Shout out to The Place (Rolando/Coll. Area)

Well, this doesn't count as eating out. But in my working mom lifestyle, it's even better! We've gotten a lot of prepared foods this week from The Place, a kosher Israeli/Moroccan restaurant E. of SDSU. Boaz, the chef, is a culinary god (he's also tall and handsome :)). Some of his delicious dishes that we've been enjoying: brisket, moroccan beet salad, potato kugel, and eggplant salads. It's easier and yummier than cooking it all ourselves, and enables us to eat with family and friends chez nous!

Wahoo's (La Jolla)/Spectacular toddler behavior day

Something was either in the water today or our efforts at being firm with discipline were working. Not only was today a pleasure overall, but we had very easy meals at both of the Dad's favorite places: Bongiorno's for lunch and Wahoo's (La Jolla) for dinner. (The Dad would eat at both of them for every meal out if he could :)). Boy actually picked Bongiorno's for lunch, which he got to do because he was being delightful; and then Dad picked Wahoo's for dinner, and Boy stayed put in his seat because he was enthralled by seeing all manner of construction and traffic on Pearl St. out of the window. Wahoo's of course has grilled fish and chicken; quesadillas; delicious tofu, teriyaki veggies and brown rice, etc. etc. There is plenty for a toddler to look at, the service is friendly, the prices are right, and food comes out quickly and is healthy. Hence we go there frequently.

I'll be signing off for a few days because I won't be eating out much this week. Looking forward to some more adventures after that!

Bite (Hillcrest)

Playing with Boy on weekend and doing errands doesn't leave much time for Foodie Mom to post.

So....in the spirit of tweets (but slightly longer).

Bite: hip vibe, super-friendly service, nicely spaced tables, food tasty but not spectacular. Worth one visit, don't think we'll go again. (If you live in the 'hood then maybe more often). Chris Walsh = talented but his food isn't as cravable for us as other chefs in town.

There you go, readers! Happy customers...but customers who'll keep on trying new places! (Oh - Urban Solace and Alchemy are much more crave-worthy for the Cal-Amer-hip vibe)

Michele Coulon, Baby!! (cake, La Jolla)

Lovely late birthday celebration with family tonight. Simple dinner. But the Sweetie "took the cake" by bringing home a chocolate mousse/ganache/meringue cake for me from Michele Coulon in La Jolla. OH BOY! Delectable Belgian chocolate cake....absolutely worthy of a big birthday. Michele Coulon pastry shop has the best cakes (they have lunch too but that's less exciting).

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION...YUM, YUM!! (Of course the Toddler couldn't resist smooshing his hand in before we even put the candles in, but who can blame him....it was too tempting sitting there waiting to be eaten....A mountain of decadent chocolate goodness).

Ralph's and VG's: your cakes are perfectly yummy for toddler birthday parties. But this cake was all about MOM!!!! (and Boy loved it too, which was a nice bonus).

Want to know the buzz? Ask me first! (Jai again)

Here's NW's account of Jai's status....You heard it here first.

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2010/mar/24/restaurant-review-your-neighborhood-azerbaijan/

(see bottom of review for where I helped clarify things on her blog! :))

The restaurant she's reviewing sounds interesting, but is probably not high on my list to try next. If anyone goes there first, tell me about it!

Grant Grill (downtown)

Report on my birthday dinner this week at Grant Grill: AWESOME! NOT REMOTELY DISAPPOINTING! (last year at Roseville and George's in the past turned out to be less than ideal birthday choices - I hate choosing a "top" place for my birthday and then it doesn't live up to the hype).

ATMOSPHERE: Super-classy without being stuffy. Love the room - wood panels but comfy cream colored booths - glimpse of the street outside so it feels buzzy and urban. Thurs. nights there is live jazz in the bar. When we got there at 7:15 the bar was packed but we were the first patrons in the dining room, lots of privacy.

SERVICE: Terrific! Loved the waiter - took very good care of us. Promised me that if I didn't like my cocktail (was hesitating about what to order), he'd whisk it away and let me make another choice. Let me taste two different dessert wines too. He was very enthusiastic about the chef - told us just the right amount about his philosophy but not too much lecturing.

