Whew. What a Week. It was exciting, but not really a good kind of exciting!
This was the holiday...
I made these cute little placecards that look like wheat sheaths, which ended up taking a lot longer than I thought, but I can use them again eventually.
Here's the day's menu. I did end up dropping one dish mainly due to time constraints (the green beans). I took Wednesday off to prepare, but it still ended up taking a little longer than I thought.
My turkey process was very simple - easiest part of the meal. I brined the turkey in saltwater for six hours, patted it dry, then let it air dry in the fridge, uncovered, for 24 hours -- that gets the skin super crispy. It took about 2.5 hours to cook, starting breast-side down for 45 minutes, then each wing side for 15 minutes, then the breast up for 30 minutes, basting with melted butter on each turn.
I just got through all the turkey leftovers, upon making a turkey tetrazzini the other night. And the bones made a bunch of rich turkey stock.
Here's some cranberry grappa jelly that I made. I wanted a homemade version of the canned jellied cranberry sauce. Everyone else seemed to prefer the whole berry cranberry sauce, but there's still a place in my heart for the jellied. The dish wasn't hard to make, but a little time-consuming because you have to strain it, and let it set in the fridge for several hours.
And the honey and I when it was all done... whew...
Here's a review for your North County residents. Leucadia Sushi is located on North Coast Highway, north of restaurants such as Jamroc and Cap'n Keno. Basically, where Leucadia really gets funky - not in a bad way, but in a decidedly low-brow, relaxed way. On a side note, I've been wanting to visit Cap'n Keno, for the hell of it. Spaghetti dinners are $2.95. I'm not expecting much, but it's intriguing.
I had a $25 gift certificate from Restaurant.com for Leucadia Sushi so we decided to try it last night when I was sick of turkey leftovers. It was empty except for a group of 4-5 diners, but I think it may be a new restaurant. Here's what it looks like; it's one of those sushi boat places.
The sushi was pretty cheap (around $4 for two pieces of nigiri), and a fairly decent quality considering the price. It definitely can't compare to nicer places like Sushi Ota, Station Sushi, Tomiko or Tajima... but if you're looking for someplace cheap, this is better than your typical cheap joint in, say, P.B.
Overall, I'd say it could be an ok happy hour spot if it attracts some more business. There's a coupon on their website, and of course, you can get a gift certificate off Restaurant.com. The honey and I ended up paying about $28 after the coupon, including tip, two teas, 4 orders of nigiri, and 3 rolls.
The restaurant doesn't offer enough to make me want to come back, because I'd prefer to hit the Tomiko happy hour, which is in Encinitas, which would end up being slightly more expensive, but much better sushi and a much better ambience.
The final word
(1-5 rating: 1=BAD, 2=mediocre at best, 3=ok, 4=wow, pretty good!, 5=one of my all-time favorites)
Food (Taste, Quality): 2.7
Value: 3.4
Service: 4
Ambience: 2
Memorable Experience: 2
Price: around $4 for nigiri, and $7-14 for rolls.
Menu recommendations: I liked the salmon nigiri and the albacore. The tuna wasn't very good. Their dynamite dishes had too much creamy mayo-like sauce.
Notes:
Would I make a point to go again, paying full price?: Probably not, given the other better sushi places that are closer.
The holidays are in full effect, so tell us: What's your favorite holiday song? Bonus points if you share it with us!
I Love love love Christmas. So, of course, I love Christmas Music. I think a few years ago I posted my Favorite song as "Oh Holy Night" but I have to admit this year, thinking about it, it's really different. I'm enamored with "Go tell it on the Mountain"
Go, tell it on the mountain,
While shepherds kept their watching
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy li--ght
Refrain
The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed our Savior's bi--rth.
Refrain
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas mo--rn.
RefrainInterestingly this song, considered a "christian Spiritual song" Has had many positions beyond the Holiday season. It was used by Fannie Lou Hamer, during the 1960's Civil Rights Movement in America. Because of the style of the song multple lyrics have been added or subtracted to suit the needs of the singers.SO bonus points, 2 Versions! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
And Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Sorry no photos for this one....
Hey guys,
Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend!
I've probably mentioned before that I really like Restaurant.com. They sell $25 restaurant gift certificates for $10, and they often have 80% off sales, so I usually buy the $25 cert for $2. Deal!
They're having this nice little promotion now. I can enter up to 30 friends' email addresses and they'll send you a free $10 gift certificate. (Of course, expect to be getting emails from them.... that's why I use my spam email address). But they're not that frequent.
So, if you'd like the free gift certificate, let me know. If I don't already have your email address, private message me with it.
Much love,
HapaLove
