Happy New Year! I’ll be recapping our crazy night soon, but until then..
It wouldn’t be a Brittany and Nathan weekend without a road trip. And while they’re usually perfectly planned out, this trip took a bit of a turn and we just had to roll with the punches. Did you know that people will park 1.5+ miles away from Muir Woods to get in?! Yea.. we didn’t. Apparently we should have gotten there at the break of dawn. Luckily, we had planned on heading to Stinson Beach after Muir Woods so we just went straight to the beach! [Tough life, I know.]
We did make a couple stops along the way to check out the incredible views.
Stunning pull off from the highway.
I liked the view here too 😉
After a breathtaking [nerve wracking] drive on the cliff’s edge, we made it to Stinson Beach and broke out our lunch that we picked up from Berkeley Bowl [<– that place is awesome!!]. They had so many options and we will definitely be going back there for quick lunches on the go!
Hers
Kale and cabbage salad with baked lemon salmon and sesame dressing.
His
Porchetta and pesto sandwich on foccacia.
Perfect beach lunch followed by a nice walk. I know that whenever I go anywhere with Nathan, we’re going to be doing a ton of walking!
Oh hey there city!
We decided to give Muir Woods another shot on our way back, but unfortunately it was still a no-go. Change of plans.. off to Tiburon and time for a brew 😉
We’ve dubbed this the “West Coast Yuengling”
Heading back, we hit a bit of traffic so we decided to hit up a new dinner spot. Anything that involves chopsticks is always Nathan-approved and Ramen Shop has gotten some awesome reviews. And for good reason!
Bar seats with open kitchens are the best!
Pickles: Sansho cabbage, namasu, turmeric daikon, eggplant chutney,
and black Spanish radish with kombu.
The pickle plate was a great, light way to start. The eggplant chutney and turmeric daikon were my favorites. I loved the curry flavors on the eggplant and the daikon had a light sweetness.. and anything sweet is good in my book 😉
Neither of us had ever had ramen before.. except the out of a styrofoam bowl, and we will definitely be back for more!
Hers
Veggie shoyu meyer lemon ramen with maitake mushrooms, salt-cured egg, romanesco, cauliflower, squash, broccoli di ciccio, and mizuna.
His
Kogashi miso ramen with ground pork belly, shoyu-marinated egg,
King Richard leeks, and red cabbage.
I totally won this one. The flavors were light and refreshing but perfect for a chilly night. Plus there was squash and a soft-boiled egg. How could that be bad?! Nathan’s ramen bowl was delicious too but definitely had a heavier, fuller flavor. Neither of us were able to finish our dinners, but leftovers are always welcome in our home.
Even though we had to adjust our plans on the go, I’d say this turned out to be a wonderfully successful day. And a tasty way to kick off the new year!
Happy New Year!!
Food for Thought
How did you spend your New Years Eve?
Barr & Table 
Great trip! It’s hard to even believe that restaurant ramen bears any resemblance to those sad little packets from the store.
I was so hesitant to try ramen at first because of those darn cups. This stuff is amazing!
Everything looks awesome 🙂 I wish I could find a place around here to get noodles like those!
I think everyone should be able to get a nice bowl of ramen 🙂
ironically i was just trying to convince the fiance to take my out for my first PHO date. i’ve never had true ramen, but it always looked good!
You have to try pho! I actually think I prefer ramen, but they’re different. Both SO good!
Gorgeous views! Your meals looked delicious as always!!!
We spent our NYE at my mom’s house watching movies and playing board games. We are total party animals 😉 Today we are getting snowed in with the first big storm of the year.
Happy 2014!
NYE sounds wonderful to me! Hope you enjoyed getting snowed in 🙂
What fancy ramen! I had no idea there was anything other than the packaged kind. This looks so much better! I haven’t been to Muir woods in years! I don’t remember it that much but I don’t think it was 1.5 mile walk in great… People are crazy!
Haha people are definitely crazy. There are so many ramen places around here, you can to try it!
Gah you are making me want to go to San Fran right now to eat all the yummy food!
Come visit!
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I freaking love that hat on you in the last pic. So San Fran. Adorable! I read an article on the airplane to CT about how ramen is making quite a comeback in the fancier form like what you had. Your bowl with that EGG looks amazing. I’m proud of you for rolling with the punches on your fun day and just rearranging your plans. Very impressive! Your comment about the Yuengling reminds me about how it was seriously EVERYWHERE in FL! But I didn’t have any haha. I stuck to my usuals of whiskey and wine!
I’m not at all shocked that you stuck to whiskey and wine 😉 And you have to try ramen if you get the chance.. it was so good!
I’ve never had real ramen either! There’s a place nearby with some really good reviews but I’m waiting for a really chilly night to try it out. I kind of suck at rolling with the punches but seems like you had no problem!
Oh you have to try the ramen! I definitely stress with change of plans, but living in a hotel for 6 weeks has really helped me relax.
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