Select Page

IMG 5285

…their motto ‘Live Joyfully’ is right over the front door so I’m especially joyful when I can share a culinary adventure there with Sandie Girl!

IMG 4865

 But first…..we must have a cappuccino…..

IMG 4867 I love everyone there….I wasn’t charged a re-stocking fee to exchange the range hood for mom’s kitchen!  Amazing!!!  Plus, they search for the lowest price available anywhere and give you the contractor’s discount on top of that.  All that while offering apples, beverages and big smiles all around!

IMG 4868

 

So, what were we doing there you might ask.  When pondering (funny word) what to get Sandie for her B-day, I spied a Salt Block at Pirch.  Well, I don’t even know what a Salt Block is…..Perhaps like a salt lick for animals?  No???  Then I spied a Mark Bitterman cookbook ‘SALT BLOCK COOKING’  Bingo….a perfect gift for my foodie friend who would no doubt figure it all out.  Well, it turns out that Pirch has classes on Saturdays on Salt Block cooking.  Eureka!IMG 4874

 Get it?  So there we were.  Sandie was in charge of reserving our spaces and that was not an easy task as they’re booked way in advance.  Just look at all those foodies!

IMG 4883

 This fellow is a brainiack at Cal Tech and might I add has excellent knife skills.  Just look how serious he is.

IMG 4885

 I was really trying to avoid any kitchen duty as I considered myself the ‘official photographer’ but there was no escape.  I especially did not want a task that featured big, sharp knives!  Oh well….Chop those mushrooms!

IMG 4889

 …..and do a good job before you move on to chopping the kale!

IMG 4890

 Come on now….even I know how to squeeze a lemon!

IMG 4888

Sandie got the worse task of all.  She had to separate all those Brussel Sprouts.  (See why I was in major avoidance….I knew it wouldn’t be pretty!)IMG 4898

 Down to business…it’s all about the bacon…

IMG 4908

 Maybe I’ll just grab one of these while no one is looking…..

IMG 4912

 On of the chefs made the bread to be cut into these croutons…..

IMG 4915

 I’m forgetting most of what went into this pasta dish….

IMG 4917

 I did notice this ‘Board Mate’ which I thought was a great idea to keep your cutting board from slipping.  Safety first!

IMG 4920

 No, I didn’t use this hot sauce but needed a prop for the photo op….Look how busy everyone is behind me….

IMG 4921

 Meanwhile, Sandie had to attend to her Brussel Sprouts so they would not burn in the oven….

IMG 4926

 I asked this worker bee if she was in charge of ‘KP’ and she had no idea what I was talking about.  Is that from the dark ages???

IMG 4930

 Mixing the pasta salad (Sobe noodles).

IMG 4932

 The marinated beef strips are almost ready…LOVE the stove!

IMG 4940

 Time to chow down….

IMG 4947

 The fellow who cut the tomatoes did NOT have knife skills and the sections were gynormous!  Too funny.  I don’t think he’s ever seen the inside of a kitchen as he had to continually ask his wife for guidance.  So funny!

IMG 4951

 What’s left of the pasta salad by the time I got to it…

IMG 4952

 Good job Sandie Girl….time for your reward!

IMG 4955

 I needed a larger plate…..

IMG 4954

 What’s left of the carrot and fingerling potato soup and yes, that’s where the bacon, bacon went… along with a mirepoix.

IMG 4956

 Where are Sandie’s Brussel Sprouts you ask?  Why garnishing the yummy soup!

IMG 4969

 Finally, something to make with the Salt Block!

IMG 4958

 Ever been to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream?  Well, you can use a frozen Salt Block to do the same thing….chop up whatever you wish into the ice cream.

IMG 4959

IMG 4966

 Come on Chef….is that the biggest scoop you can do?

IMG 4968

 Mission accomplished….happy us! (Whoops, I still have my apron on.)

IMG 4970

 After that amazingly wonderful experience I met Tomiko.  Do not miss The Intern’  Nancy Meyers hits it out of the park again and it’s adorable!

IMG 4998

 Next stop, a Anthropologie, a must do for Tomiko.  How adorable is this little boy!

IMG 4976

 Time to eat as I had not seen food for a couple of hours…..Yup….Bar Verde….

IMG 4999

 At least we split the Peach Cobbler but there was almost a spoon war.

IMG 4989

 May angels lead you on your way and follow your every move!

IMG 4997

Pin It on Pinterest