Well, my week of mourning for Naomi Wise is over....But it's replaced with the death of a close and beloved friend. While she was sick I told her about the blog and promised her I'd take her anywhere she wanted. She had picked out Bayu. We never got to go. Life ain't fair.
Instead of silence this week I'm going to blog again. She'd want me to, and I need distractions....
Hit Eda-Mami tonight in Del Mar for the first time in a while. Love this place! We need to remember to go there and dump Katana. The food is so much better! And before 7 pm they have great happy hour pricing. We ordered way too much food.
*Delicious*, healthy and generous salad: we ordered 2 for the three of us and had plenty left over (about $4)
Edamame: perfectly fine (about $4)
2 miso soups: SB scarfed his up, CH did too
Agedashi Tofu: $3 I think with the happy hour special. OMG - this is the best A.T. I have had in my whole life. Fabulous broth. Just delicious.
Sake Fusion roll: $7.95 w/happy hour. Huge. Delicious. Why did I order so much food?
Salmon roll: $3 with happy hour. OMG - I don't need this much food. Yet I finished it.... :)
SB got a lolli from sitting so nicely. He loved the wide array of choices. And he spotted 3 coasters while we were sitting there.
And tonight we had great service, much better than our previous visits. It was quieter too.
Eda-Mami has got to enter our regular rotation - LOVED IT!
(oh and I left out my wine - I am tasting my way through New Zealand Sauvignon blancs from the Malborough Valley - tonight I got a Star borough - not as good as what I had on the cruise, but still tasty)
(end of wine-induced gushing about food - back to the sad new normal.... :( )
Postscript: The meal didn't sit while with CH. :( Eda-Mami may not go into the rotation after all. Minor bad news in the scheme of things, but oh well.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Say it Ain't So: Naomi Wise, RIP!
I had been busy and didn't remember to check the SD Reader's food coverage all through the holidays.
I just checked, and Naomi Wise is dead??? http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2012/jan/11/last-supper/
I keep wanting to think this is a joke (the death of her pseudonym???), but it seems after reading that it's 100% real.
I admired Naomi - and her taste - so much. I followed her food writing from the Bay Area to SD. She had my dream job....if I didn't have my own job.
And she became my email friend and sometimes reviewed places I sent her too or even mentioned me ("a reader with discriminating tastes") in her reviews.
I'm really shocked.
No food criticism from here for a week....I'm going dark in her honor. The blog is at half staff..... She really was my inspiration for the blog....She had such great taste, and helped steer me to so many faves. The idea that I was sending her to places and got ahead of the curve on some parts of town was thrilling to me to no end. And she was very gracious and nice.
It's become a less interesting food town in an instant....
But I'll have to hit Cafe Secret soon. It was one of her last reviews, and I've been meaning to go. I owe her that for all of the great finds over the years....
:(
One other food truck in CV: Asian Persuasion
I haven't eaten there yet, but I saw the Asian Persuasion truck on DM Heights Road this morning. So there is at least one Food Truck in CV in Friday's.
http://asianpersuasionftc.com/menu/, at 12544 High Bluff, 11:30 - 1:30
I have to check it out!
http://asianpersuasionftc.com/menu/, at 12544 High Bluff, 11:30 - 1:30
I have to check it out!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
MIHO Gastrotruck (Carmel Valley): this week
Since I tried the farmer's market sammy last week, and the menu hadn't changed, I tried the "Bello" this week. Very tasty portabello mushroom, great whole wheat bun, nice sauce. Still, I wish they'd had a soup (yesterday), since it wasn't enough of a meal just with the bello. If the menu is exactly the same next week I'll probably take a week off from being a HOMI, but if they have a new veggie item I may brave the line.
What I learned (I hesitate to give more details): coming early is the only way not to stand in line for 20-30 mins. on High Bluff on a Wed. These guys are popular!!
(and Juan Miron, the co-owner and MI in MIHO, is a super-nice and chill guy to order from)
What I learned (I hesitate to give more details): coming early is the only way not to stand in line for 20-30 mins. on High Bluff on a Wed. These guys are popular!!
