So we're officially San Diegoians now that we've been here paying taxes for about a month.  The sun is amazing, the weather is perfect, and the people have been extremely nice.  We moved from our beautiful home and are living in corporate, temporary housing in an area called 4S Ranch and to say it's super busy is an understatement. It's a busyness that's good for new comers because everything is so within reach and the opportunity to meet people is unlimited. There's a handful of restaurants, two grocery stores that never sleeps and lots of residences that utilize every aspect of life here.  All that said, I've found some neat little restaurants in the Rancho Bernardo area--within my short stay I've already experienced good and bad sushi, good and not so good Mexican, good Vietnamese with my new neighbor Minh, and a host of other places that I will have to add to the site.  Finally, we've reconnected with some friends that we met over 13 years ago in Ohio, which they live in Carlsbad--a coastal community just up the highway.  Fast forward ahead, I met with Chonette and her friend Teresa for lunch today at Panera Bread.  The company was great, but I'm never excited about the food at places like tha-my lunch preference is good sushi or a new restaurant that I've never tried.  Oh, also, a double cheeseburger from In and Out burger is also a great Plan B if all esle fails. Most of all I am thrilled to be meeting new people and it sounds like I have a lot to look forward to with Chonnette and her girlfriends that get together on a regular basis.  Nothings like good girlfriends, good food, and good times--wouldn't your agree. 

After a long week of my husband working in Minneapolis as a new Manager for a top rated company, you can imagine that I was dog-tired from functioning as a single mom caring for my boys.  But to the make the week all better, my Mom offered to take the boys for the evening in order for Scott and I to spend some quality time together--doing absolutely whatever what wanted to do.  Well if you know anyting about us, and if you hadn't learned thus far from reading my blog, we absolutely love to indulge on a great meal!  I was picking my husband up from the airport, kidless and we were going to decide where to go without giving it alot of thought.  I decided to wear my cute pink deep V-neck summer dress and even made up my face so that when I picked him up from the airport he would be so dazzled that he would feel obliged to take my anywhere I so chose. Did I mention that he greeted me with a cute, small bag with a fancy foil label on it, which folks--screams a good delectable something to nibble on (I'll tell you more about that later).  So the date was ON!  After our hello kisses and how are you's we decided that we were both in need of a great meal--and Scott being Scott, decides--although Restaurant IRIS is always packed out and hard to get into without a reservation let's just go by there to see if we could get a table.  And that's just what we did!  If you've never been to Restaurant IRIS, it's this cute and charming little house in Midown Memphis that's reaks romance and elegance--my kind of place:).  We were seated outside at a table for two and the rest was a great night that included glasses of bubbly for me, a few mojitos and wine for him and several pretty good food choices as the day slowly turned into night--the candle ambience set the mood for a truly sweet end to dinner. 
Overall Restaurant Rating:
Restaurant IRIS - 08

So my good friend Omoju has decided to return to school to pursue a another degree, but not just any ole' degree, a PhD in Engineering at Berkley of California.  Of course getting accepted into the program is no small feat, not to mention relocating to Cali to do so is what prompted us to celebrate.  So myself along with my good friend Lee, and another good sista Natalie decided that we'd treat her to a wonderful brunch at one of her favorite spots--Cafe 1912.  This is a quaint little French restaurant in the heart of Midtown Memphis that has the most unassuming exterior making it very easy to pass without ever knowing that it's there.  Me being me, I had to check out the menu before I got there because brunch isn't necessarily my favorite meal, but I know with my indecisiveness sometimes I can be the one that hold up the ordering process when it comes to eating out.  Come time to order I was reminded of why I appreciate eating out with Omoju so much and it clearly has everything to do with the fact that the girl knows what she likes!  She orders a cup of java with a shot of Remy Martin for starters.  She is never ashamed of doing what I consider the grown and sexy thing to do without any hangup and inhibition.  So while the menu had some great options I decided that I was going for either the seafood crepes or the crabmeat benedicts.  In announcing what I was going to order to the table my girl-friend Lee who is notorious for wanting to sample several menu items, much like myself, without any hesitation asked if we could share those exact two dishies because she was thinking the same thing.  And that's just what we did.  I had the fresh and flavorful sangria as my beverage of choice and of course I shared the crab benedict and seafood crepes with Lee. I honestly can't remember what Omoju and Natalie ordered, but I do know that Omoju also ordered the cheesecake for dessert--once again, not thinking twice about it, she does what she wants to and I love it!  The food was excellent at Cafe 1912 and I can't wait to go back to try something on their dinner menu.  We of course shut the place down because as confident and talkative women we all have so much to share and we don't hold back because we just don't have to.  The next time you're looking for a good brunch spot on Sunday, give'em a try--I promise you won't be disappointed.
Overall Restaurant Rating: 
Cafe 1912 - 09

Don't you just love it when you have a friend that you dine with and enjoy sharing the meal as much as you do? Now, I'm not talking about sharing a meal to save a dime, but what I do mean is strategically selecting two entrees that will suit you both--that way you get to sample two different items on the menu in one trip.  All that said, my friend Lee and I met at this quaint little spot in Midtown Memphis called Cafe Eclectic.  It's a cute little breakfast/lunch joint that serves homemade breads, donuts, crossaints, and other baked goods, and a host of other things cooked with natural ingredients that are not processed with chemicals and preservatives. Cafe Eclectic, much like it's decribed on the website it's an informal little, eclectic, european, old-fashioned diner right smack-dab in the middle of a community/neighborhood that's very welcoming and warm to anyone who stops in.  Lee and I caught up for the first 20 minutes after getting settled in, finally deciding on two meals that we would both love to try.  We shared the BLT&A with grilled chicken, which was a little messy for me, but the avocado and bacon always pairs welll together.  We also shared, get this--a PATTY MELT. No who in the halibut orders a patty melt this close to bathing suit, or shall I say Spring Break?  Well that's what I like about my friend Lee, she's so cool and she much like me loves to eat, so we didn't hesitate to indulge.  After about an hour or so there, we decided to end our lunch date, but of course not before grabbing about $10 worth of yummy looking desserts from the dessert counter on the way out.  If I don't recommend anything else, you must try to the Charlie Brown bar and the chocolate chip cookies, if you ever get a chance to stop by there.  Oh, Lee says the blueberry donut was a huge treat as well--she finished it before we could pull off the parking lot!