Engagement February 19, 2006 - Andy Chou and Emily Hsueh

20060218 - Lavande Nail Salon, Citizen Cake, Roy's

So early on Saturday, I brought Emily to her first manicure ever! We went to Lavande, a boutique in Santana Row. They have a sister place in SF with lower prices but I think parking costs would more than make up for it.

Emily likes getting her nails done. Just look at that smile. The manicure was a french one but Emily didn't seem to be able to maintain it very well. Too many atmospheric influences...something like that. With a french poodle, Emily could have TOTALLY been innocuous in Paris. If I had known that she'd be so happy, I would have taken her there sooner. ROI was very high. hehe

Seen on the magnetic board at Starbucks...hehehe "please please improve your coffee"

Pretty pretty pretty!...Emily kept looking at her nails all day. So shiny.

Awww we saw this dog outside of Starbucks...so cute. Full of energy and everything. Babies/toddlers should have puppy suits which will give them a +15 Cuteness factor.

Inside Citizen Cake, the much ballyhooed pâtisserie place in SF.

So many different cakes...

We arrived for brunch so no heavy items. I ordered this...a warm spinach lardon salad, poached egg and yukon gold potatoes. For a bunch of interesting facts about eggs...look here I thought this dish was pretty tasty. Love the oils from the bacon on the spinach. Nice touch.

This is what Emily ordered...a quiche of questionable heritage or Quiche de jour. Emily and I both disliked it...more for the outrageously high price/quality ratio. Both of the dishes above were around $10.

Beauty of Winter Fruit Parfait...I had to actually call Citizen Cake just now to get that info. Totally kept thinking Tart Tart Tart...but it kept bugging me because I knew they had not labelled it as such. Overall, I would be hesitant about coming back to Citizen Cake for their brunch but I'd like to come again for a treat now and again if I was in the neighborhood. Emily gave it 2 thumbs wayyyyy down.

Trying on cute clothes at FCUK. Emily goes for the pensive model look.

Hmm mmm mmm...Emily has a Bloody Mary martini...they forgot to juice the tomatoes.

Actually this is the quintessential Roy's dish, the Ahi Poke (pronounced pokey). You CANNOT leave Roy's without trying it if you like sushi at all. I've had it twice and it's just so darn tasty...the generous portion of ahi with the dallop of cream on top, the diced spicy tomatoes (which Emily would heap upon bread ala Bruschetto/Bruschetta style), and the three blades of avacado make the Ahi Poke an epicurean delight.

Such an amazing appetizer...2 in 1!!!

Appetizer was just like the one I got when I came here for DineAboutTown. Emily loved the ribs.

Hawaiian Style Misoyaki Butterfish Sizzling Soy Vinaigrette...an intense dish with a vinegar/salty mixture leaning more towards the vinaigrette. Yes, there actually is a butterfish. It's not something just made up for the menu. The rice was a little too cold/hard for me but I think that might be some Hawaiian thing. It was very sushi-style rice which I thought was weird...where's the sushi?

Roy’s Classic Roasted Macadamia Whitefish with a Lobster Butter Sauce. That sauce was once again the saving grace of the whitefish. Without it, it would have been somewhat bland. In the end, Emily liked this one better than the Butterfish due to the more subtle flavoring.

A sign of a good meal...a clean plate!

"What's that? Is that dessert? Why is it closer to you than me?!!!"

Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé...you can find the recipe here.

Oy...such a satisfying meal...I believe Emily enjoyed herself and I can strike it off the list of things we need to go to together in SF. :-P

The interior is just such a nice place to be in. I haven't sat at the counter yet but I'd like to at some point.

Open kitchens are the bomb.

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Comment #1286: Jook said:
"Thanks Thanks Thanks!!! I've been looking at the videos and I know that I'm going to have to put them up soon."
(Wednesday May 17, 06 at 02:45:16 AM)

Comment #1285: Victor said:
"Congrats Mr. Andy!!! Hot air ballonn - very cool. Way to sweep a girl off their feet man!"
(Tuesday May 16, 06 at 11:37:04 PM)

Comment #1189: Jook said:
"Thanks!!! And yes, the manicure is an incredibly important part of the picture!"
(Tuesday Mar 28, 06 at 12:28:16 PM)

Comment #1188: chiblits said:
"Yay for Andy!!! Jasmine just messaged me about your engagement. You guys look sooo cute together!!! Jasmine's mom"
(Wednesday Mar 22, 06 at 12:00:44 PM)

Comment #1187: Jasmine said:
"LOL...its good Emily had gotten a manicure b/c her hands look especially pretty in the background picture :-D."
(Wednesday Mar 22, 06 at 11:49:49 AM)

Comment #1186: Jasmine said:
"Its been a while since I've checked this site; what a good surprise to see you guys are engaged!! Congratulations...you guys are a great couple!"
(Wednesday Mar 22, 06 at 11:45:09 AM)

Comment #1185: Wei said:
"Congrats!! Wish you guys all the best!"
(Sunday Mar 19, 06 at 07:25:37 AM)

Comment #1184: Jook said:
"Thanks Simon!!! And of course I will!"
(Tuesday Mar 14, 06 at 10:12:24 PM)

Comment #1183: Simon said:
"Belated congrats -- be sure to invite me to the bachelor party!!"
(Tuesday Mar 14, 06 at 03:24:14 PM)

Comment #1181: Jook said:
"hahahaha...you both are too funny! :-P"
(Monday Mar 13, 06 at 06:59:39 PM)

Comment #1178: Uncle said:
"Hmm, I think your Aunt is making a hint to someone..."
(Friday Mar 10, 06 at 05:45:09 PM)

Comment #1176: Aunt said:
"I never know you are such a romantic person. I am happy for you two."
(Thursday Mar 9, 06 at 11:13:40 PM)

Comment #1175: Jook said:
"why? can't a guy take his gf to get a manicure just because? :-P"
(Wednesday Mar 8, 06 at 01:14:14 PM)

Comment #1172: Hoo said:
"Nice pic! I didn't know about your engagement pic. until now. Woudlnt' she get suspicious when you take her to the manicure?"
(Wednesday Mar 8, 06 at 12:02:46 PM)

Comment #1171: little miss said:
"kept yelling "abacadabra" and waving my magic wand while in CIA...it sooo reminds me of Harry Potter...no food appeared magically though..."
(Wednesday Mar 8, 06 at 12:41:36 AM)

Comment #1170: wowzers said:
"fod looks so good...seems all the pics are about food and wine!! lol...makes me hungry. but congrats....ur a needle in a haystack"
(Tuesday Mar 7, 06 at 08:09:57 PM)

Comment #1169: sanghyup moon said:
"congrats guys! you a lucky guy, your bride to be is very pretty. i wish you guys the best in your new life together! god bless."
(Monday Mar 6, 06 at 11:24:02 PM)

Comment #1167: usrbin said:
"congratultaions !!!"
(Monday Mar 6, 06 at 12:52:32 PM)

Comment #1164: MY-T-MAX said:
"(sniff, sniff) I'm so proud of you! This is going to be a SOOOOO Chinese wedding!"
(Monday Mar 6, 06 at 09:56:48 AM)

Comment #1163: Jook said:
"Enjoy the album!"
(Monday Mar 6, 06 at 09:56:42 AM)