Cathy – Page 73

Trifecta Tavern-another restaurant inside a grocery store

April 22, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Burgers, Markets & Grocers, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog you are reading. It's about food. Cathy is blogging today: Kirk is busy and so is ed(from Yuma).

After reading about Kirk's post about Whole Foods Market in Hawaii, The Mister and I were curious about 'our' location and when we drove to the La Jolla location, saw it was being remodeled; the parking lot was a mess and signs about a grand reopening in a few weeks were everywhere. We jumped back onto the 5 and headed North, knowing a new Whole Foods had opened at the Via de la Valle exit -the same exit that you take when going to the Del Mar Racetrack. Signage there indicated '400 additional parking places behind Whole Foods', so we drove into Flower Hill Promenade and found the new parking structure. It was practically empty.

An excellent map of the current and soon to be shops of the mall was just inside the walkway to the 'front' of the parking lot. We walked into the store and straight ahead were a series of hot food trays, and to the right of those were a bakery, grab and go area, a sandwich shop, pizza and deli area and to the direct right – right from the front door was the Trifecta Tavern. Because every grocery store seems to have an eat in area.

But- this one, inside Whole Foods, also serves a choice of 24 beers on tap, has a nice wine selection, daily specials and a very easy one page menu. It was lunchtime so we didn't choose an adult beverage, but we may share a beer next time.

You seat yourself, but the waitresses are constantly checking the seating and ready to take your order. Here's a view of the above mentioned area of the store from my seat.

The Mister ordered the grass fed burger, which comes with fries ($8). This was *wonderful*. The bun was light, fluffy, toasted. The burger was cooked to a perfect medium rare and had such flavor. The fries were perfectly crisp, not greasy and lightly salted. Even the ketchup, which was just the Whole Foods 365 organic store brand, had a more pronounced, tomato flavor than I have noticed from other brands of ketchup.

I chose to try a bit of everything- the Nosh Plate ($9). Really really good. Two meats, three cheeses, grilled bread slices, fruit, pickled vegetables and seasoned nuts all served with a house made blackberry mostard. So nice, filling and refreshing. Being able to try the sliced proscuitto and salame was enough for me to purchase some before leaving the store, along with stopping at the coffee and juice bar and purchasing a small cup of gelato before the drive home.

Whole Foods Market-Del Mar 2600 Via de la Valle, Suite 100 Del Mar, CA 92014 (858)436-9800 open 7 am-10pm, seven days a week

Curly Jones Cafe- when the traffic is bad, take the exit. (Norwalk)

February 7, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Road Trip, What Cathy Eats!

Here you are, back at mmm-yoso!!! This blog is about food. Sometimes, like today, it's a diary of why, where and what. Other days it's blog/diary about who, when and how as well as hundreds of other combinations of those interrogatives. Kirk is busy, ed (from Yuma) is also busy; Cathy is writing.

One recent weekend, The Mister and I were headed North and hit a terrible patch of traffic somewhere on the older (three lane section) of Interstate 5 just past Disneyland. Since I would rather be moving than just idling in traffic, we took the closest exit and drove the surface roads, trying to parallel the freeway. At some point we saw this building and signage.

Of course the car went straight to the parking lot. When we walked in, the grill and counter seating were to the right and tables and booths to the left. It was crowded, but a few tables were empty (There weren't two seats together at the counter).

There must be a fascinating story behind this place, but it wasn't written inside the menu. The customers all seemed to be locals and our waitress made it a point to welcome us 'strangers' warmly. The interior was a mishmash of decorating styles and photos of that didn't happen. The menu choices were also a bit of a mishmash.

The menu had a few Greek, Italian and Mexican selections, a lot of American/Diner selections and the above Homemade chili section. Since we may not ever find our way back here, we had to order what we may never get a chance to order again…

Eggs and chili ($6). Probably the best chili I've ever tasted. No beans (of course) meaty, spicy (I could detect cinnamon, garlic and cumin and the chili heat level was pleasant). Homemade. The chili was rich and almost like smooth chocolate…a mole of sorts. Poured over nicely scrambled eggs topped with cheese, served with the garlic bread. (I asked for onions on the side -and that bowl appeared with the plate-). This was wonderful and the new thing I learned that day – chili goes with eggs.

