DRUMS & WINGS

When I go to Costco, it is generally with a big list.

Monday was no exception.

I timed my trip for later in the afternoon, thinking that I'd pick up a Rotisserie Chicken for dinner that evening. Costco's chickens are delicious and, at $5 or $6 per bird, they can easily feed a family of five. In our case, we have dinner for at least two nights.

So, I took my time doing my shopping...finding the necessaries and even indulging in a very cute Skinny Minnie top that was only $15.99...I wanted to get the Chicken last so it would stay warm enough to eat without reheating when I got home.

Finally, I meandered over to the Chicken and Ribs counter...they also sell hot-from-the-oven BBQd Baby Back Ribs. And wonder of all wonders, there was a sign stating "NO CHICKENS 9/15/08." I was so stunned, I had to call home in shock! Others around me were equally surprised, shocked, and dismayed.

Then, came the realization that I had nothing to eat for dinner.

But, I spied another item where the Chickens are usually displayed: MESQUITE DRUMS & WINGS. Each package weighed about 2 pounds and was priced at $3.99 a pound. I am not a big fan of Buffalo Wings and Chicken Drumsticks, but I needed dinner. So I bought them.

Got home, made a fresh tomato and mozzarella salad, poured some Ranch Dressing into dipping dishes, and we had dinner.

We also had dinner the next night, with slightly different side dishes.

I don't know if Drums & Wings are going to be a regular hot item at Costco, I definitely don't know where the Chickens went, but we had a good dinner and all is well at my house.

Do you think that Drums & Wings are a Monday night special for Football fans?

AN AFTERNOON WITH CHIHULY AT THE DE YOUNG

The Dale Chihuly glass sculpture exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco in Golden Gate Park comes to an end on September 28, 2008.

Finally, M and I got to see the exhibit which is simply amazing. In fact, it is so spectacular that this post is mostly just my photos of some of the works on display.

This exhibit is only appearing at the De Young. At least one local critic raised quite a stir by suggesting that Chihuly's glass work is not "art." I certainly beg to differ and encourage you to see the exhibit if you can. If you've already seen it, visit again.

The signage in the exhibit provides insights into the inspiration behind Chihuly's themes which include flowers, sea life, Venetian glass, and American Indian baskets and blankets. His life has worked its way into his art. Enjoy the exhibit through the my eyes...

THE COUNTER: BUILD YOUR OWN BURGER

After the movies tonight, we stopped at Walnut Creek's new burger place, The Counter. The Counter has a stylish diner ambiance. It is located on the lower level of The Mercer, a new complex of downtown Walnut Creek condominiums.



Our warm spell continues and we chose to sit outdoors on the sidewalk patio. Even with the traffic passing by, it seems quieter outdoors than inside in the dining area where sounds seems to echo off the walls.



The menu is simple: Choose your burger made of Beef,Turkey, Vegetables, or Griled Chicken. Choose the size of your burger: 1/3 lb., 2/3 lb, or one pound (!!!). You can have your burger on a bun (English Muffin, White Hamburger Bun, or Honey Wheat Bun) or have your burger with no bun and, instead, on a bed of Lettuce Blend or Mixed Baby Greens.


Included in the price of your burger is one cheese, up to 4 toppings, and one sauce. If you want more than this, there is an added cost. Burgers are $8.50, $10.75, or $13.75, depending on the size you select. Add another dollar if you have your burger on greens rather than on a bun.




If you don't wish to build your own burger, there a several featured combinations from which to choose.

And, you can add side dishes such as French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, and Onion Strings.

Beverages include all kinds on soft drinks, wine, beer, and ice cream floats and milk shakes.

We each built our own burgers. J did a Turkey Burger; I had the Veggie Burger. When mine arrived with its Sharp Provolone Cheese, Dill Pickle Chips, Roasted Chiles, Roasted Red Peppers, and Mixed Baby Greens plus Honey Mustard, it was sort of a towering mess.


But it tasted wonderful even though the only way I could handle it was with knife and fork.

We started with a "Fifty-Fifty" order of Sweet Potato Fries and Onion Strings which was served with three dipping sauces.



For beverages, we each had a beer...Wines by the glass are close to $10 which I think is too much for a Burger place, even an upscale one. My bottle of Corona was $4, more in line with the meal.

The food is good and dining here is great fun.

San Francisco Secret: September Weather

Today is a typical September San Francisco Day...sun and temperatures in the high 80s downtown. Those lucky tourists who are in town are happily wandering around Union Square in shorts and tank tops. Those of us who live here know that, should they decide to return in July or August, they will be shivering in the fog in these clothes!

And so, I donned a sundress and left the 'Creek, where the temps made it into the 90s, and headed for Union Square.

The foot of Powell Street, at Market, is a Cable Car turnaround and the beginning/end of both the Hyde and Powell lines. The tourists were lined up waiting for a ride on the Cable Car.



A few stops up, around Union Square, on a day like today, the Cable Car is too full to take on any more passengers. This is the place to board the Cable Car.

And, this is the place to watch it being turned around.



In place on turnaround.



The turnaround looks like a big Lazy Susan.


The conductor hitched a ride in because he has to help turn the Cable Car:







Turned around and ready to head up Powell Street.



On the corner of Powell and Post Street, by Union Square, two eager young ladies were handing out samples of Science Diet Cat Food. Gee, it seems like just yesterday when I'd be out on my lunch hour and be inundated by similar young ladies handing out cigarette samples...how the times change.

Further up Powell Street, by the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, disappointed tourists were being turned away from boarding the Cable Car.



A well-behaved Miniature Poodle and his parents, upon leaving the Sir Francis Drake, couldn't get on the crowded Cable Car. They had the doorman, in his signature Beefeater costume, hail a cab for them.



My one disappointment on my walk up Powell Street was that Caffe Espresso, at the corner of Powell and Sutter Streets, which used to be the Sir Francis Drake's casual dining spot, is now a Starbuck's. Much as I love Starbuck's, I am shocked that my favorite place for a good inexpensive lunch in this part of town is GONE! I had planned to have lunch here and instead wound up across the street at Lori's Diner...not a bad option but not what I had in mind.