2022 August List | 2022 八月清單

It is not recommended that I travel by plane anymore, so we’ve decided to do a short staycation in San Diego. Downtown SD hasn’t changed very much, still feels very familiar.

我的醫生已經開始建議別坐飛機出去遊玩，所以我們到聖地牙哥staycation。來聖地牙哥市中心，熟悉感十足，感覺像是以前住在聖地亞哥的感覺。

Here We Are Blueberry (Theater Play)

It’s been ages since we last went to a play. I miss rushing to Broadway shows after dinner with UN, almost late to a few of them. I haven’t been back to my alma mater in years, and the drive into campus had all those college memories rushing back!

有夠久沒看舞台劇了！實在有夠想念這種晚餐吃完和UN一起衝去領票看劇（每次都差點遲到）。好幾年沒回來UCSD，開進學校時頓時大學記憶全部一湧而上！

Jeune et Jolie

2659 State St Suite 102, Carlsbad, CA 92008
http://jeune-jolie.com/

I thought the tomato appetizer was a tomato salad, but it turned out to be my favorite dish! Of the couples seated around us, all of the ladies were pregnant, they too were having date night here. We couldn’t help but strike up a conversation with each other!

不起眼的番茄前菜，原以為就是蕃茄沙拉，卻是我最愛的一道！坐在我們旁邊的情侶們，女生全部懷孕，全是來這date night，吃到最後大家一起聊天，只差沒並桌！

That Mexican Place

200 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026
https://www.thatmexicanplace.net/

In my memories the burritos in San Diego were so big that I could never finish one by myself. But moving back here it feels like the burritos got downsized. That Mexican Place, however, serves burritos in the size that I imagined, we were stuffed!

印象中10年前在聖地牙哥的墨西哥捲大到吃完超撐，但這次回來發現份量似乎變小許多。這家份量完全是我們想象的份量，我們吃超飽！

The Fish Shop

1010 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
http://www.thefishshopencinitas.com/

Highly recommend Pineapple Express Fish Tacos. Not sure if it is a seasonal menu item or not.

大推Pineapple Express Fish Tacos，但我不確定是不是季節限定。

Mendocino Farms

http://www.mendocinofarms.com/

Love love love this chain restaurant. I’ve tried three types of their sandwiches so far, the sauce and the ingredients are perfectly concocted together. Salads are worth trying also! I can see myself coming here every week!

真的是有夠愛這家連鎖餐廳！目前吃了三種三明治，醬料配菜都非常搭，沙拉也是必點！絕對是一家我能每個禮拜都來的店！

Lucha Libre

1810 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
http://www.luchalibretacoshop.com/

I have been coming here since college. But the size definitely got smaller. Salsa station is not its glorious form from before. Burritos still taste the same though!

從大學吃到現在，但總感覺份量稍微變小了，醬料區也不像以前多種類，但墨西哥捲還是以前大學的味道！

Pushkin Restaurant & Bar

750 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
https://pushkinrestaurantsd.com/

It’s the only Russian restaurant in San Diego! We ordered the chef's choice for appetizer. For the main dish, we got the lamb shank. Portion was so big that we had to get a to-go box. This is our first time trying Russian food. I really like it!

據說是全聖地牙哥唯一一家正宗俄羅斯餐廳！前菜我們點了主廚精選，主菜點的是羊腿肉，份量大到我們只能外帶。印象中我們不太記得有吃過俄羅斯菜，我們很喜歡這次的經驗。

Breakfast Republic

707 G St, San Diego, CA 92101
http://www.breakfastrepublic.com/

No. 1 breakfast place in San Diego! I finished all of the jambalaya that UN had ordered. This is definitely not your typical jambalaya. Crab and crawfish egg benedict is great also, but it’s what you would expect. If you ever come here, please let me know if you think it deserves the No. 1 breakfast place title. (Please check out my TikTok for the verdict!)

聖地牙哥排名第一的早午餐店！不是傳統Jambalaya，是UN點的，卻被我吃光！Crab and Crawfish Egg Benedict不錯，但驚喜感不足。你們去了後一定要跟我說值不值得第一名稱號！（我的TikTok有review）

Weekly List: Indoor Dining

You read it right! This week features a restaurant list, because we can finally dine in again after one year! YAY!!!! On Friday at 12pm, the restrictions relaxed, and what followed was an American invasion of the yakiniku and conveyor belt sushi restaurants near military bases. Lines that stretch for blocks, instagram feed flooded with gluttonous, I mean satisfied, faces. UN and I weren’t any different. We shut down our kitchen for the whole weekend. Even on Monday when UN came home from work, he asked if we were still going out for dinner.

