Cathy – Page 108

Nordstrom Cafe-It’s air conditioned-and good!

September 7, 2007 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog and Cathy is one of the bloggers. ( That would be me). There is Kirk and also Ed. They blog when they feel like it. Today, I feel like it. Here goes!

Hi, I’m back. We have had some record heat out here lately and I must admit that blogging has not been in the forefront of my ‘things to do’, but I have a lot of photos in the camera and want to share some meals with you before I forget about the details completely.

This past weekend (Labor Day and all the days preceding it) the weather was crazy. 108° in Santee, with 40% humidity making the heat index read 116°. The Mister and I headed downtown- closer to where the temperature was "only" about 95°.

We went to Horton Plaza, an outdoor shopping mall.

The top floor is crawling with outdoor eating places and there was a light breeze. Then I remembered where I go when it is "winter" out here {The definition of winter in San Diego consists of raining outdoors-rain that is measured in 1/100ths of an inch, by the way}.

Yes, when it is raining out, it is pretty much "soup weather" and Nordstrom’s not only has an indoor Cafe, but also the best tomato basil soup, ever. I crave it and treat myself to a bowl when I can. I just didn’t blog it this past January.

So, the Nordstrom Cafe menu: (click on it if you want to read it)

You walk up, order, pay and then find a seat at any of the lovely, cloth covered tables. Some with a view of the bay. So civilized. So air conditioned.

We were not too hungry in this heat and didn’t even want some of the good coffee they serve endlessly for $1.25, and were also so undecided, (except I knew I wanted the tomato basil soup) that we each got the soup-salad-1/2 sandwich combo($8.50)

First the soup: the tomato-basil is always available and the clam chowder was the soup of the day this day.

Each are served with the in-store-made Parmesan ‘crouton’ shown here. You get two of those lovely, crispy, toasty croutons with a bowl of soup. The tomato-basil is so thick it seems to have cheese as an ingredient, but I have asked and there isn’t any. It is just made with fresh tomatoes ground down to a fine grind/ever so slight lumpiness that is very rich and deep tomato flavor with a light basil undertone.

The clam chowder was not as thick, broth-wise and had celery and potatoes in it. The clam flavor was not overwhelming but the clam pieces were fairly large and juicy. Not the best bowl of clam chowder, but not the worst. Each of the soups had no salt and/or pepper added. A good option for those who are watching out for such additives.

I got the salad with balsamic dressing and a 1/2 tuna salad sandwich on marble bread.

The salad was mixed baby greens topped with julienned red and yellow bell peppers and carrots and, of course a cherry tomato, halved ( I hate biting into whole cherry tomatoes; they pop in your mouth, like eyeballs…)

The tuna salad is nice and made with mayonnaise and onions- but you taste the tuna more than the other ingredients. Lettuce and tomato slices are also on the sandwich. The bread is very fresh here, always. A nice hearty rye.

The Mister got the same salad with blue cheese dressing (a good one, He said) and the 1/2 turkey sandwich on multi grain roll. Even thought the bread itself was smaller than the slice I got, the amount of meat on the sandwich was plentiful and the same amount you would get on a 1/2 sandwich made with bread slices. The turkey had a very good roasted flavor; higher quality than you get in sandwich shops these days. The roll was soft and had a good chewiness to it, very fresh.

Our water glasses were continuously refilled and when we were done we were presented with two of those lovely dark chocolate mint filled sticks.

It used to be that all the stores offered fine dining options, but most of those stores (and their restaurants) are gone and missed, but Nordstrom’s is still here. Stop in. The food is excellent and not too expensive and the service is divine.

Nordstrom’s Cafe- inside all stores. There is also a coffee cart area outside all the stores. With snacks.

Red Berry-Frozen Yogurt on Convoy Street

August 17, 2007 Cathy Desserts, Stuff, What Cathy Eats!

Red Berry has closed.

Cathy is blogging for mmm-yoso today. Kirk is probably still at work. Ed is, you know, in Yuma. It's a short one.

Frozen yogurt. It is everywhere. Sold by the ounce. With and without toppings. Sometimes sold by the cup. Crazy flavors. Cool interiors of stores. Crowds of people.

Eh, I don't crave sweets, you know this. But I have tried quite a few of these places. They are almost outnumbering Boba places. But I haven't seen any with free wi-fi. I do eat yogurt, the 79¢ cream top incarnation from Trader Joe's and the Cream Top from Brown Cow when it is on sale.

