love & sushi

Happy Valentine's Day.  While I have my own opinions with this manufactured holiday, I have no problems using it as an excuse to get together with our friends and celebrate our love, of sushi.  It has turned into somewhat of a tradition to get together each Valentine's Day, break out the mats, and roll away over some crisp wine and good conversation.  Each year the selection expands, and new ingredients make an entrance.  This year the hit was shitake mushrooms and thinly sliced lemons.  We all fumbled, squished and sculpted our own rolls, but none turned out better than Kelly's hand rolls (pictured above).  They were real beauties, and quite tasty too!

M+M: MIHO, farm-to-street

It’s always interesting to watch the infiltration of food trends take over a city, sprouting up and giving each other a run for their money.  The focus use to be on gastropubs (in San Diego, think Neighborhood, Corner Bar, etc), where the average pub fare (like burgers) took on new meaning through presentation, ingredients and flavor.  And then over the last year, culinary creations took to the road in the form of food trucks.  Using social media to identify locations (Kogi Truck in LA), becoming the center of nationally televised competitive reality show (The Great Food Truck Race), and creating a craze for delectable on the fly fare. 

Last year, I attended the grand “opening” of the MIHO Gastrotruck, a creation from San Diego foodies Kevin Ho and Juan Miron.  Parked in the back lot of a north Little Italy business, they transformed the grassy yard into a picnic celebration, with music, a bar and of course food from MIHO.  Drawing a decent crowd, people lingered enjoying the gorgeous evening and grazing on the fresh fare.   

They continue their farm-to-table cuisine seen at their North Park eateries, the Linkery and El Take It Easy,  stressing the importance of locally sourced and ethically produced ingredients.   Stepping outside the brick and mortar restaurant, their farm-to-street philosophy brings affordable and delicious food directly into the community.  Everything is made from scratch, and includes ingredients like fennel pesto aioli.  They have a daily short list of menu items (chipotle chicken tostada, Portobello burger, grass fed burger and a spinach salad), other additions may come with the seasons.  MIHO is normally found in North Park, but to track it down, refer to its schedule on mihogastrotruck.com

*images Megan.Christine

weekend afternoon

*images Megan.Christine


So far, it's been such a delightful weekend in San Diego. With temperatures in the high 70's, we were able to catch some sunshine this afternoon, clad in bikinis, on my girlfriend's balcony.  An added bonus to the weather was the views we caught of the Centennial of Naval Aviation show above the San Diego Harbor.  As we snapped some photos of the various air crafts, I couldn't help but notice this beautiful bright succulent in her planters.  It's fluffy round collection of buds reminded me of a dandelion.

museum access, through google

The other week, a good friend from Seattle emailed me a link: www.googleartproject.com/.  His messages rarely provide explanation, but rather provide the URL to a movie, music show, a new track or an opening.  With a shared love for all things artistic, I always enjoy seeing his name pop up in my inbox.  This particular message contained a link for Google's new Art Project, providing web based access into many of the worlds greatest museums.  Using a drop down, users can pick the specific museum (17 are currently participating) they'd like to explore, such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Uffizi, etc.  The tool allows for general tours, where you can poke around different galleries with 360 degree navigation.  Or, it also allows for the precise examination of specific pieces, allowing all the time and privacy for scrutiny.  There are definitely still some programming bugs and quality control issues that Google still needs to work out.  Resolution of images is not always crisp and some of the tours are blurry smudges on gallery walls.  But, there are also 1,000+ high-resolution images of artworks, which it's creators argue allows for more detail than the naked eye would normally pick up.  The Art Project breaks ground for the artistic online experience.  Despite that many museums have individually worked on virtual projects, Art Project is a portal for easy access into a consolidated database.  It provides access into many institutions that you many otherwise never have the pleasure of experiencing.  It's definitely worth checking out.

M+M: Jimmy's Famous American Tavern

I had lunch today in Point Loma, along the Harbor in San Diego, at Jimmy's Famous American Tavern.  A few months ago, a girlfriend went on a date to J-FAT (as they frequently identify themselves), and came back with rave reviews.  Friday was a gorgeous San Diego afternoon, so I took a couple of co-workers out on a business lunch, and soaked in some sunshine on the patio.  Located in a new building on North Harbor Drive, J-FAT has dock-side access and views of hundreds of boats in the harbor.  Surrounded by a well kept promenade and courtyards, it's also a great place to people watch or take a walk after dining.  The interiors of J-FAT are airy, with large windows and retractable walls, allowing light to fill the space and the breeze to flow through.  Inside, a large bar in the center of the restaurant is flanked by a row of booths and a few dining tables.  There is also a lounge area, with mod couches and kitschy decor.  I was immediately drawn to the large baubles on the contemporary chandelier hung above the lounge.  A large patio and fire pit quickly draw the crowds, with ample options for full exposure or shade, these tables are a prime dining location.  The food did not disappoint either.  I had a tuna poke salad with pickled cucumbers and tossed greens, which was fresh, colorful and flavorful.  As soon as I heard that they make their own ketchup, I couldn't resist plucking one of my coworkers french fries to try it out - and it was delicious and zingy.  They also have a good selection of micro brews, a decent selection of wines and a full bar.  Word on the street is that business has been doing so well that the owner (originally from orange county) may open a second location up in north county coastal- we'll see!
*images Megan.Christine

white enameled game hooks

I got the new anthropologie catalogue in the mail today, and as I flipped through the pages, I came across some new hooks.  In four different designs (an elephant, an ibex, a giraffe and a zebra), these white enameled aluminum hooks, have both function and appeal.  What can I say, I still have a thing for antlers.

pesto greens

Ever since I spotted a delicious pesto dish on the menu at Naked Cafe at lunch today, I have been craving the sweet basil and pine nut mixture.  With little time tonight after yoga to devote to making an elaborate dinner, I decided to wing a creation from the hip, and surprisingly it came out great.  This dish was filled with bright green vegetables, sugar snap peas and arugula, tossed against the neutral palette of brown rice and cannellini beans.  I used a dry sweet basil mix (on most other days I would have made my own pesto since its relatively simple), and added some sauteed garlic and shallots.  The end product hit the exact spot!
*images Megan.Christine