Saturday, March 13, 2004

Breakfast: bagel and cream cheese, scrambled eggs, bacon. I worked on Lodestar Issue 9 while Patrick went to the Castro to return a video and do Chinese homework at Sweet Inspirations. Ate navel oranges for a snack. Visited Julianne and Danae in East Palo Alto, whom we hadn't seen since August 17, 2002. We finally get to meet Gwen and Hoover and the kitty cat. I like how they've put together their place—it's obvious a lot of love went into it. All kinds of baby toys everywhere, a mini treehouse in front, tasteful color combinations on the walls, lots of framed photos on the walls, carefully chosen pieces of furniture—mostly Ikea, which is just down the block, but also a lot of great antiques and an upright piano in the bungalow. They were in the process of building a playhouse and swing set for Gwen and the neighbors' kid Fiona and other kids who might come over to play. Dinner with them at Nola's: We got there a few minutes early so we started with drinks in the bar then moved to a table downstairs in the courtyard. We started dinner with N.O.La Frites for the table (crispy sweet potato fries and house fries, spicy chipotle aioli and roasted tomato ketchup, $5.25). I had a small Bubba Caesar (garlic, lemon, parmesan, Creole croutons, $5.00). Patrick had Seafood N.O.La Gumbo (holy trinity, Cajun rice, dark mahogany roux). I had Flier's Famous Skirt Steak (Tony's teriyaki-marinated Bradley Ranch skirt steak, garlic mashed potatoes, crispy onion strings, grilled vegetables, $16.95). Patrick had the blackened catfish (chipotle mashed potatoes, blue lake beans, crawfish beurre blanc, $15.75). Julianne had Ya Ca Mein Salad no chicken (Napa cabbage, romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, spicy cashews, julienne vegetables, chow mein noodles, sesame-ginger vinagrette, $9.95). Danae had Grilled Portabello Mushroom Tostada (creole slaw, black beans, cheddar, salsa, sour cream, avocado vinaigrette, $10.95). We had a great time talking about work and not work. Patrick and I were pleased—great food, great atmosphere, and great company. Went home, Patrick fell asleep in the car, I cleaned the shower.