TravelswithCharie

Fish taco with rice and beans We recently tried the group catering service of Rubio's Mexican Grill in Menlo Park. For 18 people we ordered two Beach Mex Buffet, each serving 10. It's a build your own taco bar. We selected the beer battered fish taco and the grilled chicken fillings. The buffet includes corn and flour tortillas, 3 kinds of salsa, lettuce, cheese, beans, chips and guacamole. For the vegan in our group we ordered a cheese enchilada which he thoroughly enjoyed. Salsa/cheese/guacamole and lettuce tray The tacos arrived in three separate trays - fish, chicken and salsa/cheese/guacamole/lettuce tray. There was plenty to build a super taco with. And there were bountiful seconds for all of us. But the fish tacos went fast. Everyone raved about the food. They all wanted to know where the food came from. Rubio's is located at 515 El Camino Real in Menlo Park. Check their website for menus and other locations: http://www.rubios.com/ . * * * Photos by Charie

Walnut prawns My family and I never get bored eating at Silver Lake Seafood Restaurant. And we always order their walnut prawns and pork spareribs. Last weekend's family get together was no exception. Our choices were house fried rice, walnut prawns, spareribs, tofu, bokchoy, and rock cod nuggets. A clear broth is served by friendly staff and Tom, the owner, is always around to greet loyal patrons. As loyal as our cousins who've been coming to the restaurant for the last ten years. Wow, that says a lot about this unpretentious place. Tofu For starters we had an appetizer tray of duck. I'm not much of a duck fan but my cousins commented how tasty it was. The walnut prawns are glazed but they are not sweet. The spareribs are always crispy and the rock cod nuggets are doused with just the right amount of salt to complement the taste. I really like the sweet bean dessert which comes with every meal. It's like soup but sweet. I always ask someone at our table for their dess

The Calabro fresh mozarella with sun dried tomato tapenade sprinkled with extra virgin olive oil is every bite as tasty as it looks. I ate the cheese by itself and then paired with the Roma tomato. I like how I can roll the cheese in my palate and slowly taste its soft creamy consistency. I'm glad I chose this over a leafy salad. I wanted to try the Gnocchi but the choice of salmon with horseradish crust with herbed crème fraiche was a good one. The salmon was thick and juicy. For dessert, I opted for the strawberry shortcake with whipped crème fraiche and balsamic reduction. Too rich but it's okay to indulge once in a while. We were celebrating the arrival of my officemate's wife after a year and a half long wait for the approval of her visa. Piacere is located at 727 Laurel Street in San Carlos, California. Bon Appetito! * * * Photos by Charie

I've been studying the Japanese language while driving between home and work for the last year since I got my Pimsleur CD's. But I'm not there yet. That is, I don't know enough Japanese to order from a menu. My very limited knowledge of the language is no hindrance though from enjoying Japanese cuisine when I can point to a plastic replica of what is served in the restaurant. How about a shrimp tempura with a bowl of rice, soup and tea? All for 1430 yen. The window display above shows a variety of enticing dishes. Surely one of these will whet your appetite. As for drinks, Japan is a country of vending machines. When traveling in Japan you're never far away from ice cold water or your favorite soft drink or juice. Another way to find the best meals is by checking out the food counters at various department stores. There's usually an incredible array of selections that you might feel a little overwhelmed, in a good way. Take your time and let your eyes have

Butterfly Series 3 I met John Alaban recently at the Roxas City Museum and was impressed by the Butterfly series of paintings he's currently working on. He's planning on portraying 50 different species of butterflies found in Capiz, which by the way, he is breeding. The painting above is the third of the series and more are on the way. What caught my eye about this painting is the three dimensional head of the "diwata" or goddess. Her hair looks like rice noodles but John explained that the hair and head are made from dental materials and will stand the rigors of exposure to heat and other detrimental elements. John is multi talented. He's also a sculptor and muralist. One of his murals can be viewed at Gaisano City Mall in Roxas City. * * * Photos by TravelswithCharie

