jweg's Profile
Santa Barbara Spot Prawns
Was wondering if anyone has seen these in the stores locally. The LA posts mentions seeing them at 99 Ranch. Thanks.
Hatch Green Chile
Fresh and packaged already roasted chiles at Bristol Farms today.
$3.99/lb for fresh and $6.99/lb for the roasted/packaged
K SANDWICHES
I always get the #1 as well which does have pate and has always been very tasty. I enjoy their spring rolls, warm pate in pastry, sticky rice with sausage, the croissants. The shop is right by my place of imprisonment/employment which certainly adds to the appeal but when time allows I would like to try some of the places in Mira Mesa recommended by Honkman.
Best Hamburger in San Diego?
Just went to Smashburger yesterday. Big thumbs up for the chocolate shake but the burgers were over-seasoned and very finely ground making for an odd mouth feel. 100% natural Angus...whatever. Haystack onions underdone and way greasy. Will not go back!
Hatch Green Chile
Whole Foods in LJ had fresh ones last summer/fall, haven't seen them yet this year, probably too early.
Refreshing Drink/Food in the Heat
Enjoying gin drinks this past weekend. particularly liked a gin buck
1 1/2 oz gin Tanqueray at my house
1 Tbs lemon juice
6 oz of ginger beer
serve over ice in highball glass. that's living.
Need Restaurant Recommendation for anniversary
Amaya at The Grand Del Mar. I had the opportunity to eat there twice this week as friends from out of town were staying there and it was excellent. Billed as "mediterranean" but it's not really, just great solid food in a beautiful environment and parking is free if you eat there!
Any REAL Italian food in San Diego?
I really love rosanna's Italian sub. Pastas are a little hit and miss and I like their bolognese when I'm feeling too lazy to make my own although it's a bit sweet. Regarding the service, the young blond woman who usually works the front is always delightful. the owners are little hot and cold but never rude in my experience. Strange how people have different experiences.
Any REAL Italian food in San Diego?
Born and bred in northern NJ, Italian grandparents...I can say with conviction that just because people are from NJ does not mean they have some inate taste for good Italian food. In fact there are so many people of Italian descent in the tri-state area that it's easy for any schlub to open an Italian place and frankly there are SO many "italian" places that most of them are of questionable quality.
There are plenty of crappy Italian places in Manhattan, San Fran, Boston.
CSA information
I know the link is a few weeks old but of note the summer issue of Edible San Diego has a rather complete list of CSA's for SD county. I share a large weekly box from Be Wise with a friend, 4 adults total and have been pleased overall. I'm getting tomatoes and peppers in my garden now but it hasn't shown up in the box yet so it's been a nice variety.
Pimentos del Padron
Molly Wizenberg's column in July issue of Bon Appetit has a recipe for fried peppers that is very simple and tasty. I didn't have enough Pimenton on my plant so substitued some shishito, also from the garden. Don't think I'm saving any money as compared to buying them at Mitsuya but oh well. It's convenient.
Staying at the Cornodo Island lowes hotel for week need close by recs
Moo Time on Orange Ave. for ice cream. I second Burger Lounge and Miguel's is not bad either.
Pimentos del Padron
they had lots of plants at Walter Anderson Nursery in Point Loma. Grow your own!
Food Love..what's yours in SD?
Dry cooked beef and won tons with hot sauce at Ba Ren
Cheese pizza at Bronx
Ma Po Dofu rice bowl at Chopstix
Shrimp dumplings at Mitsuya
Pho tai at Pho Cow Cali Express
The number 1 at K's
Uni at Sea Rocket Bistro
I need to get out more
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Chopstix
4633 Convoy St Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92111
Sea Rocket Bistro
3382 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
Anyone know where I can get elderflowers or elderflower cordial in San Diego?
Obviously the elderflower cordial is very popular in the UK since the recipes are from English sources. I brought some home last time I was over there...it's fantastic mixed with sparkling water. I like the brand Belvoir. The only source I've found is on-line www.britishdelights.com/belvoir.asp but I've never looked for it at IKEA.
Isn't there a british food store on Lomas Santa Fe near the 5 in Solana Beach?
As far as whole elderflowers....never seen them here.
Pad Thai- Palm Sugar
I've gotten it from 99 Ranch. It's usually on a bottom shelf in a cellophane wrapped cone shape or in a plastic jar. I usually end up using dark brown sugar with good results as well.
The issue with the palm sugar is if you don't use it regularly it solidifies into a brick that is nearly impossible to use. At least with the dark brown sugar I use it to bake too.
Oysters and oyster shucking gear
Husband and I just returned from wonderful trip to the Pacific NW and gorged on seafood including several dozen oysters. Would very much like to pick up some raw oysters to eat at home and an oyster shucking glove for his birthday this week. Can you give me some suggestions on where to buy the oysters themselves as well as the glove? Thanks!
Alchemy
I have enjoyed Alchemy for brunch. The seasonal mimosa (blackberry) was tasty and my entree of shrimp and grits was tasty if a little light on the shrimp. Croque-monsieur and frites were excellent. Husband enjoyed pastrami sandwich. If it's local for you I think it's worth it.
