Was very psyched to try Station Tavern. Artisan burgers! Beer! Sandbox for the kids! Thought it was the most brilliant concept ever...was practically ready to invest in it. Had a playdate with MuseumGirl and her clan tonight...thought we would drink and the kids would play. Would be the best place ever!
RESULT: Meh.....
Service: Friendly but overwhelmed, so not very efficient. Did a lot of service ourselves (got our own napkins, changed out our own ketchup bottles, etc etc).
Atmosphere: Tons of pebbles everywhere. I suppose this is fun for the kids but TruckBoy didn't really want to go in the designated "sandbox" and instead wanted to dig/throw rocks near the table. He was a little overwhelmed by all the kids and was being clingy instead. I left covered with dust. Plus it was unexpectedly freezing on the patio and we needed to send ABW to an overpriced organic cotton shop to buy us sweatshirts.
Oh and the Food? It was ok, but nothing cravable. Liked the chickpea veggie burger. Sweet potato fries: ok. Tater tots: ok. Salad: ok. Beers were tasty.
No need to go again...oh well!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
El Callejon (Encinitas)
El Callejon is very yummy! But we never remember/manage to get there (or else we do think of it, and they have non-toddler-friendly waits). Tonight we called: no wait. Super-yummy dinner. TruckBoy stayed in his seat (some new cars helped, as did the train whistle next door, plus the wandering musicians - "why don't they sing to ME?" he asked).
The atmosphere is so beautiful: under the stars, lush, so much more special than the other places around. Lots of kids also for Boy to look at. Full bar, and tons of delicious choices (a real restaurant, not just a simple taco joint). But prices are very reasonable for the quality.
We got:
--Foodgirl: Make-your-own snapper tacos: grilled snapper in a delectable tomato-onion-herb stewed sauce, with delicious black beans and rice
--TruckBoy: Good guac; very fresh warm tortilla chips; excellent quesadilla (really good cheese, lots of butter, perfectly cooked)
--ABW: Puntas de pollo: yummy-looking chicken dish
Wasn't wild about our salads. Jamaica was good too (but I wish I had gotten a margarita!).
Most significantly, ABW (the understated eater formerly known as "the Dad") gave his highest praise yet since I started this blog. "Was your food scrumptious too?" I asked. He nodded, "It's good. I like this place. That's why I suggested coming here." (That's the equivalent of a regular person gushing about what they ate...."Good" is very high praise from him, much better than "fine" (which means we can come here again) or "ok" (which means I'd prefer not to come here again).
We just have to remember to go back!
The atmosphere is so beautiful: under the stars, lush, so much more special than the other places around. Lots of kids also for Boy to look at. Full bar, and tons of delicious choices (a real restaurant, not just a simple taco joint). But prices are very reasonable for the quality.
We got:
--Foodgirl: Make-your-own snapper tacos: grilled snapper in a delectable tomato-onion-herb stewed sauce, with delicious black beans and rice
--TruckBoy: Good guac; very fresh warm tortilla chips; excellent quesadilla (really good cheese, lots of butter, perfectly cooked)
--ABW: Puntas de pollo: yummy-looking chicken dish
Wasn't wild about our salads. Jamaica was good too (but I wish I had gotten a margarita!).
Most significantly, ABW (the understated eater formerly known as "the Dad") gave his highest praise yet since I started this blog. "Was your food scrumptious too?" I asked. He nodded, "It's good. I like this place. That's why I suggested coming here." (That's the equivalent of a regular person gushing about what they ate...."Good" is very high praise from him, much better than "fine" (which means we can come here again) or "ok" (which means I'd prefer not to come here again).
We just have to remember to go back!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Vacation post + new nicknames (aka Where is the Real Italian-American Cooking in San Diego?)
Ok, first order of business: NYUGirl says Boy and the Dad need better nicknames. I think she's right! So let's try:
TruckBoy for Boy
and
Accounting Boy Wonder (ABW) for the Dad [am trying to be romantic and reclaim some of the nicknames of our younger, pre-TruckBoy years]
Ok, now back to our regularly scheduled food writing! We are on vacation on the East Coast, and eating our hearts' content's worth of pizza, diner food, and deli. We will need new clothes when we get back. TruckBoy has been mostly very good in restaurants (diners often have great truck views onto highways) and we have enjoyed ourselves.
