Ready for the cold (and maybe snow)!

I'm halfway done with my Spring travels. I just got back from a week and a half long trip to Southern California on Friday afternoon and am headed to St. Louis today. It will be the first city in a whirlwind "tour" of the Midwest - with subsequent stops in Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Minneapolis.

I did a similar trip around the same time last year and the weather was absolutely beautiful throughout my entire trip - temps in the mid 60s and sunny. I don't think I'm going to be quite as lucky this time around - the forecast for most of the cities is mid-30s and chances of snow.

BTW, I'll post some highlights from my SoCal trip soon...

Spring travel

My work related spring travel begins tomorrow! I'll be leaving for San Diego tomorrow morning.

Here's my travel schedule for the next few weeks:

2/17-2/26:
San Diego
Irvine
LA

2/28-3/9:
St. Louis
Chicago
Milwaukee
Madison
Minneapolis

I'm hoping for decent weather during my travels through the Midwest (that means no snow). I grew up driving in snow though (in Madison, WI), so regardless of the weather, I'm prepared!

Zinc Bistro

While many parts of the US are blanketed with snow and soaked from rain, the weather in Phoenix this time of year is generally beautiful. We took advantage of the weather yesterday with lunch outdoors at one of our favorite restaurants, Zinc Bistro. We've been to Zinc many many times before, but it has been nearly a year since our last visit...and this is the first time I've ever posted about it!

Here are a few random shots:

Entry w/ patio area in foreground

Bar area

Dining room

Our view from the patio seating area

How many birds can you spot? (answer below)

Here's what we ate:

Onion Soup Gratinee - "Traditional Onion Soup With Bubbling Gruyere" ($10).

The soup was good, but not up to the same level as the one we had recently at Vogue Bistro. Patty thought it was a bit too salty.

Prime Flat Iron Steat w/ shallots, brandy au poivre. Served Medium rare, choice of Matchstick Or Pomme Frites ($26).

Zinc Bistro has the best steak frites in the Valley. It's a great deal at $26, and I've ordered this dish many times before. The steak itself was cooked perfectly, although a bit overseasoned w/ pepper and salt.

Here's a shot of just the steak:

and a close-up of the excellent pomme frites:

dipping sauces for the frites:

Crispy Duck Confit Sandwich w/ Roasted Garlic Aioli, Gastrique Onions ($12).

Patty thought the duck was a bit dry, but overall the sandwich was excellent. The toasted brioche roll was fantastic.

There were a few minor seasoning and cooking issues, but it was still a very good meal. We didn't have room for dessert this time, but if you go, you must try the souffles! They are incredible.

By the way, there were three birds in the picture above.