Drink – Page 2

KAABOO – Not Your Average Music Festival

September 26, 2016September 25, 2016Leave a comment

I was lucky enough to spend the last weekend of Summer in Del Mar. KAABOO invited me to enjoy their ‘mixperience’ festival and try some of San Diego’s best eats. Though music and food was a big focus, this festival incorporated much more than that. Between the various stages, art displays, beer garden, wine and cocktail offerings, and vendor booths, there was something for everyone. The lineup, location, and last year’s reviews, seemed to draw an older crowd in comparison to many other California music festivals. Only in it’s second year, KAABOO has room to grow, and improvements to make from this year, but they are well on their way to standing out in the Summer festival lineup in years to come. Gin Blossoms, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Jimmy Buffett, Third Eye Blind, Lenny Kravitz, Goo Goo Dolls, ALO, G. Love and Special Sauce, Blues Traveler, Donavon Frankenreiter, and Jack Johnson put on great shows and pulled big crowds for their set times. Now, for why you are all here…the food!

Not only did KAABOO offer food booths around each stage, they offered, PALATE, an entire hall dedicated to satisfying your every craving including small bites, seafood, craft beer, cocktails, art for purchase, and live art demonstrations.

Here is a selection of some of our favorite foods from the festival:

These Tri-tip Nachos from Seaside Market were a great way to carb-load before walking around on the first day to explore the grounds. The meat wasn’t overcooked and quite flavorful. They were definitely one of the more popular booths throughout the weekend, and based on the above photo, can’t you see why?

I am happy to say that I ate this sandwich and came out the other side with my arteries still intact…I think…I have yet to consult a professional. Gouda Boys had two booths on both sides of the festival to serve your cheesy needs. Stuffed with Pulled Pork, Bacon, and Mac & Cheese, this sandwich caused an instant food coma. If this sandwich didn’t give you any clue, their menu is all over the place, but not in a bad way. They have a variety of these sandwiches with smoked meats, but they also offer a creative take on egg rolls – they supersize them and add smoked meats and cheese. They seem to be a known presence in the festival circuit, but this is the first time I’ve seen them, but I’ll definitely seek them out in the future.

I am counting down the days until Puesto opens their Irvine location near my office. I’ve only experienced their presence at San Diego festivals, but I am always blown away by the quality and flavor they pack into their beautiful tacos. Whether you’re into meat or seafood, these guys get it right every time.

This chicken flatbread from Alforon was a wildcard choice for us. It wasn’t until their veggie flatbread was served to someone that we knew we had to try their food. Their veggie flatbread was served with fresh veggies and falafel on top, and looked delish! I still regret not trying it for myself, but this chicken flatbread left me feeling just as satisfied. Covered in perfectly cooked chicken, cheese, and not enough of their addictive garlic sauce, this was a great way to start the second day.

This poutine from Poutine Your Mouth was an impulse decision after a long walk from one stage to the next, but I’m glad our stomachs led the charge on this one. It was still early in the day, so we opted for the breakfast-y choice. The fresh, crisp fries were covered in crispy bacon pieces, maple syrup, a fried egg, cheese curds, and at the recommendation of an employee, green onions. It was the perfect portion for two, and left us feeling full without the food coma.

I’ve been curious about Caliburger since I heard about their origin. The chain was started in Asia as an homage to In-N-Out, or according to a 2012 lawsuit, a not so welcome imitator of our beloved chain. They have now started to invade the states, and I was stoked to see what all of the knock-off fuss is about. Well, as you can see, they serve their burgers and fries ‘Cali Style’ with a pinkish sauce and grilled onions, totally different from ‘Animal Style,’ and by totally different I mean, there is no discernable difference on the outside. Their food is served wrapped and boxed in a very familiar manner, and their prices are low for the size and quality of the food. Ultimately, I will let you be the judge on this comparison, but I must say, if I am in a closer vicinity of Caliburger when hunger hits…

I was so excited that Poseidon was offering ceviche sans shrimp, since I’m allergic. This halibut ceviche probably counts as the classiest dish we indulged in at the festival. It was the perfect portion and satisfied our seafood craving.

Tostadas North Park and City Tacos teamed up to bring KAABOO multiple offerings, including the above pictured Lamb Taco and Carnitas Torta. The lamb taco was juicy and flavorful without being too gamey. The torta, though fresh, wasn’t as flavorful as we hoped, but the salsas they gave us fixed that right quick.

My sweet tooth didn’t get as much love as I would’ve liked, but that is in no way the fault of the festival. My dining companion doesn’t share in my severe sugar cravings. However, I am happy to report, that The Milk Bar‘s milkshakes gave us the sugar rush we needed to finish out the festival on Sunday night. It was easily one of the best milkshakes I’ve ever had, and they were cranking those babies out on mini-blenders before you could even decide which flavor you wanted. For the record, we chose Cookies & Cream and Andes Mint. My sweet toothless counterpart absolutely loved his Andes Mint shake 😉

I would highly recommend keeping an eye on this festival and next year’s lineup. KAABOO has amazing potential, and I hope that they rise to the occasion. For more information, visit www.kaaboodelmar.com.

