Last night I had the scariest lucid dream. Scarier than my man-eating mermaid one (since at least I knew man-eating mermaids do not exist). It started out with me being a high school physics teacher. The entire community was in fear, because there was a serial killer on the loose. His M.O. was to rape his female victims, cut a lock of hair, and strangle them. The other female teacher and I would make sure to get to school at exactly the same time in the morning (why we didn't just carpool, I don't know) and walk into the building together. We had adjoining classrooms, so we would prepare for our classes in the same room until students came in. We would keep the adjoining door open in between classes and always be in view of each other. One day, she showed up late. The serial killer had raped her, but she managed to get away somehow. He managed to cut off a lock of her hair. Although she didn't see him, she was fairly certain it was another teacher at our school. He drove a red mini cooper. We drove over to the principal's office (which was in another building across the street...kind of like my workplace). As we got out of the car, we saw the red mini cooper pull into the parking lot. We walked as calmly as possible to the office and told the principal (who happened to be my high school AP biology teacher...Dr. Snapp). Luckily she believed us, so she called the cops. She managed to seem like she was talking to someone else (other than the police) when the serial killing teacher walked in... We pretended to be making photocopies of our lesson plans... He started walking towards us, and then at this point I stopped dreaming about this.
The weird part about this dream was that I was completely aware that I was dreaming, but I couldn't control anything that was happening. Instead, I felt constantly paralyzed with fear. The dream almost felt like a premonition of things to come... and it was a weird amalgam of things. The classrooms looked like Twin's classrooms at her school. We had two separate buildings like the company I work at right now. My high school biology teacher was the principal. The killer's M.O. probably came from watching too many episodes of criminal minds. And I was keenly aware of the red mini cooper during the entire dream. There was a point where I even suspected that teacher (prior to my friend finding out...). It was hands down one of the scariest dreams I have ever had. The other weird thing is I felt like it transitioned into a different dream, which I can't remember at all. This was NOT the dream I was having when I woke up.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure what prompted the scary dream was the horror movie previews before Julie & Julia. Yes, even the previews for horror movies freak me out, which is why I can never watch them. No more scary stuff for a long long time....
I absolutely love this song. It is just so gloriously happy. I can listen to it over and over again without getting tired of it.
Firefly - Owl City
You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
Cuz they fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You think me rude, but I would just stand and stare
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems
Cuz I get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they try to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sockhop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread (thread, thread)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)
Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
Cuz I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far to tired to fall asleep
To ten million fireflies
I'm weird cuz I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell (said farewell)
But I know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
Cuz I saved a few and I keep 'em in a jar
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams
Firefly - Owl City
You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
Cuz they fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You think me rude, but I would just stand and stare
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems
Cuz I get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they try to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sockhop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread (thread, thread)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)
Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
Cuz I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far to tired to fall asleep
To ten million fireflies
I'm weird cuz I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell (said farewell)
But I know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
Cuz I saved a few and I keep 'em in a jar
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams
Since it is summertime right now, the conversation goes something like this:
"You must be happy that school's out right now."
"Um, I graduated."
"Oh, where are you going to college?"
"I already graduated from college."
"Wow, you look so young! What school did you go to?"
"Ummm...Stanford..." (with a rising inflection...)
"Oh you must be really smart"
"I guess..."
It always makes me incredibly uncomfortable. First of all, I'm mistaken as a high school student. I'm usually offended enough that I can't just nod, smile, and pretend I am in high school. Unfortunately, this always leads to college somehow. Then, there is all the assumptions that are made just by the name of my college, let alone if I describe my major...
I think the whole situation has been exacerbated by being around friends of my relatives. My mom and dad are really low key about it, they don't really talk about it at all with people, which is nice. However, my relatives on the other hand are terrible about name dropping, especially my grandparents. I would be fine with this if I never had to be around when it happened - but that would involve never being with my grandparents except when they are alone in their home. They will tell the cashier at asian supermarkets. It is always, " *lots of chinese* STAN-FURD *more chinese* MAS-TURS" really loudly and really accented. I basically have to stand there being embarrassed, smiling. And it's my grandparents, so I should accept it, since they are just so proud of me. But then there is my uncles, aunts, and even my piano teacher from high school. And to random strangers... it gets to be a little much. And then on top of that, it seems to be the conversation opener when I meet anyone who is in their 30s or older.
