This week has been so crazy as I've been trying to play catch up ever since I got back from California, but the trip was well worth it!
After saying our extremely dramatic goodbyes to Kona, we headed to San Francisco! Due to the time change, we arrived there fairly early. Awesome!...since usually the day of travel is considered a wasted day. And to top it off, we were greeted with gorgeous weather! The high was only in the 70s! This Texas girl was in heaven.
On Friday, we spent the day at Berkeley, my cousin's alma mater. I remember visiting long time ago and immensely regretting not applying there. Not that I would've gotten in even if I had, but still... Such a gorgeous campus filled with luscious greens, and since Tim had never been there, I thought it'd be nice to take a stroll around the campus posing as students. I say we blended right in! Someone actually asked me if I'd like to sign up for the study abroad program! Totally made my day muhaha...
Yes yes, I'm standing in front of a building that I have nothing to do with. Just pretending it's the one at Emory where I spent most of my waking hours. Our psychology building was not this huge, though.
Berkeley has some amazing cafes, boasting their all-natural, fresh, local menus which is right up my alley! Tim actually wanted to get his hands on some burgers. No surprise there. Neither one of us wanted to cave in. As a compromise, we had both! Problem solved.
First, my choice...ta-da!
Tim ordered a burrito stuffed with chicken, beans, brown rice, and veggies. To the right, feast your eyes on my magnificent salad beast! Jealous? 😉 It had couscous with roasted chicken breast, fresh steamed asparagus, English peas, flat leaf parsley, lettuce, tomatoes, craisins, beans...oh boy, I can't remember everything! It was out of this world! I forgot how good couscous is! Def need to incorporate it back into my diet!
Then we headed to Phil's Sliders! Thank you, Sara, for the recommendation!
Yup! That's the menu! Simplicity at its best!
The sliders looked so freakin adorable in Tim's ginormous hands!
Look at how happy he looks! This is why I allow him to eat burgers. 😉
The wedding was in Oakland so that's where we stayed. After changing into warmer clothes, we decided to walk around the downtown area. And guess what? Tim just HAD to go to this burger joint that he had read so much about! Yes yes...welcome to my life. I was just glad that I got to eat my salad earlier.
So here we are at Trueburger...
Tired of looking at burgers yet? To wash down all the grease, we went to a cute gelato shop! I had to quench my sugar craving! The burger was quite salty...
Omygoodness! They had some amazing, over-the-top, sexy (yes, that's right) flavor combinations! Orange picante, cilantro and salted chocolate chip, watermelon balsamic...I got the buttermilk cucumber and Tim ordered the rum and horchata. I must say that Tim was on point with his choice! Thank goodness the burger weighed him down. I didn't mind abandoning my scoop to demolish his!
The wedding was at 11 on Saturday morning. After getting a quick bite to eat at Panera, we headed over to the ceremony site.
The groom cried soo much that the bride had to constantly wipe away his tears. So sweet! There's something so endearing about a man who's not afraid to display his emotions. If I remember correctly, Tim did not shed a single tear on our wedding day! I confronted him about it (you betcha I did), and he said that it's bc he was so overjoyed..way to get out of that one, hmph. I wouldn't have minded wiping away his tears...
They're a hilarious couple! Half the time, they danced real close and then the other half, like this..
The food was buffet-style with the tables being called up one by one by the DJ. We were not happy campers as our table was called last. Thank you, DJ B. The appetizers consisted of "kimbap" (Korean rolls) and "ttuk" (rice cakes). As for the main course, I was very impressed by all the vegetable options that were available! Is this how Californians roll?
The cupcakes were soo good! And I'm not even a huge fan of them. I had the chocolate and coffee infused cupcake and tasted half of Tim's carrot cake cupcake! Yum-O! I must say the addition of salt on the chocolate icing was incredible!
And how awesome is the bride? I hardly got to eat on my wedding day as I tried to say hello to everyone..not to mention I was very conscious of how I looked in my dress. Not this bride, though - she likes to keep it real! While the groom went around to greet everyone, she held down the fort and kept herself fueled while she was at it ;). Love her!
The wedding ended at 4, and we headed to Walnut Creek to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins. Such a beautiful and serene neighborhood! I told Tim that we MUST save up enough money so we can retire there! It was great catching up with my aunt and uncle who recently returned from serving as missionaries in Japan for the last 10 years.
For dinner, they treated us to Le Cheval, an upscale Vietnamese restaurant. I went on a Dishcrawl experience here in Austin, and it was neat to see that this place was Dishcrawl approved!
We were not shy in ordering...
Oh how I love family-style!
We hung out at the house the rest of the evening, and eventually, with heavy footsteps, said our goodbyes. I just can't get enough of family time...
So there you have it! Although there are so many other details I want to share, this will have to do!
I'm reunited with my boy at last...
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
What a great trip! The wedding sounds like lots of fun and those burger places clearly made Tim very happy indeed 😀
Rebecca @ Blueberry Smiles says
Glad you had such a fun weekend!! I haven't been to any of the places in the east bay you mentioned, but they look great- I'll haev to put them on my food list for the next time I'm across the Bay!
Min says
Maura, we're cominnnngggg....hopefully....going to start saving 😉
myhealthyohana says
Aw, how sweet that the groom was crying!! I love that. Usually it's the other way around. It looks like such a fun wedding! You look amazing (as always) 🙂
Glad that Tim was able to get his burger fix...if you guys come to Hawaii, we'll take you to Teddy's Bigger Burgers for their teriyaki pineapple burger!
