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Fairmont San Francisco When Don and I learned about the Tonga Bar, we were so excited we switched our evening plans and had an Uber take us to The Fairmont Hotel, instead. Our driver drove us to the top of Nob Hill, but instead of taking us to the classy front entrance, he dropped us on the side. We walked in a side door and got pretty lost. But that was no problem. It was 5pm and the popular lounge had just opened. We weren't in too big of a hurry. The Grand Lobby The Fairmont is a fun place to get lost in. The swirling columns in the lobby did not look very Polynesian. We moved on. Hidden Down Below We found the entrance to the exotic lounge in the basement. There was a crowd, even though the bar had only been open for 5 minutes. There was a line of people, hoping to dine beside the lagoon, when the food service began at 6. The Fairmont Plunge In Pre-Tonga Room days, things looked a little different in the lower level of the hotel. In 1929, a 75-foot swimming pool was added to the hotel. Traveling guests and movie stars, like Ronald Reagan and Helen Hayes, were lured to the new hotel pool! Tropical Paradise By 1945, the pool became a lagoon. That's when MGM set designer, Mel Melvin transformed the area into a tiki themed paradise. A Floating Boat/Bandstand It took a while for our eyes to adjust when we first made our way inside. The blue-green water surrounding the boat, reflected the playful light display above. The Bar It took us a while to figure things out. The tables on both sides of the water were reserved for diners. The bar, housed inside what looked like a pirate ship, had a few available tables. We attempted to grab one, but learned there was a system for bar seating. No seats for us. Hanging By the Lagoon We were totally fine with standing at the railing, near the lagoon. We had a great view of the water. The diners, under their palapas and the mostly younger-than-us-crowd at the pirate bar, gave us some good people watching. And of course we had some very yummy drinks in coconut cups and tall tiki glasses, with lots of umbrellas and fruit. Empty Boat I was very curious about the lagoon's best feature. Back in the day, the boat acted as a floating stage, with an orchestra. The boat was empty and quiet during our visit, but I'm sure it gets put to use on weekends. My Pirate My very own pirate kindly posed for me, so I could capture a little of the bar area, with all its bamboo and ropes. Don was pretty delighted with the place, that he'd just read about hours before. If only we'd had more planning time, we would have dressed in our tropical best. Next time. Rainstorm! We hadn't been in the bar long before we experienced our first storm. There were many of them and the thunder and lightening and rainfall, made us crack up each time. It was very clear which guests were visiting for the first time. They were the ones grinning and attempting photos, like us. Enjoying the Decor Don and I kind of loved our little spot right on the railing, where we could take in all the carved decor and thatched roofs. We were busy taking it all in, when a young couple, asked to share a little of the railing space. They turned out to be a delightful pair and we swapped lots of stories. Sharing the Railing We were glad to that our new friends were just as giddy over all the tropical gimmicks, as we were. They had seen The Tonga Bar featured on Anthony Bourdain's show and were excited to finally make a visit, themselves. They couldn't stay long, since they were going to see a friend perform Flamenco at another club. They invited us along and we were tempted to add Spain to our international evening. But we had plans for dinner in Chinatown. Next Time We hardly had time to scratch the surface at The Fairmont, but it was time to move on. We waited for our Uber, under the blowing flags. We will definitely come back for some Polynesian dining next time. Maybe we can stay the night... if we win the lottery.
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Thai Adventure in Mexico! Today I'm going back in time to remember one of the best dining surprises we had in Mexico. It was in April of 2016. Don and I were nearing the end of a 2-week adventure, traveling in Mexico. We found ourselves wandering La Isla, a very touristy shopping center in Cancun. We were so ready for something besides tacos and enchiladas, when we spotted Thai Lounge. Bar in the Aquarium We were greeted by the hostess, who walked us through the bar towards the dining huts. I caught sight of a dolphin's tail, but didn't have a chance to snap a photo. We should have started our evening there. Tropical Oasis We followed our hostess on the winding paths, past the lit palapas. I wanted to stop and stare into each cozy dining area. But that would have been a little rude. Peeking Later Later, I wandered a little and snapped a few photos. I loved the round table, surrounded with pillows. Rows of Tables One section held smaller tables, with glowing candles. It was so dark, I couldn't tell where the lagoon was. But I could feel the breeze blowing over the water, rustling the palms. It was a beautiful, balmy night. Our Palapa My camera flash, added a harsh light to our cozy dining palapa. We were pretty giddy, to have been seated in our own dining hut! Smiling Don Don graciously put up with my camera. Not only did I get a photo, to help remember our evening... ...but we also got a brief moment of illumination! It had been so dark, that our sweet server had to pull out a flashlight at one point. Our dimly lit bungalow was peaceful and exotic! Feasting Don and I have loved Thai food for many years, but we were also gearing our tastebuds for an upcoming trip. We were looking forward to our first visit to Thailand, 8 months off. Our lovely server in her silk Thai attire, spoke little English or we would have asked more questions. She smiled and bowed, pointed to the menu when we asked questions... smiled some more. We hoped this was a hint of what our upcoming trip would be like. Not Too Spicy We were able to ask for less spice in our dishes. I had a vegetarian Pad Thai that was delicious. Don's chicken entree and our chicken saute appetizer, were both cooked perfectly, with exotic flavors... that I can no way describe! Dramatic Restroom A trip to the Ladies Room gave me a chance to peek around. I just had to snap a photo of the blowing curtains. Luckily this did not cause privacy issues. Chefs at Work I loved this dramatic wall. The opening revealed the chefs at work and I wish I could have stood there for an hour. Over the Lagoon I wandered a bit further and spotted some tables that might be fun for the future. Although, I really did love our jungly setting, with a breeze and gentle fan blowing from our hut's ceiling. Last Photo Our server told us her name. She laughed when I tried to say it. She brought our bill in a little hinged box. She had to help with her flashlight once more, when Don couldn't read it. Before leaving, she offered to take our photo. I so love when a server makes the offer... so Don can't blame me for embarrassing him!
