...As many of my friends and relatives know,I have been making Caesar salads for over 30 years now.What started as a curiousity,has turned into a culinary passion.Everywhere we travel,it seems,and we go to a restaurant,and it has that salad on the menu,we have to try it to compare it to mine.Well,here we are in Tijuana,Mexico,where THAT VERY salad was invented/discovered serendipitously...whatever,by Caesar Cardini (there are many stories as to it's exact beginnings,and contents...too many to go into at the moment). No way was I going to miss out on this in spite of my condition. So,yesterday (Sunday...our only day off),5 of us reserved a Rubio Clinic vehicle w/driver (Lupe) an decided to get away from the clinic for a day,tour TJ and Rosarita Beach.First stop,the women..Joan,Julia,and Dawn..wanted to see the "old Cathedral in downtown TJ (yawn...john and I could hardly walk,much less into the church with hundreds of folks joustling about,uh,uh! We sat in the truck with Lupe and people watched...more fun!THEN we went in search of...dun,dun...Caesars. 3 blocks away.I could hardly contain myself.Joan went in to check things out (only 11:30 a.m...My fear was it wasn't open...NOOOO!) No problemo...this is Mexico.They would have raised the staff up to the occasion if need be...it was open.Lupe got the wheel chair out,led me through the double doors,right to an arranged for table for me to sidle right up to.Beautiful.Ordered a glass of Merlot for me,and Cab for my lady...oh,and a "salad for 4 please".YES,this was it.They brought out the table side fixings and thus began the moment.Watching intently,I described each moment to the now anticipating few (John stayed in the truck...doesn't like salad...what does he know?)and watched as they plated each and set them gently in front of us.I approached it with just the right amount of respect,cut in to it and put the first forkful tenderly in my mouth..........MEDIOCRE...at best.Too many years,too many touristas,too many changes!!! Somewhat of a let down,but still.I couldn't help but think...I've come full circle,and you know what???....mine's better.So take heart friends and relatives,loved ones all,I am sooo looking forward to fixing you all one of Ricksters best ever Caesar Salads when I get back home...complete with wines galore. After that,we went to Rosarita beach for some fresh air,relaxation,and a change of visuals.The whole experience was still as exciting as I had anticipated and won't let changes ruin my full circle experiences with "a day with Caesar Cardini"...love you all,the rickster.
