4428 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 278-3300
www.mannakoreanbbq.com
Now, I try to be healthy. I try to exercise everyday, and eat healthy. But occasionally, I allow myself to gorge out on buffets and fatty foods. OH WAIT WHO AM I KIDDING. I LOVE eating.
My family asked me where I wanted to go as a graduation dinner, and I suggested all you can eat korean BBQ. (I originally wanted sushi but it was closed). There was this korean bbq place I always pass by, "GRAND OPENING" sign adorning its canopy. I also heard from friends this place was pretty good.
We waited 30 minutes to be seated as it was prime dinner time on a Sunday. Luckily the NBA finals game was on (Go Mavs, woo hoo!) to keep us entertained while we ate.
We all ordered the $19.99/person option. Side dishes magically came out, and we stuffed ourselves with that while waiting for our meats. I wish I could tell you exactly what the side dishes were, but it has been a while so I do not recall...there were, however, fishcakes, seaweed, kimchee, and the mashed potato things I love.
Service was not bad in the beginning -- the waitresses promptly brought out our meats, which were well marinated and juicy. Compared to other all-you-can-eat korean bbq places I have been, this place takes the cake. Very good quality meats, and an excellent array of choices even with the $19.99/person option. The short ribs were especially tasty. The meat kept flowing and flowing---until it was a-flowing-no-more.
If the service at Manna was illustrated on a chart, it would have been steadily increasing until an immediate drop.
For some reason, the waitresses simply stopped bringing out our food. We requested many times for our dishes, but the meat never came...we would remind them again and again, and STILL it would not come. We pressed the buzzer multiple times, and told them, "we ordered this, how come it hasn't come yet?" to no heed. What?? How can you just suddenly stop bringing us our orders?? (Or sometimes, we asked for one order and they would bring us four orders. Or something entirely different.)
It was obvious they wanted us to leave, and this was the most passive-aggressive way they could think of. But oh no, we were still hungry! So on our war waged, us, the customers who kept ordering and the waitresses who kept pretending to take our orders but never actually filling them. Eventually they caved and brought out maybe a quarter of what we ordered, to which were satisfied with.
Verdict: while the food is good, service is certainly something to be cautionary about. If you want a lot of meat, this is the place in SD to go to!
Showing posts with label GOOD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GOOD. Show all posts
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Pho Ca Dao (San Diego, CA)
8373 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 564-0917
www.phocadao.net
And here comes yet another review about yet another pho restaurant.
I admit it -- my boyfriend has an addiction to pho. We'd have it one day, and the next day he would crave it. Heck, if we have it as lunch, he'd still want it for dinner. As a result, I have been dragged across San Diego in search of the perfect pho.
But no, I'm kidding; I like it too.
It was Thursday, after work. We both had suffered a particularly unpleasant work week (being a grown up sucks, might I add), and craving something warm, something brothy -- PHO?! We wanted to head to our regular spot, but rush hour traffic was determined to prevent us from going anywhere. So we went somewhere closer to our work places: Pho Ca Dao.
Sidenote: Why are all the pho places in San Diego devoid of the standard pho restaurant? You know, the dirty ones with the chopstick/spoon stand? Why are they all so...NICE?
Pho Ca Dao's employee greeted me with a smile and a "hello!" when I walked in. (Wow...good service at PHO? The world is a-changing. Or San Diego is just weird). The menu was very cheap as San Diego goes ($3.55 for spring rolls is considered a bargain). We got:
Meatball pho. I ALWAYS get meatball pho. I've gotten this since I was a small child, and everytime I try to deviate and try something new, I don't like it as much as the meatballs. I don't know why. And I always get a "regular" size, even though it's better value to get the "large". It was $5-$7.
My boyfriend got...what he usually got. It was $6-$7.
Verdict: (in Joey Tribbiani's voice in the episode where Rachel makes a "beef custard") service, GOOD. Noodles, GOOD. Broth, GOOD. Meat, GOOOOOD.
Watch out, Pho Fusion, this just might be my new pho spot!
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 564-0917
www.phocadao.net
And here comes yet another review about yet another pho restaurant.
I admit it -- my boyfriend has an addiction to pho. We'd have it one day, and the next day he would crave it. Heck, if we have it as lunch, he'd still want it for dinner. As a result, I have been dragged across San Diego in search of the perfect pho.
But no, I'm kidding; I like it too.
It was Thursday, after work. We both had suffered a particularly unpleasant work week (being a grown up sucks, might I add), and craving something warm, something brothy -- PHO?! We wanted to head to our regular spot, but rush hour traffic was determined to prevent us from going anywhere. So we went somewhere closer to our work places: Pho Ca Dao.
Sidenote: Why are all the pho places in San Diego devoid of the standard pho restaurant? You know, the dirty ones with the chopstick/spoon stand? Why are they all so...NICE?
Pho Ca Dao's employee greeted me with a smile and a "hello!" when I walked in. (Wow...good service at PHO? The world is a-changing. Or San Diego is just weird). The menu was very cheap as San Diego goes ($3.55 for spring rolls is considered a bargain). We got:
Meatball pho. I ALWAYS get meatball pho. I've gotten this since I was a small child, and everytime I try to deviate and try something new, I don't like it as much as the meatballs. I don't know why. And I always get a "regular" size, even though it's better value to get the "large". It was $5-$7.
My boyfriend got...what he usually got. It was $6-$7.
Verdict: (in Joey Tribbiani's voice in the episode where Rachel makes a "beef custard") service, GOOD. Noodles, GOOD. Broth, GOOD. Meat, GOOOOOD.
Watch out, Pho Fusion, this just might be my new pho spot!
The Golden Arches, Fancy Edition: McDonalds Gourmet Bistro (San Diego, CA)
3505 Del Mar Heights Rd
San Diego, CA 92130-2122
(858) 755-8588
*Update: this place has since closed. Only the regular-McDonald inside remains.
We all are familar with the symbolic golden arches. McDonalds, in all its Dollar-Menu, Chicken McNugget-strewn glory. We often correlate this with french fries, Big Mac, even Ronald McDonald. But quesadilla, paninis, pasta, and -- GELATO?? -- not so much.
