Monday, December 30, 2019

Birthday Dinner at Cowboy Star
(Plus a visit to the San Diego Central Library)

For my 48th birthday, Tori treated me this year to a Steak Dinner at Cowboy Star. Since we arrived Downtown about an hour early, we went for a walk over to the San Diego Central Library which opened back in 2013. We took the elevator up to the 9th floor to check out the dome made of metal scaffolding. At 143 feet, the diameter of the dome is larger than the one atop the U.S. Capitol Building.





I have been wanting to go to Cowboy Star for awhile now and we made reservations for the last weekend before they closed for most of January with major interior renovations. Personally, I thought the interior looked pretty good already with their western theme and exposed wooden beams. Their separate butcher shop was already under construction. I wish we had reserved spots at the counter, but our table was in a good spot with a nice view into the open kitchen.





We started with Spicy Margaritas and the delicious Parker House Rolls served in a tiny cast iron pan. We shared the Wedge Salad. Normally, I don't care for such a thick cut of bacon (I like it thin and crispy) but it tasted perfect. Since Tori doesn't eat bacon, I had her slice as well. For our main course, I wanted the 8oz. Filet Mignon and Tori had the King Crab and Black Truffle Risotto. My steak was cooked exactly how I liked it. So very tender! I didn't really need the additional Bearnaise Sauce I ordered since my filet was already flavored so well on it's own.





Normally we share a dessert, but we splurged and ordered the Sticky Toffee Cake as well as the Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding. The bread pudding with dark chocolate ice cream was delicious but the date cake covered with a maple toffee sauce was our favorite.


Monday, December 23, 2019

Christmas Lights - Encinitas Tree of Life

The Encinitas Tree of Life on Neptune Avenue.


I have been passing this beautifully lit tree on my evening walks after work.