Happy birthday to me! I turned 22 last Tuesday and it’s already looking like a great year. This year, I was lucky enough to spend the entire day with my friends, family, and enough food to keep me full for a week. My parents live in San Diego, the best little city on Earth, and the perfect distance away for me to live an independent life, while knowing that they are only a couple hours away (depending on traffic). So naturally, I asked them to celebrate with me because they are the most incredible people I know and have great taste in food (runs in the family). 😉
The three of us had an EXCEPTIONAL dinner at The Bazaar by Jose Andres in the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills. It was one of the most amazing culinary experiences I have ever had, so I’m going to give you the dirty details. The Bazaar is a tapas-style restaurant that combines incredible flavors, outstanding service, and décor that made me weak in the knees. For our table of three, we ordered 11 dishes, 3 desserts, and one Japanese Peach bellini for the birthday girl. Drinking a bellini always makes me feel like a lady, but this bellini had me feeling like a queen. Put me in a swanky restaurant, with a bubbly drink, in the middle of Beverly Hills and I’m feelin’ 22 (Taylor Swift can agree). The highlights of the meal were jicama wrapped guacamole, seared scallops, bagel and lox cones, modern and traditional olives, eggplant tempura, “philly cheesesteaks”, King crab steamed buns, and stuffed piquillo peppers. For dessert, I had the Nitro Coconut Floating Island. I can’t even begin to explain the magic that existed in this meal. All I know is that I would eat and drink at The Bazaar everyday if I could. Oh, the harsh realities of a college budget. But all in all, this birthday was one for the books. I am lucky to be surrounded by amazing people, whether they are wishing me a happy birthday on my Facebook wall, Instagram-ing a collage of embarrassing pictures (you know who you are), or buying me a peach bellini. Being 21 was great, but I have a feeling this year is going to be even better.
Cheers!
Christine
May All of Your Hours Be HAPPY 