Pitas - Hillcrest

A new Mediterranean grill has opened up in Hillcrest, with full kebab meats and all the typical schwarmas, hummus and baba ganoush you can eat.




Rich roasted eggplant and olive oil .. Baba ganoush fantastic.

The Mediterranean salad with grilled chicken, romain, kalamata olives, tomatoes and pickled beets:



The chicken schwarma plate with hummus and salad.. Rice? Is also included:


With prices set to hit the hungry student crowd, the food is tasty and definitely a step above Sajj. The hospitality and service is sure to win some over.


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Ebisu- Hillcrest

Sushi lovers beware! A recent visit to Ebisu left us less than impressed. Often having groovy beats and a young atmosphere, ebisu stays open late for cocktails and sushi.

The selection was impressive, with daily specials. However the fish was not fresh, the rice was also not cooked thoroughly and an order of vegetables looked like a bag of mixed veggies from trader joes was just displayed onto a plate.. No creativity..

A kampachi sashimi, drizzled with a jalepeño oil an sprinkled with rock salts, was ok, but not as fabulous for a daily special being advertised:


Spicy tuna rolls and spicy yellowtail rolls were less than impressive.. The sushi chef at whole foods would have been a better choice!


A seared albacore roll was also equally less than tasty and impressive:


Not sure if it was a bad day, or if this experience is the norm, but the meal was forgettable..

Sajj- Hillcrest

Sajj, a new addition to the hood, opened up to a great start, offering a Mediterranean selection that rivaled local Aladdin, with grilled promises of much anticipated kebabs has careened off course.

Low key environment with an open door environment to a busy intersection of university, the walk up counter offers quick and go meals as well as a full few of the kitchen.

Kebabs, shwarma and the array of foul, hummous and baba ganoush are all available.

The hummous, creamy and light is a little thin for a full order:



The shwarma chicken salad served boiled chicken on top
of romaine shreds, drizzled with lemon and chopped cucumber and radishes:


And the dolmas, stuffed with rice and covered in a slight tomato drizzling were ok, but hardly As rich as the ones imported from trader joes!


The lebanese addition had a great promises, but has slid a notch or two behind mama's bakery off of el cajon and also Aladdin.

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Pasta nights

Viva la pasta, and the Italian chefs out there. Making pasta from scratch can be a great way to bring folks together, release some of the weeks anxiety and bond over a bottle or two.

Roasted onions, garlic and sage brought to a nice simmer in olive oil, sets the stage for the flavors to come alive:



Olives, pickles and nuts get the appetite ready:


Home made ravioli, stuffed with potato, leek and bacon..



Simmering to a nice boil, the ravioli dance away:



Roasted onions, sage, olive oil, gorgonzola and curry embrace the gnocchi:



Bringing the sage based pasta dishes together, dual potent flavors danced the night away:


Prosciutto and melon, rich flavors welcome the summer:



Croatian fig is absolutely delicious with a little cheese:








Apple tart to finish with accent of blackberries:


Laughter, wine and glorious food.. A fantastic combination..

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IL fornaio- Coronado

Sardinia festival continues on cornado. Select menus of flavors from Sardinia complement the daily options at iL fornaio.

Heirloom tomato salad with shaved Parmesan, earthy olive oil and drops of balsamic provide a refreshing plate:



Roasted seabass, baked with olives and tomato stew, served with couscous:


Pasta ribbons ala vodka, cooked into the cream sauce with pieces of prosciutto... Carb delight:



Dessert trays offer a selection of sweets, tiramisu, chocolate cakes or sorbet:





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JDRN - PB

Suns out and beach season is in PB on a sunny afternoon turns into a vacation spot for some.

JDRN or Tower 23 as how most folks know it, offers california cuisine with a global touch. From Carlsbad steamed mussels to spiced pork empanadas to California grass fed steak salad, outdoor dining and fresh offerings make it a great lunch spot.




Sashimi salad with slices of salmon, tuna and yellotail.. Light, crisp and refreshing.