(and Juan Miron, the co-owner and MI in MIHO, is a super-nice and chill guy to order from)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Urban Plates v. Tender Greens: Tender Greens still has it!
So we went to Tender Greens (Liberty Station) today for the first time since Urban Plates opened in CV. I thought we wouldn't need to drive down there now that UP is opened, but I'm less excited about UP now than when it first opened. And when we went to TG, we remembered just how much better it is than UP.
URBAN PLATES' STRENGTHS
--more choices for sides than Tender Greens: it's not just mashed potatoes, salad, or grilled veggies; you can get quinoa, mac n cheese, etc.
--they have a few more options as far as entrees (pizzettes, curried vegetables over brown rice, etc.), plus they have turkey as one of the proteins
--the quinoa salad is excellent
--the beet salad is excellent
TOSS-UPS
--they both have excellent bread
--they both make excellent kids grilled cheese sandwiches (but very different; UP uses an excellent whole wheat bread that they won't use for the adult sandwiches, plus butter, and it makes for a very wholesome yummy grilled cheese - I am always happy to finish SuperBoy's when he doesn't. TG makes a ridged grilled panini with con pane bread and cheddar. It's also super tasty and crunchy, but probably less healthy than UP)
--they both have great mashed potatoes, but there's still an edge for TG
--Urban Plates has a FANTASTIC pastry chef, maybe one of the best in the city. Their desserts are PHENOMENAL. (On the other hand, Tender Greens does have delicious desserts too, though less elaborate and fancy).
--Both do good grilled tuna (though the Urban Plates chimichurri is gross, and I have to remember to say, Stop - don't put it on!). UP might be more consistent in preparing it, but it's still new, so let's see if they have bad days too.
WHY TENDER GREENS RULES STILL
--UP has no specials. It's the same stuff all of the time. I love going into TG and having the delight of seeing something I've never seen before on the specials board, and having a new taste adventure. UP has no specials.
--The veg. soup at UP is yukky as far as I'm concerned. And there are no other choices, and it never changes. TG has a fabulous roasted tomato soup every day, and they usually have a delicious veg. special each day. I got broccoli and potato today, which I wasn't a huge fan of (too much thyme), but in general their soups rock my world.
--TG is really farm to table. UP had great salads the first week or so, but since then their salads look nice but don't taste like anything. TG is really bringing salad from their *farm* every day, and it tastes like it. Super-delicious fresh greens, and so many different combinations.
--TG's vegetables change seasonally. You never know what will be on the grill. In summer, there are fantastic cobs of corn, or purple carrots. Today I got butternut squash, super-fresh broccoli, deliciously grilled cauliflower with just the right spice rub, mushrooms and turnips. Yum!!
--TG has a much more efficient operation. You order at the counter, they work their magic while you stay in a single line and watch your food being spooned out as you get to the register. UP wanted people to be able to see the choices before they ordered, and they're hoping that eventually they will have an efficient system, but right now it doesn't seem to work that efficiently. We have eaten in person with SB much less successfully there than at TG.
--TG is less crowded when we go, and has more seating. Plus it has the overhead airplanes in Point Loma. SB sits calmly and eats. It's quieter too and less overstimulating.
I hear TG will be coming to UTC in the next year. If that happens, we'll be there a lot more. UP is still a good option, but I wish they would:
--get rid of the red pepper soup
--have some specials and rotate the menu
--and of course fix the efficiency of the eat-in experience
It would make it much more appealing to dine in there - and more often!
URBAN PLATES' STRENGTHS
--more choices for sides than Tender Greens: it's not just mashed potatoes, salad, or grilled veggies; you can get quinoa, mac n cheese, etc.