Little did I know there was a McDonald's "Gourmet Bistro" waiting to be tried off Del Mar Heights in San Diego, CA. That's right folks, you heard me: a FANCY McDonalds! Two friends (one of them being the token boyfriend, of course) and myself decided to try it on a Tuesday night. We were already cracked out from the workweek and it wasn't even halfway over.
Upon first stepping in, my first thoughts were, "wow, this is really not a normal McDonalds!" I rushed eagerly to the "fancy" counter. This McDonalds was divided into two -- the "regular" half, and the "gourmet" half. To my dismay, many customers ordered from the regular side. I wanted to shake them by the shoulders and yell - C'MON GUYS, this is a FANCY McDonalds! Why are you not getting FANCY FOOD!
But I digress.
There were many things on the menu, ranging from quesadillas, salads, pasta, paninis, ravioli...and even a gelato stand! Prices ranged from $5 (like sandwiches/paninis) to $8 (the salads, pasta, ravioli).
I tried the Rosemary Chicken Ravioli with cranberry in a fettucine sauce ($8).
Verdict: DELICIOUS! It beats even the ravioli I had at Fleming's (word of advice: don't get it folks). It came with delciously toasted bread, which went very well with the sauce. The raviolis were big and tasty...just the way I like it ("That's what she said!").
Peter had the Chicken Penne Sandwich. While it looked good in the stand, it was not too great in person. The chicken, however, was fried, which was a nice change up.
Will had the steak panini, which was accompanied with a side salad. Pretty good! Encased in bread that was crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
The service was friendly, and excellent! I did not manage to catch the name of the guy manning the counter, but he recognized and greeted all his regular customers like old friends. He was very personable and conversational, joking around with us.
After our dinners, Peter and I got gelato. Me: pink grapefruit and hazelnut (tasted like Nuttela); Peter got pink grapefruit.
Gourmet McDonalds gets an A in my book! Good food, friendly service, and a switch-up from the norm.
San Diego, CA 92130-2122
(858) 755-8588
*Update: this place has since closed. Only the regular-McDonald inside remains.
We all are familar with the symbolic golden arches. McDonalds, in all its Dollar-Menu, Chicken McNugget-strewn glory. We often correlate this with french fries, Big Mac, even Ronald McDonald. But quesadilla, paninis, pasta, and -- GELATO?? -- not so much.
Little did I know there was a McDonald's "Gourmet Bistro" waiting to be tried off Del Mar Heights in San Diego, CA. That's right folks, you heard me: a FANCY McDonalds! Two friends (one of them being the token boyfriend, of course) and myself decided to try it on a Tuesday night. We were already cracked out from the workweek and it wasn't even halfway over.
Upon first stepping in, my first thoughts were, "wow, this is really not a normal McDonalds!" I rushed eagerly to the "fancy" counter. This McDonalds was divided into two -- the "regular" half, and the "gourmet" half. To my dismay, many customers ordered from the regular side. I wanted to shake them by the shoulders and yell - C'MON GUYS, this is a FANCY McDonalds! Why are you not getting FANCY FOOD!
But I digress.
There were many things on the menu, ranging from quesadillas, salads, pasta, paninis, ravioli...and even a gelato stand! Prices ranged from $5 (like sandwiches/paninis) to $8 (the salads, pasta, ravioli).
I tried the Rosemary Chicken Ravioli with cranberry in a fettucine sauce ($8).
Verdict: DELICIOUS! It beats even the ravioli I had at Fleming's (word of advice: don't get it folks). It came with delciously toasted bread, which went very well with the sauce. The raviolis were big and tasty...just the way I like it ("That's what she said!").
Peter had the Chicken Penne Sandwich. While it looked good in the stand, it was not too great in person. The chicken, however, was fried, which was a nice change up.
Will had the steak panini, which was accompanied with a side salad. Pretty good! Encased in bread that was crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
The service was friendly, and excellent! I did not manage to catch the name of the guy manning the counter, but he recognized and greeted all his regular customers like old friends. He was very personable and conversational, joking around with us.
After our dinners, Peter and I got gelato. Me: pink grapefruit and hazelnut (tasted like Nuttela); Peter got pink grapefruit.
Gourmet McDonalds gets an A in my book! Good food, friendly service, and a switch-up from the norm.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
*NOT* Cheap: Donovan's (La Jolla, CA)
4340 La Jolla Village Drive
La Jolla, CA
(858) 450-6666
www.donovanssteakhouse.com
Let me get this straight: I do not dine at places like Donovan often. I am a struggling college student, preferring to spend her part-time earnings on cheap eats and clothes instead. HOWEVER, I warranted my boyfriend's birthday a very special occasion and wanted to take him somewhere special. Fine dining + steakhouse = Donovan's! I made reservations via Open Table, careful to include "it is my boyfriend's birthday!" on the special notes section. On the special day, I took him to Donovan's.
His mouth literally dropped when I parked outside the restaurant. It dropped further when we stepped up to the door and discovered a door leading into a room --- with just another door! (Yes, I know the rest of you may not find this very fascinating, but this is our first fine dining experience other than House of Prime Rib in San Francisco! Give us a break.)
Once inside, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who assured us our seats would be ready in a few minutes, and also wished my boyfriend a happy birthday. It did indeed only take a few minutes, and soon we were lead into a small, intimate part of the room.
I'll cut down to the chase: our server Bobby was conversational, friendly, and very helpful. I ordered the Prie Fixe meal ($45 for appetizer, entree, and dessert), and my boyfriend ordered the 16 oz. NY Steak ($61). I changed my order to the Prie Fixe Meal after hearing the Soup du Jour -- some carrot ginger soup with crab meat, avocado, and won ton strips.
1. Soup du Jour - (as described above): simply the best soup I have ever consumed in my entire life. I've had lobster bisque at other restaurants and the flavor was always too overwhelming for me to finish. Not here! The soup was absolutely delicious, especially accompanied by the crab meat and won ton strips. I scraped every last piece off my bowl.
2. Twin Prime Rib Medallions: as steak should be. Tender, juicy, and flavorful with every bite. Cooked just how i want it -- medium rare.