It's not to say that I am not proud of the fact that I went to Stanford. I truly loved going to school there (or else I wouldn't have extended my stay for quite so long). I am happy to be from there when I'm surrounded by other Stanford students (and I truly am at the company I'm at right now) or when I'm with my friends from high school. With them, going to Stanford just doesn't seem out of the ordinary. The real world is an entirely different story.
I also still volunteer at PFC. The best is when the the person I'm interviewing mentions she has a son my age...
"You must be happy that school's out right now."
"Um, I graduated."
"Oh, where are you going to college?"
"I already graduated from college."
"Wow, you look so young! What school did you go to?"
"Ummm...Stanford..." (with a rising inflection...)
"Oh you must be really smart"
"I guess..."
It always makes me incredibly uncomfortable. First of all, I'm mistaken as a high school student. I'm usually offended enough that I can't just nod, smile, and pretend I am in high school. Unfortunately, this always leads to college somehow. Then, there is all the assumptions that are made just by the name of my college, let alone if I describe my major...
I think the whole situation has been exacerbated by being around friends of my relatives. My mom and dad are really low key about it, they don't really talk about it at all with people, which is nice. However, my relatives on the other hand are terrible about name dropping, especially my grandparents. I would be fine with this if I never had to be around when it happened - but that would involve never being with my grandparents except when they are alone in their home. They will tell the cashier at asian supermarkets. It is always, " *lots of chinese* STAN-FURD *more chinese* MAS-TURS" really loudly and really accented. I basically have to stand there being embarrassed, smiling. And it's my grandparents, so I should accept it, since they are just so proud of me. But then there is my uncles, aunts, and even my piano teacher from high school. And to random strangers... it gets to be a little much. And then on top of that, it seems to be the conversation opener when I meet anyone who is in their 30s or older.
It's not to say that I am not proud of the fact that I went to Stanford. I truly loved going to school there (or else I wouldn't have extended my stay for quite so long). I am happy to be from there when I'm surrounded by other Stanford students (and I truly am at the company I'm at right now) or when I'm with my friends from high school. With them, going to Stanford just doesn't seem out of the ordinary. The real world is an entirely different story.
I also still volunteer at PFC. The best is when the the person I'm interviewing mentions she has a son my age...
It is unreal. Pardon the cliche, but it seems like just yesterday that I got dropped off at Wilbur Hall with my new printer and laptop in tow. The layout seemed so confusing, so I entered Rinconada, what would be my home for the year, through the back entrance. When I finally made my way to the main entrance, I hear "WELCOME PELING!". It freaked me out to no end, I nervously glanced around on my shirt wondering if I had a nametag on (why else would complete strangers be yelling my name).
Since that first day, I have done so much at Stanford, my home away from home (which isn't really that far away from home). I have had my ups and downs: moments of severe doubt when I wondered what the hell am I doing here and moments of intense pleasure when I realized I belonged. I've met so many amazing people, had so many amazing experiences, enjoyed so many amazing opportunities - really, everything was amazing. I did things I would have never dreamed of when I began my freshman year. It is incredible how much my six years at Stanford has defined me as a person. It's weird, because I don't believe I have changed all that much from who I was when I began. I feel as if I just grew into myself more, like I became more me (if that makes ANY sense at all). In all, I am just extremely thankful for everything. Sometimes it felt like the end of the world - I definitely did not enjoy every minute of it, but I know I am going to miss that feeling desperately.
I currently just started my internship at Intuitive Surgical. I might blog my experiences later (then again I might not...). All I have to say is so far, I love it.
I'll end with: So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye. Goodbye Stanford.
