10 second review of lunch at the Fish Boutique (Scripps Ranch)

We stopped in today for a late lunch on our way to Murietta. The food was fresh and tasty and very reasonably priced for the small plates (lunch-sized portions). The fish and chips were made with sea bass per my Mom's request (she's not a big fan of cod) and had a light panko crust -- really nicely done. The salmon burger was a bit thick with the roll, but had great flavor. We all tried my nephew's clam chowder (finally one without bacon) and it had a lot of clams and was really quite flavorful.

The fish market looked really inviting and the place had no fishy odor -- always a good sign. If I lived up in the Mira Mesa/Poway area this would be a regular haunt.

Paladar in San Diego

Santa Barbara Group Dinner for 16

Need some help identifying a restaurant for a group dinner of about 16 people on a Saturday night. Most of the group will be staying at the Best Western Peppertree Inn, so something walkable would be appreciated. Casual atmosphere, good food (must have) with a nice beer and wine selection is preferred. Would like to keep the cost without alcohol to $20 per person or so.

Any place you can suggest in SB for such a large group? Most of the bistros I've researched have smallish tables.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Paladar in California

San Diego Convention Center -- Resturant recommendations where a local would go

Had dinner at Oceanaire on Saturday the 16th. It's been somewhat hit and miss the last 18-24 months, but they were right on that night. We had a large group so I tried the steamers (some of the best I've had in years – as a native Washingtonian, I'm pretty picky on that front), a couple of the salads that were fresh and well dressed, the crab cake (that honestly has never disappointed) and friends had the oysters on our waiter's recommendation -- they were very happy with the selection. My entree was the diver scallops on parsnip puree with a blackberry sauce -- and wow -- they were perfect. We also had a couple of desserts that we shared which ended the night perfectly. As always, the service was spectacular.

I have to say, I'll be back sooner than later.

Paladar in San Diego

Pioneer Woman's The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever

I've made this a couple of times and do recommend it with a couple of changes. The recipe is quick and virtually foolproof.

The first time I followed the recipe and found the cake too sweet for my liking. The next time I replaced the regular cocoa powder with an extra dark cocoa powder that I have – I also added melted bittersweet chocolate to the batter. That did the trick – the chocolate was deeper, richer, more adult in taste. I also used extra dark cocoa powder in the chocolate glaze.

With a potluck, it will certainly be a hit regardless of how chocolate-y you make it.

Also, I've made turning out the cake (or serving from the pan) much easier by lining my sheet pan with a Silpat (or parchment paper).

BTW, here's the cocoa I ordered:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GUOA8W/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

And for those wondering about the recipe:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/

Paladar in Home Cooking

Desert Sushi Help

Heading out for my annual trip to the desert (Rancho Mirage specifically). While there I have a group who demands a "sushi" night. There's about 10 of us. In the past we've eaten at both Mikado and Hibachi (for both sushi and teppanyaki -- the latter is less important to the group). Just wondering how the quality is holding up at these places or is there somewhere better that's cropped up? Atmosphere is as important as good food.

Thanks in advance.

Paladar in California

Large Group Dinner/Fun in Palm Springs

Need to find a spot to feed and entertain about 80 semi-aging men in the Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage area. Dinner needs to be somewhere (or adjacent to a place) we can do a group activity. In the past we've bowled at Fantasy Springs Casino and had food done by the casino. Need some new ideas for this fall's get together. Thanks in advance.

Paladar in California

Good Hotel Lunch/Meeting Space

California friend is looking for good locations to hold a meeting in the Boston area. Lunch will be needed each day so above average food is a must. And attendees will not want to move venues for food, so in-hotel dining/catering is a must. FYI, space needs to be 2,100 sq. ft with a meeting space rate between $300-$600 a day. There will be 60 attendees so need rooms in the $120-$179 range. Taking place early November. Sorry for all the specifics -- but business is business. Thanks.

Paladar in Greater Boston Area

Dinner for 30 – Marina District

Any thoughts on a place for dinner for 30 semi-aging athletes? We have a big group of cyclists from the West Coast meeting up in NorCal in May for a week long ride that will end in SF. We'd like to enjoy a dinner out that last night (a Thursday) and wondered if there was a place that had a big party room or area for a private party? We'd like to sit together or at least adjacent to each other.

