Mia Francesca opened last night in the now-famous Ralph's shopping center in Carmel Valley, the new gourmet gulch of San Diego. I found that it was open last night on facebook, and CH passed by today and got the menu. We made reservations for tonight at 6:15, with SB in tow.
ATMOSPHERE: The place is totally happening on day #2 of being opened. They have lots of staff, with many coming in from Chicago (where their flagship restaurants are) to make sure it's at their level of quality. Motown music, fun and lively.
SERVICE: Lots of busboys, though the waitress had a bunch of tables to do. Speed: slower than we'd ideally like with SB, but still reasonable. We had a nice meal and were done in 45 mins.
BREAD: Delicious, very hot and crusty from the oven. Not a huge fan of the rosemary in their olive oil. Could eat it plain, or ask for plain olive oil in the future.
WATER: Fantastic! They put a nice chilled, iceless bottle of water on the table. You can refill your glass, or they come by. Me like.
KIDS' MENU: Placemats just for them, with crayons. SB got lemonade right away in a cute cup. The value of the kids' meal is very good. $5.99 includes the drink (including refills), pizza or pasta, and gelato. The pizza was enormous - looked like a grownup size. Only downside: SB didn't like it that much, and to me it didn't taste that great (not like the kids' pizza I got him at Cucina Italiana). But SB was nutso for the bread and lemonade and the atmosphere, and he wasn't disappointed about the pizza - he just didn't want to eat it (but he was full up on the yummy bread!).
WINE: Here's a slight misstep. $7 for a pinot grigio that wasn't offensive, but tasted like nothing. It was drinkable, but I'd never get it again. The waitress said they had a great sommelier so I couldn't go wrong. I'll still try other things on the wine list, like the Sicilian chardonnay, but that was a disappointment after my fab wine experience at The Shores. Still, it was a generous pour.
APPETIZER: I got spinaci with oil and garlic. DELISH and totally cravable. Really, I could make this myself (though I'd probably get freaked out by the amount of olive oil needed to make it taste like this). But I'd come back just for this dish. Yum - as cravable as spanki lemonato at Athena (though that spinach is healthier!).
ENTREES: I got the rigatoni alla siciliana (eggplant, tomato sauce, fresh grated parm); CH got rigatoni bolognese. We both thought they were delicious. The folks around us at other tables were raving about everything they got, and everything that passed us looked spectacular. I thought the salmon at the next table looked fab. The nice people there said, though it was very good, it happened to be less exciting than the other dishes they got, which they called spectacular, esp.: roasted chicken, lemon chicken, and rosemary chicken.
DESSERT: Included in SB's $5.99 kids meal (including the drink and enormous pizza) was gelato. But not just a scoop - a trio! He could choose any flavors he wanted. SB tried: lemon sorbet, strawberry sorbet, vanilla gelato. He was in HEAVEN, and scarfed them all up.
SB has announced that the restaurant is great, even though he didn't like the pizza. He is excited to try pasta with butter next time (he is not a big pasta eater at home, but he'll try it there). If he's hungry, I also want to get him a salad next time. The choices look great - things like green beans and tomatoes with lemon and olive oil, which would be right up his alley.
ULTIMATE VERDICT: I wouldn't choose this for date night. It's too family-friendly and 92130-seeming to feel for me like a big night out. I'd still put Charisma ahead of it as my fave Italian restaurant in SD - that place is more intimate and the food to me is more spectacular. And it's more fun to get out of the 'burbs and hit Hillcrest or the Gaslamp for a date. But this place is much more buzzy, and is just right for a special night out with a well-behaved SB. Poseidon and Mia Francesca now promise to be our best recommendations for fine dining with a toddler!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Mia Francesca and Davanti Enoteca Del Mar: OPEN!
Haven't heard any reports yet, but their facebook page says they opened tonight. Reports welcomed! We want to try it, but probably should not venture in with Super Boy while they are working out the kinks! (on the other hand, if they are good as the Chicago hype suggests, they will be very busy very soon!).
The Shores Restaurant Review (La Jolla)
Reasonable amount of hype on The Shores Restaurant, since Augie Saucedo left and Amy diBiase has come on board: she formerly of Laurel, formerly of Roseville, formerly of the Glass Door, formerly of the Cosmopolitan.
