Meet My People - Mary

Meet Mary. She is my cousin from the East Coast. She is often referred to as "Miss" so we share a name. She is smart, funny and independent. I miss her and look forward to seeing her very soon.

1. You wake up in the morning to a chef in your kitchen. What do you ask him/her to make you? My favorite breakfast from a french bistro we used to have in Greenwich, Cafe Rue: 3 Cheese omelet (havarti, mozzarella, swiss) with a fresh tomato basil sauce and a toasted baguette!

2. Lunch or Dinner - Which would you rather skip? Why? Dinner, I like a "real meal" for lunch and a lighter dinner anyways, so I could just step lunch up a notch and skip dinner, no problem! Cocktails count as dinner, right?!

3. Your go-to drink for a good time? Frozen mudslide

4. You walk into your favorite Mexican food joint. What do you order? One chicken, one cheese enchilada with mole sauce ... and you gotta have cheese on your refried beans and plenty of yummy spicy salsa!

5. Sushi. A once popular craze or a staple in your cuisine? Don't eat it, ever.

6. Your friend asks you to lunch at a generic Chinese Food restaurant. What do you order? Veggie spring roll with homemade hot mustard and chicken and broccoli with white rice, plenty of srirachi sauce on the side

7. McDonald's, Burger King or Jack In the Box? Why? Burger King, all about the flame broiled and onion rings

8. Restaurant trend - Dessert served before Dinner. Would it work? No, I'm not a big dessert person to begin with, I much prefer savory over sweet.

9. Why is Coffee more popular than Tea? Your take. I hate coffee, can't get over the bitterness, but I do love a good cup of tea, nice spicy chai in the winter or a light lemony tea in the summer. I'll brew my own tea and refrigerate it to mix with Absolut Citron for a refreshing summer cocktail!

10. Italian Food - More than just noodles? Do you get tired of just ordering different shapes of the same dough? I like pasta, especially with a spicy fra diavolo sauce, but I really prefer the other Italian meals, francese, marsala, etc. I do a simple peasant type of Italian dish int he summer, where I basically do veal cutlets and you serve them with lots of fresh lemon wedges which you squeeze all over them, very light and refreshing! Serve it with some skillet potatoes with onions, peppers and basil, some sugar snaps, very yummy!

Meet My People - John

I couldn't let this day pass without sending a shout out to my brother-in-law John. It is his birthday! He puts up with the craziness in our family and takes impeccable care of my sister. For that I am eternally grateful.

Happy Birthday John!

1. You wake up in the morning to a chef in your kitchen. What do you ask him/her to make you? Crab cake with spinach eggs benedict with pressed coffee and bowl fresh fruit.

2. Lunch or Dinner - Which would you rather skip? Why? Dinner.......just better for you this way.

3. Your go-to drink for a good time? JUMBO MARGARITA'S

4. You walk into your favorite Mexican food joint. What do you order? Fresh chunky salsa.....chicken enchilada's a la carte. JUMBO MARGARITA'S

5. Sushi. A once popular craze or a staple in your cuisine? Staple...if I can persuade wife to go.

6. Your friend asks you to lunch at a generic Chinese Food restaurant. What do you order? Wonton soup, sweet sour chicken, house chow mein.

7. McDonald's, Burger King or Jack In the Box? Why? Jack.....best of the worst.

8. Restaurant trend - Dessert served before Dinner. Would it work? For schizophrenics.

9. Why is Coffee more popular than Tea? Your take. Coffee has more bold flavoring.

10. Italian Food - More than just noodles? Do you get tired of just ordering different shapes of the same dough? I should but don't.....skinny noodles LOTS RED SAUCE.

Meet My People - Donna & Mike

Since I will be stuck at a horse show for 10 days and will not be able to upload restaurant photos (I forgot my cord...shoot.) I will feature, "Meet My People" - If you have not been emailed the survey, copy and paste it. Then email at melissadassel@gmail.com. I think it is really fun!

Meet Donna. My good friend from Hollister - she is patient, kind and one of the sweetest women that I know.