Just as wonderful was the chalkboard special of machaca and eggs ($7). Beef, onions, peppers, tomatoes along with more spices (I tasted garlic, oregano and cumin) cooked long and slow into a great stew until the beef falls apart, creating machaca. The stewed meat and vegetables were cooked in a pan with eggs. It was served with really good beans and rice as well as tortillas and a homemade salsa. Wonderful.

A great find, all because of traffic. I hope someday you have gridlock turn out as well.

Curly Jones Cafe 13220 San Antonio Norwalk, CA 90650 Open until 2 or 3 p.m. daily. (562)864-4399

KSandwich, Chow King, Valley Foods – Breakfasts with sausage (and no biscuits)

February 3, 2013 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

Hey. This is the food blog, mmm-yoso!!! Kirk is kind of busy, ed (from Yuma) is sort of busy and Cathy is crazy busy, but needs a bit of a diversion from things going on right now.

Here's a bit of a break from the Week of Sushi. Instead of raw seafood for lunches and dinners, pieces of efficiently butchered meats stuffed into intestinal casings and served for breakfast is the subject.

Not just plain old American breakfast sausage in a biscuit though. San Diego is a Melting Pot of people from all over the world, and the first meal of the day for many is usually comforting as well as convenient.

Stepping into K Sandwich, there is a printed menu item taped to the front counter as well as a placard on the counter at the register. " Trung Cha LX". Chinese sausage, pate, eggs on a (warmed) banh mi roll with pickled vegetable, jalapeño and cilantro ($3.50). The most expensive (and heaviest) sandwich here.

That's it – on the right. On the left is a ham, cheese and egg on a (fresh, warm) croissant ($2.75). Both are wonderful breakfast choices.

Here's a close up of a Trung Cha LX from another visit. The slices of the Chinese sausage are pretty thick, grilled nicely and a good amount. The eggs are scrambled hard and the combination of vegetable flavors with a mild pate is magically perfect.

I've tried many Chinese sausages, sold at every Asian market around and some are very sweet and have no other flavor and others are rich and include grain alcohol as an ingredient. All are kind of thin and don't take on much of a 'char' after being steamed and sauteed and I've had to slice them into odd shapes to get as much surface area as possible to sauté and make the sausages more flavorful. This is the brand K Sandwich uses; sold in the refrigerator section next to the bread and croissants and I do like it the best.

K Sandwiches 7604 Linda Vista Road at Mesa College Drive San Diego 92111 (858)278-8961

Chow King is a chain that began in the Philippines in 1985 and has made its way here, with four locations in San Diego County. I know it goes against my New Year Resolution (to make an effort to patronize local businesses), but the breakfast here fulfills all of my cravings…(not the All Day Breakfast in the sign, but this one:)

Rice, a basted egg, bangus (milkfish) and sweet longaniza, a chorizo-like sausage popular in the Philippines ($7). The bangus is sour with a vinegar base to it and the longaniza here has pineapple juice as its base. Longaniza is made with various spices related to the region: garlic-y, sour or sweet as well as with various meats as the base (chicken, beef and even tuna).

I purchase the fresh longaniza that you choose and cut individually at the fish counter area at Lucky Seafood. It's really good.

As an aside, other 'breakfast-y" items I like at Chow King are the Chicharap (shrimp chips), usually an add on for $1

and the "Taho", a tofu beverage usually served cold, but when you ask for it hot (and with no added brown sugar syrup) it arrives in a reusable container and is filled with boba as well as a silky tofu. This is comforting for me.

Chow King 8955 Mira Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92126 (858) 653-4977 website.

Then there is basturma, an air dried sausage similar to pastrami, that we had in a sandwich on the first day of 2013, at the House of Basturma in Pasadena.

We've been on a search for basturma in San Diego and found it sold -and served at breakfast- at Valley Foods in El Cajon. The breakfast plate ($6.99) includes sliced sauteed basturma mixed with fluffy scrambled eggs and is served with a (fresh, baked in the store) sammoon bread and plate of pickled turnips and onions, tomatoes and hot peppers. It is wonderful.

We've tried to recreate this meal at home, buying each type of basturma (lamb or beef) of the home made sausage and it's still better when prepared for us at Valley Foods (plus we can go shopping after we eat)…the eggs are unusually creamy, light and fluffy.

The basturma is a very solid (because it is air dried) sausage and the beef one has a bit of hot paprika in addition to the garlic, cumin and fenugreek spices. Both sausages are good and the same price ($7.99/lb).

