Prado - balboa park

Tucked within the museums of Balboa park exists the Prado, a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating steps away from the SD museum of art, the old globe theatre, museum of man and the Timken museum.

A Cohn restaurant member, land, sea and greens are all prepared.

Spicy calamari strip, in a light chili sauce on cabbage slaw, brings an Asian twist to a classic:


The romain salad, with boxed croutons and cotija cheese was not impressive :



The dill crusted salmon, prepared with corn shrimp cakes and green beans in a light mustard sauce was great:


A Thai style yellow curry chicken and Pappardelle dish... Coconut milk and Lemongrass overpowered the chicken flavors, hearty and mild:



With a variety of options and proximity to a wealth of culture, the Prado had a wide variety of cocktail menu, tasty seafood and an appetizer menu that will require another visit to fully appreciate.

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Avenue 5 - bankers hill

Restaurant week was definitely a hit at avenue 5. Since the renovation, the lofty interior with brick walls covered with modern art, low kit lighting and exposed air ducts, create a casual and sophisticated dining environment.

The wild beet and arugula salad, mixed in a light lemony herb cream dressing coating only the bottom of the plate, reflected fantastic beet selections, no canned beets here!


The Samoan Tombo, a healthy tuna serving, encrusted with black and white sesame seeds, overlaid on cabbage and red pepper slaw, bathed in a rich butternut sauce.. Absolutely phenomenal:


The tender pork loin, served with homemade mashed potatoes, a rich currant stocky sauce and grilled peaches in an exquisite presentation to absorb all the flavor.. :


The champagne sorbet, refreshingly crisp and light, cleanses the palate:


The bread pudding, rich banana drizzled with a caramel sauce and vanilla bean ice cream:


Fabulous times at avenue 5..
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Busalacchi a modo mio - Hillcrest

The newest addition to the busalacchi family is Modo Mio. Entirely rebuilt, an outer patio was constructed for outside dining amongst an outside fire scape secluded away from the busy street.

The interior is a warm high vaulted ceiling rustic italian style, terracota colored walls, dark wood beams and low lit atmosphere nicely reflect the candle lights flicker on the wine bottles adorning the entry wall.

The menu has several specialties. A fresh tomato and garlic bruschetta bowl is brought out for consumption with hot baked bread..

The toasted beet salad, yellow and red beets topped with feta cheese:


Although a simple salad, the beets weren't fabulous..

The pollo rostito, a charbroiled delight whole breasted chicken served with select vegetables and spinach mashed potatos. The chicken was well cooked deliciously prepared:


An eggplant wrapped pasta dish, thin past tubes wrapped by a delicate thin eggplant slice, sizzled with olive oil and flavor and topped with a tomato sauce.. :


Reminiscent of a homemade Lasagna, the tomato sauce was definitely fresh, but a little garlic and basil could have definitely taken it up a notch.

Zeppole.. An Italian version of a beignet, fluffy doughnut topped with honey and cinnamon:



Busalacchi's a Modo Mia has a fantastic outside and private room section, gracious hosts a list of main dishes to try.

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Barrio star - bankers hill

Isabel cantina's barrio star is shining bright in bankers hill. The happy hour options have changed a bit, Taco Tuesday's still going strong.




Playful skulls welcome you into a comfortable and casual environment. Religious candles a lit, glitter skulls piercing from the bar above and metallic star lights provide a cozy and modestly eclectic environment.

Jalepeño and pomegranate margueritas are top choices to savor.

The Mexican Cobb salad, shredded lettuce, corn, salsa in a Cotija cheese dressing is a great starter:


Carnitas plantains, a festive creation of roasted carnita meat served on a fried sweet plantain... Sweet and succulent, tender carnitas topped with salsa fresca are a fabulous way roger your hands dirty..


Chicken diablo will strike you with sinful pleasure. Whole roasted chicken, charbroiled to crispify the outer coating of garlic and jalepeño rubbed goodness, served with a mildly picante Tabasco type sauce, beans and Spanish rice.. This little baby will have you repenting before the end of the night!


Bankers hill ha a little jem here. Shine bright Barrio star!

Craft & Commerce - Little Italy

Say hello to the new comfort food..Craft & Commerce, a rustic industrial designed interior with dark and low light lit environment to enjoy fabulously mixed beverages and tasty bites. Newly expanded Craft & Commerce has added a new wing to the restaurant, outdoor seating and suspenders wearing mixologists to mix just about anything you'd like.








Mini booklets list the flavors of comfort. Everything from burgers, mac an cheese to corn dogs. But every item, is designed with a flavorful twist.




Sit outside in the faux ivy covered patio, and watch the sunset all the way down to the water.




