Claudio's fantastic dinner

This past evening had a great opportunity to have a great meal with two good friends in the area. When you have a jetsetting globally influenced pair and combine that with a food outlet... Mamma Mia, a food party evolves.

Wines pouring and the starters come out. Spanish olives stuffed with anchovies, briny, salty and plump went well with the hearty smokey meat sausage:





Capresse salad of rich Roma tomatoes, mozarrella cheese sprinkled with crack pepper and drizzled with almondy Spanish oil was a perfect summer treat:





Prosciutto y melone, salty and sweet, ripe melon wrapped with light strips of Italian prosciutto... Fantastic:





A crispy flatbread surprise, Funghi and more funghi, little roasted crimini mushrooms sprinkled with cheese and herbs. Delicious bites:





The prima plate, mushroom stuffed ravioli with olive oil, Parmesan was fabuloso:






As tradition in Europe, the salads come last! And what a treat it was. Beets and walnuts intermingled with arugula and feta in a light olive oil based vinaigrette brought smiles around the table:





The piece of resistance was the panna cotta. Light and delicate, topped with blueberries and mint was better than what you can get at most restaurants.



Claudio did an amazing job at bringing the Mediterranean flavors to our palate. There was even a Croatian fig jam brought over directly to complement the cheese. Definitely walked out feeling content and happy.

- Posted using mobile cam.. Eating and blogging on the go, excuse spelling mistakes :)

Bo's seafood market - Hillcrest

Bo's seafood market opened up not to long ago in the trade joes shopping center in Hillcrest. Offering fresh fish, catches of te day and a few specialties like grilled fish tacos, fish and chips and ceviche.

With fish on display:








The choice was selected to an ahi tuna salad. Requested seared with olive oil and lemon juice:


The salad was good, simple and hearty.

The interior of bo's reminds me of a long John silvers. With a small outside seating area may be a good addition to the hood, positioned next to la salsa and pick up sticks, a fish centric focus may bring new additions to the comfort eateries. Lets see if the menu gets expanded...


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Chinese food-- the hunt begins

The 5 spice chicken at Eric's the house of Nanking dive spot amazon potstickers or Tom liangs or yank sink and other favorites in SF come to mind when Chinese food is mentioned. Aside from the mainland, still exploring the Chinese food finds.

In this adventure, Kung pao chicken, hot shredded pork with bell peppers, Mongolian beef and shrimp with snow peas was Sampled:





Sechuan eggplant was pretty tasty. With added chili and brown rice, pretty good.



Tasty, the hunt still continues for memorable Chinese in the area.

- Posted using mobile cam.. Eating and blogging on the go, excuse spelling mistakes :)

Bombay--Hillcrest

Summer nights call for outdoor eating. August wind blowing, sun caressing the sky and summer energy all positive and uplifting. So why aren't there more outdoor eating places in SD?

Bombay is a few of the restaurants that has an open front exposed to the street. With an artificial water wall dripping from the height above, it has a pleasant and calming environment.

The naan topped with garlic and Parsley cucumber dipping sauce is refreshing:


The mixed bounty: tandoori chicken, grilled mahi and kebab with rice, lime and yoghurt sauce was great:


The lamb curry dish was ok, not spicy enough and a little on the whatever side but filling:





With some hits and misses, bombay has a great atmosphere and some tasty offerings..

Will have to spot the menu next time for a tamarind mojito..
- Posted using mobile cam.. Eating and blogging on the go, excuse spelling mistakes :)

Charbroiled heaven

Grilling in the sun always brings a smile. Hot roasted peppers, good friends and flames always a good recipe.

This time decided to spice it up a but by trying some grilling.

Bring on the chicken, Rosemary and Spanish olive oil coated, delicious:


Whole corn and bell peppers,,, fabulous.

With some hot jalepeños and barnequed polenta, delicious:


Let's not forget the thyme coated eggplant! Grills to perfection.


Look at those birds, roasting and grilling in all their splendor!




Charred to perfection..




Grill your avocado! So delicious ..
And let's not forget the corn. Husks were aflamed...





Grilled cebollitas, soft and tender :


And the final entrees:



Brought a big smile for the day:


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Tilapia

A little tilapia goes a long way...

This hearty white fish is fantastic with lots of garlic, Rosemary and tomatoes.


A chile avocado salsa and a pear salad balanced out the spice.



