The RB Life: August 2005

TGIF Escondido Style

Every friday night, the town of Escondido has a vintage car display.

Every car is perfectly restored.

Some beg to be ridden.

Even the local Asians are into this "hobby".

And dolls get to play too.

It's just another beautiful day in the RB Life.

Once Upon A Coastline

Once upon a time, 2 RB'ers went on a trip to visit Mr. Big who lived
high above the coastline.

The house was tucked into a cul de sac, hidden by 4 giant King Palms.

The entrance was grand and echo-y.

Hello? Anyone, anyone. No-one, no-one.

We wandered into a receiving parlor.

And found 3 little plasma tvs surrounded by incredible goose down couches - just call me couch duck, I dare you!

Then we found the back door and our mouths dropped.

Sure is nice here.

Yep, I could stay here for a few centuries or so.

ML began to get comfortable and I ... I began to dream (insert dream music here)... fade out ...

Fade In - Ken's Dream, Part I

You know, swimming in the pool or sitting in the hot spa can get boring. What to do?

I know, we can mix DRINKS!

And play 9 ball. You rack, I'll just drink in the view.

Or maybe play chess and watch the mini plasma TV.

Lady luck calls me 3 times. Ding, ding, ding.

Gotta get a nice bottle from the sealed temperature controlled wine room.

Munchie fix - need to play with the nice kitchen toys - there's Subzero everything here in pairs (one is a lonely #). And of course we got a hidden TV in the island (next to the plant).

Star of the kitchen - Viking stove with a teppanyaki grill - note the moveable faucet and double ovens.

Baa baa lamb chops ... juicy, tender, hmm hmm good.

Food goes better with a view.

Ken's Dream - Part II

So after all that food, we have to work it off.

Too bad there's only one plasma TV in this gym.

But at least there's a juice bar.

Bath and tv after workout - hmm, that fireplace will keep me warm!

Yawn! Better take the hidden elevator downstairs to watch a flick.

Yes! Must have snacks before viewing.

You know, these leather electronic recliners with soft drink holders aren't bad after all. More comfortable than that Porsche sitting in my 5 car garage.

But the movie wore me out, better take a nap.

I'll just watch tv from my bed.

But maybe the view outside isn't bad.

Yes, the master bedroom veranda is the place to be.

And I can watch the Harbor with champagne wishes and caviar dreams ... What? Time to leave? But I was just getting comfortable. What security escort-

Oh well - back to the RB Life for me, but a fella can dream, can't he?

emergency - get here NOW

So I get this call from neighbor Jean, who took Mei Lin to see her highly praised reflexology practioner and somehow got "lost" along the way - imagine my surprise when the "emergency" was to join them for a 4 star lunch at 150 Grand Cafe in nearby Escondido ... hmm, the struggle lasted 3 seconds and then I drove right over. And the result? Have a look and too bad you can't taste our blog - perfectly cooked fresh seafood punched with sophisticated sauces layered with light touches of summer. Now, that's an "emergency" worth eating!

150 Grand has 3 rooms: front bar, library dining room with cookbooks on the shelves, and a warm back room. We sat with the cookbooks.

That's caviar on top of micro-greens on top of a Alaskan halibut like fish that melted in my mouth along with a lightly herbed cream butter sauce with hits of a chipotle oil to give it punch.

Perfect grilled salmon served on some nutty like brown kashi grain and served with baby zucchini.

This version of a Cobb Salad had fresh seared Ahi, bacon bits, avocado, and crispy romaine lettuce dressed in a luxurious creamy dressing similar to a caesar dressing with more herbs and no anchovy flavor.

shiny happy people

neighbors George & Jean enjoying my fresh clams in white wine sauce over al dente linguine paired with Moet et Chandon

ML drinking a "small" margarita at legendary Casa De Pico in Old Town. I am saddened to report that Casa De Pico lost its lease and is no longer there (it will eventually relocate). ML & I will check out the relocated Bazaar Del Mundo part of Old Town and post pictures/reviews of the Margarita wanna be's (Casa De Pico was #1 margarita in SD for years)