Return to the Manitoulin Chocolate Works +Boo Bah Lou Candy Cabin

One thing about Manitoulin Island is that it's very peaceful and quiet out here...

The island is pretty much unspoiled by commercialism and "big box" stores, malls, high rise buildings, and fast food joints. It's such a different way of life from life in the 'burbs in SD.

C thought one last visit to her favorite chocolate place in Kagawong would be nice before we left...

Canada 2012 Day 10 - Corned Beef Torta and return to Mum's Bakery

We arrived super late last night from our epic drive from Ottawa...

After a good night's sleep, we met up with Uncle (C's father) in the kitchen who whipped up some breakfast with a brand of corned beef that is now one of my favorites...

On the way back to the Island

Once again, we hit the open road...

passing by the town of Sturgeon Falls, home of the Step Dance and Fiddle Festival, the sign which was last seen during on our way to Ottawa earlier that week...

Surati Farsan Mart, the Little India Mall & return to Namaste Plaza

Before Christmas time, TC and I went out with MN and her daughters to the Little India Mall in Mira Mesa....

They wanted to try some Indian food and also check out some of the stores there. There was also another ulterior motive for their cultural plunge...

President's Choice

I admit I went a little overboard at Walmart buying all those snacks and candies.

 Right when I thought we were going to leave, C had her husband stop the minivan and park so we could check out this Canadian supermarket, President's Choice...

Return to the Quince Street Bridge

From Little Italy, we took the surface streets to Bankers Hill with the El Cortez looming in the distance...

In the 60's, the El Cortez was the tallest building downtown, according to my dad. It was probably a cool sight to see when they still had their outdoor glass elevator.

Our next stop was a bridge my sis hadn't yet explored and was curious to cross...

Shopping at North Bay - Walmart

It's already 2014 and I am still not done with my Canada 2012 trip posts...

(Somewhere in western Ontario)

I resolve to tie up any loose end and finish those posts this year, haha.

We'd been on quite the journey, traveling out from Ottawa that very morning and then making a few pit stops along the way. This was another one of those much needed breaks before heading back to the Island...

Dessert at Cafe Zucchero

My sis wanted me to try the macs at Cafe Zucchero...

which is conveniently located near the Little Italy sign (the eastern side of India St.).

Nephew #2 is is now obsessed with them and I was curious to try CZ's version...

Return to Pappalecco

After the lackluster early lunch, we headed up to Little Italy...

enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and clear skies. Meanwhile I was enjoying not having to drive...

Return to Ra-Ka-De-Ka Thai Kitchen

Last Friday, we had an appointment at the hospital and decided to have dinner nearby before the appointment...

It had been several years since our last visit and although I couldn't find the coupon, we went anyways since TC was craving her favorite...

Return to Filipino Food & Bakery

Since we were all off on Monday for MLK, TC and I went out with my sis and her boys...

This place was actually our second choice and I hate to say, "I told ya so", but...

Return to Opera Cafe

KD's choice for dessert was the well chosen Opera Cafe...

which we were trying to haul ass  to get  before they closed at 2 pm...

True Food Kitchen

This past weekend, 1/2 of the Educator GF's were on hand to celebrate KD's birthday at a venue of her choice (D was missing that day). In this case, it was a restaurant at the Fashion Valley Mall...

It used to be some restaurant with "Bing Crosby" in the name, then it became "Crocodile Cafe" (or something of that nature), and then something else.

Well, it is now True Food Kitchen and it's right near the restaurant I love to hate, the Cheesecake Factory and a store that we will never shop at, Bloomies (haha)....

No aebelskivers...Cardamom Cafe & Bakery instead!

After Tomboctou, Cathy and I headed out for dessert in North Park, parking behind Jack in the Box. A house in the neighborhood wasn't thrilled about this local fast food joint (read sign below):

I remember reading controversy about the drive through and the neighbors being unhappy with the noise and extra traffic it brought to the neighborhood...

Around the corner, construction was going on...

Back from Tomboctou

Right next to Broke Girls Coffee Bar is this cute little folk art place...

you'd have to be blind to miss the big "Tomboctou" banner next to BCBG's pink one...

San Diego Soup Shoppe

Earlier this month, I was finally able to meet up with Cathy...

we both decided on this little soup place in North Park, one which I'd overlook while driving by on the Boulevard...