I have gone to the very busy new Frozen Yogurt place next to Tapioca Express and Tofu House on Convoy street. Once. They sell it by the ounce there. I got one swirl of peach and one swirl of plain. No toppings. It cost $1.64. It was good, it was frozen yogurt, I remember Heidi's Frogen Yozurt. It was a trend in the 70's and 80's. Meh. I have no cravings.

Here is the latest incarnation: Red Berry.

It is in the mall with Nijiya Market, Shanghai City, some other places, and Curry House. You know where.

If you enlarge the photo you can see the signs on the door-free samples! Whoo hoo! We were there.

The interior is kind of really neat- cool tables, cool chairs, really cool lighting and a neat effect on the stainless steel walls.

Here is a peek at the menu. $3 for a small (plain) yogurt, $4 for a small with toppings- as much as you want- you can top it one time only- The topping bar was pretty extensive- lots of fresh fruits and some dry stuff ( I did not see Mochi, but did not look for long).*** I was just informed that there are indeed mochi available as a topping, but they look like marshmallows and are easily passed over***

We sampled the blueberry (nice, smooth and tart and richly flavored), the green tea (not much tea flavor- tasted almost like the plain – and did not try the strawberry or mango and ordered a small cup 1/2 peach and 1/2 plain. $3.

Pretty darn large. (that is The Mister's big ole' hand holding the cup). Pretty darn good-plain was nice and tart and the peach had a real/not artificial sweet peach flavor- slightly tart. I liked that it was more creamy and not 'gritty' as some frozen yogurt I have tried. Enough for the two of us to share before we walked into Nijiya.

Oddly, there was no tip jar. We asked. Nice young man working there. He chatted with us. The one time I wish there was a tip jar.

Red Berry, Inc. Frozen Yogurt 3860 Convoy Street, #106 San Diego 92111 (858)571-7947

There is another location in Newbury Park. It's a chain!

Sakura for lunch

August 14, 2007 Cathy Japanese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso, the blog, is never on vacation. Cathy is writing.

Hi. This sort of is a repeat post, except I have never talked about Izakaya Sakura . Kirk has blogged the Bento Lunch recently. He has enjoyed a meal or two with Ed here and blogged it a few other times and all three of us recommend it to friends, co-workers and complete strangers online and, well, it is assumed and known that it is just good. The first time I met Kirk (and Captain Jack), it was here, for lunch… Gosh almost a year ago.

This is it-click onto the photo- see the "open" sign? That is all the outdoor advertising you will ever see here. Not on the large billboard on the street nor on the building (it is in the back of the parking lot where the Original Pancake House is located).

Very friendly, not too large, a limited menu- which they will give while explaining what is sold out already. They do have sushi rolls at lunch on weekends and the lunch menu is good until 4:30 on Sunday (opposed to 2 p.m. the other days of the week) and, as always, everything is wonderful and fresh.

We started out with a cold tofu appetizer ($2.50).

I forgot to take out my camera and had to re-assemble this beauty..three medium sized pieces of a firm, fresh tofu, topped with sliced scallion greens, a thinly sliced okra-like vegetable and some freshly shredded horseradish (tasted like wasabi) and surrounded by a lot of large bonito shavings.

I liked the tofu plain but then when mixing bites of it with the wasabi and bonito and onion (the okra like vegetable was not pickled, not salty..it was sliced thin but could be considered crunchy but otherwise added not much flavor-wise) it brought out so many flavors. It was just "fancy tofu" for me.

The Mister wanted something crunchy for his meal, so he got the "mixed tempura" ($7.50) Two pieces of shrimp and one piece of fish, along with

tempura’d green beans, kombucha squash, thinly sliced Japanese eggplant and onion. Light, crisp, fresh. Served with Japanese pickled veggies, salad with a homemade fresh ginger based creamy dressing,

rice, fresh made (hot) tempura dipping sauce and some really good fresh made miso soup. I assume the soup was made with a miso paste; it was so rich/deep flavored and had two small pieces of the firm tofu in it along with fresh seaweed.

I would like to add that piece of watermelon must be one of those Dulcinea seedless personal sized ones that costs quite a bit at the grocery store-it was packed with flavor. The Mister put it aside and saved it for us to share for dessert.