There are other breakfast sausage options in the county: I'm researching. Hope you're enjoying the weekend!

Valley Foods 1275 East Main Street El Cajon 92021 (619) 749-8355 Website

Sunday Soups and Stews

January 20, 2013 Cathy Stuff, What Cathy Eats!

Well, you've found mmm-yoso!!! the food blog. Here's a post written by Cathy. The other folks who write here are busy today…

Those of us who live in San Diego County have endured mornings of frost covered plants and vehicles as well as chilly, windy days for the past few weeks. The weather today should be considerably warmer, thank goodness.

On those cold days when The Mister and I have gone out to eat, it seems the food choices have had a similar theme of being served hot and in a bowl. Here's a summary.

The Pho Tai at Lucky Pho is always a favorite. Thinly sliced raw beef is placed onto the top of bowl of long simmered, flavor filled, hot beef stock as it is brought to the table, cooking as it sinks or gets pushed into the stock/noodle/onion mix. The plate of add ins always contains a piece or two of sawtooth herb in addition to the bean sprouts, basil, jalpeño and lime wedges. One of our favorite restaurants.

Pho Lucky (inside Lucky Seafood) 9326 Mira Mesa Blvd. 92126 (858) 586-7979

We have been going to the Sam Woo restaurant a lot lately, usually buying breakfast or lunch specials before shopping at 99Ranch market across the hall. One cold day we chose the bowl of seafood tofu egg drop soup as our meal…the broth is very flavorful and the bowl is large enough for us to share.

Sam Woo BBQ 7330 Clairmont Mesa Blvd 92111 (858) 505-9888

Another of The Mister's 'regular' choices at Chopstix is the mabo ramen. Nicely cooked fresh ramen noodles topped with ground pork and tofu in the spicy/salty/sweet sauce that is mabo. Another favorite.

Chopstix 4633 Convoy Street 92111 (858) 569-9171

The chicken curry, in the steam tray area at K Sandwich was an automatic choice for a chilly day. The version here is magical, with the creamy, gently spicy, flavorful curry sauce covering chicken and potato pieces. When you get it to eat inside the store, it's served in this low glass bowl with fresh bread.

K Sandwiches 7604 Linda Vista Road San Diego 92111 (858) 278-8961

Typically, Taco Shops serve more than tacos. If the signage mentiones "mariscos" then seafood is also served there. La Casita Taco shop (and Mariscos) in El Cajon makes a great "Siete Mares" (seven seas seafood) soup. Shrimp, clams, calamari, octopus, mussels, crab and fish are served in a wonderful tomato-vegetable base with hot tortillas on the side. A perfect meal.

La Casita Taco Shop 1503 N Magnolia (at Bradley) El Cajon 92020 (619) 444-8228

Yum Cha Cafe serves congee-with various add ins: I always choose the fish. The thick, disintegrated rice based porridge is filling, flavorful and keeps me warm and happy until the next meal.

Yum Cha Cafe 6933 Linda Vista Road (at Ulrich) 92111 (858)268-9988

My favorite item from Lucky Pho -the Bo Kho- beef stew, which is also Kirk's favorite version. Having tried Bo Kho at just about every restaurant in town, I crave the version here – wonderfully flavored gravy covering tender tendon and beef chunks and soft carrot served with a hot, airy thin crispy crusted bahn mi baguette.

Pho Lucky (inside Lucky Seafood) 9326 Mira Mesa Blvd. 92126 (858) 586-7979

I hope the weekend has been good for everyone!

Izzy’s Cafe-Breakfast (El Cajon)

January 19, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! the food blog is here, where you are. Kirk and other friends write here. Cathy is writing today.

In an effort to keep with my New Year Resolution to patronize local businesses, Izzy's in nearby El Cajon is a natural choice for us. A Mom and Pop Diner that's filled with locals enjoying breakfasts and lunches and occasional dinners (on Thursday and Friday only) almost every day of the week. (Izzy's is closed on Sunday).

Located on the corner of Broadway at Crosby in nearby El Cajon, there is some parking in the lot behind the building, but if you spy a spot on the street, grab it. It's quite large inside and has a Patio area along the side of the building.

Uniquely decorated with memorabilia of all sorts, the seating is comfortable, service is efficient and everyone we have ever met here is friendly.

