|
11-20 out of 59 reviews:
|
|
| |
|
Nov 10, 2007
This new North Park newcomer bills itself as a late-night diner. It's certainly nice to have a place in the neighborhood to grab a meal after 9pm besides Jack-In-The-Box.
The menu is fairly small, consisting mostly of burgers, hog dogs, fries, and baked potatoes. I kind of wish they had branched out more since that's more or less what you can get at the aforementioned Jack-In-The-Box.
I stopped by a couple of weeks ago and tried a couple of their sliders (mini-cheeseburgers) and also their Mac & Cheese. The sliders were tasty, but their were a couple of little hard nuggets of something in the meat, which is a little disconcerting. I hear they get their beef from Brandt Farms, a respected local provider, so maybe I just got unlucky.
I was less impressed with their bland Mac & Cheese. Mac & Cheese above all should be cheesy, and I just didn't get that. I felt like I was eating plain, overcooked, unsalted pasta with a bit of cheese sprinkled on top.
I went back a week later to try a cheeseburger and fries, and it was better. The cheeseburger was simple and flavorful, though the meat patty felt just a little rubbery like it had been packed down too much. The fries looked fresh-cut and golden - very promising. The medium-thick fries looked like a classic Belgian pommes frites. But as I picked one up, I realized that they were all a bit limp. It's a shame; if they had just crisped them up a bit more, they would have been perfect.
Although it's nice having a place to satisfy the late-night munchies, I thought that the items I had weren't as good as they could be, and cost more than comparable food. It's basically fast food, except it's slower and costs more. I would rather get my burger fix at In-N-Out for less money. And late at night, I would just as well go to Jack-In-The-Box (or more likely my local Roberto's clone).
Tags:
late_night
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Oct 09, 2007
Opera Patisserie is notable for being the only place in San Diego to offer French macarons (as far as I know). French macarons are two light, glossy meringue cookies sandwiching a small amount of filling. The impression is that of a very high-end Oreo cookie, but that's not really doing it justice.
I first tried these little delicacies at The French Laundry. Even though I was stuffed after eating 12 courses, I couldn't resist the charming little treats. They were so light and perfect that I ended up eating three of them.
I decided to head down to Opera to see how their macarons compared to my first time. When I looked in the display case, I saw that they offered a dozen varieties of macarons as well as a small selection of pastries, desserts, and savory lunch items like quiche and French "pizza".
I ordered a French "pizza" with caramalized onions and bacon as well as two boxes of macarons to go. The pizza was a flat bread covered with a creamy, mild white cheese and topped with onions and bacon, and it came with a simple, lightly dressed salad. The pizza was very rich and delicious.
How were the macarons? The texture on the meringue cookies was wonderful - light with a pleasant little chew. I think I sampled every flavor they offered and some were hits and others were misses. I found some of the flavors (like the chocolate and the passion fruit) to be cloying. But others had a subtle flavor that allowed you to enjoy the light texture of the meringue.
On another visit, I went to try out some of their breakfast pastries. When I got there, the young lady behind the counter seemed unprepared, and when more people started lining up, things got a little chaotic with people pressing the counter out of order.
I managed to put in my order for a latte, a scone, and a croissant. I was a bit concerned when she started making my latte because she seemed very hesitant, and actually dumped her first attempt after sniffing it, but I can see that my worry was for nothing.
She produced a lovely latte with a dense, creamy head and a smooth espresso flavor. I can see now she was just looking out for my latte. I was similarly impressed with the pastries. The scone had a perfect texture for a cream scone - halfway between shortbread and biscuit. It might be the best I've had in San Diego (yes, better than Rebecca's, whose scones I consider overrated). The croissant was also light, buttery and flaky as a croissant should be.
So despite some quirks with morning service and some macaron flavors I didn't love, I think Opera is one of San Diego's best and unique bakeries.
Tags:
macarons
scones
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Sep 22, 2007
When I was driving down 30th a few weeks ago, I noticed a sign for a new pizza place with the intriguing name of A Sicilian Thing. Could it be that someone in San Diego has decided to specialize in Sicilian-style pizza (if you don't count Pizza Hut)? Sicilian-style pizza in America usually refers to a rectangular pizza with a thick crust -- almost like focaccia bread, but with a nice crunch on the bottom.
It turns out that A Sicilian Thing was started by a Bronx Pizza alumnus. That's all I needed to hear before checking it out. I stopped by soon after. They sell about half a dozen varieties of Sicilian pizza by the slice, as well as a couple of NY-style thin crust pies. I was also pleasantly surprised that they sell cannolis too.