3. Cheesecake - fluffy and delicious, not too sweet. Best cheesecake I've had aside from the Cheesecake Factory.
4. Boyfriend's NY Steak: the thing certainly LOOKED like 16 oz. Not bad, but I liked my steak better. :)
All the servers/staff we encountered also made a note to wish my boyfriend a happy birthday. :)
They also gave us creme brulee as it was my boyfriend's birthday! Not the mini, bite-sized bowl of creme brulee either -- the thing was humongous. Even though I was breathing heavilly and struggling to chew, I put every last spoonful in my mouth. Hands down the best creme brulee I have ever eaten in my life. A thick, caramel top..I am salivating as I type this.
The check came out to be $140 including tax and tip. Worth every penny for a meal like this, on top of excellent service! The staff will certainly cater to their guests and ensure a delightful meal. If only I was a big baller and had the opportunity to come more often...*sigh.
La Jolla, CA
(858) 450-6666
www.donovanssteakhouse.com
Let me get this straight: I do not dine at places like Donovan often. I am a struggling college student, preferring to spend her part-time earnings on cheap eats and clothes instead. HOWEVER, I warranted my boyfriend's birthday a very special occasion and wanted to take him somewhere special. Fine dining + steakhouse = Donovan's! I made reservations via Open Table, careful to include "it is my boyfriend's birthday!" on the special notes section. On the special day, I took him to Donovan's.
His mouth literally dropped when I parked outside the restaurant. It dropped further when we stepped up to the door and discovered a door leading into a room --- with just another door! (Yes, I know the rest of you may not find this very fascinating, but this is our first fine dining experience other than House of Prime Rib in San Francisco! Give us a break.)
Once inside, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who assured us our seats would be ready in a few minutes, and also wished my boyfriend a happy birthday. It did indeed only take a few minutes, and soon we were lead into a small, intimate part of the room.
I'll cut down to the chase: our server Bobby was conversational, friendly, and very helpful. I ordered the Prie Fixe meal ($45 for appetizer, entree, and dessert), and my boyfriend ordered the 16 oz. NY Steak ($61). I changed my order to the Prie Fixe Meal after hearing the Soup du Jour -- some carrot ginger soup with crab meat, avocado, and won ton strips.
1. Soup du Jour - (as described above): simply the best soup I have ever consumed in my entire life. I've had lobster bisque at other restaurants and the flavor was always too overwhelming for me to finish. Not here! The soup was absolutely delicious, especially accompanied by the crab meat and won ton strips. I scraped every last piece off my bowl.
2. Twin Prime Rib Medallions: as steak should be. Tender, juicy, and flavorful with every bite. Cooked just how i want it -- medium rare.
3. Cheesecake - fluffy and delicious, not too sweet. Best cheesecake I've had aside from the Cheesecake Factory.
4. Boyfriend's NY Steak: the thing certainly LOOKED like 16 oz. Not bad, but I liked my steak better. :)
All the servers/staff we encountered also made a note to wish my boyfriend a happy birthday. :)
They also gave us creme brulee as it was my boyfriend's birthday! Not the mini, bite-sized bowl of creme brulee either -- the thing was humongous. Even though I was breathing heavilly and struggling to chew, I put every last spoonful in my mouth. Hands down the best creme brulee I have ever eaten in my life. A thick, caramel top..I am salivating as I type this.
The check came out to be $140 including tax and tip. Worth every penny for a meal like this, on top of excellent service! The staff will certainly cater to their guests and ensure a delightful meal. If only I was a big baller and had the opportunity to come more often...*sigh.
Regent's Pizza (San Diego, CA)
4150 Regents Park Row #170
San Diego, CA 92037
(858) 550-0406
regentspizza.com
I remember the first time I heard about Regents. It was when I just moved off campus my 3rd year of college, and I received a "welcome to the neighborhood!" letter from them, offering me a free cheese pizza. Thrilled, I claimed the offer and shared with my friends. From my first bite onward, I knew it would be a beautiful friendship.
Their pizzas are absolutely delicious -- I've never had a negative experience. The crust is crispy, cheese just the right amount, the sauce is never overpowering.
In addition, I only recently tried their chicken pesto pasta. For less than $8, the portion exceeds anything any restaurant chain (i.e. Cheesecake Factory, Buca di Beppo) has to offer. They don't skimp out on the meat either! From now on, Regents is my go-to pasta place.
Oh and one more thing - garlic knots! Warm crispy bread encasing gooey, warm cheese with just the right balance of garlic. A good sized basket for under $4.
San Diego, CA 92037
(858) 550-0406
regentspizza.com
I remember the first time I heard about Regents. It was when I just moved off campus my 3rd year of college, and I received a "welcome to the neighborhood!" letter from them, offering me a free cheese pizza. Thrilled, I claimed the offer and shared with my friends. From my first bite onward, I knew it would be a beautiful friendship.
Their pizzas are absolutely delicious -- I've never had a negative experience. The crust is crispy, cheese just the right amount, the sauce is never overpowering.
In addition, I only recently tried their chicken pesto pasta. For less than $8, the portion exceeds anything any restaurant chain (i.e. Cheesecake Factory, Buca di Beppo) has to offer. They don't skimp out on the meat either! From now on, Regents is my go-to pasta place.
Oh and one more thing - garlic knots! Warm crispy bread encasing gooey, warm cheese with just the right balance of garlic. A good sized basket for under $4.
