Summer Solstice | Day 2

You may wonder... how could there be a second day of Summer Solstice? Well, because we took two days off work, and stayed at the Hotel Indigo on Tuesday night. There was extra fun planned for Wednesday too, so thus this year's celebration was two days. Oh and don't forget to throw the anniversary celebration in there too!

We woke up Wednesday morning at Hotel Indigo, after like 10 hours of awesome sleep. I forgot to tell you that I purposely didn't bring my laptop to the hotel, even though they had free WiFi. I am trying to enjoy some downtime more, without the distraction of electronic devices. I think I'm liking it.

Cassi and Dan had told us on Monday about this cinnamon roll place downtown called Homie's. They had gone recently and said it was really good. We looked it up and low and behold, it was only two blocks of walking from our hotel. So off we went to Homie's yesterday morning for some fresh-made cinnamon rolls!



Todd got the Awesome Apple cinnamon roll. He loved it. What's not to love? Apple stuffed inside a fresh cinnamon roll with icing...mmm.




I was extra-piggy and got the scrambled eggs + sausages + hash browns plate, AND a mini cinnamon roll (because it was only $2 more to add it).


I'd have to say... everything was really good and I even loved the coffee. It wasn't bitter but very flavorful. I was impressed!

After breakfast, we showered and packed up our stuff and checked out of Hotel Indigo. Next stop? Barnes and Noble for some magazine reading. We browsed through our favorite magazines, and I bought the current issue of Paper Crafts. Then it was time to head to lunch at Cafe Merlot at the Bernardo Winery.

This is a place where people "do lunch". And by that I mean eat a very leisurely lunch while reading a book or chatting with friends. Food was good but service was slow and leisurely. But then again, you're at a winery, so I guess being all relaxed and leisurely is a good thing.

I was still full from breakfast, so I had a light lunch of chicken rice soup and salad with merlot dressing.


Todd had the salmon sandwich and he loved it.


After lunch, we strolled inside the Bernardo Winery village shops and went to a tasting at the tasting room. We had purchased a Groupon for two tastings months ago and almost forgot to use it until now! Good thing we came, because it would have expired on July 14th!

We picked out five wines to try, they were all made at Bernardo Winery:
2008 Chardonnay
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Estate Syrah
2009 Riesling
???? Red port (forgot the year)



I'm a lightweight when it comes to wine and alcohol, so I had to dump out several of the glasses after a sip or two.




Todd liked the reds, while I liked the whites. We ended up buying a bottle of the 2009 riesling to take home. Todd also visited the candy shoppe and got some fudge!


We went home and got some stuff done. Then it was time for dinner at Amaya at the Grand Del Mar! Todd made reservations there after our friends Dejah and Roby raved about that restaurant.

I don't know how we've managed to live in San Diego for 11 years without knowing where the Grand Del Mar was, or passing by there. The resort is well hidden and absolutely grand and spectacular!  And only 15 minutes from our house!









I ordered a Roasted Baby Beet Salad with watercress, frisee, and smoked cheddar fondue. It was fantastic.


Todd had the Butternut Squash Soup and he loved it.


I ordered the Lobster and Crab Pappardelle for my entree. The flavors were so good that I couldn't stop eating it.




Todd got the Duo of Beef with petit filet mignon and slow-braised short-rib. He thought it was even better than the steak at Donovan's! (And he loved the steak at Donovan's!)




For dessert we shared a warm fruit crisp with homemade Meyers lemon ice cream. Delicious!




The last two days were definitely spectacular. I loved take two days off to celebrate Summer Solstice and our 17th wedding anniversary. I love spending time with Todd, whatever we do. But he really topped himself with the great planning of fun and food! I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be married to Todd. :D