Google best coffee san fran, this one sits near the top of every list. And, I’d be damned if I didn’t visit a coffeehouse while in San Francisco… would be akin to visiting Germany w/o frothing suds! Check-out my route… 13.5 km (40 minutes… you’d shit at what it cost). And, because I detoured briefly to Lands End, I was able to jump out and onto a park bench for this cool pic of Golden Gate Bridge. Andytown is WAY out from Union Square, and for that, this was my most planned (and, greatest) venture! I snapped a pic from the street, then turned 90ยบ west towards the Pacific Ocean and snapped another… it’s that freaking close to the coast! Oh, and I gave the barista carte blanche in making my drink. I know it’a mocha, w/ chocolate… and whipped cream! She asked me if I ever tried their whipped cream? I said no… she gave me a sample spoon! Awesome times!
… saved the best for last! flying solo too. lots of work making it all come together; as the per usual run myself ragged routine. but GODDAMN… i’m worth it, so i did! parm regg, chianti riserva, olives, my best homemade bolognese (grain fed white veal + angus beef extra lean sirloin), rosemary focaccia, best italian noodles, etc. etc. – the whole 9 yards, the whole kit and caboodle, the whole shebang! y’all know me too well! oh, and even splashed on mr. burberry for the special day/eats… not only the food smells good folks!
… my apologies, table was cracked, so i nailed ‘er… shitty host, lol!
… this shite is the whole nine yards! danstrulyhomemadechili w/egg noodle linguine (perfectly al dente), 3 cheeses, heavy sour cream, w/ a splash of the world’s best hot sauce!
… ice cold beer; local Canadian beer too! WIN WIN… WIN!!
technically Fileja Calabresi, but spewing that three times fast is a mouthful of marbles gone horribly sideways, plus ain’t alliterative! in any case, is spaghetti epitomized to the nth degree… and then some!
danssauce is a culmination of time+effort… as well as my superduperchefskillset!!
… and for all ya foodies out there… shite def don’t get better than this!!
… my le creuset says so! my oh-so-byoot-ah-ful-ova-flowin le creuset, says so! one of my fave meals ever, so versatile! today am KISS, and goin’ classic.. goin’ old school basic!
pics don’t even begin to do it justice! flew solo today too… tiffย missed the chili boat! she was busy serving/eating baba ganoush eggs benny bunny… baby!
hi… my name is al! al dente! the REALDEALย al dente!! hmm… jealousย Tiff K, lol?ย I HOPE yer kicking yerself right now, lol? AND,ย btw… day/weather turned out to be absolutely beautiful! was no excuse/reason ya couldn’t have done a meatball/spaghett drive-by!
… trying to juggle so much crap, and now crap from over a year ago hit the danfan today. so much on my plate, trying my best to deal w/it all. hardly have any free time during my workday squeezing in the phone calls quelling the barrage! not all was bad, thanks seema for the call… much appreciated!
as promised; the aforementioned chili strozzapreti… w/grilled naan, & creemore!
… my Portuguese family! Just got back home… getting my hair looking all pretty… in for the evening… kicking off my 4 day holiday, when Antonio surprises me w/this… wishing me a Merry Christmas!! He says the cake is called King Cake (Bolo Rei, in Portuguese), and it’s still warm when he hands it to me! Yum-F-O!! I see from the sticker, this one comes courtesyย Seara Bakery… what a lovely presentation! Funny; minutes from home when stopped at a traffic light, snuck a peek and was in disbelief the amount of cars, and the lack of room w/more cars trying to get in (and out) of Seara… welcome to a Portuguese Christmas Eve, lol! He tells me the port wine is to be enjoyed after dinner! I’m enjoying everything right now just staring at it… can’t stop thinking about all your kindness, and love! Thanks big guy… and, thanks Lina too! Much love!!
Plus; was a sunny, balmy 13ยบ C on a global warming Toronto’s Xmas eve? Yep, today was a GOOD day!!
Company next door was having some sorta huge open house today. Lotsa activity early this morning (6:15 am) setting up a tent, etc., getting prepared. Lookie what else came (around 10 o’clock)… Caplansky’s food truck!! My man Daniel told me it was gonna be gratis too… hell, he even went and got my lunch for me, lol. I didn’t realize till later that they had 3 choices. Mine’s the pulled chicken, btw (ginger ale to drink too). Was really good, even went back for another side of fries later in the day. There were tables and chairs for sitting ‘n eating too, was very well organized. Only a few pics as I was working!
