A weekday birthday that coincides with the approach of a work deadline totally justifies ordering a crazy multi-shot Venti Caramel Frappuccino...especially because Starbucks limits redemption of such reward beverages to one's birthday.
And it's so nice and refreshing on a hot summer day like today!
Valerie did not tell me we would be going out to eat tonight until late in the afternoon...and did not tell me where until she punched in an address that she hid from me on the nav. Of course, I could tell our destination was the Cheesecake Factory as soon as the end point scrolled into view on the Model X's center screen. We have not eaten here in ages!
Surprise! I totally wasn't expecting to spend tonight with anyone but Valerie (heck, I wasn't even expecting to leave the house). Everyone was already seated by the time Valerie and I arrived...and a serving of Avocado Egg Rolls (my favorite appetizer) was already on the table. I take a selfie of our group when our dinner order starts to arrive...since the sun is setting.
Valerie had just spent a few days taking Jayden on a road trip to check out UC Davis and UC Berkeley...hard to believe he'll be going to college in a couple of years
Valerie ordered the Jamaican Black Pepper Shrimp so I wouldn't have to choose it over the Cajun Jambalaya Pasta (my favorite dishes on the menu).
Everyone gets their food long before me...and they're almost done eating by the time our waiter comes by to ask how everyone is enjoying their meal. It's not long after that I finally get my pasta.
Of course I order a Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. Our waiter struggles to get the candle lit due to how windy it is...not that I was going to actually blow the candle out (since the pandemic pretty much killed that tradition).
The Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake is still my favorite cheesecake...and one of my favorite desserts
And my birthday wouldn't be the same without mom's chocolate cake...another of my all time favorite desserts (and she was very adamant that I have a slice tonight)
For my second birthday dinner, Valerie and I have reservations at mar'sel...a fine dining restaurant at Terranea Resort
Tonight's meal I knew about...and this time it will be just the two of us
Hoping we could get a nicer picture of the two of us, Valerie asks if we could sit at this table...but the guests who have reserved it arrive before we can move
This is really Valerie and my first fancy dinner in a restaurant since before the pandemic started
Put away that phone!
We are served a crab claw as an amuse bouche
Yes, we are amused
Housemade English Muffins with amazing butter
Charcuterie - Alsatian garlic sausage, prosciutto, chorizo, sopressata served with pickled vegetables, whole grain mustard, baguette
Artisan cheese plate selection - Marin French Triple Cream Brie, Fiscalini Bandage Wrapped Cheddar, Cypress Grove Lamb Chopper (served with sea salt roasted nuts and artisan breads)
Valerie captures this round from above...much easier to do with her phone than my DSLR
Appropriately, it's just the two of us for my birthday dinner 2.0
Our view...if we had been seated on the lawn next to mar'sel
