Sunrise Brunch at the Gallery Cafe in Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget

Sunrise Brunch at the Gallery Café in Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget  

I was all set to eat a tomato-basil soup with cracked black pepper mixed in it along with extra virgin olive oil when my daughter Florence Paget invited me out for brunch. Brunch out is always a fun option and especially when you set out for Pebble Beach on a sunny day to eat at the Gallery Café overlooking Stillwater Cove and the Lodge Hotel’s putting green. 

Florence and I started our meal with a large serving of fried calamari. I love cocktail sauce with fresh horseradish grated in it, which is how they make it at the Gallery. Tartar sauce is available if you ask for it. The calamari comes with lemon wedges for sprinkling on the squid. The lemon makes me think I am in Amalfi, Italy. 

For my main dish, I ordered the Breakfast Sunrise Skillet which cam with minced ham, spicy chorizo sausage, caramelized onions, green and red bell peppers, spicy green peppers (probably local Serrano peppers from Prunedale) and hash browns. On top of the sizzling basic ingredients were two over easy eggs with melted cheddar cheese on top. 

The spicy green peppers and spicy chorizo sausage gave the dish some heat but not too much. I really liked the combination of spicy and refreshing flavors with the salty ham in this dish. It is a perky breakfast dish perfect for the West Coast of the US. 

I skipped dessert and drank a hot latte instead. I enjoyed looking at the spring foliage. The landscapers at Pebble Beach nicely shape trees and bushes. There seems to be an omnipresent scent of freshly cut grass and branches in the air that I like. There were even some humming birds flitting about as we walked around the Lodge Hotel area. 

This nice brunch was unexpected and very welcome. I am a local who enjoys visiting Pebble Beach as much as tourists. I like the restaurants at Pebble Beach and the oceanfront scenery. 

In addition to the golf courses at Pebble Beach, there are several other things to do that might interest tourists like the health club, spa, golf lessons, equestrian center, bagpipe music at Spanish Bay, and hiking trails as well as several restaurants. 

Soon there will be another hotel by the Spyglass Golf Course with two new restaurants. 

For a break from city bustle, Pebble Beach is a quiet retreat surrounded by nature. 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Free UChicago Press Book for April: Old Beach: Toxic LA Ingrastructure reposted by Ruth Paget

The free University of Chicago e-book for April is Old Beach; How Toxic Infrastructure Threatens Life in the Ports of Los Angeles and Beyond by Christina Dunbar Hester.

This book may interest sustainable tourism students for its discussion of the fragile balance between needs of petroleum shipping and a rich marine life site.  Similar conditions might exist in other ports in California.

Details about downloading the book follow:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19d537a1f0f3411d

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer. Of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Jalapeño-Cheese Bagel and a Thai Tea Smoothie at Blazin’ Bagelz at Northridge Mall in Salinas, California posted by Ruth Paget

Jalapeño-Cheese Bagel and an Iced Thai Milk Tea Smoothie from Blazin’ Bagels at Northridge Mall in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

I ate a California fusion breakfast today that featured items that have been on the menu in Monterey County for at least 30 years.  

These items are now California specialties - the jalapeño-cheese bagel and a frozen Thai Milk Tea Smoothie flavored with star anise and cloves.  At least one generation of children has grown up with these now traditional American items.

Personally, I love toasted jalapeño-cheddar cheese bagels with cream cheese and a latte.  I tried a sweet Thai Milk Tea today and thought it was perfect for warm weather.  It is still a bit of a treat; I like iced lattes for everyday in summer.

Blazin’ Bagelz has an extensive menu with something for everyone before a morning of shopping at Northridge ZMsll.  Teens visiting the anime store at the mall might enjoy trying the iced smoothies after shopping in the afternoon.

Blazin’ Bagelz are good throughout the day, but I think that are a great morning treat.

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

UChicago Receives $50 million to recruit AI Faculty reposted by Ruth Paget

The University of Chicago has received $50 million dollars to fund 20 faculty positions devoted to Artificial Intelligence Research and Teaching.

Rika and Joe Mansueto have donated $50 million dollars to the University of Chicago as part of a $200 million dollar initiative to fund Artificial Intelligence Reeearch at the University of Chicago.

Details about this gift and philanthropic initiative follow:

https://news.uchicago.edu/story/50-million-gift-advance-uchicago-research-and-support-faculty-ai?utm_medium=04.02email&utm_source=UChicagoNews&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGg7m99cWIx-qg6nCsT0DDin0qR-siBFK-tdtXvRmkCaz6HqCwVZ75KH9l0zfUw_XlYEgeGK8Zy8I4_87c0T61P4XbRchIE1YIQob1wM7lAKSAkKus

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author of Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

UChicago raises $12 Million on its Giving Day reposted by Ruth Paget

The University of Chicago raised $12 million and then some on its giving day.

Details on the amount raised follow:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_personal/19d4b7f0a2939a2e

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Book of Japanese Fans with Poems Facsimile Edition sold by UChicago Press reposted by Ruth Paget

The University of Chicago Press is selling its last editions of a facsimile book of Japanese fans with poems conserved in Prague’s National Gallery.  There are 120 poems in all in this 180 page book in the waka form.

Details about the book and purchase price follow:

 https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/B/bo19135745.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=A%20Book%20of%20Fans&utm_campaign=2026%20SALE%20low%20stock

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating DSoup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

UChicago Press - Creativity in.Chaos Books reposted by Ruth Paget

University of Chicago Press books about creativity in times of chaos and turmoil look interesting.

Francophiles might be especially interested in the notebooks of Albert Camus, winner of the 1967 Nobel Prize in Literature.  The notebooks have been translated into English.

Details on books and purchasing flow:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19d44887b6b026ba

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games