Let's Eat, Encinitas!

Modern Times Beer Review (San Diego Breweries)

2014-02-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pricing:

$5 for pints, $8 for a set of tasters.

Distance:

In Point Loma. Directly off of Rosecrans from the 5 freeway. The proximity to the freeway makes it an easy drive. 25-30 minutes for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

Hands down the most interesting beer taproom I've been in yet. The comic book murals were awesome. The atmosphere felt a bit Spartan but the effort that went into all the decorating was not lost on me.

The beer was good. The only drawback being that there were only four regulars on tap and one special release. Considering that we live in suds county, this number is a tad low. A brewery of this size should have eight to ten taps minimum.

But... quite a bit of care went into these beers. Their coffee stout easily ranks in my top five. They roast their own coffee to flavor the beer and the attention to detail shows. The IPAs were above average.

Definitely a brewery to keep an eye on. They're a young brewery and it shows. But the potential is certainly there.

Firenze Trattoria Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

2014-01-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pricing:

Expensive but delicious. Everything here is $18+ dollars. Expect a mild heart attack when you see the tab.

Distance:

At the corner of Encinitas Blvd and Manchester Ave. A close 5-10 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

I've been dining at Firenze for many years and it has consistently been one of my favorite Italian restaurants. The food is always top-notch and the service outstanding. You really feel like you're getting a dinning experience here. Like the waiters serve you and actually have intelligent things to say about the menu items.

All this, however, does come with a hefty price tag. It's not cheap. The lasagna (which is absolutely superb) costs $24. You do get a substantial amount of food. It's rare that I'm ever hungry enough to take down an entire entree by my lonesome. But still, there are other places around town that you could say have equally good food for slightly less.

To me, the price tag is worthwhile. I walk out feeling like I got my money's worth because I had a nice experience and my stomach is full of delicious pasta. In my book this is more worthwhile than going to a place where you practically have to beg to have your water glass refilled and then the server expects a 20% tip.

Sabor de Vida Brazilian Grill Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

2013-12-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pricing:

$13-18 per entree with the appetizers around the $10 range. Seems expensive at first but it's cheap for what you get. LARGE quantities of food and really, really nice steaks (like, steak steak) and sausages for $15. It's a deal.

Distance:

In the LA Fitness shopping center near the El Camino Real and Encinitas Blvd. intersection. 5-10 minutes away for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

This place is a hidden gem in Encinitas. I live in constant fear of it shutting down because it's just so dang tasty and I don't understand how they can offer steaks for so cheap.

Whatever. Point being: it's good. Really good. And definitely different from your typical meat and potatoes kind of experience. Everything has a Brazilian spin to it. Brazilian spices on the meat, beans and rice on the side, etc...

I would say if there's one drawback it's the location. It's kind of strange and out of the way. The inside is nicely decorated but the bright lights don't really make for a romantic atmosphere if you're picky about that kind of thing.

But definitely a place worth trying. The food makes for great take out but it's also worth dining in if you're in the mood for some tasty cocktails.

83 Degrees Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

2013-11-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pricing:

Expensive for what you get. All the starters are around $10 and the food $15+ per person. We ordered the shrimp cocktail and got five pieces of shrimp. For $9. The cocktails are tasty but, again, expensive. Expect to pay $10-12 per drink.

Distance:

Right off the Carlsbad Village Drive freeway exit. Will take most Encinitas residents about 15-20 minutes to drive there.

Thoughts:

Expensive but not obscene. This is the kind of place that you would be willing to spend money on if the experience was right. But it's not. The service is terrible which makes you begrudge every cent.

We were seated fairly fast considering it was Friday night. But the efficiency stopped there. After staring at our minutes for about ten minutes a waitress finally showed up to take our drink order. Took another fifteen minutes for our drinks to arrive and they came after our appetizer showed up. After that our food was brought out by a series of lackeys. We had to bother someone walking by to get waters since we were never asked if we'd like another cocktail.

