Fancy, fancy bar nuts--wasabi peanuts, imported from Hawaii and house-made spiced almonds!
Bartender Sierra Zimei, made me one of her signature cocktails, the Trust Fund. She said she likes to have fun with the names. This drink for instance, "tastes very white collar--something you could drink while watching polo or cricket. Not something you'd drink out of a paper bag." She also said she's gotten inspiration from Bath and Body Works, where she can see the combinations for lotions and think, "Hmmm. That would be good in a cocktail!"
Zimei is an absolute delight and that comes through in her fabulous concoctions! This is her latest, and is an "insiders only" that you have to ask Zimei for personally. It's called the "English Breakfast of Champions" and is comprised of: egg whites, whiskey, English breakfast tea, honey simple syrup, AND comes with a candied bacon, sugar and salt rim! OMG. This is ridiculous and SO fabulous! This is the most creative cocktail I've ever had--thank you, Sierra!
After drinks, I moved onto drinks and dinner where Executive Chef Mark Richardson greeted me with a smile and five sizzling burgers from The Burger Lounge. This one is the Ahi Tuna Steak Burger with a beautifully piece of seared tuna from Hawaii. The slaw was refreshing and really perfect for the delicate patty--mmmm.
Keep in mind, since I had FIVE burgers in front of me, I could only have of bite of each..
Chef Richardson's infamous Duck Fat Burger. Need I say more?? Mmmmmmmm! Just look at that mound of melted white cheddar and you know there's a succulent duck fat burger hidden underneath--I crave! :)
The Sirloin Burger. This is their standard and is just a hearty, all-around good, American burger. Chef Richardson
knows his burgers. He said when he goes to different cities he likes to try their burgers, "You can tell a lot about a place by how they do their burgers."
The steakhouse burger! This was my favorite of the evening (although, I say that and then want to take it back because they were all so amazing..). It features house made steak sauce, blue cheese and fried shallots--mmmmmmmmm! Ridiculously tasty.
Yes, that would be thick-cut, 48-hour braised pork belly on the BLT Burger. Looks great and tasted even better!
These burgers were all SO fabulous. The Burger Lounge is Sunday and Mondays from 6pm - 10pm at Seasons and I just can't stress how delicious it is. The meal includes a burger, fries and a drink pairing--cocktail (pictured), wine or beer, for $20! As Chef Richardson so states, "At first glance burgers are simple, but when they're done right they are a really fantastic meal." AGREED.
Seasons also has a new Pastry Chef, Jeffrey Wurtz. He was kind enough to let me sample his new pastries, which are so lovely in every way. This cookie had an amazing flake and texture with the raspberries and ice cream (yes, that's a little oblong of ice cream over there!). This was really love at first taste.
This was amazing, too. I'm so not one to be really wowed by fancy desserts usually, but this Wurtz is really something else! This reminded me of a candy bar, and sure enough, that was the inspiration behind it! Delicious!
This chocolate cake was amazing, too. I loved it. It wasn't stand-out for me because the other ones were so unique, but it was very good.
Ah! The passionfruit meringue with cookie crumbs! The passionfruit really pops in your mouth and then the texture of the meringue with the cold ice cream underneath--ooo! Exquisite! I've never had a dessert quite like this one before.
As you can see, all of these desserts have a little mold of ice cream. I thought that was rather interesting and unusual, so I asked Chef Wurtz about it. He explained, "I definitely like to pair ice cream with desserts. They kind of go hand in hand, like pairing a drink with a meal." No complaints here! :)
The table.. Le sigh. This was really one of the best meals of my life. Needless to say, the Four Seasons wowed me--such a pleasure. :)
My full article will be out on
SF Station next week!
What is to be Benu. You will see the KITCHEN through these windows! Understandably, they wouldn't allow photos for the hard-hat tour since they are still in construction. The space is wonderfully innovative and has such brilliant details. And, of course, it all goes back to the food--cannot wait to try it!
Chef Corey Lee and Architect Richard Bloch. Le sigh. 
I stir-fried these frozen veggies in peanut sauce, added pepper and toasted walnuts. Not much of at meal to some, but I enjoyed it! And I'm not purposefully cutting out carbs or anything--I just don't have any rice right now! :)
I think I sliced it the wrong way! It worked though, like little tomato canoes. :)
Filled with crumbled feta, artichokes, onions, walnut bits and mixed spices. I baked them in the oven at 335 degrees, for 20 minutes. 
And they were delicious! Mmmm. Eating healthy is great! :)
The first 7x7 Big Eat party my friend Scott threw was a BIG success! I for one LOVED being able to try so many fabulous dishes for $26! 
SusieCakes has branched out of LA and opened shop in the Marina! I was invited out to the opening Sock Hop party, which was so fun. I took photos for work and the whole album can be viewed here: SF Station SusieCakes Sock Hop. Enjoy!
Susie, handing out free treats! 
Mmmmm... stacks of delicious cupcakes. 
Whoopie pie and banana pudding--both were unbelievable! There's a banana slice in the pudding--mmmm!
