I, for one, can barely register the actual Thanksgiving meal as I’m cooking and eating it, because I’m so focused on how much better everything will taste the next day. I made this chicken hash this weekend with (wait for it) leftover chicken- but I think it would be just as fabulous with leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

And if getting together with your relatives leans more Mommie Dearest than Leave it to Beaver, you could even prep all the vegetables for this dish while you’re making Thanksgiving dinner and put them in the fridge – so that even in a bleary-eyed morning-after state of tryptophan- and whiskey-induced torpor, you can throw this together with minimal effort.

This was inspired by the chicken hash at Bix. If you eat dinner there with someone who has eaten there before, at some point as you’re perusing the menu they will say something like “you should really try the chicken hash, it’s terrific” and you’ll be thinking, “Why would I eat that for dinner? Why am I even here? Is there more wine? Why is he drinking all the wine? I really think he is hogging the wine.” and so forth. But my point is, you will be skeptical about eating chicken hash for dinner. You will also be wrong. It’s fantastic. And the internet, amazingly, has still to this point managed not to produce a recipe for it. So this is an attempt at meeting its high standard of quality. Since it’s a “restaurant recipe” I made sure to add fattening dairy products in at the end. You know that’s their top secret trick, right?

Recipe: Chicken (or Turkey) Hash

If you make eggs to go with it, serves 6. If not, serves 4.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 Tblsp olive oil
• 1 large russet potato, peeled and grated
• 2 large or 3 small carrots, peeled and grated
• 2 stalks celery, strings removed and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 1/2 cups cooked chicken or turkey meat, no skin, chopped in small pieces or shredded with your hands
• 2 Tblsp chopped fresh parsley (flat leaf or curly is fine)
• 8 scallions, chopped finely
• 2 Tblsp dijon mustard
• 3/4 cup half and half

METHOD:

•  Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick saute pan over high heat. Add potatoes, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring every few minutes, about 8-10 minutes, until vegetables are cooked through and beginning to brown.
• Add salt and pepper to taste, along with chili powder, paprika, and thyme. Add chicken, parsley and scallions. Cook another 3-5 minutes, until scallions are translucent and chicken or turkey is heated through.
• Using a fork or small whisk, combine mustard and half and half in a bowl. Pour into pan and turn heat to medium. Cook about 7-10 minutes, stirring, to reduce sauce and boil off the liquid, leaving a creamy hash.
• Top with fried or poached eggs if desired. Serve with hot sauce and lots of freshly cracked black pepper on the side.

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What can I say about Yosemite that hasn’t already been said? We got to see the beginnings of fall colors, with vibrant yellow and orange leaves contrasted with the towering granite grays and misty white waterfalls…

Sun glinting through the pine trees as if they were daytime fireworks…

And of course, the always heart-stopping view of that most famous of Yosemite landmarks, Half Dome.

The icing on the cake: dinner in the dining room of what is ostensibly the masterpiece of all national park lodges, the 1927 WPA-era Ahwahnee Hotel, and a brandy by the oversized fireplace to top off the evening.

Recipe: Granola Bars with Dried Cherries, Almonds, & Cocoa Nibs
makes about 16 granola bars

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 Tblsp flaxseed oil
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger root
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup cocoa nibs
• 1/2 cup dried cherries (cut in half if they are large)

METHOD:

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
• Combine oats, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and almonds. Spread on baking pan and toast in the oven for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and pour into a large mixing bowl.
• Meanwhile, combine almond butter, honey, maple syrup, flaxseed oil, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, whisking, until the mixture is melted together and fully combined.
• Pour melted mixture into oats. Add cocoa nibs and dried cherries and mix everything together until fully combined.
• Lightly oil your hands. Press mixture on to the baking sheet, pressing the mixture down and squishing it tightly together, forming an even rectangle that’s about 18 inches by 24 inches.
• Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 2 hours.
• Use a large sharp knife to cut into bars. Store in an airtight container , with pieces of parchment, saran wrap, or foil in between.

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(Luckily for me, I have friends in high the right places who arranged this incredible experience. I thought I was going to pee my pants. I could not stop smiling!)

