Tried takeout from Mia Francesca last night. Not as superlative as our visit.
--Boys wanted rigatoni bolognese. They didn't have bolognese last night. CH got spaghetti and meatballs, thought it was ok. Grandpa got rigatoni sardi (with sausage, hold the mushrooms). He really liked his dish. (SB got this too but wasn't wild about it - he just is not a huge noodle fan even though he said he wanted it).
--Grandma and I split rigatoni alla siciliana (with eggplant, still very tasty) and a ravioli with a mushroom-tomato sauce. It was gummy and inedible - would not order again.
--Wanted spinach with garlic and olive oil. It was my favorite dish last time. They forgot it.
--Got the insalata francesca. Didn't really like it - boring lettuce and unmemorable blue cheese.
Dessert was much better. Sprinkles cupcakes reviews:
--Coconut chocolate: very delicious.
--Lemon: I didn't eat it but SB gobbled it up.
--Peanut Butter chip: not crazy about this, wouldn't get it again.
--Milk Chocolate: the G'parents and CH got this and everyone liked it.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Postscript on Room with a View (Old Globe)
Well, perhaps we left Room with a View too early in our Alchemy-sated tiredness. My dr. informed me today that in Act II, the 3 main characters get naked (fully). I don't know if we would have liked the show better as a whole on that basis, but that certainly sounds like it adds a jolt to what CH thought was a very plodding show.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Alchemy Review: How I love Ricardo Heredia + Room with a View (Old Globe) Review
Love, love, love Alchemy.....Every dish is not spectacular, some are hit and miss. But I love how Ricardo Heredia pushes the envelope and does interesting things with food. The food there, quite simply, is FUN. I never know what he'll be offering (the online menu is not always the most current one), and how it will taste.
Starter: Acorn squash salad + buttermilk/cranberry dressing + arugula +smokehouse almonds + goat cheese. I can't say this was the best salad I have had lately. It didn't have me oohing and aahing to the rafters like the delicious salad I had recently at Flavor. The dressing could have been distributed more evenly; some pieces of arugula had no dressing, and then I would find a clump of dressing at the bottom. However, I admire the thought that went into this dish, and it was tasty overall. This is similar to the experience I have had with others of this genre from Heredia (like the sheeps milk cheese + horseradish/buttermilk dressing + other salad stuff a few years ago) - not a home run, but tasty and interesting.
Trio of Spreads: CH ordered this: humus + tapenade + melitzanosalata (eggplant) + tortilla/crackers. He only ate the humus, which was thick and lemony and good. I liked the other two well enough.
Main: He got roasted chicken breast + baby turnips + barley risotto with green peas. He said the chicken was "good" (this is high praise from him - it is the level above "fine," and is pronounced with a smile as he enjoys his food). He ate some of the barley risotto and liked it, but I ate more of it, along with his turnips. Both were delicious.
--For me: crispy salmon skin + beet greens + some other stuff (it's not on the online menu). The dish normally has Serrano ham, but I ordered without it, and didn't feel anything was missing in the flavor. This fish was PERFECTLY COOKED, so delicious, and it stayed hot for most of the meal (I hate getting lukewarm food). The bed of beet greens were super delicious. I scarfed up everything on the plate. This was the best dish of the meal. Asked the server to please tell Chef Ricardo that this new dish is a winner! Enjoyed getting a peek of him in the kitchen (he's sporting an eye-patch - I hope it's dress up as a pirate-chef day instead of his being injured).
Cocktails: different array than on the online menu. I tried something with lemon+lavender+pisco+nutmeg (forget the name - H-- H-- something). I was afraid it would be too weird a mix of flavors, but was disappointed that it didn't taste like much. The server graciously switched me back to the Keeps Pleasure (at least I think that's what it was called). This was a completely different cocktail than the one with the same name listed on their online menu. That one is apple juice + ginger beer + vermouth. What I had was more of a citrus-mint soda: tangerine, lime, vodka, mint. It was very flavorful and refreshing - and reasonably strong!
The atmosphere at Alchemy is much more low-key than at my more glamorous faves like Searsucker and Grant Grill. But it is so fun discovering what combos Chef Ricardo has up his sleeve everytime I go. And the atmosphere is still chill. LOVE ALCHEMY!!
