Tag: San Diego

I have been to many types of restaurants in my travels. However, I have never had Persian food. I was thrilled that I was going to be able to try something completely new. Bandar is located in the Gas Lamp District of San Diego. They have been serving their homemade Persian recipes for over 20 years.

The restaurant was beautifully decorated. It created a romantic feel.

  

They proudly displayed all the awards they have won. This included awards for their famous chicken.

We had a huge group for dinner the night I visited. They did a fantastic job at accommodating us.

The table started off with an assortment of dip appetizers. It was perfect for sharing.

This assortment included:

1. Feta and Olives. The feta was extremely fresh. It was slightly sour and had a bite when eaten with the salty olives.
2. Hummus. This was a classic pureed garbanzo bean and tahini (ground sesame seeds). This too was made fresh; I could tell by the texture. It went well with the fresh pita bread slices that were at the table.
3. Must-O Khiyar (cucumber dip). This was homemade yogurt and chopped up cucumber. This dip was so light and refreshing. It is the perfect kind of dip to serve at a picnic or cookout in the summer.
4. Kashk-O Bademjan (eggplant). The eggplant was sautéed in garlic and onion which created a savory flavor. The eggplant was tender and soaked up the essence of the garlic. This was my favorite of the four dips.

For dinner the menu offered so many choices from beef, chicken, lamb, vegetarian, and gluten free. Everything sounded great. I decided to try their chicken since it has won so many awards. Now that I had pin-pointed that I wanted chicken, it was time to decided which chicken dish to choose. I went for the Albalu Polo. This included their charbroiled chicken tenderloin and black cherry rice.

To start off, the portions on every dinner they served were huge. I am not exaggerating. It was the first thing everyone said when their plates came out. One person could not eat everything that came on the plate. I would highly recommend you share with someone.

The chicken was great. I could taste the saffron that they used as a marinade. It was not an overpowering spice. Somehow the chicken came out in balls. I have no clue how they did that. The moisture stayed in the meat so each bite was juicy.

The rice was out of this world. They used two types of rice, a long grain and a rice that almost felt like a skinny noodle. Mixed in with the rice were black cherries. They were chopped in half so that the cherry juice could mix throughout the rice. It was both sweet and tart at the same time. It added additional texture. I loved this rice; it was such a unique way to prepare something that could have been very plain. I could see myself eating this just as a meal.

This wonderful dinner was a perfect example of why people should venture out of their food comfort zone. Had I not ventured out I would never gotten to enjoy these Persian dishes. Check out the awards and menus at http://www.bandarrestaurant.com/

Enjoy!

T

 

San Diego has so many restaurants. However, not all of them are along the water. Edgewater Grill lives up to it’s name. It is located right along the harbor.

I had a wonderful view, on a clear sunny day. As I sat there, I watched sail boats go back and forth. It really made me wish I was on one of them.

 

To enjoy the sunny day, I started off with an American Mule. It was American vodka and ginger beer. They served it in a copper mug to help keep it extra cold.

For lunch I wanted something light. The fish tacos looked like they would hit the spot. I had my choice of how I wanted my fish prepared. I got my Mahi-Mahi blackened for a little extra flavor.

The taco was loaded with shredded cabbage, large chunks of avocado, fresh pico de gallo, and bell peppers. The drizzled across the ingredients was a creamy yogurt sauce. Plus it came with a side of French fries.

The taco was so packed I needed to eat some of the fish and avocado by themselves in order to be able to pick up the taco. The corn tortilla shell they used was very fresh and had a great corn flavor. Even though the taco was stuffed they were not heavy or make me feel overly full.

If you want a nice relaxing spot for lunch then head over to Edgewater Grill.

  

http://www.edgewatergrill.com/

Enjoy!

T

When I travel for work I really like it when the people I am visiting select the restaurant to eat at. Usually they select a place they really enjoy so I am pretty much guaranteed a good meal. That’s what my experience was at Currant in San Diego.