Influx Cafe, Golden Hill

While our lunch was pretty substantial at Kafe Sobaka with the snatchy waitress, we managed to pace ourselves and save some room for something sweet at a cafe farther west on Broadway...

where MFH snagged prime parking right in front...(a metered space though, $#%@!)

Return to Kafe Sobaka Restoran Pomegranate

As mentioned earlier, Buona Forchetta was closed for lunch as it was a weekday so we ended up going to our backup plan...

to the next neighborhood down from South Park which was Golden Hill...

At the corner of C and Broadway, you could see the cool sign and the adjacent reflection of the Turf Supper Club. If you go further north on Broadway, you will hit Pizzeria Luigi and Krakatoa. But no, weren't in a Pizza or sandwich mood...

Studio Maureen & The Gallery Next Door

The last full fledged day of my winter break was spent with Mi Firme Heina (MFH)...

We were back in South Park for lunch, but before doing so, wanted to check out this little shop on Beech St.

All the red in the window display attracted me as well as a tiny glimpse of what lay within...

Ethnic Market Round Up: Ranch 99, U-Mart (plus the new Big Joy), Thuan Phat & Northgate

It was fun to see the awesome paintings on these store doors...

These designs were some of the better ones I'd seen...

It looks like someone really took the time to paint these using shading and depicting "movement" somehow with the paint instead of looking like some flat crappy paint by numbers job.

This particular weekend saw me going to several places in search of Vietnamese coffee filters...

Nothing Bundt Cakes in Eastlake and what else is new...

Earlier this month, I got the word that it was finally open...

Nothing Bundt Cakes that is. It had replaced a coffee/smoothie shop which used to be a Coffee, Bean, Tea & Leaf place before. Nothing seems to last in this little corner of Eastlake Village Walk...

TC and I wanted to see what they had and if they had any soft opening freebies...

Matua's Sushi Bar & Islander Grill

[Relocated to the where Sushi on a Roll is, next to Cafe Virtuoso in Barrio Logan. However, the site says that they are temporarily "remodeling" and will reopen 28, 2017]

One of our high school friends posted some party pix on his fb page featuring a new Guamanian restaurant in Chula Vista...

Guamanian? My interest was piqued and then even more so when I learned that the owners of this place were the same folks that did the now defunct Yokozuna's in Chula Vista...

A visit was in order and in tow with me and TC were KD and her daughter...

Sub Zero Ice Cream

Our day was not complete until we tried some dessert...

which was still in Encinitas, but just a few minutes more inland, to a place the serves ice cream in a unique way...

Broke Girls Coffee Bar

[Update - BGCB closed May 2015 and is now Backyard Cafe]

We are such spoiled babies here in San Diego. I didn't even wear my kick ass boots or any sweaters during my winter break.  That's what 70+ weather will do...Unfortunately, break is now over and work resumes once again tomorrow.

After the fun run in with Bart the cat at the Adams Avenue Book Store, we made the short walk to a nearby coffee place...

located just a few steps away next to a locksmith and a folk arts store.

You can't miss seeing the big pink "coffee" banner or the rainbow flag..

Will it work?

All right, Chargers!

*Bolo tie made by one of the ladies at Bert's work

Let's see if they can beat Denver today!

As for the bolo tie good luck charm (currently made popular once again by QB Philip Rivers), that's a fashion statement I kind of wished didn't come back, ha ha. I haven't seen one of those since the mid 80's!

Anyhow, we shall see if the Chargers will proceed in the playoffs!

Update on 1/13/14 - Chargers lost to Denver but they had a good year towards the end!

The Surfing Madonna

A pleasant surprise that day was coming across the infamous Surfing Madonna...

which was actually on our itinerary (yes, I had one, cough cough)...

ROCQ Macarons from Whole Foods, Encinitas

Supe was nice enough to go with me to get some macs from Whole Foods across the street...

Whole Foods is a place I hardly ever go to. It's pricey and the stores are out of my way. But holy $#@&, they had macs from ROCQ, which was like a siren call to me...

Buona Forchetta & Eclipse

Last weekend Kirbie and I had a fab lunch at one of South Park's restaurants...

located on the southeast corner of 30th and Beech...we were both curious about what Buona Forchetta had to offer...

