LA GRANDE ORANGE

Or referred to as “LGO” for short was where I ate lunch on Thursday. Bringing my laptop as my date, I took advantage of their free Wi-Fi service to create some clever rap review, but hit a road block. NOTHING rhymes with “orange!” Sure, I could’ve came up with something more clever, but I found myself easily distracted with this new tidbit and had to share it!

Okay, okay…now back to LGO. I grabbed a fresh smoked salmon chopped salad ($8.25), which had bits of asparagus, sunflower seeds, couscous, tomatoes, craisens, and a side of champagne vinegerette dressing on a bed of romaine lettuce. Not being a fan of the dressing, I was more impressed with the generous amount of fresh smoked salmon, which was delivered at the right temperature mixed with the fun texture of couscous. Adding a bottle of water, it was the perfect and delicate lunch to balance the heavy, 98 degree weather. The portions at LGO don’t look large, but they always fill me up. Maybe it has to do with the backdrop of super attractive, earthy, trendy looking people in sunglasses, chic capris, yoga wear, and sandals that keep my appetite in check? Either way, LGO is a great place to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner with their casual menu. I’m slowly becoming a fan of their pizza as I’m getting use to the taste of sourdough crust, but love, love, love their array of freshly baked pastries, muffins, cookies, cakes, etc. Many slices of heaven await my eager and grubby hands as I fog up the glass case, while admiring their perfection. The price points are a tad high, but considering they use fresh ingredients and bake in-house, it’s quite reasonable. When the weather is cooler, the patio is a great place to seat and catch up with friends. A lot of bikes are usually parked along the brick wall, adding a bit more flair and color to the place. The music is always on point with an eclectic mix of Jay-Z, Kings of Leon, indie pop, or electro-often making me want to bottle pop from their large selections of wine. Not only do they carry an array of vino from the floor to the ceiling, they also have a classic candy isle with modern day pricing, pet and kiddy goods and treats, a coffee bar (not a fan of it personally) and lots of other unique trinkets and gift items to browse through while you wait to order.

Which now brings me to the only 2 things I dislike about LGO: The California-like traffic in their parking lot and grocery store/restaurant/pizzeria/coffee bar and…that nasty coffee. If you come during rush hour, you should expect to fight for a parking spot or be cautious of someone backing out (hopefully, not into you), and those randoms (don’t assume they’re  all Asian ) driving the wrong way. If you survive that, you’ll be entering into a mess of people browsing up at the menu, with those that are annoyed because they know what they want, with the “regulars” who are actually in “line” to order, to the people frozen in place looking at the pastries, in-between the “pick up” area where people are actually picking up their orders, standing next to those who are still waiting to pick up their order, while getting in the way of the people in line at the coffee bar who just want to order their damn coffee and OJ, and the rest are now just trying to grab their silverware and napkins to eat. Just remember to breath…and breath. Kundalini. Some how, some way, you do end up with a seat somewhere and actually enjoying your meal. Otherwise, come in at an off beat time where the place is yours for the taking As for their coffee…have ordered it 3 different times and still hate it. They rank 2nd to Pita Jungle when it comes to the worse coffee I’ve ever ordered, which is too bad since the open air ambiance would perfectly compliment a great cup of Joe.

Visit to Prescott Valley

Just came back from a 24-hour staycation in Prescott Valley where the rooms and liquor are cheap What a charming town, where the dress code is comfort, people are friendly, and mom n’ pop’s the name. My BF and I decided to escape the 90 degree weather in Phoenix to an hour drive into Prescott where it was at least 10 degrees cooler. Never been before, I wanted to explore the little town and just get away from the city for a while. On the way, we stopped to eat at Rock Springs Cafe known for their famous pies. I was in heaven with their portion sized meals and rows and rows of baked pie-galore! Nothing beats a mid-western meal served by women who easily resemble your own Grandmother to start your getaway. Booked a room at the historic and haunted Vendome Hotel (just $129.00 for a room with free breakfast and coffee), enjoyed Prescott Valley’s best coffee shop, Cupper’s, which was conviently located next door from our hotel, downed a few brewsters at the Prescott Brewing Company, row boated at Lynx Lake, and ate, and ate. If you’re looking for a fun, cheap, and fast escape, venture to Prescott Valley-no need to bring heels, sandals will do just fine. Cupper’s Coffee review coming soon!

Tempe Salsa Festival

I sampled over 30 different salsa vendors ranging from large restaurants, to store brands, and unique mom n’ pop recipes. This was my first year attending and I’m already looking forward to next year. To top it off, I was super stoked when I saw Blue Moon beer being served. Having recently discovered its flavor, I can now enjoy a few sips of beer (lightweight Asian). As for the salsa challenge, my favorite was the Shark Bite. Beer and salt = heaven.

Let’s Get Pho’d Up!

Pho Da Lat
Cozy ambiance with a large menu. Everything from Pho to noodle and rice dishes. They also serve Thai iced tea (with whipped cream, unless you decline) and some great spring rolls for appetizers. A great place for a cozy and casual date.
Cyclo Vietnamese Cuisine
A small and quaint restaurant with award after award, hanging on the walls. There is usually a line of people outside her door (owner also serves) waiting to be seated. Her menu is small, but good. It’s also a BYOB restaurant, so bring a bottle of wine and lots of friends.
Saigon Pho
Cheap prices and fast service. This is a great place to stop on a lunch break. The Thai iced tea is better here than at most places, too. The only thing I don’t like about this place is that it’s chicken poker. There are days where my Pho is packed with lots of protein and other days not so much.

Cooking with Love

Mom can always tell if her meal was cooked with love.

I’ve seen her deny a warm plate of food just because it lacked some good ol’ TLC. Me, on the other hand, am the opposite. Nicknamed as the “human garbage disposal,” I’ll pretty much eat anything-even after the 10 second rule. “The belly rules the mind, so feed it well!” she’d yell at me from across the dining room table. I get it Ma, loving myself is a part of feeding myself well…”and if you expect to keep the love of your life, you better learn how to cook!”
With that said, let’s just say this girl’s got a lot of love going on and nothing to eat! :/ If the saying, “you are what you eat” is true, then my Mom is proof.  She’s one of the most loving and delicate souls I have ever met. My Mother always cooks with love from the moment she gently washes and rinses the vegetables, to the presentation and arrival of the final meal. Her soul seems to be nourished as she carries the aura of contentment with her everyday. I’m not sure if it’s all because of her cooking, but she may be onto something…Even though I haven’t gifted any culinary skills from her, I have acquired the ability to taste the difference between love and speed. I know when my pizza dough has been kneaded with some tender, loving care or with the same distaste one gets when massaging their fat Grandmother’s thigh. Nothing is worse than eating something that simply lacks respect, attention, creativity, and passion. So unless you’re dying from starvation, cook with love, especially if Mom is in town.
Off to a food coma,
Jayd

Some of my favorite food quotes:
“Food has replaced my sex life, I can’t even get into my own pants.”
“Americans have more food to eat than any other people and more diets to keep them from eating.”
“I didn’t fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.”
“Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?”
“Great food is like great sex. The more you have, the more you want.”
“Food for thought is no substitute for the real thing.”