Archive for "Food and Drink"
Taco Fest with the Dills
Posted on August 31, 2019 by Ching under Food and Drink.
Just a few pics from Taco Fest a few weeks ago.
It was a lot of fun but the lines were long and plentiful. There were long lines at every taco shop/stand. Good thing we were smart and we decided to divide and conquer. I can’t remember if it was Mama Dill or Jay who came up with the plan.
We basically decided to split up and each take a line and then order the five tacos each (technically the maximum you can order but somehow Mama Dill was able to get ten tacos at this one shop because they let her) and then we were all supposed to meet up and trade so, in essence, this allowed us to try five different tacos without having to wait in five lines. Work smarter, not harder. LOL.
So, the tacos were cheap but the drinks were super expensive. Even water cost a lot so you might as well have a margarita.
Not having been to Taco Fest before, I really didn’t know what to expect. It was ridiculous. I have to say if it wasn’t for Jay, Becca, and Mama Dill, it would have been a bust. They made it fun.
I can’t believe people are willing to pay to get in to the event and walk for miles to get in (there wasn’t any parking nearby because everyone and their uncle was there) and stand in crazy long lines to buy tacos and pay exorbitant amounts of money for mediocre beer and margaritas. Now that I’ve been, I probably wouldn’t go again.
At least we had good music and good company.
Afterward, Jay bough everyone ice cream from Flavors — formerly College Hill Creamery. I didn’t even know they changed their name until that day. We took a group photo which I wanted to post here but I can’t find it. I think we must have taken it on someone else’s phone.
Anyway, we had a ton of fun hanging out with the Dills. We always have such a great time no matter where we are. Until next time. GNG.
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Traveling to Orlando
Posted on August 7, 2019 by Ching under Food and Drink, Travel.
Obligatory airplane selfie.
Upon our arrival at the Orlando airport, we were greeted by the same chauffeur we had in 2013. What are the odds?
Our first stop that night was the Pub, our favorite place to eat in the area.
Our first drinks in Orlando.
Brian’s favorite meal.
I love the fish and chips at the Pub. This time they had an option on the menu to get fish and chips and shrimp.
It was a nice night for a walk, so we took the long way back to our hotel. Grabbed a few pics on the way.
It was a long day but there’s always time for a few pics.
We stayed at the Hilton this time because the Hyatt Regency was already full by the time I registered, which was within a couple of hours of registration opening. It was ridiculous. Anyway, the Hilton also does the commemorative ZINCON keys so at least I still got one to add to my collection.
We went to check out the fitness center in the morning. It was decent but not as nice as the one at the Hyatt.
I guess it’s a lot nicer than most hotel gyms.
We did some exploring that day.
The rooms are just okay and it’s on the opposite side of the Orange County Convention Center from the Hyatt so the location is not idea but the resort pool is phenomenal!
It is much bigger and nicer than the resort pool at the Hyatt.
And, they have a lazy river. Bonus!
There’s even a splash pool for the kiddos.
There are a few fire pit areas with food and beverage service.
The pool grounds are super nice!
Besides that, it’s like a legit resort with activities and everything. I just wish it wasn’t so far away. Anyway, next post will be all about ZINCON. Check back soon!
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Le’s Noodles and Sandwiches
Posted on July 24, 2019 by Ching under Food and Drink.
I discovered a new Vietnamese restaurant a couple of weeks ago. It’s been around for a while (at least four years) at the current locations. I’d just never known about it before. I found it one Sunday after working out with the girls at VASA. I got done around ten thirty, elevenish, and had a bit of time before my 12 PM Aqua Zumba class at North YMCA. I took Woodlawn up because I was looking for something quick to eat but, having worked out for a couple of hours that morning, I was also starving so I wanted some real food.
I went to Central and Woodlawn because I knew there was an Asian restaurant there that was decent. However, they turned out to be closed. Le’s was next door and open so I walked in.
Here’s what I got that day — spring rolls and pork and rice.
It’s a lot of food before a workout but I was hungry!
