San Diego: San Diego County Fair

Ok, this post is outdated but it's better late than never. The SD Fair ended a few weeks back but we were quite busy around that time and I forgot I had a blog entry ready to post.

We like going to Fairs, especially for the fair food. I know it's pretty bad for our health, but its one of those things you have to go to on an annual basis. Where else can you find jumbo corn dogs or turkey legs. Each year at the San Diego County Fair there is always a specialty fried dish. This year, the fried dish was a fried zucchini weeni. It was a zucchini with a hot dog in the center, covered in cornbread batter and deep fried. I've noticed this year, the signage from each food booth has gotten bigger and better. We have our favorites and they never seem to fail us. Here's a glimpse of some our food adventures at the fair this year.

Things to know:

• Food strategy: The portions are big enough to share. We typically buy one item and share it. Rather than trying everything all in one day, we buy an unlimited pass ($12.00) and order four items total for each day that we visit the fair.
  
• Juicy's: Jumbo corn dogs and giant western sausages
• Fresh Baked Pretzels: Homemade pretzels with cream cheese icing
• Charlie's Chicken: Chicken and waffles; chicken kabobs; chicken strips, zucchini and onion rings
• Gourmet or casual meal with table service is available aside from the "fair fare".
  
• If you have special dietary needs (or your child will eat only jelly sandwiches), you may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages.
  
• For next year, look for programs like Tuesday $2.00 Taste of the Fair, Wine tastings, Culinary Series, the San Diego International Beer Festival, Beer "fests" and PennySaver Value Day.

Website: http://www.sdfair.com

Preview: First Anniversary

Our first wedding anniversary is coming up next month on August 8 and I'm scrambling to finalize last minute details with my restaurant/show coordinator. Yes, if you want to do something special at the Wynn, they will assign you with a coordinator to assist you in making your special event a "day to remember". 

Here's a preview of our anniversary activities:

Pastries at Jean-Philippe Patisserie

[Image by Casino Guide]

More pastries at Bouchon Bakery

[Image by City Style and Living]

Brunch at Thomas Keller's Bouchon

[Image by LAsThePlace.com] 

Dinner at Lawry's the Prime Rib

[Image by Las Vegas Leisure Guide]

Dinner at Daniel Boulud Brasserie

[Image by Forbes Traveler]

Bottles of Estrella Damm’s InEdit by Ferran Adrià & elBulli Staff

[Image by We Heart Stuff]

Yup, definitely a foodie marathon.

Food Porn: Alinea Cookbook

One of the souvenirs I brought home with me from Chicago was the Alinea Cookbook by Grant Achatz. I tried ordering the book online but found out that the limited edition signed copy was sold out. I was fortunate enough to pick up a signed copy with the limited edition slip cover at the restaurant. Yes, it was pretty expensive due to the slip cover but you can't find it any where. Trust me, I tried. If you buy the hardback alone, it will only set you back $31.50 (pretty darn good price for what you'll get).

Aside from Grant's autograph, I think the other two are by Martin and Lara Kastner.

The book weighs about 6.7 lbs and measures 12.3 x 10 x 1.7 inches. Due to the size and weight of the book, I actually had to check in my luggage just so I can carry it on the plane. I used my D&D wooden spoon to give you a better perspective of its height.

This is such a beautiful book which also means the recipes are not meant to be cooked by the average cook. A website was also created in tandem with the book alineamosiac.com

With over 400 pages and tons of photos, this is the perfect conversational book for your home.

According to Michael Rulhman, Grant and his partner Nick Kokonas, along with designer Nick Kastner and his wife Lara wanted to create a book on their own even though they hadn't done one before. They exceeded anyone's expectations and I can't wait for their next release.

Website: http://www.alinea-book.com