Cathy – Page 74

The Elephant in the Room-Donut Shops

December 23, 2012 Cathy Bakery, Desserts, What Cathy Eats!

You are reading mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about food. Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are busy with things right now and Cathy is blogging today because she is caught up with things.

You know how when you are told not to do or think something, it turns out the only thing you want to do is dwell about that something-the elephant in the room? Well, almost two years ago, everyone around me seemed to become overly aware of their glucose levels, carbohydrate intake and 'eating healthy'. Ever since then, I went from eating one donut a year to stopping at any place with "Donut" and/or "Bakery" in its signage at least once a week. This post is a compendium of some of my favorite Donut shops in different parts of San Diego County.

Let's start in the center – Mira Mesa.

This is the only 'generic' strip mall Donut Shop where I go out of my way to stop – If you've been to Lucky Seafood at the NE corner of Mira Mesa Boulevard at Black Mountain Road, that's where you've seen Donut Stop. It's open from 4:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., in case you have a craving.

What I really like from here are the whipped cream filled donut holes: Little light puffs of angel breath. They call them 'cream puffs' but the dough is soft, not crispy and they are topped with just a dusting of powdered sugar. The raised glazed donut is an automatic purchase and always nice. Simple, not crazy sweet and perfect.

Donut Stop 9330 Mira Mesa Blvd San Diego 92126 (858)271-8751

When we head to West to Pacific Beach, Linda's Donuts, on the NW corner of Grand at Lamont, doesn't look very fancy…

It's small inside, but just like Donut Stop, the donuts are constantly being made and there is something ready to eat- even at 10 p.m..

The Boston Creme and French Cruller. Both here are made perfectly. They are 'normal' sized donuts and the Bavarian is quite heavy with filling. If I lived closer, the cruller, with its soft layered interior and crispy light exterior, would be my morning ritual.

Linda's Donuts 1888 Grand Avenue San Diego 92109 (619) 274-4004

Now, heading South-

All the way in Imperial Beach, at the spot where Palm Avenue turns into Highway 75 (the Silver Strand) at 7th Street. In your mind's eye, you can see the signage here used to be "Stardust Donuts" "Fresh"… My friend, "caninecologne" introduced me to Stardust -or at least she tried to; they were closed that one day and have random hours, but now when I am in the area, I make an effort to stop here, in case they are open.

The thing to get here is a cinnamon roll. Again- a 'normal size' with light glaze, not "County Fair" huge with dripping frosting- and a buttermilk stick cake donut are perfect to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Stardust Donut Shop 698 Hwy 75 Imperial Beach 91932 (619) 424-6200

Heading North on the 15, to Escondido, take the Centre City exit then jump onto Escondido Boulevard to the South West corner of Ninth…

Peterson's Donut Corner. Open 24/7 (except it's closed from Christmas Day until January 3rd). Form three lines and you can see the selection walking on the outside of the building, through all the windows…

There is outdoor seating and pretty much always a line of people ordering, even in the heat of Summer.

On this day, we got the maple frosted Vienna Kreme, another Cruller and an apple spice cake donut (the flavored cake donuts are different each day). The Vienna Kreme donut is HUGE as are all the filled donuts here. There is always a great variety (blueberry…just get something blueberry) and I don't think the kitchen ever closes.

Peterson's Donut Corner 903 S. Escondido Boulevard, Escondido 92025 (760) 745-7774

Then there is "my" Donut Shop- the one I can walk to (although walking home is uphill)- also open 24/7 (including Christmas Day).

Mary's, on the South West block of Mission Gorge Road at Fanita, one block East of the 125…if you've been to Santee, you've seen it.

There's a small eat in area, the walls are plastered with photos of patrons.

The filled donut holes here are covered in powdered sugar and need coffee to cut the sweetness. The French Cruller is just light and crispy with an eggy interior and …perfect. It really is one of my cravings.

Mary's Donuts 9031 Mission Gorge Road Santee 92071 (619) 448-4800

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. Take some time to enjoy a treat before those New Year Resolutions kick in!

Sausage & More European Delicatessen (Lakeside)

December 5, 2012 Cathy German Restaurants and Food, What Cathy Eats!

This is mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk and ed (from Yuma)? Still busy. Cathy? Blogging today.