At this time of year, Hiyashi Chuuka ($8.75) is available. I had to…(in fact, I had to yesterday when we went to Chopstix for lunch…but I digress). Cold ramen noodles on the bottom in a light rice vinegar based sauce, topped with cold pork, bean sprouts, corn, shredded cucumber, sliced cold egg, ginger, fresh seaweed and top-topped with dried seaweed seaweed shavings and served on the side, a squirt of Kewpie Mayonnaise and hot mustard. You basically mix it all together and eat. Kind of upgraded leftovers and a real treat. When you consider I do not crave noodles yet I will eat this two days in a row…well, you know I must love the stuff. Oh, I got side of pickled vegetables also.

The one thing we always get at Sakura- night (Izakaya) or at lunch (side order) – is Karaage ($3). A simple, unassuming tidbit of 4 pieces of skinned chicken leg meat deep fried in a light flour breading and served in a bowl of fresh made sauce (not as salty as the tempura sauce) and a pile of shredded daikon radish. At dinner it is not served with the sauce, but I enjoy mixing the remaining tart daikon with the sauce and slurping it up.

That’s it. Lunch. Sakura. Good.

Izakaya Sakura 3904 Convoy, #121 San Diego 92121

La Playita-Mexican Seafood. Excellent.

August 13, 2007 Cathy Seafood, Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

La Playita has closed

Other posts on La Playita can be found here, here, here and here

mmm-yoso never goes on vacation. It is a blog, you know. A blog about food. Today, Cathy is talking about what she ate. The other blogger guys are merely reading and enjoying vicariously.

Hello again. I am back and oh so happy. The Mister and I just had the most wonderful meal. In April, Mr. P. told me this place was great when I asked him about it and I merely stored that tidbit of information.

I could kick myself for not going to La Playita sooner. It is right up the street from Ba Ren, in the same parking lot as the Smart N Final on Clairmont Mesa Boulevard, in the back corner of the parking lot Lp_003 , closer to Limerick Street.

This is pretty much what it looks like inside-3 small tables and 7 stools at the counter…and lots of references to Pancho Villa, I am unsure why. You order and they start assembling and cooking. Basically, it is all seafood except for the corn tortilla quesedilla for $2.50, mentioned on a piece of paper taped on the wall.

We decided to be the token Caucasians and order in that way this first time, so the fish(0r shrimp) taco ($2.50) (also mentioned only on a piece of paper taped to the window and on the wall), was ordered. They had to fry it- an unusual sound – using the pan fryer and all. These two are the only fried items you can order.Correction- when it is hot weather out, those are the only two fried items you can order. When it is of a better temperature outdoors, there are several 'specials' on the wall listed that are pan fried and delicious!

Lightly corn meal battered slices of fresh red snapper (which is otherwise used in the ceviche) served on a single tortilla with tomatoes, cilantro, onion and some spicy, creamy orange colored sauce which is also made in store. Served with a home made hot sauce which is very good.

This is the menu on the wall. No take out menu and the website isn't quite working. (Click to enlarge.)

The medium Shrimp Cocktail ($7). We did not count how many large, juicy, sweet tasting shrimp were in here, but at least a dozen. They were barely cooked (i.e., not mushy) and nicely chilled. So sweet and quite large. The nice lady at the counter (mom?) put some what we thought were onions and shrimp juice on the bottom, then the shrimp, then more sauce, which was made of fresh tomatoes and their juice, cucumber slices-not onions!-, cilantro and lime juice. Perfectly simple and wonderfully refreshing. (The Mister does not like onions at all.)

Then, the reason I came- ceviche. This is the small ($5) tostada of "House" ceviche- Three sizes available, 4 types to choose from(could have gotten shrimp, imitation krab or the large ($10) size of ceviche tostada called "Super Crazy") and the House one is made with scallops. Scallops that are raw and only start cooking in the lime juice when you order and the ceviche is assembled. Fresh. For you. When you order. This small size is more expensive than other ceviche tostadas around town, but is definitely double the amount of seafood and tomatoes, cucumber and cilantro than you usually get elsewhere. No Jalapeño or onions, just fresh, crisp wonderful fresh flavors. By far the best I have had.

If you are craving Mexican Seafood, this is the place to try.