The food itself was good but, again, this is the type of place where you want to be two cocktails in by the time your $15 burger arrives. No such luck. We ate our food... sat around for awhile... the waitress finally shows up to ask if we wanted anything else and we said no. The check immediately arrives with the waitress all smiles and tries to start some friendly smalltalk with us about the Charger game. Nice try.

So the concept of this restaurant is good for the location. Like it serves the type of food and drinks that would be popular in Downtown Carlsbad. But with the slow drink service, inattentive staff and obviously shoddy management I don't see this place lasting very long.

Thai Society Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

2013-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:

Bordering on pricey but not terrible. Most of the appetizers are $8-10 and the entrees are $12-15. So for two people you're going to be out $45 plus tip.

Distance:

Located in the Encinitas Ranch Town Center. Close to the El Camino Real and Lucadia Blvd. intersection. 5-10 minutes away for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

Before you read any further I need to admit that I'm not a Thai food fanatic in general. I don't like food so spicy that you can barely see straight by the end of your meal and I don't much care for the fact that when you order Thai food it's usually a huge plate of the same. Like a huge bowl of curry with a ton of rice. Tasty but I like variety.

So now that you know my lack of Thai credentials... I do like Thai Society quite a bit. I'm not sure how it stacks up compared to some of its more hardcore brethren but I appreciate the fact that you can order soup with more than one ingredient in it and entrees with equal amounts of meat and rice.

You can request an increase in spice level here but I've yet to encounter any plate that made me weep for mercy. So if you're looking for that particular experience, I would try a different place.

The location is convenient for the Encinitas area. There are people that eat there for lunch and dinner on a regular basis but I've never had to wait for a table making it a reliable go-to dinner place. It has enough atmosphere to cater to a date night but the location (in a shopping center) is not especially romantic. Maybe for a quick date?

Crazee Burger Review (San Diego Restaurants)

2013-09-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:
Much depends on what type of meat you choose for your burger. If you go standard beef about $7-8. If you prefer a more exotic experience it heads to the $15 range.

Distance:
This particular location is in Downtown San Diego area on 30th street. From Encinitas it takes about 20-25 minutes to drive there. I've heard they have another branch in Old Town.

Thoughts:
A gourmet burger experience with the atmosphere of a Denny's. Their claim to fame being a wide variety of meat offerings. Yes, there are some regular ol' burgers you can get here so those that prefer a plain patty will still have options.

For those bored with the plain patty experience, Crazee Burger will definitely add some spice to your life. From alligator to kangaroo meat, there are quite a few intriguing selections that will make you want to come back for more. There burgers are quite tasty. I'm also a fan of some of the unusual toppings they pair the meat like whipped cream. Whodathunk?

Overall, definitely worth a visit. They have an excellent selection of beers on tap and it's just a fun, funky little place.

Gregorio's Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

2013-08-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:
$10-17 for most of the pasta dishes. They do serve steak and seafood which runs between $25-30.

Distance:
Right off of Carlsbad Village Drive in, what I consider, the thick of "Downtown Carlsbad." About a 15-20 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:
I love Gregorio's Fettuccine Alfredo. It's a dish I don't normally go for when dining at Italian restaurants because the flavor dosen't compensate for the arteries I'm clogging. At Gregorio's I make an exception. It's totally worth it. Their other food is also quite tasty. I've yet to order a dish here I didn't thoroughly enjoy. It's just that when I do order other things it's... not Fettuccine Alfredo.

Laid back, comfortable and delicious, Gregorio's is definitely worth making a trip to Carlsbad. It's located in a fun area with lots of shopping. So it you get there early enough there are things to do before and after eating (to walk off the tub of pasta you just consumed). A perfect date spot or fun family outing.

Firehouse Subs Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

2013-07-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:
$6-9 for a sub. About $10-12 for combos. Not bad at all considering the size and quality of food that you're getting.

Distance:
Right by the El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd. intersection. 5-10 minutes away for most Encinitas folks.

Thoughts:
This is not a low-calorie health food event. But as far as subs oozing with tasty flavor go, Firehouse is not a bad option. Despite my initial prediction, this is not just another Quiznos. Firehouse definitely has its own distinct flavor. The sales pitching being that all the meats and cheeses are smoked and then toasted. Whatever. It works.

