June 2015 – Page 3

Newbreak Coffee & Cafe (Ocean Beach)

June 9, 2015 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Caffeine Fix, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

Thank you for once more stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! Kirk is recovering from his European vacation, Ed (from Yuma) is enjoying his American vacation and Cathy is here in San Diego, sharing part of her Staycation.

We are beginning to have some overcast, warm and humid days now…'bad weather' some call it. Driving down to the Ocean Beach area of the City and parking at the beach makes it all tolerable. North and South views from the public parking lot on Sunset Cliffs near Lifeguard Tower 2 are beautiful and the ocean breeze is brisk and refreshing.Turn around, back to the street and the orange based signage at Newbreak greets you. It's been there since 1993. The seating area can hold around 50, there is free wifi (and plenty of outlets)…but of course, the Cafe is why we stopped here. Fresh baked pastries and bagels and home made breakfasts and lunches. Gourmet coffees and a wall of tea leaves to choose from.Additionally, there is a good selection of gelato available. This day, I decided on soup and a half sandwich ($6.99) Yes, you see full slices of the baked here multigrain bread, but from the smaller end of the loaf, making the small sandwich declared to be a half. The sandwich is the "New-B-Ken-OB": turkey breast, bacon, avocado, Swiss, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

Fresh made vegetarian lentil soup in a quite large bowl accompanied my 'half' sandwich. Quite a delightful, fresh meal. That day, there was a chalkboard listing of a Cubano panini ($7.99). You may be able to tell it was double the size of the other sandwich. Ham and chicken breast, pickles and two different house made spreads (one was red pepper based and had a nice spice) properly panini'd served with some thick crunchy potato chips made this another quite large meal.

We also had shared a large pour over French Roast coffee ($2) which was excellent.

Newbreak is a San Diego staple for a number of reasons. There is so much to appreciate in our great County. Thank you for reading!

Newbreak Coffee & Cafe Sunset Cliffs San Diego 92106 Website (619) 226-4471 M-F 6-3, Sat-Sun 6:30-3

Whole Foods- Eating inside the Market (Torrey Pints and breakfast by the pound)

June 8, 2015 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Markets & Grocers, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! a blog about food…and acquisition of such food. Todays post is written by Cathy, while Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are resting.

I've written quite a few posts under the "Markets & Grocers" category of this blog. It seems that new and old grocery stores of every ethnicity have some sort of in-store eatery. More than two years ago, I wrote a short post only about the restaurant inside the Del Mar location of Whole Foods. There is a theme-named restaurant inside *every* Whole Foods and I thought I'd share about eating in the restaurant from the menu and from store purchases.
Walking into the La Jolla location (near Torrey Pines Golf Course), you'll notice the restaurant next to the main door…Looking straight ahead
There are more-or-less lunch and dinner food items you can purchase by the pound (soups are priced by the bowl size).
There are also sandwiches, pizza that can be made whole or purchase by the slice and bakery items you can purchase by the each.

However, if you drop by when the store opens, at 7 a.m. daily… The by-the-pound items are more 'breakfast-y' in nature… The sandwiches and pizzas also carry a 'breakfast' theme.

You can select your foods, pay and then have a seat inside Torrey Pints or at one of the small booths in front of the cash registers.Here is a rather large purchase (±$9)(a full pound) which includes beets, chorizo, scrambled eggs, turkey sausage links, a piece of veggie quiche and cheesy bacon potatoes. Actually, I am fascinated by the breakfast pizzas here, especially this whole egg-asparagus one. The whole pizza is baked and on the counter, then if you would like, it is re-heated in the pizza oven (which this was)…and still the egg yolk is runny. Within the Torrey Pints seating area, we noticed the signage of daily specials (most of which we have partaken in). There is always a home made sangria of the day available. The menu includes creative items, made from fresh items from the store. The burger is wonderful; we usually always seem to order it. So here's one of our Friday lunches…The Winter Caprese salad ($8) is made with red and yellow beets, herbed honey pine nut ricotta and served with arugula, pine nuts and drizzled beet oil.The Mediterranean plate ($7) has cauliflower tabbouleh, no-oil hummus, lavash cracker and a tomato-onion salad. Refreshing, flavorful and all veggie treats.
The Whole Foods store is fascinating, clean and always has something new. Sometimes the prices are really good, sometimes not; you just have to know your prices (the regular price of Whole Foods brand Ricotta cheese is $2 a container less than the regular price of Albertsons brand Ricotta)

