Midweek Munchies

Just a few "hump day" items......

From the Unfortunate Names File:

I don't know which marketing genius decided on the names for this duo of snacks, but after seeing them at Nijiya(thanks for the reminder Clea!), I just had to buy them for the Missus(plus they were on sale, and really cheap).

Nothing like a snack of Cream Colon Collon:

Followed up with some Puka Pucca Chocolate!

Yes, now I can honestly say I had a snack of Cream Colon, with some Chocolate Pucca! How's that for a conversation starter?

Actually the Cream Collon are thin, crisp, biscuit tubes filled with a light but very sweet cream filling...what else would you expect from a Collon? The Pucca, are fish shaped pretzels with a chocolate filling.

In this photo, it's Collon's to the left, and Pucca's to the right:

A Day at the Races:

Well, since the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club race season is almost over, I thought I'd better do this post. I recently got an invite to a day at the races, and though the Missus wasn't interested, I thought I'd check it out, for a couple of reasons. First, I've never been to Horse Races, and never to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Second, the invitation was for one of the Celebrity Suites, I think it was the Bing Crosby Suite("where the surf meets the turf in old Del Mar..."). Third, and most importantly, it was a lunch buffet. You know there's a food angle, right? Because the invitation was for 2, I invited Captain Jack uber-blogger who does San Diego Restaurant Reviews. The suite thing was kinda interesting, this suite was on the Fifth Level, so you get a bird's-eye view of the proceedings.

On this beautiful San Diego day, the track is quite a lovely sight.

The Celebrity Suites share their own betting windows(don't ask how I did..please....), and more importantly, the bar:

What about the food?

I really didn't expect much.....and it lived up to expectations.

This was called the "Little Italy Buffet" and consisted of Antipasto, Tortellini, and the like.....

The Sweet and Hot Italian Sausages with onions and peppers was probably the best thing...

Captain Jack said that the desserts were pretty good....though I did not partake.

Good looking stuff, and a nice selection.

Overall nothing to write home about, but this day was mostly for socializing and having a good time.

Sure seems like Akira and Reiko are having a good time with the desserts!

A few more photos.....

The Paddock area where the horses are saddled and paraded before each race:

All the bettors can check out the horses. We also noticed that some of the horse's tongues looked like they were sticking out. One of the serious gamblers told us that the tongues of some horses are tied so that they aren't swallowed during the race.

Kind of freaked me out a bit.....

We also checked out a race from the lower level.

Really hot and crowded, but pretty exciting.

And than there's this. Any guesses?

No, its not some mind altering substance. This strange whitish substance is called Polytrack, the new racing surface that was put in to promote safety of both the Horses and the Jockeys. It is made up of recycled rubber, sand, and "other" stuff covered in wax-like coating.

Interesting stuff....

All in all, a nice time, mainly because I was able to chat and socialize with folks I hadn't seen in a while, like the great folks from Metro Gourmet, I must've chatted with Cheryl for over an hour. It was a nice time, as you can tell by the expression on Scott's face.

It was nice meeting some nice people like Dave as well!

Am I a Schmoozer?

I dunno, but I guess the "Steamy One", aka Jaden of Jaden's Steamy Kitchen awarded me the "Blogging Community Involvement Award".

 

Hmmm, "the power of schmooze"? I've never considered Myself a schmoozer.....but at least I'm not alone. Jaden also awarded the "Blue Badge of Schmooze" to Luna Pier Cook, Big Boys Oven, 80 Breakfasts, Vanilla Garlic, and FOY(Friend of Yoso) Wandering Chopsticks(bummer, now I can't award WC!). All great blogs, written by wonderful bloggers.

So who do I think are first class blogging Schmoozers?

Chubbypanda - Talk about a world class schmoozer!

Elmo of Monster Munching - The Schmooze Monster Himself!

Kathy of A Passion For Food - Always finds time to Schmooze.

Captain Jack - Since I needed to include someone from San Diego...plus He's a lot bigger than me!

And a special hibernating Schmoozer award to Reid of Ono Kine Grindz who I hope will be back in schmoozing form soon.

Have great week!

Comments

[Clea]

Hello, I'm a serious lurker on your site , absolutely love it. And now I have to ask - where'd you get the colon???

[Kirk]

Hi Clea - I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that I bought them at Nijiya! I'll fix that right away. Thanks for commenting, and the very kind words.

[RONW]

italian sausage....that's a winner (wiener) place or show.