Despite the bad luck she hit at Cosmopolitan (crazy owner, if the U-T reporting is accurate), she's still considered one of the top chefs in town, even if we were never 100% crazy about her food (it was always good, never cravable for us). And since she has settled in at The Shores, with a beautiful ocean view and reasonable prices, I've been meaning to try it.
Verdict:
I loved it!
Cute Husband: not so much!
I ordered from the "Sip and Savor"menu. Great deal, I think - 3 courses for $30, add wine pairing for $15. Lisa Redwine (ha!), the sommelier at the Marine Room, also does the menu here (this is the jr. restaurant of the Marine Room).
APPETIZER: me: very tasty kumbacha squash soup with tangerine infusion, paired with a very respectable and yummy French rose
CH: green salad with goat cheese and sherry vinaigrette: I thought it was very good, he thought it was ok
ENTREE: me: cocoa nib crusted albacore etc. Fish was perfectly well cooked, yummy rice, spectacular pickled bok choy. Otherwise it would have been a cliched Asian-style seared tuna with bok choy. The pickled vegetable really elevated the dish. I ate the whole thing up. I had a choice of pairing it with an excellent Chardonnay, or a Spanish grenacha. The nice waiter let me taste both - it was a tossup, but I went with the Chardonnay, which was the sommelier's set pairing. Worked nicely.
CH: herb roasted chicken breast. He thought it was ok. He was not crazy about the celery root and artichoke gratin it came with. I thought it was rich, but very tasty.
DESSERT: trio with mixed results.
--"Brandied cherry white chocolate parfait": a bit of a hot mess; I couldn't remember what the menu had said, and I thought it was rice pudding with some red stuff and a bunch of sticks of crispy pastry dough sticking out, til I checked the menu again
--"milk chocolate chai pot de crème": sorry, didn't taste the chai - was a decent enough chocolate pudding
--dark chocolate peanut butter truffle: this was the yummiest part. Amy diBiase was roaming (was fun to meet her - she's so young and accomplished!) said this was a family recipe.
--not a fan of the madeira it was paired with, but then I don't like madeira! I gave it a try but still no dice, even paired with chocolate.
ATMOSPHERE: CH is right, that it seems very upscale 50s motel. Really, they need to redo this if they want to elevate the restaurant.
SERVICE: Very nice, came by when we needed them, checked on us, hostesses also pitched in when needed. Certainly better than Flavor (and rivalled Grant Grill).
OVERALL VERDICT: I loved my fun dinner and fun wine pairings (though dessert was the weakest link, the pudding was fine and the truffle was yummy). CH thought it was meh. I would have loved for this to be our new pre-La Jolla Playhouse spot, but CH is vetoing that idea. We are still on the lookout for new openings in the Shores/UTC area!
Despite the bad luck she hit at Cosmopolitan (crazy owner, if the U-T reporting is accurate), she's still considered one of the top chefs in town, even if we were never 100% crazy about her food (it was always good, never cravable for us). And since she has settled in at The Shores, with a beautiful ocean view and reasonable prices, I've been meaning to try it.
Verdict:
I loved it!
Cute Husband: not so much!
I ordered from the "Sip and Savor"menu. Great deal, I think - 3 courses for $30, add wine pairing for $15. Lisa Redwine (ha!), the sommelier at the Marine Room, also does the menu here (this is the jr. restaurant of the Marine Room).
APPETIZER: me: very tasty kumbacha squash soup with tangerine infusion, paired with a very respectable and yummy French rose
CH: green salad with goat cheese and sherry vinaigrette: I thought it was very good, he thought it was ok
ENTREE: me: cocoa nib crusted albacore etc. Fish was perfectly well cooked, yummy rice, spectacular pickled bok choy. Otherwise it would have been a cliched Asian-style seared tuna with bok choy. The pickled vegetable really elevated the dish. I ate the whole thing up. I had a choice of pairing it with an excellent Chardonnay, or a Spanish grenacha. The nice waiter let me taste both - it was a tossup, but I went with the Chardonnay, which was the sommelier's set pairing. Worked nicely.
CH: herb roasted chicken breast. He thought it was ok. He was not crazy about the celery root and artichoke gratin it came with. I thought it was rich, but very tasty.
