Kentucky Derby 2011 - BBQ and Parade

Every great event comes with a grand parade. 

We met up with Beth's childhood friend Liza so we could ride together to her cousin's glass company for free parking next to the parade.  In Kentucky, I've learned that they take "roadies" with them when they drive... awesome

noticed the red cup in Beth's hand? yeah that's a roadie :)


When we got to the glass company, the first thing I noticed is how free and tough the kids are here in KY, they are playing on a moon-bounce-slide that is placed on top of gravel mixed with shattered glass... and they get to watch the parade on a scissor lift! Total bad asses !!! Both Beth and I agreed that most parents in LA would probably freak out if their kids are anywhere near shattered glass or any construction vehicles.


you can't really tell, but the ground is filled with shattered glass :)


The glass company tail gate party provided us with great BBQ and mystery wine as well... Love the pull pork and ramen salad... yup the coleslaw looking salad has chunks of dry ramen blocks mixed in it !!!


hahahah Sweet Juice!


Now time for some parade photos :)






My mother in law's little sister Aunt Dottie was in the parade, can you find her?


To be continued...

Beach Breakfast to Wine Tasting

Few days ago, while Beth's dad was still here in L.A. we went on a wine country day trip up around the Santa Barbara area.  On the way up we stopped by a little restaurant called Summerland Beach Cafe.  Beth's has been here several times, and the food has always been good!  The place is like a mom and pops diner that serves awesome delicious breakfast plates.  Omelets, bacon, ham, country fried tomatoes, and their very own home made apple butter!

I don't drink wine (long story)... So, I don't do any of the tastings... it gives me bad heartburns :(
Beth loves wine, so she picked out three of her favorite wineries to visit!

Mosby


Melville

Babcock


We were happy that while L.A. was being showered on... Santa Barbara was nice and sunny!

Sonoma Wine Garden

My father-in-law is visiting LA this week!  We were going to take him to this restaurant in Hermosa Beach where you can actually dine on the beach... but it was raining!!! So, our plan B was to find a place with good wine and good food that's also close to a beach.  We picked Sonoma Wine Garden in Santa Monica Place.  Fancy place it is!

395 Santa Monica Place

2nd and Colorado

Santa Monica, 90401 

(424) 214-4560

This place has a nice decor and it looks like they spent a lot of money on interior design :)

Beth ordered cauliflower soup with curry oil... we both thought it was pretty good.  Btw, what the hell is curry oil?



Truffle Spaetzle.  Sounds fancy, to me it's a tasty grown up version of mac n cheese.  The pasta was really good, but I just don't think mac n cheese should cost $15.

Oh and remember to check in to your Foursquare and get the Sicilian Olives that taste like butter! for free!



This place is great, a little bit expensive for my taste, especially when it's located in a mall.  But I much rather eat here than Cheese Cake Factory and spend the same amount of money :)

Dinner with Rotory International in Taiwan

I'm not quite sure exactly what the Rotory Club is. My aunt Anita is a member, so is my uncle. They invited us to a special dinner event held at an upscale restaurant in Banqiao. We had no idea what to expect, but we both knew that we will definitely be fed with lots of yummy food! This dinner came with a whopping 10 course meal and complimentary wine, tea and Mccallan scotch (well, the Mccallan scotch was from my uncle ha!).

First Course - Giant serving of sashimi with a miniature ice sculpted snowman. We both did the "woo... ahhh..." when the dish was served.



Then followed with shark fin soup, jumbo shrimps, shrimp sticky rice, steam eggs, pigs' feet, chicken stew soup, fish collar, sweet buns and fruit plate. According to my Aunt Anita... "Everything here is expensive! so eat up!!!"



Throughout the event we had to kanpai (drink toast) everyone in the Rotory Club and they had to do the same to our table! People got really wasted and there were lots of karaoke and dancing!!! My aunt and uncle won raffle prizes... they ended up giving all the prizes to us! So we came home with three stacks of cakes, one box of giant Asian pears, and a makeup gift bag :) I hope we get invited again!