Whole Foods 8825 Villa La Jolla Drive La Jolla 92037 (858)642-6700 open daily 7a.m.-10p.m. Torrey Pints open Mon-Sat at 11, Sunday at 10 website

Green Acre- Revisit

June 6, 2015 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Burgers, Salads, What Cathy Eats!

Thank you for stopping in at mmm-yoso!!! just to read about food. Kirk and His Missus are sad to be leaving Europe right now. Ed (from Yuma) and His Missus are happy to not be in Arizona right now. Cathy and Her Mister are in San Diego and enjoyed a lunch in an office park…

Yes, I've written a total of three other posts about Green Acre, one of our favorite places to grab a tasty, fresh (and according to the menu, healthy) lunch. This lunch was enjoyed at the Campus Pointe location. The parking is better and the restaurant seating area is larger than at the 'original' Nautilus location. It's a bit more of a walk to see the garden area, but you pass it when going to the parking area and the walk is always pleasant after a meal. Asking for water as your beverage gets you more than enough in a pretty decanter.The "Agua de Dia" (water of the day)($2) was watermelon cucumber and very refreshing. The Mister ordered a steak salad ($12) and the freshly picked greens along with beets, orange pieces and pickled onion were various and so brisk in flavor…a different green, a different taste…the side of buttermilk dressing was almost unneeded. The medium-rare cooked steak was lightly coated with a fresh chimichurri and so very flavorful. (That's a pretzel bun, served on the side) This was a Friday (when I don't eat meat) and the house made Black Bean Burger ($10) was my order. The medley of black beans with some spices and formed into a patty, served with Smoked Cheddar and avocado on a grain based bun was really tasty, fresh and satisfying. Fresh lettuce and tomato as well as pickled onions help to enhance the 'burger' flavor and there is a small side salad topped with a champagne vinaigrette, as well as a scoop of tasty quinoa salad. Still, we also ordered a side of Root Fries ($4) which come with sides of house made mayonnaise and catsup. Perfectly fried potato, sweet potato and beet cut into symmetric sticks and fried then lightly salted…the catsup reminds me more of a marinara and the mayonnaise has a distinct lemon flavor.

All in all, another nice meal in an unexpected location.

Green Acre 10300 Campus Point Drive San Diego 92121 (858) 450-9907 Website Open M-F 7am-3 pm Happy Hour 4-7. Thurs and Fri

Vanessa’s Deli (Chula Vista)

June 5, 2015 Cathy Fruiterias, Mexican Restaurants, Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!! Kirk is still on vacation, as is Ed (from Yuma). Cathy is busy with people who want to be on vacation while writing a post a day…about another few meals enjoyed.

I really try to cover different foods and parts of the County each day when I keep the blog going while Kirk is on vacation and realize I skipped the South County area entirely this time. Bad me.

Here's a post showing a few visits to one of our favorite places in Chula Vista.Look to the far left..the blue and red signage on the building frontage pushed back a bit. "Manna Restaurant" Pancake House-Chinese Fast Food. THAT's why we pulled into this parking lot.