DESSERT: trio with mixed results.
--"Brandied cherry white chocolate parfait": a bit of a hot mess; I couldn't remember what the menu had said, and I thought it was rice pudding with some red stuff and a bunch of sticks of crispy pastry dough sticking out, til I checked the menu again
--"milk chocolate chai pot de crème": sorry, didn't taste the chai - was a decent enough chocolate pudding
--dark chocolate peanut butter truffle: this was the yummiest part. Amy diBiase was roaming (was fun to meet her - she's so young and accomplished!) said this was a family recipe.
--not a fan of the madeira it was paired with, but then I don't like madeira! I gave it a try but still no dice, even paired with chocolate.
ATMOSPHERE: CH is right, that it seems very upscale 50s motel. Really, they need to redo this if they want to elevate the restaurant.
SERVICE: Very nice, came by when we needed them, checked on us, hostesses also pitched in when needed. Certainly better than Flavor (and rivalled Grant Grill).
OVERALL VERDICT: I loved my fun dinner and fun wine pairings (though dessert was the weakest link, the pudding was fine and the truffle was yummy). CH thought it was meh. I would have loved for this to be our new pre-La Jolla Playhouse spot, but CH is vetoing that idea. We are still on the lookout for new openings in the Shores/UTC area!
Sicilian Thing (North Park)
I need to show some love to Sicilian Thing, current holder (in our view) of the title of Best NY Pizza in SD, ever since the Bongiorno's sold the Miramar location and the pizza there has become crappy (according to CH - I haven't been there since). Bongiorno's Solana is still good, but for the very best NY (or rather Philly) pizza, we head on down to North Park.
Today: CH enjoyed his (corner!) Sicilian slices.
SB enjoyed his Hawaiian punch (Daddy was in an indulgent mood) and round cheese.
I enjoyed my mushroom sicilian (oooh - the Sicilian really is fab there), but I tried a new slice (vegeta) and it was not as good as the others (used bland California olives, which are not my thing).
The Barack-oli Ricotta or the Nino Espinosa are still my faves there.
Today: CH enjoyed his (corner!) Sicilian slices.
SB enjoyed his Hawaiian punch (Daddy was in an indulgent mood) and round cheese.
I enjoyed my mushroom sicilian (oooh - the Sicilian really is fab there), but I tried a new slice (vegeta) and it was not as good as the others (used bland California olives, which are not my thing).
The Barack-oli Ricotta or the Nino Espinosa are still my faves there.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
KC's Tandoor (Encinitas)
I'm never mad at the palak paneer at KC's Tandoor. It's not the absolute best in SD, and doesn't make me do cartwheels, but it's very tasty and respectable. There are tons of interesting choices there (coconut curry; tofu as a protein option; south Indian, north Indian), but I seem to stick with the palak paneer plus a roti often. It's a perfectly good choice there.
And it makes for a great quick bite/errand if you need an oil change - the Arco gas station across Leucadia Blvd. does speedy, friendly and good quality work!
And it makes for a great quick bite/errand if you need an oil change - the Arco gas station across Leucadia Blvd. does speedy, friendly and good quality work!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Clairemont quick takes: Restaurant Reviews for Dino's Gyros, Cucina Italiana
Hit DINO'S GYROS this week while in Clairemont. Ok if you're in the neighborhood; not worth driving to!
Falafel was fine, a cut above Daphne's. Came with a multigrain wrap option. Greek salad and rice it came with were fine. One orders at the counter and then the food is brought to you.
By fine, I mean edible, not offensive, better than the bad Indian place next door. Hardly compares to Kebab Shop, but if you're in that mall it's a perfectly ok choice.
CUCINA ITALIANA: Got ravioli with tomato sauce. Wasn't nearly as good as the eggplant parm or pizza we got last time. But it was fine. Fast enough service for pre-movies. Decent wines by the glass. Not a place we need to go to if we're not already there, but the best in that stretch of the food court.
Falafel was fine, a cut above Daphne's. Came with a multigrain wrap option. Greek salad and rice it came with were fine. One orders at the counter and then the food is brought to you.
By fine, I mean edible, not offensive, better than the bad Indian place next door. Hardly compares to Kebab Shop, but if you're in that mall it's a perfectly ok choice.