(Oh - and they take Passport, which is great. But I still showed some love to the kitchen by buying 2 kitchen brews - a kind of $3/each tip to Ricardo and the line cooks for them to drink up after service ends!)
ROOM WITH A VIEW: Much less exciting than dinner. It was not a big stinker, but the positive reviews by James Hebert in the UT and others surprised us a little. The score was not very memorable (very operatic), and it plodded for us - and I loved the movie with Helena Bonham Carter! I would have stayed for the 2nd act, but CH was suffering enough with boredom that I agreed to go at intermission, and wasn't too disappointed. Two great shows this season, Somewhere and the Recommendation, are enough to ask for - I can't expect everything at the Globe to be spectacular.
Starter: Acorn squash salad + buttermilk/cranberry dressing + arugula +smokehouse almonds + goat cheese. I can't say this was the best salad I have had lately. It didn't have me oohing and aahing to the rafters like the delicious salad I had recently at Flavor. The dressing could have been distributed more evenly; some pieces of arugula had no dressing, and then I would find a clump of dressing at the bottom. However, I admire the thought that went into this dish, and it was tasty overall. This is similar to the experience I have had with others of this genre from Heredia (like the sheeps milk cheese + horseradish/buttermilk dressing + other salad stuff a few years ago) - not a home run, but tasty and interesting.
Trio of Spreads: CH ordered this: humus + tapenade + melitzanosalata (eggplant) + tortilla/crackers. He only ate the humus, which was thick and lemony and good. I liked the other two well enough.
Main: He got roasted chicken breast + baby turnips + barley risotto with green peas. He said the chicken was "good" (this is high praise from him - it is the level above "fine," and is pronounced with a smile as he enjoys his food). He ate some of the barley risotto and liked it, but I ate more of it, along with his turnips. Both were delicious.
--For me: crispy salmon skin + beet greens + some other stuff (it's not on the online menu). The dish normally has Serrano ham, but I ordered without it, and didn't feel anything was missing in the flavor. This fish was PERFECTLY COOKED, so delicious, and it stayed hot for most of the meal (I hate getting lukewarm food). The bed of beet greens were super delicious. I scarfed up everything on the plate. This was the best dish of the meal. Asked the server to please tell Chef Ricardo that this new dish is a winner! Enjoyed getting a peek of him in the kitchen (he's sporting an eye-patch - I hope it's dress up as a pirate-chef day instead of his being injured).
Cocktails: different array than on the online menu. I tried something with lemon+lavender+pisco+nutmeg (forget the name - H-- H-- something). I was afraid it would be too weird a mix of flavors, but was disappointed that it didn't taste like much. The server graciously switched me back to the Keeps Pleasure (at least I think that's what it was called). This was a completely different cocktail than the one with the same name listed on their online menu. That one is apple juice + ginger beer + vermouth. What I had was more of a citrus-mint soda: tangerine, lime, vodka, mint. It was very flavorful and refreshing - and reasonably strong!
The atmosphere at Alchemy is much more low-key than at my more glamorous faves like Searsucker and Grant Grill. But it is so fun discovering what combos Chef Ricardo has up his sleeve everytime I go. And the atmosphere is still chill. LOVE ALCHEMY!!
(Oh - and they take Passport, which is great. But I still showed some love to the kitchen by buying 2 kitchen brews - a kind of $3/each tip to Ricardo and the line cooks for them to drink up after service ends!)
ROOM WITH A VIEW: Much less exciting than dinner. It was not a big stinker, but the positive reviews by James Hebert in the UT and others surprised us a little. The score was not very memorable (very operatic), and it plodded for us - and I loved the movie with Helena Bonham Carter! I would have stayed for the 2nd act, but CH was suffering enough with boredom that I agreed to go at intermission, and wasn't too disappointed. Two great shows this season, Somewhere and the Recommendation, are enough to ask for - I can't expect everything at the Globe to be spectacular.
Friday, March 16, 2012
More Urban Plates takeout (Carmel Valley)
UP was so good last weekend for takeout that we got it again tonight. SB preferred to eat "house food." (foodgirl makes a mean quesadilla)
CH got the turkey sandwich, which has roasted tomatoes on it, and chips on the side, plus one side (he picked a salad). He said it was "fine."