The sandwich options here are of the hot/melted genre. So don't expect anything light with cold, crisp lettuce. All the subs are served with a signature pickle and if you dine-in you get to have some with their hot sauce corner. They have over a dozen sauces to choose from that range mild to we-keep-it-behind-the-counter hot. Yet another little thing that makes it feel unique from other sub places.

So if you're hungry and in the mood for a substantial lunch sandwich, it's worth checking out. I've tried almost all of their subs by this point and I've yet to be disappointed. However, if you're on a calorie counting health kick, you might want to look elsewhere. This is not the type of establishment where you'll find lots of wraps/gluten free/salad options.

Ignite Bistro & Wine Spot (Carlsbad Restaurants)

2013-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:

$12-18. Most of the options being around $15. A few of the steak options run up to $22. Fairly typical sit-down dining prices.

Distance:

At the intersection of El Camino Real and Alga. About a 10-15 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

I'm not 100% certain what to think about Ignite. It's just too.... much. Too much blatant trendiness, too much of an attempt to be a wine bar, too many types of food... It's so much I'm not sure what unique thing I'm supposed to take away from the experience.

They offer a smattering of everything from fish tacos to pizza to calamari. The food is good but other places are better. Plus there really isn't a signature dish. They don't specialize in a particular type of food nor to they offer a dessert that will induce stage three diabetes.

They have wine but, surprisingly, this aspect of the restaurant (despite being called a wine spot) is not really emphasized. Yes, there is an area where you can pick wine. But it almost looks like it's wine on display rather than for shopping and drinking. You walk right by it more often than not and the servers rarely drop lines like, "would you care to head over and choose a wine to drink?" (I've been to this restaurant multiple times).

The location is large, sporting tons of indoor seating along with an outside patio and bar. If you wanted to hang out with friends and get a few drinks, this is probably the best feature about Ignite. But again, this is not something you couldn't find just about anywhere else. Right across the street are at least four equally good if not better dining experiences that also offer areas for the casual drinking experience.

So would I pitch a fit if I got invited here? Nah. It's not a bad experience. But would I go out of my way to eat here? Ehhh.....

Notorious Burgers Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

2013-05-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:

$9-15 for a burger or sandwich. The pre-made selections are $10/11. It adds up if you do a custom built burger with a ton of extra toppings.

Distance:

In the shopping mall at the intersection of El Camino Real and Aviara Pkwy (the Vons and movie theater mall). So an easy 10-15 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

This place is pretty simple. Burgers and beer. And holy meat patty, batman, is it good.

There's wine too, of course, but it pales in comparison to what is possibly one of the best selections of local craft beers. I would say that in the immediate area Encinitas Ale House is the only other place that offers more selection. Notorious had at least fifteen beers on tap. All craft beers and all tastefully chosen (like it's not just a bunch Red Trolley and Stone IPA).

The burgers are absolutely phenomenal. All ingredients taste fresh and the meat is real. Extra brownie points for having interesting appetizers. Like crab and cheese fries instead of the usual nacho stack you see everywhere else. There is no possible way to exit this restaurant still hungry.

After leaving here, I couldn't help but think, "Stand aside Counter Burger, here's your replacement." The establishment is clean and the staff is friendly and helpful with beer selections (shock!). Notorious Burger has definitely earned a place on my list of regular restaurants.

Solace & the Moonlight Longue Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

2013-04-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:

On the slightly expensive side. You can get exotic cheese plate appetizers that can cost up to $18 and most of the entrees are $18-28. Couple this with a few drinks and there's no way you're getting out of this place for less than $50.

Distance:

On the Highway 101. At the E Street and 101 intersection. About 10-15 minutes away for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

Yet another "trendy" place that I went into with trepidation. It's on the 101... it's a converted train station... it's right by a set of condos they're trying to sell for 500k... all signs pointed to expensive food that left you wanting for more after everything was said and done.

