Street side Thai- North Park

Street side Thai is a corner spot on Ray an Uni offering Thai food in a modernized Ikea yet comfortable space.

Red, brown an dark tones accentuate the environment.
$5 large singhas and 20% off the appetizers are your happy hour specials.

Chicken satay, 4 pieces grilled boneless chicken with a mild peanut sauce and cucumber vinaigrette/corn syrup sauce:


The beef salad, heavy on the beef, was a vinegar and lemon sauce mix with cherry tomatoes.. A refreshing bite:



The eggplant with chicken was a bit mild, brothy and cooked with out of season eggplant:


Overall, not bad on prices, friendly services but flavors toned down. If around the park, not bad for a quick bite or lunch, but not rockin amarin off of it's pedestal... Especially since I hear the prior chef has left to open up his own spot somewhere around shelter island... Hmmm might just need to hunt them down!

- Posted from my iPhone

Origano- Hillcrest

A new addition to Hillcrest, Origano opened up a couple of months ago in the new Atlas complex, what could another modern italian place offer you might ask?

Well for one, a wood fired oven pizzas made by someone who is actually from Sicily! A rarity for some reason in SD, with the casual dining atmosphere and select list of Italian reds, a good combination is brewing here..







A sister restaurant of osetra downtown, Origano focuses on southern italian specialties. Parpadelle, puttanesca and thin crusted pizza are just a short list of menu items.

For starters, grilled eggplant! Melanzane carpino, grilled and drizzled with olive oil, cherry tomatoes and toasty goat cheese :


The tagellio pizza, arugula, shitake mushrooms and truffle oil!!


Fabulous!

The lamb shank, whole braised lamb on bone... Delicious..



Fresh rosemary as well. Risotto was masked by the beef, but braised so tender it fell right off the bone..

With a Sangiovese wine, bold and earthy red, harmonized well with the beef as well as the pizza.



For dessert, a light and fluffy tiramisu with crispy cannoli:


Bravissimo! Origano is off to a fantastic start...

- Posted from my iPhone

Kips cafe -Hillcrest

Kips cafe, offering a choice of Chinese and Japanese cuisine, opened up in the spot that use to be the home of indian palace.

With a groupon in hand, was ready to give it a try. So were about 100 other people!

The groupon sale overwhelmed the place, so service was spotty, food took forever and the constant apologies were too much. So after reading the various reviews on yelp, everyone seemed to rave about the chili garlic chicken.

Alas, it was nothing short of disappointing:


Chicken overbattered and deep fried mixed with chopped garlic and chili's.. It was sort of mixed together as no real strong flavors emerged from the chicken. Not sure what folks were raving about, but this dish is your classic 3a dining option plate after a night of partying.


The garlic eggplant was a great improvement, though it had the overly oiled syndrome as well:


With a little chicken, it would have been alright. The hoisin sauce was a tad salty, but the composition of vegetables was great.

The Singaporean noodles were another big disappointment:


A vivid noodle dish like this should taste like something! It didn't.. Bland to the point it should have been sent back.

If it weren't for the groupon, and the curiosity to try new places in the hood, would not have stepped and in, and don't plan on coming back. It's definitely categorized in the 3a Chinese food place bucket... After a night if dancing, you won't have the energy to realize how bad it really is.

The sushi wasn't sampled. If it comes out at you from behind close doors where you can't see the sushi chef, not worth the risk.

- Posted from my iPhone

Setá- Whittier

Uptown Whittier, the historic town known for only two things: 1) Nixon went to high school and college and 2) the quake of 87..

Uptown Whittier is an art deco historical landscape.. Picturesque in many ways, a new infusion of restaurants has permeate the scene.

The latest being setá, a Latin Asian blend that does brunch!

The huevos rancheros were an interesting flat tortilla topped eggs over easy with black beans, cheese and classic ranchero sauce:


Looks a little like a Mexican pizza, the richness of real sour cream was a bit too much, though tasty.

Huevos ala Benedict with truffles ham, hollandaise sauce and thick smoked bacon


So not getting the Asian food vibe aside from the sleek decor, service was a bit slow, food a 3 star plus, but definitely an interesting addition to the uptown Whittier area...

Down the street, watch out for ricks hamburgers... They can take In and Out anyday!

- Posted from my iPhone

Goal- LA

If cruising west 3rd street in LA and in the mood for a little ceviche at a sports bar, Goal is the place for you.

