This is our second trip to Carlsbad, CA to play “The Crossings at Carlsbad” golf course in celebration of our respective birthdays.  This time it is Elfie’s turn.  We’ll see what we can “sniff” out this go-around.

Ocean Blue: Green Tea Tempura Ice Cream

This is delicious even if the texture (icy) on the ice cream isn’t really of a “fried” consistency.  The creme brulee bananas made this dessert over-the-top.

Phil’s BBQ: Baby Back “Dry” Ribs

The steamed veggies are the ONLY healthy items on our table.

Phil’s BBQ: “Small” Onion Rings…

These rings are as “big” as they are “dirty”.  Crispy, nicely browned, delicious batter and I mostly steer clear of the side of Ranch dressing.  At $3.99, it’s just — “not playing fair”.

Phil’s BBQ: Beef Back “Dry” Ribs

I grew up predominantly in the West and this is a Western state so shockingly these are my favorite item here.  They are at the “just before” the “just before they fall off the bone” stage.

Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel: Room

The mattresses (Silver Rest: “Evergreen”, TT Plush) are firm with seriously firm edge support.  They are super comfortable but unfortunately they are made solely for this hotel chain.  Notice the two queen mattresses in the photograph.  The first night we shared a bed like newlyweds and the second night we acted as if we had been transported back to much earlier times.

Grand Pacific: Mini Kitchen

The fridge houses our Phil’s BBQ leftovers.  On my birthday trip the Phil’s leftovers remained in the hotel fridge as we cruised the freeway towards home.  😦

Grand Pacific: Pool with Ocean View…

Unfortunately, we didn’t take advantage of the pool.

Grand Pacific: Fire pit

Here is the fire pit where “numb-nutter” (via the “Over Forty Blues”) forgot to photograph Bella making her very first S’mores sandies.  Her second attempt earned her the reward via a light toasty brown mallow without having burned it in the slightest.

Burger Lounge: Dining Room

Hip and modern and much more roomy than some of their other locations.

“Lounge Burger” Lettuce Wrap

The cheese is zesty white cheddar and the thousand island dressing (homemade) on the side is — un-be-liev-able!  I recommend “sipping in” on their lavender lemonade as well.

“Lounge Burger” with Bacon & White Cheddar

I know it sounds as if I may “fondle a spotted owl”, but grass-fed beef is truly excellent with a very clean, pure, fresh taste.  “I support grass!”  Yes, I do.

“The Crossings at Carlsbad” Golf Course

This course is really pretty and very well maintained.  I compare it with Talega in San Clemente but better maintained.  The only visual con here are the electrical towers seen throughout the property.

The Crossings: Back Nine

The canyons appear wider than Talega (San Clemente) and the back nine here is especially fun to play (similarly to Talega).

The Crossings: Back Nine

This huge green is nasty with multiple planes and additional challenges.  Notice the “ton of fun” on the right side of the green.

The Elf is About to “Tee Off”…

As we drove up a steep hill we turned a corner and I “gently” applied the brakes after I knew I observed something odd out of the corner of my eye.  We were now about 8 feet away when we turned over our shoulders to examine the “item in question”.

The Crossings: “Rattler Gone Wild”…

We literally flew by Mr. Rattler (always show respect to things you fear) and of course, as “total tourists”, had to snap off photographs of Mr. Rattler once we felt we were far enough away (or at least I like to think we were).  Later I re-imagined the scene with the proximity of Mr. Rattler in relation to our golf cart and wondered if I might have startled him and he might have struck out at my lower extremities as we drove by.

Additionally, I would examine the photographs and notice Mr. Rattler was awfully PLUMP in the middle and thin toward the head and tail ends.  I then considered I may have gotten lucky as he may have consumed a desert mouse or something and was feeling lethargic as his digestive enzymes were activating.  This is where Bella chimes in (in my mind, mind you) with the usual, “you think too much.”

Bella, daughter of a scientist, would later dismiss all of my theories and simply say Mr. Rattler’s  behavior was “perfectly normal, perfectly healthy”.  Truth-be-told, I had suspicions but couldn’t recall anything regarding the typical behavior of rattlers.  The main things I know about rattlers is their bite “doesn’t tickle” and they taste awfully good when grilled; especially over direct fire and with hickory, not mesquite wood.  Rattlesnake is my second favorite exotic meat; alligator being my favorite.

“SIMON SAYS”: Once again, the “daughter of a scientist” is the winner.  Rattlesnakes have no external ears and are “essentially deaf”; although they are sensitive to vibrations.  As well, they only strike when harassed or startled.  Thus, it is very likely we simply didn’t pose a legitimate threat to Mr. Rattler so he ignored us and went on enjoying the sun on his backside.

The Crossings: Back Nine

This par three hole is especially nice looking but the hole is more challenging than it initially seemed.

Ocean Blue: Downtown Carlsbad

The dining room is very modern and trendy but didn’t photograph well.

Ocean Blue: Salmon Sashimi

Thick, fatty, fresh, “buttery” delicious fish.

Ocean Blue: Lamb Chops

These chops are plenty edible but definitely shy of “exceptional”.  There is green onion and crusted sliced garlic on top with a sweet glaze.  I think they should have been cooked a tad less.  The steamed mussels were great but the broth was maybe even better.

Claire’s on Cedros: Solana Beach

The charming home converted into a restaurant makes for a great dining experience and the food does not disappoint.

Claire’s: Eggs Benedict

We knew it was Bella’s birthday when her breakfast came with watermelon and a croissant instead of the typical English muffin and fruit cup.

Claire’s: Short Rib Hash

I wish it had a bit more meat for better “coverage” and a tad less potatoes.  Regardless,  the olive oil potatoes with sauteed red onions, peppers and an egg over easy make this dish quite tasty.  I’d recommend adding a second over easy egg on top to improve this dish even more.

We grab a dozen of their simple heart-shaped oat cookies which are very buttery, “almost” crumbly and a great compliment to some premium java.  This is a real bakery so you shouldn’t experience any “sugar bomb” pastries here.  Unfortunately, they were sold out of their amazing almond croissant.  Simply put it is one of the best almond croissants I’ve ever tasted.

THE END!!!