I’m going to try something new this month and combine my two monthly wrap up posts into one. Often times the events and experiences I share in my month in review posts are the very things I’m grateful for, so combining the two only makes sense. If you do not like this concept, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I can separate the two posts out again next month if it is preferable.
February was one jam packed month, somehow containing both a trip down to San Diego and one up to Seattle. It was wonderful to see my former home cities, though both visits brought up a lot of memories and emotions. It all made for a very eventful and speedy month.
A rare glimpse of blue sky this February.
SEEN, HEARD & FREQUENTED
US Men’s National Team Versus Serbia
Amazingly enough, this was the first soccer game I had been to in over a year. When my husband worked for US Soccer I joined him on the road on weekends and attended a lot of games. Now that he is based at home working in a different position, our game days are few and far between. When a game was scheduled to take place in San Diego, we knew we had to make a day out of it and head southward.
A gorgeous day for a soccer game.
US Soccer has been wrought with changes lately between the firing of their former coach and the rehiring of one of his predecessors. We were therefore eager for the game, looking for any changes of note. Unfortunately, it was a pretty uneventful two hours of soccer, ultimately ending in a draw. The highlight of the day by far was seeing several friends that we don’t get to spend time with on a regular basis and soaking up some much-needed sun and warmth in San Diego.
A Weekend in Seattle
February also brought with it my triumphant return to my home town of Seattle! Okay, it wasn’t all that triumphant, more just rainy and cold, but I got back home for a visit last weekend none the less. I hadn’t been to the Pacific Northwest in two and a half years and hadn’t seen my parents in over a year, so the trip was quite overdue.
My beautiful hometown.
My husband and I got to enjoy some much-needed quality time with my parents and, per usual, ate our way through town one meal at a time. I had so much fun taking a trip down memory lane and showing my husband new parts of the city he hadn’t previously seen.
TASTED
Rustic Root
535 Fifth Ave, San Diego
Following the USMNT vs Serbia game in San Diego, we headed to the Gaslamp District and met up with some friends for cocktails and a bite to eat. We ended up on the roof deck at Rustic Root, a sprawling two-story American restaurant in downtown San Diego, dining beside our own personal fire at dusk. It was a beautiful way to end a very long day.
The perfect way to end a long day – relaxing fireside with a pear slushie in hand.
Every menu item we had the pleasure of trying was absolutely delicious, particularly their delectable cocktail selection. I’m dying to stop in for another visit the next time we are in San Diego so we can sample their offerings more thoroughly. All in the name of “research”, of course.
Recommended: Pork and quinoa lettuce wraps, bison meatballs, mac & cheese, ahi poke tacos, and a pear slushie.
Running Goose
1620 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles
Mid-February I received a text early Saturday morning from a Seattle friend (actually the friend who introduced me to my husband) saying that he was stuck at LAX en route to Cuba. Might we want to hang out? Ummm…YES! I jumped out of bed and we headed right to the airport to pick him up.
We wanted to do justice to our neighborhood and took him on quite the tour, hitting up several of the locations I mentioned in my Around LA guide to North Cahuenga. We also took him to Running Goose, a global restaurant right on Cahuenga with the sweetest little outdoor patio.
Running Goose’s idyllic outdoor seating.
My husband and I had visited Running Goose in the past during Dine LA but somehow hadn’t been back since our initial visit. Suffice it to say, after this last experience, we will be returning frequently. The food is always delicious, their house-made sangria is absolutely delectable and the setting couldn’t be more idyllic.
Recommended: Quinoa and roasted beet salad, salted cod churros and house-made white sangria.
Coastal Kitchen
429 15th Ave E, Seattle
One Saturday morning in February, my husband and I took the first flight out of the Burbank airport to Seattle, arriving just in time for breakfast. After scooping us up at the airport, my parents headed to their favorite breakfast/brunch spot on Capitol Hill, Coastal Kitchen.
Coastal Kitchen’s fish-themed sign is quintessential Seattle.
Immediately upon entering Coastal Kitchen, I was struck by both how welcoming and by how full of life the eatery was. The no-frills interior features walls covered in vibrant works of art, all available for purchase. If the setting isn’t enough to sell you on a visit to Coastal Kitchen, the restaurant’s delicious and giant portions made with only the freshest of ingredients ought to be.
Recommended: The Farmer (a scramble with smoked bacon, potatoes, and green peppers), oysters and any of the restaurant’s dishes made with locally caught fish.
MiiR
3400 Stone Way, Seattle
Though I lived in Seattle for the first 23 years of my life, I have spent so little time there in the last seven years that I have become quite disconnected from the city. On this last trip home, I approached meal-planning in much of the same way I would if we were abroad, doing a significant amount of research prior to our arrival. While I was looking for awesome eateries to check out, I stumbled upon MiiR’s flagship store on the edge of the Fremont neighborhood. The unique mixed-use space features a combination of a coffee and beer bar, an open workspace and a retail store.
MiiR’s bright and streamlined space.
It was the promise of unique craft beer that initially drew me into the gathering spot, and MiiR did not disappoint. Their beer menu is extensive and eclectic, in fact they were even featuring my favorite beer from North Coast Brewing Co., PranQster. Inspiring space, check! Enough espresso to fuel late nights, check! Awesome beer selection, check! If you ask me, MiiR is nothing short of the perfect hangout space.
Recommended: Freshly baked vegan pastries and any of their beers on tap.
Manolin
3621 Stone Way, Seattle
Following our stop at MiiR, we hopped across the street to Manolin, a highly recommended New American restaurant. The eatery was packed on the Saturday night when we were there, but the hour-long wait was well worth it. Upon being seated at the restaurant I was immediately blown away by the gorgeous eclectic interior, and that’s before our first plate was even served!
Manolin’s chic and inviting interior.
My husband, parents and I spent some serious quality time at Manolin and tried nearly half their menu offerings before the night was over. Each beautifully presented and inventive dish was somehow better than the last, creating a dining experience that was nothing short of magical.
Recommended: Plantain chips to start, Tuscan kale salad, albacore ceviche with quinoa, and grilled beef.
Golden Road Brewing
5430 W San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles
Golden Road Brewing is quickly becoming the king of the LA brewing scene with new outposts constantly opening up all across the city. My husband and I had previously popped into the brewery’s original location in Glendale in the past to pick up beer but had never had the pleasure of dining there. Last Saturday when we found ourselves at IKEA in Glendale we knew it was time to change that.
A flight of Golden Road’s classics to accompany a delicious pretzel mac.
We were both blown away by how delicious Golden Road’s menu is. We have visited breweries in the past and encountered mediocre pub food. Our experience at Golden Road was a complete 180. Each of the menu items we tried was a freshly made culinary treat. The best part? Their menu is reasonably priced so you can sample a little something of everything.
Recommended: Onion rings, pretzel mac, short rib tacos, and flights of beer.
As you can see, it was quite a busy month but it was not one without its fair share of sadness. In the midst of the wonderful things that happened in my life in February, a friend of ours faced an unimaginable tragedy when she unexpectedly lost a family member. The painful event took everyone by complete surprise and served as a heartbreaking reminder of how precious each of our lives truly is. And so, as I have moved through the month of February and when I stop to reflect back on it, I am most grateful for my loved ones, friends and family alike.
What did the month of February bring into each of your lives? What have you found to be grateful for these last few weeks?