Craig Street Brew Pub

Our first night in Canada was delicious for many reasons. It started the moment we got off the plane and stepped on to the moist ground running, literally, because we were dodging raindrops. Just the moisture in the air was a welcome sight to us desert dwellers and marked the start of our restful vacation in Ladysmith. Not long after arriving, Terry and I were treated to a delicious meal at the Craig Street Brew Pub. We shared a scrumptious curry and a warm bowl of creamy goodness. The bacon butternut squash soup was exactly what we needed to feed our tired bodies after a long day of travel. After the first bite we realized that this soup was not only delicious, but that it had some flavors that our palettes weren't used to in combination. Bacon, butternut squash, cream, and a hint of something sweet all melted together to create a wicked-good concoction. Simply put, we liked it a lot!

After the meal Terry and I decided to have sex, Sex in a Pan that is. As an American I have been deprived of this wonderful treat. It can best be described as really good cheesecake surrounded by chocolate, topped with whipped cream, and cradled in a chocolate shell. It is appropriately named as it leaves you completely satisfied and smiling after it is finished. All in all, it was the perfect finish to a wonderful meal.

Craig Street Brew Pub

South Ridge Seafood Grill and Kobe beef?

Went out for dinner tonight to a little place in Breckenridge. South Ridge Seafood Grill. Small place just off main street in Breckenridge. Let me start with the service, which was very good. Our waitress, who I might add was serving a party of 17, seemed to have it together. No missed orders, no wrong plates. Props!

So what did I order at a seafood place? Not seafood, which for me was unusual. Just nothing on the "things that swim" menu interested me. I was craving a good old hamburger, which I ordered with a starter clam chowder. Clam chowder was ok, nothing special but nothing to complain about. The burger on the other hand was dreamy. Ordered it medium, and it came medium, topped with a sharp cheddar and some grilled mushrooms. Tender, juicy, flavorful, savory. A side "potato" salad accompanied the dish, which really was a french fry salad that just worked with the hamburger. I have to say this was one of the best burgers I have had in a very long time. Just about everything that came out of the kitchen seemed to be bang on, dinner reviews from my colleagues were all positive.

Only one thing missing.. My gal to share this one.

Overall A++! Kudos!

South Ridge Seafood Grill
215 South Ridge Street,
Breckenridge,
CO 80424

Pizzeria Luigi

There are two types of people who eat pizza, deep dish people and thin crust people. Personally, I am a thin crust gal. I like to taste the ingredients on top of the bread rather than choking down a big wad of dough covered with some toppings. That, of course, is just my opinion should be kept in mind while reading this blog.

Pizzeria Luigi is a good old fashioned pizza joint. The building is in desperate need of repair and probably a deep cleaning. The pizza jocks are the usual tattooed, artsy-fartsy types who generally work in South Park/ Golden Hill / North Park. It would be easy to walk by the small building covered in the colors of the Italian flag and assume that you weren't missing much, you would, however, be wrong. As soon as you open the door you run into a wall of aroma created by the open kitchen. Italian spices mixed with cheese and meat caress your nostrils leading you to the glass pizza case displaying a wide variety of pizzas. Once there, you are able to mix and match slices. I typically go for something with artichokes or a slice of onion and garlic pizza. No matter what I pick I know it will be fresh, tasty, and will satisfy completely. While deep dish lovers would probably give this place a big thumbs down, this thin crust gal gives Pizzeria Luigi an enthusiastic and sauce covered thumbs way up!

Pizzeria Luigi

Taco Truck on the corner of Balboa and Clairemont Dr

Out and about for a bike ride today, made 39km in about 2 1/2 hours. Included a pitstop at a taco truck I have been meaning to try for a while. I think it is Ricos' Tacos or something, and there was a bunch of people in line so I figured I'd give it a shot.

Ordered 3 adobaba tacos. They were fresh and came with a couple of grilled onions and a grilled pepper. Overall, really tasty and just the right size. And for $1.50 each you can't complain. Salsa was pretty good too. They had a good assortment of filling choices, carne, pollo, tripa, buche, adobada, churrizo, etc. Will have to try a few more ;)

Taco Truck
Corner of Balboa and Clairemont Dr, when it's there..

Searocket Bistro

Had the pleasure of taking my folks and my gal to dinner at the Searocket bistro on Thursday. Where to start?

Lets see...

I had my usual starter, a couple of grilled sardines. I WISH I could make them like this. Tasty, perfectly grilled, drizzled with some great olive oil. Yum! I split a Corvina fish sandwich with my gal at it too was amazing. She had the sardine caesar salad, and that has to be one of my favs!

Dad had the shellfish pasta, which is from Assenti's in little Italy no less, and it was fantastic! Sauce was a great compliment to the shellfish. Stepmom had the Corvina plate and it must have been good too, there was nothing left!

Had to try dessert too. Blood orange custard tart. Not too sweet, but just right, and the side of fresh whipped cream was just the right topping.

Overall, this is one of my favorite places to eat in San Diego. You feel the need for fish, please give Searocket a try!