Since that first day, I have done so much at Stanford, my home away from home (which isn't really that far away from home). I have had my ups and downs: moments of severe doubt when I wondered what the hell am I doing here and moments of intense pleasure when I realized I belonged. I've met so many amazing people, had so many amazing experiences, enjoyed so many amazing opportunities - really, everything was amazing. I did things I would have never dreamed of when I began my freshman year. It is incredible how much my six years at Stanford has defined me as a person. It's weird, because I don't believe I have changed all that much from who I was when I began. I feel as if I just grew into myself more, like I became more me (if that makes ANY sense at all). In all, I am just extremely thankful for everything. Sometimes it felt like the end of the world - I definitely did not enjoy every minute of it, but I know I am going to miss that feeling desperately.
I currently just started my internship at Intuitive Surgical. I might blog my experiences later (then again I might not...). All I have to say is so far, I love it.
I'll end with: So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye. Goodbye Stanford.
At the PRL - Product Realization Laboratory (aka the machine shop), we have computers for running certain computer controlled machines or for designing in solidworks. People can log into the computers with their SUNet IDs like they can at the library. Once logged in, you can mount your AFS space without entering your password again. This has led to an amusing game hijacking each other's Stanford webspace among the teaching assistants.
Since we all spend a ridiculous amount of time at the PRL, we often log into the computers to check our email, print out machine reservation lists, etc. Sometimes, we forget to log out. When one forgets to log out, other TAs will put something ridiculous up on his/her Stanford webspace.
Here are the latest examples:
Dave Evan's
Mike Wittenberg's
Ted Sweet's
I <3 the PRL TAs
Since we all spend a ridiculous amount of time at the PRL, we often log into the computers to check our email, print out machine reservation lists, etc. Sometimes, we forget to log out. When one forgets to log out, other TAs will put something ridiculous up on his/her Stanford webspace.
Here are the latest examples:
Dave Evan's
Mike Wittenberg's
Ted Sweet's
I <3 the PRL TAs
I like this interactive feature the New York Times created which features all the presidential inaugural addresses. I will have to read all of them (besides Obama's) at some point.
It is difficult to believe that the man primarily responsible fro the inauguration speech is only 27 years old. Jon Favreau, not to be confused with the actor from the movie Swingers, was discovered by Obama when he was working on Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign just after graduating college. It is unbelievable that was 23 years old at the time (aka...holy crap, I'm 23 years old RIGHT NOW). And at the age of 27, he has become President Obama's chief speechwriter. I'm astounded.
It is difficult to believe that the man primarily responsible fro the inauguration speech is only 27 years old. Jon Favreau, not to be confused with the actor from the movie Swingers, was discovered by Obama when he was working on Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign just after graduating college. It is unbelievable that was 23 years old at the time (aka...holy crap, I'm 23 years old RIGHT NOW). And at the age of 27, he has become President Obama's chief speechwriter. I'm astounded.
Friday night Andrew convinced me to go up to the city with Waynn and Shayan (two of Andrew's high school friends). I was already in my PJs and unwilling to go out (despite the fact it was only 8:30pm...on a Friday night...I accept the fact I am slightly lame at times). Anyway, I was only convinced to go, because Waynn wanted to try out the Alembic Bar, which was mentioned in the New York Times article "In San Francisco, a Cocktail Is Not Just a Drink". I decided to go since I like trying new places, and I can be a pretentious food snob. So we left from Waynn's apartment and drove to Haight & Ashbury.
There weren't any open seating when we got there, so one of the servers put Waynn's name down and said she would call once a table opened up. We headed over to Escape from New York - a New York pizza place that was a couple stores down from the bar. We bought some slices and pizza and ate there while we waited for space to open up at Alembic. About 40 minutes later, we got a call and headed over.