COCKTAIL: Awesome! Horton House = a kind of liquored egg cream. Chocolatey, cognacy, delectable....

BREAD: They take loving care in their daily baked bread, and it's like nowhere else in town. Totally flavor-rich, yeasty focaccia with herbs and EVOO, baked to order....served with butter and smoked salt. Definitely a signature of the restaurant.

APP: Loved my beet salad, scarfed it up. The Sweetie (he gets not to be the Dad on date nights) had a delicious farmer's green salad (thought it was too heavily dressed for me, but perfect for him - but I loved the dressing and the delicious roasted veggies with it)

ENTREE: The Sweetie loved his steak; I ate some of his potatoes au gratin (not his thing). My local California sea bass was lukewarm at first; they took it away and brought it back not hot but at least warm. Flavors were delicious - cubed sauteed sweet potatoes, grapefruit (they're doing a citrus theme this time of year across the menu), olives, lime keffir broth. Yum!

DESSERT: The only disappointing part of the meal. Chocolate pain perdu was pretty dry. But they brought a complimentary piece of chocolate hazelnut brittle>

BONSUES: It's pricey but restaurant.com can at least save you $23 if you get a $25 certif. for $2 on sale. Plus Sue Palmer (of SP and her Red Hot Orchestra) happened to be one of the patrons in the bar, and the band made her and her trombone player get up and do a song. Had to get out of my seat and go watch them - that was some red hot jazz right there!

DOWNSIDE: Felt totally overstuffed after, not like at Jai. Food sat in my stomach a bit all night. The Sweetie didn't have this problem....But the experience was an absolute 9.5 out of 10 - just perfect for a special birthday out, and a whole lot better than other places.

Yeah - this time my research paid off and the place was better than expected!!!!

Next on our list....Bite....stay tuned, dear readers!

Sher E Punjab again (Mira Mesa)

Couldn't help but return there and bypass Opera and Sitar and Kabul West....It's delicious and fast. Today they had black-eyed peas and saag on the line - both scrupmtious. Plus something called Dahi Vada, one of those delicious yogurt/chutney covered donut/fritter type bowls that you get in Sunnyvale places. All in all, delicious and healthy and fast - perfect for my having only 10 min. to eat on a special day!

Blanca (Solana Beach)

So this is not a new visit, but since Mr. Manvite wants to know what I think of Blanca let me post quickly.

Jason Neroni: genius (though a testy one, according to news articles). LOVED his food. The chestnut agnolotti were little pillows of heaven.

Service: Ill-informed and inefficient. Slow. On top of this, they lecture you about the chef (after asking already if you know about him)...that's the most time they spend at your table. WOULD NOT GO AND EAT IN THAT DINING ROOM AGAIN. Naomi Wise had a better experience with her server (rvwd in Reader a few weeks ago).

Recommendation: Before he leaves town (and if other people are getting service like we did, how can they be successful?), HIGHTAIL IT OVER TO HAPPY HOUR. That way you can eat his delicious food and not have to deal with the servers - presumably the bartender will be too busy to lecture you, and you'll be in a prime position to get alcohol while you're waiting for food (my wine did not arrive until after my appetizer at a table).

More food buzz!

Ok, copying this over from SDfoodbuzz: "Caught up via email to former Blanca executive chef, Wade Hageman who will soon (June/July) open his own place, Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizza in Encinitas. Bet there will be lines for the 35 seats and the local, organic, farm to table ingredients that Hageman will make into mozzarella, sausage and pizza to be cooked in a wood-fire oven. His spot in the Lumberyard Shopping Center is just a few doors away from The 3rd Corner that dispenses retail wines as well as bistro food."

Can't wait to try this place - LOVE Wade Hageman!!!!

And for the record am also waiting for Carl Schroeder's new place in Banker's Hill, which is supposed to open in April (and is on my "to try" list).

Feeling food forward!

Annapurna, which you first heard about here (it's what got me to start the blog!) has now hit the food press....great review in City Beat this week.