Since it was San Diego, the restaurant had their doors and windows open so diners could enjoy the cool breeze from outside.

  

We had a table that was off on its own, it felt very private. We had a wonderful waiter who took care of our every need. They had many dishes on the menu that sounded delicious, including several of the daily specials.

While the crab cake sandwich sounded good, I could not stop thinking about the Primavera Risotto. I sounded so good I figured I would be mad at myself for not trying it.

The risotto was made with Arborio rice. It was combined with asparagus, carrots, cherry tomatoes (cut in half), tons of parmesan cheese, and cream to make the sauce.

This was the first time I ever had a risotto with this many vegetables. And to tell the truth, this was the best risotto I have ever had. It was extremely rich and creamy. Though it was rich, it was not an overpowering flavor. It was not the kind of risotto that after a few bites you would be full. I truly could not stop eating it.  Thank goodness it was a lunch size portion.

The flavor of the parmesan cheese shined through. The tomatoes added a slightly sour taste but it was minimal. The carrots added crunch. There was arugula on top that was slightly wilted because of the heat. It added a bitter, herby accent to the few bites I ate it with. And to my surprise, there was one beet in the center of the bowl. I did not see it until I started moving the risotto around. The cream sauce started turning purple. It just added color, it did not affect the taste.

The table also shared the thyme French fries. They were shoestring fries that were very crispy. It was a great thing to munch on while we waited for our food. Though they were cooked with thyme, I did not think there was enough on the fries. They could have added more for extra flavor.

Their dessert menu was extremely tempting. I was intrigued to try the Butterscotch Gooey Butter Cake. The waiter did say it was a popular dessert.

The butter cake was a heavy. The flavor reminded me of a sugar cookie. The cake was topped with a butterscotch icing. It was very sweet, and along with the cake, this dessert was over the top. I really enjoyed it but there was no way I could eat the whole thing myself. I would recommend sharing it.

The cake also came with a side of homemade caramel ice cream. It was topped with a rum anglaise. The ice cream was extremely creamy. It would be perfect on its own as a dessert. It also tasted great when combined with the cake.

When looking at the photo I took, you probably noticed a chocolate dipped biscotti. This came with another dessert but they did not want it. I decided to enjoy it along with my cappuccino. They make a really great cappuccino if you need a little caffeine boost.

So if you find yourself in San Diego, I would recommend you check out Currant. Visit their website to see all they have to offer. http://www.currantrestaurant.com/

Enjoy!

T

 

I love a good steakhouse. When visiting San Diego, I was lucky to get to visit Donovan’s Steakhouse. They are a high-end restaurant known naturally for their steaks.

When I walked in, I headed straight to the bar where I got to enjoy a fun cocktail.

I ordered the Orange Mark. It was a blend of green mark Russian vodka, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and San Pellegrino blood orange.

This drink was sweet and smooth. I loved the orange flavor. It was not overpowering, yet still refreshing. It went down very easy.

After pre-dinner cocktails, we headed over to our table. To my surprise when I opened my menu it lit up. It was the coolest thing and it was really necessary because the restaurant was dark inside.

The table started with a giant seafood tower. The presentation was spectacular. It came with raw oysters, crab legs, jumbo shrimp, and lobster tails. I tried everything except the raw oysters.

The crab meat was sweet and did not need any sauces to be enjoyed. The shrimp were so big I needed to cut them in half in order to dip them in the cocktail sauce. For the lobster, normally I would want my lobster hot and with melted butter. But this lobster tail was cold. I really enjoyed it cold. The sweet taste came out more because it was cold. The meat was also very tender. I did eat a few pieces with cocktail sauce for a little bite of horseradish.

Not long after finishing the fresh seafood, the steaks came out. I ordered an 8oz filet mignon. Rather than a plain, medium filet changed it up and got it Oscar style.