We were seated at a table at the back of the bar (it was two smaller tables pushed together). They had a menu of "Nibbles" and "Local Love" for small appetizers a menu of "cocktails" and "drinks". We each ordered a cocktail, since that was what Alembic was known for. I ordered the Jack Rose, which is a mixture of Applejack, grenadine, and lemon juice. It was pretty good, fruity and not to bitter. Andrew ended up drinking it since he really didn't like his. Andrew ordered the Gilded Lily, which is a mixture of plymouth gin, yellow chartreuse, orange flower water, and sparkling demi-sec (a sweet wine), and a little flake of gold leaf. I liked it, despite it being made from gin. It has somewhat of a bite to it, but the flavors mixed really well together, and I the orange flower water was a nice touch. Shayan ordered The Poopdeck Cocktail, which was a mixture of cognac, port win, and blackberry brandy. It tasted delicious, probably because of the blackberry brandy. Waynn ordered the Bourbon Old-Fashioned, which is a classic cocktail made from whiskey, bitters, sugar, and a twist of lemon peel. It tasted terrible, I think I really don't like bourbon - I totally gagged when I tried it. Later Waynn ordered the Vice Grip, which was a mixture of araku coffee rum liqueur, brachetto d'aqui (a wine), and porter foam (beer). It sounds weird and strange, but tasted so delicious. It was my favorite drink by far.
We also tried some of their nibbles and local loves. I ordered the goat cheese croquettes with romesco. they were these fried goat cheese balls, that was served on the romesco in an escargot plate. I also ordered crispy pork belly, which was extremely fattening but also delicious. It was served with black trumpet mushrooms (my favorite part of the dish), brussels sprouts, and hot mustard. We also ordered the togarashi popcorn (spiced popcorn), za'atar potato chips (baked potato chips served with a herbed yogurt sauce, marinated olives with roasted nuts, and little fried fish (wasabi-ikura aioli covered fish served with lemon and tartar sauce). I enjoyed the fried fish a lot, the others were okay (since I'm not a big fan of popcorn, chips, or olives).
All in all, it was a pretty cool place. Reasonably priced for what they are. Unfortunately I didn't try their dessert menu, which I found out about later, as well as their daytime cocktails. I really want to try a mint julep sometime, ever since we read the The Great Gatsby in English AP senior year. (My friends and I acted out that scene where Daisy makes Tom a mint julep - somewhere around chapter 7).
There weren't any open seating when we got there, so one of the servers put Waynn's name down and said she would call once a table opened up. We headed over to Escape from New York - a New York pizza place that was a couple stores down from the bar. We bought some slices and pizza and ate there while we waited for space to open up at Alembic. About 40 minutes later, we got a call and headed over.
We were seated at a table at the back of the bar (it was two smaller tables pushed together). They had a menu of "Nibbles" and "Local Love" for small appetizers a menu of "cocktails" and "drinks". We each ordered a cocktail, since that was what Alembic was known for. I ordered the Jack Rose, which is a mixture of Applejack, grenadine, and lemon juice. It was pretty good, fruity and not to bitter. Andrew ended up drinking it since he really didn't like his. Andrew ordered the Gilded Lily, which is a mixture of plymouth gin, yellow chartreuse, orange flower water, and sparkling demi-sec (a sweet wine), and a little flake of gold leaf. I liked it, despite it being made from gin. It has somewhat of a bite to it, but the flavors mixed really well together, and I the orange flower water was a nice touch. Shayan ordered The Poopdeck Cocktail, which was a mixture of cognac, port win, and blackberry brandy. It tasted delicious, probably because of the blackberry brandy. Waynn ordered the Bourbon Old-Fashioned, which is a classic cocktail made from whiskey, bitters, sugar, and a twist of lemon peel. It tasted terrible, I think I really don't like bourbon - I totally gagged when I tried it. Later Waynn ordered the Vice Grip, which was a mixture of araku coffee rum liqueur, brachetto d'aqui (a wine), and porter foam (beer). It sounds weird and strange, but tasted so delicious. It was my favorite drink by far.