Start with the fried pickles. Lightly battered pickles sprinkled with goat cheese and thyme and served with a garlic aioli. Sweet, crispy and vinegar tart blend harmoniously with every bite:


Forgetting the diet by now, mini corn dogs an upgrade from the classic American dish.. Full dogs wrapped up in a spicy cornmeal batter, served with a mild cheese sauce and whole grain mustard:



Spicy garlic green beans, deeply infuse in garlic goodness, crisp and tender greens will neutralize any vampires at the table:



Whole buttermilk chicken, cooked to a crisp southern perfection, served with a malt vinegar slaw... Fabulously delicious:


A must have for bacon lovers, devils on horseback... A bacon wrapped date stuffed with mushrooms, cheddar and asparagus.. Exquisite... Warmed pear slices are also wrapped up in bacon love:



Whole grain fed burger, grille top bread and juicy bites... Served with shoestring fried and more garlic aioli!






Don't forget the biscuits! Cornmeal dusted, spice enhanced warm pippin biscuits served with a jalepeño infused jelly an a semi sweet marmalade..



Save up for Rich, savory and sinfully good bites at Craft & Commerce
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Farmhouse cafe - SD

The farmhouse cafe is a recent addition to University Heights, opening it's doors in 2008 and offering a rustic French cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. Roughly about 15 or so tables enjoy farm fresh ingredients daily.

A select but focused wine selection offers French varieties, including bordeaux, burgundy and champagne offerings. Seasonal vegetable preparations and nightly specials continuously add variety to the menu.

The soup of the day was a cold served tomato soup, heirloom tomatoes cooked and pureed, smokey essence of bacon lingered in your mouth as you sipped away:



the flatbread of the day was a caramelized onion and summer squash treat, mixed with a little goat cheese and basil accents. Crisp and light, but full of flavor:




Large Carlsbad mussels soaked in an herb wine sauce, steamed to a light garlic perfection:



Chicken liver mouse with whole grain mustard and pickled vegetables looked like a delicious serving of vitamin B12:



The fish of the day was a grilled halibut, served on a white corn and leak puree, deliciously prepared :




Niman ranch tender strips, sundries tomato bitter accent.. Fabulous:


Fig tart dessert, thinly sliced fig, baked crust and light cream


filling make for a figilicious treat.

For a comfortable and intimate dining experience, flavorful plates and warm environment, the farmhouse cafe is definitely a stop worth checking out.

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Origano- hilllcrest

Hot wood fired pizzas and a comfortable atmosphere is what Origano opened up with. Almost a year later, the Italian hosts are still charming the patrons.

With outdoor seating on a late summer night, a relaxing evening can readily be enjoyed. From daily specials to the pasta dishes cooked al dente, to sicilian wine imports, good hearty meals are bound to satisfy.





Melanzane.. Grilled eggplant, sliced thin, drenched in olive oil and grilled to an uber soft texture..Accompanied with goat cheese covered toasts.. Delicious





The crab stuffed sole, a shrimp and crab stuffed filet, baked with a light lemon herb sauce...




Pizza Carpino.. A pesto sauce wood fired pizza with feta and chicken strips..




Pappardelle .. Basted in a rich tomatoe sauce, shredded sausage for a meaty flavor..



A creamy buttery mushroom specialty.. Ribbons of pasta for every bite


Pollo guido, backed chicken with vegetables in a chicken stock rosemary sauce..

Mouth watering bites, thin crusted pizzas and entertaining hosts make Origano a neighborhood spot..

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Zaytinya - Washington DC

For a fantastic Turkish and middle eastern flavors, Zaytinya has a a fabulous space to enjoy traditional mezes and other specialties.

With an open interior that spans 3 floors and glass walls, to the offshoots that hold 10 or so tables in a modern minimalist yet color accented environment, restaurant week brought out a variety of options to taste in the comfortable yet sophisticated environment.

Puffed pita bread is brought out pipping hot, endless baskets will fill the evening for you to tear and dip into the upcoming plates:


Freshly made baba ganoush , slow roasted, and baked with olive oil and paprika..delicious


Grape leaf wrapped dolmas... Tomato basted rice, rich in flavor an served with a tart Greek yoghurt:


Sautéed shrimp in dill and lemon, fantastic flavors:


An interesting approach to lamb souvlaki.. Marinaded lamb strips cooked to a nice medium, served on a lettuce wrap and topped with garlic bits and a dab of a yoghurt dill sauce:


Eggplant styled cakes... Baked eggplant then lightly floured and fried in an outer crisp.. Topped with a roasted garlic yoghurt sauce...


A perfectly seared sea scallop, fresh dill and yoghurt sauce:


A spanakopita like no other, spinach and feta rolled up in a light filo pastry:


Seared salmon with cucumber tzatziki:



The apricot yoghurt dessert was amazing.. Rich and creamy with sweet apricot flavor:


And the classic Turkish delight, a nougat tasting ice cream..


Tasty Turkish treats await you at Zaytinya...

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