Valentine's Day 2015

I never get out of bed before noon on Saturdays. But when I do, it's because Matt surprises me with flowers, breakfast, and Fran's caramels!!

When I wake Forrest up in the morning to pull him out of his kennel, he rolls onto his back and I put my palms against his back before lifting his body out. Matt did the same thing to me to get me out of bed before noon, HAHA. Such a nice surprise!

We had a low key, relaxing Valentine's Day at home with our other valentine (Forrest). For dinner, we tried Black Bamboo for the first time ... we've actually been meaning to try that restaurant since we moved into the area but kept finding excuses not to. It was so good! I could be a vegetarian and eat their salt and pepper tofu everyday. =)

Now we're watching the NBA dunk contest. And dayaaaaaaamn!

Planning to finish out the night with Gone Girl. The end to a perfect Valentine's Day.

Valentine's date 2015 (Canlis)

This year we decided to celebrate Valentine's Day early. Not because we're rebels, but because there were only two reservations at Canlis available this week... and they were not on Valentine's Day.

Did you catch it? I said Canlis. CANLIS!!! The restaurant that I've wanted try since before I even moved. The restaurant that has taken me 3 years to finally experience. The restaurant that one of my coworkers used to work for, and even she only has good things to say about. MATT TOOK ME TO CANLIS!!!

So after work we got all dressed up, and were on our merry way. The customer service was flawless Fah-law-less. As soon as we pulled up to the restaurant, the valets were ready to greet us and opened our doors. Immediately upon entering, a kind lady welcomed us and offered to take my jacket. We were seated in the lounge, where the lovely pianist was playing JAMS! And when I say jams, I mean songs that I hear on the radio and know the words to. Yes, I was definitely singing along. We were only in the lounge because we were 15 minutes early, but I could have stayed there longer. By the time we decided what drinks we wanted, we were seated at our table!

We decided to do the four course menu, and chose the foie gras, potato leek soup, oysters, and scallops for our first and second courses (in order). My favorite of the chosen starter courses was BY FAR the potato leek soup. It was absolutely delicious, and the crepe-like bacon-shaped piece with the creamy sauce and caviar.. WOW. All I can say is WOW. I was truly impressed. 

But BEFORE we even got our first and second dishes, we were served these lovely treats! The middle one was a grape coated with fancy things, the one to the right was a sea bass something, the one to the left was a tiny roll (warm) with a rich and creamy cheese filling, and all three of them were equally divine. Even the olive dinner rolls were served freshly toasted and so satisfying.

So for our main courses, we decided to both do the MUSCOVY DUCK FOR TWO, which was a 14-day dry-aged duck breast, roasted whole and accompanied by orange marmalade, fennel purée and chipollini onion brûlée. It was my idea to order it, but I'm sad to say that I didn't really enjoy it. I found the duck to be, yes, perfectly toasted and moist and beautiful; however, the meat was too gamey and greasy for me. It must have been my taste buds, because Matt loved the duck and devoured every last bit on his plate! We have the rest of my plate sitting in the fridge. Unfortunately, we were so excited about the duck that I forgot to take photos. GO FIGURE!

During dinner, we each had one drink and one glass of wine. Matt ordered the Yamazaki 12 year, which he enjoyed very much. I ordered a gin cocktail that was WAY too strong for me. I passed it along to Matt about halfway through, so I could enjoy my wine with dinner. For dessert, Matt chose a tart, and I chose the creme brulee. I thought that my creme brulee was good, but not phenomenal. Matt doesn't usually eat desserts but he sure ate all of that tart!

The whole night I was watching people, watching me. That means that the chefs, servers, hostesses, and valets all had eyes on the tables the whole night. And the service was .... just impeccable. The end of dinner was wrapped up with surprise macarons (espresso and red velvet) from a gorgeous wooden box, and a peanut butter jelly Canlis chocolate bar. They have their own chocolate bars! And it was so good that I couldn't stop myself from consuming most of the bar before remember to take a picture. The bar was so soft, the components so flavorful, and the textures perfectly balanced.

As we paid for our bill, we couldn't have been happier. Even though I didn't love my duck main course, I really loved almost everything else! The view of the city from the restaurant is quite the backdrop for a special night. The music, the staff, the ambiance... I had no complaints at all.

After leaving the table and walking toward the door, a lady popped out of the coat closet with my jacket right as I approached the front of the restaurant. And yes, the rumors are true; our car was indeed ready for us in the driveway as we exited the doors.

What a wonderful and perfect evening to celebrate Valentine's Day with Matt! I'm so glad we went to Canlis, and I feel wonderful that I have someone who I thoroughly enjoyed spending those moments with.

Valentine's Day at the happiest place on Earth!

On Thursday evening, Matt and I flew to L.A. and went straight to Anaheim for the night. We got in near midnight, and barely had enough time to swing by the Anaheim In-N-Out burger. But, I made sure that we made it. =)

Our Valentine's Day Friday began with lunch at Healthy Junk -- the best vegan food I've EVER had. I inhaled the Portobello burger, the fish tacos were amazing, and even the fries were so good. The freshly-squeezed juice blends were the icing on the cake. The weather was gorgeous and we sat in the open air of the small plaza, watching Anaheim people go about their lunch breaks. It was the calm before the storm.. and by storm, I mean Disneyland. So we headed to the happiest place on Earth immediately after eating, and as we entered the parking lot there were tons of empty levels. We thought we'd hit the jackpot! Sadly, upon seeing the park entrance later, we realized that they must've just opened our lot as an overflow.. because there were crowds as far as the eye could see. You know you're getting "too old" for Disneyland, when waiting 90 minutes for a ride doesn't seem worth it. We really did enjoy walking around Cars Land, seeing the Iron Man room, shopping, eating turkey legs (yeah!!!!), and of course taking pictures! Our best picture was in front of a waterfall, when Matt made the photographer feel awkward and we couldn't stop laughing. Oh, memories!

