Allegiance (Old Globe) Review

Had an outstanding dinner and a show tonight.....show review first!

Allegiance is at the Old Globe, and stars George Takei, Lea Salonga and the young Telly Leung (from Glee and Godspell).

Show was AMAZING.  Cast was so earnest and talented, and showed that it was nonsense that the La Jolla Playhouse suggested it couldn't find enough good Asian actors for Nightingale. (In fact Christopher Ashley and Michael Rosenberg were in the house tonight, and we were speculating on whether they were sheepishly thinking this themselves!). Play is musical about the experience of a multigeneration Japanese-American family interned in Wyoming after 1941.  Totally heartwrenching, beautiful score, so well-sung and acted. And the set designer needs to get a Tony when this goes to Broadway.  Whole show will be a hit.

Met George Takei after, thanked him so much for the beautiful show and for telling us his own story (he was interned as a child and didn't want to talk or think about it for decades).  He said the play is definitely going to Broadway.  And that there are still lots of tickets available for the rest of the Globe run (even though tonight played to a full, loud house, which thunderously applauded after each great number and jumped to its feet at curtain call).

CH was happy to see his idol Lea Salonga.  She is really dazzling and has such a gorgeous voice. She even made herself look frumpy here, which is quite a feat.

More info is at:  http://www.theoldglobe.org/pressphotos/allegiance.html. GO SEE IT! (it deserves full houses every night, and is a never-to-be-forgotten kind of show!)

Saltbox Review + Chocolat Cremerie (Gaslamp)

Hit Saltbox recently - have been meaning to, plus PRGirl said it was fab.

Atmosphere: fine, gaslamp cool, but not super-loud and crowded like Searsucker, possible to hear each other talk.

Service: Friendly, but a bit slow. Big gap between apps and entree, CH was getting grumpy.

Food: Loved the flavors. Had corn soup, lettuce/peach/hazelnut salad, black mushroom pasta.  I loved the soup (basil oil); CH thought it was too thin.  Salad was good but not interesting enough to finish the whole thing. Pasta very delicious but would rather have had it as a half-portion and had some other flavors.  CH liked his corn ravioli.

We didn't feel like sitting there longer so went for dessert elsewhere. But first....

THE BATHROOMS: Ok, I understand this is supposed to be a hip place, and they're trying to be cool by having unisex bathrooms. But....the bathrooms were dirty, with overflowing paper towels.  Ladies don't like gross bathrooms. Plus it was very dim, and it was hard to see which stalls were open - and you're suspecting that someone is going to be tempted to be in the stall next to you doing it.  I used the bathroom 2x, and then just couldn't bring myself to go later.  Blechy.  When we came back for our car after dessert I really had to go again, but the hotel does not even have another public bathroom in the lobby - only the gross one in the restaurant.  Not interested in returning - alas! When I asked the concierge if there was another bathroom, I told him the one upstairs was dirty, and he just shrugged - no, "Wow - is it? I'll send someone right up!"

***
Chocolat Cremerie:  good (not great) gelato.  Nutella crepe: took forever. When it came: not even hot anymore.  Cute place, but no need to return.

Still, fun night in the Gaslamp. Delicious flavors at Saltbox - but next time we're in the Gaslamp we'll be back at Grant Grill or at Searsucker!

Coming to Encinitas: Native Foods Cafe

Was in the Trader Joes shopping center in Encinitas, and noticed an application for a liquor license in a window near The Kebab Shop. Native Foods Cafe: coming to Encinitas.  The name sounded familiar.

Sure enough it is a gourmet vegan restaurant in the OC and other places:  http://nativefoods.com/.  Looks super delish. What a great option that will be - esp. with a liquor license!! (of course CH is not coming with me to a vegan restaurant so any interested friends should let me know! :))

Quick Takes: Tender Greens and The Kebab Shop

Hit the Kebab Shop in Encinitas for the first time in a long time.  SB was not a huge fan of their humus, and CH didn't like the spicing in his shwarma, so we probably won't go again soon. But I think it's delish (and so convenient when you have errands!). Don't normally like Tabouli but their version was delicious on a scorcher of a day -very minty and fresh.  The green lentils are also delicious, and the felafels (while not the best in SD) are also very good, much better than the greek places.

