whenever we go into town, we usually end up going to capers at some point for the best iced coffees i have ever tasted. the cafe has other good drinks and good (but overpriced) foods but their iced coffees just can’t be beat. so maybe i did just write a whole post on iced coffees but this is my blog so i can post whatever dorky stuff i want… right? btw how pretty are my friends? love them!
its speakers week at my school which means lots and lots of baking! yay! i’ve been whipping up some of my old favorites like cinnamon rolls (which i really need to get around posting on here) and rolo cookies. but i really love this week because i get to try out new complicated recipes i’ve been saving all semester. for one of the morning sessions, i made grapefruit donuts from this recipe and move over cinnamon rolls because i have a new donut making obsession. who knew frying could be so much fun? i followed the recipe to the letter and i’m really happy with the results. next time, i want to try filling them with jelly or an espresso glaze… the possibilities are limitless! anyone have a good donut recipe or favorite flavors? please share!
lunch at mister d’s was probably the highlight of my trip to hawkes bay. we decided to splurge and go to a nice restaurant while we were in napier and i’m so glad we did because this was one of my favorite meals to date. there were a few moments of silence after our food arrived as we dove into our meals… it was that good! but their homemade donuts really took the cake! the donuts come fresh out of the fryer and they bring out syringes of different fillings to fill your own donut. though i’m allergic to gluten, the stomach ache that followed was no comparison to this amazing concoction. so if you’re ever in napier, make sure to ask for the donuts at mister d’s… they aren’t on the menu which makes them all the more special.
our last night in whangerai, the family whose house we were staying at prepared a homegrown feast for our group. it reminded me of a kinfolk dinner party complete with great food, great company and a beautiful setting. our host prepared a lamb raised on their farm (i’m a vegetarian so i didn’t eat it but i could still appreciate the work that went into it) and lots of fresh vegetables from their garden (the purple potatoes were my favorite). we ate out on their porch and it was such a beautiful and perfect night. someday, i dream of having a farm so i can host magical dinner parties like this.
whenever i take friends to la, i always insist on paying a visit to joan’s on third. my mom and i have even driven an hour and a half each way to grab lunch there. though its just a cafe, there is something about the ambiance that is really special. maybe its just special to me because i’ve had so many good laughs and memories there but joan’s is definitely an la treasure. after a day at the los angeles gift show, my mom and i took a few friends there for dinner. the owner ended up coming out and meeting us and she was so sweet, which makes the places all the more lovely knowing such a kind and friendly lady is behind it. when i get home to california, joan’s is definitely one of the first places i plan to go.
huckleberry is a super cute cafe in santa monica with yummy food and a chill, laid back vibe. i love their breakfasts (especially the granola). they have a really unique selection of bottled sodas and i was happy to see some of my favorites from new zealand in the mix.