CUCINA ITALIANA: Got ravioli with tomato sauce. Wasn't nearly as good as the eggplant parm or pizza we got last time. But it was fine. Fast enough service for pre-movies. Decent wines by the glass. Not a place we need to go to if we're not already there, but the best in that stretch of the food court.
Kebab Shop (Encinitas): Yum! Fast! Kid-Friendly!
We tried to go to East Village Asian Diner tonight in Encinitas. (looked through the blog, saw that we liked it in spring 2010 and hadn't been back). On the phone they said they didn't take reservations but that we shouldn't have to wait at 6:15 for 3 people. Well, we didn't show up til 6:25, but it was mobbed, and it was going to be a 25 min. wait, in a tiny space, with the frigid night entering through the opening and closing door. So we switched gears.
We'd also been thinking of trying the Kebab Shop in Encinitas (Trader Joe's shopping center). Verdict: Yum!
I got: yummy falafel donner. Very tasty falafel (though it doesn't beat Habibi's or Sultan Schwarma). But it's Turkish and has other flavors (like tarragon in the dressing in the salad inside). $6.60-ish.
Super Boy got: 3 salad plate: humus, Greek salad, green lentils and walnuts (I love that my boy loves lentils - I asked them for a taste in advance so he wasn't committing himself to a dish he would think was strangely flavored, but he insisted, "Moooooooooom!!! I like lentils!!!" and sure enough he loved them. They had fresh tarragon and tasted delish; the dressing on the salad also had some tarragon (white-style dressing); the feta was very yummy. The humus was fine, nothing terrible, nothing to rave about. Was a huge portion; he ate, I ate, and we took home. $8.99ish
Other options from the salad plate included Moroccan carrots, dill cucumber, Algerian eggplant (had a quick taste, liked it ok, but not enough to choose it as a huge side rather than something else).
Cute Husband got: chicken schwarma. He was kind of bummed, cuz he wanted chicken kebab. But they said it would take 15 mins to make, and we were quite hungry by then. He is not a huge schwarma fan, so wasn't as crazy about the meal as we were. But the nice counter staff (Turkish-Americans who also lived in Germany; hence the Euro-Turkish menu) said next time we can just call ahead and they'll put it on for him so it will be ready when we come. Great! He also got a small side of fries ($1.99) and we all munched on them. Very tasty too.
Other plusses: lots of seating! Not much of a line! (lots of people were in and out, but they were well-spaced) Tons of easy parking! And not very expensive for serious Middle Eastern quick-casual ($24 and change for lots of food for the three of us).
If no one gets sick, and I have my way, we'll be back again soon!
We'd also been thinking of trying the Kebab Shop in Encinitas (Trader Joe's shopping center). Verdict: Yum!
I got: yummy falafel donner. Very tasty falafel (though it doesn't beat Habibi's or Sultan Schwarma). But it's Turkish and has other flavors (like tarragon in the dressing in the salad inside). $6.60-ish.
Super Boy got: 3 salad plate: humus, Greek salad, green lentils and walnuts (I love that my boy loves lentils - I asked them for a taste in advance so he wasn't committing himself to a dish he would think was strangely flavored, but he insisted, "Moooooooooom!!! I like lentils!!!" and sure enough he loved them. They had fresh tarragon and tasted delish; the dressing on the salad also had some tarragon (white-style dressing); the feta was very yummy. The humus was fine, nothing terrible, nothing to rave about. Was a huge portion; he ate, I ate, and we took home. $8.99ish
Other options from the salad plate included Moroccan carrots, dill cucumber, Algerian eggplant (had a quick taste, liked it ok, but not enough to choose it as a huge side rather than something else).
Cute Husband got: chicken schwarma. He was kind of bummed, cuz he wanted chicken kebab. But they said it would take 15 mins to make, and we were quite hungry by then. He is not a huge schwarma fan, so wasn't as crazy about the meal as we were. But the nice counter staff (Turkish-Americans who also lived in Germany; hence the Euro-Turkish menu) said next time we can just call ahead and they'll put it on for him so it will be ready when we come. Great! He also got a small side of fries ($1.99) and we all munched on them. Very tasty too.