But I ended up being surprised by Solace. We were seated in the restaurant after only waiting for a few minutes. Yes, the cheese plate was expensive but really good. All of the fruit and condiment sides were very thoughtfully put together so the tastes complemented one another. And the burgers... this place serves the best burger I think I've ever had in my life. So, SO good.

Their beer and wine selection was impressive. They had a nice range of brews that you don't normally see on tap along with a few seasonal 22oz bottles you could buy. All the wines they had were above average in quality. Like you're actually buying a nice glass of wine when you're paying $10 and not just a cheap wine with a huge markup.

All in all, definitely worth checking out. Yes, it was expensive. But the kind of place you leave feeling like your money was well-spent for a nice evening out.

The Craftsman New American Tavern Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

2013-03-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pricing:

Slightly expensive. You're paying for the trendy atmosphere. The starters and sides are about $8. The main dishes range $15-25.

Distance:

On El Camino Real. Close to the El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd. intersection. About a 10 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

I've been to The Craftsman a few times now and each time my opinion of the place has improved. The first time I went my initial reaction was, "Great, another overpriced 'trendy' restaurant." They serve you water in jam jars and I ordered the cheapest item on the menu (the burger) which was good but not great.

The subsequent times I dined at this restaurant I ended up splurging a bit more. I tried their more expensive, less standard dishes, and another time I ordered off of the specials menu. Spending the big bucks ended up being well worth it because each time the food was fantastic. The steak that I ordered off the specials menu was possibly the most perfectly prepared piece of meat I've ever consumed.

Another plus for this restaurant is their tasteful wine and beer selection. All their wines are above average for the standard restaurant and I appreciate the fact that they serve a number local brews other than just Stone IPA.

They don't take reservations for parties smaller than six but I've never had to wait more than twenty minutes for a table. The out-of-the-way location makes it crowded but not ridiculously so. So if you're in the mood to be spendy and want a nice night out, The Craftsman is not at all a bad way to go.

The Counter Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

2013-02-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pricing:

$12-15 for the burger depending on what you add. French fries are sold separately. So if you get fries and including drinks, you're going to be spending a little over $20 per person here.

Distance:
In The Forum strip mall which is right by the Calle Barcelona/El Camino Real intersection. About 10 minutes away for Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:
I feel like The Counter is neither bad nor great. The location in Carlsbad is a convenient one. If you're out shopping it's a decent dining option because there's hardly ever a long wait to get seated (even on weekends).

The food is okay. I like the flavor but it's not the juiciest burger I've ever had. The fact that you have to order fries separately also kind of goes against the grain. I could name a dozen other gourmet burger places that serve equal if not better food and the fries are always included. Their salad bowl option is also iffy. Sometimes the salad is fresh other times it tastes like it's been sitting in the bag too long.

I just feel like the pros and cons balance each other out to make an average dining experience. This is a chain restaurant. I know that concrete is hard to keep looking clean but many times I have walked inside and the whole place feels like no one has been through with a broom all day.

So not a bad option if you just want something quick and painless and there's a location right by you. Would I go here for a special night out or really craving a good burger? Probably not.

Calypso Cafe Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

2013-01-02T18:34:00.000-08:00

Pricing:
Really good happy hour specials, regular menu is kind of expensive. At happy hour you can get $4 sangria and a tasty humongous salad for $7. When it's not happy hour that same salad is $9 and the other, more standard, entrees are $22-28.

Distance:
On the Highway 101, close to where it intersects with Leucadia Blvd. About a 10 minute drive for Encinitas locals.

Thoughts:
Calypso has arguably one of the best happy hour menus in town. You can get a lot of fresh, good tasting food for fairly cheap. Notice I said "fresh." As opposed to a nacho stack with extra sour cream. Not that I'm dissing the nacho stack. It's just a different kind of food experience.

The rest of the menu I would classify as loosely as "Mediterranean" but with a California twist. California Italian? Whatever. You'll have pasta options along with meats and seafood. Your appetizers will range from caprese salad to lamb.

