Damn Fine Pizza!

I love pizza.
Let me be clear, I love New York thin crust pizza.   The thinner the better and if I have to fold it that is the best.
There are not many of these pizza places in San Diego.   Rejoice, thin crust pizza lovers!    We can add 1 more to the list!     Pizzeria Luigi!
I saw this place on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (I also love Guy but that is another type of BLOG!) and knew I had to run to try this pizza.
I ran and it was worth it.

To date, I have eaten at 2 of the 3 locations - North Park and Golden Hill.    Only Little Italy is left.

I've had the pesto/mozzarella, pepperoni and spinach/ricotta slices.    Oh my god.   Died and went to thin crust pizza heaven!    This is the best crust I have ever had.    Luigi actually uses Manhattan water to make his crust.    It does matter!

All of the pizzas are great but if you are a lover of fresh ricotta (and really, who isn't?!) then don't miss any slice with this manna on it.   The creamiest, dreamiest cheese on the face of the earth. 

The atmosphere is great too - if you go on a Sunday, the game will be on and if it isn't a Sunday then the tv will be on with whatever sporting event is good to watch at the time.   I am hoping for a Tour De France viewing party in July.    This pizza and Lance on a bike?    Be still  my heart!!!

Many locations.
Cusine: pizza, whole and by the slice.  Some pastas and salads too.
Dollar Value: Excellent.
Service: Very friendly
Would I return here: Already have!

MMM scones!

I don't know about you but I love scones.   I mean really good scones, still warm from the oven.   If you, too, are a lover of the scone then read on. 

In the great neighborhood of South Park, there is a great little place called Rebeccas Coffee House.

Rebecca knows her way around a scone and a cup of coffee.

We went there yesterday morning, before a round of golf on the Balboa 9.

What a great way to start a great day!

Scones and coffee ordered, we were asked if blueberry was ok.    Yes, blueberry is ok.    Next we were each presented with a plastic basket with a huge warm blueberry scone and a little cup of preserves.

We made our way to a couch in the coffee shop and sat down.   I put the plastic basket on my lap and it warmed my lap.   Oh this was gonna be good!

I broke off a piece of the scone, dipped it in the preserves and shoved it in my mouth.

I died and went to heaven.   

The scone was wonderful, crunchy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside.    The blueberries were whole and there were a lot of them.   I devoured the scone in about 5 minutes.   I was a little embarrassed but not for long.   Dear Rebecca - I will be back and I will want scones.

Was the round of golf fun?   Sure!     Did I make par?    Who cares...I had a scone at Rebeccas!

3015 Juniper Street
San Diego CA 92104
Cusine: Coffee shop, scones and light breakfast
Dollar Value: Excellent.
Service: Very friendly
Would I return here: Yes, yes, yes!

Indian, anyone?

We had a mom that wanted to go to Indian food.   I love Indian food so I had no problem with this request!    We decided to try Royal India on Market in the Gaslamp.    A couple of reasons for this decision, we had never been there and I had a coupon!

We got there early, about 5:15 on a weeknight and it was empty.   Yay for us, we didn't have to wait!   I could tell that "mom" was a little aprehensive about the food so we decided to play it safe.

As soon as we sat down we received water and Papadum with two chutneys, 1 sweet and 1 hot.    I love hot but I know that some don't so I tasted and then warned accordingly.

I ordered some potato and pea samosas as I knew she would like those since they are fried!   Of course, we all liked them.    Nice and light and served on a bed of cabbages.     

For the dinner I ordered three dishes and we shared all of them.    Paneer Tikka Masala, Channa Masala and Chicken Tikka Kabab.   They all came with rice and I got a garlic and a plain nan too.     I ordered the paneer and the chicken mild and got the channa medium spicy.     I knew that the cheese would go over well along with the chicken.   The garbanzos would have been ok for her except that they were a little spicier than she liked.    Needless to say, I loved them all.     

The rice was perfect as was the nan.    Everything was great, I would have kept eating if I hadn't gotten full.    I know that mom was impressed when the chicken came to the table on the steaming plate.    The veggies under the chicken were great and the chicken was very tender.

After we stuffed ourselves on all of this great food we had to have dessert.   I ordered the Shahi Mango and the Rusmalai (more cheese).     We shared both of them.   Mom liked the mango best but the rest of us liked them both equally.     

