I worked both days this weekend. So on Saturday, while everyone else was frolicking in the sun, I was dealing with my patient who decided she was through with the hospital, and removed her own chest tube. Don’t worry, she’s fine (physically at least…psych-wise I’m still on the fence).
Anyways.
Yummy pre-packed food includes: raisin/almond/cashew/carob chip mix, dried mango/papaya, Tribe hummus mini-tub, apple, raw salad, and some bars.
Odwalla Superfood (I heart every green millimeter of this flavor) and a Cashew Cookie Larabar (also a favorite).
The rest of the day flew by uneventfully (just the way I like it), and Kyle met me on the unit to commute home together. We decided to try out a new vegan restaurant in our neighb – Saturday night IS date night after all!
Such a cute joint! This is the delicious view you get upon arrival.
It was open and bright with big windows and high ceilings. We ordered at the front counter/bar area and then chose a corner table while waiting for our food.
In the meantime, Kyle sipped on an Acai smoothie, of which I managed to snag a couple tastes.
*I apologize in advance for the low quality photos taken by my bberry (I’ll gladly accept an iPhone if anyone’s offering).
We ordered a few things to split along with our own main dishes. The first to arrive was “the other Caesar salad.”
This was crisp with yummy fake bacon-y things on top (smoked tempeh). Kyle didn’t think it held up to the real deal. I, on the other hand, haven’t tasted a true Caesar salad in so long that I thought it was great! The portion was good to split as an app – it wouldn’t have been enough on its own as an entree, and yet it was too big on its own as a starter.
Next were the chickpea fries.
OMG. These were a hummus lovers paradise. Mashed garbanzos in a crispy fried batter = delish! They weren’t overly oily, but definitely a treat (as I’m sure they weren’t exactly the healthiest option on the menu). We split them as a side dish and the arrived piping hot.
Because I have no patience, I lost a layer of skin on the roof of my mouth, but they were still divine. Kyle mentioned that they reminded him of mozzarella sticks, and I had to agree.
Our entrees arrived while we were going to town on the fries.
I got the Tahini Sprouts sandwich, which contained mixed sprouts, creamy avocado, cucumber, onions, shredded carrots and a miso tahini with poppy seeds spread.
The miso tahini poppy seed sauce and the bread were probably the best part of this sando. The dark rye had a beautiful seedy crust and was freshly toasted. Mmmm. The sandwich was good, but didn’t break the mold by any means. Some times simple is all I want, though, so it got the job done.
Kyle’s Panini on the other hand looked to DIE for. He got the Fried Seitan medallion panini with soy cheese, arugula, tomatoes, mustard and vegan mayo.
He wouldn’t share (not a square to spare!), so clearly it was as good as it looked! He was stuffed after, which is always a good sign.
All in all, this cozy joint was a nice casual dinner place, and in the words of Ahhhnold "I’ll be back!"
After dinner we strolled back home, enjoying the 5.3 seconds of rain-less sky, then I packed up lunch for work, and hit the sack.
More of the same (ok, the ONLY change is the new Larabar flavor Cherry Pie).
Sunday AM was another rough wake up. I had a coarse feeling in my throat, and it hurt each time I swallowed…uh oh…
It didn’t take me long to realize my swollen tonsils weren’t going away. I sat in Bruno’s (the cafe my home across the street from the hospital) and gulped my coffee down in 3 long pours, hoping the warmth would help. No such luck 🙁
Can you see the artsy reflection of the hospital in my cup of liquid love.
In case you are wondering why I was being a Starbucks traitor…fear not! On the weekends Starbeezies doesn’t open until 6:30 am, and I have to be at work before that, so I go to Bruno’s on the weekends, and Starbucks on the weekdays. I know it sounds crazy, but they are next door to each other, and so I alternate because I feel guilty walking past one to cheat on it with the other.
Anyways, neither had a solution to my sore throat, so whatever.
Lozenges? Anyone?
I sucked on some mints I had stashed in my locker, and even gargled warm salt water (nast!). No luck. Being sick is no fun, but being sick while caring for other patients is worse. Anyways, I’ll quit my whining and get onto the eats.
Cherry is TART my friends. Not that I didn’t like it…I just don’t think I’d buy it again when there are so many other flavors out there that I adore.
When I got home, I wanted a quick & easy snack to tide me over while I made a real dinner.
I may have gone a bit overboard…two pieces of PB lathered toast does not a snack make.
Rest assured this didn’t ruin my appetite. Newly invigorated, I assembled a big bowl of goodies for my true dinner.
Quinoa, seitan, broccoli slaw, raw corn, shredded carrots…tossed and turned to perfection. Later I added half an avocado on top, which added a delish creaminess.
Mmmm…
Kyle and I ended the night with the latest episode of TrueBlood – WTF!? – and a sh!t ton of carbs.
Jillian would NOT approve of this late night snack. My little bowl of goodies (carob chips, raisins, cashews) were great, so the accompaniment of the toasted Bran VitaTop was not at all necessary. What can I say, long work weekends bring out the glutton in me.
Looks like my HGH (human growth hormone) levels won’t be doing much “restoration” with all my pre-snooze sugar loading. Oops! Oh well, it’s not like I’m sick or anything…
The only thing that would have made those chickpea fries better was a little hummus for dipping.
