Palms Sd

The carnivore came out last night, having a craving for some real juicy tender meat. With the various steakhouses around the city, sat down the Palms downtown.

Welcome to the oldschiol steakhouse style. The interior always reminds me of classic chicago meat stop but with a martini bar.

Dark interior, wooden panels and charicature pictures of famous visitors lines the walls.

The filet was a monstrous 14 ounce beast that was split in half cooked medium rare, with all the succulent juices dripping from the flesh:




Adorned with wild mushrooms and steamed asparagus. Would have preferred grilled asparagus but that was not an option.

The west coast Gigi salad had pieces of sliced shrimp:



The petite petite was a great selection, complex and spice, and a nice dark opulent ruby crimson color:



Ironically, the filet was more expensive than the bottle!




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Terra- hillcrest

This little place tucked next to trader joes and near the uptown district has potential for many reasons. It is well situated in terms of location, serving nearly 350 potential people in the complex nextdoor! The food menu is actually pretty good, everything from Carlsbad mussels to Kobe sliders to yellowtail and Brandt beef. The service has customer satisfaction preparedness. So what's the problem?

Hard to say.. The ambience and energy really need a makeover. Everytime I've had brunch there and free mimosa refills, or bloodys, the eggs Benedict or huevos rancheros or even the chilaquiles are quite good... A totally separate topic will be about chilaquiles in this city.. They are not like the ones mama use to make!

Dinner selection also quite broad in scope, with lobster mac n' cheese, baked brie, roasted beet salad and yellowtail specials.. The food options are clealry inspired from elsewhere. however the overall atmosphere needs a change.

On this night, a number of specials were available, Incluing butternut squash soup and seared peppered tuna:




Served almost rare and on top of grilled and slightly crispified vegetables with some crunchy toppings, the tuna was good.

A desire for some vinegry chili lettuce wraps selected the Thai lettuce cups (odd cravings):



The lush greens were great however the prepartion of the chicken was not expected . It was minced chicken sauted in a tomatoe garlic sauce, which went well with the sweet tangy side sauce and crisp lettuce butterball cups, however for whatever reason, was looking for a shredded fideo presentation. And, as a special treat, they offer some new Zealand white wine! Refreshingly crispy Peary and a bit grapefruity white new Zealand Marlborough region wine does make the days issues melt away ;)

Ironically enough, happened to be sitting next to one of the owners and learned a few upcoming things. For one, there was talk about a makeover! Can't wait. Second, the chef is releasing a cook book called Terra bites in the fall. Let's just say we're looking Forward to it.

Additionally, uptown folks get a 10 percent discount! Why aren't others following? Time to start asking!


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Greek cafe-PB

Strolling through PB on the search of an amazing lunch spot, came across Greek cafe.

The menu selection had all te basics: Greek salad, kebabs, tzatziki and souvlaki. It also had some unexpected things like salmon dolmas. Not sure if the California fusion thing was a plus or if the purist in me was going to insist some meat minced dolmas.

The mediterranean salad was fresh and crisp, chicken was well grilled, the olives and feta worked:




The chicken couscous was swimming in oil and chciken juice... The harissa sauce had spice but too oily



Thumbs up on the salad but thumbs down for the couscous dish


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Spicy pickle- little Italy

When this placed opened up about a year ago in little Italy, it was a bit ironic that an establishment serving panini's and other sandwich specialties could take on the Italian food places nearby. But surprisingly , good panini's are not that easy to find on India street! Ok Mona Lisa's oldschool deli has some good subs, but don't offer grill pressed sandwiches.

Enter the spicy pickle. The sasualito bandido: focaccia pressed bread with sausalito turkey, pepperjack, chipotle, and sundried tomatoes is grilled to an oozing hot mess :



The gobbler, a turkey sun dried tomatoe creation with potatoe soup:





Half an Italian with cheddar broccoli soup:




And don't forget an actual spicy pickle. This place has recently rolled out frequent cards and also offers a create your own grilled panini (had them create a breakfast special once with eggs, spinach, grilles onions and sun dried tomatoes). They have also launched small pizzetti and a VIP program ;)

With a second spot opening on 10th downtown, watch out the pickles are coming!
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Calamari sensation

today was a very unique day... A friend of a friend caught a giant squid deep sea fishing in the pacific and was offering pieces. Haven't had this much fresh caught squid since my trip to Thailand, were it was hoisted onto the beach, grilled over an open flame and basted in Thai chilli peppers, basil, lemongrass and flavor. I have no idea why many places dip it in batter and deep fry it to the point where you can't even taste the squid.

