Tuesday, June 29, 2021

FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR FIRESIDE LOUNGE

FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR
5300 GRAND DEL MAR CT
SAN DIEGO, CA 92130
858-314-2000

Enjoyed two totally unexpected and enjoyable evenings on the lawn of the Grand Del Mar.  They turned a former large space normally reserved for special events and just beyond their Amaya restaurant into an outdoor ultra-lounge complete with cabanas and fire pits.  We settled in just to have a drink and ended up staying for hours.  Enjoyed great food including the best Sea Bass of my life.  The Sea Bass was so good we went back the following night and ate it again.  What really surprised us was they offered a Smores package that you could cook right next to your table.  I have not eaten a lot of chocolate and no marshmallows or Grahm Crackers since starting my low carb diet.  Threw the diet out the window and enjoyed Smores two nights in a row.  They were so good.  We loved sitting in our personal cabana and enjoying the great food, weather and service.  Service was exceptional and it felt like we had our own waiter on call during the entire night.  I asked for fresh vegetables with our Guacamole so I could avoid eating the chips.  No problem the waiter said without hesitation and he brought us both.  This was one of those special moments with my Wife and Daughter that I will never forget.  Laughing, smiling, heating and eating Smores.

SMORES KIT AND THE FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR

THE OUTDOOR SEATING AREA FRONTING AMAYA 

CABANAS WITH FIRE PITS LINING THE LAWN AREA

OUR PERSONAL FIRE PIT

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SETTING

LOVED THIS VIEW OF THE STAIRWAY

APPETIZERS AND THE GRAND

TARO CHIPS AND FRESH VEGGIES WITH A KICKED UP FANCY GUACAMOLE

CUCUMBERS WITH SOMETHING THAT LOOKED LIKE DIRT


FRESH OYSTERS

THE BEST SEA BASS EVER!

ROASTED CHICKEN

RISOTTO CARBONARA

SECOND VISIT FOR SEA BASS AND THEY PORTIONED IT FOR TWO

HAPPY AT THE GRAND DEL MAR

GRAND DEL MAR SMORES KIT

WHO DOESN'T LIKE SMORES

SPECIAL MOMENTS WE WILL NEVER FORGET





MY TURN TO BURN

COOKING UP SOME DELICIOUS DESSERT

GRAND DEL MAR SMORES

HAPPY FAMILY AT THE FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR


MINERS DINER - JULIAN, CA

MINERS DINER
2134 MAIN STREET
JULIAN, CA 92036
760-765-3753
HOURS:  Sunday, Monday and Thursday 8AM - 5PM / Tuesday and Wednesday 10AM -5PM
                 Friday and Saturday 8AM - 6PM

When I lived in San Diego we would head up to Julian to enjoy the cooler weather and eat Apple Pie.  It is a beautiful little town with a Main Street that while very small has a lot of character.  Decided to take the 1.5 hour drive with my Wife and Daughter to show them this little gem.  We dined at Miners Diner which has been a part of Julian since 1928.  I had the Pastrami Sandwich and ate everything but the bread to stay low carb.  My Daughter had the Reuben and my Wife enjoyed the BLT.  She loved the flavor of the smoked Bacon.  The Jalapeño Bottle Caps were delicious and addicting but we only ate maybe 1/5th of the plate.
The highlight for my Daughter was the Root Beer Float.

MINERS DINER

ENJOYING AN OLD FASHION ROOT BEER FLOAT

MINERS DINER IN JULIAN, CA

OLD TIME SODA FOUNTAIN


MINERS DINER MENU




JALAPEÑO BOTTLE CAPS

PASTRAMI SANDWICH

I ATE EVERYTHING BUT THE BREAD

BACON, LETTUCE AND TOMATO

REUBEN SANDWICH

JULIAN PIE COMPANY

JULIAN PIE COMPANY
2225 MAIN STREET
JULIAN, CA 92036
760-765-2449
HOURS:  Daily 9AM - 5PM

A visit to the tiny town of Julian would not be complete without enjoying a piece of Apple Pie.  I took my Wife and Daughter here because it was a place I visited often when living in North San Diego.  The Apple Pie is good and when you order it with Ice Cream you get a huge bowl of love.

JULIAN PIE COMPANY

JULIAN PIE COMPANY



APPLE PIE WITH ICE CREAM

APPLE PEACH PIE WITH CRUMBLES

VG DONUTS

VG DONUTS
106 ABERDEEN DRIVE
CARDIFF, CA 92007
760-753-2400
HOURS:  Sunday thru Thursday 5AM - 5PM / Friday and Saturday 5AM - 8PM / Closed Monday

When I lived in Cardiff-by-the Sea in North San Diego, VG Donuts was just two blocks from my apartment.  Visits to VG Donuts were regular and I have always loved the place.  Fast forward to today and I like to take my Wife and Daughter there to enjoy the fresh donuts.  While I did not enjoy a donut on this visit, my Daughter enjoyed three and my Wife had one.  

MY DAUGHTER'S PICKS AT VG DONUTS

VG DONUTS IN CARDIFF-BY-THE SEA