San Diego Dining Dish!

Matsuoka Sushi

2022-06-30T21:16:00.006-07:00

I have eaten sushi all of the US (including a questionable mall place in rural North Carolina that was definitely a mistake -- to this day I can't eat a salmon roll). California sushi is generally far superior to other locations due to our proximity to the Pacific, as well as getting the best sushi chefs in the world to bless our tables with their skills and prowess.

Matsuoka Sushi is part of the Raki Raki Ramen/Yasai/JCK Chicken combo restaurant, presenting four incredible Japanese cuisines in one building. Guests may order any combination off of the four menus -- ramen, vegan sushi, Japanese fried chicken karaage, and of course, high end sushi from Mastuoka.

I've had food from all four restaurants, and believe me, there are no wrong answers here. It's like a mini tour of Tokyo.

The miso soup is the ubiquitous starter for many sushi meals, and the miso is a cut above with fresh greens, seaweed, and shitake and enoki mushrooms. It has the salty smooth flavor characteristic of miso, but is so much better than the typical.

I got into the crunchy rolls in NYC of all places, and I've continued to enjoy them on the West Coast. The crunchy roll served at Matsuoka takes is a step above with freshly fried tempura shrimp, and purple crunchies for the coating. If someone is nervous about trying raw sushi, I always point them towards the crunchy roll to get them started.

This roll, like all of their rolls, is a feast for the eyes as well as the mouth. Following the Japanese tradition of careful preparation and presentation, it really is almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

I'm usually a pretty basic kind of sushi girl (don't judge), but I do love some of the big, creative rolls when they are done right.

The Hatsuhana roll is such a specialty. Made with spicy blue fin tuna and avocado roll, then topped with tempura lobster and watercress.

The presentation, as with all of their gorgeous dishes, is exquisite, with lovely colors and garnish. However, the taste is really to be celebrated. I absolutely loved the tempura lobster paired with spicy bluefin. Topped with a bit of eel sauce, this roll was so flavorful that it didn't require any condiments.

The California roll is always a classic and always a must. Matsuoka serves theirs as a half and half of American ingenuity on Japanese cuisine: half California and half spicy tuna roll. Both rolls are incredible and probably the best version of these classic rolls that I've eaten.

I mentioned earlier that this is four restaurants in one. A great option for someone who doesn't care for sushi (or really enjoys good fried chicken) is to order JCK Chicken. This chicken set has homemade karaage chicken served with homemade fries. If you've never tried Japanese-style fried chicken, I highly recommend that you do.

The last item of our dinner was the enviable toro tuna belly nigiri. The tuna here is so high grade, so fresh, it is incredible. The chef chooses the very best pieces and serves them in such a lovely way. Toro is very pricy, and I don't get it every time I order sushi, but I do make sure to get it from a nice place with a chef who knows what he is doing. Matsuoka is just such a place to sample the very best.

One final piece of our meal was a delicious dessert of matcha ice cream served in a stunning dish with fresh flowers and carrots. The ice cream was homemade, and not too sweet. A perfect end to a perfect meal.

Wing Wednesday at Bub's at the Beach

2022-06-16T21:04:00.002-07:00

We've all heard of Taco Tuesday by now, but did you know that there is a Wing Wednesday? It's true, and it's going down at the beach courtesy of Bub's at the Beach in Pacific Beach. Every Wednesday night, enjoy buy one get one free on 5-piece wing trays with any of their homemade sauces, as well as $5 drafts/$20 pitchers of Sam Adams or Ashland Seltzer.

We were invited to check out this spot on none other than the first night of the Stanley Cup finals. What a great night and place to eat some wings and watch sports on the plentiful large television sets. The bar is open air, so it feels nice and safe, and you get to enjoy those ocean breezes.

We started with the giant pretzel appetizer. Everyone who reads this blog should know by now that if a place has a giant soft pretzel on the menu, I'm getting it. This pretzel was humongous! It comes with a cheese dipping sauce and homemade mustard sauce, both excellent accompaniments. Coupled with one of their many beers, it's the perfect start.

To start a little more entree-focused items, the chicken fingers with tater tots is a perfect item to enjoy dipping into any of the homemade sauces.

On to the most important part of the evening -- the wings! Bub's has a ton of choices for sauces, spicy, sweet, salty, or a little bit of all three!

I wanted something a bit different from the standard buffalo sauce, so we chose the Thai Peanut, Archie (a homemade sauce of buffalo, honey mustard, and spices), BBQ, and spicy BBQ.

The wings were generously doused with sauce, and cooked to perfection. The Thai peanut was delicious, and not spicy, if that's a concern. The Archie sauce was unusual, but it worked, tempering the buffalo sauce with a sweet mustard made it a perfect bite.

The BBQ and spicy BBQ are classics for a reason. Everyone loves them, and classics are comforting when you want to hang out and chat with friends over beers.

The other featured dish at Bub's are the tater tot skillets. There are a few choices, but being a Pittsburgh-themed bar, we thought we should go with the Pittsburgh tots with sliced beef, melted Swiss and mozzarella, grilled onions, mushrooms, and peppers. The tater tots were anything but ordinary, and very crispy. The toppings were delicious and definitely necessitated a fork for consumption.

For dessert, Bub's serves up the Solo Cup sundae, with vanilla ice cream, crushed Oreos and Heath pieces, along with chocolate and caramel syrups. After consuming all of those calories with beer, wings, and tots, it's the perfect sweet bite.

Wing Wednesdays are going on weekly at Bub's, as well as other game day and weekday specials.

Fin + Lime

2022-06-03T14:01:00.004-07:00

Fin + Lime, a new concept in ceviche and Mexican seafood, has recently opened in Mission Valley. From the people who brought you Grater Grilled Cheese and Grater Greens comes a build your own ceviche and hot bar.

Choose from a series of ingredients on the cold menu to build a perfect plate of ceviche with custom protein, vegetables, sauces, and crunch. Choose from a tostada or flavored Tostitos chips. The ceviches make a perfect light meal or appetizer for a table.

The menu also has a hot option, if cold fish isn't your taste. There is an option of a bowl, burrito, or taco platter. Again, the method is to choose your style, protein, and toppings to build your own custom meal.

Pictured is a shrimp rice bowl with black beans, avocado, and cabbage. The creamy cilantro lime sauce was the perfect accompaniment, and the dish was the perfect filling main course. A great option for those looking for all of the flavor but cutting the carbs.

Besides the build-your-own options, customers also have the choice of a fish n chips, calamari, or fried shrimp platter, all served with a side of homemade chips. The fried fish is so tasty, and some of the best fish n chips I've eaten in a while. The homemade chips are a favorite and perfect without being overly heavy.

