wonderland and the looking glass

~ ahlyice dreams of everyday life

wonderland and the looking glass

Category Archives: travel

save metro transit! please consider signing this petition!

14 Thursday Jul 2011

Posted by ahlyice in travel, Uncategorized

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image from the seattle times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004143183_webbuses24m.html

Subject: Prevent Metro Transit Cuts in King County, WA

Due to declines in tax revenues, King County Metro will have to cut public transit services by 17% unless the King County Council votes to implement a two-year $20 congestion reduction charge on vehicle licenses. The choice is clear – ask drivers to pay less than the cost of a tank of gas so that public transit can continue to serve those who rely on it to get to work, serve those with limited mobility, and allow us all to lower pollution & traffic congestion. We urge the King County Council to do the right thing and approve the congestion charge now!

So I signed a petition to Bob Ferguson, King County Councilmember, Larry Gossett, King County Councilmember, Kathy Lambert, King County Councilmember, Larry Phillips, King County Councilmember, Julia Patterson, King County Councilmember, Jane Hague, King Conuty Councilmember, Pete von Reichbauer, King County Councilmember, Joe McDermott, King County Councilmember and Reagan Dunn, King County Councilmember, which says:

“We value King County Metro service and do not want to see it cut. Please use the $20 congestion charge option to keep services running and keep King County green.”

Will you sign this petition? Click here:

http://signon.org/sign/prevent-metro-transit?source=s.em.cp&r_by=395167

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chelan or bust {girl’s wine tasting weekend}

05 Thursday May 2011

Posted by ahlyice in culture, daily pleasures, food, friendship, life's milestones, travel

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friends, travel, wine

sometimes i think women get married for the benefit of their girlfriends. it gives us the opportunity to get together and spend time doing something fun–with just the girls. no husbands or boyfriends dragging their feet–and a little break from children (loving them even more upon return, of course). for some reasons these outings never materialize if they aren’t organized around the celebration of a friend’s upcoming nuptials. one of our more brilliant brides chose a weekend wine tasting at lake chelan–and staying on the lake, of course! it was an ideal situation for those of us coming from both sides–the coast and the eastern part of the state.

someone else had the amazing idea of hiring a limo to drive us from place to place. so we donned our pink and purple feather boas–and the bride her snow white boa and silver tiara–and we met the limo at the hotel. we had four hours and four stops: nefarious cellars, karma vineyards, vin du lac, and benson vineyards. the weather was lovely, the music was blaring, the limo was comfy and stocked with wine glasses and bar ware, the driver was friendly, and we had a cooler stuffed with cheese and sausages.

we were ready to taste wine.


nefarious cellars, our first stop, is a winery i’ve been to before and really enjoyed. we happened to choose a weekend where many of the vineyards were putting out their new blends. i was happy to see that nefarious was offering a malbec–my husband’s favorite red variety–as well as a viognier–my current favorite white variety. the wines at nefarious, i thought, were good. the malbec was smokier than i prefer (i think it was a property of the soil–many of the reds were smoky), and the viognier was wonderful. however, they also had produced a very dry riesling, which was wonderful and bone dry. so i couldn’t help but purchase one.

karma vineyards–next on our tour–was a perfect setting. it was sunny out and we sat as a band was setting up to play. karma has been producing a sparkling wine–and we were tortured–because we got to go on a tour of the cave where they were producing the sparkler–but there was none available to drink! instead we sampled off the tasting menu, and enjoyed sweet potato fries–and the sunshine. unfortunately, i found the whites too sweet, and the red flat.

our next stop was vin du lac–which is actually a winery i had been to before but didn’t enjoy. this time, though, i found that the wines were delicious, and purchased a new viognier–it was exactly what i want in a viognier–fruit but not sweet. easy to drink with a crispness about it when chilled.

benson vineyards–the end of the line. benson was a great final stop because they have lovely grounds–the wine was delicious but out of my price range. after sipping our wine, we sat on the sun-warmed grasses and rocks. and looked out towards the mountains and over the vineyards. full of cheese and cheer, we stopped out for a moment and appreciated life. not so hard when your next steps will be into a limo and a night of celebration with your girlfriends.

tea at the taj {boston}

05 Thursday May 2011

Posted by ahlyice in culture, daily pleasures, food, friendship, travel

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china, eating, friends, tea, travel

i’m a westcoaster by situation, preference, and nature. and while i idealize and develop little longings for and jealousy of the big, established cities of the other coast–i don’t go there that often. on a recent trip east to visit my husband’s family, we decided to take a weekend train trip to boston, to visit a dear high school friend, who was my maid of honor, and who has lived in boston for many years. this was my first trip to boston–long overdue. the train ride was relaxing and scenic–and painful. we spent enough time stopped under manhatten that my feet started to itch to jump off the train and run through the streets of the big city. i didn’t, though. we were heading to boston–the seattle of the east coast.