Grilled pita with with hummus, an herb goat cheese and an artichoke mascarpone dipping sauce :


With a variety of fresh items, including Kobe beef burgers and lobster blt sandwiches, a return to tower 23 is definitely a requirement.

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Cucina Urbana- SD

Atmosphere.. An there's plenty of it. The recreation of Laurel into Cucina Urbana was more than transformative.

Having visited several times, the menu has changed slightly. The olive oil soaked olives served with garlic are no longer available.

Woodcuts pizzas however, expand in variety. Figs with arugula on a thin wood fired crust:


Roasted beet and Valencia oranges topped in a light dressing:


Veal piccatta, capers and lemon with corn... Fantastic:


Tart strawberry with vanilla bean ice cream.


Lively atmosphere makes got good times..

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Barrio Star - SD

Banker's Hill rockstar, or better yet Barrio star, is bringing together some fantastic lively Mexican dishes in a comfortable vivid and colorful atmosphere.

Marguerita specials and Serrano chile or pomegranate and cumin enhanced cocktails are not to be missed on a happy hour occasion.

Grilled guadalajara corn, slightly charred for that uber crunch, covered in a light jalepeño butter and Cotija cheese, better grab them fast before the paws next door snatch them up:


The chopped Mexican salad, corn and crispy tortilla strip, chicken bathed in a cumin vinaigrette with a little sprinkle of cotija cheese... Fabulous:


Make way for the carnitas.. Tender oven bake carnitas with avocado, Cotija cheese, cilantro and onion on a home made corn tortilla .. Phenomenal flavors:


A new comer to the menu.. Mashed plantains, sweetly fried and topped with carnitas and paired with dipping salsas.. Mexico meets south america in a harmonious reunion:


A special of the day, seasoned salmon served with a mango pico de gallo on a cilantro infused be of rice... :


And the sinfully but decadent dessert... A chipotle spice spiked chocolate confection to satisfy the chocolate demons within.. Delicate and crumbly yet moist and rich with a spicy afterkick to say hello! Deliciouso:


Mexican soul food, urban pleasures, indulgent experiences in comfort.. Barrio Star is sure to please with flavorful and creative Mexican inspired dishes..

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Humphreys- point Loma SD

Located on shelter island in point Loma, Humphrey's restuarant (or live music venue next door) offers view of the water in a newly renovated interior.

Seafood is definitely a must. Although you will find gorgonzola burgers on the menu, the variety of seafood compliments the view of the water.

A special starter of the day, blue crab stuffed mushrooms:


Luscious blue crab drizzled with light buttery sauce, overly so, masked the crab, although hearty bite.

The warm spinach salad with shrimp and scallop, mixed of avocado, pickled ginger and sesame seeds was fantastically mixed with light soft buttery taste:


The grilled barrimundi, with a Serrano chile butter topping was fabulous:


The braised short rib with roasted onions was sinfully delicious:


Offering a variety of good dishes in an open atmosphere with views of the water, don't let the name discourage a visit.

Barbarella - La Jolla

Summer nights in la Jolla are not to be missed. Cool light breeze, outdoor dinner seating and the lively ambiance at Barbarella's will have you come back again and again.

Pizza nights are also very popular. Wood fires thin crust pizza, the funghi pizza with drizzles truffle... Fabulous



Specialties of the house include stone cooked fish, cooked whole with lemon and spinach, always a festive treat to enjoy. De boned for your tasting, whole bass or snapper have presented themselves on the menu...






Crumbled wild berry cobbler, baked with a crunchy crumbled outer layer, wild cherries complemented this dessert:





With several selections of wine including Italian reds and California favorites from Paso Robles

Good bites at Barbarella..
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iL fornaio- Coronado

Summer days, outdoor marina views and wood fire pizzas welcomes you on coronado island's iL fornaio.

A perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the outdoor summer breeze.

Enjoy a grilled Mediterranean pizza with thin crust served with farmers market select veggies..


Pizza nights southern Cali style...

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