Seriously?

Dining outside on Santana Row always provides colorful entertainment.

Cats walked down the sidewalk on leashes? Check.

Babies walked down the sidewalk on leashes? Check.

Drunk boyfriend has arm around equally drunk girlfriend and walks her smack into a large spiky-looking palm? Check.

Like I said, colorful stuff here and some wicked insight into the human psyche. Most times I'm left asking, WTF, folks?

Last night, Shrek and I were seated outside of Pizza Antica enjoying our dinner when a car pulled up and parked outside of the restaurant on the street. It was hard to miss because it took the driver about eight tries to parallel park. Three women got out and made their way down the row. Next thing I know, I'm watching some random dude wander over to the car with his girlfriend. They are waiting for a table with two other couples but broke off to look at something on the guy's mobile. Random dude plants his ass on the edge of the hood and the girl leans against him while they browse his phone for the following 10 minutes or so. Mind you, this is not his car and I see no sign left by the car's owner that reads "Please sit on me."

The couple eventually join the rest of their party and move right up against our table and Shrek. Totally unnecessary when there is an entire sidewalk open as far as the eye can see. Their backs are to us. They are so close I can reach across Shrek to give the young woman a little pinch on the hiney. I don't. Though, Shrek has to refrain me from telling the girl to "Kindly remove your ass from my cappuccino." Fortunately, they are seated soon thereafter. Some people, I tell ya!

In-N-Out, Here I Come

I wrote this negative review of Santana Row's The Counter about a year ago and haven't been back since. Was thinking maybe I should give it another go-round since it was primarily the service which turned me off and this can change in a year. (I am big on eating out for the experience as much as I am for the food!) Although, the food was a bit bland for my taste and for the price, something like $36 for burgers and fries! In recent weeks, however, I've rekindled a love for In-N-Out's Double-Double, so I don't think I'll be back to The Counter anytime soon. 

For those of you who don't know what a Double-Double is: 

1. You're missing out.

2. Imagine: 2 patties, 2 slices of cheese served with the freshest ingredients you can get on a burger. (See photo.) I think it retails for like three bucks, but I didn't really pay attentions since we ended up winning 4 FREE In-N-Out burger coupons for our section being the loudest at a recent Earthquakes' (soccer) game.

For a "fast food" chain, In-N-Out takes a bit long. I think we waited about 10 minutes from the time we ordered to to the time we picked it up, but I don't mind because all of the ingredients are FRESH. Also, the restaurant is spotless. At least, the location by AMC 20 was when I was there. While waiting for my number to be called, I observed that directly after diners upped and left their table, an In-N-Out employee would pop by and give everything a thorough wipe down and sweep under the table before waiting customers had a chance to sit down. 

I think I'll go back and use my remaining 2 coupons today. Last time we got 2 Double-Doubles, fries, and a shake for $3 total - nice!

Sunset Over San Jose

Last night Shrek and I discovered a new place to perch and watch the sunset without having to drive all the way to Santa Cruz. And it's on Santana Row, of all places! I say this because even though it's part of a popular hoity-toity drinking destination, this little spot is still obscure and not as crowded. Therefore, I found it to be a lot more chill than most places on the row. (And notice I'm not naming my new place to watch the sunset, though you can probably guess if you're familiar with the vicinity.) 

I love the ambience: it's open air and live music drifts up from the courtyard 7 stories below. If it's your thing, they'll let you smoke cigars which Shrek informs me is rare even for an open air restaurant. The seating itself is comfty and cozy and the fire pits get going once the sun sets. 

It really quiets down around 9 pm, too, which is rare because on Santana Row things usually just get going around this time.

The price of admission? Shrek and I ordered two drinks, a mango mojito for me and a scotch of some sort for Shrek from their full bar = $19. 

$4 dinner for two

i think another reason for my weight loss is the economy.  i'm a lot more conscious of how often or not i go out to eat now and what/how much is purchased at the grocery store.  also, instead of eating until i'm full i eat until i'm comfortable and tell myself that i can eat any leftovers for lunch the next day.  finally, we don't keep as much wine/alcohol in stock, because -- though some would beg to differ -- it's not a necessity!

i actually went out to dinner last tuesday with some girlfriends who are a bit older (36-40) and judging by their designer handbags (gucci, louis vuitton), jewels and clothing and jet-setting lives are just a little (har har) more financially secure than i am at this point in my life, just 2.5 years out of college.  anyways, we met at roux on santana row at 7 pm for drinks (i think i mentioned on a tuesday night) and then progressed to dinner around 830.  i'd been to roux before with them so knew to expect some pricey drinks and entrees.  therefore, i made the conscious decision to eat a little something before meeting up with them and to splurge on a $12 drink.  i also don't like going to bed on a full stomach and dinner didn't end until the last bite was taken after 10 p.m, so even though i was teased a bit for not ordering an entree (actually, some of them praised my will-power), i was happy with my decision when i could roll straight into bed that night sans the feeling of a lead ball in my stomach.

