Weekend Fun! - Ventura + Ojai, CA

I have just had the most lovely weekend. Scott and I went into Ventura on Friday night for a bit of a staycation. We had dinner at Lure Seafood Restaurant (my favorite!) for a nice meal and a little pre-party for our big night out to celebrate Dana's birthday. After dinner we checked into the Crowne Plaza and changed into more formal attire, it was time to celebrate his little lady.... 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANA! 

We were asked to come in our most sparkly, 1920's glam fashion. Nichole knocked the theme out of the park! From her hair, fringe dress, pearl necklaces and long fur coat. Stunning!

 We had such a nice time visiting with our friends, playing pool on a really bad table and getting dressed up. I love a good theme party!

My ladies of the night, these gals sure know how to have a good time. 

The next day with VC Reporter in hand i decided to try the new Asian Fusion Garden which took over the old Chinese restaurant in Ojai. Upon entering not much is changed. There are less tables in the dining area and things do look a bit more streamlined. I decided to go for a lunch special and started with the Hot and Sour Soup as my starter. It was nice, it is a huge improvement from the previous owner's recipe.

A pretty standard lunch plate of Orange Chicken, Fried Rice, Mini Spring Roll and some broccoli garnish. Nothing about this dish was bad. Nothing. However nothing just sand out as delicious to me. It  filled my empty tank up and provided fuel versus providing this foodie euphoria. I will say I was craving larger pieces of white meat chicken rather than so many connective pieces of dark meat. 

The price is fair for the amount of food you receive just about $10. I am happy to support all new restaurants in my area so now it is your turn. The menu is scaled down tremendously so you can easily explore it all in a few visits. I cannot wait to try the Honey Walnut Shrimp next.

The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA

Everyone enjoys a nice surprise and I received one Monday morning! I was chatting with my pal Dana and she said to pack my bags, and be ready by one because we were headed to Santa Monica to stay in a nice hotel, eat at a fabulous restaurant and discover the a part of the Los Angeles food scene. She didn't have to ask me twice, I had my errands done and was packed in two shakes of a lamb's tail.

We arrived at the Huntley in Santa Monica in the early evening and I could not get over how beautiful it was! Stunning, excellent staff and they house a fantastic restaurant at the top level of the building. How great is that?!

Our crew for the evening. I have to say we clean up quite nice! We loved this downstairs area complete with gorgeous fireplace, huge garden of mirrors and comfortable outdoor seating to enjoy Southern California's wonderful weather.

 We had a late evening reservation and were seated by an amazing spot by the window so we could overlook the twinkling lights of the city and observe he ominous blanket o black, otherwise know as the night time ocean. To liven up the party we settled on an evening cocktail of vodka and grapefruit. Light, crisp and refreshing as we perused the menu!

The chef sent out an amuse for us to enjoy and it was prosciutto wrapped asparagus drizzled with a balsamic glaze. it was salty, sweet and everything you want in a bite. I loved this start to our meal. 

We ordered the seared Ahi to start as we all were interesting in sharing a lot of our dishes. The ahi was perfect, the potato puree that it rested on was delightful as well. Everything was served cool so the pickled red onion and powdered wasabi gave the dish a kick that you were looking for.

Christian and I were all about sharing the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad. We love our beets! The variety of the cuts and colors made for a very pretty picture. We supposed to be sharing but I think I ended up eating most of it!

I for once did not order the scallops! Christian did. I did grab a bite and they were halved (my pet peeve) and set on the plate with a lot of garnish. I like my scallops served whole please!  It was served with a leek ravioli, shaved mushroom and micro greens. Christian seemed totally satisfied but it is kind of a cop out trick the eye into thinking you received four scallops when it was truly two.

 Dana ordered the Duck breast and it was a beautiful plate. With a hearty scoop of forbidden rice, also known as black rice, she ate the meat with bites of carrot, aus jus, rice and meat until her plate was perfectly clean.

Fish and beans? Sure, why not! I ordered the Sea Bass with crispy skin attached. The beans, had pieces of lardons and each bite reminded me of baked beans and went surprisingly well with the fish. I liked it a lot! I cleaned my plate and was totally done for.

I just want to send out a special THANK YOU to Christian and Dana for including me in their fun adventures and blessing me with their friendship. I am a lucky, lucky lady!

Madonna Inn - San Luis Obsipo, CA

Yesterday was a great day! I woke up early on my Sunday morning and took a drive up north on the 101 to have a great visit with my sister. We met at the Madonna Inn for breakfast and I couldn't be more thrilled at our VIP status. Our table was reserved when we walked in and we had the best seat in the house. What fun!

I ordered an Iced Tea in a pretty pink Carnival glass goblet with a rock sugar candy on top. It is mostly just for fun but it is too cute for swirling in your beverages. I like the interactiveness of it all. They are .75 cent s if you want one to go home with you. So worth it...