I've enjoyed every dish I've ever ordered at this restaurant. I can't help but feel that some of the dishes, especially the meats, are slightly overpriced. What is a $25 plate of pasta should really be more like $18. Yes, it's a huge plate of food with some nice shrimp on it. But still. It's pasta. $25 buys be a really nice steak at pretty much every other restaurant.

Because of this I go here for the happy hour specials usually. The place has a cozy feel to it and there's almost always live music which is a fun touch. If you go on the weekend, be sure to call for reservations or you'll never get seated.

Garcia's Mexican Restaurant (Encinitas Restaurants)

2012-12-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pricing:

$9-16 per entree. So, slightly more expensive than your hole-in-the-wall taco shop and slightly less expensive than Casa de Bandini.

Distance:

Right by the El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd. intersection. So very close to most Encinitas residents. About a 5-10 minute drive.

Thoughts:

Garcia's is your standard commercial Mexican served on Fiestaware-looking plates. Meaning that it's tasty but not exactly distinctive. If you tried it side-by-side with the food from Casa de Bandini, it'd be difficult to tell them apart.

But I like this place. Again, the food is tasty. You're not going to have mariachi bands serenading you and the atmosphere is slightly more subdued, but at least you don't have to wait 20 minutes for a table every time you go. I also appreciate the fact that they actually put alcohol in their margaritas. If I'm paying $9 for an alcoholic drink, I don't want a slurpee.

The location (right next to the Ford Dealer) is unfortunate and the only reason why I think this place is not more crowded. If you are a native and just want some dinner, it's a great option. If you have out of town guests or an event, Las Olas with it's spectacular ocean view or Casa de Bandini with said mariachi bands would probably be more fun options.

Encinitas Ale House (Encinitas Restaurants)

2012-11-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pricing:

The entrees are $10-18. The beer, and there is a considerable selection, is $6-8 per glass.

Distance:

Right on the Highway 101 and close to the 101, Santa Fe Dr. intersection. Takes 10 minutes to get there. Parking is sometimes a problem.

Thoughts:

I like the idea of the Encinitas Ale House. The food is fantastic and the beer selection is second only to Churchill's Pub in San Marcos. The Encinitas Ale House definitely has a "pub" feel to it but there's a California twist to the menu. Rather than just having the usual wings and nacho platter, Encinitas Ale House offers fish tacos, mussels and seared ahi. But never fear beef lovers, they have burgers and pizza too! Lots of the standard classics mixed with options such as "pesto" or "white stone" pizza (both excellent).

As I said, the beer selection is fantastic if you're into craft and seasonal selections that pack a hefty punch. If you want large quantities of cheap Coors, you should probably go elsewhere. There are at least two dozen beers to choose from and the menu constantly changes.

So, these are all things that I like about the Ale House. What I don't like (and this is a big one) is how small the place is. Realistically this pub needs to be three times bigger for the number of people that patronize it. It's always packed, there's nowhere to sit and there's very little air circulation.

There's also this sketchy sign-your-name-on-a-board-to-be-next-for-a-table system. Basically, you have to stay on top of the table situation or you're never going to sit down. So if you happen to wander in around dinner time, this makes for both a slow and somewhat exhausting dining experience.

For the record I like popular, crowded places. I get that people want to feel like they're out "doing something." But 6 times out of 10 the Ale House is too crowded for my taste. The beer selection will draw me in but after standing around for twenty minutes drinking, I frequently end up eating elsewhere.

Roppongi Review (La Jolla Restaurants)

2012-10-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:

Ridiculously expensive considering what you get for your money. The appetizers alone are going to cost you $10-18 (most of them $15). The cocktails are all $12 and any entree is going to set you back at least $35.

Distance:

On Prospect Street in La Jolla. So if you've ever been to La Jolla, you know what the deal is. If there's no traffic, only takes 20 minutes or so to get there. If there is traffic... Godspeed.

Thoughts:

This was possibly the worst dining experience I have ever had in my entire life. I've been trying really hard to think back on one that could top this but nothing comes to mind.

