Browse Author: beakatude

Second Dinner

We joke about Kumquat being a hobbit since she’s always begging for some of our dinner after she’s already eaten hers.  Maybe we’re a FAMILY of hobbits considering what we did tonight.  This evening around 8:30, Jia texted to say that her landlord (a crab fisherman) dropped off two live crabs.  She didn’t know what to do with them so she actually drove them up to SF and dropped them off to us.

IMG_0946They came in a cardboard box and looked dead.

IMG_0947Jes put one in the sink and as soon as he turned the water on, it started to move around!  Creeeeepy.

Here’s a video of the poor guy trying to stay alive.

He steamed them while I went out to pick up a bottle of white wine, lemons, and butter.

IMG_0952When I got home, one was cooked and the other was waiting in the sink for his turn.

IMG_0956We ate the smaller crab tonight at 9:30 after we had just finished dinner around 7:30.

IMG_0957This is a true picture of gluttony.  The two of us just sat there quietly cracking, dipping, and eating while the kid slept in her bed.  Freshly steamed live crab really is tasty – especially when it’s free.

IMG_0958I took apart the larger crab and got this much meat out of it.  I think it’s at least 3 cups of crab meat.  We’ll have to figure out what to make for dinner tomorrow.  Crab fried rice?  Crab cakes?  Mmm. Mm.

layover

We got an email a few weeks ago from Dad saying that he and Mom would be taking a 24-hour layover in SF on their way back from a pastor’s conference in Florida.  That was just this past weekend so we got to see them on Sunday.  IMG_0801We met up at Beach Chalet for brunch and were treated to a table right by the window with a clear view of the beach across the street.

IMG_0803We ordered beignets and I had the corned beef hash and eggs.

IMG_0809Yum.  Jia’s eggs benedict with crab was also tasty.IMG_9503

Afterward, we took at walk around the SF Zoo, which was just down the street from the restaurant.  It was fun to see Kumquat run around with her grandpa who got  A LOT of exercise that afternoon.

IMG_0849For dinner, we went to Silver House and feasted on noodles, pork, fish, rice, veggies, and everything else you can think of.  So glad they were able to make a stop to see us!

yummy treat

IMG_0723Look what’s in my neighborhood!  Humphry Slocombe just opened in the Ferry Plaza in place of the my favorite gelato place.  I lost my passionfruit sorbet for a scoop of Secret Breakfast.  Yippee!

IMG_0750I got a scoop today and managed to eat the whole thing without Kumquat noticing.  It was mine…all mine…  🙂

Friday Commute

When I left for work on Friday morning, I heard the traffic report just as I was going up the on-ramp to the bridge.  They reported an overturned SUV just before Treasure Island and to expect long delays.  Just a minute before, I had 3 emergency vehicles pass me.  No wonder.  Luckily my on-ramp is already on the bridge so I didn’t have to fight the 101 back-up.  I stayed on the far right lane and we all just crept along smoothly with all the action happening on the far left.  My commute to work usually takes only 15-20 minutes and traffic is typically light so the fewer number of cars having to squeeze by really helped.  IMG_0681As I approached the scene at a snail’s pace, I got a clear view of the accident.  Crazy.  In the 7 years I’ve been driving to work, this has not yet happened on my commute.  How do you flip your car in such a narrow roadway anyway?!  Fortunately, I was only about 10 minutes late to work just in time to join Stephanie for our Greasy Food Friday breakfast.

IMG_0687On my way home, there was another accident at the 280-101 interchange so my westbound commute on the bridge was slower than usual.  What a crazy Friday.  It’s just funny to think this is a heavy traffic day for me (10-minute delay both ways).  I’m pretty lucky right now and I certainly do not miss LA traffic.

Jia’s Birthday

IMG_0500Jia’s birthday was on Thursday but we celebrated on Friday night with Japanese tapas in Berkeley.  Jason made a reservation for Kiraku and it was a good thing because they had an hour-long wait for those who did not.

IMG_0516We ordered so many items that I lost track but here is a collection of most of the dishes: 1) Sashimi – including fatty snapper, 2) Salmon with Vinegar Sauce (my favorite of the night), 3) corn tempura with green sea salt, 4) scallops with pesto, 5) raw clam and snow crab salad, 6) pork belly with a soft boiled soy sauce egg on top.  One dish that I also really liked and forgot to take a photo of was the anchovy brocolli – yum.

IMG_0509 We had a really fun and tasty dinner last night.  We also tried to go to CREAM for dessert but the line was out the door and around the corner.  Maybe next time.  Kumquat was also a good sport because we didn’t get home until 10:30!

Happy Birthday, Jia!!

Team Tiger Happy Hour

With Teresa out on her maternity leave, I haven’t been able to really hang out with her much lately.  So, we made plans for a Happy Hour this past Wednesday.  We were all set to go until T got stuck at the West Oakland BART station because of some police activity in the city.  So, she headed home and we had to postpone it to Thursday.  On Thursday, she was able to hitch a ride back to SF with me after I got off work so it was go for Team Tiger HH!!  We picked up Kumquat and we headed over to Pedro’s.  They were closed for a private party so we went to Pete’s instead.  IMG_0442Happy Hour was still going so we ordered some wine and appetizers.  What fun!  It was almost like old times – the only difference was a third wheel named Kumquat.  IMG_0449Luckily she was well-behaved and it was fun watching to her try her first mini corn dog.

IMG_0451Ah…good times.