[LunaPierCook]

Ah, links ... the best way to find great blogs. Am I Schmoozing again? Only Steamy Kitchen knows!

Never been here before, but I'm already enjoying your writing! There aren't too many serious Asian restaurants here in the Toledo area, but we get to some of them when we can. Of course, most are less authentic than they should be. My stepson John, a senior in high school, just got back from a 17-day-trip to China where he developed an affinity for real chinese hot black tea ... which he now drinks when not drinking Mountain Dew Code Red!

Love the plays on words here ... I'm thinking about hanging out for a while ... ;-)

[j ohta]

Its nice to see pictures of the people you dined with. It makes your recounting more personal. How about including yourself? I'd still like to see you do a bio section. Maybe 10 things we don't know about Kirk?

[Carol]

Hey Kirk! I almost spewed coffee on the monitor as the page loaded. lol! Classic. Pucca also happens to be the name of an animated little cutsy girl.

It's been years since the Mister and I have gone. It just doesn't appeal to me much anymore. Glad you enjoyed the races even if the food was just so-so.

[elmomonster]

Me? A Schmoozer?! I'm honored that you think so! But you're right CP is *THE* Schmoozer...who else can rally the Orange County Bloggers together to form OC Food Blogs!

[clayfu]

I want to go to the races. Sigh.

[Kathy]

neato! glad you think I'm schmooze-able, hehe! :) oh man, but pucca? that's like my favorite ever! (after men's pocky, that is!) the cheesecake and banana pucca flaors aren't as good, but I'm a fan of the original! :)

[Jennywenny]

Well Pukka (I think that is how you spell it) is a british/indian phrase which means something is really great. If you watch any Jamie Oliver he'll probably use that phrase 'cor blimey guv'na thats a pukka bit of eel pie you've got there'

[clayfu]

btw i just realized. Taking pictures of girls when the wifey is gone eh?
*wink wink*

[Kirk]

Hi RONW - mmmmm Sausage!!!!

Hi LPC - Thanks for stopping you schmoozer, you! Sounds like your Stepson had quite an exciting trip. Please feel free to hang out, and schmooze all you wany! ;o)

Hi johta - Still want to know more about me? I'm a pretty boring and uninteresting person...really.

Hi Carol - Thats interesting...as you can tell, I'm very unhip.

Hi Elmo - Yes, CP should be schmoozer of the year! And yes, if what I do is considered schmoozing, you're a schmoozer too.

Hi Kathy - Yes, without a doubt, you are mucho schmoozable.

Hi Jenny - That's interesting...but somehow I just can't make the connection between a Japanese confection and Jamie Oliver.....

Hi Clayfu - I think we've just gotten a picture of how the mind of clayfu works! I better warn the GF! ;o)

[Trent]

"Cream Collon with Chocolate Pukka" Hilarious! Great stuff - I also like CRUNKY brand chocolate, which should be endorsed by Lil' Jon.
But by no means should you ever try Genghis Khan Caramels from Morinaga. They taste like lamb and green onion hotpot, but not in the good way.

[Fred]

While we're on the subject of unfortunately named foods, my girlfriend found this at Mitsuwa:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/_saturnine/408954725/

[Kirk]

Hi Trent - Ugh....caramels should never taste like lamb and green onions....

Hi Fred - I hope it didn't taste like.....you know....

[Chubbypanda]

Awww... You and Elmo made me blush. Thanks, guys!

[Kirk]

Hi CP - Oh my, I didn't mean to make the panda blush!

[Captain Jack]

Hey Kirk,
a good time was had by one and all in our suite at the track (well outside of losing a few ducats). Our Salvadorian tamale and pupusa adventure later on that evening was sweet as well. Thanks so much for the invite and the love.
Cheers

[Dave Blackwell]

Hey Kirk,
I still have some of my own pictures from that day I've been meaning to send you. I'll drop them in a zip file this weekend and send some your way. (One of you and an inebriated sushi chef) Indeed, a good time was had by all. Thanks for the mention :D

You know where else has boatloads of odd little candies and treats is Zion, the korean marketplace on the corner of mercury street and engineer road. I saw tomato candy among other things, and I swear I saw shrimp flavored candies in there as well. Their candy/treats selection puts mitsuwa to shame.

[Kirk]

Hi CJ - Yes, it was a fun time! Glad you enjoyed the tamales and pupusas.

Hi Dave - Make sure to pick up some bondegi the next time you're there! ;o)