Other plusses: lots of seating! Not much of a line! (lots of people were in and out, but they were well-spaced) Tons of easy parking! And not very expensive for serious Middle Eastern quick-casual ($24 and change for lots of food for the three of us).
If no one gets sick, and I have my way, we'll be back again soon!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
MIHO Gastrotruck (Carmel Valley): this week's special
LOVED the yellowtail melt, MIHO's special of the week. Would go weekly for it if they put it on the menu!
Delectable flavors, perfect artisan bread, delicious onions (I'm not sure how to describe them - not carmelized, but not deep-fried - super yummy though - more like dry fresh onion chips).
Flavor explosion!
(and going early is the only way to go!)
Delectable flavors, perfect artisan bread, delicious onions (I'm not sure how to describe them - not carmelized, but not deep-fried - super yummy though - more like dry fresh onion chips).
Flavor explosion!
(and going early is the only way to go!)
Saturday, February 11, 2012
MY NEW FAVORITE SD RESTAURANT: Grant Grill Review (Downtown)
Am still enjoying my Jeff Josenhans buzz.
Up until today, my fave SD restaurants were:
1. Searsucker = exciting atmosphere + exciting food
2. Alchemy = super-exciting food + relaxed neighborhood atmosphere (favorite chef in city = Ricardo Heredia)
3. Charisma = super-chill atmosphere, reasonable prices and delectable modern Italian cuisine
Well, after a revisit to Grant Grill, they're all getting knocked down a rank:
GRANT GRILL, I LOVE YOU!
Where do we start?
1. Jeff Josenhans = the city's absolute best mixologist. His flavor combos sound strange....they're fantastic!
2 yrs ago, I had a Horton House, a kind of alcoholic chocolate egg cream.
Tonight, I got the bitter betty = fresh muddled blood oranges + gin + vermouth. Don't like gin, don't like vermouth.....The drink was FANTASTIC. So aromatic and herbal, just like the waitress promised.
2. Swanky but luxe atmosphere. Grant Grill has a swingin' bar on Th - Sat. nights, with live music = very atmospheric. But the restaurant part is very fine dining and luxe-y, and quiet. So you have the atmosphere of the hot jazz, and a quiet, fancy atmosphere. LOVE IT!
3. Service is fantastic. Natalie, our server, was super knowledeable, and did not steer me wrong. She very enthusiastically explained more about the 3 cocktails I was considering, and answered every question in a way that left the choice to me, but left me better informed. I had a fantastic meal, with her help.
4. Oh yeah: the food! Would I say that Chris Kurth is a better chef than Ricardo Heredia? Probably not. Ain't got nothin' but love for Ricardo Heredia. BUT there are so many high notes on this menu. First, just like last time, LOVE LOVE LOVE the signature house foccacia. Crazy savory and yummy. Second, my beet plate (not really a salad but a stylish presentation of beets) was yummy, flavorful and light. And Cute Husband's farmer's market salad was delightful - in both of our minds! Third, he really liked his steak, and his creamed corn was yummy. My thai style sea bass (in a light broth, with mushrooms and a bit of sweet potato puree) was very light and tasty - I wouldn't return there just for this dish, and if the restaurant didn't have all of the other things (Jeff Josenhans' cocktails, swanky atmosphere, fab service), this dish wouldn't call me back at all. But it was "nice," and didn't drag the meal (or my buzz!) down.
Finally, the dessert. Rachel King and Jack Fisher: not to worry, you're not getting knocked off as my fave pastry chefs anytime soon! There was nothing legendary or pioneering about my dessert (a lemony mascarpone semolina cake with berry compote and vanilla ice cream). However, it happened to be VERY GOOD, not too big, very perfect. I am not a huge blueberry fan (or a huge lemon one, for that matter), but I scarfed up the perfectly prepared berry compote, which was humble but fantastic. The semolina cake was very nice, and the vanilla ice cream was super well-made and tasty.
Chris Kurth also sends out a little dark chocolate cookie with the bill, on the principle that you should finish your meal with a taste of dark chocolate. It wasn't the greatest little choc. thing I ever ate in my life, but it was a nice touch.
Oh! And I forgot my wine. Natalie helped me decide on a glass of viognier ($11) to pair with my sea bass. It was a generous pour and super delish.