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The Question: “I am planning a girls trip to Palm Springs in two weeks, and I wanted to ask for your advice on hotel and restaurant recommendations.  I’m looking for a cool “happening” central hotel with pool where we could hang out.  We’ll want to have a nice dinner on Saturday night, and may be squeeze in a lunch or brunch as well.  Any advice?”

I actually wrote a blog post with some of my favorite Palm Springs spots awhile back- it should be a helpful start, although  some of my opinions have changed slightly. I got to know the area a lot better since we got married there, so I’ve had a chance to try many more things since then…

For a hotel, it really depends a lot on the budget and what you’re after- there are lots of great hotels down there. The Ace Hotel is super groovy (definitely qualifies as “happening”) but it’s not right in the middle of town. It’s a pretty small town and cabs and parking are plentiful, so it’s not a huge deal. They have an excellent poolside scene! Two small hotels that are quite fabulous and centrally located are Del Marcos and Chase Hotel. The Viceroy has a very LA vibe, and is a bit bigger and more chichi modern. It’s in a great location as well. I have heard great things about Desert Riviera, but it’s basically next door to Ace.

While I so enjoy a stay at The Parker Palm Springs, I have to warn that it’s way on the edge of town and pretty pricey. If you don’t stay there, do go for patio drinks, splurge for dinner at Mr. Parker’s (where we went on our very last pre-wedding date as fiancees before tying the knot!) or opt for a see-and-be-seen brunch at Norma’s. Bring your biggest sunglasses!

When it comes to food: for lunch or brunch I highly recommend Cheeky’s. Everyone loves it there! They have a bacon flight, for goodness’ sake. For dinner, it really depends on what atmosphere you want. If you can sit outside, Spencer’s at the Mountain has a great outdoor area with lights that’s really pretty and the food is good. (We had our rehearsal lunch there.) I think the best quality food and service in town is at Zin, but the atmosphere is not the best. As I mentioned, Mr. Parker’s at the Parker Palm Springs has great food as well, and a super cool and funky atmosphere, but it’s pricier. The Parker is a really zany place so it’s fun to see it. You can eat brunch there, which is a great setting, but it’s way expensive and not amazing. I would definitely choose Cheeky’s over Norma’s.

Don’t forget to try a date shake while you’re there–a desert delight. Have a great weekend!

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If you’re like me, the first thing you’ll do Friday night when you arrive in town is drop off your bags, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, just make a beeline for the Turf Supper Club to get directly and immediately into vacation mode. My husband puts this in his top 5 favorite restaurants in the world. I will have to go top 10. But still! It’s a must, especially if you like tasty cocktails and hunks of meat.

The short version of the story is that this spot was hip and happening back in the olden days, the neighborhood went downhill and the joint closed for about 30 years, and was reopened in ’99 and kept almost exactly the same decor-wise and vibe-wise. The vaguely horse track theme and the dim pinkish lights are the perfect ambience for a pint-sized cocktail and a hunk of raw steak–which costs about 7 bucks. Why so cheap? You cook it yourself on a communal grill.

Now that you’re sated with steak and possibly a little tipsy, head to the Gaslamp District just down the hill for a post-prandial beverage at some over-crowded, over-designed bar. I’m a supersucker for the newish Searsucker, which boasts specialty drinks like the “Best Served Cold”, which combines gin, watermelon, jalapeño, and citrus. Yowza. On the other hand, If you’re feeling adventurous, low-key, poor, and have a designated driver, my favorite kitschy-tacky 1970s mermaid-themed bar, Pacific Shores, is all the way in Ocean Beach but it just happens to have good, strong drinks that range from two to five dollars. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever actually paid five dollars there. The blacklight-heavy, under-the-sea ambiance will either delight or horrify you (me=delighted.) Hint: if you want to sound like a local, call it PacShores.

Wake up! It’s breakfast time. There is only one place to head for mouthwatering breakfast pastries and a whole litany of very best and fanciest coffees, teas, and hot chocolate, which is Extraordinary Desserts. Technically there are two places because they have two locations–the original location (where yours truly used to work, in fact) on 5th Street between Hillcrest and Downtown, which is quaint and cozy, and the newer Little Italy location which offers a va-va-voom design, with its super modern design and lofty concrete and metal. Everything there is both gorgeous and incredibly delicious. Top marks from me!