Not Just Good Food: Chop Sooey Food Truck (San Diego, CA)
880 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 929-0167
chopsooeytruck.com
After a long but exhilerating night of dancing in various clubs in downtown San Diego, our stomachs needed a little nourishment. We passed by Chop Sooey while stumbling back to our parking spot and our stomachs could not withstand our hunger pains any longer. We rushed to the window and ordered ourselves some food: the pulled pork quesadilla ($3) and 2 tacos -- I apologize, my memory fails me as to which kind ($5). We inhaled our food and it was absolutely delicious -- the perfect crispiness, with the perfect amount of meat and the perfect amount of seasoning. To top off our experience, the guy working was so kind to play "Who's That Chick" by David Guetta and Rihanna from our IPhone -- we had been badgering the DJ in the club to play it but he claimed he didn't have it (DIDN'T HAVE IT? WHAT KIND OF DJ ARE YOU??). And thus we danced like fools on the sidewalk singing with our mouths full. It was great.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 929-0167
chopsooeytruck.com
After a long but exhilerating night of dancing in various clubs in downtown San Diego, our stomachs needed a little nourishment. We passed by Chop Sooey while stumbling back to our parking spot and our stomachs could not withstand our hunger pains any longer. We rushed to the window and ordered ourselves some food: the pulled pork quesadilla ($3) and 2 tacos -- I apologize, my memory fails me as to which kind ($5). We inhaled our food and it was absolutely delicious -- the perfect crispiness, with the perfect amount of meat and the perfect amount of seasoning. To top off our experience, the guy working was so kind to play "Who's That Chick" by David Guetta and Rihanna from our IPhone -- we had been badgering the DJ in the club to play it but he claimed he didn't have it (DIDN'T HAVE IT? WHAT KIND OF DJ ARE YOU??). And thus we danced like fools on the sidewalk singing with our mouths full. It was great.
This Would Be My Last Meal On Earth: The Buffet at The Bellagio (Las Vegas, NV)
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV
(877) 234-6358
BEST. F*^&ING BUFFET. IN VEGAS. Hands down.
Perhaps I am but a Vegas buffet noob; I've tried Planet Hollywood's Spice Market, the buffet in Caeser Palace, Rio's Carnival Buffet. I've also tried MGM's buffet, but that was quite a while ago and not fresh in my memory. In whatever case, I found something lacking in each of these buffets -- something that I could not grasp quite what it was, the je ne sais quoi that these buffets desperately needed. Everything that was missing, and then some, was found in the Buffet at the Bellagio.
I vividly recall our long journey there. We set out from the Palazzo, preparing ourselves for the cold, bitter winds of the desert. Our stomachs growling, our limbs fragile from our fatigue...but we kept our eyes on the prize, focusing on the glowing lights that was the Bellagio.
After what seemed like an eternity, we set foot in the Bellagio. But our hopes plummeted when seeing the line that snaked around the wall. "NOOO," we cried in devastation. "We'll NEVER get to eat!"
But we had made the long journey there, after all, so we sought to see it through. The minutes seemed like hours, ticking by at a snail's pace.
1.5 hours later, on a Sunday night, we reached the front of the line. $29.95 for dinner buffet! Not bad, not bad at all. We split our group of 8 into two small groups to avoid the mandatory 18% gratuity, and off we were!
I almost plowed the waiter over in my haste to collect my prizes. "Whoa, calm down there, miss!"
I threw a hasty, "sorry!" over my shoulder before continuing onto the beauty I would soon behold. I piled mountains of smoked salmon, crab legs, sashimi (I have never, ever before found sushi at a buffet good, but Bellagio is the exception to this rule). At the table, my friends and I ate in silence, only pausing to say one of the following sentences:
"This is good."
"Is that good?"
"You should try this, it's good."
Less than an hour later, we laid in our chairs, breathing heavily. I had to mentally tell myself to breathe, or else I'd forgot to. I believe I ate every single thing in the buffet...
Note: THE CREME BRULEE IS TO DIE FOR.
Ever since my visit, I have dreamt about this buffet. I kid you not. It was certainly the highlight of my trip to Vegas.
Las Vegas, NV
(877) 234-6358
BEST. F*^&ING BUFFET. IN VEGAS. Hands down.
Perhaps I am but a Vegas buffet noob; I've tried Planet Hollywood's Spice Market, the buffet in Caeser Palace, Rio's Carnival Buffet. I've also tried MGM's buffet, but that was quite a while ago and not fresh in my memory. In whatever case, I found something lacking in each of these buffets -- something that I could not grasp quite what it was, the je ne sais quoi that these buffets desperately needed. Everything that was missing, and then some, was found in the Buffet at the Bellagio.
I vividly recall our long journey there. We set out from the Palazzo, preparing ourselves for the cold, bitter winds of the desert. Our stomachs growling, our limbs fragile from our fatigue...but we kept our eyes on the prize, focusing on the glowing lights that was the Bellagio.
After what seemed like an eternity, we set foot in the Bellagio. But our hopes plummeted when seeing the line that snaked around the wall. "NOOO," we cried in devastation. "We'll NEVER get to eat!"
But we had made the long journey there, after all, so we sought to see it through. The minutes seemed like hours, ticking by at a snail's pace.
1.5 hours later, on a Sunday night, we reached the front of the line. $29.95 for dinner buffet! Not bad, not bad at all. We split our group of 8 into two small groups to avoid the mandatory 18% gratuity, and off we were!
I almost plowed the waiter over in my haste to collect my prizes. "Whoa, calm down there, miss!"
I threw a hasty, "sorry!" over my shoulder before continuing onto the beauty I would soon behold. I piled mountains of smoked salmon, crab legs, sashimi (I have never, ever before found sushi at a buffet good, but Bellagio is the exception to this rule). At the table, my friends and I ate in silence, only pausing to say one of the following sentences:
"This is good."
"Is that good?"
"You should try this, it's good."
Less than an hour later, we laid in our chairs, breathing heavily. I had to mentally tell myself to breathe, or else I'd forgot to. I believe I ate every single thing in the buffet...
Note: THE CREME BRULEE IS TO DIE FOR.
Ever since my visit, I have dreamt about this buffet. I kid you not. It was certainly the highlight of my trip to Vegas.
Sin City's Finest: Earl of Sandwich (Las Vegas, NV)
3667 Las Vegas Blvd S # 760
Las Vegas, NV 89109-1955
(702) 463-0259
earlofsandwichusa.com
I ate here a total of 3 times this past weekend and every time was bliss.
1. Carribean Jerk Chicken - while good, this was not among my favorite. I didn't really like it and I had to drink a sip of water with each bite.
2. Earl's Club - MY OH MY THIS WAS GOOD. After a night of dancing, my very tired self demanded Earl's. I almost cried with happiness when I found out it was open 24/7! I inhaled the sandwich on the spot. Definitely my favorite sandwich of the bunch.
