catch-up

Obviously, Thanksgiving weekend just passed, and with it a multitude of food-eating activities. That, plus the fact that we went camping this weekend in Idyllwild, leaves me with multiple occasions to blog about. First of all, last week Ashton and I made tofu stir fry, and I have yet to upload the pictures from it. Finally, here they are, our vegetarian culinary exploit of the week:

Looks like barf, I know. And tofu doesn't ring pretty with everyone. But believe you me, this was definitely a major success- especially for me, the girl who almost burned down her apartment in Newport News making stir fry. No fire alarms this time, just delicious alarms.



Basically it was olive oil, store bought stir fry sauce, canned bok choy veggies, and we added carrots, garlic and the tofu that we had cooked crispy with a little spice. Really incredible! Ashton cooked the tofu just a little more than what I think most people would like, but I really like it better that way because it's not as weird and squishy. Instead it was nice and crispy with a lot of good flavor from the olive oil and stir fry sauce.

That was our last adventure into the culinary unknown before we left for Thanksgiving in Cherry Valley and then Idyllwild for the weekend. I know that my vast network of readers were sorely disappointed without the brunch update, but have no fear- it will be up probably tomorrow or Wednesday. Brunch was cooked over an open fire in the San Jacinto mountains, so it was no restaurant this week. Just fresh air, some pancakes, and a couple of beers. MmmmMMMmmm.

Crest Cafe

After a week furlough from brunch (possibly the longest week in my existence), we resumed our vigilant weekly quest for the best way to start a Sunday. This week brought us to the Crest Cafe on Robinson Street in Hillcrest. The small but determined crowd outside again reaffirmed our decision. As if there was a need for further confirmation, there was a menu hanging in the window that tantalized us with its promises of tastebud delight. We waited for about 10 minutes until we were informed that there was no wait at the bar. Obviously we jumped at this offer, and pored over the menu in exciting indecision until my final selection was the Artichoke and Ham Strata for $8.95. Freshly baked casserole of artichokes, ham, gorgonzola, monterey jack, sourdough bread and unique blend of herbs, served with fresh fruit. GAHHH. Artichoke, meat, cheese, and sourdough. Delightful. Ashton settled for the Machaca, and at $8.50 it consisted of chopped onions and tomatoes with scrambled eggs and your choice of freshly baked turkey, shredded pork, shredded top sirloin or chorizo, served with salsa fresca, beans and tortillas. (He went balls out and got the chorizo).


In my enthusiasm upon its arrival, I gobbled a few bites before I remembered my duty as a blogger to snap a photo. It reminded me of a strange egg-y lasagna, with meat and cheese and artichokes but with bread instead of noodles. It was wonderful, and unlike many restaurant artichoke experiences these seemed to be above average. I find many times the artichokes are soggy and canned, and while I don't doubt the can-ed-ness of them, they were prepared magnificently. And the fruit! What a pile was offered to me. Pineapple, strawberries, melons, grapes, and oranges spilled over half of my plate, and added just the right light counterbalance to my coma-inducing main selection.
Ashton's machaca fulfilled in flavor what it lacked in presentation. Basically it looked like someone had puked on his plate and then served it with a side of corn tortillas and an unidentifiable cheese on his beans. Once you took a bite, however, it was a smorgasbord of yummy that would have been ideal with a little more spice. The corn tortillas weren't great, but my personal preference with corn tortillas is that they be cooked past the norm to a piping hot crispy stage, or else they are just too chewy and hard to tear with your teeth. Flour tortillas are always a safe bet in that aspect, but sometimes corn just provides that flavor that one craves. Regardless, the tortillas in this case were, in my opinion, unnecessary but provided.
Another point I'd like to mention was that I've found OJ in restaurants is a hit or miss in terms of quality. Some restaurants skimp and get the cheap-o carton stuff, but I commend the Crest Cafe for their insistence on quality. I was treated to a BRIGHT orange glass of yummy that was clearly picked out by someone with an eye for detail. Kudos.
I'd rate this a "definite go back" situation. From what I saw of the rest of the menu, they have a lot more to offer in terms of sandwiches and entrees. Sounds like my kind of place. I'll end this post the way we left brunch.

I hope they appreciated our enthusiasm, but considering they were working brunch instead of eating it, probably not.