Number 50! A Quest for the Best

Greetings fair readers!

I'll admit it's been a loooong time since I've posted (mostly because, well, I've been working and not traveling) and I'm sorry for the delay. But here it is! My 50th post!

I've been dragging my feet for a while, thinking that I had nothing worthwhile to say. Besides an update on my life, what adventures could I possibly have while stuck in Dublin?

But this funny thing was happening. I didn't realize it, but I was having new kinds of adventures on the weekends with my partner in crime. FOOOOD adventures! Brunch is a particular favorite of ours, and sometimes the weekend consists of a quest to find the perfect french toast, bacon, and pastries. And I thought..."Huh, maybe it's time to use the blog to tell everyone about the best of the best!"

On a wonderful, amazing trip to Santa Barbara last week, Will helped me remember all the great places we've eaten in the past 6 months. What follows is the list so far, but hopefully more will be added. Some come from the Bay Area, others are from the trip down to Santa Barbara.

One of the things I love to do before I go out to a restaurant (blame my indecisiveness) is peruse their menu online. It's so much fun! So I've linked to each restaurant's website in case you have the same idea!

Here they are, starting in the bay and working our way down the coast....

Cafe Fanny, Berkeley

Flaky almond croissant and delicious Americano.

I accidentally stumbled upon this amazing eatery when I was working at Berkeley Rep. It was a coworkers birthday and I wanted to bring her a delicious pastry...turns out I picked Alice Waters other pet project (after the famous Chez Panisse). Needless to say, the pastries are to die for--The Almond and Chocolate croissants are my personal favorite--not too puffy or doughy--flaky, buttery and rich as they come! Coffee's good, but when Will and I went there for a Saturday brunch he had the giant Mocha the size of your FACE (as well as a delicious meal of poached eggs and prosciutto on toast).

It's not soup, folks. It's a mocha.

The cafe is small, and a line goes out the door (two parallel lines, in fact--next door is the famed Acme Bakery--stop after to get your baguette for a picnic or for dinner), but it is so worth it. There is lovely seating outside and on a sunny day it's the perfect place to spend a leisurely brunch. (It's also great for an early morning pick-me-up before work).

Herbivore, Berkeley

Many thanks to Amy for recommending this vegan eatery. A lot of vegetarian restaurants try to appeal to a certain demographic. Cafe Gratitude caters to the raw food crowd, while Saturn Cafe tries to get the college kids with their diner vibe and treats. But Herbivore seems like a delicious, moderately priced restaurant that just happens to be entirely vegan. I had been craving italian, so I chose the pesto gnocci, while Will went for a classic grilled "chicken" sandwich with garlic aioli. Let me tell you--when I tried a bite of his sandwich I realized:

a) Will always orders better than I do (which is why I take his recommendation a lot)
b) I've never had a better tasting chicken sandwich.

Will says the secret is that Herbivore doesn't try to just imitate--they build a great meal from scratch, play to its strengths, and make their customer something tasty. I am inclined to agree with him.
Milkshakes made with Coconut Bliss are heavenly, and the organic vodka Lemon Drop was both reasonably priced (at $6.75) and refreshing!
For dessert--split a vegan cookie and a vegan donut. Mmmm!

Cock-A-Doodle Cafe, Oakland

A few months ago Will and I went with our friends Chelsea and William to the Alameda Antiques Fair. After a long morning in the wind and sun, scouring the market for some awesome deals, Chelsea wooed us to brunch with the promise of Graham Cracker-Crusted French Toast. 


Yeah.

This place looks like a regular, American style breakfast/lunch diner, but the french toast is something special. Now over the past few months, french toast has become my litmus test for rating a good brunch spot. Until very recently, the Graham Cracker-Crusted French Toast was the standard to which all other french toasts were measured (even La Note's Nutella French Toast and Straw's Jenga French Toast could not compare!).

Bourbon & Branch, San Francisco

Imagine this, but on fire.

