mmm-yoso, the blog, never is on vacation. It is a day for Cathy to write about what she ate,and other stuff. Kirk is way busy.
Hi. It's Sunday June 24. The 2004 National Champion Boston Red Sox are in town. Tickets to this game have been sold out for months. The Mister and I still saw the game, live. But not quite on ground level.
Oh, yes, we were in the new Diamond View Tower commercial building, right next to the ballpark, 15th floor, along with about 100 of our closest friends, some University of Michigan Alumni.
Seems one of our fellow Alums works for Point Loma Bank and the top floor Suite was available we were able to attend this event for a small donation to the University of Michigan San Diego Scholarship Fund.
This is part of the interior view and there is a patio that looks out onto the Ballpark.
Glass windows, floor to ceiling, and six television sets inside. You could hear the bat hit the ball inside the room, while watching the television. You could hear the crowd roar. It was like being there, but with air conditioning and no lines in the bathroom.
Oh, right. It was catered. Quite well.
This is the outdoor
fire pit, clear and colored tumbled glass with a gas line through the center. Beautiful at night. The flames were on during the day, but I don't think you can see very well (click onto any photo to enlarge). That giant canopied round pillowed chair looked through the glass railings down on to the field.
Food. Right.
Smoked chicken quesedilla wedges topped with a fresh salsa. very nice.
Bruschetta topped with caramelized onions.
Soon, these small, yet substantial "Sliders" showed up. Burger, cheese, pickle, caramelized onion on an egg bun. Really tasty, quite enough in four bites and just plain nice.
There was this bow tie pasta salad,
made with a nice basil based dressing.
Also this spinach/artichoke/onion dip, served with a variety of crackers and bread slices.
Then, this sign and setup(click on the photo to read):
Oh. My.
Me and mashed potatoes. and toppings. Life is good. Ballpark food this isn't.
The Mister's first "martini"- mashed potatoes, Gorgonzola, bacon, wild mushroom gravy and some fried leeks.
My first "martini"-potatoes, Gorgonzola, parsley and fried leeks.
Oh yes, it was wonderful. Notice I said 'first martinis'. There were more, a lot more. The chicken curry sauce was wonderful and different, quite tasty, just a little heat.
Oh, sure, there was a coffee set up with some nice dessert bites. The cookies were unique- one seemed to have instant coffee
as an ingredient and the other was more of a soft gingersnap. There were diamond shaped brownies, peanut butter topped brownies, lemon diamonds and raspberry oatmeal cookies. All were fresh and tasty, not too sugary.
But, well, if you have paid attention...I am not that into sweets. Remember those crackers outside, next to the artichoke dip? and the Gorgonzola that nobody seemed to be touching? Yep- a nice little cheese and cracker tray.
Then, I just didn't bother and filled a martini glass with Gorgonzola only.
Hope everyone is having a nice first weekend of Summer!
Oh, Boston won 4-2. The Mister and I have never attended a game the Padres won. Ever. More than 20 years.
they just have to write brand new lyrics for that "hot dogs and Cracker-Jack" song.
Posted by: RONW | Sunday, 24 June 2007 at 09:18 PM
Those mashed potato martini glasses look and sound delicious! Was this a one time special event at the Diamond View Towers? Or can you just stop by and get some mashed potatoes whenever you want?
Posted by: howie | Monday, 25 June 2007 at 08:32 AM
I know, Ron...it was so very unBaseball...and so very much fun!
It was a private event, Howie, but the regular caterers for the Diamond View Towers, so I would think that you choose whatever foods you based on what you are going to pay, and the martinis are an option. It's a great idea. I think Thanksgiving side dishes will never be the same at my house...
Posted by: Cathy | Monday, 25 June 2007 at 08:43 AM
Sounds like a nice time... But in the interest of factual accuracy, the Boston Red Sox are NOT the World Champions!
Posted by: Ray | Monday, 25 June 2007 at 09:46 AM
Oh, right Ray, basking in the once in a lifetime glory..I changed the post. Plus I had this mental block on the re-doing of the 67 World Series with a different ending...thanks for correcting me.
Posted by: Cathy | Monday, 25 June 2007 at 10:35 AM
wow that looks alot cooler than any of the seats i've sat in at Petco =)
kinda jealousssss, i get tired of eating crappy nachos!
Posted by: clayfu | Monday, 25 June 2007 at 04:40 PM
Hey Cathy, I was in the ballpark and could see your group. As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I was happy with the outcome of the games. Your grub was much better than what we were eating!
Posted by: nancyc | Monday, 25 June 2007 at 05:02 PM
Eh, nachos have their place, Clayfu. We knew this would probably be a once in a lifetime chance, so we had to go. They did have chips and salsa also; I didn't bother taking a photo...
Hello, and welcome, nancyc! The Mister was born in Finland, raised in Boston, I was born and raised in Detroit. We would be for the American League (despite the DH rule)no matter what, but to see the Sox in person was even more fun. The food was excellent and different. You didn't see me out there much- I am terrified of heights. I could feel my heart beating whenever I walked outside. I did do it, but took photos over the ledge without looking down.
Posted by: Cathy | Monday, 25 June 2007 at 05:32 PM
i was at that game! it was fun, my first time at petco park. my bf is from boston and our padres fan friends took us. you food looks a lot better than the hotdogs we had. although i was very pleased the park had stone ipa on draft. way better deal than beers at dodger stadium!
Posted by: susan | Tuesday, 26 June 2007 at 08:12 AM
Hi, Susan, thanks for comenting! It was a great game and I knew it would be different. We had a wide array of adult beverages available also-and the Sam Adams was gone first. That suite can be used for all sorts of events, but I believe baseball viewing is it's primary purpose. When it isn't baseball season, I'd like to see how it is used and maybe if the food is different.
Posted by: Cathy | Tuesday, 26 June 2007 at 10:46 AM
I am jealous. We will eating ballpark food on forth of july dodger's game. At least we will have fireworks. :)
Posted by: Liz | Tuesday, 26 June 2007 at 01:43 PM
Oh, but "real" ballpark food is what is right, Liz...the hot dogs and mustard stains and peanut shells; it's all you really need. I don't bother with teh fish tacos or sushi or garlic fries, much less the wine when we do attend inside the stadium. Fireworks are so nice...but did you see the Coronado Bridge back there?
Posted by: Cathy | Tuesday, 26 June 2007 at 03:06 PM