Eric and I were up early, because we were picking Jimmy up at the airport at 9:35am. His flight was on time (how unusual!) and we are only 10 minutes from the airport, but we had never been there before, so we left plenty of time, in case we got lost.
We got there by 9:15am and pulled over by Terminal 1 to wait for Jimmy’s call, letting us know he had arrived. He called and we told him which way to walk to find us, and there he was, with his little suitcase on wheels! We got on I-5 and went to IHOP in Pacific Beach.
All photos in today's blog were taken by the fabulous Jimmy Donahue!
I had New York Cheesecake pancakes (not as cheesecake-y as I would have liked, but still good). Jimmy had pumpkin pancakes (he loves pumpkin flavoring) with sausage, egg and hash browns; Eric got nut and grain pancakes with bacon, egg and hash browns.
Except for this one!
After breakfast, we got back in the car, but just drove down the block, because Jimmy wanted to go to the beach. We found a spot, and walked along the boardwalk. We saw a cute, little Christmas tree (it was about 2 feet tall) and Jimmy took a picture of us standing next to it.
A great mural in Pacific Beach:
When we walked away, a man and woman approached us and asked us if we liked their tree. Turns out they put one there every year and decorate it. Then, they leave food and gifts for homeless people. It was kind of sad, but sweet. Eric was wearing a DOORS t-shirt (as usual) and they commented that they liked it. The man ran over, grabbed a guitar and started playing LOVE ME TWO TIMES (a classic DOORS song). He sang and played for a few minutes – and he sounded great! They told us they play music and I asked where (thinking we could go see them play at a bar or something). He said, “Right here!” Which was also sad, but sweet.
Mosaic octopus:
We walked along the water, passing fancy hotels and beautiful apartment buildings, both with views we can only dream of. I’m not a beach person, but I’d sure like to live somewhere where you could look out the window every day and watch the waves rolling on the beach. The problem with the San Diego beach is that there aren’t any seashells – but there’s lot of seaweed washed up on the shore, so the water’s edge is not very pretty. The water is really blue and clean looking.
Eric and I have only been here a month, and we never go to the beach, so we hadn’t been here before. We were amazed at how many people were surfing. At least 100! We walked along the pier and watched them for a while. The water must be REALLY cold and, even though they’re wearing wet suits, their feet and hands must FREEZE! Not for me! I hate the water, and being cold. Eric doesn’t mind the water, or being cold, but he’s really afraid of sharks.
After walking along the water for a while, we walked down some of the blocks and went in and out of the stores. Then, we passed by BELGIAN FRIE – one of those fabulous place to buy French fries with dipping sauces. Even though we had just had breakfast an hour ago, I HAD to have some (there goes my diet!). We went inside and ordered three small orders. I had mine with horseradish mayonnaise; Eric had creole mayonnaise and Jimmy had chipotle ketchup. They were SO good and the order was SO big, I can’t believe it was called SMALL! While we were there, the owner came in. Her name is Marcelle Hawkins. She started talking to Jimmy, telling him she thought it was so clever that we were using a stool as a table! We ARE so clever!
After stuffing ourselves with delicious pommes frites (French for French fries!), we walked some more and then got back in the car and continued the tour of Pacific Beach. We took Jimmy down GARNET AVENUE and went into THE HIGH ROAD (the store where our friend, Tony, works. Unfortunately, Tony was off today, but we talked to the manager and looked at all the great stuff they sell.
Then, we went into the CEREBRAL PALSY THRIFT SHOP and the GOODWILL THRIFT SHOP, both of which were a disappointment. We’re just into vintage – not thrift!
Cute little bungalos you can rent -- right on the pier!
We finally got back in the car and came to the apartment. We gave Jimmy the 5 minute tour (which is two minutes longer than the tour of the RV!). He loved the apartment and said he couldn’t believe we’ve just been here for 3 weeks. He said we’ve done more in 3 weeks than he’s done in a year-and-a-half.
We relaxed for a while, looking on the computer to find a place to eat tonight. Jimmy was also helping me “clean up” the computer by deleting files and he taught me how to “defrag” (don’t ask) the computer. I’m hoping it will run better now! Sometimes, it’s VERY slow!
We left the house at 5:15pm, because we had an early reservation at AZUL LA JOLLA a fabulous restaurant on a block FILLED with fabulous restaurants!
The Spanish-style building was sparking with tiny white lights. The tiled steps leading to a courtyard were blue, white and terra cotta. We went inside the restaurant and were taken to a table right by a big window, looking over a canyon. It was so elegant. There were three people sitting at the next table – an old woman (whose birthday they were celebrating), her daughter (who was probably in her 50s, and her husband). The younger woman was wearing a white mink jacket. Eric asked how you could eat while wearing fur. The “birthday girl” was wearing a ring with a stone that was the size of a doorknob. It was pretty dark, but it looked like it was either amber or topaz. It was a biggie!
We started with four appetizers:
1. Maryland Soft-Shell Crab Fritter with pea tendril & far far, kiwi and papaya salad.
2. Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Tartare – sashimi-grade tuna, napa cabbage and soy-ginger vinaigrette;
3. Oak Roasted Oysters Trump with pernod creamed spinach & tarragon glacage topped with black truffle caviar; and
4. Togarashi blackened scallops with tangerine salad and avocado coulis.
Can you tell this was a fancy place? We have NO idea what pea tendril, far far, glacage and coulis are, but it was ALL very delicious! (Jimmy says “far far” is a long, long way to run!)
For the entrée, I had Live Maine Lobster Risotto (Maine lobster chunks cooked in creamy Arborio rice with parmesan. I think it was one of the most delicious meals I ever had. I LOVE risotto, and this was fantastic, but with the chunks of lobster (and there weren’t just a few), this was so good that, as my mother always says, “My mouth was having a party!”
Eric had Five Spice Orange Glazed Muscovy Duckling Breast with Indian harvest rice, buttered spinach and sunchoke emulsion. He loved it!
Jimmy had the fire-grilled, free-range Airline Chicken Breast with rosemary garlic roasted potatoes, buttered aspiration, and marsala cream sauce.
We were stuffed and running a little late, so we didn’t have any dessert. We drove a few minutes to LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE in the MANDELL WEISS THEATRE, (which is on the campus of the University of California at San Diego. The theater is really beautiful.
I couldn’t wait for the show to start. I was SO excited to see CRY BABY. I haven’t seen a show in months and getting to see a big new musical – before it heads to Broadway – was really amazing.
We all enjoyed every minute. The show is colorful (great costumes and scenery), fast-paced, funny, and the music gets your feet tapping. We agreed it will be a big hit on Broadway. The cast was excellent and the choreography was top-notch.
Since Eric is riding early tomorrow morning, we headed right home, so he could get everything ready for his ride. We relaxed, drank some Peach Fresca (refreshing!) and watched TV. Jimmy will be trying out the sofa sleeper tonight. We will get his review tomorrow morning!
This is my last day in my 40s. Tomorrow, I will be 50 years old!