I ordered 2 Sicilian slices, a pepperoni and a meat combo called The Meatda. The quality of ingredients was great and the sauce was nicely balanced. The crust was pretty good, but I noticed that it was a bit tough. My jaw was pretty tired after finishing the second slice.
On a separate visit, I ordered a couple of their New York-style slices. It's very similar to Bronx Pizza's, which should come as no surprise. I think the crust on these thin slices was even a little better than Bronx's, though not as good as Luigi's. I think the slices were a bit low on sauce (and I tend not to like too much sauce on my pizza).
I couldn't resist trying the cannoli also, but it was a bit of a letdown. The shell had a crisp, light texture, but the filling had an odd chalky texture.
I think I prefer Hoboken Pizza in PB for both Sicilian-style and NY- style pizza. Hoboken's crust has a lighter feel to it, and their more assertive sauce cuts through the extra bread. But at A Sicilian Thing, you have a lot more choice of Sicilian slices. Overall, A Sicilian Thing is a great addition to the San Diego pizza scene, and I foresee many future visits here, especially since I'm too lazy to park and wait in line at Bronx or drag myself to PB for Hoboken.
Tags:
sicilian
new
york
pizza
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Sep 14, 2007
I had been hearing good things about this Hillcrest taco shop for years, but for some reason I just never made it here. Now I'm kicking myself for all the delicious meals I could have been having here all this time.
Mama Testa is a taqueria (indeed, it serves over a dozen varieties of tacos), but that doesn't quite do it justice when you compare it to the ubiquitous hole-in-the-wall taquerias throughout San Diego. The food at Mama Testa's is much more polished, but still homey, accessible and most of all delicious.
On my first trip, I ordered the Al Pastor tacos. The friendly man behind the counter handed me a basket full of fresh, light tortilla chips, and I selected some salsa from a choice of 12 (!) from their bar. It's nice to have such a wide selection offering something for every palate. My favorite is the red-onion based salsa.
When my tacos arrived, I immediately dug in. The tacos impressed me with their spicy, flavorful, perfectly done meat. I also appreciated that they obviously took pride in their Spanish rice. I usually consider this a throwaway item that I eat just to make myself full, but Mama Testa's version was delicious -- the rice cooked only until done and no more, so I could enjoy the subtle flavor of the rice.
Subsequent visits have only strengthened my love for this place. Most recently, I tried their Mojados de Carne, and it was mind-bogglingly delicious -- fried rolled tacos cut into pieces and swimming in a rich broth of tomato, beef, and chile. Simply fantaastic!
Mama's is a little bit more expensive than your average taqueria, but your average lunch there will cost less than $10. It's well worth the price. With it's clean space and colorful decor, it's a much more pleasant place to sit than most taco shops. More importantly, the food is great, authentic, and unique.
Tags:
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Sep 02, 2007
Vietnamese food must really be coming into its own. This is the second pho place to open this year in Pacific Beach, better known for its bars and boardwalk food than homey Asian fare. But I'm not complaining, I would love it if there were a decent pho joint on every street corner.
Green Papaya takes up a big space previously inhabited by a Chinese buffet place. The decor is nicer than you see in most pho places.
My friend and I both decided to order the pho. When the friendly waitress brought us our food, the first thing we noticed was how skimpy the garnishes were. They brought one plate with one stem of basil, one lime wedge, and a tiny bit of bean sprouts. Even for one bowl of pho this would be skimpy, but this was for two bowls. So we asked for more.
The pho itself was not bad. I really liked the deeply flavored broth. Unfortunately the meat was on the tough side.
Given that it's in PB and the rent is probably higher, the prices were also a bit higher. I think that Pho Sao Bien just down the street is a better bet for a pho fix if you're in Pacific Beach.
Tags:
pho
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Aug 29, 2007
Dolci Mango seems to be part of the influx of Pinkberry clones that have invaded California in recent months. These stores specialize in frozen yogurt that taste more like actual yogurt with its tangy flavor.
Dolci Mango bills itself as European or Italian-style frozen yogurt rather than the Asian influence of Pinkberry, Redberry, or Yogurt World. Besides the choice of toppings, I'm not sure what the difference is supposed to be.
Of the places new yogurt places I've tried, I like Dolci Mango's actual yogurt the best. It has a creamier texture than both Yogurt World and Redberry. They also make a really nice, soft mango sorbet with a good mango flavor that has just the right amount of sweetness.