We also tried some of their nibbles and local loves. I ordered the goat cheese croquettes with romesco. they were these fried goat cheese balls, that was served on the romesco in an escargot plate. I also ordered crispy pork belly, which was extremely fattening but also delicious. It was served with black trumpet mushrooms (my favorite part of the dish), brussels sprouts, and hot mustard. We also ordered the togarashi popcorn (spiced popcorn), za'atar potato chips (baked potato chips served with a herbed yogurt sauce, marinated olives with roasted nuts, and little fried fish (wasabi-ikura aioli covered fish served with lemon and tartar sauce). I enjoyed the fried fish a lot, the others were okay (since I'm not a big fan of popcorn, chips, or olives).
All in all, it was a pretty cool place. Reasonably priced for what they are. Unfortunately I didn't try their dessert menu, which I found out about later, as well as their daytime cocktails. I really want to try a mint julep sometime, ever since we read the The Great Gatsby in English AP senior year. (My friends and I acted out that scene where Daisy makes Tom a mint julep - somewhere around chapter 7).
Twin and I were discussing Anastasia today, so I decided to watch the movie (instead of doing work).
Fabulous Bartok Quotes:
"Oh sure, blame the bat. What the heck? We're easy targets."
"Just wishing I could do the job for you, sir. I'd give her a HAH! And a HI-YA! And then a OUU-WA! And I'd kick her, sir."
Fabulous Bartok Quotes:
"Oh sure, blame the bat. What the heck? We're easy targets."
"Just wishing I could do the job for you, sir. I'd give her a HAH! And a HI-YA! And then a OUU-WA! And I'd kick her, sir."
"Fairy tales, then, are not responsible for producing in children fear, or any of the other shapes of fear; fairy tales do not give the child the idea of te evil or the ugly; that is in the child already, because it is in the world already. Fairy tales do not give a child his first idea of bogey. What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of bogey. The baby has known the dragon intimately ever since he had an imagination. What the fairy tale provides for him is a St. George to kill the dragon."
- G.K. Chesterton (from the essay "The Red Angel" in his series of reflections on everyday life Tremendous Trifles)
"The Red Angel" is an essay by G.K. Chesterton in response to a those who believe fairy tales are bad for children. He states in the essay that a lady had written him a letter saying "it is cruel to tell children fairy tales, because it frightens them." It is the origin of the quote:
"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed."
Or other variants of the quote that are attributed to G.K. Chesterton.
I truly enjoyed "The Red Angel", not only because it advocates fairy tales, but because also because of Chesterton's insights on the human condition. Chesterton states that "one small child can imagine monsters too big and black to get into any picture." Children are well aware of the evil that exists in the world and that "the fear does not come from fairy tales; the fear comes from the universe of the soul." Fairy tales teach children that they can overcome their fear. Through fairy tales, children are armed with hope rather being left to face their fears alone. "The Red Angel" was an interesting essay, I only read it because it was on the topic of fairy tales (which I love and have always loved). I am going to read more of Tremendous Trifles.
- G.K. Chesterton (from the essay "The Red Angel" in his series of reflections on everyday life Tremendous Trifles)
"The Red Angel" is an essay by G.K. Chesterton in response to a those who believe fairy tales are bad for children. He states in the essay that a lady had written him a letter saying "it is cruel to tell children fairy tales, because it frightens them." It is the origin of the quote:
"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed."
Or other variants of the quote that are attributed to G.K. Chesterton.
I truly enjoyed "The Red Angel", not only because it advocates fairy tales, but because also because of Chesterton's insights on the human condition. Chesterton states that "one small child can imagine monsters too big and black to get into any picture." Children are well aware of the evil that exists in the world and that "the fear does not come from fairy tales; the fear comes from the universe of the soul." Fairy tales teach children that they can overcome their fear. Through fairy tales, children are armed with hope rather being left to face their fears alone. "The Red Angel" was an interesting essay, I only read it because it was on the topic of fairy tales (which I love and have always loved). I am going to read more of Tremendous Trifles.
by e.e. cummings
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
This poem can be found here at the Poetry Foundation website.
e.e. cummings is one of my favorite poets. I love how he experiments with syntax and style in his poetry. Anyway, this poem is read by Cameron Diaz's character at the end of In Her Shoes. I was reminded of it when I watched the movie again over this Winter Break. I think Cameron Diaz did a beautiful reading of the poem, and I loved the use of the poem in the movie. I hope it gave people more of an appreciation of poetry.