Linz says
So much good food!! And I love that dress you're wearing to the wedding!!
Min says
Thank you! I got it when I was in Korea three years ago. I was so excited that I still fit into it! Yipee!!
Michelle says
First of all, you and Tim are such a gorgeous couple! Love that picture of you before the wedding.
That burger menu looks like it would be at my kinda place. I sometimes get a little overwhelmed (and maybe even a little stressed!) at restaurants with big menus. When there's not a lot to choose from I can just focus on enjoying what I get 🙂
That wedding looks fun!! The bridge is absolutely beautiful. I hate when I'm at the last table called - it seems like it always happens that way. But that food looks like it was worth the wait!
Min says
Aww...blush..thanks, Michelle! I've been thinking about ya! Hope you're doing well!
You and I both! I'm so indecisive so less choices the better! Fortunately, TIm's good at ordering so I get to pick at his food..not so good for him though since he doesn't like to share haha. Yea...we were definitely not happy....but the food was excellent!
Brittany Trentham (@batrentham) says
Wow.. beautiful wedding! What a fun getaway!! We have been wanting to visit there so bad!!!
Min says
Oh you and Luvy will love it there! So peaceful and gorgeous!
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish says
OH. MY. GOSH. I LOVE this post!! (Obviously!). It makes me so happy that you were able to enjoy Berkeley! That's my home--my heart! The pictures taken in the eucalyptus grove and under Sather Gate made me smile; I wish I could have been there to show you around!
Yay for stopping at Phil's! Aren't those sliders adorable? And I love that they use organic, sustainable ingredients. Tim's burger obsession cracks me up--I'm sure glad that he was able to satisfy his cravings! 😉 And your salad! Amazing! Where did you find that? The Bay Area has some of the best food in the country, in my opinion; I could spend days and days gorging there!
You're glowing in all of these pictures! So beautiful. The wedding looks like it was lots of fun, and that cupcake looks quite memorable. Those salt crystals are making my mouth water! I love chocolate paired with sea salt. 🙂
I'm so glad that you were able to see your family in Walnut Creek too--especially over a meal at Le Cheval! I've been there, and love it!
Ahh, love everything here! And I've definitely written "love" way too many times, but there's just no other word to describe the amazingness in this post! Love you! xoxo
Min says
Haha! Sara, I LOVE reading your comments! 😉 You don't understand how many times I said, "I wish Sara was here! She knows all the good eateries!" We just meandered aimlessly and just settled at this small cafe. Now, I can't even remember the name of the place! Isn't that horrible? It was across the street from Phil's though. Tim really enjoyed his slider! Thank you! I wanted to stop by the Philz Coffee shop but we ran out of time..:( Hopefully next time
And of course you went to Le Cheval! Why am I not surprised? hehe
Miss you...
freshlifefindings says
Your trip looks like so much fun Min! And yeah Darin didn't shed a tear through our whole wedding and not that he needed to but it seems endearing right?! He said it was because he was nervous being in front of everyone, (yeah right!) 🙂 Glad you got to spend time with family and friends!
Min says
Hehe it seems like Darin and Tim have a lot in common. Hope you're having a wonderful day, Natalie!
eatpraytri says
What an amazingly fun time!! We spent a little time in San Fran as well and it was very cool! Love the reunion shot!!
Min says
The weekend just flew by! Love you SF but can't afford ya...:(
daileeblossom says
Your food pictures look amazing, and I love seeing all the Korean food (I'm Taiwanese, but I have a big weak spot for bibimbap!). 🙂 And your dress is gorgeous - you look beautiful!
I've been a reader for a while but don't think I've ever commented. It's high time I thank you for blogging! I always look forward to seeing what new insights and fun food thoughts you're sharing. I actually just started my own blog and would be so excited if you have a minute to stop by and say hi! Plus, I have a cute dog too - I think Kona and Bella could be e-friends. 🙂
Min says
Thank you for your kind words! And welcome to the blogging world! You're going to have tons of fun! 😉
Danielle (@itsaharleyylife) says
Min you are soooo gorgeous! Love that dress! It looks like you guys had a lot of awesome eats! I could go for a burger now for sure! Awwww Kona misseeeeddddd you! (:
Min says
Oh, I can't! No more burgers! Until Saturday that is...I think I missed him more haha
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says
What a fun fun weekend with AWESOME food! And I absolutely love your dress! I'm sure Kona was so happy to have you back!
Min says
THank you! I got it in Korea many many years ago! And yes, Kona insisted on sitting on my lap for about an hour ;). My needy boy...
Khushboo Thadani says
Looks like such a blast of a weekend…and you look great Min, love your green dress!! Everything in this post looks so yummy…especially that cupcake…salt & chocolate is always a winning combination!
Min says
IT really is! I'm really appreciating it more and more...as I age haha
Min says
Ooh now that's something to look forward to! I believe you have to have iPhone 4s or 5. Go to camera -> options -> panorama
afterdinnerdance says
What a fun weekend! Delicious eats and a wedding?! Jealous! I'm headed to Vegas in a few weeks for a wedding and I'm so excited! Also, how do you do a panoramic iphone photo?!