La Playita Seafood 5185 Clairmont Mesa Blvd, San Diego 92117 (858) 874-6484 . No hours listed. Website

A Brooklyn Pizzeria- on Mission Gorge Road; NY Style Pizza without the attitude

August 10, 2007 Cathy Pizza, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso, the blog, is back with Cathy talking today. Kirk and Ed are merely eating somewhere -one of them in California, the other in Arizona- so they, too, can blog soon. This is a fun hobby we have.

Hi. So, anyhow, The Mister and I were out last Sunday, looking for something cold to drink in the humidity that is "summer" (for all of two weeks) to those of us who now live in San Diego and were on Mission Gorge Road. We saw "yetanotherStarbucks" and stopped. A few doors down, this placard caught my eye:

This storefront was a Republican Party Headquarters for the 2004 election, and I never paid attention to it once "Frank’s Happy Chef" closed in the mall ( We really liked Franks- Greek and wonderfully fresh; it is now an Indian Buffet). There is a Souplantation in there, but the parking situation is kind of horrid since there are quite a few places to eat and it is within waking distance from two Kaiser Hospitals.

I stepped back and saw the signage with the not too original name (or so I thought)…"Pizzeria, Etc."

We ventured in and grabbed a menu.

I saw the name and website address "A Brooklyn Pizzeria". Hmmm. Other NY Style pizzerias sometime have "an attitude" with us. No names shall be mentioned here. You know where I mean, and I do like their pizzas.

It is not air conditioned inside, but we did not want to take a whole Cheese Pie home…and, they had salads on the menu (unlike my prior Favorite Pizza Joint in San Diego). We said we would eat in, ordered a small antipasto salad ($5.50) and a Cheese Pie ($11.00- $1 less than where we usually go) Of course all pies are the same 18 inch size and made in the NY style. There is a case of ready made pies, where you can order a slice or two at the front door, just like at that place with an attitude.

Nunzio prepared our small salad in two bowls for us- which was nice.

Not much lettuce (which I did not want anyhow but suspect we would have gotten more of if we got the salad "to go") but a provolone/capicola roll, some cut up mortadella and Genoa salami along with gardiniera, fresh tomato, cucumber, olive pieces, onion and a pepperocini, all tossed with a nice Italian dressing and topped with shredded mozzarella. Brought out to our table- nice.

The cheese pie. Again, brought out to our table, (unlike being set in a window with merely the toppings of the pie yelled out, so you can go and pick it up yourself, like at that other place). Nice, thin crust, good, salty, fresh tasting mozzarella with a very good, rich, tomato-y sauce. We did add oregano which was on the table.

When we finished, we went up to ask about dessert with the leftover pizza on the pan and Nunzio boxed it up for us.

This place serves excellent Pizza. (There is a daily special of 2 slices and a drink for $6) and somehow I suspect the sandwiches are great also. They also sometimes have Zeppoli (2 for $1), although not the day we were there. I *love* Zeppoli and can find it on occasion only at Solunto Bakery in Little Italy. The people who work here are all very nice and friendly and efficient. Try to stop by. You will like it and won’t get yelled at.

A Brooklyn Pizzeria 6171 Mission Gorge Road San Diego 92120 phone (619) 584-9000(fax) (619) 584-9004 Sun-Thurs 11a.m.-9 p.m, Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m. website

Palominos #2-yet another (good) Mexican and Seafood Shop

August 9, 2007 Cathy Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso is a blog. Today Cathy is doing the talking, because this is where she ate. Kirk and Ed are taking a break.

Hello again. The Mister and I have been sick, yet still eating, just not taking photos and therefore nothing to blog about. However, the camera went with us today when we met up at one of our easy dinner meeting places- Palominos #2 -located across Ruffin Road from the Registrar of Voters Office.

A simple menu with some outstanding food (click to enlarge).

You order, pay and then can load up at the Chips and Salsa Bar.

I kind of like all of the salsas for one use or another, either just to eat with the chips while waiting, or as a compliment to the various meats or seafood.

No real preference. All are outstanding. Fresh made daily.

We started out with an Al Pastor taco ($2.40)- one of the best al pastors I have had.

The pork has been in a deep rich marinade that has a little heat from the red chiles and I detect oregano and cumin in the moist with crispy edged pieces of meat and sweetness from pineapple. It is an excellent example of Al Pastor.

Since it was Tuesday, we got the Special for the day- chile relleños (or cheese tamales), rice and beans ($4.75-reg $5.99).

