Tag: Food

Day 25 Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday, I focused on what is good about where I live (and have lived). I noticed several things, both new and old, in my city. I thought about some of my favorite aspects of my hometown.

As I was enjoying a savory crepe in one of my favorite local restaurants, I came up with the idea for today’s challenge. Although I’m not a foodie, I truly enjoy food that excites my palate. I may not always articulate the ingredients, but I appreciate flavors that tantalize my taste buds.

Get ready for fun challenge! Today, we’re diving into gratitude by celebrating your top five favorite restaurants! Whether they’re local gems, hidden treasures from afar, or beloved spots that have sadly closed their doors, it’s time to reflect on the culinary experiences that have left a lasting impression. And here’s the twist – for bonus points, share a description of each choice, revealing what made these places unforgettable on your gastronomic journey. Let the delicious reminiscing begin!

MB Haskett – I’ve been a regular at this charming little restaurant for several years now, and it has become one of my favorite spots. They offer a delightful variety of meals throughout the day, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though interestingly, I have yet to experience their dinner menu. What I love most about this establishment is its cozy, inviting atmosphere. The quaint decor and intimate setting remind me of the small, local eateries I’ve encountered during my travels in London, where each visit feels personal. The restaurant prides itself on using all-natural ingredients, which truly elevates the flavors of each dish, making every bite a delicious experience.

Another aspect that sets this place apart is its unique menu; nearly every item is crafted in a way that you simply can’t find elsewhere in the area. Whether it’s a creative twist on a classic or an entirely original dish, each menu offering sparks curiosity and excitement. Lastly, the staff here is exceptional. They are always warm and welcoming, making you feel right at home from the moment you step through the door. It’s this combination of lovely ambiance, quality food, and friendly service that keeps me coming back, even if I’ve yet to try dinner.

Santini is a delightful hidden gem nestled just a short stroll from Victoria Station in London. I first discovered it years ago thanks to a recommendation from a hotel concierge, and it has since become a favorite. Tucked away a block from the bustling main street, the restaurant exudes a charming yet sophisticated ambiance that invites you to unwind.

The culinary offerings are exceptional, with a diverse menu that never fails to impress. Each dish is expertly prepared, showcasing fresh ingredients and creative flavors that keep us coming back for more. Complementing the food is an impressive wine selection, perfectly curated to enhance every meal. The attentive service consistently adds to the experience, making each visit feel special.Every time we dine at Santini, we find ourselves indulging far more than we initially intended, unable to resist the temptation of dessert or an extra course. Its proximity to Buckingham Palace means you might just spot a member of the royal family enjoying a meal, adding an unparalleled touch of excitement to this already enchanting dining experience.

CoV Edina has quickly become a beloved destination for both my wife and me during our trips to the Twin Cities. Nestled next to one of our preferred hotels, its convenient location adds to its appeal. The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, natural ingredients, elevating familiar menu offerings to a higher standard that sets it apart from typical dining experiences. The atmosphere is enhanced by a charming nautical theme, creating a delightful ambiance that enriches each meal and makes every visit feel special.

The Associates, conveniently located near our home, has become our favorite dining spot. At first glance, it appears to be just a casual bar, often overlooked by passersby. Inside, the atmosphere is simple, with a dull concrete floor and unremarkable seating that lacks flair. However, what it may lack in decor, it more than makes up for with its culinary offerings. We’ve enjoyed countless meals there, and each one has been nothing short of exceptional. The menu boasts an impressive variety of choices, ranging from comforting classics to creative dishes, and they often feature a delightful special that adds excitement to our visits. No matter what we choose, we’ve never left disappointed.

Starfish Laguna – Another gem recommended by the hotel concierge, this restaurant truly surpasses all expectations. Nestled within a quaint strip mall off the bustling Pacific Coast Highway, its unpretentious storefront initially had us questioning whether the concierge was playing a prank on us. However, as soon as we stepped inside, any doubts melted away.

The interior is a vibrant tapestry of design, where black, turquoise, and gold interweave to create a striking visual experience that is both unique and thought-provoking. The fabrics drape elegantly, while the walls, floors, and ceilings are adorned with bold hues that command attention without overwhelming the senses. Wire pendant lights dangle artfully overhead, casting intricate shadows, while palm fans and smoked mirrors contribute to a sense of movement and depth within the space.