I was handed a 7 by 6 piece of 2inch calamari steak. After peeling off some of the skin, this is what it looked like:



Now the fun part, how to prepare it. In the absence of an open fire pit or a Viking range or a team of Thai cooking experts, proceeded to do the next best thing: improvise!

So started with some olive oil, fresh thyme, garlic, a splash of chili juice and a dash of pepper and sea salt for the marinade.

Decided to coat it lightly with some Italian bread crumbs, tarragon, dill and some paprika to give it some zest:




In the saucepan they went, high heat, extra chili oil for a quick couple of minutes... You don't want to overcook squid as it will get hard and rubbery:




Served with some carmelized vegetables and a side of bacon crumbled spinach salad, not too bad:







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Amarin - hillcrest

With the various Thai places around hillcrest, finding spicy dishes is not hard to do. But many places cloud taste with hot spice. Flavorful dishes are what local food venue amarin has to offer.

From drunken noodles, to spicy eggplant to their Tom yum soup with chicken... Broiled chicken in lemongrass, chile, Ginger and scallions with brown rice makes a hearty meal.

Had the Tom yuk soup with chickn, lemongrass, cocunut milk and straw mushrooms:




The Thai princess platter, was a little surprising in the sense that it was completely deconstructed: Ginger, peanuts, prawn bits, cocunut flakes and spinach leaves and lime an lemon mini wedges with sweet tangy sauce were brought for you to make your own spinach cup.




The spicy chicken and green beans cooked in a red curry type of sauce was flavorful and complementedthe sweet (cocunut) and the citrus flavors brought about by the other dishes.

Great local place for good bites and very attentive service.

They even have a 10 percent discount if you pay in cash! I think all places should start adopting that policy..




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Zanzibar SD

Brunchtime is one of my favorites of pastimes. Bloody mary's, eggs Benedict and some hash browns are always well deserved after a Sunday spin class. Endless mimosas always make for a good time.

Visited Zanzibar on G street. Have been here before and like the low key cafe setting, sampled a bit of the health conscious options..

Had the mediterranean poached eggs with avocado, fresh salsa and multigrain bread:



The food was prepared well, avocado was ripe but it lacked flavor. Even with tobasco, pepper and salt.. It just wasn't hitting the spot. On other occasssion, the brunch was great, but then I think the plate had about 1000 more calories on it with the hollandaise sauce!

The acai shake was great. No yoghurt or milk based, all fruit.



Across the table had to sample the scrambled eggs with onions and spinach.




Not to be confused with Zanzibar in NY or DC, the food at their new opening at UCSD the loft was preferred..

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Chocolat..

Back for a return at Chocolat. With proximity to the heart of hillcrest, hard not stopping by in for a bite of a dessert. Or 1 or 2!
This adventure, sampled the crepes and the chocolate gelato.

The gelato was rich and creamy, taste of grand marnier and dark chocolate but not too heavy... Fantastic:







Next on the list were the crepes. The nutella and banana one was delicately prepared, great consistency of the crepe and thinly sliced bananas smotered in rich hazenult nutella... A definately winner with the group:






It's noteworthy to highlight the chocolat martini drinks.. Vodka infused espresso chocolat served chilled...it was very reminiscent of a baileys smoothy for some reason:







On the request of our beautiful hostess, who entertained out table in portugese and Italian, we ordered the marscapone an chocolate crepe.. A light cheese blend with rich chocolate.. Truly decadent:






After all these desserts, a bite of the bruschetta was in order:






The toasted bread soaked in olive oil with Roma tomatoes (finally at least Roma) and fresh basil shreds o topped of fresh mozzarella and little Parmesan shavings was very good. The Parma and honey one, was a little different. Can't say that I have had this combination the various Italian trips... Dry prosciutto, smoky and aged with honey was a bit sweet but interesting mix of flavors. Overall another good experience.



