Sunday, October 22, 2006

Slice of Heaven


I generally prefer to think of myself as a realist - my outlook is "The glass is fifty per cent full and fifty percent empty, and why are we debating about the contents of the glass when a good drink is getting cold?" Today, though, was a full-glass day, no doubt about it. Chiada and her hub-E came down from Santa Maria today and we spent a glorious afternoon and evening together.

First, we cruised Paseo Nuevo, shared a delectable chocolate/cream cheese Farm Cake and
watched the beautiful people and their dogs go by. A silky haired doxie, a beagle, and a pair Clumber Spaniel puppies, mutts of all kinds, some cradled in their owners' arms, others toting their own accoutrements.

Next it was off to pick through the earrings and accessories over at Forever 21/Reference....let me tell you, Chiada and I had a good laugh there - we decided our styles are more classy and classic than 99 percent of the stuff in that store. Naturally, this did not stop us from purchasing two pairs of earrings and a scarf/headband/belt (me) and a couple of very cute fabric headbands (Chiada). We browsed around at a couple of other stores, checked Borders to browse the new Santa Barbara Magazine. By the way, if you're interested, it has a pretty detailed account of the real life Edie story - fascinating by any count, I think.

We took a little stroll down East Beach, marveling at the light, the beach and the little seabirds. A couple of hours slid away while we collectively shot a photo essay that I personally cannot wait to see (cough, Chiada, cough). The day ended with the three of us eating dinner, par excellence, at Opal....here, feast your eyes on this:

Shredded Phyllo Wrapped Tiger Prawns, Flash Fried
Served with a Coconut Curry Dipping Sauce
On Napa Cabbage Salad with Mandarin Oranges, Toasted Almonds,
Julienne Vegetables and our Sesame Asian Vinaigrette

Homemade Three Cheese Pizza- Cooked in our wood-burning pizza oven With Pesto, Tomatoes, Shaved Red Onions, Smoked Mozzarella, Goat Cheese and Gorgonzola Cheese

Vegetable Napoleon with a Gorgonzola Potato Cake and Wild Mushrooms
With Grilled Eggplant, Sauteed Garlic Spinach, Grilled Polenta and a Roasted Tomato Sauce

Yeah....it was just that good - but the best bit of the whole day wasn't the great weather, the bargains we found ($3.80 vintage-looking earrings? yes, please!), or even the excellent food. It was seeing friends that I've missed for what feels like forever in the flesh. There just isn't any substitute for it.


3 comments:

Eris said...

I know what a dessert type Napolean is but I have no idea what a vegitable type is. I may have to google this. You really are 6 degrees away from Kevin Bacon! I wonder if I could track mine. I wonder if I will make it the rest of the day without daydreaming about your dinner...

Maya said...

The veggie Napolean is heaven - I'm not even a fan of eggplant, but this is Sooooo delicious. They do a kind of tasty ragout, than stack the potato cake, than some other veggies, than the mushrooms, polenta, spinach... Its like a big stack of tastes that all mingle together and with the ragout ....delicious!

Unknown said...

Heya hunny,

We had a blast down in SB with you, too! And, as you said, the best part was just being in your company (too bad S missed out). Can't wait to do it again! The beach walk was really great, even though I was a bit "iffy" on it at first. I'll get you the pics as soon as I can.

<3
Chiada