A trip to this awesome speakeasy in San Francisco was a year in the making...
Will and I both have a soft spot for the 1920s. When we learned about Bourbon & Branch from some friends, we decided a trip was in order. It took a while, but a great group of friends finally had the time to go.

Now Bourbon & Branch works on an online reservation system. After you email them, you are sent your date, time, and the password for your party. It's in an unmarked building on the corner of O'Farrell and Jones. You buzz at the nondescript door and a flapper answers, asking you for the password. If you don't have one, just say "books" and you're whisked away to The Library (the open bar area that doesn't require a password, but gets a bit more crowded than the regular bar).

Old bookcases, dim lighting, and secret passages abound! The drinks have titles like "The Revolver" (I got one--they light it on FIRE!) and are delicious, though pricey. We definitely dressed up for this occasion, and want to go again. When we do, we'll get a real reservation and enter the real bar, where house rules apply (No cell phones, keep voices to a whisper...). Highly recommended for a fancier night-on-the-town in SF!

The Buttery, Santa Cruz

Longtime residents of Santa Cruz know how good this place is, but for those who don't, it's a real treat. Will and I decided this is the best place to start our road trips (or, you know, any lazy Sunday...)
It gets a bit crowded on the weekends, but the pastries are incredible. Coffee and any croissant will amaze, to enjoy there or on the go! Sometimes a group of folk musicians get together and play there on the weekends at a table, inside or out, and it adds some local flavor. The Buttery is a bright, cheery spot and a must-visit location in Santa Cruz!

The Tea Cozy, Cambria

Will had lunch. I just had dessert.

After The Many Adventures of Finding the Best Cream Tea (Christmas, 2010 Edition), Will and I have been trying to find a California tea room that stands up to our favorite spots in Britain. While the Crown & Crumpet Tea Room is a charming and fun location in Ghirardelli Square, there's something about an authentic tea room that's more...funky? I can't really describe it, but whatever it is, The Tea Cozy in Cambria is the place.

In the historic Thorndyke House in the very strange, small town of Cambria, lies a little piece of Britain. After a long day driving down highway 1, Will and I stopped in for lunch and a nice cuppa. Decent tomato soup and french bread for both of us, then Will ordered a Sausage Roll. We sipped our tea while a stoic William & Kate looked down at us from the mantle.

Things were weird--perhaps the local residents of Cambria butting in from the table next to us seemed a little too much like the nosy British couple at a country pub--but the tea and cake we ordered was like a mini-vacation in itself. Will ordered Belgian Chocolate Cake, while I went with Lemon and Cream Shortcake. We definitely had to take half home for the next day! If there's one thing that the Brits (and the residents of Cambria) know how to do, it's make a good cake, and a nice cup of tea.

Jitters Coffee, Santa Barbara

Didn't get a picture of the whole thing...we ate it too fast.

Ok this one is more for the staff than the actual establishment...
Both Will's brother Matt and his friend Woody work here, so this post may be a little biased. Matt's the pastry chef so when we visited we were plied with delicious desserts that he made! Fruit tarts with crumbly pastry and custard, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, delicious cups of coffee...a few days on holiday and I swear I gained a few pounds!

Ca'Dario, Santa Barbara

This place was a great place to spend our last night in Santa Barbara. While it was my first time visiting this warm and inviting Italian restaurant, it certainly wasn't Will's. A family favorite for years, Will and his mother took me to Ca'Dario as a very special treat. The staff knew us and were warm and inviting. The service was excellent and the space was crowded, but cozy. Will told me I should only order one thing--the Ravioli al Burro e Salvia. I did--in fact, we all ordered it and it was entirely worth it.

A cheese and spinach ravioli, served in a brown butter and sage sauce (with crispy pieces of sage on top--yum!). Simple. But hands down the best ravioli I have ever had. We topped of the meal with delicious dessert--I had an affogato, that is, white chocolate gelato drowned in delicious espresso and served with homemade whipped cream and a wafer cookie. I'm so glad that Will and Naomi shared this lovely place with me.

Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro, Santa Barbara

This is it, folks.

Finally we end our culinary journey at Renaud's Bakery in Santa Barbara. Now I'll admit--this trip wasn't the first visit Will and I took to Renaud's. Last year before our trip to Disneyland we stopped here for a morning power breakfast (Will--eggs, toast, coffee. Me--a chocolate croissant, what else?). So this time, before our lovely day trip to the Getty Museum, we stopped here again.

Now Will had the breakfast he always does--2 Eggs any style with bacon, baguette, and salad. He says it's a basic breakfast, but well prepared and always delicious. He emphasizes the choice you can have there with breakfast. Instead of a pastry, I decided to get something a little more filling.

This was it. The french toast of all french toasts. Brioche French Toast, served with powdered sugar, butter, preserves, and maple syrup. Not that it needed anything, really. The brioche was so perfect--grilled, but soft on the inside, a little sweet but not too much. A good portion. Add a bit of preserves and it was divine. Truly, this french toast knocked Cock-A-Doodle Cafe out of the water. Perhaps it was because of the smaller portion, but I didn't feel overly stuffed afterwards, even with the delicious cappuccino Will and I split. It kept us going till our late lunch at the Garden Terrace Cafe at the Getty.



I wish I could recreate most of the meals from this list, but part of the fun not being that talented means that I have something to look forward to--a real treat--when we visit these places again (and believe me, we will!). I suggest you check some out as well, if you're in the neighborhood.

xoxo,
Antonia

Four Months Later...

...Ok so I've been bad.


It's been 4 months since I returned permanently to the US of A and not a peep. 4 months is a long time. I turned 24. I've had 4 new employers. War Horse swept the Tonys (I told you guys to go see it, didn't I?)

Initially, the reason I never blogged was basically because I thought my life would be too boring after my travels. Frankly, I never ended up getting round to it because, well, I was too busy. Life's a funny thing--it doesn't really ever get boring. No matter what, it's still an adventure.

I can hear your collective groan in my mind already. It's cheesy, I know. But that doesn't mean it's not true. And I never said all the adventures were fun. So I write now more for myself than for the benefit of others. It's nice to get it all out there, organized and accomplished looking. Like a new addition to the portfolio after an incredibly trying show (oh, yeah, I had one of those, too).

So here it is, without much ado, Antonia's life back in California....and back in the theater:


When I left for London I really did think I would be able to stay there permanently. I was naive to think my passport and citizenship would be so easy to gain, although the government could have taken less time than the 8 months it took for them to tell me. Nevertheless, I was incredibly glad that I went. Also incredibly lucky to have some money left over to go to Korea and Japan. I wouldn't trade my time there for anything.

But when I was there, I wasn't sure if I'd be sticking to theater. You see, for me the idea of being fully independent and self-sufficient is important. It's just as important to me as my career. So I was keen to take any job I could to live, and see where it took me. Theater skills are marketable, believe it or not.

When I returned, again I thought I might take a different path. Like I said, being self-sufficient was a goal, and an unemployed theater designer crashing in her father's spare bedroom is not very ambitious.
But I do live there. And I'm grateful even though I wish I could afford my own place. Soon, I think, with the money I've saved. I also drive a sweet little Echo. That one is thanks to my mom, who is wonderful. At least I can afford the gas, insurance, and upkeep on it. Small victories.

Oh, right. I guess I should get to the part about work. Well, I can't believe it myself, but I've been working in the theater non-stop since the week after my return from Korea. That's been 4 solid months of employment. There were days, back in high school and college, where I pondered at what age I would be able to make a living working solely in theater. And I guess I have been.

First I was swept up into the magical world of Narnia with assisting Chelsea White at the Berkeley Playhouse...

Her work was absolutely fabulous.

Next I traveled (trying to get to other places) in Russia for Anton Chekov's Three Sisters. I stitched with a fabulous crew and made some great new friends at Berkeley Repertory Theater. Susie Medak and I found out we were car twins.