Also according to Citybeat, Waters Cafe (which I still need to give a formal shout-out too - we love it!) has a new cafe opening in UTC on Campus Point Drive - will be a prime pre-toddler-pickup lunch spot for moms (well, office workers in the neighborhood too).

Jorge's (Encinitas)

Really need a nap but wanted to post about a bonus meal out! Toddler birthday party season usually means weekend lunch after weekend lunch of Domino's pizza. But today, through a fortuitous chain of events, snuck out of a bday party (lovely party but only had hot dogs, which Boy does not eat) and got to bring back takeout from Jorge's. Used to eat there all the time when I lived in the 'hood. Should go there more often.

Jorge's has THE best veggie burritos - they really are scrumptious.
Boy's quesadilla was yummy too.
Mom-and-Pop shop, unpretentious, healthy....We must all go back soon to eat in!

Solana Beach Fish House (SB)

Yo, NYUGirl, this one's for you! (and you too, my other dear readers, but this is more in NYUGirl's neck of the woods).

Toddler and I successfully broke free from going to Coco's for our night out - woo-hoo! In honor of you all, we tried a new place ....Solana Beach Fish House (the Dad is at the NCAAs, so no prob that it's not his kind of place!). Verdict: yummy! Not a must-do, but definitely a nice option to have in SB, esp. so close to the beach and the Fletcher Cove playground.

It's right across from the train station on the north side of Lomas Santa Fe - little unpretentious place on the 2nd floor of a strip mall. Relatively inexpensive, super-fresh fish - grilled or fried into sandwiches, platters, tacos or salads. Coupon in get1free.com and other flyers that come to the house. Beer! (though I didn't let myself have any).

Mom had: grilled seabass sandwich (exceptionally fresh and delicious), with french fries for Boy, plus sides of salad (meh), black beans (delish) and veggies (carrots and zucchini sauteed in garlic: respectable). Grandma had: grilled salmon salad (salmon: 10, salad, 4). Boy enjoyed hot fresh dinner roll, salad, and french fries, but wasn't all that into his fish taco (is very picky about when he likes or doesn't like fish). Off-menu, turns out you can order grilled cheese or a quesadilla.

Ambiance: Boy did not like the restaurant inside - wanted out. However, there are tables on the sidewalk (with a view of parking lot, Lomas Santa Fe, and out toward ocean - may not sound scenic for you or I, but kept Boy very interested - he watched neighborhood kids on scooters, people coming in and out of restaurant, trucks delivering food [fresh fish even on a Sat. night], etc. etc. And when he wanted to get up - well, we were already outside! Staying power in his seat in this environment: a 7, definitely better than many alternatives.

Definitely worth at least one visit!

No new yummies around here!/Star of India (Del Mar)

Sorry, dear readers, the last week has been kind of bleak on the culinary front. Lots of work, bagging lunch....Will do some kind of toddler adventure tonight (but may just be good ol' Coco's and its brown bread!).

The only place I ate out this last week was Star of India (Del Mar), which really pales in comparison to all the Indian places in Sorrento Vlly and Mira Mesa - but has the advantage of being along my frequent routes, so I end up there once a month or so. It's too expensive for what it is - and the tablecloths are too fancy to go with Boy (who used to like Indian food and now finds it too spicy) - but it's certainly better than places like the terrible food I had in Clairemont. I'm a sucker for Indian food - esp. when I can get in and out in about 15 min. with a healthy meal while I'm doing other errands.

Meanwhile, am planning to hit two restaurants from my "looking forward to list" this week(babysitter!!).... Stay tuned!

Bety's Taco Shop (Encinitas) + More on Dumpling Inn

So we decided to branch out tonight, in honor of our dear readers. We hit Bety's in Encinitas after reading raves on Yelp. Alas, not every new place can be a total success!