The Lobby Lounge at Ritz Carlton Okinawa

Reservation & Afternoon Tea Information

Hey friends, you should stay here for your next Okinawa visit! At the time, we could only do outdoor dining, the staff was concerned we would be cold, so they offered us blankets and hot tea. Afternoon tea is reservation only from 1pm to 6pm, and has a 2 hour limit. If you have special dietary needs, the chef will customize your food for you (must inform ahead of time). Costs 3,900 yen per person, and Marriott members enjoy a discount. 

Hey friends, you should stay here for your next Okinawa visit! At the time, we could only do outdoor dining, the staff was concerned we would be cold, so they offered us blankets and hot tea. Afternoon tea is reservation only from 1pm to 6pm, and has a 2 hour limit. If you have special dietary needs, the chef will customize your food for you (must inform ahead of time). Costs 3,900 yen per person, and Marriott members enjoy a discount.

Onna Glass Workshop

http://onna-glass-okinawa.co.jp
Address: 85 Fuchaku, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0413

Make your own ryukyu glass. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes and pants. It takes only 30 minutes, very hands on instructions to ensure no glass is damaged or broken in the process. The teacher is the renowned glass craftsman Tsuguo Miyaguni, his work is featured in many luxury hotels. There are many types of glass products you can choose to make, the price differs by the colors and levels of difficulty. The ones that we were interested in making were priced around 8000 yen. You can pick up the finished product after three days.

Smile Spoon

Website: smilespoon.business.site
Address: 2795-1 Izumi, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0221
Facebook & Instagram

Smile Spoon is No. 1 on my list of restaurants to dine in when restrictions are relaxed. I made the reservation as fast as I could. This cute barn house restaurant is run by a middle aged couple. They welcome everyone with the warmest smile while keeping busy running in and out of the kitchen. There are two menus to choose from every day. We had the options of Yanbaru pork or white fish. Set menu includes appetizer, dessert, and a drink. The cost per person is 1900 yen and cash only, and reservation is required.

Fifi Parlor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fifi_parlor/
Address: 〒905-1154 Okinawa, Nago, Goga, 大真利原1335-4

Perfect spot for the gram! Located on the 505 freeway, the silver pumpkin shaped shop is hard to miss. The view of Yagaji island and Ojima is spectacular. Great spot for a nice cup of joe and light afternoon reading.

Azalea Festival in Higashi Village

Website: www.vill.higashi.okinawa.jp/
Address: 766-1 Taira, Higashi, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-1204, Japan

Blossoms of different color azalea can be found here. This festival in Higashi Village will last till 3/21, great for a weekend stroll. Adults pay 300 yen for entry while kids get in for free. They have very safe COVID measures in place, taking your temperature and having you fill out a health questionnaire, along with hand sanitizers before you enter the park. Vendors right outside sell plants that claim to cure headaches, diabetes, liver and heart problems. We bought a couple plants home, who would like to come to our pharmacy?!

Posillipo Cucina Meridionale

Website: www.huge.co.jp/restaurant/posillipo/posillipo
Address: 174-5 Senaga, Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0233, Japan

Happy (Legal) Anniversary! This is our first indoor dining date night in almost a year! Highly recommend their pizzas and homemade bresaola. You can watch airplanes landing here. Perfect for date night. Be sure to take a stroll by the water and enjoy the view! 

With the relaxed restrictions, I just want to dine out every meal. Next week’s list will also feature many restaurants. Tune in! Until next time…..

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Chinese Translation

本週清單裡有許多餐廳，因為我們終於能在室內吃飯啦！整整一年的疫情禁足令，終於在星期五12:00時放寬。基地附近的燒烤店、旋轉壽司店被美軍佔據，店門口大排長龍，好多朋友們也紛紛在網上分享照片。我和UN一知道消息，堅決這週末不開火，拒絕在家用餐（就是這麼激烈）！連星期一UN回家時，第一句話馬上問”要不要出去吃飯“，我們都悶太久了！

The Lobby Lounge at Ritz Carlton Okinawa

預約網站 & 下午茶資訊

朋友們，下次來沖繩玩可以住這裡！即使當時只能在室外用餐，飯店人員貼心送上毛毯，幫我們的茶加熱，怕我們冷到。下午茶目前僅限預約制，從下午一點到六點，用餐時間為兩小時。如果有特殊飲食習慣，廚師能幫你訂做不同的食物（需事先預定）。一人定價為3900日幣，Marriot會員有特別優惠。

恩納玻璃工房

http://onna-glass-okinawa.co.jp
地址: 85 Fuchaku, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0413