A few weeks ago, The Mister and I were craving foods we grew up with. Not wanting to spend time and fuel driving to Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad, we decided to try the European Delicatessen in Lakeside that we had seen for the past few months.

In researching, we found out that the owners of Sausage & More had worked at Sausage King, which had been a chain of small markets around the County, the last one on Washington Street, which closed when the owner died in 2011.

Walking in the front door, you are greeted with a small grocery area. Under that archway in the back is one of three comfortable booth and table eating areas.

There is a good variety of European (mostly German) sweets and condiments as well as some bread selections from Los Angeles area bakeries.

The meat case offers a good variety of lunchmeats and sausages. Almost everything is $5.98/lb.

There is also one refrigerator case with desserts and one with cheeses.

Several ‘specials’ were on posters lining the walls and we decided to try the “Oktoberfest Bratwurst”, a smoked bratwurst, heated and on a soft white bun, served with mustard and an excellent German potato salad. ($4.75).

A corse ground, smoked sausage inside an excellent skin, with a great ‘snap’ upon biting into it.

I tried a simple smoked ham sandwich ($4.25) which was accidentally made on white instead of rye bread. The thin sliced smoked ham was plentiful, however I did order the sandwich with ‘everything’ and the lettuce, tomato and onion kind of took away from the basic good simplicity that the sandwich flavors should have.

On another visit, we just grabbed food to take home. The Ring bologna, skin on the weiners, Neopolitan cake slice ($3.75 on Friday and Saturday), cookies and licorice were all excellent selections to satisfy more cravings.

They don’t make the sausages or smoke the meat here, but are friendly, helpful and do have a really good selection in nearby East County.

Sausage & More Delicatessen 12241Woodside Avenue Lakeside, CA 92040 (619) 390-1514 Website Closed Sunday and Monday. Other days open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

<<<(A closeup of the lamp hanging in the archway, in the second photo. It’s very old- the plug only has two prongs; no ground. Very cool.)

Que Huong-Lunch with Friends

December 4, 2012 Cathy Vietnamese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

It's Tuesday and mmm-yoso!!! is getting through the week with another post by Cathy. Kirk and ed(from Yuma) are just plain busy.

Kirk first posted about Que Huong in August 2005. He subsequently had a series of three posts devoted to the food here in 2008 and he has mentioned some of the dishes, particularly the chicken wings, in other posts (you can use that 'Search" box on the top left of this page) there are 1670 mentions on this blog. The Mister and I had been to this location before 2005, when it was a dim sum restaurant (and I wasn't taking photos of our meals, much less blogging). In August, fellow blogger (on hiatus) Sawyer was in town, working for his Internship and Kirk, Carol, Dennis and I met up with him at Que Huong early on a Sunday morning for a wonderful celebratory feast.
Located in the corner space of a mini mall, behind the Burger King parking lot on the North side of University at Marlborough, the exterior is deceiving.

Que Huong has a very large interior behind the steel corner door barred location, the tables and chairs always are elegantly covered – for lunch and dinner- and the interior seems quieter and less hurried than most Vietnamese Restaurants.

Kirk did the ordering since he knew what he -and we- would like. The menu is mind-numbingly large and includes several types of wild game meats and is not anything like a Pho Restaurant. At all.

The pork and shrimp jackfruit salad arrived at the table topped with a sesame rice cracker.

It looks like this. It's tangy and made with canned jackfruit (which isn't mushy, but firm…kind of al dente, as are all the vegetables). It's topped with a bit of nuoc mam (fish sauce).

Kirk ordered the table both tamarind and fish sauce chicken wings. If you've read his posts, you know he thinks the chicken wings here are the best in San Diego. I agree. The wings are crispy and light and coated perfectly. It was extremely difficult to decide which was better…it was a matter of if you like a bit sweet or a bit more pungent. I will say I will never order hot sauce/BBQ sauce/honey anything wings anyplace else ever again.

The seasoned periwinkle in coconut curry sauce was another great item. The periwinkles are cut on both ends, so you can easily suck the meat out and enjoy the sweet-spicy sauce. The herb on top is Vietnamese coriander (rau ram). There were about six of the little shelled creatures and some of the sauce left over and I brought those home to The Mister, who really enjoyed the flavors melded in this dish.