Manna was very crowded that first time with people waiting to get in the door. Vanessa's Deli and Water Store had two empty tables. That's how it started. We now come to this parking lot and pick either Manna or Vanessa's for a meal. Here is a link to a recent post about Manna from fellow blogger, cc. (My post about Manna is forthcoming.)Asking if we had to order and pay first, we found out there is table service (and a quite large menu with many photos; more items than shown in the menu in above photo).After our orders were taken, I noticed both an ice cream area and a small freezer filled with ice cream Novelties in front of it (to the left in the above photo) and (straight ahead in the photo) at the wall was the Water Store area.Soon, two salsas and a small Vampiro ($4.49) were brought out. Beet, carrot, celery, apple, orange and lime, freshly juiced, filtered and poured into the cup: no ice. That's how it's done right.The #3 Combo ($10.99). This three item plate included a chile relleño, lomo enchilada and chicken sope along with rice, beans and tortillas. This was all very good. The sauces, salsa and guacamole stood out with their brisk fresh flavors. The lomo torta ($5.25) was served on a very freshly toasted, large torta roll, with a layer of beans, beef tenderloin (very flavorful); fresh avocado, along with lettuce and tomato made this a wonderful sandwich.

Vanessa's serves breakfast all day and we've taken advantage of that.Huevos Enmola ($6.99) (eggs in mole sauce). So wonderful and a different breakfast. Two over easy eggs on top of two corn tortillas, covered in a (slightly sweet) fresh and smooth mole, accompanied by beans and potatoes.Vanes Pan France (French toast topped with strawberries and cream)($6.75) Of course, strawberries and cream are a standard item in any fruiteria…but topping French toast- so special!

Oh, that's not burned toast; squaw bread is used here (another idea I can't believe I hadn't thought of). It's heartier and still, there is a good crust formed on the edges and the inside is still light and fluffy. Healthy decadence!Being a fruiteria, you know at least one order here has had to be a small pico de gallo ($6.25). Mango, orange, cucumber, jicama, watermelon, papaya, pineapple, topped with squeezed lime, chili powder and salt (homemade Tajin) brings all the flavors together.

Fresh, quality, satisfying. So glad we accidentally found it. Hope your weekend will be good!

Vanessa's Deli and Water Store 600 F Street (at Broadway), Suites E and F Chula Vista 91910 (619) 585-8102 Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sun 7:30-7:30

2015 San Diego County Fair (Part 1-before it opens)

June 4, 2015 Cathy Festivals & Events, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. Food does not necessarily mean a meal. Cathy is embarking on another 'before the Fair opens' post, because she is here with computer access. Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) just aren't connected, but they are researching.

The gate opening of the annual San Diego County Fair will be Friday June 5 at 4 p.m., a little bit different than prior years. The theme of the fair this year is "A Fair To Remember" and it is celebrating traditions and inventions which originated at local and World Fairs, as well as commemorating the centennial of the 1915 Panama-California Exhibition, which was held in Balboa Park. (That's why we have all those cool buildings.)The entrance will resemble some of the buildings from Balboa Park and symbols from other World Fairs. The Midway is being set up. Exhibits outside the Flower and Garden Show area are being set up. The Exhibition Hall (just to the right of the entrance) is going to be filled with the a retrospective and educational displays of World, State, County and local Fairs. So much of what is now 'common' and everyday began at a Fair.Home and Hobby will have a display from the Veterans Museum in Balboa Park. Each Fair Exhibit area is sponsored by a different Balboa Park museum. The rest of Home and Hobby is almost set up…

Preserved Foods, Decorated cakes, breads, candy and cookies have been judged.

Demonstration areas are set up. The Table Decorating, Collections and various Craft Divisions have been judged and are set on display.
The Public Relations/Publicity Department of the San Diego County Fair has done a great job this year, inviting press to sample some of the newest food offerings. Many articles have been written emphasizing not only the deep fried Slimfast bar, but also the peanut butter stuffed bacon wrapped pickle, deep fried Starbucks, sweet corn ice cream, and grilled French onion soup. Here are some links: Here's the official Fair link. This is one Union Tribune story. The Reader wrote an article. Zagat has a good write-up. This morning, there was another story in the Union Tribune.