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
This poem can be found here at the Poetry Foundation website.
e.e. cummings is one of my favorite poets. I love how he experiments with syntax and style in his poetry. Anyway, this poem is read by Cameron Diaz's character at the end of In Her Shoes. I was reminded of it when I watched the movie again over this Winter Break. I think Cameron Diaz did a beautiful reading of the poem, and I loved the use of the poem in the movie. I hope it gave people more of an appreciation of poetry.
One of my closest friends, Christine, flew in New Year's Eve to visit those of us who are living in the Bay Area (aka, those of us who never left Stanford). For those of you who don't know, Christine and I lived in the same freshman dorm and have been close friends ever since. During undergrad, we never got a chance to live together, because I ended up being an RA (residential assistant) in the dorms for two years. Fortunately, she stayed at Stanford for an additional year to get her master's degree in Biology, and we were able to be roommates then. Anyway, back to the story...
I picked Christine up at 7pm and went back to Stanford. We were originally hoping to go to Afternoon Tea (her flight was originally supposed to arrive in at 3pm), but instead we went to dinner, as Afternoon Tea is obviously closed by 7:30pm. I had found this restaurant called Shokolaat on University Ave. It is supposed to be a modern bistro where you can sit for coffee or tea and pastries and chocolates. They describe the concept on their site as a "neighborhood Restaurant, Patisserie, Chocolatier, and Lounge serving lunch and dinner with take out pastries." It is located on University Ave right after Cowper if you are heading towards 101.
The restaurant is a fairly small restaurant with an outdoor seating area behind these canvas curtains. Inside, they had two glass cases, one for chocolates and another for desserts/pastries. The chefs cook behind the counter much like Il Fornaio. The decor was very modern yet elegant, and the restaurant was dimly lit for an "romantic atmosphere". Christine said it reminded her of the scene in the Sex and the City Movie where Miranda and Carrie go to a romantic restaurant for Valentine's Day.
They had a special New Year's Eve tasting menu which consisted of an Amuse Bouche (a single bite-sized appetizer) of Wild Mushroom and Mint Soup which was served in a small shotglass which fluted outwards.
For the Appetizer Course, we had a choice between a Heart of Romaine, Herb Vinaigrette, White Anchovy, Shaved Parmegiano-Reggiano salad or the Ahi Tuna Tartare, Grated Black Truffle, Toasted Brioche, Citrus-Vanilla Vinaigrette. Christine and I both got the Ahi Tuna Tartare, which was beautifully served on a rectangular dish with the Tartare molded in a tuna-can shape with three rectangular pieces of the Toasted Brioche artfully stacked on the other side.
For the Entree, we had a choice between the Filet Mignion, Puree of Potatoes, Confit of Shallot, Toy Box Carrots, Black Truffle Sauce or the Cinnamon Brioche Crusted Halibut, Roasted Sweet Potato and Cauliflower, Caramelized Hazelnut or the Roasted Pumpkin Risotto, Fromager D'Affinois, White Truffle Oil. I had the Filet Mignion (medium rare) and Christine had the Halibut. Both were delicious. The Filet Mignion was cooked perfectly and the black truffle sauce was absolutely delicious. I don't really think I have a good enough palette to describe the taste. Christine's Halibut was also extremely delicious with the cinnamon providing just a hint of spice that wasn't overpowering.