This was a salad of minced wild boar sauteed with lemongrass and red and green peppers, topped with the sesame rice cracker. The herb on top has a cumin flavor. This was surprisingly wonderful and mildly addictive. The boar flavor wasn't too distinct or odd…I got more texture out of it and enjoyed the melding of all the flavors.

Snapper flavored with dill and turmeric is a classic Vietnamese dish: cha ca thang long. It's served with that plate of goodies at the top- rice noodles, lettuce, perilla leaves, cucumber, pickled carrot, pineapple and mint. this is a meal for two all by itself. Seriously good.

Above is the catfish Hot Pot, photographed after some of the contents had been removed and the sizzle had stopped. The fish was tender and fresh flavored (not muddy, as sometimes happens with catfish) and a piece of pork belly lined the bottom of the pot. The sauce was sticky of course, but had a deep flavor of fish sauce in addition to the sweet. I wish I wasn't so full and could have eaten more. All in all, great food shared with great friends.

Of course, I returned, with The Mister, for lunch. We started out with the papaya salad. Fresh, crispy, able to taste all the flavors which were perfectly melded together. Just enough heat for us.

We chose to share the fish sauce chicken wings, because …well… we just wanted to try one flavor and The Mister asked me to choose. My choice was savory. Perfectly crispy wings, perfectly sauced and served with a salt-pepper-lime juice for dipping.

The Mister wanted to see the version of Bahn Xeo that Que Huong makes. We ordered it as soon as we sat down, knowing it takes a while to make.

A perfect light, crispy, rice flour-turmeric based pancake, filled with bean sprout, onion, pork and shrimp. Airy and crispy, wrapped in lettuce leaves with mint added. An excellent version.

We enjoy Que Huong and it has become a regular stop when we are in the neighborhood. It's just a bit nicer with better food and offerings than some other places.

Que Huong 4134 University Avenue San Diego 92105 (619) 281-6008

Road Trip-Pasadena: 2013 Rose Parade float Decorating Day and Zankou Chicken

December 3, 2012 Cathy Festivals & Events, Mediterranean Restaurants

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog and sometimes there are stories about how we find places where we eat. Kirk and ed(from Yuma) are busy finding places today. Cathy had an adventure this past Saturday and is sharing today.

Good Monday Morning! Saturday was a *very* long day-The Mister and I had signed up to work on the first "Detail Day" of 2013 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade floats and needed to be in Pasadena by 9 a.m.. We left the house at 6:08 a.m., there wasn't any rain (like we had on Friday evening) and we parked on Raymond Street at 8:08 a.m..

Volunteers were lined up.

Walking into the Phoenix Decorating Company Rose Palace, eleven floats were parked. Of course, this barn is not heated and we were glad we wore layers. You'll notice in almost every photo, everyone is wearing jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts. (There is one photo of a guy in shorts, but he has on a lined jacket).

Here's what the barn looks like from the upstairs passageway.

Since this was the first of the 'dry' decorating days, most of the people were cutting statice flowers, to get enough to colore the various purple, blue and pink areas of the floats. Every visible part of every float has to be covered in something that is, or was, alive and blue is a rare color seen in nature.

This looks like three colors to you, right? Well, each of those buckets of flowers got to be divided further, so the various shades of 'blues' 'purples', as well as 'pink' colors could be used on specific areas of the floats. This is how the darkest statice colors got divided:

Really. About six people cutting for eight hours resulted in

this much of one color being finished:

Other volunteers were cutting the petals off of straw flowers, saving the centers for another use.

The Lions Club had a good number of volunteers, steadily working on their detailed float.

Every volunteer worked through the day.

There was plenty of gluing going on also.

Every exposed surface must be covered with something that is, or was, alive…look again- there are two people working in the photo above.

Soon enough, the PA System announced it was time to clean up and clear out. Detail/Dry Decoration Day #1 was over.

We headed down Colorado Boulevard and stopped here, Zankou Chicken. I had seen the sign on almost every trip we had made up here, but it never was open, since we were always so early.

Large inside, nice and clean. A pretty simple menu, easy ordering and fast service. You can see many chickens on the rotisseries to the top right. There were also rotisserie spits with shawerma and tarna.

