Daily News - Carlsbad

First off, for a change we did NOT where the same basic outfit, so there were no "are you in a business together" questions. Of course the answer is "yes", but the business is eating. Today we went back to the Daily News, we were seated outside immediately. It was a beautiful morning for being outside & chowing down. We started out with one of the cinnamon rolls (no nuts, which made Bubba very happy). Then the meals: Bubba ordered Eggs Benedict (it seems so passe to say "surprise" anymore) with hash browns and, of course, coffee.




















I wanted to try something different, so I ordered the breakfast burrito, which also came with hash browns.



















Both breakfasts were fantastic, and our waitress was quick to bring coffee refills. She also offered to hold her hand up to block the sun from hitting Bubba in the face & then made mention that it reminded her of how kids in school raise their hands and say "ooh ooh" when the teacher asks a question. I told her I had absolutely no idea WHAT she was talking about....

As always, we had a good time talking about what's happening in our lives, our walks with God, and our families - with lots of laughter along the way.

Other than the hotsauce bottle that jumped off the table and committed juicicide, it was a quiet morning.

Until next time.. B-B for the B's

August 22, 2009 - The Curbside Cafe, Vista

To start, let me say that the pictures don't do this trendy little eatery justice. But...there is such a large amount of outside seating that was filled with people (and dogs) - I felt a little like a paparazzi. So instead of trying to get a GOOD shot like we usually try, I more or less hid in a bush across the street, and in so doing, REALLY looked like a paparazzi (minus the bruises and lawsuits, and with a bit more dignity and teeth).

But - this is about the atmosphere and food. Although it looked like we would have a wait based on the crowd seated outside, there was plenty of seating inside. I was a little concerned that the cafe-type seats would be hard on back backs - but Bubba felt they'd be fine - and he was right. They weren't absoLUTely the best chairs I ever sat on, but they were fine.

This Cafe was recommended by Bubba's wife, who we'll call "Mrs. B". We started with a cinnimon roll, but when it was delivered to the table, Bubba just stared at it. Turns out, he really isn't crazy about nuts on sweet rolls. But - he sacrificed & we split it. It was very good, especially if you like nuts (hopefully the staff found where Bubba put his, up under the seat). I took one home to MY wife, who we'll call "Mrs. B-B", & Mrs. B-B's mom.

The main breakfast arrived: Country fried steak for Bubba, Eggs Benedict for Barnacle-Butt (I know, big surprise, right?). Bubba stared for the second time since we arrived, but this time there were no nuts on his steak, it was just that the plate was literally 14 inches wide - and stacked up with hash browns, CF Steak, gravy, etc. There was so much that he couldn't finish it. My meal was very good, the sauce on the Eggs Benedict was a little different than I'm used to, but I somehow got used to it & ate it all.

A note on the hash browns: If you read the premise for this blog, you'll remember that we love-love-love hash brown potatoes. THESE potatoes were the best we've had. Why? Because they were able to not only get the outside very brown and crisp, but were also able to keep the inside just perfect - not too mushy, not overcooked.

The coffee was good, not scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs good, but good enough to keep asking for refills. We actually refilled quite a bit while after we finished the main breakfast.

The last paragraph segues into the only negative, but a minor one. We had to hunt down our waitress to get refills on the coffee. Other than that, she was friendly and courteous, even noting when we came in that we both dressed alike (Turquoise polo shirts and dark shorts). Hmmm - I guess that could be considered another negative, or else B & I need to communicate better ahead of time...

Until next time...

B-B, for the B's

Special Edition - Dinner @ Cruisin' Grand 2009

This is our first "Special Edition" version of our blog, but since we visited Escondido for "Cruisin' Grand 2009" and had something to eat while there, we thought it would be a good idea. This particular restaurant is one of Bubba's favorites: Filippi's Pizza Grotto. "Grotto" always makes me think of fish, but it's basically an italian joint with goooood food (and, if you look hard you can probably find an anchovy or two around, so I guess that works).

We just split a medium pizza, I'd tell you what the toppings were, but there was so much cheese on top we couldn't SEE any toppings. We actually ordered Pepperoni and Sausage. It was very, very good. After the deliciouso food, we wandered the 6 blocks or so of Grand street in Escondido, looking at different old cars. IF you like restored cars, you should def make your way to this annual event - it was a blast. Following are just a few of the shots taken while we walked.

According to Bubba, if you squint and pretend this car is metallic blue, it's the one he used to own years ago. He got rid of it after his 234th ticket (that may be an exaggeration, but he DID say that tickets is why he got rid of it).

This is the only Challenger we saw this particular evening. Josh, my son-in-law was restoring one of these with his dad.

This is the last pic with text, the remaining shots are just a few of the many cool cars. I never owned a 1940 Ford, but it was always my fav car in my "yoot".

Until next time....

July 25, 2009 - The Argyle

The Argyle is aptly named, it's the restaurant associated with the Aviara golf course (picture grown men in oddly colored knickers & socks with diamond shapes in wild colors, you get the idea). The prices are definitely higher than most of the breakfast places Bubba & I go to, but the ambiance makes it worthwhile!