- Posted using mobile cam.. Eating and blogging on the go, excuse spelling mistakes :)

The mission- north park

Sunday brunch can be a post workout indulgence, post Saturday recovery or a time to get together with the gang for endless minosas, bloody's or just plain catch up.

The mission is a busy Sunday spot, with chilaquiles and pancakes being served left and right.

After a bubbly hostess seated us down, one had to dodge the pancake that was flying around from the kids behind us! Bring on the grub:

The missionary: 2 eggs, hash and bacon all brought out with pico pica sauce and Rosemary bread:


After a Han bloody (restricted liquor license allows for Asian grain vodka like drinks) the zen breakfast brought the eye if the storm within control:


2 egg whites, brown rice, sauteed tofu and grilled squash and zucchini... Delicious...

Across the ways, the tamale egg special with salsa verde looked enticing:


Busy and sassy, good brunches at the mission

- Posted using mobile cam.. Eating and blogging on the go, excuse spelling mistakes :)

Barrio star- bankers hill

A return to the barrio star had a welcoming opportunity to try a couple more dishes. Bustling with activity in a slightly warm interior, evening cocktails were in order.

Interesting cocktails they do have. A jalapeño blackberry marguerit was refreshingly satisfying:


The cucumbers with chile powder... In the summers in Mexico, you would always have pepinos con limon and a little chile... Delicious, refreshing and lite! These ones had olive oil and cumin but still great alternatives to the chip and mess one gets into at Mexican places...(not to say that we don't love that every now and then :) )


The plantain chips are the barrios version of French fries... Sweet plantain mashed into edible fries with a chipotle mayo dipping sauce and fresh salsa...:


Our gastronomic desires were brought to a disastrous crash web we found out the chicken Diablo was gone! And the michilada!

In desperation for flavors and goodness, a new entry made it onto the menu for the night. A rich Alaskan halibut served with grilled asparagus, rice, roasted tomatoes and a chile sauce boundary.... Fabulous:


With a Mexican chopped salad, Fresh romaine, corn, tortilla chips in a light cream an tomatoe dressing.. Yum:


Onto the steak! But first, one must prepare themselves with the proper gaucho knives...


The steak, charred to perfection but left medium rare goodness inside..served with spinach and plantains and chimichurri sauce fantastic...


A Serrano chile margueritas cleansed the palate :



A coconut flan was desserts treat,,, sweet flan with a hint of coconut glaze..


Barrio star is definately a happening little spot serving good strong dishes with a Mexican flare...


- Posted using mobile cam.. Eating and blogging on the go, excuse spelling mistakes :)

Guiltless pizza--

Does such a thing exist? Well we can alway pretend.. Lol.. Actually, pizza if done properly can be very healthy. Thin crust and limited cheese would have to apply. Personally a fan of the flatbread crispy kind, veggie and spice loaded.

So we had a thyme and Parmesan coated squash offering a thin crust toasted with olive oil and roasted fennel... Omg, almost forgot how good roasted fennel was:


Delicious.. Whole thing has about 300 calories...

Greeted by a hummous infused spinach salad topped with roasted chicken and chives...


Here's one to guiltless eating. :)

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Sweet Israel... Couscous that is

So what do a little Tahitian vanilla and cinnamon do to a bubbling pot of Israeli couscous?

Whatever it did, the sweet robust flavors came bursting out, welcoming the basil pesto broccoli:


Oregano and paprika are becoming a fantastic little combination to Marinade chicken, green onions and spinach for a bite:



Brought together by your classic roasted beets:



And let's not forget the vino... A subtle Bordeaux , an integrated blend of merlot, Cabernet franc and Cabernet Sauvignon...




- Posted using mobile cam.. Eating and blogging on the go, excuse spelling mistakes :)

Amarin Thai- Hillcrest

Amarin Thai saves the day again. This little spot is becoming the preferred spot in the hood.

Tom yum soup with state hat mushrooms, a touch of spice and chicken with brown rice all make for a hearty soup:


The drunken noodles must have had a little party going on, thick and chewy all basted with a good blend:


Basil eggplant with chicken and peppers, lemongrass:


And let's not forget the salads, prakaw salad with green beans, lemon and shrimp juice, and roasted carrots and veggies.. Delicious:



Good times.. Good bites, amarin Thai....


- Posted using mobile cam.. Eating and blogging on the go, excuse spelling mistakes :)