Menudo
xoxo
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
(un)Happy wedding anniversary dinner- Malbec
Traditionally for a the 1st year wedding anniversary a gift of paper is given. The options are endless. We contemplated the idea of taking a trip or even a freeway series game for the occasion. Initially I wanted to make a sweet gift by hand but it took some serious patience and an extreme amount of time. As a full time mom and wife I barely have time to keep my own appointments. Looking ahead to the rest of the year and the home renovations engulfing us in the months to come, which involved major paper $$$ in itself, we chose to go out for an early dinner.
This would be our first time out together without nugget for several hours so choosing to dine in town was a must. Malbec, a fairly new argentinian restaurant, was referred by numerous Chow Hounder's and received high reviews and praise on Yelp. Sounded perfect. I had high expectations. My husby made reservations several weeks ahead of time. We were set for a 3:30 dinner reservation.
As we walked up the shade covered concrete of Green St., we could see through the windows a dining room filled with people. Thank goodness we got there early, or so we thought. We arrived 15 minutes prior and could not find a host(ess) at the restaurant station positioned on the sidewalk. A 4 top was ahead of us and was waiting for a host(ess) too. They were finally acknowledged but had them wait just a few minutes more while they acclimated the seating area.
Meanwhile, we were not being helped even though we were recognized. I was tempted just helping ourselves sit at one of the several available tables on the outdoor patio. At approximately 3:40pm I walked inside trying to flag any of the employees. The gentleman who had helped the family ahead of us looked up and I asked him if there was anyone who could help us, we had reservations for 3:30 and had been waiting outside for several minutes already.
More minutes pass by and it was clear that this dining experience would be a long and hellish one. I spotted the first flag. I should've walked back out to our car and gone someplace else. I should've yelled, "Eff this!" But I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. I came up to a busboy clearing off a table and I asked him if we could just seat ourselves to the clean and empty table out front. He gestured to do so and 20 minutes after our reservation time, we had sat down.
Our waiter came to our table without menus and asked us if we were ready to order. Oh, and apparently our names were not on the list of reservations for the time we requested. I called several other restaurants asking about their current wait times hoping we could get in for a better experience. No such luck. After he apologized for the confusion, we were on track with ordering our meals; two appetizers, a bottle of wine, two waters and our entrees. Maybe things would turn around??
Our bottle of wine arrived first, a full bodied Malbec.
Then arrived our bread with chimichurri dipping sauce. 15 mintues later arrived our single order of empanadas accompanied by a small side salad. There was miscommunication with the order and we ended up receiving two orders instead of one.
We devoured a whole basket of bread in no time. Refills please!
The couple who had arrived before us were placing their dessert order and next to us a yelp couple was being seated and placing their orders. We dropped in on their conversation to hear that they too had hear great things about this place. For their sake I had hoped that they would having a better time.
Half a bottle later, more bread and you guessed it, another half hour passing by, our "starter" of Costa Patagonia, a dish of shrimp, calamari and scallops in a red paprika and garlic sauce, arrived. The dish was bland and screaming for acid.
Excuse the mess, we were HUNGRY!
My husby said how it would be hilarious, given our luck, if we ended up consuming the entire bottle of wine well before our entrees arrived. Sure enough we emptied the bottle, mind you finally receiving our waters (thank god), before we ate our entrees. Joking aside we were very disappointed with the lack of service and lack of warmth that reviewers had praised Malbec so highly for. We did not get that whatsoever. Even the yelp couple kept looking at their watch and waiting.
Finally over two hours later from the moment we sat down our entrees arrived and the couples' next to us did too. Interesting. However the couple waiting on their dessert, did not get their sweet treat still.
The ribeye steak
Overall we were completely dissatisfied with our time spent. The food paired with the horrendous service made for an unpleasant evening and would not likely return. We wanted to have a romantic time with outsanding service but only got poor service. If I could turn back time I would choose someplace else to dine.
When we were ready to go (three hours earlier) the couple who have been here longer than us have just gotten their dessert. Here's my review. I'd hate to read their's.
Malbec
1001 E Green St
Pasadena, CA 91106-2404
(626) 683-0550
xoxo
This would be our first time out together without nugget for several hours so choosing to dine in town was a must. Malbec, a fairly new argentinian restaurant, was referred by numerous Chow Hounder's and received high reviews and praise on Yelp. Sounded perfect. I had high expectations. My husby made reservations several weeks ahead of time. We were set for a 3:30 dinner reservation.
As we walked up the shade covered concrete of Green St., we could see through the windows a dining room filled with people. Thank goodness we got there early, or so we thought. We arrived 15 minutes prior and could not find a host(ess) at the restaurant station positioned on the sidewalk. A 4 top was ahead of us and was waiting for a host(ess) too. They were finally acknowledged but had them wait just a few minutes more while they acclimated the seating area.