Another item from the hot bar options is the gobernador-style tacos, with crispy fried shells, shrimp, and poblano peppers. So delicious, and a perfect indulgent meal with rice and beans.

Fin + Lime is open daily Monday - Saturday for lunch and dinner in Mission Valley.

CRAZY Tuesdays at Mongolian Hot Pot

2022-05-26T21:26:00.004-07:00

This summer, through September, Mongolian Hot Pot is hosting Crazy Tuesdays with all you can eat hot pot (shabu shabu) for one price.

The menu includes high quality meats, including beef and seafood, as well as a variety of vegetables, noodles, and sauces. The hot pot is the choice of the regular, spicy, or the yin yang to have half of each (get the yin yang). Both broths are delicious and add so much flavor to the items.

The broths were soon brought to the table, which is fitted with a burner much like a fondue burner. In fact, it's basically just a different kind of fondue, but healthier and with a lot more flavor.

We started off with some of the wagyu beef and regular beef, as well as broccoli, fish, udon noodles, and egg ramen noodles.

The variety is vast, and everything is brought out fresh, with three items allowed per person at once. This may seem strict for all you can eat, but servers are happy to bring more. Bringing out smaller amounts helps to keep the products fresh and tasty.

Once the stew starts brewing, dump in the ingredients and get ready to enjoy. Everything cooks rather quickly due to the hot temperature.

More and more meats and items were brought to the table. Remember, it's all you can eat, so there's no excuse for leaving hungry!

My favorite meat is the fish in the spicy broth. It really absorbs the flavors and is just delicious. I love the mushrooms and broccoli as well. However, whatever your choice, it is going to be fresh and amazing.

As well as the hot pot, appetizers are available as side orders. Pictured are the pot stickers, which are delightful, but there are also grilled meat skewers and Mongolian beef pie.

To wash down all of that delicious, spicy food, the watermelon juice is a refreshing option. Served as a carafe, it is quite popular for good reason. Nice and cold, and it will be the ultimate antidote to hot summer temperatures.

Mongolian Hot Pot is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Mardi Gras Every Day at Lousiana Purchase

2022-05-08T17:03:00.002-07:00

Gator by the Bay is this weekend, but Louisiana Purchase, North Park's premiere Creole fine dining restaurant, features the flavors of the Bayou every day.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is chic, yet practical, offering plenty of space and fresh air for patrons to enjoy their meals and let the good times roll!

During the pandemic, LP has updated their dining room to include partitions between each table to offer not only safety but privacy between guests.

Let's get to the best part, the food! Chef Quinnton Austin hails from New Orleans, and serves up some of the city's finest treats, with some SoCal flair thrown in on the weekly specials menu to give some nod to his new home.

We started with garlic cheddar biscuits served with a honey butter and strawberry jam. These biscuits are so tender and delicious, and huge! These are great to start out a meal or as a side for eating with their amazing entrees.

Our other starter was the Acme char-grilled oysters. These are cooked well done, so a great option for those who don't really do the raw oysters, but also an amazing, surprising appetizer for any seafood lover. Covered with parmesan and served with bread, they taste like New Orleans.

The drinks are one of the best things at Louisiana Purchase. The bar is fully stocked and their featured drinks are reminiscent of a party in NOLA itself. We chose the Pimmp's Cup and the Skull and Bone mojito for this visit, but all of the drinks are skillfully and thoughtfully made.

The Pimmp's cup is a play on the classic Pimm's cup drink, with Pimm's, ginger, Orange Crush soda, and cucumber.

The Skull and Bones mojito is a twist with rum, passionfruit, mint, lime, and club soda.

The shrimp and grits is a classic Creole dish, and LP serves this dish its due, but manages to make it original with a very spicy tomato and onion sauce and cheese grits.

The ribeye with garlic herbed butter was huge and incredible. The meat is very tender and cooked perfectly with lots of great flavor.

Sides are ordered separately at LP, and with the steak, we chose the maple roasted brussel sprouts and the gouda mac and cheese.

The mac and cheese was probably some of the best I've had, with a rich texture and pronounced cheese flavor.

The brussel sprouts were roasted with maple syrup and cooked to perfection, with a crispy outer crust and tender inside.

Louisiana Purchase offers the flavors of New Orleans right in San Diego. Open Wednesday through Sunday with a late night menu on Fridays and brunch on Sundays. Check them out!

Local Roots Kombucha Boochyard is Open!

2022-04-10T13:12:00.006-07:00

After two years of lockdowns, protocols, and takeout, Local Roots Kombucha has finally opened their Boochyard space in Vista.

Located just east of Carlsbad, the Boochyard hosts a variety of tastings of their hard kombucha, including non-alcoholic and hard tea.

Local Roots has a lovely space outside with cornhole, giant Connect 4, and covered tables for hours of enjoyment.

Indoors includes a billiards table and fun fooseball for big and little alike. It is a VERY kid-friendly space, with lots of room for kids to play and run around. My daughter made quick friends with the other kids there and played the entire time. They even had slushes for them!

Local Roots is available in most stores selling alcoholic beverages in San Diego (see here for specific stores), and can be purchased canned from the Boochyard. Coming to the tasting room is great, because you have an opportunity to get a tasting flight to see just what you'd like. We tasted 10 of their most popular flavors, including the new Safari Ride, the latest in their "Can for a Cause" series. 20% of the profits from this brew go to the San Diego Zoo.

The Safari Ride was my personal favorite, as well as the Island Vibes and Cali Mule. I like the light, refreshing taste of each flavor.

Speaking of flavor, the Boochyard also has an all plant-based menu for snacks and meals. There is a little something for everyone, including nachos, quesadillas, and curry.

Everything is absolutely yummy, and for meat-lovers, it's not scary! You truly will not miss the meat element in these dishes.

Pictured are the loaded nachos, with a traditional pico sauce and beans, and drowned in cheese.

The Crunchwrap is just like a certain fast food Mexican place, but actually healthy, with real vegetables and loads of flavor.

Check out the side view with all of those fresh veggies, beans, and cheese.

The quesadilla is perfect for kids or as a light snack. Dairy free, but the vegan cheese is nice and melty.

The final dish is the crispy dumplings. These are steamed, then covered in a green goddess-like sauce that is simply delicious. They are served atop a bed of kale and other vegetables for a delightful appetizer.

The tap room is open Tuesday through Sundays from 3 to 8 pm (12-9 pm on weekends).

New Menu Items at City Taco

2022-03-08T10:39:00.002-08:00

It's been a minute since I visited City Tacos in Pacific Beach. In the last few years, City Tacos has gone from local secret to full on institution, with locations in North Park, Pacific Beach, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Encinitas, and Sorrento Valley.

