Things To Do

Getting our coffee and whiskey on!

Buena Vista Cafe (Ghirardelli Square - San Francisco)

The Buena Vista is pretty well known for its Irish Coffee. There is a lot of literature on the Internet, so I am not going to belabor their history or popularity. Because it was the first time I was in San Francisco since being 21, and everyone highly recommended it, I had to stop in. Jonathan and I were lucky to find premium seats in front of the production line at the bar, and boy, is it a skill.

I was taken aback when the bartender encouraged us to drink it “piping” hot, but it was the best decision because the fresh, cold cream mixed with the hot coffee and whiskey produced this wonderful well temperate mixture in our mouths.

Apparently, the Buena Vista serves up to 2,000 Irish Coffees a day!

Voodoo Donuts in Portland, Oregon

Voodoo Doll, Memphis Mafia, Bacon Maple Bar, and Dirty Snowball doughnuts @ Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, OR

For Fourth of July weekend, Jonathan and I went on a road trip down to San Francisco. On our way back to Seattle, we stopped by Portland and enjoyed ourselves some Voodoo Doughnut. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a Maple Bar donut as fast as I did.

I swear there’s some voodoo magic that makes those donuts taste extra good compared to all the other donuts I’ve ever eaten (except for malasadas, which will always reserve a special place in my heart!). Though there is always a line and a substantial wait, it is totally worth it. More road trip pictures to come!

A la Mode Pie Classes: All-you-can-eat pie and one to take home!

Star-Spangled Sour Cherry, Blue Hawaiian, and Strawberry Rhubarb Pie @ A la Mode Pies in Phinney Ridge - Seattle, WA

I attended one of Chris’ pie-making classes at his pie shop for a work function (you can find more on classes here) and made my own Marionberry & Hazelnut pie! Got to take the whole pie home, eat it all on my own, share it, freeze it, and finish it. It was awesome!

Those Portlandia brunch folks would be so jealous… Marionberry pie > Marionberry pancakes any day. :)