琉球玻璃製作體驗，切記要穿包腳鞋子和長褲。過程約30分鐘，但製作時非常快速。老師會在旁邊輔助我們，也確保玻璃不會在製作過程損換。教課老師是沖繩相當有名的宮國次男(Tsuguo Miyaguni)，許多沖繩飯店都有擺放老師的作品。店裡非常多選擇款式，價錢會因顏色和製作難易度而有不同價格，我們想做的玻璃器皿都約8000日幣上下。製作完後，約三天能拿到成品。後來我們去了幾家製作沖繩玻璃工廠，雖然價錢便宜許多，但這家的成品材質比較明顯厚實許多（比較耐摔/適合搬家？）

森的食堂

網站: smilespoon.business.site
地址: 2795-1 Izumi, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0221
Facebook & Instagram

解放前，每當大家聊到放寬禁足令要去哪吃飯時，我的答案應絕對是Smile Spoon。一聽到風聲能在室內用餐後，立刻打電話訂位。店裡是很可愛的日本爺爺奶奶，兩人在餐廳裡忙進忙出，客人進來時會用親切笑容迎接大家。Smile Spoon提供兩種洋食菜色，當天有山原豬和白身魚，套餐有附前菜、主食、甜點、和飲料。店裡只收現金，一份為1900日幣。需要提前預訂，能從Facebook或Instagram或電話預約。這裡非常適合全家一起用餐，餐廳有完全無違和感的嬰兒搖籃和給小孩玩的玩具。可以在Facebook、Instagram、電話預約。

Fifi Parlor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fifi_parlor/
Address: 〒905-1154 Okinawa, Nago, Goga, 大真利原1335-4

網美們快來這裡唷！開車在505公路上，你會看到長得像銀色南瓜的Fifi Parlor。位在鹽屋這帶，有著沖繩瀨戶內海之名，風景是屋我地島（yagaji island)和北邊的奧武島(Ojima)。即使當天陰天，我和UN一致認同很有台灣網美打卡景點的水準。我們點了兩杯飲料（只收現金）在那裡看書，非常安靜度過我們的下午。

Azalea Festival in Higashi Village

網站: www.vill.higashi.okinawa.jp/
地址: 766-1 Taira, Higashi, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-1204, Japan

花園裡有滿滿的不同顏色的杜鵑花盛開，沖繩東村杜鵑花季一路到3月21號，是週末踏青的好景點。大人只要300日幣，小孩免費。入園前防疫做得非常徹底，量體溫、填表格、消毒液全部到位。外面有賣能治頭痛、顧肝肺心臟的植物（很好奇功效如何），我們買了幾盆回家種，誰想讓我們做實驗呢！

Posillipo Cucina Meridionale

網站 www.huge.co.jp/restaurant/posillipo/posillipo
地址: 174-5 Senaga, Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0233, Japan

結婚紀念日快樂！經過一年，我們終於能在室內date night了！很推薦這裡的薄皮比薩和生牛肉，還有這裡景色非常美，能看到飛機降落。適合情侶約會，飯前還能在海邊附近走走。

突如其來的解禁讓我們每餐都想外食，下個“本週清單”也會包含很多餐廳介紹。各位敬請期待，我們下次見囉！

Winter Strawberry Picking

We weren’t super crazy about strawberries when we lived in the States. However, now living in Japan, strawberries have become a stable fruit in our fridge when it's in season. Japanese strawberries are smaller and yet more expensive, but the added cost is justified by their superior sweetness. Japanese strawberries satisfy not only your sweet tooth, but also nourish your soul (for real)! 

Last week we called many strawberry fields to see if they were open to the public for strawberry picking. All of them turned us down, some even fully booked for every weekend until the end of the month. We called Chura Ichigo and found out they are open to the public without reservations necessary. SCORE! Chura Ichigo is quite popular among my circle of friends because their website has information in many different languages. Choose your cup size (medium is 750 yen, large is 1000 yen), then go into one of the greenhouses where they grow strawberries and start picking! The strawberry fields that I’ve been to in the United States and in Taiwan were outdoors and strawberries were picked from the ground. Here the strawberries are elevated, so you don’t have to kneel down the whole time while picking. It also looks much cleaner indoors. 

We were introduced to three types of strawberries:

• Yotsuboshi: staff favorite, nice balance of sweet and sour.

• Kaorino: our favorite, sweet, plump and juicy.

• Koiminori: larger, smells peachy, slightly acidic in taste.

Before picking, the staff taught us how to spot tasty strawberries. First, the leaf cap, or calyx, should curl up. Second, the uglier the strawberries the tastier. Judge not a strawberry by its looks. Indeed we found that strawberries with white stripes/scars are sweeter than those without. With that said, strawberries are squished against the wall and each other inside the plastic cup, and therefore, scarred strawberries get crushed easier, the prettier ones hold up their shape and last longer. Strawberries are in season, from now until the end of April. Strawberry picking is a family friendly activity. You can even enjoy various strawberry desserts at the associated coffee shop next to the strawberry farm.

