Refresh me!

So, in leu of getting back from a California trip not to long ago, I would like to share a review of a landmark in St. Helena CA.

I am not sure as to when the original location opened up, but I believe it has been a popular dining establishment for quite some time. Taylor's Refresher gained popularity in the early 2000's and it had been going strong until a change in owners in 200  . Then it became known as Gott's Roadside. The menu is pretty much the same. They are known for their burgers, shakes and fries. Chicken, seafood, salads and other options are served as well.

Some of the Awards that the Refresher as received include one of San Francisco Magazines 50 Very Best Restaurants, and it has made appearances in Food & Wine Magazine, Savor, Travel + Leisure, Gourmet and Bon Appetit to name a few. As well has being visited by Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive Ins & Dives. In 2006 it received the James Beard Foundation Medal for America's Classic Restaurant

"The James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Restaurant Award is given to a locally owned restaurant with timeless appeal, beloved for quality food that reflects the history and character of its community.  James Beard Foundation Awards have become the highest honors awarded to fine food and beverage professionals in North America."

Needless to say, when I heard we were going to Taylor's I was super excited! Upon arriving I was shocked to see that the name had been changed. Why would you do such a thing?! The other thing I noticed was that the line was wrapping around the entire patio! It was about 2ish in the afternoon, but I guess a nice, sunny, summer day brings out all the tourists to this place! Luckily the line was very quick and entirely worth the wait! (even if I only got a chance to eat the fries)


What we ordered: Wisconsin Sourdough Burger w/ mushrooms, bacon, mayo, and BBQ sauce. 1 order of sweet potato fries w/ chili spice. 1 order of garlic fries.


What we thought: The burger was good according to my hubby. He sure likes his sourdough bread, one of his favorites! The garlic fries were good as well, nothing special. They came out very green and tasted like your basic french fry covered in garlic and herbs. The sweet potato fries were by far my favorite. I am a huge fan of them and try them at most every restaurant that I go to if offered on the menu, this was the first time I had them with chili spice. Most of the time they come plain or with cinnamon sugar sprinkled on them. I liked the idea of the sweet and spicy combo. Very good!

Over all rating: 3 out of 5

I think that I would need to go back and sample some more of the menu items to make a better overall review. French fries, as good as they are, are not an adequate sampling of a restaurants menu! Hopefully, some day I will get to go back, but until then...my rating stands!

ENJOY!

Changes Changes Everywhere!

Once again, this Blog has been reformatted! I think that I like this format the best, as of right now at least. It is much more simple and clean. Not to busy. The perfect backdrop for my photography!

San Francisco City Hall

The hubby and I recently got back from a 9 day trip to California. We were visiting grandparents in the San Francisco Bay area and siblings in the Sacramento area. We had a wonderful time visiting Downtown San Fran, Napa, and other adventures!

One "Adventure" that sticks out in my mind is the obligatory trip to World's Fare Donuts! This place is very significant to my hubby because he has memories as a child going to his grandmothers house and always, repeat, always getting doughnuts from this place. Of course, one we go to CA we had to have them as well!


Hubby's Fav: Maple Long John (but will pretty much eat anything that has frosting and not cream filled)
My Fav: Glazed Old Fashioned (they also have chocolate and maple glazed) These are the little ones that "crack" open while cooking and look like, to me at least, little flying saucer doughnuts!

I highly recommend going to Worlds Fare, their doughnuts are fresh and there is a vast selection to please everybody, but I understand that doughnut stores are a dime a dozen in CA. Its just so big! But the place is so significant to us, we will stand by them through and through!

Soon I will be posting some pictures from our sparkling wine and wine tours and tastings. I will also include a review on a historic restaurant in St. Helena CA. Can you guess what it may be? If not, stay tuned!

ENJOY!

Lets Learn!

Lets learn a little bit more about where my hubby and I will soon be moving: Okinawa Japan!

OKINAWA
"While Japan declared Okinawa a prefecture in 1879, this ancient "Kingdom of the Ryukyus" retains its own unique language, culture and cuisine.

The group of islands in the Ryukyu archipelago that encompasses Okinawa lies southwest of mainland Japan in the East China Sea. Its capital city, Naha, is a two-hour flight from Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei or Manila. Although people on the main island of Okinawa speak what is known as Okinawan, dialects on the other 43 inhabited islands differ considerably.

