http://www.foodfinder.net/The lastest restaurant reviews and comment cards posted by the FoodFinder community.en-usMon, 06 Feb 2012 02:31:21 GMTWed, 11 Jan 2012 07:38:03 GMThttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssFoodFinder.net RSSfoodfinder.net@gmail.com (Jeffrey Kody)foodfinder.net@gmail.com (Jeffrey Kody)502http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/89/bronx-pizza
BP is normally a by-the-slice spot, but we had some eating to so, so we ordered a whole pie...meatball and pepperoni to be precise. The style is thin crust, and they do a pretty good job. I was easily able to scarf down my half of the pie - my only recommendation would be to double down on the toppings. The sauce and crust were both great, though, an appropriate homage to east coast pie.

If you choose to eat there, you need to deal with walls smothered in NY memorabilia. A small price to pay for the quality of the pizza (and maybe a bonus of you're from NY). I'll be back for sure.]]>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:38:03 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/89/bronx-pizza?CommentCardId=526jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258203/snooze
Snooze is very open with their menu - that is to say - you can mix and match and change and tinder all you want with no resistance or salty responses. I was encouraged to mix and match my Bennies (eggs Benedict for the uninitiated), which I enthusiastically did. I went with the Ham benny and paired it with the Bella, Bella benny, an Italian themed delight featuring Prosciutto, arugula, and a cream cheese Hollandaise. The ham was nice, but the Bella, Bella was delicious. On the side comes a hash brown cake (similar to Mary Jane's, but not as well seasoned) and I added a sausage patty for good measure. The patty alone was worth the price of admission as it was rustically formed and perfectly seasoned and had a spicy kick.

Snooze is off to a great start. Let's hope they can maintain the level of quality that I enjoyed.]]>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:16:48 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258203/snooze?CommentCardId=525jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/solana-beach/2197/tidewater-tavern
The menu was actually pretty decent and heavily focused on sandwiches and apps. I went with their Tidal Wave burger. A decent sized patty topped with bacon, cheese, grilled onions, and a scoop of guacamole. They didn't take a temperature, but it came out about medium well. The burger was tasty, a bit messy, and nothing to write home about. That said...there was nothing to complain about, either. I was just decent pub food at a slightly-higher-than-average price.

Draft beer selection was a bit week, but they did have one Stone offering that went down well, and at happy hour prices ($3/pint), they went down nicely.

All in all, a good little spot. I could see meeting up there to watch a game and play some pool. Almost glad the Pizza Port was too busy (and full of little kids).]]>Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:57:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/solana-beach/2197/tidewater-tavern?CommentCardId=524jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258202/mcfadden-s
A couple of things of note. The draft beer selection is sub-par for the area. I think we're a bit spoiled in San Diego, but it was tough to find a beer to drink off of these tap handles.

Second, the food menu is also not rife with selection. They've got a few dishes, but really, it feels like they're just offering food because they feel like they have to. Since it was happy hour, many of their dishes were $5 bucks.

I decided to check out their potato/bacon soup and sliders. The soup base was a bit bland, but if you got some of the bacon bits and cheese into a bite, it tasted pretty good. The sliders were a bit better and came with some pretty delicious fries. They were pretty standard (beef patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Thousand Island dressing) but hit the spot if you're expectation are in line with put food.

All in all, it's a pretty cool spot, but don't go for the food or craft beer. Go for the TVs and atmosphere and you'll probably have a good time.]]>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:58:39 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258202/mcfadden-s?CommentCardId=523jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258199/slater-s-50-50
The place is basically offering up burgers and beer. The on-tap selection was impressive to say the least, boasting, I don't know, about 70 or handles of different selections. The usual suspects were all represented (Green Flash, Stone, Alesmith) as well as a few I'd never seen before. I ended up having a Hop Head Red, and some coconut porter (interesting, but I doubt I'd do it again).

The burger (The Old Timer) was impressive to look at, but logistically difficult to eat. It was very tall...I'd guess about 6 or 7 inches high. Everything that made up the meal was huge; even after cutting it in half, it was a challenge to control. Also, the flavors didn't really mesh (I think because of the size of the different layers). On the side came some fries with homemade ketchup. The fries were great, and the ketchup was very fresh and refreshing. It had a basic tomato and onion flavor with a hint of smoke.

The dining room is split between their patio and inside, where there are tons of TVs. Yes, they do show all the NFL games on Sundays.

Service was friendly; both of the bartenders were from Vegas and regaled me with stories of economy and debauchery. All in all a good experience although be prepared for a wrestling match with your food.]]>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:54:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258199/slater-s-50-50?CommentCardId=522jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21385/the-oceanaire-seafood-room
I couldn't even imagine going to this establishment at full price, I would have had to speak to a manager - and I still maintain that if you are looking for a good eating experience, downtown is one of the worst places to go.]]>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:23:56 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21385/the-oceanaire-seafood-room?CommentCardId=521Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/methuen/3277/t-g-i-friday-s
Any time I go to Friday's, I have to get deep fried green beans. If you haven't tried them...they're just heavenly. I actually noticed today that they're sold in the grocery store now, but not sure they'd be the same.

Anyway, for my main meal, I went with the half California club and a cup of broccoli-cheddar soup. Sandwich was pretty good, but the soup was lackluster at best. Oh well...you can't win em all.]]>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:05:47 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/methuen/3277/t-g-i-friday-s?CommentCardId=520jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/north-andover/21356/the-loft
As soon as I saw the recently updated menu...one dish just jumped off the plate. A burger topped with baby back rib meat and cole slaw was calling me. Throw in a couple of frosty drafts and you've got the makings for a great lunch. All in all, I could have used a bit more seasoning on the sandwich, but the rib meat was perfectly tender (they always get the ribs just right) and the burger was perfectly cooked. The fries (thick cut) were also very well done. I didn't get to try any of the other dishes that were ordered, but everybody seemed really impressed with the quality of the food.

Service was friendly and efficient...appropriate to the venue. In my experience, The Loft rarely disappoints.]]>Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:23:43 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/north-andover/21356/the-loft?CommentCardId=519jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/andover/3127/grassfields-food-spirits
For dinner, I got the steak tips and scallops. The scallops were baked with breadcrumbs and butter (a preparation I haven't seen here in SD). They were cooked well, but the abductor mussel was present on two of them, which is a personal pet peeve of mine. The steak tips were good but seemed to be tenderized in a high acid marinade (a technique used when the ingredients are less expensive). I didn't mind...this is how we prepared them at Beerworks when I worked there.

All in all, the meal was better than average, but when you consider the incredibly reasonable prices...the value goes way up. This place would certainly appeal to a bawler on a budget who's trolling around the Merrimack Valley.]]>Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:05:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/andover/3127/grassfields-food-spirits?CommentCardId=518jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/san-antonio/234354/mcalisters-deli
I ordered a Diet Coke and the Italian Salad, which was basically a chef’s salad with some cold cuts included in the mix instead of ham cubes. It was ok. There wasn’t a great lettuce-to-non-lettuce mix. So when you get down to it, the salad was a lot of filler. I know that sounds hypocritical since I did – after all – order a salad. Which is – after all – a lettuce based mix of ingredients. But let’s be honest… the best salads are those with a little more flavor. Which comes from a few more non-lettuce ingredients. Whether we all choose to admit it or not, we like a healthy salad laden with non-healthy ingredients. Even vegans buy and make food designed to imitate non-vegan foods like “t-bone stake”, “not dogs”, and “fakin bacon”. I rest my case. This salad would be sub-par to anyone other than manatees or hippopotami.

But I can’t argue with the convenient location. Just because of that, I’m likely to give it another shot and hope for the best. I’ll stick with a sandwich most likely. There’s other ways to manage my cholesterol.]]>Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:49:48 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/san-antonio/234354/mcalisters-deli?CommentCardId=517Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/san-antonio/234398/paesanos
I was brought to Paesanos by my boss’s boss’s boss. Anyone working in corporate Dilbert-world knows that this situation has the makings of an uncomfortable to disastrous event. There was a 75% chance I could say the wrong thing and get fired. A 25% chance I would get stuck in awkward silence. And a 5% chance that I’d have to administer the Heimlich maneuver to the Senior Vice President. Does that add up to 100%? I don’t know. I’m not a math guy.

But what I do know is that my meal at Paesanos was one of the best I’ve ever had in my life. It really was great. Our server was attentive and pleasant as she dealt with a fairly large group, several of whom were craning their necks to see the Red Sox/Baltimore game on the barroom TV. The specials sounded amazing, but I selected the Roasted Salmon with Polenta and Pomodoro Butter off the menu. It was simply perfect. I enjoyed every bite. Even the adjoining asparagus was expertly cooked. I love it steamed, but still crisp. And they read my mind.

Unfortunately I wish I could give you more guidance on appetizers, but I didn’t have one. (Trying to build my frugal reputation with Management). I didn’t opt for dessert either. But everyone in the party seemed to enjoy their meal quite a bit. I complimented our VP on his choice of venue. It’s a weird experience when you’re trying to kiss the boss’s butt, but you really believe in what you’re saying, but he’s still got a look on his face like he knows you’re kissing butt. Anyway I escaped with my job intact, and I hope to return and enjoy another meal on my own dime.

I highly recommend.]]>Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:25:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/san-antonio/234398/paesanos?CommentCardId=516Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/murrieta/258187/chipotle
What to expect is an extremely limited selection of high quality (or let's say high value for the money) Mexican food. You can get either a burrito, tacos, or a bowl with your choice of meat...then continue down the assembly line style ordering workflow to select the fixins of your choosing. In this case, I went with the barbacoa burrito, with whatever fillings jumped out at me (I can't quite remember). As usual, the food was great and the service was super fast and as friendly as one can expect.

What was interesting was that this place was obviously the Murrieta high school hangout of choice. Mingling and dining with this clientele brought me back to my alma mata. But which were the cool tables? Was somebody going to asked to the prom? Is everybody ready for the killer algebra test tomorrow?

Anyway...go for the burritos - stay for the nostalgia.]]>Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:25:39 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/murrieta/258187/chipotle?CommentCardId=515jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ny/brooklyn/171376/wah-lung-chinese-foodThu, 29 Sep 2011 19:54:56 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ny/brooklyn/171376/wah-lung-chinese-food?CommentCardId=514jat627http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/152636/maria-maria
Next up for me was the carnitas sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. The pork was nice, sporting large, moist chunks. I may have left off the red onion, but it wasn't a deal breaker by any means.

Service was a bit sporadic, but not bad. All in all, I see some potential at M^2. Perhaps I'll get back there one of these days.]]>Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:08:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/152636/maria-maria?CommentCardId=513jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/az/williams/35832/jessica-s-family-restaurantMon, 26 Sep 2011 01:04:49 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/az/williams/35832/jessica-s-family-restaurant?CommentCardId=512t-kappeshttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258076/the-tipsy-crow
I was lucky to make it in for happy hour, so that influenced my food selection a bit (dishes with stars in the name are half off). I ended up getting a grilled cheese sampler and their caprese salad. I'd never seen a caprese served in this style. There was a bowl of cherry tomatoes and a cheese (not fresh mozzarella...a hard cheese) tossed in a basil dressing. Pretty tasty.

The grilled cheese sampler was great. It's served with a side of tomato basil bisque and a blue cheese sauce for dipping. You could definitely taste the quality of the cheese, and the sandwiches were perfectly grilled. The portion sizes were appropriate so both dishes together made a great meal.

Service was great...and so was the beer selection. I actually got to try a Lost Abbey Angel's Share (at a mere $42 per bottle). Great stuff! Not quite worth the price, but the drink was good.

They also have a stock market gimmick for their drink prices. They change every few minutes depending on what is sold. Kinda neat.

This is a good place. I expect to drink there frequently.]]>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:07:13 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258076/the-tipsy-crow?CommentCardId=511jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/las-vegas/258179/delmonico-steakhouse
I started out with an appetizer of truffle potato chips, which was really simple but very well done. I opted for a salad from the daily specials menu, but was disappointed when our waiter returned to say that they had run out of that salad. I won't fault them for this, as we did make a late 9:30 reservation. So I went with my old standby - the wedge of iceberg drowned in blue cheese. It was typical, but tasty. I had a monstrous bone-in ribeye which was cooked exactly as I asked, accompanied by creamed spinach and mushrooms. All of this was washed down with some kind of South African swill that my companion ordered from the robust wine selection. We asked that they pour the entire box of wine into a carafe to ease the embarrassment. Just kidding... the wine selection really was excellent and the one we picked was perfect for 40 bucks. I had a cup of coffee to top it off and then closed my eyes as I signed the bill.

Overall, it was a fine meal and worth the price. If you just got lucky on a hand of black jack at the Venetian and you're looking to live it up at a non-steakhousey steakhouse, then give Delmonico a shot. Emeril has set the bar as the pride of Fall River, Massachusetts.]]>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:44:36 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/las-vegas/258179/delmonico-steakhouse?CommentCardId=510Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/las-vegas/5560/bouchonSun, 11 Sep 2011 22:42:00 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/las-vegas/5560/bouchon?CommentCardId=509Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/az/grand-canyon/258178/saguaro-loungeSun, 11 Sep 2011 22:14:04 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/az/grand-canyon/258178/saguaro-lounge?CommentCardId=508Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/needles/51810/carl-s-jr-restaurant
Happily, I stumbled on Carl's as I was getting gas nextdoor. I made a break directly for the restroom. Ouch. Then I ordered my turkey burger and large soda, thoroughly confusing the cashier with my refusal to include the fries and "make it a meal". The staff was actually incredibly friendly and even picked up my trash from the table I was at. I guess overall, I wasn't expecting much. And I got just what I was looking for.]]>Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:51:36 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/needles/51810/carl-s-jr-restaurant?CommentCardId=507Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258175/burlap
There were 6 of us and we ended up sitting on the back half of a 12-top. We tried several dishes...too many to recap here, but almost everything was perfectly prepared. Who knew that octopus could be so delicious. Other highlights were the pork belly, the crab cake, the scallops with duck confit, the Brussels sprouts with sausage, and the chocolate cheesecake pudding. We tried more than 15 dishes, and all of them were impressive if not perfect.

The atmosphere is high-energy and vibrant. Burlap does have a reputation of being a cougar magnate (this is not uncommon for the area), and they live up to that as well. Service was fun and friendly. Part of the concept is that they don't bring out courses together...everything arrives when it's ready. Part of the Asian half of the fusion we were told. Whatever...if everything you bring tastes that good, do what you gotta do.

Based on my first experience, Burlap is awesome. I'll be back with bells on.]]>Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:16:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258175/burlap?CommentCardId=506jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/692/soleil-k
In general, the experience was nondescript. The service at the bar was average but effective. The room is nice and with all the windows open, we were treated to a serenade by a street musician (he was actually really good). Sadly, I was really disappointed in the food.

I started with the lobster tempura appetizer. It consists of 2 pieces of lobster deep fried in batter and served on a wild mushroom risotto cake. Sadly, the lobster was over cooked and rubbery and the dish was swimming in a bland truffle butter sauce.

For an entree, I went with their hanger steak. Sadly, another let down. The steak itself was bland and the temperature was all over the place (I had requested medium). Strangely, the presentation had the steak sliced, so the large completely rare piece probably should have been caught. Oh well. On the side was some more mushroom risotto that tasted like glue. I will say, there was a vegetable medley of broccolini, carrots and tomatoes that was quite nice.

I did have a friend who recently recommended S@K's breakfast, so I may be back to try that, but all in all, the food was a tremendous disappointment...especially for the price.]]>Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:00:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/692/soleil-k?CommentCardId=505jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258113/the-counter-del-mar
The option list is pretty good, particularly on the cheese portion. I ended up getting a 1/3 lb. patty with horseradish cheddar, onion strings and sauteed mushrooms. The burger was perfectly cooked with a pink center and was super juicy. On the side, we got a split plate of onion strings and rosemary cheese fries. Both were tasty options.

Best burger in SD? I don't know about that, but The Counter definitely deserves to be mentioned in the conversation.]]>Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:46:32 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258113/the-counter-del-mar?CommentCardId=504jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/253805/eden
It was interesting getting carded so early on a Sunday morning, but I'll take the flattery. We grabbed a table outside (we had 2 Boston terriers in tow) and started perusing the menu. There were some intriguing choices, but I landed on a sweet potato hash, and because I just couldn't resist...a couple of biscuits with a chipotle gravy.

The hash was a bit nice, but a bit lack-luster. It tasted OK, but the portion size was a bit small. The biscuits on the other hand were a total winner. The gravy was amazing and the carb-planks were firm enough to hold some texture without getting soggy. This dish alone was worth the trip.

I have to call out the service. We got off to a slow start, waiting quite a while for our waiter to arrive, but after that, he was awesome. He kept our waters and Bloody Marys full and even made sure the two rodents...um...er...dogs, had plenty of water, too (he crafted a MacGyver-style water bowl from a togo container).

One quick note...this place is very gay-friendly and themed (not a surprise based on the location). If that doesn't bother you, the brunch is definitely worth a go.]]>Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:07:33 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/253805/eden?CommentCardId=503jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258168/donovan-s-prime-seafood
Let's start with the service. Awesome, as I have come to expect/take-for-granted when dining at this chain. I got their during a shift change and neither bartender missed a beat. Service was prompt and friendly and the staff was knowledgeable.

For food, I ordered a chopped salad and Alaskan halibut (one of my favorite seafood dishes). The salad was nice but not particularly memorable. The halibut, on the other hand, was a bit disappointing. The fish was overcooked and a bit dry and the other elements of the dish were under-seasoned and random.

I did end up speaking with a beer sales rep for Alaskan beer and I have to say the their offerings go quite well with seafood, being quite light and not overpowering).

I'll probably try this place again, just to see if I caught them on a bad kitchen night, but with both Oceanaire and Nobu within a 2 block perimeter...Donovan's Prime Seafood could be in for a struggle.]]>Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:32:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258168/donovan-s-prime-seafood?CommentCardId=502jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/thousand-oaks/58132/domino-s-pizzaTue, 16 Aug 2011 23:57:19 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/thousand-oaks/58132/domino-s-pizza?CommentCardId=501helena-http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/649/sally-s-seafood
I walked in and sat at the bar. No need to go through the entire interaction, but everything I ordered or inquired about was upsold...and in a slightly deceptive way (e.g. Me: "I'll have a bloody mary." Bartender: "We have an ultimate bloody mary...I'll get you that"). Long story short, I got an ultimate bloody mary which tasted fine, but not $14 fine. In asking for a recommendation, I was offered up the crab cake eggs benedict (the most expensive on the breakfast menu). It was bland and uninspired. The flavors just didn't work.

Look, I don't mind being when it's clear that it's an option, and the experience is great. In this case...0 for 2. I've been at Sally's and had a good time, but on this day, I left feeling a bit jipped.]]>Sun, 14 Aug 2011 02:52:43 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/649/sally-s-seafood?CommentCardId=500jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/holland/133872/everyday-people-cafeThu, 11 Aug 2011 03:01:00 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/holland/133872/everyday-people-cafe?CommentCardId=499hollandgrrlhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258160/bootlegger
The menu is small, but interesting to say the least. I had actually ordered a chicken fried pork dinner, but ended up getting thee sandwich of the same style. Oh well, no big deal. The waitress offered to fix the error but I didn't really mind. The sandwich was quite good, actually. The pork was nice and tender and the sauce added a nice spicy tang. The fries were decent, too. We had also tried the poutine from the small plates portion of the menu. Not bad, but I just am always a bit disappointed when the cheese curds are replaced with normal cheese.

There was one item on the dessert menu that we just had to try...the doughnut bread pudding. It was certainly delicious, but didn't quite live up to the marketing. Picture a doughnut baked in a dish and topped with whipped cream.

There were one-or-two snafus in our experience, but the server was friendly and helpful, and Bootlegger's did a good job handling the situation. I think that once they work out the kinks, we're going to have a nice-little addition to the downtown portfolio.

]]>Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:48:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258160/bootlegger?CommentCardId=498jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/salem/258153/tuscan-kitchen
This stand-alone building in close proximity to the Rockingham Mall looked super shiny and new. The interior was super clean and the decor was classy and elegant. We were warmly greeted by the hostitutes and quickly brought to our table. This was nice as the place had a nice-sized crowd and we hadn't made reservations.

Our waitress was simply superb. She walked us through each of the four-or-so pages of the menu offering recommendations and obscure ordering protocols for each. Case in point - she advised us that many guests order 2 half orders of pasta as their main course. As a sucker for variety, that's exactly what I did.

To start out, I got the meatball appetizer. For me, when sizing up an Italian restaurant, I want to try a simple dish with their house red sauce. I really liked the meatballs (although both my mother and brother claimed they could do better); they were rich in flavor and had a rustic texture. I tried a few of the other appetizers, but wasn't as impressed (the risotto balls were fine but didn't quite live up to the hype).

For a main course, I got two of their pastas. One was the butternut squash filled pasta served in a brown-butter sage sauce, and for some contrast, I also got the spicy sausage orecchiette. Let me tell ya, those sage thingies were ultra rich but delicious. The tang of the sausage pasta was almost needed just cut through the weight of its counterpart. All of the pastas are made in house and you can really tell by the quality.

Ii really wish I could have tried the desserts but after the huge quantities of food thus-far...there was just no way.

I was really impressed with TK. Living in San Diego, we have a shortage of decent Italian food and it was nice to see what the experience can be like when it's done right.

Bravo, Tuscan Kitchen!]]>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:49:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/salem/258153/tuscan-kitchen?CommentCardId=497jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/andover/121562/lantern-brunch-inc
Lantern Brunch Inc doesn't have a lot of seating, and on this day, they were packed to the rafters with people waiting for tables to clear. Our little party of three managed to get a spot after about 5 minutes or so.

I went with a tomato, ham, and cheese omelet (an homage to the old Club Diner over in Lowell) and a side of potato pancakes. The omelet was very well prepared and was stuffed with fillings. I highly recommend it. The potato pancakes, on the other hand, I found to be a bit bland. The food took a while to come out, but they were slamin'-busy, so I can cut them some slack. I think everybody in our group enjoyed their meals as well.

Second greasy spoon for me in as many days, and even more satisfying than the first. Worth your time if you're in the area.
]]>Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:45:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/andover/121562/lantern-brunch-inc?CommentCardId=496jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/waltham/258154/watch-city-brewing-co
The bartender was great and provided a wealth of beer knowledge, which was converted to an excellent sampling of brews, and which was then converted to a strong level of inebriation. I couldn't name all that were on the list, but there was a beer made with bacon which was delicious and their stout was a winner, too.

Their food was also nothing to sneeze at. We started with the calamari appetizer; it had a perfect layer of breading and the inclusion of peppers etched through with some fine acidity.

Next up...their ham and cheese sandwich. It was a stuffed with meat (more than twice what I would have expected) and perfectly toasted. There was so much that I could only take down half (in fairness, I did have a big breakfast that day).

Moody St. has a host of cool bars and restaurants, but this one is a must try. If they happen to have the bacon beer on tap, give it a go. It doesn't have a strong bacon flavor, but rather a complex smokiness. Yum!]]>Wed, 13 Jul 2011 03:40:07 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/waltham/258154/watch-city-brewing-co?CommentCardId=495jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lawrence/122398/carleen-s-coffee-shop
I went with a simple breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, bacon, hast browns and toast. Everything was good, but nothing really stood out. In fact, it took me a few minutes to remember what I even got (although it was 5 days ago).

There aren't too many breakfast options in the area...which is the best thing Carleen's has going for it. If you're up for a quick breakfast on a weekday - this is some pretty good fare.]]>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:18:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lawrence/122398/carleen-s-coffee-shop?CommentCardId=494jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/253807/kappa-sushi
The menu is large with lots of interesting choices. We went early so we had happy hour options too. I’m a fan of oysters, so we both started with oyster shooters which were well seasoned, a little sweet and spicy too. We split the Surf & Turf roll which is lobster, asparagus and avocado topped with Kobe beef and garlic chips. I’ve had Kobe beef rolls before, but this was by far the best. My only complaint is that I think the garlic should have been sliced even thinner, since that’s such a strong flavor.
Just for myself I got the ‘El Diablo’ roll, spicy crab and cucumber topped with pepper seared ahi and a spicy garlic ponzu. This was very spicy, a little sweet and delicious. The spice came from different spots in the dish and it came together really well. My wife got a couple hand rolls and a cucumber salad (that I ended up eating most of).

I would definitely recommend this place and can’t wait to go back to explore more of their menu.
]]>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 05:07:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/253807/kappa-sushi?CommentCardId=493jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/il/moline/103553/quad-cities-usa-family-restaurantTue, 05 Jul 2011 23:58:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/il/moline/103553/quad-cities-usa-family-restaurant?CommentCardId=492ladybuggedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/il/moline/103553/quad-cities-usa-family-restaurantTue, 05 Jul 2011 23:56:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/il/moline/103553/quad-cities-usa-family-restaurant?CommentCardId=491ladybuggedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/jacksonville-beach/73354/mario-s-at-the-beachTue, 05 Jul 2011 23:54:59 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/jacksonville-beach/73354/mario-s-at-the-beach?CommentCardId=490denise-clementshttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258152/the-village-coffee-wine-bar
Meh!

I got the Villager...a flatbread sandwich with eggs, ham, spinach, tomatoes, cheese, onions, and the kitchen sink. It's actually a shame because the ingredients seem pretty fresh but the dish had no flavor because it wasn't seasoned properly (if at all). I find this happening more and more, and it's too bad.

The coffee was fine, I guess (I'm by no means an expert, it could have been great and I just wouldn't know the difference). Service (counter) was fast and friendly and the place definitely has some curb appeal.

It's too bad...they were a tsp each of salt and pepper away from being a hidden gem.]]>Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:59:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258152/the-village-coffee-wine-bar?CommentCardId=489jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258041/the-naked-cafe
The menu is printed on recycled paper, with ink that was cultivated from the excretion of free range squid. And the coffee comes from magical mountains in some third world country that segregates it's population into those that "pick coffee happily" and the others that "pick coffee miserably for some unnamed corporate scourge". Well if you want the happy coffee, then the Naked Cafe is your place. If you want a "regular" meal, made by "regular" people who just want to feed you something tasty, then go somewhere else.

Only the most special, chosen people can dine at Naked Cafe. In fact, I think Jesus used to get crepes there. But for me? I'd rather go somewhere that wasn't so over-the-top. I mean, coffee is coffee. And I don't care if the Dalai Lama pissed on my vegan croutons before they made it onto my salad.

I had the oatmeal because it seemed middle-of-the-road enough that I might not violate the principles of the ultra sensitive staff. It was oatmeal. It tasted like any other oatmeal that I'd ever eaten. It was made from oats. Holy oats? Maybe. My shaman wasn't sure. My companion had some green, burrito looking thing. Well, I made the mistake of calling it a burrito. It is actually a "wrap". And I'm going to yuppie hell now for my blatant heresy.

So I'll see you in hell. Holy oats.]]>Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:17:33 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258041/the-naked-cafe?CommentCardId=488Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22280/tom-hams-lighthouse
So the other side of the argument was - believe it or not - a local place called Tom Ham's Lighthouse. I resisted as long as I could but eventually made my way down to Tom Ham's.

I can see why they advise reservations. When we (threesome) showed, we had to wait for real estate along the bar. Well our barkeeper - let's call her Karla - was happy to ooblige. She basically addresses a group of dilly dalllying morning customers and ushered them along. We got our space, and made no less than 3 trips to the various food stations. It was literally incredible.

Everything was done very well. The omelette bar was stocked with variety. Everything from lobsterr to ham, to every kind of cheese you can imagine. And super friendly and efficient staff as well. There was a meat cutting station, and oysters on the half shell. There were all te normal breakfast favorites that you could expect. And there was a dessert window too!

I don't think there's another option in San Diego for Sunday brunch. And they don't just open up the limited dining area to hundreds of people. They keep it to a manageable size - so there's no loss of quality. For $30 I couldn't suggest anything better for breakfast in buffet style dining.

And if you're luucky enough to get sassy Karla as your bartender - then all the better. She was awesome, and so fast. The bottomless mimosa's were very wwell attended to. If you wwant more, read @jeph's review. His generous tipping probably secured VIP status for us the next time we get over there! But the experience was well worth it.

Highly recommended.]]>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:53:14 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22280/tom-hams-lighthouse?CommentCardId=487Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258149/smashburger
I won't go too much into the service or atmosphere...it's exactly what you'd expect from a counter-service shop. Nothing more and nothing less. So onto the food.

I went with the Mushroom Swiss burger. Without being too effusive, this was by far the best burger for the money that I've ever had. The magic is in the bun. They serve it on an egg role that was perfectly toasted at the cut, but still soft and rich. The patty was juicy and meat-to-bun-size ratio was perfect. The mushrooms were nicely seasoned and went well with the cheese. I could have eaten 3 or 4 more of these things, easily.

I was really looking forward to the Smashfries; the rosemary flavoring seemed like a great idea. Alas, they sort of let me down. The flavor didn't come through and the fries themselves reminded me of what you would find at McDonalds. Oh well...there are other sides to try.

Look, this is not the best burger I've ever had, but it's definitely the best I've had for under $10. If you love burgers and haven't made it to Smashburger yet, I recommend you get moving...post haste!]]>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:44:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258149/smashburger?CommentCardId=486jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21459/cass-street-bar-grill
The really obvious issue with Cass Street is just their bar staff and doormen. And the wait staff to some extent. They feel like they're god's gift to Pacific Beach nightlife. And they maintain the aloof and uninterested demeanor that used to permeate the beach community bars and restaurants. But in the past few yearrs, there's been a renewed interest (competition driven I'm sure) to provide a good experience for the folks who are kind enough to spend their hard earned money at your place.

let's hope Cass Street gets the picture at some point. Until then, the quality of the menu may just carry them. I'd consider it a reluctant recommendation. The teriyaki steak sandwich absolutely rules. I live for those things! Go get one for yourself!]]>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:33:07 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21459/cass-street-bar-grill?CommentCardId=485Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/376/jsix
This place is known as a night spot, sporting a cool roof bar that brings comers from all areas. I'd never actually eaten there, so why not a brunch.

Let's see, the menu is fairly limited, but they had a standard breakfast that came with scrambled eggs, toast, potatoes, and bacon that looked pretty good. Turns out...it was pretty good. Nothing spectacular, and perhaps a bit over priced, but overall, everything was well prepared and tasted good. One bit of advice on the condiments. A fork is probably the least-optimal utensil for moving ketchup from a container to a plate. I'm just saying.

Service was pretty slow and inattentive, but I was rapt with the ADD enabling games on my phone, so I didn't really care too much. There seemed to be some sort of controversy over whether or not to put a sign on the elevator that was hampering service logistics.

It is a nice spot on a cool little corner. I actually sat in the downstairs bar and they do have a nice view of the street.

I can't say I'll be rushing back to J-Six as the experience was just ho-hum, but at least I'm full now.]]>Sun, 03 Jul 2011 20:28:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/376/jsix?CommentCardId=484jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22280/tom-hams-lighthouse
Anyway, onto the food. The buffet will run you 30 beans, but it's worth every penny. The Mimosas are bottomless which was an unexpected treat. The buffet selection is nothing short of huge. They've got tons of great seafood, from Alaskan crab legs, oysters on the half, lobster claws, et al. On the other side of the room, there's a carving station and salad bar. A few feet over is an omelet station with tons of fixins. I personally had a lobster omelet which was great. There's also a station with traditional breakfast fare including French toast, eggs Benedict, and a host of the usual breakfast meats. All willpower was useless on this day as I went up for 3 separate plates.

I just can't say enough about the quality of the food. My favs were the aforementioned lobster omelet, the BBQ brisket from the carving station and the French toast. I felt bad only paying the $30, and would gladly have thrown in $10 more.

Obviously, I recommend trying the brunch at Tom Hams. If you want the stellar view, you'll want to make a reservation, but if you want some high-character service...check out the bar. The only thing I didn't love was the bloody Mary (San Diego has some great BMs, but this just wasn't one of them).

If you try it out, you can thank me for the reco ;)]]>Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:41:48 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22280/tom-hams-lighthouse?CommentCardId=483jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258142/knotty-barrel
First off, I went with their beet salad - a dish that seems to have popped up just about everywhere these days. This is one of my favorites when it's done well (a rare occurrence to say the least). This one was non-traditional, but great. The "secret sauce" was their Bourbon dressing. It seemed to have a buttermilk base but it was so subtle, it drew in the flavors of the other ingredients with an understated precision.

Next up...the grilled cheese sandwich. It came out a bit smaller than I had expected, but really delivered on taste. The cheese was focal point and I knew right away how high the quality of the product was. I later learned they they get their product from Venissimo Cheese (the best cheese shop in SD, IMHO). The prosciutto and tomato, added a nice accent but didn't compete with the dominance of the cheese. On the side came some home-made chips which were thinner and lighter than I normally find. Even these were impressive.

Maybe I've just been to a few-to-many mediocre gastropubs lately, but I was really floored by the food at KB. The beer selection is good too, but we're so spoiled with great microbrews in San Diego that they don't really differentiate there. I can't wait to get back dig into more of that menu.]]>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:26:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258142/knotty-barrel?CommentCardId=482jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258109/urban-chicken
I ended up going with the half chicken, the tequila-chipotle sauce, and potatoes and beans. All the food was good. The chicken was a tad bit dry, and if I could give out a small bit of advice...more sauce!!! You get a small little container that just isn't up to the task of flavoring the food. Potatoes were great, as were the tortillas that accompanied the dish.

My friend got the turnovers, and gave up rave reviews. I definitely want to get in there again to give those things a go.