Of course, we decided to order the name of the restaurant…and chose a whole chicken, which was cut in half for us. It came with 4 fresh pita breads and a 'powerful garlic sauce'- (it's firmly whipped; not saucy) ($9.99). We also ordered a small (8 oz) tabbouleh salad ($3.49) and a side of two fresh falafel ($1.35). Everything was excellent. The chicken was moist with crispy skin..and wonderfully complimented by the 'powerful garlic sauce' (that's the signage description; I now refer to it as 'magic garlic'). The falafel were on top of a good amount of fresh tahini sauce and light with a good, thin crisp crust…and seemed to have a familiar spice in them…maybe cinnamon. These were very good. The tabbouleh was so fresh and flavorful, the parsley, onion, tomato and bulghur topped with lemon juice and olive oil was so refreshing. We finished it all and were ready for our two hour drive home.

A long day, with much accomplished. I hope all of you had a good weekend.

Phoenix Decorating Company Website -if you'd like to sign up as a volunteer, or watch decorating live on the webcams.

Zankou Chicken 1296 E. Colorado Boulevard Pasadena (626) 405-1502 Website

Carnitas Uruapan-revisit, but a new location

December 1, 2012 Cathy Mexican Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a place on the interwebs where Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Cathy share specific recollections of various food experiences with you. Today, Cathy has something random to share.

The other day I was looking at the photos left on my phone and realized I could write a quick post about one of my 'regular' stops, Carnitas Uruapan, which was one of my first posts when I started helping Kirk, in 2006. The Mister and I discovered the original restaurant, which has since closed, when we first moved here and had many meals inside that large building. Alas, the original owner died, the restaurant closed and we were sad. Not long after, family members re-opened in a smaller location on Spring Street, just North of the 125/94 intersection, next to the Denny's.

I did say smaller. That "Drive Thru" window has no microphone leading up to it and the menu board under the window is not white from the sun reflecting on it; it's worn down from people leaning on it.

There are eight tables inside the area where you order. If you are eating in, your food will be brought to you after you order and pay.

Fresh chips and a red salsa with a good heat and your beverage order are also brought to your table. There is also a salsa bar (where you can fill your own 'to go' cups with other available salsas; I do like the green)

On a recent chilly day, The Mister ordered the Barbacoa Soup ($6.99). This slightly spicy soup bowl is accompanied with the items shown above: refried beans, onions, cilantro, limes and tortillas. Barbacoa is a method of cooking beef, originally over an open fire, originating the 'barbecue', but the modern interpretation of Barbacoa generally means the meat is steam cooked until tender. This soup- the broth, the meat…without the add ins, is savory, rich, deep flavored. The meat portion is always generous and tender and makes the meal complete.

I have many, many photos of burritos from here. It's the meat that makes each item wonderful. Above is a beef tostada ($2.50)- a layer of beans makes it perfect and carnitas taco ($2.50) delicious carnitas…the name of the restaurant is what they do.

Carnitas Uruapan is known for its carnitas meals- this is a take out meal for one($5.50) – 1/2 pound of carnitas, with rice, beans, tortillas, cilantro, onion and lime. The carnitas here are tender, not crispy and not fatty. They really do it right. (The one pound meal for two is $11; math).

Now. My little secret 'meal' and craving. Fresh chicharron. 1/2 pound, $3.50. You can walk up to the window, order it as part of your meal, or appear to have restraint and order it to go after your meal.

Lovely, fresh fried pieces of pork skin. Really perfect.

I hope everyone is staying dry on this gloomy day.

Carnitas Uruapan 4233 Spring Street La Mesa, Ca 91941 (619) 337-2448

The Roxy Restaurant, Cafe and Bar- Encinitas

November 30, 2012 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome (back) to mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are busy anticipating a time to relax. Cathy found that time and is sharing a food adventure today.

A few weeks ago, The Mister and I drove North on Highway 101 along some of the 60 miles of San Diego County coastline, enjoying where we live.

We had worked up an appetite while getting in some walking and stopped when we got to the Encinitas sign.

We had parked just across the street from the restaurant which provides my favorite San Diego County Fair food fix-

I've posted that this was the one booth we must stop at every year.

This year, we did go to the Fair several times and got both the falafel burger …

as well as an artichoke sandwich. Both of these sandwiches are on the menu at the Restaurant and the price is the same as at the Fair!