Each location is a little different, but the menus are mostly the same. I've honestly never had a taco from them that isn't mind-blowingly good.

Ever-changing and growing, the menu has a few new additions, as well as a monthly special. I'm abstaining from beef as part of a fast for the next few weeks, so I sadly couldn't try their Oaxaca beef taco, but I did try out the new Scallop Dreams Taco, Crunch Time Shrimp Taco, and City Zucchini.

Check out how stuffed those tortillas are! Pictured are the new tacos, as well as the fish taco. Can't say no to a San Diego staple!

The Crunch Time Shrimp taco was one of the best tacos I've had. Made with City Tacos' signature fresh seafood and bacon, then stuffed into a tortilla and fried, then put onto another tortilla and topped with pico, sour cream, and a huge wedge of avocado.

I can't get tacos and not get chips and guacamole. City Tacos loads the guac with tomatoes, onion, and cojita cheese for maximum flavor and texture.

The Scallop Dreams taco is unlike anything I've ever had. Fresh scallops in a cream sauce with squash and bacon? I'll take a bucket of these please. The creamy sauce was the perfect, luxury compliment to the scallops.

The third new item is the City Zucchini taco. If you love zucchini, or even if you don't, try this taco! Fried zucchini with olives, capers, and black beans, then sauced and drizzled with lime aioli Such a good vegetarian option.

The fish taco is a classic for a reason, and anyone wanting to get a good taste of San Diego's signature should try the one at City Tacos. The mahi-mahi is fried, then topped with pickled onion, cabbage, strawberries (!), and lime aioli. So much crunch and flavor, it's a definite favorite!

City Tacos has locations all over the metro area, listed on their website. Check out their new offerings and old favorites!

Robot Servers at Shabu Works

2022-01-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

Dear readers, we are living in the future. I'm so glad that I lived long enough to be served by robot waiters!

Shabu Works is one of the best spots for shabu shabu/hot pot in San Diego. With the new robot service, you give your order with broths and meats to the waiter (up to three meats at a time), and it's brought by a real-life robot.

Shabu Works has been a staple of Mira Mesa for the past few years, with their all-you-can-eat hot pot lunch and dinner.

The restrictions are enforced -- bring a mask, wear it when you leave the table. I'm very happy that they are trying to keep everyone safe!

The offerings at Shabu Works are varied and plentiful. The seafood bar boasts shrimp, crayfish, squid, and fish, just to name a few. All of the food is fresh and replenished often.

The broth varieties go very well with all of meat, vegetables, and noodles offered. Diners are welcome to try up to two broths at a time. I strongly advise getting a spicy broth and non-spicy, just to have a variety.

We chose beef and chicken, and lamb, but there are loads of various meats and combinations to try. With AYCE and such a generous time limit, you really can try everything on the menu.

There is a variety of vegetables to choose from, and I strongly recommend all of them! Everything is better with more vegetables.

Bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble! Much like fondue, hot pot is a meal of cooking what you like in delicious broth for flavor. I highly recommend the spicy Mongolian broth and Tonkatsu broth. The spicy is the best! There is also an entire bar of sauces and other condiments for adding flavor to your meal. It's really up to you!

Shabu Works is open daily for lunch and dinner, and is really kid friendly. It's a great place for families and dates.

DiCiccio's Italian Restaurant

2021-11-03T20:44:00.007-07:00

The weather has been cooling down here, and with Hallowe'en finished, we are cruising into the holiday season. I'm so ready for some actual get togethers and frivolity this season. As I looked around the huge dining areas (yes, multiple dining rooms) at DiCiccio's, I couldn't help but think that it would be the perfect locale for the many company and family holiday celebrations to come this season.

We were invited to check out DiCiccio's last weekend. The restaurant, as mentioned, is huge, with plenty of private party rooms, and a full bar area. The menu is old school Italian American, done up in the best way.

A Zoltar greets visitors as they enter, adding some whimsy and welcome to the place, especially for families. Italian food is all about family, and DiCiccio's is great for a family outing as well as a nice date.

The dining area is varied with seating, with loads of quiet booths offering privacy, or a nice open area perfect for a large, boisterous group.

We started with a classic -- fried calamari. The calamari was crisp, and not heavily battered; it was a perfect way to show off the flavor of the squid.

Each meal has the option to add soup or salad, so to be healthy (ha!) we added a Caesar to split. The Caesar is a classic for a reason -- it's delicious. This one was a simple romaine with the fresh parm, dressing, and croutons. It honestly needs nothing else to be fabulous.

DiCiccio's is definitely family friendly, with an entire menu of foods appealing to children. The chicken fingers are always a favorite of small ones, and the portion is huge. Even the heartiest of eaters will leave full with this dish.

The calzone is absolutely the best item on the menu, even though everything is amazing. The DiCiccio's special calzone is brimming with cheese, sausage, pepperoni, salami, mushroom, onion, peppers, and loads of cheese and sauce. Wear your stretchy pants and enjoy! This calzone is enormous and delicious. There is an option to upgrade and add more sauce and cheese on top of the calzone -- do it. You will not regret it!

Manicotti is one of my favorite dishes, and it seems hard to find these days. I've tried making it at home, but it seems to elude me. I loved this version, bursting with mozzarella and stuffed with rich ricotta, and served with two homemade meatballs.

DiCiccio's is located in Escondido, and is open for lunch and dinner daily.

Tavern at the Vogue New Items

2021-09-14T12:04:00.001-07:00

It's been a minute since I've been down to Tavern at the Vogue. When we were invited to check out some of the new menu items last week, it was an easy decision to go!

Located right on 3rd Avenue in Chula Vista, this neighborhood bar and restaurant offers so much more than traditional pub fare. This Chula Vista gem features homemade soft pretzels, fresh salads, and gourmet entrees.

With a new, sturdy outdoor deck, patrons can feel safe and relaxed as they enjoy the delights of the kitchen and bar.

TATV has always prided themselves on having a vast beer selection, with tons of local brews on tap, as well as bottles and cans of domestic and imports.

Wanting to stay in the local tap selection, we went with the Delirium Red and HB Hefeweizen. The big steins are perfect with the theme, and contain a nice big pour of special brew.

What goes better with beer than a big, soft pretzel? This giant pretzel might be the biggest and tastiest I've ever had. It was so buttery and soft, with a nice, crispy outside. Served with homemade beer cheese dip and homemade spicy mustard for dipping. I could have eaten 5 of these myself, they were so tasty.

The perfect match!

As well as the hearty pub grub and pretzels, TATV has fresh, filling salads that are definitely more than your ordinary bar salad. The goat cheese and strawberry salad featured fresh greens, strawberries, pistachio nuts, and lots of goat cheese. It was perfect and filling. A great choice if you want to stay away from the big burgers and entrees.

