Mt Rainier- Seattle day 2

See the mountain in the distance, that was our destination.

Our second day in Seattle, was spent at Mt Rainier. I dont know if writing about it would do enough justice.

We were there in the first week of May, and we got to see snow!!!!! It was beautiful. Fresh white snow, blue skies, clouds, it was just spectacular.

I decided to write less this time.

So here are some of the many many pics we took.

This is the bakery we stopped at, had some delicious, Italian sodas , teas, coffee and yummy egg sandwiches.

Mount Rainier. Majestic beauty!

On our way, to the mountain.

We just wanted a picture from every angle

We went snow shoeing.

It was totally worthwhile. We were lucky, coz the weather was just perfect. Sunny, bright, and just the right temperature,for a perfect day.

On our way back we feasted on some good Indian Chinese at a place called Bamboo Gardens.

It came pretty close to the Indian Chinese I grew up eating in kolkata. Yet another great day had a yummy end !

Seattle - A must for every foodie. Day 1

So my plan to update my blog, everyday during my visit to Seattle off course did not happen. We were all so engrossed in reviewing our entire days activities, that by the time I actually got some time, I was all set to hit the bed.

Where should I begin, well first things first, Seattle is a foodie paradise.- I think I have said that before about some other place too, never mind. As it is this post is going to be a long one, I might as well get straight to what I have to say rather than give boring intros........

They say it keeps raining in Seattle, but I think Seattle knew we were coming... (just joking!!!), the weather was perfect. In fact after staying in sunny San Diego, I kinda miss the rains. We don't get much of it here. It was raining the night we landed but the rest of the days we were there, it was really nice.

We were putting up with a friend of ours. Its always nice to have locals, when you go some place. This way you can manage to do all the non-touristy stuff. Get to know more about the local things and explore some of the hidden gems obviously with locals as your guiding light.

One such place was the "Brown Bag cafe". Located in Redmond, this place feeds a lot of hungry Microsoft souls as well as the others. Milan our friend took us to this place for brunch.

A very American menu, with huge portion sizes. I loved the pancake (recommended by our friend). I had the banana pecan pancake. Light, soft with a syrup, that was not to sweet nor too thick. I figured it did not have all the unhealthy corn starch to thicken it. The hash browns ordered by my brother in law, were yummy. Crispy, and nicely browned. Milan told us that they started out as a small mom and pop shop and now they have become so big that they have three to four branches. The best part was their little note on the table mat, that said no cell phones were allowed inside the restaurants. Check them out here http://www.brownbagcafes.com/. We did carry a brown bag, cause we just could not finish it all. It tasted yummy the next day too.

Next we headed to downtown Seattle, our destination, the Pikes Market place. Frankly you need more than a day to check out each and every store there. Or if you are a resident of Seattle, you can take your time to explore. Oh, and needless to say, you got to love food.

Pike Market Place.

freshest of produce....

A farmer's market of kinds. With tons of local flavours mingling, its like a mixed goodies bag, with something for everyone. Fish lovers, this is the place to be. The famous Pike Place fish shop is something that all tourists and locals alike like to visit. We did not see it, but apparently the fish monger throw's a fish each time he makes a sale!!!!! hummm, that is indeed an interesting thing to watch. Check them out here http://www.pikeplacefish.com/.

For all those who fancy dipping oils, do not worry, Pike place has that covered too. You can not miss this shop, a few shops before the first Starbucks, this place has a variety of flavours of Olive oil. Club it with there oh so sweet and tangy balsamic vinegar, and all you need is a bottle of good wine and some good music......your dinner is all set. I stopped by and picked up spicy olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The guy at the shop told us not to miss out Market spice. Tucked right next to the fish stall, there are over two hundred spice varieties and over 120 different types of teas, from all over the world.

The olive oil and Balsamic vinegar, my pick.

Picked up Orange Honey Hazelnuts, (the packet is almost close to finish!!!!!)

We had to stop by the first Starbucks. Well I don't fancy Starbucks much, but this is a must for every tourist. Do all the little touristy stuff here. Click pictures, pick up souvenirs and off course have a cup of coffee.