The condiments on the table should satisfy any craving. The coffee cups are random.

This was The Mister's breakfast one day- a massive (4 egg) fritatta, filled with his choice of fillings (sausage, mushrooms, and spinach)… An Italian omelet, baked in a that large pan shaped dish then topped with cheese and avocado – with a side of grits.

The fresh, fluffy-crisp homemade bisuits topped with homemade sausage gravy were an additional side we shared. We *really* like the biscuits with gravy here…

I ordered my usual of two eggs (poached) with bacon and rye toast.

Perfectly poached, fresh fresh orange yolked eggs. Comfort food and a great way to start the day.

Barbeque is the specialty here and is available as a breakfast meat (BBQ brisket, smoked carnitas, pulled pork), as well as in the lunches. On dinner days, racks of ribs (slow smoked) are available until they run out.

Izzy's Cafe 1252 Broadway El Cajon 92021 (619) 447-5067

Mon,Tues,Wed 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Thurs-Fri 7 am-8pm Sat 6am-2pm Closed Sunday.

Old Mill Cafe (North Park)

January 18, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! -a blog. Kirk, ed(from Yuma), Vicky (SFBay area), Cathy and a few others contribute to this food centric online diary of sorts. Today, Cathy is blogging.

Long story short- while looking for a parking spot when going to a business on 30th street, we happened to turn onto Ohio Street and found one. Walking back to the car, saw this older looking restaurant and made a mental note to stop here one day.

That day finally arrived.

We got here after the lunch 'rush'. Over the holidays.

The decor is …neat and clean… in a 1970 sort of way. The mural of the Old Mill is on the wall to your left when you walk in. By the footprint, the building looks like it may have been a Ponderosa/Bonanza/buffet steakhouse at some point in time (like the 1970's). In any case, we were told to sit anywhere and did so and quickly the nice Waitress came over with menus, brought us water and coffee ($1.99).

I was happy to see that breakfast was served all day and ordered the machaca ($7.99) which seemed to be prepared just for me. The beef was chunky and moist, the peppers and onion were fresh/slightly raw and the eggs that were binding it all together had a lacy edge of crispness. The beans and the rice were better than usual (the rice must have been simmered in broth or stock, the cheese on top of the beans was plentiful and the beans must have been cooked in lard). This was a great meal.

The Mister's choice of pea soup was excellent. It had chunks of ham, was not overly salted and tasted very fresh.

Ahem. Yes, he ordered the Fish and Chips ($7.29, including the soup). Despite the looks of this plate, the fish was light and flaky and the coating on it was thin, crisp, not oily and had a nice flavor. The crinkly fries were also nicely crisp and not oily and the vegetables were not mushy. This meal oddly brought back fond memories…of the 70's…and comfort.

We will be going back and will order other items from the menu.

Your weekend is here, enjoy it!

Old Mill Cafe 3949 Ohio Street San Diego 92104 (619) 294-3804

To The Point-lunch

January 17, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

You are here at mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. A few people write on this blog and today Cathy is writing about a recent nice day and meal.

It seems that The Mister and I have been busy almost every day since Halloween. One place we go to in December and January is Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery to see the Wreaths Across America.

2012 was the 21st year of the nationwide wreath distribution honoring of Veterans buried in military cemeteries across America. The wreaths are set up by volunteers by December 15 and will be taken down by volunteers on January 26. There is still time to see this small 'thank you' to our Veterans, done by this organization that has the motto "Remember. Honor. Teach."

On our way back toward the freeway, at the South East corner of Voltaire at Catalina Boulevard is this cottage-y looking restaurant, aptly named "To The Point". We've passed it many times, seeing people eating at tables out front on weekends and on this day decided to stop.

It's quite large inside…

and is decorated in a mismatched casual theme. We were greeted promptly by a nice Young Man, who offered us both the breakfast and lunch menus, which mention that the food is seasonal, local and sustainable.

As we were seated, we asked what the 'soup of the day' was and he went to the kitchen and brought us out small samples of the two available soups – a carrot ginger and a tomato basil and described the ingredients. Nice touch.

We ordered and were kind of overwhelmed by the beverage menu, so asked for 'plain' water and not long after, a refillable bottle of cucumber water and jelly jar glasses were brought to the table. Lunch soon followed.

