Costa Mesa Omelette Parlor

Ben's last minute business trip to Newport Beach turned into a really fun surprise get a way for me and the kids. We enjoyed a weekend of total relaxation lounging at the pool and hangin' at the beach. We also got to go visit my friend Miss from H.S. and spend the day together while the kids played. Benny worked and we played but he was able to join us for a part of the fun! As always when I am involved we had to EAT some great food to make it a great weekend. This was one of the favorite new breakfast places we found. Their homemade breakfast potatoes were amazing as was the rest of their fare. Daimon was our entertainment during the meal while demonstrating how to "put the moves" on a girl. Ben and I could not stop laughing. This kid has a great mind and you never know where it's going to take you... somewhere unexpected to be sure!

Ocean's Club

Gold dolphins...... what more can you ask for?  Well let me tell you what more you could ask for.......Maestro's Ocean Club!  This is our favorite place to go if we are planning on completely spoiling ourselves.  It has the best seafood I have ever had (remember I use to live near the ocean).  Their steaks are just as amazing and the service is impeccable, complete with bathroom attendants.  Since we just celebrated 11 blissful years in July and spent our anniversary driving home from San Diego with children in tow, we planned a special night out and enjoyed a wonderful evening with our great friends the Heuer's.  They appreciate wonderful food as much as Ben and I do and are always great company. 

Seafood tower...... it doesn't get better than this!

lobster bisque with chewy pretzel bread.... a must have!

steak and lobster mashed potatoes..... yes, I said LOBSTER mashed potatoes...... sinfully good!

flour less chocolate cake with mint creme sauce..... decadent!

blood orange sorbet.....sweet, tangy, refreshing, AMAZING!

Caffe Bella Italia - San Diego

A true foodie will appreciate this segment dedicated to my favorite thing to talk about...... FOOD! A visit to one of our favorite dinner spots is always must during our stay in San Diego. Should you choose to follow in our footsteps you will NOT be dissapointed! Our delectable dinner started with an appetizer of bacon wrapped scallops and asparagus tips in a creamy saffron sauce which left the kids asking for more. Daimon suggested I get the recipe from them so I can make it for him at home..... if only I'd been brave enough to ask! We chased those scallops down with a salad of spinach, goat cheese, golden raisins and pine nuts and a light and flavorful soup of pureed vegetables. With our stomachs sufficiantly "primed" we dove into our entree's with gusto only a foodie can muster. A butternut squash ravioli lightly drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with parmesan and poppy seeds..... delicate and delicious. Our second dish was rosemary roasted filet mignion with polenta, roasted potatoes and juienned carrots and zucchini, savory and succulent! Daimon and Ellie went with the classic pizza and spaghetti with meat sauce that would satisfy any adult pallet. As if that wasn't enough we continued with the devotion of a true foodie and shared a chocolate volcano soufle topped with vanilla gelato. The entire meal was perfection from the attentive staff to the amazing food. My mouth waters just thinking about it and I can't wait for our next visit!

~Kelly

http://www.caffebellaitalia.com/index.html

Mission Cafe - San Diego

It may not look like much, but believe me this is the best place to eat Breakfast in San Diego. The Mission Cafe is on the corner of San Joes Place and Mission Blvd (3795 Mission Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92109). It also happens to be about 50 yards from the Beach House we stay at every year with Kelly's Family the Spratley's. We love this place so much....


Ellie's favorite things are the Hot Chocolate and Bacon.


Daimon's favorite things are the Hot Chocolate and Blueberry Pancakes.

If you know Kelly, you already know that she loves everything. This is one of her favorite things "Blueberry Pancakes"! She always tries something new....A true Foodie!

I on the other hand get the same thing every time we go - "Mission French Toast"! Fresh-baked cinnamon bread accented with fancy berry purée, sprinkled with an array of fresh fruit and powdered sugar. And, you can't forget the eggs and bacon. Ellie gets her love of Bacon from me....

Hell's Kitchen

What in the world is “Hell’s Kitchen” you might be asking yourself? Well, it is only the best breakfast in Minneapolis! I stumbled upon this restaurant on my way back to the convention center after having a wonderful lunch at a local bread company. It was a rainy day and the chicken noodle soup bread bowl with a turkey bacon sandwich hit the spot. I was exploring the city on my way, and I decided to take a different street back. I looked down the street and saw a sign that said Hell’s Kitchen. With a sign like that I just had to stop and look. A sign in the window stated that they served the best damn breakfast in town, and I had just eaten two mediocre breakfasts back to back at the hotel (sorry Hyatt). I started to get really excited! I took a look at the menu and I saw words like Lemon-Ricotta hotcakes, Mahnomin Porridge, and Carmel-Pecan Roll. I was sold!!! So I made a date with myself for breakfast the next morning at 8:00.

It was a little easier to roll out of bed the next morning, and get ready for the show knowing I was about to have the “Best Damn Breakfast in Town”! I met with Joe Pecha a salesman from our company the next morning in the lobby, and we made a bee line to Hell’s Kitchen. Now the hard part - what to get? If Kelly had been there, she would know what to get. I was all on my own. I scanned the menu until I found the heading “A Foodie’s Heaven”, and I thought to myself this is exactly where Kelly would start. Just then our waitress stopped by and I asked her what she would recommend.....her reply.......the Lemon-Ricotta Hotcakes, Toast with their homemade Peanut Butter, and a Caramel-Pecan Roll to chase it down with. “SOLD”!!!

The moment I have been waiting for finally arrives, and I was not disappointed. My taste buds went wild with every bite I took. This must be the euphoria that all Foodie’s look for. I was in heaven! The Lemon-Ricotta Hotcakes were dusted with powdered sugar and covered with berries. Every bite melted in my mouth. Next, I tried the Caramel-Pecan Roll. What a combination toasted Salty Pecan’s and Homemade Carmel Sauce – Loved It! Now to my favorite the Home Made Peanut Butter!!! Now you might be saying to yourself how could Peanut Butter be that good. Here are the Ingredients: Roasted Peanuts, Peanut Oil, Brown Sugar, Honey, Salt, and Spices. They leave the peanuts in a crunchy form and the Honey and Spice are oh so “Nice”! Well you are just going to have to take my would for it, or you can ask Kelly because it was so good that I bought her a tub of it. I also brought her a Caramel-Pecan Roll home. I knew she would love it! Some men bring flowers and some bring food. You just have to know the way to your women’s heart! And anyone who know's my wife knows that food it definitely the way to hers!!!!!

http://www.hellskitcheninc.com/

P.S. You can order their Peanut Butter on-line….