Fall 2016 isn’t about the Pumpkin Spice Latte

September 13, 2016September 12, 2016Leave a comment

If I’m being honest, Summer is my season. The weather is beautiful, there are food events and concerts every weekend, and everyone seems to be in a better mood. I’ve never been one to celebrate the weather cool down, impending daylight savings, or the over rated Pumpkin Spice Latte, but I must say, I am really looking forward to the Fall season this year. This is for a variety of reasons, some of which may seem basic and mundane to most, but to some of my spirit animals, fellow sufferers of Mercury in retrograde, and proud Snuggie® owners, you just might find something you like on my Fall 2016 favorites list.

Fall 2016 is all about cozy sweatshirts: Between the ‘Hocus Pocus’ design from A Beautiful Mess and Oui Fresh, Spirit Animal design from Bean Goods, and my personal favorite from Esplanade Brand Co., I’ll be comfy all season long.

2. Fall 2016 is about the Apple Sage Latte: Yes, you read that correctly. Skip the artificial pumpkin flavor in your latte this season, and visit the gram-worthy Neat Coffee in Costa Mesa. It’s in a very unassuming location, but you can’t beat the house made seasonal syrups, neighborhood feel, and personable customer service.

3. Fall 2016 is all about Mules: I am obsessed with these Steve Madden slingback mules. They are the perfect transition shoe for Fall, and on those awkward Fall/Winter warm days in SoCal, I’ll be able to rock these all year long. Try and stop me.

4. Fall 2016 is all about Gilmore Girls: Anyone else counting down the days until the reboot? Mark your calendars for November 25th, and get your coffee maker ready for the ultimate Netflix marathon.

5. Fall 2016 is all about cozy cocktails: As I was scrolling through Pinterest over the weekend, I found an Apple Cider Moscow Mule recipe, from the gals of Home Made Interest, that I am dying to try.

6. Fall 2016 is all about new food: Come on, you didn’t think I could go an entire post without talking about some of the anticipated restaurant openings coming up. Even though many of these are pending dates, I can already let you know that I am fully booked all season based on the openings of Kismet, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, and Cosa Buona.

7. Fall 2016 is all about bulking up for the Winter: Seriously though… If you are guilty of ending a stressful day with ice cream and a spoon, do yourself a favor and reach for Tillamook‘s Super Premium flavors. They are better than other name brands, and will satisfy your sweet tooth in just a few spoonfuls, not the full pint (if it still takes the full pint for you to recover from your day, I don’t judge you).

Keep in mind, Fall is more than sweaters and lattes. I will be using this season to hit the ‘reset’ button. I plan on getting a head start on my 2017 resolutions, and clearing my head before the busy holiday season. Fall is about not feeling bad about a lazy Sunday watching football, reading a new book every week, waking up early to enjoy the newly brisk mornings, and spending time with the ones you love (even if that still involved photo ops at the Pumpkin Patch or going way too early Christmas decoration shopping at Target)…

Let the countdown to September 22nd begin!

Mason Coffee: Cold Brew Specialists

August 29, 2016August 28, 2016Leave a comment

Coffee makes me feel alive. Coffee gives me life. In other words, coffee is life. So, obviously, when Mason Coffee reached out to me about doing a collaboration, I happily agreed. Little did I know, they were going to get me hooked. They sent me their collection of 4 flavors to try: Original, Vanilla, Lavender, and Mint. Their packaging is simple, but colorful which I love, and anything I can throw in my purse running out the door is extremely convenient. While all of the flavors are unique, the underlying quality of the coffee is obvious. Deriving form a sibling team who found solace in cold brew in a society drowning in traditional office pots of hot coffee, Mason Coffee is the epitome of what makes cold brew great. It’s smooth, rich, and refreshing, even more so with their unique collection of flavors. Even though the Original is still my favorite of the bunch, the Mint is a close second. It has a subtle bite in flavor, and compliments the inherent taste of the cold brew base. Their Vanilla and Lavender flavors were also very balanced and smooth. This cold brew got me through a busy day at work, a relaxing afternoon on the beach, a road trip to San Francisco, and morning running errands. Basically, this brand and beverage fits right into my lifestyle. I get my caffeine fix; it tastes great; it’s portable; and people love the way the jar looks, so you are getting quizzical stares and inquiries whilst you caffeinate. Another plus is their location! They are based in LA, and I love to support local businesses. Another plus? You can order Mason Coffee right to your door, or even start a subscription! You mean to tell me that I can live a life where there is always a jar of cold brew in my refrigerator for me to grab on my way out the door? Every morning? Sign me up! You can also find their jars at a few LA hotspots. If you are new to cold brew coffee, or you dislike hot coffee and have been looking for more options than what is available to you at a corporate chain on every street corner, check these guys out. You will never regret having a great glass of cold brew.

Pro tip: I can’t wait to get my next batch of cold brew from them. Rumor has it, if you combine half Vanilla and half Mint, you will get a taste reminiscent of the beloved Thin Mints.

For more information, visit themasoncoffee.com.