One year ago today I never imagined I would be eating beignets watching the cherry blossom parade progress down the streets of downtown San Francisco.
Rather, I thought I would be doing other things on the other coast. You know. Other things.
There were dragons.
And people in traditional garb.
The wait for Brenda’s was TWO HOURS but we didn’t mind. We were enthralled in rich Japanese culture.
GIVE.US.BEIGNETS
NOW!
Finally, when we didn’t think we could take our hunger pains any longer, my name was called and all was made right with watermelon sweet tea.
Gosh, there’s just not much better than watermelon sweet tea.
No, wait. There is.
Heaven help me. Crawfish, chocolate, apple and plain beignets were delivered and I just couldn’t contain myself.
I ordered the same thing that I had last time and loved so much….the egg white omelet with goat cheese and shrimp with a buttermilk biscuit and potatoes. I didn’t really eat the potatoes though. I’m not a big fan. But I did do some damage on that biscuit.
It’s so beautiful.
You know when you’re not hungry anymore but the food is just too good? Yeah.
Midway through devouring a piece of this crawfish beignet, I had a temporary freak out and thought my camera was broken because it wasn’t focusing properly.
There was buttercream on the lens.
I have no idea how that happened.
I lost my lens cap back in October.
Six hours later and I feel like I have a rock at the bottom of my stomach and there are no elastic waist pants to be found.
Time for a glass of wine.
eatmovelove
April 18, 2010 at 5:56 pmYour last two sentences are mine…just kept eating beyond the gut signals. Oye.
Yours looks decadent though! I’m lovin’ the pictures and consistent posts!
How’s the book writing going? Are you taking a break now? Do you have to work besides the writing in order to “live”, pay the bills, etc?
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
April 18, 2010 at 6:02 pmYou’re making this Louisiana girl miss her home state…and, strangely, want to visit Japan. A strange combination! But it looks like an amazing day!
Karla
April 18, 2010 at 6:05 pmHa! I made beignet’s with a friend this weekend! They ended up looking like random pieces of fried chicken instead of beautiful beignet’s.
I hear Brenda’s is amazing! Definitely hitting it up next time I’m in the Bay Area!
amanda
April 18, 2010 at 6:05 pmOhhh wow, that meal looks amazingly delicious!
diana@mymarblerye
April 18, 2010 at 6:11 pm2 hours wait for this place? It better be good!!! I waited for brunch for an hour and a half a few weeks ago and was disappointed that it wasn’t good. BOO. Crawfish beniets?!? LOVE!!!
Crunchy Granola Gal
April 18, 2010 at 6:12 pmoooh what fun! excess, in moderation, is a beautiful thing. yes – that statement makes a lot of sense. 🙂
Sarah
April 18, 2010 at 6:14 pmHi Jenna, rando question- I’m getting married in Rutherford next spring and I would love a rehearsal dinner spot rec… Let’s face it- you know your napa/sonoma region restaurants! My fiance’s parents already looked into redd and bottega but we’re looking for something a little bit more rustic since our wedding will be formal.
simpledaisy
April 18, 2010 at 6:16 pmOh I know the feeling!! I love those things…they are naughty good:)
Yes….wine always makes you feel better~
Evan Thomas
April 18, 2010 at 6:20 pmby “traditional garb” do you mean Sailor Moon outfits?! That’s too funny!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
April 18, 2010 at 6:21 pmCrawfish remind me of home 🙂
Looks like such a fun time!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
April 18, 2010 at 6:21 pmWatermelon sweet tea sounds incredible!!
Jil
April 18, 2010 at 6:24 pmWATERMELON SWEET TEA??? I need to be in SF now…and combining that with beignets…oh geez. So jealous! 🙂
jen trinque
April 18, 2010 at 6:25 pmCrawfish beignets? Interesting. You really do sound like you’ve been having a great time lately, it’s lovely to read about.
Meghan@traveleatlove
April 18, 2010 at 6:25 pmAahhhh what an awesome city!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
April 18, 2010 at 6:26 pmOh my I love beignets and would die to just eat that plate 🙂
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
April 18, 2010 at 6:27 pmSo much good food! What a spread! Love that ridiculously-full weekend feeling. I definitely had a little of that after my waffle feast this morning. 😉
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
April 18, 2010 at 6:30 pmWow I am jealous of your beignets! I’ve never tried them before but boy do they look incredible!!!
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
April 18, 2010 at 6:31 pmhaha I am always wiping food off my camera! A food bloggres curse I suspect 🙂
Bec
April 18, 2010 at 6:31 pmyour lunch looks so good, I need to get making a similar version of that omelet ASAP!
Lauren @ Eater not a runner
April 18, 2010 at 6:35 pmSo awesome! I want a crawfish beignet like right now.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
April 18, 2010 at 6:37 pmWow… I have never been so jealous of your meals as I am right this very second.
And you know, it just goes to show that you NEVER know what is going to happen, where your life will take you 🙂
Jenny
April 18, 2010 at 6:42 pmI’m loving your writing style lately, it seems different but soo humorous!