Speaking of burgers, the burger is a great deal, for a great burger! The double cheeseburger is thick, flavorful, and the perfect indulgence. I'm always looking for another great burger in the area, and this one makes the list! And the burger is such a deal -- $5 for a single, $10 for a double. Get a side of fries or tater tots for a treat.

No bar menu would be complete without chicken fingers and fries. These are homemade, with real chicken, and are perfect for nibbling or as an impromptu kids' meal.

Tavern at the Vogue is open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch on Sundays. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday!

Fig Tree Cafe Open in the Gaslamp

2021-08-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

After the success of their Pacific Beach and Liberty Station locations, Fig Tree Cafe has opened a third location in the lively Gaslamp District. The third location brings all of the charm and gourmet favorites from the other locations and makes them part of the beautiful downtown area. We were invited to check it out for a breakfast, and were pretty thrilled with the new location.

Of course, no brunch is complete without some sort of cocktail, and to that end, Fig Tree has a full bar as well as signature drinks on their menu, including several varieties of Bloody Marys and Mimosas.

Expect lines to form in anticipation of the delicious French toast offerings. Wanting a taste of each one, we went for the sampler platter, which was a great decision! The berries and cream, stuffed French toast, and sautéed apple flavors were our choices, but any of the flavors are going to be amazing.

The stuffed French toast was folded with sweet mascarpone cheese, and topped with strawberries and mango. The cheese was really the star of this morsel, making it almost like a cheesecake with fruit.

The apple French toast was dessert for breakfast. Fresh Granny Smith apples fried in rich butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon, this was like a slice of apple pie at breakfast.

My favorite was the strawberries and cream. The fresh homemade whipped cream paired so well with the fresh strawberries, and gave it a balanced, light flavor.

If you get any of the egg dishes, upgrade your potatoes! The upgraded potatoes are served with truffle oil, arugula, and parmesan cheese. Such a rich and delicious addition to the perfectly fried potatoes.

The shrimp frittata is an open-faced omelet that was honestly one of the best I've ever eaten. Fresh eggs baked with shrimp, corn, Anaheim chiles, chipotle cream sauce, and all of the delicious mozzarella cheese combine to make this a seriously delicious plate of eggs. If you enjoy shrimp, I suggest you try it.

Fig Tree is famous for their Benedicts, and I needed to try another one. Instead of the standard Canadian bacon, this Benedict has Angus beef shortribs, perfectly braised, generous avocado slices, and tomato served atop the house focaccia bread. The flavors worked perfectly together, and was such a good savory breakfast.

One more picture of the beautiful French toasts! Fig Tree is bound to be successful in the Gaslamp, so definitely check it out and go hungry. Fig Tree Cafe is open daily 7 am - 3 pm. They serve mostly breakfast, but also have a selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Operacaffe

2021-08-02T21:18:00.003-07:00

Operacaffe is a staple of Italian dining in San Diego, and for good reason. With a history of serving up classic Tuscan food with a few American favorites, Operacaffe is a go-to spot in the Gaslamp for Italian fare, or if you just want a nice dinner.

Tucked away from the louder streets of downtown, Operacaffe offers diners a respite from the bustle of the center of the Gaslamp. It's quiet, and perfect for a date or a family dinner away from the noise.

With the pandemic still going, Operacaffe has plenty of outside dining with a new patio installed to make diners feel safe. It's great in San Diego weather!

And of course, if the weather is a bit too hot, diners are welcome inside. So many cute little nooks and spaces to enjoy a nice dinner.

We started the meal with glasses of the house wine and the fried burrata cheese. This appetizer was completely decadent, and completely worth it. Delicious, creamy burrata cheese deep fried, then served in a pool of house-made marinara with basil.

Burrata cheese is so delicious anyway, but like most things, it becomes incredible when deep fried. This dish was just perfect with the creaminess of the cheese, the crunchy texture of the crust, and the tangy tomato flavor of the sauce.

I really, really love chicken parmigiana, but I hardly ever order if out. That will probably change now, because the chicken parm at Operacaffe was to die for. The helping was quite large, with a chicken breast perfectly fried, drenched in sauce, and topped with so much cheese. The spaghetti served on the side was fresh, with more of the delicious marinara.

Fresh pasta really does make a difference, especially when the dish has a lighter sauce. The Penna alla Kika dish features shrimp, Manila clams, and fresh penne pasta, all tossed in a very light, slightly spicy cream sauce. Like all good Italian cooking, fresh, high quality ingredients are the key to a delicious dish. This dish was a perfect summer pasta, with lots of flavor, and a lightness to the sauce and seafood.

Besides serving great pasta dishes, Operacaffe also offers homemade pizza. They have a few varieties, but I love a classic Margherita pizza. Simply topped with fresh mozzarella and basil, the Margherita pizza was a perfect supplement to the pastas. The pizza is a great option if you are dining with children.

There are many options for desserts -- all homemade. We went with the chocolate gelato, served with a chocolate cookie and fresh strawberries. It was honestly the best chocolate gelato that I've eaten since I visited Italy.

The other dessert was the classic cannoli. These were served as two minis, and were completely scrumptious, with a creamy ricotta filling and the perfect ratio of sweet spices to make them sing.

Operacaffe is open daily for dinner, closed on Mondays.

Mongolian Hot Pot

2021-05-24T21:28:00.003-07:00

After 14 months of isolation, it seems that things are finally starting to take a turn for the better. Restaurants are beginning to open up more, people are being vaccinated, and things just feel safer, calmer.

Mongolian Hot Pot has reopened their doors for guests to enjoy their signature yin yang hot pot soup bases.

Hot Pot, or Shabu Shabu, is a fondue-like experience. Meats, seafood, and vegetables are cooked in a broth, then dipped into a sauce (or not) and eaten! It is a very social and filling experience.

Mongolian Hot Pot gives guests the choice of the original soup base, or spicy soup base. Even better, you can have both if you do the yin yang half and half.

During the week, Mongolian Hot Pot has a special for a set price per person, you get your pick of meats, seafood, vegetables, and potatoes, along with your choice of soup base. It's a huge plate of food, and everything is incredibly fresh. Pictured is the Angus beef, shrimp, fresh noodles, mushrooms, crab stick, and plenty of bok choy.

Hot Pot is easy and fun! There's really no wrong way to do it, except be careful, because it _is_ a hot pot.

Both broths were very tasty, but if I were to pick a favorite, I would pick the spicy broth. It was so warming and flavorful. However, for the sake of variety, and because it is quite tasty, I highly recommend getting the split and getting both broths.

Pictured is the lamb with fish, tofu, and more of the delicious noodles, crab, mushrooms, and greens.