The chiles are fresh, not canned, the cheese is a very fresh tangy jack and the sauce has a subtle bite to it. They are made in house, fried to order and the batter part that is not covered with sauce is oh so crispy and fresh.

Sometimes I am in a mood for a crispy chilled taco and the shredded beef ones are what I choose($2.05 each). There is something about the shredded beef- must be the grease- that I so crave. Inside the freshly fried shell with some lettuce and cheese and some hot sauce…oh I sometimes *have* to have that crunch.

What I *always* get here, no matter what else we order, is the ceviche tostada ($2.99). Made fresh daily with more tasty fresh rock shrimp (rather than small unflavorful shrimp), fresh tomatoes, cilantro and onions (barely any jalapeño as some other taco shops use)…it is perfect. Almost always I am not the only one ordering this treat no matter the day of the week or the time of day. It is served with a bottle of Tapatio Hot Sauce on the side and a sliver of avocado…just wonderfully refreshing. Quality Food. Plenty of indoor seating and three outdoor tables.

Palominos #2 Mexican and Seafood Restaurant 9353 Clairmont Mesa Blvd Suite I San Diego 92123 (858) 292-8470 (Behind the Carl’s Jr.) Mon-Fri 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., Saturday 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Sunday 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

San Diego Brewing Company- great brews and happy hour!

July 26, 2007 Cathy Pubs and Pub Grub, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso is being blogged by Cathy today. Apparently Kirk and Ed have nothing to blog about.

So, I had a meeting in Mission Valley last Thursday that ended at 5 p.m. and could have gone straight up Friars and it turns into Mission Gorge Road and then straight home to Santee, and I suppose would have had to cook dinner. Instead, I used that handy-dandy mobile phone I have and called The Mister and told him to meet me at the San Diego Brewing Company;

They have Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Beer pints are $3 and appetizers are half off, sort of…if you didn’t study math.

Well, that was easy, since I always get a "Brewman’s Plate" as my main course whenever I come here. It is on the appetizer menu, and I suppose you are supposed to share it.

This is the bad photo. You get a loaf o hot sourdough, a Bavarian Beer sausage, Italian turkey sausage, Gouda, pepper jack and cheddar cheese slices, raw vegetables, fresh fruit and a mustard sauce. (Regular price $9.75 Happy Hour charge $4.75)(don’t ask). I like the sausages here and the Gouda and cheddar are great; I just do not understand the concept of pepper jack. The sourdough is very sour and is also something I don’t crave. It is a nice bread though- crispy crust and soft insides. The veggies and fruits are always varied- this day there was watermelon, cantaloupe and another melon. Sometimes you get a whole apple (which goes great with the cheese). The mustard sauce goes nicely with the Bavarian beer sausage and you don’t need anything with the Italian turkey sausage.

The Mister thought we should try the Country Chicken Tenders

(Regular price $6.99, Happy Hour $3.50). Light , crisp breading on 5 very large, juicy pieces of chicken breast. Served with a ranch dipping sauce. A very large portion of food.

The babyback ribs are listed as being a half rack and I did not count the leftover bones, but I really think they gave us more than a half rack. (Regular price $8.94, Happy Hour $4.25) . A really nice tangy BBQ sauce, very juicy, meaty pork ribs.

We thought we should have more vegetables, so in the vein of the County Fair, we chose onion rings! ( Regular $5.79, Happy Hour $2.90) Light beer batter, thick sliced sweet onions. Perfect.

That was our meal…oh, the most expensive item…well, we could not decide on a beer form those available on tap, so we got a "Taster Set".

There happened to be eight beers on tap that night. The samples are at least 3.5 ounces each, maybe 4 ounces. From top (lightest) to closest to camera: -Grantville Gold, 4.9%, light ale with a clean hop finish;- Whatza Witte, 5%, white wheat; – San Diego Amber, 6%, copper ale;- Old Town Nut Brown, 5.4%, dark brown ale with a carmel and roasted nut finish;- Mission Trails Pale Ale, 5.2%, citrus aroma, rye, hint of hops;- El Hefe, hefeweizen;- Concecrator Bock, 7.5% m chewy;- Oatmeal Stout.

This was the most expensive purchase…$6

Yes, so in total, all of this food and drink was $23.06. I am such a cheap date.