my lovely friend met us at the station and took us to tea at the taj hotel which was, as fate would have it, across the street from one of the only burberry flagship stores in the nation. so i drooled over bags, trenches and umbrellas. we took tea in the french room, at a giant table, each with our own pot of tea. the taj has a lovely china pattern–eastern feel to the shape of the pot and a golden bird pattern on the delicate rosenthal porcelain. i had the house tea–a black blend with rose.

because there was much gastronomic pleasure to come (my friend had planned a trip to saus, a shop that specializes in belgian frites, cannelloni at modern pastry  and chicken coq-au-vin with buttered noodles or beef bourguignon at petite robert) we were conservative with our order. we decided to split a tiered dessert tray and a cheese platter. the dessert tray brought home-made scones, chocolate covered strawberries (embossed with gold-leaf) and house made lemon curd to our table. other french-inspired delights–like lady fingers, and macaroons appeared as we made our way down the tray.

the assortment of delicious cheese was a good move–caffeine and sugar threatened to leave us sloshing full of tea and bouncing off the walls. a bit of savory protein was welcome and delicious.

i have pretty high standards for afternoon tea. after tea at the empress hotel in victoria, bc almost anywhere will fall flat. the setting in the french room was beautiful. the china was lovey, and the tea was delicious. our server brought us a complimentary plate of english tea sandwiches, which were welcome. but i have to say over all, while it was lovely, not one of my most favorite afternoon tea services. but that was more than made up for by the amazing company of wonderful (if far-flug) friends. it could have just been gastronomic anticipatory overload–or maybe my mind was just still in the burberry flagship store across the street. it was a lovely experience and a great way to kick off a romp in boston. thankfully we spent a lot of time walking that day–we wouldn’t have made it otherwise.

sweet as honey–doylestown, PA

05 Thursday May 2011

Posted by ahlyice in food, life's milestones, travel

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eating, menu, travel

“Our goal at Honey is simple: provide the most entertaining, most memorable, dazzling dining experience possible…” –Honey philosophy

“it’s a love fest” -amy mcatee


images borrowed from: http://thebestoffood.com/content/businesses/honey-doylestown 

we recently took a trip out to visit my husband’s home town for the first time in 4 years. things had changed a bit, and we were happy to spend time with old friends we hadn’t seen since our wedding! and to meet new members of those families that we’ve had to get to know over facebook instead of in person. my husband grew up in a a suburb of philladelphia, in bucks county. his family home is a few moments drive from the township of doylestown, which is a quaint, functional, and adorable walkable village community.

as my husband had recently met the 3-0 milestone head on, my in-laws treated us to a very fancy, very delicious dinner at honey, a new (to us) small-plates boutique bistro in doylestown. honey is family affair–co-owned and run by a husband and wife. they also recently cooked at a james beard house dinner–a smashing success! so you can imagine that it was an honor for us to have them make our dinner. an honor and a delight–because everything was extraordinarily amazing.

first of all, the ambiance at honey is welcoming at warm. it’s comfortable and chic–and puts one in the right frame of mind for tasting and enjoying dinner. while we all left stuffed to the brim, the dinner process was light, and interesting. each dish was sweet and savory and delightfully textured–crunchy and chewy. european preparations with asian flavors and local, seasonal american produce. every bite brought together opposing elements that meshed together amazingly. we sat in a booth that was partitioned by sheer curtains–creating an intimate atmosphere. we discussed each dish, what we liked about it, how it was interesting, and what our favorite piece of it was.

images borrowed from: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=454176560934&set=a.388995110934.202523.381611135934&type=1&theater  

we ordered some assorted cheeses to start with. we ordered a few small dishes and then everything was coursed out for us by more knowing and refined palates. we were also given creamy asparagus soup as an apériti. halfway through our courses, we were offered savory celery sorbet as a palate cleanser. savory sorbet and ice creams were definitely a theme through the night.

