**** I know most of you know that Emerald has reopened.
Emerald Closes:
As mentioned earlier today in Eater. Emerald suddenly closed their doors on New Year's Eve. My understanding is that it was rather sudden. I've heard from two sources who tell me that Pearl in RB is also on the market.
According to the posted letter they have "closed their doors due to retirement"……
3709 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
San Tong Palace becoming a Sichuan Restaurant?:
Now that our office has relocated, I don't get down to Kearny Mesa quite as much as I used to. But I did notice this on New Year's eve while returning from grocery shopping.
Man, San Tong Palace had been there forever. I heard that the owners had decided to retire. The sign is interesting….doesn't say much. And Spicy City is in the same strip mall.
4690 Convoy St #105
San Diego, CA 92111
Doing the One Chip Challenge:
I brought a couple of packages to Paqui Ghost Pepper Chips to my friends one evening. I kind of enjoyed it; but it is pretty spicy. Which gave "Al" the idea that we should…..yes we….but not her, should do the one chip challenge.
So the arranged night arrived….but only three of us showed up! Talk is cheap.
Yep, this chip is no joke. One of the guys actually threw up later on.
It is really hot….as with really spicy stuff; I got the hiccups, sweated profusely, but made it through without any other ill effects. The agreement was five minutes without yogurt. Which I did.
It does feel like you've chewed up a hot iron and are gargling with battery acid. The heat starts slowly; the first 10-15 seconds are not bad. Then it gets really hot and kind of hangs around for about 15 minutes or so. I felt like I ate a couple of uni…….shells…..
There's actually a video of this….which will hopefully never see the light of day.
yikes! glad you didn’t get sick from that spicy chip.
Really sad to hear about Emerald; we’ve been going there since we moved here in 2006 (and read about them right here on your blog!). Even though it wasn’t the best, it was like comfort food to us.
Wow, an individually wrapped chip. Sounds like no joke! Someone mentioned to me that eggnog does a better job of taming the spiciness than milk does… I’m too chicken to test out such theory.
I’ve had their ghost pepper chips and those were hot enough for me. Can’t imagine what kind of pain the reaper brings upon you.
Stopped going to Pearl when it went from mediocre dim sum to really bad about 1-2 years ago. The new place FFY in Mira mesa is kind of meh too. Too bad, judging by the initial lines at FFY, it seems like there is a market in SD for good dim sum. Guess we will keep heading north when we need our fix.
We never really went to Emerald (we usually do China Max) but it does represent an end of an era. I’ve been to Pearl more for dinners so it’s too bad to see that close down as well.
It was fine, Kat…..pretty darn hot though.
I think many share your sentiments James.
Paqui makes Ghost Pepper chips that are pretty darn spicy Nicole. Maybe you should check out your theory with that?
Hi Junichi – This was at least 3-4 times hotter….and it just stayed with you for 15-20 minutes.
Hi RD – Sorry to say; I haven’t been to either in years. We just head up to SGV for dim sum these days.
Hi Jason – I’m not sure what’s going to happen to Pearl; but I think it’s or sale as well.
Oh my gosh! My friends and I used to head to Emerald nearly every week many years ago. It’s a shame to hear it closed, even though I know it had a lot of issues.
Would have loved to see you do the One Chip challenge! How long did the pain last?
So Jessica – I just heard that Emerald and Pearl might be reopening at the end of the month under new ownership.
I don’t think so HH! ;o) It lasted for a good 15-20 minutes.
first thing my family said about the closings was “where is little bro gonna get married?”. on yelp, pearl showed temporarily closed, reopening soon? couldn’t find any other details though.
any last words? goodness, that chip sounds evil. no spicy for me!
Hi Lynn – I heard that Emerald and Pearl will be reopening in a month or so under new ownership? I’ll let you know what I find.