Sunday, April 24, 2022
Vacation day 2 of 3. Hayes Mansion. We had the gym to ourselves. Breakfast buffet at the hotel restaurant Palm & Ember with Patrick. We were very happy with the food quality and selection as well as the service. Patrick and I attempted to drive to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum but as we neared we found many streets closed for a runner's event. We made several rerouting attempts and failed, parking a few blocks away and walking in the neighborhood for a while before stopping at a nearby Starbucks to buy bottled water and use the restroom, which had a very long line for some reason. We enjoyed free, exterior gardens for the museum and took some photos. Chris and Nate met us at the museum, having arrived after 11 a.m. when the runner's event street closures ended. We visited the museum, spending an hour or so there. We parked at Market Street Garage (we can't recall the last time we paid only $1 for parking) and lunched outdoors at Olla Cocina a short drive away: chips and guac, margaritas, nachos for Patrick and me, tres tacos for Nate, taco salad for Chris. We parted. Patrick and I returned to the hotel to rest and change clothes. Patrick drove him and me to Morgan Hill, and we walked around the neighborhood before dining at Odeum, a bit early for our reservation, but they were able to take us. Cocktails: Rickshaw (whiskey, green chartreuse, black sesame, lime) for Patrick, Failure to Appear (gin, vanilla simple syrup, egg whites, chocolate and cherry bitters) for me. Appetizer: we shared wood-fired, house-made pita with house-made ricotta with candied pecans and chestnut honey. Wine with dinner: pinot noir for Patrick, rose for me. Entrees: chicken and waffles with grilled asparagus, creamed spinach, and black truffle sauce for Patrick; wood-fired, oven-roasted, mustard-crusted Atlantic salmon with farro with roasted garlic crema and lemon drizzle for me. Dessert: we shared a double chocolate fudge cake. 20% service charge included. Service by Phuc L was good. Returned to Hayes Mansion. Patrick went to bed. Since I could not find a TV Guide channel, I channel-surfed a long time (40 channels including HBO Max) before giving up on finding anything I wanted to watch.