Like I said, the service was awesome. They were even kind enough to let me buddy bring his 2 squirrel-like pooches inside while we ate. Great little spot, and it's always easy to support a place that values local farmers.]]>Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:51:55 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258109/urban-chicken?CommentCardId=481jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/824/western-steakburgerThe actual place is kind of a converted fast-food operation with a little more class, the servers just call you up deli style to pick up your order. I won't lie, it was the best gyro that I have had in San Diego, but that's not really saying much (maybe I have gone to the wrong places). My co-worker hit up the Western Burger, which I had some of. It was a greasy, huge ball of delicious. He did get the fries too, and from what I saw, the sides did look like they were just standard Safeway frozen fare.
Solid place if you like gyro meat, oh yeah, and bring cash, it is one of my big pet peeves that people don't take credit/debit card, and this is one of those places.]]>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:45:13 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/824/western-steakburger?CommentCardId=480Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/30/arrivederci-ristorante
So despite the generic title for the restaurant, I had a very well prepared meal there, and washed it down with a reasonably priced bottle of wine. If you go there expecting the all-around great restaurant experience, I do think you're going to be let down. Because of the food quality, and good menu prices, it does tend to be a popular place. And the dining room is not that accomodating. They really pack the customers in tightly. And the patio offers a little more elbow room but the downside is a rowdy group of walk-ins waiting for seating.

However if your companions are loud talkers (or if you're eating alone) then you won't be concerned with the din. And you definitely shouldn't be concerned with the dinner. I've eaten here twice, and enjoyed my meal both times. There's good quality, great variety, and definitely pride in their product. The menu seems to vary seasonally, or otherwise changes from time to time. So it's a great routine option, even for locals. And if you're visiting from out of town, definitely consider it. And take an interesting walk around the colorful Hillcrest neighborhood afterward.]]>Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:44:14 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/30/arrivederci-ristorante?CommentCardId=479Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/santa-barbara/56654/rusty-s-pizza-parlors
So if you need some pizza and beer therapy then swing by. From Rusty's, you've got a nice walk along the beach or up State Street. But know what to expect - low quality pizza and beer for a good price. And tons of scenery. Enjoy it the next time you're in Santa Barbara.]]>Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:15:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/santa-barbara/56654/rusty-s-pizza-parlors?CommentCardId=478Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/8293/naan
Anyway, after a pretty much random selection process, I ended up at Naan N Curry... well... because I was in the mood for naan and curry. And man, it was a pretty good decision. The food was really fantastic. The restaurant was very unassuming and pleasant. The staff was nice. It was all around, a great experience. It's an order-and-sit-down joint, and you need to grab your own utencils and water. But there's no mistaking good food. I had the chicken masala (mild) with a side of rice and naan. The bread was great. The chicken was flavorful. The meal was just the right size. And the price was decent. My buddy had to go a couple doors down and get a six pack from the liquor store, but that wasn't a big issue to contend with.

I would definitely recommend. Oh, but remember there's still San Francisco parking to overcome. You can't win em all.]]>Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:11:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/8293/naan?CommentCardId=477Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/216279/craft-commerce
The first thing that stands out about this place is the ultra-hip vibe. The interior is mostly wide-plank wood with cryptic scrawl decorating strategic locations within the bar. The staff looks like they came straight from playing a early 90's punk/SKA gig (think Mighty Mighty Bosstones), decked out in gaudy plaid shirts and suspenders.

The beer selection is solid. I went with a couple glasses of the "Older Viscosity", a barrel aged version of its less-old namesake. This is a good brew for the fans of the dark stuff. For dinner, I started with the "Devils on Horseback". A trio of items (dates, apples, and asparagus) wrapped in bacon. All in all pretty good. I think the dates worked the best, followed by the asparagus. You get six pieces in total (two of each) so it's a good-sized appetizer.

For the main course, I went with their Heritage Burger. The burger was OK...the flavor actually reminded me more of a meatloaf than a burger. They put the LTO on the side, which I really liked. The bun is fresh and a heap of shoe-string fries rounds out the plate.

C&C is a nice little spot, although I dare say it packs a bit more style than substance (at least in terms of the food). This place is defined by its hipster-atmosphere and the patrons (present company excluded) reflect that. Worth a go if you're nearby and like a good brew.]]>Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:36:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/216279/craft-commerce?CommentCardId=476jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258133/mama-gucci-s
It was Memorial day and there wasn't really anybody there. I walked up to the counter and ordered their Penne with Sausage and a side of garlic bread. The bread came out quickly and was soon followed by the pasta. The garlic bread was pretty good, but almost seemed like something you may have gotten from the frozen food section from Ralph's. The girl brought over some oil and Balsamic vinegar (the cork of which was being humped by a fruit fly) for dipping the bread, but I was holding out for the tomato sauce.

The serving of pasta was huge. The dish was simple...penne pasta served with slices of Italian sausage and served in a simple tomato sauce. For a simple dish, it wasn't bad. It got even better when I covered it with black pepper and Parmesan cheese. The pasta was good and cooked just past al dente (which is how I like it).

Other than the horny fruit fly, the place was immaculately clean. For a bit more than 13 bucks, it was a decent value. Not the best Italian I've had in the area, but it sure hit the spot. ]]>Mon, 30 May 2011 21:15:50 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258133/mama-gucci-s?CommentCardId=475jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/167056/r-gang-eatery
First takeaway was how good the service was. I sat in the bar/lounge area and was promptly greeted by the bartender who throughout the entire experience was fast, friendly, and effieicnt. They have a few flavors of Bloody Mary and I started with the "spicy" one (later moving on to the "citris" which wasn't nearly as good as the former). San Diego has spoiled me for BMs as I've rarely had a boring mix since moving downtown. Today was no exception as R Gang served up one good and one great offering.

I have to admit, I ordered a bit more than I could eat, but I wanted breadfasty dish but had to try their signature tater tots. How does one take a dish that is, by its very nature processed, come across when made from fresh? Not too bad...basically, it's a bit like a deep fried dumpling of shredded potatoes and stuffed with cheese and chives. Not at all traditional but a decent offering for a starch. If I could offer one suggestion, and this is true of both the dishes I had, double-down on the seasonings. There just seemed to be a little something missing that could have been fixed with more salt and pepper (this holds true for both of my dishes).

Next up, the barbacoa breakfast burrito. The tortilla, like all of the ingredients, was fresh (the hallmark of any good burrito) it came out piping hot. Like the tots, I just could have used a bit more seasoning.

R Gang is a cool spot. I'm curious to try out their dinner service and I'll also be back for brunch. The menu is just too creative to not give a few more goes.

]]>Sun, 29 May 2011 21:01:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/167056/r-gang-eatery?CommentCardId=474jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258132/el-torito-mexican-restaurant-
Unlike our prior destination, the waiter came to our table promptly and with a friendly demeanor. They do a lunch buffet, and that was the choice for me. The highlight were the tacos, where the tortillas were made fresh, to order. I grabbed one chicken and one carnitas. Both were really good...fresh tortillas really make a difference. On a subsequent trip, I grabbed some of the other fare. The refried beans were decent and there was a beef mole dish that went down like ambrosia.

Look, El Torito isn't the best Mexican you'll find in San Diego by any means, but the food is pretty good, and they points for coming to our table. ]]>Thu, 26 May 2011 05:21:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258132/el-torito-mexican-restaurant-?CommentCardId=473jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258128/isabel-s-cantinaSat, 21 May 2011 16:13:44 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258128/isabel-s-cantina?CommentCardId=472K2Ohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/200298/bluefin-fusion-japanese-restaurant
A group of us went to check out Bluefin today. My friend and I are fairly regular customers and had an opportunity to introduce it to a few other folks. I ordered the sushi bento box, having had it before with delicious results. Sadly, when the food was delivered...the bento box wasn't there. By the time the meal was over, the food had never arrived. During the time 80% of the food was delivered and the waiter came back to drop the check (about 25 minutes) nobody ever came over. End result...no lunch for me.

The waiter apologized profusely and offered to box my food to go. No, I'm not really interested in that. Then he generously offered to remove my meal from the check. That's nice of you...why not go ahead and do that. Then a girl came over (presumably the manager) to offer another round of apologies. "I have a bento box that was a mistake that you can have free of charge" she said. No thanks. Then the waiter came back with a $20 gift card that apparently came out of his pocket This actually bothered me...why would the restaurant make the waiter offer out-of-pocket reparations.

Ultimately, they took an additional 20% off the check. My lunch-mates were actually more upset about the situation that I was, so I don't think the waiter made out too well on the tip. I left the gift card (he can recoup that by rolling it into a cash payment) and what little money I had in my pocket. I sort of felt bad for the guy...he was probably just too far in the weeds and had a bad day. Sadly, I probably won't be back. I don't get a ton of time for lunch and need to have some confidence that the food will arrive.

If you haven't been to Bluefin and don't mind rolling the dice, the food is actually pretty good. If you make it in, tell them I said "hi".]]>Fri, 20 May 2011 21:36:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/200298/bluefin-fusion-japanese-restaurant?CommentCardId=471jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/181/colima-s-mexican-food
I got a combination consisting of rolled tacos and a beef burrito. The tacos, rice, beans, avocado, et al were piled into a massive heap of vittles. At first, I tried to dismantle the mass into its individual components for consumption, but quickly gave up on that experiment. I was able to tackle the burrito atomically, however. I would be more apt to call it a pot-roast burrito over beef as the meat's flavor and texture resembled beef stew over. Expected...no. Unique...yes. Good...eh.

Colima's is pretty good, particularly if you're hungry and on a budget.]]>Thu, 12 May 2011 11:08:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/181/colima-s-mexican-food?CommentCardId=470jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54672/aqua-al-due
I have been cutting back on the calories, so I went with what I thought was going to be a light meal. I tried out their appetizer sampler, and the arugula salad. FYI...the appetizer is a chef's choice sampling consisting of five of AA2's signature pasta dishes. The pastas were served one at a time. I won't go too far into the details of each, but they were all cooked to a perfect al-dente (except the gnocchi, which was also my favorite) with sauces that were simple but expertly crafted. I will say, though, that in each sauce that was served had a touch (or more) of cream.

On the night I was there, they had a wine tasting/pairing event going on; apparently, they do these regularly. While I was dining at the bar, I got to hear the sommelier educate and entertain the group with in-depth stories of the wine's origins. Even though I wasn't participating in the event, I was impressed with the content and passion with which it was delivered.

With decent Italian food being so rare in SD, AA2 was a pretty nice find. I think I enjoyed TOAST just a bit more, but both make for a delicious night out.]]>Thu, 12 May 2011 10:47:48 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54672/aqua-al-due?CommentCardId=469jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22197/west-coast-tavern
First I'll start with the food. I've got to say, I found my dish to be below average. I got a pulled-pork hash dish topped with a couple of fried eggs. This meal really needed a sauce of some sort. The hash was painfully dry and lacked in flavor. I will say, the English muffin that came on the side was really good. But the food is not what makes this place worth your time. It' the Bloody Mary bar.

Upon ordering the Bloody Mary bar, they bring you a pint glass filled with vodka. From there, you walk up to a couple of tables that contain just about any ingredient you could think of with which to craft a delicious drink. I went with a mix of house mix and Clamato, added some Worcestershire, Sriracha, horse radish, capers, asparagus, smoked paprika, celery salt, and a strip of bacon. I won't lie, it came out a bit spicy, but the array of ingredients made me feel like a mad-scientist in the lab, concocting a sinister potion that would no-doubt reek havoc on the world (ok, not the world, but maybe my stomach lining).

So that's the draw...go for the Bloody Mary bar. The atmosphere is fine...it looks a bit like it resides in an old theater with the sign above the door. Service was friendly and on-spec. The even had a table with a fire pit in the center, which I would have thought to be a hazard, but apparently not.]]>Tue, 03 May 2011 04:17:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22197/west-coast-tavern?CommentCardId=468jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258123/jk-burgers-hot-dogs
Today, I went with the Reggie burger and side of tater tots (I'm a sucker for tots). The Reggie burger consist of a half pound of ground beef, wrapped around a filling of bacon, cheese, and sauteed onions. It's a handful, and make sure you've got a supply of napkins on hand, because a mess is eminent. That said, it is a great burger. I was immediately taken by the char-broiled taste and aroma that so many places try for with spotty success. Oh, and the tots...they were great, too.

Service was friendly and honest. I had accidentally given the girl at the counter an extra $5, which she promptly handed back to me. The runner/busser who brought our food was a character to say the least, reminding me of Spicoli from that classic 80's film.

JK is a good spot. It's not much to look at, and could be a bit cleaner, but the food was worth the trip. I can't wait to get back and try that Seoul Burger (Kim Chi and a fried egg).]]>Wed, 27 Apr 2011 04:33:40 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258123/jk-burgers-hot-dogs?CommentCardId=467jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21670/sab-e-lee-thai
There were quite a few things on the menu that were looking good to try. The group decided to get a bunch of dishes and go family style. I was really looking forward to the Panang curry, and it was pretty good. A bit on the spicy side but not too bad. I think the waiter had scared us a bit as to the spice-level, so we stayed in the middle area of the 10-point scale.

The best dish of the night, by far, was the ground beef noodles. Great flavor and the noodles were perfectly cooked. The Thai sausage fried rice was a bit disappointing. For a spice-level of 6, it was pretty bland, and there was hardly any sausage to be found.

The last dish I got to try was Tom ka Kai soup. This was pretty good, having a nice spice and creamy texture. All in all, the food was good, but didn't come close to living up to the hype. The place is small and has a divey feel. Service was ultra slow; to be fair, they were pretty full, but there are only about 6 tables in the dining room.

I'll give it another shot. Maybe with my expectations more in line, I'll have a better perspective on the food. I'll definitely try those ground beef noodles, again.]]>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 03:16:50 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21670/sab-e-lee-thai?CommentCardId=466jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/216279/craft-commerce
Few restaurants have a vegetarian burger option that's as good (maybe superior) to their standard burger, but C&C comes through. For the omnivore there's much to appreciate in many creative applications of salty smoky bacon wrapped, bacon flavored, or bacon enhanced dishes. "Devils on Horseback" is worth return trips combining the favored swine strips with the tart (apple slices), the earthy (asparagus) and the soft sweetness (dates with blue cheese).

From the drinks menu, I could not get enough of the "Up In Smoke" which pits peaty smokiness of an Islay Scotch with the hoppiness of a blonde ale and the tartness of crisp apple.

Definitely a recommend, definitely will return. ]]>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:29:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/216279/craft-commerce?CommentCardId=465morristonehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/216279/craft-commerce
C&C also has an excellent drink menu - couldn't get enough of the "Up in Smoke" which crosses the peaty smoky flavors of an Islay scoth with the hoppiness of a blonde ale and the tartness of apple.

Your server knows they are bringing you the good stuff, and although it's difficult to maneuver, and can get overwhelmingly busy, they keep a friendly, relaxed "It's all good" feeling in the air.

Worth a try, worth a return trip to try more.]]>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:19:49 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/216279/craft-commerce?CommentCardId=464morristonehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258110/dino-s-pizzeria-Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:25:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258110/dino-s-pizzeria-?CommentCardId=463Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/blue-bell/199570/phils-tavern-inc
After navigating the intimidating menu, chock full of a variety of signature sandwiches and other entrees, I had less than 40 minutes to get my food and consume it. Long story short, I did have my sandwich served after waiting about 35 minutes. I asked for it to be wrapped to-go. Even that took longer than I had time to wait for.

So I did finally take down a handsome looking breaded chicken cutlet sandwich - dubbed the Tony Soprano - about a day later. The night in the refrigerator didn't work any wonders for my meal, and it was certainly what you'd expect of a day old sandwich. I don't want to do the restaurant the disservice of calling it a "1" in this comment card. But I certainly can't grade it as if it were served on time and eaten on site.

So I'm sticking with a middle-of-the road review of the food, mainly because my companions did report enjoying their meals. I'm certain that I'll be back, and I'll add a comment card that does the place justice.

But then again... 40 minutes waiting for a simple lunch is really not optimal either... I guess we'll see...]]>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 01:26:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/blue-bell/199570/phils-tavern-inc?CommentCardId=462Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/ardmore/258112/buca-di-beppo
We were a party of 4, and admitedly we were there looking for the restaurant which got converted to Buca. But hungry as we were, we decided to give Buca a shot anyway. A couple of us ordered from the lunch promotional menu, which broadcast about 15 special dishes, each accompanied by a soup and salad side combo. Seemed like a nice little lunch package.

When the server took our order, she didn't ask me about salad dressing or soup, so I inquired if the dish I ordered came with soup or salad. She gave me a firm no.

My parents, being children of depression-era parents, don't allow that sort of ambiguity to die. So in order to avoid literally days of disappointing commentary from my mother, I retrieved a menu and reread it. It was pretty clear about the promotion, and we asked the waitress again. She disagreed with our interpretation but reluctantly resigned to check with management. She returned moments later with the good news that we did get a salad with the lunch meals. She offered no apology for the confusion. I asked about the soup as well, and she reluctantly confirmed that it was included.

I don't have a big issue with the lack of awareness on her part. But to insist that we were wrong, and then force us to review the menu ourselves, and then return from her discussion with management and not apologize... way too stubborn for me.

The food was acceptable, and consistent with other Buca di Beppo locations I've been to. I didn't see any phlegm in my salad, so that was a relief. And my personal, lunch sized sausage pizza was tasty with a nice crispy crust. We had an appetizer of fried calamari which was not oil-logged, nor was it over cooked. It was great with their marinara sauce.

Overall, a good experience but not a destination I'd strongly recommend.]]>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 01:14:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/ardmore/258112/buca-di-beppo?CommentCardId=461Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21437/extraordinary-dessertsMon, 18 Apr 2011 22:59:45 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21437/extraordinary-desserts?CommentCardId=460K2Ohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258113/the-counter-del-marFri, 15 Apr 2011 04:29:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258113/the-counter-del-mar?CommentCardId=459K2Ohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/167056/r-gang-eatery
The layout of the restaurant is roomy with a mixed style. The artwork is very deco modern while the tables and chairs are reminiscent of a truck stop diner. Maybe this is an attempt to appeal to the hipsters of Hillcrest. The staff was really friendly and the service was decent, but the bathroom had a seriously unpleasant funk. The meal wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. With so many other options out there to choose from I don't think I'll be back. ]]>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 03:37:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/167056/r-gang-eatery?CommentCardId=458K2Ohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21861/starliteThe atmosphere is top notch, with a recessed bar, and a kind of 70's kitsch with a modern Dwell-like flair to the decor and the place encourages interaction. The menu items never really jump out at me either.
So, finally the order was placed for an appetizer and a dessert, and my hopes were crushed. The food wasn't terrible, but very generic and bland, with all of this stress on local ingredients and a menu that is trying to be higher-scale, the execution just wasn't there. I may go back for an entree, but it's going to take some time.
I guess the illusion of a fine dining experience has left for me, and I am left to take Starlite for what I originally thought it was: A great looking local bar with a solid cocktail list that is fun to hang out in.]]>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:27:48 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21861/starlite?CommentCardId=457Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21369/hamilton-s-tavern
The menu is all fairly simple pub fare. But it is very well prepared. There is a good sized menu with some creative variations of typical meals like grilled cheese sandwiches. They are themed, and named based on their ingredients. So a little bit of fun with your order, as you consider the ninja grilled cheese.

Have fun figuring out your order, and enjoy the selection of beer.. The service is attentive and questions are willingly and accurately answered. Not a hint of the snobbiness that can be typical at other "elite" craft brew houses.

I personally enjoyed the California grilled cheese, with avocado and tomato. And the pub fries, with skins attached, were crisp and lightly seasoned. Very tasty along with my Pliny the Elder IPA from Russian River. Highly recommended for a low key pub menu.]]>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:45:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21369/hamilton-s-tavern?CommentCardId=456Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258108/regents-pizzeria
They've got two choices for pie...deep dish and thin crust. Being the fan of variety that I am - I got one of each. The thin crust was the "meat lovers" and the deep-dish style was topped with deli meat whose name escapes me at this time. Both pies were great. I hadn't had pizza in quite a while, so I think any slice would have gone down like ambrosia, but these were some of the better offerings I've had since moving to SD.

I was also pretty surprised at the crowd. The place was abuzz and vibrant. It felt much more like North Park than UTC. This spot is a gem. If pizza didn't have so many calories, I'd be there frequently. Since it does, it will have to remain a rare treat. ]]>Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:10:31 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258108/regents-pizzeria?CommentCardId=455jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258105/five-guys
The Good:
- Service was great! The girl behind the counter was friendly and helped me to figure out how to order.
- Burgers were good. Unless you're super hungry, go with one of their "little" options.
- Quantity of food is enormous. You about as may fries in a small as you would get in two burger king larges...probably more!
- Food prep time is fast; they definitely know how to turn and burn

The Bad:
- It's expensive. Value wise, you get more for your money at In & Out
- The fries were unimpressive. I got the Cajun style, and just wasn't too impressed. They were a bit greasy and soggy.
- Quantity of food is enormous. I know that I also have this in the "Good" section. That's because some folks like a ton of grub. For me, the small burger and small fries is more than I eat on most days.

Anyway, nice to have a new option in the area, and I'll be back. It was a bit crowded, so get there early for outside seating.]]>Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:20:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258105/five-guys?CommentCardId=454jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/152634/toast-enoteca-
I was the first customer of the day at TOAST, and was greeted very warmly; the staff really went above and beyond to roll out the welcome mat. Upon taking a seat at the bar, I was given a quick rundown of the wines, and was offered several recommendations. It was easy to tell that the bartender was both knowledgeable and passionate, so I just went with everything he told me to try. It was happy hour, so all of the appetizers were half off.

I started out with 2 appetizers...the oven-baked cauliflower in pomodoro (tomato) sauce and their fresh baked bread stuffed with cheese and tomatoes. The cauliflower was baked with a cheesy topping and served in a pool of tomato sauce. It was simple, elegant, and delicious. The bread was OK...but a very different style than any focaccia bread I've had before. Dipping it in the left over cauliflower sauce made for a tasty treat.

For an entree, I had their broccoli and sausage lasagna. If you get out to try TOAST, you've got to give this a go...it's a masterpiece. It's made in a white sauce with little strips of pasta; it actually seems more like a casserole than a lasagna to me, but who cares. The flavors balance perfectly to form a whole that's much better than the sum of the parts. To finish off the night, I had their lava cake. The menu warns to give 20 minutes, but mine seemed to arrive pretty quickly. I was advised to swap out the ice-cream flavors, and since the bartender hadn't gotten anything wrong yet, I wasn't about to argue now. I was a bit disappointed that they didn't have any dessert wines by the glass, but that's OK.

They do have a strange wine service model. It's self serve with a few "stations" with bottles and little dispensers. Great for tasters as you can get single ounce pours. Personally, I'm old and set in my ways, so I just ordered a few glasses (the "super Tuscan" merlot was the best one that I tried that night).

I was really impressed with TOAST. The service was amazing, the staff was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and warm, the atmosphere was quirky and fun and the food was spectacular. I highly recommend this spot.]]>Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:46:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/152634/toast-enoteca-?CommentCardId=453jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258092/rubio-s-fresh-mexican-grill
This particular location is the "original"; where it all started. So it isn't the most current or typical layout for the Rubio's chain. There is very limited seating, and the area that you place your order is congested and claustrophobic if there's even one or two other people waiting for takeout.

The food is always middle of the road. So that's kind of nice - you know what you're going to get. But it's also got the downside that... you know what you're going to get.

So for convenience sake, if you want a pretty standard sample of Baha California cuisine, then give it a shot. If you're a tourist in the area, there are more hidden gems in terms of fish tacos and the like. You probably want to go a little out of your way for some better flavor. See some of my other comment cards for info on South Beach Bar and Grill for example, or Cass Street B&G.]]>Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:53:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258092/rubio-s-fresh-mexican-grill?CommentCardId=452Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21358/karl-strauss-brewing-company
But on the upside, there's a great benefit to the obscure location. Once you find it, you'll love the scenery as you sit by a beautiful koi pond surrounded by a Japanese garden-style setup. It's very pretty.

Pretty enough that maybe you won't notice the swill that they bring to the table. And you won't notice the aloof and disinterested attitude of the servers. The beer is great hear. There are a good little bunch of signature craft brews. And I've had good entrees before. But on this particular evening, they just weren't on their game. The appetizers were soggy and greasy, and pretty much awful.

So for convenience (if you can find it) and for scenery, this is your place. But it's not the most dependable for quality food. They get slammed at lunch and early dinner. And they just don't respond well to the rush sometimes. You could be better served by going in the off hours. Or sit back and enjoy the better features.]]>Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:37:58 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21358/karl-strauss-brewing-company?CommentCardId=451Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/452/luong-hai-ky-restaurant
Is this the best food I've ever had? No. That said, for 5 bucks a plate, you get a ton of food that's pretty good. I did learn that I'm not as good with chop stix as I had thought (easier to pick things up when their not slippery from sitting in broth). Anyway, definitely worth a shot if you're on a budget.]]>Sat, 02 Apr 2011 19:18:01 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/452/luong-hai-ky-restaurant?CommentCardId=450jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54928/jyoti-bihangaSat, 02 Apr 2011 04:11:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54928/jyoti-bihanga?CommentCardId=449Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258099/bite-of-boston
They had just opened for business four days ago, and they still seem to have a few kinks to work out in their service model. That said, the food was pretty good and the staff definitely brought me back home with their bean-town exteriors and sensibilities. For lunch, I got Ethan's Prime Rib Sandwich named after the owner's (at least, I think it was the owner) son. I won't lie, I was hoping to get something like an east coast roast beef sandwich, but that was not to be. Instead, I got a large meaty beast on a kaiser roll with cheese, onions and horseradish sauce. The sandwich was ample in size tasted pretty good, and was wrapped in about 19 layers of paper.

There are a few other dishes I'm raring to try, so I'll definitely be back. Go Sox!]]>Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:10:51 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258099/bite-of-boston?CommentCardId=448jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/253802/analog-bar
As you enter, you're immediately dismayed by the boiler plate copy of the oh-so-trendy "redneck" angle. You can select from a good list of 24oz canned beers. And there's a couple exotic sounding grilled cheese sandwich variants on the menu.

But at the same time, the other side of the menu boasts of bottle service for $300 or $400 and all kinds of other upscale eats.

I elected for the seared ahi salad, and it didn't disappoint. Well the server disappointed by waiting about an hour to go retrieve the cold salad from the kitchen. But then again, it wasn't the only service he was at a loss for delivering on.

As I waited, I was able to take in the entire decor. Some kind of awful mix of current style and retirement home yard saless. It's like the owner had two decorators. The first one just couldnt finish the job, so he brought in her grandmother for relief.

Anyway, if they offer takeout, then go ahead and take advantage of some good food. But don't linger too long in this VFW-esque confusion of trendy and traditional.]]>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:42:39 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/253802/analog-bar?CommentCardId=447Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258078/double-deuce
Perhaps Lucifer himself is behind the controls, deftly casting evil spells in the form of auditory nightmares. And periodically he emerges from his lair to pace the bartop (yes, I'm referring to the size 12 footprints gracing the bar where I sat.

So in summary; don't come here looking for food. Don't look for cleanliness. And it has the atmosphere of a high security prison somewhere out on the plains of Texas.

But damn it... my Budweisers where $1. I shit you not.]]>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:32:04 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258078/double-deuce?CommentCardId=446Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/253802/analog-bar
The service was whole-heartedly adequate...we ordered food and drinks, and received them. The food was a bit disappointing. I got the "dirty sanchez" A grilled cheese sandwich with bacon and jalapenos. What I don't get is how you take so many great ingredients and manage to make them virtually flavorless. At least the dipping sauce helped out a bit.

On the side, I got an order of shoe-string fries. Again, not bad and not great. In this case, however, the two sauces weren't able to save the day. Oh well...it's french fries. It's not like they were bad.

For beer drinkers...if your vessel of choice is a can, this is the place for you. They've got a huge selection of beer in a can (although their draft selection is limited to three taps).]]>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:31:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/253802/analog-bar?CommentCardId=445jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21376/rocky-s-crown-pub
There's not much seating and there's no good angle for watching sporting events on T.V. There's no parking and the restroom is basically a converted janitor's closet. But damn those burgers. Ya just can't beat 'em.]]>Tue, 29 Mar 2011 03:31:01 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21376/rocky-s-crown-pub?CommentCardId=444Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/45574/mcdonald-s-restaurants
However, if you're looking for something convenient that's not utterly scary, then I would recommend this location.

They have a double-lane drive through, which they operate pretty efficiently. If you're a luncher, you might be lucky enough to chat with Maria when placing your order. She's one of those rare fast food workers who actually cares enough to remember you, and maybe even say something upbeat and receptive. Joking aside, it's actually pretty refreshing.

I don't go to Mickey D's much. But this one is close to work and I'm probably there once a month. I've always had my food cooked quickly, and it appears to be within the guidelines of what McDonald's considers to be presentable. So while it's not a culinary masterpiece, at least it conforms to their standards (and theoretically the consumers' expectations).

So if you're in the neighborhood, don't be scared to swing by for an efficiently produced lunch, at a good price point.

If you've never tried McDonalds before (maybe you're a newborn, or you just relocated here from Antarctica) then just don't go near the McNuggets. No one knows what's really in them, least of all the FDA. You're going to want to test the waters with a menu item like the Filet O Fish, which seems to actually have "fish" in it, before you tackle the McNuggets. Take some time, build up your immune system with regular exercise and vitamin C. Then give the nuggets a shot, in small doses at first. Good luck.]]>Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:44:20 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/45574/mcdonald-s-restaurants?CommentCardId=443Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22294/bangin-burgersSat, 26 Mar 2011 02:21:23 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22294/bangin-burgers?CommentCardId=442Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/258089/prepkitchen
First of all, all of the men in the restaurant wore 70's style porno mustaches. I'm not sure if that's part of the uniform, but it's an important and powerful statement if it is. The menu was pretty interesting, and they offered a lunch special of a half sandwich, salad, soup, and chips. I went with that along with their croque madaam. The sandwich was good except I got one piece of un-chewable ham. The soup of the day was a puree of asparagus which was pretty tasty. Luckly, the sandwich was served with a steak knife, so nothing was left to chance.

Some other members of the group raved about the chili pepper and plantain sandwich...I'll have to try that one next time.

After my first visit, I'm not sure I liked the Del Mar location as much as La Jolla, but it was still impressive. Perhaps we'll make it up there for lunch more often.]]>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:15:48 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/258089/prepkitchen?CommentCardId=441jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/44502/islands
Fortunately, there are several non-diet-killing options, and so I went with one of those...the NorthShore Soft Tacos to be exact. You get 2 tacos filled with slow-cooked chicken in a spicy tomato salsa, and a side of beans. Not bad for a guilt-free option, but I really could have gone for the Kilauea Burger. Unfortunately, it's pushing the envelope at over 1500 calories.

Table service was handled by Laura, and she did a great job, being friendly, fast, and efficient. All in all, a successful lunch.]]>Sat, 19 Mar 2011 04:20:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/44502/islands?CommentCardId=440jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22300/quality-social
Well, much to my surprise a quiet lunch was not to be had. It turns out they were doing a fundraising event for children with cancer, and the place was alive and vibrant. It was $20 to get in, but for such a good cause, not a big deal.

I was surprised when I sat down at the bar and received a brunch menu. Normally, I would have been licking my chops for some breakfast fare, but I was in the mood for lunch, so I went with one of their burgers. It was well cooked with a decent roll, and topped with a fried egg, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Since the egg yolk ran over the burger, there was no need for other condiments. Credit where credit was due...they did a nice job. It did come with no sides (c'mon...hook me up with some fries), and is a bit steep at $13, but all-in-all, a nice lunch.

There beer selection was pretty good. In fact, they had one of my favorites on tap - the stout from Green Flash. It seemed like the fund-raiser was going well, and there was a good crowd both young and old. I also noticed that they their bloody maries were served with a mini charcuterie skewer which looked pretty cool and original.]]>Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:27:13 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22300/quality-social?CommentCardId=439jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ny/franklin-square/172151/sunny-s-chinese-kitchenSat, 12 Mar 2011 22:19:32 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ny/franklin-square/172151/sunny-s-chinese-kitchen?CommentCardId=437elenahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54928/jyoti-bihanga
As from the above statements - I am an avid meat eater, and you know what? I had a great dining experience at this place! The food was prepared well, had a whole range of flavors and textures, was FILLING and tasted really good! I had the Neatloaf, which is a rice, grains, tofu, ricotta cheese concoction with a tomatoey paste type bbq sauce on top. You can get vegan or veggie items only there, and the staff don't try to force the philosophy down your throat, although the decor and mini book shop of holistic teachings does put it within view and have it easily accessible. I have never seen it crowded, in fact, the only real negative I have about the place is that I feel it is overpriced, but I would definitely recommend it just for the sake of trying some good veggie food.]]>Sat, 12 Mar 2011 20:02:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54928/jyoti-bihanga?CommentCardId=436Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/705/spices-thai-cafeSat, 12 Mar 2011 18:25:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/705/spices-thai-cafe?CommentCardId=435Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/peabody/3345/bill-s-bob-s-famous-roast-beef
Even better were the sides. Fries, onion rings, or the almighty pizza roll...you couldn't go wrong. For under $10, you could order up a feast that left you feeling like you just ate the biggest Thanksgiving dinner you've ever had.

My advice...find a Bill & Bobs and eat there. I only wish there were Roast Beef shops in SoCal. ]]>Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:13:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/peabody/3345/bill-s-bob-s-famous-roast-beef?CommentCardId=434jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/21442/club-diner
The THC omelet was (and I imagine still is) the pinnacle of comfort food and the pancakes were always too delicious not to finish, even though I was already gorged before even starting on them.