By ordering the filet this way, I got Alaskan king crab meat on top and then it was covered with a house made béarnaise sauce. It was extremely over the top. it was really tasty but in the end I think the crab and sauce actually took away from the flavor of the steak. Plus it cost a lot extra to do it this way and it was not worth the price.

Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the steak after I took some of the béarnaise sauce off. There was a nice salty, grilled taste. It was a perfect medium too.

I also enjoyed a glass of red wine with the steak. It helped enhance the flavors of the meat.

On the side I got two pieces of asparagus. It was grilled up and also had a slight salty taste. I really wish I had gotten a few more pieces.

Along with the steak I got a classic baked potato. I made sure they put butter and bacon on it. The butter made the potato creamy and the bacon added crunch.

The table also ordered a side of creamed spinach to share. I had a little taste of it. It reminded me of a spinach dip that you would eat with tortilla chips while watching football. It was good but I was starting to get full and wanted to save room for dessert.

Speaking of dessert, I shared the fresh made crème brulee. It came with fresh strawberries on top. It was the perfect sixe for sharing.

The sugar was caramelized to perfection. It had a slight saltiness to it and added great crunch to the cream when eaten together. The cream filling itself was sweet and smooth. I am so glad I ended my meal with this dessert. The sweetness helped balance out the saltiness of the steak.

If you are looking for a wonderful steak while in San Diego, then check out Donovan’s. They are a little pricy so check out their menu first at www.donovanssteakhouse.com

Enjoy!

T

 

 

 

Once again I found myself in San Diego. It was time for lunch so what better place to head to than the Gas Lamp District. I knew I would have no problem finding a place.

I came across Barleymash.

It’s a great sports bar with lots of TVs and open windows to the outside. I wanted to make sure I enjoyed the great San Diego weather.

I sat at the bar and ordered a red sangria. I wanted something cold and refreshing. This one was not overly sweet. I wish it came with a little more fruit.

They offer a few flatbreads which are great for sharing. I ordered the salami flatbread. It was salty from the meat and all the cheese. The crust was not cracker thin but thin enough. It was slightly doughy.

Since I was near the beach I wanted to make sure I had some fresh seafood. I ordered the tuna poke. It was fresh Albacore tuna that was tossed in a teriyaki sauce for a sweet and salty taste.

Along with the tuna, there was fresh sliced avocado, green onion, sliced cucumber, and a homemade teriyaki beer-brined kimchi. On top were toasted sesame and wasabi cream. And to help eat the tuna, there were crispy wontons on the side.

The tuna was great. It melted in my mouth since it was so tender. It paired wonderfully with the tangy kimchi. Their kimchi is not spicy like others I have had. While eating the mixture on the wonton crisps added extra texture, I really enjoyed eating it all on the cucumber slices. It felt fresher to me. The refreshing juices from the cucumber mellowed the kimchi and enhanced the taste of the teriyaki tuna.

If you enjoy craft beer, Barleymash is a perfect spot for you. They do have an area of the restaurant where they make their own. It is fun that visitors can actually see it.

If you are looking for a casual place to grab a drink and little to eat, check out Barleymash. http://www.barleymash.com/

Enjoy!

T

I have been to several wonderful restaurants in San Diego over the years. I have never been to a more romantic, cozy place as Opercaffe.

It is small and quaint inside. It made me feel like I was in Italy.

What better way to start off an Italian dinner than with a glass of Cabernet.

It goes wonderfully with some homemade bread. It was wonderful dipped in olive oil (Italian butter!). However, it was fantastic dipped in their homemade marinara sauce.

One of the main reasons I was excited to try Opercaffe was because they had arancini on their menu. They are called Gli Arancini on the menu.

The rice ball was stuffed with mozzarella cheese. It was lightly breaded and then deep fried. It came with a side of the homemade marinara sauce.