Few other places that caught my attention was, the Jelly store. An array of differently flavoured jellies. I picked up the spicy ginger. Next was The pasta shop. All pastas here are 5 dollars for half a pound. I filled my bag with Lemon Basil Fettuccine and a Calypse Blend.

The bag I picked up from Market Spice.

My husband had to actually pull me out and remind me we were on a schedule and that we could not spend our entire vacation looking at food stalls. Understandable. Though I still felt as if I had unfinished business here, I had to be content with what I saw and bought. We headed for the Space Needle. (an advice: If you are not crazy about views , I say skip this, and spend some more time at Pikes- but again that's my opinion)

View of Seattle downtown, from Space needle.

Get a feel of the place here http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/site.asp?p=tour

A few other places was a cheescake stall. Cheesecakes to go, delish. You can see them make these right in front of you. From fresh cheese shops, to bakeries, from local artists to an entire row of tulip sellars, this place has it all.

the Cheesecake place.

Dinner was at an Indian restaurant. When I am out, I rather avoid Indian food, but this one, as our friends told us, was really good. And coming from locals, we had to give it a shot. Located in downtown Bell view, this place is called Chutney. An upscale restaurant, the cooking is done, in an open kitchen. Apart from the regular stuff, there Bombay aloo is a must try. Spicy and crispy, they have freshly chopped ginger and garlic added to the masala. For starters, they did an excellent job on the aloo tikki too. Our dinner ended with the dessert platter, which had ras malai, gulab jamun kesar pista and mango kulfi.

A perfect end to a great day.

We planned our next day to Mount Rainer......

I am off to Seattle

This is sooooo funny. Right now I am at the airport and updating my blog. I did not know I would get Internet connection at the airport. But now that I have it, I might as well make the best of it.
This year has been all a blur. We are already five months through. And we did not take any vacations. So we decided to take one. Destination-Seattle.

I have heard so much about Seattle, the greenery, the food scene, and the place in general, that we have been wanting to go there for a while now. Hopefully we will make the best out the three days we have.

I have thought about updating my blog with all the stuff I do in Seattle, that is only if I am able to get on to use my husbands laptop......probably once he is off to bed.

So on that note, here is me signing off. And look out for my posts about my take on Seattle.

chow and happy cooking to all.

Just for any readers who know Seattle, would appreciate if you'll could give me the non-touristy stuff to do in Seattle. I will link back to you'll in my posts.
Thanks

FOOD TRAVEL

I have always envied the hosts of travel shows that showcase good places to eat. they eat, see new places and get paid to do all this. I mean, talk about job satisfaction. on our recent trip to Toronto and new york, we did something similar, we ate saw new places but alas did not get paid to do so, instead our credit cards were getting swiped left,right and center. But it was worth every penny. (though I would love to have got a pay cheque....but never mind!!). We enjoyed every "bite" of our stay.

TORONTO

haven't seen a more diverse place than Toronto. It was like a mosaic of everything different. people, food, language. We stuck to trying out good Indian food. Since we have relatives in Toronto (Mississauga) we got to savour some good stuff. We tried the veggie hot dog, that is available in downtown almost on every corner.The Indian Chinese is actually really Indian Chinese. specially if anyone has tasted the Chinese in kolkatta, then you would know what I mean. And the Chinese here is that close in taste. We had the best Channa bhathura, in a long, long time. when in Canada you have to try the most famous 'Tim Horton' coffee. You can call it the starbucks of canada. I fell in love with the coffee (as I was warned before that it is very addictive......). Not strong, not bitter. just the kind I like. Only two days in Toronto we did not have much time to explore the food scene. but from what we had, we knew that the rest would be as good.