I want to go there. NOW.
CHICKPEA FRIES?!!? Um, hello! I need those!
There’s always a need for the bran – I approve 😀
Hope your throat is feeling better!!
i am with the other ladies, chickpea fries?! that is genius! waaaay better than their lookalike, the mozzerella stick, wow. genius. i dig the other goods at that cafe as well! i am 2 episodes behind on true blood! crap. and bran vitas are so good~and just think, that late night snack was a hell of a lot better than something junky. xo!
I’m so obsessed with your bowls/snacks of carob, raisins, and nuts!! Perfect combos in my opinion.
Hope you’re getting some much needed R&R today, I would be completely spent after working all weekend!
That picture of the hospital reflected in the coffee cup is just so awesome.
Hope you’re feeling better!!
<3 <3
I want to go to there. Now. Those fries look amazing! As for the Cherry Pie Lara, not my favorite. I felt like I was making a lemon pucker face every time I took a bite, but so far, it’s the only one that has even slightly disappointed…
As for your snack, hello? It’s not like you went to town on a quart of Ben & Jerry’s or Cheetos. VitaTops may not be “necessary,” but they are nutritious and delicious 🙂
I’ve been meaning to review this spot for a while! Now I can’t wait.
Sorry to hear about your nutso patient with the chest tube! That vegan restaurant looks jammin! Chickpea fries? Oh my deliciousness. Your din din from last night looks sort of like what I had in mind for tonight! Hooray!
fo sewious true blood WTF. I can’t even handle it anymore. And the worst part is that my sister read all the books so every episode she goes “i know what’s gonna happen” or “that’s not supposed to happen” i wanna bitch smack her everytime!
that vegan place looks SO cute 🙂 my friend lives down the street from Angela’s (I think it’s called) and like around the block from Quantum Leap. Never been to either but I’ve wanted to try both!
I agree totes with Cherry Pie. get your hands on the pb&j girl its worth it!
omg omg omg – CHICKPEA FRIES?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I’ve died and gone to heaven!
Awww…I am sorry you are not feeling well! I hope you got to rest a little after working both weekend days?
Ah-ha! Another use for your endless supply of miso?! Miso tahini poppy seed sauce can’t be *that* hard to recreate, can it?!
Hahahaha–your HHG comment made me practically spit out the salad I am munching on as I read this to laugh out loud! I totally miss Jillian’s podcasts!!
Hope you are feeling better!
Courtney
Chickpea FRIES?! I could definitely do that!
I’m sorry you had to work all weekend 🙁 If it makes you feel better, I did not frolic in the sun. There was no sun here 🙁
Fried chickpeas? If I was a guy, you could come camping at my desk right now, because that is one sexy idea!
Hope your throat gets better!
I. NEED. THOSE. CHICKPEA. FRIES.
I actually live right near the new Peacefood Cafe but have only gotten takeout from the bakery portion which was delicious! I bet that places gives Cafe Blossom a run for it’s money, especially since they’re within a one block radius!
Chickpea fries?! Yes! There IS another form of hummus I have not tried yet!
Brooke and Jess here in bed, leaving you a comment. Wishing you were by our sides feeding us hummus and carob chip creations. Creepy, but completely true.
First of all, we are loving the chickpea fries (just like everyone who has commented this post). But we wonder, “are they like falafels?”, asks Jess. “That’s a great question,” says Brooke.
Jess just told me (Brooke) that she loves fake meat. “WTF?”
I (Brooke) have a sore throat too.
Jillian may not approve of your late night snack, but CD would love it. Totally thought of you when I bought him some carob covered raisins, and he ate the entire bag in about 5 seconds, instructing me NOT to buy anymore. 🙂
Mini-tub of hummus? I know that doesn’t do it for you my hummus lovin friend.
Sorry about the sore throat – hope you’re feeling better.
Peacefood Cafe sounds like my kind of place. Chickpea fries?
And I think PB slathered toast makes a perfect snack/appetizer. Love you Elise!
That cafe looks super cute, I checked out there menu and I think next time you should try the roasted japanese pumpkin sandwhich that just sounds amazing. Im not a huge fan of the cherry pie lara bars ethier. They are okay but like you said majorly tart! I tried to eat one at work and my face was puckered the whole time. I hope that your throat feels better soon 🙂
Michal
Yaaa the cherry pie lara’s are no bueno! I like pecan pie and the chocolate and/or pb ones 😀 Sounds like a fun date and I hope u feel better soon love!
haha, sounds good, ill try that one next time. i really wish i had the $$$ to dine out every night bc i keep finding more and more wonderful dining spots in nyc!!!
I have to check this out!
Wow, I have never commented here before as I just stumbled upon your blog but I just realized you work pretty much around the corner from my apartment! I live on 21st btwn 1st and 2nd and when you were talking about bruno’s and starbucks, two places next to one of my favorite places, Gracefully (the little supermarket) which is right there too, I knew I had to say hello–so, HELLO. Maybe I will run into you someday soon in the neighborhood!! 😉
Oooo…I love Gracefully! I work at BI, so I’m always in the area on work days 🙂 Thanks for saying hello!!