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Pizza fusion- healthy alternative

It's pouring outside, perfect for a pizza and a movie night. Headed out to pizza fusion, offering gluten free crusts and multigrain thin crusts.

With a group that consisted of the benniton collection ( a Brazilian, an Italian, Pakistani, and a Mexican).. We were looking forward to the thin crust organic pizzas.

The BBQ chicken pizza, with carmelized onions, red onions and a tangy sweet sauce hit a spot:



The farmers market, with artichoke, peppers, and local vegetables was also very good:



The beet salad with feta complimented the whole meal



Overall, flavorful and thin crusted specialties were great..

Let's hope the movie is just as good!

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Buonissimo- hillcrest

Good Italian food is not easy to find in SD. Only couple of places, at least in my opinion, offer good quality food authentically prepared in a traditional italian manner that are not overly Americanized. For that reason, have stayed away little Italy as most places there just are not satisfying...my favorites of the selection have been Baci on morena, arrivaderci in hillcrest (though a bit Americanized), Vivace at the 4 seasons. North beach up north has nothing to fear.

So when another italian place opened up in hillcrest on uni next to 3 or so other Italian places (which are not very good and offer more budget minded options without flavor), was in question a to what makes it different.

Stormy night upon us, headed out to grab a bite. This location use to be califrnia cuisine, whch was very disappointed to hear they were closing up and moving to only caterting, as they were quite good an one of the few places that had offered a bit more sophisticated dishes than the areas pizza, burger, taco, burrito and flavor deficient options.

The decor can only be describe as playful country Italian flare: bright green walls, rustic bikes and boxes and clothe liners adorn the walls, little wooden pinnochios and fake flowers are everywhere and Old wine style chianti bottles set with dripping candle wax. I don't think I understand the whole concept, but it was inviting enough and a gracious host so we sat in the middle room outlooking the rain hitting the streets. Our Russian waiter even had a pseudo Italian accent.. Lol

The menu was straightforward, wine selection in a hood range for the area ($20-$45 for most.. With wine steals next doors and cheaper Italian food on the other side, the price ranges were quite good)

They brought us out bruschetta to start and had to try an Italian marguerita (amaretto spiked classic marguerita for a bit of sweet and tang)...






The prpearation was good, but again southern calfornia tomatoes just lack that umf.

The spinach salad was simple and good: spinach, light dressing, real bacon curls and real Parmesan shavings.

For the main dish, had the polla with pesto. It was garlic infused, cooked first and then baked with a little pesto and mozzarella cheese and a tomatoe slice, served with a fresh selection of vegetables that were steamed and sprinkled with Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan.




Overall, the simplicity of the food was what made it good. No overly complex dishes with too much going on.

I will have to come back to try the carpaccio and a classic pasta dish to evaluate some more but overall good experience.

On the dessert, a special ofthese day was apple streudel



I wasn't particulalry fond of the streudel as I'm in favor of the vienesse style of thin sliced apple streudels.. But our table magically made it disappear..

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Sushi ota -PB

This little sushi placed tucked into a strip mall next to a 7-11 and a planned parenthood would never be suspected as having quality fish, but the bustling activities of a team of 10 or so sushi chefs and crowds of Japanese folks says otherwise.

This is definately one (out two) sushi places in SD that deserve recognition...

Raw tuna can be seem carted daily, fresh wasabi and great yellowtail, tuna, fresh eel, and salmon are always available.




Spicy Diego roll is hiding in te middle left, double tuna and double yellowtail regular favorites!



Snow crab roll special was unexpectedly available.. Some yellowtail sashima for a high protein low carb touch ;)


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Michael Mina - SF

If food is just more than experience for you and you're looking for a gastronomy based therapy session, then Michael mina's should definately be in the plan. A fabulous location inside the Westin st francis, 20ft ceilings adorned with corinthium columns, subdued lighting and intimate but warm environment all provide for the entrance and setup for what you're about to experience.

