Tinker things

We celebrated Kaelyn's birthday month (a while ago) with lots of Tinkerbell things. She got the movie so I finally learned that Tinkerbell's magic is "tinkering" - aka fixing things or making things!

I caught this photo of Mike and Andrew "tinkering" with the new Jeep.  I had to share.  It is quite cute.  The kids are super excited to put this new Jeep to use.  They want to ride in it all the time!

Mike and I booked a trip to Moab, Utah in May.  Sans kiddos.  We can't wait.

Adventure is on the horizon!


Keeping it real! Kathy

Restaurant Review: The Linkery $$

One of our favorites (sinful, but still) is The Linkery.  This place is all about sausage, which really I don't generally go for. But in the interest of supporting local restaurants who value local whole/real food, we wanted to check it out.  You won't be disappointed.  I can't rave about the health benefits of their food - but the sausage is home made and their offerings differ daily.  Their sauerkraut is delicious and definitely a healthy option! It's a unique (and very urban) environment with upbeat staff and a fun crowd.

Keeping it real! Kathy

Restaurant Review: Urban Plates $

We also got to sneak off to a date night at Urban Plates located in Del Mar. This is a really cool place (similar to Tender Greens).   Their slogan is "Farm to Plate and Won't Break the Bank."  So true.  It's amazing what they can do for some pretty standard (California) prices.   First of all, it's a very urban environment -think long wood table where several different eating pairs can pull up and form a little community.  Rustic but not too rustic.   It is set up cafeteria style so you order from the person who makes your food - there is a salad section, a meat section, soup, etc.  It doesn't sound great but it is.  The food is local and organic and very tasty. They even make their own soda.

Keeping it real! Kathy

Restaurant Review: Prep Kitchen $$

I was lucky enough to discover the Prep Kitchen in Little Italy at a business lunch (not appropriate to take photos so none for you, sorry). Then I took Mike to the one in La Jolla on our date (too dark for photos - sorry once again).  The restaurant ambiance is night and day difference between the two.  I strongly prefer the Little Italy location.  The food was excellent and somewhat unique.  Also a focus on locally sourced food.  I have to say that I absolutely LOVE when you know what farm the food comes from. As farmer's market shoppers it's even more fun when we know the farmer and can make that connection.

The Prep Kitchen is worth a visit for lunch or for dinner. The Kale salad with pumpkin is yummy.  Even the standard spinach salad with apples, bacon and blue cheese was out of this world.  We shared the Porter Braised Short Ribs which were just melt in your mouth.  Even though that is not something normally on our food list, when we get to know the farm where meat comes from we make allowances :-)  What a difference too.   

Definitely visit the Prep Kitchen - it's in the same restaurant group as Whiskandladle...

Keeping it real! Kathy

Restaurant Review: Starlite $$

We've had a hard time getting out to visit different restaurants since we keep changing nanny's.   It is funny, we are never able to plan our dates in advance.  Even if we have it on the calendar for a while, it always seems when we are rushing out the door we have no idea what we will be doing!  So for the last few dates I pick up my trusty restaurant guide - Edible San Diego.  Each major city has one specific to the city. We grab them at our farmer's market each week but you can also subscribe (and support the wonderful publication). We find our selves going through the list of restaurants, looking up their menus on the ipad and then giving them a try!  So far, it's been a giant success.  These restaurant's aren't necessarily going for "healthy" or "vegetarian" but they are definitely all going for locally sourced and REAL food.  Homemade, all natural, mainly organic, and VERY gourmet.  They even have a Sunday brunch that would be fun.

We visited the Starlite recently.  Starlight is a 21 and over establishment which we found kinda fun.  They have a mixologist (or two), a super cool and large bar in the middle of the restaurant, and some wonderfully fun drinks.  I tried two of them.  Mike stuck with beer (snore).  The food was delicious.  I had a cauliflower with a special sauce that was really good.  Mike had a burger and really raved about it. Even the bun was specially sourced.

I highly recommend this restaurant. It's not much to pull up to but inside is special - and a modern throwback to the 60s/70s.  Fun fun!

Sorry I don't have a photo - I gotta get better at taking them!

Keeping it real! Kathy