There's seating inside or out. We go there specifically to get a table overlooking the 18th green. It is SO much more fun laughing at other people making goofs than actually going out and making our own....

Today Bubba had Eggs Benedict (surprise!) and I had the California omelette, which had bacon, avocado and jack cheese. Bubba's plate was definitely assembled by a plating specialist, it looked like a work of art. My omelette came in a small cast iron skillet, not too pretty, but functional. Well, I guess it was pretty if you're from the hills of Tennessee.... Bubba said the Eggs B was great, my omelette was good but a little dry. One of the lowlights (for us) is that they don't serve hash browns, but the breakfast potatoes they serve have 2 kinds of bell pepper & onion fried up with them - so they aren't our favs but are still tasty. One of the highlights is that they bring a carafe of coffee to the table, so there's plenty to go around. Because of my skillet I wanted to drink straight from the carafe, but Bubba wasn't going for it.

By the way, we discussed and then decided not to come up with a rating system, since it would be arbitrary at best. That said, we do recommend this place, especially if you like a nice outdoor dining experience - but it's a little hard to find, so map it first.

The last picture below is as we headed into the parking lot - it has nothing to do with the place, but it was a cool flowering shrub!

Next time, we're heading off for a breakfast adventure with the girls. Hmmm. Going to have to come up with code names, I sorta don't think Mrs. Barnacle-Butt and Mrs. Bubba is going to fly with them.....

Till next time, B-B for the guys-----

July 3, 2009 - The Daily News Cafe, Carlsbad

Well, this day wasn't drizzly, but it wasn't sunny either. We decided to go to the Daily News Cafe, which is a local hangout where you can always count on a good breakfast. There is limited seating inside, but a nice patio with more seating, and a spectacular view of Carlsbad blvd.... :)

On this particular outing we were initially seated on a main aisle in the patio, so we asked for a different table, which they agreed to but which apparently didn't come with a server. However, we flagged down a nice guy (who also just happened to be a server) - and he took good care of us. We found out on this specific morning that tourist season isn't the best time to visit and although we were seated without a wait, the cinnamon rolls that the cafe is known for were sold out as of 7:30.

We both ordered eggs benedict with hash browns and coffee. Everything was very tasty, the eggs were cooked perfectly (not hard-boiled, as is so often the case with poached eggs). They have some of the best hollandaise sauce around. Our new-found friend kept the coffee coming, and although it wasn't the best cup o joe, it was still hot & black & good.

We also noted that there were crepes on the menu. Not that we wanted crepes, since they're basically anorexic tortillas, but it was interesting that they were on the menu, and in a goofy format. (Note: I actually took a gourmet cooking class when I got out of the service and learned how to make crepes from scratch --- but that's probably a subject for a later date and a different medium).

We took a few pix to include this time. Next time we'll try to include some sort of scale (8 out of 10 eggs, etc).

Until next time....

June 13, 2009 - Village Pie Shop, Carlsbad

It was a drizzly morning, Bubba & I were actually going to eat at a different location, but most of the tables were outside & wet.

So....we switched gears and went to the Village Pie shop. The restaurant is located on Pio Pico Dr, just North of Tamarack Ave. This restaurant is a local favorite, it was very busy yet we got in with no wait. It's definitely a mom & pop restaurant, with a country feel. The waitress could have been name "Flo", seriously.

At any rate - Bubba ordered eggs Benedict with hash browns, I had the ABC omelet with hash browns. I'm sure there are some that are playing "Already Been Chewed" in their heads -- but it actually represents Avocado, Bacon and Cheese. Bubba's breakfast was very good, mine was ok. The ok rating is just a preference issue, the only filling actually IN the omelet was the bacon, the avocado & cheese were on top. Still very tasty. Hash browns were cooked just right, brown on top/bottom, hashy in the middle. Coffee was good. The waitress was very attentive, we finally had to stop her from bringing coffee.

Note: This restaurant has a very good menu, many selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We recommend going in, and say "B&B sent you". They're sure to say "who?"..

May 30th - The Broken Yolk, La Costa

Ok, so this is a little weird because this is supposed to be basically about breakfast, but the very first entry is a lunch. That's because Bubba had a couple hundred plants delivered to his house during the breakfast hours.

We drove to the corner of La Costa Avenue and El Camino Real where the Broken Yolk resides on the North East corner. This is a place we've visited on several occasions. From our perspective, it's one of those restaurants that you go to and KNOW you're going to get a good meal.

Bubba ordered the French Dip (which always sounds a little derogatory to me) and I had a burger with swiss and mushrooms. Both meals came with french fries. Bubba had iced tea, which comes in a 2-gallon (seemingly) glass, I had coffee.

Great meal. Our waitress was very attentive, the coffee was hot and good, the iced tea was icy and tea-ey, all was right in the world -- or at least in OUR world.

And a note for those really looking for breakfast: They DO have very good eggs benedict AND hash browns.