Thinking back on this trip, I am more than ready to return to Mexico... or Thailand! Road Trip Dining in New Mexico! Don and I were traveling through New Mexico in September. We weren't hungry for lunch yet, but Don suddenly grew worried. "We'll be out of New Mexico in less than 2 hours and we never tried a Frito Pie!" (Supposedly, this food delight was invented in NM) I quickly searched the internet and found the perfect place! Since 1967 I was pretty delighted when we pulled in the lot! It looked like the iconic drive-in hadn't changed much, since it opened in 1967. Although there was no curb service, we could have eaten in the car, under any of the shady roofs. But we'd had enough car time. Walk Up Window We parked and headed to the walk up window. A smiling face peered out, so I asked if I could take a photo. The cheery person answered, as she moved away from the window... "Sure! Take as many as you like... just not of me!" The good humored woman teased another employee, to pose for my photo. I could tell we were going to have some fun. Busy Kitchen After snapping the window pic, Don and I headed for the door. We wanted to eat inside where all the action was. There were at least 5 people working in the tiny kitchen behind the counter. Photos on Display Alma, who was the first to greet me in the window, welcomed us. "Be right with you!" That gave me a minute to study the display of framed photos. When Alma turned to take the order, she pointed with enthusiasm. "Those are my parents." Cars at the Drive-In Jeannette, who had played along and posed in the window, was also glad to see me admiring the photos. "That's a picture of my car! Last week we had a big group of low riders that stopped here." There were a few car photos, so I'm not sure if this is her car Kitchen Talk Don and I announced that we had come, to sample a Frito Pie! The kitchen seemed eager to help us out. Luckily there was a short lull, with no new diners arriving. While our order was prepared, we had lots of time for kitchen banter. Gerald, (who is Alma's sister) teased from the grill, when I asked to take some photos. "No!" He answered with a lame scowl. Then he smiled as big as his Dad, in the photo. Want to Buy a Restaurant? The activity behind the counter was loud and playful. Gerald pretended to be annoyed when I asked for another photo, since the first one was blurry. He asked more than once if we wanted to buy the restaurant. He hammed it up, as if he'd had enough of the stresses of ownership. But Gerald and the rest of the crew seemed to be having a pretty good time. I wasn't convinced they would sell. Frito Pie Time Suddenly our Frito Pie was handed to us in a paper bag. We chose 2 of the 10 red stools and got ready for our feast. We said hello to our fellow diners, hoping to strike up conversation and continue the fun. But they answered my question with one word, "California." Clearly they were not about the whole experience. We left them alone. The Pie Don and I grinned at each other as we opened the bag and pulled out a Styrofoam cup and a paper bundle, secured with a toothpick. I wondered why our feast wasn't being served in a Fritos bag. I pulled off the lid and pushed the spoon down, past some melted slices of cheese. How curious. When I lifted the spoon, it held a soupy mixture of red chili, cheese and a few Fritos, that were just beginning to soften. Hmm? We could have added shredded lettuce and tomatoes, but we were quickly starting to enjoy the "soup" just as it was. This hardly seemed like a pie of any kind. The crazy goodie in a cup, was pretty yummy. We passed it back and forth. "I like how the Fritos are absorbing the chili!" "This tastes so much better than it looks!" On Our Way Before heading out, we made sure to let the whole crew know that we'd enjoyed our Frito Pie and our visit. There was a little more chatter... about the Houston Astros... about some of the favorite guests who have visited the drive-in... about the summer weather... By the time we got in the car, a new wave of diners had arrived. Whether they were regulars or travelers, I hoped that they would appreciate the place like we did.