Next I traveled back in time to Mission San Jose, 1847 for Arclight Repertory Theater's production of "Much Ado About Nothing." As costume designer, I learned new ways to beg, borrow, and steal. No, not really steal. But build. And try to stay sane. And make period dresses and military uniforms come to life on a small small budget.

And though the quality of these photos is not good, I like to think that the costumes were pretty awesome. I guess I wasn't that rusty after a whole year not designing.

Finally, I am spending my summer working under Naomi in the costume shop at CalShakes. I'm also making new friends and with familiar faces, like Chelsea and William. Titus was a huge show, but it's up and now I'm really looking forward both to the work on The Verona Project, as well as seeing the show! The designer, Melissa Torchia, is really amazing and showcasing at the Prague Quadrennial this year.

Check out her designs here

In the end, the past few months have been pretty tiring, but great experience. Right now I'm a regular commuter with a regular 9-5 job. But I like my work. I'm actually the most happy about the expanded family of theater practitioners and costumers I have found along the way. We have fun. We stress. It's like college. Only we get paid.

I'm not sure what the future holds. I am sure, however, that I'll be spending a lot of time on a really fun wedding at the end of the summer! (Yay to Kim and Travis!) Beyond that, it's still up in the air. Just like it was when I traveled. Just like it was when I knew I had to come home. What do I have from all of this? Right now, in the midst of things, it doesn't seem like much to me. But I do have a lot of memories. A lot more experience. And an attitude that says "I don't know what's coming next. But I'm okay with it."

This post isn't an epilogue to my blog. I'm not sure exactly when I'll update, or how often. But I'm happy to write it, even if it's only just for me. But to share my experiences with others--that means a lot too.

xoxo,
Antonia

Lotte World! (Guys it's really Disneyland!)

What a beautiful last morning in Korea! The sun is shining through the windows, it's clear and blue and probably only freezing! Sadly this is my last morning here with Lana and Steve. In a few hours I'm off to Incheon Airport to spend the day window shopping at Burberry and my other favorite shops that I cannot afford (last night I dreamed a bought a $1,000 lady gaga handbag???)

But before I left I just had to fill you in on last night! I was surprised by Lana and Steve with the BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER! After spending a lovely day with them at work, making bday cards and eating cake with the kids (I'm getting really good at Hello Kitty and Pororo), they said "Surprise! We are going to Lotte World, Happy Birthday!"

Now let me fill you in...

For those of you who forget, Lotte brand is like THE brand of South Korea and Japan. They make hotels, apartments, chocolate, fast food, you name it. They have a theme part at their headquarters called Lotte World--besides a mall, and ice rink, and food, they have the theme park--the biggest indoor theme park in the world, actually.

There are two main characters, Lotty and Lorry, who are raccoons who look suspiciously like Minnie and Mickey. Once we were inside, suspicions were confirmed--this place is Disneyland in disguise. There are different lands (Magic Island with the castle is outside--that's fantasyland). There's a tomorrow land monorail, an adventure land with a jungle cruise, a spanish style mission house, a toon town eatery, and a central square with concerts and a laser show. Oh plus real rollercoasters.

Sounds epic, right?

It was! Omg--Steve discovered that when I go to Dland I become a child again. I was skipping, jumping--some of you know the signs. Our first ride was "Jungle Adventure" which was a water ride much like Jungle cruise but you go a bit faster in a large inner tube.

Then we went along the adventure-esque passage to the monorail and took a ride round the park. We were determined that Pharaoh's Fury looked the coolest and got in line.

This ride is INDIANA JONES! No joke! You start out in a British looking museum and professor's study. You then proceed through the Sarcougagous into a cave, where you watch a film on the Pharaoh's Curse.

Then you hop aboard adventure cars and go on the Indiana Jones Ride but Egyptian themed. It was so surreal, I can't even describe.