What to do once you’ve recovered from your post-breakfast mini-coma? For the culturally inclined, the La Jolla branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art has an astoundingly well-curated collection in a small, manageable package. (Then again, in that ritzy neighborhood they probably aren’t hurting for donations.) I am a big fan of small modern museums and this is one of my absolute favorites. The sculpture garden out back looks onto the Pacific Ocean and features a breadth of works, including Nancy Rubins’ fabulous sculpture “Pleasure Point” hanging off the building’s backside.

Another excellent choice is a visit to the USS Midway. Now I’m not the most militarily inclined, but this once-active aircraft carrier is a fantastically interesting historical site with an excellent audio tour to boot. Kids will like it too–as long as you let them up on the deck with all of the old planes. For the tequila-inclined, there’s always Old Town, the original historical location of the town of San Diego and the site of the first Western settlement in California. Old Town is a state park that has a couple of historical sites, wide pedestrian roads, kitschy Mexican tourist shops, and some fine margaritas. Learn about some of San Diego’s Spanish founders then mosey on over to the big courtyard for some live mariachi, traditional dance performances and a strong margarita with a side of guacamole. You can even find out what the Mormon Battalion is! (I’m not going to tell you, because that would ruin the surprise.)

After all that art, tequila, and/or historic military airplane action, you’ll be famished once again. No trip to San Diego is complete without a stop for cheap and tasty carnitas at Porkyland. Trust me, I know my pork! If you’re with a group, the family platters of crispy, salty pork, fresh tortillas, and all the fixin’s to fill you up will not disappoint. The original location in the barrio has shut down since I moved away, but luckily for you, if you went for art, there’s a La Jolla location. If you went for tequila or airplanes, there’s a Hillcrest location.

Now, a few more suggestions on proper lollygagging. You didn’t come to this laid-back beachtown to, like, put effort into stuff, did you? If you’ve rented a car, you might fancy a trip across the Coronado Bridge, just south of downtown, to the famed Hotel Del Coronado. The hotel’s red roofed, old-fashioned charm has been featured in several movies (including one of my favorites, Some Like It Hot) and still delights with an updated, outdoor comfy lounge bar by the beach. It can get over-touristy on the weekends, but a walk along the white sands of Coronado will quickly get you back to chill mode–especially if you happen to be there on one of those lucky days when the dolphins frolic just off shore.

If that’s not your scene, maybe you’ll feel more at home in a house of hipness. Two come to mind–one in Pacific Beach and one downtown. The bar/restaurant at Tower23 Hotel, JRDN (pronounced “Jordan”) is a good choice on a warm day. If you’re lucky, you can snag a seat poolside on the mezzanine level to sip and snack. But I’ve got a real soft spot for rooftop bars, even more so when it’s a tucked-away, secret-seeming one like Beach Bar at the W Hotel. A late afternoon here is a divine way of enjoying the last rays of the day without having to contend with the scantily clad, club-going hordes that descend upon it at night. You can take off your shoes, wiggle your toes in the sand, and all but forget you’re smack in the middle of downtown.

Dinnertime again! Sushi’s on tap for tonight. Sure, you could wait 2 hours for a table at the crowded, crazy RA for one of their funky rolls. The combinations are delicious, the sake is flowing, the skirts are miniscule, and the heels are high. If you would like a sushi experience that is approximately the exact opposite, a few blocks away you will find Kiyo’s, one of the oldest sushi places in town. You will get no ambiance, many friendly Japanese people, extremely delicious fish, and no scenesters. Not a one.

If sushi doesn’t suit your fancy, or you have something romantic in mind, supper by sunset at Georges at the Cove will treat you right. (It’s a little confusing because they have a fancy indoor restaurant, a bar, and a rooftop bistro called the Ocean Terrace. The Ocean Terrace is the nicest setting and the best food.) You may want a reservation (even if you just call the same day) to try and request a table on the water side for the splendiferous sunsets.

