globocity's Profile
what's new and exciting?
Welcome! I am not too excited about much of the food here. That written, I have enjoyed "Underbelly". It is in Little Italy, known for their "no spoon" ramen. The idea is pretentious (the owner has restaurants that ban ketchup for burgers and vodka in the bar). But, it's good ramen. There is an open window seating area so when the weather is nice (May and June can be spotty), it's a good spot to sit down and eat. Stop by "Influx" for good cafe and pastries (if they haven't sold out).
Cheers.
Balboa Park: Good, Cheap, Fast?
Barrio Star definitely not cheap, especially for what you get. Am surprised that place is still in business.
I suggest getting happy hour appetizers at Prado to stave off hunger. Then go outside of Balboa for decent and cheap food.
What's your favorite vegetarian restaurant in San Diego?
Muzita Bistro serves excellent vegetarian food, although the restaurant itself is not wholly vegetarian. There are meat options on the menu, which is nice for your carnivore-dining companions. Muzita serves Eritrean, similar to Ethiopian, food that can consist of peppers, lentils, stewed vegetables, and salads. They also have vegan options.
Healthful School Lunches: How Do We Get Kids to Eat Them?
An article in the LA Times today describes the recent unsuccessful transition in the area schools to healthful foods. The recent changes to the menu included vegetable curry, quinoa salads, and black bean burgers. Not surprisingly, the kids found these foods, which were completely new to many of them, revolting and tasteless. The healthful food being thrown out in droves and junk food being sneaked back in, district officials are making some necessary changes to the new menus. Some kid-popular foods are making their way back onto school menus, such as hamburgers and pizza (modified to make them less unhealthy) although flavored milk and sodas will probably stay off.
This makes me think of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, where he had some students in charge of cooking the healthful foods and talking to their fellow students about what was being served.
What I found funny was the mention of staff supposedly selling junk food on the "black market" to starving kids.
How do you in the CH community think we can get buy in from students at school to eat whole grains, fresh vegetables, lean meats, and the like? This is assuming the parents/families with whom these kids reside are not likely to take part.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-food-lausd-20111218,0,2593733.story
Cheers.
New Year's Eve Thoughts?
Sessions Public has made some nice improvements since their opening, in food, drink, and service. If you're looking to spend the night mostly sitting at the table then Sessions Public is a good spot. I am not a fan of mules but their beer selection is pretty good. The small plates and burgers are excellent choices.
But if your party wants to get up and dance or mingle, then that wouldn't be ideal. I'm part of the former so I'd choose SP.
Cheers.
Washing Dishes & Latex Gloves
sueatmo:
Cetaphil, like many lotions and moisturizers (or products for that matter), contain formaldehyde/parabens/preservatives that highly exacerbate eczema.
As a life-long sufferer of eczema, I have finally found relief with completely paraben-free lotions. California Baby (sold at Target and Whole Foods--at least in CA) are great products.
Good luck.
Recs for dinner near Camelback Inn?
Hello fellow occasional SD expat! I am taking your advice and heading to 4 Peaks Fri afternoon. Muchas gracias.
Recs for dinner near Camelback Inn?
Hello AZ Chowhounders,
My partner and I will be staying at the Camelback Inn for one night next week. I grew up in Phoenix but have lived in CA for 10 years so am not quite current on local, good restaurants. I would like for us to have dinner close by the hotel if possible so as to have a moderately-priced cab ride. BLT Steak looks too pricey although I know there is a lot of love for that place.
I already know where in the Valley to get excellent Mexican food and we will have loaded up on plenty of that for a week!
We would like to spend no more than $100, which is including a few drinks, and prefer fish, good burgers, vegetable dishes, or pastas.
I am the chowhound in the duo and my mate's priorities are eating good, decent-priced food. Nothing fancy! In other words, if Oregano's were closer, we would go there.
Cheers and Thanks in advance.
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BLT Steak
5402 East Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Tiger! Tiger! Any early reviews?
The bechamel sauce-covered-sandwich just does not appeal to me, and that's from reading a few descriptions and seeing photos. I think I'll skip that one and try just about everything else, including the salty chips.
Perhaps it takes this kind of an establishment to inject some kind of order onto El Cajon Blvd. The last restaurant in that lonely strip that I somewhat liked, Soho, came and went pretty quickly.
Here's to good beer on tap, creative food, and fixies.
Tiger! Tiger! Any early reviews?
"Herein we have people complaining about Tiger Tiger because of "hipsters on fixies"...so 2008!"
The same observation popped in my head, TheeAce. Funny.
Happy Hour Sliders
West Coast Tavern has really good beef sliders and mushroom sliders on their happy hour menu.
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West Coast Tavern
2895 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
Tiger! Tiger! Any early reviews?
Thanks for the feedback, Josh. The Po Boy is the first thing that grabbed my attention. Thinking it would be paired well with a Stone IPA.
Tiger! Tiger! Any early reviews?
We are BLAH fans and North Parkians so excited to check out the food and beer at Tiger squared.