The good news: very pleasant atmosphere (you forget you're in a strip mall on Encinitas Blvd.), very nice staff, relatively quick service for a waiter service joint. Boy loved the music. AND HE STAYED PUT THE ENTIRE MEAL. I'm talking he did not get up once. (Plus he said please and thank you all night (when prompted of course, but still) and was sweet and not remotely aggravating. Who took my toddler and replaced him with someone else???). A big menu meant I could get something different than a veggie burrito - got garlic fish, which was pretty tasty. Liked the salsa.

The bad: The Dad did not like his chicken mole at all - thought the chicken and the mole was gross. Boy not that into his quesadilla (I tasted it - it was average) - didn't like his jamaica that much either. The guac was fresh and tasty, but that's not a meal. The rest of our food was fine, but certainly did not live up to the raves on Yelp (maybe we're spoiled by the great Mexican food we've been having in central SD this year).

So we won't be going back, I guess. But I have to say it was a lovely evening, what with not having to struggle with Boy and getting to eat a whole meal calmly the three of us. I dare not hope that this is a trend....

Oh - and I'm so glad NYUGirl and family tried Dumpling Inn and liked it! I don't think I mentioned that the line is super-long - another good reason for getting takeout. I forgot to mention for the vegs that they are super veg-friendly and will do water/veggie broth for all of their soups too. Love Dumpling Inn!

Jai is only hibernating, not closing! (La Jolla)

The happy news: it is not closing for good!!!! Jai is struggling so for the next three months they are closing the restaurant and only doing private parties or catering. They will reopen when the theater season starts in the summer, and be open on performance nights only.

The sad news: they're gone for three months! I am reminded of how sad this is by last night's yummy dinner (sans toddler of course - he'd be standing on tables trying to reach those globesque light fixtures). JAI IS OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN SAN DIEGO. I put that in caps because I mean it. We like it better than all the other tops: Tapenade, Nine-Ten, Blanca, A. R. Valentien, etc etc., not to mention Cafe Chloe and all the more modestly priced yummies. And while I haven't been to Market in a while (I love it, the Dad doesn't), I'll say I think I like Chef Yoshinori Kojima even better than my beloved Carl Schroeder - even though Chef K gets no respect or name recognition because Wolfgang Puck's name is all over the restaurant.

Ok - why do we like Jai so much? a) Unpretentious atmosphere - classy without being stuffy. But more important b) THE FOOD, THE FOOD, THE FOOD, THE FOOD. Chef Kojima is some kind of genius. Every single flavor I have had out of his kitchen makes me want to clean the plate (honestly, there are no morcels left). The Dad loves it too - how rare is that??? Usually, I love a place and he thinks it's ok (we all know his faves: he could dine at Bongiorno's and Wahoos all week long). But we both LOVE LOVE LOVE Jai....

Last night I had:
--miso sesame cone ahi: I know, I really should have tried something new. There was a new butternut squash soup and a beet salad on the menu. (both sound boring but in Chef K's hands would have been a revelation, I am sure). In his hands, tomato soup and heirloom tomato salad, two favorites of last summer season were absolutely spectacular - nothing like the same dishes at other places.....And yet with Jai closing for 3 mos., how could I not get the little ice cream-cone style tuna tartare??? And of course it was scrumptious and when it came I was thrilled that I had not deprived myself of this yumminess by ordering something else.

--miso butterfish. It's their signature dish. I ate every last morcel of their brown rice (which tastes nothing like bland brown rice), plus the bok choy (which tastes nothing like boring bok choy), not to mention the yumminesss of the butterfish - and then there was an amazing sauce on the side I had almost forgotten about....ate every last morcel.

--Dessert: Here I lived on the edge. Was going to get the warm truffle cake (theirs is such a fine representation). But I decided to get the "warm fruit crumble." (what the hell)? OHMIGOD....At first glance it appeared to be a sea of jam with three little 1-inch diameter beignets and a bit of ice cream on the side. ("This is my whole crumble", she thinks?). And yet....my first taste of jam was delicious....and then HOLY ^&&^(()&^^% those little beignet things, as tiny as they were were just about the best ^&*()()(&* thing I ever ate. Definitely one of my favorite desserts of all time (I don't mean only at Jai).