MONTREAL

After visiting this place my husband told me that I should consider this as my trip to France. Montreal is everything french. Initially I thought, montreal would be a small town with just a few places to see. but to my surprise it is huge. French is the main language here. A piece of advice; learn a little french when visiting this city, trust me it will help. I loved the food scene here. there are small dessert and coffee shops everywhere. Old montreal is a must see. And again a foodies paradise. my husband was particularly happy coz he found a lot of vegetarian options. unlike here, where he ends up eating a salad at an office lunch or cheesy cheese pizza. I found the food fresh, portion sizes were decent. And eating here is a ritual not a task. people love to enjoy every meal. and the best part of all this..........everyone was on the thinner side. at least the locals. I guess its the fresh ingredients, lots of wine and lots of walking. I simply loved it.

when in montreal don't forget to try out the crepes. You will find a lot of small local bakeries serving up excellent crepes. The deserts at coffee shops are a must. don't worry there is so much walking that such guilty pleasures are more than welcome. To get the french feel don't forget to visit old montreal and stop by a restaurant to enjoy some good food and wine.
Apprécier,meaning enjoy........

NEW YORK CITY

I kept the best for the last. I had read, heard and watched a lot about this place. But its a whole different experience to actually be there in the middle of it all. The entire city is like a conversation. One o'clock at night the subways are packed like office hour traffic. It put back a whole new sense of life into me. The night we reached, our friends took us to a KATHI ROLL PLACE.oh my goodness, that place brought back memories of kolkatta. A very small place, nothing fancy. just good kathi rolls. (i forget my camera here....).

We had lunch at the first pizzeria in new york.new york pizza is a must. it was called Lombard pizza. Just across the street from that, we stumbled upon a place called "rice to riches". just flavoured rice pudding. I mean how innovative. The entire place is unique. the decor is cool and hip. I loved the concept of putting up catchy punch lines all over. This is a must try.

We had planned to have flafals at dinner, but all the pita places were shut as it was some festival that day. Our friends took us to a thai place called "yum yum thai'. I was so excited that to see all the other unique restaurants there. cuban, fusion thai, sri lankan. I just wanted to pitch a tent and go on a food expedition. Our last day in New york city was very obviously spent on trying out yet a few other places. Thanks to our friends in San diego, to tell us about MAX BRENNER. Its a chocolate lovers paradise. Its like getting into willy wonkas chocolate factory. The colour scheme of the place is chocolaty too. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and off course desserts. We were just on time for breakfast (they serve it till noon).




The menu itself is so overwhelming that at first you will actually get confused as to what to have...(hummm here again I envy those travel show guys......they get to taste a little of everything!!!!!!!). everything here is really good.(i assume). my husband loved the veggie burger he ordered. he said its the best he's had. their hot chocolates are a speciality. specially coz they serve it these cute mugs, which they call "hugmugs". There are pipes running all over the place filled with chocolate!!!!!!.

all that is melted chocolate!!!!!!!!

We tasted some good chatpata khana in new jersy. our last dinner was at a south indian place called tiffinwallaha.

I simply was in awe. So many good places to eat and so much variety. Be it the little kiosks or the restaurants. Our friends rightly said, that NEW YORK CITY, totally stands out from the rest of America. Two days were way to less in this city. one needs at least a week to ten days, to actually explore it. I simply loved it and it has made be hungry for more. !!!!!!

enjoy

happy eating

NIAGARA FALLS- OUR FIRST DESTINATION

So finally I have finished unpacking and uploading all the pictures on to my computers. We have close to two gigs of pictures for our ten day trip!!!! I specially went crazy seeing the bright fall colours. there were simply awesome.

Our first destination was NIAGARA FALLS. We flew to buffalo and from there took a shuttle ride into the Canadian side of the falls. Our shuttle driver was really informative, telling us the little stuff about the falls and how the weather had been lately. It had rained the previous day, but the day we reached it was clear with the sun shining bright but it was cold.

We reached Niagara at around eleven in the morning but our check in was at three, so we decided to survey the area. We had booked our hotel (The Day's Inn),pretty close to where all the action took place- CLIFTON HILL.

Personally I found the entire area pretty expensive. Maybe coz its a tourist spot. We roamed about a few shops, picked up a few souvenirs and went on see the FALLS. And were they magnificent or what!!!!!. White foam like water gushing down at an unbelievable speed, forming this permanent mist of cold water. wow it was something I have never seen before. we took the ferry ride called "MAID OF THE MIST". This is a must do, when visiting NIAGARA. A boat ride that leaves every fifteen minutes, it takes you up close and front of the falls. They give you blue plastic overalls cause you are bound to get wet. We got ready for the misty mission and set a sail to see the falls from near. I don't know how to explain what it felt like, when the mist actually touched our faces and it was all water. ecstasy. a perfect rainbow right above the water, bright sun shining above it was all so surreal.