1. You wake up in the morning to a chef in your kitchen. What do you ask him/her to make you? Banana Pancakes with Hawaiian Coconut Syrup

2. Lunch or Dinner - Which would you rather skip? Why?
This one depends on what I'm doing on any given day. Most of the time; Lunch.

3. Your go-to drink for a good time?
No, I don't really drink. Maybe a nice cold beer or a strawberry Margarita or even one glass of wine. That's it for me.

4. You walk into your favorite Mexican food joint. What do you order?
Albondigas soup and a crunchy taco

5. Sushi. A once popular craze or a staple in your cuisine?
NO raw fish for me!

6. Your friend asks you to lunch at a generic Chinese Food restaurant. What do you order?
Deluxe fried rice and war wonton soup

7. McDonald's, Burger King or Jack In the Box? Why?
Jack has the best salads of the three. and I do like the egg-rolls.

8. Restaurant trend - Dessert served before Dinner. Would it work?
Not for me

9. Why is Coffee more popular than Tea? Your take.
I don't drink Coffee I drink Tea. No take on this

10. Italian Food - More than just noodles? Do you get tired of just ordering different shapes of the same dough?
Absolutely. Pass the pasta on by and grab the totally decked out Antipasta salad and Minestrone Soup!

Now meet Donna's husband, Mike. He was my work neighbor and I miss his humor and good times at work.

1. Depends on where I am if it's near a beach I want fresh fish or seafood. If its a beef town just steak baby.

2. Skip lunch take a full dinner like a 7 course Caesar's in San Francisco.

3. Margaritas with my favorite Mexican food.

4. Progresso Tamales and refried beans or Carnitas with green sauce.

5. Sushi hands down a must, again in Hawaii even better.....

6. Garlic Beef or Kung Pow Chicken with Chow Mein can't go wrong with these ones.

7. Mickey Ds always the same anywhere across the whole USA you know what your getting every time.

8. No people like it the way it is, say what about say breakfast for dinner?

9. I think because it evolved this way due to the British embargo of tea in colonial time we started coffee and been addicted from then.

10. Silly girl see answer 2 go to Caesar's get real Italian food not Olive Garden.

Meet My People - Rebecca

I am starting a little thing here at Melissa Good Taste, it is called "Meet My People" - It is in appreciation of all of you for reading my blog and I think it is great to read others perspectives on food! Enjoy meeting my friends and family...

First up: Rebecca. My extremely brilliant, stunning cousin from the Pacific Northwest.

1. You wake up in the morning to a chef in your kitchen. What do you ask him/her to make you? Nutmeg-Coated Creamy French Toast made with brioche.

2. Lunch or Dinner - Which would you rather skip? Why? Lunch. I only get half an hour, so I can't really appreciate it anyway...might as well just have a protein bar.

3. Your go-to drink for a good time? Gummi Bear Martini at Poppe's

4. You walk into your favorite Mexican food joint. What do you order? Carne Asada tacos and a Margarita

5. Sushi. A once popular craze or a staple in your cuisine? Somewhere in between - more like an Enjoyable Change of Pace.

6. Your friend asks you to lunch at a generic Chinese Food restaurant. What do you order? Hot and Sour soup.

7. McDonald's, Burger King or Jack In the Box? Why? McDonalds for one reason - the Coffee.

8. Restaurant trend - Dessert served before Dinner. Would it work? Sure. I was actually just thinking about this yesterday - if you are eating a planned meal with reasonable, non-gigantic portions, why not eat dessert first? Life is short.

9. Why is Coffee more popular than Tea? Your take. I prefer Coffee in the morning and Tea in the evenings - I usually only need the caffeine pick-me-up in the morning, so I am more likely to have Coffee on a given day than Tea in the evening.

10. Italian Food - More than just noodles? Do you get tired of just ordering different shapes of the same dough? I think I avoid noodles for just that reason - give me a perfect risotto anytime.

Robert's - Paso Robles, CA

Hello Paso Robles, nice to see you again. Another show in Paso means more great eats and tasty reviews for you! I found Robert's through YELP! They either hook me up or let me down. At first bite of the complimentary bread and tapanade, I was thinking this was going to be a good meal.