I got ono again + beets again + sauteed mushrooms. Very delicious and very filling.
Tasted the carrot + ginger soup while I was there for pickup. Was fine, much better than the inedible roasted red pepper soup they had in fall. Tastes pretty much like the Whole Foods version. Still, ginger is not my favorite thing in carrot soup, so I'd order those only if I was cold and wanted something healthy and filling.
Still tasty - and I'm glad they're experimenting with different seasonal items.
CH got the turkey sandwich, which has roasted tomatoes on it, and chips on the side, plus one side (he picked a salad). He said it was "fine."
I got ono again + beets again + sauteed mushrooms. Very delicious and very filling.
Tasted the carrot + ginger soup while I was there for pickup. Was fine, much better than the inedible roasted red pepper soup they had in fall. Tastes pretty much like the Whole Foods version. Still, ginger is not my favorite thing in carrot soup, so I'd order those only if I was cold and wanted something healthy and filling.
Still tasty - and I'm glad they're experimenting with different seasonal items.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
MIHO Gastrotruck (Carmel Valley): Drowning in aioli!
Went to MIHO today on High Bluff (got there super-early - only way to beat the line!). Was going to try the deviled egg sammy special, but decided the bello would be healthier (wanted lots of veggies).
Well, my sandwich was tasty, but healthy it was not. The whole thing was absolutely drowning in the "roasted local fennel pesto aioli." I know farm-to-table doesn't mean lowfat, but I would have preferred a lot more "farm" (veggies) to fat ratio. I wiped most of it off, and still had oodles of aioli on the sandwich.
Wouldn't get that sandwich again unless I asked for the aioli on the side. Still like MIHO, but that was not as impressive a meal as some others.
(I did pick up a "Suzie's farm Strawberry shortcake," which I'll give to SB when he returns from preschool. That is also WAY more cream than berry, but I think he'll like it).
Well, my sandwich was tasty, but healthy it was not. The whole thing was absolutely drowning in the "roasted local fennel pesto aioli." I know farm-to-table doesn't mean lowfat, but I would have preferred a lot more "farm" (veggies) to fat ratio. I wiped most of it off, and still had oodles of aioli on the sandwich.
Wouldn't get that sandwich again unless I asked for the aioli on the side. Still like MIHO, but that was not as impressive a meal as some others.
(I did pick up a "Suzie's farm Strawberry shortcake," which I'll give to SB when he returns from preschool. That is also WAY more cream than berry, but I think he'll like it).
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Urban Plates (Carmel Valley): Curbside Pickup Review # whatever
We have not been in an Urban Plates mood for a while. Definitely not for eating in, and I had grown tired of the choices compared to Tender Greens. But we decided tonight to give takeout a try again.
To my surprise, they actually are switching the menu up seasonally. So there were some different side choices (and a new veg soup choice). I didn't try the new soup choice (carrot/ginger) since I didn't want to commit myself without tasting it (the roasted red pepper from fall was nasty), but I may give it a chance in the future. Also, there is a new seasonal fish instead of tuna: ono.
I got: ono + roasted vegetables + beet salad. Have had the beets before: beets + onions + walnuts = very yummy. Roasted root vegetables I may not have: very tasty potatoes + sweet potatoes. Ono was very good (I got the chimichurri on the side because I'm not a huge fan - ended up using lemon we had just picked from a friend's tree instead). Overall, this was one of the more substantial plates I've gotten from there before.
SuperBoy's grilled cheese was still ridiculously delicious and I ate most of it.
CH's turkey + stuffing + salad carveup was "fine" (I think that means nothing spectacular, but satisfying enough).
We got lemon + coconut cake, but are too full to eat it. We'll look forward to trying it tomorrow!
To my surprise, they actually are switching the menu up seasonally. So there were some different side choices (and a new veg soup choice). I didn't try the new soup choice (carrot/ginger) since I didn't want to commit myself without tasting it (the roasted red pepper from fall was nasty), but I may give it a chance in the future. Also, there is a new seasonal fish instead of tuna: ono.