Mongolian Hot Pot was by far the freshest and most delicious hot pot that I've ever tried. The flavor of the broth was incredible, adding the perfect taste to each of the ingredients. It would be a perfect date night or a great family evening -- it's a social experience just as much as a dining venture.

The other item worth mention is that the staff here is seriously the sweetest -- our server was kind and helpful with the menu options, and really made our experience amazing.

Mongolian Hot Pot is open daily 11:30-9. Stop by for a truly lovely experience.

La Taverna

2021-04-08T15:56:00.001-07:00

As of this writing, San Diego is officially in the orange tier of reopening. Personally, I'm glad for the businesses that will get to re-open safely and show us their strengths. I'm so sad though that so many businesses were unable to make it to this occasion. So, so many small businesses have been heavily hurt or closed permanently by this last year and the events of the pandemic.

I truly hope that this orange tier predicts an upwards trajectory, and that we are, as a city, heading towards better days.

Even with the lockdowns and closings, some new restaurants have managed to emerge. One such is La Taverna, located right on 5th Avenue in Hillcrest. La Taverna is open daily for lunch and dinner, serving up Italian favorites like chicken parmigiana and lobster ravioli.

The restaurant is doing an incredible job with the restrictions regarding COVID-19. With constant cleaning, spacing of tables, and mask enforcement, it is a safe, health-conscious space to dine.

I almost cannot consume Italian food without a glass of wine, so straight away we ordered a Pinot Grigio and Chianti. The wine list is long, but not so much that you spend half your evening pouring over it. And the staff is happy to help with your selections!

We started out with a classic -- caprese salad. Caprese salad tastes just like summer to me, and with the weather getting warmer every day, I'm ready to taste the fresh tomatoes, basil, and buffalo mozzarella. A caprese is so simple, but is somehow so much greater than the sum of its parts. This salad featured an entire ball of fresh mozzarella and fresh, flavorful tomatoes with a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. A perfect starter.

Another great starter to try is the Carpaccio di Manzo, or beef carpaccio. I've had it prepared all sorts of ways, but La Taverna does it in the classic style with raw filet mignon, arugula, capers, and parmesan. The beef is very high quality, and trust me, it is safe to consume raw. Carpaccio is a very classic Roman dish, but rarely seems to be on modern Italian menus. Definitely worth ordering and checking out.

After a lot of angst over what sounded the best (everything!), I decided on the lasagna. I know, I said I wanted light fare when I ordered the caprese salad, but who can resist loads of cheese and homemade bolognese sauce? This lasagna was magnificent, with mounds of melty cheese, and huge! It was easily one of the best lasagnas that I've had, and I'm up there with Garfield in my love of lasagna.

For our other entree, we chose the ravioli di aragosta, which is lobster ravioli with a tomato cream sauce. This dish just tasted luxurious, with loads of main lobster in homemade ravioli, and a rich, zingy sauce. It was certainly indulgent, but so worth every bite.

I love, love tiramisu. It might just be my favorite dessert. It's even better because I never have to share with my daughter, since it typically contains rum and espresso. Kidding, kidding. I love sharing my desserts. The tiramisu is just slightly sweet, but mainly creamy, so it is absolutely a grown up dessert. Served with a little fresh fruit to take the edge off of the deepness of the dessert, it is just perfect.

We also ordered a cannoli, a very traditional Italian treat. Cannolis seem to be more and more rare these days as well, which is too bad, because they are delicious. This cannoli was sweet, creamy, with a crispy shell, and just a sweet, fresh flavor. One of the best cannolis I've had in a long time.

La Taverna is now open daily for lunch and dinner, located on 5th Avenue in beautiful Hillcrest!

Smokey and the Brisket

2021-02-19T10:32:00.003-08:00

During these pandemic times, we really need to take pleasure in the little things. Be kind to yourself, and be kind to other humans. Take yourself to the park or the beach, or anywhere that you feel is safe and happy.

It may seem impossible in these times, but a new barbecue place has opened in La Mesa, Smokey and the Brisket.

Currently, SATB is open for outside dining and takeout/delivery. However, the interior is very chic, with a biker-themed dining room, harkening to the restaurant's movie namesake (Smokey and the Bandit for the young ones reading this). The dining room is a little empty at the moment to make it easy to social distance when ordering, but no doubt, it will be a fun atmosphere later on.

The bar serves beer and wine out of this cute van set up. The vintage decor makes for a nice set up and enjoyable experience.

Food is ordered at the counter, then brought to the table by a server. I'll be honest, I like the counter service set up. I find it quicker, easier, and just more efficient in general.

Everything is homemade in house, with a 12-hour brisket -- a must order.

We started with the Loaded Fries -- fresh cut potato fries with cheese, pulled pork, tomatoes, and jalapeños. This was a perfect start to the meal, and a great snack to share as a table. Honestly, these would be pretty great as a meal as well.

I usually love loaded fries, and these were something different with the large chunks of pulled pork and fresh "chip" fries. The flavor of the pulled pork was a perfect match with the slightly spicy cheese sauce.

The brisket, as mentioned earlier, is a must try. This brisket was so tender and had the best flavor with a crust of black pepper. The brisket is served with the signature sauce, and even though it is delicious on its own, the sauce is seriously the best! The brisket is also served as a sandwich, if that's more your thing.

The sides are pretty unique for a barbecue place. Of course the traditional mac and cheese is available, as well as fries and baked beans, but I was most intrigued by the burnt carrot and cauliflower side. Roasted vegetables with a maple syrup sauce made me feel just healthy enough with all of those calories!

Ribs have been sorely missing in my diet during these lockdowns. These ribs were slow roasted, just like the brisket, and sauced with a tangy barbecue. They are served with either a honey mustard sauce, habanero, or homemade barbecue sauce. I highly recommend the house barbecue, but all of the sauces are delicious. The ribs were so tender, so much that we needed a fork to eat them because they were falling off the bones.

Barbecue is all about family and happiness around a table, so of course the kids' meals are available and delicious. Pictured is the kids chicken tenders meal, made with REAL chicken. None of that frozen, over salted stuff here. These tenders were fresh and much better than the frozen stuff. The best nuggets ever!

You might be way too full at the end of the meal, but I strongly suggest that you try the dessert! We tried the homemade churros with ice cream and a dulce de leche dipping sauce. The churros are filled with cajeta sauce, which makes them very decadent and well, if you're already eating barbecue, I think it's good to go big or go home.

The barbecue is made fresh at Smokey and the Brisket, and because of the cook times, when they run out, they're out for the day! So go early, grab some takeout or eat on their lovely patio. It's definitely a time to "treat yo'self", so do it at Smokey and the Brisket!