So, I'm not going to do that in this post. There are some new food offerings I noticed which weren't as publicized.
Deep fried Gansito…See that whole fried (mojarra) tilapia? It's like the type you can buy at any Mexican Market steam tray or Mariscos restaurant. (Hint: type in "whole fried fish" or "mojarra" in the top left 'search' box; plenty of posts where we mmm-yoyo writers have enjoyed whole fish…it's not just a Fair Food)
Fireball infused caramel banana donut…Cherry Pop Rocks donut…

Seven layer S'mores Sundae!

Just some things that caught my eye; I'm sure there are more…

San Diego County Fair Website June 5-July 5, closed all Mondays and the first two Tuesdays.

There are plenty of links on the web page to show where discount admission tickets can be found, where the free parking is located and for those of you who live along the North County Coast, the Combined Coaster/Fair entry ticket is a great way to be transported. Know that if you are entering a one day contest, your admission is free.

Where in the world are we part trois

June 3, 2015 mmm-yoso Bordeaux, Dordogne, France, France, French Restaurants, Travel

So, we're in the stretch run of our trip. Leaving for the city where everything started in the morning. The last week has been fun.

We've met some of the nicest, most decent, straight forward folks….honest to a fault.

And of course drank some great wine……and had some fantastic cheese.

We also saw some of the most beautiful countryside. Breathtaking………

And even got to experience a bit of pre-history as well.

It was good to know that I was still competent with a stick shift.

Some of the places look like sets taken straight out of some movie.

And, as alway, there was food. The foie gras and duck was still flowing, though now we had moved on to "lighter" fare.

Though on one evening, I saw something on the menu I couldn't resist trying.

So, did I like it? Well, you'll have to wait for the post to find out.

We've still got a few nights before we head home. We'll surely miss being out and about.

We'll try to make the best of things.

Thanks as always for reading!

Elixir Espresso Bar (Westfield UTC) and Elixir Espresso and Wine Bar (Westfield North County)

June 2, 2015 Cathy Caffeine Fix, Desserts, Stuff, What Cathy Eats!

Thank you for (once again or first time) stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! a blog about food. Since Kirk is vacationing, Ed (from Yuma) decided to also take some time out for a road trip and Cathy is staycationing in San Diego, walking around malls for today's post.

It really has been years since Either The Mister and I have ventured into a Shopping mall. This year, we decided to make our daily walks a bit more interesting and that's worked out.

We went back to Westfield UTC with the intention of stopping here for a respite. This rather large kiosk is in between the Banana Republic and Anthologie stores (and on the way to the parking garage-which was the only reason we noticed it). It opens at 7 a.m. Mon-Fri and at 8 on Saturday, 9 on Sunday…before the mall opens.

You order and pay at one window, find a seat and your order will be called when it's ready.Peeking inside, you can see the crêpe machine and to the right is the espresso machine. That's all that is on the menu here…coffees and crêpes.Calabria Coffee is what's used, and it is excellent and artfully prepared. [That's a small latte above ($3.50)]Since it was early, we decided to share a breakfast crêpe ($5.25). The description is simple 'ham, egg and cheese'…so I assumed the egg would be scrambled, cheese melted in and sliced deli ham would be laid on top and the crêpe would surround it, like a burrito…but no!

Notice the edge of the egg over the edge yet baked within the thin pancake-like crêpe. The ham was *really* good- a smoked ham, cut in chunks, not slices. The cheese added a good tangy flavor with gooey melty component. Far more than I expected at a mall kiosk. Wonderful food here.

