Kat's 9 Lives

It's the morning after Taylor Swift's 1989 Concert in Santa Clara and I have not even gone to bed yet.  Talk about a crazy night, but I am dedicated to share a teaser of the concert as there will be another one at Levi's Stadium tonight! More photos to come after I recover and get some sleep in the next few days.  If you are going, have tons of fun! Check out the xfinity booth for a fun photo with "Tay-Tay".

There's still time to get your tickets and join the Eat Drink SF fun.  The event will be from August 20 – 23, 2015.  There are three action-packed events outside the main festival grounds to round out the Eat Drink SF weekend: Taco Knockdown presented by Milagro Tequila, Brunch Party at Foreign Cinema, and the city-wide Revival Brunch.
Kick off festival weekend with a creative “taco” battle at the Taco Knockdown presented by Milagro Tequila on Thursday, August 20 at Folsom Street Foundry. Chefs from the city’s top restaurants will put their spin on a taco to be judged by a panel of experts for the ‘Best Overall’ title. Attendees will vote for a ‘People’s Choice’ winner. The Bon Vivants will mix up signature cocktails to complement the dishes using Leyenda del Milagro Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal, Menjurje de Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur, and Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur. A sampling of restaurant competitors includes Coqueta, Pabu/Ramen Bar,Delfina Restaurant Group, Uno Dos Tacos, Trick Dog, Fog City, and more.

Taco Knockdown Presented by Milagro Tequila
Thursday, August 20: 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Folsom Street Foundry
1425 Folsom St.
Tickets: $75
Wind down an unforgettable weekend of food and drink at the Brunch Party at Foreign Cinema on Sunday, August 23, with a lavish spread of sweet and savory dishes, refreshing cocktails such as the Aperol Spritz and SKYY Bloody Mary’s, and entertainment.

Brunch Party at Foreign Cinema
Sunday, August 23: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St.
Tickets: $85
More than 20 restaurants around the city will participate in the inaugural Revival Brunch. Each restaurant will offer a special Eat Drink SF brunch menu to aide revelers in post-festival recovery. No tickets are required but reservations are suggested at participating restaurants.

Revival Brunch
Sunday, August 23: Time varies
Various restaurants: Check www.eatdrink-sf.com for full lineup.

I happened to stumble upon Morizo Sushi Kaisen online and saw the yummy photos that enticed me to go.  They are located inside Marukai.
There isn't any where to sit inside the market or outside.  It's a good place for you to take out or to eat in your car when it isn't too hot outside.  We went to meet Trekkie at Mitsuwa and they had a food court for us to sit and enjoy the sushi.
I opted for something that was not on the menu but they made it to order and will let you know the price.  What I really wanted was salmon belly and uni over rice.  Simple goodness! Everything was fresh and tasty.
We picked up a nigiri special for another and there was only one box left with real crab meat inside.  Everything looked very fresh and the cuts were generous
All in all everything was very fresh and enjoyable.  Prices were decent for the portion.  If this place was located close to home, I'd be willing to stop by a few times a week for a snack.  =D

Morizo Sushi Kaisen at Marukai
3832 Sepulveda Blvd
Torrance, CA 90505 
(310) 375-1538

The best thing about the DoubleTree Hotels are the free cookies!!!! They are best when they are nice and warm, but that is not always the case.  There is no resort fee charge as that is very important these days since most Las Vegas hotels have a hefty fee.  Let's all be honest, who spends time in their hotels and let alone enjoy the amenities?!  It's Las Vegas and it only makes sense to live it up!
Of course you will need a car in order to stay at the DoubleTree as it is a little ways off The Strip.  Once you are off the freeway, the hotel is very close and easy to get back on the 15.  The parking lot is never too crazy busy and a simple lot.
The rooms are comfy and the beds are solid.  I always steal a pillow or two from my bunk mate as I love sleeping on a pillow fortress.
Make sure that you sign up for their rewards points if you travel a lot as it never hurts.  Not sure if it is because of the Hilton Honors status, but we normally get room upgrades and free bottles of water.  Here they are very generous with their waters and often give extra bottles.
If you check in too late to your room, which we often do... they may run out of cookies! =*( One time they only had 3 cookies left and I had to work it to get those 3 cookies! lol  Ironically, someone else checked in later than we did.  I proudly ate my cookies! O=D
 There is your Coffee Bean single serve machine for those who like a cup of Joe in the morning.
 The amenities are from Crabtree & Evelyn, which are only so-so.  At least they smell nice.  As usual, a table for people to work on and use for their laptop if they would like and a TV for entertainment.
The bathroom is small but there is some leg room.  Plenty of space for personal items if you want to lay them out on the counter.  Simple shower area and so-so water pressure.  Nothing too special about the shower/bathtub.
All in all I love staying at the DoubleTree purely for the yummy cookies! So they better keep offering me those tasty treats to tempt me to stay.  It's a decent hotel and the location is not too much out of the way, but like I said earlier... you must have a car to stay here to get around.
DoubleTree By Hilton
7250 Pollock Dr, 
Las Vegas, NV, 89119
(702) 948-4000

Poilane is a Parisian landmark full of rich history.  The original location is close to Saint-Sulpice.  It's a must for anyone who goes to Paris.  I often think about the pan au chocolat!
Be sure to go early in case they run out.  In the past, they would run out of the croissants but I feel that now they have established themselves further that even if you go later in the day you will be able to find some goodies.  Having a tasty treat while you prepare to spend the luxurious day in Paris is the only way to live!
Normally I come down this way when I want to hit all the goodies in this area.  I come out to shop at Le Bon Marché for their high end groceries.  You can find many splendors from all over France in one place.  Don't forget Pierre Hermé near Saint-Sulpice for the delectable French sweets.  I love their macarons and the mille fueille.
Originally Poilane is known for their bread.  Ms. Lin Guide has had the bread before and only think they are okay so I never bothered to try the breads.  The designs on their bread often changes and I find it endearing that they call them "cushions".
They had me at their buttery flaky croissants.  Be sure to get one or a couple of each.  We always bring some on the plane and home.  It's rare that you get them fresh and hot out of the oven because I like to toast my pan au chocolat for the melty goodness.
The reason I knew about Poilane was from a fellow blogger and he recommended me to try the shortbread cookies called punitions.  They are light in taste but nothing I would say that blows my mind.  I come back often for only the croissants.  Of course there are many items to check out and maybe one day I will try everything.
All in all Poilane is a must.  If you are true foodie, then you must come here for a taste... and bring me back something! lol

Poilane
8 Rue du Cherche-Midi 
Paris, France 
+33 1 45 48 42 59

I am working on finishing the post and thought this might be fun to see who the true foodies are to be able to name this place with just a photo.  O=D