In sum....Jai has incredibly delicious food, and on top of this they go very very light on carbs. And so we end up having 3 courses and being perfectly sated - full but not overstuffed or overheavy. The desserts are the perfect size - you didn't overeat but you got something really yummy.

HAVE I MENTIONED THAT WE LOVE JAI??

Only negatives: wines by the glass cost way too much. (Really? 12.50 as one of the cheapest??). And my cocktails have been not very exciting lately (loved the basil gimlet martini the first visit, and it has been more boring since).

And yet....did I even mention that you can use restaurant.com gift certificates there? So it ends up being Restaurant Week type prices all year....

And so, my friends, please do mark it on your calendars to try it when it reopens in summer. I hate to build it up so much that you'll be like "oh, it didn't live up to Foodgirl's hype"....But I CAN'T HELP THAT I LOVE IT AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING TODAY BUT SING ITS PRAISES!!!!

MAY IT COME BACK STRONGER IN SUMMER!!!

PS: I should have included info on The Dad's dishes (but of course, I was exulting only about what I ate. He had the veggie spring roll, which I tasted: much much better than your avg. spring roll, but it's still a spring roll, so that was only good, not amazing. Then he had the lamb, which he loved. Then he had the warm truffle cake, which he always gets and which is delicious....(he didn't let me share it this time, but I didn't want a taste anyway since I was dying over my jam and beignets!). Yummy for the carnivores and the piscivores!

Sitar (Mira Mesa)

I love having errands or appts. in Mira Mesa near lunchtime: a great excuse to hit the Scranton food court, one of the happiest corners in all of San Diego for a foodie. Tons of options there (and across the street in the backup food court)....but somehow I end up at Sitar a good 80% of the time.

Usually the palak paneer is my fave: it's a good indicator of how an Indian restaurant is, and Sitar's is perfect, flavorful, fresh. But I'm getting a little over it! So today I got their baingan bharta - again, compared to run-of-the-mill Indian restaurants it's a zillion times better. Add their earthy dal, a nice fresh roti, and some perfectly fine raita....and you've got one yummy, fast and healthy lunch for a working mom on the run!

Oh - and for those of you whose spouses will eat Indian food: on the weekends, they are open and take over most of the food court and have an all-you-can-eat buffet. Perfect for the whole family!

Naomi hits Blanca (Solana Beach)

I think I prompted her to go... :)

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2010/mar/10/restaurant-review-disneyland-ducasse/

Evidently she liked the food just as much as I did (she rated it "near extraordinary"), but she had much better service. Hopefully people get the ebullient French waiter she had, not the dodo brain who made it unlikely we would return, however awesome Chef Neroni's cooking is!

I guess she couldn't resist checking out his cooking before he flees town. :)

Avenue 5 (Banker's Hill)

It's been a few weeks since I was last there, but since I was just singing its praises to a friend (hi!), I wanted to make sure I honored it here. Avenue 5 rocks! It does not have the buzz and glitz and glamour of some other places downtown or even in the neighborhood, but Colin MacLaggan, the chef, is a god in my personal pantheon. The food can't be called cutting-edge, but it is solid and extraordinarily delicious California-French food. Plus it's an excellent value, esp. if you go to happy hour instead of sitting in the dining room. Some of my favorite dishes are the mushroom tortellini (grapes, grilled corn, madeira broth), *any* of the salads (the grilled caesar and red bliss salad are both outrageously good), and the smoked trout. Very nice atmosphere too (again, I prefer the bar area to the dining room). Great for a fun date night that does not break the bank but is still absolutely delicious! Plus the service is always super friendly for such an elegant atmosphere, with no attitude.

(That is, it is exactly the inverse of what we experienced at the too-trendy-for-its-own-good joint down the hill, Starlite, where the host was so rude we did not stay, despite my being very excited to go, what with all the Michael Stebner alums working there....).

Avenue 5 forever!

Upcoming birthday dinner: Grant Grill?

