Fine Dining in Yosemite National Park

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Venturing to Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada mountains of east-central California is an all-day event, well-worth the drive from the Central Coast. We visited on a whim one Wednesday in the early fall, marveling at the sheer size of everything – the giant sequoia trees, towering granite cliffs, and delicate misty waterfalls. After…

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In-N-Out Burger – A California Icon

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Yes, this is a blog post about a fast food restaurant. No, this isn’t just any fast food place. It’s In-N-Out Burger! I love all the palm trees here in California. They represent the breezy, sunny lifestyle we live everyday, which is probably why they are In-N-Out Burger’s symbol of choice for its iconic yellow,…

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Tasty Tapas at Prova California Table

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“Prova” – Italian word meaning “to try” or “to taste” (provamorganhill.com) From the same Michelin star chef who brought you elevated Mediterranean soul food cuisine at Odeum comes Prova California Table in the heart of downtown Morgan Hill, California. Brandon and I visited this airy spot on our wedding anniversary this year, on a quiet Tuesday…

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Vertigo Coffee Roasters – Local Delight

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As residents of San Juan Bautista, we’re often asked “Do you like living in a small town? Isn’t it quiet and uneventful? What do you do to have fun there?” Yes, no, and Vertigo. Named for Albert Hitchcock’s famous movie of the same name, Vertigo Coffee Roasters is just down the street from the bell…

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Tricycle Pizza’s Food Truck Journey

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Wood-fired oven inside the original food truck that started it all. Of all the food truck meals I’ve eaten in my life (countless, I assure you), I’ve never witnessed a wood-fired pizza oven in a vehicle. It just sounds dangerous! But Tricycle Pizza in Monterey, California has it figured out. Their oven can safely get…

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Odeum – Artisanal European Cuisine

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It’s becoming a yearly tradition to dress up fancy and visit Odeum for my birthday dinner. Serving artisanal Mediterranean cuisine in downtown Morgan Hill, this local favorite offers heated outdoor seating or intimate indoor dining near a colorful magenta wet bar. But the real reason to eat at Odeum is Michelin Star-awarded chef, Salvatore Calisi.…

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Water+Leaves, Rescued Honey By The Sea

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I visited Water + Leaves on a rainy coastal morning, when Fisherman’s Wharf was bustling with delivery people carting in fresh produce to the harbor-viewing restaurants. This tea bar/coffee shop at the end of the wharf was quiet and clean, with a single barista behind the counter. A bearded man sat in the corner and…

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Lolla – Local, Organic, Seasonal

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Sourcing locally so you can eat seasonally. (lollasjb.com) Here’s something to ponder – what business would you start in a corner space with fantastic natural light, but extremely limited square footage? If you’re Sarah Griss, you open Lolla. Sarah and her brother took over this tiny storefront following a melange of tenants spanning back decades,…

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Honeymoon in Seattle / Portland (Pt 3)

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You’ve made it to the final chapter of our honeymoon story! To recap: one year after the craziest wedding of all time, Brandon and I finally had a chance to go on a proper honeymoon. We chose Seattle and Portland because I’m a little pink person who burns VERY easily in the sun. We thought…

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Honeymoon in Seattle / Portland (Pt 1)

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One year after saying “I do,” Brandon and I finally took our official honeymoon – destinations Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon. Having both separately lived in Washington at some point in our lives, Brandon and I knew this trip would be sprinkled with some fuzzy warm nostalgia, which we willingly leaned into. Upon arrival, we…

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Enjoy Seoul Korean in Vietnam Town

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It’s Friday night. You’re looking for a place to simultaneously eat sweet/savory Korean BBQ and watch high-energy K-Pop in a bright, colorful environment. No sense flying to South Korea – just go to Enjoy Seoul! Though Enjoy Seoul is a Korean restaurant, it is located in San Jose’s Vietnam Town – the favored stomping ground of the largest…

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Small Bites At The White Hart Tea Room

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Turning 29 again is always a special occasion, so I treated my mom (the birthday girl) and my grandma to afternoon tea at The White Hart in Pacific Grove, just blocks away from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This gorgeously restored old Victorian home overlooks the sparkling Monterey Bay. After we selected a loose-leaf tea to fill…

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