7 posts tagged “birthday”
The restaurant is tiny and you sit really close to neighboring tables but it makes the entire experience rather cozy. Just don't talk about private matters too loudly because everyone will hear. They have a really affordable prix-fixe menu that changes weekly. The wine list is great and they never leave your glass empty. Service was a bit spotty last night but we were given extra glasses of port to make up for it.
I went with the four plate option because the tasting fish of the evening was scallops served in a bed of risotto. Amazing. We split British Columbia oysters, appetizers of seared foie gras and frisee with duck confit. All three of us ordered the filet mignon because you really can't pass up steak at a French restaurant. It came with browned asparagus and house potatoes sauteed in garlic. All of it was so, sooooo good.
For dessert we ordered an apple crumble and a trio of sorbet. The owner's wife gave us an extra third dessert of warm chocolate cake. We closed down the restaurant with a hefty bill of $375 after all the champagne and wine. Absolutely fantastic. Definitely one of my favorite places in San Francisco now.
It's been quite the week of celebrations. Initially I was kind of sad to be celebrating this birthday on the single wagon but so many friends came to the rescue that I didn't even reflect much on it. I really am so very lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. Growing up I didn't have a ton of friends so it's really surprising to see how many close relationships I've been able to hold onto through the years. It makes getting older much easier.
Wednesday started off with early morning birthday wishes, gifts from Sippey and Sarah, then lunch with my 6a peeps and finally a late night dinner with girlfriends at House of Prime Rib. I love this restaurant and frequent it often for holidays and birthdays. There was an old man at the bar celebrating his 105th birthday that evening. He's been a regular there for years now. Very sweet. We closed down the restaurant with two bottles of champagne, a bottle of wine and shots of tequila. Not sure how but I didn't even have a hangover the next day!
I took Friday off to get some pampering done and then had quite an epic birthday party at District. I was there from 5pm to well after midnight because people just kept on coming. I don't think I was ever empty handed either as the champagne was definitely flowing. Sadly because of all the people I couldn't make it over to Chris' celebration in the Mission. :( I might have overdone it on the invite list but it did make me feel very loved that so many old friends showed up.
The next morning despite my aching feet and a banging headache, I managed to get up and go at it again. The afternoon was spent with Sarah on Joann's sunny deck celebrating Nico's birthday. We did shots of mocha infused vodka, ate coconut and pineapple cake, and took sneak peeks at her hot neighbor over in the other building. After that I drove to the other side of the city for Suzanne's bridal shower in South Park. She held a cocktail event with champagne and hors d'oeuvres rather than the traditional house party. Loved it.
So you're probably thinking that this has to be the end of the night because I've been drinking for way too many hours. Right? Um, not quite. We went from the bridal shower to Suzanne's bachelorette party at Circolo. Crazy. I changed from flats to heels in the car and was ready to go though. After buying Suzanne a few rounds of shots, Patty and I headed to the Elbo Room in the Mission. WeFunk Radio djs were spinning and we caught the last hour of an awesome set. I found Randy, Krissy and Garth but couldn't find Steve in the crowd of sweaty people (thanks Steve for the invite, I wish I could have come earlier because the music was off the hook).
Now I'm back at home and finally getting the chance to relax. Looking forward to the upcoming week where I actually don't have anything planned ...at least not until the weekend. ;)
The first year I celebrated my birthday without my mother, I turned seventeen and went out with my best friend and her family to dinner. C's family had offered to take me to the Spagetti Factory which I totally loved at the time. I figured I'd do something with my mom that weekend. Not a big deal right? Um, wrong. A very big deal. When I came home she flipped out about how ungrateful I was, and that she brought me into the world not to celebrate my day with another family. That wasn't the worst of it as she continued to remind me of this incident for many birthdays to come.
Fast forward ten years and my mother unbelievably started forgetting my birthday. She was usually just off by a day or two but then one year she totally forgot to call for two weeks. When she finally did, I was beyond being bummed and kind of just in shock.
"HOOooooney, it your mommmy. How is baby?" she said brightly.
"I'm okay, busy with work. And you?"
She laughed nervously, "Okay mommy...mommy know is so, SO bad. But I remember before, just forgot on the day and mommy busy with temple. You know temple. Okay?? HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You want some money?"
I stared at the phone in disbelief, "OMG mom, I do not want money!!!"
I called her last night because it's been a good month since I've seen my parents. And I wanted to remind her that today was the day, just in case. She called this morning to sing me happy birthday. Except she only knows the first line of the melody and proceeded to repeat that over and over. Thanks mom. :)
My mom turned 70 years old today. Yes, she's pretty ancient - I mean that in the most loving way of course - but she still has a lot of spunk in her. Recently she was slapped with a speeding ticket for not paying attention to the road, something about driving 50mph in a 25mph zone. When I asked what happened, she just shook her head in disbelief.
Mom: The car it run soooo well honey. Last week, I just go. Press on tha gas and it went bon-bon-bon. You know very easy, I did not know it was fast!!
Me: "Bon-bon??" Well, you should really look out for the signs. Be careful mom!
Mom: Oh honey, I can't see sign anyway.
:/
Hmm.. Not good. These are photos from our Vietnam trip. Isn't she cute? And yes, someone shorter than me. Btw we're wearing dust masks, not dressed up like bandits.
I surpised Nick with Sunday Jazz brunch at the Ritz Carlton. At about $100 per person including tax and tip, it's best saved for special occasions. But the relaxed atmosphere and friendly wait staff turns the meal into something you'll want to do again and again.
They serve a full buffet brunch including complimentary champagne (along with refills!). There's a great selection of seafood prepared both chilled and warm including lobster, crab, oysters, scallops and shrimp. The grilled dishes might differ from week to week but the chilled selection is always consistent. There's a caviar stand with three different varieties served alongside diced herbs, red onions, capers, and creme fraiche.
The breads and pastries were plentiful but I saved myself for the savory and sweet crepes made on the spot. Yummy. All with a choice of toppings and sauces. I tried the cheeses, truffled pate, roasted chicken and rack of lamb. Not sure how I packed it all in but I definitely did. I went back for the lamb twice even. If you're vegetarian, you probably won't be satisfied by the food unless you spend most of the time at the dessert stand. The desserts were heavenly. The tiramisu actually tasted like rum. Enough said.
Nick's birthday is next month and I've been trying to find something fun for us to do. He wants dinner at his favorite sushi spot in Berkeley and then after that I'm pretty much out of ideas.
But thank goodness for concert emails because I just bought tickets to Video Games Live for the week of his birthday. A full symphony and choir perform musical arrangements from popular videos games alongside video footage and lighting.
Wonder if I should go as a favorite video game character?