Have any of you Chowhounders been during their soft opening? I don' think they have a website up yet so we will have to chance it and go without knowing much about their food.
From the (gasp!) Yelp reviews, it appears they offer cheese plates, some seafood options, sliders, and Po Boys.
I'm going if for nothing else than a sure-to-be excellent craft beer selection.
p.s. Didn't think it was possible in 2011 for a person to complain about "hand dryers and no paper towels in the restroom".
Cheers.
Busalacchi Speaks
SaltyRaisins: You win the award for best musical reference in a food post, ever.
The phrase, ". . .with extra commodity tendon" is a bit frightening to me, though!
Tapas in San Diego
Zarzuela is very mediocre. I think SF is still lacking a really good Spanish restaurant. I understand the love for SF as a culinary hot spot, but that does not mean all specialty cuisines in that city are above average.
And as for NYC, Txikito is by far better than Casa Mono.
Gaslamp Quarter in SD...need recommendations from foodies!
Thank you for the report, it is refreshing to read about our local spots from a tourist's perspective. So many times we locals (ok, I) form judgments about places that turn out perfectly good food for visitors.
You chose well, bkitty, so kudos to you for taking some chances and doing your research.
Cheers.
San Diego New Places Opening Thread, Part Deux
Thank you for mentioning Urban Solace. I like their food, a lot. Their wine menu isn't bad either. You made a good point about US, Chloe, and Linkery being able to hold their weight in cities such as SF or LA.
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Linkery
3794 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
Urban Solace Restaurant
3823 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104
San Diego New Places Opening Thread, Part Deux
I want to like Jayne's Gastropub, I really do. The atmosphere is charming, particularly considering it's location. And while I can appreciate paying over $15/plate, the food just doesn't seem to warrant the prices. Granted, I've only eaten there twice. But both experiences left me feeling wholly unsatisfied.
When I'm left with only naming Cucina Urbana as my go-to restaurant in central SD, I'm also left feeling hopeless about our current choices.
Voyou Wine Bar - Hillcrest
Friends and I have been wanting to go, now it looks like we'll stop putting it off and head soon.
Will be a chance to practice my French.
Would you recommend going on an empty stomach, i.e., will the food be satisfying enough or dinner? Or is it best to just nosh on the appetizers? Some wine bars (Wet Stone and Counterpoint come to mind) don't serve food substantial enough for dinner hunger panes.
Thanks, Josh, for the write up. Looking forward to going.
Your best favorite eatery for Friday nights after work?
Avenue 5, Currant and Costa Brava during happy hours.
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Costa Brava
1653 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
Avenue 5
2760 5th Ave Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92103
Alchemy: So close yet still slightly unsatisfying
Honkman, do you have favorites there?
I haven't tried eating at the bar, maybe I should for something different.
Alchemy: So close yet still slightly unsatisfying
Naomi Wise's review this week of Alchemy pretty much sums up my several experiences there:
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2011/oct/05/restaurant-review-muted-magic/
I really want to like this place. There aren't many options in the Park 'hoods for flavorful meals and fun atmospheres.
But somehow Alchemy misses the mark for me. The descriptions of the food turn out better than the actual tastes. Although everything I've tried is GOOD, I have yet to eat something there that makes me want to come back for more.
And yet I've been back, approximately 6 times, expecting something different. The definition of insanity, right?
I'm wondering what my fellow Chowhounders think of this place after recent experiences.
Cheers.
Craft & Commerce in Little Italy
I think Craft & Commerce is a good addition to Little Italy. This really is the only spot in that 'hood that has a lively vibe, after 10 pm, with good food & cocktails. Yes the hipster vibe seems a bit wannabe Brooklyn but I don't think it comes off as sincere with good service and food.
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Craft & Commerce
675 W Beech St, San Diego, CA 92101
eating for one...suggestions for an upbeat, friendly meal
Currant is a great spot for happy hour.
New Mexican food
That's too bad about Los Dos closing. That place is an institution in Phx for their delicious and spicy NM food. I was thrilled to see there was a location in Manhattan but surprised it garnered enough customers to stay in business.
San Diego New Places Opening Thread, Part Deux
"it's been pretty fun watching the dining scene evolve for the better and so quickly in just the last 2 or 3 years."
Good point, hungerpane. I've particularly been pleased with such recent additions as Cucina Urbana, Blind Lady Ale House, Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant, Pizzeria Bruno, and Muzita Bistro. Bravo, SD, let's keep the ball rolling.
Cin Cin.
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Blind Lady Ale House
3416 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA
San Diego New Places Opening Thread, Part Deux
More importantly, I think, is that burgeoning business help the economy. Sure, getting quality food in SD is a priority but I find it more thrilling to have creation of jobs.
Hey maybe our fine city can become a double threat of superior,local craft beer AND great pizza.
Hungry visitors who procrastinated NEED YOUR HELP!
edit: I meant to write we've had our dogs attacked several times at OB dog beach.
I completely agree with Fake Name's assessment of Coronado: not chow worthy but has some adequate food options. Actually, Burger Lounge is one of my faves to hit up on the way back from the dog beach.
