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The Food Party!

By Laura Stec

E-mail Laura Stec

About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and en...  (More)

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Birthday Selfie

Uploaded: Dec 3, 2013
OK, I did it. I just took a selfie. Birthday Selfie 2013.

I love birthdays. Life is short, so we got to live it up strong on the day we were born. Besides, all the drinks are free. Did you know that birthday partying has been proven good for human health? Those who celebrate the most, live the longest!

OK, back to the selfie. I don't know ? I like seeing what my friends are doing and hope they like to see me. I am not into repetitive selfies, but a selfie now and again? Especially a birthday selfie? Good to see ya' having fun, that's what I say.

Of course birthdays are also good time for a Food Party! If you happen to live on the Peninsula, here's a few personal favorites to celebrate and enjoy the area's food, drink and scenery.

Where do you celebrate your birthday on the Peninsula?

A Perfect Peninsula Birthday
Coffee with friends at Konditorei (Portola Valley)

Hike at Castle Rock State Park (Los Gatos)

Lunch at San Gregorio Store (San Gregorio)

Boogie board at Tunitas Creek (Half Moon Bay)
- great for beach walk too - look for the secret entrance heading under the highway

Wine taste at Thomas Fogarty (Woodside) or if headed south, MJA Vineyards (Santa Cruz)
- Fogarty (classic wine club). MJA (fun wine club with monthly movie nights and the aloha spirit)

Afternoon munchie from the new Portola Valley Farmers Market
- the market only runs Thursday 2-5 PM now, but we have great vendors and the only place you can get the amazing Portola Valley Bakery bread by master baker Phil Reilly. My favorite the Kamut with walnut and red wine-soaked figs (wine from Portola Vineyards).

Happy hour (choose one)
Parkside Grill (Portola Valley)
- The secret Cheers bar under the gorgeous PV redwoods
The Vans (Belmont)
- Old San Francisco meets the Peninsula. Bella vista!

Dinner at Station One (Woodside)
- Whimsical, beautiful, local food. Check out the back bar.

Dancing at the Pioneer Saloon to the Running with Scissors Band (Woodside)
- These guys rock every Sunday from 4-8 PM. New musicians each week make up a musical jam. Great dancing, cheap drinks, friendly people.


So here's to (yet another) birthday. These days, I think about mine like a fine wine.

I am not getting older, just more complex.


Democracy.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Peg, a resident of another community,
on Dec 3, 2013 at 8:13 am

Happy Birthday to the Foodie Queen, The Princess of Fun, The Sage of Sage!
And may I say, as your selfie attests ? Aged to perfection!
Sending love from Sonoma Wine Country ? can't wait to celebrate you in person!


Posted by Laura Stec, a Palo Alto Online blogger,
on Dec 3, 2013 at 3:55 pm

Laura Stec is a registered user.

Well thank you wine country girl. Happy Birthday back to you know who!


Posted by Casa de Cerveza, a resident of College Terrace,
on Dec 3, 2013 at 4:30 pm

Happy Birthday Laura!!! Here's to many many more!!!


Posted by Jay Park, a resident of Jackson Park,
on Dec 3, 2013 at 10:07 pm

Wow, what a fun post! The selfie, the activity recommendations.

Some great food spots, not all of which I recognize, so I will file this away for another day.

Concerning hiking, here are some others: Huddart, Wunderlich, Phleger Estate. A bunch of Mid-Peninsula Open Space Reserves (especially the ones off of Skyline). Just walking on San Gregorio State Beach is a joy as well.

Anyhow, happy birthday!


Posted by BroIL, a resident of another community,
on Dec 3, 2013 at 10:35 pm

Well Happy Happy! That is a festive photo and you have certainly identified many intriguing alternatives to celebrate the anniversary of one\\\\\\\'s birth. Thank you for the informative missive. You should introduce us to your favorites... in time!


Posted by Laura Stec, a Palo Alto Online blogger,
on Dec 4, 2013 at 8:53 am

Laura Stec is a registered user.

Thank you for the b-day wishes Jay and the new ideas. And hi to BroIL "from another community." I bet I know who you are!


Posted by Jessica T, a resident of Menlo Park,
on Dec 6, 2013 at 12:21 pm

I love the local birthday celebration suggestions and the selfie! Many happy returns!


Posted by Laura Stec, a Palo Alto Online blogger,
on Dec 7, 2013 at 5:05 pm

Laura Stec is a registered user.

Thank you Jessica. December 7 party down!


Posted by Angela, a resident of another community,
on Dec 11, 2013 at 9:01 am

Laura it was great having you and your girls join us on your birthday thank you! And thank you for recognizing the fun and talent that is the Sunday music jam at the Pioneer! Hope to see you at "church" on Sunday :-) Angela


Posted by Angela, a resident of another community,
on Dec 11, 2013 at 9:03 am

Oh ya, the Bella vista closed a month or so ago, I am terribly bummed I never got to go there.


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