--they have a few more options as far as entrees (pizzettes, curried vegetables over brown rice, etc.), plus they have turkey as one of the proteins
--the quinoa salad is excellent
--the beet salad is excellent
TOSS-UPS
--they both have excellent bread
--they both make excellent kids grilled cheese sandwiches (but very different; UP uses an excellent whole wheat bread that they won't use for the adult sandwiches, plus butter, and it makes for a very wholesome yummy grilled cheese - I am always happy to finish SuperBoy's when he doesn't. TG makes a ridged grilled panini with con pane bread and cheddar. It's also super tasty and crunchy, but probably less healthy than UP)
--they both have great mashed potatoes, but there's still an edge for TG
--Urban Plates has a FANTASTIC pastry chef, maybe one of the best in the city. Their desserts are PHENOMENAL. (On the other hand, Tender Greens does have delicious desserts too, though less elaborate and fancy).
--Both do good grilled tuna (though the Urban Plates chimichurri is gross, and I have to remember to say, Stop - don't put it on!). UP might be more consistent in preparing it, but it's still new, so let's see if they have bad days too.
WHY TENDER GREENS RULES STILL
--UP has no specials. It's the same stuff all of the time. I love going into TG and having the delight of seeing something I've never seen before on the specials board, and having a new taste adventure. UP has no specials.
--The veg. soup at UP is yukky as far as I'm concerned. And there are no other choices, and it never changes. TG has a fabulous roasted tomato soup every day, and they usually have a delicious veg. special each day. I got broccoli and potato today, which I wasn't a huge fan of (too much thyme), but in general their soups rock my world.
--TG is really farm to table. UP had great salads the first week or so, but since then their salads look nice but don't taste like anything. TG is really bringing salad from their *farm* every day, and it tastes like it. Super-delicious fresh greens, and so many different combinations.
--TG's vegetables change seasonally. You never know what will be on the grill. In summer, there are fantastic cobs of corn, or purple carrots. Today I got butternut squash, super-fresh broccoli, deliciously grilled cauliflower with just the right spice rub, mushrooms and turnips. Yum!!
--TG has a much more efficient operation. You order at the counter, they work their magic while you stay in a single line and watch your food being spooned out as you get to the register. UP wanted people to be able to see the choices before they ordered, and they're hoping that eventually they will have an efficient system, but right now it doesn't seem to work that efficiently. We have eaten in person with SB much less successfully there than at TG.
--TG is less crowded when we go, and has more seating. Plus it has the overhead airplanes in Point Loma. SB sits calmly and eats. It's quieter too and less overstimulating.
I hear TG will be coming to UTC in the next year. If that happens, we'll be there a lot more. UP is still a good option, but I wish they would:
--get rid of the red pepper soup
--have some specials and rotate the menu
--and of course fix the efficiency of the eat-in experience
It would make it much more appealing to dine in there - and more often!
Food trucks in Carmel Valley
So I'm trying to keep up with which of the gourmet food trucks are visiting Carmel Valley.
From what I can tell:
Monday is New York on Rye: http://newyorkonrye.com/ (12700 High Bluff)
Tuesday is Tabe BBQ: http://tabebbq.com/ (12700 High Bluff)
Wednesday is MIHO Gastrotruck: http://mihogastrotruck.com/ (12700 High Bluff)
AND Foodfarm: http://www.foodfarmsd.com/ (12225 El Camino)
MangiaMangia says on their website that they come to CV on Tues. and Fri. but I think that's outdated, as their twitter feed shows them going elsewhere. There used to be an Indian Food truck on High Bluff on Fridays but I think it closed.
Let me know if I'm missing any!
From what I can tell:
Monday is New York on Rye: http://newyorkonrye.com/ (12700 High Bluff)
Tuesday is Tabe BBQ: http://tabebbq.com/ (12700 High Bluff)
Wednesday is MIHO Gastrotruck: http://mihogastrotruck.com/ (12700 High Bluff)
AND Foodfarm: http://www.foodfarmsd.com/ (12225 El Camino)
MangiaMangia says on their website that they come to CV on Tues. and Fri. but I think that's outdated, as their twitter feed shows them going elsewhere. There used to be an Indian Food truck on High Bluff on Fridays but I think it closed.