On a M-W night, Searsucker is still probably more swinging and exciting.
And if I'm judging on food alone, I'll still take Alchemy food.
And on price/value/reliable deliciousness, I'd still eat my last meal on earth at Charisma.
But for a package of nutso-creative-delicious cocktails + fab service + swanky fun atmosphere + great food, Grant Grill has rocketed to the top of my list!
(Tonight we used a gift certificate - thanks, Mom! But they also offer restaurant.com certificates too. They're more expensive than any of my other #1-4, so it helps!)
Up until today, my fave SD restaurants were:
1. Searsucker = exciting atmosphere + exciting food
2. Alchemy = super-exciting food + relaxed neighborhood atmosphere (favorite chef in city = Ricardo Heredia)
3. Charisma = super-chill atmosphere, reasonable prices and delectable modern Italian cuisine
Well, after a revisit to Grant Grill, they're all getting knocked down a rank:
GRANT GRILL, I LOVE YOU!
Where do we start?
1. Jeff Josenhans = the city's absolute best mixologist. His flavor combos sound strange....they're fantastic!
2 yrs ago, I had a Horton House, a kind of alcoholic chocolate egg cream.
Tonight, I got the bitter betty = fresh muddled blood oranges + gin + vermouth. Don't like gin, don't like vermouth.....The drink was FANTASTIC. So aromatic and herbal, just like the waitress promised.
2. Swanky but luxe atmosphere. Grant Grill has a swingin' bar on Th - Sat. nights, with live music = very atmospheric. But the restaurant part is very fine dining and luxe-y, and quiet. So you have the atmosphere of the hot jazz, and a quiet, fancy atmosphere. LOVE IT!
3. Service is fantastic. Natalie, our server, was super knowledeable, and did not steer me wrong. She very enthusiastically explained more about the 3 cocktails I was considering, and answered every question in a way that left the choice to me, but left me better informed. I had a fantastic meal, with her help.
4. Oh yeah: the food! Would I say that Chris Kurth is a better chef than Ricardo Heredia? Probably not. Ain't got nothin' but love for Ricardo Heredia. BUT there are so many high notes on this menu. First, just like last time, LOVE LOVE LOVE the signature house foccacia. Crazy savory and yummy. Second, my beet plate (not really a salad but a stylish presentation of beets) was yummy, flavorful and light. And Cute Husband's farmer's market salad was delightful - in both of our minds! Third, he really liked his steak, and his creamed corn was yummy. My thai style sea bass (in a light broth, with mushrooms and a bit of sweet potato puree) was very light and tasty - I wouldn't return there just for this dish, and if the restaurant didn't have all of the other things (Jeff Josenhans' cocktails, swanky atmosphere, fab service), this dish wouldn't call me back at all. But it was "nice," and didn't drag the meal (or my buzz!) down.
Finally, the dessert. Rachel King and Jack Fisher: not to worry, you're not getting knocked off as my fave pastry chefs anytime soon! There was nothing legendary or pioneering about my dessert (a lemony mascarpone semolina cake with berry compote and vanilla ice cream). However, it happened to be VERY GOOD, not too big, very perfect. I am not a huge blueberry fan (or a huge lemon one, for that matter), but I scarfed up the perfectly prepared berry compote, which was humble but fantastic. The semolina cake was very nice, and the vanilla ice cream was super well-made and tasty.
Chris Kurth also sends out a little dark chocolate cookie with the bill, on the principle that you should finish your meal with a taste of dark chocolate. It wasn't the greatest little choc. thing I ever ate in my life, but it was a nice touch.
Oh! And I forgot my wine. Natalie helped me decide on a glass of viognier ($11) to pair with my sea bass. It was a generous pour and super delish.
On a M-W night, Searsucker is still probably more swinging and exciting.
And if I'm judging on food alone, I'll still take Alchemy food.
And on price/value/reliable deliciousness, I'd still eat my last meal on earth at Charisma.
But for a package of nutso-creative-delicious cocktails + fab service + swanky fun atmosphere + great food, Grant Grill has rocketed to the top of my list!
(Tonight we used a gift certificate - thanks, Mom! But they also offer restaurant.com certificates too. They're more expensive than any of my other #1-4, so it helps!)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Food Farm SD Truck Review: Yum!