The service was great, the place wasn't crowded and I will go back!   Maybe some pictures next time!
329 Market Street
San Diego CA 92101
Cusine: Indian
Dollar Value: A little pricy but worth it.
Service: Very friendly
Would I return here: Yes, yes, yes!
329 Market Street,
San Diego, CA 92101

329 Market Street,
San Diego, CA 92101

True Street Tacos

I had heard about Tacos El Paisa from many people.  I knew it was right across the street from Latte Mi Corazon (a favorite little coffee shop) but had yet to try it myself until Sunday.

Oh My God.   What had I been waiting for?!     

This is the cutest place, an area for dining inside and outside that is cleaner than a lot of other places I eat.   The taco truck is right there in the parking lot.    

There is also an outdoor grill that was being fired up just as I was leaving - much to my dismay.   I want to know what delicious treats come off of that thing!

I ordered the tacos el pastor and a large order of refried beans.    My dining companion had the potato tacos.   Both were served three tacos with a soda for five bucks.    Soon after we ordered, the tray of salsa came.    I could have eaten this alone and been in heaven.   Cucumbers, onions, carrots, radishes, chips, three kinds of salsa and limes were on it.    Slap my face, this was good!!!

Then came the tacos and these were even better.   Pastor tacos are typically served with pineapple.   These weren't but I think the meat was marinated in the juice.    They were served on corn tortillas with cilantro and onions.    The tortillas were just off the grill and rival Quatros Milpas.   The potato tacos were just as good with lettuce, crema and queso fresco.    I wished I had the room and I would have eaten all 6 of those tacos myself!    

I was sad that I didn't have room after the tacos for a Cafe Cubano across the street.    I will next time!

3069 National Ave.

San Diego, CA 92113

(619) 262-5128

Cusine: Mexican
Dollar Value: Excellent
Service: Very friendly
Would I return here: I already made plans!!

Ethiopian!

A friend was recently returned from D.C.  If you are wondering, all is well there.
She dined on Ethiopian food while there and wanted to do it again.
I had known of Harar in North Park for quite some time but just hadn't gotten there yet.
We got there!   A tiny little place with only about 5 tables inside but a great outside patio to eat on.   We decided to eat outside since the early November evening was quite nice.
There were 3 of us and we ate quite well and thoroughly enjoyed the food.   We were the only people in the restaurant when we got there and everyone was quite friendly.
I shared the sampler platter with one and the other diner got a vegetarian plate.  Both were quite good and more than enough food.   My platter had 7 different dishes, 3 meat based and 4 vegetarian.   All of it was served on a bed of injera - more on injera in a bit.   
Ethiopian dining uses no utensils, the injera is your fork and spoon.   I love it when I can eat with my hands!    All you gotta do it tear off a piece of the injera, scoop whatever you want into it and shove the whole thing in your mouth - yummy.   
The meat based dishes were beef, chicken and lamb.  All were quite tasty but I preferred the vegetarian items.   There was a cabbage and potato dish, lentils, green salad and collard greens.   I could have eaten one whole dish of the collards but I will go to the ends of the earth for greens!
Our server was kind enough to bring us two huge baskets on extra injera - smart man!   
Now about that injera - bread.   It is made from teff, the smallest of the cereal grains.   It takes three days to make and is a bit fermented.   This fermentation gives it the slightly sour taste I love so much.   It is cooked on a
flat pan called a mitad.   Not unlike a huge, thin pancake but no sweetness here!   
We all ate until we were full and had leftovers.   The bill for the three of us was $36.00.    Very reasonable for three to eat out these days!      
As we left, we decided to try The Red Sea - another Ethiopian restaurant located on El Cajon blvd. 
Cusine: Ethiopian
Dollar Value: Excellent
Service: Very friendly but a little slow
Would I return here: You betcha!!

Welcome Friends!

First post on this new blog.   I intend for this to be the place I put down thoughts about all of the fun my friends and I have exploring different foods while doing life.   

I love food.   I love learning about food.  I love the cultural significance of food and how it is used for celebrations.   I love to eat the foods I have learned about.

I hope you enjoy what I write.   

I hope some of it inspires you to get out and taste everything there is.

Life happens around food so go and live!