One disadvantage of Dolci Mango is that the selection of toppings is limited compared to other yogurt stores. You won't find any Asian ingredients like lychee, mochi, or flavored jellies. But they do have a good selection of fresh fruit.
I'm hoping Dolci Mango will do OK here. It doesn't seem as crowded as the other yogurt places. Maybe it's because PB isn't chock-full of Korean teenagers like Convoy is.
Tags:
frozen
yogurt
pinkberry
clone
|
| |
|
| |
Redberry
3860 Convoy St #106
San Diego, CA 92111
|
Reviewed By howie
|
|
| |
|
Aug 13, 2007
With the recent opening of RedBerry, it looks like the yogurt wars have really heated up. This yogurt shop sports a name suspiciously similar to another yogurt chain you might have heard of ( *cough* pinkberry *cough* ). And from what I've read of that other yogurt store, it's quite similar in style, providing tart, yogurt-y flavors with a nice choice of toppings.
I haven't actually tried Pinkberry yet, but RedBerry might have a few additional features to attract converts to its door. For one, it has more flavors (8 to Pinkberry's two flavors). And my favorite part -- for medium sizes ($4) and larger, you can add as many toppings as you want. One complaint about Pinkberry has been the stinginess of its serving sizes. You won't have that problem at RedBerry.
So how's the yogurt? Pretty good, in my book. I'm getting to like the more natural yogurt taste. And there's only a little bit of iciness (something that Yogurt World just up the street seems to suffer from to a greater degree). There's a nice selection of toppings, from your standard stuff like sprinkles and nuts to more Asian ingredients like flavored jellies, mochi, and lychee.
I'm still not sure I get this whole yogurt craze. I find it tasty, but not addictive. But it's a nice treat that's a little bit easier on the waistline. So far RedBerry seems to provide the best value of the tart yogurt places in SD. Things should really heat up when Pinkberry finally opens in Hillcrest later this year.
Tags:
pinkberry
clone
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Jul 29, 2007
It's really a shame that it's taken me so long to check out this little pizza joint in PB. For some reason, this place doesn't seem to get as much foodie buzz as other SD pizza places, but I think it might be my current favorite in San Diego (yes, I think I like it better than Bronx Pizza).
Hoboken has kind of a dive bar feel with its black vinyl booths, loud music playing on the PA, and loads of pictures of New Jersey heroes like Springsteen and Sinatra. As I was waiting for my slices to arrive, I noticed that the walls were covered with dollar bills taped to the walls and autographed by past patrons.
When the Hoboken server dropped off my slices, he gently warned me that they were very hot and I might want to wait a minute or I might burn my mouth, and I thought, "That was very sweet of him!"
I couldn't really wait that long though, the slices looked delicious -- very thin, and dotted with oil from the pepperoni and cheese. The crust was crisp with a nice easy chew. And the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni combined into that special alchemy that is pizza magic.
I really loved the crust on Hoboken's pizza. It has a softer finish to it than Bronx Pizza (where I tend to ditch the crust when I get to the edge). The sauce is quite good with a hint of extra spiciness or herbs to it. I probably like the sauce and the sauce-to-cheese ratio at Bronx Pizza better, but that's really nit-picking.
I enjoyed my slices so much that I went back to Hoboken the very next day, and decided to try their Sicilian-style pizza. The crust on this pizza is much thicker and softer, kind of like focaccia bread, but with a nice crisp bottom like a pan-pizza. I enjoyed it, but I think I'm more of a NY-style pizza guy.
Another plus for Hoboken is that they serve beer. I think I saw half a dozen beers on tap. It seems like many of the good pizza joints in SD don't serve alcohol.
Tags:
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Jul 19, 2007
Ever since reading mmm-yoso's posts about Latin Chef, I've been dying to go. I've never had Peruvian food, and the descriptions of Asian-influence mixing with Latin food had me intrigued.
As soon as we arrived at Latin Chef, the very friendly owner gave us a little primer on Peruvian food and suggested a few dishes. We ended up ordering a fish ceviche, the Lomo Saltado (grilled beef with potatoes), and the Aji De Gallina (chicken in a creamy, mildly spicy sauce).
We also tried a traditional Peruvian drink Chica Morada (I think that's right). It's made from purple corn, lemon, ginger, and cinnamon, and it is very tasty -- like a punch with a gently spicy finish.