"Release the Day" 12" x 12", acrylic on stretched canvas This is my favorite of Pauline Charlton's new works. I'm drawn by the hot and intense colors that lead the eye to follow the road to the far horizon. Notice how she uses lines to sharpen perspective. "Surrender the Morning" 12" by 12", acrylic on stretched canvas Pauline is dabbling into a new style for her. She's been painting landscapes for many years. In Surrender the Morning , notice the geometric sketches of mountains and cliffs in the background while in the foreground, she arranges brush and dried grass in the same manner. "Winter's Breath" 12" x 12", acrylic on stretched canvas Love the colors of this painting which is suggestive of modern day artists like Pollock and others of the genre. Note the use of pastel hues for the background to convey the feel of the season. "Eye of the Storm" 16" by 16", acrylic on stretched canvas

Fish Ceviche At Marisco Progreso in Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara, the food was as good as the images suggest here. My favorite was the fish ceviche followed closely by the empanadas de camaron (shrimp). These were the appetizers. I learned to put some ceviche on my tostada so that it was a dish by itself. I liked the crisp tostadas which come with saladitas (crackers) and are on every table. Empanadas de Camaron My own entrée of salmon a brasas (salmon grilled over hot charcoal) was average. But our friend Sergio's plate filled with steak arrachera was a winner from the looks of the remains . Steak Arrachera There were mariachi bands to entertain and where families were celebrating an important event, they were in great demand. After such a lunch, it was imperative to go for a walk. I totally overate. * * * View My Saved Places in a larger map Images by Charie

Only in Paris can one descend to the metro in style, under a jeweled canopy. One feels royally crowned. Only in Paris can one pick up coffee or boissons -to-go in a fuel efficient mini truck. Only in Paris can one step into a concept car that smells oh la la elegant. Even Louis XIV would find the gold doors befitting his Sun King image. Only in Paris can one find a beautiful reclining nude in a public park and it is by Aristide Maillol, no less. Share with me your "Only in Paris" discovery. Click the comments box below. * * * Photos by Charie

bibimbap The Rue des Petits Champs is off the Avenue de l'Opera in Paris. This street is lined with Japanese restaurants and an Oriental grocery store. The side streets reveal more Asian restaurants and on a rainy afternoon I discovered this Korean restaurant that serves bibimbap. What I like about this dish is that it is a healthy mix of rice and vegetables, similar to the one I was served. It may also be prepared with beef or chicken. For starters the waitress brought little bowls with kimchi, daikon, julienned carrots, and seasoned lotus roots. My bibimbap was served in a hot iron cast pot. The ingredients were layered with steamed rice at the bottom of the pot. The rice was slightly roasted from the hot pot which I am partial to because it is crunchy. Vegetables like zucchini, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts, bok choy were added on top of the rice and an egg cooked sunny side up capped the dish. Strips of seaweed were sprinkled over the egg. I didn't add the goch

This first photo was taken from the bottom of the Champs Elysées. I stood on the center divide while waiting for the light to turn green to cross to the other side. The Arc is just a dot in the distance. Halfway up the Champs Elysées, I got a closer and better view of the Arc than the first take. At this juncture, the features of the Arc are visible to the eye. And the headlights from passing cars add an ethereal beauty to the scene. This last image was taken right in front of the Arc de Triomphe. It's a hairy experience with cars whizzing past in both directions. There's a narrow 3 feet margin of safety for the photographer to take a souvenir shot without stepping into no man's land. * * * Photos by Charie

About the Vélib (from vélo for bicycle and liberté) grey bicycles with fat tires and a handy basket. You can pick one up in most neighborhoods around the city center and it's free for the first 30 minutes but there is a subscription fee and you need a credit card to secure one of these bikes. Best to consult their website for detailed instructions and bike stations. http://www.velib.paris.fr * * * Paris 2009 by TravelswithCharie

On my way back to my hotel in Montparnasse, I passed by this Starbucks where coffee was in the sidelines while this band entertained to the delight of café goers as well as passersby. I had to stop and listen to the music. I live in a neighborhood full of Starbucks in California and none of them have ever had a band, let alone piped music. It was a surprise treat, free at that. * * * Photos by Charie