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Location

1. Chura ichigo

   • No reservation necessary except AYCE

   • Can contact through LINE

   • Offers multiple languages on the website

   • 40 minutes AYCE (2000 yen adult, 1400 yen students, 900 yen under 3, elders, disable, free under 3) 

   • Regular size 750 yen, large 1000 yen

   • http://www.chura-ichigo.jp

   • Address: Kakinohana-555番地 Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa 901-0601

2. Ginoza Strawberry Farms

   • Accept credit card

   • Address: Kanna, Ginoza, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-1304

   • 50 minutes: 1500 yen adults, 1000 yen 6-12 years old, 700 yen 2-5 years old, free under 1

   • https://strawberry.okinawa

3. Ginoza Ichigo

   • All you can eat 40 minutes: 1500 yen adults, 1000 yen students, 800 yen 2-6 years old

   • Monday and friday off

   • Can make reservation other days

   • Cash only 

   • Address: 1581番地 Ginoza, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-1302

   • http://ginoza-ichigo.net

4. Tomoya Farm

   • Address: 552-1 Kitauebaru, Nakagusuku, Nakagami District, Okinawa 901-2423

   • 40 minutes AYCE: 1900 13yrs or older, 1700 yen 7yrs  or older, 1400 yen under 6

   • Weekend only

   • Weekday, reservation only, only in Japanese

   • Twitter @tomoyafarmst

Chinese Translation

住美國時我們不是特別愛吃草莓，但在日本草莓季時，草莓一定是我們家冰箱必備品。雖然日本草莓比美國草莓小顆且價格比較貴，但這裡的草莓甜度永遠勝出。不像美國草莓空心不甜又沒汁，吃日本草莓感覺身心靈都被餵飽（UN覺得我形容得非常貼切！）

這週我們終於採到草莓了！上週末我們四處碰壁，打給沖繩每一家草莓園，全客滿，有些草莓園二月週末全被訂光！唯一Chura Ichigo不需預約（草莓吃到飽除外），而且網站有不同語言，也是朋友們最常去的一家。買了裝草莓杯子（中杯750日幣、大杯1000日幣）就能進去工作人員所指定的草莓溫室，這裡的草莓園和我們印象中在美國或台灣不太一樣。以往在傳統草莓園是室外且在地上，採草莓時一定要包得緊緊免得曬傷，但這裡的草莓園以高架培育，不需要一直蹲在地上，環境也比較乾淨整齊。

在Chura Ichigo有三種草莓品種，分別是：

• Yotsuboshi：工作人員最愛，有恰當甜度和酸度。

• Kaorino：是我們六人的最愛，甜又多汁又飽滿。

• Koiminori：比較大顆，聞起來像桃子，但我們覺得比較酸。

採草莓前，工作人員教我們如何採和辨別好吃草莓（非常重要！）草莓瀏海（頭頂綠葉）翹起來，且越醜越好吃就是秘訣。的確長得不是特別漂亮的草莓比較甜，但我們發現草莓在杯子裡會稍許碰撞，醜的草莓比較容易軟，漂亮的草莓則能保持樣貌。現在正值草莓季，大概約四月時會結束，很適合全家一起來，採草莓後還能在附設咖啡店吃甜點。

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沖繩草莓園資訊

1. Chura ichigo

   • 不需事前預約（吃到飽除外）

   • 可用LINE聯繫

   • 網站有多國語言

   • 40 分鐘吃到飽 (大人2000日幣、學生1400日幣、兒童900日幣)

   • 中杯 750日幣, 大杯1000日幣

   • http://www.chura-ichigo.jp

   • 地址：Kakinohana-555番地 Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa 901-0601

2. Ginoza Strawberry Farms

   • 收信用卡

   • 地址：Kanna, Ginoza, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-1304

   • 50 分鐘吃到飽: 大人1500 日幣, 學生 1000 日幣, 小孩 700日幣

   • https://strawberry.okinawa

3. Ginoza Ichigo

   • 40分鐘吃到飽: 大人 1500 日幣、學生 1000 日幣、小孩 800 日幣

   • 週一和週五公休

   • 可事先預約

   • 只收現金

   • 地址：1581番地 Ginoza, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-1302

   • http://ginoza-ichigo.net

4. Tomoya Farm

   • 地址：552-1 Kitauebaru, Nakagusuku, Nakagami District, Okinawa 901-2423

   • 40分鐘吃到飽: 大人 1900 日幣、學生 1700 日幣, 小孩 1400 日幣

   • 只開週末，週間僅供預約制

   • Twitter @tomoyafarmst