To start with, the service at this place was horrendous. I'm extremely lenient when it comes to service. I totally get if there's one waiter serving the entire place or if it's busy and they are clearly understaffed. But there were... I dunno... maybe fifteen occupied tables in the restaurant when I went. There were also at least seven different waiters walking around (I counted). You do the math.

Upon arriving, we were served water and then proceeded to wait for over a half an hour for someone to come over and take a drink orders from us. Classy. Isn't booze supposed to be a big money maker for restaurants? It then took another forty-five minutes for our drinks and appetizers to come out. Yes, you read that right. So from the time we sat down to the time we received our first anything was about an hour and a half. One person at our table didn't even get his order because they "forgot."

Multiple attempts were made to get the attention of the servers. When I finally flagged one down to ask if they could check on our drinks the man said, and I quote, "Oh you're not my table, so I'll have to find your server." The server never came.

Which leads us to the menu prices. I get that this is a La Jolla restaurant. I've dined many times before in La Jolla. But if you are going to charge me the prices of places like Pamplemousse Grill or Ruth's Chris Steak House, you better sure as heck be giving me a dining experience. This isn't Denny's. If I politely ask why it's taking forty-five minutes to mix a friggin' $12 house cocktail (no special orders), don't tell me this isn't your table.

The food that finally came out was average at best. Perhaps it was the bitter taste in my mouth but nothing was especially flavorful or memorable. Their Kung Pao Calamari had the same texture as a Chicken McNugget (no joke).

So perhaps my experience here was a fluke. But I can say with absolute confidence that it was bad enough to make me never want to go here ever again. With poor service, mediocre food and outrageous prices, I'd much rather spend my money elsewhere.

Iron Fist Brewing Co. Review (Vista Breweries)

2012-09-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:

$5-7 for pints or you can have four 3 oz tasters for $5.

Distance:

Based in Vista. You can take the freeway and exit Palomar Airport Rd. or go on El Camino Real. About a 25 minute drive from Encinitas.

Thoughts:

Iron Fist is located in Vista among a cluster of microbreweries off Sycamore Ave. It's been around for longer than some of the other microbreweries that have been cropping up and you can feel it as soon as you walk in. It's slightly bigger and definitely more crowded. Not that these are bad things. It's just that the standing/loafing room is a little more competitive.

They have quite an impressive beer selection at this particular establishment. It should be noted that there is no food served. There are twelve different brews on their menu ranging from dark to light. But what stood out to me about this place was the variety is the actual beer. Most places usually offer a standard stout, an amber, an IPA and a pale ale. All universally appealing flavors.

Not so with Iron Fist. All the beers have a twist to them. Instead plain ol' stouts they have an imperial oatmeal stout. They have a dark belgian with sour cherry flavors. They have two different saisons to choose from. They have beer aged in wine barrels. You get the idea.

Personally, I liked this confident approach to flavor. It creates a truly unique beer drinking experience. So if you like to be experimental, definitely a place worth checking out.

Swami's Cafe Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

2012-08-07T00:00:00.001-07:00

Pricing:

Expect to pay about $10-18 per entree whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Distance:

There are several locations. There's one on the coast highway and the new one that just opened up is close to the El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd. intersection. Both places take 5-10 minutes to drive to.

Thoughts:

While there are crossover dishes, the vibe of the Swami's close to the El Camino/Encinitas Blvd. area is very different from the Highway 101 establishment. This review will primarily focus on the former location rather than the latter.

While the coast highway location is frequently packed and has a distinct earthy quality, this location definitely took a few cues from Beachgrass (the restaurant that used to occupy that building before Swami's). In fact, the dinner menu is almost identical to what Beachgrass used to offer. Expect flat-ironed steak, stuffed chicken and ahi as your food options.

The "Swami's" menu can be seen more during breakfast and lunch. Along with more traditional omelets and club sandwiches, you can also find a few tofu type of dishes. Plus, there's the selection of famous Swami's smoothies.

While the view is somewhat lacking, I actually like this new Swami's better than the coast highway edition. It's closer to where I live and there's never a wait to get inside. The food is quite good. So regardless of what time of day you go, it's going to be a fast sit-down dining experience.