Let me know if I'm missing any!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Counter (CV): Tasty but slow
Same deal every time we go to the counter:
Very inefficient set up. Always seems like it should take less time than it does. On most recent visit, only one waitress for the whole patio (about 10 tables which arrived at the same time) but lots of bussers.
Food is delicious, however. I still love the homemade veggie burger in a bowl of fresh organic greens with tzatziki (one of their lowest-cal dressings) and roasted red peppers. SB loved his hamburger (Mom is letting him not eat veggie out....oy...because he kept saying all day that he really wanted a hand-burger, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! could he have a hand-burger). CH liked his milkshake. I liked my viognier.
But we need to find another burger place. Red Robin is depressing (to me) and the food stinks. The Counter is delicious but slow/frustrating. CH doesn't like Islands. Burger Lounge has tiny little veggie burgers and no whole grain options unless they've changed it.
Very inefficient set up. Always seems like it should take less time than it does. On most recent visit, only one waitress for the whole patio (about 10 tables which arrived at the same time) but lots of bussers.
Food is delicious, however. I still love the homemade veggie burger in a bowl of fresh organic greens with tzatziki (one of their lowest-cal dressings) and roasted red peppers. SB loved his hamburger (Mom is letting him not eat veggie out....oy...because he kept saying all day that he really wanted a hand-burger, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! could he have a hand-burger). CH liked his milkshake. I liked my viognier.
But we need to find another burger place. Red Robin is depressing (to me) and the food stinks. The Counter is delicious but slow/frustrating. CH doesn't like Islands. Burger Lounge has tiny little veggie burgers and no whole grain options unless they've changed it.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Wines I liked on our Cruise
I am usually a red wine drinker, and I almost never buy bottles of white to drink myself. But for some reason on our cruise, I was only in the mood for whites with dinner, so I got to try a few new wines. Carnival had an unusually good wine list. Everything I ordered was reasonable, complex and interesting. The ones whose info I remember - don't remember any vintages, though!
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc (Malborough, NZ): an excellent food wine. Tasted great as an aperitif and even better once my food came and I was taking sips.
La Crema Chardonnay: the most expensive Chardonnay they had, and very tasty. Much more interesting than most chardonnays for me.
Barton and Guestier Pouilly-Fuissé: delicious!
I also got a Peter Lehmann Shiraz one evening (red was calling to me and I decided to forego my fave, Cotes du Rhone. It was ok, but I decided that shiraz is never really my favorite grape.
I need to remember to order these - they were all better than most of the whites I end up ordering here in SD. (though I still love me a good albarino!)
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc (Malborough, NZ): an excellent food wine. Tasted great as an aperitif and even better once my food came and I was taking sips.
La Crema Chardonnay: the most expensive Chardonnay they had, and very tasty. Much more interesting than most chardonnays for me.
Barton and Guestier Pouilly-Fuissé: delicious!
I also got a Peter Lehmann Shiraz one evening (red was calling to me and I decided to forego my fave, Cotes du Rhone. It was ok, but I decided that shiraz is never really my favorite grape.
I need to remember to order these - they were all better than most of the whites I end up ordering here in SD. (though I still love me a good albarino!)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Roberto's Del Mar
Have I never reviewed Roberto's? We went 2x over the holidays. Excellent "Lite Burrito" not on the menu. It's veggie. Ask for it with whole pinto beans.
SB likes their kids' cheese quesadilla meal. Comes with chips, rice and beans, a drink, AND jello - all for about $3.
Cute Husband likes the carne asada plate.
Plus there is Coaster-spotting for the train-crazed toddler. (and a hint of ocean). We love Roberto's!
SB likes their kids' cheese quesadilla meal. Comes with chips, rice and beans, a drink, AND jello - all for about $3.
Cute Husband likes the carne asada plate.
Plus there is Coaster-spotting for the train-crazed toddler. (and a hint of ocean). We love Roberto's!
And now for a massage review...
Since USD Foodie mentioned Massage Thai Way in Linda Vista, here's my report....