Their sauce was amazing. it had a ton of minced garlic in it and the flavor really came through. The rice ball had a great crunch on the outside and a soft cheesy center. It tasted great with and without the sauce. It was also perfect to share.

They had a homemade minestrone soup on the menu that I had to try. I love soups. The broth was creamy. I could taste the basil they had mixed in. It was loaded with fresh vegetables. It was the perfect starter pairing with the arancini.

For my main dish I ordered the Capesante E Gnocchi. Their homemade gnocchi were stuffed with asiago cheese. They were sautéed in a butter garlic sauce, mixed with jumbo sea scallops.

The scallops were cooked perfectly. They were tender and soft with a subtle sweet taste. They married well with the butter and garlic they were cooked in.

The gnocchi were the true stars of this dish. I have never had gnocchi that were stuffed with anything. The cheese added more than a salty taste; it added another subtle layer of flavor to the potato gnocchi.

When those cheesy delights were combined with the butter garlic sauce the flavor was elevated yet again. The dish became slightly rich, but not at all overpowering.  After several bites the saltiness went away and all I could taste was the savory hints of the butter.

I was enjoying myself so much at Operacaffe that I did not want to leave. So what better way to continue the evening than with dessert. They had a large selection of homemade Italian treats. I was able to see them in their case.

I knew I had to go with the fresh cannoli. There were several on the plate which made them perfect for sharing.

The shell of the cannoli was crunchy with a hint of cinnamon. The cannoli cream was the perfect consistency with a few chocolate chips mixed in. The sweetness was the best way to end the meal.

Opercaffe offered up one of the best Italian meals I have had in a long time. I would highly recommend them. They are not a very big restaurant so I would suggest you make a reservation.

Visit the website at http://operacaffe.com/ to see all they have to offer.

Enjoy!

T

I was extremely fortunate to get to attend Comic Con in San Diego. One of the group dinners I went to was at Lou & Mickey’s, located in the Gas Lamp District. We had a very large party so I give props to our wonderful waiter d’Artagnan for making sure we were well fed.

They had an adventurous selection of cocktails to choose from. I had to try the “Horny Monkey” not only because it made me laugh but because it sounded delicious. It was a blend of vodka, rum, coconut, and banana liquor. One sip of this drink made me wish I was on the beach in the Caribbean.

We got several chilled seafood platters for the table. If you like raw oysters and scallops then this platter is for you. Since I prefer those items cooked, I stuck with the shrimp. The cocktail sauce had extra horseradish in it so there was an extra kick.

I wanted to stick with the seafood theme so I ordered the lump crab cakes for dinner. They were pan sautéed so there was a light crunchy coating. Two huge crab cakes came on the plate. There was an abundance of crab meat in these cakes. They only used the smallest amount of breadcrumbs to help hold it all together so I really got to enjoy the crab aroma.

The table shared several side dishes. This is certainly a common practice that these more upscale restaurants. The sautéed fresh corn was my favorite. The corn was super sweet and had a great buttery taste.

The steamed broccoli was fresh and the sautéed mushrooms added an earthy element to the meal.

My meal was fantastic and I recommend everyone to try this place. Make sure you have reservations, especially if you are there for Comic Con.

 

Look them up at www.louandmickeys.com

Enjoy!

T

 

The Oceanaire is known for their fresh seafood with multiple locations across the United States. So I was excited to see that they were in San Diego. Having fresh seafood was a must for me.

I started the evening with a Moscow Mule that was served in a copper mug. Mule’s always taste better in a copper mug; the ice does not melt as fast and the drink stays colder for longer.

For an appetizer I made sure to get the crab cocktail. The presentation of the lump crab meat in a giant cocktail glass was fun. The crab meat was extremely sweet. I love crab and when it is cold I find it to be at the high of its flavor. Also having it served this way is perfect because all of the hard work of cracking and peeling of the crab has been done for me.

