It's Definitely Winter

The weather is gettin' chilly and our evenings are blanketed with starry skies so damn early. And, I'm sick. BOO! It's also the season that you should reconsider sharing drinks/taking sips with people. That's where I made the big mistake. I think my damned 19 year-old sister passed me the cough germ when I illegally shared with her my beer at the Warrior game last week. Karma, let the young bucks have some fun. Sheesh!

I swear, if I would have known it was Filipino Heritage Night at the Warrior game against the Los Angeles Clippers, I would have stayed home. I mean, I'm proud of being Filipino and everything, but I get all claustrophobic when there are too many people who look like me in one concentrated area. When we finally settled down into our seats, the older gentleman behind us kept screaming, "DEPENSE! *clap clap* DEPENSE!". Hilariousness. Then, when my sister and I got up to go use the restroom I bumped into my friend's aunt. She flagged me down and said, "Jenny!" I walked over to give her a hug. I recognized her face, but I couldn't make out whose mom she was. I stared in confusion. She said, "You don't remember me, huh?"

"Yes, I do! Auntie!" Default response. Haha. My bad. Then, she reminded me whose mom she was. Gah, don't I feel like an idiot.

After the game I had some time to kill before I went to go get my spoon on. I didn't really have a definite location to go to, but I figure Piedmont Ave. in Oakland would be a good place to end up. There is a pool hall in Berkeley called, Thalassa, that I loved going to when I was in college because of how damned accessible it was. Literally a block-and-a-half away from my apartment, makes crawling home after one too many drinks extremely convenient. What I particularly love about this bar is that it's so hidden that you wouldn't know its name unless you actually ordered a drink from the bar. So many good times at this place. Damn, I wish I were young again. Oh, and one interesting thing is that you always find something new in this place.

Anyway, I wanted to check out Thalassa's sister bar, Kona Club, on Piedmont Ave. only because I figure the experience may be the same. Except, when I was actually driving down Piedmont Ave. there were a few other places that looked more appealing to hang out in while stag. The longer the idea that I was going out for a drink by myself in a bar made me feel like a loser. So, I parked my car and walked my little brown butt down the street to a seemingly crackin' corner restaurant. I ended up at Adesso. I believe they've made it into the Michelin Guide. I sat at the bar all by myself in between a couple and an old man. There were so many people, it was so loud and I just wanted to have a drink by myself without looking like a complete loser. So, I turned to the older man and asked him what he recommended. He was obviously a regular patron at this place because he almost recommended everything. I ordered the prosciutto (6 slices) and a very nice glass of red, Vernatsch (spelling? forgive me). The bartender actually recommended a glass of white, but he respected my wish for a red. I offered the older man a slice and we talked for a good 45 minutes about the area. I told him that I was looking to move to Oakland sometime soon, and that it would be nice to hear what the locals have to say about the nearby restaurants. Jack was a sweet old man who was really easy going. After he finished his latte he wished me well, and gave me a kiss on the top of my head. Old people can be so cute. The bar tender told me about this really cool thing that's happening tomorrow night at the restaurant. They're actually having a famous "Grappa" maker come in and teach some new techniques to whoever is willing to come in and learn. Grappa is an after dinner drink that isn't necessarily a port. I wish I can make it, but I already have dinner plans =/ I believe that starts at 5pm. This is an extremely big deal because this man is coming all the way from Italy. I really loved that the bartenders at Adesso were so attentive and friendly. I ordered a latte to wake me up a bit and the guy didn't even charge me for it! Could it be my charming good looks? Maybeeee. Or, he just forgot to add it to my tab. Regardless, it was a really great experience for me even though I was by myself. I should do that more often. People are actually much more friendly when you give them a chance.

It was my dad's birthday this past weekend and I really wanted to get him out of that whole mentality that PF Chang's is a good place to eat EVERY TIME YOU'RE CELEBRATING SOMETHING. I've really become to hate that place. So, I took my family to Xanh Restaurant in Mountain View. Can I get a hip-hip-HOORAY for Asian food?! Everything is family style, and I can't say that I wasn't pleased with any one particular dish. The food was so good that it makes PF Chang's look like McDonald's...like it should. The bar is sleek, cool and modern. I would definitely meet up with friends for a drink there. Oh, and they have a Happy Hour to die for. Half-off well-drinks? Count me in!

Hmm...where else did I go last week before I developed this disgusting cough?

Oh, my very dear friend moved to LA this past weekend and I decided to meet up with him and some of his coworkers in the Marina at Kelley's Tavern. The more I go out to the Marina, the more I fall in love with it. So damn bourgie (spelling? reference: bourgeoisie)...haha. I wouldn't mind living out in that part of the City.

Afterwards, I met up with Chef and his buddies from work at Nopa. I really wish I didn't eat before I went there, but the burgers that they were eating looked amazing. The fries were amazing. I would know, I love french fries. I made the mistake and let the guy pick my drink without giving anything for him to go off of what I preferred. A little strong for my taste. They all said it tasted just fine. I'm sorrrry, I like the girly drinks. Apparently Nopa is open pretty late and it's the perfect place to go for anyone who works into the late hours of the night in the service industry. That just sucks for the guys who work there late at night...where do they go? The space though is really great. They have gaping windows that overlook the street...can't go wrong with big windows. A really great looking communal table for large parties or for those who are willing to mingle. Tons of tables and a second floor that overlooks the entire restaurant, including the open kitchen! Yeah, it was really great.

So, now I'm here. Paying for all of that fun that I had last week. Coughing my lungs out and sweating like a pig. I think I've drank enough orange juice to put Florida into a state of panic. Like, seriously, I've drank a carton (64 fl.oz.) of orange juice a day PLUS two to three glasses of Emergencee. I have drank so much orange juice that my pee is neither clear or yellow...it's orange. Have you ever seen that before? Neither have I. Well, I suppose that's enough self-exposure. Until next time, Bon Appetit!