Skipped MIHO today and gave Food Farm SD a try (12225 El Camino, CV, on Weds.).
Delicious grilled cheese sandwich on a yummy whole wheat, with a yummy pesto (is it basil or broccoli pesto?). $6.50.
Side of coco rice (sweet little dessert rice pudding with fresh coconut: $1).
No line at 11:30, much more mellow than MIHO.
Next time I might try the veg kung pao fried rice or the veg tzatziki. They also have soy chorizo fries, but it's not the best health option! Or the salad - but today it was grapefruit which is not my thing.
They list all the farms they source from (Suzie's etc.).
Nice truck!
Delicious grilled cheese sandwich on a yummy whole wheat, with a yummy pesto (is it basil or broccoli pesto?). $6.50.
Side of coco rice (sweet little dessert rice pudding with fresh coconut: $1).
No line at 11:30, much more mellow than MIHO.
Next time I might try the veg kung pao fried rice or the veg tzatziki. They also have soy chorizo fries, but it's not the best health option! Or the salad - but today it was grapefruit which is not my thing.
They list all the farms they source from (Suzie's etc.).
Nice truck!
Blue Point Coastal: Barron is out
In other news, Daniel Barron, the hotshot molecular gastronomy, James Beard-award winning chef who they got at Blue Point Coastal, has left. Am not surprised! The food they had him putting out there was corporate and not exciting - a few days after my boring meal he won the SD Food and Wine Festival with a knock-your-socks off dish, then made a comment about how much fun it was to cook "his" food since he needed to be more conservative at the restaurant. (too bad for me I didn't go to the festival instead of to his restaurant!).
We have many flavor kings in town, but it would be fun to get one of these flashy interesting molecular guys and for them to be able to make their own stuff without dumbing it down for the local market (I think I recall this happening at El Bizcocho too). I'm still very curious about that stuff! I think Jason Knibb is doing more mg, but the prices are so high at Nine-Ten for small portions....
We have many flavor kings in town, but it would be fun to get one of these flashy interesting molecular guys and for them to be able to make their own stuff without dumbing it down for the local market (I think I recall this happening at El Bizcocho too). I'm still very curious about that stuff! I think Jason Knibb is doing more mg, but the prices are so high at Nine-Ten for small portions....
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Flavor Del Mar Review: One thumb up, two thumbs way down
Flavor Del Mar has gotten a lot of buzz lately. It's in the Del Mar Plaza in the old Epazote space. Jason Maitland was the opening chef. We didn't like Arterra after he took it over from Carl Schroeder, so saw no need to try it when it opened. But the new chef, Brian Redzikowski, is getting lots of raves from critics and Yelpers. So we gave it a try.
PLUSSES: I found the food very flavorful! I was ready to add it to my fave restaurants list (maybe at #5) after the first course.
Bread was delicious (whole-wheat, warm and yeasty, with a quartet of flavored salts).
Salad looked humdrum/plain but was spectacular. Super-fresh greens, very light dressing. Peppadew peppers: never ate one, so delicious - just perfectly spicy. Nice mozzarella. Huge portion for $9.
Wine: yummy and super-generous pours. My glasses (of viognier and albarino) were $12 each, but they were very good and I was pleased.
Tuna tataki: This was a very good dish, and totally carb-free (and cold and a little small), but very nice.
Dessert: liked the "chocolate bar," though it wasn't humongous.
NEGATIVES
Very slow service: Waitress was friendly but spend a long time at each table and there weren't enough wait stuff compared to bussers. So you would wait forever for her to finish at a table and have to flag someone down with requests. My salad arrived before my wine - I had to wait another 8 mins. or so for it to show up. Not cool.
CH's sous-vide jidori chicken: He thought it was nasty - tough and and weird tasting. he ordered another dish (steak), which was fine, but the aftertaste of the bad chicken is still with him hours later and he thinks the place is vile.
More on the service: after 25 mins. of waiting for our (cold) dessert, they finally brought it with apologies - and comped it. I'd still give them another chance on this basis, but this was the last straw for CH, who was still grossed out by his chicken and wanted to go.