However, our experiences have given rise to an important question: WHERE IS THE GOOD ITALIAN-AMERICAN FOOD IN SAN DIEGO? I'm not talking bad Americanized Italian food (a la Olive Garden or Old Spaghetti Factory). I mean serious 2nd generation Italian-American cooking. We can go into any number of modest family-friendly restaurants here where they knock our socks off with delicately flavored sauces (just the right amount of basil and the ripest tomatoes), fresh handmade mozzarella, homemade pasta, great bread, etc. San Diego has either "regional" Tuscan-style Italian (Piatti's); fake fancy places like the Gaslamp Italian places; or places in Little Italy that just plain are not that good. The only places I can think of that even come close: Solunto's bakery in Little Italy has some homestyle favorites that are at least somewhat inspired (grandma-style square pizza, serious cookies); and of course Bongiorno's. Even though that's "just" pizza, Mike Bongiorno is turning out serious flavors on his pies (especially when he's there baking them himself). But as ABW asked, "Where are all the Italian cooks in San Diego?" Did they move West and forget how to cook? Did they need to dumb their flavors down for San Diego audiences (who either expected refined/expensive/fancy food or cheap/bad/"family" food like at Papachino's)? Or are there just not enough Italian-American patrons to keep them honest, by not even bothering to show up if the food isn't better than they can make at home?
I don't know, but I'm hoping I'm wrong. East-Coast-raised readers: is there a place we don't know about? Do tell!
TruckBoy for Boy
and
Accounting Boy Wonder (ABW) for the Dad [am trying to be romantic and reclaim some of the nicknames of our younger, pre-TruckBoy years]
Ok, now back to our regularly scheduled food writing! We are on vacation on the East Coast, and eating our hearts' content's worth of pizza, diner food, and deli. We will need new clothes when we get back. TruckBoy has been mostly very good in restaurants (diners often have great truck views onto highways) and we have enjoyed ourselves.
However, our experiences have given rise to an important question: WHERE IS THE GOOD ITALIAN-AMERICAN FOOD IN SAN DIEGO? I'm not talking bad Americanized Italian food (a la Olive Garden or Old Spaghetti Factory). I mean serious 2nd generation Italian-American cooking. We can go into any number of modest family-friendly restaurants here where they knock our socks off with delicately flavored sauces (just the right amount of basil and the ripest tomatoes), fresh handmade mozzarella, homemade pasta, great bread, etc. San Diego has either "regional" Tuscan-style Italian (Piatti's); fake fancy places like the Gaslamp Italian places; or places in Little Italy that just plain are not that good. The only places I can think of that even come close: Solunto's bakery in Little Italy has some homestyle favorites that are at least somewhat inspired (grandma-style square pizza, serious cookies); and of course Bongiorno's. Even though that's "just" pizza, Mike Bongiorno is turning out serious flavors on his pies (especially when he's there baking them himself). But as ABW asked, "Where are all the Italian cooks in San Diego?" Did they move West and forget how to cook? Did they need to dumb their flavors down for San Diego audiences (who either expected refined/expensive/fancy food or cheap/bad/"family" food like at Papachino's)? Or are there just not enough Italian-American patrons to keep them honest, by not even bothering to show up if the food isn't better than they can make at home?
I don't know, but I'm hoping I'm wrong. East-Coast-raised readers: is there a place we don't know about? Do tell!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
El Nopalito (Encinitas)
Yum! Happy to move something from the "want to try" column to a report. Definitely recommended!
Right off the 5 at Santa Fe. We were the only non-Mexicans when we arrived and I was the only woman - lots of men happily eating their yummy food and watching soccer on TV. Delicious salsa bar (roasted salsa, chipotle, avocado, fresh tomato, tomatillo, etc.). Boy got a quesadilla (he said it was too spicy, but I think he just wasn't hungry). The Dad got a chicken taco, which he said was "fine." Both of them happily munched on their chips. I got a veggie burrito which was super yummy and flavorful, esp. when I mixed and matched the salsas on top. The tortilla it was wrapped in was delicious and perfectly grilled. We also got a plate of guac and chips. The guac was yummy (though yelpers report that it is "cut with sour cream").