Many great times were had at the Club Diner. And I'm sure it's taking just as good care of the the next generation of young club-goers.]]>Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:33:47 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/21442/club-diner?CommentCardId=433jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258074/toscana-cafe-
Let's start with the good...the food. I got an an omelet with sausage and peppers, with a side of bacon. Everything on the plate was fairly well prepared. The omelet was fresh and taste - browned on the outside and soft in the middle. The potatoes were really well done, being rich and buttery with liberal seasonings. The toast and bacon were about what you'd expect.

What killed the experience for me was the service; it was the least attentive I've experienced in recent memory. I saw the waitress a total of 3 times - once when she took my order, once she walked by after I had gotten my food, and one last time to drop the check. And believe me, the dialog was minimal. When I go out, I don't need to be coddled, but when I've got to wait 20 minutes for the check while baking uncomfortably in the hot sun, I get annoyed. Sadly, it killed what could have been a nice experience.

I actually left a 20% tip...not because the waitress deserved it, but because I couldn't bear the thought of waiting another 20 minutes for change, or to run a credit card. If you've got to try this place, make sure you're not in a hurry.]]>Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:26:52 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258074/toscana-cafe-?CommentCardId=432jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258045/a-taste-of-bostonThen comes the bad - they seem like they are constantly under-staffed to handle the lunch crowd, which has resulted in amazingly long waits (this time was the worst, clocking in at 45min-1hr!). On the plus side, if you avoid the small lunch window (I believe it is to arrive between 11:45 and 12:20) then it is not that bad of a wait, but still kind of long for a sub with some scooped in soup, beans and fries (which should be all be set to go for lunch).
The other bad thing is that they are owned and share with Boston Hair Salon, which is even accessible via doorway. In fact, this door is usually open, and the girls from the hair salon help out with the restaurant. So the extremely bad news is that you smell hair products throughout the bar/restaurant!
I recommend the food, just as long as you go with some time to spare (or on off-hours), and you get a table near the door - or better yet, the patio.]]>Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:10:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258045/a-taste-of-boston?CommentCardId=431Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258073/delhi-palace
After sitting down, our host began to set up the buffet. Not completely, but removed the covers from the trays, etc. When he finished we walked up, ready to eat. The selection was small, in fact, there were only about 8 trays or so. As it turns out, this may be the worst Indian food I've ever had. Little to no flavor, across any of the dishes that I tried (Paneer, a chicken dish I don't recall the details of, and rice). Even then naan, which arrived shortly after we got our food, was sub-par.

Service was OK; there was a stretch there where my water glass was refilled after ever sip. Attentive or annoying? Not sure...someplace in between. But the staff was very nice, which makes it even harder to write this review.

Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but I just can't recommend Delhi Palace. I hope they can turn it around, though...business seems to be a bit slow.]]>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:46:00 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258073/delhi-palace?CommentCardId=430jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/escondido/2158/romano-s-macaroni-grill
We started with their bruschetta; we had wanted the roasted vegetables but were told they were having supplier problems. I’m not a huge fan of bruschetta, but it was pretty good. I like that they serve it in component form without the tomatoes already on the bread so it doesn’t get soggy. For an entrée, I went with the Snapper “Acqua Pazza”. The description from their website is “Snapper filet simmered in a white wine broth with ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs with sweet clams and gold potatoes”. It could have been served just a bit hotter, but overall it was quite good. The portion was just right and the flavors all went together nicely, I especially enjoyed the gold potatoes. My wife got the lobster ravioli. She said liked it, but that the lobster meat was a little on the dry side.

The kids menu has standard kid-friendly offerings. My son had chicken strips and fries and my daughter just ate off of our plates. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of healthy choices they had on the menu, a number of which had 500 calories or less. It’s been a while since we’ve been there; I wonder if the menu had been redone since California now mandates calorie counts on the menu. Regardless, it was nice to have a good selection of healthy choices, I’m looking forward to going back again to try something else.
]]>Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:03:25 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/escondido/2158/romano-s-macaroni-grill?CommentCardId=429jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/457/mama-mia-pizza
The crust is thick - not deep dish, but pretty doughy. The sauce works, but doesn't stand out. The pizza is, in fact, spectacularly average, but at five bucks per pie...you can't really go wrong. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it, but I look forward to it when I know it will be consumed. ]]>Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:28:19 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/457/mama-mia-pizza?CommentCardId=428jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54069/mardi-gras-cafe-Aside from the decor that is tacky at best, most of the food is served in large portions, and is delicious. Make sure you are in the mood for down-home, Creole food, with stews and po boy's a plenty - all of which I can recommend. The muffaletta bread is a little on the dry side, but I found the sandwich to be tasty anyways. For the more adventurous there is some alligator sausage to both try and buy, which is also surprisingly good.]]>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 23:08:19 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54069/mardi-gras-cafe-?CommentCardId=427Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/705/spices-thai-cafeSun, 27 Feb 2011 01:35:55 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/705/spices-thai-cafe?CommentCardId=426Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/burlington/3093/papa-razzi
The best pasta dish on the menu is the Rigatoni con Luganega, but if you're looking for something a bit lighter, the Penne con Pollo is one of their signature dishes. The service is solid, and in the summer time, their patio is a great option.]]>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:08:06 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/burlington/3093/papa-razzi?CommentCardId=425jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/88/broken-yolkSat, 26 Feb 2011 23:44:02 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/88/broken-yolk?CommentCardId=424Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22065/stout-public-houseSat, 19 Feb 2011 23:43:50 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22065/stout-public-house?CommentCardId=423Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2046/forever-fondueOn a side note, the wait for anything that required a server was absolutely horrible. Everything is pretty much prepped by the chefs, and we did all the cooking - all that was needed was seasoning and to bring the food out in a timely manner, which did not happen to say the least. 3 hours is a long time for a meal, unless the patron is slowing the meal down on purpose. The desert was brought out lukewarm temperature and I had to get the burner turned up. I got double charged for the desert, which was rectified after another 15 minutes. It was said that they were understaffed, and the place was pretty much full - but 4 waitresses and 30-some tables is not really that hard to handle, especially when the whole order is taken up front and the whole order can be prepped while we were waiting for the wine to heat up before the cheese was put in. The prices on the website are at least half of what the actual prices are.]]>Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:34:42 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2046/forever-fondue?CommentCardId=422Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2046/forever-fondueThu, 17 Feb 2011 06:13:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2046/forever-fondue?CommentCardId=421Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258024/the-hopping-pig
So I've actually been there twice now. The first time, I went with their braised short rib. It was a nice dish, they managed to leave some texture in the meat and captured a deep, rich flavor that defines the dish. I also tried their truffle fries which had really good flavor. They got the subtle taste of truffle just right...a rarity for this growing-in-popularity dish.

My second trip was a bit less formal. I was the afternoon on New Years Eve, and much to my surprise, the bar erupted at about 4pm when the year turned over in Ireland. Oh...did I mention this is a strongly Irish establishment. So much so, that I was able to try a KilKenny Irish Cream Ale on tap. Not really my cup of tea, but good to try, anyway. I also had a burger that day, which can best be described as mediocre.

The Hopping Pig is a nice little spot. The menu is small, but the value for the dollar is pretty good. It's definitely better than most of the crappy downtown restaurants, although not by too much.]]>Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:52:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258024/the-hopping-pig?CommentCardId=420jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/detroit/10235/l-george-s-coney-islandI've had a knife pulled on me in there, and one of my friends was almost shot across the street, and yet we still make it a point to come back - that's really saying something. ]]>Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:20:19 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/detroit/10235/l-george-s-coney-island?CommentCardId=419Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/detroit/10242/lafayette-coney-islandIt's only a hot dog with chili, cheese and onions, maybe mustard *don't you dare put ketchup on it!* But to many people, it's heaven on earth.]]>Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:11:14 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/detroit/10242/lafayette-coney-island?CommentCardId=418Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/786/tofu-houseThe decor is asian mall foodcourt, nothing special or anything to impress the eyes. Most of the stews are not really much to look at either, although there is a little fun in getting a crockpot with bubbling broth (same goes for fajitas at the mex joints).
I've never had a bad batch of brew here, it's like spicy asian soup for the soul, especially on a chilly or rainy day.]]>Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:40:06 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/786/tofu-house?CommentCardId=417Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21358/karl-strauss-brewing-companyTue, 15 Feb 2011 06:38:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21358/karl-strauss-brewing-company?CommentCardId=416Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/99/ca-daoTue, 15 Feb 2011 06:06:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/99/ca-dao?CommentCardId=415Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/99/ca-daoTue, 15 Feb 2011 05:56:29 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/99/ca-dao?CommentCardId=414Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/585/pho-sao-bienTue, 15 Feb 2011 01:22:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/585/pho-sao-bien?CommentCardId=413Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258049/palm-restaurant
As non-steakhouse like as the exterior is, the interior fits the bill to a tee, adorned in a classic wood finish with high ceilings (in the bar area) and elegant decor. The menu is small, with a focused set of offerings. I started with their Hearts of Palm salad with a garlic vinaigrette dressing. It was very tasty with thick cut HOP atop a bed of lettuce, smothered in tomatoes and nestled between a quartered hard-boiled egg and Kalamata olives. All of the ingredients were extremely fresh and the salad overall was a great starter to the meal.

For an entree, I went with their petite filet with brandy peppercorn sauce, along with a side of their cheesey potatoes (diet be damned). The filet was expertly prepared to the temperature that I ordered (mid-rare plus) and the sauce was a nice complement. The cheesey potatoes were just a sloppy mess of starch and fat, but delicious nontheless.

Service was good, but to be honest, she could have gotten much more $$$ out of me if she had slowed the meal down and was a bit more engaging. I'm not complaining because it was a good meal, but I only got through one drink.

So of the steakhouse chains, Ruths Chris (particularly the Del Mar location) is still far and away my favorite, followed by Mortons and Flemmings (La Jolla). But The Palm gives you a good experience and you get about what you'd expect for the dollars.]]>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:03:58 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258049/palm-restaurant?CommentCardId=412jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/escondido/21425/stone-brewing-company
For Valentine’s Day they had a special menu which we mostly ordered from. We started by sharing locally grown oysters on the half-shell for an appetizer. There were five, seasoned perfectly. We then both went with the Maine lobster bisque, which was a little spicy (which I loved) and had nice big chunks of lobster. For the entrée, I went with the Filet au Poivre, with lobster mashed potatoes and petite vegetables. The filet was cooked and sauced well (although honestly at this point in the dinner, I was a little sauced as well) and the petite vegetables were fine, but the highlight of the dinner was the lobster mashed potatoes. They had big chunks of succulent lobster meat mixed with herbed potatoes, they were magnificent. The Valentine’s dessert was a Chocolate Caramel Tower with Strawberry Coulis. I’ve been on a diet and staying away from sweets for so long I don’t know that I could offer an objective opinion, it was excellent.

As for the beers, I went with a different one per course. I started with a Vertical Epic Ale (8/8/8) with the appetizers, an 8th Anniversary Ale with the bisque, a 2010 Double Bastard with my steak and a 2010 Oaked Arrogant Bastard with dessert.

Surprisingly, beer service was the most problematic part of the meal, they were out of my first selection several times and delivery was slow. Granted, I’m sure most folks don’t try to do a different beer per course, but I was halfway through the entrée before my double bastard arrived, no bueno. And when the waitress told me they were out of the Russian Stout I ordered with dessert she offered me a free coffee instead as a substitution. WTF? I’m not sure what she was thinking, I wasn’t driving and it’s not like I was slurring my speech or causing a disturbance in the beer garden, so I’m not sure why she felt it was time for me to stop drinking. I assured her, it was not.

Overall it was a great experience. The food and beer was excellent, the service was decent and the surroundings were beautiful. I can’t wait to go back.
]]>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:26:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/escondido/21425/stone-brewing-company?CommentCardId=411jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/237/edgewater-grill
As for the food, it wasn't bad, but way overpriced. I got a turkey sandwich with bacon and avocado on a croissant. The sandwich was pretty good, but for $13 at lunch time, I want ambrosia. It came with a fries on the side which were also a decent offering. Ketchup would have been nice, but it wasn't offered until I was about half way done, so I just passed.

The ambiance here is great. I mean, it's located in Seaport Village and sits on San Diego harbor...the view alone carries the atmosphere for this place.

It's funny, I walk by this place every day, and have been dying to try it. After today, I doubt I'll be back. Oh well...maybe Busters up the street will be better.]]>Sun, 13 Feb 2011 22:54:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/237/edgewater-grill?CommentCardId=410jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258048/mamma-miaThe small house setup is great for atmosphere, and the wait staff and owner are all very Roman-esque, with big loud booming voices and the bend over backwards to help you attitude.
I have had a particular bad experience, where I had a large group, and was recommended to do a buffet style to lessen the cost and allow everyone to try everything. They were poorly prepared for a gathering of 10+, and it worked out to be as much as if everyone ordered individual dishes to their liking. On a positive note, they did not charge us corkage, but a glass of wine was added to each person's bill.
Aside from that experience (because I know most reviewers will not be going in with a very large group), the food is ok, but overpriced - a bite to eat at lunch and to enjoy the fun atmosphere at this place would yield a pretty good experience.]]>Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:07:50 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258048/mamma-mia?CommentCardId=409Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22248/la-jolla-strip-clubSun, 13 Feb 2011 00:10:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22248/la-jolla-strip-club?CommentCardId=408Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2063/jose-s-court-roomSat, 12 Feb 2011 16:18:20 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2063/jose-s-court-room?CommentCardId=407Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/42702/wired-cafe-le-bistro
Today we were sat mere moments after walking in the door. The atmosphere is quaint, sporting a host of original artwork, a display case of their culinary offerings, and a small bar. The menu is quite appealing, featuring a host of different French-style sandwiches, breakfast, and crepes. Today I decided on a bowl of the soup de jour (a basic tomato) and a sandwich with ham, bacon, goat cheese and mushrooms on a baguette. Both were excellent and well representative of French cuisine - subtle in flavor, rich in body, with the freshness of the ingredients shining through.

It also seems that breakfast is served all day, meaning we'll definitely be back. There service seems to be hit-or-miss, but if you get them on a good day, this is a worthwhile trip.]]>Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:16:56 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/42702/wired-cafe-le-bistro?CommentCardId=406jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258046/taste-of-indiaFri, 11 Feb 2011 20:56:44 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258046/taste-of-india?CommentCardId=405Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2063/jose-s-court-roomFri, 11 Feb 2011 19:45:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2063/jose-s-court-room?CommentCardId=404Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/483/melting-potFri, 11 Feb 2011 19:40:03 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/483/melting-pot?CommentCardId=403Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258046/taste-of-india
As for the food, they don't really mix it up to much in terms of variety. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever seen a different spread. That said, it's always consistent, fresh, and delicious. I could stand it to be a bit spicier (I think they tone it down a bit for the US palate), but that's OK. My favorites are the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Sang Paneer. OK, I'm boring, but good is good.

The one caveat about this place is the parking. It just plain sucks. Even in San Diego...world capital of shitty parking lots, this one stands out as one of the worst. You can usually sneak into the Carl's Jr lot next door, though.]]>Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:01:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258046/taste-of-india?CommentCardId=402jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/348/ichiban-pbThu, 10 Feb 2011 16:28:23 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/348/ichiban-pb?CommentCardId=401Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22036/blind-lady-ale-houseThu, 10 Feb 2011 16:20:35 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22036/blind-lady-ale-house?CommentCardId=400Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/348/ichiban-pbThu, 10 Feb 2011 07:26:19 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/348/ichiban-pb?CommentCardId=399Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/560/pasta-espressoThu, 10 Feb 2011 06:58:00 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/560/pasta-espresso?CommentCardId=398Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/786/tofu-houseThu, 10 Feb 2011 06:54:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/786/tofu-house?CommentCardId=397Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22087/rock-bottom-restaurant-and-breweryThese apps are what used to make TGI Fridays so great (jeesh, did I just type that!?). Almost all of them are preformed rather well, and while they aren't going to win any awards for super creativity or taste, you will find yourself eating your whole order up (or the sampler tower if you are really hungry - it's totally worth it). It's basically like their beer - you aren't really writing home about it, but it serves its purpose and doesn't taste as bad as the thousands of other garbage items that are put out just like it.]]>Thu, 10 Feb 2011 05:14:52 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22087/rock-bottom-restaurant-and-brewery?CommentCardId=396Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21402/sole-luna-cafe
From past visits, I can confidently say that the croissant sandwiches here are about as good as you'll find, but on this particular morning, I went with a spinach and feta scramble. Simply awesome! They managed to cook the eggs perfectly, which is no easy feat (this was the second time they nailed it, too).

The one night I made it in for dinner, I was pretty impressed, too. It wasn't the best Italian I'd ever had, but for the money, I was blown away.

Service is typical...neither bad nor great, but you don't come here for the service. It's the delicious food at a great value. Also, the casual but cozy atmosphere makes a great spot to bring a date. Plus, the neighborhood is awesome ;)]]>Thu, 10 Feb 2011 05:07:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21402/sole-luna-cafe?CommentCardId=395jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22294/bangin-burgersThu, 10 Feb 2011 05:04:06 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22294/bangin-burgers?CommentCardId=394Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22036/blind-lady-ale-houseThu, 10 Feb 2011 04:49:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22036/blind-lady-ale-house?CommentCardId=393Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21340/miami-grilleThu, 10 Feb 2011 04:41:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21340/miami-grille?CommentCardId=392Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/337/hoboken-pizza-beerThu, 10 Feb 2011 03:07:51 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/337/hoboken-pizza-beer?CommentCardId=391Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/560/pasta-espresso
Their selection is limited, but they make their pastas and sauces fresh daily onsite. Last night, they had about 5 pastas and 4 sauces available, and I was encouraged to mix and match. For pasta, I went with a mix of spinach fettuccine, and fire spirals (not as hot as advertised), which came smothered with a duet of Alfredo sauce and a sausage marinara. The end result was a fresh plate of comfort food that went down well. They also throw in a side of salad and huge slab of garlic bread to round out the meal.

Within 10 minutes my plate was clean...to be honest, despite the generous portion size, I could have done another one. All that for the low price of $7.50. Tough to beat.
]]>Wed, 09 Feb 2011 04:45:11 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/560/pasta-espresso?CommentCardId=390jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/750/the-tap-room
In order to stay atop the changing selection, you'll want to check their web site. I believe you can sign up for alerts when you "favorites" are tapped. But no matter when you swing by, there will be some quality options available.

And you can wash down your favorite brew with some tasty pizza. I prefer the series of white pizza's, but there is a selection for just about everyone. Plus the abundance of TV sets allows each customer to catch the sporting event of their choice.

For a more mellow PB experience, you'll want to pay Tap Room a visit. I would recommend it.]]>Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:29:55 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/750/the-tap-room?CommentCardId=389Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22079/bare-back-grillFri, 28 Jan 2011 03:59:47 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22079/bare-back-grill?CommentCardId=388Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/solana-beach/2187/pamplemousse-grilleThu, 27 Jan 2011 23:11:31 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/solana-beach/2187/pamplemousse-grille?CommentCardId=387Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/solana-beach/2187/pamplemousse-grilleThu, 27 Jan 2011 22:47:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/solana-beach/2187/pamplemousse-grille?CommentCardId=386Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/688/sixth-avenue-bistroThu, 27 Jan 2011 21:53:08 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/688/sixth-avenue-bistro?CommentCardId=385jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258033/cafe-21
I started with one of their skillet omelets. It had tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese, and was topped with a crispy prosciutto...excellent dish. The eggs were the perfect consistency, and flavors were abound. They served the skillet on a block of slate (or some other stone), along with my side of potato pancake. It's a bit strange but a very cool presentation (although not a functional as a normal plate).

As usual, the staff were super friendly and accommodating. The place is in the old Xaviers location, so it has a bit of a bar-type atmosphere to it, but that's not a problem for me. I'm just glad to have another decent breakfast option downtown.]]>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:16:55 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/258033/cafe-21?CommentCardId=384jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21385/the-oceanaire-seafood-roomThu, 27 Jan 2011 06:15:45 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21385/the-oceanaire-seafood-room?CommentCardId=383Gingerhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-dinerMon, 24 Jan 2011 07:48:25 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-diner?CommentCardId=382IamMehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/655/sammy-s-woodfired-pizza
I like the depth of their menu; they always seem to have something new to try. I don’t know if I’ve even ever had their pizza. I have had their appetizer garlic/cheese pizza bread, which is phenomenal (although I’m trying to avoid it to stick to my diet).

This location can be a bit cramped, but they do have covered patio seating which is great on the rare occasions when the weather is nice.
]]>Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:38:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/655/sammy-s-woodfired-pizza?CommentCardId=381jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22248/la-jolla-strip-clubThu, 20 Jan 2011 18:16:14 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22248/la-jolla-strip-club?CommentCardId=380jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/589/pico-rico-cocina-mexicanaSat, 08 Jan 2011 06:34:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/589/pico-rico-cocina-mexicana?CommentCardId=379Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54708/prepkitchen
It was an excellent meal based on the food alone, but the service took it up a notch. Our waiter was super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, and we chatted a bit about the La Jolla location. At the end of the meal, we got our check and noticed they didn't charge us for the second piece of cake. I pointed this out to our waiter, and he said it was on the house. When I asked why he said it was because they like to do something extra for their repeat customers and he had appreciated the positive feedback I had given them. It was really refreshing to hear this as often the only time you get something taken off the bill is when you complain. I should point out that I also used a Groupon coupon that day, so I know they weren't making much off our table. All in all, it was a great way to end the afternoon. We'll definitely be back there soon.]]>Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:11:30 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54708/prepkitchen?CommentCardId=378K2Ohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/152631/k-b-cellars
For food, I got to pick at a few of their appetizers - all of which were quite good. The Irish Nachos plate was a mound of potato fries smothered with fixings. Also on the table were some mini quesadillas which were fine, but unspectacular. The last thing I got to try was The Yogi...a perfectly toasted melt of brie and apples served over a side of greens. Impressive presentation and flavors for sure.

The food was good, but the beer was great. They had a supurb selection on tap and their stout that evening was the best glass of beer I've had in a long time. They also do flights for those of you who like variety. ]]>Fri, 12 Nov 2010 02:15:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/152631/k-b-cellars?CommentCardId=377jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/200298/bluefin-fusion-japanese-restaurant
Despite the lackluster experience, we'll go back to check out the happy hour. The drink specials look good and for 50% off the rolls might be ok.

Overall, Edamami in Del Mar is a better deal if you want good fish, but they don't have a full bar. (5pc sushi bento at Edamami is the same price as Bluefin and the fish is about 300 times better).]]>Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:20:58 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/200298/bluefin-fusion-japanese-restaurant?CommentCardId=376K2Ohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1737/china-cafeThu, 11 Nov 2010 05:16:58 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1737/china-cafe?CommentCardId=375K2Ohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/53/barolo-ristorante
I will give them some props on the service. Not really from a customer point-of-view...but from somebody who spent many years teaching table service in restaurants. They had, at one point, 16 tables being serviced by essentially 3 people - a waitress, a busser, and one other guy (who I presume was an owner) in a utility type of role. Let me clarify...it was an up-tempo, diner-style, turn-and-burn experience (not terrible for lunch, IMHO), but out of place for the menu and atmosphere. Oh well, I appreciated their technique.

The menu had a few cool looking items on it, and based on a recommendation from the waitress, I tried their pear raviolis. The dish just didn't work. The overall flavor profile can best be described as bland, and the primary flavors or pear and mascarpone cheese just weren't complimentary.

My friend's swordfish special looked great, and he was satisfied with the dish and loved the bread. I'll probably get back to try a couple of the other dishes since it's really close to work, but my expectations will be substantially lowered. ]]>Thu, 11 Nov 2010 05:02:00 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/53/barolo-ristorante?CommentCardId=374jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/222231/san-diego-beer-company
The atmosphere is really cool, especially if you like a lot of exposed brick. After walking in, the bartenders were quite helpful in helping to find the spot that was airing the game I cared about. I had to wait until 10 before they'd serve me a beer, but no big deal. Food wise, the menu was large and a bit all-over-the-place in terms of selection. With so much to choose from, and with the promise of fresh, daily-baked rolls, I opted for a burger...the BBQ burger to be exact. For $1 extra, you can upgrade to beer-battered fries - how could I say no? The burger was decent...maybe even slightly better than average. Topped with bacon, o-rings, and BBQ sauce, it was cooked to a perfect medium. Sadly, the beer-battered fries were a bit under whelming. Don't get me wrong, they tasted good, but I just didn't see how they were "beer battered". Anyway, on to the beer.

I wanted to get a selection of their house brewed ales, and throughout the course of the game, I tried the IPA, the brown, and the red. Definitely a mixed bag in terms of quality. I found the IPA quite tasty although a bit light on the hops. The red was OK although difficult to distinguish from some of the lesser competition (Oggis and Rock Bottom to be precise). Their brown, sadly was disappointing, bordering on undrinkable. Oh well, you win some and lose some.

The service was prompt, friendly, but a bit smothering. We got asked how things were at least 12-15 times with full beers and plates already cleared. Better than the other way around, I suppose, but I had to wonder if they weren't trying to over-compensate for some of their negative reviews from Yelp. Also, I couldn't help get the feeling that this place really wants to be a chain (maybe they already are). Everything was just very formulaic.

I'll be back to TBC...they're close by, have a great selection of brews, and the one morsel of food I've tried is more than edible. My buddy was less than impressed, so maybe I lucked out, but I'm willing to give the the benefit of the doubt. Also, having opened a couple of restaurants, I know that you need to give most spots about 3 months before they hit their stride.]]>Tue, 09 Nov 2010 05:05:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/222231/san-diego-beer-company?CommentCardId=373jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/200298/bluefin-fusion-japanese-restaurant
Now, for lunchtime sushi, I almost always get a bento box, and these are some of the best I've had. First of all, their miso soup starter is as good as it gets. I typically find that to be a bit of a commodity item, but Bluefin's stands above the competition. So far, I've had 2 of their bento boxes...the spicy chicken and the steak. The chicken excellent, where the steak was a slight disappointment (it's not bad...just a bit tough, and cut into strips that are a bit too big for one bite). As for the rest of the bento box, it's got a full portfolio of high-quality goodies, including rice, salad, tempura (shrimp and veggies), California rolls, fruit, and dumplings.

The only thing I wasn't too impressed with was the table service. Not bad by any means, but just a bit mechanical, and not in line with the rest of the experience.

The great thing about Bluefin is that the price is strangely lower that one would expect. Maybe it's just a lunch time thing, but the food quality and atmosphere portray a high-end restaurant, but the price is in line with the local competition (KI, EDO, and Nozomi). This is a bit hard to find, nestled into a remote corner of the UTC Mall, but give it a shot.]]>Wed, 03 Nov 2010 04:31:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/200298/bluefin-fusion-japanese-restaurant?CommentCardId=372jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/220346/nozomi-2-sushi-
How does it stack up to our usual haunts? Let's see. The atmosphere is pretty cool. It's mostly outside dining, but they've crafted a virtual roof out of umbrellas and foliage. Service was fast and efficient, but a bit robotic (I appreciate good technical service when I see it, so I gave the girl a four). As for my favorite Japanese restaurant go-to item...the Bento Box, it stacked up OK. I was a bit surprised that there was no tempura (the cornerstone of any good Bento box), but they threw some fried dumplings in there, so that was OK. For meat, I got some pork in a spicy BBQ sauce which was quite good, and something I've been looking for unsuccessfully for the past few months.

Parking is a pain in the butt (although they do validate) but it's worth checking out.]]>Thu, 28 Oct 2010 02:37:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/220346/nozomi-2-sushi-?CommentCardId=371jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/220347/pizza-port
Ordering is weird, but I can see why they'd do it the way they do (you order your food and drinks at different counters), but you can always count on PP for great beer and pie.]]>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:42:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/220347/pizza-port?CommentCardId=370jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/152635/searsucker
I went in right around 5 last Sunday night. The interior has a cool vibe and elegant but casual decor. I went to the bar and ordered up a Manhattan to start the night. Dinner doesn't start until 6, which I found a bit strange, but I was able to start off with an order of the duck-fat fries. This dish is becoming more and popular these days, and this is probably the second best version that I've tried. The fries were a medium cut and had a near-perfect texture (crispy on the outside and light and airy on the inside). The duck flavor was there but quite subtle and the Parmesan added a nice touch.

When 6 rolled around, I ordered up a dinner. On the recommendation of the bartender, I went with the Pork Butt, and a couple of sides...Brussels Sprouts (which is one of my favorite vegetables) and the Corn with jalapeno and chorizo. Let's start with the pork, it was an absolute masterpiece. The texture was a spot on...ultra tender, but not sloppy, and the flavor was true to the meat, with the sauce and grilled peach serving as perfect accents. The sides...well, you win some, you lose some. The corn was a nice dish, but lacked the kick I was hoping for. The Brussels Sprouts, sadly, were a bit of a disappointment. Many of them were charred, which amplified the bitterness, and they were swimming in dressing. Not sure if that's what they were going for, but it wasn't really for me.

To finish up, I got the red velvet cake. Not at all what I expected based on others that I've had (for some reason, I think of Urban Solace when I think of this dessert). They essentially made a sandwich with 2 moist pieces of cake with a filling (and topping) of a cream-cheese filling. Pretty good stuff.

So, did Searsucker live up to my expectations? I don't know. But I look forward to going back and working my way through more of the menu. And you definitely get your money's worth (I spend about half of what I normally do at Oceanaire). ]]>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:16:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/152635/searsucker?CommentCardId=369jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/78/boudin-bakeryThu, 14 Oct 2010 19:26:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/78/boudin-bakery?CommentCardId=368jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/2/the-3rd-corner
We ordered 3 bottles of wine, 2 Pinot Noirs and a Cab-Franc, one of which was corked (which was decided after much debate). The tainted bottle was quickly replaced, and the merriment continued. For food, we started out with an order of their fries, which were delicious (nice call, Kevin). Thin in size, but packed with a delicate earthy-spice, these spuds really hit home.

For dinner, I went with the Black Truffle Risotto. Having been on a pretty hard-core diet as of late, I was eagerly awaiting an influx of this starchy delight. I was a bit disappointed, however. The texture was OK, but the flavor just wasn't there. I usually try not to use condiments to adjust the flavor of dishes, but in this case, I had no choice but to unload a healthy serving of salt and pepper in an attempt to wake up the dish. It wasn't bad...the flavors were just very subtle, bordering on bland.

We did a group-sharing exercise for dessert, going with a goat-cheese cheesecake and chocolate bread pudding. Both of these offerings were really well done. The goat cheese gave the cheesecake a great texture and you could definitely detect the "goat". The bread pudding was dense, with a rich, chocolate flavor that dominated and delighted. A real home run and a great night all around.]]>Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:45:31 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/2/the-3rd-corner?CommentCardId=367jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/189984/annapurna
In terms of the atmosphere...the place is completely no-frills. The decor is limited - almost Spartan. Their buffet, while smaller than many I've seen, contained a repertoire of dishes that I haven't seen before. I can't remember everything that I tried, but they had a spicy lamb dish that had excellent flavor; all in all, the dishes were a bit spicier than I've found for Indian, but that's right up my alley. Apparently, their selection changes quite a bit, too.

Service was pretty good, although it did take a while to get our check. It is a buffet (at least for lunch), so there's less server interaction, but our were regularly cleared and waters were consistently filled. Not a bad spot as long as you don't need a lot of frills.]]>Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:38:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/189984/annapurna?CommentCardId=366jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/192317/noodles-companyThu, 23 Sep 2010 20:17:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/192317/noodles-company?CommentCardId=365jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/458/mama-testa
Mama Testa's is a fairly small place, but had a decent crowd when we arrived around 12 or so. All four of us went with the dish featured on the Throwdown - the fish tacos. The first thing that jumped out at me was the price...over $13 for 2 tacos and a soda. Oh well, these are some famous tacos. As for the taste...a bit bland and not that impressive. Fortunately, this was fixable with one of the many selections from their salsa bar (one of the best I've seen). The fish was a bit gamey though, which wasn't ideal. The tacos did quite a bit of texture, between the twice-fried fish batter, flash fried shell, and slaw topping. I really like that style, but I think Roberto's does it a bit better. The dish came with two sides...some rice which was OK, and some beans which were great. They had a great spicy bite but suffered a bit from a somewhat soupy texture.

Despite being a counter-service establishment, our table was agressively bussed, and the food came out lightning fast. I think my review is coming off a bit critical due to the dish being featured on Food Network...I'd like to get back there and give them a shot with more down-to-earth expectations.

All in all, I had a great lunch at MT's. Food was good, and the company couldn't be beat. Great to see you, Joel.]]>Sat, 18 Sep 2010 03:26:11 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/458/mama-testa?CommentCardId=364jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/192317/noodles-company
Noodles & Company is an interesting concept in that they offer different noodle dishes from around the world. Their menu has 3 main areas - Asian, American, and Mediterranean (which is basically Italian). Even though the chain has been around for a while, this was my first foray. I figured I'd keep it simple and went with the Spicy Peanut Noodles from the Asian section.

For the price, they were OK...not too hot and served with a mix of sauteed vegetables, and a garnish of sprouts and fresh lime. I also added chicken, and I was quite impressed with the quality; it was presented as a full breast, perfectly browned and cut into about 1 inch strips. It's tough to get too excited about the lunch...I think I'm a bit skewed as I've had some really good Thai food as of late.

Noodles & Co won't blow you away, but for the price, it's not a terrible lunch option. Certainly a refreshing addition to the UTC food court.]]>Fri, 17 Sep 2010 03:02:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/192317/noodles-company?CommentCardId=363jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/164530/star-anise
For today's visit, I got Spicy Khee-Mao Noodles with chicken. It was the first time I'd tried the dish in any establishment, and I was very impressed. Pan frying the noodles added a nuttiness that was a nice treat and balanced well with the spice. Oh, also, their spice levels are mild, medium, and spicy, as opposed to the 1-10 scale that is barely consistent within a single restaurant, let alone across different places.