The Fish Shop (Remix Edition)

2020-12-11T13:46:00.003-08:00

I have started and stopped writing this piece so many times. This last week has dealt a devastating blow to our dear friends in restaurants. All restaurants statewide have been made to close and do only takeout and delivery. Again.

I'm not opposed to closing things -- COVID has been spreading and we need to figure out how we can keep everyone safe. But the closing of any on-site dining, the possible lay-offs involved, everything. It's a huge punch to the stomach.

I visited Fish Shop in Point Loma by invitation right before the shut down. I love all of the Fish Shop locations (Point Loma, Pacific Beach, and Encinitas), and each one has its own personality and specific menu items. They reflect the personality of the neighborhood. The Point Loma location is clean, with a lovely deck and inside dining as well.

The menu at Point Loma includes a huge list of house-crafted cocktails, perfect to sit on the deck and sip while eating one of their amazing fish tacos.

For this visit, we had the Spicy Peach Margarita and the Loma Paloma. The margarita was just the right amount of spicy with the sweet peach to offset the tangy heat.

The Paloma is a refreshing drink in any setting, but it is especially good with salty seafood. This is made with a simple recipe: just lime, tequila, Squirt, and grenadine.

Another thing I love about Fish Shop is that it's very kid friendly. There is a full menu of kids' favorites, like the popcorn shrimp. I'm an adult, but I've never stopped loving this treat. Who doesn't like crunchy little bites of flavorful shrimp served with fresh cut fries?

My ultimate, favorite comfort food is fish n' chips. I rarely get it for obvious reasons, but it is absolutely the best when its made properly. Filleted cod soaked in a beer batter and then fried to a golden crisp. Served up with more of those fries and a squeeze of lemon. Perfection with a cold beer or one of the cocktails.

I love clam chowder as well, although again, I rarely get it because it's not exactly health food. When I'm at a great seafood place, I cannot resist. This one is thick and creamy, with lots of briny flavor and juicy clams. Perfect for a cold night.

My husband is from Baltimore, Maryland, so it's to be expected that he loves crab cakes and is quite picky about them. The crab cake sandwich at Fish Shop is not a Maryland style, and that is just fine. It is a very respectable crab cake, with Dungeness crab meat, and deep-fried. You can have it plain, or make it a sandwich or salad. It was lunch time, so a sandwich seemed the best choice.

The crunch of the fried crab cake was just so satisfying with the soft, toasted, buttered sourdough bread. With crispy lettuce and just a tad of horseradish remoulade, it had a lot of flavor and was not at all spicy, just full of savory, rich taste.

The Fish Shop is currently closed to on-site dining, but open for takeout and delivery. I highly recommend them for a seafood craving!

Back at The Taco Stand

2020-12-01T21:19:00.004-08:00

'Tis the season to let others do the cooking! I am so tired from this quarantine, and the holidays looming just has me overwhelmed and overbooked. It's this time of year that casual, delicious food to just order and pick up, or go out for an easy lunch.

The Taco Stand has locations in the Gaslamp, North Park, La Jolla, and Encinitas serving up tacos, burritos, carne asada fries, and quesadillas, as well as sides and chips, with the authentic taqueria experience.

If you choose to dine in, there is ample outside seating, in compliance with current COVID-19 guidelines for restaurants. With the constant nice weather, it is ideal to sit outside and soak in all of that sunshine.

I love tacos more than just about anything, so I wanted to try them. We were invited to try out the new vegetarian mushroom taco, and I am pleased to say that it was above expectations in flavor and presentation.

I cannot eat tacos without having chips and guacamole. I love the fresh chips and homemade guac served here. It's a huge portion, so it's perfect to split with the table.

Pictured are the carne asada, pollo asado, and Sonora tacos. The Sonora was so Angus steak, melted cheese, beans, and guacamole. The beef was so tender and flavorful. The carne asada and pollo asado are classics for a reason. The charred flavors from the grilling and seasoning were delicious, and complimented perfectly with the homemade tortillas.

As mentioned earlier, I went a bit lighter with the mushroom taco and Baja taco. The mushrooms were marinated, then grilled on the magical flavor-inducing grill, and the flavors were lovely. Definitely a must-try.

I love pretty much every Baja fish taco that I try, and this one was no exception. What's not to love about breaded and deep-fried fish filet served on a homemade tortilla?

As every meal should end, we had to have some of their famous churros. These are without a doubt, the best churros in San Diego. The flavor is perfect, with tons of sugar and cinnamon, and the great crunch. Served with a dulce sauce, it's not needed, but is great for extra sweetness.

The Taco Stand also serves breakfast items, and is open for lunch and dinner. Check desired location for hours.

Grater Grilled Cheese

2020-11-24T21:07:00.003-08:00

It's been a minute since I've visited Grater Grilled Cheese, and in the 4 years since my review, the menu has expanded greatly, as has their business. Now the proud owners of 3 stores (San Diego, Huntington Beach, and Irvine), with more franchising to come. The company has also founded Grater Greens, a similar concept with a menu of healthy salads. I was very excited to be invited to revisit and check out some of their new offerings.

I will warn you, that this post has excessive food porn and cravings pics!

Following current COVID-19 restrictions, dining is strictly outdoors only. Takeout is available to order via phone as well as on their website. In addition to their regular menu, family meals are available for order.

There is quite a lot of outdoor seating offered, and what's a better picnic than a grilled cheese with all of the sides?

Often, I've ordered a lobster grilled cheese and been disappointed. In fact, I've mostly stopped ordering them altogether because usually they have only a few sparse pieces of lobster, and not a lot of flavor. This lobster grilled cheese is the Taj Mahal of lobster grilled cheese sandwiches. It is absolutely filthy with lobster chunks, and has a lot of flavor with a chipotle aioli sauce for just a little extra interest. Served between their signature sourdough, you really can't go wrong ordering this sandwich. It's also HUGE.

Speaking of huge, haul out your stretchy pants for the Texas grilled grilled cheese. This monster of a sandwich included short rib meat, huge onion rings, and pickled jalapeños on sourdough bread with of course, plenty of melty cheese.

The classic grilled cheese is absolutely spectacular. There's nothing like a classic, and the basic grilled cheese is full of gooey, melty cheese, toasted with lots of butter on their delicious sourdough.

Grater Grilled Cheese offers a variety of classic sides for their grilled cheeses, such as truffle fries, mac and cheese, and the dipping tomato soup! It's just not a grilled cheese if you're not dipping it in soup, and the tomato basil soup is just perfect. Served by the cup, it's just perfect food for this cooler weather.

The mac n cheese can be upgraded with lobster, bacon, or buffalo chicken, but pure can sometimes be amazing. The mac n cheese at Grater is homemade, with plenty of cheesy sauce to satisfy a comfort food need.