Did you perhaps have one too many last night? Or are you on your way to the world famous San Diego Zoo and need sustenance to tackle Panda Canyon? What you need is one of the specialty benedicts, an eye-opening  jalapeño cheddar cake, or a short stack of pizza-sized Cap’n Crunch raspberry pancakes (pictured below) from Cafe on Park. Try to drag your ass there by 10 or you’ll probably have to wait. If you’re a hair-of-the-dog type or if the aforementioned zoo trip involves whiny kids, may I recommend one of their excellent Bloody Marys?

Wait to digest all of that before you head out to Belmont Park for a ride on the Giant Dipper. Just before the big plunge, you’ll see ocean views for miles! The perfect way to say goodbye to sunny San Diego.

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I confess I didn’t realize it was a real place until I was all grown up! Since then, it has been on my list of places to visit. We took a quick weekend trip there with friends and it was a real treat.We flew into Long Beach on JetBlue, hopped in a cab, and grabbed the last ferry to Avalon, Catalina’s most prominent town. (For all intents and purposes, it’s really the only town. There is a second little town called Two Harbors, which has a couple hundred people which has one hotel, and one restaurant, and not much else.)

Catalina Island is home to only around four or five thousand people. But what a life they have! Just 26 miles across the sea in a one hour ferry, and you feel transported to another time and place.

Avalon strictly limits the number of cars allowed, which makes it a clean, clear, quiet place. So most people drive around in golf carts.

Where to eat and drink? Well, M in the Metropole brought us back for excellent bloody marys and tasty bites on their perfect-for-people-watching patio and their airy but elegant dining room.

A fancy dinner at Catalina Country Club might be in order. Or you can try the excellent seafood at The Lobster Trap, an odd place that has an unappealing menu and food that looks unappealing, yet everything tastes stupendously delicious.

If you have to wait for a table, grab a drink at the divey Marlin Club next door.

Or maybe you’d prefer a luau-themed dive bar. In that case, don’t miss Luau Larry’s–the local band that plays on Saturday nights is better than you’d expect. Or, head down past the casino and hit the hip scene at Descanso Beach Club for sand in your toes and a margarita in your fist.

Where to stay? A warning here, lodging is a bit pricey! Aurora is a good lower-priced option, and offers modern boutique hotel charm. The Metropole and the Pavilion are top choices. (That’s the Pavilion down there. Free wine at sunset.)

Catalina also has interesting history. William Wrigley Jr., of Doublemint gum and Chicago ballfield fame, bought up the whole island in 1919 (I guess you could do that back then!) He built something called a casino which is not really a casino but which looks cool and has a movie theater inside.

And he was buried there, in a big memorial. The memorial is still there, although the body was moved for some odd reason.

If you like snorkeling or especially scuba, you will find lots of things to do. There are shipwrecks to explore and all kinds of fish. Nice hiking, too. You can do a zip line if you’re adventurous. Or just go and watch the taffy puller–it’s quite hypnotic–and grab a fresh caramel apple or scoop of Thrifty ice cream, you know? You’re on vacation.

There are also bison on the island, which I didn’t actually see. They have an interesting story too–they were brought in for a film in the 1930s, and the crew just left them there to hang out. Of course, they procreated quite a bit so now there are a lot of them. That’s Catalina for you. Quirky and lovable. And utterly perfect for a mentally transporting weekend.

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I was a bit surprised when I started to codify this information, because it shows that I’ve been around the world and I-yi-yi, I can’t find no steak-y. Almost 100% of my favorite steaks are right here in the U.S. of A! I’m glad we still kick a$$ at something. USA! USA!

Oh and after you read this list, PLEASE tell me your favorite steaks so I can try them before I die.

A List of Steaks I Have Loved

Best Steak Overall (East Coast) :: Ribeye for 2, 3, or 4 at Peter Luger in Brooklyn NY

Best Steak Overall (West Coast) :: Anything in the wagyu section of the menu at CraftSteak in Las Vegas, NV

Best Steak Tartare :: Blue Ribbon Bakery in New York, NY (tip: ask for toast points instead of chips)

Best Dish with Steak in it :: Steak Stroganoff at Spork in San Francisco, CA

Best Multi-Course Steak Menu :: Set menu at Solociccia in Panzano, Italy

Best Place to Have Fun Cooking and Eating a Steak :: Turf Supper Club in San Diego, CA

Best Crazy Presentation of Steak :: Sometime during the tasting menu at Alinea in Chicago, IL