They had these super cute cake spatula magnets--LOVE! 
Behind the counter. 
Mmmmm...
I'm excited to go back and grab some more goodies! 
After those burgers at the Four Seasons, and keeping my diet in mind, I decided to go for a salad, even at Gott's! Luckily, their salads are great. I got the Chinese Chicken Salad (left), AR got their house salad (middle) and sweet potato fries. Their fries are so yummy! M got a burger and (back). The new mango smoothies are pretty delicious, too. 
I made a light honey vinaigrette for this salad and added toasted walnut bits and fresh peaches! :) I'm on a big "diet" right now for my brother's wedding in August. I also just want to tone up a bit. I think it'll be good to try out new salads and challenge myself to eat healthy! It'll also force me to cook more so I'm also looking forward to that.
When I went in to review the Four Seasons restaurant, Seasons, for work (SF Station), I didn't realize I was in for the meal of my life! 
Zimei is an absolute delight and that comes through in her fabulous concoctions! This is her latest, and is an "insiders only" that you have to ask Zimei for personally. It's called the "English Breakfast of Champions" and is comprised of: egg whites, whiskey, English breakfast tea, honey simple syrup, AND comes with a candied bacon, sugar and salt rim! OMG. This is ridiculous and SO fabulous! This is the most creative cocktail I've ever had--thank you, Sierra!
After drinks, I moved onto drinks and dinner where Executive Chef Mark Richardson greeted me with a smile and five sizzling burgers from The Burger Lounge. This one is the Ahi Tuna Steak Burger with a beautifully piece of seared tuna from Hawaii. The slaw was refreshing and really perfect for the delicate patty--mmmm. 
Chef Richardson's infamous Duck Fat Burger. Need I say more?? Mmmmmmmm! Just look at that mound of melted white cheddar and you know there's a succulent duck fat burger hidden underneath--I crave! :)
The Sirloin Burger. This is their standard and is just a hearty, all-around good, American burger. Chef Richardson knows his burgers. He said when he goes to different cities he likes to try their burgers, "You can tell a lot about a place by how they do their burgers." 
The steakhouse burger! This was my favorite of the evening (although, I say that and then want to take it back because they were all so amazing..). It features house made steak sauce, blue cheese and fried shallots--mmmmmmmmm! Ridiculously tasty.
Seasons also has a new Pastry Chef, Jeffrey Wurtz. He was kind enough to let me sample his new pastries, which are so lovely in every way. This cookie had an amazing flake and texture with the raspberries and ice cream (yes, that's a little oblong of ice cream over there!). This was really love at first taste. 
This was amazing, too. I'm so not one to be really wowed by fancy desserts usually, but this Wurtz is really something else! This reminded me of a candy bar, and sure enough, that was the inspiration behind it! Delicious! 
This chocolate cake was amazing, too. I loved it. It wasn't stand-out for me because the other ones were so unique, but it was very good. 
Ah! The passionfruit meringue with cookie crumbs! The passionfruit really pops in your mouth and then the texture of the meringue with the cold ice cream underneath--ooo! Exquisite! I've never had a dessert quite like this one before. 
The table.. Le sigh. This was really one of the best meals of my life. Needless to say, the Four Seasons wowed me--such a pleasure. :)
This was a Vietnamese sandwich on a croissant! Tres fusion. ;) Pat got this for me because I was starving. Yums. 
After the fundraiser at Swig, we marched on over to Shalimar with hungry bellies. :) We were greeted with this amazing newspaper menu--LOVE!
I think we just ordered one of everything.. :)
AMAZING!
I love me some ice-cream cake! This was okay--my first Cold Stone cake, I think. I liked it fine, but didn't love the whipped frosting. 
I was volunteering as the raffle girl at my friend Chris' fundraising event at Swig. They made a special drinks menu for us and I ordered this blackberry concoction. It was okay, but not my favorite.
The wonderful Maddy brought this pizza out for Chris' birthday and I snagged a slice! Zach, it's been way too long! :)
Mmmmmm! I'm not sure which one it was, but it had chicken and a lot love super yummy fresh cilantro! Looooove. 
This was heaven! I love a good, cheesy omelette. This was great with chopped up sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and a parmesan-cream cheese blend.
I don't know where we went, but I want to say it was on Grant between Pacific and Broadway? It was nice and cheap and pretty good in taste, too.
Bacon, sweet corn and goat cheese omelette. 
Caprese Salad. 
Caesar Salad.
Dessert tray.
This Serendipity was a bit "Barbie" for me, as far as decor goes... I still haven't been to the one in NYC though. We thought we'd try the one here for a refuel and recharge from that desert heat! :)
Frozen Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate.
They had these giant donuts that were the size of my face! The maple one looked pretty yummy, but would be WAY too much after the brunch we had earlier! :)
YES! I love this song by Jimmy Buffet! I'm definitely a country girl at heart. :)
I love that they have daiquiris flowing in slurpee machines! Delicious! Fat Tuesdays was all over the place, too.
The ONLY Korean restaurant I saw on The Strip! 