The decor is simple but nice. There are pretty murals on the wall which kept Boy enterained ("whose house is that? whose car is that?" "what's on top of the hills?").
They are also known for lots of specialty foods that I wouldn't eat (menudo, pozole, goat stew) but you, dear readers, might enjoy.
El Nopalito is also a tortilla factory and they sell their famous salsas in their grocery store and elsewhere. I definitely want to go back!
Right off the 5 at Santa Fe. We were the only non-Mexicans when we arrived and I was the only woman - lots of men happily eating their yummy food and watching soccer on TV. Delicious salsa bar (roasted salsa, chipotle, avocado, fresh tomato, tomatillo, etc.). Boy got a quesadilla (he said it was too spicy, but I think he just wasn't hungry). The Dad got a chicken taco, which he said was "fine." Both of them happily munched on their chips. I got a veggie burrito which was super yummy and flavorful, esp. when I mixed and matched the salsas on top. The tortilla it was wrapped in was delicious and perfectly grilled. We also got a plate of guac and chips. The guac was yummy (though yelpers report that it is "cut with sour cream").
The decor is simple but nice. There are pretty murals on the wall which kept Boy enterained ("whose house is that? whose car is that?" "what's on top of the hills?").
They are also known for lots of specialty foods that I wouldn't eat (menudo, pozole, goat stew) but you, dear readers, might enjoy.
El Nopalito is also a tortilla factory and they sell their famous salsas in their grocery store and elsewhere. I definitely want to go back!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Farewell, Jason Neroni! (Blanca, SB)
Well, I can't say I couldn't see that coming. Accdg to today's U-T, Jason Neroni is heading back to NY after 7 mos. Blanca, the restaurant, the room, the staff, was truly not worthy of Chef Neroni, who lived up to his culinary god hype. LOVED my meal there but wouldn't have gone back, as the service was really bad and the dining experience (other than the actual eating) was not very pleasant. Thanks for the delectable food, Chef Jason - good luck with the childcare back in New York! (he moved out here for in-law baby help)
Two wonderful chefs have cooked there and are now gone. Wade Hagemann, can't wait to try out your new digs in Encinitas when it opens! (Artisan Pizza, as announced on foodbuzzsd....)
Two wonderful chefs have cooked there and are now gone. Wade Hagemann, can't wait to try out your new digs in Encinitas when it opens! (Artisan Pizza, as announced on foodbuzzsd....)
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Alchemy, Baby! (without a baby) (South Park)
A toddler-free evening, so a regular rest. review!
For the last 1.5 I have been trying to eat my way through all the new and interesting places in the city with what little free time I have. Because of this, even when I hit an uber-yummy place that I'm determined to return to (like Urban Solace and El Comal), I haven't made it back....there are still too many supposedly yummy places to check out.
As you'll see over on the right, I still have an active places I'd like to go. Bencotto sounds especially promising (if the Yelpers don't let me down).
And yet, there I was back at Alchemy tonight...just because the last time I went it was so extraordinarily yummy that I was determined to return, even though it's not in my 'hood.