Best Steak for Melting in your Mouth :: Medallions de Boeuf at French Laundry in Yountville, CA

Best Steak Sandwich :: Korean Steak Sandwich at Rhea’s Deli in San Francisco, CA

Best Steak, Mexican Format :: Carne Asada at Super Cuca’s, Santa Barbara, CA

Best Steak, Italian Format :: Hanger Steak Tagliata at Al Di La in Brooklyn, NY

Best Steak, Japanese Format :: “Hot Rock” Wagyu Steak at Uchi in Austin, TX

Best Steak, Korean Format :: Bulgogi at Do Hwa in New York, NY

Best Steak from a Chain Restaurant :: Outback Special from Outback Steakhouse, everywhere

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Their sole purpose is to allow you to bring a little bit of soy sauce with you wherever you go, just in case. They come with a little tiny eye-dropper so you can fill them up with soy sauce. So far they have never leaked and they always make me smile when I pull them out at lunchtime! Something about those vacant, beady eyes and perky ears- they are really endearing little pals to have around.

Eliza got these for a couple bucks at one of my very favorite stores in the world, Daiso Japan. Daiso is kind of like a super cool Japanese Dollar Store, except most things cost two dollars instead of one. Daiso has a crazy cross-section of stuff, from garden supplies to kids’ toys to dishes to cards (many in hilarious Engrish) to fake flowers to, er, individual soy sauce holders. With ten bucks in hand, you can have a GREAT time in there.

There are 3 stores in the Seattle area and 6 in the Bay Area- here’s a list of all U.S. locations.

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I am constantly reminded of, and delighted by, the great many picturesque and unique things and places one can find in San Francisco and today was no different. We so often stay in our own little microcosms and neighborhoods, and forget to get up and out into the world and enjoy the variety of wonders our fair city holds!

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I will admit that after making this plan I realized that I actually didn’t even know what a Demolition Derby was- I mean, I guess I could have figured it out if I thought about, but I didn’t. I think that’s because I couldn’t have imagined how utterly fun and awesome it is to watch cars crash into each other. So now I know: more or less, a bunch of cars drive around in dirt crashing into each other, until only 1 car is able to move. Pretty straightforward.

Some things we learned:
1. You’re not allowed to hit the driver’s side door on purpose. Anywhere else is OK.
2. Drivers wear helmets and they only carry a small amount of gasoline to prevent fires.
3. If you’re driving in dirt, you don’t actually need tires or wheels- you can do pretty well even when you’re down to the axle.
4. Ideal demographic for DD is Y chromosome, age 3-10. Not to say the adults and females didn’t enjoy it, since everyone did LOVE it. But nothing matched the unbridled, nay, unhinged, enthusiasm of the little boys who were in our group.
5. If someone invites YOU to this type of event, you should definitely try to make it, because it’s pretty much insanely fun and awesome and different.

(These photos are about half mine, and half from my friend Carolyn Laub, who was kind enough to share.)

The DD was a special attraction of the Dixon May Fair. Previous night’s entertainment: ZZ Top.

The cars and trucks line up on the dirt to show themselves off before the crashtastic action starts.

The dollar bill car was an early favorite, until he was decommissioned by a busted radiator.

Try as he might, 68′s driver can’t resuscitate this victim.

Dead cars pile up on the berm while the remaining vehicles continue to smash around.

At the end, since only 1 car is still able to drive, heavy machinery carts the remaining carcasses off the dirt in preparation for the next round.

Mmm… delicious dancing corn dogs.

The pickup truck round about to begin. The announcer is so excited and keeps saying “in my 30 years of doing this, I have NEVER seen a pickup derby, so folks, this is really something special!” So special!

A truck smokes after a front hit and his radiator blows.

When a winner is declared, the drivers take off their helmets and climb out of their trashed trucks.

After 2 rounds, this incredibly tough car finally died- but not before driving around on 1 perpendicular tire, 1 diagonal tire, and 1 bare axle.

Exhaust combined with fire extinguisher blowback flooded the open-air arena with choking smoke.

The event came to an abrupt and unceremonius end when the smoke became so overwhelming and obscuring that patrons ran from the arena coughing and covering their faces.

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