My only complaint is the erratic nature in the quality of their service. This entire restaurant seems entirely dependent on the manager. If she's there, everything goes well. If she's not, it's anyone's game. Special food adjustments won't be made, you'll order sides and get the wrong ones, your smoothie never shows up, your standard entree will be missing ingredients, etc.

So if you are laid back enough to be able to roll with these possibilites, I highly recommend Swami's. If you're the type of person where you would find this annoying, you should probably go elsewhere.

Aztec Brewing Co. Review (Vista Breweries)

2012-07-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:

About $6 for a pint. You can taste four of their beers for $5. Each "taste" is about 3 oz of beer.

Distance:

Located in Vista. Takes about 25 minutes to drive there. You can either take the freeway or go on El Camino Real. El Camino would be faster if there's traffic.

Thoughts:

So I've decided to continue my microbrewery tour of San Diego. I did this once before back in 2010 but in the last two years the microbrewing business seems to have exploded. Apparently we are now beer country. You'll get no complaints from me!

Aztec, like many other microbreweries, is a taproom rather than a sit down restaurant. There was a food cart there but don't expect to see it every time. But don't feel like it's a waste of a drive! It's actually in an area where there are several other microbreweries and it's within spitting distance of San Marcos restaurant row.

They have eight different beers on tap at Aztec. A few of the flavors do rotate in and out but there seems to be an emphasis on wheat and IPA beers. I'm not generally one for IPAs. So for my taster line-up I tried their one amber ale, two wheats and their blonde ale.

None of the beers were very dark but I was impressed with how much flavor each one packed. Their wheat beers were especially interesting. Both of them had strong floral/herbal flavors laced through them making the taste very unique.

The atmosphere is laid back and fun. Aztec is definitely a brewery worth checking out if you have no Friday or Saturday plans.

Stumblefoot Brewing Co. (San Marcos Breweries)

2012-06-05T13:07:00.001-07:00

Pricing:
The beers are all around $6 a pint. Comparable to most beer brewing places if not a little cheaper.

Distance:
Very close to the Rancho Santa Fe Rd. and Melrose Dr. intersection. About a fifteen minute drive for Encinitas locals.

Thoughts:
Make no mistake: this is not a restaurant. It's basically a tasting room like you would see in the wine country... only for beer. There is a food truck that stops by on some of the days but Stumblefoot is mostly a free pretzels and beer type of environment.

Considering the fact that it's located in a storage facility, it's a surprisingly popular hangout on Fridays and Saturdays. Personally I think the storage facility kind of adds to the ambiance. You can't help but think that you've discovered some sort of underground club.

The beer is quite good. The owner has been a home brewer for many years and finally decided to make this first step to going public. Most of the beers offered are stouts and IPAs. But I imagine there will be more variety as time goes by.

Compared to places like Wine Steals where it feels like you have to fist fight the other patrons for standing room and only fashionable singles from Orange County are allowed, Stumblefoot is kind of a breath of fresh air. Everyone is extremely friendly and the atmosphere is laid back (how posh can you really be in a storage shed?). This is a perfect place to start out your weekend or have a pre-dinner drink.

Bucca di Beppo Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

2012-05-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:

It terms of sheer quantity for your dollar, the only place that can really beat Bucca is probably Costco. Everything costs between $15-22 but almost every plate is large enough to feed at least two extremely hungry hippos.

Distance:

In the Forum shopping center in hybrid Encinitas/Carlsbad. About a 10 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

Bucca di Beppo is not your romantic dinner for two restaurant. With trashy Italian decor every which way, this is definitely one of those large party event places. It's fun, usually loud, and you can feed an army for comparatively low cost.

Quality was definitely sacrificed a bit for quantity. The food here can best be described as average. It's satisfying to eat and by no means bad tasting but nothing really stands out about it. In my opinion, this is actually what makes this place a good kid restaurant. All the food is straight forward. The tomato sauce is just tomato sauce. No fancy spices that might make the little ones turn up their nose.