The Mister's Cobb Sandwich ($8.50) on artisan French bread. Pan roasted turkey, (thick, flavorful, crispy) bacon, avocado, tomato, leaf lettuce, Blue Cheese: a salad in a sandwich. It comes with a choice of a 'gourmet side', so he chose the tomato soup. This was *really* good.

Here's a cross section view of this very filled -and filling- sandwich.

I ordered the Four Cheese Panini on multigrain bread. ($8.50) and chose the organic mixed green salad which was topped with crispy fried onions, included cucumber and tomatoes and had an oil and vinegar based dressing on the side. (See the water bottle and jelly jars?)

I don't remember the four cheeses, but the combination and meltiness was quite wonderful. Also in the sandwich were sauteed onions and mushrooms and tomato as well as fresh organic baby spinach.

The breads are from a local bakery, the meats, the vegetables – everything was so fresh…and I found out later that the beverages are interesting and wonderful and was told to try the fresh pressed apple juice and lavender mocha…which we will do next time.

To The Point 4161 Voltaire Street San Diego, Ca 92107 (619)226-6222 M-F 7 am -3 pm Sat-Sun 8 am-3 pm Website

Stop and smell the chestnuts…

January 16, 2013 Cathy What Cathy Eats!

Well, here you are. This is the blog about food, mmm-yoso!!! Kirk, ed(from Yuma), Vicky(SFBay area) are too busy to write today and Cathy has time to write.

It's midweek and more than two weeks into the New Year…about the time people start to slip away from their New Year Resolutions. More than ten years ago, I stopped making resolutions to 'stop' doing something (the last one was I would stop using drive thru windows) and instead have made resolutions to 'start' to do something. This year, I decided I will make an effort to patronize local businesses. So far, this has started out well. Here's one…

You see it near the front door of the smaller Asian Markets.

The small umbrella covered cart roasting chestnuts.

People patiently waiting in line to place an order, after waiting while watching the Chestnut Lady (or Man) adding scoops of chestnuts into and out of the fascinating portable heating/roasting/stirring mechanism…removing the freshly roasted, steaming hot chestnuts and placing them in the adjacent basin to stop the roasting.

Stepping up closer to read the benefits of chestnuts (on another list, "Chestnuts are a lusty and masculine food for men, and able to make women well complexioned.") and getting a good whiff of the roast…

and, finally getting to the front of the line to place your order and pay…(it's $5 for 10 ounces, $8 for 16 ounces and $10 for 20 ounces…no bargains for buying more or buying less).

The nice lady waiting on us this day was pretty precise when weighing the amount ordered, removing and adding the small hot nuts, and showing you the scale to get your approval before handing you the bag you've paid for.

It's a nice, thick bag. This is good because those nuts are still hot.

Wonderful, bite size, tasty, thin skinned. Easy to peel, easy to eat. Yummy. Good for you too!

Are you keeping your resolution for 2013?

Jinbao Chestnut Carts, near the entrance of Asian Markets all over the City.

H Mart Food Court- hot pot and soup

January 8, 2013 Cathy Korean Restaurants, Markets & Grocers, What Cathy Eats!

Well here you are, back at mmm-yoso!!!, the blog o' food. Kirk and ed(from Yuma) are busy today, finding places to blog about. Cathy is writing because she found a place.

Now that San Diego finally has H Mart, the Mira Mesa Boulevard location has probably been visited by a lot of you. There are only two other businesses located within the store, Paris Baguette and the "Food Court"- to the right when you enter the store.

It's really only one business with a limited menu, fairly large seating area and food that hits the spot, especially on cold days. Walk up, order, pay, grab chopsticks, water, some kimchi find a seat and wait for your number to be called.

It opens at 11:00 and gets crowded fast. Everyone always has large bowls of good looking food.

Even though we were here on a Friday before noon, we got the last two seats available. Just a note to whomever designed the counter- two people can't sit at the inside corner seats at the same time; one of those will always be empty.

When our number was called, The Mister brought the tray of bowls to our barstool seating area and the smells emanating were wonderful! This is #14- the soybean paste vegetable stew hot pot ($6.99). It was still bubbling in the heavy cast bowl. The mild saltiness of the soybean paste complimented all the vegetables in the bowl-a variety of squash, a lot of tofu, some onion and carrot, one piece of potato as well as the sliced jalapeño with the rice all combined into a deep rich flavored wonderful, satisfying meal.

