San Diego for $250 or Less!

Sometimes all we have is a "stay-cation" for one reason or another.  More often then not, its due to lack of time for a proper vacation or lack of "mula" (money LOL).

If you are willing to forgo the luxuries of the Westin and get out of your comfort zone, I guarantee you will have a good time.

Lodging:  DOLPHIN MOTEL ($60/night queen bed) *Rates may vary

*Free Parking, Free Continental Breakfast and Great Reviews on Trip Advisor)

Cuisine:

HARAR ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT (North Park)
*Large Vegetarian Entrees go for about $9.99 (some less) and are sharable. Plus its fun to eat with your hands.


EL ZARAPE (University Heights)
*99 Cent Fish Tacos (which come highly recommended by many)



THE KEBAB SHOP (Downtown)
*Falafel $6.50, Kebab Dinner Plates $8-$10.



Activities:

Walk around The Gaslamp Quarter

Rent bikes for $10 an Hr @ Wheel Fun Rentals

Visit the USS Midway if you feel like a little splurge ($18 Adults, $10 Kids) Flight Simulators $8 per person.

Enjoy your stay-cation!

20 Facts about me

1. My favorite part about travel is actually the research & anticipation of the trip.
2. I have a phobia of flying (Ironic, I know) any little bit of turbulence, I think we're going down.
3. My favorite city is Lisboa
4. My favorite country is Spain
5. If I don't go anywhere in a few months, I get anxious and bored.
6. I'm a total foodie, but love street food
7. Australia is NOT on my Bucket List
8. I have a nitch for finding amazing travel deals
9. I can easily walk 5 miles per day in Europe (in heals)
10. I never wear flats, and the few times I did, my feet hurt.
11. I wish I spoke Italian & Japanese (I do however speak English & Spanish)
12. I will save money on everything in order to satisfy my Travel Obsessions.
13. My son has more stamps on his passport than I did at his age.
14. One day, I will travel without having researched EVERYTHING! Promise!
15. I love, love to throw stuff out... and sometimes, I needed it!
16. The only thing I have a hard time getting rid of, are Hotel & Airplane amenities (I love to collect them)
17. Travelling "Light" makes me feel like a Frequent Flyer
18. I make conversation with anyone who will listen
19. I love to travel "Solo" although I was scared the 1st time.
20. I never had so much beer as when I went to Ireland!

David Burke's Primehouse-Chicago

Chicago... known for its amazing architecture and of course, a foodie's paradise.  Here is my opinion on the places we dined while in the city over Thanksgiving weekend.

David Burke's Primehouse (Thanksgiving dinner - Pre-fix menu)

Its hard to judge a steakhouse when you didn't really have any steak, but there's a good reason for that.  Being Thanksgiving night, I really didn't think it would be the best night to sample on of there dry aged meats, as I am very picky, and did not want to be dissapointed. I was rather sure they would be focusing on the Pre-fix menu which included all the obvious for a night like this:  Turkey (white and leg confit), sweet potato mash, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce and dessert.

Appetizers: My son ordered the scallops and as usual, his choice was a good one.  They were very good, perfectly cooked.  (Future foodie!)

I Ordered the Steak Tare Tare which I loved.  It came with Shrimp tempura which were tasty but overcooked.

Lobster Salad:  Huge chunks of Lobster were well appreciated, but lacking a good amount of acidity.

Pumpkin Soup:  Too thick and I would have liked it a bit more savory, as the sweet notes were very predominant.  But good.

Salad with Cranberries & walnuts: I didn't taste it, as it was my moms, and I was really not in the mood for anything green... she said it was good, but a salad nonetheless.  Nothing spectacular.

Turkey:  was good, nothing to write home about... (honesty, my mom makes the best tasting with lovely notes of mushroom & white wine) and DB's did not even come close...and it tasted a bit gamey.

Salmon: My son ordered this and it was cooked to perfection, albit missing some acidity... we both agreed that a little lemon would of made it much better... such a simple addition, but it was missed.

Green Beans: raw!... need I say more... they were beyond crunchy... I didn't send them back, but I should of.

Stuffing, Sweet potato mash with toffee bits: Stuffing was well seasoned and moist, but traditional.  Sweet potato mash was mixed with regular potato, which I appreciated, making the dish less sweet and although I loved it combined with the toffee, it stuck to your teeth, not pretty.

Desserts:  Apple cheesecake was the best, nice cream cheese notes with a nice acidity from green apples.  The crust was sweet and very good (and I usually leave it) but this one was good.
Profiteroles: The shell was not crunchy outside, and the inside was a bit undercooked... not impressed, and we did not finish it.
Creme Brulee: for me, it was not dense enough, however, i know this is not the same version as the Spanish one, which in turn is more so.  but nonetheless, it tasted a bit eggy and not enough caramelized sugar on top.

Overall, I'd say the food as a whole was average.  I will give it another chance on  my next trip to Chicago and will order the dry aged steak.  However, I thought it was a good deal for the price, being Thanksgiving: $45 for adults, $15 for children.

PORTUGAL PICTURES

Portugal is one of my favorite countries in Europe, and one that I hope to visit again.  The History of a country that was years ahead in Sea Exploration, the quaint and charming streets and buildings, the amazing views, the warm people, the food... I could go on and on!... Oh, and did I mention that its the least expensive country to visit in Europe?...Just walking through the different areas of Lisboa, which is set on 7 hills, you sort of get taken back in time, however, the Portuguese people are very modern and dress to impress!...
something I didn't really see coming.

My room at Zuzabed Bed & Breakfast (it was incredible, with Luis being an incredible host!)

Rossio Square - My B&B was waayy up all those stairs...I didn't count them, but its more than 100!)