SUPER-REASONABLE (I paid $25/hour with the coupon he gave me; normally it's $30 for first-timers or $39 regular)
VERY GOOD BODY WORK
Still not quite as good as Royal Siam in Solana (but that's twice the price!). If I have a really bad pain, Royal Siam is my place....but just for a relaxing regular deep-tissue stress release, Massage Thai Way is a great option to know about!
SUPER-REASONABLE (I paid $25/hour with the coupon he gave me; normally it's $30 for first-timers or $39 regular)
VERY GOOD BODY WORK
Still not quite as good as Royal Siam in Solana (but that's twice the price!). If I have a really bad pain, Royal Siam is my place....but just for a relaxing regular deep-tissue stress release, Massage Thai Way is a great option to know about!
MIHO Gastrotruck (Carmel Valley)
Loved my corn chowder today.
Was less excited about the grilled vegetable sammy. FANTASTIC flavors, and so many of them. But the multi-grain bread was a little too thick for me - sandwich was almost all carbs, not enough veggies.
Still, I'll happily go back. I'm fast becoming a HOMI. (Plus the famed Juan Miron was cashiering, he of the "MI" in Homi, and he was super nice :)).
One of these days I need to try Foodfarm in CV, but it also comes on Weds., and why bypass MIHO unless they have a weird menu for the week?
Oh - but the line was super-long at 11:45. Must get there right at 11:30!!
Was less excited about the grilled vegetable sammy. FANTASTIC flavors, and so many of them. But the multi-grain bread was a little too thick for me - sandwich was almost all carbs, not enough veggies.
Still, I'll happily go back. I'm fast becoming a HOMI. (Plus the famed Juan Miron was cashiering, he of the "MI" in Homi, and he was super nice :)).
One of these days I need to try Foodfarm in CV, but it also comes on Weds., and why bypass MIHO unless they have a weird menu for the week?
Oh - but the line was super-long at 11:45. Must get there right at 11:30!!
Carnival Inspiration Review (cruise!)
Took SB on a cruise with family. Food was surprisingly good considering we had very low expectations. Lots of veggie options (Indian veg dinner available every night in the dining room, with rotating veggies). Definitely worth considering for an easy family vacation from SoCal with a toddler!!
Savory Review (Encinitas)
Before I forget all about my meal, quick post on Savory (Encinitas), which we went to on date night way back in 2011.
Went several years ago when it first opened, not too impressed.
Really enjoyed my meal this time.
Cocktail: Loved the dee-lite-ful: Vodka, muddled lime and mint, simple syrup, soda. Got a yummy glass of wine afterwards: Rousanne. (a) I never heard of it before; and (b) It was delish. That alone is worth a revisit.
Can't remember the bread....
Appetizer: got the soup of the day (vegan). Was spectacular. Butternut squash and parsnip. Butternut squash soup is easy enough to find, and is tasty but not worth shouting about. However, with the addition of the parsnip, I loved it.
Entree: Got a fish special. Sea bass (?) with a red beurre blanc, fried leeks and some other delicious things underneath. Can't remember exactly what. But I would eat that kind of French food every day.
CH didn't like his meal as much so I hope I can persuade him to go back. They do both restaurant.com and the Passport card, plus they have a fixed-price deal, so it's less expensive than other places with great food.
Went several years ago when it first opened, not too impressed.
Really enjoyed my meal this time.
Cocktail: Loved the dee-lite-ful: Vodka, muddled lime and mint, simple syrup, soda. Got a yummy glass of wine afterwards: Rousanne. (a) I never heard of it before; and (b) It was delish. That alone is worth a revisit.
Can't remember the bread....
Appetizer: got the soup of the day (vegan). Was spectacular. Butternut squash and parsnip. Butternut squash soup is easy enough to find, and is tasty but not worth shouting about. However, with the addition of the parsnip, I loved it.
Entree: Got a fish special. Sea bass (?) with a red beurre blanc, fried leeks and some other delicious things underneath. Can't remember exactly what. But I would eat that kind of French food every day.
CH didn't like his meal as much so I hope I can persuade him to go back. They do both restaurant.com and the Passport card, plus they have a fixed-price deal, so it's less expensive than other places with great food.
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