The service here is a bit rushed, but for lunch, I find that to be OK. I'm looking forward to making my way back.]]>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:47:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/164530/star-anise?CommentCardId=362jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22079/bare-back-grillWed, 01 Sep 2010 04:06:51 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22079/bare-back-grill?CommentCardId=361kevinsdhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/176020/pho-la-jolla
Pho La Jolla admirably stays safely among the pack. I went with some tofu spring roles to start, and then went with a regular-sized #3 (rare steak...the safest dish on the menu). Flavors of the soup were good; my one complaint may be that the steak pieces were buried under the noodles, so by the time I got to them, they were well-done steak.

There was a section of the menu that I will go back to explore, which is the Vietnamese sandwiches. From what I could tell, it was various ingredients from the dishes served on a French baguette. I'll report back when I get a chance to try.]]>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:02:06 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/176020/pho-la-jolla?CommentCardId=360jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/salisbury/22126/seaglass-restaurant-loungeThu, 26 Aug 2010 11:59:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/salisbury/22126/seaglass-restaurant-lounge?CommentCardId=359Linhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/salisbury/128580/stripers-grilleThu, 26 Aug 2010 11:51:43 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/salisbury/128580/stripers-grille?CommentCardId=358Linhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/755/taste-of-lebanon
Being a fan of variety, I got the mixed kabob plate. It came with one kabab each of chicken, steak, and kefta (ground beef), with a side of rice, salad, and hummus. Everything was quite good (OK, the rice was just so-so). The chicken and steak were tender and juicy, and the hummus was a nice side.

Other than that, there's not too much to say. It's counter service, and the interior is a bit piecemeal, but the food was good value for the money. Definitely worth checking out.]]>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:55:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/755/taste-of-lebanon?CommentCardId=357jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/santa-barbara/56595/bouchonMon, 23 Aug 2010 16:43:27 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/santa-barbara/56595/bouchon?CommentCardId=356K2Ohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/120/callahan-s-pub-brewery
Our waitress came over and just looked defeated...as though a close family member had passed away earlier that week. We ordered up 2 pints of their house red beer for the special happy hour price of $3/a whack, and I had a Chicken Cobb salad. The salad came out and looked a bit de-constructed, with each ingredient placed on a separate area of the plate. No problem, I'll mix up those pesky ingredients. Actually the salad wasn't bad at all...my earlier reference to the quality of the food is a remnant from prior visits.

We proceeded to have a few more beers, and eventually got the check. My compatriot was a bit peeved that we were never told when happy hour ended and the price of our drinks got jacked up after the first round. I didn't care too much, myself, but whatever.

Callahan's is the only bar in the Mira Mesa area of its kind, and after several times there, you just get the impression that they don't try very hard. I'd like to see someplace else come in and make a run at it. Callahan's has the potential to be great, but instead...they just seem to go through the motions.]]>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:21:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/120/callahan-s-pub-brewery?CommentCardId=355jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/161848/surf-brothers-teriyaki
Being a fan of variety, I tried out the combo, with an add on slider and white rice. My food was ready within 2 minutes; this is likely due to the fact that there was a guy working a small grill surface just turning and burning kabobs. We grabbed a table outside as there are only 3 seats inside. The food was pretty good. The chicken was nice and tender, and the slider was great (it was served on a Hawaiian sweet roll with cole slaw...good stuff). The rice and slaw that came on the side were also really high quality. I was less impressed with the quality of the steak, but it was still pretty good. Beware - that unmarked bottle of red sauce on the table is not BBQ...it's Sriracha. Had I known, I wouldn't have been quite so heavy handed.

If you watch Kitchen Nightmares, you'll notice that Gordon Ramsay is always preaching the theme of smaller menus with less qualities. Surf Brothers has adopted that mantra ad nauseam, and with great results.]]>Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:25:45 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/161848/surf-brothers-teriyaki?CommentCardId=353jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/160717/sushi-townTue, 17 Aug 2010 21:55:44 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/160717/sushi-town?CommentCardId=352jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/160717/sushi-town
The process seemed a bit highfalutin for me (for those that read my posts...you know I'm a simple man ;)), so I just went with their lunch special. It consisted of a teriyaki bowl (I went with chicken), a drink, and a couple pieces of sushi. In general, I wasn't too impressed with the food quality. The sushi (spicy tuna) was a bit gamey, and the teriyaki bowl was decent, but unspectacular (although it was a big portion of food). I was able to upgrade from white to fried rice for the low price of $1, which I jumped on. I will say, we each got a simple salad before our meals that had a great dressing.

Well, I never thought I would love sushi served in a dive-bar type atmosphere from a conveyor belt, and today didn't change my opinion. That said, the atmosphere is cool and high on novelty factor and the service was really friendly. I'd go back; I'd probably even try the conveyer belt sushi next time.]]>Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:21:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/160717/sushi-town?CommentCardId=351jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21601/rubios-la-jolla
As a rule, I typically go with the cheese quesadilla and taco with a random protein. I think the world famous fish is my favorite, but it's nice to mix it up.

Now don't get me wrong...it doesn't take much time or effort to find an authentic Mexican taco stand with 4 times the quality and half the cost here in San Diego, but as an alternate...Rubios isn't a terrible option.]]>Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:35:44 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21601/rubios-la-jolla?CommentCardId=350jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/burlington/3065/bickford-s-family-restaurant
Plus, you have to give props to anyplace that serves breakfast all day. Thanks for the memories, Bickfords. And feel free to expand to Southern California one of these days.]]>Sun, 15 Aug 2010 05:25:08 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/burlington/3065/bickford-s-family-restaurant?CommentCardId=349jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/236/edamamiWed, 04 Aug 2010 23:18:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/236/edamami?CommentCardId=347K2Ohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/80437/bankers-hill-bar-
I had the watermelon and watercress salad as a starter. It's a simple concoction, and the name pretty much says it all. But they touched it up with a nice presentation, and a chilled plate and all that. So for what it was - I liked it.

For a main course, I had the fetuccine bolognese, which was very very good. An extremely good combination of tastes, with very soft, fresh pasta. It was a thing of beauty.

I washed it all down with a locally brewed Sculpin from Ballast Point (branded as the "Bankers Hill Beer"). That really hit the spot, and any San Diego craft brew connoisseur will tell you that it's one of the best IPA's out there. Well done, BHBR.

The only negative point that I can make is when the check arrived, and I noted that my [excellent] Sculpin IPA cost about as much as my entree. But in reality, I would have paid a couple bucks more for my entree, and hoped to save a couple bucks on the beverage, so I guess it's all even in the end.

Altogether you can bet on some great food from a targeted menu; but don't show up too thirsty, or Bankers Hill may break the bank for you. It's a short but healthy walk from Balboa Park if you're looking for a convenient location after the museums. Plenty of street parking. Friendly staff.]]>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:48:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/80437/bankers-hill-bar-?CommentCardId=346Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/80437/bankers-hill-bar-
So, I pretty much knew what I was getting before even taking a seat at the fairly-empty bar...the BH Burger with truffle fries. Wanting to get a bit of variety, I also ordered the deviled eggs--let's start there. They were able to take a very mundane dish and turn up the quality. The whites were as expected, and the yolks were light and creamy. Bringing the flavor was a bed of arugula and bacon, with potato sticks for a bit of texture. If they weren't the old processed version I used to get in the old cardboard cans, I couldn't tell.

Next up was the burger. I have to say...it lived up to the hype. I asked for it medium and it came out a bit under, but I'm glad it did. The meat was so fresh and simply adorned, cooking it any more wouldn't have done it justice. The cheese was just sharp enough to make its presence felt, and the bun was simply amazing (although it did get a big soggy at the end). This is on par with the Jayne Burger for one of the best I've had in San Diego.

I will say, I was a bit taken aback at the price of the beer on tap. We got their local special (a Ballast Point IPA), which was $10 a pint. Considering one can walk about a half mile down the road and get a huge selection of local craft beers for $3 bucks a whack, It seemed a bit strange (we got 2 beers, with apps and entrees, and the beers represented more the a quarter of the bill). I didn't check out the price of their remaining selection, so maybe we just got something pretty rare.

Anyway, the food here is pretty special, certainly worth the trip.]]>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:48:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/80437/bankers-hill-bar-?CommentCardId=345jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/truckee/130680/burger-me
The building is somewhat industrial --- like it had been a car repair shop before. Parking can be a challenge -- spaces are across a busy street -- that's about the only 'con' I can think of.

Options are many --- we were in the mood for a burger fix so we split a basic cheeseburger --- you have a choice of white or whole wheat buns -- we opted for whole wheat and it came with crisp shredded lettuce, tomato, pickle and 'secret sauce'. ($6.45) All the ingredients are grown in the surrounding community, where possible. The beef comes from Meyer Ranch - meaning no hormones and sustainable farming. Their hot dogs are Niman Ranch.

We couldn't resist the sweet potato fries ($3.00) which were just the right thickness - bigger than shoe string - and not the least bit greasy...they were slightly garlicky with parsley.....There were several condiments at the bar -- playfully called "Condiment Me"....we got some chipotle mayo as a dip for the fries and what a combo it was.

The service was great (you order and pick up your own food) and the folks behind the counter were friendly and efficient..

This is a great place to stop before heading to Reno ----- or, over the hill to Sacramento. Great value. It was just reviewed by Guy Fieri of the food network this week under the theme Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. ]]>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:26:59 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/truckee/130680/burger-me?CommentCardId=344makbostonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ny/new-york/13793/ayza-cafe-wine-barThu, 10 Jun 2010 12:55:07 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ny/new-york/13793/ayza-cafe-wine-bar?CommentCardId=341http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/hampton/21549/the-old-saltTue, 08 Jun 2010 18:24:31 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/hampton/21549/the-old-salt?CommentCardId=340http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/83671/pizzicato
It was just me, so I went with a couple slices of pepperoni and a pint of Stone. The pizza was really interesting. It had a thin crust...extra thin in the middle (FYI...this usually happens when people expand the dough by throwing and twirling it). Maybe the thinest I've ever had. It was great, though--I had a perfect little char around the edges that enhanced the taste. And the pepperoni's were huge, as were the slices themselves. For 6 bucks for two, I was very impressed.

Service was warm and friendly, and the dining room was clean and nicely decorated. They do counter service, but has the feel of sit-down restaurant. This will be my new pizza option, despite the slightly longer walk.]]>Sun, 06 Jun 2010 03:52:42 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/83671/pizzicato?CommentCardId=339jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21703/bleu-boheme
Anyway, after spilling most of the water on the table, I ordered up some edibles. To start, we shared the small meat and cheese plate. I was pushing for a large, but as it turned out, small was just right. There was a pretty good variety of items , including 6 types of cheeses, a few types of meats and pate's, some honeycomb and a Fig Newton-like triangular schmear (which I later learned was made from figs...go figure). Pretty good stuff here. I've had better cheese plates, but this one certainly didn't disappoint. Oh, and their standard bread offering is excellent--fresh and grainy with a rustic feel.

For dinner, I went with a special. It was braised steak stuffed with spinach, onions, cornichons and a variety of seasonings. On the side came some roasted potatoes and zucchini that was prepped to look like sushi (classy touch). All in all, the dish was good, but there were a ton of flavors happening that didn't really compliment each other. It wasn't bad, by any means...it just represented a plate where the whole was not greater than the sum if its parts.

We bowed out of dessert, but there were several interesting mousse dishes on the menu. The service was interesting, too. At certain times during the meal, there were a veritable army of people adding or removing plates from our table. Nice touch, BB.

Bleu Boheme is a pretty cool spot. Decent food and service, and a great atmosphere. I'm not in any great rush to get back, but I'll get there in time.]]>Fri, 28 May 2010 22:35:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21703/bleu-boheme?CommentCardId=338jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22298/proper-gastropub
The pub itself is nestled in the bosom of the ballpark, right next to Wine Steals (with whom they are affiliated). It was a chilly night, but we opted to seat out on their second floor patio based on the promise of toasty heat lamps. I started out with the fried mac and cheese balls, served with pomodoro sauce. Let's see...what's the most appropriate description? Oh, I know -- GROSS! These things were disgusting. Blander than hell, and completely mis-paired with the sauce. In fact, it brought me back to the days of eating box mac & cheese with ketchup (a taste which all people grow out of before the age of 5). Next course...their pub burger with bacon. Now we're talking...this was a pretty nice dish. The burger was fresh and juicy, the bun was grilled and toasty, the fries were great. I only wish the bun was a bit bigger as the meal got a big messy.

The beer selection was pretty much par-for-the-course, but had a few interesting selections, including my local favorite, Green Flash West Coast IPA. Service was fine and the atmosphere is pretty cool. Just get those mac & cheese balls off the menu, and you may be onto something, there. ]]>Wed, 26 May 2010 02:32:07 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22298/proper-gastropub?CommentCardId=337jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21369/hamilton-s-tavern
Other than the ominous ceiling trap, the interior of Hamilton's is dark and divey. The room to the right contains a couple of pool tables and a shuffleboard type game. The beer selection is impressive to say the least. Ordering is a bit strange, they have an order/pickup window in the back corner of the room. The menu is impressive, and we had to try a variety of the offerings.

We got an order of the Baja hot dogs, and chili-cheese tater tots for appetizers (although, it all came out at the same time). The Baja dogs were tasty, but really, it was just supermarket-type hot dogs on supermarket-type buns and topped with a spicy tomato relish. The tater-tots, on the other hand, were pretty special. You almost had to eat them like stew, but it was a great combination of flavors.

For my main meal (oh, and BTW...there's no need to order this much food. the sandwich portions are huge), I went with the "Wimpy's Special" grilled cheese. This was, without a doubt, the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever tried. It was stuffed with shredded chicken and had just a touch of chipotle sauce. The bread was huge and the quality of the cheddar really stood out, but also married perfectly into the dish. The fries are also quite tasty, and you get a ton of them.

This was the first time I got to eat at Hamilton's because it's always packed; based on the quality of the food, it's easy to figure out why. The food here is a must-try.]]>Sun, 23 May 2010 18:12:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21369/hamilton-s-tavern?CommentCardId=336jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54708/prepkitchen
First off, the food here is outstanding. We started with a trio of appetizers...the peppers stuffed with chicken and goat cheese (this was highly recommended to us and cemented our decision to try Prep Kitchen), a beet salad with goat cheese, and a tuna confit salad. We also got some focaccia bread on the side. The peppers were indeed magical, showcasing a great flavor and complementary texture that really came together. The beet salad was about what I had expected...simple and fresh. The tuna confit was not quite was I was expecting, and I'm not sure I would get it again. It wasn't at all bad...I think my best comparison would tuna in a can with pieces similar to what you may get from large lump crab. Texture was a bit tougher though.

For an entree, I went with the porchetta. I had never had the dish before, so have not basis for comparison, but it was pretty good. Some bites had a chewy/fatty texture that I didn't love, but the flavor was great and it was served in a pool of au jus that was a nice complement. You get a choice of sides, and the mashed potatoes were as good as I've ever had as they had a nice creamy texture and were expertly seasoned.

Service was great and our waitress was friendly and very knowledgeable about the food. We frequently solicited recommendations with exquisite results. Also, having tried a few bites off my friends dishes, I can testify that both the half-roasted chicken and lamb steak were both top notch. In fact, what really differentiates Prep Kitchen is the chef's ability to marry flavors.

Give it a shot, and if you need a great date spot...this is your place. ]]>Fri, 14 May 2010 03:05:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54708/prepkitchen?CommentCardId=335jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54069/mardi-gras-cafe-
Anyway, this has more of the feel of a grocery mart that serves food than an actual restaurant. There are 3 tables and quite a bit of clutter. For dinner, I went with the small Muffuletta sandwich and a side of alligator sausage. One word of advice...when getting a Muffuletta sandwich here, go with the small, unless of course you're looking to feed about 4 people. Flavor wise...not bad, but I've had better (at 6th avenue bistro to be precise).

This was my first time trying alligator, and it's good. The sausage was cut into small bits and taste like (you guessed it) chicken or turkey, but with a slightly sweet tinge. That's some delicious stuff.

Service is very friendly but completely unorganized. Not a problem...in fact, it adds to the charm of the place.]]>Wed, 12 May 2010 19:41:33 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/54069/mardi-gras-cafe-?CommentCardId=334jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22036/blind-lady-ale-houseSun, 02 May 2010 02:27:58 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22036/blind-lady-ale-house?CommentCardId=333Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21678/domino-s-pizzaSun, 02 May 2010 00:15:42 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21678/domino-s-pizza?CommentCardId=332Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/503/mountain-mike-s-pizzaSat, 01 May 2010 23:36:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/503/mountain-mike-s-pizza?CommentCardId=331Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22105/south-beach-bar-grilleSat, 01 May 2010 23:09:35 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22105/south-beach-bar-grille?CommentCardId=330Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22297/the-smoking-goat
First off, this place is tiny; it's only got about 6 or 7 tables, unless they've got another room or something that I didn't even see. We were lucky enough to have one open up just as we arrived. Drink selection is limited. They've only got two beers on tap (none in a bottle) and about a dozen wines.

Let's see..I ordered a bunch of food. I just couldn't resist the duck-fat fries, or the macaroni and cheese (our competition is just around the corner). I was going to go with a lamb dish, but when the waitress announced that Halibut was on special...I had to call an audible. Let's start with the Mac and Cheese; it was delicious. By far the best thing I ordered. The mix of cheeses came together in a great way and beautifully coated the small noodles. The duck-fat fries also had great flavor, but the spuds themselves were really unspectacular, reminding me of those found in a mid-level chain restaurant.

The entree of Halibut was a bit of a disappointment. Now bear in mind...Halibut is my favorite fish, so my expectations may be a bit out of line, but this offering was dry, stringy, and light on flavor. On the other hand, the accompanying vegetable medley featuring white asparagus was quite good. They did have a couple of interesting desserts and I went with their brownie with ice cream which was a decent-yet-unspectacular close to the meal. They also had a banana bread which I got to try and was pretty impressed with.

Smoking Goat isn't bad, but I'm in no great hurry to get back. They're pretty highly rated on Yelp, so maybe I just caught them on a so-so night. ]]>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:17:49 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22297/the-smoking-goat?CommentCardId=329jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/688/sixth-avenue-bistro
I went with their Smoked Cajun Frittata, with andouille sauage and mushrooms. Pretty good dish...it was smothered in a spicy mix of the listed ingredients and a butt-load of melted cheese. Flavor was good and the eggs were well prepared (unlike the last omelette I had a few blocks up on Sixth). Service was a tad impersonal, but otherwise on par. The accompaniments, English muffin and roasted red potatoes, were also good, making breakfast overall a win. ]]>Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:09:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/688/sixth-avenue-bistro?CommentCardId=328jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/87/broadway-pizzago get ya something to eat, but i suggest you go to the place father joe has set up for free food if you want decent service and quality food. a shame when you have to compare "broadway pizza" to a soup kitchen.
NASTY!]]>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:31:35 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/87/broadway-pizza?CommentCardId=324http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22287/farm-house-cafe
As for the service, it was spot on. When I walked in, I was greeted warmly by the manager/hostess, who was stationed behind the bar, enjoying a glass of white wine. After sitting down, I was soon approached by my waitress for the evening. The recited the specials eloquently, and was very knowledgeable about food in general. I ordered one of their appetizer specials, a seared foie gras dish served over brioche and field greens. It was delicious and a great predecessor for my Scallop entree.

The scallops were OK, but served in a very strange dish (picture a soup dish with long brim...sort of like an upside down hat). Eating scallops from this plate was a bit awkward, but I was able to power through. The potatoes at the bottom were sublime. I believe the preparation was "poached in olive oil". They were of a smashed consistency, but rich, creamy, and decadent.

For dessert, I had an almond panna cotta which was a nice end to the meal. I had two small issues with my Farm House experience. The first is the size of their menu; it's quite small and lacks enough variety...perhaps a chicken dish would be get at least one more person through the door (heh). The second was I didn't really care too much for the wines I had. I got a Barnett Pinot Noir and their Malbec by the glass (can't recall the vineyard, but there is only one). Both mediocre IMHO. Oh well, that's why they have corkage ($15 if you're wondering, but they ask they you limit to two bottles).

Farm House is a quaint little spot with great food and amazing service. Certainly worth a trip.
]]>Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:07:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22287/farm-house-cafe?CommentCardId=323jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22267/pizzeria-bruno-napoletanoWed, 17 Mar 2010 07:47:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22267/pizzeria-bruno-napoletano?CommentCardId=322http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22294/bangin-burgers
Jason]]>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:15:57 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22294/bangin-burgers?CommentCardId=321http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22275/kous-kous
The waitress was super friendly, and patiently reviewed many of the menu options with us. The owner also took quite a bit of time to chat with us at the end of our meal--really nice guy and super passionate about what he does. The food was good, but not quite spectacular. I started out with their Traditional B’stila Roll and was delighted by the wonderful mix of flavors. For an entree, I had the Chicken Tagine. I was slightly less impressed with this dish; maybe because I had more chicken that night than I normally eat in a week, or I had the Oceanaire's chicken just a couple days earlier. Overall, the spices were good, but the meat was just a bit dry.

To finish up, we tried out a dessert sampler plate which came with 3 items (cookies, tea, and something I can't quite remember...I shouldn't take so long to write these reviews :-/). Being a fan of gigantic, overflowing chocolate lava cakes, this wasn't really my cup of tea (pun indended...hahaa, you're welcome), but it was a nice, light, sweet course to finish off a decent meal. ]]>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:20:56 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22275/kous-kous?CommentCardId=320jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22294/bangin-burgers
There was some good and bad. Let's start with the bad (always more fun). The place is confusing. At a glance, it looks like a sit-down restaurant complete with a bar. EVERYBODY who came in and sat at the bar asked for a drink and menu before being told that they had to go to the counter. "Where's the counter?" they asked. "Just around the corner" was the stock response from the apethetic server. OK, whatever. The girl at the counter was actually very friendly and helpful. I ordered a burger with cheddar, bacon, and onions, some cajun fries, and a beer. They actually offer a combo which includes fries and a soda, but I was able to upgrade my soda to a beer (screw you, Diet Coke) for a mere $2. I was given a number (9 for those of you keeping track at home) and ambled back to my original seat at the bar. Thankfully, it was still available and my beer was chilled and awaiting my arrival.

OK, on to the food. In about 5 minutes, my burger and cajun fries arrived. Now let me preface this by saying there were no condiments (except for salt and pepper) to be found. Mustard? nope. Ketchup? nope. A1 Steak Sauce? ahhh...nope. Now, maybe there is a wait station someplace that I can go acquire these things, but I was too lazy to look. That said...none of that stuff was really needed. The burger was delicious. Moist, juicy, and full of flavor. The bun was big and capable of holding such a meaty beast, and there were none of the add-ons that I normally discard, anyway (lettuce, tomato, pickle). The fries were fine, but couldn't stand up to the wow factor delivered by that burger.

Anything else? Beer selection was decent and parking was ample. Fix your service model, BB, and I'll certainly be back. I may show up anyway, now that I know how to order.]]>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:19:09 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22294/bangin-burgers?CommentCardId=319jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1722/alborz
The first thing that stood out upon entry was the vast, empty dining room. Not a great sign, but no reason to turn and run, either. The five of us arrived individually in 4 minute intervals and eventually, the party was complete. The waitress came over and asked us if we wanted anything to drink. "What do you have for beer?", I inquired. She opened with "Greek Beer" and then continued to rattle off four or five brands I wouldn't drink if you paid me. No problem...I'll take what's behind door number 2. In fact, we were all sucked in by the lure of the mysterious "Greek Beer". It was fine--light and crisp; I doubt I'd get it again. (sorry for the inappropriate build up...sorta bored right now).

Anyway, for dinner, I went with the Tadig. Essentially, it a heap of basmati rice that is fried until is has the texture of a balsa-wood model plane. No lie...it's crunchy (although a perfect golden brown). Top that with a stew made of pomegranate and walnuts and you've got yourself an appetizer that everybody will try, but won't be finished or taken home (in its defense, the portion was huge).

Next up, the main course. I got 2 beef skewers...one of filet mingon and the other of ground beef. Now we're onto something here. Both of these were expertly seasoned, but the ground beef one was magical. Hints of sweet and spice (would have been great on lamb) and moist as a...umm...moist thing (an apt simile escapes me right now).

All in all, a good meal with decent, but unspectacular, service. Their corkage was a bit steep ($15) for the establishment in my opinion, but oh well. Still a good meal.]]>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:24:01 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1722/alborz?CommentCardId=318jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-dinerMon, 22 Feb 2010 08:50:44 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-diner?CommentCardId=317http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/salem/3767/the-colosseum-restaurantThu, 11 Feb 2010 17:27:32 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/salem/3767/the-colosseum-restaurant?CommentCardId=315http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/revere/2926/uncle-nino-sThu, 11 Feb 2010 13:11:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/revere/2926/uncle-nino-s?CommentCardId=314http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ut/holladay/22260/gepetto-sSat, 23 Jan 2010 10:46:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ut/holladay/22260/gepetto-s?CommentCardId=311http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-senTue, 19 Jan 2010 17:54:13 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-sen?CommentCardId=310http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22248/la-jolla-strip-club
The interior is dark (they really play on the "strip club" motif), but the vibe is cool. They've even got a lounge area where you can play pool and sit on comfy-looking couches. You have to walk through a service area to get there, though. For lunch, I got the Sassy Burger; admittedly, my hopes moderate. I have been to the Gaslamp location and wasn't a fan. I have to admit, though, I was really impressed. The burger was perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. In fact, one of the better burgers I've had in SD.

Service was friendly, and the girls were dressed to go along with the strip-club motif...sexily. I'll have to get back for a happy hour to see what the place looks with some people in it.
]]>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:42:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22248/la-jolla-strip-club?CommentCardId=309jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22183/bice-ristorante
First of all, let me say that the service here was the best I've had ever for a first-time visit to a restaurant. The staff was super friendly, knowledgeable, and had the timing down to a tee. To start out, I went with the prosciutto and burrata appetizer. It was simply amazing. The cheese was incredibly fresh, as was the meat. It was my first time trying burrata (which is a fresh mozzarella that is a bit soft in the center).

Next up, based on a staff recommendation, I went with the meat tortellini served in an aged cheese sauce with peas and prosciutto (and yes, that is a lot of prosciutto for one meal, but it's sooo good. Mind your own business). Another great dish, although the sauce was so flavorful, the meat was a bit overpowered.

For dessert, I got a trio of chocolate morsles. To be honest, I wasn't too impressed with this one. It was just too rich and didn't work. Oh well, you can't win em all...

All in all, I loved BiCE, and could certainly see myself becoming a regular there. The service and food are amazing and the prices are very reasonable. I had even left my credit-card there and when I went back the next day, the staff had remembered me before I even asked. I can't wait to get back and try their cheese bar.]]>Sun, 27 Dec 2009 11:38:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22183/bice-ristorante?CommentCardId=307jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22232/hexagone
The decor of Hexagone is elegant in an out-dated sort of way. We sat at the bar and were promptly and warmly greeted. Since all beer was being sold for $3 per bottle, we went with a Chimey and Duval. Another perk of the happy hour was the $6 appetizers. This prompted us to go all out...we ordered the scallops, the cheese plate and the charcuterie. The scallops and cheese plate were both good offerings (and great values), where the charcuterie was a bit unimpressive. Oh well, two out of three ain't bad.

Next up was the entree. I went with the beef short rib dish which was very impressive. The way the meat was cooked was what you would expect, but the sauce was spectacular. Very strongly seasoned, but not too over-the-top. Also impressively seasoned were the sides...a simple vegetable medley and potatoes.

Upon viewing the dessert menu, one item jumped off the page-the bananas foster cheesecake. I have to say, as brilliant as the idea is...the execution could have been better. The quality of the cheesecake was good...better than average, in fact, but there was just too little foster sauce and it was a bit too thick. It was still good, but could have been so much more.

All in all, this is a great little place. The service was impeckable and the food teetered between good and great. Throw in the happy hour special, and you can get out of there for super cheap. This place is definitely worth going out of the way for.]]>Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:53:40 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22232/hexagone?CommentCardId=306jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/580/phil-s-bbq
Apparently, the trick is to go to the bar. It allows one to sidestep the ever-long lines one must endure to eat in the dining room. Wanting to try as much as I could, I got a chicken and pork-rib combo, and added a single beef rib. And what BBQ meal would be complete without sides...between the four of us, we split some beans, fries, and onion rings.

First of all...it was a ton of food; by the end, I was so full, I could barely move. As for the food itself, it was decent BBQ fare. For the meats on the plate, the pork ribs were the highlight, and I will say, the sauce was just a little bit magical. It had a strong vinegar presence that wakes up the taste buds without being too tart. The chicken was also good, but I wouldn't order the beef rib again.
The sides were also great, especially the thick-cut onion rings.

The experience as a whole is a bit non-traditional. We ordered our food at the bar, but had to walk up to a counter to pick up our food. Then, when an order of o-rings was omitted, the bartender took care of that. A little be chaotic, but the service was friendly and we never wanted for attention or refills on our drinks (BTW, the beer selection is marginal at best).

Phil's is a good spot. I have to say, I wouldn't wait too long in line (which is no reflection on the quality...I just don't like lines), so I guess I'll have to stick to off times. We went on a Wednesday night at about 8 and got in pretty easily.]]>Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:08:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/580/phil-s-bbq?CommentCardId=305jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22200/redzone-sports-bar-and-grill
I started off with a Bloody Mary and asked for the breakfast menu. The selection is small...only about 4-5 items. What I ordered was a basic egg breakfast (eggs, bacon, hash-browns, and Texas toast). Admittedly, my hopes were low...they don't look like a place the is going to wow you with their food. That said I was very pleasantly surprised. Obviously, the dish is very basic, but they got every element perfect. The hash browns and toast were particularly good. Unfortunately, the service paled by comparison. Overall, the bartender was cold and spent most of the time complaining about her job (somebody didn't show up, last night sucked, etc.). I get this...everybody has bad days, and it can be tough to hide it, but it compromises the customer's experience. On the flip side, the bar-back/bus boy was super friendly and attentive.

The other bar patrons were also very friendly and many good conversations were had. I ended up staying for the late games and even ordered more food (the appetizer sampler to be exact). This was more what I had originally expected...decent but unspectacular bar food.

Anyway, I wouldn't make this place a regular destination, but it's a pretty good place to watch the games (the TV array is impressive). Beer selection is so-so, but the Bloody Mary was really good.]]>Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:53:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22200/redzone-sports-bar-and-grill?CommentCardId=304jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/miami-beach/9590/carrabba-sMon, 21 Dec 2009 14:35:25 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/miami-beach/9590/carrabba-s?CommentCardId=303http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22112/cucina-urbanaSat, 19 Dec 2009 20:02:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22112/cucina-urbana?CommentCardId=302http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8983/milanos-pizzaWed, 09 Dec 2009 19:13:14 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8983/milanos-pizza?CommentCardId=301http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21366/ritual-tavernSun, 06 Dec 2009 07:35:27 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21366/ritual-tavern?CommentCardId=300benhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21423/parallel-33Sun, 06 Dec 2009 07:26:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21423/parallel-33?CommentCardId=299benhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21700/puerto-la-boca
The spot lies on the northern tip of Little Italy and quite a homey and inviting feel. I think the entire staff was from Argentina, and when I walked in, the TV was blaring with a heated soccer match...what more evidence to you need? ;)

The menu reads like that of a steakhouse (which this may very well be), and once I ordered my dinner, I was given bread service. Pay attention, this is important. You get some bread, olives, flavored butter, and a dish of chimichurri. As it turns out, the chimichurri was the cornerstone of my mean. This stuff was sublime, and you may not think so, but it tastes good on anything and everything. Have some bread? Add some chimichurri. Steak on the plate? How about a dose of chimichurri. Hell, I almost plopped a spoonful into my wine (which was actually a delicious Malbec that didn't really need chimichurri). This stuff is magical and you should eat as much as you can.

Anyway, on their appetizer menu, they offer empanadas individually. I saw this as an opportunity to try one of each kind. Here's the breakdown (on a scale of 1 - 10):

Spinach: 6
Corn: 7
Beef: 7
Chicken: 8
Ham: 9

Also, you can add 2 points to any of the scores above by adding a slathering of chimichurri. For an entree, I went with their mixed grill of skewered tenderloin steak and chicken. It was a decent offering highlighting distinct but mild seasonings.

I finished up with a chocolate cake and glass of port wine. The wine was nondescript (I think it was a Sandeman's Ruby or something) but was served in a super cool, long-stemmed port glass. The mousse cake was tasty and went down well.

Service was non-traditional and my meal was finished with an in-depth review of all of the special events and happy hour savings I should be enjoying. My one word advice would be do dial-down the marketing pitch. It almost cheapens the good food, great value, and delicious chimichurri I enjoyed.



]]>Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:49:11 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21700/puerto-la-boca?CommentCardId=298jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/needham/22182/pomodoroSun, 22 Nov 2009 20:58:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/needham/22182/pomodoro?CommentCardId=297http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/weymouth/22207/littlenecks-bar-grillSun, 22 Nov 2009 11:06:55 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/weymouth/22207/littlenecks-bar-grill?CommentCardId=296http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22206/redfield-s-lounge
Both the on-tap beer and food menus are lacking in both the quantity and quality of their respective offerings. There were only 4 beers on tap. OK, they had a Sam Adams seasonal so I can live with that. For lunch, I went with mini chili dogs.