San Diego Brewing Company 10450 Friars Road, Suite L San Diego 92120 (619)284-2739

Solunto Bakery in Little Italy- Breakfast and snacks and baked goods

July 24, 2007 Cathy Bakery, Breakfast/Brunch, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

Solunto has closed. It will be missed.

mmm-yoso is being blogged by Cathy today. Kirk is doing something else. Ed is sweltering.

Hi, again. The Mister and I were downtown early on Saturday morning and wanted breakfast. We have a few "regular" spots we like to go to before the crowds (and parking meters) kick into gear, and since I do blog about the foods I eat…here we go!

Solunto Bakery on India Street. Been there forever. They supply the bread to most of the Italian restaurants- in a par baked form- so it is always fresh. We go to the source.

Technically the food area in the back is "Honey Bee Ltd." It is run by the same ladies who work in the bakery. They use the same cash register.

The red menu is the breakfast menu; the middle one is the sandwich and specialties menu and the third, more yellow one is the bakery items price sheet. (Click onto any photo to enlarge)

I got the spinach and cheese two egg omelet ($6.95) It comes with the potatoes and a fresh roll and butter. You can watch the ladies crack the eggs and make the omelet and grab a par-baked Frenchette roll and warm it in the convection oven. (You can buy the par baked frenchettes for 40¢ each or $4.35/dozen).

You can see from this cross section that there is plenty of fresh spinach inside the omelet. The cheese was a mild cheddar. The potatoes are nicely crispy on the outside and flavorful, soft on the inside…olive oil for cooking, Not overly buttery. Of course the Frenchette is excellent. Crispy outside, with a great sesame flavor in every bite.

The Mister saw the calzone in the refrigerator case and asked if we could have one heated up for breakfast…of course we could! ($5.95)

As you can see, it is filled with ham, pepperoni and capicola as well as the nicest, creamiest, freshest ricotta and mozzarella I have had in a long time, surrounded by that wonderful handmade crust. The sauce for dipping was a very nice tomato based one, with a slight amount of garlic and olive oil added. Just right. Tastes so fresh.

The regular coffee here is, meh, and the cappuccino is better with breakfast, but we knew we were heading to the New Downtown Albertson's (it has a Peets inside) and so we just got a regular coffee on this day.

We always get something par baked ( panini are 55¢ each or $5.75/dozen or a demi loaf $1.75), but I didn't take a picture and since it is Tuesday, well, it's gone.

Occasionally, as it says on the menu, they have Sfingi for 25¢ each or 5/$1 and I grab them up when I can…(basically small fried donut holes, made with orange and lemon zest- usually eaten for the Feast of San Guiseppe- and sometimes stuffed with a ricotta mixture if you get it from a Good Italian Home)(The Mister and I had some from this teensy bakery in Naples, still warm, and it brings back good memories to taste the warm orange/lemon flavoring in a lightly fried dough…)

Solunto Bakery and Honey Bee Ltd. 1643 India Street San Diego 92101 (619) 233-0881

Arely Again-A revisit to a really good French Bakery Cafe

July 13, 2007 Cathy Bakery, Breakfast/Brunch, European Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso, the blog. This is it. Cathy blogging today; Kirk is resting; Ed is in Yuma.

Hi again. I’ve been under the weather, because of the weather, and didn’t feel much like eating out anywhere in the last week (let’s politely say phlegm was involved and leave it at that).

Looking at Kirk’s post about his Bun Bo Hue dossier, I noticed he mentioned his "regular rotation" and started thinking about it. The Mister and I eat at Arely a lot, not for the atmosphere (5 tables, plastic plates and cutlery) but because of the food. It is very good and quite authentically French. In fact, the last time we were here (a couple of Saturdays ago), three people in front of us all were speaking in French to each other, ordering in accented English and then while we were waiting for our food, another group of three people also speaking only in French were also getting food to eat there. Lots of people get food to go, many cakes are preordered and picked up.

Here is a link to my previous post on Arely. I noticed I said I would talk about breakfast and so here is the follow up.

Here is a copy of the glossy menu you can pick up inside. (Click on any photo to enlarge). It’s the same menu as is on the wall that I had in the previous post.

Let’s start out with something simple, basic. An almond croissant. Sure, I sort of cut it open to show you a cross section in this photo. You can’t feel the weight of it or the fact that it was still warm, with crispy layers-delicate layers of dough, the sweet layer of homemade marzipan-honey mixed with finely chopped almonds, or..oh, look…that filling…it is chopped almonds.

