something else - which I can't even remember? Hey I had 3 martinis by this point - I'm glad I remember my meal! It's not the best French food I've ever had, but it's definitely solid and the drinks were fantastic. I would definitely go here again.

Highland Kitchen Take 2

I meant to write about this sooner, but forgot to. We went back to Highland Kitchen over the past weekend and it was still packed. Seems like every time we drive by this place it's packed too - which is nice to see in the neighborhood.

The first time we had gone to Highland Kitchen the hostess screwed up our seating somehow - making us wait about 45 minutes after she told us 15-20, then when we asked she realized she had sat someone else (or something not really sure what happened). However the nice bartender, great drinks, and good food made us consider a second visit.

I'm glad we did. The second time around the hostess was fantastic. She sat us promptly - only about a 15 minute wait. Bartender was excellent again and so were the cocktails. We tried some different foot and it was quite tasty. I would like to see the specials change up more frequently (it was the same specials as they had the last time), but the menu seems like pretty decent comfort food and the dishes we've tried so far have been good.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love thanksgiving... until I feel like a whale after consuming 2000 calories in one meal... But that's not going to stop me today, I can just run tomorrow :)

I'm watching the Macy's thankgiving day parade. Cheesy I know, but I've always watched it and I feel like I can't break that tradition now. My boyfriend wants to shoot himself in the head watching this shit. My parents wouldn't let me play my Christmas records (yes really records) until I saw santa at the end of this parade because that was the "official" beginning of the Christmas season. I'm sure it was just a way for them to keep their sanity because otherwise I would have had the sesame street christmas album playing 24/7 all year round. I would sit there the whole parade just waiting for santa. I don't think I paid any attention to the rest of the parade.

Then there is the football on thanksgiving. I don't really get why Dallas and the Lions always get the tday game. I think it should be the Patriots, but maybe I'm biased. My hometown has the oldest high school football rivalry in the country which I think it pretty cool. When I was in high school it was such a huge deal and the powder puff the day before was such a big deal. Funny.

Moonstruck Chocolates

About 4 years ago I saw some show on the Food Network talking about how great the chocolates are at Moonstruck - so I ordered some from their website. They were quite tasty. But shipping chocolates across the country can get expensive. So I only ordered from them twice.

I went to the Natick Collection the opening week - what a zoo that was. Fucking insane. No one can drive - people are tring to enter where it says do not enter and then giving me the finger because I'm coming out (the right way) and they are annoyed I'm not letting them into a do not enter. Idiot assholes. But aside from trying to park at the Natick Collection the rest of the new mall is pretty damn nice. Anyway, opening week walking around there were still a bunch of stores that hadn't opened yet. One was Moonstruck! I was really excited they were coming to the east coast finally.

Today when I was back at the Natick Collection - Moonstruck is open! YEY! So I got 6 chocolates and they sure are tasty.

Kick Ass Cupcakes

So looks like Kick Ass Cupcakes is really taking off... I got a "Zagat Buzz" email yesterday praising them and this new great place in trendy Davis. Not so new for me anymore ;)

They loved the Lucky and the Mojito (which are my two favorites as well).

Kick Ass Cupcakes

One day when I was walking or running (I can't remember which I was doing) through Davis Square - I suddenly see a sign for 'Coming Soon - Kick Ass Cupcakes'. I thought wow that sounds promising. I love cupcakes.

Then I waited... Seems like day after day - maybe even months I ran past there and there was no change. I was afraid Kick Ass wasn't coming soon after all. I was so sad…

On Labor Day I was at a friend's BBQ and the discussion amongst the women turned to: when exactly Kick Ass Cupcakes was going to open. The men were confused they said things like: "It's just a cupcake, what's the big deal?" or "get a piece of cake isn't it the same thing" No no no, my friend, it is not.

A cupcake is like your own little piece of heaven. It's an entire self contained unit with a perfect (if done right) ratio of frosting to cake. And everyone has their own special way of eating one. I personally like to rip it in half and eat the bottom half first - (the cake only part) and then eat the top half that has lots of frosting with a little cake. MMMMM yummy.

The men looked baffled and the women were annoyed they couldn't just accept that women have a love affair with the cupcake. Get over it boys and just accept.

Days later, I was running on my usual route and I it was open! I was sooooo excited! It was pretty packed - mostly with women trying to get their sugar fix on cupcakes.

I ran home and told my boyfriend who once again said "now why is it that cupcakes are so special and we have to run down to this place?" I said because I'm a woman, women loves cupcakes, just accept it. He finally agreed, but also added that these would probably taste the same as every cupcake we've ever tried and not be 'kick ass'. I probably made a face.

So... we get down there that night and it's packed. Once again it’s a 90/10% of women to men ratio. My boyfriend seemed embarrassed I've dragged him "to a cupcake place" - whatever they all know he's with his girlfriend who obviously dragged him there. So we each order one. My expectations are high with a name like kick ass, plus I also don't want to hear flack from the boyfriend if they suck. Because I will never live that one down.

We get home and I bite into my cupcake - the Lucky cupcake - gold cake, vanilla frosting, and candied ginger on top. OMG it TRULY IS A PIECE OF HEAVEN!!! It's one of the best cupcakes I've ever tasted in my life! I think I devour this cupcake it about half a second. And then I'm sad because I only bought one. My boyfriend got a chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting. I notice he also eats his very quickly. He then says "wow that was a pretty awesome cupcake". I said SEEE this is why women love cupcakes!

I had also taken a menu and read each flavor carefully. They all sound so good. I start to plan my next order. I also notice they offer delivery for 12 or more cupcakes. That could come in handy on a very bad day!

So now we go back almost once a week. But now we order 2 each. The folks at kick ass put them in a little bakery box that has one of those coffee like tray holders to keep each cupcake upright and not bumping into the others. Genius!!! Every time we go back it's packed - with that 90/10 ratio but my boyfriend is apparently over that because he's pretty happy to order his 2 cupcakes.

I recommended Kick Ass to another friend (well anyone that will listen to me really), but anyway... She went with a friend and was skeptical. But once they had that little bite of heaven they were hooked. This stuff is like crack. She was also disappointed that she hadn't bought two.

Kick Ass Cupcakes rocks and I hope they become a Davis institution for a long time. I look forward to many more tasty cupcakes. If you go to check it out save being disappointed – order two cupcakes right up front – you won’t regret it!