Now, the only reason I went with chili dogs was that the selection was weak, and they dedicate a lot of space on their menu to them. Hmmm...is it possible that a great chef can take some animal taints, compress them into a cylinder, slather them with chili and cheddar cheese, plop the whole concoction on a bun, and craft a noteworthy signature dish? Well, maybe, but that didn't happen here. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. It's just that I could have replicated the dish with ingredients from the local convenient store for a fraction of the price.

The service was pretty good. The bartender was friendly, fast (bear in mind, I was one of 3 people at the bar), and charming. I just wish they put a little more effort into their ingestibles...so much potential.]]>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:32:00 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22206/redfield-s-lounge?CommentCardId=295jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/361/island-prime
First of all, the view from most of the dining room is amazing. It sits at the end of harbor island and overlooks the San Diego skyline from the opposite side of the bay. OK, you're not really going to do much better in terms of atmosphere. Also, the service was pretty solid. The waiter was able to speak intelligently about both the food and wine and the timing was spot on.

The food, strangely, was all over the place. Here's the breakdown:
- Caramelized onion + cheese tart (daily special): Excellent
- Caprese: bland in flavor and mushy tomatoes
- Halibut: dry and flavorless.
- Yukon Gold Potato Gratin: Unbelievably good. A solid 10
- Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus: Not bad, but asparagus was overdone and stringy

So there you go. I still recommend checking out Island Prime if for nothing else than the view, but the menu is a minefield...tread carefully.
]]>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:59 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/361/island-prime?CommentCardId=294jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21498/suite-tenderSun, 15 Nov 2009 20:08:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21498/suite-tender?CommentCardId=293Momhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22112/cucina-urbana
Anyway, the food is Northern Italian and pretty well prepared. I had their risotto appetizer--a carbonara-esque preparation. It was good, albeit a tad under-seasoned. The main course, however, was spectacular. A duck confit sauce served over tagliatelle pasta. This one had amazing flavor and was cooked to a perfect al dente. I highly recommend trying it. To finish off, I had a pumpkin cheesecake. Not usually something I'd go with, but it was good nonetheless.

The dining room has an extravagant feel and stands out for its many community tables. Not really my bag, but a small price to pay for such delicious wine and food.]]>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:18:40 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22112/cucina-urbana?CommentCardId=292jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/455/maloney-s
I have to admit, based on the initial lackluster customer turnout, I had my doubts about the food. That said, I was pretty pleasantly surprised. I started out with a queso dip. Nothing too out of the ordinary, except that you get way more chips than dip. That aside, the quality of both was good. For lunch, I had the Philly Cheesesteak with hot peppers and onion rings. I think what made the food stand out was the near-perfect seasoning.

The bartender was really friendly and eventually, the place started to fill up a bit. In fact, by the time I left, there were about 20 covers milling about.

This is a cool spot. I expect I'll be back to try it out again.]]>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:27:08 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/455/maloney-s?CommentCardId=291jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/335/henry-s-pub
After perusing the mostly nondescript menu, I decided on a Philly steak and cheese pizza. Don't get me wrong--it wasn't a bad dish, but for 13 bucks I got something akin to a deluxe microwave pizza from 7-11. And to be honest, there have been nights when I was drunk and it was 4am where this would have been a winner. Oh well...maybe they do a better job with some of the other dishes.]]>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:04:56 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/335/henry-s-pub?CommentCardId=290jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22150/enoteca-style
For food, we started with a meat and cheese plate. It was pretty crowded with accompaniments and garnishes, but the meats and cheeses, particularly the prosciutto, chorizo, and blue cheese, were excellent. The Paninis were good as well, but were admittedly a step down from the openers. Between the three of us, we got the Kettner (pork), Cedar (roast beef), and Date (ham). They were decent, in fact the bread was really good, but they had been pretty hyped to me so I guess I wanted a bit more.

The ambiance was nice too; the simple and elegant interior seems to draw a younger clientele.
]]>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:13:59 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22150/enoteca-style?CommentCardId=289jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-diner]]>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:49:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-diner?CommentCardId=288http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22179/pizzeria-luigi
Luigi's is a small shop nestled on the main drag of Little Italy. It's pretty basic...in place of a readable menu is a display case of various pies. I ordered up 2 slices for a very reasonable $5. They were pretty good, but not too much better than you'd expect from any corner pizza shop. I had a pepperoni and jalapeno which was extremely average, and a ricotta with meatball and tomatoes. I have to admin, the latter pretty damn good.

This is a decent place, but wouldn't go out of the way to eat here. Not sure what about this place made it Food Network worthy...I guess that's why I don't work in the television.]]>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:02:31 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22179/pizzeria-luigi?CommentCardId=287jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/north-miami-beach/10020/tuna-s-garden-grille
Location/atmosphere: right next to Greynolds park, its outdoor bar and patio make you feel as if you are in a forest. It’s cozy and friendly.

Service: The bartenders & servers are always super-friendly. Some may not be the most efficient at times, but my expectations are always higher than average, so most would agree that service is usually above average. The owner is present most of the times and interacts with customers.

Music & entertainment: Set-up in the outdoor patio, there is good quality live entertainment from Thursday to Sunday. Thursdays features HOT ROD, a 3 man band who performs Rod Stewart songs (even better than the real Rod Stewart). Fridays & Saturdays there is a one man band (Steve), who interacts with the customers and play a variety of tunes from the 60’s-70’s, and Sundays features different artists. Customers of all ages often get up and dance in the patio as they are taken by the friendly atmosphere and nostalgic music. Great fun!

Food: The chef, Rolf, really cooks up quality & plentiful dishes. There is a happy hour menu from which my wife & I usually order with all kinds of choices. So far, there have not been any disappointments, but rather welcomed surprises as each time we order, the quality & taste are always better than we expected. Additionally, there is an indoor restaurant with a regular menu and high quality food in a quiet romantic setting.

Pricing: With a fantastic daily happy hour 7 days a week, it is a FANTASTIC deal, especially for ladies who have 2x1 beers. Also, no cover charge and customers sitting at the bar get a free shot every time the train goes by. It’s a tradition.

Overall, I cannot think of any other place which provides so much pleasure for the money. It’s No. 1 on my list of places to go for daily happy hour or dinner with fantastic entertainment, drink & food in a super friendly and cozy atmosphere. Check it out.
]]>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:56:43 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/north-miami-beach/10020/tuna-s-garden-grille?CommentCardId=286http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/md/baltimore/12684/jimmy-s-famous-seafoodSun, 11 Oct 2009 18:34:23 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/md/baltimore/12684/jimmy-s-famous-seafood?CommentCardId=285http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/95/buon-appetito
Buon Appetito has been recommended to me by several passers-by and I finally made it down there to scope it out. Since it's always so busy, I went in early afternoon on a Sunday to up the odds of getting a seat. I sat at the bar (OK, it's not much of a bar) where I believe the manager was changing out menus. I'm not sure people usually sit here, but I was very warmly greeted and menus were moved just to make me feel welcome. After sitting down, I was given a menu, and a quick walk through from the manager (who ended up waiting on me for the rest of my time there). It was fairly basic (I stuck to the specials page).

First out was the bread. Fresh and served with a side of light tomato sauce. I still say that Flemings has the best bread service in the area (that I've tried), but this may be a close second. If they told me the bread just finished baking in the oven, I would have believed it. Next up, the carpaccio. The meat was cut thicker than I've seen in the past (almost an eighth of an inch) and topped with arugula, large capers, and Parmesan cheese. The ingredients were super fresh and the dish was good, but the steak had bit more texture than I generally like in a carpaccio due to its thicker cut.

The entree came next...spinach and cheese ravioli served in a tomato cream sauce. The ravioli was made fresh that day (which I was told, but was also fairly obvious when tasted). In fact, the filling got a bit overpowered by the freshness and flavor of the pasta. That withstanding, this was a delicious offering and certainly the best plate of pasta I've had in San Diego.

To finish off, I went with a chocolate mousse tort and a glass of port. The cake was super rich, but not inedible, but I can't really recommend the port (in fact, neither of the wines I had matched the quality of the food).

One point that needs to be called out is the quality of the service. The experience went pretty fast, but the overall service was spectacular. It really reminded one that it's the hospitality industry. Awesome.]]>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:20:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/95/buon-appetito?CommentCardId=284jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/traverse-city/22158/red-gingerMon, 05 Oct 2009 09:18:42 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/traverse-city/22158/red-ginger?CommentCardId=283Hegemonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/traverse-city/22162/boathouse-restaurantMon, 05 Oct 2009 09:07:45 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/traverse-city/22162/boathouse-restaurant?CommentCardId=282Hegemonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22149/la-gran-tapa
First of all, the place was pretty much empty; this turned out to be a good thing for us as we got some extra attention from the staff and owner. Laying down the jam in the background was a blues singer/guitarist, setting an interesting tone.

For food, we ordered up a slew of dishes. Most of the food was average, but a couple of dishes really stood out. They had a pancetta/potato plate which really hit home. Great seasonings and a cheesy sauce laid the groundwork for this mini masterpiece. The second offering that I recommend everybody try is the homemade potato chips. You heard me...potato chips. Call me crazy, but there was something magical coming from these little tubers. Laced with LSD or another mind-altering substance? I certainly hope not, but it's tough to explain the uncanny appeal of such a mundane dish.

About half way through our meal, the owner joined us and offered up several tastings of food, absinthe, and homemade wine. The hospitality was really unprecedented.

A couple small accounting things to point out...they round up all checks to the nearest quarter, and add a 17.5% gratuity to ALL bills. I don't mind this, but they could have made it a bit more apparent (or perhaps I should have had less to drink). I'm seeing this more and more in restaurants, but I think if you're going to go that route as a restaurant, you need to make it crystal clear.

Although it's A bit off the beaten path for downtown, La Gran Tapa is worth a try or two. Again, the food in general is average, but there are some hidden gems on the menu.]]>Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:26:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22149/la-gran-tapa?CommentCardId=280jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/9287/soleil-de-minuitWed, 30 Sep 2009 23:04:46 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/9287/soleil-de-minuit?CommentCardId=279http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22148/ki-sushi-and-sake-bar
We went in for lunch and were promptly sat. The restaurant wasn't too busy and things moved rather quickly. I went with 2 pieces of tuna (Nigiri) and a pork-katsu bento box. The tuna was decent, but not spectacular...about what you'd expect at your run-of-the-mill sushi place (although the rice was exceptionally well prepared). The bento box was quite a site. The plate/box itself was a work of art, offering spacious separation and even individual portions of sauce for each compartment. The contents of the box were good as well, and contained tons of food.

All in all, a good sushi option. One thing that stood out that I'm not sure I like is the stainless steel chop sticks. While definitely more swanky than normal wood sticks, you kind of got that metallic taste and teeth feel. Oh well, at least no tongue splinters.]]>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:32:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22148/ki-sushi-and-sake-bar?CommentCardId=278jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/az/mesa/22018/bluemoon-vietnamese-kitchenTue, 29 Sep 2009 10:36:13 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/az/mesa/22018/bluemoon-vietnamese-kitchen?CommentCardId=277http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21733/toronado
This night called for a potato pancake, washed down with some Green Flash 30th St Pale Ale. The pancake is big, and comes with a sausage of your choice. Personally, I went with a jalapeno/cheese offering. The casing was a bit thick, but all-in-all, this was a great dish. It comes with a side of sour cream, swimming in what I can only guess is melted apple sauce. Bottom line...the ultimate comfort food.

This is a great spot, with a great feel, in a great neighborhood. Check it out.]]>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:17:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21733/toronado?CommentCardId=276jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-senMon, 28 Sep 2009 13:07:14 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-sen?CommentCardId=275http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/salem/3767/the-colosseum-restaurantTue, 22 Sep 2009 19:25:27 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/salem/3767/the-colosseum-restaurant?CommentCardId=274http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22129/fleming-s-prime-steakhouse-wine-bar
The food was fine, but for the money, there are better options. I got the filet and a side of chipotle mac and cheese. Both acceptable offerings, but I guess their other location has gotten me used to the wow-factor.

A couple of positives. The food runner was really warm and attentive. The steak, while not impressive, was perfectly cooked to medium. Also, Fleming's offers the best bread service in the area IMHO. The fresh herbed loaf with the duo of spreads is great.

You know, I'll definitely be back to Fleming's, but probably not the one downtown. I mean, I'd be willing to throw them a mulligan and chalk it up to a bad night, but with so many other great choices in walking distance (Ruth's Chris, Cowboy Star, Morton's, and Oceanaire (yes, even for steaks)), you don't get very many chances to win over new customers. ]]>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:00:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22129/fleming-s-prime-steakhouse-wine-bar?CommentCardId=273jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/828/wine-sellar-brasserie
There 3 course menu (at $40 per person) was most impressive. To begin, we were treated to an amuse bouche of a small house-made cracker topped with cheese and salmon. It didn't look like much, but the flavor of the salmon really shined through. Next up for me was a beet salad (one of my favorite appetizers when done correctly). Delicious...a bed of baby arugula was a canvas for beets, goat cheese, and toasted hazlenuts. Next up, their beef short rib--rich, decadent, and not too moist. There's nothing worse than a short rib that's been braised to the point where it's lost all of its texture. Beef stew anyone? Not here, though. I do have so say, although better than any other restaurant I've tried, it's not the best I've had at TWS&B.

To finish up this feast was a duo of dessert. A small plate of creme brulee and a morsel of a chocolaty-fudgey thing. While both were delicious, the creme brulee was one of the best I've tried.

A couple things to point out. We brought our own wine (for a nominal corkage fee) and got great service highlighted by full decanting and fresh glasses for each bottle. Also, they actually adjusted their special menu to accommodate my poultry-eating friend's request. That's pretty amazing service in my eyes (particularly after the weak service I had at the downtown Fleming's the night before).

Two more days of restaurant week, but I'd go out of my way to get to TWS&B if you can swing it. I was blown away.]]>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:30:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/828/wine-sellar-brasserie?CommentCardId=272jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22121/burger-lounge
First of all, if you like a wide selection of dishes to choose from, stay away. Brevity defines this menu, offering a scant 11 menu items. You want a beef burger, you've your choice of 1. Not only that, but they don't even take a temperature (normally a sign of suspect beef..."we'll just cook it until we're pretty sure you won't get sick"). That said, the burger was pretty good. It comes with onions (I was given the choice of grilled or raw), tomato, lettuce, and thousand island dressing (AKA, McDonald's Big Mac sauce). It came out lightning fast and tasted pretty good.

For a side, I got the half-and-half fries and rings. Incidentally, half-and-half is not the actually ratio. Try 18% rings and 82% fries. Not a terrible thing as the rings were marginal, anyway. To wash it down, I got a large frosty pale ale.

Service was great, and the place was staffed to the hilt with an army of high school girls, each stopping by to make sure everything was OK. Thanks, high school girls, everything is just great.

You know, I went into Burger Lounge and paid over $20 for a meal of the same quality I could have gotten at In-n-Out Burger for $9, but I have no regrets. Good food and great service are hard to come by in general, so I guess I don't mind paying a bit more.

The End.]]>Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:15:04 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22121/burger-lounge?CommentCardId=271jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22124/broken-yolk
Pretty good outing for a first time, and I was very impressed with their wide selection of omelets. After much deliberating, I went with their Border Check omelet, and short stack of chocolate chip pancakes. Oh, so hard to lay off chocolate chip pancakes when they're available, I do have a few requirements, though...more on that in a bit.

First up, the Border Check omelet. It was delicious. Stuffed with beef chorizo and topped with fresh pico de gallo and a scoop of guacamole, this dish has an authentic Mexican feel. The side of hash browns and English muffin (many others are available, but this is what I went with) were also top notch. This dish is a real winner, and justifies the perpetually long lines.

Then there are the chocolate chip pancakes. As I eluded to before, I think this dish needs to be presented with a little bit of pomp and circumstance. Powdered sugar and whipped cream to be precise. In this offering, the chocolate chips weren't even mixed in the batter, just strewn atop and between the pancakes. Egad.

Anyway, BY offers up a decent experience, worth the wait you will likely have to endure. I'd certainly favor the omelets over the pancakes, though.]]>Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:14:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22124/broken-yolk?CommentCardId=270jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-senWed, 02 Sep 2009 20:05:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-sen?CommentCardId=269http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22117/joey-s-smokin-bbq
The sliders caught my attention because of the variety. One with pork, one with brisket, and one with pulled chicken. The meats were each tender, but the sauce was flavorless. Barely any spice, and it almost seemed to cancel out the natural flavor of the meat. Fortunately, the Mac and Cheese was a nice offering.

This location opened recently and the staff was friendly and attentive. The dining room is nice, but the outside signage is austentatious (though definitely catches the eye...you won't miss this place if you're looking for it).

Some good points, and I may be back to try a few more of their menu offerings, but there's much better BBQ to be found in SD.]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:49:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22117/joey-s-smokin-bbq?CommentCardId=268jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/174/city-pizzeriaSun, 30 Aug 2009 20:34:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/174/city-pizzeria?CommentCardId=267jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22109/indigo-cafe
Indigo is a quaint little place that is often bustling. Today, despite the race going right by, it was a bit slow (about 5 tables). After perusing the menu, I decided on their Cajun Omelet. it's basically a couple of scrambled eggs topped with a ragu of andouille sausage, tomatoes, and some assorted spices. ou'd think it would have some kick, but alas, it ended up being pretty bland and uninspired. The reason, no cheese. Here it is in a nutshell, people...all omelets need cheese. The more the better. Never skimp on the cheese, and certainly never omit it. I'd rather receive a pile cheese with no egg than a beautifully-cooked scramble of eggs without.

Heed my words...add cheese to all omelets you ever make. Your diners will be happier if not a bit chubbier.]]>Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:19:09 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22109/indigo-cafe?CommentCardId=265jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/623/red-pearl-kitchen
It was about 5:30 on Saturday, and the restaurant hadn't started getting busy quite yet. The lighting is a bit dark, but sitting at the bar faces you directly out to the side, making for some interesting people watching. Their menu has a bit of a tapas type feel to it and is very reasonably priced. I started with the Tuna with Tempura eggplant appetizer and it was a hit. The tuna was flavored with a melody of Asian flavors that was super spicy (I like my tuna like I like my women...spicy). And sitting atop the eggplant made for a great contrast in textures.

For and entree, I decided on the Kobe Beef Hot Pot. Ever make a decision that you'd like to have back? I've gotta tell ya, I would have like to had this one back. A more accurate description for this dish would be curried beef stew. It was chunks of beef, carrots, and wide rice noodles served in a curried broth. I wasn't super impressed, but was able to make quite a mess on the bar by attempting to eat such a concoction (this was nobody's fault but my own...I was given a spoon, but have no resistance to using chop-sticks when they are available. I'm getting pretty good).

Sadly, was unable to get my dessert of choice. The chocolate for the chocolate soufflé wasn't prepared, so it would have been an hour. 15 minutes I could do...an hour was too long.

Overall, RPK was good, and a decent value. I'm hoping they more dishes on the caliber of the spicy tuna appetizer. If I discover any, I'll let you know.
]]>Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:08:07 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/623/red-pearl-kitchen?CommentCardId=264jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/2962/hawks-den-cafeFri, 14 Aug 2009 09:46:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/2962/hawks-den-cafe?CommentCardId=263http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22088/taste-thirst-on-fourth
Love this place will be back for sure]]>Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:12:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22088/taste-thirst-on-fourth?CommentCardId=262http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21543/nobu
I must say, I was a bit perplexed by the menu. I'm not a huge expert in Japanese cuisine and couldn't quite decide what to try. The bartender came over and gave me the rundown, recommending several dishes. Wanting to try as much as possible, and not sure how best to craft the courses, I went with the the Omakase. Basically, you just hand over a wad of cash, they'll ask you a few questions about your taste (do you like raw, do you like spicy, have you ever been here, etc) and then just start bringing you food. The whole process is a bit mysterious, so I'll shed some light from my experience.

Quick summary, I was served 10 courses--mostly small to medium sized. ...probably best to do the rundown in list format:

- Tuna in jalapeno sauce (amuse-bouche): This was really disappointing. The tuna was fully (over) cooked and tasted like it came from a can.
- Shrimp gazpacho: Pretty good. They got a really unique texture out of the shirmp. I even ate the head which was tempura fried in contrast to the body.
- King salmon in a spicy sauce with balsamic glaze: OK, I'm not a fan of salmon, but this was spectacular. Lightly seared and lacking the normal fishy salmon taste. This was a 10.
- Salad with 2 pieces of serviche: light and tasty.
- Lobster, served with portabello mushrooms and asparagus: really tasty dish...a bit heavy handed on the salty Japanese flavors, but really good.
- Thin strips of Wagyu Kobe Beef: Excellent dish...served almost raw, but on a hot plate so you could cook the strips to your preferred temp. Also served with mushrooms and asparagus.
- Sushi plate: This was pretty good. Came with 6 different selections, all good but the cavier wrapped in seaweed wasn't for me.
- Miso soup with clams. This tasted like cheddar and bacon. Nice, but not spectacular.
- Cucumber/Melon sorbet: for cleansing the pallet. Worked for me
- Tofu dessert with Ginger Snaps and fruit. This was OK...I prefer big chocolaty desserts, but not bad. I wouldn't order it myself.

I probably don't need to tell you at this point that you get a lot of food. It was mostly really good, but there were a few down notes. I really liked the format of having the kitchen craft the entire meal for you for two reasons. 1, you get the benefit a sequence of dishes that compliment each other. 2, I was like a deer in the headlights looking at that menu; this was great guidance in the full experience.

So the burning question--is Nobu better than Oceanaire? Well...no. But it's very good, and a whole different take on seafood. I'd certainly recommend getting down there at some point.]]>Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:24:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21543/nobu?CommentCardId=261jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22104/currant-an-american-brasserie
So first off, I think my bartender was new/training. He took my order and then ran off to do some side work. About 5 minutes later, the other bartender asked me what I had ordered an quickly turned brought me the drink. I ordered off the bar menu (which was half price for happy hour), going with the Artisan Plate, and the Mac and Cheese with beer can chicken. Although I was hoping for 2 courses, everything came out together. Oh well, no big deal.

The Mac and Cheese was pretty unremarkable. The cheese sauce was runny and overall lacking in taste. The bits of chicken, while moist, barely brought any flavor to the dish. The Artisan plate was actually pretty good, packed with sausage, an assortment of cheeses, pickles, nuts and bread. Not the best I've had, but definitely the highlight of this meal.

I'll probably try Currant again. The servers were friendly enough and the food was edible. I did catch them between shifts on a Sunday...a time when no restaurant is at their best. Also, my entire bill was about $17 (my Manhatten was left off the check; not sure if that was an oversight or a peace offering for the spotty service). Anyway, I left them enough to cover it in case it was lost in the shuffle.]]>Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:30:42 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22104/currant-an-american-brasserie?CommentCardId=260jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/9287/soleil-de-minuitNice people, great food ,clean place]]>Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:35:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/9287/soleil-de-minuit?CommentCardId=259http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/foxboro/21908/tavolino
Note -- when they're full, if you can sit on the patio, it's much quieter than inside.]]>Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:47:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/foxboro/21908/tavolino?CommentCardId=258http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22103/edo-sushi
It's a small, tightly packed room and when we got there, it was full. I have 2 complaints...our service was really rushed. Our waitress took our menus away before I was done ordering. OK, they were pretty busy so I'll throw them a Mulligan.

The other thing (not their fault) was the shitty parking lot. Now, bear in mind, San Diego's greatest natural resource is shitty parking lots. I can never figure out how a city with so much space can't build a parking lot that you can maneuver and park in comfortably. Oh well. ]]>Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:07:59 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22103/edo-sushi?CommentCardId=257jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/incline-village/22081/lone-eagle-grille
The Lone Eagle Grille is part of the Hyatt Lake Tahoe and what a treat it turned out to be. I usually avoid hotel restaurants but had been here before and it was quite memorable.

My pals each had the Spinach Salad with pan seared scallops. The scallops had been flown in from the east coast, and, they were as sweet as could be.

I chose the lowly Angus Beef Burger with asiago rosemary french fries. Perfection is the only way to describe it.

We sat outside at a shady table overlooking the private beach and pier. We couldn't have asked for more.

While not cheap ($20. for each salad and $18. for the burger) the Lone Eagle was well worth the splurge given its unique idyllic alpine location and excellent quality dining experience. Will definitely be back for lunch and maybe even try out the dinner menu. ]]>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:39:51 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/incline-village/22081/lone-eagle-grille?CommentCardId=256makbostonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/vineyard-haven/22074/danny-quinn-s-pubSun, 26 Jul 2009 14:20:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/vineyard-haven/22074/danny-quinn-s-pub?CommentCardId=255http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22088/taste-thirst-on-fourth
As downtown restaurants go, it's fairly nondescript. The lunch menu is pretty vanilla, probably more appropriate for a suburban sports tavern. The breakfast menu was a bit more interesting. I went with the "Michael Benedict" (eggs benedict with sausage patties in place of the Canadian bacon). It was almost a great dish...the muffins were crisp and the sausage, while small, were fresh and tasted great. Unfortunately, my eggs were overdone (the most important part of any poached-egg based dish is runny yokes). Too bad. I will say, thought, that the breakfast potatoes were the best I've had in a while.

Since I was in a gluttonous mood, I also got a short stack of chocolate chip pancakes. They were OK, good portion, but I'm of the opinion that CCP needs to be served with powdered sugar and whipped cream as opposed to butter and syrup (I though that's what the menu said, but not what I received). To wash it down, I went with a spicy Bloody Mary (or two). These were good...not to thick and quite a bit of spice. A nice surprise since I've been in a Bloody Mary slump lately.

The one area where T&T stood out was the service. The whole vibe was super warm and service was attentive and personal. It was very easy to banter with the staff. I felt right at home the minute I sat down.

Restaurant turnover is huge, and to be honest, I'm a bit worried about T&T's ability to survive. Their menu lacks pizazz, which is fine, but when that's the case...it's got to be great. The food was good, but needs to get better. I'm rooting for them, and will be back to try their dinner.]]>Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:18:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22088/taste-thirst-on-fourth?CommentCardId=254jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21942/mccarter-s-grillFri, 24 Jul 2009 21:43:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21942/mccarter-s-grill?CommentCardId=253http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/30/arrivederci-ristoranteFri, 24 Jul 2009 17:36:45 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/30/arrivederci-ristorante?CommentCardId=252http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/de-bary/22078/stavro-s-pizza-grillSun, 19 Jul 2009 23:17:25 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/de-bary/22078/stavro-s-pizza-grill?CommentCardId=251Amomohttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22079/bare-back-grill
Oh, by the way, this establishment can also make a damn fine burger. Grain-fed beef, locally grown vegetables and freshly baked bread really make a difference. Although it took a long time, this dish was well worth the wait. The beef was tender and the bun was amazing. I went with the Kiwilango. My only regret was that there was too much flavor from the accoutriments. Everything was so fresh, next time, I'm going as plain as they've got.

If you're looking for a burger, give this place a try. It's one of the best I've had since moving to SD.]]>Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:53:39 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22079/bare-back-grill?CommentCardId=250jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21728/truluck-s
I went in to wait out a traffic jam on the way home from work. I started with a warm goat-cheese appetizer; it was pretty good. Topped with a pepper/olive concoction, reminiscent of a tapenade and served with warm grilled bread. The flavors came together quite nicely. For an entree, I went with their scallop dish (it boasted a side of Parmesan mashed potatoes topped with poached duck...I just couldn't resist). The side was great; the unique offering really came together in both flavor and texture. The scallops were good too, but after you've had the scallops at The Oceanaire...nothing even compares. To kill a few more minutes, I had a gigantic piece of chocolate cake. Actaully, everything on their dessert tray was an absurd portion. The cake was really tasty (the quarter of it which I was able to finish anyway). Super rich and almost a bit too moist.

The atmosphere is nothing new. Dark wood and dim lighting sets the scene and the piano player in the background belts out random jams over a cheesy digital-keyboard rhythm section.

I don't know whether or not Trulucks will have what it takes to break the curse of that location. It was decent, but not spectacular. Pretty close to the experience at Blue Coral but a bit more mainstream. Time will tell.

..]]>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:05:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21728/truluck-s?CommentCardId=249jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21459/cass-street-bar-grill
Cass Street Bar and Grill is one of those places. Their beach side location and quality of food is enough to keep a loyal clientele. It's one of the few places in the shore area that draws an over 30 crowd. And maybe the sanctuary of this gray-friendly, slightly saggy oasis in the youthful bar-laden community of Pacific Beach is enough to keep a following of hungry geriatrics?

In general, I'd recommend eating at Cass Street because of the food - regardless of anything else. I've eaten there better than 30 times, and never once had a bad meal. But in order to be united with your culinary delight, you'll need to know how to navigate the quirky and annoying ordering process.

After you finish a slightly laborious conversation with the doorman who boasts an IQ of 52 (yeah he's been there forever and still can't find the birth date on any state ID's), you need to head straight to the very back of the bar. You'll stand in line and struggle to read the crudely painted menu up on the dimly lit wall above the service window. Honestly, you can order anything from the menu and you'll enjoy it. I'd recommend the breakfast burrito if you're making a morning visit, and I'd strongly suggest the teriyaki steak baguette for lunch or dinner. I can not stress that more... it's one of the best sandwiches I've ever had.

You'll be surprised as the scant waitress behind the window (somehow only attractive women ever apply for work at Cass St) prompts you about the tip jar. Maybe she's excessively proud that she asked if you want fries with your order? I can't comment on what might happen if you ignore the pre-tipping protocol, but I suggest you drop a buck in the pitcher. Go find a seat at a sticky bar table and wait for your grub. Three times you'll be delivered the wrong order. But when you do get the right plate, you'll enjoy every last morsel. However, if you want a libation to wash down your meal, you'll need to head back up to the bar. Don't think about a mixed drink, as this bar only sports beer and wine. And brace yourself for a healthy dose of attitude from a bartender who will proudly serve you the requested beverage accurately at least 7 out of 10 times.

You'll still leave happy and satisfied, and you'll still return solely for the food. Give it a shot, but be ready for some self important quirkiness. The middle aged mob of beachside faithful is willing to overlook a deficit of service just to get their food fix. Stop by and see why.]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:40:02 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21459/cass-street-bar-grill?CommentCardId=248Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21503/fred-s-mexican-cafe
The steak itself had a good flavor, was cooked rare and remained tender. The addition of the ranch dressing to the taco managed to duplicate the flavor profile of Taco Bell very closely. And, the bag of frozen mixed vegetables added to the rice was a nice touch.

This was my second visit to Fred's. I can say without hesitation, don't even bother with the Carnitas.]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:33:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21503/fred-s-mexican-cafe?CommentCardId=247foodsnobhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/de-bary/22078/stavro-s-pizza-grillTue, 14 Jul 2009 11:36:35 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/de-bary/22078/stavro-s-pizza-grill?CommentCardId=246http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/93/bub-s-dive-bar-grill
The tater tots are a dependable staple, and the rest of the periodically rotating menu is solid too. The steaky steak ums are great, and every once in a while there is a meatloaf sandwich that's really awesome. As with all the Pacific Beach bar locations, there are weekday happy hour specials to take advantage of. For the hectic nature of bar service, the waitstaff does a reasonably good job of handling things. The peanuts are free and there's no problem with throwing shells on the floor. Maybe that's the "dive" part of it?]]>Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:58:49 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/93/bub-s-dive-bar-grill?CommentCardId=245Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22061/hob-nob-hill
Hob Nob Hill often comes up when searching "best breakfast in San Diego", and readily advertise their spot on Food Network's "Diners Drive-ins and Dives". Do they live up to all the hype...how could they? Anyway, since it's a short walk from my place, I had to give it a shot.

I went in for breakfast and was blown away by the ambiance. Had I gone back in time? The dark dining is adorned with exposed rock, dark wood and glass chandeliers. Even the waitstaff's outfits are an anachronism...err, I mean a symbol of glorious days gone by. Shortly after sitting down, I ordered a corned beef omelet. One question quickly came to mind. Where's the corned beef. Very little meat was folded into the egg giving it little meat flavor. That said, the coffee cake that comes with is a little bit magical. Both crumbly and moist and topped with a white icing...this alone was worth the trip.

I also went with a side of sausage patties. The looked great--really rustic and plump, but the flavor wasn't their and they were very dry. I have a feeling that if you get these on the right day, they'd really shine. Not today, though.]]>Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:49:27 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22061/hob-nob-hill?CommentCardId=244jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/89/bronx-pizza
Over the years, I've enjoyed any number of combinations of toppings on their standard cheese pizza. The crust is fluffy, but seared on the edges in typical brick-oven style. I've never had one that wasn't really good. It's a little more expensive than you'd expect for takeout, but it's worth it. The Washington Street location is accessible from 163, so Bronx can serve a fairly wide radius. They do offer delivery, though I've never taken them up on it. If you're a local in the Hillcrest area, then I'd suggest eating there weekly... or even daily. It's that good.]]>Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:08:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/89/bronx-pizza?CommentCardId=243Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21798/big-kitchen-cafe
The better than average food, shady park-side location, and the adorable collection of faded black and white head shots of B list celebrities was once fodder for word-of-mouth recommendation. But with this volume of free advertisement comes the undesireable side effect of... expectations. On a beautiful Saturday morning, I made the drive over to this pretty South Park neighborhood with two things; my credit card and... expectations (both of which are valueless at the Big Kitchen Cafe). With their name plastered all over internet 10 best lists, I was hoping for something more. Like elbow room. Or asking for iced tea less than 3 times. At one point, a companion got her elbow caught in a spider web at the same time as a neighboring diner almost sat in my breakfast. I got whiplash spinning my head and giggling at both situations.