For Dessert, we had a choice between the Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Bar, Raspberry Sorbet, Creme Anglaise or the Grand Marnier Souffle. Christine had the Crunch Bar and I had the Souffle. The souffle was served freshly made (Christine and I heard them beating the eggs in the background while we were eating our Entree). The waiter served the dish and opened the souffle for me and poured in half the Creme Anglaise for me. The souffle was absolutely delicious, light and airy. The Grand Marnier provided a nice touch. Christine's crunch bar tastes somewhat like a Ferrero Rocher candy. The "crunch" was a praline, and there was a hazelnut chocolate mousse-like part on top. It was served cut in two pieces and placed at one corner of a square plate. At the other corner was a scoop of raspberry sorbet.
For the Mignardise (for the table), we were served a selection of petit fours. Christine and I were so full by this point that we ended up taking them home instead. I don't even recall what we got... Overall, it was a fabulously delicious meal. Next time, I really need to take pictures.
I picked Christine up at 7pm and went back to Stanford. We were originally hoping to go to Afternoon Tea (her flight was originally supposed to arrive in at 3pm), but instead we went to dinner, as Afternoon Tea is obviously closed by 7:30pm. I had found this restaurant called Shokolaat on University Ave. It is supposed to be a modern bistro where you can sit for coffee or tea and pastries and chocolates. They describe the concept on their site as a "neighborhood Restaurant, Patisserie, Chocolatier, and Lounge serving lunch and dinner with take out pastries." It is located on University Ave right after Cowper if you are heading towards 101.
The restaurant is a fairly small restaurant with an outdoor seating area behind these canvas curtains. Inside, they had two glass cases, one for chocolates and another for desserts/pastries. The chefs cook behind the counter much like Il Fornaio. The decor was very modern yet elegant, and the restaurant was dimly lit for an "romantic atmosphere". Christine said it reminded her of the scene in the Sex and the City Movie where Miranda and Carrie go to a romantic restaurant for Valentine's Day.
They had a special New Year's Eve tasting menu which consisted of an Amuse Bouche (a single bite-sized appetizer) of Wild Mushroom and Mint Soup which was served in a small shotglass which fluted outwards.
For the Appetizer Course, we had a choice between a Heart of Romaine, Herb Vinaigrette, White Anchovy, Shaved Parmegiano-Reggiano salad or the Ahi Tuna Tartare, Grated Black Truffle, Toasted Brioche, Citrus-Vanilla Vinaigrette. Christine and I both got the Ahi Tuna Tartare, which was beautifully served on a rectangular dish with the Tartare molded in a tuna-can shape with three rectangular pieces of the Toasted Brioche artfully stacked on the other side.
For the Entree, we had a choice between the Filet Mignion, Puree of Potatoes, Confit of Shallot, Toy Box Carrots, Black Truffle Sauce or the Cinnamon Brioche Crusted Halibut, Roasted Sweet Potato and Cauliflower, Caramelized Hazelnut or the Roasted Pumpkin Risotto, Fromager D'Affinois, White Truffle Oil. I had the Filet Mignion (medium rare) and Christine had the Halibut. Both were delicious. The Filet Mignion was cooked perfectly and the black truffle sauce was absolutely delicious. I don't really think I have a good enough palette to describe the taste. Christine's Halibut was also extremely delicious with the cinnamon providing just a hint of spice that wasn't overpowering.
For Dessert, we had a choice between the Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Bar, Raspberry Sorbet, Creme Anglaise or the Grand Marnier Souffle. Christine had the Crunch Bar and I had the Souffle. The souffle was served freshly made (Christine and I heard them beating the eggs in the background while we were eating our Entree). The waiter served the dish and opened the souffle for me and poured in half the Creme Anglaise for me. The souffle was absolutely delicious, light and airy. The Grand Marnier provided a nice touch. Christine's crunch bar tastes somewhat like a Ferrero Rocher candy. The "crunch" was a praline, and there was a hazelnut chocolate mousse-like part on top. It was served cut in two pieces and placed at one corner of a square plate. At the other corner was a scoop of raspberry sorbet.
For the Mignardise (for the table), we were served a selection of petit fours. Christine and I were so full by this point that we ended up taking them home instead. I don't even recall what we got... Overall, it was a fabulously delicious meal. Next time, I really need to take pictures.
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