And you can NEVER go wrong with a beignet!
theemptynutjar
April 18, 2010 at 6:44 pmhow do u manage to stop?
i just keep eating and eating and eating …every night 🙂
just habit!
oh well…embrace it…roll with it, right? 😉
u r so amazing…i am watching crappy TV per usual, while u accomplish accomplish accomplish …way to go Jenna.
jenna
April 18, 2010 at 6:44 pmwow! looks delish 🙂
jenna
April 18, 2010 at 6:45 pmwow! looks delish 🙂
Kait
April 18, 2010 at 6:53 pmMmm that looks like an awesome meal! A two hour wait sounds awful, but at least there was live entertainment!
ashleigh
April 18, 2010 at 7:02 pmReading your last few posts has made me so excited for your book! Your telling us great stories 🙂
Caitlin
April 18, 2010 at 7:04 pmAh, I miss San Francisco. I might have to try a crawfish beignet when I am back there in June!
Paige
April 18, 2010 at 7:09 pmI love love your recent posts! Your tone is so fun and quirky. Very thoughtful and well written! Thanks for sharing…keep it up!
steph
April 18, 2010 at 7:10 pmthank you for not striving for perfection, and making me feel better about the massive amount of food and alcohol i consumed this weekend.
what would we do if it werent for black stretchy pants? go find yours, girl!
BridgetP
April 18, 2010 at 7:23 pmI have just loved your last few posts!! Heart.
I’m trying to wrap my head around a crawfish beignet and I just can’t. Guess I’ll just have to come eat one.
Heather (Heather's Dish)
April 18, 2010 at 7:25 pmcrawfish beignet? are you kidding me? if i ever move out to san francisco you should probably take out some stock in elastic-waisted pants. just sayin’!
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
April 18, 2010 at 7:34 pmWow. This looks….incredible. I love doing things like this. Part of my love/interest of food and wine is the story behind it. I love that you can experience another culture just by eating their food. The same goes for wine with the added attentiveness that each vineyard has for cultivating their grapes and producing the perfect blend. Look like the perfect Sunday afternoon!
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
April 18, 2010 at 7:36 pmWow. This looks….incredible. I love doing things like this. Part of my love/interest of food and wine is the story behind it. I love that you can experience another culture just by eating their food. The same goes for wine with the added attentiveness that each vineyard has for cultivating their grapes and producing the perfect blend. Look like the perfect Sunday afternoon!
maria @ Chasing the Now
April 18, 2010 at 7:49 pmI bet you can order a new lens cap pretty cheap on ebay or something.
Andrea
April 18, 2010 at 7:55 pmLooks yummmmyyy!!!
Katy ( The Balanced Foodie)
April 18, 2010 at 8:02 pmBeignets. Drool. I love how multi-cultural your day was today. 😉 Got to love San Fran!
emily
April 18, 2010 at 8:18 pmOh man, watermelon sweet tea sort of sounds like a dream!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
April 18, 2010 at 8:22 pmWhat a beautiful day for the parade? Did the bf like the ‘cakes? : )
felicia
April 18, 2010 at 8:31 pmlol cosplay does NOT count as traditional garb 😀
Carrie (Love Healthy Living)
April 18, 2010 at 8:32 pmWow, that buttercream sure gets around. 🙂
Suzanne de Cornelia
April 18, 2010 at 8:43 pmCrawfish Beignets! Crawfish Beignets! You write of such things with photos?! My dear, was there a torturer somewhere in your lineage?! 😉 Just askin’. Ohhhhh.
kate
April 18, 2010 at 8:56 pmIts terrible but Ive never had a beignet – obviously I need to get on that!
Brittany
April 18, 2010 at 10:41 pmAll looks amazing esp the watermellon tea!
Diana
April 19, 2010 at 12:05 amSometimes food is too delicious to stop. It happens, not very often but when it does.. well, it’s delicious.
Glad you’ve had a good time 🙂
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
April 19, 2010 at 12:09 amWhat are beignets!? They seem to be on EVERY blog I read at the moment!?
Haha this post made me chuckle 🙂 I love the buttercream on your lens!
Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards)
April 19, 2010 at 12:31 amoh my gosh. the fact that i have spent years living in northern california without the knowledge of any of these places is making me kick myself in the butt. i have never even had a beignet! something must change.
Jennifer
April 19, 2010 at 3:08 amhaha, it’s already been mentioned a few times but I can’t help myself. Yup, that is indeed cosplay, and not traditional garb. Also, the dragon is from Dragon Ball Z! 😀
And omg watermelon sweet tea sounds divine!
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
April 19, 2010 at 3:49 amWatermelon sweet tea sounds amazing. Looks like you had a good day.
Midgetkeeper
April 19, 2010 at 4:00 amLooks like an amazing day, and the food looks out of this world.
Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
April 19, 2010 at 4:43 amI love a good biscuit. Light, fluffy, melt in your mouth.. so good. I have never had a beignet – is there anything to compare them to for reference? I have had paczki – those are yummy 🙂
Abbey
April 19, 2010 at 4:43 amhahahhaa “there was buttercream on the screen”
😉 you are a riot & so honest, love it!!!!