It was a cute place that suffered from the disorganized staff and non-conventional characteristics of a little local joint. If they stayed below the radar, they'd be just fine. But as I entered the dining room, and sat down with my torn menu, something made me ask if they take plastic. The waitress didn't know. Apparently the financial recession has somehow overlooked the quiet sanctuary of South Park. She checked for me, and delivered the bad news. Thankfully a neighboring diner offered directions to the nearest "out of the way" ATM.

My scrambled egg plate with sourdough toast and potatos was tasty. I washed it down with a decent cup of Joe. Don't be afraid to walk up to the wait station and refill your own empty cup. The 4 or 5 staff members who served us became preoccupied with something else after taking our initial order. But maybe you can overlook all that as you're eating in the place where Whoopi Goldberg got her professional start. Yup she waited tables here, back in the day - before she lost her eyebrows and way before she lost her sense of humor.

All in all, you'll need to keep your expectations low if you're heading over to the Little Dining Room at the Big Kitchen.]]>Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:31:30 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21798/big-kitchen-cafe?CommentCardId=242Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21798/big-kitchen-cafe
Upon first entering Big Kitchen, one can't help but feel beset by the presence of Whoopi Goldberg. Pictures, autographs, and mementos adorn the walls. Apparently, she used to work there in her pre-fame days. Other than that, the dining room was a bit cramped and bustling with activity. Our unfortunate table-neighbors were unlucky enough to receive my friends butt in their face; he needed to adjourn to the ATM (oh, credit cards are not accepted, so bring cash).

The food was good, yet unspectacular. I had an omelet with spinach, turkey, onions and cheese. It tasted great but would have been much better with a bit more cheese. The potatoes were well seasoned, but still needed a bath of tabasco and ketchup to reach full flavor due to their size.

The service model at Big Kitchen is unique to say the least. To request a table, you write your name and party number on a pad of white-lined paper sitting on a table outside the restaurant. OK, had to ask about that, but whatever. We were visited by no less that 6 different staff members throughout the course of our meal (getting way more attention than we needed or deserved) but still had issues of forgotten drinks and lack of sugar (that's OK, I should probably be using sweet and low anyway).

All in all, Big Kitchen is pretty good. I wouldn't go too far out of the way unless you're a Whoopi fan, but if you're craving a quaint, little hole-in-the-wall feel, this might be the place for you. Oh, I don't recommend downloading their menu from the website. It's in the form of an EXE and Google warns of malicious software being distributed through the site.]]>Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:32:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21798/big-kitchen-cafe?CommentCardId=241jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/28/applebee-s-neighborhood-grill-barFri, 10 Jul 2009 13:48:51 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/28/applebee-s-neighborhood-grill-bar?CommentCardId=240jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/foxboro/21908/tavolinoTue, 07 Jul 2009 15:27:57 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/foxboro/21908/tavolino?CommentCardId=239http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/traverse-city/22051/old-mission-tavernTue, 07 Jul 2009 13:25:51 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/mi/traverse-city/22051/old-mission-tavern?CommentCardId=238Hegemonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-dinerFri, 03 Jul 2009 16:58:02 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-diner?CommentCardId=237http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22065/stout-public-house
Stout is a divey-little Irish bar nestled on the outskirts of the Gaslamp quarter. It's somewhat bare-bones for downtown...actually sort of reminded me of many of the Lowell/Nashua/Salem bars from back east...completely non-pretentious and real. It was pretty slow on the day before the 4th of July, but that was fine with me. I was warmly greeted and offered a beer and menu. The fare is Irish-American comfort food. I went with a Boddingtons and a special of the day-2 sliders and a hot-dog (hey, it's Independence Day). They were both pretty good...well adorned with traditional vegetable-condiments (onions, tomatoes, pickles, lettuces, etc). The real stand out was the fries. Nice texture, but really well seasoned-no need for ketchup here.

This is a nice little sports bar that's light on flash, but gives a good warm experience. I definitely want to give this place a try when it's packed.]]>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:20:30 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22065/stout-public-house?CommentCardId=235jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-senThe food & service is great. Give it a shot i think you'll love it. ]]>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:06:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-sen?CommentCardId=234http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21845/brian-s-eatery-drinkery
I went with a corned-beef hash eggs Benedict and a side of chorizo. The hash is made from scratch, and I'm a sucker for the stuff. It was honestly the best hash I've had so far downtown. The potatoes were a bit bland, but when I topped them with the chorizo and hot sauce, they livened right up; this was a great meal.

The service was adequate, but they were in the middle of a shift change, so I guess I can cut them a bit of slack. It is attached to a hotel and you do get a bit of that tourist vibe, but this was a great find. 10 years ago, I would have been there at 3am 4 or 5 nights per week. For now, it's just good to know I have that safety net.]]>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:42:20 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21845/brian-s-eatery-drinkery?CommentCardId=233jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21358/karl-strauss-brewing-company
The food is mostly pretty good, with a few standouts. It’s definitely better than regular brewpub fare. Yesterday I went with a ‘tuna sandwich’, aka a seared ahi steak sandwich. It was excellent, a nice thick piece of ahi topped with a small salad on a sesame seed bun. It was maybe a bit too big of a bun, or maybe it just needed a bit more sauce. It was still really good. It comes with their chips, which I had forgotten to sub with their awesome garlic fries. The chips are not great, some were soggy and they weren’t seasoned well.

Definitely check this place out if you live in the area. Unfortunately (I think) they aren’t open on weekends though.
]]>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:19:44 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21358/karl-strauss-brewing-company?CommentCardId=232http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22039/the-venetian-italian-restaurant
The Venetian serves classic southern Italian fare with a few more modern dishes peppered into their menu. Our group started with a bruschetta appetizer with strips of prosciutto. The tomato mixture was served on 2" oval croutons, sitting on the prosciutto slices. The dish was tasty, and a great portion for an appetizer amongst 3 people. While prosciutto is always a treat, I'm not sure it added very much to this dish. If I were the chef, I'd remove it.

For an entree, I went with the cannelloni. This was a great dish that really brought me back. Two long sheets of pasta rolled around a ground meat mixture, drowning in a sea of red sauce and decorated with islands of a white cheese. There's nothing fancy or complex about this one...just a big, delicious, mass of pasta, sauce, meat, and cheese done the way it should be.

Can't wait to get back.]]>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:53:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/22039/the-venetian-italian-restaurant?CommentCardId=231jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21370/the-better-half-bistro
What a night-and-day experience. As soon as we approached the door, wanting to look over the menu, we were approached by the Sous Chef. He took some time to tell us about the menu and specials before seating us at our table and leaving us in the capable hands of our waiter. I won't drone on over the details; we went with the charcuterie plate, a mushroom/spinach appetizer served over a tart, and the bison ribs.

The charcuterie plate was a real treat, containing a host of morsels including (but not limited to) fresh pastrami, swordfish, and deep-fried caper flowers. The other dishes weren't quite at the same level, but satisfied none-the-less. The bison ribs had decent flavor but could have been a bit more tender for my taste (make sure to try the pickled watermelon rind that garnishes the plate). The spinach/mushroom tart was a nice, well-rounded appetizer.

The service was really spectacular...attentive but not overbearing and our waiter really knew the food and wine pairings.

BHB is worth the trip. Parking is a bit of a bitch, but if you're like me, a short walk would probably do you some good ;).]]>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:48:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21370/the-better-half-bistro?CommentCardId=230jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/246/el-zarape
It's a small little hole-in-the-wall place that serves some eclectic takes on traditional Mexican fare. Personally, I decided to stay traditional and went with a carnitas plate. Nothing that really stood out, but for the portion size, a good value for the money. The salsa was pretty good too. It wound up being a very satisfying meal.]]>Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:47:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/246/el-zarape?CommentCardId=229jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ga/atlanta/20686/ruchda-wings
I like their honey garlic pepper and hot teriyaki wings the best. ]]>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:24:31 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ga/atlanta/20686/ruchda-wings?CommentCardId=228http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/9287/soleil-de-minuitI'm not food writter but they have the best food ever in west phila]]>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:23:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/9287/soleil-de-minuit?CommentCardId=227http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/509/napa-valley-grille
NVG is the upscale alternative to the food court in our beloved downtown San Diego mall. I went in for lunch today and was pleasantly surprised. The bar is strangely configured. The chairs are very low to the ground, but the service area is on a lower tier as well. Not sure what the point of that is but mine is not to question why, is it now?

Onto the food...I got the Rutherford; it's a soup/salad/half sandwich combination that is really quite well done. I was offered a substitute of creamy corn soup over the sweet pea and went with that. It was well seasoned and not too heavy. The side salad was very fresh and the dressing was tasty. The star of the plate was the pulled pork sandwich. The bread was fresh and the pork was left slightly firmer than I'm used to; it was nice to have a little texture. The BBQ sauce was acceptable, but not outstanding, and I could have done with a bit more slaw, but all-in-all, a good offering.

Their beer selection is a bit lacking, but they did have a couple of local brews. I went with a Karl Staruss amber to wash everything down.

NVG is a bit out of the way, and I wound't necessarily make a special trip, but if you're in Horton Plaza and want a bit more than food-court fare, it's a nice alternative.]]>Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:02:13 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/509/napa-valley-grille?CommentCardId=226jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/337/hoboken-pizza-beer
Oh, and they have pizza and beer, too. As pizza goes, it's fairly nondescript. We got a small pie with pepperoni and sausage. The crust was thin, the sauce did it's job, and the slices were swimming in grease. Certainly not bad, but nothing to write home about.]]>Sun, 31 May 2009 21:57:35 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/337/hoboken-pizza-beer?CommentCardId=225jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/8023/la-cicciaSat, 30 May 2009 10:50:00 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/8023/la-ciccia?CommentCardId=224http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/reno/21911/voila-cafe-and-catering
The setting is a charming bungalow with a restful blue and yellow painted interior. It's like sitting in your own home with friends. In the summer there's al fresco seating, which is pleasant.

Today, as always I had the Southwest Fritatta which is a happy blend of egg, avocado, red pepper, onions, jack and cheddar cheese and mild green chiles. A fresh fruit cup and popover came with it. (All for $7.95).

My compadre had Joe's Special - a large portion of eggs scrambled with onion, italian sausage, spinach, red bell peppers topped w. cheddar cheese. Nicely seasoned red potatoes and toast were included. I had a sample and everything was as fresh as fresh could be. (Price $9.95).

Voila also offers takeout and a selection of baked goods to go. In addition there's a tempting lunch menu (also available for take out) which I will try one of these days.

My only complaint is that the coffee seemed weak. I enjoy a strong robust cup of coffee -- so their's didn't work for me -- Otherwise a pleasant place for breakfast/brunch along the California Avenue corridor.

Parking is an issue and you must be careful parking alongside the building or risk being booted, as the sign indicates upon entering. I usually park on one of the side streets to avoid any problems.

Voila is a keeper and worth checking in while in Reno.
]]>Fri, 29 May 2009 17:57:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/reno/21911/voila-cafe-and-catering?CommentCardId=223makbostonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-senWed, 27 May 2009 20:24:33 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-sen?CommentCardId=222http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/reno/21910/two-guys-from-hong-kong
A friend and I had lunch there and found it most pleasant. The decor includes restful pink walls, a small bamboo bar service area and a general feeling of openness.

My choice was a Basil Chicken dish with garlic, chili peppers, basil, onion, red pepper and some other assorted vegetables. It came with choice of soup or salad, egg roll or crab rangoon and white or steamed rice. I opted for the salad, egg roll and steamed rice, as did my compadre. He chose the classic Mongolian
Beef dish.

The presentation was very good. The salad was small with lettuce (fresh,crisp and no sign of wilting) and a balsamic-y, sesame flavored dressing. All other items were on an oval plate and you could clearly identify each item in the main entree. A small condiment tray with hot mustard and sweet and sour sauce arrived with the main meals.

The flavors burst in my mouth. As for my carnivorous friend, the Mongolian Beef was tender and well seasoned. He also received a free refill on his soft drink.

Service was friendly and efficient. Our bill came to a modest 15 dollars and change.

My only complaint is that the entree wasn't quite spicy enough for my taste and there was no vinegar and hot oil to offset that. Otherwise a pleasant dining experience and reasonably priced.
Would definitely go back and try the dinner menu.
]]>Tue, 26 May 2009 17:43:07 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/reno/21910/two-guys-from-hong-kong?CommentCardId=221makbostonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/reno/21913/la-famiglia
The restaurant was full though it was a Monday night. We enjoyed a drink in the small bar area where while waiting for our table. The young maitre'd was efficient but somewhat detached.

We ordered 2 salads: warm spinach with bacon and sauteed onion, and Caesar, which was came on a on a chilled plate. Both were well balanced with ample portions.

The maitre de overlapped as our server for the table. Both salads for our party of four were split. Warm rustic bread was delivered quickly and olive oil/balsamic were already on the table.

One person ordered steak with grilled french fries and sauteed vegetables. It had just enough of a 'crust' (for lack of a better word)and grill marks. The only 'complaint' was that some of the string beans in the vegetable dish seemed a bit withered.

Another person had the linguini with clams. All were fresh and open.

I had planned to try one of their Italian entrees but the seafood special beckoned. I opted for the Salmon with penne pasta and it was just fresh as could be and melted in my mouth.
We chose a Clos du Bois Cab to complement the meal.

This is a great place for a meal in Reno as an alternative to the casinos. Two caveats are: Reservations are advised as you most likely won't get in without them. The other is that like any small area it can be noisy when you're trying to have a conversation. All in all well worth a visit.
]]>Tue, 26 May 2009 17:26:27 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nv/reno/21913/la-famiglia?CommentCardId=220makbostonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21880/ariana-kabob-house
As an appetizer, I was steered towards the sambosas, and they were tasty. "Pastries" stuffed with a mixture of ground beef, chickpeas & coriander, they are deep fried and lovely. When I first looked at the menu, I was drawn to the lamb entrees, so I went with the Korme Gulpi, lamb shank and cauliflower cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and spices. Delicious! The lamb fell of the bone, and all the flavors were seamless and comforting. I thought about lamb shanks when I got home, I'm still thinking about it today. My mouth is watering. I may go back today.

So yes, I highly recommend Ariana. ]]>Thu, 21 May 2009 11:59:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21880/ariana-kabob-house?CommentCardId=219doterhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21880/ariana-kabob-house
I started with the Bulanee--a pastry filled with a mix of beef, potatoes, and seasoned with the flavors of the Middle East. For $2.50, the portion was a nice size and the dish really hit the spot; I love the spice blends from that area. For an entree, I went with the Mantu. Another great offering with a high-value price. I couldn't resist the promise of a traditional Northern Afghan dish. Consisting of a plate of beef-filled dumplings topped with a yogurt sauce, this one really hit the spot. I will say though, having tried a bit of my friend's chicken kabob, that was the winner of the night. The meat was so tender and juicy.

Even though it's a bit off the beaten path, Ariana is diamond in the rough.]]>Wed, 20 May 2009 22:09:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21880/ariana-kabob-house?CommentCardId=218jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/6713/bahama-breezeTue, 19 May 2009 14:43:51 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/6713/bahama-breeze?CommentCardId=217http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/288/gaslamp-strip-club
So I took our plate of raw meat and basket of bread up to one of the community grills and went to work. Ordering...3 filets, one medium, one medium rare, one rare--one porterhouse, medium rare--and one order of chicken kabobs. There are a few types of spice mixes available for you seasoning needs, and a little chart that tells you how long to cook each type of steak to get to the desired temperature. It was actually painful to watch people to check the temp on their meat by cutting it in half. Oh well.

Anyway, even though our food was expertly grilled to perfection (except for the bread...sorry about that), I can't really recommend the Gaslamp Strip Club. I can see where it might be fun as a novelty, and you do save a few bucks on the meat prices, but I guess I just prefer somebody else cooking my food when I go out to eat. At least I didn't have to do the dishes.


]]>Sun, 17 May 2009 12:09:58 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/288/gaslamp-strip-club?CommentCardId=216jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/676/shanghai-city
We sat down with a bottle of wine that we brought in and ordered up a round of Tsingtaos to get us started. Our waitress was pleasant, prompt, and a really good sport. She recommended the Cumin Lamb which we ordered (along with just about everything else on the menu). I won't be able to touch on every dish individually, but almost everything was stellar. Definitely a step above most of the Asisn fare that I've tried. The standouts were the cumin lamb, rice cake with pork and cabbage, orange peel chicken, pork meatball, and pot stickers. I can vouch for the food's authenticity, but I know when is dish is well-done, and these were great.

Shanghai City is certainly worth your time. I'll be back; I can't wait to get another serving of that lamb.]]>Sat, 16 May 2009 11:37:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/676/shanghai-city?CommentCardId=215jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/7639/eric-s
What a treat it turned out to be. The actual dining area is on the small side, but, there is a large mirror, festooned with live orchid plants that made for a visually delightful experience. The hardwood floors and large glass windows looking out onto Church St gave an atmosphere of open ness and light.

Considering that this is a recessionary period, the place was packed and my compadre and I got the last available table.

Service was attentive and efficient. Ice water with lemon slices was delivered as we perused the menu.

Our meals were well presented. I ordered the broccoli, cashew, prawn dish over rice. The various textures made it an interesting choice.

My friend had the szechuan pork with red and green peppers, very spicy. It was tender and well seasoned.

An ample side of steamed white rice was included with both, as well as a silky,tasty corn/egg flower soup with a chicken based broth.

Dessert was light and refreshing - a whole orange, quartered and presented with the requisite fortune cookie.

The tab for all of this was a modest 15.00 before tip. In short, Eric's is a gem of a place in Noe Valley. ]]>Tue, 12 May 2009 07:47:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/7639/eric-s?CommentCardId=214makbostonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/83/brians-american-eatery
Fortunately, convalescence is achievable. What better way to begin the healing process than with a big, greasy breakfast. Luckily, Brian's had us covered. I went with the Country Benedict--a pair of biscuits topped with a rustic sausage patty, scrambled eggs, and a white country gravy. I won't lie, this thing hit the spot. The portion size was huge. I also added a side of chorizo which was also great.

A couple of interesting points...the area by the door is a huge bottleneck. Everybody either entering or leaving the place has to wait in line; it was a bit chaotic. Also, I couldn't help but notice no less than three patrons had walkers. Perhaps they offer a discount? Of course, I'm not criticizing...just found it interesting that they've effectively tapped into that market.

Anyway, this place is worth a try for breakfast. The food is great and you definitely won't leave hungry.]]>Sat, 09 May 2009 12:11:03 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/83/brians-american-eatery?CommentCardId=213jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21808/alchemy-san-diegoTue, 05 May 2009 17:52:45 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21808/alchemy-san-diego?CommentCardId=212http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-dinerWaffles are very good and totally made from scratch. My oldest daughter ate a buffalo chicken wrap which she said was good. The portions were large and the pricing reasonable.
My husband had a brick oven skillet which he said was good but the potatoes were too much like dinner potatoes.
My youngest daughters had pancakes, they were average and sausage, which was very good.
I had a "crab cake benny" which was amazingly, excellent. This is an English muffin stacked with a crispy crab cake, a poached egg and Hollandaise sauce. Absolutely perfect, an amazing brunch menu item. This is something I would absolutely do again. I highly recommend it to all who like crab cakes.
We had a blond lady as our waitress that we did not care for at all. My oldest daughter mentioned that it was my 11 year old's birthday, "do you sing." She said, "Haha, no not here, you'll be lucky you get a piece of cake with a candle. Are you ready to order?" And that was it.
A nice thing to say would have been, "No sorry, we don't sing here. How old are you? Happy Birthday."
She was somewhat scatterbrained throughout the meal but certainly not the worst I've had.
All in all, I would give this place another shot, based on how amazing and different my meal and some menu items are.]]>Tue, 05 May 2009 05:38:46 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-diner?CommentCardId=211http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21812/the-kebab-shop
It's a clean little shop with a very small menu; I went with lamb Doner. All-in-all, I was pretty impressed. It was served rolled up in a warm piece of flat bread with lamb (gyro-style), lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and a yogurt sauce. Also a great size for the money. Count me in the pro-Kebab shop camp.]]>Sun, 03 May 2009 19:12:45 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21812/the-kebab-shop?CommentCardId=210jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-senThu, 30 Apr 2009 14:46:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/houston/19833/pho-bong-sen?CommentCardId=209http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/newton-center/21851/johnny-s-luncheonette
Johnny's Luncheonette is probably my favorite breakfast spot that I like to hit while I'm in the Boston (Newton) area. I've been there countless times and each visit that I can remember has been great. -- That is, until this most recent one, which was awesome.

This trip included my wife and some friends on the Sunday before the Boston Marathon. As with most good breakfast spots on Sundays, you can expect to wait for a table. Even after a 40+ minute wait for a party of five, it was worth it.

This diner-style joint has a nice atmosphere and friendly staff. I had the incredibly delicious crunchy french toast and one of their tasty fruit smoothies (can't remember what they call it). The crunchy french toast is hands-down my favorite french toast I've had anywhere. They coat the toast with flaky cereals and nuts before cooking it to perfection. This equals deliciousness, amazing texture and crunch. Be sure to ask for real maple syrup to go with it. I don't believe they list the syrup on their menu so keep that in mind! It's worth the extra cost.

Try it! I'm sure you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back.]]>Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:33:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/newton-center/21851/johnny-s-luncheonette?CommentCardId=207kdoughhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-dinerMon, 27 Apr 2009 14:09:47 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-diner?CommentCardId=206http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/co/aurora/21281/thai-pepper-2Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:05:45 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/co/aurora/21281/thai-pepper-2?CommentCardId=204http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21351/jayne-s-gastropub
As my main meal, I ordered the chicken which was cooked perfectly ~ moist and juicy with an abundance of flavors. The cous cous nicely complimented my choice. It was made with roasted pine nuts, black currants and fresh herbs that consisted primarily of rosemary and sage. Delicious. I have to say that it was even better the next day (the meal portions are generous so there is room for take aways).

Dessert was scrumptious. I had the crème brulee which was very hard not to finish the entire thing in 5 seconds flat. Again, very flavorful and made to perfection. Was not too sweet nor was it bland in any way. I have made crème brulee many times over the years and it really requires some work to get it “just right.”

This is a place I highly recommend. Great food, great beer and wine choice, and the ambiance were just delightful. For a lover of great food, who is known as a true “Anglophile” in so many ways, this was the perfect setting for a good time out with friends. Enjoy!!
]]>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:30:44 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21351/jayne-s-gastropub?CommentCardId=202http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21847/fish-n-grillTue, 21 Apr 2009 18:53:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21847/fish-n-grill?CommentCardId=201jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21846/antonios-mexican-food
I went with the carnitas (pork) and cabeza (cow head). I'll give them credit, it's pretty authentic Mexican. The meat on both was tender and flavorful, and topped with guacamole and onions and their spicy salsa was the perfect topping. Service was slow, but that didn't spoil the food. It's good to know there a cheap, good, authentic taco shop just 2 blocks away.]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:09:39 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21846/antonios-mexican-food?CommentCardId=200jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-dinerSun, 19 Apr 2009 20:07:33 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nj/toms-river/21804/four-seasons-diner?CommentCardId=199http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/peabody/3374/tecce-s-santoro-s-of-peabodyWed, 15 Apr 2009 07:59:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/peabody/3374/tecce-s-santoro-s-of-peabody?CommentCardId=198http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21351/jayne-s-gastropub
Steak was well prepared though a tad overcooked for medium rare. Good cut of meat though, so that more than made up for it. Really tender and flavorful for a flatter steak. I wish the potatoes were more potatoey and less crispy. That’s an individual thing though – not a problem with their preparation. My fault for not asking for that.

French onion soup. Not quite rich enough. A bit bland. But the bread that came with it was first rate.

Great choice, Jeff. :)]]>Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:04:59 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21351/jayne-s-gastropub?CommentCardId=197http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21836/shakespeare-pub-grill
I met a few friends and we all went with the same thing...the Full English Breakfast. The food was really tasty and there was tons of variety; picture a plate piled with bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, potato pancakes, eggs, toast, and black and white pudding (which, for the curious, partially made from blood...great for you vampires). It's also worth calling out that the bloody mary was excellent.

This is a great little spot; I can't wait to get back and try some of their lunch and dinner offerings.]]>Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:23:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21836/shakespeare-pub-grill?CommentCardId=196jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21732/crescent-heights
I started out with the pea and mushroom risotto. It's a nice sized portion with a healthy dose of morels and properly cooked rice. My only issue with the dish (and this is the case with my entire dinner) was the lack of seasoning/flavor. For an Entree, I went with the pork shank, and again, the flavor was a bit bland. You're talking a fatty piece of pork served with cabbage and horseradish--I would think it impossible not to have an explosion of taste. Maybe my tongue was on vacation that day.

I passed on dessert as I wasn't impressed with their selection. I will say though that their wine list was impressive. They had a few nice options that don't have great restaurant penetration.]]>Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:45:49 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21732/crescent-heights?CommentCardId=195jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21606/spicy-pickle
The girl behind the counter was friendly and patient. Qualities that were tested by the elderly couple in front of my who had a mile-long list of questions.]]>Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:10:20 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21606/spicy-pickle?CommentCardId=194jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21808/alchemy-san-diegoMon, 06 Apr 2009 10:52:42 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21808/alchemy-san-diego?CommentCardId=193http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/102/cafe-2121
Cafe 2121 has the feel of an upscale-but-homey coffee shop, but has a fairly extensive breakfast and lunch menu. I strolled in with breakfast in mind and ordered up a couple of dishes--the chocolate-chip pancakes and sausage/tomato/mozzarella scramble. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with the pancakes. They were light and fluffy, and weren't overpowered by chocolate like is the case with many interpretations of this dish. The portion was huge (6 medium sized pancakes) and had a great presentation. The egg dish wasn't quite as impressive as the pancakes.

Another beautiful presentation consisting of a large, marble slab containing an iron skillet with the egg mixture, toast, and potato pancakes. The flavors of the skillet didn't quite come together and was a bit under-seasoned. Still tasty, but after those pancakes, my standards were raised a bit.

Cafe 2121 is a nice little spot with huge portions and meticulous detail in their plates' presentations. The food is good and the parking is ample (a rarity in San Diego). The owner/host/server is super-friendly and customer focused. A great value that's worth a visit.]]>Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:02:56 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/102/cafe-2121?CommentCardId=192jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21408/dakota-grill-and-spirits
The dining room is split into two levels and is well designed. The bar is on the top floor and has about 10 or so seats. For dinner, I started with the Filet Skewers. Three skewers of steak (I'm fairly certain not tenderloin...there was just too much fat; maybe tenderloin tips, but even that is pushing it) served with a horseradish sauce (which was tasty) and a sherry reduction (which was gross) over a bed of arugula. Not a bad appetizer if you ignore the demi-glaze.

For an entree, I went with the potato-crusted halibut. However, they didn't have any Halibut (out of season?) but offered a sea bass instead; it was a good substitution. The plate was a bit busy with the greens, mushrooms, onions, et al, but the flavors worked quite nicely together.

For dessert I finished up with the white chocolate bread pudding and a glass of late-harvest Riesling. A decent offering, but nothing spectacular.

Like most of the Cohen places I've been to, Dakota is a better-than-average place that borders on reasonably to slightly overpriced. Worth a try, but not a must do.]]>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:42:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21408/dakota-grill-and-spirits?CommentCardId=191jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/357/indigo-grill
- Decor = Island/Upscale
- Service = Adequate
- Food = Delicious
- Portions = Absurd

This is a pretty cool spot down in the Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego which is part of the Cohen restaurant chain. I figured I'd drop in for a bite based on a recommendation rather than drive up to wine tasting (hey, I'm on vacation and am trying not to drive more than necessary for 2 weeks).

Rather than focus on the aesthetics, I'll stick with the food. First of all, portions are ludicrous. I started with the Brie appetizer (their signature dish). It comes with baked flatbread, roasted garlic, mole, jalapeno jelly, and several more things. This beast was a meal in itself and the many flavors work nicely together. Could easily be split amongst 4 or 5 people. Next up, the pork porterhouse.

Remember that rack of ribs that Fred Flintstone used to pick up in the opening credits? That's what you get...but add on gigantic sides of potatoes, fried onions, and mango-fruit salad. The meat was super tender and juicy. The sides, I'll have to get back to you on as they are sitting in a doggie bag in my fridge.

IG is a nice little spot. It does have the feel of a chain, and their on-tap beer selection is week (they seem to have 3 taps...one of which had beer available). The food was really good, thought and the prices are reasonable. ]]>Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:54:43 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/357/indigo-grill?CommentCardId=190jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21811/phileas-fogg-s-bar-restaurantTue, 31 Mar 2009 15:26:19 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21811/phileas-fogg-s-bar-restaurant?CommentCardId=188jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21477/maryjane-s-coffee-shop
To be honest, it's usually hit-or-miss at MJ's. I've gone in there and had very marginal offerings, and other times, I've had great fare. Luckily, today's experience reflected the latter. I got the Tijuana Benedict...poached eggs served over Carnitas on a English muffin and topped with a chipotle hollandaise sauce. One word--delicious. The meat was tender and the yolks were runny. The hashbrown/potato-cake that comes along side is a great side with a crisp brown crust and soft center.

Service was fast and friendly, but I had to ask for sugar and a spoon for my coffee. Oh well...nobody's perfect.]]>Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:36:02 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21477/maryjane-s-coffee-shop?CommentCardId=187jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/peabody/3345/bill-s-bob-s-famous-roast-beefSun, 29 Mar 2009 20:10:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/peabody/3345/bill-s-bob-s-famous-roast-beef?CommentCardId=186http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21540/the-corner
I was intrigued by one of their appetizers in particular...deep fried pickle. I actually worked in a place that served these before and wanted to see how they stacked up (apparently, they were a favorite of Elvis). Well, these are the best I've ever had. The pickles are made on site, and the batter is similar to what you would use on a corn dog...thick and cake-like.

Even though there were some interesting selections on the menu , I had to go with the jalapeno burger. It was good; the patty was cooked to a perfect medium and was served on gigantic egg-style bun. I can't believe what I am about to say-it was almost too spicy. They pile that thing with jalapenos (pickled in house) and it was just too hot to finish. Luckily, the fries were delicious and helped cut through some of the heat.

The room itself is really cool. The bar is dressed with a lot of exposed brick and concrete. Tons of TVs line the walls of this dark-but-cool room. I could see myself hanging out here from time-to-time.]]>Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:03:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21540/the-corner?CommentCardId=185jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21605/chipotle-mexican-grill
Their assembly-line service model still works like a charm and we made it through order/fulfillment/payment stream in record time. Too bad about the portions, though.]]>Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:02:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21605/chipotle-mexican-grill?CommentCardId=184jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21797/the-cowboy-star
As usual, I got the night started with a Jack Daniels Manhattan on the rocks and was drawn to the crab cake appetizer. It was pretty good (bear in mind, I've had some pretty spectacular crab cakes lately...I'm looking at you Oceanaire). I liked the red-pepper puree as an accompaniment.

Although I was tantalized by many of the "Entree" items, I felt compelled to get a steak. As such, I went with the 14 oz Ribeye; that thing was delicious. Char-blackened on the outside but cooked to a perfect medium. It was so tender and juicy, no seasoning was needed. On the side came three delicious asparagus spears and a lump of mashed potatoes (apparently this changes). But I wasn't done there.

For dessert, I went with the cheesecake. A yummy-ass offering augmented by a toasted nut/oatey/caramel thing and served on a bed berry sauce. That thing went down like Mike Tyson at the hands of Buster Douglas oh-so many years back.

Service was friendly and spot-on. My bartender was Eddie (on his last night), but several of the staff were there drinking and having a great time. All were super friendly and made the customers feel right at home. I'll be back, and may make this a regular spot. Maybe you should to ;).]]>Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:47:13 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21797/the-cowboy-star?CommentCardId=183jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/ramona/2393/burger-king
I was very upset.]]>Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:55:27 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/ramona/2393/burger-king?CommentCardId=182http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21808/alchemy-san-diego
This is a relatively new place...they haven't even had their grand opening yet. They have a section of their menu called "snacks", for which we ordered the entire list. It was OK; some were better than others. The highlights were the almonds and pork. The pita dip was OK. For an entree, I went with the pork. To be honest, it was a bit overcooked, and the sauce with the cocoa powder just didn't work (although adding the pear salad to a bite definitely helps). The mashed sweet potatoes weren't bad.

For dessert, I tried the banana split. It was a nice offering featuring home-made vanilla iced-cream with fresh fruit and warm chocolate sauce. Service was great...our waitress was very attentive and offered suggestions when asked.

Opening a restaurant is tough, and I think they're still working through some of the bugs, but if you're looking for something in South Park, Alchemy might be worth your time.]]>Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:20:36 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21808/alchemy-san-diego?CommentCardId=181jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/146/the-cheesecake-factory
First of all, the menu is massive...think "War and Peace" with ads on every other page. That's right, they advertise in their menu. Very cleaver, but am I ordering food or perusing TV Guide? A couple of appetizers got us started...the sliders and fried calamari to be exact. Both were a great way to start the meal. The calamari was well cooked (although I did get one piece in which the batter was undercooked/floury), and the sliders were bite-sized delights.

For a main course, I went with one of their specialty burgers--the Ranch House Burger to be exact. It was OK; I'm a bit of a burger-connoisseur, so I have high ground-beef standards. The thing was huge and a mess; so much so that I had to eat it with a fork and knife. Way too much food, but I did what I could.

