Where I've been and what I've seen- Part 3

I know, I know....
It has been a while since my last installment of "Where I've been and what I've seen," and you must've chewed all of you fingernails off in eager anticipation by now.  But you guys, I've been both really busy and lazy.  Despite both of those conditions, I solemnly swear that we have gone on other trips worth talking about (at least in our estimation).  Here's one of them:

Our next visit was "over the hill" to the Medford/Jacksonville/Ashland area for another weekend getaway.

We had no real plans other than to A) get out of town and B) stay and visit with friends...and hopefully eat.

We completed all requirements and quite well, if I may say so myself!

So we arrived in Medford in the late afternoon and found that we were starving (surprise)!

We decided to try a restaurant we had heard a lot about and that was somewhere new to us:  4 Daughters Irish Pub 

It was really good and did not disappoint!  It was as close to an authentic Irish pub on the inside that we have come across so far.

The food was equally as good. We started out with deep fried pickles, and they were SO good
(I haven't stopped thinking about them since...)

Sadly, no other photos were taken as the food was delivered, all conversation stopped and we dove in like the two starving little people we are (obviously...)
I ordered a whisky and coke and "fish and chips"- replacing the fish with jumbo shrimp and choosing sweet potato fries as my chips. Aaron ordered a corned beef burger (with both the beef patty AND slices of corned beef). We both really liked our food and plan to return soon.

But the fun-eating did not stop there.
We ran around and shopped a bit then drove to meet up with our friends and Southern Oregon Brewery.
We sampled a few beers, chatted for a while, then made our way to our friends home in Jacksonville.
But we only stayed there for a short time.
Our friend C. wanted to take us to a newer tasting room that had opened in the Rogue Valley: 2 Hawk.
It was laid back, yet still up-scale.  It had such a good vibe!  The inside was glowing and packed, as well as the outside- with fire pits, a live band and even more people, sitting around, enjoying the wine and surroundings.
Now, I can not tell a lie.  I am by no means a wine connoisseur and am still working on figuring out what I like-  but I did find one wine I fancied.
We spent the rest of our evening there- enjoying the company and our surroundings like many others that night.

As we left, we decided it was a pretty awesome place and agreed we would definitely go back.
We retired fat and happy- ready for the next (food packed) day.

The next morning we slept in and decided we needed to eat. C. suggested another restaurant to try.  Of course we were game.
This time we traveled to Ashland- to Smithfields.  It was yet again, another awesome place to go.
Instead of going on and on about what I ordered, let me just show you the exact description:
"“Neil’s brekkie”: Corned beef, duck fat fried potato cake, bacon-braised collard greens,
fried egg, stone mustard cream, rosemary cheddar, worcestershire sauce."
and Aaron got this:
SF’s sandwich: open faced, corned beef, rye toast, spinach, stone mustard cream, fried egg
Yes...that all really happened.
We all ate as much (if not all of it) as we could.
Then, we rolled down the hill and stopped by a few shops in downtown Ashland, ogling shoes, picking up new beers at local markets to try later and then thrifting (awesome Goodwill!).
However, after the morning's Olympic eating event, we did eventually get "snacky."
Since we were near one of my favorite cupcake spots, Larry's we decided to stop by.

Larry's is amazing.  As you walk down the stairs to the bakery, you are instantly greeted by a case full of 30+  beautiful and different (think beer and pretzel,  tres leches, apple pie )cupcakes to try. 
This time around, I picked out a Vanilla Champagne cupcake and a Chocolate Port cupcake.
They were both so amazing, I passed out....not really, but it was pretty good!
After that we decided to move on.  We hoped in the car and drove to another vineyard: Dancin Vineyards.
Our friend C. is lucky enough to work there and so she showed us around a bit.
Since we were still stuffed from the morning, we didn't eat, but the food looked just as amazing as the vineyard itself.  Outside was a large pond filled with fish (koi?) that lights up at night.  Surrounding the pond is a path to walk around.  It was equally as impressive as 2 Hawk, just in it's very own unique and special way (think Tuscan style).  I would definitely go back there to eat and drink!
Sadly, all good things must come to an end.  Weekend trips can't last forever.
We had to pack up and head home.  But we did so with several new places and good company enjoyed!
(Thanks again C & C! )

And we're back...

Forgive me readers (if you are still out there), for I have sinned. 

It has been 8 days since my last post.

But I'm not asking for too much forgiveness because I have do have an excuse.

We've been out-of-towners. 

Where did you go, you may ask?

Why Seattle, Washington....and we may have had some fun while there.

So I thought I would share a few pictures from the trip to take you there with us.

On our way up to Seattle (we drove) we made the goal to see some of the McMenamins restaurants while temporary residents of Washington.