For my friends reading, I am pretty sure I have decided on Grant Grill for my upcoming birthday dinner (hoorah for the babysitter!). (a) haven't been there; (b) menu looks delicious; (c) atmosphere looks lovely and suited to a "special occasion"; (d) service is supposed to be very correct and professional (shoutout to Blanca: take a note!). I am hoping it is disappointment proof - the last few years I have had unpleasing experiences at George's California Modern (fool me once, shame on you....); Roseville (food not bad, but really nondescript room); and some other places I can't even remember. Bertrand at Mr. A's was fun and I do like their food but the menu seems so boring that I'd rather try somewhere else.

Was thinking about El Bizcocho but it seems too risky - mixed reviews on line, plus the chef whom Naomi reviewed last year is already gone. May try a different day....(they do have 3 courses of molecular gastronomy for $45, but if they're bad courses and it's my birthday, and it is a stodgy golf-course-style room, then I'll be grumpy!).

If you have Grant Grill experience, please share!

Coco's (La Jolla/Encinitas)

Far be it from me to *recommend* this place as a general foodie destination! It's Coco's after all. But since my toddler LOVES this restaurant (in imaginative play, he drives his car to Coco's and returns with brown bread), let me focus on the positives.

--It's a sit down meal.
--It doesn't involve pizza.
--You can do low-carb, low-calorie, whatever you need.
--There are some decent dishes on the menu.
--It doesn't matter if the toddler doesn't stay put. In La Jolla, there is a whole back seating area that is (almost?) always empty where a boy can run in circles for as long as he would like until his food comes, without disturbing anyone.
--Both locations are full of elderly people whose faces light up with grandparently delight when they see a friendly toddler running past (or at least they seem to when mine does). So (mostly) no guilt about Little Mr. Running Man.

My personal favorites on the menu (again, my food expectations are always low, and then I am pleasantly surprised by how not-bad it is).
--Veggie burger: very respectable, the bakery bun is quite delicious, can be customized
--Baked scrod (from the retiree menu) with steamed vegetables and sweet potato fries: actually quite yummy most days.

Then also have some grilled chicken dishes with grilled asparagus and bruschetta-style sauce.

The toddler has multiple choices for dinner, the usual kind of kiddie fare (pancakes, grilled cheese, spaghetti, hamburger or veggie burger). Plus of course....brown bread!

So on nights out to reward good toddler behavior, Coco's it is!

El Zarape (University Heights)

Oh, El Zarape....Why did you have to go and be so confounding????

The hype: best taco shop in San Diego (see yelpers).

The promise: fast, fresh Mexican food....right near Balboa Park. Tons of veggie and meat options. In and out after a museum or zoo morning!

The reality:
--The toddler: loved it. Sat still! (shocking). Loved the horchata. Scarfed up his quesadilla (it was indeed pretty delicious). Was happy. Did I mention that he DID NOT RUN AROUND?! Not overstimulating like Roberto's Del Mar or Lucha Libre on Washington St. (never again....).

--The Mom: Had the classic fish taco - just ok (true, it's 99c, but what's the hype?). Horchata: pretty good. OHMIGOD - now I taste the salmon taco. Absolutely unbelievable. All right, the Mom thinks!!!! I'll definitely come here again!!! (the refried black beans, unimpressive at first, start to taste insanely earthy and delicious when sooned onto toddler's quesadilla)....SETTLED TODDLER, HAPPY MOM!!!!

But wait...

--The Dad: Usually easy to please, reports that his carne asada plate is "ok", then modifies it with "ok to bad." His food has no flavor, he says. No interest in returning.

So that takes care of El Zarape for us! The Dad usually goes along for the ride, but when he really dislikes a place that much, we aren't going back. Reader, it may work for you if you order differently....

Back to Sicilian Thing on Park days...or to Mama Testa's (which we loved last year but which The Toddler was rather hyper in - we'll try again).

Another One Bites the Dust! Venice (UTC)

RIP Venice (UTC)....You were a very delicious restaurant - *real* food from Italy, not Italian-American in any of its varieties. But I can't say I am surprised! Your cavernous space was empty every time we went....and on OpenTable I recall someone reporting witnessing a full-out brawl in the open kitchen. Thanks for the two great meals we had there - and so long!