Total dark interior with 360 degrees plasmas broadcasting the basketball or football game of the day, the action packed intensity of the fans is sure to be felt.

Food, surprisingly isn't your overly fried leftovers of most sports bar. Mahi ceviche with shrimp and avocado for starters:



But special treat of the day was homemade chocolate chip and chocolate brownie cookies topped with espresso ice cream! Delicious:


Re-inventing the sports bar food scene... An interesting concept..

- Posted from my iPhone

Mister A's happy hr

A fantastic happy hour has landed at Mr. A's. Classically known for it's white linen table dining, and prices to match, seems like Mr A's is shaking it up.

Sit outside on the deck on top of the 12 story building and enjoy the sunset over the san Diego marina as you enjoy cocktails, wine servings and some fantastic appetizers. With the apps being only $7, have to say that the combination of great food, outdoor seating with a view is hard to beat.

Start off with swordfish sliders, toasted brioches bread, tarter sauce and some of the tastiest onion rings :


Kobe beef sliders make a fantastic re-debut: solid beef chunks with truffle fries!


The ahi tuna mini burgers with capers and tangy lemon sauce were also quite delicious:



With a side of tempura mixed veggies, a sunny day and a glass of wine is a fabulous way to say hello to the weekend'

- Posted from my iPhone

Rib attack

Baby back ribs, side of grilled corn and a good brew and you have a feast at hand. Ever wonder why baby back ribs are so good?

Aside from the intercostal meat tenderness, the term "baby" typically means the ribs are taken from hogs instead of sow.. And the ribs are closer to the loin area.. Which means, more tender juicy meat around them bones!

Spare ribs, on the other hand, are taken from the belly end above the sternum and are usually flatter and contain more bone than meat.

Either way you slice it, a little brown sugar, BBQ sauce and a broiling oven and it's easy to create finger lickin ribs:


With a leafy green salad topped with caramelized pecans and crumbled aged blue cheese... Fabulous:


And the veggies! Garlic sweet broccoli helps balance it out:


For dessert, an exquisite selection of artisan chocolates from Poco Dolce in SF. Dark chocolate with a hint of chile spice and flaky sea salt! Absolutely divine..


- Posted from my iPhone

Mex it up

It's surprisingly challenging to find authentic Mexican food in a city that's a stones throw from the border! With the lack of fresh salsa, savory flavor and Spanish rice (yes a true testament of authenticity!), many places fail short.

For example, Nati's in ocean beach. An establishment Having been around for 50years. Food wise, ehhh, 2 stars. A chicken ranchero dish with stewed chicken in tomatoes was mediocre... Edible, but margueritas were weak, salsa spiked with chili flakes and guacamole that surely came from Costco!


A local spot that is gaining star credit, Barrio star on 5th, with it's eclectic dia de los muertos glitter skull decorations, lit alter of virgin Mary candles is dishing it up with great service, provocative marguerita blends and happy hours that are a fantastic deal.

Nachos.. Simple and straightforward... Homemade chips sprinkled with paprika, black beans, corn, fresh salsa and a touch of cotija cheese...all for $4!



Carnita tacos, ($3!), pulled pork steaming with flavor..


Pequeño salad, a little mix of greens topped with frill corn and light lemony vinaigrette:


But not to be missed, grilled fish tacos on homemade tortillas!



Fabulous... With lively atmosphere, glitter skulls smiling at you, and bartenders serving pomegranate, Serrano chile or blackberry margueritas, Barrio star is definitely shining up the neighborhood!

- Posted from my iPhone

Stella alpina- Burlingame

A hidden Italian treasure awaits you in burlingame. Stella Alpina, almost discreet and hidden from view, a power dinner spot for the silicon valley community.

For starters, the white truffle gnocchi with sage butter was phenemenal! Gnocchi goodness with soft earthy hint of truffle and rounded creamy finishing of sage butter...:


Scraping the last bit of the sauce with some toasted bread is not to be missed!

Butter lettuce salad was topped with red onion, olives and feta cheese:


The special of the day, a fresh halibut topped with a tomatoe and olive medley:


Baby carrots and baked well..

Complimented fully by a medium bodied cuvaison Pinot:


Hints of cherries and plum danced in your mouth..

A fantastic spot for a solidly good meal before you jet out to SFO.

- Posted from my iPhone

Ruth chris' steak house SD

Steak and lobster... Do we need to say more? Bordering the water, candle lit interior, and hot plates galore, let's see what Ruth has in store for us this day.

