Ephemeron

Another successful restaurant by the one and only Billy Quon (of Bahama Billys and Kula Ranch fame), and our new favorite. Volcano Grill & Mai Tai Bar* is located in beautiful Carmel Valley Village.

Lava-tini – Pineapple juice, Cruzan Rum, Skyy Vodka and a dash of grenadine.

Drop Your Bikini Martini – Pomegranate Pearl Vodka, Absolut Citron vodka, dash guava and sweet & sour.

Herbie’s Kahuna Platter, a share appetizer for up to four guests, or a great dinner platter. Panko-crusted Jumbo Prawns, Volcano Spring Rolls, Black & Blue Ahi, and Kona BBQ Baby Back Ribs.

Coconut-crusted Jumbo Prawns with Rice and Fresh Veggies, served with a “Volcano” Crispy Spring Roll (Napa cabbage, carrots, celery, & mint. Served with sweet Thai chili sauce).

Caramelized Banana Cream Pie – they didn’t even wait for me to get my camera out, hehe.

Arctic Bon Bons, with dipping sauces of Kona Caramel, Macadamia Nuts, & Coconut – An instant fave.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

*Update: The Volcano Grill has closed.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Sugar packets at The Volcano Grill – Carmel Valley Village.

Popularity: 2% [?]

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System of a Down – Sugar, 1998.

Popularity: 41% [?]

Mist on the Salinas River – Taken from the car window @ 60 mph.

Smoke on the Water

Popularity: 2% [?]

I’m posting a picture in a minute of “smoke” rising up off of the water, which of course made me think of this song. How could it not?

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Popularity: 37% [?]

Little dude just didn’t want to go to church.

The Weber County Sheriff’s Office has released dash-cam video of a 7-year-old boy who went to great lengths to get out of going to church. He took the family car and led police on a low-speed chase.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Here are some pictures from our lunch at the LALLA Grill at Del Monte Center (mall) in Monterey. The place was very well lit and we liked the ’50s diner(ish) decor. I’m a sucker for booths, so I was happy. The service was good and the food was pretty good. We didn’t especially like the drinks – they weren’t bad, just different. I’m sure some people would love that though. The prices are about average for this area. We enjoyed ourselves and will definitely go back, especially when we need to kill time before a movie.

Roasted Beet and Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts and Gorgonzola I can't remember if that's exactly what this salad was called, but whatever the name, it was good. The bread with the (Asiago.. I think) cheese baked in? OMG. I think I'd go to Lalla just for that.

Fish Tacos

Betty Paige Martini: This XXX Rated martini gives you a real lift... with Russian Standard vodka, XXX Rated, Cointreau, fresh squeezed lime juice, and a splash of cranberry juice... served up with a lime wedge

Bar at Lalla Grill (Oops, this picture is teh suck)

Pick a sport...

Popularity: 4% [?]

One of the desserts at Willy’s Smokehouse BBQ & Grill in Monterey.

A Flaky Phyllo Cup with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Bourbon-Caramelized Bananas and Candied Walnuts

Drunken Bananas

Popularity: 3% [?]

One of the desserts at Willy’s Smokehouse BBQ & Grill* in Monterey.

Granny’s Apple-Walnut Turnover – Served warm with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce

*Update: Willy’s has closed.

Popularity: 3% [?]

I have no words.

Maddie asked me to look up, “the fattest cat in the world,” and this video came up.

Popularity: 4% [?]