Skip It: Bombay Express (Clairemont)

It's not even worth my time to post on this place...but lest you think, dear reader (if a reader I have!), that I think *everything* is really delicious, I'm including this to make one thing clear. I generally am posting about my regular faves (which I already know are yummy or I wouldn't bother with them) or I've done a fair amount of research before I bother to try a new place, which gives it a good chance of being yummy. (Annapurna was a happy surprise).

Here, however, is the kind of place I generally avoid. Bombay Express's advantage: next to the Clairemont movie theater. However, it's really scandalous to serve mediocre Indian food in a town where you can get scrumptious food within a few miles. Nan was ok - palak paneer totally bland and icky.

Another reminder why the Indian engineers of Sorrento Valley make this such a great town for Indian food....the places near their places of employment are terrific - this place is a waste of space! (they were very friendly, though, presumably from welcoming non-Indian moviegoing clientele with little Indian food experience).

It would be a reminder to stay away from food court Indian (UTC's Indian place is equally scandalous) except that some of the best Indian places in the county are also in food courts: Sitar, Sher e Punjab and KC's Tandoor in Encinitas (*that* is an excellent choice, esp. since it's fast, fresh and right next to the car wash! errands and yummy food....).

Bongiorno's (Miramar)

Being a working mom means I'm exhausted and starved for minutes, but I would be remiss if I posted nothing about Bongiorno's Miramar. I'd say it is THE BEST NY Pizza in SD, but I can't leave it at that anymore since SD has the best NY pizza culture in all of Ca. Bronx is fine, Bongiorno's in Solana Beach is certainly still respectable, but the Bongiornos sold it so they're just chugging away with the old recipes. Bongiorno's Miramar is absolute tops, especially when Mike is there (but I can't be mad when Tracy's there b/c he makes awesome pies and is super-friendly). Lots of great pictures on the wall, toddler-friendly service, adult-friendly pies (I love the spinach-ricotta pie and the artichoke and tomato sauce pie the best, but the cheese is scrumptious too, though sometimes variable).



But I still have to give an asterisk to my designating it THE BEST NY Pizza in SD. (and not for Luigi's, which I tried once - the white California-style pie was fine; the cheese slice was vile - maybe they were having a bad day or maybe don't believe the hype?). Anyway, Sicilian Thing in North Park is *just as yummy* - totally different but also scrumptious. Their sicilian pies are awesome (by the slice, tons of varieties available) but they also have awesome round pies (the Barack-oli ricotta is yummy, and the eggplant pie in the summer). But Paul the owner/pizzamaker is from Philly, so we can still give Bongiorno's credit for the best NY Pizza; give Paul the credit for best Sicilian and best "Philly pizza" and thus prevent ourselves from having to choose sides!! Sicilian Thing is right on the bus route which makes for great city bus watching out the window!

Jai is closing?! (La Jolla)

Oh no, one of my favorites is about to close! Jai is not taking reservations after Sat. night 3/13. Say it ain't so!!!! There are an overabundance of mediocre overpriced restaurants - I guess location did Jai in - it's scrumptious!

Sher E Punjab (Sorrento Valley)

Mira Mesa Blvd. and Scranton - one of the city's best-kept secrets - more deliciousness on one block than nearly anywhere else in the city. Options, options....but today I went to Sher E Punjab. Yes, Sitar across the street (in the best food court ever...) has the line and the bigger reputation - and of course I like it too. But Sher E Punjab has a style all its own - plus it can be much faster since at lunchtime they have a small buffet you can order from (not all-you-can-eat but very generous portions). Had Karahi Bangan, a dish I don't think I've had before, some very respectable dal, and some very delicous fresh crispy nan.

On the weekends they have an all-you-can eat buffet. (And if you're going with spouses/kids who don't eat Indian food, they can order from any of the other places there and you can all eat together outside).

Parking is totally hairy if you go 12-1.

But for a quick delicious in-and-out in the midst of work and errands, Sher E Punjab will always be one of my faves!