When it comes to the cuisine, the restaurant offers a delightful fusion of Asian flavors that draws inspiration from the culinary traditions of China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Each dish is a harmonious blend of influences, crafted to tantalize the taste buds and leave a lasting impression.

Day 18 Beautiful Things

I consider myself lucky to work in an area with an abundance of dining options. Within just one block of my office, I have access to over 10 different eateries, offering everything from full-service restaurants to Mexican, pizza, cafes, burger joints, Irish pubs, Thai cuisine, and coffee shops. I usually opt to dine out for lunch and try to support local restaurants as much as I can. However, not every place suits my taste buds.

A beautiful meal requires a combination of food, presentation, service, atmosphere, and company. Today was my second trip to the newest restaurant near me, Bibisol. It is a small restaurant that seats no more than 30 people. I had the empanada and carot tinga. You can see it pictured above. Although I won’t be providing a food review, I will be adding this place to my regular rotation.

Day 7 Beautiful Things

Today was full of beautiful moments that I wish I could have captured in photos. Instead here is a picture from the past,

I enjoyed a delightful lunch at the new local restaurant called Bibisol, conveniently located just a block away from my office in the historic Carpenter Hotel building. The ambiance was so pleasant, and the food was absolutely fantastic, with perfect portion sizes.

In the evening, I had an amazing dinner at 22Ten! I’ve been here a few times and they never disappoint. I tried the Korean Glazed Pork from the feature menu. The pork was perfectly coated with a sesame onion crumble and served with delicious soy glazed sweet potato and charred bok choy. Presentation was wonderful. Simply delicious!

While enjoying dinner, I delighted in watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris. Witnessing the various countries float down the Seine brought back memories of my visits to Paris and the breathtaking beauty of the city.

The Tool

Over the past couple of months I have blogged about the mindset I needed to achieve my healthier life. In my opinion, mindset is the most important factor. If your mind is not in the game, you will never win.

I have been asked hundreds of times, “How did you do it?” My short answer is eat less. My body burns calories to keep itself going. I consume calories for my body to burn. If I can consume fewer calories than I burn on a consistent basis, I will lose weight. Unless there is some metabolic issue, it really is that simple.

However, there are challenges in finding the right mix of calories. You need calories that sustain you, satisfy you, and are good for you. You need to balance your physical cravings against your emotional cravings. This is not easy.

When I started this journey, I knew I needed help. I needed a tool. As I indicated in previous posts, I have read mini “diet” books. Those books provided short term but not long-term success. I considered Sanford Profile because it has a local presence. I know several people have had success with Profile. Many seem to have short term not long-term success. One person told me “Profile has worked every time I have used it.” After checking into it, I determined Sanford Profile is a solid program. It is backed by science and supported by health professionals. I did not go with Profile because I felt the upfront and ongoing costs were too high. Further, I did not like the calorie restriction that was recommended as I thought it was too restrictive. Finally, I am not a fan of shake based diets. With the above being said, I would encourage people to look at Profile as it may be a good fit for you.

The program I chose was Noom. I had seen multiple advertisements for it. I researched it by reading several articles and reviews. All of the reviews seemed to check the boxes that I was looking for. First, Noom appears safe and backed by proven scientific methods. Second, Noom provides good results. Third, Noom is a fully supported and integrated app. Fourth, Noom doesn’t require subscription to special supplements or shakes. Fifth, Noom is affordable AND there was a 14 day trial period.

If you are interested in using Noom, you can use this link to sign up. This link will give you 20% off and you get a free trial. If you use this link and become a subscriber, I do receive a benefit. I will use the value of any initial proceeds to pay for this subscription to host this blog. All further proceeds will be donated to Dakotabilities where my brother lives.

Over the next few entries, I will write more about Noom. It is not a “perfect” system. However, it is a very good system and it worked for me. Recently, I resubscribed to Noom to help me lose the last 15 pounds of my new goal.

A couple of things about Noom. First, it is based on psychology and science. There is time spent setting goals and discussing the battles inside your mind. Second, it requires a commitment of 10-20 minutes per day. In addition to daily short readings, you must track your food, water and exercise. For many this can be daunting. Third, the app is very good. Having tried to track in the past, Noom is the easiest app I have used to track food. Most of the food at my local grocery stores are in the Noom database. Finally, a favorite feature of the app is the green, yellow, red food categories. Long story short, you want to eat more green than yellow or red. Further, there are no “prohibited” foods.