Coastal Comfort

Okay, so for the past week or so I’ve been craving both the beach and poke. As the post holiday work week approaches, I knew my time was limited so I decided to take action. I was going to satisfy both cravings today. All I needed was an accomplice, and fortunately I have foodie friends!

A simple text and about 45 minutes later, my buddy and I were cruising down the 10 freeway to the coast, where our treasure awaited us.

We first went to what’s probably now my favorite poke place in So Cal, Poke Poke (I first mentioned it here). I was so super excited to see there wasn’t a long line (which is typical for this beach eatery). It was my friend’s first time there and only her second poke experience (her first being in Hawaii, so she knew the real deal). We both had the Aloha and added seaweed and avocado (I think that’s a Cali thing). Bite after bite, all we could say was, “Oh my gosh, this is so good!” It could have been that neither of us had eaten until then, or the fact that I was finally satisfying a craving, but that poke was all I ever could have hoped for!

Large Aloha and a side of Hawaiian Sun. Perfection.

After the grub, we took to the sand for a little play time. That’s right, here in Cali we can still do the beach in January and I love it.

All is calm…

High 60s still calls for sweaters and scarves

My octopus. I named him Nelson.

Must go shoeless in the sand.

Walking on sunshine. Almost.

It would have been a total waste to drive all the way to Venice and not stop for some bread pudding at Schulzies. After all, it’s adjacent to Poke Poke. So that’s exactly what we did. I had been raving about their salted caramel bread pudding since we arrived at the beach, but when we dove in it was way too salty for me this time. I’m not sure if it’s protocol, but the lady sprinkled or dumped (whatever) so much salt on top of the bread pudding it killed it for me. Neither of us finished them.

Super salty caramel bread pudding

A final California treat as we walked back to the car was the most beautiful view of the sunset. There’s something about watching the sun set where the land meets the water. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! You too? No? Okay well, whatever. I’ll be warm and fuzzy by myself. But you can still look because it’s pretty!

The wonder of His creation!