pantani's Profile
Old Town San Diego
I have had some enjoyable meals at Bertas. It is more South American than mexican.
West Coast BBQ and Brew
I am not a BBQ expert but have been to Mo's in SLO a few times and feel that Wood Ranch (at least the one in Ventura) was comparable. Both are way better than anything here.
Happy Hour N. County coastal
Been to Relm a few times but it has been awhile.
Relm and Third Corner are my favorite wine bars in N county.
Happy Hour N. County coastal
I have heard Brig has decent food but never been there.
Union from just walking by seems loud with drunks and seems more like a beer place.
Was thinking more of a quiet wine bar type of place so that is why I was thinking Relm.
Would go to Third Corner but have been there a lot lately.
West Coast BBQ and Brew
Can't say I have ever had good BBQ in San Diego.
Especially when you compare it to places like San Luis Obispo.
Wood Ranch is pretty good and they keep opening places closer to San Diego like now Irvine.
I wonder if their quality will be maintained with all the expansion.
Happy Hour N. County coastal
Looking for happy hour Del Mar to Oceanside.
Good food, wine and not too noisy.
Thinking about Relm in Carlsbad.
High-end sushi in the city?
Ota is definitely old school and very good.
Ironically I live near Kaito but have never gone because of the cost and I don't eat sushi that much, but from what I hear it is unique and maybe the best in SoCal for what they do.
Ota is not far from Downtown and you you could even take the trolley to Old Town and then get a cab from there.
Palate Changers?
I used to drink a lot of zin.
Now I like most all styles and don't drink the same one twice in a row.
If I had to pick a favorite I would say Sangiovese., both Italian and California
Its definitely got more going for it than just fruit.
Where can i find a decent meatball sub in SD?
Mimmo's has grabngo locations as well.
Went to the one on Convoy Ct and had a turkey sub that was stellar
Mia Francesca & Davanti Enoteca - Carmel Valley
Been to Davanti Enoteca twice and was not impressed.
All of the food we ordered was very heavy. However the pizza was ok and the escarole and apple salad was quite good. You would think with the name Enoteca this would be a good place to have wine.
Almost all of the wine is Italian and prices are beyond reason. We had a sangiovese merlot blend on the advice of our waitress and it was a let down. They had Sean Minor cabernet for $46 a bottle, the same wine I bought at San Diego Wine Co for $13.
When we arrived we were greeted by three people at once which was kind of confusing, one them was a large man in a white chef's coat. During the time we were there this guy sat around BSing with customers and would occasionally bring a plate from the kitchen to a table, but mostly he did - nothing. Maybe he is an owner or manager but If I am paying high prices I want to see some effort made by the staff. This was like a scene directly out of Gordon Ramsey's kitchen nightmares.
Favorite mole?
Was excited to try Los Pueblos after reading this. Made the drive from Mira Mesa for lunch. It was a big disappointment. I ordered the Chicken Pibil plate. In summary:
The chicken had a squishy texture and no flavor, I regretted eating it afterwards.
The carrots at the salsa bar were dry and tasteless.
The pico de gallo seemed old.
I will not be going back - ever.
Cote de Rhone at TJ's in Westfield
Saw another interesting bottle at TJ called Lance Windmill Petite Syrah.
Selling for $15 and claiming it is normally a $60 bottle.
Apparently made by Quixote wines.
I can't find enough on this to decide if I want to blow $15 even though I like PS.
I can't help but think it wasn't good enough for Quixote to sell it under their label so they unloaded it to TJs.
Del Mar Rendezvous is on CNN's List of "50 Best Chinese Restaurants in the USA"
Went there once - awful.
There is no such thing as a Chinese best restaurant, they are all bad.
Ensenada Olive Oil
Trader Joe's California Estate Olive Oil $5.99 for a good sized bottle.
More than good enough for my taste.
Staying off E. Mission bay drive (hilton)
Tons of dive bars in the beach areas near where you are staying.