3. Full Montague - Delicious, delicious, delicious. While I am not normally a cheese person, somehow Earl makes the cheese on this sandwich heavenly.
I was also fortunate to try the limited edition Holiday Sandwich -- grilled turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy. It tasted like Thanksgiving! A must try.
In order of my favorite to least favorite:
1. Earl's Club
2. The Holiday Sandwich
3. Full Montague
4. Hawaiian BBQ
5. Carribean Jerk Chicken
I love this place so much I truly believe it's better than the buffets in Vegas. It would be AWESOME if they had an Earl of Sandwich buffet...I would surely pay for it.
Las Vegas, NV 89109-1955
(702) 463-0259
earlofsandwichusa.com
I ate here a total of 3 times this past weekend and every time was bliss.
1. Carribean Jerk Chicken - while good, this was not among my favorite. I didn't really like it and I had to drink a sip of water with each bite.
2. Earl's Club - MY OH MY THIS WAS GOOD. After a night of dancing, my very tired self demanded Earl's. I almost cried with happiness when I found out it was open 24/7! I inhaled the sandwich on the spot. Definitely my favorite sandwich of the bunch.
3. Full Montague - Delicious, delicious, delicious. While I am not normally a cheese person, somehow Earl makes the cheese on this sandwich heavenly.
I was also fortunate to try the limited edition Holiday Sandwich -- grilled turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy. It tasted like Thanksgiving! A must try.
In order of my favorite to least favorite:
1. Earl's Club
2. The Holiday Sandwich
3. Full Montague
4. Hawaiian BBQ
5. Carribean Jerk Chicken
I love this place so much I truly believe it's better than the buffets in Vegas. It would be AWESOME if they had an Earl of Sandwich buffet...I would surely pay for it.
No, It's Not A Typo: OHOP
3906 Convoy Street
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 565-1740
Original Pancake House
I believe I may have just tried the best pancakes in the world.
Okay--that may be too far of a stretch. What I mean is, I have tried the best pancakes I've ever eaten in my entire life. And I'm not a super big pancake fanatic either--as a matter of fact, I abhored pancakes as a child. But that is irrelevant.
I had the eggs benedict and switched out the potato pancakes for buttermilk. And I enjoyed my pancakes than the main entree itself...they were so delightfully fluffy, soft, and buttery. Accompanied by the thick syrup and I had myself a little mouthgasm.
The eggs benedict was alright, every eggs benedict from breakfast restaurant tastes similar to me. So OHOP's did not particularly stand out. Prices are average, with my meal around $10 (Pancakes as a meal by itself are $7-$8).
Service is fast as they try to get you in and out as quickly as possible. My friend and I were running late to meet our friends there (who were already seated), and they were pressuring them to order, which is understandable. When we did order, our meals did not lag far behind from when everyone else began digging in.
I will definitely come back to try more pancakes, but not in a bigger group (they add mandatory gratuity). It's good, but not good enough to fork over the extra cash.
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 565-1740
Original Pancake House
I believe I may have just tried the best pancakes in the world.
Okay--that may be too far of a stretch. What I mean is, I have tried the best pancakes I've ever eaten in my entire life. And I'm not a super big pancake fanatic either--as a matter of fact, I abhored pancakes as a child. But that is irrelevant.
I had the eggs benedict and switched out the potato pancakes for buttermilk. And I enjoyed my pancakes than the main entree itself...they were so delightfully fluffy, soft, and buttery. Accompanied by the thick syrup and I had myself a little mouthgasm.
The eggs benedict was alright, every eggs benedict from breakfast restaurant tastes similar to me. So OHOP's did not particularly stand out. Prices are average, with my meal around $10 (Pancakes as a meal by itself are $7-$8).
Service is fast as they try to get you in and out as quickly as possible. My friend and I were running late to meet our friends there (who were already seated), and they were pressuring them to order, which is understandable. When we did order, our meals did not lag far behind from when everyone else began digging in.
I will definitely come back to try more pancakes, but not in a bigger group (they add mandatory gratuity). It's good, but not good enough to fork over the extra cash.
Can't Go Wrong for $1: John's Ice Cream (Berkeley, CA)
2204 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-0370
I don't mean to rain on everybody's parade but while $1 for a scoop of ice cream is a spectacular deal, I wouldn't pay more than that for the ice cream. I tried different flavors--
1. Strawberry Cheesecake - pretty good, actually.
2. Green tea - why doesn't it taste like green tea?
3. Cake batter - tastes sort of strange, and had ice chunks in it...
My friend also had Cookies N Cream and it had ice chunks in it.
You get what you pay for! I LOVE how there's no tax though; don't have to dig up the extra dime or suffer an excessive amount of change in your pockets.
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-0370
I don't mean to rain on everybody's parade but while $1 for a scoop of ice cream is a spectacular deal, I wouldn't pay more than that for the ice cream. I tried different flavors--
1. Strawberry Cheesecake - pretty good, actually.
2. Green tea - why doesn't it taste like green tea?
3. Cake batter - tastes sort of strange, and had ice chunks in it...
My friend also had Cookies N Cream and it had ice chunks in it.
You get what you pay for! I LOVE how there's no tax though; don't have to dig up the extra dime or suffer an excessive amount of change in your pockets.
Cafe-styled sushi: Niban (San Diego, CA)
7081 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Ste 101
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 268-0465
I've been here a total of two times. The first time was a-okay (I ordered a katsu don and it was only average), but the second time was commendable!
Certainly cheaper and serves larger portions than Sushi Deli. GREAT for college students! We ordered the:
-Crunchy Roll (I didn't know it came with cream cheese...I'm cheese-adverse so I didn't like the aftertaste in my mouth, but otherwise good).
-Dynamite Roll -- yum!
-Rainbow Roll - for $6.25, you can't get any better!
-Katsu bentobox - lots of food for cheap!
In conclusion, Niban is a great place for the average sushi-loving, budget-conscious college student. Cheap eats with huge servings! And while other Japanese restaurants charge for green tea (why? WHY? So-cal is WEIRD.), Niban does not, and offers free refills.