The glorious food and extensive wine list can have you there for hours (you're Amex card might tell you otherwise)

The trio pre-fixed menus are especially suited for tasting a variety of flavors all at once. Brought in succession by an orchestrated group, 3 to 4 different happy indiviuals gracing the table with a new adventure.

The starter, wolf ranch quail with pistachio truffle contained an herb roasted breast with a prune sauce that was absolutely delicious. A bite of a leg confit with pomegranite frissee and a seared foie gras with persimmon and huckleberry sauce was divine. And that's just were the party starts! Ok, this iphone really needs a flash!

A chef selected starter of lobster bisque, salted cod butter ball. And seared shrimp set the mood:





The ranch quail trio brought on the richness and flavor of the game:





But the tour de force was definately the Brandt beef farm trio: filet mignon with black trumpet mushrooms, the aged rib eye bone marrow flan and the braised bourguignon and russet potatoe gnocchi! Watch out Julia Child! It was a party with an afterparty in your mouth!





For desserts, went with the cheeses: a sticheltin blue with pomegranite was a nice combination, panache s'aramita with flower honey and the tarebtaise with sicilain pistachio complemented the palate:







And that's not even the seafood specialties experienced by my partner in crime, rubilicious. marinated Japanese fish , hamachi, sawarma in flavors of chili vinagrette, cherry blossom, and mushroom:





The sun chokes drizzle in truffles and prepared 3 ways were definately bringing smiles to our faces

The flavors harmonized with every bite. Went perfect with the chateauneuf de pape bosques de pape 05... Powerful and flavorful with a hint of spice and served at the right temp all made for a phenomenal food experience.. Move over retail therapy!


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Alladin in Hillcrest

Good middle eastern food is something to remember. Having had pastilla in morocco, kebab in Armenia, lebneh and kefta in Lebanon and of course hummus and foul from Cairo to Dubai to Doha and Kuwait, I can be pretty discerning and no genie from the bottle easily rocks my world.

A challenge for many places in the states is access to fresh ingredients and spices only found east of the Babylon. From Persian cucumbers to sumac to herbs I can't even pronounce, there has always been something missing here...particularly the mouhammara from Syria...red pepper and walnut paste with garlic and olive oil.

Well Alladin is not short on it's offerings, and the Lebanese owners are very courteous and generous folks.

The garlic lebneh (I think it's on the menu but have a habit of ordering random cravings) is the real thick and whole hearted good stuff... Your fork can stand upright in it. The shawarmas overflowing with lamb and flavor and their roasted chicken salads enough for dinner and lunch the next day.

Somehow pizzas have made it onto the menu... And you can have a lamb kebab influenced pizza... but the babaganoosh, pita, tabuleh are all great. Order some extra sumac (reddish sour Arabic spice used to flavor everything from hummus to salads) with the fresh olive oil. The fresh brewed mint teas over ice with 2 packs of splenda is almost as good as the Arabic tea that is customary everytime you walk into someone's house or store across the pond. The mint taste different here but it's very close.



Chicken mediterranean salad... Lemony vinagrette..

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Gossip Grill - Hillcrest

After a good workout met up with some friends at Gossip Grill. I found The opportunity to penetrate a local lesbian place rewarding, given that the place is owned by the same owners as Urban Mo's and baja Betty.

The decor is very glam girl meets red Robin... Hmmm, but With a bar hosting bottles of vodka an a loungy outside area and with heatlamps (this is sub zero SD afterall!), it was quite cozy.

Our mistress for the Evening was miss Leonela... Truly upbeat, energetic and just fabulous. She was all up and about placing bead necklaces for a combo mardi gras/valentine event.

Apparently they have happy hr till 7p and give you tokens you can cash in for, any session of the day.. Well unfortuneately missed that but not a bad concept.