I absolutely loved the ceviche -- raw fish mixed with thin slices of onion, lemon juice, and chili. The chunks of raw fish are lightly cooked by the acid in the lemon. It was just this perfect balance between sour, spicy, and salty. I could eat this dish every day.
I liked the Lomo Saltado, beef in a salty, tangy, spicy sauce with fries. The beef was nicely seasoned, and was perfectly done -- tender and juicy. The fries were crispy and went well with the sauce.
The Aji De Gallina, shredded chicken in a creamy sauce, reminded me a lot of a mild curry. The creamy sauce was wonderful mixed with rice.
All in all, this was a great experience. I'm sold on Peruvian food, and I'll definitely be back for more.
Tags:
peruvian
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Jul 15, 2007
This is a nice, little neighborhood ice cream shop in Normal Heights. It's run by a friendly couple, who judging by the many liberal posters and stickers around the store, wear their politics on the sleeve. Why is it that hippies and ice cream go together so well?
They serve about a dozen flavors with lots of the usual suspects like Mint Chip, Cookies n Cream, as well as some slightly off the beaten path like Maple Walnut and Coconut. I've only tried a few flavors, but they have all been flavorful and balanced.
A couple of minor quibbles, I think I prefer my ice cream just a little denser, not that Mariposa's is extremely airy. And on some flavors, there is some residual nut powder from the chopped nuts that are mixed into the ice cream, and it interferes more with the texture.
That said, Mariposa Ice Cream is a great place for a treat on a hot day. Parking can be a bit tricky, but the ice cream is worth it. Plus you can work off some calories by walking to and from your car.
Tags:
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Jun 20, 2007
I think if Heaven Sent were just a coffee shop that happened to serve a few desserts, I'd be giving them a higher rating. Their coffee is great -- both the straight coffee and the espresso-based drinks. They get their beans from Caffe Calabria just down the street, and they treat them with great care... but...
I've tried several of their desserts now, and I think that many of them have little problems. I'm OK with the presentation of the dishes though they aren't as artful as Extraordinary Desserts. Recently I tried their cheesecake, and it seemed like it was slightly overbaked so that it lost its creamy texture. The Key Lime Bar had a filling with a nice, tart flavor, but the crust just seemed slightly off -- like the graham crackers had picked up a weird flavor.
I also tried something that resembled a Napoleon with mascarpone and cherries. The mascarpone filling was nice and light with just the right amount of sweetness, but the crust was downright hard. I couldn't break through it with my fork, and all the filling just squished out. When I picked up the bits of crust and ate them separately, but it was still pretty challenging.
Many wonder which dessert place reigns supreme, the incumbent Extraordinary Desserts or the young upstart Heaven Sent. Honestly, I think both have issues with their desserts, though I'd give the edge to Extraordinary Desserts for just quality of food. But somehow I always feel slightly cheated after going to Extraordinary Desserts, since I think their food is just OK and the staff just seems so unfriendly. Last time I was at Extraordinary Desserts to get a mediocre scone, they were downright rude.
I like Heaven Sent because it feels welcoming and comfortable. Just about everyone who works there have been extremely nice to me. So much so that I feel like a total heel for not giving a higher rating.
Tags:
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Jun 13, 2007
The bad thing about my going on vacation to Thailand a few years ago is that it ruined me for Thai food when I got back. The food I had in Bangkok and Chiang Mai were just perfect -- bold, vibrant, but still perfectly balanced.
Since my trip I've been trying in vain to recapture that culinary magic back in San Diego. It's been challenging, but there are bright spots in my search, like the meal I just had at Thai Village.
My friend and I started with the Tom Yum soup, and it was good -- perhaps a bit sweet for my taste and the chicken was a little dry. We also tried the Fresh Roll, rice noodles, tofu, shrimp, and veggies wrapped in a rice flour wrapper. This was a nice, light appetizer, and the warm, sweet peanut sauce was a good accompaniment.
Next came a squid salad, which was one of my favorite dishes in Thailand. It's squid tossed with onions, cucumbers, chiles, lemongrass. It really encapsulates the spirit of Thai food with its balance between sweet, salty, sour, spicy. Thai Village's version is maybe not as bold as the ones I tried in Thailand, but it's still finely balanced and delicious.
Our final entree was an avocado green curry with chicken. This was very rich and flavorful. The creamy avocado mixed with the coconut milk curry is quite decadent. Since my friend didn't like coconut milk, I got this one all to myself.