First up and earlier in the morning we stopped by the Spar Cafe in Olympia.  It was a very cool building but all I managed to get a picture of was the bar area, which had piles of old cigar boxes.  None of us were terribly hungry so we ducked in then snuck out.

However, I was snacky so I ran down the street to Caffe Vita for a quick drink and snack.



this thing was like a scone sandwich with raspberry preserves in the middle....IDEA!!!



                                                                 By the way, it was DELICIOUS!

...moving on.

We kept driving north and finally reached Seattle.

By that time we were all starving and stopped at another McMenamins: Six Arms..interesting.

It wasn't my favorite....so no pictures for that one.

Okay maybe one:

We then went shopping at University Village for several hours

(mainly to visit the Anthropologie because we miss each other so much).

Guess what I got?

A belt from H&M. WooHoo.

Before I get too ahead of myself, we stayed at a pretty nice hotel: Hotel 5.

The place is pretty close to downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, Pike's Market to name a few.

The price was pretty cheap for Seattle and we even got the third night free due to staying there for more than two nights.  If you are looking for a pretty good location and price without donating an organ, you may want to consider this place.

The only drawback is that the motel was undergoing renovation, so some things (the 2nd floor) weren't in the best shape.

Then later that night we went on the Seattle underground tour.  Last time we were in Seattle we thought about taking the tour but never got around to it.  I'm glad we did this time.  It was pretty interesting and so cool to know there are a bunch of old store fronts underground.

That evening we went to Wild Ginger for Thai food.  I ordered the black pepper scallops and let me tell ya' it was so very good and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves good food.

The next day we walked to the Pike's Market.

I could probably spend all day there checking booths out, snapping pics and watching people.

As it was, we were there several hours.

We then went to the Experience Music Project better known as the EMP.

It's this crazy shaped building dedicated to the history of music (with a huge emphasis on music that came out of Seattle). 

If you are really into music, this is the place for you.

If you aren't that into music (me) there was a pretty interesting exhibit on the making of "Avatar."

I spent quite a bit of time there.

By the way, the EMP is right by the Space Needle and this restful fountain that plays music as it spouts music.

 Seeing these things never gets old.





shameless self portrait

We then ate at the Space Needle in the revolving restaurant.

The food is pretty good (and expensive!!!) and the atmosphere romantic, beautiful and amazing.

If you get the chance to visit it, do it!



Seafood fettuccine with salmon,scallops, some type of white fish, bacon and fresh peas...oh and a crispy craw fish



The next day we met up with one of Aaron's aunts for an entirely enjoyable lunch at Brave Horse Tavern.

At this fine establishment I had mussels, bacon and apples cooked in hard cider with sweet potato fries.

Yum!  Go there! Go there!

From there, we visited the Museum of flight where Aaron found his twin, we saw planes and I stepped on/off one of the Air force One's.

Also we "flew" in a flight simulator where I learned you never want me to fly a plane

Ever.

Also of note was Top Pot doughnuts

(where I just learned Obama visited and there is an cake doughnut with pumpkin spice flavor)

 They too, were pretty delish!



Walls of books from Top Pot



With no more time and less money, we decided to drive home...

but not until we hit another McMenamins, this time the Olympic Club.

When we walked through the doors, Vivaldi was playing and I felt like I had stepped into another time zone.

I love it.

A mirrored booth...beautiful!

And that, is a little glimpse of our four day trip to Seattle.

Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

The food And drink of Ireland (for us)

Since I'm a self proclaimed foodie, no trip would be complete with out food.  Good food that is. 

I'm sad to say that not every meal I tried in Ireland was the best breakfast/lunch/dinner I've ever had in my life.  Some of them couldn't even pass as good.

However a few of them were definitely something I want to eat again.

Since we most likely will not be returning to Ireland anytime soon, I plan on searching the web in order to obtain such recipes. 

I didn't get the chance to take a picture of every single meal we ate but here are a few I did manage to take some quick shots of before we devoured them.
I should also confess that I can't remember every detail of every meal (or even the name of the dish) so sometimes all there will be is a random picture.

Bon Appetit!



Fish and chips from the Royal Crown in Belfast. 



White fish combined with bell peppers, onions and a cream sauce.
Delicious!






Aaron's first burger of the trip.  He said it was good.





Sweet goat cheese tart with caramelized onions over a bed of greens with a sweet sauce.  It was delicious and I hope to make it again.





Kilbeggan whiskey from Locke distillery.  Sooo smooth and it went down easy.  Lovely.



Our first (and last) complimentary pint of Guinness from the rooftop bar at St. James Gate.



More fish and chips and the BEST dish I had: Guinness beef pie.  It had so much flavor and I would like to make it too!