Elixir Espresso Bar La Jolla Village Drive 92037 (858) Open daily 9-8 website

The weather started getting warmer a few days later, and we decided to go walking at an enclosed (air conditioned) mall. Westfield North County mall it was!Traveling down the third set of escalators, I noticed this large open eating area from above and was surprised at its name when we stopped to look. Elixir Espresso AND Wine Bar…The menu board was similar, yet had additional food items, and in the seating area, the clipboard menu was most interesting…Sandwiches, bakery items, gelato and wine, all out in the open part of the mall. Crazy. We had to.First, we ordered a Viennese crêpe ($4.75) Simple, filled with honey and cinnamon (and served on an appropriately sized and shaped plate, although I thought the hot dog liner paper was a good way to serve the outdoor crêpe at the outdoor kiosk). This was a nice way to enjoy a sweet crêpe.

The clipboard menu had a 'Flatbread' section on it…and the Pears, Bleu Cheese and Coastal Cheddar ($10.75) sounded nice.

Wow. Thinly sliced pears overlapped and covered this freshly made, soft yet baked to a light crunch flatbread. The toppings of the Bleu and Cheddar, melted in and melded with the bread and pear and this was wonderful. If we had ever thought to do this at home, a nice glass of wine would accompany it.

We have learned to stop and enjoy our breaks and so far, we have been really pleased.

cc has been to the downtown location of Elixir, which has an interesting past…

Elixir Espresso and Wine Bar 200 Via Rancho Parkway Suite 9000 (Westfield North County, in front of Nordstrom and bottom of escalator) Escondido 92025 (760)741-1488 Website

Little Lion Cafe and Bar (Ocean Beach)

June 1, 2015 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, French Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for again stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are enjoying their own vacations right now. Cathy is writing today's post.

There used to be a wonderful restaurant in Ocean Beach- The Belgian Lion- (link is to a 1992 Los Angeles Times article) run by Belgian born, classically trained French chef (and former computer programmer) Don Coulon and his wife, Arlene.

Their daughter is the owner of Michele Coulon Dessertier, a wonderful La Jolla patisserie. [Kirby visited Dessertier almost exactly two years ago and cc also wrote a post after her visit to Dessertier.]

Three of Don and Arlene's granddaughters, Chef Anne-Marie, as well as Jacqueline and Dominique Coulon now own and run Little Lion, a small (there are 19 seats inside and two tables out front which can hold 6-8 people) charming cafe on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard at Bermuda Avenue (one block North of Point Loma Avenue). Anne-Marie's husband runs Griffin Farm, which supplies the greens for the menu.

The common denominators of these Coulon businesses: local, fresh, quality.Driving by, you will probably notice the black and white striped awning. Stepping inside, the simple decor and counter in the back will catch your eye. The simple menu for breakfast and lunch served during the week seems to have changed a bit from when Little Lion first opened; I believe the menu is seasonal. (Dinner is going to begin being offered in June; I'll add details at the end of this post once I know more).Organic drip coffee ($2.50) is served in the clear glass cups with real cream.The smoked salmon plate ($12). The house cured, house smoked salmon was topped with creme fraiche and plenty of capers. It was served with toasted slices of La Brea Bakery baguette and shaved onion.

The side salad was topped with shaved fennel and shaved radishes.The classic Croque Monsieur ($10) was made into a Croque Madame (adding a poached egg, like a Lady's hat) ($2).

This traditional breakfast sandwich, made with ham, Swiss cheese and Béchamel sauce on top of what looked like a half ciabatta. At first it looked like a very thick slice of bread, but then using the serrated knife to view a cross section revealed there is more ham than bread to this sandwich. The Bechamel sauce was to-the-letter perfect.

Accompanied by a simple salad and two types of pickles, Nicoise olives and a swirl of strong, old fashioned (Dijon?) mustard, this was a wonderful meal.

Words cannot describe how perfect everything was. We will be back to try more of the menu.

Little Lion Cafe and Bar 1424 Sunset Cliffs Blvd San Diego 92107 (619)756-6921 website open Tues-Sun 8-3

**Updated Hours** Beginning June 2, 2015, hours will be Tues-Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

This is a link to the late afternoon and dinner menus