Here, how is this photograph? Hand chopped, thin slivers of almonds, still crispy, sweet. Oh, did I say it was still a warm pastry at 10 a.m. on a Friday morning?…hmmm…what did I forget to tell you? Oh, it costs all of $1.50, as do the muffins, apple turnovers, danishes, scones, and walnut raisin snails. The ‘fancy’ Deserts (Napoleons, creme brule, tiramisu, eclairs (chocolate and vanilla) St. Michele, raspberry chocolate mousse, horseshoes, montmartre, opera cake and cheesecake and a chocolate mousse cake) are each the staggering price of $2.95. It is all made here. Fresh.

This loaf of multi grain bread is$2.60. It is very good bread. Hearty, chewy. Different from the baguettes, which have a nice crispy crust. Fresh.

I know, it is not "extraordinary" as far as the location and ambiance goes. You pay, dearly, for that privilege. This place has excellent, fresh made food and pastries and breads. I shant discuss other bakeries here. I know what is good as well as what is excellent and what I will pay for good and excellent.

Ah, breakfast- here are two omelettes

Each costs $5.95 and came with the 5 slices of baguette and side, as shown.

The one on the left is with the fresh fruit (melon, cantaloupe, strawberries, orange slices and apple slices). Each fruit was extremely flavorful and at its peak. The cantaloupe was the most flavorful one I have had this year. The omelette on the right is shown with the side of home potatoes (sauteed with skins on with some onion and..hmmm… I think it was butter).

Ah, innards.

This one is the ratatouille – eggplant, zucchini, tomato and Herbes de Provence . Really good Herbes de Provence- as in you can taste the lavender herb quite clearly. Fresh herbs, fresh sauteed vegetables.

The omelettes are made with real eggs; I did bite on a piece of eggshell near the end of this meal. It just was reassuring that my taste buds, realizing how fresh the egg tasted, were not playing a trick on me.

This is the ‘why play games?’ omelette- spinach and blue cheese. Oh yes. You kind of need those pieces of baguette to fully appreciate the melted blue cheese.

Please look at the previous post to see the French Onion Soup as well as quiche and sandwich choices we had one day. Then, just go.

Arely French Bakery Cafe 4961-A Clairemont Drive 92117 (next to Pick Up Sticks and Woodie’s- you can see the Krispy Kreme and Outback just across the parking lot) (858)270-1910 Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Na Mea Hana Lima- Hawaiian Cultural Arts Fair happening this weekend

July 7, 2007 Cathy Festivals & Events

Kirk couldn’t get here and the fair is happening this weekend, so Cathy is letting you know about something interesting.

Hi- it is Saturday and I wanted to let you know the Hawaiian Cultural Arts Fair is happening right now. Go North on Mission Bay Drive, no…farther…to the very VERY end, past the golf course… See those cars parked? Find a spot and walk. You most likely can’t park inside the gates. I got there at about 9:30 this morning and parking was outside already. Of course, even though the information was that the Fair opened at 9 a.m., well, most people were on Hawaiian Time and so, things were not quite set up.

There are 21 vendors with booths selling authentic Hawaiian and Hawaiian themed clothing, art, crafts, jewelry and dried foods and set ups for ongoing demonstrations and workshops (Ukulele, Hula, Lei Hulu and Ipu, Lauhala, Lei weaving and the Kalua Pig Imu Style). Most of the workshops have a fee, according to the website.

There is continuous entertainment and music.

This is a photo of the area being prepared for the pig roast. If you bring a sleeping bag, you can stay overnight on the grounds.

There is food- Loco Moco, Kalbi plates and shaved ice. It was just starting to be prepared and the rice wasn’t going to be done for a few hours yet, so I did not get to sample. I bet it is authentic though (saw bags from Calrose). This is what it should look like.

There apparently is an admission fee, however the entrance area wasn’t set up at 9:30 either…however you can get in for free if you bring a non-perishable food item, are a member of Hui O Hawaii San Diego, are Active or Retired Military or mention your Halau’s name! So, if you can, get down there today or Sunday and try to visit. Open until 6 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Hawaiian Cultural Fair July 7-8 at the Mission Bay Boat and Ski Club 2606 North Mission Bay Drive San Diego 92109 www.huiohawaii.org for information call (619)306-9817