Grater Grilled Cheese is open in Mission Valley for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week.

Wild at Heart Fall Boxes

2020-10-08T20:58:00.002-07:00

It's starting to feel a bit like fall! Although it's supposed to be hot again next week (boo). Wild at Heart in Carlsbad drops their fall boxes tomorrow! To ring in the fall, Carlsbad-based Wild At Heart Boutique and San Marcos-based Teressa Lane Jewelry are teaming up to create curated fall gift sets, called The Fall Box.

Not just for mom, The Fall Box is the perfect gift for any woman, thoughtfully curated by Jenn Davis of Wild at Heart Boutique and Teressa Laeske with Teressa Lane Jewelry. This gift kit was fashioned specifically with pampering in mind. Included in the box will be a stylish loungewear set, a handcrafted one-of-a-kind piece of TL jewelry, and a few pampering goodies.

The FALL box!!!!

The limited-edition box, retailing at $125, will launch online, Oct. 9 and will be available while supplies last. For more information, visit www.wildatheartboutique.com.

Break Point Pacific Beach

2020-09-30T16:08:00.004-07:00

Happy Autumn! Except it doesn't feel like fall or autumn here in San Diego. In fact, I would go so far as to say that fall does not exist in Southern California except in Home Goods stores and a few pumpkin stands. Luckily for us, our perpetual summer status affords us the ability to dine outside year-round. In this time of uncertainty, that's a comforting thought. It's always a good idea to sit outside on a fabulous deck and chill out with a cocktail or two in San Diego.

With Covid-19 restrictions, Break Point in Pacific Beach cannot operate their bowling alley; however, the restaurant is open air and the kitchen and bar ready to serve. The restaurant is currently setting up more outdoor seating, but they have some outside already. The booths are enormous, and generously spaced, so distancing is not a problem in this family friendly restaurant.

We were invited to check out their reopen efforts, and were very pleased to see multiple sanitizer stations throughout the restaurant.

The bar is fully stocked, with the menus being completely accessible by phone so that minimal contact is achieved. The passionfruit cocktail is a must order. Sour and sweet, and made with fresh passionfruit grown locally. A San Diego spot must have a good selection of beer, and Break Point has a nice menu of mostly local beers.

Break Point offers a full brunch and lunch menu, but we were in the mood for lunch. Sometimes, you just need to get the dang burger. This bad boy was freshly made with real beef, and served on a brioche will all of the fixings. Served with fries and a pickle, this burger rivals the lauded Rocky burger in juiciness and flavor.

Shareable appetizers are always a good idea. The wings include a choice of three sauces: buffalo, BBQ, or the house sauce. We chose the house sauce, since I have had many, many of the other two over the years. These were a nice combination of sweet and spicy, with loads of flavor.

I mentioned earlier that Break Point is family friendly -- look at this beautiful kid's meal! Those nuggets weren't frozen either; they are made with real chicken and breaded and fried. One of the best kids' meals that I've seen!

The last dish that we tried was the seared ahi tuna tacos with a side of chips. This was probably my favorite thing of the meal, but that should be no surprise -- I adore seared ahi tuna. This tuna was marinated in a soy ginger sauce, then seared and topped with pickled carrot, cucumber kimchi, and sriracha mayo sauce. It was intensely flavored, but the tuna still shined through.

Break Point is located in Pacific Beach, and is open Thursday through Sunday, for brunch and dinner on weekends.

Brunch at Fig Tree Cafe

2020-09-19T20:56:00.006-07:00

Fig Tree Cafe epitomizes San Diego and California cuisine. Everything served is fresh, made from scratch, and bursting with the ingredients that make Southern California so special. It should come as no surprise to anyone that their brunch offerings (daily 7-3) are stellar.

We were invited to check out their brunch and to see how they are handling the craziness of restauranting in 2020, and of course, they are handling it well!

As you can see in the pictures, the tables are spaced on the outdoor deck, and there is a large sanitizer dispenser. All employees wear masks at all times. With San Diego having nice weather all year, it's not a huge change for diners to be outside.

One cannot do brunch properly without a cocktail or a mocktail. I had to order a Bloody Mary (because nutrition!) because tomatoes have tons of vitamin C, right? It was just pleasantly spicy, with a nice flavor. We also tried the Blackberry Bliss, a refreshing blackberry mint vodka spritzer. It was a perfect brunch drink, light and paired well with the rich food.

I cannot imagine going to brunch and not ordering something sweet. Fig Tree has a choice of French toasts on their menu -- even a sampler if you want to try a few different tastes. Strawberries and cream was the choice for this meal, although the fig jam and ricotta cheese stuffed French toast was tempting. Sometimes, it's nice to play it safe with a favorite.

I love, love eggs Benedict, especially when they are made without ham. I had to try one of the Benedicts on the menu (there are a few), and I wanted to really try the lobster and blue crabcake Benedict. The perfectly runny yolks, the delicious fried crabcake with perfect seasoning, it was all delicious and a perfect brunch treat.

Look at that ooze with the hollandaise sauce and yolk!

An omelet at brunch is always a good idea. Who doesn't love omelets? They're filling, infinitely customizable, and above all, delicious. The California omelet with bacon, sour cream, and avocado is a perfect summary of California cuisine.

Another hit to the sweet tooth is a small bit of the house coffee cake. I love coffee cake and it's just a perfect sweet bite at the end of the meal (that, let's be honest, was pretty indulgent). This one is topped with a nice thick crumb, and a vanilla glaze with strawberries.

Fig Tree Cafe is open daily for brunch with a variety of breakfast and lunch options from 7-3.

Farmer's Bottega Happy Hour

2020-08-27T20:59:00.001-07:00

How is everyone doing in these strange times? Personally, I'm trying to find pleasure in the small things. I haven't done a ton of restaurant eating, but when Farmer's Bottega invited us to check out their new outdoor happy hour, I was excited to do something fun.

The space is completely outdoors, with lots of space between tables to keep everyone safe. It's actually quite genius, tucked away beside the restaurant, so that diners are not forced onto busy sidewalks. I have been quite cautious throughout the ordeal, and I felt very safe in this environment.

There are quite a lot of options offered, and since it's happy hour, I felt a cocktail was in order. Pictured is the All for One, an Irish whisky drink, and the house sangria. These drinks were quite large, and honestly, being a light drinker, I needed nothing else.

The food menu has a lot of options, much more than the usual 5-item menu of happy hours. We started with the fried green tomatoes and crabcake. The tomatoes were perfect. Fried crispy, and sweet in the center, just as they should be.

The crabcake was made from Dungeness crab, and was crumbly yet crisp, with a lot of flavor.