Bill: At first, they charged us for the chicken AND CH's replacement entree. As soon as they saw us looking unpleased and trying to flag someone down, they figured it out and brought a replacement bill. But this was definitely not top service.
Cocktails: I'm sorry - the mixologist may be doing very respectful farm-to-table this time of year. But the whole list was citrusy and did not call to me. Didn't want a tangeriney, orangey or grapefruity cocktail. The only other alternatives were not appealing (cinammon apple? sounds like dessert).
I'd try Flavor again at lunchtime with a girlfriend, esp. because they take passport. But CH won't be returning with me ever.
For Valentine's Day we're heading to Grant Grill, where we haven't been in almost 2 yrs. Hope we have a spectacular dinner, with great service, fantastic cocktails (Jeff Josenhans, don't let me down!) and delicious food like last time. I still remember the wonderful bread and quiet chill atmosphere.
PLUSSES: I found the food very flavorful! I was ready to add it to my fave restaurants list (maybe at #5) after the first course.
Bread was delicious (whole-wheat, warm and yeasty, with a quartet of flavored salts).
Salad looked humdrum/plain but was spectacular. Super-fresh greens, very light dressing. Peppadew peppers: never ate one, so delicious - just perfectly spicy. Nice mozzarella. Huge portion for $9.
Wine: yummy and super-generous pours. My glasses (of viognier and albarino) were $12 each, but they were very good and I was pleased.
Tuna tataki: This was a very good dish, and totally carb-free (and cold and a little small), but very nice.
Dessert: liked the "chocolate bar," though it wasn't humongous.
NEGATIVES
Very slow service: Waitress was friendly but spend a long time at each table and there weren't enough wait stuff compared to bussers. So you would wait forever for her to finish at a table and have to flag someone down with requests. My salad arrived before my wine - I had to wait another 8 mins. or so for it to show up. Not cool.
CH's sous-vide jidori chicken: He thought it was nasty - tough and and weird tasting. he ordered another dish (steak), which was fine, but the aftertaste of the bad chicken is still with him hours later and he thinks the place is vile.
More on the service: after 25 mins. of waiting for our (cold) dessert, they finally brought it with apologies - and comped it. I'd still give them another chance on this basis, but this was the last straw for CH, who was still grossed out by his chicken and wanted to go.
Bill: At first, they charged us for the chicken AND CH's replacement entree. As soon as they saw us looking unpleased and trying to flag someone down, they figured it out and brought a replacement bill. But this was definitely not top service.
Cocktails: I'm sorry - the mixologist may be doing very respectful farm-to-table this time of year. But the whole list was citrusy and did not call to me. Didn't want a tangeriney, orangey or grapefruity cocktail. The only other alternatives were not appealing (cinammon apple? sounds like dessert).
I'd try Flavor again at lunchtime with a girlfriend, esp. because they take passport. But CH won't be returning with me ever.
For Valentine's Day we're heading to Grant Grill, where we haven't been in almost 2 yrs. Hope we have a spectacular dinner, with great service, fantastic cocktails (Jeff Josenhans, don't let me down!) and delicious food like last time. I still remember the wonderful bread and quiet chill atmosphere.
Bawarchi revisit (Little India, Mira Mesa)
Like Bawarchi on revisit. My visiting Mom did not.
PLUSSES: Super-yum light mixed veg with mustard (?) seed. Unusual dishes. Nice tomato dal. Nice masala paneer. Delicious mixed vegetable rice. Tasty overall
MINUSES: Mom though the vegetarian selections were much smaller than when it was Ker. Grossed out by their being no salad tongs, and the man in front of us using his fingers to pick through the lettuce. $11.95 or so for the buffet.
Very crowded, though, with tons of Indian engineers from the general environs. I'd go back, but I won't bring Mom again!
PLUSSES: Super-yum light mixed veg with mustard (?) seed. Unusual dishes. Nice tomato dal. Nice masala paneer. Delicious mixed vegetable rice. Tasty overall
MINUSES: Mom though the vegetarian selections were much smaller than when it was Ker. Grossed out by their being no salad tongs, and the man in front of us using his fingers to pick through the lettuce. $11.95 or so for the buffet.
Very crowded, though, with tons of Indian engineers from the general environs. I'd go back, but I won't bring Mom again!
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