One note, the service was exceptional. Our waitress was super charming and flirty and was totally on her game. I wish I could remember her name as I would recommend asking for her whenever you went in.]]>Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:03:02 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/146/the-cheesecake-factory?CommentCardId=180jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/2962/hawks-den-cafeThu, 19 Mar 2009 17:56:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/2962/hawks-den-cafe?CommentCardId=179http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/21799/pho-da-latThu, 19 Mar 2009 07:06:13 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/21799/pho-da-lat?CommentCardId=178http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21776/ihop-restaurant
I also took this opportunity to scoff down a side of chocolate chip pancakes (a guilty pleasure of mine lately...aw, who's kidding who? I feel no guilt). Pretty good, but you really needed the whipped cream to moisten them up; they were a bit dry on their own.

IHOP - Win!]]>Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:16:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21776/ihop-restaurant?CommentCardId=177jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/md/baltimore/12813/pete-s-grilleTue, 17 Mar 2009 09:52:47 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/md/baltimore/12813/pete-s-grille?CommentCardId=176http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/490/miramar-cafeTue, 17 Mar 2009 07:34:50 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/490/miramar-cafe?CommentCardId=175Kiphttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21366/ritual-tavernMon, 16 Mar 2009 15:41:27 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21366/ritual-tavern?CommentCardId=174Hegemonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/worcester/3511/the-sole-proprietorFri, 13 Mar 2009 18:27:02 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/worcester/3511/the-sole-proprietor?CommentCardId=173HungryDragonflyhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21368/the-linkery-restaurant
I had this last night, and I've got to tell ya, it's freaking good. My advice...go there, order the stimulus package, consume. You'll thank me later.]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:20:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21368/the-linkery-restaurant?CommentCardId=172jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/escondido/21795/hernandez-hideawayThu, 12 Mar 2009 18:12:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/escondido/21795/hernandez-hideaway?CommentCardId=171http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/7010/shanghai-expressThu, 12 Mar 2009 12:57:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/7010/shanghai-express?CommentCardId=170http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/778/tio-leosTue, 10 Mar 2009 14:58:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/778/tio-leos?CommentCardId=169SingleSpeedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21785/denny-s
I went with their new Grand Slamwich...a brilliant offering constructed of eggs, cheese, bacon, ham, and sausage on crispy toast. I don't know if this is a new menu item, or just a special--I'm hoping for the former.

Now bear in mind, you don't go to Denny's for the service. The place specializes in "turn-n-burn"; our waitress dropped the check with our entrees. 'Nuff said about that.
]]>Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:13:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21785/denny-s?CommentCardId=168jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21755/carl-s-jr-Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:14:42 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21755/carl-s-jr-?CommentCardId=167http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21755/carl-s-jr-Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:46:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21755/carl-s-jr-?CommentCardId=165SingleSpeedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1773/sbicca-an-american-bistroSun, 08 Mar 2009 13:35:52 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1773/sbicca-an-american-bistro?CommentCardId=164Hegemonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/656/sammy-s-woodfired-pizza
To start, we split a box of their garlic cheese bread. It's basically pizza with no sauce, cut, and smeared with a roasted garlic paste (I could be wrong on the actual preparation, but that's my best guess). As garlic bread goes, this is about as good as it gets. Highly recommended.

Next up, their New York Pizza (a meal of garlic bread and pizza...screw you Dr. Atkins). To be honest, I wasn't that impressed. The toppings were sausage, pepperoni, salami, and mushrooms with a red sauce. The flavors were OK, but didn't really come together the way I was hoping, and for some reason, the crust was better on the garlic bread.

Service was decent and it's in a cool little spot (as high end strip malls go). I still find it ironic that the one dish at Sammy's Woodfired PIZZA that I haven't cared for is the pizza. Oh well, there's still a lot of good food to be eaten there.]]>Sat, 07 Mar 2009 20:51:46 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/656/sammy-s-woodfired-pizza?CommentCardId=163jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/carlsbad/1981/ruby-s-dinerFri, 06 Mar 2009 19:57:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/carlsbad/1981/ruby-s-diner?CommentCardId=162http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21493/sipz-fusion-cafe
I try to get over to this place at least once every couple of weeks, and as much as I want to try other things on the menu, I can't ever seem to lay off the peppered pork (ahem...a tofu-based pork product). It's absolutely delicious--served in a thick brown glaze with mushrooms, and a side of rice and salad. It's not on their foodfinder menu, but if it was, I'd give it a ten.

I'm a meat-eater at heart, but I'm still never disappointed when eating at Sipz. Give it a shot. ]]>Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:14:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21493/sipz-fusion-cafe?CommentCardId=161jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/north-andover/21528/high-street-grillSat, 28 Feb 2009 16:32:29 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/north-andover/21528/high-street-grill?CommentCardId=160http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/10/abbey-s-real-texas-bbq
That said, you will wait a long time and pay a lot of money. My lunch was over $20; it was good sized portions, but it wasn't THAT much food. I'll have to give Phil's a try and do a comparison.]]>Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:10:23 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/10/abbey-s-real-texas-bbq?CommentCardId=159jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/salem/3767/the-colosseum-restaurantFri, 27 Feb 2009 05:50:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/nh/salem/3767/the-colosseum-restaurant?CommentCardId=158http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21693/wendy-sThu, 26 Feb 2009 12:53:09 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21693/wendy-s?CommentCardId=157jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/818/viva-chicago-hot-dogs
Anyway, I went with the Firedog (Chicago style) and a Wisconsin Braut with sauteed peppers, onions, and mustard. Both were great, although on the Chicago style, the toppings can get a bit unwieldy. Fries were fine, but nothing to write home about.

One big plus is the the bathroom was immaculate. Nice job, cleaning crew.]]>Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:20:33 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/818/viva-chicago-hot-dogs?CommentCardId=156jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/541/the-original-pancake-house
They've got a lot of things on the menu that look really good. I almost had to call an audible, but I stayed true to the mission and got the CCPs (with a little bit of corned beef hash on the side for a little variety). Both were quite good, and the portions are large (as is the price). The pancakes were really chocolaty and choc-full of chips on both the inside and out.

A couple of negatives. First, the place was a bit dirty. Both my coffee cup and water glass weren't exactly clean. Now I've worked in the restaurant business for quite some time, and am very forgiving, but I think watching Hell's Kitchen has made me a bit more sensitive to dirty places. Our table was perched directly at the door to the kitchen as well, counting for a lot of activity.

Service was OK, but seemed a bit chaotic. All in all, the food was a hit but experience-wise, for the money, there are better pancake options available.]]>Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:08:51 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/541/the-original-pancake-house?CommentCardId=155jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/541/the-original-pancake-houseTue, 24 Feb 2009 13:42:31 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/541/the-original-pancake-house?CommentCardId=154jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21688/apollonia-greek-bistro
Fans of Greek cuisine will know that I'm referring to the Saganaki (flaming goat cheese). It is a site to behold. Anyway, we went to Apollonia last night for a post-wine tasting feast and were not disappointed. We started with the flaming cheese and Taramosalata (potato puree with caviar). Both were quite good, although as my friend put it, the Taramosalata tasted a bit like potato salad. I'm inclined to agree.

For and Entree, I went with a combo plate that included Spanakopita, chicken and beef souvlaki, and something else. Every hit home except the beef. It was a bit tough and the flavor didn't shine through. The chicken was great, though and the spinach pie was good as well. I got to nibble at other plates around the table and was also impressed with the Gyros and Kefta plate.

I will say, there was a bit of build up for this place, and while good, it didn't quite live up to the hype, but the food and service were solid and I'll definitely be back for more flaming food.]]>Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:18:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21688/apollonia-greek-bistro?CommentCardId=153jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/641/rt-s-longboard-grill
I just went with the Fiesta Sampler LBs version of an appetizer sampler. It was fine...a combination of nachos, quesadillas, taquitos, buffalo wings, and something else that didn't stand out. The beer selection was very average compared to some of the other area bars that feature local brews.

I wish I had more to offer about this place, but it was a non-descript bar with average food and service that somehow draws a crowd. What is everybody seeing that I'm missing here?]]>Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:18:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/641/rt-s-longboard-grill?CommentCardId=152jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/828/wine-sellar-brasserieTue, 17 Feb 2009 17:00:55 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/828/wine-sellar-brasserie?CommentCardId=151http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2110/t-g-i-friday-s
So we arrived at our local TGIF for lunch, and my intentions were clear. I wanted to try the winning burger from about a month ago. I was elated to learn that it was already on the menu.

The burger itself was really good. It was a beef patty topped with slices of ham and strips of bacon, along with pickles and a pimento spread. I don't think it was exactly the same as the winning recipe, but this burger was good. The homemade potato chips that came on the side were a winner as well.

We started with our appetizer favorite...deep fried green beans served with a wasabi sauce. They tasted great (as always) and also give the false sense that you're eating something healthy. I also had some broccoli cheese soup...a bland and uninspired offering which I can't recommend.

If you're a fan of URS, it's worth the trip to Friday's to try the grub. I don't think it's true to TV version, but it's still good eats.]]>Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:03:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2110/t-g-i-friday-s?CommentCardId=150jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/wa/seattle/5953/blue-moon-burgersMon, 16 Feb 2009 17:50:57 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/wa/seattle/5953/blue-moon-burgers?CommentCardId=149mulescenthttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/wa/seattle/5917/baguette-boxMon, 16 Feb 2009 17:48:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/wa/seattle/5917/baguette-box?CommentCardId=148mulescenthttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/828/wine-sellar-brasserie
If you've ever been to the WineSellar and Brasserie, you'll know that it's in a unique location. Nestled among some industrial-looking buildings, just off of Mira Mesa Boulevard, lies the combined wine shop and french-style Brasserie. The Brasserie, located upstairs from the WineSellar, offers an award-winning wine list and menu.

We ended up there on a Friday -- the day before Valentine's day. Needless to say, the place was packed. I had made the dinner reservation early in the week, so we didn't have to worry. Being regulars at the WSB, we asked to be seated at a friend's table (she said this would be okay to do, so I didn't mind going for it). There was a small wait as we had arrived about 15 minutes early. Never fear -- a fine glass of Nicolas Feuillatte brut champagne was quickly suggested to us as we waited at the bar for our table. Fantastic.

Upon being seated at our table, we asked for a wine recommendation. We were looking for a nice Pinot Noir that would pair well with my duck entree and my wife's scallops. A bottle of 2006 Tantara Pinot was the clear winner. We'd both had a prior vintage before (2005 maybe?), so this was a nice surprise to receive as a recommendation.

The fresh-baked bread is always amazing. I started off with the Organic Celery Soup. One word: wow. I am not typically a celery person, but this soup is awesome. The celery, diced green apple and pistachio oil combine into something wonderful. My main entree, as I mentioned before, was two preparations of Duck Confit of the Leg and Grilled Breast. This gets better every time I have it. Cooked to perfection, the duck breast and leg were more than what I had hoped for. The sweet potato puree and the sauce (balsamic vinegar and orange) have my mouth watering now -- and it's been almost three days!

The incredible (and incredibly rich!) food and wine filled us up so much that we, sadly, had to pass on dessert. We'll most definitely be back again and will try even harder to save some room for a sweet finish.]]>Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:23:11 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/828/wine-sellar-brasserie?CommentCardId=147kdoughhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/705/spices-thai-cafe
I had the Pad Thai lunch special which comes with soup, salad, and a spring roll. I was able to feed myself and my wife, get a special drink each, all for under $30. It's a bit high for a regular lunchtime stop, but well worth it when I feel like splurging for some great tasting chow.]]>Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:57:40 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/705/spices-thai-cafe?CommentCardId=146mmarksburyhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21550/carvers-steaks-chopsSun, 15 Feb 2009 11:18:23 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21550/carvers-steaks-chops?CommentCardId=145jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/269/filippi-s-pizza-grotto
The decor was in line with many of the pasta joints we've visited lately. Dark colored-patterned carpets, wood paneling, and exposed brick paint picture of the 70's as the backdrop for your meal. I went with the lasagna with sausage (made fresh on the premises) and meatballs. I will say, food-wise, this place does stand out. The sausage was really good--a bit heavy-handed on the fennel seed, but I love strong flavors, so that worked well for me. The sauce is heavy and flavorful...it was the dominant factor on my pasta plate.

I didn't try the pizza, but it looked really good. Thick slices with tons of cheese. I'll have to be back for that soon. Luckily, there's a Filippi's up the street from me, so when I'm craving pasta, it will be available.]]>Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:18:35 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/269/filippi-s-pizza-grotto?CommentCardId=144jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/8023/la-cicciaI been to La Ciccia several times and never been disappointed, the food and service are always top notch]]>Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:57:35 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/8023/la-ciccia?CommentCardId=143http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/126/capriccio-s-italian-restaurant
Today, I went with their triple sampler-a plate stuffed full of spaghetti, lasagna, and ravioli. The lasagna and raviolis were pretty good. The spaghetti was wasn't a tremendous fan of. The sauce itself was OK (although, admittedly, I smothered with with Parmesan cheese and black pepper before trying).

We started our meal with the antipasti plate. It was pretty typical, but the quality of the meats was higher than expected.

Capriccio's isn't bad and it isn't great. It's just good, simple, Southern Italian cuisine with decent flavor and huge portions. High-value is the most apt descriptor that I walked away with.]]>Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:50:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/126/capriccio-s-italian-restaurant?CommentCardId=142jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/8023/la-cicciafantastic wine list with personal and caring service]]>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:35:32 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-francisco/8023/la-ciccia?CommentCardId=141http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21385/the-oceanaire-seafood-room
I went their for the 3rd time tonight for dinner. The service, like every other time I was there was amazing. The bartenders actually remembered who I was (I admit, I'm a pretty good tipper, but I haven't been there in several months). I went with their recommendations for the entire night and wasn't disappointed one bit.

I started with the blue crab cocktail...a chilled bowl of giant crab lumps served with a trio of sauces. Not quite as good as the crabcake, but amazing nonetheless.

Next up I had the "angry" scallops. Now, I would never have ordered this, but I asked for a recommendation, and the this one was offered passionately. It's a spicy dish, but the scallops are so buttery, the flavors balance perfectly. On the side...hash browns (Oceanaire style--this means with bacon, onions, and Tabasco). Even the small portion is a huge amount of food. I'll be nipping at that for the next few days. To wrap it up, I went with the warm cookies with milk.

Again, not a direction I would normally have taken, but the quintessential complement to a great dinner. Wash that down with a glass of 2% and muscat (not together) and you've capped off a brilliant culinary offering.

Oceanaire is great. I know it's a chain, but for seafood, it's definitely my first choice (bear in mind, I haven't been to Nobu or Ostera). Service, food, and atmosphere are second to none and I have yet to have a less than stellar experience. That's my two cents.]]>Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:03:46 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21385/the-oceanaire-seafood-room?CommentCardId=140jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/783/tioli-s-crazy-burger
You can get an ostrich burger, a kangaroo burger, a crocodile burger...well, you can check out the menu on the next tab over. Personally, I wasn't feeling that adventurous today, so I went with the Nacho Burger. Take a plump and juicy patty of beef, and lay a McDonalds hash brown across the top. Then, sprinkle on some jalapeno slices and top the whole thing with 7-11 style nacho cheese. Sound revolting? It's not! In fact, it's pretty tasty. I'd even go so far as to call it "comfort food".

On the side comes a shoestring fries tossed lightly in Parmesan cheese. Add a cup of soup and a Gatorade, and the whole thing cost about 12 bucks. Pretty good deal in my book.

Oh, and if you like buying your fine art at counter-service restaurants, this is your place. They've got a fine selection of over-priced oil paintings adorning the walls in the sit-down area.

Give Tioli a shot...I had fun.]]>Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:09:52 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/783/tioli-s-crazy-burger?CommentCardId=139jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/austin/13339/sun-hingThu, 05 Feb 2009 22:02:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/tx/austin/13339/sun-hing?CommentCardId=138http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21498/suite-tender
First of all, whomever designed it was going for form and not function. There is no signage, making it difficult to actually find (although I'm told that it's on the way). The front door looks like a wall. If the manager isn't there to let you in, you may not realize it's an entrance. Harkening one back to a scary movie in which the protagonist pulls the wrong book that reveals the wall as a secret passage. The real standout, though, was the service.

I can't remember feeling more welcome and at home at a bar other than Ruth's Chris in Del Mar (actually Carmel Valley). My bartender Heather was charming, efficient, and engaging. She had recommendations (although she may have lied about the pairing of the Sangiovese and short rib) that were on par and apt.

I went with the fish tacos to start...a very light dish in which the salty corn tortilla perfectly complimented the fish. Definitely a nice beginning. For an entree, I went with the combo of Lobster and Short Rib, with a side of truffled fries. A decent dish to say the least. The portions are perfectly sized and left me wanting more. For dessert, I went with a glass of Sauternes and the cheesecake. Not the best pairing, but individually spectacular. The cheesecake is covered in a coating of hardened chocolate that gives it qualities of a high-end peanut butter cup. The garnish of sorbet and fruit coolie add nothing to the dish, so just ignore them.

I'll be back to SnT. In fact, because of the great service and atmosphere, I just may become a regular. Time will tell...]]>Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:31:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21498/suite-tender?CommentCardId=137jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21536/cafe-chloe
Allow me to set the scene. In the time I was there, the dining room went through a bit of a transformation, so I'm going to focus on the later end of the experience. Cafe Chloe is quaint; for dinner, the entire room is lit, half by candle and half by a dim recessed lighting. Picture a woman's bedroom on the night she schemes to seduce that new, special guy she's been seeing. Romance is definitely in the air.

The wine list is adequate and the beer list is exotic. I started with a Block 13 Cab Sav, and moved onto the St. Bernardus Belgium. Both quite fruity, but the beer wore it better.

For food, I started with the pancetta mac and cheese. A nice dish, and the cubes of pancetta really added the perfect accent to the cavatappi noodles and strong cheese flavor. For dinner, I couldn't say no to the trio of pork. A dish of pork loin, belly, and garlic sausage...complimented with sauerkraut, fingerling potatoes, and two flavors of mustard (both strangely mild). This dish was a winner. Pork belly is almost better when not turned into bacon (if you can believe it).

All in all, the service was workmanlike and bordered on cold. Too bad, since the food and atmosphere were really stellar...especially for the price.]]>Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:30:30 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21536/cafe-chloe?CommentCardId=136jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/9162/primo-hoagiesFri, 30 Jan 2009 09:06:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/9162/primo-hoagies?CommentCardId=135http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/183/corvette-diner
Bear in mind...you come for the atmosphere, not the food. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad...the quality is on par with what you'd find in an Appleby's or TGIF. There are a few fun things on the menu (e.g. I'm looking at you Rory--a hamburger with peanut butter on it). Today I went with a cup of Chili and the Philly Cheese Steak. The chili was actually really good. Could have used a little bit more spice, but great texture and flavor.

The cheese steak was on the bland side for me, although the cheese fry accompaniment (upgraded from regular fries for a few pence extra) was great. Tons of cheese melted all the way through the fries creating a delicious blob of fat and carbs.

Service, as always at CD, was loud, friendly, and smiley. If I had kids, I'd take them here about once per month. For me, a couple times a year is just about right.]]>Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:18:55 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/183/corvette-diner?CommentCardId=134jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21535/boomerangs-gourmet-burger-joint
The staple of the menu is a custom ordered burger. You get a litany of options and steps, but when you're done, you've got yourself a decent meal. Lots of spice options (which is great for me). I got a side of chili pepper onion rings which were so good, I had to take them home. The burger itself was a tad overcooked, and I would have preferred a toasted roll, but it was definitely meal-worthy.

I'll be back to check out more of their menu, which is quite inventive for a sports bar, and focuses on spicy fare.]]>Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:01:13 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21535/boomerangs-gourmet-burger-joint?CommentCardId=133jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/lemon-grove/2257/cotijas-mexican-foodMon, 26 Jan 2009 21:43:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/lemon-grove/2257/cotijas-mexican-food?CommentCardId=132mmarksburyhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21535/boomerangs-gourmet-burger-jointMon, 26 Jan 2009 16:54:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21535/boomerangs-gourmet-burger-joint?CommentCardId=131jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21455/the-mission
From the outside, The Mission looks like the town hall on Main Street of an old spaghetti western. The white painted building with a wraparound porch stands out like a sore thumb amidst the downtown San Diego landscape. Meanwhile, the interior has the feel of a half-done coffee house renovation. Walls of amber and beige frame a room of small tables and booths that look as though they were converted from antique headboards. The atmosphere is vibrant; when I was there, the room was filled with 20-something hipsters as the servers and host were buzzing around at a fevered pace. But let's talk about the food.

I went with the roast beef hash, and a side of banana-strawberry pancakes (washed down with a bloody mary, of course). The pancakes were good...3 large portions on a plate decorated with a berry coolie and fresh fruit--a good offering in which the flavors and texture blended well together. The hash was OK as well, although I wanted seasoning. When you have ingredients like roast been, potatoes, tomatoes, and horseradish, you expect it to pop. It wasn't bad, but I just expected more.

I've read that the service at the Mission is not usually quick. I have to say, mine was impeccable. The girl was fast friend and attentive, and smiled every time she came to the table (to me...that goes a long way).

One more thing worth mentioning was the bloody mary. I consider myself a coineseur of that particular drink and this was an interesting case study. It's very light on the mixer and is made with "a vodka-like Asian spirit". The taste is light and the celery and onion flavor really come through.

Give The Mission a shot. The food is good and you get a little bit of North Park on the outskirts of down town.]]>Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:29:19 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21455/the-mission?CommentCardId=130jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/middleton/21510/gavensSun, 25 Jan 2009 05:30:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/middleton/21510/gavens?CommentCardId=129http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/wa/seattle/6274/mama-s-brown-bagThu, 22 Jan 2009 15:42:55 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/wa/seattle/6274/mama-s-brown-bag?CommentCardId=127http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21508/blue-water-seafood-market-grill
Blue Water has a hole-in-the wall vibe and serves as a fish market that serves food. I got an Alaskan Halibut sandwich with a chipotle marinade on a toasted role with a side of lattice fries. The fish was great...super fresh and grilled to perfection and deliciously moist. It actually would probably have been better served without the lettuce, tomato, onions, and tartar sauce (or at least not as much). The fries were good too, for frozen.

Is it the best seafood in SD? I'm not sure about that. But the fish is fresh, well prepared, and super reasonably priced. Check it out.]]>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:03:03 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21508/blue-water-seafood-market-grill?CommentCardId=126jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2013/bj-s-restaurant-brewhouseWed, 21 Jan 2009 13:35:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2013/bj-s-restaurant-brewhouse?CommentCardId=125http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21507/xavier-s-bar-grill
The recommendation itself was based on the burger, so I figured that's what I'd go with. Before that, I started with ravioli breaded, fried, and stuffed with cheese and jalapenos. Not too terribly different than most fried ravioli offerings, but good none-the-less.

The burger blew me away. The burger I went with came with cheese, bacon, and fried jalapenos (as you can see, I have a hard time passing on jalapenos). The beef patty was cooked to a perfect medium and stacked high with crispy, brown bacon. The toasted bun was big and didn't get overwhelmed by the burger and toppings (that's a peeve of mine). For a side, I went with onion rings. They were huge, and the batter was superb. I actually ended up taking them home (which I almost never do).

Put Xavier's near the top of the list for the best burger in San Diego (with Jaynes and Hodads...I haven't tried Rocky's yet).]]>Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:58:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21507/xavier-s-bar-grill?CommentCardId=124jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21501/fred-s-mexican-cafe
The food isn't bad, but neither does it stand out. I had the carnitas tacos which were good. I guess when you live in San Diego, you get a bit spoiled when it comes to Mexican cuisine.

I would be more apt to return to Fred's for beers after a Padres game than for dinner, but that is based on one dinner on a Sunday night.]]>Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:22:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21501/fred-s-mexican-cafe?CommentCardId=123jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21500/p-f-changsFri, 16 Jan 2009 14:23:30 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21500/p-f-changs?CommentCardId=122jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21367/fleming-s
For the salad course, I went with the Caesar. Not bad...but certainly nothing that stood out. The lettuce was mostly white, the dressing was bland, and there were a scant few croutons.

Main course was an 8oz filet mignon. They really hit a home run here. The meat was perfectly cooked to mid-rare-plus and had more flavor that one would expect from beef tenderloin. For sides, I went with the Fleming's potatoes and a some chipotle mac and cheese. I had had the potatoes before and wasn't particularly impressed, but tonight they nailed it. The texture was neither mushy nor hard, and the gooey cheese topping was devine. The mac and cheese was good too.

Dessert was a peanut butter chocolate sandwich. In retrospect, I would have gone in a different direction, but sweets are sweets.

Service was good...in fact, the bartender recommended an off-the-menu red by the glass that perfectly complimented the steak (Merlott Cab Sav--Merlott is a vineyard, not a misspelled grape). Tune in tomorrow to see what day 6 has to offer.]]>Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:20:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21367/fleming-s?CommentCardId=121jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/771/thee-bungalowThu, 15 Jan 2009 16:54:57 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/771/thee-bungalow?CommentCardId=120Jeff-Ahttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21481/the-fleetwood
Day 3 of this festive event brought me out to The Fleetwood. This place is more well known for its night life, but I figured I'd give the food a whirl. Since pretty much every place in town is featuring a high-value set menu, why not go that route. I started with a beet salad (one of my favorites). It was a nice presentation...served de-constructed and drizzled with dressing. I think this was the first one I've tried that didn't have nuts.

For a main course, I couldn't say no to the braised short rib. Credit where credit is due, they did a great job. The flavor was good and it wasn't over-braised (often times, this dish will have no texture whatsoever). To finish up, I went with a creme brule. Again I was pleasantly surprised by the good texture and perfect level of sweetness.

Check back tomorrow for day 4 of "Jeff gets fat week". ]]>Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:16:27 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21481/the-fleetwood?CommentCardId=119jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21493/sipz-fusion-cafeMon, 12 Jan 2009 16:20:11 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21493/sipz-fusion-cafe?CommentCardId=118jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21439/marble-room
As luck would have it, they were running their "restaurant week" menu...a three course prix fixe menu for $30 plus $14 more for 2 wines. How could I resist. I went with a tomato soup (with fennel accents) and grilled cheese sliders to start. The soup was OK (although it did conjure up images of pasta sauce) and the sliders were good. It looked like they were pressed in a George Forman grill, but that didn't diminish the flavor.

For and entree, I went with the chili spiced pork and a side of prosciutto mac and cheese. The pork was great; cooked medium, it was perfectly moist and didn't get lost in the chilis. The mac and cheese was a nice treat, too. The use a fat ziti for the noodles and the cheese sauce was delicate, but had some complex flavors. That brought us to dessert.

I tried a plate that was a mix of banana lollipops and carrot cake sandwiches. All in all, not too impressed. The lollipops were OK, but soooo much chocolate was overwhelming. I'm not a big carrot cake guy in general; this was probably great, but just not for me.

Marble room is a cool spot. The atmosphere is nice, they've got gigantic cushy booths that would be great for 4-6 people. Prices are super reasonable for what you get...at least on restaurant week.]]>Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:27:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21439/marble-room?CommentCardId=117jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/waltham/3324/bison-county
Their specialty is bison, a meat slightly sweeter than beef and far less fatty without being tough or gamy. If you aren't in the mood for bison, you also have the choice of beef, turkey, chicken, pork, shrimp and catfish. Vegetarian meals are also available.

The grill can be seen by almost every table in the restaurant, making it a true BBQ place to enjoy!]]>Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:03:21 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/waltham/3324/bison-county?CommentCardId=116Dawnhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/coronado/1793/il-fornaio
We lived in Downtown San Diego at the time, so we walked to the harbor and enjoyed the 30 minute ferry ride from the Mainland over to Coronado.

The Ferry ride was great but the restaurant was so much better. I can't say enough about it. The food was absolutely spectacular...the best Italian food I have ever eaten.

We ordered Rustichella as an apetizer...so good. For our main course we shared the butternut squash ravioli and the Gnocchi. Both were great but the ravioli was by far the superior dish.

They had a great wine list and the service was just right. Not too pushy and perfectly attentive.

We enjoyed the experience so much that we have decided to return every year for our anniversary so long as we live in San Diego. ]]>Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:44:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/coronado/1793/il-fornaio?CommentCardId=115mmarksburyhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/432/the-little-fish-marketWed, 07 Jan 2009 16:32:10 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/432/the-little-fish-market?CommentCardId=114SingleSpeedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21341/red-robinTue, 06 Jan 2009 21:08:07 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21341/red-robin?CommentCardId=113jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21490/red-lobsterMon, 05 Jan 2009 15:51:48 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21490/red-lobster?CommentCardId=112jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/74/bongiorno-s-new-york-pizzeria
Today, I went with a pepperoni and jalapeno, and a chicken ranch (a white sauce with ranch dressing, bacon, and chicken). Both were great, as per usual. The only thing I don't like about this place is the parking. This may be one of the worst parking lots in SD (and believe me, there are a lot of shitty parking lots in SD).

If you're in the area, park on the street and check it out.]]>Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:29:29 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/74/bongiorno-s-new-york-pizzeria?CommentCardId=111jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/502/morton-s-of-chicago
I started with the lobster cocktail, which was absolutely delicious. The lobster was served in a glass with nothing to interrupt its flavor. A lemon, a mayonnaise sauce, and cocktail sauce were served on the side, but they were not at all needed.

Next course, the cajun spiced rib-eye. Yummm!!! My concern was that the spiced would overpower the natural flavor of the meat, but it was the perfect complement. I also grabbed a couple of sides...the spinach with mushrooms and mac and cheese. Both were great and are currently waiting in a togo box to be feasted on tomorrow.

Lastly, I went with the warm chocolate cake for dessert. It came out a bit cooler than I would have expected, but that was easy to look past. It didn't take long to polish off that plate.

Morton's is great. On par with the other steakhouse chains (Ruth's Chris, Donovan's, Flemming's, etc). The rib-eye beat out the competition, but overall, they didn't distinguish themselves. I'll be back, but if there's a steakhouse that stands above the rest in SD, I'd love to hear about it.]]>Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:08:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/502/morton-s-of-chicago?CommentCardId=110jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8468/cafe-con-chocolateSun, 04 Jan 2009 18:54:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8468/cafe-con-chocolate?CommentCardId=109http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/north-andover/21486/orzo-trattoria
When it came time to pay, I gave the waitress my credit card. About 10 minutes later she came back to the table and exclaimed "You're going to have to find another way to pay!". Huh? A few minutes later, the supervisor came over to explain that the waitress had lost the credit card but that they would try to find it. In the meantime we needed to find another way to pay.

I understand that people make mistakes, and things get lost. Losing a credit card is certainly not the end of the world, but their attitude was so off-putting. My mother ended up paying the check and the next day, we got a call saying that they had found the credit card (which I had already canceled). I was out of town, so my mother went in to get the card...apparently the call was a mistake and they hadn't found anything (a prank call, methinks).

Anyway, I feel like I'm pretty forgiving with restaurants having worked in the industry for so long, but I will never set foot in Orzo again, and I advise anybody who will listen to do the same.]]>Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:07:36 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/north-andover/21486/orzo-trattoria?CommentCardId=108jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/burlington/3073/the-cheesecake-factorySat, 03 Jan 2009 18:05:35 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/burlington/3073/the-cheesecake-factory?CommentCardId=107http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/2962/hawks-den-cafeSat, 03 Jan 2009 12:41:30 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/lowell/2962/hawks-den-cafe?CommentCardId=106http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21420/pomegranate-russian-georgian-restaurant
The room was packed. It took a fair amount of creativity to find a path to the table my friends had taken. The white walls are covered in the hand-written thoughts and adages of past patrons; apparently, graffiti is allowed if not encouraged. It took a while to get any service, but it didn't really matter. We were lost in the charm and over good vibe of the room.

For dinner we got a salad sampler (which came with eating instructions) and a meat-dumpling appetizer. The variety of textures and flavors were a brilliant prelude for the entrees to come. For dinner, I had the pork Shashlik: a kabob which is disassembled table side and drizzled with a pomegranate molasses. The meat was tender and juicy with a great combination of spices.

The selection of Russian beers made a perfect complement. I had never tried Russian/Georgian food before last night, but it definitely left a lasting impression. I'll be making my way back to Pomegranate post haste.

]]>Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:01:29 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21420/pomegranate-russian-georgian-restaurant?CommentCardId=105jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21479/dublin-square-irish-pub-grill
I don't want to do a direct comparison, but I think it's appropriate when assessing the Boxties. Now, bear in mind, I don't know squat about traditional Irish cuisine. For my taste though, the Boxty at the field is far superior...mostly because of the pancake. The Field makes a more rustic version pressed from shredded potatoes, where DS makes a pancake that probably has some potato in it. Also, the flavor was a bit bland for my taste.

On the flip side, the Irish Meat Pies were delicious. The pastry has great texture and flavor and the filling works.

Service was good, and the atmosphere is nice and traditional. TV placement is strange and I found it difficult to get a good angle to the football game from the bar. I'll be back, mostly to try some of their breakfast offerings.
]]>Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:57:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21479/dublin-square-irish-pub-grill?CommentCardId=104jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/818/viva-chicago-hot-dogsFri, 02 Jan 2009 13:07:20 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/818/viva-chicago-hot-dogs?CommentCardId=103jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21478/sloppy-joey-s
Sloppy Joey's is a little Italian cafe in the heart of the Gaslamp district. I sat down that the bar and began scanning the menu. I was actually looking for a sloppy joe (the ultimate hidden gem of everybody's high school cafeteria)...alas, none was to be found. Not a problem...I just fired up a Bruschetta and a meatball sandwich.

The Bruschetta was quite good; the tomatoes were fresh and had a nice mix of garlic and basil. The meatball sandwich was also good. The sesame roll added a nice compliment to the meatballs sauce and cheese. The accompanying pasta salad was good as well.

Service was quick and friendly. I was actually given 3 sets of utensils and napkins. I didn't make that big of a mess, but it's comforting to know that if I did, I wouldn't be up a creek.