Then we went outside, and got pics of the Magic Castle.

We went into Fantasyland, but it was a bit scary--it was like Alice and Wonderland ride on crack. With clowns. It scared us so we went back inside and straight onto The Adventures of Sinbad. Yo ho mateys, this was Pirates of the Caribbean (but with a bigger drop!) It was so much fun.

We ended the evening with a Hot Air Balloon ride around the park. It was quite peaceful, actually.

What I really loved about Lotte World was its attention to detail. Like Disneyland, it incorporated design even into the lines you waited in. And look at the trash cans....

A hard core Disney fanatic would say they look pretty darn familiar.

I would go back to Lotte World again. In fact, 8 million people visit it a year--it's a huge attraction in South Korea and all of Asia. What a fun day to have right before I get on a long plane journey home.

I will update a few more times, post jet-lag, with more top 10 lists. My 50th post will be my last.

xoxo,
Antonia

Temples and Pubs

Updating again from Lana's computer, as mine is sadly kaput. I hope I don't loose all my photos. I will add more to this when I get home.

On Tuesday we went to the local Buddhist temple, Bong Sun Sa. It was great to go out to a working temple, one that was not primarily a tourist attraction. It was beautiful, tucked away in the hills not a stone's throw from the king's burial ground we visited last week.

I have discovered that I really love the paintings on the shrines and temples in Korea. The use of color is just breathtaking. It stands out against the winter landscape, and I am sure it blends beautifully with the greens of spring and summer.

The folks there were really nice as well. Decorations were still up from the lunar new year.

One lady invited us to eat with them, but we politely declined. It was much livelier around the grounds than at a western church, but inside it was very calming. My first time inside a Buddhist temple.

Once I am home I will put together more photos, on the blog and on my picassa site. Hopefully my computer isn't broken permanently, and I'll be able to transfer them to my Mac.


Tonight Lana, Steve, and I met up with their other friends, who are English teachers, at Alley Pub for a night out. It was crazy and a lot of fun--I tried Soju, and it did taste like icky vodka. They had interesting snacks too. Some looked like Hula Hoops (but sadly were not). Had a bit of someone else's potato/cheese/chocolate/honey appetizer. It was...interesting. But a great night out.

Xoxo,
Antonia

A Short Review: The National Museums in Seoul

The past few days have been pretty awesome, but I haven't been able to update the blog because my computer has died! Fortunately, Lana has lent me hers for the afternoon, and now I can finally update you all.

Yesterday Lana, Steve, and I went to Seoul. The weather is still much colder than Japan, but just warm enough that we could still feel our toes. The three of us went to the War Memorial of Korea. This museum covered this history of war, equipment, and the military of Korea, as well as the Memorial Hall and Korean War Room. This place served both to honor soldiers and as a museum, which I thought was pretty cool.

In the entrance hall there was a man posted at a special exhibit to honor the soldiers lost in the attack on a South Korean navy ship last March. they had parts of the torpedo on display, and the guys job was to show us the "three pieces of evidence" that point to a North Korean attack. It was pretty scary how intense this guy was. You have to think, though, this place, in a way, has to be biased when they are still at war. It was kinda hard to swallow, but after that, and the DMZ tour, and hearing about the drills Lana says they have every month, you begin to feel these things, instead of just seeing and hearing about them from halfway around the world.

After that I went by myself to the National Museum of Korea. Let me tell you, this place is amazing! Look at the architecture!

This place reminded me of the British Museum--it had the same ambiance. It had rooms with a linear history of Korea, as well as rooms dedicated to certain arts.

There was a lot about the pottery, of course.

The Celadon pottery--an international symbol for Korean Art

Simple white porcelain of the Joseon period

And Buddhism.

The famous Pensive Bodhisattva

Also galleries of other Asian cultures, to show the differences between them all. This is particularly great for foreign visitors who could otherwise be ignorant to the differences in culture, histories, and arts.

I love this Southeast Asian Bodhisattva with Greek and Roman influence.