Meanwhile, we were not being helped even though we were recognized. I was tempted just helping ourselves sit at one of the several available tables on the outdoor patio. At approximately 3:40pm I walked inside trying to flag any of the employees. The gentleman who had helped the family ahead of us looked up and I asked him if there was anyone who could help us, we had reservations for 3:30 and had been waiting outside for several minutes already.
More minutes pass by and it was clear that this dining experience would be a long and hellish one. I spotted the first flag. I should've walked back out to our car and gone someplace else. I should've yelled, "Eff this!" But I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. I came up to a busboy clearing off a table and I asked him if we could just seat ourselves to the clean and empty table out front. He gestured to do so and 20 minutes after our reservation time, we had sat down.
Our waiter came to our table without menus and asked us if we were ready to order. Oh, and apparently our names were not on the list of reservations for the time we requested. I called several other restaurants asking about their current wait times hoping we could get in for a better experience. No such luck. After he apologized for the confusion, we were on track with ordering our meals; two appetizers, a bottle of wine, two waters and our entrees. Maybe things would turn around??
Our bottle of wine arrived first, a full bodied Malbec.
Then arrived our bread with chimichurri dipping sauce. 15 mintues later arrived our single order of empanadas accompanied by a small side salad. There was miscommunication with the order and we ended up receiving two orders instead of one.
We devoured a whole basket of bread in no time. Refills please!
The couple who had arrived before us were placing their dessert order and next to us a yelp couple was being seated and placing their orders. We dropped in on their conversation to hear that they too had hear great things about this place. For their sake I had hoped that they would having a better time.
Half a bottle later, more bread and you guessed it, another half hour passing by, our "starter" of Costa Patagonia, a dish of shrimp, calamari and scallops in a red paprika and garlic sauce, arrived. The dish was bland and screaming for acid.
Excuse the mess, we were HUNGRY!
My husby said how it would be hilarious, given our luck, if we ended up consuming the entire bottle of wine well before our entrees arrived. Sure enough we emptied the bottle, mind you finally receiving our waters (thank god), before we ate our entrees. Joking aside we were very disappointed with the lack of service and lack of warmth that reviewers had praised Malbec so highly for. We did not get that whatsoever. Even the yelp couple kept looking at their watch and waiting.
Finally over two hours later from the moment we sat down our entrees arrived and the couples' next to us did too. Interesting. However the couple waiting on their dessert, did not get their sweet treat still.
The ribeye steak
Overall we were completely dissatisfied with our time spent. The food paired with the horrendous service made for an unpleasant evening and would not likely return. We wanted to have a romantic time with outsanding service but only got poor service. If I could turn back time I would choose someplace else to dine.
When we were ready to go (three hours earlier) the couple who have been here longer than us have just gotten their dessert. Here's my review. I'd hate to read their's.
Malbec
1001 E Green St
Pasadena, CA 91106-2404
(626) 683-0550
xoxo
South Pasadena Farmer's Market - 4th of July weekend
South Pasadena farmer's market varies greatly from the Pasadena farmer's market in that the SoPasFM carries food vendors. A popular Thursday afternoon stop for the neighbors in the hood. Bring a blanket for a picnic on the lawn, stroll the isles, buy some beautiful produce and have some good eats.
Happy Inka, happy tummy
The pupusa stand. A must stop at the SoPasFM.
Garlic fries, brats and a tri-tip sandwich!
South Pasadena Farmers' Market
Thursday 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Meridian Avenue & Mission Street
South Pasadena Los Angeles
xoxo
Happy Inka, happy tummy
The pupusa stand. A must stop at the SoPasFM.
Garlic fries, brats and a tri-tip sandwich!
South Pasadena Farmers' Market
Thursday 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Meridian Avenue & Mission Street
South Pasadena Los Angeles
xoxo
Saturday, July 18, 2009
The Donato's do Disneyland with the Dingle's
Abbybee has been planning her extravaganza birthday excursion for months on end. Our nugget was just several months old when she insisted that the cousins get together and celebrate. It was a year ago that day that we last reunited.
The plan, as listed by Abs, would be to gather up at Lany and Chris' house to meet the newest edition to the family, check in to the hotel, settle in for a bit and head out to the park.
photos courtesy of Jong Jong
Nugget is happy to be at the happiest place on earth
After buying passes, upgrading and waiting on our party while the others checked in we finally entered the gates at noon. Lunch time! But first I had to feed my nugget and made our way to the family lounge.