The shrimp scampi caught my attention for a main dish. The jumbo shrimp came on top of angel hair pasta. The butter garlic sauce was amazing on the pasta. The butter was not overwhelming and I could taste a hint of white wine. The sauce also complemented the shrimp. It always amazes me how shrimp and garlic pair perfectly.

Check out their website at www.theoceanaire.com to see if they are near you. I would recommend having dinner with them because of their large fresh fish selection that can be cooked practically any way you want.

Enjoy!

T

Being in California, I wanted to make sure I had fresh, authentic Mexican food. I found Puesto not far from the hotel I was staying at, pretty close to the bay. When I glanced over their menu I saw they use all natural meats, the make fresh tortillas, and homemade salsa so I knew this was the authentic food I was seeking.

I sat by the kitchen so I could watch them make the homemade tortillas on their grill. They make corn and flours versions. They make it look so easy.

 

I started off with a sangria that used all fresh juices.

I also made sure to order their salsa and guacamole since they are made fresh. The salsa was fire roasted which gave it a unique flavor compared to the typical salsa I find at Mexican restaurants. When salsa is roasted it adds an extra layer of smokiness to the tomatoes. I love fresh made guacamole too because there are always nice chunks of creamy avocado in it. They added a nice amount of cilantro to the mixture which gave it a kick of added flavor.

Puesto offers a unique selection of tacos that can be ordered individually  or mix and matched. I could not decided on just one so I tried three:

• Carnitas
• Zucchini and Cactus
• Tuna Asada

The carnitas was my favorite. The pork was juicy and pulled part easily with a fork. The flavor is what made this taco stand out the most. The tuna asada had nice large pieces but was cooked well done so there was no pink left. The larger pieces of tuna made it a little more difficult to eat as a taco but as pieces fell out I just picked up a fork. I certainly did not want to waste any tuna. I went for the zucchini and cactus taco because it was an ingredient combination I have never seen before. The cactus had a similar  texture as the zucchini. The flavor was not anything unusual and it paired well with the cheese they added to the taco. If you like veggies, this would be a great taco for you.

I would definitely want to go back to Puesto so that I could try their other taco options. Whether you need a quick bite or want to sit back for a while, Puesto is a good spot – especially with seating options both inside or outside. You can see their menu at www.eatpuesto.com

Enjoy!

T

When looking for the hot spots in San Diego, the Gas Lamp District is where all the action takes place. There are so many bars and restaurants to choose from. If you are hungry for steak and seafood the Greystone will be a great option.

One of the great things about being in San Diego is all the fresh seafood at your fingertips. Starting off with a chilled seafood platter sounded like an excellent idea. The platter consisted of crab legs & claws, shrimp cocktail, small lobster tails, and fresh raw oysters. I love chilled crab claws. The meat is tender and sweet. It is such a treat to get to have them. Fresh shrimp with a spicy cocktail sauce is also a great way to start a meal.

Since I do not care for raw oysters, I tried the Oyster Rockefeller with sautéed spinach, bacon, and a dill sauce on top. Greystone makes an amazing Oyster Rockefeller, probably the best I have ever had. The flavor of their dill sauce paired well with the spinach and the crunchy, salty bacon added extra texture to the oyster. It was just an appetizer but it could easily be a whole meal.

It was recommended that I try the filet mignon and the lobster tail for dinner. It sounded like a lot of food but the filet was only 6 ounces so it would be just the right portion size. It also came with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.

The filet was extremely tender and had a nice salty flavor. The temperature of the steak was cooked exactly how I like it – medium, allowing for each bite was juicy. While I enjoyed my filet the star of the dish was the lobster tail. The meat was supple and sweet. With just a drizzle of butter on top, the lobster melted in my mouth. I was so glad I decided to order lobster!

They had a lovely assortment of desserts on the menu but I had eaten way too much to try anything. I highly recommend visiting Greystone. Check out their menu at http://www.greystonesteakhouse.com/

Enjoy!

T