I fell in love with some of the paintings and calligraphy. As well at the golden jewelry (surprise surprise) of the Silla period.

 necklace from Silla period

Very famous Silla Crown

What I really loved, however, is that they did not just show you the different art forms, but actually explained how they work. They showed different calligraphy brushstrokes, they showed different types of painting on the pottery. They had everything in English as well, so it was easy for me to absorb a lot from the place. So much inspiration there. I wish I had more time to go back.

After that, I had to go home a bit early with a headache. But I did stop by Lotte World (come on guys, Disneyland-type things are catnip to me!) and actually felt better (adrenaline, maybe?). A quiet evening and wonderfully lazy morning followed, which included delicious brunch foods like pancakes, potatoes, and eggs. And a movie.

Hope all is well at home. I'll be there soon enough!
xoxo,
Antonia

Top 10 Favorite Meals

As my time adventuring come to a close, I thought it might be fun to do some top 10 lists. The first is from my top ten favorite meals/eateries while traveling the world these past four months. If you find yourself in the neck of the woods, stop by! Whether it was the food, the dessert, or just the company, here they are:

10.Chocolate Parfait: Kyoto, Japan

At this, sadly unnamed dessert parlor off of Shijo Street in Kyoto, Lana and I shared one of the most delicious parfaits I have ever had. Chocolate parfait, vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream, and a giant brownie sticking out of the top. Absolutely delicious and while not traditionally Japanese, a dessert found in both Kyoto and Osaka and very popular.

9. Gnocci at Zoe: Florence, Italy

This cafe was quintessentially European. It was the first place I ate at in Florence while staying with my mother. A cafe americano and a simple potato gnocci with marinara and cheese. Zoe in the Oltrarno.

8. Beans on Toast, Sheringham, England

We all have that dish our parents, aunts, or grandparents make that is never the same anywhere else. For me, one of those things is beans and cheese on toast, made my grandfather.

7. Cream Tea, V&A Museum, London, England

When Will visited, we sampled a lot of cream teas. Liberty, Cambridge, so on. But the Victoria and Albert Museum does this British classic the best.

6. Hot Chocolate, Cafe Rivoire, Florence, Italy

Fabbrica di Cioccolata Rivoire is still home to the best hot chocolate I have ever had. My mother has taken me there twice--once when I was six and once at twenty-three. I cannot wait to go back there again!


5. Shabu Shabu, Seoul, South Korea

Last night Lana and Steve took me to a Shabu Shabu restaurant in their town in Korea. It was so much fun! A Japanese dish but popular here as well, you cook the veggies and the meat at the table, then make a porridge from the broth and rice afterwards. The place we went also had delicious Vietnamese Spring Rolls, and we drank Makkoli.

4. Thanksgiving Dinner, London, England

A classic dinner every year, this year I was fortunate enough to have 2! Both with my cousins in Kilburn and my lovely London flatmates, this Thanksgiving was both new and traditional at the same time. I skyped with Kim while cooking, I streamed the parade live (though at night). There was pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie. And friends and family, of course.

3. Choco Cro St. Marc, Kyoto, Japan

...Do I really have to say any more? Choco Cro! This place was amazing and I've talked about it often. Crispy yet soft croissants, delicious milk chocolate, good coffee (for Japan, that is). I will dream about this place.

2. Holy Cow, Kilburn, London, England
A recommendation from my roommates, this place turned out to be the best Indian food in London. Only a takeaway location, Holy Cow was both delicious and a good price!

1. Hummingbird Bakery, London, England

Of course, this place takes the cake. Cupcake, that is. Hummingbird Bakery was my all time favorite place to eat on my travels. So much so, that I tried recreating their delicious recipes, both savory and sweet, in my own kitchen. Survey says they turned out pretty well as well. If there is one thing I am happy to be able to bring home from my foodie travels, it's a nice Hummingbird Cupcake and a spot of tea.

xoxo,
Antonia