George's Ocean Terrace & A Steak Dinner Remix

I've been away from my kitchen for several days...traveling for work and then for a weekend retreat. While I was away, I definitely ate well. I love being treated to a nice dinner by my company.

We were in San Diego for a few days and landed a reservation at George's Ocean Terrace, a casual bistro on the roof of George's at the Cove (a higher end restaurant) in La Jolla Village. We got there just in time for the sunset - our fellow diners (and I) were like the paparazzi, snapping photos.

And as the hot pink sun tucked itself into the horizon over the Pacific, everyone on that roof began clapping, giving due praise to the wonder of a beautiful seascape. Bravo, God, bravo.

This was just the beginning of a delightful evening of laughs, good food, and the celebration of two colleagues' 15 years with our organization.

Two had the halibut special, the other three of us had steak. I went with the Asian Skirt Steak with Garlic Spinach and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes (I subbed out the onion rings).

The marinade on this steak was so good I drenched each bite of food in the tiny stainless steel cup of reduced sauce (left). Sweet and salty. One of my favorite flavor combos. The cup on the right held the potatoes, which were also drenched in the sauce before each bite. If ever in La Jolla, go there at sunset.

When I got home from the weekend away, I guess I was still thinking about that steak. I found two sirloin steaks in the freezer and had a pound and a half of fresh green beans from my CSA stash. Sounded like a great dinner for my love and me. I looked up recipes for sirloin and found one for Beer and Brown Sugar Steak Marinade.

Ingredient list: brown sugar, teriyaki sauce, garlic powder, seasoned salt, pepper, and beer.

I marinated it for about a 1/2 hour, poking holes into the steaks so that as much flavor seeped in as possible

Dinner for two!

I used sirloin instead of skirt steak, garlic green beans instead of garlic spinach, and left out the potatoes. I reduced the leftover marinade and strained it to serve on the side. It wasn't George's, but I have to say, the flavors were close and it was pretty satisfying to remake a memorable meal right here in the comfort of home. It's good to be home. :)