You gotta try this...

...but ignore the fact that it makes people huge and has more sugar than anything else you'll eat or drink that day (maybe?)...

Seaside Beach, Seaside, CA

If you happen to travel from the Midwest to CA for work and find yourself up about two hours early each morning, a good way to use the time would be to walk a few blocks from your hotel to the beach. I planned this exciting excursion and made it happen the last day of the trip. Especially since I'd never been in any ocean... some "world traveler" I am.

The Flora:

The fauna-less beaches:

Downtown Monterey way over...there...

My own footprints, not sure bare feet were the best plan, but once numb they were fine

Lots of motion from the ocean this day...

I presume these were Jesus' footprints... he wears running shoes now

Barrio, St. Paul, MN

I'd go back in for their happy hour in a second. The food choices we made were delicious. The drinks were fair for an upscale Mexican-themed joint (e.g. they use orange soda in their sangria (?)).

A Mexican twist on BBQ'd pork sliders - delicious!

All Chocolate Kitchen, Geneva, IL

This is a not-to-be-missed place to get your sweet tooth fix in the western Chicagoland hamlet of Geneva, IL (not to be confused with the WI resort community of Lake Geneva). It seems the driving force of this establishment, without a doubt, is Chef Alain Roby - a world famous and renowned pasty, chocolate, and sugar expert.

We stopped in for $10 gellato pints, but they have something for all sweet teeth.

We chose "Cool Mont" and "Cookies n' Cream". The latter was out of this world.

Easily some of the prettiest truffles I've ever seen.

 

They have a pretty "sweet" tree sculpture in the middle of the place, made of chocolate. It's quite the sight, but not for eating... I learned the hard way and then they pointed out the sign below. Whoops!

Pics Download: Madison, WI

Terzo / T3RZO Vino Bar, Minneapolis, MN, again...

... you may recall from previous posts (HERE and HERE) that I've been here before. Well, it was high-time I brought other people, so I gathered 3 more folks and went all-in for dinner. It was great.

Seriously, GO!

Best "corn dog" I ever ate - their "taste of the day" for $1

Their take on the deviled egg, with sage and wrapped in proscuitto

Beets, beets, beets...

And we split the steak entree... very good!

Groundswell, St. Paul, MN

It seems like this is the perfect breakfast/coffee/lunch/dinner/drinks/gathering space for this out-of-the-way neighborhood. And it's not that out of the way, just a few blocks up from the Hamline Green Line lightrail stop and you're there. I'd suggest it on a Saturday morning for breakfast/brunch.

All the food looked delicious and everything we ate was delicious. I'd go back in a heartbeat, no question. I could also see myself going there all the time if I lived in the neighborhood, partly as there didn't' seem to be much else around, but mostly b/c it has wonderfully friendly staff, great options, and a very mellow vibe (plus WiFi).

Lots of locally made items to browse and buy while you dine. And speaking of dine...

They had me at "bacon".

Favorite tea of mine - "Evening in Missoula"

Vegan Banana Loaf, really good!