Crabatini, a whole crab flesh meat served in a martini glass with a dijon tartar sauce:


Sauce aside, crab meat was great.

Chopped salad included bacon bits, eggs, avocado, tomato, bowled and served with crispy onions:


The carribean lobster soaked in sizzling butter and tender filet was your surf and turf spectacular


:



Fantastic... Served with an extra side of lipitor!

For dessert, bread pudding was rich...



Diets aside, cholesterol rich savory butter lobster is a treat!

- Posted from my iPhone

Momo's SF

Brunch at momo's across from the ballpark is a fantastic Sunday option. With specials ranging from oysters, to ahi sandwiches, Momo's is all about getting your grub on... a momo's bloody mary in the sun in the SOMA is a perfect way to enjoy tour day!

Oysters from the pacific, raw and delicious.. A little briny, with mignonette sauce and a dash of lemon.. Fabulous:


Louis crab salad, dungeness crab, whole shrimp and a tangy version of classic thousand island.. :


Pulled BBQ pork sandwhich and beer battered onion rings:


Great food, tasty bites and very casual environment, watch out for the ball park crowd on game days, but a great neighborhood spot. Once famous for the best carpaccio.. Sadly, it's been removed from the menu!

Kuletos-SF

Kuletos brings strong traditional Italian dishes to a Renaissance inspired interior.. Bold large fireplaces, giant painted canvassed and 2 screening stations before you get to your table!


Roasted trio beet salad was the starter, dark red, yellow and baby red beets tossed in olive oil, thyme and served with a little green.. Tasty and delicious:



Seared ahi on top of a spinach salad, grapefruit slice, light and fresh.. Also quite good:


Grilled eggplant, with Rosemary and green grassy olive oil taste, also delicious:


Truffled topped mushrooms!


Straightforward dishes, flavorful with savory ingredients, an Italian influenced traditional restaurant that is not to be missed.

- Posted from my iPhone

Catch--Sf

Corner spot in the Castro, Catch offers a variety of seafood and meat entrees, cocktails and plenty of energy.

Patio sitting with a crackling fire or indoor dining with a piano jazz voice above you, the laughters are plenty, the burgers are mighty and the cosmos will keep coming...

For appetizers, the tartare was served with capers and tomatoes, toasted baguettes and topped with spinach greens:


Fried olives with feta? Definitely interesting:





The NY steak, served with a vegetable medley was your straightforward meat and veggies option, juicy rawness with corn and carrots and a sprinkling of potatoe.

Lively atmosphere, variety of options for the carnivores, herbivores and liquid dieters, although not a culinary Mecca, Catch offers some tasty bites in a fun atmosphere.

- Posted from my iPhone

RN74-Sf

Creative and modern interpretation of French cuisine is the claim of one of the Mina group restaurants called RN74. Named after route 74 in the burgundy region, their wine collection is fantastic. As you can imagine, old world burgundy has an impressive list.

Dark lit interior, modern industrial sheik with a touch of rustic elements, a large old school train bill board is positioned at the far back highlighting the daily wine bottle specials. As they are consumed, the panels flip to reveal the next rare short supply vintage... Just like the train boards in France before they went digital!


For appetizers, the quail "a la chausser" was calling: mushrooms, smoked bacon and garlic made this baby not just beautiful but absolutely delicious:



The beef carpaccio with devils quail eggs, hint of mustard and a spring mix with waffled potatoe chops! Ok they are pomme graufettes!...


The quail eggs overpowered the beef in this preparation but intriguing combination.

The whole milk burrata, with basil and olive an Meyer lemon... Fantastic:


Complimentary gruyere toasted bread biscuits are brought out:


The Coq au vin, a modernized chicken breast with bacon on Yukon potatoes looked absolutely mouth watering:


The classic beef bourguignon was modernized to include braised short rib, oh so tender, and a center rib eye cut with truffle potato and a dollop of bone marrow.. An anemics lifesaver!


And from the special cellar, a 78 burgundy, medium bodied spectacular:


Wow... Let's pause for a moment..

Tarragon pound cake with lemon curd and olive oil ice cream was an interesting creation:


The Pistachio vacherin,a concoction of rhubarb and tangerine sorbet with a little hibiscus:



RN74 has enough flavors and varieties to tantalize the tastebuds...

- Posted from my iPhone