I hadn't given it a second thought that Disneyland even had facilities such as this. Ask me prior to having a baby and I wouldn't even care but now that we have a family of our own we're all over that lounge and it's ammenities. The facilities are very comfortable offering me a semi-private room to nurse. There are several other rooms where you can change your child, potty training facilities, feeding areas and a kitchen to wash and warm any baby food. The building is air conditioned. It was perfect for that particularly hot day. For the next several feedings through the day I was one happy and cool mommy.
Next up - lunch! Everyone met up dining on fried chicken and their choice of sides. We waited here till the remaining party arrived.
My MIL snatching up Jong's chicken. He was starving and apparently so was she.
Ready to roam the park!
The birthday gal and her prince
After lunch we made our way to Tomorrow Land to get a flash pass for space mountain. A 2 hour wait!! From there weaving our way through the crowd, onward to the It's a Small World newly rennovated ride. But first, another food stop.
Corn on the cobb, giant fried chimichangas and turkey legs!!!
Sharing is caring.
My ma sure loves her fowl friends.
After everyone got their fill of food we made our way to the It's a Small World ride. We all boarded, with the exception of Ma, who stayed behind.
After feeling nauseated from the repetative singing, not the ride itself we went up to Toon Town but not before having another, you guessed it, food break! This time for ice cream and drinks. Ma, nugget and I stayed behind while the crew went to ride the rollercoaster.
Several feedings later, a couple of rides in, the Donato's called it a day. Time to go home. We were pooped! It was so refreshing seeing everyone and finding the time to get together even through our busy lives.
xoxo
The plan, as listed by Abs, would be to gather up at Lany and Chris' house to meet the newest edition to the family, check in to the hotel, settle in for a bit and head out to the park.
photos courtesy of Jong Jong
Nugget is happy to be at the happiest place on earth
After buying passes, upgrading and waiting on our party while the others checked in we finally entered the gates at noon. Lunch time! But first I had to feed my nugget and made our way to the family lounge.
I hadn't given it a second thought that Disneyland even had facilities such as this. Ask me prior to having a baby and I wouldn't even care but now that we have a family of our own we're all over that lounge and it's ammenities. The facilities are very comfortable offering me a semi-private room to nurse. There are several other rooms where you can change your child, potty training facilities, feeding areas and a kitchen to wash and warm any baby food. The building is air conditioned. It was perfect for that particularly hot day. For the next several feedings through the day I was one happy and cool mommy.
Next up - lunch! Everyone met up dining on fried chicken and their choice of sides. We waited here till the remaining party arrived.
My MIL snatching up Jong's chicken. He was starving and apparently so was she.
Ready to roam the park!
The birthday gal and her prince
After lunch we made our way to Tomorrow Land to get a flash pass for space mountain. A 2 hour wait!! From there weaving our way through the crowd, onward to the It's a Small World newly rennovated ride. But first, another food stop.
Corn on the cobb, giant fried chimichangas and turkey legs!!!
Sharing is caring.
My ma sure loves her fowl friends.
After everyone got their fill of food we made our way to the It's a Small World ride. We all boarded, with the exception of Ma, who stayed behind.
After feeling nauseated from the repetative singing, not the ride itself we went up to Toon Town but not before having another, you guessed it, food break! This time for ice cream and drinks. Ma, nugget and I stayed behind while the crew went to ride the rollercoaster.
Several feedings later, a couple of rides in, the Donato's called it a day. Time to go home. We were pooped! It was so refreshing seeing everyone and finding the time to get together even through our busy lives.
xoxo
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A welcomed break
Seems not only myself, but a few other blog friends have been on hault with blogging as of late. Life happens and I usually blog about these happenings. For the last couple of months a lot has been going on where I simply cannot find the time to blog. It's the last on my list of priorities. I'm embarrassed since this blog is titled 'daily' donato. Should be more like 'when the urge strikes.'
Mr. Donato has been busy with the daily grind. He's amazing; able to help me through the pregnancy, birth of our son, and rearing of our child all while working full time, going through the school program full time and loving me with full attention and care. He's the absolute best.
I've been working it seems, 24 hours a day. With a growing child and milestones in nugget's life that amaze me it's been a complete blessing. Although I've been going to bed so much earlier than I'm used to and not getting derrrruuuunnk I'm glad I'm still standing. Husby and I have been able to have date nights with the help from my MIL watching nugget for a few hours but that's about as exciting as it gets in our social scene. Oh and if we do go out with friends or attend get-togethers we bring nugget along. He doesn't mind and neither do our friends. They're the best too. I wouldn't have it any other way than being together and just relying on us and no one else. We do not miss staying up till the AM hours. We go out occasionally for drinks here and there don't get me wrong, but partying it up Thursday, Friday, Saturday and throwing in a Sunday event is now, not in our future.The mutual feeling has been, "Been there done that. Time to grow up."