Tried the chop-chop salad, a steak topped fresh Green salad With a tangy vinagrette. It was good greens, 3 finger size strips of steaks, but server up on a red swirl plate that you know only comes out on the holidays:




Also tríed the truffle and mac.. Requested it be baked to crispify the top and give it that charcoal crispy goodness thats deserved after a good workout.. You know what i'm talking about:



Extra charred for perfection... And now the bite:




Steam powered carb and cheese overload! Ok the truffle essence was a bit of oil and the pasta shells were overcooked and mushy... But the cheese wasn't overpowering and oily (which i liked... Almost a subdued gruyere with some parmesan or romanao). It was ok, but didnt do it for me. Still on the hunt for some mac n' cheese to remember.

Overall, the service was something straight out of SF, food was comme çe come sa, but definately see it as more than a girl's hangout.


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Sandwich emporium- Claremont

Having PB offices, your limited with food choices. Sometimes you crave a mouth watering and full satisfaction that only a grilled Specialty sandwich can offer for lunch..

Sandwich emporium is located in claremont , Next to a russian kettleball place, a dog groomer And something else i can't quite make out. Would have never come here if it werent for Fellow foodie DG.

But its sandwich offerings aré great: philly cheesesteak With grilled onions, southwestern chicken With avocAdo, cipotle and spicy Corn relish and many more. With a menu offering "The mother load, tuna melt Heaven, and surf and turkey, there should probably be one named earth, wind and fire (spicy chicken and seared steak strips). Add the homemade teas, peach and pomegranite, and you have yourself a budget concious lunch..

-Spicy julio (switched to sourdough bread and 1/2 the pepperjack)..mouth watering roast beef layered with cheese and grilled onions, jalapenos and spicy mustard with avocado...




A chicken southwestern...it was a hot mess inside so discretionay pic only!

Tip: ask for toasting in both sides of the bread!

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Bleu Boheme - Kensington

Back again to blue boheme... A French country style bistro, suprisingly tucked away from the mainstream. Well the food at least is French country influenced, having been to all corners of the French empire, have to say they have pretty authentic cassoulet and rabbit cooked in a Dijon tarragon sauce that's so rich, your left artery starts to choke a bit... It's really good.

Love this place, from the minute you walk in it's candle lit granite walled interior with candelabras dripping mounds of wax, a cozy warm atmosphere and smells of rich food make you forget about the days drama.

This is a favorite tucked away in Kensington. Mussels come in various options: ala povencale, Dijon, white wine sauce, and a herb based with pomme frittes... A bucket of mussels with frittes is a must for a good Sunday, dipping them in the sauce while you wash them down with a Bordeaux or rosé in the summer.


Half a mussel plate... Ala provencale with a side of a st. Emillon bordeaux..

Ok hold please, need to get back to the dish!


The seabass was Fantastic...




Cooked to perfection served on top of asparagus, some corn and starch.

Will have to come back for the cheese plates-- one of these few places here that has pave d'avignon and humbolt fog... Two absolutely phenomenal cheeses.. Ok so one is not from France...lol

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Asian bistro on uni

Sunday night is always a good night for comfort food. Was in the mood for something Asian and spicy so was heading out to Saigon (which is really good by the way) when I realized that there about 10 different Thai places all within a block of each other! So what differntiates them? Let's find out!

So Asian bistro it was. I had met the owner once some time ago and remembered that her son and daughter serve the floor... Their smiles beaming when we walked in.

So decided to try the "his special" a thai BBQ chicken specialty with a Ginger lime sauce. I should have specfied no skin, but the chicken and dipping sauce were good.

Onto the steak salad...seared steak strips on top of red onion, tomatoe, cucumber in a lime chile vinagrette sauce. Well the steak was definately prepared earlier (a no no in my book), and although the vinagrette was tangy and sweet , southern California tomatoes and cucumbers just have no flavor!! I can recall biting into an Italian or Lebanese tomatoe, raw, and being blown away by the juice packed flavor! Not in SD... So I'll take the vinagrette to go but hold the tomatoes please...

To complete the tasting, stir fry veggies with whole meat chicken in a spicy chili garlic sauce. We finally hit comfort ;)



- steak salad


- his special chicken



- chili garlic stir fry with chicken

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