Truffle & Smoke Potato Chips
House Cut Potato Chips, Hickory Smoked Sea Salt,
White Truffle Oil, Chives, Parmesan Fondue


Chinese 5 Spice Sweet Potato Fries 
Soy-Maple & Sweet Chile Sauces


Spring Spring Chicken Flatbread 
Smoked Amish Chicken, Asparagus, Melted Leeks,
Preserved Lemon, Shellbark Farms Goat Cheese,
Fresh Mozzarella, Black Truffle Oil

Fire & Ice 
Chilled Alaskan King Crab, Valencia Orange,
Pickled Daikon, White Miso-Chile Mayonnaise,
Toasted Sesame, Spicy Carrot Sorbet

Tuna Ceviche
Sushi Grade Yellowfin Tuna, Breakfast Radish,
Ruby Grapefruit, Cashews, Chilled Green Tea Noodle

Black Tea Glazed Spare Ribs (pictured above)
Twice Cooked Berkshire Pork Spare Ribs, Pine Nuts,
Toasted Sesame, Spicy Ginger Ice Cream

Forest Mushrooms 
Cast Iron Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Crisp Pork Jowl,
6 Minute Duck Egg, Hollandaise, Oregon Truffle Essence


Raspberry Panna Cotta 
Chocolate Sorbet, Cocoa Nibs,
Toasted Hazelnut Butter, Raspberry Coulis


Callebaut Chocolate Cheesecake
Black Cherry-Cabernet Compote,
Crushed Marcona Almonds, Vanilla Sea Salt


image borrowed from: http://www.suburbanlifemagazine.com/articles/?articleid=183  

amy and joe mcatee are an amazing and successful pair. amy chatted with us about their experiences at the james beard house, and sent us gratis desserts to mark the occasion–even though we had passed because we were so full, once we tasted we all made room to devour the desserts. my favorite dish, i have to say, while everything was amazing were the black tea spare ribs. the savory/spicy ice cream with the richness of the meat and the delicate flavor of the tea are not flavors i might have paired on my own–but it worked better than almost anything i’ve ever tasted.

it was an experience i will never forget. and for as long as honey is in doylestown when we come home, we’ll mark each trip with a return.

celebrations marked by fabulous food!

31 Monday Jan 2011

Posted by ahlyice in food, life's milestones, traditions, travel

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eating, family, friends, neighborhood, wine

Show me another pleasure like dinner which comes every day and lasts an hour.
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand

while dating, my husband and i used to mark every special occasion with a fancy dinner out. we’d get dressed up and go to the interesting restaurant of our choice (carefully researched with the menu pre-perused) and go indulge. as someone who usually doesn’t order drinks, appetizers or desserts on the run-of-the-mill eating out experience, i always felt so special when we ate our meals in courses, in dimly lit bistros around the city.

attempting to be healthier, save money, and spend time together, we’ve lately been trying our best to make meals at home–and on special occasions we make special dinners together at home and eat them off of our wedding china at our little dining table.

but–we still enjoy going out to eat on very special occasions. it makes me feel so urban to put on my best cocktail dresses, fix my hair and actually put on make up–wear shoes that normally sit in my closet because walking in them pinches my toes–and select the needed items into my small beaded purse. we have reservations (instead of walking down the street to our favorite curry house), sit in the bar and order drinks, and start with appetizers. and instead of sitting on the couch at 7:30 watching a movie, we are in our best outfits, sitting at the bar, and telling each other stories about the parts of our lives that we spend apart–and anxiously awaiting a delicious dinner.

this year was a tough year for us, but we still spent a few occasions out-on-the-town. we started the year with a trip to victoria with some good friends of ours, where we discovered camille’s fine west coast dining. our trip was slated for new year’s day, and so many restaurants were closed. we were so lucky that limited choices led us to one of the salads i will always remember!

i greatly enjoyed the baked camembert and spinach salad: phyllo wrapped natural pastures comox camembert, spinach, toasted pecan and grapefruit vinaigrette. i also ordered the carrot ginger cardamom soup topped with creme fresh and sweet potato frites–which was delicious and rich, but still light and spicy, and finished with a delicious blood-orange tart. though we’ve tried to re-create the salad at home, we’ve had little success. and a year later, i still scan restaurant menus to try to find something similar.

~~~

this year around the anniversary of our wedding, my husband’s family sent us a gift certificate to dine at the restaurant where he proposed, eva restaurant and wine bar. this year we even got to go twice! once in march to take advantage of the 3 courses for $30 deal with our good friends, and another time near our wedding anniversary to celebrate.  there were, as always, too, too many good choices. for our trip in march, i was torn between a chicken avgolemono, an indian-inspired chicken dish, asparagus-goat cheese-and-wild-rice crepes, and the pork with pasta. i decided to go with the crepes–which were rich and delicious. i could only eat one and shared the other. for the first course, i had the celery-root soup which was topped with hazelnuts and thyme butter,  and i had the ‘eva trio’ for dessert–meyer lemon ice cream, saffron panna cotta with watermelon-rose jelly, and a maple pot de crème with walnut praline. it was a beautiful dinner.

when we went again in september, i enjoyed a sweet corn and roasted green chile chowder as a starter and the chicken breast with sweet corn and paneer fritters with mint chutney as my entree. i finished with the estrella creamery old apple tree tomme and semolina custard baked in phyllo–with pistachios and cherry glyko, paired with castellare 2004 ‘s.niccolo’ 12 vino santo. my husband had chicken soup with tomato and saffron; pan roasted duck breast with yogurt–cilantro rice; chocolate huckleberry mousse; apricot kolach; and strawberry ice cream (with dom. de durbin 2007 beaumes de venise muscat). oh, and we split a half-bottle of delaporte, vincent 2008 sancerre ‘chavignol’. we come out happy and possibly more in love with each other every time we go. or perhaps it is the champagne. and somehow my husband always requests the table he proposed at.