With some penny pinching and careful planning we have been blessed to be able to afford changing our current space into a bigger one. Nugget is growing by the minute and we all could use more room. We're in the beginning stages of renovation, the shopping stage. I've been doing crazy searches on sustainable furniture, eco friendly and child friendly products. I'd love to keep it luxe but on a budget. Our little bungalow is on the cusp of change and I'm excited!
I have a thing for subway tiles as the backsplash.
I'm doing the white cabinets like pictured but maybe a different shade of tiles. White on white is all the rage now but I don't think I could keep it prestine.
If budget allows, a big farmhouse sink.
Husby has been busy looking at other furnishings...
Nugget as mentioned, is growing up so fast and I've already found myself getting 1st birthday ideas. i also have to plan for his dedication. All of that along with home renovations calls for absence in blogging. It's going to get carazy! I greatly appreciate all the readership and will do my best to find the time to keep in touch. Please do not give up on me as I have not given up on this. Stay tuned...
Thank you.
xoxo
Mr. Donato has been busy with the daily grind. He's amazing; able to help me through the pregnancy, birth of our son, and rearing of our child all while working full time, going through the school program full time and loving me with full attention and care. He's the absolute best.
I've been working it seems, 24 hours a day. With a growing child and milestones in nugget's life that amaze me it's been a complete blessing. Although I've been going to bed so much earlier than I'm used to and not getting derrrruuuunnk I'm glad I'm still standing. Husby and I have been able to have date nights with the help from my MIL watching nugget for a few hours but that's about as exciting as it gets in our social scene. Oh and if we do go out with friends or attend get-togethers we bring nugget along. He doesn't mind and neither do our friends. They're the best too. I wouldn't have it any other way than being together and just relying on us and no one else. We do not miss staying up till the AM hours. We go out occasionally for drinks here and there don't get me wrong, but partying it up Thursday, Friday, Saturday and throwing in a Sunday event is now, not in our future.The mutual feeling has been, "Been there done that. Time to grow up."
With some penny pinching and careful planning we have been blessed to be able to afford changing our current space into a bigger one. Nugget is growing by the minute and we all could use more room. We're in the beginning stages of renovation, the shopping stage. I've been doing crazy searches on sustainable furniture, eco friendly and child friendly products. I'd love to keep it luxe but on a budget. Our little bungalow is on the cusp of change and I'm excited!
I have a thing for subway tiles as the backsplash.
I'm doing the white cabinets like pictured but maybe a different shade of tiles. White on white is all the rage now but I don't think I could keep it prestine.
If budget allows, a big farmhouse sink.
Husby has been busy looking at other furnishings...
Nugget as mentioned, is growing up so fast and I've already found myself getting 1st birthday ideas. i also have to plan for his dedication. All of that along with home renovations calls for absence in blogging. It's going to get carazy! I greatly appreciate all the readership and will do my best to find the time to keep in touch. Please do not give up on me as I have not given up on this. Stay tuned...
Thank you.
xoxo
Monday, July 13, 2009
Patio dining
My family and I love dining al fresco from the comforts of our own backyard patio. People watching and dining al fresco usually go hand in hand but tonight (or any other night) we don't mind staring into each other's eyes.
I found my bear claw salad tossers that I got from Alaska. *note the PBR in the background-likers (not lovers) of the beer pre hipster association.
Nothing beats the summer heat like a fresh salad. My husband would argue otherwise and say a cold beer, or ice cream is number one. Since I am not looking for dehydration, but maybe ice cream at the end of the night, on that particular (hot!!!) day I opted for greens. From the looks of his face I would say he enjoyed it too.
A simple garden fresh salad of mesclun and tomatoes. Real soon we get to add nugget's chives!
A plate of apples and brie with my glass of wine (not pictured).
Maui bone-less beef ribs marinated with asian spices, crushed pineapple and pineapple juice to add a touch of sweetness.
Dinner's ready! Yes, goddess dressing for our salad and a few other drink set-ups.
The glow from our patio lights reminds us it's summer time!
xoxo
I found my bear claw salad tossers that I got from Alaska. *note the PBR in the background-likers (not lovers) of the beer pre hipster association.
Nothing beats the summer heat like a fresh salad. My husband would argue otherwise and say a cold beer, or ice cream is number one. Since I am not looking for dehydration, but maybe ice cream at the end of the night, on that particular (hot!!!) day I opted for greens. From the looks of his face I would say he enjoyed it too.
A simple garden fresh salad of mesclun and tomatoes. Real soon we get to add nugget's chives!
A plate of apples and brie with my glass of wine (not pictured).
Maui bone-less beef ribs marinated with asian spices, crushed pineapple and pineapple juice to add a touch of sweetness.
Dinner's ready! Yes, goddess dressing for our salad and a few other drink set-ups.
The glow from our patio lights reminds us it's summer time!
xoxo
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