We couldn't resist getting some Mango with Sticky Rice for dessert. The sticky rice had a nice subtle coconut flavor to it, but the mango could have been sweeter. The mangoes that we tend to get in the US are pathetic compared to the ones in SE Asia anyway.
So all in all, a very nice meal. Perhaps one of the best Thai meals I've had since my trip.
Tags:
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Jun 07, 2007
From the menu Golden Chopsticks looks like your average generic Westernized Chinese restaurants, but that doesn't mean it's bad. In general, the food is very well executed, and if you go for lunch, there are some fantastic deals to be had.
My favorite dish here is the Spicy Salt Chicken Wings, which seems to be very popular with the Filipino community in National City. At lunch, it's only $5.25, and the portions are very generous. That doesn't stop me from cleaning the plate though. The wings are crispy, juicy, salty, and delicious.
I've tried lots of other dishes here, and they are good, though not as interesting to me. Still there's much to be said, for just making rice properly, not overcooking the meat and veggies, and salting properly. The sauces on the stir-fried items are just the right consistency, not gloopy and not too thin.
It's good basic American-Chinese food for an excellent price. And that's actually somewhat difficult to find in San Diego.
Tags:
salt
pepper
chicken
wings
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
May 30, 2007
This little Indian restaurant is part of the food court at the Clairemont Town Square shopping center. It's good for a quick meal before catching a movie. The guys behind the counter are extremely nice, especially for a casual food court eatery.
I've only tried a few items here and, in general, they are decent, but not great. The chicken tikka masala had a moist texture with a creamy sauce, but it was a bit too mild and too sweet for my taste. The lamb curry was also mild, and the meat was a little tough.
My favorite thing about this place, besides the friendly service, is their naan. It's fresh, hot, soft and chewy -- perfect for sopping up the curry gravy.
Tags:
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
May 24, 2007
After reading so much about Pinkberry, and seeing the massive crowds of Asian college kids inside and outside of this Pinkberry clone on Convoy St, my curiosity was peaked. What could possibly be so good about it?
Can frozen yogurt really aspire to be more than ice cream's bastard offspring? I guess the short answer for me is "no", but that doesn't mean that Yogurt World doesn't make some tasty frozen yogurt.
There are about a dozen flavors, and they are roughly divided into tart and sweet categories. The sweet flavors seem to taste like the frozen yogurt you've come to expect at your average froyo shop. If you like adding stuff to your yogurt, there are tons of options from fresh fruit, mochi, cereal, and candy
The tart flavors are what the place is more famous for. They are closer to the tangy flavor of plain yogurt, but still has some sweetness. Although I found the tart flavors compelling, I thought the texture was a little icy. I'd like it better if it had a creamier texture like the sweet yogurt flavors (or, you know, ice cream).
So while I can see why the place is popular, I don't really understand the fanaticism attached with Yogurt World. I haven't tried Pinkberry yet, so I can't compare. But I don't expect that yogurt is going to displace ice cream as my frozen treat of choice anytime soon.
Tags:
|
| |
|
| |
Spread
2879 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
|
Reviewed By howie
|
|
| |
|
May 23, 2007
Spread has a modern bistro feel that befits its theme of upscale comfort food for vegetarians. San Diego could really use this type of restaurant so that vegetarians have a nice place to go where they aren't relegated to ordering the one obligatory vegetarian option on a menu.
My friend and I ordered the Wild Mushroom Ragu and the Thai Veggie Pizza. The mushroom dish comes with bruschetta and a ramekin filled with purple potatoes in a mushroom sauce and decorated with edible flower petals and a big sprig of sage. It was tasty, but it really tasted more of potatoes than of mushrooms.
The Thai Veggie Pizza has a thin, crisp crust topped with diced vegetables, cheese, and peanut sauce. The crust had a nice texture, and the pizza overall tasted pleasant, but a bit nondescript. The sauce was mild and it was hard to tell that it was meant to be a Thai-influenced dish.
My feeling about Spread is that they are a little bit precious. The server kept emphasizing how it's all family-style service, and they bring out each dish one at a time to be shared. Then they ended up just giving us both our dishes at once.
Also, instead of just regular ice water, they have a water pitcher filled with edible flowers and herbs, which lended the water a slightly medicinal taste. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was drinking water from a flower vase. I'm not categorically opposed to flavored water, but it seems like this was done for the sake of being trendy rather than providing something thirst-quenching and refreshing.
It's nice to have a restaurant like Spread in San Diego, but I do wish they would drop the pretensions and just concentrate on making good food.
