http://www.foodfinder.net/ The lastest restaurant reviews and comment cards posted by the FoodFinder community. en-us Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:44:30 GMT Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:51:48 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss FoodFinder.net RSS foodfinder.net@gmail.com (Jeffrey Kody) foodfinder.net@gmail.com (Jeffrey Kody) 109 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/red-lobster/21490.aspx Red Lobster is awful. I think they’re trying now to just go after Long John Silver’s for the title of worst seafood chain, and while it’s been years since I’ve had LJS’s, I think RL may be winning (losing?). My wife got me to go today by claiming a “pregnancy craving” (for which there is no defense against). I got the ‘Tilapia in a bag’ which sounded pretty decent from the description. To be fair, the fish was seasoned well and cooked ok, and the portion was alright. Everything else on the plate was unappetizing. The steamed veggies that came with it were almost completely raw. The rice tasted like some sort of ‘boil in the bag’ instant concoction. Overall it was really disappointing. The only saving grace to this place is the Cheddar Bay biscuits. Whoever came up with those is solely responsible for keeping the doors open at Red Lobster; those are the only good thing I’ve found on the menu. It’s a shame they make you order an entrée to get them. No complaints about the service or the atmosphere. I’ll be back in a few years when I’ve forgotten about everything but the biscuits. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:51:48 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/red-lobster/21490.aspx?CommentCardId=112 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/bongiorno-s-new-york-pizzeria/74.aspx Bongiorno's is a little pizzeria nestled in a strip mall in Mira Mesa, and I'll give them this, they make a good pie. We go there from time to time and are never disappointed. They offer a special of 2 slices and a drink for $7, or 3 slices and a drink for $9 (sounds a bit pricey, but the slices are big), and they've always got a great assortment of both traditional toppings, and more experimental mixes. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/bongiorno-s-new-york-pizzeria/74.aspx?CommentCardId=111 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/morton-s-of-chicago/502.aspx Morton's is a good time, but be prepared to drop some $$$$. Now let me qualify this statement...I am no stranger to high-end steak houses. I've frequented Ruth's Chris and Flemings, and patronized many others near me. That said, this is the most I've ever spent on a run-of-the-mill Sunday night out. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/morton-s-of-chicago/502.aspx?CommentCardId=110 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/cafe-con-chocolate/8468.aspx This is the cutest little cafe, with such a friendly atmosphere, and even better... really, really good food! Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:54:18 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/cafe-con-chocolate/8468.aspx?CommentCardId=109 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/north-andover/orzo-trattoria/21486.aspx Orzo can be proud that it provided me the single worst service experience that I've ever had in a restaurant. I went out for dinner with my mother and brother. The food was fine; typical mediocre Italian fare. Not bad, but you can certainly do better for the price. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/north-andover/orzo-trattoria/21486.aspx?CommentCardId=108 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/burlington/the-cheesecake-factory/3073.aspx food is good, the server was terrific. the noise level was loud, the wait was very long, over 1 hour and the bar inadequate. Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:05:35 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/burlington/the-cheesecake-factory/3073.aspx?CommentCardId=107 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/lowell/hawks-den-cafe/2962.aspx Love this place! Right by school and the buffalo poppers are the best!!!!! Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:41:30 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/lowell/hawks-den-cafe/2962.aspx?CommentCardId=106 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/pomegranate-russian-georgian-restaurant/21420.aspx Do you feel a need to be able to pronounce the food that you're eating? If you answered no, then have I got a restaurant for you. Pomegranate is a little hole-in-the-wall that oozes with character and offers up some scrumptious fare. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/pomegranate-russian-georgian-restaurant/21420.aspx?CommentCardId=105 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/dublin-square-irish-pub---grill/21479.aspx You know, ever since I tried out the Boxties at The Field, I have been craving Irish cuisine. After a series of errands downtown, I figured I'd give Dublin Square a go. (BTW...I am in no way affiliated with The Field). 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/dublin-square-irish-pub---grill/21479.aspx?CommentCardId=104 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/viva-chicago--hot-dogs/818.aspx This is a decent place to get a Chicago dog (as a native Illinoisan I feel qualified to judge). I just got a couple of regular-sized Chicago dogs and fries and it was too much to finish (and I had at first regretted my decision to not go ‘Jumbo’). The skins on the dogs were a little tough; maybe they were slightly overcooked, but the toppings all seemed fresh and overall it was really tasty. The fries were cooked and seasoned well. There was plenty of seating, but the tables are arranged in long rows without much space in between. It wasn’t a problem today because it was dead inside (it’s the day after New Year’s so I’m guessing that was the reason) but if the place was full it might be a bit too cozy. They’ve got a couple of HDTVs tuned into the NFL network which is a nice touch for a small place like this. I’m sure we’ll be back again. Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:07:20 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/viva-chicago--hot-dogs/818.aspx?CommentCardId=103 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/sloppy-joey-s/21478.aspx I had never gone into Sloppy Joey's, mostly because I'm not particularly impressed with their sister restaurant Nicky Rottens. Today, though, I figured I'd give it a whirl. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/sloppy-joey-s/21478.aspx?CommentCardId=102 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/western-steakburger/824.aspx Based on a friend's recommendation, we went off the beaten path today for lunch and tried Western Steakburger in North Park. I've long been searching for the best burger in San Diego, and quite honestly, sometimes we just need to break out from rut of mediocre Mira Mesa restaurants. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/western-steakburger/824.aspx?CommentCardId=101 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/leucadia-pizzeria---italian-restaurant/425.aspx My favorite pizza in San Diego!! Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:01:40 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/leucadia-pizzeria---italian-restaurant/425.aspx?CommentCardId=100 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/chipotle-mexican-grill/165.aspx Not authentic but tastes great. Good portions! Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:50:43 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/chipotle-mexican-grill/165.aspx?CommentCardId=99 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/california-pizza-kitchen/2022.aspx Great pizza. I like the thai and barbecue chicken. Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:47:26 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/california-pizza-kitchen/2022.aspx?CommentCardId=98 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/yardhouse/832.aspx I wanted to mix it up this week for the football games, so I figured why not give the Yardhouse a try. Plus, it gets difficult to find a seat at the bar for the 1 o'clock games (4 EST) at the Local. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/yardhouse/832.aspx?CommentCardId=97 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/irvine/tuscany-mediterranee-grill/4515.aspx We’d like to encourage anyone looking for an excellent dining experience to give the Tuscany Mediterranee Grill in Irvine a try. It’s a little challenging to find because it is located amid a complex of office buildings very near the Embassy Suites and McCormick & Schmicks at Gillette and Main, but it’s certainly worth the effort. We dined there first with a large group and were impressed with the quality of food and the service delivered under the stress of our large crowd. We came back for a really lovely dinner for two to confirm our impression. The food is exceptionally good, the service outstanding and their house wines superb. Matthew, the owner, is charming and gracious – very attentive to his guests. We 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/irvine/tuscany-mediterranee-grill/4515.aspx?CommentCardId=96 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-marcos/the-old-spaghetti-factory/2424.aspx Poor service. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:04:17 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-marcos/the-old-spaghetti-factory/2424.aspx?CommentCardId=95 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-mesa/tiramisu-trattoria/2234.aspx great date place, excellent food and authentic Italian accents Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:12:20 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-mesa/tiramisu-trattoria/2234.aspx?CommentCardId=94 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/fl/tampa/nypd-pizza/6949.aspx I agree with the person who visited on Dec 4th. This place has gone down hill. My company from NYPD quite frequently - I'll make sure we don't anymore. They changed up some items on their menu and their pizza just isn't the same. When I actually eat in the restaurant, the service is just plain crappy. I guess our business will be going to Red Brick Pizza from now on. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:07:36 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/fl/tampa/nypd-pizza/6949.aspx?CommentCardId=93 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/wahoo-fish-taco/820.aspx OK, I have to admit, I went to Wahoo's with the intention of knocking them down a peg or two on the FoodFinder.net rating scale. They had previously been reviewed by a friend of mine, and he thinks pretty highly of the place; he had them at all nines and tens. Well, after trying Wahoo's for myself I have to say, he's not that far off. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/wahoo-fish-taco/820.aspx?CommentCardId=92 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/international-market---grill/2057.aspx Any time I see a place that has FF ratings of ten for service, atmosphere, and most/all of the menu items, I assume that it was rated by the restaurant owner or manager. If possible, I try to check the place out myself and make the rating a bit more realistic. Such was the case with International Market and 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/international-market---grill/2057.aspx?CommentCardId=91 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/international-market---grill/2057.aspx The place was pretty good. The chicken skewers where great. Lots of Mediterranean groceries. Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:14:20 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/international-market---grill/2057.aspx?CommentCardId=90 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/il/chicago/magic-jug-restaurant/11815.aspx Great price, great service, great food! I've tried many eastern european restaurants in Chicagoland. By far this one has best tasting food! The place is small but cosy. Great choise for lunch or dinner. Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:38:09 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/il/chicago/magic-jug-restaurant/11815.aspx?CommentCardId=89 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/extraordinary-desserts/21438.aspx I only have one thing to say about Extraordinary Desserts...go there. The lines are long, but it's well justified. I went and had their Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding and was blown away. Wait, maybe I should re-word that. It was rich, buttery, and simply decadent. This place has earned is reputation as an amazing after-dinner spot. Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:45:29 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/extraordinary-desserts/21438.aspx?CommentCardId=88 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/jimmy-carter-s-mexican-cafe/371.aspx Jimmy Carters is a quaint little spot on the border of Hillcrest and Bankers Hill. Some friends and I went in for dinner on Friday, and happened to be my fourth consecutive meal of Mexican food. I have to say that food wise, JC's stacked up pretty well. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/jimmy-carter-s-mexican-cafe/371.aspx?CommentCardId=87 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/fl/tampa/nypd-pizza/6949.aspx It used to be good.... now it's just gross. What happened? I will tell you this, I'm not going back there again. It's too bad. I used to like that place. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:45:39 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/fl/tampa/nypd-pizza/6949.aspx?CommentCardId=86 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/las-cuatro-milpas/21421.aspx Las Cuatro Milpas has garnished quite a reputation. In fact, it's not uncommon to hear "best Mexican food in San Diego" uttered when discussing this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant. I've been here once before, and both times there are long lines waiting for the fare. So how does it stack up? 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/las-cuatro-milpas/21421.aspx?CommentCardId=85 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/del-taco/21405.aspx You know when you haven't eaten for a while...like a full day and a half? At that point, almost anything will taste like a delicious feast. Since I had been home sick all day and was starving, I though I would give Del Taco a whirl. Suffice it to say--lessons were learned. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/del-taco/21405.aspx?CommentCardId=84 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/cobre-restaurant---bar/8548.aspx Cobre is a Puerto Rican & Mexican place. We been there several times. The food has been great, the house drinks are perfectly priced and the servers are freindly. The outside of the place doesn't do anything for the inside. Once we walked in we forgot what part of the city we were in. The place is never crowed unless there having a party of some kind. We've been there for those too (not bad). We recommand everyone check this place out! Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:05:25 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/cobre-restaurant---bar/8548.aspx?CommentCardId=83 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/cobre-restaurant---bar/8548.aspx Cobre is a Puerto Rican & Mexican Restaurant and Bar. When we visited there was 2 other couples there & 1 person at the bar. The place is beautiful. It's a must see even if only once. The music was mixed and so were the people (nice).We tried both sides of the menu and thought it was great. We tried their house drinks (Hurricane Cobre & Mojito) and order the same twice. Complaments to the house. We will be returning. Overall it's a diamond in a rut. Check it out!! Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:23:47 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/cobre-restaurant---bar/8548.aspx?CommentCardId=82 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/frankie-s-italian-deli/277.aspx Frankie's, located on the outskirts of Mira Mesa, is about as average a place as you're going to find. We went in today for lunch and I had the spaghetti and a slice of pepperoni pizza. The pizza was actually pretty good--well flavored sauce and a hearty crust made for a nice slice of pie. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/frankie-s-italian-deli/277.aspx?CommentCardId=81 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/escondido/stone-brewing-company/21425.aspx Wow, talk about a Jekyll and Hyde experience. A group of us went up to the Stone Brewery for lunch and the brewery tour. We arrived at about 2:15 and were going to take the tour and then eat. As it turns out, there were no tours available until five. OK, no problem, we'll just grab food first and then take the tour. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/escondido/stone-brewing-company/21425.aspx?CommentCardId=80 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/la/new-orleans/chartres-house-cafe/9341.aspx We visited Chartres House Cafe just before Hurricane Gustav hit. The roast beef Po Boys were impressive and we used a lot of napkins eating them. Delicious! But even better were the duck quesadillas. They were a bite of heaven in a nice flaky crust and I'd love to have the recipe for those things if I could ever get it! Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:41:17 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/la/new-orleans/chartres-house-cafe/9341.aspx?CommentCardId=79 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-field-authentic-irish-pub---restaurant/261.aspx Despite having a deep Irish bloodline, I really have no idea about what the cuisine of the land constitutes. Fortunately, whilst walking back from the bars one night, I was handed a little menu pamphlet for The Field, boasting the tagline "A taste of Ireland in downtown San Diego's Gaslamp quarter". The thing has been on my coffee table for over two weeks now, so I figured I'd give it a try. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-field-authentic-irish-pub---restaurant/261.aspx?CommentCardId=78 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/osteria-panevino/547.aspx Feeling like a little Italian today, I took a stroll down Fifth avenue to check out Osteria Panevino. There weren't many people there--in fact, I was the only person inside (there were a couple of parties on the patio). 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/osteria-panevino/547.aspx?CommentCardId=77 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/taste-of-thai/1775.aspx I had high hopes for Taste of Thai as it had recently been recommended by a friend. Since one of my co-workers had downloaded at 20% coupon for the entire meal...today's lunch selection seemed like a no-brainer. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/taste-of-thai/1775.aspx?CommentCardId=76 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/taste-of-thai/1775.aspx My cohorts and I had been talking about checking this place out for a while, finding a 20% off coupon on their website clinched a trip up to Del Mar today to try this out. The place has interesting seating; there are several custom benches winding throughout the dining area that are EXTREMELY comfortable. I could have easily stayed for a nap. Unfortunately (I was told) the chair on the opposite side of the table wasn’t nearly as comfy. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/taste-of-thai/1775.aspx?CommentCardId=75 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/cozymel-s-mexican-grill/21424.aspx Today was the second time I’ve been, and I’m still on the fence. The food has been pretty decent both times. The menu has a lot of variety and they definitely have some interesting selections. Both times service has been slow though, and today the food wasn’t hot. The waiter refilled our drinks today without even saying a word; one of my friends didn’t even notice his drink had been replaced and was surprised when he picked up a full glass. Still, I think I will try it again. I think this would be a good place to try for a happy hour. Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:48:06 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/cozymel-s-mexican-grill/21424.aspx?CommentCardId=74 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/cozymel-s-mexican-grill/21424.aspx You sometimes I go to Cozymel and it's really good, and sometimes I go to Cozymel and it's really mediocre. Today fell into the later category. Service was slow (but friendly) and the food was fair. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/cozymel-s-mexican-grill/21424.aspx?CommentCardId=73 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/piatti-ristorante/2084.aspx After a long day of pouring champagne for the thirsty masses, we decided to unwind with dinner at Piatta on the La Jolla shores. I had been craving Italian for a while, so this was a good choice. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted and were brought to a table on the patio. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/piatti-ristorante/2084.aspx?CommentCardId=72 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ny/new-york/sing---sing-deli/18048.aspx guy behind deli very rude, could not make a sandwich to save his life! Cockroaches and mice 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ny/new-york/sing---sing-deli/18048.aspx?CommentCardId=71 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/rock-bottom-brewery/2088.aspx I’m realizing more and more that if I’m not going to be drinking, this is not the place to go for lunch. The service has been slow the last few times and the food hasn’t been that great. I like the pizzas there, but the couple sandwiches I’ve tried have both been lousy. I got the club the last time, and it was greasy and disgusting. I got the honey chicken sandwich today and while better than the club it was pretty boring (and I think Happy Meals come with more fries than this did). I still like this place in general because of the brewery, but I just need to be sure I have a couple beers before I order food. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:43:55 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/rock-bottom-brewery/2088.aspx?CommentCardId=70 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/karl-strauss-brewing-company/21358.aspx I tend to make it out to Karl Strauss about once a month and always have a good time. The staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is as good as you'll find (at least in Mira Mesa). Many tables are on outside decks build around a large coi pond. One of these days, I'm going to bring a tackle box and fishing pole and see what I can pull out of there. OK probably not. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/karl-strauss-brewing-company/21358.aspx?CommentCardId=69 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/parallel-33/21423.aspx I like this restaurant. The atmosphere is unpretentious and has character. There are several good beers on tap and the wine list is decent. What reallys stands out is the food. I have been there several times and usually try one of their seafood dishes. The chef is able to put together a medley of flavors using unique ingrediants and vegetables. The seafood is fresh and well prepared. Will definately go back. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:32:05 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/parallel-33/21423.aspx?CommentCardId=68 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/grant-grill/21419.aspx The atmosphere was a bit stuffy for my taste and there were few people in the restaurant. Maybe this is just a sign of the current economy. If my friend didn't drag my in here, I would have passed. But there was ONE cute female there who happened to talk with me, so he is forgiven :) 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/grant-grill/21419.aspx?CommentCardId=67 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/mario-s-new-york-pizza/470.aspx Somebody really likes Mario's New York pizza based on it's foodfinder rating, so I had to go in and see if it could live up to the hype. I coerced my wayward lunch companions to drive up north for a taste. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/mario-s-new-york-pizza/470.aspx?CommentCardId=66 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-fish-market/272.aspx I dropped into The Fish Market for a quick bite and drink while out for a scenic walk through Seaport Village. It's definitely a touristy spot, but the fish was very good. I had the Pacific Ahi Sashimi; I think it was the freshest tuna I've ever had, anyplace. I'll have to get back there to get a better sense of the full experience. Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:46:37 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-fish-market/272.aspx?CommentCardId=65 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/grant-grill/21419.aspx The Grant Grill is a beautiful restaurant located in the Grant hotel. The aesthetics of the room are warm and sophisticated, creating a luxurious canvas on which to build a great dining experience. Of course, there's more to a dining experience than just the decor. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/grant-grill/21419.aspx?CommentCardId=64 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/bj-s-restaurant---brewhouse/2013.aspx Looking for someplace new to add to our lunch rotation brought us to BJ's in La Jolla. First observation...boring-ass menu. Pub menus, particularly for chains, don't typically have a lot of variety anyway, but you can usually find one or two dishes that stand out. This lacked even a little spark. For the love of God, deep fry a pickle or something. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/bj-s-restaurant---brewhouse/2013.aspx?CommentCardId=63 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/miramar-cafe/490.aspx Miramar Cafe represents a strange olio of concepts, being 1/3 Greek, 1/3 Mexican, and 1/3 a breakfast diner. A little something for everybody...sure, but odd nonetheless. The decor and atmosphere reflect this as well; the dining room is strewn with old Greek art, yet the waitresses are constantly trolling the dining room freshing up coffee and carrying 5 plates at at time. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/miramar-cafe/490.aspx?CommentCardId=62 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/cafe-222/21416.aspx I took a stroll down to Island ave this morning for breakfast to checkout Cafe 222. Because I'm going through a gluttonous phase, I went with the Porky Benedict and the Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/cafe-222/21416.aspx?CommentCardId=61 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/high-dive-bar-and-grill/21415.aspx Ahhhh...the dive bar. What better way to put a sub-optimal work day into perspective than to patronize a neighborhood watering hole. So how does one know they're in a dive bar? Let's examine the prime criteria. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/high-dive-bar-and-grill/21415.aspx?CommentCardId=60 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/island-s-fine-burgers---drinks/21381.aspx This is a good spot for a long lunch or happy hour. I’ve always had good service, and it’s got a fun, casual atmosphere. Definitely try the Island Fries, one order is enough for 3-4 people. The burgers tend to be a little too greasy, but they’re still really good. They also have decent fish tacos and great chicken sandwiches. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:31:18 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/island-s-fine-burgers---drinks/21381.aspx?CommentCardId=59 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/fl/tampa/golden-china/6829.aspx Me and the girlfriend just bought some Bourbon chicken and get it home. We open the bag and the sauce is spilled ALLLL over the bag. To top it off we TRY a piece of the chicken and it tastes like JERKY. I swear they must have microwaved it to heat it up. That explains the speedy 5 minute turnaround. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/fl/tampa/golden-china/6829.aspx?CommentCardId=58 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/richard-walkers-pancake-house/21388.aspx Wow, what a two-sided experience. I had been wanting to try Richard Walkers for a few weeks now. I had actually gone on two prior occasions and both times, the line was almost around the corner. Of course this just heightened my anticipation. Well, today was the day. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/richard-walkers-pancake-house/21388.aspx?CommentCardId=56 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/croce-s-restaurants---bars/197.aspx I had actually gone out specifically to try Richard Walker's gourmet pancake house, but for the second time, the line was just too long. As a fallback I decided to hit Croce's--a jazz bar/restaurant on 5th Avenue in the heart of the Gaslamp. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/croce-s-restaurants---bars/197.aspx?CommentCardId=55 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/rock-bottom-brewery/2088.aspx Today's Halloween lunch endeavor brought us to Rock Bottom in La Jolla. I think it's important to know that about half the staff and a handful of the guests were dressed up in costumes (hey, if you're going to go out on All Hallow's Eve, you'd be remiss in not reporting back on the overall Halloween spirit). 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/la-jolla/rock-bottom-brewery/2088.aspx?CommentCardId=54 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ruth-s-chris-steak-house/21335.aspx Awesome steaks! Cooked in butter and served on a sizzling hot plate. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:56:07 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ruth-s-chris-steak-house/21335.aspx?CommentCardId=53 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/wahoo-s/821.aspx Best fish tacos around. The Mexican/Brazilian/Asian combination is just perfect. The rice, the beans, the tortillas, the fish, all wonderful. How can you go wrong with a place that shows surf videos all day. The perfect after surf lunch spot. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:52:06 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/wahoo-s/821.aspx?CommentCardId=52 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/spices-thai-cafe/705.aspx Spices is usually a good experience, but today just came up a little bit short. I had the scallop pad-thai (spice number 7); the noodles were great as expected, but the scallops were a bit rubbery. Also, the abductor muscle was not removed, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/spices-thai-cafe/705.aspx?CommentCardId=51 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-local/21383.aspx Since moving downtown, I've really taken to The Local. Since it works out so well at night, I figured I'd see what the had to offer on Sunday mornings for the football games. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-local/21383.aspx?CommentCardId=50 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-red-circle/21409.aspx This night definitely didn't go the way I had originally planned. I was walking down 5th st early on a Saturday night looking for someplace to get a quiet dinner. I had seen The Red Circle before and was intrigued by the interior decor. Bear in mind...this place is a night club that serves food--not a traditional restaurant. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-red-circle/21409.aspx?CommentCardId=49 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/roy-s-restaurant/21404.aspx I was finally able to convince my lunch cohort to try out Roy's in La Jolla. I had actually been told that their chocolate souffle was the best around. Since I was told this while eating the chocolate explosion from Ruth's Chris, I found the statement to be bold--the answer had to be known. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/roy-s-restaurant/21404.aspx?CommentCardId=48 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-local/21383.aspx At the periphery of the San Diego Gaslamp District, the Local is an oasis of casual atmosphere and killer deals amidst the abundance of over-priced, over-dressed downtown pickup joints. If you're just plain fed up with waiting in lines to get into the latest hot spot, then wait no more. Parking might be hard to come by, but an empty barstool is not. You'll be greeted with a friendly smile, a list of food specials, and a great selection of local brews. There are TV's wherever you turn and the noise level allows for normal conversation. The bar food is great for the price, and the entrees are decent. I had a great time, despite the rowdy ramblings of the bald headed guy sitting next to me. He's from Boston. What else would you expect? Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:03:01 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-local/21383.aspx?CommentCardId=47 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/urban-solace/21365.aspx Urban Solace continues to be one of the best bets in San Diego. We got to sit outside on another beautiful October night and eat great food. We ordered 3 appetizers: the shrimp and grits, goat cheese and squash dip, and biscuits. All were quite good, but the goat cheese/squash dip really stole the show. A velvety texture with a sweet start, yet savory finish is a masterpiece of flavor. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/urban-solace/21365.aspx?CommentCardId=46 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ca-dao/99.aspx This place is a food service factory--a well oiled front-of-house machine that cycles through lunch guests like I've never seen. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ca-dao/99.aspx?CommentCardId=45 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/az/phoenix/feeney-s-restaurant/19030.aspx Best restaurant experience in 10 years. Loved the prime rib and friendly staff. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:03:08 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/az/phoenix/feeney-s-restaurant/19030.aspx?CommentCardId=44 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/neighborhood/21386.aspx In sitting down at the bar, I was drawn to a piece of art hanging next to the beer taps. It said "no ketchup"--however, if I had been illiterate, I would have thought the sign meant "no fake dog poo", as that was the image the illustration conjured. Anyway, onto the review. I had the Ricotta Gnudi which had to be one of the most bland offerings I've ever tried. Not bad, but honestly, a bit flavorless. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/neighborhood/21386.aspx?CommentCardId=43 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/broadway-pizza/87.aspx i specially love their pizza and bufflow wings,but dont get e wrong every thing on their manu is great tasting.now they are open 24 hours thats just wonder full. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:00:16 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/broadway-pizza/87.aspx?CommentCardId=42 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-linkery-restaurant/21368.aspx The Linkery was a fun time. The sausage was excellent and the flatbread (with chorizo, goat cheese, and onions) was really good too. Service was a bit slow, but not that bad. Definitely a fun spot that is representative of the restaurant explosion on 30th ave. Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:44:01 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/the-linkery-restaurant/21368.aspx?CommentCardId=41 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ritual-tavern/21366.aspx Ritual is a cool spot. The bar was full so we had to sit at a table but that was OK. We only got appetizers...mine was a special that was a savory tart which contained onions, figs, pecans, goat cheese, and parmesan--interesting flavor combination. Beer selection was good and service was exceptional. When our dishes came, we got a full explanation of what were in our meals. I can't wait to get back and explore the rest of the menu. Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:35:37 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ritual-tavern/21366.aspx?CommentCardId=40 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/greystone-the-steakhouse/317.aspx The management and staff were very friendly and attentive. I pretty much allowed them to recommend my entire meal and wasn't disappointed. For a first course, I went with the roasted beet salad. Not bad, but I wasn't a fan of the frisee; it was just a little too fiberous. The elk was really good. I had never had elk before and was very impressed. The sauce was a great compliment. For dessert, I went with the chocolate passion...another great choice. The only thing I found weird was that they don't have a very good selection of white dessert wines. I typically find a good muscat cuts through a rich chocolate very well. Anyway, I'll definitely be back; I need to try the oxtail ravioli and wild boar rigatoni. Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:53:56 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/greystone-the-steakhouse/317.aspx?CommentCardId=39 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/gaslamp-tavern/289.aspx I was trolling 5th street, looking for a quick bite to eat, and encountered the Gaslamp Tavern. I had wanted to scope it out anyway as I had heard it might be a good place to watch the football games on Sundays. I sat down at the bar and was quickly approached by the bartender who opened the experience with "Geez, I'm sweating like a whore in church". Priceless! I realize this might not fly at most establishments, but it set the tone well for GT. It's a cool spot--very open (like many places in San Diego) but with a distinct dive-bar feel. I ordered the burger (which didn't come the way I ordered, but who cares), which was OK. The fries were really good, though. The menu is small and pretty much your standard bar-fare. I'll give it a try on a Sunday and report back on the brunch. Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:49:20 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/gaslamp-tavern/289.aspx?CommentCardId=38 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/hash-house-a-go-go/21361.aspx If you come to San Diego, make it a point to get to the Hash House. This is the perfect place for somebody who is coming off a month long fast or hunger strike. The portions are HUGE!. I can't imagine anybody cleaning their plate at this place. The restaurant has a very hip vibe going on, and always seems to be packed. I had the pork tenderloin benedict on an empty stomach and got through about a quarter of the dish. The food is great, but the one thing that stood out was that many of the dishes are served with scrambled eggs. I always thought poached was the more traditional pairing with hash. Oh well...I guess Hash House laughs in the face of tradition--with great results. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:50:57 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/hash-house-a-go-go/21361.aspx?CommentCardId=37 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/princess-pub---grille/609.aspx I had to try this place. I remember when I was looking to buy a condo in downtown San Diego always driving by the Princess and seeing a full outside bar at 10am. I needed to see for myself what kind commanded such devoted attention of the drunken masses. Princess is an English style pub with their signature dish being classic fish and chips. This is what I went with. Apparently it was voted best in San Diego. Well, I hope that's not the case. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. The batter was very well seasoned. I just found the fish to be a bit dry. Service was friendly and it definitely has that English pub vibe going on. I need to make it over their on a Sunday to try their roast. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:43:06 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/princess-pub---grille/609.aspx?CommentCardId=36 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ga/atlanta/e-best-wings/20306.aspx We waited two hours for our food only to learn that the delivery man had returned to the restaurant without even knocking on the door. They told us it would be another hour to get us the food. And they did not even call us! We had to call them to find out where our dinner was. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:35:32 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ga/atlanta/e-best-wings/20306.aspx?CommentCardId=35 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/poseidon/1769.aspx The first thing that went through my head walking through the door at Poseidon was this: "What modeling agency does this place use to find their hostesses?". These two girls were stunning. Anyway, on to the review. The dining room is open and sits at the brim of the Pacific; this makes for a breathtaking atmosphere. After that, things become much more mundane. The service was average, although our waitress was very friendly. The food was average at best; I guess being that close to the ocean creates some expectations in terms of seafood--expectations which were not met. Our seafood appetizer was bland and overcooked and my chicken sandwich was dry and the flavors were muddled. Go for the atmosphere, but you may want to grab a bite before you get there. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:21:00 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/poseidon/1769.aspx?CommentCardId=34 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/jayne-s-gastropub/21351.aspx OK...this place has gotten a lot of build-up. Several of my friends have been raving about Jayne's for the past few months and finally I got a chance to give it a try. The bar is small...only about 7 or 8 seats and the restaurant is very quaint, having the look of an old pub minus the clutter. The food is simple but the flavors are very well-orchestrated. The burger (which I have been told is the best in San Diego) was quite good (I love the use of mixed baby lettuce) and the butterscotch creme brulee really hit home. I'll be back to continue to explore the menu. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:42:33 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/jayne-s-gastropub/21351.aspx?CommentCardId=33 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/sammy-s-woodfired-pizza/655.aspx This restaurant's inside dining room is a bit cramped. I don't know how the servers work when it's busy. Anyway, we went in today for lunch. Service was good...nothing to write home about, but we got in and out quickly. Has the duck tacos (which I had been meaning to try) and the chicken satay. The tacos were pretty good; the duck worked well with the feta and tomatos. The chicken was about average. The peanut sauce was a bit bland for my taste. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:35:24 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/sammy-s-woodfired-pizza/655.aspx?CommentCardId=32 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/irvine/tuscany-mediterranee-grill/4515.aspx This is a hidden gem, great food nice ambiance first class service we 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/irvine/tuscany-mediterranee-grill/4515.aspx?CommentCardId=31 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/jimmy-o-s-sports-bar/21371.aspx I've been haunting Jimmy O's on Sundays pretty much since I moved to So-Cal 2 years ago. It's the closest place for me to watch the Pats when they're not on national TV. The breakfast isn't bad. The omelets are better than the other dishes. Personally, I like the Spanish, the Asparagus, or the fresh herb. I've tried the Eggs Benedict on several occasions, but it's hit-or-miss. The yoke is often cooked through which I think kills the dish. Yesterday, there was an influx of fruit-files...one of which ended up in my beer. Hey--it's Jimmy O's. I'm there to watch the game and tie one on at 10 on a Sunday...not for fine dining. The TV setup is pretty sweet, and you can get a headset so you can hear your favorite team. If I wasn't moving downtown, I'd be back every Sunday. No I'll have to find a new football sports bar. Any suggestions? Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:21:36 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/jimmy-o-s-sports-bar/21371.aspx?CommentCardId=30 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/oggi-s-pizza/527.aspx Went back to Oggi's for lunch today. Things were pretty good. Got the Heavy Weight...it's pretty much their version of the meat-lovers pizza. Came with a cup of soup which was a nice surprise. Both items were decent. Not great/not bad--pretty much what you can expect from Oggi's on a regular basis. At least they're consistent. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:55:40 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/oggi-s-pizza/527.aspx?CommentCardId=29 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/sbicca-an-american-bistro/1773.aspx Last night was my second time at Sbicca, and for the second time, the food just failed to impress. I had the halibut, but the fish was dry and flavors just didn't come together. For appetizers, we had the chicken and goat cheese spring rolls, and the roasted artichokes. Not bad, but nothing spectacular. The wine list is pretty good and had a few nice red selections (the artessa cab and hahn meritage are both very good). Don't get me wrong, Sbicca isn't bad...I'm just still waiting for that great experience. Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:42:28 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/sbicca-an-american-bistro/1773.aspx?CommentCardId=28 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/el-torito/21382.aspx There are so many small Mexican restaurants in San Diego that it usually doesn't make sense to eat in a chain. Somehow though, El Torito has made into our lunch rotation. The food is OK (I had the sonora-style quesadilla which isn't on the foodfinder menu)...typical Mexican fare, but today, the service was spectacular. Really fast and friendly and I was amazed at how clear our table was kept. I wish I could remember our server's name so I could recommend him personally. Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:25:40 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/el-torito/21382.aspx?CommentCardId=27 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/chili-s/21336.aspx A false wait is a tool restaurants use to take pressure off the kitchen. If you ever walk in for a meal and the host/hostess quotes you a wait when you can see open tables, it's usually for one of 3 reasons. 1 - The tables are being saved for reservations that are on the books, 2 - There are not enough waiters to cover the dining room and the ones that are on are too busy to cover extra tables (rare), 3 - The kitchen is backed up and they need times to get out of the weeds. Got to enjoy a false wait at Chili's today...ahh it brings me back. When we were sat, the food was OK. I got the new triple cheese burger which is pretty good. I like the thick-cut bacon that they use. The service was fast friendly. I always want to get dessert when I go there, but never have room. Stomach must be shrinking. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:13:44 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/chili-s/21336.aspx?CommentCardId=26 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/island-s-fine-burgers---drinks/21381.aspx I'll give this to Islands...they can turn a table. Being next to the movie theater, they must get people in for a quick bite all the time. That was our situation tonight. I find Islands to be hit-or-miss. One meal that always satisfies, though, is the Kilauea burger. I keep wanting to explore the menu, but always settle on this bad-boy. The beef itself is good, but the flavors are great. Next time, I'm going to branch out. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:34:16 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/island-s-fine-burgers---drinks/21381.aspx?CommentCardId=25 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/jayne-s-gastropub/21351.aspx I'm not an epicurean. Anybody who looks to a guy who ate Lean Cuisine every day for 2 years for dining tips deserves whatever the hell they get. Food? Yeah. I had a hamburger. It wasn't bad. With pepper, ketchup and a little mustard it tasted a lot like grilled ground beef. The fries were good. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/jayne-s-gastropub/21351.aspx?CommentCardId=24 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/miami-grille/21340.aspx Miami Grille is one of our favorite lunch haunts. Last time we had gone, my co-worker had gotten the Plancha Especial. Since it came highly recommended, I figured I'd give it a try....let me tell ya, that thing hit the spot. The bread was soft with great density, and the beef was moist. The mixed fries are always a hit. There was a dragonfly hovering around the dining room that caught the attention of the entire lunch crowd, but what the hell. At least it wasn't a cockroach. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:44:40 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/miami-grille/21340.aspx?CommentCardId=23 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ruth-s-chris-steak-house/21334.aspx Since moving to San Diego in 2005, this has definitely become my favorite haunt. The service is amazing...more so since I've attained "regular" status. Anyway, I went in tonight to grab a bite and watch the football games. I had the fried calamari appetizer, which never disappoints. The spicy glaze helps to distinguish this offering from the standard fare on many menus. For an entree, I went with the petit filet and shrimp. The steak is always good. The shrimp was a bit overcooked, but still good. All in all, another great experience at Ruth's Chris. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:25:11 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ruth-s-chris-steak-house/21334.aspx?CommentCardId=22 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/boston/75-chestnut/852.aspx It's always nice to take a stroll through Beacon Hill, and up to the capital. Or through the Boston Common. If you find yourself enjoying an afternoon walk through this quaint neighborhood, then you might want to stop in for dinner at 75 Chestnut. It's mostly locals there. But don't worry, they seem to check their normally stuffy Beacon Hill attitude at the door. It's a solid restaurant, off the beaten path, which you'll enjoy. Under the same ownership as the Bull & Finch (Cheers) Pub, and the Hampshire House restaurant, they tend to have a fairly selective hiring process for servers. Thus you can expect smiley, bubbly service from someone who takes their job seriously and shows pride in delivering you a pleasant experience. By the way, if you're driving rather than walking, then call ahead and make sure the valet service is still in effect. Or park in the nearby (and somewhat nondescript) Boston Commons garage. That always works for me. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:11:57 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/boston/75-chestnut/852.aspx?CommentCardId=21 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/cambridge/chez-henri/21373.aspx If you're a tourist in Boston, here are some of the first things you'll notice: There are a ton of college kids. There are a lot of restaurants. There are hardly any free parking spaces. I can't help you find a parking space, but I can suggest some of the best out-of-the-way restaurants. If you look at a map, you'll see that Chez Henri is just a couple blocks north of Harvard Square. It's worth the walk if you're in that area. Much more quiet. 20 steps off the main street (Mass. Ave). You have to know it's there. I've enjoyed stopping in and basically just sitting at the bar and eating the nightly special with whatever wine pairing is suggested. It's busy enough that you have dining companions. But it's quiet enough that the staff has time to chat. Management does a great job of educating the servers about the menu and wines, and imparting pride in what they do and the dishes they serve. I tried Chez Henri because it was recommended by a friend, and I've been back a dozen times. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:38:26 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/cambridge/chez-henri/21373.aspx?CommentCardId=20 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/canada-steak-burger/21372.aspx If you've read any of my other reviews, you'll know that I do place value on specific dishes at restaurants that are otherwise not typically appealing. Canada Steak Burger is simply the best takeout gyro that I could recommend in the San Diego area. I was told by a friend in the wholesale food business that CSB buys the best products, and you can definitely taste it in the gyro. The surrounding neighborhood isn't exactly the most inviting community, although it is right off the 805 freeway. There is very limited seating, but I love stopping in and collecting a "gyro special" (with fries and drink) to go. I highly recommend giving it a fly-by. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:05:11 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/canada-steak-burger/21372.aspx?CommentCardId=19 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/boston/bull---finch-pub/991.aspx I guess I'm slightly biased in my evaluation of this eatery. But really, if you're a tourist paying homage to the long running TV show, then a beer at Cheers is a required stop in your sightseeing. In all honesty, you'll be a little disappointed that the layout of the bar doesn't match the television show. But the decor - the walls, lights, accessories - are the real deal. The servers and waitstaff are selected from hundreds of college kids in Boston, so you're getting enthusiastic, bright and friendly people to wait on you. The food is typical pub fare, and decent quality. There's a bit of an upcharge because it's an attraction, but that's just something you'll have to deal with. Locals should stay out over the summer, but winters are a little less touristy. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:25:42 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/boston/bull---finch-pub/991.aspx?CommentCardId=18 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/colima-s-mexican-food/181.aspx Ok let's put this in perspective... it's Mexican takeout. Same menu as everywhere else. Same combination of cheese, beans, and carne asada. But I've always liked the guys who work at this place. I used to live around the corner, and walk my dog past Colima's all the time. I'd get the San Diego burrito (carne asada with the normal stuff, sour creme, and guacamole, perfectly paired with a 40oz Miller High Life). It's a generous sized meal, and always served with a friendly hello and a heartfelt smile. A great neighborhood place. When I'm in the area, I always try to swing by for takeout. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:18:34 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/colima-s-mexican-food/181.aspx?CommentCardId=17 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/americana/1723.aspx What I like about Americana is the east-coast diner vibe. Located at 15th st in Del Mar, it is always busy but at 7AM on a holiday, I figured I might be lucky enough to get a seat...I was right. What I had was a take-off on eggs benedict that had roasted tomatoes and bacon. The dish was great and the service was really fast and attentive. This was my second time here and both were really good experiences. I can't wait to get back. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:27:05 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/del-mar/americana/1723.aspx?CommentCardId=16 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/solana-beach/pamplemousse-grille/2187.aspx Based on a recommendation from a friend, I went to dinner at Pamplemousse. As usual, I sat at the bar (although the dining room was full anyway, so there wasn't a choice this time). It was that last day of track season in Del Mar, and I think they were a bit busier than normal. I started out with their arugula salad which was simple, but quite good. One interesting note was that there was an A capella quartet that was roaming around the restaurant singing to random patrons. Not really my thing, but they were quite good. 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 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/solana-beach/pamplemousse-grille/2187.aspx?CommentCardId=15 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/urban-solace/21365.aspx We went in for lunch today based on the FoodFinder rating of the Mac and Cheese and had a great experience. There was construction going on out on the sidewalk and we weren't even sure if they were open. When we walked in we were very warmly greeted and thanked for putting up with the work. We went on to have a great lunch. The food was excellent (althought the mac and cheese, while good, didn't live up to the hype) and the service was fast and friendly. I look forward to returning. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:30:46 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/urban-solace/21365.aspx?CommentCardId=14 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/froggy-s-bar---grill/282.aspx I have been to Froggy's at least half a dozen times. And my experiences have ranged from average to very good. For the most part they are solid. The atmosphere can leave a little to be desired. It is in the beach area, and caters to a younger crowd, so the music can be a little loud (and clientele as well). But the kitchen is solid and the decor is ...interesting. Well, Miss Piggy would love it anyway. I'd recommend giving Froggy's a shot if you're looking for casual fare. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:55:08 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/froggy-s-bar---grill/282.aspx?CommentCardId=13 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/coronado/tent-city/1808.aspx I've been to Tent City several times, and I've enjoyed it each time. Normally, when I return to a restaurant, I like to try something new from the menu each time. But in this case, I've had the "Text City" 16oz New York strip each visit - just because I've found the dish so tasty. I know what you're saying, "It's a steak, anyone can cook a steak." But it wasn't just the steak. It was coupled with a spring medley of fresh veggies and potatoes au gratin that had me licking my lips. I had a nice local Coronado brew to wash it down. Just a relaxing overall experience that I'd highly recommend. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:29:03 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/coronado/tent-city/1808.aspx?CommentCardId=12 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/cafette/8476.aspx Everyone likes to have a little, special, side-street restaurant to entertain at. A place that no one knows about. A jewel in the rough, devoid of street front signage or mass advertising. Totally word-of-mouth. These places have a menu that changes with the head chef's mood, a complete disregard for re-printing costs (or staying current with any published material that might be out there). They're not in it to start a chain, and there isn't a 230% markup on drinks. In fact, Cafette is BYOB - and I'm not sure if they even have a corking fee. There's plenty of street parking around the corner. It's worth checking out (especially if you're a local). Or if you're trying to impress someone with the obscurity of your eateries. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:23:25 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/cafette/8476.aspx?CommentCardId=11 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/brighton/fast-eddie-s-pizza/2755.aspx Would I recommend Fast Eddie's? Sure. Would I rate it higher than "Poor"? Never. Why this ambiguity? It's college pizza baby. The sheer nostalgia of it: my time spent scouring windshield-posted publications for cheap eats is enough to warm my heart. I survived those years in no small part due to the low-cost avalability of some of the worst "Italian" food I've ever eaten. I love it. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:12:16 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/brighton/fast-eddie-s-pizza/2755.aspx?CommentCardId=10 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/el-zarape/246.aspx It's takeout. But if you're a pricepoint shopper for your takeout food, then you'll like this place. San Diego has an average of 4.2 takeout burrito huts per capita. Seriously. And they're all virtually identical. Not this one - stop in and check it out. It's got burritos, yes, but with an element of creativity. Different flavors, different combinations. Something new and better than the typical San Diego Mexican takeout. It's in a nice little neighborhood to walk around in, too. Highly recommended for a casual but happily pleasing lunch/dinner. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:03:05 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/el-zarape/246.aspx?CommentCardId=9 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/fogo-de-chao-churrascaria/8665.aspx My high school cafeteria on steroids. I understand the concept of the Brazilian steakhouse, but I felt that this experience was more reminiscient of a school lunch room. The salad line was simply a cattle call or free-for-all rather than an organized and classy service. The entree servers seemed hurried and hasty, when I would have liked to ask a couple quick questions. If you prefer a specific cut of meat, you're stuck waiting around until you can frantically grab that specific server's attention. However the food was well prepared and the wine list was extensive. I would recommend this restaurant simply because it's very enjoyable for what you're going to spend. A good cost/value balance. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:55:12 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/pa/philadelphia/fogo-de-chao-churrascaria/8665.aspx?CommentCardId=8 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/oggi-s-pizza/527.aspx The appetizers were really tasty tonight. Our hostess and server were both quite friendly and helpful. Took a bit long to get the check, but not too bad. I'll definitely be back. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:50:18 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/oggi-s-pizza/527.aspx?CommentCardId=7 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ono-sushi/540.aspx With a classy yet exciting and playful atmosphere, come to Ono Sushi for the best sushi in town! Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:22:45 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/ono-sushi/540.aspx?CommentCardId=6 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/andover/grassfields-food---spirits/3127.aspx Went there and caught the end of the lunch menu(3:45 pm) Had bake crabmeat dish with pilaf. Service was attentive and menu was priced reasonable . Would go back Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:08:17 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ma/andover/grassfields-food---spirits/3127.aspx?CommentCardId=5 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/tofu-house/786.aspx Tofu house is great. I've only tried a couple of items, but they never disappoint. Make sure to put an egg in your soup...the yoke rounds out the spiciness beautifully. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:36:57 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/tofu-house/786.aspx?CommentCardId=4 http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/oggi-s-pizza/527.aspx I really wanted to like OGGI's, but the service is inattentive and food is mediocre at best Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:48:05 GMT http://www.foodfinder.net/restaurants/ca/san-diego/oggi-s-pizza/527.aspx?CommentCardId=2