I ordered Pancakes and was not disappointed. These pancakes were light, fluffy and made specifically for me! The batter is what makes them and they are doing it just right. I love that the butter came out room temperature, there is nothing worse than trying to spread cold butter! The syrup was lovely as well. I cannot brag enough on these cakes!

I asked for my side of bacon to come out crispy and it too was done just right. Sweet and salty bites from the pancakes and from the pork. The one thing I would have wished was the plate of bacon was never ending... 

I really enjoyed this morning meal with my sister because the special time I spend with her is so few and far between.  The Madonna Inn is a perfect place to meet for us as it is almost halfway for the two of us. I see many meals being shared gabbing with her here. 

What a beautiful day!

The Biltmore - Santa Barbara, CA

My girlfriend's and I like any reason to have a good time but this reason was extra special, it was our friend Lindsay's Birthday! She wanted to the painting class at the Painted Cabernet so we decided to get a room and make a night of it. Janelle arranged a night at the Biltmore and I drove in the birthday girl... 

Linds and I were early so we decided to partake in a Blood Orange Sage Margarita. It was very tasty and totally festive! The spicy chili rub on the rim definitely had some kick to it!

We also had to try the Crab Cakes and they were an expensive fail. Try something else on the menu if you ever are here.

The girls met up with us and we began our walk to our room in the rain, as we adventured out during California's worst storm in 2014! We are brave like that. I know it actually looks perfectly sunny in this photo, don't let it fool you!

We came in the room to be welcomed by champagne and strawberries! 

Comfy beds and cool California Spanish decor equals my kind of space.

Our view of the pool, it looked so tropical as the rain fell down!

Getting ready for some Santa Barbara Fun! 

The birthday girl! 

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

Janelle made to-go cups, don't mind the spelling ;) 

And, here we are the beauties ready to take on the art world!

Stay tuned for our painting adventures at the Painted Cabernet...

Viva Las Vegas...

Melissa Good Taste is hitting the road and headed to Sin City! I am meeting my sister and gal pals for a girls trip to remember, or forgotten, we will be in Las Vegas after all! My sister booked a room at the MGM Hotel so you might just posts from...

Joel Roubuchon

His scallops were listed on "Best Things I Ever Ate" and I will be the one to declare it the best. Scallops are my thing and I will order this!

I will see if Emeril's dishes are as loud as his mouth at his restaurant located in the hotel...

Shrimp Etoufee anyone?

And last but not least, the happy chef - Wolfgang Puck!

Tuna Tartare, yes please!

We have a lot of time to sample within the hotel and outside as well. We have plans to go to Il Mulino in Caesar's over the weekend so I am highly looking forward to that. Other than that we will be catching up with old friends, shopping and having the time of our lives! Check in with you later... gators!

Gaslamp Quarter Fun! - San Diego, CA

After the game was over we walked over to hotel to check-in to our room at the beautiful, Omni. The view was stunning...

Room comfy and totally stylish!

And surprise! Champagne and strawberries for the birthday boy!!

After a nap to re-charge our batteries we walked down to the Gaslamp Quarter for dinner, drinks and entertainment.

Oh yes, we are ready!

We had reservations at Searsucker, a restaurant owned by celebrity chef, Brian Malarkey. His mom shows cutting horses with us too, it is a small, small world.

The decor was rustic chic and I just adored the funky "EAT" sign above the chef line.

Cheese biscuits came out to us, better known as Cheddar Puffers. An excellent way to get your appetite revved up!

Holy Moly, I ordered the Jalapeno Strawberry Margarita and it woke me up! The first sip was strong, spicy and an eye opener! 

Next was my order of the Carb Free Crab Cake - it was very soft and definitely chocked full of crab but I am not going to lie, I missed something here... maybe a saucy sauce? A spicy spice? I loved it all the same, and didn't let a bite go back tot the table but it did not make me want to order another.

Scott had the Flat Iron Steak served with a duo of chimichurri and bernaise sauces. He loved it. The steak, sauces and crunchy fried onions on top were just fabulous. Small portion size, but it was just right for him that evening. 

I ordered the Short Rib off the small plate menu because I had already devoured the crab cake. It was good. A solid piece of meat served with mash and horseradish, spoiling me the fried onions as well. I liked it, it was filling, cooked well.

Did i absolutely love Searsucker? I liked it. It is more the type of restaurant to go with a large group, sit in the bar, order tons of appetizers, drinks and laugh your butts off, rather than a table two looking for a romantic evening. Not a bad thing at all, I was happy to had been able to go!

Our next stop was a good one, The Shout House is a dueling piano bar located a few blocks from the restaurant so we walked on in. Grabbed an open seat and were entertained for hours with the up beat piano players. What fun!

The day was jammed packed, we ate, drank and had a wonderful time... We crashed before a night cap at the lobby and called it a day! We cannot wait to go back to San Diego!