maestra's Profile
Coupons and Deals
Choosing between this and $20 for $40 at Alexander's on 30th from bloomspot. Haven't been to 1500 Ocean in quite a while. Food was always good, but portions small for the money. Any comments about Alexander's or 1500?
http://www.bloomspot.com/san-diego/alexanders-on-30th-1/?utm_campaign=120042&clicked=1&utm_id=EN-MTUwODA4NA%3D%3D&utm_source=BloomEmail&utm_medium=email&bquery=ZW1haWw9ZHVxdWV6NjQlNDBob3RtYWlsLmNvbSZ2aWQ9MTUwODA4NA%3D%3D&utm_refsource=referral&utm_type=daily&utm_nooverride=1&utm_market=sd
Do Jacque Torres chocolate chip cookies (nytimes recipe) really live up to their name?
I also chop us TJ's bittersweet block when I make these cookies, and I also think they are fabulous. I make them small (probably just a tablespoon of dough and two large chunks of chocolate per cookie), and I still find the texture to be perfect. During a long period in which I could not find my kitchen scale, I measured the ingredients out by hand many, many times. The difference, after I found the scale and weighed the dry ingredients instead, was astonishing. They are great both ways, but in the future I will pack my scale when I intend to make these at someone else's house.
Finger limes
Don't know about SD, but L.A. for sure. There was a long segment about them on KCRW's Good Food podcast several months ago.
Moving to North County, need restaurant recommendations
We also made probably our last trip to Luc's about 3 months ago. The last 2 visits were disappointing. I can't remember specifics, but I agree that the quality has gone downhill. We left feeling generally disppointed and unsatisfied, and two times in a row meant it wasn't a fluke. Their sweet potato fries were still great, but even a coupon won't bring us back.
Costco Business Center...San Diego
Thanks! They must sell out quickly, because for the last two years employees have had no idea what I was talking about when I inquired.
I know I've saved an old post here about a recommended online seller. I'll dig it up and purchase soon.
Costco Business Center...San Diego
Does anyone know if the store sells vanilla beans? They haven't been stocked at my regular Costco for a couple of years, and there are none listed on the website.
Has anyone seen Hawaiian honey?
I've purchased great honey, including at least 2 Hawai'ian varieties, at TX Maxx. I also think I just saw some the other day at Teavana (a store in malls, including Fashion Valley). The jar was small and probably overpriced.
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Teavana
7007 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
Cavaillon
I was considering a meal there a couple of weeks ago, but I changed my mind when I looked online and saw the prices. They are definitely higher than before, and for me they are too high to draw me in to try a new chef when I can go somewhere else that I know I love for less.
Nice dinner in Rancho Bernardo
I ended up here once too after finding Luc's closed for a dinner party. The food was boring and the decor dated. Would not return.
Leg of Lamb
We had the rabbit once -- wouldn't do it again. It was very dry, and the flavor wasn't partiularly pleasant. It was okay, but the lamb is so, so much better. For rabbit fans only.
FYI: Mexican food in Escondido
We like the salsas better at the original location, but we actually prefer the food in Vista. I love a quesadilla with huitlacoche, barbacoa, and a slice of avocado. The Vista location doesn't have rabbit, but we tried it once down south and were not thrilled.
FYI: Mexican food in Escondido
Alex's had changed their salsa on my last visit. It was much hotter but lacked the depth of flavor that the previous version had. I hope they change it back!
Mexican ingredient store?
I saw hoja santa at the swap meet in Escondido last week, so any "farmers' market" with Mexican customers will probably have it.
Smell those beans, they’re beginning to boil.
Second these beans -- "peruanos" have swept the Mexican communities out west. You won't go back to pintos after you try them.
Passion Fruit
We had a tasty "floating island" in a passion fruit custard sauce at Cavaillon last week. At home, I mix the "innards" of a couple of passion fruits into my non-fat vanilla yogurt, to which I then add blueberries and a sliced banana.
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Cavaillon Restaurant
14701 Via Bettona, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92127
Walkerswood Jamaican Jerk Seasoning - Where to buy?
I've seen it at Cost Plus World Market many times over the years.
Major Market recommendations?
Just schedule time to browse. I'd start in the produce for inspiration; they often have semi-rare items and local fruit and mushrooms. Carefully look over their deceptively small cheese area, where you might find duck prosciutto, special fruit pastes, and of course great cheeses. The baking section is delightful -candied or pureed chestnuts, various sugars, Droste cocoa powder, etc. Finally, for browsing, I'd recommend checking out the endcaps on both sides -- one side of course features international products (mostly mixes or packaged treats), but the opposite side hosts always-changing displays of unique treats, often locally made.
