Lunching at Ikea 07-12-11

My friend Liz Williams celebrated her birthday yesterday with her family, but today we took a shopping trip - unusual for us - but we had been wanting to go to the Container Store and Ikea in Costa Mesa, we figured with the current hot weather today would be cooler near the coast.  It was cooler than the last few days, not because of our proximity to the coast, but because it was overcast all day and as we drove back to Placentia it rained!  I'm sure it must be a record as I have never seen it rain in July - August, yes, that is when the "monsoon season" happens. 

We have both heard people praising the food at Ikea, so that is where we had lunch.  We had talked about going to Sherman Gardens in Corona del Mar, but guess we will be forced to have another day trip before long.  The Ikea food was good, if not spectacular, and made tastier by the fact that is was so inexpensive.   

 
I was trying to place the lamp right on top of Liz' head - like a crown for her special day - but she wiggled out of line.

Apparently these are the iconic Ikea lamp.  It doesn't seem to me that they give a lot of light- notice the spot lights in the ceiling.  The windows look south and provide a view of the 405 Fwy traffic rushing past.  

 
This is the serving area - the line enters at the far right and the half naked lady to the right of the picture is paying at the cash register.  The man in the middle of the picture is helping himself at the salad bar.  It is all very sleek and efficient, very much a cafeteria style.

 
The shot I took with the fifteen meatballs had a lighting problem, so here is my half eaten lunch - not a nice presentation at this point.  I have a bit of Liz' roasted chicken and my fork is protecting the Lingonberry sauce that goes with the meatballs.  A tasty meal - I'd go again.

 
Of course, you know me, the dessert is the best part!  I split this slice of torte down the middle and Liz got first choice.  We could have come to blows when we had our first taste and decided we didn't want to share!  It is reminiscent of a Kit-Kat bar with caramel sauce.  Fantastic.  I wish I had taken a candle to light up for the birthday girl.

 
This is the wall sign describing the torte.  My Swedish is nonexistent, but I can always say "Chocolate/almond torte, please."

My computer is still recovering.  Carbonite has about nine hours to go before all the data they can recover is loaded (up? down?) and then I will have to figure out how to put things in somewhat the same order they were in before.  Not fun.