The other famous thing that most tourist do is take another ride called "journey behind the falls'. Here they would take you right behind the fall, and you could see it fall. we avoided that. We roamed about the little shops along the ferry landing and off we went to our hotel room. The next thing I remember was been waken up by my husband. We got ready and head out again. This time to catch the water falls at night. But first we wanted to sit down and have some good dinner. We ended up eating Indian food. Amidst all the tourist stuff, there was one Indian restaurant called GURU. Though a little overly prized, the food was delicious. It was so good that I forgot to take pictures (I had intended to). The dal is a speciality. I have actually not had that kind of dal anywhere here in the US. I also ordered for some chicken tandoori that was totally worth every penny.

After dinner we headed to see the falls and fireworks, that happens all through out the fall. With both the Canadian and the US side of the fall lit up, and the fireworks. It was absolutely beautiful.

All the streets seem to come alive at night. everything is open passed two at night. lots of fun stuff for kids to do, a few clubs (for those who would want to party hard) and a famous Niagara casino are a few attractions. Summer and fall are the most crowded times of the year. winter everything is cold and dull.



we roamed about the streets collecting a few more small nick knacks and headed to our hotel room. Though we had plans to go to the casino but we were too tired and called it a day.
next morning our cousin came to pick us up for our second destination TORONTO.



Our trip had started with lots more to come.
These our the things one must do at NIAGARA FALLS

• take the maid of the mist boat ride

• Visit the Hershey's store
• pick up a souvenir that has maple leaf on it
• visit the journey behind the falls
• check out the hand blown glass shop in the market place next to the falls.

enjoy.

Next up, our other destinations.

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND

It was all last minute. One of our friends put across an idea for camping. My husband and I have never camped here in the US. I have done quite a few camps in India, as I was with the girl scouts.
We decided to give it a try. We were pretty adventurous, right from the start, knowing its the labour day weekend, we did not make any prior reservations (the plan was only finalized Friday night) and set out, hoping to get a camping spot. hummm, that's what I call positive thinking.
destination: two hours east of San Diego, a place called IDYLLWILD.


I had kept a few entries for all the events that had the 31st august deadline, but alas, that did not happen, as I was away pitching tents and doing some good rustic cooking.

We bought new tents and sleeping bags, at 11:30 Friday night. next morning four of us (my husband and me along with another couple), headed to Von's to get a few things to eat and headed for our destination.

on our way, we stopped at a local kiosk

On our way, we were welcomed by some dark grey clouds, and some rain. Back in Calcutta I use to love the rains. The muddy smell, the cool breeze after the showers, the green leaves covered with small rain drops....it was all so good. All that came back,though we did not get out and get wet, but we rolled down our windows and enjoyed the tipper tapper.

grey clouds

When we reached the visitor center, the ranger told us that there was only one spot left at a "fern basin camping site". We knew we would not get it, as the drive from the center to the camping spot was a couple of miles and the roads were pretty rugged.
As we had anticipated the one and only unreserved camp spot was now taken by someone who came before us. Driving around we found a spot that was reserved from the 29Th of august (which was a day before), to the 1st of Sept. no one was there, so we thought it would be a good idea to just be at the spot for sometime. so we unpacked and had lunch.

I had taken Dal ka paranthas for lunch with pickle and curd. after lunch we decided to pitch our tents, just as we had finished pitching one tent, the rightful owner, the one who had made prior reservations, showed up. We had to relocate. not far but just across, to yet another reserved, but vacant camp spot.


We finished pitching our tents, and decided not to just sit and wait. so we headed to the main street, with shops and all. we spent a few hours checking them out and headed back to our camp site. we were just hoping that the owners of the campsite where we had pitched did not show up. but that was not going to happen. as we reached, we saw that, the owners had checked in..........what to do????

we were in for some good adventure. with the sun setting down, our respective husbands were getting a little restless with the thought of not finding a spot. well coming back was always an option.

we folded our tents and just loaded everything in the car and headed to another camp site.