Pacific beach, Mission beach, Ocean beach.
Can't recommend any because i don't go to them.
For margaritas I would buy a good bottle of tequila and pour it into a innocent looking water bottle.
Order the cheapest margarita on the menu and when no one is looking give it shot from your "water" bottle. I do this all the time.
Too many mexican places to even start with and everybody has a different opinion about them.
Need Del Mar Saturday lunch recomendations
Bangkok Bay in Solana Beach is decent for Thai.
Zinc Cafe is good for lunch
Oceanside for lunch on a Saturday
I would avoid anything to do with Cohn = Overpriced tourist trap.
Probably better options in Carlsbad.
Little Italy
Like Bencotto a lot. House made pasta cooked right with good sauce.
Reservations a good idea. Bring your own wine.
Wine Storing in a cabinet a bad idea?
If the temperature doesn't vary too much from 65 deg should be ok.
I use a mini fridge in the garage set to 60 using a separate temperature controller.
Only holds about 20 bottles though.
Farmers Market Favorites
I live in Encinitas so it's too far to go.
Used to shop there when I lived in PB long time ago.
There is WF in Encinitas now but have not been very impressed with their produce.
What are your favorite online wine websites? Where do you shop?
I don't like to buy wine online because of the high shipping cost and I don't know what I am buying unless I am already familiar with it. I rely mostly on local wine shops which also are a great place to do tasting. Because we have a limited number of shops I am beginning to explore shops in Orange County and L.A. which have many and I end up driving up there for other reasons anyway.
Farmers Market Favorites
I agree with this, but there are some exceptions.
Peaches are just one I can think of, it's really difficult to find a decent peach at the store.
I have been to farmer's markets in Davis and San Luis Obispo and they seem to have better selection and prices. Roadside stands can be worthwhile. I bought a big bag of Fuerte avocados near Bonsall for $5 and they were good.
Trip from Carmel to Santa Barbara
I have gotten into grenache lately and liked the ones at Venteux and Dover Canyon.
I am not a big Zin drinker but loved the Thunder Zin at Dover.
Trip from Carmel to Santa Barbara
I really agree about Tablas Creek. I think getting some high ratings from WS combined with low yields conspired in them selling out, raising prices and removing the welcome matt so to say.
But there are plenty of other places to go that are just as good or better.
Trip from Carmel to Santa Barbara
There so many wineries in the Paso area it is hard to begin.
I would get a winery map and start there.
Tons of Rhone there.
There are two basic areas, west side and east.
West is hilly, scenic and tends to have the smaller and higher end wineries.
East is flatter and tends to have the larger more commercial wineries but there can good finds there. I would try Vina Robles and Hugg Cellars.
I second Tablas Creek although I think their prices have gotten out of control.
Some other places I personally like:
Adelaida
Halter Ranch
Dover Canyon
Venteux
Calcareous
Opolo
For dinner I would suggest Buon Tavola.
For Santa Barbara I would stop in Los Olivos which has a good selection of tasting rooms.
I enjoyed Epiphany and Tessa Marie.
A sandwich at Panino is a must.
Drive down Foxen Canyon road which has many wineries but also very scenic.
I have heard good things about Rusack but never had a chance to go there or taste their wines.
Lots of wineries in and around Los Olivos and Solvang. Beckman is one that comes to mind.
I love both Paso and Santa Barbara, I am sure will be pleased.
Paso Robles Sangiovese?
I have heard good things about Noceto and would like to try it someday.
I think Renwood got bought out last year:
http://www.decanter.com/news/wine-news/529182/oil-magnate-adds-renwood-to-growing-winery-portfolio
Maybe that is why I got a good deal on the Syrah at $13.
I really like the stuff, definitely new world. From what I have read it has some Barbera in it.
Paso Robles Sangiovese?
Think I had a glass of Stolpman once.
Tried to go to their tasting room in Los Olivos but the high tasting fee and snooty attitude really put me off. Plenty of other fantastic wineries in the area so not a problem.