oh, which brings me to the title of my blog: shrek and i usually find we eat out for about $22 total, but last night i picked up a thin crust frozen pizza and the two of us ate for $4.  niiiiice.

seriously?! a double-date story

i came across an article which reported that i currently reside in the nation's second wealthiest city. on average, the median household income is $74,000 with san francisco not far behind in the ranking. i had to give myself a little pat on the back after reading that because that translates into bloated prices for everything (it shows in gas and real estate) and, well, i'm still here! ...in my apartment, with food in my belly and gasoline to get me to and from work. i even have extra cash to take jetsetter's date out for drinks. yeah, about that...

i got a call from jetsetter around 8 pm last saturday. she was on her way to santana row for drinks, dinner and a movie with her most recent suitor, freeloader, and could shrek and i meet them? actually, it was more of a demand. she insisted that we witness the ridiculous freeloading for ourselves which she'd described in dissecting her latest dating dilemma. (or her date's dilemma?)

i guess on their first date in downtown sj back in july or august (a date which he actively pursued!), jetsetter politely offered to split the bill to which freeloader immediately accepted with an, "okay!" and it hasn't stopped to this day. yeah, and i'm pretty sure he's hoping to get laid with those moves! :X

jumping right to it, when the check arrived after dinner and drinks it was placed in front of freeloader. when he finally picked it up to have a look, i caught jetsetter giving shrek, who was seated across from her, a little knowing wink and nod towards her date.

i dutifully handed over my card, signaling to shrek that i had this one. shrek, being a smart ass and aware of the situation, responded rather loudly, "oh thanks, babe, you got this one?" freeloader definitely didn't take the hint and definitely didn't offer to pay for jetsetter. in fact, he suggested, "graciously," that only $30 go on my card since shrek and i only ordered 3 drinks and 1 soup between the two of us (we'd already eaten) and the rest be split between himself and jetsetter. did i mention he ordered one of the more expensive items on the menu + 2 drinks whereas jetsetter had just 2 drinks + an appetizer? and that's how we ended up handing 3 cards to our server (so tacky!) for a tab which i later discovered totaled about $100. that means that with freeloader's stodgy math, jetsetter ended up footing his drinks. and, surprise, surprise, he continued to drink the rest of the night (i think we didn't call it until 3 a.m.) without dropping a dime-- or a thank you!

the movie was forgone in favor of the outdoor tequila bar/lounge where just 4 drinks were ordered. this time the check was set down on a low table separating freeloader and shrek. it was a bit of a stand-off, although more entertaining than uncomfortable since jetsetter and i had a nice buzz going and were chatting away but definitely aware of the white elephant. according to shrek, freeloader had his wallet out resting on his knee with the appearance of paying. assuming we were going to reenact how we paid for dinner (i.e. shrek and i pay for ourselves whilst freeloader and jetsetter settle their share of the tab), shrek placed his card down first. it sat there for a bit until our server came by and picked up the tab. jetsetter immediately realized that shrek's was the only card being whisked away and insisted on paying some of it whilst freeloader sat there and said NOTHING. shrek expressed that he doesn't mind paying for me and my girlfriends to which jetsetter thanked him and said she had lunch next time. and that was that. freeloader neither thanked nor even acknowledged that shrek paid.

...seriously!?

unfortunately my buzz made me insistent that we go to a club. shrek, not feeling it but not wanting to be a party pooper, instead suggested drinking at our place. long story short, freeloader and jetsetter came over and we continued to drink seven and sevens and tequila squirts until 3 a.m. before they left, freeloader managed to complain that we were out of ice but could not manage a thank you!

seriously?!

addendum:
all complaints aside, this story is really more entertaining than anything because i am aware that i can't fully fault the guy for several reasons.

1. we are, but jetsetter especially is, passive-aggressive about thinking freeloader should treat her. if she really feels that strongly about it she just shouldn't offer to pay. or the optimal choice would be for her to find a cool, socially-savvy guy for me and shrek to hang with :D

2. shrek and i were the instigators in inviting jetsetter and freeloader over, so of course he'd be drinking on us! i also know you're not suppose to do things and expect a thank you.

..but, if you're trying to make a good impression on your date's friends all the while trying to win her affections*, seriously?!

*does not imply that my friend can be bought. just that it's nice to be treated once in awhile!