Tender Greens (UTC): I review it so often I'll only mention the new stuff.

--their rose of zinfandel: nasty
--gruner veltliner (white wine): super delish, only $7

--carrot cupcake and chocolate cupcake: delish

--kale parmesan salad: not so good. Kale was raw and not marinated and tasted like parsley.  Would rather have gotten a different salad.

Otherwise, great place for delicious night out with boy!

Smoked eggplant wrap at MIHO Gastrotruck: Divine one week (and not as divine the next)!

UPDATE: Ordered it again today and it was much less delicious!  It was tasty, but not a must-have-again by any means.  Not sure what was different, other than that they said they substituted some black bean spread for the hummus from last week. It would be surprising if the humus alone was what had made it delectable.  Maybe the eggplant wasn't smoked as much as last week....
***

Had my fave dish ever (I think) from MIHO last week: smoked eggplant wrap.  Was super-delicious, and filling enough to justify the price.  I would happily go back if they put it on the menu again.

YUM! YUM! YUM!

Got the little burrata salad - was tasty, but not spectacular enough for me to spend $3 again on it.  Could just eat an apple with my wrap!

I hope they keep it on the menu and I get to have it again soon!

Davanti Enoteca (Carmel Valley): Super-Yum!

Was not expecting Davanti Enoteca to be so good. It's in the infamous Ralph's Shopping Center in the 92130 that has become Beverly-Hills-wanna-be central (Burlap, Mia Francesca, Urban Plates, etc.).  Had some last-minute babysitting, so gave it a try.

ATMOSPHERE: Well, it's that same we're-in-the-strip-mall-but-we're-trying-to-feel-like-hip-main-street feel.  They mean well.

but the star is the

FOOD!!

Wine: loved my $13 Gavi. They let me try a taste first - wouldn't have ordered it at that price if it wasn't super-yum. Had a disappointing :( meal at my fave Charisma recently.  Would rather pay $13 for a super glass of wine than $7.50 at Charisma for a so-so one.

Appetizers: CH got this super-yum truffle egg toast asparagus. I got two of the anti-pasti of the night on a platter: zucchini "spaghetti" with pine nuts and parmesan, and charred cauliflower with some other yummies mixed with it. Happy Foodie Mom.

Entree:  L-O-V-E-D my pizza with funghi, taleggio and leeks.  WAY YUMMIER EVEN THAN THE CUCINA URBANA pizza.  If this place wasn't in the strip mall, it would move higher on my list. CH thought his rigatoni with sausage was ok.

He didn't love it as much as me, but it was a super fun and yummy night. This is probably the best restaurant in the strip mall (leaving aside Rachel King's desserts at Burlap). Can't wait to try it again!

Bull Taco: MUST VISIT!! (Cardiff State Beach Campground)

Finally hit Bull Taco this weekend with the boys. I don't know what took us so long.

IT'S SPECTACULAR!!

The setting is a shack (I thought it was a food truck but it's a regular structure) next to the page, inside the campgrounds in Cardiff. You park on 101 just north of Birmingham and walk a block up (or you can park on San Elijo by VG's if you can't get a spot on 101 and walk over).

FOOD: Not as great as some yelpers say, though we didn't get the ostrich. But it was fine.

And the setting....

WOWZA! Even living near the coast and going to places like Ki's, you are not prepared for this view.

They have things like quesadillas, sea bass (or other fish of the day) tacos, tater tots, shaved ice, veggie burritos, etc.  It's not expensive.

And the view? PRICELESS!

It's worth at least one visit to decide whether this will be your place.....Don't delay so long in trying it like I did. Wowza!!