Dinner parties

Nothing is more spectacular than throwing or attending dinner parties. Particularly ones were its obligatory that the guests help with the cooking!

With one too many chefs in the kitchen, the laughter, compromises and the extra glass of wine are bound to happen. But a memorable and fun event, participatory dinner parties are definitely a way to engage your group.

The starter was a fantastic assortment of figs, goat cheese, smoky and dry prosciutto, salami, olives and grapes:


The seared ahi, lemon pepper coated and seared, served atop a Lemon oil and parsley coated tagliatelle... Fantastico:


A surprisingly crisp salad, jicama, lemon juice, chile pepper and goat cheese with endives... Tangy, lemony and fabulous:


Italian reds unlimited, bold vivante..


Dessert highlighted a special chocolate explosion:




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Celadon- Hillcrest

Celadon, a Thai place between the Tractor room and the Atlas condos on 5th is a bit of irony. Walk inside, white lacquered finishes with art deco black accents and you are reminded of a boutiquey hotel restaurant... However patrons are a slim...

Owners of Rama downtown, it was time to try Celadon once again.


Papaya salad, shredded papaya with chile, lime and Shrimp sauce received a 2 out 5 stars. Ok, but the robust flavors experienced after living in Thailand for a month did not make it's way this time:


The prak gao, a chicken and eggplant spicy dish was served with brown rice. Overall, the chicken was interestingly diced and although ok, the chili level 7 overpowered everything else:


Attentive hostess, and spacious interior, not sure of it was the ingredients or the spice that was off, but a bit too Americanized for thai..


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Ave 5 - bankers hill

Avenue 5, a lofty industrial chic space has remodeled itself to harmonize more of the colorful pop art into the decor. With exposed brick surface, metallic air ducts and hardwood floors, the space is a perfect spot for a seductive dinner for two or casual get together with friends.






The gracious host was very attentive throughout the meal. For starters, the Grilled romaine salad with whole anchovies and Parmesan crisps was fantastic:



Slightly grilled whole romaine leaves, salty anchovies and just a subtle hint of classic ceasar..

The main course was an amazing australian lamb duo.. Chops and loon. Tender and cooked medium rare to get all the juices, accompanied by vegetables and truffle fries, succulent and fabulous:









The truffle essence was ever so slight, but the frittes were still great.


The wine of the evening was a fantastic option not commonly found on menu lists. A syrah from Crios vineyards in the mendoza region of Argentina. As a new world wine and a young vine, these new wines have tremendous potential. Bold and spicy, with cherry and plum and pepper. Fantastic value:


Paired perfectly with soft aftertaste. A trio of cheeses melted the mind away, humboldt fog, manchego and a double creamed Brie. You had me at humboldt fog!:


Meal after meal, Avenue 5 strives for making the experience ever so more rememberable.

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Martini's on 4th- Hillcrest

Well known for the martini's and lively lounge atmosphere, it was time to explore the non liquid options.

Fantastic selection of 60 or so martini's, from chocolate expresson to citrus pomegranate. You might just need a martini flight!



Pomegranate... Refreshingly potent.

For years would confuse the place with Martuni's in SF, another classic martini piano bar. Only a stone throw's from zuni's!

Well, back to SD. The food options had a variety of options from calamari and spring rolls to rack of lamb and mahi.

The seared mahi, baked with grains was comme çi comme ça. A bit dried, distinct flavors were not popping, nothing fabulous:


The half portion came with a little extra sauce decor.

The beet salad was your typical greens with some prepared beets:


The chicken fettucine pasta was an interesting beef broth pepper overload (it had to be sent back):


Color in this case did not correlate with flavor. The sun dried tomatoes flavor did not shine through in the dish which suggests they were added last minute and not cooked with the pasta.

Still, the martini's were fantastic. It appears that liquid diets have their merits after all as the creative and flavorful options exist in the drinks!


- Posted from my iPhone

Pizza ...what's the deal

After hunting around for various pizza places, have to say the offerings aren't all that great.

Pizzicato, in bankers hills, offers a very low key environment, almost analogous to a mall strip pizza place, but despite the cozy atmosphere, the organic whole wheat pizza, fresh toppings were worth a try.

Overall, the pizza was not bad, ok and basically delivered on the basic promise. However, it wasn't above anything to remember, vegetables were not pre-roasted before being baked, sauce was not memorable :


Next in line was pizza fusion in Hillcrest. Offering multigrain thin crust, a variety of toppings such as kalamata olives and farmer's market veggies, the starter salad again was not spectacular. Basically, anyone could have thrown the ingredients onto the plate:


The farmers market pizza with shredded chicken was ok, vegetables were but not 30bucks worth!