I got: ono + roasted vegetables + beet salad. Have had the beets before: beets + onions + walnuts = very yummy. Roasted root vegetables I may not have: very tasty potatoes + sweet potatoes. Ono was very good (I got the chimichurri on the side because I'm not a huge fan - ended up using lemon we had just picked from a friend's tree instead). Overall, this was one of the more substantial plates I've gotten from there before.
SuperBoy's grilled cheese was still ridiculously delicious and I ate most of it.
CH's turkey + stuffing + salad carveup was "fine" (I think that means nothing spectacular, but satisfying enough).
We got lemon + coconut cake, but are too full to eat it. We'll look forward to trying it tomorrow!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Massage places to try
I got some coupons from East Holistic Reflexology (La Costa), and they have great reviews on yelp. (Also some decent reviews for Healing Touch Reflexology in Carlsbad) The big question will be: what eating adventure lies nearby, since all of the other great massage places I know about lie near delicious treats?
Happy Buddha/Dumpling Inn
Royal Siam/Waters
Massage Thai Way/Sab E Lee
I'll see when I have time to find out!
Happy Buddha/Dumpling Inn
Royal Siam/Waters
Massage Thai Way/Sab E Lee
I'll see when I have time to find out!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Harbor Fish and Chips (Oceanside)
SB and I recently met a friend visiting from LA in Oceanside. First we hit Red Velvet yogurt (lots of delicious choices, and a convenient location near the beach, the Amtrak station, and lots of parking make it a great place to hang out and wait). Then we hit the pier - the playground is gone for repair!! - but the swingset is still there. SB tired himself out running up and down the ramp.
Then our friend wanted seafood, so we headed over to Harbor Fish and Chips, a place recommended on Yelp. We're not in the 92130 anymore! This place had an authentic old school feel rather than a shiny new facade. I took one bite of my friend's fish - too deep-fried and gross for me. But my grilled fish was fine. Both portions were ridicuolously enormous for under $10, and they came with two sides (I picked sweet potato fries and salad). SB announced that it smelled like dead fish outside (it was a harbor) but he was ok inside -lots of cool murals on the wall, fake spiders hanging from the ceiling, lots of things to catch a preschooler's eye. Certainly a decent choice in the area - beautiful view outside of the harbor and sunset too!
Then our friend wanted seafood, so we headed over to Harbor Fish and Chips, a place recommended on Yelp. We're not in the 92130 anymore! This place had an authentic old school feel rather than a shiny new facade. I took one bite of my friend's fish - too deep-fried and gross for me. But my grilled fish was fine. Both portions were ridicuolously enormous for under $10, and they came with two sides (I picked sweet potato fries and salad). SB announced that it smelled like dead fish outside (it was a harbor) but he was ok inside -lots of cool murals on the wall, fake spiders hanging from the ceiling, lots of things to catch a preschooler's eye. Certainly a decent choice in the area - beautiful view outside of the harbor and sunset too!
Asian Persuasion Food Truck Review (Fridays in CV)
Decided to give this truck a try today for the first time. Showed up at 11:25 (supposed to open at 11:30) in case there was a line. Took until 11:40 for them to get there, and I almost left, but then I was first in what became a 15-person line within minutes.
Fish tacos were not dietetic at all (panko-fried, slaw, tangy Asian dressing), but very delicious. On Yelp some people say they're bland, but I think it's important to eat them right away and not let them sit. My first bite was extremely very delicious - by the time I was finished the last bite was a little soggier. Huge portion - am very full.
Not sure I'll leap to go back to this one, but it was great to try, and the fish tacos were yummy. That's pretty much the only veg or fish option there (there's also a fish burrito that has rice in it).
And the food is a Filipino-Mexican-Asian hybrid.
Fish tacos were not dietetic at all (panko-fried, slaw, tangy Asian dressing), but very delicious. On Yelp some people say they're bland, but I think it's important to eat them right away and not let them sit. My first bite was extremely very delicious - by the time I was finished the last bite was a little soggier. Huge portion - am very full.
Not sure I'll leap to go back to this one, but it was great to try, and the fish tacos were yummy. That's pretty much the only veg or fish option there (there's also a fish burrito that has rice in it).
And the food is a Filipino-Mexican-Asian hybrid.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)