And oh my, how I love Alchemy!! I won't declare it SD's 2nd best restaurant (though it did win best restaurant of 2008 in SD Mag.), but I am now happy to declare it MY 2nd favorite restaurant (still keeping Jai at the top). What's so great about Alchemy:
--kickass mixologist/wine list: my vanilla-citrus temperanillo sangria was awesome - the wine I had last time I went was yummy and reasonable
--chill but hip atmosphere: not remotely stuffy, very comfy - Sabragirl, who came along on date night and knows something about design, thought it was simple but beautiful and wants to come back
--servers are super-friendly and efficient - kitchen bangs out food really quickly (perfect for getting to a movie or show after)
--and oh....have I mentioned the food? First time I went I had the awesome ceviche with plantain chips. That alone would have drawn me back. Don't remember what else I had but it was deliriously yummy. Tonight I went all veg. We had:
--humus/tapenade/pita chips (very respectable tapenade, perfectly ok humus);
--strange and wonderful beet salad (horseradish-buttermilk dressing, some bitter greens and yellow molten sheep's milk cheese, pecans): I can't say I ate every morsel like at Jai, because it really was unusual flavor combinations, but I'm liking the genius that put it together and it was still yummy
--grilled broccolini with two sauces (loved their grilled veggies last time)
--half chicken with yummy-looking white carrots and delicious hollowed purple potato mash (I ate the purple potatos - as for the rest, my Sweetie pronounced the dish "good", which was high praise from him - he refused to give me more information for the blog because he wanted me to move on from gushing about dinner :))
--farmer's market salad: visually stunning; my Sweetie liked this too (also "good"); Sabragirl and I tasted the lemony white radishes and thought they were super-yum
--local sea bass with fennel: Sabragirl was raving about the fennel
--and last but not least spinach tortellini with carrot and mascarpone filling and pea reduction, with pea shoots and crispy carrot strings: ridiculously good - the pea shoots were the only part I wasn't crazy about because they were either not perfectly fresh or not perfectly edible!
What is especially exciting about Alchemy is that the food is as innovative and exciting as at places that are much more expensive and special occasion. Sometimes I want to go to a place like Grant Grill and spend $$ to feel it's a "special night out". But sometimes I just want a kick ass meal that's reasonable. Oh, Alchemy....Alchemy, Alchemy, Alchemy!!
And Alchemy has so many choices for a meat eater like the Dad or a pesco-veg like me. Bencotto and some others will still need to wait - I see more trips to Alchemy in my future to keep working through the menu!
(And have I used the word yummy a gazillion times in this review? Toddler momhood doesn't afford me the leisure to do too much editing/word refining, but that should give you the picture of how much I love this place!)
For the last 1.5 I have been trying to eat my way through all the new and interesting places in the city with what little free time I have. Because of this, even when I hit an uber-yummy place that I'm determined to return to (like Urban Solace and El Comal), I haven't made it back....there are still too many supposedly yummy places to check out.
As you'll see over on the right, I still have an active places I'd like to go. Bencotto sounds especially promising (if the Yelpers don't let me down).
And yet, there I was back at Alchemy tonight...just because the last time I went it was so extraordinarily yummy that I was determined to return, even though it's not in my 'hood.
And oh my, how I love Alchemy!! I won't declare it SD's 2nd best restaurant (though it did win best restaurant of 2008 in SD Mag.), but I am now happy to declare it MY 2nd favorite restaurant (still keeping Jai at the top). What's so great about Alchemy:
--kickass mixologist/wine list: my vanilla-citrus temperanillo sangria was awesome - the wine I had last time I went was yummy and reasonable
--chill but hip atmosphere: not remotely stuffy, very comfy - Sabragirl, who came along on date night and knows something about design, thought it was simple but beautiful and wants to come back
--servers are super-friendly and efficient - kitchen bangs out food really quickly (perfect for getting to a movie or show after)
--and oh....have I mentioned the food? First time I went I had the awesome ceviche with plantain chips. That alone would have drawn me back. Don't remember what else I had but it was deliriously yummy. Tonight I went all veg. We had:
--humus/tapenade/pita chips (very respectable tapenade, perfectly ok humus);
--strange and wonderful beet salad (horseradish-buttermilk dressing, some bitter greens and yellow molten sheep's milk cheese, pecans): I can't say I ate every morsel like at Jai, because it really was unusual flavor combinations, but I'm liking the genius that put it together and it was still yummy
--grilled broccolini with two sauces (loved their grilled veggies last time)
--half chicken with yummy-looking white carrots and delicious hollowed purple potato mash (I ate the purple potatos - as for the rest, my Sweetie pronounced the dish "good", which was high praise from him - he refused to give me more information for the blog because he wanted me to move on from gushing about dinner :))
--farmer's market salad: visually stunning; my Sweetie liked this too (also "good"); Sabragirl and I tasted the lemony white radishes and thought they were super-yum
--local sea bass with fennel: Sabragirl was raving about the fennel
--and last but not least spinach tortellini with carrot and mascarpone filling and pea reduction, with pea shoots and crispy carrot strings: ridiculously good - the pea shoots were the only part I wasn't crazy about because they were either not perfectly fresh or not perfectly edible!
