Did you miss me?

I was in California for 10 days. I was there to spend time with my daughter Annie before she has her baby. I still can't believe that I am going to be a gram. I was lucky enough to go to both of her baby showers. Both of them were wonderful.

And then there was the fact that Annie and her husband Tim spoiled me rotten by taking me to a lot of good foodie haunts. It all started off with Shawarma for lunch at Ali Babas in San Francisco. I have a weakness for middle eastern food and this did not disappoint. We then had to decide where to go to dinner when the time came and so my kids took me to True Burger. It is owned by the chef that used to be at Bay Wolf which is another amazing restaurant in the bay area. Boy was it a good burger. It was so fresh and just a basic GOOD burger. I totally recommend going there.

So, next day was a baby shower that was given by family. I got to see some of mine and hang out with people that I had not seen for a long time. The food was catered by Rick and Ann's which is a great place in Berkeley. For dinner that night we met up with family and went to Girabaldi's in Oakland. I have to say that I have been there twice before and wasn't impressed. THIS time was a winner. I had some of the best short ribs that I have ever tasted and everything else there was fantastic as well.

So, the days went on and we ate and ate. Next day Annie and I went shopping and out to lunch. Of course we had to have lunch a pregnant woman has to eat (and I guess so does her mother). We went to Burma Superstar (another of my favorites) in Alameda. That night was one night that we cooked. I didn't cook my kids anything fancy just plain ole stuff.

Next day we went shopping again and we went to Cactus in Oakland for lunch. Good and fresh Mexican food. It was perfect for what we wanted.


I was lucky enough to be going out to dinner with friends on Tuesday and they decided that we should go to Sidebar. I had an amazing Manhattan and a really good burger here. I don't usually eat this many burgers but I was told that this one was really good. It was. The other diners were happy with their choices as well. Especially my little friend Jake who is 8 years old and ordered the mussels. Hey, even the children I hang out with know good food.

Thursday night we went to Cobbs Comedy and we saw Tracy Morgan (from 30 Rock). He was hysterical. Filthy, but funny. My face hurt from laughing when we left.

Ah, the next day Annie took me to Bettes Ocean view Dinerin Berkeley. The corn beef hash was hands down the best (still trying to decide if it is better than my homemade one but I think it may be).

Friday was dinner with my brother and sister-in-law at Pho 84. Good pho place in Oakland.

Then it was Saturday and Annie's friends Alisha and Jeanette gave her a shower. It was wonderful. For all my fans out there (READ: FAMILY) that want to see pictures of showers and baby stuff go to Annie's Blog

Last but not least we had a girls night on Saturday night. Annie's good friend Lisa was in town for the shower and Tim had to work so the three of us went out to dinner. I tried to talk them into going somewhere that we could go in our PJ's (I am a grandma afterall and was getting tired). We ended up going to a very good korean restaurant called Jong Ga House. OHMYGOD. I swear I was korean in another life because this food is my comfort food. It is the food I want when I am sad or happy or well you get the idea. Lisa knew all the stuff to order so we had a ton but it made me heartbroken that we discovered this AFTER I left the bay area. It didn't hurt my review any by the fact that I was drinking shoju and beer with Lisa. Annie is pregnant and stuck with water.

Now time to go back on the wagon. I was just eating like that to be supportive. Yeah, that is right I was being a good mom to my pregnant daughter that needs to eat for two. That is my story and I am sticking to it.

Oh and while I was away Dr Food held down the fort. He not only did tons of stuff that I wanted done for a long time but he took very good care of my vegetable garden.



Oh one more thing...
While I was at Annie and Tim's their friend made us a Ice Cream Sandwich Cake. I have to say that you can sneer at this recipe but it was fantastic AND it made me feel like I was 5 again. You know you want some.

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

20 ice cream sandwiches (regular, strawberry or neopolitan)
1 12 oz. jar hot fudge sauce
1 8 oz. container frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed

Preparation:

Cut one ice cream sandwich in half. Place one whole ice cream sandwich and one half of an ice cream sandwich side by side across the short end of a 9 x 13 pan.

Next to those ice cream sandwiches, arrange 8 more ice cream sandwiches lengthwise, to cover the bottom of the pan.

Place hot fudge sauce in a microwave-safe container. Heat on high for 30 seconds. Spread half of the sauce over the ice cream sandwiches.

Top with half of the whipped topping.

Repeat layers: ice cream sandwiches, hot fudge sauce and whipped topping.

Freeze, uncovered 2 hours. Cover with foil and freeze another hour.
Makes 24-36 servings.