Next, we had to try the mussels and clams platter, and a serving of truffle fries. I think it may be impossible to eat mussels without fries, but I love mussels so much I would probably just suffer. I didn't have to though, because Farmer's Bottega makes fantastic truffle fries.

The mussels and clams were amazing, with a rich tomato cream sauce, and olives. I enjoyed the sauce so much that I dipped my fries in it.

The final bit was the flat breads. These are made fresh, and are quite large. There is a nice selection of toppings, but my favorite was the sausage with fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. The crust was a good chewy texture, and the toppings were so fresh and bright!

The other selection was a burrata, ham, and tomatoes -- the mortadela. Burrata is one of my favorite things, so this flatbread did not disappoint!

Happy hour at Farmer's Bottega is Sunday - Thursday 3:30-6 PM. I will be back soon!

Corner Chicken

2020-08-12T21:07:00.014-07:00

Nashville Hot Chicken is all the rage on the West Coast these days. It was picking up steam last year, but it really, really took off in the last 6 months. I think the desire is a combination of needing comfort food in these difficult times, and hot chicken is quick and easy, infinitely portable for an easy, safe meal to go. Finally, and most importantly, it is damn delicious.

The newest restaurant to jump on this trend is Corner Chicken. The brainchild of the ramen sensation, Tajima, Corner Chicken serves up a simple menu of great fried chicken with spicy Nashville sauce -- or not if that's your preference -- and all the sides. Full disclosure, I've had spicy chicken sandwiches, but never a proper Nashville hot chicken, so I was excited to be invited to try out this sensation!

Housed in the old Cafe Chloe location (RIP), Corner Chicken is a cute location, with easy access for picking up a takeaway order, but also loads of outdoor seating for a more "out" feel. I think that we can all appreciate this flexibility.

As well as a menu of delicious, comforting fried chicken, Corner Chicken boasts a nice selection of beers on tap.

The menu is really simple, with hot chicken sandwiches leading the show. The sandwich can be served with different levels of spice, and I have to say, the medium was pretty spicy for me! The chicken was so tender and delicious, with a kale slaw that offset the spice of the chicken and added lots of good texture. The fresh chicken was fried to a perfect crispy texture.

The sides were amazing as well, with cheesy crinkle fries and spicy mac and cheese. Cheesy fries are a total weakness of mine, and like most of the menu, these are also a bit spicy.

The mac and cheese is a tad spicy, but goes so well with the fried chicken sandwiches.

As I said earlier, it's entirely possible to get non-spicy, naked chicken at Corner Chicken. Pictured below are the chicken tenders, served plain. They are still quite delicious!

California Taco Club

2020-07-30T21:16:00.003-07:00

It seems strange to be writing a review in these times, with restaurants being placed in an outdoor setting, and the restaurant industry at large feeling a great uncertainty. I truly hope that things can turn around soon. I miss restaurants, I miss the experience, and of course, I'm tired of cooking.

The industry is heading towards a pick up window model with all of the stress over Covid, and just busy lifestyles. The convenience of takeout, but eat it while it's hot! Brilliant.

California Taco Club is just such a restaurant, much like the previously reviewed Eggies. From the mind of the company that brought Breakfast Republic, San Diego's premiere breakfast and brunch spot, comes these new concepts for 2020. California Taco Club is right around the corner from Breakfast Republic in Pacific Beach, so you can go straight from breakfast to a taco lunch.

Instead of breakfast, CTC is a taco stand, serving up SoCal favorites like spicy shrimp, carne asada, and surf n' turf.

Outdoor tables mean that you are welcome to sit down and enjoy or take it to go. An order window guarantees minimal contact.

If there is a taco shop in San Diego that does not serve fish tacos, I've yet to enter it. The ubiquitous "taste of San Diego" taco is well done here (pay no mind to the lack of fixings -- it was a request from a picky child). The texture was crispy, and perfect, with freshly battered and fried fish.

I am endlessly fascinated with vegetarian tacos, as I am on a mission to go more plant-based as I get older. The veggie taco at CTC is delicious battered and fried oyster mushrooms, a different and tasty option as a protein replacement. The taco was messy and filling and just perfect. I would order this again.

Since we were doing seafood, I had to try the spicy shrimp taco. This taco was by far my favorite of the lot, with a generous amount of seasoned shrimp and plenty of spicy sauce. I like generous helpings.

It's all about the tacos, but I had to try the surf n' turf burrito. Stuffed with spicy shrimp, carne asada, rice, avocado, and lots of delicious sauce, this burrito was quite the meal. The texture provided by the rice was the perfect contrast to the meats, and the sauce covered and melded it all together to create a wonderful flavor and texture.

California Taco Club is open for lunch and dinner daily in Pacific Beach.

Pad Thai

2020-05-27T20:57:00.000-07:00

As requested, the Pad Thai recipe!

I've been trying to make a good pad Thai for over a year now. I found surprisingly few recipes on the web. Most of them were okay, but not great, and some truly missed the mark. I made a number of these, adjusting them to tastes, and I think that I finally have a product with which I am satisfied. The great thing about Thai cooking is that it is adjustable to tastes quite easily. Like it a little more tart? Add more tamarind. Like it to taste a little brighter? Squeeze of lime.

You can add any protein that you like, or leave it out. I recommend crispy tofu, but shrimp is nice, and so is chicken. Also, feel free to change the vegetables to your liking.

This recipe works more as a blueprint than anything, much like all of my recipes.

1 pkg (13 ounces) wide rice noodles
1 cup bean sprouts
2 carrots, thinly cut into strips
2 eggs, whisked for scrambling
1 package tofu, firm or extra firm
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp oil, divided
1/2 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup fish sauce
1/4 cup tamarind concentrate
1/3 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 tsp smooth peanut butter
pinch of red pepper flakes

Chopped peanuts and lime slices, for serving

Press the block of tofu with paper towels and squeeze as much of the liquid out as possible. Chop the tofu into 1-inch squares. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan. While the oil is heating, coat the tofu with the cornstarch. Once the oil is hot, fry the tofu until each piece is nice and crispy, about 10 minutes.

While the tofu is cooking, start the water boiling for the noodles. Start another pan with the rest of the oil. Once the oil is hot, toss in the carrots, bean sprouts, and garlic.

Mix the fish sauce, tamarind, sugar, lime juice, peanut butter, and pepper flakes.

Cook the noodles per package instructions, drain, and pour cold water on them to stop them from overcooking. While the noodles are cooking, scoot the sauteed vegetables over in the pan, and scramble the eggs.

In the now-emtpy noodle pot, mix all ingredients together. Serve topped with peanuts, and with slices of lime on the side. If you like it spicier, add more red pepper flakes.

Enjoy your new superpower to make Pad Thai!