Overall, an excellent choice for family outings or birthdays. Plus the decorations make it worth frequenting at least once. You know, just to say that you've done it.

Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

2012-04-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pricing:

It's going to be about $9-12 per entree. This means you pick your main dish plus two sides. They do serve wine and beer here. So if you get drinks it will be about $18 a person.

Distance:

In the La Costa area of Carlsbad. Right on the corner of Avaria Parkway and El Camino Real. Theoretically close to Encinitas. If you hit all the lights, 10 minutes. If you don't, 20 minutes.

Thoughts:

An interesting establishment. I was a little thrown off at first by the "fresh kitchen" title. Like, what the heck does that even mean? Tin Leaf is a walk in, order and then sit down to eat type of place. So this also makes it easy for take out.

Essentially, the menu consists of fresh American food options. So you'll have options like soup and salad along with meatloaf, mac and cheese or turkey breast. While not exactly a gourmet steak or farmer's market, it is fresher than a fast food joint. I would place it in the same genre as Panera Bread.

The food is quite good and not at all a bad option for a fast, sit-down lunch or dinner. I've yet to order something I didn't like. There are enough menu options to appeal to both health conscious parents and hungry kids.

Zenbu Sushi Bar & Restaurant Review (Cardiff by Sea Restaurants))

2012-03-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pricing:
Ridiculous for what you're getting. They clearly feel justified in charging you extra for the hip atmosphere. The cheapest sushi you can purchase here is $8-10. Yes, it's $8 for California or Philadelphia rolls. To give you perspective, standard rolls such as these are $4.50-6 at pretty much every other sushi place.

Distance:
Right on the corner of San Elijo Ave and Birmingham. So very close to most Encinitas residents. A 5-10 minute picturesque drive.

Thoughts:
I was thoroughly unimpressed with this place. Unless you walk in looking like a high-roller, don't expect your water glass to be refilled. Ever. Or even a polite, "May I get you anything else?"

With an extremely sparse sushi menu (you call yourself a sushi bar) that contains all over-priced items, the only thing really going for this place is the atmosphere. They definitely did a good job making it feel like you're at a party "scene." The large fish tank is cool and it's fun having both bar and cozy VIP-like booths.

But you know what? I came to this place to eat, not party. I feel like it would actually be better if they just advertised themselves as a bar and they happened to have some sushi snacks you could buy. Because that's essentially what you're getting.

The food was fresh but not exactly flavorful. At these prices I expect at least a signature dish or sauce. Sometime to make me go, "Well, that was expensive but so good!"

After ordering three rolls and a bottle of sake, my boyfriend and I were out $65 and still feeling hungry. I feel like there are just too many other sushi options out there to make Zenbu a worthwhile dining experience.

Panera Bread Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

2012-02-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

Pricing:

Depends on what you get. There a variety of items on their menu from just a single baked good/bagel to soup/salad/sandwiches. If you get an actual meal with a sandwich, side and drink it's going to be about $9-11.

Distance:

In the Forum shopping mall off El Camino Real. Very close to most Encinitas residents. About a 10 minute drive.

Thoughts:

I've been eating at Panera Bread for years and I feel like it has ups and downs in its overall quality. Though I'm not really one to keep track of these sorts of things, my guess is that the quality is probably directly related to who owns the chain at the time.

In general, I feel like Panera is a good lunch or light dinner option. I almost always like whatever seasonal soup they are serving and any kind of breads they use are always fresh (one would hope so given the restaurant name). The price isn't too terrible either. Yes, it will be more expensive than Subway. But the ingredients are also quite a bit fresher than Subway.

When Panera is on one of its "high quality" streaks, the sandwiches will be well made, the salads contain a good population of toppings and the soups are served hot. In the "low quality" phases you ask for everything on your sandwich and they don't put any mayo/mustard on, there's one piece of chicken on your salad when you pay extra for chicken or your soup is icy.

I only point out these good and bad instances because I have experienced both extremes on numerous occasions. The end result is that I'll still eat at Panera but it's just not a place I go to regularly.