What is especially exciting about Alchemy is that the food is as innovative and exciting as at places that are much more expensive and special occasion. Sometimes I want to go to a place like Grant Grill and spend $$ to feel it's a "special night out". But sometimes I just want a kick ass meal that's reasonable. Oh, Alchemy....Alchemy, Alchemy, Alchemy!!
And Alchemy has so many choices for a meat eater like the Dad or a pesco-veg like me. Bencotto and some others will still need to wait - I see more trips to Alchemy in my future to keep working through the menu!
(And have I used the word yummy a gazillion times in this review? Toddler momhood doesn't afford me the leisure to do too much editing/word refining, but that should give you the picture of how much I love this place!)
Monday, May 3, 2010
Darn Currant! (Downtown)
Ok, Currant is officially inconsistent. I had an awesome meal there recently - and sent some others who had a fabulous dinner. But now both Dr. T. and Museumgirl have had bad experiences there....Museumgirl reports: "Service was bad; food was mediocre, cocktails had to be sent back. Many different meals were ordered around the table. The only one that met with raves was the mussels. I had steak, which was tough, with frites, which were fine. But, come on, frites should not be fine, they shoud be outrageously delish." (hope she doesn't mind the verbatim quote!). So it is a roulette wheel there, I guess!
Foodgirl hates sending people to places that turn out to be disappointing! Shame on the kitchen staff there - making outrageously good things sometimes to get people's hopes up and then having bad service, food and drinks on other nights!!!
Foodgirl hates sending people to places that turn out to be disappointing! Shame on the kitchen staff there - making outrageously good things sometimes to get people's hopes up and then having bad service, food and drinks on other nights!!!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Regents Pizzeria Revisit (UTC)
Just a note to say that we revisited Regents Pizzeria today (thanks to NYUGirl for the rec. that keeps on giving). It still does not belong in the SD Pizza Pantheon with Bongiorno's MM and Sicilian Thing. But it's mighty mighty tasty, and certainly covnenient! Today I tried the Chicago pizza there for the first time. I'm not a Chicago expert like with NY pizza, but my "Popeye" (spinach, tomato ragout, artichoke and very good mozzarella) was super-delicious. The crust, which I didn't intend to eat all up, was buttery and delectable. Definitely not a run-of-the-mill place.
So Regents may enter the regular rotation, esp. since they're open on Sun. lunch, and super fast.
Also, Boy announced that their pizza was "yummy in my tummy" and when we left announced that the it "did not smell like poop in there." (Oh well, I guess East Vllg Asian Diner won't be in our regular rotation).
So Regents may enter the regular rotation, esp. since they're open on Sun. lunch, and super fast.
Also, Boy announced that their pizza was "yummy in my tummy" and when we left announced that the it "did not smell like poop in there." (Oh well, I guess East Vllg Asian Diner won't be in our regular rotation).
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Two winners! (from Island Divine)
Had a babysitter, went to a fun event today - the Junior League of La Jolla's Island Divine Santorini fundraiser at the Cove. Tons of restaurants and wineries and breweries. (Normally not my scene but got free tickets from a coworker).
Really fun event! Can't wait to go to another like this. It was like trying tons of restaurants in a short amount of time. Perfect for a cooped up mom!