One spot was spotted that was empty, but was reserved. we thought of taking our chances yet again. but this time, we decided that if the guy showed up, we would wind up and go back to San Diego.

slowly the sun went down, it began to get dark, and people began to lit up their campfires.
we decided to lit ours too. waiting. hoping that the person should not show up. one of our friends gave him a deadline of 9'o clock. after 9 we would pitch our tents.
meanwhile we got cooking.

rice, on the campfire.

cooking, that was the fun part.though my friend had carried a stove, but we still cooked on the campfire. we roasted corn. made pulao and aloo curry.

fire roasted corn,delicious.

It was soooo good. with the rice cooking and the aloo subzi simmering over the campfire, we slowly started to get our things out and pitching the tent.

veg pulao with potato curry

it was around eleven in the night when we had our dinner. with still no signs of the actual occupant of the site, we were relived that we indeed got a spot.

our tents, all pitched and set.

ended our night with some hot tea.

next morning made breakfast of omelet and sandwiches. it was great. morning time, the air filled with morning mist, and the smoldering firewood of the last nights fire. it was nature at its best. after breakfast we packed our bags and thanked Mr whoever, who did not show up, and made our camping a success.

the whole experience was so much fun. Specially cooking and then enjoying all that food with friends cozying around the campfire. with plans of camping again (but with reserved spots) and with exotic menus to try out for the next camp, we headed back home.

DEL MAR RACE, AND BRUNCH AT CHAMPAGNE BAKERY

Its almost a week since my last post. Really don't know what kept me so busy. I did spend my usual time at the computer, somehow never got to sit peacefully and update my blog.
Though this is a little late to post what I did the past Saturday, however its better late than never right?
It was a day spent with a few friends at the DEL MAR race grounds. The races start sometime mid July and go on till the labour day weekend. Its actually so much fun. they give out it freebies every weekend, its food, fun and lots of horses.........(well that is obvious, its the races!!).

we first decided to have brunch at a local french bakery in Del mar called the champagne bakery.
I love the idea of bakeries. Small cozy hang out places. with all the baking happening on site.
apt for hanging out with friends for a nice weekend brunch and that is exactly what we were doing.
The menu is simple,with a good choice of soups, salads, authentic french crepes,Panini and flat breads. for those who eat non-veg there are quite a few options (I do, but I decided to eat vegetarian that day). My friend and I ordered the Artichoke & Roasted Veggie Crepes. our better halves ordered two different varieties of flat breads. the Five Fromages Flat bread and the Pesto-Tomato Flat bread. While we waited for our orders, I checked out the display of cakes, pastries and breads.

Its so fascinating to see these little creations lined up beautifully, gleaming at us, tantalizing our taste buds. we decided to order a Cappuccino Mousse pastry after our brunch.

As our orders were placed on the table, we couldn't help but notice the portion size. unlike any other American breakfast place that serves up humongous portions of food, this one was pretty small, normal I should say. Just the right amount of food, keeping that little appetite for a coffee and a dessert.

ARTICHOKE AND ROSTED VEGGIE CREPE

I loved the crepes. they were light and soft. the hint of sweetness with the roasted veggies and the melted cheese gave it a really smooth taste. the flat breads were served with a tomato sauce. the crust was nice and thin (off course it was a flat bread after all). maybe the addition of a little veggies would give it a little more bite.

Five Fromages Flat bread and Pesto-Tomato Flat bread

And lastly the dessert. that was awesome. the cake was soaked in cappuccino, just the right amount, not at all overpowering. moist with the right amount of sweetness. we were four of us who shared it but trust me, I can have the whole thing all by myself.

Cappuccino Mousse pastry,second from left

I would love to try out all the other items on their dessert menu.

we hit the races after that, just on time to collect our free beach towels. though we did not bet big, but it was fun cheering the horses that we bet for and being a part of all the fun and frolic.

overall a great Saturday with friends.