Keep in mind it's less of a restaurant, and more of a stand in-line to order, sit yourself, and have them bring the food to you. The longest wait is waiting in line to place your order. Service is also very friendly.
Ste 101
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 268-0465
I've been here a total of two times. The first time was a-okay (I ordered a katsu don and it was only average), but the second time was commendable!
Certainly cheaper and serves larger portions than Sushi Deli. GREAT for college students! We ordered the:
-Crunchy Roll (I didn't know it came with cream cheese...I'm cheese-adverse so I didn't like the aftertaste in my mouth, but otherwise good).
-Dynamite Roll -- yum!
-Rainbow Roll - for $6.25, you can't get any better!
-Katsu bentobox - lots of food for cheap!
In conclusion, Niban is a great place for the average sushi-loving, budget-conscious college student. Cheap eats with huge servings! And while other Japanese restaurants charge for green tea (why? WHY? So-cal is WEIRD.), Niban does not, and offers free refills.
Keep in mind it's less of a restaurant, and more of a stand in-line to order, sit yourself, and have them bring the food to you. The longest wait is waiting in line to place your order. Service is also very friendly.
BEST BURRITOS IN TOWN: Lucha Libre (San Diego, CA)
1810 W Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 296-8226
tacosmackdown.com
If it's one thing I laud San Diego for, it's its burritos.
The best of the best I have eaten is Lucha Libre. Unbeknownst to me, I had been passing this place for over a year on the way to and from work. I discovered what I had been missing out on when the b-friend and I decided to try it one day.
Delightful decor, certainly not your average Mexican restaurant. We opted for a TJ dog and the Surf and Turf burrito . Our cashier was extremely friendly and the longest wait was in line to order, for our food came relatively fast. The SALSAS are the BEST. Fruity with a little tinge of spiciness? J'adore! (Sidenote: I took French in high school so I am unsure of how to say the equivalent in Spanish).
HANDS DOWN, BEST California burrito I've had in San Diego. For the price ($5-$6), you get the best bang for your buck--the burrito is huge and I always have to take the leftovers home for a snack later.
Note: parking is slightly difficult as it is hard to turn into the parking lot...no worries, there is some parking near the freeway entrance!
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 296-8226
tacosmackdown.com
If it's one thing I laud San Diego for, it's its burritos.
The best of the best I have eaten is Lucha Libre. Unbeknownst to me, I had been passing this place for over a year on the way to and from work. I discovered what I had been missing out on when the b-friend and I decided to try it one day.
Delightful decor, certainly not your average Mexican restaurant. We opted for a TJ dog and the Surf and Turf burrito . Our cashier was extremely friendly and the longest wait was in line to order, for our food came relatively fast. The SALSAS are the BEST. Fruity with a little tinge of spiciness? J'adore! (Sidenote: I took French in high school so I am unsure of how to say the equivalent in Spanish).
HANDS DOWN, BEST California burrito I've had in San Diego. For the price ($5-$6), you get the best bang for your buck--the burrito is huge and I always have to take the leftovers home for a snack later.
Note: parking is slightly difficult as it is hard to turn into the parking lot...no worries, there is some parking near the freeway entrance!
Dessert in Class? Sounds alright to me: Class 302 (Rowland Heights, CA)
1015 S Nogales St
Ste 125
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 965-5809
Dear Class 302,
While I have been here several times before and know that while your shaved snow is all I ever dream about, I also know your service is nothing short of shoddy. However, I have been able to ignore this based on the sheer deliciousness of your shaved snow, and also for the fact that there is a lack of supply of other cafes/restaurants providing said shaved snow.
Unfortunately, I will have to make a note of my past visit to Class 302 because I am astonished at how far your servers will go to provide horrible service.
First, we (a party of 2, the bf and I) stood around for 5-10 minutes while your cashier raced around accomodating everybody BUT us. There was an open table right in front of us, but we were not told to sit down until after he noticed us looking pointedly at the table and looking rather annoyed. "Oh, you guys can sit there..." Hm. Thanks.
Second, why did we have to flag your waiters down to take our orders? Shouldn't THEY ask US?
Third, how on earth did the party of 6 get their food--actual food-- before our shaved snow when we were indeed the ones to order first? How does shaved snow take 20+ minutes to prepare?
Fourth, why did it take several reminders to get us our check?
Sadly, despite all my complaints, I will most likely return again. The shaved snow just cannot be missed. Their BBQ Stinky Tofu was also delicious.
Note: Cash only, which can be a pain. Make your trip to the ATM prior to your visit! And be prepared for unattentive service.
Ste 125
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 965-5809
Dear Class 302,
While I have been here several times before and know that while your shaved snow is all I ever dream about, I also know your service is nothing short of shoddy. However, I have been able to ignore this based on the sheer deliciousness of your shaved snow, and also for the fact that there is a lack of supply of other cafes/restaurants providing said shaved snow.
Unfortunately, I will have to make a note of my past visit to Class 302 because I am astonished at how far your servers will go to provide horrible service.
First, we (a party of 2, the bf and I) stood around for 5-10 minutes while your cashier raced around accomodating everybody BUT us. There was an open table right in front of us, but we were not told to sit down until after he noticed us looking pointedly at the table and looking rather annoyed. "Oh, you guys can sit there..." Hm. Thanks.
Second, why did we have to flag your waiters down to take our orders? Shouldn't THEY ask US?
Third, how on earth did the party of 6 get their food--actual food-- before our shaved snow when we were indeed the ones to order first? How does shaved snow take 20+ minutes to prepare?
Fourth, why did it take several reminders to get us our check?
Sadly, despite all my complaints, I will most likely return again. The shaved snow just cannot be missed. Their BBQ Stinky Tofu was also delicious.
Note: Cash only, which can be a pain. Make your trip to the ATM prior to your visit! And be prepared for unattentive service.
Burgers Galore: Hodad's (San Diego, CA)
5010 Newport Avenue
Ocean Beach, CA 92107
(619) 224-4623
hodadies.com
After a failed attempt to another restaurant, my boyfriend and I were debating where to bring our respective group of friends who were visiting for the weekend. We wanted to bring them to a place in SD where they could tell their friends upon returning back, "We went to ___ and it was great!"