Its sub-tropical climate keeps Okinawa balmy even when neighboring countries are in the dead of winter. Okinawa's pristine white beaches, stunning coral and array of brilliantly colored flowers make the islands an ideal resort destination. In fact, Okinawa is in the same latitude zone as other famous beaches including Florida, Hawaii and the Bahamas.

Okinawan cooking is generally spicier than Japanese food, and is more heavily influenced by Chinese cooking styles. Pork is a dominant ingredient in Okinawan cuisine, along with local seafood and native tropical vegetables and fruits."
(Taken from AmeriForce Magazine)

~Okinawan Language Lesson~

Hello................Chuu Wuganabira, Moshi Moshi
Goodbye......................................Guburii Sabira
My Name Is - ........................................ - yaibiin
I Don't Understand.........................Wakayabiran
Please Write It Down.........Kachi Kwimisheebiri
Excuse Me/Sorry........................Guburii Sabitan
Thank You...................................Nifee Deebiiru

ENJOY!!

Picture Sharing time!

I just recently made a nice road trip from MN to NC. This is not the first time that I have made this trip. I have made it at least 5 times. All of them I have done by myself, except for two when I had a wonderful companion of some sort. I LOVE to drive, I really really do and I challenge myself to find things that can keep my mind occupied. This time I let time fly. I focused on not worrying what time of day it was, just let time pass and don't start to schedule it or count it down, like "okay I have 4 more hours" instead I just thought, "alright, its noon, what city am I going through next?" or something along those lines. I seemed to help a lot!

Anywhos, here are some pictures that I took while on the road!

My faithful travel companion!

Fred the turtle to keep me company as well!

Pilot Mountain in North Carolina

Pretty clouds 

Flying hand! I totally loved doing this as a kid!

Hahaha! A horses butt!

Wind turbines

What kept me awake at night! 

ENJOY!!

Things are going great!

My hubby has been home for over 24 hours! THIS IS AWESOME! Tehehe

Here is one of my awesome photos of him...

ENJOY!!

Oh yeah! I listened to this awesome band: Alpha Rev. Their album New Morning is really good! They are alternative and its some awesome chill music.

Reason for the UPDATED site...

Okay, there are going to be some changes around here! First off, I am going to make it a goal to post semi-daily. At least 3-4 times per week. I am going to have a lot of time on my hand over the next few months so this should be doable! I need somebody to be accountable to, and that is going to be my readers. I am going to try and market my blog and increase the number of readers that I have. I hope the design changes help as well.

The other good news is that my Hubby is COMING HOME!! He has been in Afghanistan since December 14th and with return on July 11th. So about 7 months we have been apart. I this is the second deployment in less than a year! He return from Iraq in October 2009 and left for Afghanistan in December 2009...do the math...he was home for a whopping 3 months! Yeah, thats my love, and he wanted to do it. Who am I to say no? Things worked out really nicely for us. Time really did fly by! (Work helped for me!)

And, to update everyone as to what the future holds...it is this: We are moving to Okinawa Japan sometime in October 2010. The plan as of right now is to be there for 3 years. Note: this may be shortened or elongated. It all depends on what the Corps and my Husband decides.

Am I excited, nervous, scares, apprehensive? HECK YES! I cannot wait to go and explore a new place, people, and culture! I cannot wait to actually LIVE WITH my Hubby for more than a few months! I know it will be hard to get used to, but I am willing to make mistakes, and to learn from them. I have been kicking myself for a long time for not studying abroad in college (excuse: hockey) and I see this as my chance to make up for that! I am excited to try the new food, meet new people, go to new places, have new and exciting experiences..etc, etc. I hope and pray that things work out for the best! And I appreciate the support from family and friends!

So, for your viewing and reading pleasure, here are some pictures and facts about where we are headed

OKINAWA JAPAN
Capital: Naha
Population: 1,379,330 (2008)

"Okinawa is one of Japan's southern prefectures, and consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 km long, which extends southwest from Kyushu (southwestern most of Japan's main islands) to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of the largest and most populous island, Okinawa Island, which is approximately half-way between Kyushu and Taiwan."
(courtesy of Wikipedia)

The climate averages about 70F annually and in the winter it averages about 60F.




ENJOY!!

UP

Dated! Yes, This blog has been updated! Stay tuned for more info!