The #5-Noodle soup with seafood ($7.99) was served in a very large bowl. Shrimp, squid, mussels, clams and a random piece of white, firm fleshed fish was served in a wonderful broth with noodles and vegetables.

Here's a better photo after a lot of the broth had been consumed while waiting for everything to cool down.

These were both refreshing and filling and so very fresh. Since the menu only has 11 items, everything will be tried in due time. I'm looking forward to it. If you are here and see a seat, grab it and order something.

Food Court at H Mart 9440 Mira Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92126 (858)577-0060 Open 11:00-8:30 daily

Starting 2013: Pasadena. Rose Parade float viewing, House of Basturma and Carmela Ice Cream

January 7, 2013 Cathy Desserts, Festivals & Events, Road Trip, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for reading mmm-yoso!!! the food blog. Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are doing some research for blog posts. Cathy is doing some blogging today.

Well, the first day of the New Year has come and gone and the holidays are almost over (we take down our decorations on the 12th Night after Christmas). The Mister and I had an interesting Day One of 2013 and here's a bit of it.

We woke early, had a nice breakfast and watched the Rose Parade on television and as the parade ended (10 a.m.) got in the car and started the drive North. We got to Pasadena, found a place to park just North of Sierra Madre Boulevard and then headed to the mile long fenced in area, where the 42 floats that participated in the parade were lined up end to end.

There were already about 100,000 other people there.

Here's part of the HGTV float, which won the Grand Marshal Trophy (for excellence in creative concept and design).

The Trader Joe's entry won the Extrordinaire Trophy (most spectacular float).

Here's some detail of the back end, with the electric beater making a 'meringue' out of egg whites (see the half 'eggshell' with yellow 'yolk'?). Every inch of every float you see is covered with something that is or was alive- the 'rope' is made of white onions and the 'toothpick frills' are orchids.

The Department of Defense entry, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, won the National Trophy (best depiction of life in the USA, past, present or future) was replicating parts of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., using silverleaf to mimic the bronze of the original sculpture. This float was impressive.

Here's part of the Shriners Hospitals float, which won the Judges Special Trophy (most spectacular in showmanship and dramatic impact). The teddy bear looks soft and cuddly, even though his body is made of dried straw flowers and the bottom of his feet are dried artichoke bottoms. You can see the louver in his belly, where the 'viewer' sits and communicates with the driver of the float, who is in the back of the float in the dark.

After more than two hours of braving the crowds, The Mister and I began walking the streets just North of Sierra Madre Boulevard and saw this. The sign under the 'Chef" is the name of the restaurant- House of Basturma.

Stepping inside, there is a small deli counter and grocery shelving to the left, the area where you order is at the cash register and so is the grill and open kitchen area. There is indoor seating to the right and straight ahead is the outdoor seating and hookah area.

We looked at the small menu, determined the food was Armenian/Turkish/Lebanese, and then ordered and paid. Soon the chef came out, made our food and brought it to our table.

I wanted to try the babaganouj ($4.50) and we wanted to share a Basturma sandwich ($4.99). The babaganouj was quite a large serving, fresh, not too smokey and not too garlicy-really nice and creamy and just really good.

Basturma- an Armenian Lebanese pastrami-ish air dried beef. It's coated in a paste of spices, including cumin, garlic, fenugreek and hot paprika. Sliced thin and then placed on this wonderful plain toasted semolina bread with just sliced tomatoes and pickles was absolutely wonderful. The bread was crunchy on the edges and soft and flavorful and the Basturma was so darn good. A simple, savory meal to start the year.

When we walked out of the House of Basturma, we turned left and on the same block, saw this signage. We had to stop.

When you walk in, you are there; it's tiny. The water vessel is in front of you and the available flavors are on the chalkboard to your left.

We decided to try two scoops ($4.50) of contrasting flavors and textures: cranberry orange thyme sorbet and the fresh mint with cacao nib ice cream.

Wow. Distinctive flavors: fresh mint, fresh thyme, fresh cranberry and orange and then biting into the crunchy cacao nibs… delicious and a contrast of creamy, smooth and those nibs. Simply nice, pleasant and popping. Really a great find.

Carmela Ice Cream 2495 E. Washington Boulevard Pasadena CA 91104 (626) 797-1405 Website

I hope everyone is having a good year.