We had never gone but had heard of Hodad's. We decided to try it, and we were not unhappy. The restaurant is decorated with a plethora of license plates (have fun playing the license plate punching game!) and decorations everywhere. It was pretty crowded when we went, but they were able to find us a long table for our group of 12 to sit at. The waitress was friendly and service was prompt. We ordered our meals (hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon-cheeseburger, etc, ranging from $5-$10, and fries, onion rings, or FRINGS) relatively quickly. The Frings arrived pretty quickly -- a delicious blend of fries (more like seasoned potato wedges..AHH soo goodd) and crispy onion rings! I like, I like. I also took a sip of my friend's chocolate milkshake--definitely worth getting.
However, the food took a while to arrive--probably because we were a large group and they wanted to have all our orders out at the same time. The most impressive part of our visit was the waiter stacking 12 burgers in his arms and carrying them over to our table! What a sight; we even took a picture. The burgers were HUGE and there was a moment of silence while everybody inhaled their food.
Hodad's is definitely a place worth visiting again! Service is friendly, the restaurant is fun, and what is better than good food in good company.
Ocean Beach, CA 92107
(619) 224-4623
hodadies.com
After a failed attempt to another restaurant, my boyfriend and I were debating where to bring our respective group of friends who were visiting for the weekend. We wanted to bring them to a place in SD where they could tell their friends upon returning back, "We went to ___ and it was great!"
We had never gone but had heard of Hodad's. We decided to try it, and we were not unhappy. The restaurant is decorated with a plethora of license plates (have fun playing the license plate punching game!) and decorations everywhere. It was pretty crowded when we went, but they were able to find us a long table for our group of 12 to sit at. The waitress was friendly and service was prompt. We ordered our meals (hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon-cheeseburger, etc, ranging from $5-$10, and fries, onion rings, or FRINGS) relatively quickly. The Frings arrived pretty quickly -- a delicious blend of fries (more like seasoned potato wedges..AHH soo goodd) and crispy onion rings! I like, I like. I also took a sip of my friend's chocolate milkshake--definitely worth getting.
However, the food took a while to arrive--probably because we were a large group and they wanted to have all our orders out at the same time. The most impressive part of our visit was the waiter stacking 12 burgers in his arms and carrying them over to our table! What a sight; we even took a picture. The burgers were HUGE and there was a moment of silence while everybody inhaled their food.
Hodad's is definitely a place worth visiting again! Service is friendly, the restaurant is fun, and what is better than good food in good company.
C-Level Gets An A: C-Level (San Diego, CA)
880 Harbor Island Dr
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 298-6802
islandprime.com
I had initially wanted to take my boyfriend elsewhere for a fancy dinner, but something came up and we were unable to make it -- and I'm very glad, as otherwise we would have not stumbled upon C-Level!
After days of meticulous thought and research, I thumbed through pages and pages of reviews from different websites for a good place to eat in San Diego. C-Level was one of them, and I utilized it as a backup plan in case the other restaurant did not pan out. I read bits from various reviews, even one raving a San Diego visit is wasted if C-Level is not included.
We arrive at the restaurant and were immediately greeted by two hostesses. After a brief 15 minute wait, we were led to a booth inside.
"The outside looks so nice!" I gasped, and we requested to be moved outside. The VERY friendly manager (reminded me of Ken from Toy Story 3--he had a smile on his face which matched his persona. You know these people are good if they look like they want nothing more than to make your dining experience nothing short of excellent.) said it would be no problem; within several minutes, we had a table. Sitting down, I spied another table near the window/edge of the water.
"Can we sit THERE instead?" I pointed. The hostess smiled and said she would see if we could. She returned later with "it's not a problem!".
I have to say, this is the only way to dine--by the San Diego Bay waterfront. The view was breath-taking and I snapped dozens of pictures, much like a tourist.
Everything on the menu also looked delicious! After much deliberating we ordered--
1. Some appetizer with clams and mussels. SO GOOD. They certainly did not skimp out on the quantity. They were also soaked in a broth which we soaked our bread in. After we were done with the seafood, our waitress brought out more bread...YUM.
2. Herb-something onion rings. These were not too great, I actually regret ordering them.
3. Lobster BLT w/ Lobster Bisque. I very much enjoyed my sandwich--a very interesting combination as I've never had lobster in a sandwich before. Certainly were generous with the lobster! The bisque was very good, extremely creamy. Unfortunately, it was too overwhelming for my taste buds after the first few spoonfuls.
4. The bf got the filet mignon, which was accompanied by mashed potatoes w/ goat cheese, and string onions. Filet mignon was a little smaller than the size of my fist, and while the meat was extremely tender, I felt the sauce was too salty. The string potatoes were very good! I'm not a big fan of cheese so the goat cheese was extremely cheesy for me.
5. A glass of champagne.
Service was VERY good! They never let our water cups went empty and Ken (I shall dub him this name, for I do not know his actual one) came out to ask how our meal was going. Our waitress was super nice and attentive.
My next visit shall be during their happy hour, which ends at 5:30. They have appetizers for $5!
I am taking off one star because while the food was delicious and the service more than I could ask for, it's on the pricier side for a college student such as myself. The bill came out to be approximately $77 dollars for everything we ordered. However, I do say it was worth it for the view + quality of the food.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 298-6802
islandprime.com
I had initially wanted to take my boyfriend elsewhere for a fancy dinner, but something came up and we were unable to make it -- and I'm very glad, as otherwise we would have not stumbled upon C-Level!
After days of meticulous thought and research, I thumbed through pages and pages of reviews from different websites for a good place to eat in San Diego. C-Level was one of them, and I utilized it as a backup plan in case the other restaurant did not pan out. I read bits from various reviews, even one raving a San Diego visit is wasted if C-Level is not included.
We arrive at the restaurant and were immediately greeted by two hostesses. After a brief 15 minute wait, we were led to a booth inside.