It's always nice to see a happy, family owned business! When Gerald and Alma's parents opened up over 50 years ago, I wonder if they guessed their kids would be running the place in 2018. I would love to have heard some stories about the siblings earliest memories at the drive-in. Maybe next time! Signs in Johnson City There are a couple of signs that I love, in Johnson City. The first one reminds us, when we are nearing LBJ's hometown. The second, is the sign reminds us that we are in the Texas Hill Country. The sign also brags about the World's Best Chicken Fried Steak... Nearly 3 Dozen Sold! New Paint The chicken fried steak sign caught our attention about 10 years ago when we were traveling with the kids. They were amused by the humor, of 3 dozen sold. They were also hungry. So we had lunch and as I recall, the chicken fried steak was decent. In April, Don and I stopped again. I noticed the sign had been painted and the words about chicken fried steak were missing. But we were hungry for something lighter. Lunch in April We arrived on a cool and gloomy weekday. The dining felt pretty cozy, although the area looked larger than I remembered. There were enough booths and tables to seat all of Johnson City. Well maybe not quite. Bar There was a bar in the other room and I didn't remember that. Our server told us it was open a couple times a week. Regulars We took a seat in the booth near the window. That way we got to keep an eye on all the regulars who were congregating. Don and I were beginning to feel pretty young, amongst the retirees. Table Stuff Each table had a curious pole and block system that I never figured out. I think when the place is busy, the blocks can signal the server in some way. But I only saw the block being used as a paper weight, for the check. I had meant to ask before we left and now I'll never know. Menu on a Bag
Lady Bird Breakfast Anytime Wandering Our lingering after lunch, was really what made our visit memorable. We finished eating and began looking around at some of the intriguing decor. There was a cupboard, that might have inspired the restaurant's name. There were antiques and knickknacks and a case of baked goodies. It was when I stopped to study the trio of LBJ plates, that the owner struck up a conversation. Sandra I believe Sandra, was the name of the owner. She was gracious and friendly as she filled us in on the restaurant's history. I wish I had taken notes, when she told a story about the day Lady Bird Johnson came to dine. A secret service agent had arrived early and asked about renting out the whole space. A bit later, Mrs. Johnson and family arrived, to enjoy a meal. Sandra said the whole group had been very relaxed and kind. Mrs. Johnson even autographed a menu. More Chatting at The Cupboard Sandra talked about her reaction to Johnson City, when she moved there, years ago. It was hard for me to imagine anyone thinking of Johnson City as a city. J.C. has fewer than 2,000 residents, now. Sandra's hometown of Bryce had a population of 15, the last I checked. So it's easy to see how she could have found it hard to adjust to a busier community. By the time we pulled off, the lot was fairly empty. We were feeling good about our nice little dining adventure. It ended up having a lot more to do with people, than food.
Midway, Utah Don and I found ourselves in Midway, Utah in August. We didn't have time to stop for a meal at the old Homestead Resort. But, we did make time to grab our traveling cookbook and head inside for a peek. The Cookbook This is the crazy book, (put out by Ford Motor Company) that has led us to some curious places and some fun people encounters. As we walked across the lawn, I studied the illustration in the 1963 cookbook. The columns were still there. The circle of grass was there, with a fountain in the middle... and the mountains were back there... somewhere. The Property
Exploring The Homestead Don and I walked towards the main house and stepped inside. There was little vintage charm to the remodeled lobby, so we headed down a knotty pine hallway and found an interesting display of historic photos. Chicken Livers! It was about 5, when we headed for the restaurant. We weren't interested in eating, but we were a little curious to see if they still served this fine recipe for Chicken Livers with Bordelaise Sauce. Don and I both liked everything about the recipe, except the liver. Dining Room & Bar The dining room was quiet and the hostess was not all too welcoming. When we asked if the bar was open, she handed us menus. "Well, we're only licensed as a restaurant, so you'll have to eat something." She could tell we weren't from Utah. Quiet at the Bar There was no bartender on duty and the lovebirds seated at the end, pretended we weren't there. I could tell we were not going to have any fun with the cookbook. When the hostess came to take our food and drink order, I told her I didn't see any chicken livers on the menu. I had already guessed that our hostess would not be a bit amused by the vintage book and recipe. I was right. I pointed to the cookbook page and grinned. "You used to!" Awkward pause. Then I asked if we could split a cup of soup. Cookbook Failure Don and I shared a cup of broccoli soup and it was actually delicious. We sipped our wine and beer and I laughed at my failed attempt with the cookbook. The Chef Gets It!
"No, we don't make this." He said with another chuckle. "But we could!" He stood a while and mentioned a few ingredients that would make the recipe better. "Would you eat it if I made it?" I paused and admitted, "No." He grinned and took one last look at the book cover, before handing it back. "By the way," I said, pointing to the empty cup. "That soup is amazing!" Good Bye Maybe that wasn't top on our list of cookbook adventures. But our brief little soup dining adventure ended well. The chef's yummy soup and his genuine delight with the book, made us put The Homestead on the list, for next time!
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The Dining Blog
This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food. Below, you can read how this started. On July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year! (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to join me, on some unusual dining adventures. I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise. Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining. I have continued blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned along the way! Locations and types of dining adventures, are listed further down. Archives
November 2023
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