Grilled onions and thin crust were a plus, but the price of a bushel of wheat must surely be going up...

Lefty's Chicago pizzeria offered thick crusted specials, though just basic sauce and toppings:


The hunt continues, Bronx, still has the winning vote!

Red Pearl - downtown SD

If a trip down to convoy street is not an option, the Red Pearl downtown has some Asian tapas thats bound to get the taste buds going.

Set in a dark lit red decor with dark wood, the ambience is definitely intimate and cozy.







A jade mistress: chili infused vodka with pear:





Sesame wokked edamame with a light chili sauce... Fantastic:





Fire cracking drunken noodles with chicken:





Hearts of palm avocado salad:





A red curry fish pot, not as spicy for red curry, but coconutty and creamy:





The chili prawns were fabulous: sautéed and baked with flavor, chil, lemongrass and ginger:





A twist for dessert, upside down pineapple cake..soft, spongy, and delicious:




A bottle of layer cake, a shiraz favorite was perfect except that the restaurant did not keep it at the right temp!


Although the chili factor is a bit subdued, the Asian tapas theme with creative cocktail selections has a variety of options to please. They should however invest into a temperature controlled wine cellar!


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Plate d'jour-- what's in your fridge

Sometimes the Iron chef competition enters the kitchen, a test of creativity given current ingredients and a therapeutic outlet for the day, this weeks contenders include:


Cooked Turkey with roasted tomatoes stuffed yellow pepper topped with iberico cheese, broccolini and orange bell pepper


Seared ahi with capers, garlic coated broccoli and goat cheese and sun dried tomato ravioli drizzled with olive oil and thyme..



Peanut sauce sautéed chicken, baby pepper and onion with a little oregano..


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Tapenade- La jolla

If you want to escape into a provencal gastronomy wonder, Tapenade offers a traditional French bistro with savory and flavorful food, highly detailed knowledge of the food preparations by your host, and a select list of fantastic wines.

The mesclun à l'huille d'olive, is an organic baby lettuce salad with red and yellow beets and baked goat cheese splendor:


The charcuterie plate, house made paté, prosciutto and salami's served with Cornish pickles and sliced baguette...



The fish du jour was a monkfish, cooked in a butter nut squash sauce with orange zest and baby brussel sprouts, light yet hearty with a zingy sauce... Black truffle shavings happened to be available and a sprinkle here and there really helped balance it out:



Delightful to find a favorite bourgogne, nuits san george... Robust and rounded, with the hints of truffle, fabulous:



Frommage options included a French blue cheese, Spanish manchego and a sheep creamy cheese ...



Great service, plenty of classic dishes to come to try, Tapenade is boldly raising the bar for French bistro elegance in SD..

And not to forget, shortbread and brownie treats at the end of your meal:


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Costa brava -PB

Costa brava, a Spanish tapas restaurant nestled amongst the pacific beach eateries, offers a tapa style flair to the ordinary bites.

Small and cozy, white walled with wooden tables, small bar and bright vibrant paintings, the colors and flavors of Spain come alive.

Hard to believe, it was only in 2006 that iberico ham was allowed entry into the US? Unless you get your passport and leave the country, sometimes you'll never what your missing..

Well the days when Spain was on the peso are long gone and euro driven prices these days has brought an entry of tapas into the states.



Sangria and a variety of tapas is a must to kick off any special event.

The gazpacho soup, cold and cucumbery, makes for a great summer soup:


The polla al ajillo, shredded chicken stewed in garlic and wine makes for a great bite:


The patatas brava, a spicy sauce covered potatoes are chunky wedges coated in a spicy mayonaissy sauce:



For the spice averse, al
Ajillo, garlic coated potatoes also exists:


The choricito frito, a sauteed chorizo sausage packs a punchy chorizo punch:


The almejas a la mariners, steamed clams in a Spanish mariners sauce are hearty and flavorful:


Gambas a la Plancha, whole grilled shrimps... Delicious:



The mussel special, baby mussels baked in white wine and herbs... If the French were here, they'd throw in some pomme frittes!



Bacon wrapped dates, small and crisp, served with a berry flavored sauce:



The pinchitos morunos, lamb skewer cooked with diced bell pepper, saucy and fabulous for bread dipping:



The paella special of the day, mariscos (shrimp, clams, calamari) comes with a happy smiling host:


Costa brava, has some great tapas, a cozy an airy atmosphere, a select list on Spanish only wines... With flamenco Sunday's, costa brava is not to be missed..

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