I be back to Sloppy Joey's. Apparently, their specialty is their pizza; if it lives up to the other items I've tried, we have a winner.]]>Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:50:29 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21478/sloppy-joey-s?CommentCardId=102jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/824/western-steakburger
So I couldn't help but go with the Western DeLuxe...a half pound of ground beef topped with Gyro meat; it was really good. The beef patty could have been a bit more moist, but the flavors were great and it was oval (can you say "rustic"). To be honest, though, they seemed to phone it in on the side dishes.

I got onion rings, and my friend went with the chili cheese fries (I'll tell ya, that guy just can't lay off the chili fries). The rings were your typical frozen sub-shop offering. The fries looked just awful; standard medium-cut fries, a tiny bit of chili, and two orange squares of cheese (possible the individually wrapped variety) melted over the top. As bad as they looked, though, they tasted fine.

WSB is worth your time if you're in North Park, but stick to the burgers.]]>Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:28:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/824/western-steakburger?CommentCardId=101jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/425/leucadia-pizzeria-italian-restaurantTue, 16 Dec 2008 14:01:40 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/425/leucadia-pizzeria-italian-restaurant?CommentCardId=100SingleSpeedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/165/chipotle-mexican-grillTue, 16 Dec 2008 13:50:43 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/165/chipotle-mexican-grill?CommentCardId=99SingleSpeedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2022/california-pizza-kitchenTue, 16 Dec 2008 13:47:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2022/california-pizza-kitchen?CommentCardId=98SingleSpeedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/832/yardhouse
First thing to note...there is a ton of beer on tap. I think it's over a hundred. Their list consists of both local offerings and national brews. I didn't repeat myself once on a 6 beer day. Next up--the food.

First of all, the menu is pretty cool. They put an interesting spin on typical bar fare. Bear in mind...it's a bit pricey their. Anyway, I tried the Jamaican wings and crab cake hoagie. The wings were quite good. The bones had a good amount of meet, which was quite tender. The seasoning was good, and the rum-BBQ sauce was a great accompaniment. The crab cake sandwich wasn't quite as good, but still didn't disappoint. The shoestring fries which came as a side melted in the mouth.

As per usual in San Diego, the service was mediocre. I think I need to adjust my expectations since moving here from Boston, but if you don't go to Ruth's Chris or Donovan's...be prepared to wait for ordering, drink refills, and cashing out. It's usually friendly, though. I'll definitely be back to explore the Yardhouse. In fact, it may become my Sunday regular haunt when the Pats play at 1 (4 EST).]]>Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:43:50 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/832/yardhouse?CommentCardId=97jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/irvine/4515/tuscany-mediterranee-grillWe liked it so well we held a dinner party for 40 there last month and came away with nothing but rave reviews from our guests, most of whom are experienced and discriminating diners.
You owe it to yourselves to spend a wonderful evening at Tuscany Mediterranee Grill.
Bob and Genie
]]>Sun, 14 Dec 2008 06:05:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/irvine/4515/tuscany-mediterranee-grill?CommentCardId=96http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-marcos/2424/the-old-spaghetti-factoryFri, 12 Dec 2008 13:04:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-marcos/2424/the-old-spaghetti-factory?CommentCardId=95J-Dawghttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-mesa/2234/tiramisu-trattoriaThu, 11 Dec 2008 12:12:20 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-mesa/2234/tiramisu-trattoria?CommentCardId=94http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/6949/nypd-pizzaWed, 10 Dec 2008 13:07:36 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/6949/nypd-pizza?CommentCardId=93http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/820/wahoo-fish-taco
I was expecting something better than Del Taco, but not as good as Rubios. What I got was the best fast-food Mexican chain I've tried since moving to So-Cal. Since I like variety, I went with the chicken quesadilla, and 2 taco place (blackened fish and carnitas). The ingredients were super fresh, the meat was moist, and the sauces and condiments added a great compliment to the delicious meats.

The service was fast and friendly; it was counter service, but the girls came out to check on us and clear our plates on more than one occasion. There aren't that locations around that I know of, but it's worth going out of your way for some tasty, high-value, Mexican cuisine.]]>Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:21:25 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/820/wahoo-fish-taco?CommentCardId=92jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2057/international-market-grill
IMG is a small supermarket that also serves food...kabobs to be more specific. We went in for lunch today and were told that there were only 2 kabob items available--filet and chicken. They also had a combination plate on the menu with filet and ground beef, so I asked if I could substitute the ground beef for the chicken to which they agreed, however, they charged me much more than the price on the menu. It took a really long time to get our food (about 15 minutes or so). The chicken was really good and the filet (don't be fooled, this is not tenderloin) was really mediocre.

Well, now I know. IMG isn't bad, but it's certainly not 10's across the board.]]>Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:29:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2057/international-market-grill?CommentCardId=91jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2057/international-market-grillMon, 08 Dec 2008 13:14:20 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2057/international-market-grill?CommentCardId=90SingleSpeedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/il/chicago/11815/magic-jug-restaurantSat, 06 Dec 2008 16:38:09 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/il/chicago/11815/magic-jug-restaurant?CommentCardId=89http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21438/extraordinary-dessertsSat, 06 Dec 2008 12:45:29 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21438/extraordinary-desserts?CommentCardId=88jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/371/jimmy-carter-s-mexican-cafe
What really stood out to me was the Salsa. Chips were served with a trio of condiments--spicy tomato salsa, a green salsa verde , and carrots. I've got to tell you, I was very impressed with the first two. Both quite spicy (which is great...mild salsa bugs me) and great with the chips.

For dinner I had tlaquepaque with pork; three pork-chop medallions smothered in a jalapeno sauce, and served with fresh tortillas. The pork had good texture, and although I could have used a bit more heat is the sauce, the overall plate was good. The margaritas were OK, but far from noteworthy (although a nice ratio of tequila and sour mix).

The service was adequate--the pace was moderate, but not very thorough. Also I was in an aisle with somebody sitting flush against my chair, so I kept getting bumped into by waitstaff and customers alike. Not a huge deal, but enough to notice. Still, this place is worth an hour of your time...if for nothing else, the chips and salsa.]]>Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:17:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/371/jimmy-carter-s-mexican-cafe?CommentCardId=87jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/6949/nypd-pizzaFri, 05 Dec 2008 13:45:39 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/6949/nypd-pizza?CommentCardId=86http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21421/las-cuatro-milpas
I've had two different items here...the Chorizo con Huerto and the tacos, and neither one disappoints. The difference maker is the tortillas, which are made fresh on premises. The taco meat is very tender and expertly seasoned. I could use a bit more flavor out of the Chorizo, but the large flour tortillas that come with it are second to none.

Bear in mind, you're not walking into a polished atmosphere. The tortillas are made in the back of the dining room and it's not uncommon to see pigeons milling about under the tables (which are adorned in plastic red and white checkered table covers). Despite an atmosphere that may be a bit too authentic, Las Cuatro Milpas is a must visit.

The best Mexican food in San Diego? Perhaps. Amazing, authentic food that is a tremendous value at the prices? Definitely.]]>Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:40:19 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21421/las-cuatro-milpas?CommentCardId=85jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21405/del-taco
Now I understand that DT is not a fine dining establishment (although you wouldn't know it based on the time it takes to get your food). My basis for comparison is Wendy's and Taco Bell. That said, the service was slow and the food was bad. The beef burrito was OK, but the steak taco, filled with what can be best described as an inexpensive take on carne asada, was barely chewable at best. Adding a couple packets of sauce actually made the food blander (a miracle of physics indeed). The burger was OK...on par with the standard array of fast-food offerings.

The good thing about Del Taco is the price. You can go in and walk out full for under 5 bucks. I still prefer Taco Bell, Rubios, Wendys, Burger King(hmmm...this list would go on for a while; lets just say if you think of fast food place, it would probably go on here). Oh well, maybe I at least taught my body a lesson for getting sick.]]>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:00:14 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21405/del-taco?CommentCardId=84jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8548/cobre-restaurant-barWed, 03 Dec 2008 07:05:25 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8548/cobre-restaurant-bar?CommentCardId=83http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8548/cobre-restaurant-barWed, 03 Dec 2008 06:23:47 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8548/cobre-restaurant-bar?CommentCardId=82http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/277/frankie-s-italian-deli
The spaghetti was another story. Looking past the fact that they gave me garlic bread instead of meatballs (which I specifically asked and paid extra for), the past was mushy and served with about a quarter inch of water in the bowl. I know there's a good dish of spaghetti and meatballs someplace in San Diego, but it's definitely not at Frankie's.]]>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:50:52 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/277/frankie-s-italian-deli?CommentCardId=81jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/escondido/21425/stone-brewing-company
So how long for a table of seven, you ask...2 hours. Now I worked in the restaurant business for several years, and when you quote somebody a 2 hour wait, you're basically saying "get the hell out of my restaurant". Anyway, not a problem, we were able to chill out at the patio bar.

Service was slow, but after two Oaked Arrogant Bastard ales and commandeering some seats at the bar, we started having a really good time. Also, the patio and dining room at the bistro are quite stunning--a multi-level sectioned outside area, complete with trees, stone sectioning walls, and coy ponds. After 45 minutes, we were sat at our table (where the hell did 2 hours come from?).

The food, beer, and atmosphere at Stone are really top notch. We had the spud buds, onion rings, and extra stinky cheese plate for appetizers and were all blown away. For dinner, I went with the duck tacos which were also delicious--lots of duck which was really well-seasoned. Several folks in the group had the mac and cheese and raved about that as well. We also got to try several of the breweries offerings, including the Oaked Arrogant Bastard, Sawyers Triple, and Anniversary ales...all very well crafted.

The Stone Brewery is a great time (oh, the tour was fun too), but they don't take reservations, so be prepared to spend some time there if it's busy. ]]>Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:15:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/escondido/21425/stone-brewing-company?CommentCardId=80jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/la/new-orleans/9341/chartres-house-cafeSat, 29 Nov 2008 23:41:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/la/new-orleans/9341/chartres-house-cafe?CommentCardId=79http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/261/the-field-authentic-irish-pub-restaurant
The Field definitely has all of the characteristics of an Americanized Irish pub: dimly lit, lots of wood, and walls cluttered with framed pictures. My first with Irish cuisine brings to mind two words--"comfort food". I started with the Sausage Rolls, which are linked sausage wrapped in a pastry dough and served with spicy mustard. The texture of the sausage was soft and was almost indistinguishable from the pastry. The flavor, however, was quite good.

For an entree, I went with the Rasher and Cheese Boxty. A boxty, for the uninitiated, is almost like a crepe except the outer wrapping is made of hash brown potato pancake. My sense is that you could wrap just about anything in there and it would taste good. In this case, the filling was a bacon and cheese mixture (I was actually a bit disappointed because on my menu handout, there was a boxty sampler which wasn't available...maybe it's just for dinner).

I don't know if what I ate was authentic Irish cuisine, but I do know it tasted great. I'll be back for more boxties.]]>Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:43:31 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/261/the-field-authentic-irish-pub-restaurant?CommentCardId=78jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/547/osteria-panevino
I was greeted by the waiter who seemed a bit surprised by my arrival. "Can I sit at the bar?" I asked. "Nobody else is here" he replied. "I know, can I sit at the bar anyway?". "Sure, if you'd like...I'll turn on the TV for you; do you like soccer?". And thus began my meal.

I started out with the Panzanella salad. I love panzanella anyway, but this one was made with arugula, so I couldn't resist. It was quite good, and the fresh shaved Parmesan cheese (a perfect choice for such strong flavors).

For my main course, I had the lasagna bolognese. Another great dish (although it needed about 5 minutes to cool down as it was served piping hot), with just the right consistency and great, rich flavors. I'll definitely be back to try the rest of the menu.]]>Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:31:30 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/547/osteria-panevino?CommentCardId=77jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1775/taste-of-thai
We decided to share a few appetizers and I went with the Pad Thai (one of my favorite dishes when prepared well). The calamari was pretty tasty, but the beef satae was mediocre at best. The Pad Thai was very bland (although, I forgot to ask for it spicy as I normally do)--my bad.

The service was pretty good. We were greeted quickly and the meal flowed at a good pace. My only issue was that I had asked for chop-sticks which were never brought. Oh well...at least I got to practice my fork skills.

I feel like ToT has more to offer than we got today. I'll probably give them another shot (but three strikes and you're out).]]>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:36:14 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1775/taste-of-thai?CommentCardId=76jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1775/taste-of-thai
We started with fried calamari and Satae; both were decent, nothing spectacular. The soup was something I’d not had before; it had chunks of onion, tomato and potato in a clear broth, and it tasted more boring than it sounds. I ordered chicken Pad Thai for an entrée, and that was just a mess. I’m used to some spice in Thai food, this was bland (I wasn’t asked for a spice level, as I’m used to at most Thai places). Also, more disturbingly it had these little dehydrated shrimp in it, along with chunks of tofu. The shrimp were crunchy and the flavor was too pronounced, which is unfortunate for me since I don’t care for shrimp. I don’t think we’ll be headed back anytime soon.

]]>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:23:00 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1775/taste-of-thai?CommentCardId=75jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21424/cozymel-s-mexican-grillMon, 24 Nov 2008 14:48:06 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21424/cozymel-s-mexican-grill?CommentCardId=74jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21424/cozymel-s-mexican-grill
I went with the appetizer sampler which consists of chicken nachos, spinach and onion quesadillas, and chicken flautas. The chicken nachos were actually quite good. They were served as 4 individual chips with a layer of refried beans, chicken and cheese. On the other hand, the quesadillas and flautas were both bland.

I'll roll the dice with Cozymel again, but with so many good Mexican options in San Diego, it won't be too soon.]]>Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:01:32 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21424/cozymel-s-mexican-grill?CommentCardId=73jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2084/piatti-ristorante
We had brought a bottle each of wine and champagne, but couldn't resist trying the jalapeno and pear martini. Let me tell ya, that thing was delicious. Honestly though, all the food was great. The bread was served piping hot and with a great chili/garlic/olive oil paste. I had the cannelloni, which was very good as well.

The one quirky thing about the experience was the constant pelting of seeds from the trees that overhang the patio. Even that though wasn't enough to detract from such a great dining experience. I highly recommend Piatti.]]>Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:47:03 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2084/piatti-ristorante?CommentCardId=72jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ny/new-york/18048/sing-sing-delimice everywhere especially under the potato chips display. GO AND LOOK AND COUNT THE
MICE! All the dates on the food were expired. Coffee had bad milk.

]]>Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:56:19 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ny/new-york/18048/sing-sing-deli?CommentCardId=71http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2088/rock-bottom-breweryFri, 21 Nov 2008 13:43:55 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2088/rock-bottom-brewery?CommentCardId=70jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21358/karl-strauss-brewing-company
Anyway, we decided to hit KS after wine tasting. I went with the pastrami sandwich. It was well prepared...not too salty for pastrami and the french roll stood up well to the moisture. The fries are always good there, but I would recommend upgrading to the garlic fries. The beer was good too; I can't say I love their home-made craft brews compared to some of the other San Diego breweries, but the red, IPA, and nut brown will all wash down your food just fine.
]]>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:07:43 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21358/karl-strauss-brewing-company?CommentCardId=69jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21423/parallel-33Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:32:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21423/parallel-33?CommentCardId=68Hegemonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21419/grant-grill
The high - wine list by glass was excellent and they charged only double retail vs. 3 or 4x by other restaurants.

The low - price and quality. Look, when I order a $45 steak (filet), it better be good. Mine tasted like pot roast. Seriously.

So I don't plan to revisit this place. There was a steak house down the street that has prime aged filet for $25 and a better atmosphere. Pass on this a gawdy, boring, hotel restaurant.]]>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:18:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21419/grant-grill?CommentCardId=67Hegemonhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/470/mario-s-new-york-pizza
The first thing to strike me was how clean the store was. Almost as though nobody had ever eaten there before...hmmmm. I went with a meatball sub and a slice of meat-lovers pizza. Although not tens, they were both pretty good for your typical pizza-shop fare.

I don't know that I would drive out of my way to get to Mario's, but if it were close by, I could see myself eating there from time-to-time.]]>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:23:20 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/470/mario-s-new-york-pizza?CommentCardId=66jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/272/the-fish-marketSun, 16 Nov 2008 15:46:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/272/the-fish-market?CommentCardId=65jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21419/grant-grill
I talked my friend into trying the Grant so we went in and took a seat at the bar...why break with tradition. After studying the menu, I wanted to go with the paired-tasting selection. I was informed, however, that this is only available in the dining room--hmmm, strange. Anyway, rather than give up our seats (along with the chance of interacting with the one female bar patron), I adjusted my selection. I tried the Fois Gras appetizer, which was excellent; I always get Fois Gras when it's available since it will be gone before the end of the Mayan calendar.

The entree I went with was the Filet, which was a bit of a let down. The Oxtail ravioli accompaniment was bland and the Filet was dry and overcooked. This may not have bee as evident if meat hadn't been served cut in half--another think I didn't care for.

Dessert was OK; I went with the chocolate panna cotta dish, which was well paired with the 20yr tawny offered on the menu. I'll definitely give the Grant another whirl, but after one visit, they don't really compare with some of the other high-end steak houses in the area. Just my two cents. ]]>Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:14:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21419/grant-grill?CommentCardId=64jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2013/bj-s-restaurant-brewhouse
That said...the food was pretty good. I went with an appetizer combination that included the bruschetta and spinach/artichoke dip. The dish was nicely presented and well prepared. I also went with the BBQ beef sandwich which was equally good. The beef was very tender and had good flavor which wasn't overpowered by the sauce. The thick-cut french fries were also well seasoned and properly cooked.

One of my cohorts was raving about the Pizookie Party Platter, but by the time we were done with lunch, there just wasn't any room. Next time for sure.]]>Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:28:38 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2013/bj-s-restaurant-brewhouse?CommentCardId=63jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/490/miramar-cafe
We went in for lunch and ended up having breakfast. The I got the eggs with biscuits and gravy with a side of blueberry pancakes. The eggs were good and the biscuits were moist. The gravy could have stood a bit more seasoning, but I guess that's what condiments are for.

The blueberry pancakes were OK, but nothing special. It took us a while to figure out where they actually baked the fruit into the pancake, or just pile them on top (we did find a few baked in, but they were rare).

As usual, the service was fast and friendly...as one would expect in any good Greek/Mexican/diner hybrid.


]]>Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:37:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/490/miramar-cafe?CommentCardId=62jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21416/cafe-222
The benedict was great; eggs benedict with a sausage patty in place of canadian bacon--I'm surprised more places don't do this. It seems like such a natural adaptation and it tastes great. The french toast was OK. I've had some amazing french toast lately and this one seemed to pale by comparison. Might have been better if I hadn't had a plate of eggs immediately before.

One interesting observation--the waitress was a coffee-warming machine. My coffee was topped off after every sip (OK, slight exaggeration). Watching the girl scan the dining room with coffee pot in hand and the eyes of a predator just made me feel safe--as though my coffee would never be cold again. ]]>Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:38:04 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21416/cafe-222?CommentCardId=61jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21415/high-dive-bar-and-grill
Marginal service is the staple of the dive bar. If there is no point in the evening where your drink is empty for at least five minutes, you're probably not in a dive bar. High Dive had this part down. Other than that, it's actually a fairly respectable place. The menu is interesting. I tried the gorgonzola fries and the pear and arugula pizza. The fries were excellent and the pizza was OK too. The classic flavor of combination of pear, arugula, and prosciutto gets a bit lost, but it's still interesting.

Personally, I would like to have seen a better beer selection, but all-in-all, a fun time with good people. I'll definitely be back.


]]>Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:38:32 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21415/high-dive-bar-and-grill?CommentCardId=60jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21381/island-s-fine-burgers-drinksFri, 07 Nov 2008 15:31:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21381/island-s-fine-burgers-drinks?CommentCardId=59jayoaichenhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/6829/golden-china
We bring it back and I tell him we bought the bourbon chicken and that id like to return it because of the spilled sauce, the jerked chicken and the lack of flavor. He digs a fork into the bottom and takes a bite out of the two pieces that actually had sauce and tells me its just fine. So I grab a piece off the top and rip it apart and show him it's dry (NO sauce yet mysteriously still colored red) and jerked and he tells me im wrong. Must have dried out under the heat lamps.

He then tells me he'll refund me minus 30% of the order. I tell him he'll refund me 100% of the order because its disgusting and I dont want any of it. He tells me theyll recook it and i tell him it looks like they already cooked that order 3x before they gave it to me and his food has turned me off to the idea of chinese food for at least a week. He again refuses a refund. I tell him I'll just call the credit card company and then he can refund it plus the $20 chargeback fee I'm sure he'll get stuck with.

He goes to hand me the plastic bag (the bottom of which was FILLED with sauce) and I point to it and go LOOK thats where all the damn sauce went. And he calls the girl over who handed us the bag who tells him she didnt spill it and he proceeds to blame US for his dirty dry jerk flavorless chicken. All of this in front of 5 other customers and over a $10 tab.
]]>Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:45:33 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/fl/tampa/6829/golden-china?CommentCardId=58http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21388/richard-walkers-pancake-house
Hmmm...what to start with; I guess I'll go with the food. I got the eggs and hash with a side of chocolate chip pancakes. The eggs were a perfectly-cooked over-easy (a rarity) and the hash, made on the premises, has great flavor. It was finely minced with a soft texture. I was able to upgrade the usual accompaniment of buttermilk pancakes to chocolate chip. The were absolutely delicious--the chocolate morsels were both cooked into the batter, and served melting over the top. This was the best breakfast I had eaten since Arterra.

Then there was the service. First of all, my table was broken off from another table and set flush against the wait station...apparently, there wasn't space in the restroom. I had no condiments (although my neighbors were kind enough to share). During my meal, staff was leaning on the edge of my table to leave empty plates. The beginning of the services way a bit rushed (I was asked 3 times within 2 minutes if I was ready to order while clearly still pining over the menu) and at the back end, it took 10 minutes with no plates on the table to get the check. I will say, my server was very friendly and my coffee and water was never empty. Unfortunately I had no sugar for my coffee, but was able to easily reach over to the wait station to grab some Splenda.

I will try Richard Walkers again; the food was excellent. I would also recommend it to others. Just be aware it's a fast-paced, turn-and-burn environment, and don't let them seat you near the wait station and you should be in for a great time.]]>Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:29:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21388/richard-walkers-pancake-house?CommentCardId=56jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/197/croce-s-restaurants-bars
As usual, I couldn't decide so I went with the eggs benedict and an order of vanilla french toast. The french toast was really good; a thick piece of bread, well seasoned and served with whipped cream, strawberries, and walnuts. The eggs benedict was pretty good too.

Also of note...another great downtown bloody mary. This is the longest streaks of consecutive, good bloody marys that I've had. I think I'm getting close to the record.]]>Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:25:53 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/197/croce-s-restaurants-bars?CommentCardId=55jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2088/rock-bottom-brewery
Anyway, I had a ham and pulled pork sandwich special which was really good. My counterparts ordered a gigantic plate of nachos which would have satiated an army of zombies. The Diet Pepsi tasted like a witches potion brewed in a smoldering cauldron (no, seriously...I think there was a problem with the water/syrup ratio). Service was slow but friendly.]]>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:40:15 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/la-jolla/2088/rock-bottom-brewery?CommentCardId=54jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21335/ruth-s-chris-steak-houseFri, 31 Oct 2008 11:56:07 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21335/ruth-s-chris-steak-house?CommentCardId=53SingleSpeedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/821/wahoo-sFri, 31 Oct 2008 11:52:06 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/821/wahoo-s?CommentCardId=52SingleSpeedhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/705/spices-thai-cafe
The server took about 15 minutes to get to our table, although after that things moved along nicely. We'll be back, but probably not any time soon.]]>Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:20:39 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/705/spices-thai-cafe?CommentCardId=51jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21383/the-local
First of all, the menu is really innovative and eclectic. Many of their egg dishes offer cream cheese folded in which adds to the texture. Anyway, I started with their bloody mary which was quite good (although, to be honest, I have yet to encounter a BM downtown that isn't from scratch and delicious) and had the green chili scramble. The flavors in the eggs were great but it would have been great if they were a bit warmer. I also couldn't resist a side of the french toast--delicious.

To top it off, the Pats won and the Bills lost, so a good day all around.]]>Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:21:41 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21383/the-local?CommentCardId=50jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21409/the-red-circle
The bartender was super friendly, taking the time to take me through the menu and recommend several dishes. I got a three course meal that came with an appetizer, several skewers of my choice (I want to say six, but I can't quite recall) and a dessert. Not more than 10 minutes after my order was placed, the "wig bar crawl" party arrived. 200 or so patrons donned in wigs and looking to test their collective alcohol tolerance.

I won't go into the sordid details of the night with my new wig friend Monica. I'll just say, the food was really tasty (although since the bar got slammed, I never got my dessert) and the night was fun. Just to give you an idea, before I had left for the night a bikini runway show was well underway. I'll let you decide if The Red Circle is for you.]]>Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:57:09 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21409/the-red-circle?CommentCardId=49jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21404/roy-s-restaurant
I have to say, I was quite impressed. Keep in mind, it takes a while to prepare (about 15-20 minutes). But it's worth the wait. The melty chocolate center oozes across the plate after disturbing the delicate outer crust, mixing with the raspberry sauce and ice cream. Delicious!

The rest of the lunch was good, too. I had the lobster potstickers and Kahlua Pig Po Boy. Both very good selections. I would recommend Roys on a day where you've got some cash burning a hole in you pocket...it is a bit pricey.]]>Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:51:48 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21404/roy-s-restaurant?CommentCardId=48jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21383/the-localTue, 21 Oct 2008 14:03:01 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21383/the-local?CommentCardId=47Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21365/urban-solace
For an entree, I went with the highly-recommended meatloaf and a side of "duckaroni" (macaroni and cheese tossed with duck confit). The meatloaf is a bit sweet for my taste, featuring lamb, figs, and pine nuts. Not a traditional meatloaf by any means, but definitely worth a try.

Full as I was, I needed to go with dessert. The velvet cake to be exact. The cake was moist and the icing (cream cheese based) is excellent. If you're in the area, this place is a must try.]]>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:44:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21365/urban-solace?CommentCardId=46jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/99/ca-dao
We come here quite a bit for lunch. The pho is quite good (although admittedly, I'm no expert). I get the same thing every time I go...egg rolls and the number 18 (rare steak). The food always comes out hot and fresh and the flavor is quite good. I may like to see a bit more steak, but at $5 for a medium bowl...it's tough to complain. Check it out if you're in Mira Mesa--you'll be done before you know it.]]>Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:34:07 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/99/ca-dao?CommentCardId=45jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/az/phoenix/19030/feeney-s-restaurantThu, 16 Oct 2008 15:03:08 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/az/phoenix/19030/feeney-s-restaurant?CommentCardId=44http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21386/neighborhood
Don't worry, though...things go up from there. For a main course, I tried the Braised Beef Ribs, which are served with a side of Jalapeno Mac and Cheese. A rich combination of food to say the least, but still very tasty. The mac and cheese was done right, putting more emphasis on the cheese than the mac. The braised beef was good: tender, rich, and flavorful.

On a side note, my water was served with a cucumber garnish, which was very cool. ]]>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:19:46 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21386/neighborhood?CommentCardId=43jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/87/broadway-pizzaTue, 07 Oct 2008 21:00:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/87/broadway-pizza?CommentCardId=42http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21368/the-linkery-restaurantSat, 04 Oct 2008 23:44:01 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21368/the-linkery-restaurant?CommentCardId=41jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21366/ritual-tavernSat, 04 Oct 2008 23:35:37 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21366/ritual-tavern?CommentCardId=40jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/317/greystone-the-steakhouseSun, 28 Sep 2008 21:53:56 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/317/greystone-the-steakhouse?CommentCardId=39jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/289/gaslamp-tavernSat, 27 Sep 2008 10:49:20 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/289/gaslamp-tavern?CommentCardId=38jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21361/hash-house-a-go-goThu, 25 Sep 2008 18:50:57 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21361/hash-house-a-go-go?CommentCardId=37jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/609/princess-pub-grilleThu, 25 Sep 2008 18:43:06 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/609/princess-pub-grille?CommentCardId=36jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ga/atlanta/20306/e-best-wingsSun, 21 Sep 2008 16:35:32 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ga/atlanta/20306/e-best-wings?CommentCardId=35http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1769/poseidonThu, 18 Sep 2008 18:21:00 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1769/poseidon?CommentCardId=34jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21351/jayne-s-gastropubThu, 18 Sep 2008 06:42:33 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21351/jayne-s-gastropub?CommentCardId=33jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/655/sammy-s-woodfired-pizzaTue, 16 Sep 2008 13:35:24 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/655/sammy-s-woodfired-pizza?CommentCardId=32jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/irvine/4515/tuscany-mediterranee-grillwe make this fine Italian restaurant in Irvine our place to dine and relax
give them a try they won't dissapoint you
Karen]]>Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:31:22 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/irvine/4515/tuscany-mediterranee-grill?CommentCardId=31http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/21371/jimmy-o-s-sports-barMon, 15 Sep 2008 21:21:36 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/21371/jimmy-o-s-sports-bar?CommentCardId=30jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/527/oggi-s-pizzaMon, 15 Sep 2008 20:55:40 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/527/oggi-s-pizza?CommentCardId=29jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1773/sbicca-an-american-bistroSat, 13 Sep 2008 16:42:28 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1773/sbicca-an-american-bistro?CommentCardId=28jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21382/el-toritoSat, 13 Sep 2008 16:25:40 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21382/el-torito?CommentCardId=27http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21336/chili-sThu, 11 Sep 2008 13:13:44 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21336/chili-s?CommentCardId=26jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21381/island-s-fine-burgers-drinksThu, 11 Sep 2008 00:34:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21381/island-s-fine-burgers-drinks?CommentCardId=25jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21351/jayne-s-gastropub
The atmosphere? Considering where it sits on 30th Street anything less than the smell of the dryers at the nearby laundromat or the smoke from the cheap bar on the corner would be "nice". It's pretty and I would've enjoyed sitting inside but it was so nice on the patio that my friend and I chose not to.

The beer? NOW! Now, we're talking here. They have a great selection of ales ad micro-brew. I had and recommend the Green Flash IPA to anybody who still stands around long enough for me to start talking, again.

I sure do like the Green Flash IPA and there's no place in San Diego I'd rather meet a friend to have one than Jayne's Gastropub. ]]>Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:51:30 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21351/jayne-s-gastropub?CommentCardId=24Kiphttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21340/miami-grilleTue, 09 Sep 2008 19:44:40 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21340/miami-grille?CommentCardId=23jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21334/ruth-s-chris-steak-houseMon, 08 Sep 2008 22:25:11 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21334/ruth-s-chris-steak-house?CommentCardId=22jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/boston/852/75-chestnutSat, 06 Sep 2008 12:11:57 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/boston/852/75-chestnut?CommentCardId=21Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/cambridge/21373/chez-henriSat, 06 Sep 2008 11:38:26 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/cambridge/21373/chez-henri?CommentCardId=20Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21372/canada-steak-burgerSat, 06 Sep 2008 11:05:11 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21372/canada-steak-burger?CommentCardId=19Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/boston/991/bull-finch-pubMon, 01 Sep 2008 16:25:42 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/boston/991/bull-finch-pub?CommentCardId=18Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/181/colima-s-mexican-foodMon, 01 Sep 2008 14:18:34 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/181/colima-s-mexican-food?CommentCardId=17Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1723/americanaMon, 01 Sep 2008 11:27:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/del-mar/1723/americana?CommentCardId=16jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/solana-beach/2187/pamplemousse-grille
The main course was the mixed grill. The pork and filet were excellent and the lamb was OK. The truffle mashed potatoes which came as a side was quite good as well. Truffles are an ingredient that really required a light touch, but they were well used here. All in all, the service was OK...friendly, but I think they were a bit busy. It didn't feel like what one would expect based on the prices, but I'll give them a mulligan since it was a big track crown.

All and all, a good experience.]]>Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:01:54 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/solana-beach/2187/pamplemousse-grille?CommentCardId=15jephhttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21365/urban-solaceWed, 27 Aug 2008 13:30:46 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/21365/urban-solace?CommentCardId=14http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/282/froggy-s-bar-grillMon, 25 Aug 2008 16:55:08 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/282/froggy-s-bar-grill?CommentCardId=13Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/coronado/1808/tent-city-Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:29:03 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/coronado/1808/tent-city-?CommentCardId=12Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8476/cafetteMon, 25 Aug 2008 13:23:25 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8476/cafette?CommentCardId=11Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/brighton/2755/fast-eddie-s-pizzaMon, 25 Aug 2008 13:12:16 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/brighton/2755/fast-eddie-s-pizza?CommentCardId=10Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/246/el-zarapeMon, 25 Aug 2008 13:03:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/246/el-zarape?CommentCardId=9Fat Mikehttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8665/fogo-de-chao-churrascariaMon, 25 Aug 2008 11:55:12 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/pa/philadelphia/8665/fogo-de-chao-churrascaria?CommentCardId=8http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/527/oggi-s-pizzaTue, 05 Aug 2008 23:50:18 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/527/oggi-s-pizza?CommentCardId=7http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/540/ono-sushiTue, 05 Aug 2008 14:22:45 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/540/ono-sushi?CommentCardId=6http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/andover/3127/grassfields-food-spiritsWed, 30 Jul 2008 15:08:17 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ma/andover/3127/grassfields-food-spirits?CommentCardId=5http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/786/tofu-houseWed, 23 Jul 2008 22:36:57 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/786/tofu-house?CommentCardId=4http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/527/oggi-s-pizzaWed, 16 Jul 2008 21:48:05 GMThttp://www.foodfinder.net/restaurant/ca/san-diego/527/oggi-s-pizza?CommentCardId=2jeph