Searocket Bistro
3382 30th Street
San Diego, CA 92104
619.255.7049

The Linkery

The Linkery has the kind of menu which encourages exploration. You could simply close your eyes and point anywhere on the menu to pick your meal for the evening and you would end up eating a culinary masterpiece. Everything at the Linkery is delicious and more importantly, it is usually organic, handmade (including the bread), and they only use sustainably raised meats from local farmers. If your idea of having a good meal includes encouraging business practices which cater to the health of the community as well as your personal well being then The Linkery should be on your list of restaurants you must visit.

Tonight Terry and I went out with his father, Larry, and his step mother, Joy. In honor of St. Patrick's Day we decided to order a Ruben, salad, and the grilled organic snow peas. We split the meal, which we often do, and were more than satisfied with our individual portions. The Ruben was to die for!!! The corn beef was succulent and bursting with flavor, pair that with the house made sauerkraut, beer bread, Russian dressing, and house cured pickles and our taste buds were thrown into another dimension. Topping the meal off we each had the Serpent's Stout; it is a hearty beer with a syrupy texture, yet it finished with a bit of a bite. The beer was the perfect complement to our meal and a bit of a wink and a nod to old St. Patrick. Éire go Brách!!

Bay Hill Tavern

I see what was La Dolce Vita is now Bay Hill Tavern. Must be making a stop there to see whats up!

Stay tuned!

Dos Patrons

Last night I met my folks over at the local joint. Dos Patrons on Clairemont Dr. Mix of Mexican and Sushi on the menu with a sports bar feel to it.

So the folks ordered a shrimp chimichanga and a sauteed shrimp plate. I show up a few minutes later and order a shrimp burrito. Took 45+ minutes to get the food out, and my salad came out AFTER my burrito. The food itself was OK, but not great. Could have had the same food up the street at xxxxertos for half the price and in 5 minutes. Service deserves a failing grade. Slow. Confused. We did get a discount off the check but that does not make up service or lack of service.

Final verdict isn't in. Every place has a bad day once in a while. I will probably give it one more go..

Dos Patrons - Yelp
3065 Clairemont Dr
San Diego, CA 92117

Farmer's Market in Little Italy

Over the past couple of months Terry and I have established a Saturday morning tradition. After coffee we find our way to Little Italy and the Farmer's Market. We go for the atmosphere, fresh produce, and a Frenchman we affectionately call "The Panini Guy." The Panini Guy does just that, he makes intensely fresh and flavorful paninis. Each one has a unique flavor all its own, but all of them are guaranteed to be delicious. Simply follow the smell of goodness and look for a crowd of hungry people.

Frenchy and his crew work together like a Swiss made timepiece. While they are friendly and will make conversation with the mass of people surrounding their tent, make no mistake, they are all business. Each order is taken with consideration and a smile. You may have to wait five or six minutes for your order to come up, but it is well worth the wait. Make sure you give the market and "The Panini Guy" a try.

Cookies

While bumming around at the La Jolla farmers market, we were talked into tasting some cookies. Well.. Let me just say, these were some of the best cookies I have ever tried.

Red Velvet. Yum.
Banana Chocolate Bacon. Double Yum!
Truffle Chocolate! (::thud:: sound of my passing out on chocolate overload)

Order online. Create your own bacon containing morsel of heaven!

410 Cookies

Heaven Sent Desserts

After our wonderful experience at Urban Solace I wanted to treat my sweetie to some sweets. We walked down the street to Heaven Sent Desserts. If you have never been you must make the time to indulge your sweet tooth. I made room for a delicious cup of coffee, while Terry selected a chocolate pyramid filled with a seductively rich and creamy chocolate mousse. We shared our treats, so for forty-five minutes and six dollars we WERE in heaven floating on a cloud of sugary goodness. I know we will go back again and again.

Urban Solace FINALLY!!!

In need of a night out after an excruciatingly long week Terry treated me to a wonderful meal at Urban Solace in North Park. I had a hard time deciding what to have because the entire menu sounded delicious. After much deliberation I decided to have the bacon wrapped sustainable Idaho trout stuffed with spinach n’ mushrooms. Terry, on the other hand, went to the restaurant with a clear vision in mind. As he usually does, he studied the menu online before we went out that night and was devoted to the idea of eating “Not Your Momma’s Meatloaf” made with ground lamb, figs, pine nuts, and feta cheese with fig jus. For appetizers we decided to share the mac n' cheese along with frogs legs. I know that all of this sounds like an odd combination but each dish was fresh, packed with flavor, perfectly seasoned, and made for a fun and whimsical dining experience. To put it simply - the food was YUMMY!!!!

Ba Ren in Clairemont

Been here a couple of times now. Love this place. Not much of a looker but oh my, I love the Chinese food!

Pork with pickled mustard greens is amazing. Flavorful, different and tasty. Must try. Had the beef with green chili today, it too was nice, tender, tasty and different!

Any Chinese place that puts the usual American fare (Kung Pow Chicken and the like) on the "American" section of the menu is alright by me!

Go be adventurous!

Ba Ren
4957 Diane Ave
(between Clairemont Mesa Blvd & Conrad Ave)
San Diego, CA 92117