And this little piggy

So living in what amounts to a pork free society, I've come to realize how many pork products I like. Used to be when I heard the word pork I made a face. I'm not a fan of pork chops (except for Kept Man's which is a recreation of a dish at Wood Tavern and perhaps Erik's but I haven't tried those yet) but I never really realized how many other parts of the pig I enjoy. (man that sounds dirty)

It's amazing to me how prevalent these products are at home back in the states and how DIFFICULT they are to find here. Anytime a recipe calls for bacon or procuitto or something along those lines, we inwardly groan both in longing and frustration as we're either going to have to supplement it with something else or pass over the recipe entirely. We are constantly scouring the grocery store for any pig products (to stock up whenever we get lucky and find some) and cursing any various Moroccan authority figures when we cannot.  Yesterday I went to the Moroccan equivalent of Costco and in the dairy section found salami, serano ham and bacon (yep, pig products mixed in with dairy). I immediately texted Kept Man with "found pig products" and received a "woo-hoo" in return. We are so easily pleased here.

Another situation which rams home my pork dependancy was during an attempt to torture myself earlier today by looking at the autumn menu at Wood Tavern back in Berkeley. Kept Man was making lamb sugo for dinner (which might I mention was excellent, I am spoiled) which was always a favorite of mine when we used to go there too often for dinner and I decided I just had to see what was on their current menu. As I was reading through the menu there were two new items that caught my eye, "Pig and Fig" and "Swine and Bovine". Both items immediately jumped off the page to me only because at this point they are such exotic items. Pork Belly! I might die from shock to see it here.

Thankfully we will soon be in the land of the Czechs where we can gorge ourselves on pig products and beer and be sedated for a while upon our return to Morocco. (but not too long)

Santa Barbara Connections

About a week ago Garren and I went to Wood Tavern. Suprise, Suprise. As they came over with Garren's beer (before ordering it) we told them all that we were engaged. They were all happy for us and it was a great booze filled evening.

The best part is that we found out that our favorite bartender (Tony) was one of the owners of the Doghouse (Hot dog stand) that we LOVED in Santa Barbara. When it closed Garren and I were so disappointed. They later opened a place on State Street called Lettuce B Frank but it wasn't the same. Still good but a little bit different. While we were reminiscing with Tony we discovered that he does catering from time to time. Can you imagine? Our BBQ reception that we were thinking of having up at Tilden Park with mini-corn dogs, sliders and gourmet hot dogs. And I'm sure other things that are very bad for my waistline. It is so me and Garren. And so something we would love to do. No classy shin dig for us. More a picnic BBQ with games, fatty foods and sunbathing.

It probably won't happen what with the time crunch that is imminent with this whole move thing, but that's ok. It was a great thought. Either way it was fun discussing SB and the restaurant scene with Tony. Although sad that the Doghouse closed due to outside circumstances. But I may get a Doghouse tshirt as a memento! Silver lining people. Silver lining.

Horrible Day = Cocktails & Fun Evening

Horrible day for Garren at work = Drinks and Dinner at Wood Tavern = Uber happy Garren and Nuala

Obsessed, pathetically addicted and happy damnit.

Food Obsessed

Garren and I are obsessed with our neighborhood restaurant, Wood Tavern. We've been there 3 times in the last 2 weeks (and that's just how many times recently). I blame my sister and Erik. They were the ones who first discovered this place down the street from their apartment which is now our apartment. They introduced us to the fabulous staff, tasty cocktails and amazing food.

To highlight how obsessed we are I give you this story:

Garren and I went to go see the movie Milk in Emeryville and we decided to just go to one of the restaurants at the Bay Street Shopping Mall for dinner. (It was there, we were there = convenience) We went to Elephant Bar, were seated, ordered and then started discussing how we would much rather be at Wood Tavern as we were shoved in a empty corner at the current restaurant and were not too excited about our orders. Then Garren said, "Let's just go." He totally thought I wouldn't go for it but at this point we had started discussing the menu options at Wood Tavern, as well as the cocktails which had me not so satisfied with my current chicken salad order.

Our food came shortly after that and Garren flagged down the waitress and mumbled about something coming up and asked her to pack up our food. We then drove home, put our to go orders in the fridge to eat for lunch the next day and walked down to Wood Tavern where I had the Lamb Rigatoni and Garren had the burger. And booze. Don't forget the cocktails. It was another great evening. And we told this story to the lovely hostess Shannon who said at the end, "Why were you even at Elephant Bar."

Our only answer, "We don't know" and it will never happen again. Obsessed I tell you. Happily.

Ady and Erik come back soon so we can all go together and bask in the Wood Tavern happiness together.