WOW!! How’s that for love? I have been a long-time loyal customer, but I really wasn’t expecting THAT, hell I wasn’t expecting anything! Two brand new logo (shape, too) premium lager glasses (which I was coveting), PLUS a voucher for an 8-pack… a $21.95 value itself! And, love the handwritten letter, such a personal touch! Thanks, Steph… and thanks folks at Creemore… best beer, and def best people behind the beer!! Cheers!!
… m&m, & m! long story short; know damn well whole roasted mushrooms don’t belong – my 1st intent was meatball sandwiches. out the window that went. made my famous balls, instead served it simply. if served w/ $50 Barolo constitutes simply. next day, became my traditional spaghettini&meatballs (love this) meal. 3rd day turned into ‘the tossin’ the lot, the whole kit and kaboodle – then baking (my fave, btw – sorry, no pics) it. plus, still have 2 more days eats left! sweet, my 5 day eye-talian meal!
Special ordered this December 2 … I blame falling for AMEX’s front of the line privileges afforded me! Arrived yesterday – was well within their 8-12 week delivery window! Beautiful attention to detail regarding package and delivery! Very impressed! Oh, and what’s w/ that awesome order number 95959 … it’s a prime, a palindrome too! I love it, it’s a sign from my number God, means wine’s def got to be exceptional! Can’t wait to try, and I know exactly what I’ll be cooking … more pics then, I promise! Oh, and for all inquiring minds – $100 for the deuce!
This post is of recent thoughts and ramblings, a few pics from last night as well. Strap yourselves in, hold on tight!!
Tomorrow marks one month my life changed. I have never professed to believe in God, but I always knew someone was/is watching over me. I know many of these occurrences where I feel being helped in my life can easily be dismissed as pure dumb luck, etc.. Fair enough. This sensation of having my own Angel has been with me for a long time, pushing 30 years – where things happen that help me, that I don’t believe are random or is any reasonable explanation for. I won’t fully expound on this latest one, getting into specifics, I have trouble identifying with the masses, conventional thinkers. I get frustrated with wading pools, I’m the Marianas Trench. That’s the truth folks, not arrogance. If I told you about my latest, most definitive proof my Angel exists, sure all I’d get would be “that’s cool”, “wow, weird” at best.ย That would frustrate the fuck outta me, so I’ll be mum, keeping everything close to my vest. Better this way, trust me … y’all swim near the surface, I’ll keep deep! Since this whole thing happened, since we met, the way we met, the circumstances surrounding it … every detail, I examine theย minutiae, every nuance, every possibility, how, and why?! There is NO OTHER explanation … I have an Angel! Btw, technically was the 11th, but really the 12th. What a day … white wine, beer, and Chinese food! Six and a half hours never disappeared so quickly!
Four days later. Again!
Hells motherfucking yes!! More wine, more beer. No Chinese food, not for lack of trying. It was a Tuesday night, and all closed up shop. Our nextย time together was last night. My Christmas. I’ve spent 20+ years celebrating Christmas on the 24th, I’ll be damned, I did it again! And, we did Chinese again, lol!
LOVE THIS!! You waltz in, hook up your phone, your playlist like you own the place, AND crank it. No volume police here!
Flowers, food, drinks, good times … and dog, lol!
I met you a dozen days ago. You are my friend, last night, I went further and designated us family. Why not? Being fully aware of the pitfalls, the precariousness, the tenuousness of the word supposedly exemplifying union, togetherness, forgiveness?! It’s all a crock of shit, trust me. Don’t believe that crap, fall into that trap for a second y’all! However long this thing we have lasts, you are my family.ย I have proof too. My recently arrived in the mail Air Miles membership provided me with a supplementary card to give to a family member, obviously encouraging more shopping, more points. Points be damned, I couldn’t have been happier giving it to you knowing I’m in your wallet, always close by. From now to then, whenever then is …ย WE ARE FAMILY!!
My Family!
(wearing her xmas gifts. gloves, panties, and Angel)
Burger joint with a gazillion burgers! Gourmet burgers too! Makes your head spin trying to pick that perfect one, so many mouthwatering choices. I know I’ve been lazy lately w/ pics, and w/ food blogging. Not that I haven’t been going to lotsa fun places, I have … just been lazy w/ the pics & bloggin’ ’bout it! And to prove my laziness, this was two week-ends ago, on The Danforth – 888 Danforth – love that lucky number!!
Leaside Burger – upgraded … lean ground Elk …
a side of fries and the obligatory gravy …
Sam Adams AND the Sam Adams glass too – nice touch …
danistrulytheman 