With the Sorbonne right in the center of the city, it is not uncommon for student demonstrations to take place. But this one is all about the French scientists who are demanding the government to stop its reforms in science and higher education which would affect how much time academics will spend on teaching versus research and will be at the discretion of university presidents rather than national rules (which is the current norm). Critical remarks by French President Sarkozy on the state of French Science only served to further alienate the scientists. * * * Photo by Charie

Pastry and cake counter at McDonald's, Paris The McDonald's Restaurant on the Champs Elysées is one of the best spots for people watching in Paris. It has a second floor seating area with a glass window overlooking the celebrated Arc de Triomphe. It helps to attract the number of pedestrian traffic but I think its dessert offerings from its McCafé section will keep visitors coming. Check out the photo of the pastry and cake selections. There are colorful macaroons (that appear like the big sisters of M&M chocolates), flan, various tartelettes (with apples, custard, with nuts) , and tiramisu. Mmmm! I chose a raisin pastry and a viennoise au chocolat . Responding to local cultural sensitivities, McDonald's restaurants in Europe have toned down golden arches signs. It helps to be understated in places like Paris where cuisine is elevated to an art form and worshipped and fast food is frowned upon. By the way, the McCafés I've been to in Italy, Spain and France do attr

The Notre Dame Cathedral has stood on Ile de la Cité since the 13th century. The Ile de la Cité was once the center of Roman occupation. It was then called, Lutetia. At sunset, the rose window comes alive in a myriad of colors. The long nave is flanked by graceful columns and pointed arches. The light emanating from the stained glass windows behind the main altar directs your gaze upward to the high cross vaulted ceiling. At night the cathedral takes on an aura when bathed in light. * * * Photos by Charie

Joseph being sold by his brothers These well preserved stained glass windows are from the Ste-Chappelle. It is now in the collection of the Musée National du Moyen Age. Ste. Chappelle is famous for its stained glass windows which practically make up its walls. It suffered great damage during the French revolution when part of the windows were taken down and destroyed or lost. These stained glass windows date from the 12th-13th century. The subjects are derived from the Bible. The ruby red and Chartres blue colors define the Ste. Chappelle stained glass. They are as vibrant today as they were in the Middle Ages. * * * Photos by Charie

A Mon Seul Désir - To My Only Desire I've been intrigued by the Unicorn tapestries since I read the novel, The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier. While I've seen these tapestries in the past, I never really paid much attention to the details. After reading Chevalier's book, I have a better appreciation of these tapestries as works of art. Taste There are six tapestries in all, five of which deal with the senses. The sixth one portays a woman putting away her necklace into a box held by her lady in waiting. Above her, on the tent, are written the words, "A Mon Seul Desir". The lion and unicorn hold back the flaps of the tent. Her poodle sits regally on a silk draped bench to her right. All around are signs of life-fruit trees, flowers, birds, rabbits, monkeys, leopards. Smell The tapestries were found in the Chateau de Boussac in Auvergne. It was commissioned in the 15th century by Jean Le Viste whose coat of arms are worn by both the unicorn and the lion. It

I've just discovered the Rue Mouffetard which is a short walk from my hotel on the Left Bank. All along its cobblestone streets are stalls selling fruits and vegetables, wine, cheese, pastries and bread, meat and seafood as well as take out food. Several restaurants and two supermarkets flank both sides of the narrow street. There are a couple of shops with a good selection of wines and the prices are reasonable. When I came back around 3:30 p.m. to Rue Mouffetard after spending some time at the Cluny, the restaurant where I wanted to eat was already closed for lunch so I stopped by a traiteur (prepared food for take-out) and I bought riz cantonais and poulet croustillante . It wasn't what I hoped for so after eating my "to go" lunch I walked across to the patissier and studied the sweets. I picked up a pavé of chocolat to save the day. All's well that ends well. * * * Photos by Charie