Rossio Square - at the foot of my B&B Zuzabed... after walking down the100+ steps

Jeronimos Monastery

Triumphal Arch - Praca de Comercio

Praca de Comercio - Lisboa

99% of the Streets are steep like this!

One of the Many Amazing Viewpoints of Lisboa

My TripAdvisor Friend Judy

Typical Electrico Tram

Another View of  the street right outside my room

Quinta da Regaleira, - Sintra, Portugal

Quinta da Regaleira - Passageways (bring a flashlight, its dark in there)

Quinta da Regaleira (you could really spend all day here, its incredible)

Castelo dos Mouros - Sintra

The Coast, Portugal

Sunset from Ponto Final Restaurant (amazing comforting food & views) its really a must go!)

Ponto Final Restaurant - "Tomato Rice" cooked directly in the clay pot. Superb flavors and make sure you scrape the bottom of the pot, it may not be too fancy, but its the best part, the slightly caramelized rice and broth stuck at the bottom. Yummy!!

Museo dos Coches

Traditional Portuguese Pastry - Pasteis de Nata (Crunchy base & Creamy Yummy Custard)

View of the Hills from my Bed & Breakfast Room (Notice the Castle in the Background) How many places have a view like this, hu?

MADRID PICTURES

Reina Sofia Museum - Salvador Dali - "El Enigma de Hitler

Reina Sofia Museum - Angeles Santos Torrolea - "Un Mundo" (Notice the Cabaret & Women of the Night at the bottom of the Painting)

...And the Rich at the top of the painting...

Plaza Mayor

Juana la Loca - Best ever, ever! Runny Tortilla with Caramelized Onions! (Sorry Mom, yours is good too!) LOL

Very Expensive Abanicos

Catedral de Toledo - Papa Juan Pablo II (loved him)

Streets of Toledo

Streets of Toledo

Tapas & Wine Tour Group

Chocolateria San Gines

Casa Lucas - Creamy Rice, Boletus, Foie Gras, Poached Egg! AMAZING!

Catedral de la Almudena

 

Roquefort Cheesecake, Walnuts, Figs & Red Wine

As my contribution to our family's 1st annual "Pre - Thanksgiving gathering" potluck, Roquefort Cheesecake seemed as a fitting option, and rather reflective of my personality... God forbid I actually create something normal for a change. Well, who wants to be normal? That's boring! ...
So, if you dare (and you should!) here's the recipe for this wonderful, tasty, savory, nutty inventive appetizer.


Roquefort Cheesecake


1/2 C Dry Plain Bread Crumbs
3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
1/2 C Chopped, Toasted Walnuts


3/4 Lb Roquefort Cheese
1 1/4 Lb Cream Cheese
3 Shallots, minced and sauteed
4 Eggs
2 Tbsp Flour
2 Oz Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp Chopped Dill


*Pre-heat oven to 300 Degrees.


*Melt butter in pan, add the bread crumbs until slightly toasted.  Remove from heat and add the walnuts.
Stir the mixture to evenly distribute butter, bread crumbs and walnuts and press into the bottom of a 9 in. Springform pan.


*Cut a a strip of parchment paper 28in X 3in and place this collar around the sides of the pan.


*Blend both cheeses in a food processor until completely smooth and lump free.
add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Place in springform pan and even out the mix.


*Place the springform pan a water bath (make sure the water is hot) and place in the middle rack of a 300 Degree oven for 40 to 50 minutes.


*When done (it will still be jiggly, but it will set as it cools down) turn off the heat and leave in the oven for 30 minutes, then place the cheesecake on the counter, remove the sides of the pan, carefully remove the parchment paper and allow to finish cooling down. (about 1 hr).


Figs & Red Wine


*Place dried figs in small pan along with 2C of red wine, 1/2 C sugar and 1/4C Balsamic Vinegar. 
cook until figs are tender and the sauce has reduced.  Serve on top of Cheesecake.


Serve along side a salad of mustard greens or with mini toasts.


Enjoy!

DX Peruvian Restaurant - Santa Ana

After a hard day of shopping and catching up on the gossip with my sister, she decided to take me to this Peruvian restaurant in front of South Coast Plaza called DX Peruvian Restaurant.
Us two, along with her 2 cuttie toddlers choose to sit outside, relax and enjoy some tasty Peruvian cuisine in hopes to drown the gilt of how much we had just spend on the morning's shopping! LOL

The kids had a very traditional simple combo kids eat in Peru called "Salchipapas" ... for those few who don't get the simple compound word (you know who you are!) ... its Salchichas (hot dog wieners mixed with Papas or French Fries)... Nothing mind blowing for sure, but a nice change of pace from the usual suspects in kids menu's I thought.

The adults in the bunch decided on the "Saltado" I choose the Lomo (red meat) and Sis of course the much healthier option, Chicken Breast.

Both combined with an amazing, tasty broth, tangy wedges of tomato, sweet red onions and mixed with french fries and a side of white rice; which really could have been avoided all together, as it didn't add anything to the dish.  If there was a fault, I'd have to say, that would be the only one.
I much preferred the Lomo to the Pollo dish, but nonetheless, both amazing and great value's at $14.95 for the beef and $12.95 for the Chicken options.

Prior to the main dishes, they bring out this bright greens sauce, and bread and trying to decipher what was in the sauce, we realized we consumed all the bread.... and still, had not figured it out. So we resorted to the next best thing... our waitress.  She informed us that the main ingredient was Lettuce!... Lettuce, really?  for a sauce?... wow, OK... that's why we couldn't figure it out... who would think you can make such a tasty sauce with lettuce as a base?... it was really good, not too spicy and very creamy.

Will definitely come back! Check it out for your self. 

Pollo Saltado

Lomo Saltado

Salchipapas

Salsa Verde made with Lettuce & Bread