First up Roasted Wild Mushroom Lasagna with creamy Garlic Sauce and Pesto. This was quoted as, "The best lasagna i have ever eaten." And with that honor it was proudly eaten until the plate was licked clean.

Now mine of course, Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut served with Snow Peas, Green Onion Rice and Papaya Coconut Butter. Hello? Is this Heaven because if this is what they serve in Heaven, I am going to be good from now on. I mean really good. I savored every bite until the table started ordering dessert. I didn't want my meal to end!

Last but not least the Grilled Pork Chop served Herbed Mashed Potatoes, Brown Sugar Saut̩ed Carrots and Pomegranate Red Wine Reduction. Not quite like what Mama cooked because this was better! no offense Mom, this was tasty. Who knew carrots could be so wonderful?

I was so happy my cousin, Shannon, came and visited me at the horse show. Isn't she a beauty? I can't wait until next trip to Paso - more horse shows, more dining and more adventures with my family. See you in October.

Enjoy your Labor Day!

Amy Witt - Friend, Cowgirl & Fashionista

Meet Amy Witt. A 21 yr old with more life experience and maturity than most people twice her age. Cool, classy and always stylish Amy has been around rodeo and agriculture her whole life. She's a straight up cowgirl. At age 16, Witt was the National Champion for mixed girls American Cowboys Team Roping Association. And, in 2007 she was the Break Away State Champion. Combining her two loves - fashion and the western way of life was only a natural progression for Amy.

Her t-shirt line is is young, hobo, hippie, nature inspired. It’s fun. All of her stuff is freehand and so it is totally original.

Amy has a lot more projects up her sleeve and I know I will be the first one to sport what she comes up with next. Her cool retro inspired classics will be coming shortly - those are my favorites!

If your interested in Amy's work - contact her at her email: amygurl09@hotmail.com

Cafe Nouveau - Ventura, CA

Doesn't this outdoor setting look marvelous? Fantastic table in the shade on a warm day. I am in heaven - birds chirping, flowers in full bloom... I think this where the glamour ended.

So I see Lobster Bisque on the menu and you know me, I order it. Imagine Nacho Cheese, you know this stuff out of the can that you put in a crock pot? Yep that. That is what I was eating. Lobster? No where to be seen.

Fish Tacos are always fantastic on a beach day so they were ordered. How about Lettuce Tacos? Are you into those too? There were a few measly pieces of fish so I guess we weren't totally jipped. They just went crazy on the lettuce man!

Stuffed Poblano with Crab, Shrimp and Halibut covered with melted cheese, cream sauce and over a bed of julienne squash and rice. It was the must pricey on the lunch menu and sounded fabulous on paper. When it was set down in front of me it looked like a hot mess. Piled so high and seemingly stuffed with everything in the kitchen sink. The rice was under done and the squash was probably the most flavorful thing on the menu. To be honest I never got in one bite of the chile and the seafood had a faint funk. What a disappointment and a waste of food - too big of portion for sure.

Just as we were paying our bill these two puppies were set before us. Maybe a white flag from the kitchen or an apology for the meal that was just set before us? I am not sure but I was sure ready to go. Tums anyone?

Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant - Lebec, CA

While at the Tejon Ranch we found ourselves consumed by Mexican Food. Not that I was complaining. But if we weren't at Jack in the Box eating tacos or at Bonnie's Taco Party we are Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant. Slide on into the main restaurant in town and grab your a seat!

There are a lot of things to try on the menu! Go on and explore!

I ventured for the Pan Seared Fish with sides of rice and beans. Pretty solid choice, big portions and I was darn impressed. The rice was full of mini veggies - have to eat them somehow!

One Cheese Enchilada - This also was very tasty. I had it for lunch one day. I recommend this for a dish on the fly up or down Interstate 5.

Pretty impressed with how Los Pinos handled themselves, even under stress. One night it was packed to the brim with customers! I mean waiting outside and every table occupied. We still were in and out very quickly. I forgot the guacamole! Order that, it was very addicting. Enjoy the grapevine...