My winners for the day:
--savory: The Fishery, Pacific Beach: absolutely divine seared ahi with micro-fennel, tangerine....If the Dad liked seafood, we would go in a second. Readers, try it and report back to me - I was so impressed with the chefs. (It was also the perfect dish for an event like this - easy to plate and to feed the forces; other places had temperature issues)
--dessert: 410 Degrees Cookies: THIS PLACE WAS OUTRAGEOUSLY GOOD. They sell at the Hillcrest and La Jolla Farmer's Markets. We had 5 different kinds of cookies: red velvet, birthday cake, snickers, peanut butter and mojito mint. They were each so creative and wonderful - way better than Cupcake Love and Cupcake Square which are also good and were there too. If you go to those farmers markets, you must buy their cookies!!!!!
Foodgirl is still buzzed on wine (Cass Syrah was the day's fave, and Palumbo Viognier).....
Ali
Really fun event! Can't wait to go to another like this. It was like trying tons of restaurants in a short amount of time. Perfect for a cooped up mom!
My winners for the day:
--savory: The Fishery, Pacific Beach: absolutely divine seared ahi with micro-fennel, tangerine....If the Dad liked seafood, we would go in a second. Readers, try it and report back to me - I was so impressed with the chefs. (It was also the perfect dish for an event like this - easy to plate and to feed the forces; other places had temperature issues)
--dessert: 410 Degrees Cookies: THIS PLACE WAS OUTRAGEOUSLY GOOD. They sell at the Hillcrest and La Jolla Farmer's Markets. We had 5 different kinds of cookies: red velvet, birthday cake, snickers, peanut butter and mojito mint. They were each so creative and wonderful - way better than Cupcake Love and Cupcake Square which are also good and were there too. If you go to those farmers markets, you must buy their cookies!!!!!
Foodgirl is still buzzed on wine (Cass Syrah was the day's fave, and Palumbo Viognier).....
Ali
Apollonia (UTC)
Very quick post: We always loved going to Cafe Athena in PB - it has wonderful, healthy, creative Greek food, much better than anywhere else we have tried in SD. But it's not so close by, sometimes there is a wait, and it is not ideal with Toddler. They bought a few years ago Apollonia in UTC, which is not quite as good but still has some of our favorite dishes from Cafe Athena. Again, not necessarily great with Boy, if you have to wait for your food to come.
Last night we tried to go to La Casa del Pan Marrón (that's Coco's to you and me). However it was crowded, there was a long wait, and we thought Boy was going to go crazy before his food came. So we wandered around Costa Verde. Apollonia: hmmm, doesn't look crowded, let's give it a try with him.
It was wonderful! We were seated right away, our waiter came right away, and he brought Boy's humus and pita right away, along with spanaki lemonato for me (that's the dish that always kept me coming to Athena or Apollonia - sauteed spinach salad with garlic and lemon). We also got some feta (though it was too high-quality for Toddler's taste - too strong a taste, but I loved it); chicken-lemon soup which both boys loved; imam bayaldi for me (a nice healthy eggplant/raisin/walnut dish), Chicken Couscous for the Dad (one of his favorites there), plus rice pilaf for boy.
There was plenty of room to wander in the short interval before the food came.
We would definitely consider taking Boy there again - we do miss us some Greek food, though I know that some nights they are much busier than they were last night.
Oh - and they have a full bar, though I didn't avail myself of it last night!
Last night we tried to go to La Casa del Pan Marrón (that's Coco's to you and me). However it was crowded, there was a long wait, and we thought Boy was going to go crazy before his food came. So we wandered around Costa Verde. Apollonia: hmmm, doesn't look crowded, let's give it a try with him.
It was wonderful! We were seated right away, our waiter came right away, and he brought Boy's humus and pita right away, along with spanaki lemonato for me (that's the dish that always kept me coming to Athena or Apollonia - sauteed spinach salad with garlic and lemon). We also got some feta (though it was too high-quality for Toddler's taste - too strong a taste, but I loved it); chicken-lemon soup which both boys loved; imam bayaldi for me (a nice healthy eggplant/raisin/walnut dish), Chicken Couscous for the Dad (one of his favorites there), plus rice pilaf for boy.
There was plenty of room to wander in the short interval before the food came.
We would definitely consider taking Boy there again - we do miss us some Greek food, though I know that some nights they are much busier than they were last night.
Oh - and they have a full bar, though I didn't avail myself of it last night!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)