"The outside looks so nice!" I gasped, and we requested to be moved outside. The VERY friendly manager (reminded me of Ken from Toy Story 3--he had a smile on his face which matched his persona. You know these people are good if they look like they want nothing more than to make your dining experience nothing short of excellent.) said it would be no problem; within several minutes, we had a table. Sitting down, I spied another table near the window/edge of the water.
"Can we sit THERE instead?" I pointed. The hostess smiled and said she would see if we could. She returned later with "it's not a problem!".
I have to say, this is the only way to dine--by the San Diego Bay waterfront. The view was breath-taking and I snapped dozens of pictures, much like a tourist.
Everything on the menu also looked delicious! After much deliberating we ordered--
1. Some appetizer with clams and mussels. SO GOOD. They certainly did not skimp out on the quantity. They were also soaked in a broth which we soaked our bread in. After we were done with the seafood, our waitress brought out more bread...YUM.
2. Herb-something onion rings. These were not too great, I actually regret ordering them.
3. Lobster BLT w/ Lobster Bisque. I very much enjoyed my sandwich--a very interesting combination as I've never had lobster in a sandwich before. Certainly were generous with the lobster! The bisque was very good, extremely creamy. Unfortunately, it was too overwhelming for my taste buds after the first few spoonfuls.
4. The bf got the filet mignon, which was accompanied by mashed potatoes w/ goat cheese, and string onions. Filet mignon was a little smaller than the size of my fist, and while the meat was extremely tender, I felt the sauce was too salty. The string potatoes were very good! I'm not a big fan of cheese so the goat cheese was extremely cheesy for me.
5. A glass of champagne.
Service was VERY good! They never let our water cups went empty and Ken (I shall dub him this name, for I do not know his actual one) came out to ask how our meal was going. Our waitress was super nice and attentive.
My next visit shall be during their happy hour, which ends at 5:30. They have appetizers for $5!
I am taking off one star because while the food was delicious and the service more than I could ask for, it's on the pricier side for a college student such as myself. The bill came out to be approximately $77 dollars for everything we ordered. However, I do say it was worth it for the view + quality of the food.
Put A Little SOUL In It: Bonnie Jean's Soul Food Cafe (San Diego)
1964 54th St
San Diego, CA 92105
Neighborhoods: Rolando, Oak Park
(619) 262-8854
bonniejeanssoulfood.com
I looooovelovelovelove soul food. And after a friend recommended this place after seeing its ratings on Yelp, we all decided to trek all the way there to enjoy some good food with good company.
Upon setting food inside the restaurant, I notice that it is very homey. Nothing like what you would expect a restaurant to look like. in the front, there is a shop with cards and other miscellaneous merchandise, and random tables scattered here and there. They sat us down and handed us all menus; the servers were all pleasant and friendly.
We ordered our respective meals, and our server tells us there would be a 20 minute wait for them to cook the chicken. This is understandable, since we did have a big group, the majority of which who ordered chicken.
I am the type of person who gets rather unpleasant on an empty stomach. I have three phases: 1) the beginning pangs of hunger, where I whine about how empty my stomach is starting to feel, 2) apathy, where I can no longer summon the energy to maintain a conversation, and 3) anger. Anger is where I snap at every mistake the waiter makes, and complain loudly where my food is -- well, let's just say it's not a pretty sight and I am not proud of it.
The clock slowly ticked 20 minutes, 30 minutes, then eventually 40 minutes. I was on the verge of Apathy and Anger. Anger almost busted out, but fortunately, they brought out our food and Anger buried itself back inside.
I ordered the Chicken with Waffle, smothered. Note to any other yelpers: I had assumed smothered meant gravy on top of fried chicken, but nope, it is just chicken covered with gravy. The waffle was light, fluffy, and crispy on the outside -- very delightful! The chicken itself was succulent and extremely tasty. I also got to try my companion's foods: the deep fried pickles were REALLY good, and while I am averse to Mac-and-Cheese (yes, I know, I know, appalling), the deep fried Mac-and-Cheese were something to swoon about. The mashed potatoes were among the best I have tasted, as was the coleslaw. I also tried the fried chicken, and have to agree it far surpasses my smothered chicken. Reminder to self: if I should ever return, I will get the FRIED chicken.
Overall, not a bad experience.
San Diego, CA 92105
Neighborhoods: Rolando, Oak Park
(619) 262-8854
bonniejeanssoulfood.com
I looooovelovelovelove soul food. And after a friend recommended this place after seeing its ratings on Yelp, we all decided to trek all the way there to enjoy some good food with good company.
Upon setting food inside the restaurant, I notice that it is very homey. Nothing like what you would expect a restaurant to look like. in the front, there is a shop with cards and other miscellaneous merchandise, and random tables scattered here and there. They sat us down and handed us all menus; the servers were all pleasant and friendly.
We ordered our respective meals, and our server tells us there would be a 20 minute wait for them to cook the chicken. This is understandable, since we did have a big group, the majority of which who ordered chicken.
I am the type of person who gets rather unpleasant on an empty stomach. I have three phases: 1) the beginning pangs of hunger, where I whine about how empty my stomach is starting to feel, 2) apathy, where I can no longer summon the energy to maintain a conversation, and 3) anger. Anger is where I snap at every mistake the waiter makes, and complain loudly where my food is -- well, let's just say it's not a pretty sight and I am not proud of it.
The clock slowly ticked 20 minutes, 30 minutes, then eventually 40 minutes. I was on the verge of Apathy and Anger. Anger almost busted out, but fortunately, they brought out our food and Anger buried itself back inside.
I ordered the Chicken with Waffle, smothered. Note to any other yelpers: I had assumed smothered meant gravy on top of fried chicken, but nope, it is just chicken covered with gravy. The waffle was light, fluffy, and crispy on the outside -- very delightful! The chicken itself was succulent and extremely tasty. I also got to try my companion's foods: the deep fried pickles were REALLY good, and while I am averse to Mac-and-Cheese (yes, I know, I know, appalling), the deep fried Mac-and-Cheese were something to swoon about. The mashed potatoes were among the best I have tasted, as was the coleslaw. I also tried the fried chicken, and have to agree it far surpasses my smothered chicken. Reminder to self: if I should ever return, I will get the FRIED chicken.
Overall, not a bad experience.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)