We're staying at the Lombard Motor Inn (1475 Lombard St) and need somewhere nearby in order to get everyone there. Would like price to be mid-range if possible.

Pizza? Italian? Comfort food? Definitely needs to serve beer and wine.

Since I'm arranging this from San Diego, the more info you can include (phone #'s especially), the better.

Thanks in advance.

Paladar in San Francisco Bay Area

Shrimp & white bean cakes ala Daisy Fernandez

Here's the Spicy Pineapple Vinegar recipe:
http://www.daisycooks.com/pages/recipes_detail.cfm?ID=34

Paladar in Home Cooking

SD-Family friendly for Confirmation Dinner

FYI, the old Trophy's at Grossmont has now reopened as Hooley's a second location for the Irish Pub/Restaurant found in the Rancho San Diego shopping center. Great fish & chips along with Guinness on tap.

Paladar in San Diego

Help with 50th birthday party food ideas

I think you're on the right track with the Mexican theme --

How about different types of ceviche with small tostada rounds? Another easy make ahead is a tortilla soup bar -- a crock of broth and then all the fixins: corn, onions, shredded chicken, tomato, chiles, tortilla strips and coffee mugs to serve in.

If not, Italian is an easy one: ravioli with dipping sauce(s), creamy tortellini, a roasted veggie platter sprinkled with balsamic and a bruschetta spread with 3 or 4 different types for people to choose from.

Have fun!

Paladar in Home Cooking

San Diego Sandwich Spots people like

Cafe 2121 on Adams Ave is fantastic. The chicken pesto sandwich is only one of my faves -- fresh sauteed chicken is tossed with a subtle (yet well seasoned) pesto. Combined with cheese, red onion, tomato and avocado - it is grilled to perfection. Sandwiches come with a choice of sides: fresh salad with strawberries, soup d'jour, homemade potato chips. Everything from the sauces to the soups to the salad dressings are made from scratch.

2736 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 640-2121

Paladar in San Diego

Dim Sum for Dinner in SD?

Thanks everyone for the help. Dumpling Inn probably would have worked but it is closed on Mondays. We went to the Yum Cha Cafe which had two things going for it -- really cheap prices and super fast service. Wouldn't say the quality, service or ambiance offered anything at all to the evening, but 2/2 is an important date in the family and my hands were tied.

I've been to both Jasmine & Emerald over the years and while they don't compare with places in Honolulu, the Bay area or Vancouver BC (three places I eaten a lot of Dim Sum) they are much better quality-wise over Yum Cha. I am excited to try the place in RB that I read about in my research. Hadn't heard about it before.

Trust me though, Yum Cha sufficed just fine for our needs Monday night.

Paladar in San Diego

Dim Sum for Dinner in SD?

Is there any place that serves dim sum at dinner in San Diego? It doesn't matter if it's push cart or menu. We'd like to go tomorrow night -- a Monday -- which might even make it a little tougher.
Thanks.

Paladar in San Diego

In-Home Indian Cooking Lesson Encino/Sherman Oaks

Looking for advice on where to find someone who would come teach Indian cooking in-home to 2-4 couples. Prefer the type of Indian food found in England (there's a Brit in the group) but am open to anyone who'd make the evening a memorable one.

Paladar in Los Angeles Area

Fresh Pumpkin in San Diego?

Hi -
Looking to buy a couple of fresh whole pumpkins here in San Diego. We make the stuffing in the pumpkins and not the birds. Anyone know a place that's still selling them post-Halloween? Thanks.

Paladar in California

June 3rd - St. Kevin's Day

My husband, who's name is Kevin, brought this to my attention a couple of years ago. Apparently the occasion is best supported by a feast of some kind, avoiding butchered animals (St. Kevin was an animal lover). Any ideas on what would pull together quickly and for a school night?

For more information, you can visit: http://www.lionden.com/st.htm

Any other saints out there in need of a day to celebrate themselves? How should your day be recognized?

Paladar in Home Cooking

What do you do with salmon berries?