~~~

for years i’ve driven, bussed, and walked by 35th street bistro without going in. i’m not really sure why–we’d entertained the idea of going in a few times but never quite found the menu quite enticing enough–or whatever else. we finally went to celebrate a brief trip home by some very good friends of ours who had just moved out-of-state. as it turns out, they usually offer a 3 course for $30 dinner–and as it turns out, the dinner is amazingly lovely.

first of all, the atmosphere of the bistro is both relaxing and urban. i felt as if i were in a cafe in paris–the kind of place where time goes out the window and one feels no pressure to hurry-up-and-eat-because-the-next-group-that-wants-your-table-is-here. so we could really enjoy the company of our friends. it was exactly the right kind of place to reconnect. it was another place that offers an amazing salad–the salade de noix d’erable–mixed greens, fresh figs, pomegranate seeds, toasted walnuts, shaved goat cheese, topped with ample vinaigrette. i also ordered the poule confit–chicken confit with caramelized garlic, polenta cake, and sauteed chard. finally, i finished with the pain perdu au noix de pecan–pecan bourbon brioche pudding–with vanilla ice cream. for $12, i enjoyed half-glasses of a wine flight as well! i will certainly be back.

~~~

rounding out my dining-out experiences of late, was a surprise dinner out with my husband to celebrate graduation from my master’s program. we’d purchased a groupon for lark months ago, and he’d been saving it for a special celebration. it was a place we’ve been wanting to try for years, but have never really gotten around to. their dinners are family-style small plates, so we ordered a few things and shared everything. i went to the restroom and when i returned not only did we have complimentary flutes of champagne, but there was a small white box on my plate, with a red bow. for some reason i thought it was a restaurant favor, but when i opened the box i found an orange citrine cocktail ring that i’d pointed out to my husband six months ago or so. he had apparently postponed the dinner waiting for the ring to come (he’d ordered several so he could pick the most-orange colored one)–and as providence would have it, the ring arrived on the day of our dinner.

and it only got better. we started with 3 cheeses and the house-made crackers and marcona almonds and marinated olives. we had dinah’s cheese-silky, luscious, bright; humboldt fog-tangy, lemony, herbal; and l’alveare-salty, crumbly, bee’s wax aged. the cheeses were served with honeycomb–which was light, and sweet, but not overly so–and delicious.

then we ordered a soup and salad. my husband loves sunchokes, so we were delighted to order the sunchoke soup with chestnuts,brown butter and duck confit. as i am a big fan of goat cheese and beets, we ordered the full circle farm baby beets, apples, herbed goat cheese and toasted walnuts.  we also had one of their nightly specials, a fresh mozzarella cheese with arugula, baby carrots, and croutons, and finished with the meyer ranch hanger steak with provencale sunchokes, and truffle sauce. the steak melted in our mouths and the sunchokes were amazing.

from there, it kept getting better–we shared a theo dark chocolate pavé with hazelnuts and salted toffee ice cream and the meyer lemon parfait kumquat preserve and meyer lemon jus. the chocolate was delicious and classic, and the meyer lemon parfait was perfectly light and refreshing after a wonderful meal.

it’s an investment for sure, but romantic dinners out and lovely dinners with good friends are well worth it–memories and new flavors coincide for a wonderful experience that can be re-savored throughout the years. and every time i wear my ring, i’ll remember the lovely evening my husband and i spent together celebrating a years of accomplishments together.

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about wonderland

“you can never find a cup of tea big enough, or a book long enough, to suit me.” -c.s. lewis | my life is made up of a thousand plans, likes, dislikes, daily activities, thoughts and dreams. these all come together to form my pathway as i weave through each phase of life, learning and living with myself, and my loved ones, as i change, as they change, as the world changes around me. | i live with my lovely husband and beautiful son in a small urban city. together we do our best to balance our old world proclivities with our technophilia. we struggle to maintain a sense of time that lends itself to enjoying the small details in life: a great glass of wine, laughter shared with friends, the love of family members--but still exist in a go-go-go world. i want to blog about these little details so we never forget the happiness of our time spent together, the little joys in life, and the ephemeral that sometimes gets forgotten in the annals of a lifetime. | to me, the good life is made up of a great cup of tea, and a fantastic book.

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