We were headed to Firehouse Ribs in San Clemente, said
to offer one of the best burgers in Orange County
(Lilli's is as near southern Orange County (extremely
conservative) as to San Diego (mixed bag but in
general fairly liberal). The only relevant thing is
that the barbecue is much better in conservativeland.
Unfortunately, on this day it wasn't better, because
the place was closed, so we were foiled in our plan
(barbecue for me, burger for her).

In the same odd little mall there is this Los Patios,
which was offering Taco Tuesday - all the tacos you
could fill up on for $1.50 each with the purchase of
a drink. We ponied up for a glass of house beer (rather
Modelo-like) and one of house red (ugh, ugh, ugh, do not
eat), and for that we were entitled to our taco fix, of
which we only could down two each;

beef was standard, little bits of somewhat untasty
chopped flank buried under the usual toppings;

bean was standard but nicely seasoned, ergo, better
than the beef;

al pastor didn't really qualify, not having anything
in common with schwarma and being just an ordinary
mystery meat sandwich, though not bad for that;

and carnitas, pulled pork with a couple nice globs
of fat and a more decent marinade than what had been
slathered on the al pastor meat.

Also quite good chips and a mild salsa with just a
touch of burn. Maybe we'd go back, if the Firehouse
place isn't open next time we seek it out.

The credit card machine wasn't working. Luckily,
I had some cash.

The Bluff Top trail, a few miles north in Dana Point,
is really, really short, i.e., 1/4 mile long, and we
decided to take it so I could at least move my legs
about a little and work off the tacos. It's really
nice and just what the doctor ordered.

---

Best meal: at home.

USDA Choice NY strips from Costco, a 24 oz and a 20
or so oz - I am tired of the grill so cooked these on
top of the stove (something I do the day or two
before the cleaning lady comes) - these are $11/lb
but very good, almost prime (which costs a couple
bucks more). I made a garlic Bordelaise to go with.

Corvus Petit Verdot 2009 was surprisingly Cabernet-
like and with its licorice and herbal notes went
excellently; but being in a drinking mood we ran
out of it and the Stags' Leap Winery Merlot 2014,
the second best wine in the cellar, had to take over,
an even bigger and drier wine, nice with deep black
fruit flavors (interesting how people get this idea
that Merlot is a bright sissy wine, whereas - as with
Pinot Noir - it used to be among the biggest and most
ageworthy) but a bit too young.

Roasted Garlic Bordelaise
categories: unclassic, French, Californian, sauce
yield: 1 batch

50 cloves garlic
2 c olive oil
2 qt beef consomme
1 qt red wine
1