My Mom & Aunt used to send all of us out in the woods to pick salmon berries and huckleberries. We'd be gone for hours. I can't remember a single time that a salmon berry ever made it back home -- I'm sure we ate them as fast as we could pick them. Huckleberries though did occasionally make it back and were baked into an amazing pie or cobbler. Of course, I now realize that this was a ploy to get us out of their hair so they could visit in peace -- we never got in trouble for coming home empty handed!

Paladar in Home Cooking

Eureka--making creamy mashed potatoes ahead of time

We've also used our crockpot on low to keep mashed potatoes warm for holidays. We start them out just barely wetter than usual and they're perfect by the time dinner is ready.

Paladar in Home Cooking

Flipping pancakes

I love Martha Stewart's recipe -- especially when we make them banana/berry blast style by dropping pieces of banana, blackberry, raspberry and strawberry into each cake just after the initial pour onto the griddle.

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=96791a55b890f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=pancake&rsc=header_10

Paladar in Home Cooking

Outdoor Pizza Oven

I did post last year --- we're now at 2-1/2 years with our Earthstone. Again, ours is a gas/wood combo which offers a huge amount of flexibility. With the gas you only need a few hours notice, with wood you really need a day, day & a half. Earthstone does make great wood-fired only ovens as well as a kit if you want to semi-build-your own. We actually visited Maurice and Jean Paul at their LA location and were very impressed with the quality and detail we saw.

Paladar in Cookware

Italian Dinner for 20 PDX

Thanks everyone. We had a great dinner at Mama Mia -- everyone was happy with the food, the wine and yes, the tequila shots (yikes -- with Italian food?). The service was fantastic and the chef even came out to say hello. Our same group went to Mother's for breakfast and our chef was there. This time she got a round of applause and a lot of cheers.

Again, appreciate you fellow Chowhounders. Couldn't travel without you.

Paladar in Pacific Northwest

Italian Dinner for 20 PDX

Any thoughts on a place for dinner for 20 semi-aging athletes? It'll be a Thursday night -- we'd like to sit together or at least adjacent to each other. And we're staying at the Hilton (921 SW Sixth Avenue) and need somewhere nearby in order to get everyone there. Would like price to be mid-range if possible.

Grazie.

Paladar in Pacific Northwest

Best Tasting Photo Cake in San Diego

L-
Which Costco did you go to? I was at Mission Valley last night and couldn't find any info about photo cakes -- the bakery area didn't seem to have many workers around to ask.
Thanks.

Paladar in San Diego

Best Tasting Photo Cake in San Diego

Looking for a bakery (preferably in central San Diego) that decorates cakes with real photos made from frosting. I know there's probably not a lot of options but hoping that maybe someone has stepped it up a notch. I'm attaching a photo if you're unsure what I'm referring to.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Paladar in San Diego

Using an Espresso Machine to Press Tea

This is a two-part post.

A friend gave us an espresso machine (a Buon Cafe 330), but no one in our household drinks coffee. We've been to a few higher end tea and coffee shops where tea is made with an espresso machine (with great success in our opinion). So my questions are:

1. Is there a way to clean the espresso machine thoroughly enough that there's no trace of coffee to mar the flavor of the tea?

2. Has anyone experimented trying this? Any instructions, tips and/or tricks you wouldn't mind sharing?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Paladar in Not About Food

Portland Pizza Party for 30-50

We have a big group of cyclists from the West Coast meeting up in Oregon in May for a week long ride that will end in Portland. We'd like to enjoy a pizza dinner that last night (a Thursday) and wondered if there was a place that had a big party room or would consider closing for a private party?

We do have several pizza aficionados in the group, so the better the pie (Naples-style is preferred) the happier the hounds.

Since I'm arranging this from San Diego, the more info you can include (phone #'s especially), the better.

Thanks in advance.

Paladar in Pacific Northwest

African food in San Diego??

A new East African place is set to open "soon" where Vinbladh's Swedish Fusion Cafe
was in University Heights (4651 Park Blvd.). So far no sign of decor changes or even a solid clean up from the efforts of Vinbladh's, but my guess it that they're awaiting permits, loans, etc.

There's a nice paragraph on the door outlining the new eatery.

Paladar in California

Gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free cake?

Try this blog:
http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/2006/03/best-gluten-free-dairy-free-sugar-free_08.html

Paladar in Home Cooking