Your New Year Resolution does not have to mean sacrifice:macarons (from Starbucks), charcuterie and cheese plates (from Tender Greens) and a fancy waffle (from Cafe Venti)

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food.  It's written by a few friends, all who have different backgrounds, cravings and locations.  Today, Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Vicky are discovering things to write about and Cathy is writing.

Hi.  I hope the year is going well for you. I'm trying to stick to one of my resolutions from last year  and slowing down to savor life for a short time every single day. It isn't as easy to do as you may think.  Incorporating food along with slowing down. Daily.

Sometimes, this involves stopping in at Starbucks.
Where you can order a 3 cup French Press of any coffee they sell for $3.50. It is brewed and brought out to you.
I noticed in the refrigerator section these Macarons, made in France exclusively for Starbucks.  $10 for 12 of them and so *very* good. Flavored in pistachio, coffee, lemon, raspberry, vanilla and chocolate...light, airy with a crunchy crust, chewy cake like piece surrounding the creamy fondant-like fillings, all rich in flavor.  Decadent and delightful.  (Trader Joe's is selling a pack of 6 vanilla and 6 chocolate in their freezer section - the package does not indicate where they are made, but I suspect not in the USA.) One of the Starbucks Baristas said she thought the macarons may be seasonal, so if you see them in the refrigerator, grab a box...or something else to have with your coffee.

The other day, The Mister and I ventured into Tender Greens  again, and noticed they were offering a charcuterie plate for $10, so we ordered it. (The three slices at 12 o'clock are tuna, the one at 3 o'clock is a ham and the other two are some sort of wonderful house made salamis, one of them Fra'Mani- neither were too spicy) The house made meats were wonderful.   We also shared a grilled vegetable salad ($10)-Lettuces topped with grilled mushrooms, cauliflower, zucchini, brussels sprouts, baby parsnips and baby carrots, red pepper and topped with Parmesan and a tomato vinaigrette. Refreshing and making a light meal.

The cheese plate ($6) was an excellent dessert.  There were four cheeses, two cheddars and two Jacks.  One of the Jacks was a smoked cheese, which I usually do not like, but the texture and pairing it with the apple made it pleasantly tasty. That's a spicy apple puree on the plate, served with more slices of grilled bread brushed with olive oil.  We even shared a glass of Spanish white wine ($7).  A nice, light, healthy-ish meal. Something we don't always enjoy.    
One day, we stopped at Cafe Venti, in the same mall as the  Original Tajima and ordered dessert (they also make panini sandwiches here).  To share. 
 The Waffle-Yo: a fresh made waffle, topped with (choice of two) plain and mango yogurt, fresh kiwi, strawberries and mango as well as small mochi. (~$7). A lot of food here and we needed to share it.  Very good, very fresh. The yogurt is tangy, the way I like it.A latte ($3.75) and water accompanied our snack.  

We sat down and talked for each of these small interludes.  We didn't take anything "to go" and did not rush.  So far, I have stuck to one of my 2009 Resolutions and have added a few for 2010. It isn't easy some days, but it has been so enjoyable on other days.   I hope you are finding your resolutions enjoyable and not a burden.

Starbucks-everywhere

Tender Greens-Liberty Station, 2400 Historic Decatur Road San Diego, 92106 (619)226-6254 Website

Cafe Venti-4681 Convoy (between Engineer and Opportunity) San Diego, 92123 (858) 279-8500
 

Comments

[caninecologne]

hi cathy
ooh, macarons - my favorite! i hope they're at the starbucks near me....

[Carol]

I'm going to stop by the Starbucks by me tomorrow to see if they have the macarons. Thanks, Cathy!

[foodhoe]

ooh I've never seen a waffle-O, looks good, especially with mochi bits! I'm going to hunt down a good charcuterie and cheese plate this weekend, now that I've got a craving after looking at your post...

[Cathy]

Hi CC and Carol- I only saw the macarons after Christmas, not before, and really hope they are still around. I kept the box wrap and hope to find them around. If anything, Trader Joes. In the freezer...
Yes, FH, do that. It's wonderfully different and luxurious yet doesn't cost any more than a regular lunch.

[Sandy]

Ack! I was just at a Starbucks this morning, but didn't notice (or look) in the fridge section. I guess I'll have to trek back for my afternoon coffee break :-) Oh, and I didn't know you could order a French press coffee at Startucks.

I like the Trader Joes macarons. I may need to stock up; they could be seasonal or limited.

[Rosa]

That dessert looks...evilishly tempting. My stomach is telling me it's diet-friendly what with the fruit and yogurt. ;)

Macaroons! Been looking for some that aren't expensive bakery ones... :)

[Cathy]

It's a nice walk, Sandy. The French press always could be ordered, but they finally started putting it on the Coffees Menu Board (2nd from bottom, just above the $13 to go box o' coffee.)It's how we try the more expensive beans before/if buying, and a nice way to start a weekend morning. I stocked up on the TJs macarons before Christmas-those are 'just' chocolate and vanilla. These are 'fancy'.

[cheesecheese]

Cathy! that waffle froyo fruit creation looks fantastic! I just wanted to let you know that if you're really into macaroons, you should try Opera Patisserie in Sorrento Valley. If I am not mistaken, all of their desserts are 50% on Saturdays (although I think they exclude the macaroons). I'm actually a big fan of their breakfast/lunch specials. mmm!

[Cathy]

Rosa- macarons at Trader Joe's in the freezer. Yogurt is healthy. So are waffles...eh, share so you only eat half...
I've heard of OP, cheesecheese, and just haven't had the chance to be out that way. But I can make it happen. Soon. Thanks.

[caninecologne]

hi cathy
unfortunately the macarons weren't available anymore near my place...they said it was seasonal. i tried two places (bonita and eastlake) to no avail. i'll have to try trader joe's to get my macarons fix! :)

[Stephen]

Hi Cathy. Thanks for the post. I googled them for the description. I was interested to see that they are not the same as macaroons. They can be ordered online, and there are recipes if anyone feels adventurous enough.

[Judy @ TinkerWithFOod]

i love cafe venti's waffles :P

[Cathy]

So sorry, CC-we got the ones in the photo last Saturday. As soon as I see them this year, I'll post it.
Hi Stephen. I didn't even think about the -ons versus -oons aspect. So sorry. I'm going to go to Opera Patissiere http://www.operapatisserie.com/news.html to see how those are. The baking process is intense and I think the cost is warranted.
Aren't the waffles nice, Judy?