If you're from another region of the country and crave a local product from home, inquire about it. It is surprising how many regional U.S. items they carry, from pancake mix to soda pop.
I can only think of two specific items to recommend -- Avocado Blossom honey from De Luz (Fallbrook) and Black Diamond popcorn. If you've not "into" honey now, you will be after you try this dark, rich, deeply flavored product. It is sold in the produce area. They've raised the price on the popcorn lately (must have realized they will selling it for less than half of what other vendors were asking), but it's still worth it.
FYI: Mexican food in Escondido
Just thought I'd post about a couple recent changes to the Mexican food scene here in Escondido.
Tacos Alex was run out of the former Baja Foods building last month. They were the only business there making money, so the landowner kicked them out and implemented his own taquero in hopes of similar profits. Locals have noticed, of course, and people who've tried the new one tell us they won't go back. Thankfully, Tacos Alex still has the newer San Marcos location.
If you are in Esco and are hungry for tacos, we recommend La Taquiza as the new best in town. They are in the Northgate Gonzalez shopping center. Their tortillas are recien hechas, and I adore being able to have my cochinita pibil cravings so easily satisfied. The pork can be overcooked, but the extra-spicy salsa they put just on the pibil tacos, the fresh tortillas, and the pickled onions bring it all together.
La Cocina de Maria closed some time ago; we haven't been to the new business, Blanquita's Cafe.
El Tejate continues to be inconsistent, but I suppose if the swap meet closes because of the ballpark, they ladies who cook there might come permanently to the El Tejate kitchen.
If you're looking for something a little different, keep in mind that World's Best Pizza serves the best pupusas in North County. I've enjoyed their tamales de elote too; the fried version is a treat.
We just need some of that borrego action up here -- all the specialists are way down south!
Peruvian chicken
The best Peruvian-style chicken I've had around here was served at December Nights (2009) by the House of Peru. I think it was a riff on the Peruvian dish arroz con pato; I recall it having green (cilantro-laden) rice and deliciously spiced grilled chicken thigh on top.
Help in Escondido: Tacos Alex is closed
The Esco location remains open; the San Marcos location is an expansion. We haven't eaten there, and the Esco place isn't using a pot yet.
horchata
The Salvadorean style horchatas sold at pupuserías are great. Around here, I am only certain that the place on University (near Super Cocina) has homemade horchata salvadoreña.
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Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104
List of Shops in San Diego to buy cooking ingredients
Chai in Escondido is owned by a Thai family. They don't carry much fresh produce, but their shelves are some of the most fun to browse. If you're looking for something specific, you might call them. If they don't carry it, they might know who does.
San Diego Churrascarias?
The one in Del Mar is indeed closed. The last few years have also seen them close in Carlsbad and Horton Plaza. There was one in Temecula; haven't been in a few years.
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Horton Plaza
324 Horton Plz, San Diego, CA
Lima, Cusco, Ollantaytambo -- Must eats and such
Thanks for the info -- I'll be using some of your tips around Christmas time for our first trip to Peru!
San Diego: Foraging
There's a fruit-producing sapote tree somewhere in Balboa Park. Can't remember why I know that; can't remember where it is; can't remember if I've seen it in person or in pictures.
I get my types of persimmons confused -- are hachiya the pointy ones? There's a tree of the flat-bottomed ones (which I prefer) in Daley Ranch, Escondido. I was thinking of heading over soon and checking on the state of the fruit. A house a few blocks down from me has a tree of the pointy-bottomed fruit, and they don't eat it all. I was thinking of knocking on their door and asking to pay for some fruit, but I never did. Maybe this year.
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Balboa Park
1549 El Prado Ste 8, San Diego, CA 92101
Escondido Thai Temple Eats?
I walk or jog by there with some frequency, and I have never seen food for sale except for the Songkran festival (which is sometimes weeks after L.A.'s celebrations). I once asked someone in the yard if they were serving food the next day (for Songkran), and they said "no" but invited me inside if I was in search of food. I declined.
If the opportunity presents itself, I will ask someday if they have any other food days.
Bought too much plain yogurt.. What do you make with it?
Mix in fresh garlic, fresh ginger, and spices for an Indian-style marinade. Rub all over chicken and allow to sit for a few hours (no longer than overnight, or the yogurt will tenderize the chicken to mush). You can use commerical curry powder, garam masla, "tandoori seasoning," or make your own spice mix. The chicken is best grilled, but roasting at high heat is good too.