The food is actually quite good so I went back a week later. This time with Brian. Predictably, I ordered the exact same thing.
Except they gave me some soup this time, which I wasn’t offered the last time. Not sure if it’s a lunch vs. dinner thing. I was there for lunch the first time. When I went with Brian, we went for dinner.
Brian had the bbq pork bahn mi but he forgot to tell them to hold all of the crap so he didn’t enjoy it as much.
I think the food is pretty good and the place seemed to be quite popular. It’s a bummer that Brian didn’t like what he got. I think we need to give them another chance though because he really liked my pork chop thing.
On our next visit, I’m thinking we will just order what I normally get and share it. Or we could get some pho, which seemed to be the thing to get there. If you tried the food there, let us know what you thought in the comments.
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Fourth of July Road Trip
Posted on July 14, 2019 by Ching under Events, Food and Drink, Zumba.
For the 4th of July, Rose invited us to the Zumbathon they were having at Newton YMCA. I’d never been there before because of both the distance and my schedule so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to check it out. We weren’t having any Zumba in Andover that day so the girls and I decided to carpool. We basically had a mini road trip.
(From left) Amanda, Kathy, Charis, and I all met up at our house and then we took Brian’s SUV to the Newton YMCA.
This is Rose. I’m so glad that she told me about their Zumbathon. It was the prefect excuse to visit Newton. It never occurred to me to go over there before because it’s a 40-minute drive from my house (one way). If I go for just one class then I spend more time in the car then working out. The day of the two-hour 4th of July Zumbathon was the perfect time to visit because it made the long drive worth it.
Here’s a pic of the four of us plus Jamie. This is basically the Andover crew.
Here’s a pic of me and Mandy. Mandy is home-based in Andover but she teaches at both Andover and Newton.
Everyone was very festively attired that day. Amanda and Kathy, in particular, looked adorably cute.
Andover crew with Mandy and Rose.
Here’s our group pic. They were clever and took the pic during the halfway point so we wouldn’t miss people who had left early in our group photo. I thought it was really smart. I made a mental note to do this at my next event.
I was famished after two hours of dancing, as were the others, so we all decided to grab a bite to eat. Since we were in Newton and we weren’t sure when we would be back, we wanted to eat somewhere local. We initially went to the Bread Basket, known for their amazing pies, but they were closed. It was quite disappointing because everyone had talked up how good the place is and how delicious their pies are, I really had my hear set on eating there and having a slice of pie for dessert.
Apparently, Newton is one of those towns where everything shuts down on Sundays and holidays. Anyway, we had just about given up and were on our way to hit the Cracker Barrel in Park City for lunch on the way home when Rose called and told us that Genova, the local Italian restaurant, was open.
We would much rather eat somewhere local so we quickly caught up with Jamie and her fiancé Alex at the gas station and told them the change of plans.
Here are some of our food pics:
I’m so glad that Rose recommended Genova because it was so good. Their bread, along with the oil and vinegar dipping sauce, was amazing! I loved it so much I ate three rolls before my lunch showed up.
We had one last roll left, which I was going to bring home to Brian so he could try it. I guess the lady overheard us because she came out with a couple of sacks of fresh-baked bread. Instead of having one roll, Brian got three rolls. Anyway, I can’t wait to go back and take Brian so he can try the delicious food they make there.
It was a super fun day overall. It sort of felt like we were on a road trip, albeit a short one. I think it would be fun to go a master class or a jam session out of town with these girls. Hopefully soon!
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Leslie Coffee in Delano
Posted on July 10, 2019 by Ching under Food and Drink, Things to Do.
Had the opportunity to try a new coffee shop thanks to the Wicked Brew tour. Leslie Coffee has been open for a while. I just haven’t had a reason to venture out there because it’s in Delano and we usually prefer places that are walkable.
Alicia drove so I bought the coffee. Seemed like a fair trade. Here are some pictures from our visit…
The place is super cute. The kind of coffee that I get was just okay over there though. I still prefer it at Reverie. Anyway, I’m grateful for the Wicked Brew tour or I wouldn’t have had any reason to check it out.
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