Saturday started off with a beautiful wedding ceremony at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels which was overwhelming, majestic, and very impressive. The bride and groom looked so happy, and the officiant made a few jokes to keep the service entertaining. We had a short break before we reconvened at Palladio's for the reception. There was so much food! The program was so efficiently executed; I was thinking that's how all weddings should be! They started on time, transitioned to the next segments promptly, and everyone had a great time. I don't even know the couple and I cried during the slideshow -- moments from family and friends were so touching!

After checking out of our hotel on Sunday, we were quite tired and found ourselves at In-N-Out again.. this time in Glendale. We wandered around the shopping areas and visited Vape Theory nearby because we hadn't planned anything else out for the day. We got some super cute Superdry jackets and macarons! For early dinner, we had Hakata ramen at Shin-Sen-Gumi in Little Tokyo. I personally like the wavy noodles better, but Matt found out this trip that he likes the straight noodles better! Regardless of the noodles, the broth was fantastic. This meal provided redemption and more for our visit to Kanpai Ramen Friday night (it was so bad neither of us finished our food.. and Matt usually eats everything). After a satisfying warm meal on a cool L.A. evening, we drove up to the Griffith Observatory for the sunset. We had a pretty good time checking out the houses in the area, but we didn't make it all the way up the hill because of the traffic. Maybe next time?

Aside from our return flight getting delayed an hour, the trip was delightful. I was slightly concerned before we left, this being our first lone couple trip, because our relationship began with us already living together and in the back of my mind I'm still somewhat afraid that we'll get sick of each other one day. Or, rather, that he'll get sick of me. I mean.. I can barely stand myself so I can't expect anyone else to, right? LOL. It must be love.

Valentine's Day

Every year for the past decade I've been disappointed, infuriated, or distraught by Valentine's Day. This year, I genuinely did not care. And it just so happens that this year is when things changed for the better.

First of all, Victor gave me a Nike+ Fuel Band!!! This is perfect motivation to get me ready for Miami, and I JUST got a new membership to 24 hour fitness so I can go to the new Totem Lake location! The brand new machines are enticing, and with the Fuel Band I've never been more excited to work out. Best piece of jewelry ever.

Second, dinner at my fave Seattle restaurant! Seastar in Bellevue =) Two glasses of wine, my fave oyster sampler, pesto clams, dungeness crab cakes, scallop entrée, molten chocolate cake, creme brulee, lemon crisps, and one moscato dondarello later I am a spoiled and happy girl. I was so excited for the food that I forgot to take pictures of the first few courses, HAHA.

I'm in heaven.

I also sent my mom a card and chocolates for Valentine's Day but the cursed USPS lost it. I worked so hard on my calligraphy to make it!! Oh well, at least I took a picture of it so I can email it to her.

Valentines Day 2012

In anticipation of the veil of misery that always seems to envelope me on Valentine's Day, I bought myself a little treat. Something cute to keep me distracted while everyone else rolls around in their bountiful piles of roses and chocolate -- you know, no big deal.

And it worked until about lunch time. Then people started asking me what my "big plans" were for Valentine's Day, and then doing the whole "what do you mean you don't have a date?" -- like I must be doing something terribly wrong. And so of course, every time that happened my mood turned a bit darker.

Then something terrible happened. Our landlord was pulling into our parking lot to drop something off, and accidentally hit an elderly man in a wheelchair. I'm SO THANKFUL that I didn't see it happen, but I did see when everyone on the street ran over to help. I walked up to the window to take a look out and I saw the wheelchair, the truck, and the man crumpled up on the pavement. I am especially thankful that I was not wearing my glasses, because I would not have the stomach to see the carnage. According to my coworkers though the damage was pretty horrifying, and they had to tape off the area and clean up the mess.

http://lynnwood.komonews.com/news/911/719692-man-wheelchair-struck-car-highway-99

And then there was the landlord who was frantic and praying on his knees in the parking lot. I was too afraid to go near the window again, but I could see the medical and police officers walking around and taking care of business. I thought to myself, here were two people, whose lives changed in less than a moment's notice. I felt bad, of course, for the man in the wheelchair who was just motoring along on the sidewalk. I also felt bad, though, for the landlord because I know that making that turn across traffic on Highway 99 is difficult - there is SO much happening environment-wise, and then you're in the middle of 5 lanes of highway with cars coming at you about 40mph and cars behind you in the turn lane waiting for you to go.

It was a lot to think about. And it was deeply disturbing for me. By the time my work day was over, I just decided to settle with thanking the higher powers (if there are any) for my fantastic luck. And just being fucking happy.

SO I went home and made the breakfast burritos that I'd been craving. And then for dessert, I had a nice cold bottle of Fantasia with my quesadillas. Yeah -- I had a date with Dr. Phil, but hey at least I'm not in the hospital.. or trying to deal with almost killing someone, right?