Tags:
vegetarian
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
May 21, 2007
I've only gone here twice, and I haven't tried any of their more substantial food. It looks like they serve sandwiches and breakfast here as well as coffee, espresso, and homemade pastries and desserts. It's nice that they make their own rather than buying the same crappy pastries that all the indie coffeehouses in SD have.
Unfortunately, I had a couple of lousy lattes here -- well, one was terrible and the other was just mediocre. The first one I got was basically undrinkable. It tasted as if the milk had sat next to something rotten in the fridge and had picked up an "off" flavor. I was only able to take a few sips of this before giving up. Even if the milk had been good, I think it would have only been an OK latte at best. The foam was barely there -- a thin, soapy-looking layer that seemed to disappear as the drink moved around.
I didn't want to judge them on just one visit, so I came back a few days later, and got another latte. This one's milk was fine. The foam looked better also -- tighter, but still a bit thin. However, the espresso had a distinct bitter edge to it -- not so much that I couldn't drink it, but enough that I didn't enjoy it that much.
I also had a chance to try a couple of pastries. A honey-ginger-pear muffin had a good balance of flavor, but the texture needed work. It looked like the muffin had fallen, and the texture was a little dense. I also tried a chocolate cupcake here, and it was just fine.
It's too bad that I really didn't enjoy the coffee because this cafe looks like a comfortable place to hang out.
Tags:
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
May 18, 2007
Mama's serves up tasty Middle Eastern food like falafel, souvlaki, and wraps filled with grilled meat. A lot of the items come wrapped in their delicious homemade flatbread. And the portions are very generous.
I've tried many dishes here, and I think I prefer the ones made with ground meat or sausage. Both the souvlaki and the garlic chicken can be just a bit tough, though they are flavorful. I love the kofta wrap with ground beef as well as the wrap with the sausage. The wraps are slathered with hummus and little pickles; the mixture of creamy, tangy, and savory is very nice.
Another favorite of mine are the pies, which are kind of like quesadillas made with their flatbread. The pies come with your choice of cheese, spinach, and meat.
Most of the seating is in a covered patio on plastic chairs and tables. So it's not fancy, but it's a fantastic place to grab good, fast food for a decent price.
Tags:
|
| |
|
| |
Pho Tu DO
5430 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117
|
Reviewed By howie
|
|
| |
|
May 16, 2007
I usually don't come to Pho Tu Do for the pho. The main draw for me are the sticky rice appetizers which are hard to find in San Diego. There are several kinds of these appetizers.
One (the banh it, I believe) is filled with BBQ pork and shrimp, and sits on a blob of deep-fried sticky rice, and topped with ground, dried shrimp. It's a bit greasy, but still very tasty. Some of the other variations are a bit lighter; the banh bot loc is stuffed with shrimp and pork, but omits the deep-fried bit, and another dish just has a thin round portion of sticky dough topped with ground shrimp.
I've tried the pho here, and I think it's decent, though you can find better in the neighborhood. The meat was nice and tender, but I think the broth had a bit of sweetness or maybe a bit too much cinnamon or cloves. I found it a little distracting, though not horribly so.
So I usually don't come here for a regular pho fix, but when those sticky rice appetizers call out to me, I'll make a quick visit here.
Tags:
banh
bot
loc
banh
it
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
May 15, 2007
After seeing that Cream was listed as one of the best coffeehouses in San Diego, I decided to check them out. It's a big, clean space that seems to be popular with students. They carry those same pastries that most indie coffeehouses in SD have. They also make sandwiches and sell artisan chocolates from Eclipse. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a Pixies song while waiting to order.
I've only been by twice, and I'm judging it mostly on their lattes, which could use some work. The first latte I ordered looked pretty nice. The foam was fairly tight, and glossy, but had a few big bubbles in them. When I tasted it though, it was *extremely* bitter -- bordering on acrid. I don't think I've ever had a latte this bitter before since the milk usually tones down imperfections in the espresso.
I was disappointed by my first trip, but I decided to give them another shot a week later since I thought the foam had promise. This time the latte was not bitter, but it had a kind of musty aftertaste. The foam was kind of poofy with big bubbles like half-whipped meringue. I don't like this foam consistency since I feel like I'm chomping on air; it doesn't carry the espresso flavor well.
Well, Cream Coffee Bar seems like a nice place to hang out and study, but it doesn't seem like a destination for serious coffeeheads.
Tags:
|
| |
|