If I'm not mistaken Sea Rocket Bistro is near there as well. Not really new but good food. Fresh uni!
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Sea Rocket Bistro
3382 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
San Diego Wedding Caterers and Bakeries
Water's catered my wedding in 2008 which was held at the Quail Botanic Garden in Encinitas. They were wonderful and easy to work with. The food was excellent. Our guests had seconds and thirds of the entrees! I have never tasted a good wedding cake so I asked Water's to make cupcakes instead. They made 5 different kinds that were also a huge hit. We also had passed desserts like little lemon bars, etc. We received mucho mucho compliments and it was well worth the money.
Any feedback on CSAs (community supported agriculture)?
I have been very pleased with Be Wise Ranch. My husband and I split a large box every other week with a friend and her husband and it really seems to be a good amount and good variety of veggies and fruit. The total cost is $15/every other week which is a great deal. I supplement with stuff from my garden, Whole Foods, Jimbo's, etc depending where I am and what I need.
Seen any Whoopies in SD?
Saw them at Ralph's in LJ this week. OK but not like in Central PA but are ok in a pinch or a pique of whoopie desire
Cayucos
My husband and I stayed in Los Osos for a long weekend not too long ago. We got to town after dark, it was foggy and raining and we were exhausted. We followed our noses down the street to Little Noi's Thai Takeout and had a meal that knocked our socks off. Fresh, spicy and cooked right in front of you in the open kitchen. There are a few seats inside and out but we just took our food back to the hotel and ate in front of the fire, listening to the rain fall. Awesome!
Anything Good in Little Italy?
I love Little Italy for the shopping but I'll agree with others that the food is so-so. The subs at Mona Lisa are good and I like to pick up some pasta at Assenti's to bring home. I actually prefer the traditional Italian sub (variety meats, provalone, etc) at Rosanna's Pasta in Encinitas though.
First Post - Ba Ren rocks
I've been reading the board since I moved here 2 years ago but this is my first post. It seemed as if any question I had about the local food scene was addressed at some point in the past year or so.
After reading so many good things about Ba Ren on this board and KirkK's blog I finally got my husband and a friend to go yesterday and all I can say is WOW. Fantastic food and not nearly as intimidating as I imagined it might be (no mandarin spoken here). I know alot has been said about Ba Ren but I loved it so much I just wanted to add my 2 cents.
We enjoyed the following:
Rice Crust with Sliced Chicken
Dry Cooked Beef
Steamed Fish Filet with Green Onions and Red Chili (a current special)
Sichuan Cold Noodles
Won Tons with Hot Sauce
The server was quite surprised that we wanted the fish special and warned us that it was "very hot" but we said to bring it on. She was right, the vinegary red peppers sent sharp shooting pains into the base of my skull but were still delicious.
Despite my exhortations husband would not return again today to try the cold dishes and the other 20 or so things I want to eat!
Thanks again for the great recommendation. I look forward to joining the conversation!
Casual Romance in San Diego
I appreciate all of the suggestions thus far. I'm keeping track of all of this as I'll most likely be moving to your fair city over the summer. I've checked out the websites for all of places recommended so far and Cafe Chloe and the Linkery look like winners. I suspect the SO will want to get a fish taco and a beer and sit on the beach but with some gentle coaxing we may get out for something a bit nicer (nothing wrong with that but variety is nice).
I'll have to start another thread asking about the best Vietnamese food in SD. I could live on banh mi.
Trip up the coast-Looking for suggestions
If you need to stop for lunch between SB and Big Sur you could do worse than Noi's Little Thai Takeout in Baywood Park (nr Morro Bay). Stayed at the Backbay Inn back in December and had the best food there. Little means Little, there are two tables inside and that's it but there is plenty of outdoor seating. Call them to make sure they are open: 805-528-6647
Pittsburgh 21 st birthday for vegetarian
Monterrey Bay has stunning views from Mt. Washington and ok food. I've had very good fish and mediocre fish but it seems to be a special occasion type of place. If you like Thai, Typhoon on South Highland Ave. in Shadyside has excellent food in elegant surroundings that would be very nice for a birthday dinner.
Casual Romance in San Diego
SO has lived in SD for several years but doesn't eat out much (this will change). I will be in town from PIttsburgh for President's Day weekend and would love some suggestions for a casual but intimate place to eat. SO is ovo-lacto-pesco vegetarian and I am omnivorous. We like all kinds of food and LOVE southeast asian and seafood. Would prefer something moderately priced ($50 for two without wine or so) and not a totally mobbed "scene".
Based on other links The Linkery looks great. Any other suggestions?
All-time best sodas
Boylan's Creamy Red Birch Beer. Awesome with vanilla ice cream. I used to just see it in northern NJ (company based in North Haledon) but have found it at some independent ice cream places in Pittsburgh. Whole Foods is carrying Boylan's soda now but not the creamy red or even the plain birch beer. Their Black Cherry is very good too.