Christie {Honoring Health}
April 19, 2010 at 4:46 amWhat an awesome day! That watermelon tea wounds so delicious!
runnerforever
April 19, 2010 at 5:03 amThe beignets look so good. What a fun day, don’t worry about a little extra food today, it will likely all balance out and it looks like you had a really neat experience.
Andrea
April 19, 2010 at 5:11 amWhat a delicious and fun day! So glad you enjoyed yourself!!!
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
April 19, 2010 at 5:12 amWhat a fun festival!!! And that biscuit looked awesome…I would have done damage too!
Anne
April 19, 2010 at 6:53 ami’m going to assume you’re rockin’ a filter on that lens to protect it from life 🙂 and if not, i’m going to highly recommend it.
now i’m off to dream of crawfish beignets (holysmokesthatsoundsawesome).
Zenfreckle
April 19, 2010 at 7:26 amLove the new writing style! You had me laughing so hard at your true confessions post and now I look forward to every post for your good humor and great attitude. Rock on!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
April 19, 2010 at 7:42 amhehe, i freaked out the other night too, when i thought my camera broke at dinner :). it’s like food can’t be as fun unless it can be shared…right??
Carol
April 19, 2010 at 8:00 amThe food looks yummy but were you not saying a few posts ago that you were going to watch what you eat? Remember: baby blue dress? Ahhhhhhh that’s okay you’re skinny anyways you can eat whatever you want. Lucky girl !
Camille
April 19, 2010 at 8:08 amTHAT is some amazing looking food.
Was that in San Francisco? I used to live there but i’m heading up for a visit soon so I am looking for some special food stops 🙂
Paige
April 19, 2010 at 8:09 amCan I just say your past few posts have been so refreshing? I love the tone of your writing! Your brunch looks just amazing!
allison @ thesundayflog
April 19, 2010 at 8:16 amwow. watermelon sweet tea sounds AMAZING!! as do those beignets! i’ve never had one before, so i have to get on that. and your italian buttercream recipe (and cupcakes) look absolutely stunning. i love love love the way they look! cant wait to replicate at home!
Cait (Cait's Plate)
April 19, 2010 at 9:15 amOh my gosh. I think I just died and went to beignets heaven. Those look AMAZZZZZZZZZING!!
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Beara
April 19, 2010 at 9:19 amYUMMY!! I know the feeling when you just want to continue eating even though you’re stuffed, I hope wine helped 😉
Rosie
April 19, 2010 at 9:32 amThe parade looks fun and the food so good, makes me really want to try a beignet (don’t think I’ve ever seen them in the UK though?!) Oh and wine definitely sounds like the answer.
Hanna @ keepinitfit.blogspot.com
April 19, 2010 at 9:36 amOoohh beignets! makes me miss new orleans : )
You take such beautiful pictures!
What camera do you use?
jenna
April 19, 2010 at 10:13 amHanna,
Thank you! I use a Canon Rebel, usually with a 50 mm lens
Lauren @ Lauren Loses It
April 19, 2010 at 9:52 amYour posts have been so goofy lately. I think the buttercream is getting to your head. Thank goodness you cleaned your lens so I could drool on my keyboard!
Paige @ Running Around Normal
April 19, 2010 at 10:02 amHehe love the title of this post. And boy do they look worth it! LOL that the cream sauce was in the lens. Glad that problem got solved 😉
Sarah (Oc2Seattle)
April 19, 2010 at 10:10 amLOL buttercream on the lens – classic! ANd oh yes, I know all about eating past the satiety point.
Heather
April 19, 2010 at 10:34 amOkay, I had to comment on the italian buttercreme frosting!!!!! I just got married & the restaurant that held our reception has a FABULOUS bakery. They frost ALL of their cakes with italian buttercreme. It’s like eating buttah 😉 So yummy!!!
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
April 19, 2010 at 11:04 amAhhh beignets… dream come true. 🙂
xo
K
Courtney
April 19, 2010 at 1:39 pmCan we switch food lives for a while?! You always have the most interesting eats!!!
Brandi
April 19, 2010 at 3:46 pmYour new posts are sooo funny! They remind me of something Pioneer Woman would write. Love it!!
Cat
April 19, 2010 at 4:10 pm1. I found your blog through other blogs that I read that are written by people on the Other Coast.
2. Out of the blue everyone I know is talking about Brenda’s for brunch, yet it’s seemingly been around for years. Seriously. It’s like Dottie’s doesn’t even exist anymore (but it does and you should try it).
3. I live no more than 10 blocks from Brenda’s.
4. The coincidences of clicking that led me to your blog via other coast blogs and then to have one of your first posts that I read be about my ‘hood…well doesn’t that just make the internet feel a little smaller? In a good way of course!
P.S. If you need a good colorist/stylist, but in SF, mine is amazing and she wouldn’t make your hair straw! Eick!