Beverage Tax

Apparently, in California (or the Bay Area), there's now a Beverage Tax... a tax on sweet and bubbly drinks.  Like the tobaccao and alcohol tax, this is trying to drive people away from drinking it but knowing it's an inelastic economy, people will keep drinking and the government will make some money on the side.

 

hey dad

 Went back to Monterey Church today... and the speaker started her closing prayer with, "Hey Dad..."  Never heard that before.  Hrm... it sounds blasphemous, and yet... that's probably how people felt when Jesus first uttered the words, "Our Father..."

Empty Nesters

 Both kids were off to LIFE conference... so we took advantage of being Empty Nesters and skiddaddled down to Monterey/Carmel for the weekend.

The weekend actually started on July 4th... where we first went shopping at the now debunking and soon to be run down Great Mall.  Geez...what happened to this place???  Seeing it was fruitless... we actually trekked up to Livermore Outlet and made a killing!! Wow that place has gone big and wide.  

Saturday we turned south and hit up Carmel... walked through the shops.. .stopped by the beach and got food poisoning from a local restaurant.  We first thought we weren't use to the freshness of the seafood... turns out... it was spoiled.  Cuz I was sick the entire day the next day too.

Sunday morning... woke up early and grabbed a hotel bike and along the coastline for a nice ride.  It was a beautiful ride and awesome scenery.  And the weather was perfect... a little nippy but warmed up as my body started to warm up.  We found the same church we went to a couple of years ago when we had an Empty Nest escapade... and spent the rest of the day walking through Cannery Row. 

The ride home was a bit trafficky... but since we weren't in much of a hurry... it was just more time in the car listening to podcasts and what not.  I can see myself doing more of these getwaways... 

801

I think the last time I went to a pricy steakhouse... I had such a bad experience I've steered clear of them.  Opted to test the waters again while in Denver.  Was gonna hit up old faithful, Shanahan's... but decided to try 801 Chophouse instead. 

Hmm.... maybe 3.5 out of 5 stars

The pancetta wrapped scallops had this weird tangy sauce that collided with the flavoring.  The pancetta overpowered the freshness of the scallops, which in my opinion, may have been undercooked.  

Brussel sprouts.  I remember hating the from back in the Kai Ming Headstart days.  I like them... don't love them now.  With the little pickled onions, it was a great balancer to the dining experience.

Temperature was perfect.  Seasoning was a bit off. Shoulda gone with the NY had I known it was going to be this soft and tender.  My bad.

Will I come back... probably not.