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Liberty Station

While still in beautiful Point Loma, we made our way to Liberty Station...

specifically Barracks 14...

Look for that building and the building with Moment Cycle Sport. Park there and head through the arched hallway...

Bartleby the cat

Earlier last week TC and I were back at the Adams Avenue Book Store to look for a few book gifts...

"May I help you?"

and who should we run into but the orange tabby, known as Bartleby (or Bart for short)...

Both of the book store cats are always there and usually curled up somewhere  sleeping or basking in the sun but today, Bart was out and about...

Moonlight Beach

Before going to our next destination. we took a short stroll along S. Coast HWY 101 with Supe...

I wanted to check out some of the shops and window displays...

The walk was also an excuse to walk off our lunch! Supe also wanted to show us his favorite beach...

Solace & the Moonlight Lounge

From Vista, we headed back down the 5 to get to this beach side community...

We were going to meet our good friend Superman for lunch at a venue of his choice...

Assorted food gifts...or why it's great to have food bloggers as friends!

This post detailing food or food related gifts is a little late but better late than never I say.

t's always nice getting unexpected treats like these, from the always charming Jenny of Jenny Wenny Cakes whom I met up with before Christmas time...

Danny's Donuts

Another donut post is in order, this time all the way up in Vista...

We were going to be up north anyways since we were meeting Superman for lunch in Encinitas.

I figured, we'd go here first before our lunch. Man, it was nearly an hour driving up from Chula Vista to get here...

a small donut shop on the corner of S. Sante Fe Ave and Eucalyptus...

Postcard view of San Diego

There was a post from Mary a few months ago featuring a spectacular view of San Diego from a vantage point in Point Loma...Bert and I resolved to find that view today. But first...

the scenic route from Harbor Drive to Point Loma, passing by the city's new downtown Library...

Panchita's - Barrio Logan & a VoG sighting

Totally buzzed from all that caffeine from Cafe Moto, we made our way along Logan Ave past the historic murals of Chicano Park...

near the shadow of the San Diego's iconic Coronado Bridge...

If you are coming of the Crosby ext from the 5 freeway to the bridge, the bakery would be in that first small mini market area that you see.

Donut Touch, Scripps Ranch

Last week when N was in town, we met up, along with Ms. Lollypop at a friend's home in Scripps Ranch for brunch.

Our friend lives in Scripps Ranch, a neighborhood I hadn't been to in years. As we were driving along, TC noticed a donut shop across from this strip mall...

A Rosca from Pancho Villa's Farmer's Market

Earlier today TC and I went out for lunch and stopped by here before going home...

Pancho Villa's is right off the 805 and El Cajon Blvd exit and is a market I haven't  yet explored...until today, that is.

Cafe Moto

After our relaxing lunch at Lezzet Cafe, we headed over to a coffee shop in Barrio Logan, but not before passing by this awesomely named  metal fabrication business, Chingon!!!

For those of you that know Spanish or have Mexican friends who speak Spanish, you will know this word....unless that is you only know polite and proper terms and your Mexican friends don't cuss. Mine do.

Holiday window paintings and Pinoy Fiesta

This particular weekend we made a quick stop at Save a Lot to pick up some hominy for pozole...

The store's windows were painted with holiday greetings...

They also had Feliz Navidad but it was by an orange bin which were 4 lbs for a dollar and was swarmed surrounded by customers...

We needed to get to National City to get some new flooring at a local carpet place...

Gemmae Bakeshop, return to Vinh Hung & Lucky Seafood

One thing that I noticed while driving around in Mira Mesa is that it is full of strip mall. This is one I hadn't been to in awhile, the one with the Target...

I was actually here for Vinh Hung (which we refer to as "Wun Hung Low, heh heh, and yes, totally un-PC) which is behind the Target...

Opera Cafe & Patisserie

It's been nice being on vacation and having lunch with friends...On this particular day, I met up with Mary up in Manila Mesa.

at a place I'd been wanting to try for quite awhile. I've had their macs at various farmer's markets and they used to have a cafe downtown but it's now called Operacaffe. I don't think it's affiliated with this place.

We met early to beat the lunch rush and boy was I glad that we did because when we left, the cafe and the parking lot were packed...