We stepped into Roxy's just before it started to get crowded and chose a table on the North half of the restaurant.

After reading the mainly vegetarian menu (some dishes are made with chicken, squid or fish) I decided to try a cup of the 'everyday' soup ($3)- Bean Soup, made with lentils, soy and pinto beans. The spices made this taste like a good chili and I really liked it. The soup was served with a piece of toast…the same bread that's used for the Fair sandwiches. (I found out it is The Baker's Wife from Bosch Baking bread brand, made in San Marcos and available at some of the weekly farmer's markets and sold in the grocery part of the Tip Top Meats store.)

I selected the avocado burrito ($7.99). A very large whole wheat tortilla with cheese, onion and olive melted onto the tortilla,

which was then filled with at least two smashed avocadoes, lettuce and tomato. This was served with a good, spicy salsa and a very large lettuce, spinach, cabbage, tomato, broccoli and cauliflower 'side' salad. So very fresh, tasty and filling.

The Mister ordered the Fish and Chips, one of the white board specials that day ($7.99, regular $8.99). This was four large pieces of excellent fried fish (probably tilapia) served on top of a pile of quite memorable, thin cut, perfectly cooked fries with an absolutely wonderful house made tartar sauce.

On the South side of the restaurant is a small area where ice cream is sold. It is Niederfrank's, a National City based company (which I posted about in 2007). I can foresee taking another few drives on the 101 before the 2013 San Diego County Fair to try out more of the menu at Roxy's.

It's Friday! Enjoy your weekend.

The Roxy Restaurant 517 Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 436-5001 Mon-Sat 11:00 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Website

Caffé Calabria (North Park, San Diego)

November 29, 2012 Cathy Caffeine Fix, Desserts, Italian Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog. It's a food blog. We (Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Cathy, in a varying rotation) write about the who, what, when, where, why and how (in varying combinations) with a central focus on food. Cathy is writing today.

A few weeks ago, fellow blogger, cc and I met for lunch, which needed to be rearranged (here is a link to her post; my post will appear soon enough) and after a very nice lunch, we drove on 30th, to just North of University to Caffé Calabria for refreshing beverages.

You'll probably notice this fabric signage first. We walked in, noticed the wood fired pizza oven

which only bakes thin crust/Neapolitan style pizza (and calzones) after 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.

You can select from a variety of available sandwiches, made on baguettes, foccacia or small rolls,

which will be heated for you if you'd like.

You can see one panino press to the right on the back counter; there are three total.

This is the view of the barista area from our table,

which was right in front of the coffee roaster, which was not roasting coffee when we were here. I would like to experience the smell of fresh-fresh roasted coffee. Many San Diego restaurants serve Caffé Calabria coffees, which I have always enjoyed.

Our order- a large iced mocha and a doppio macchiatto. The mocha -chocolate and espresso- was good and had enough caffiene to make cc hyper for most of the evening. The double shot of espresso topped with a 'kiss' of milk foam was deep flavored yet I could detect a sweetness to the steam pressured coffee without having to add any sugar.

Obsessing about what cc and I had experienced, I brought The Mister back for a quick snack the other day.

He ordered a "Hammerhead"- regular coffee with a shot of espresso ($2.50)- and I ordered another doppio macchiato ($2.60).

We also decided on two items available in the counter, which I asked to have warmed.

The Prosciutto Cotto ($3.25)-rosemary ham topped with Fontina cheese and black pepper. This was so good! There was quite a lot of ham, just enough cheese and the warming on the press made the fresh bread crust crispy on the outside, but the crust is thin and the bread was warm and soft on the inside. This was a perfect size for the two of us to share…

because The Mister had ordered this-a dolce-sweet. Nuttela con nocciola ($1.50)-chocolate hazelnut spread topped with chopped hazelnuts. As you can see, it was served on a small roll (with the same thin crust as the baguette) topped with powdered sugar. The nicest antithesis of a donut, ever.

I am sure we will be returning to Caffé Calabria to try the pizza and other available sandwich items. There are several other places in this old San Diego neighborhood which we found by simply walking around the block. I want to explore.

I hope everyone is having a good week!

Caffé Calabria 3933 30th Street San DIego 92104 (619) 291-1759 Website

Paris Baguette (inside H Mart)

November 28, 2012 Cathy Bakery, Desserts, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

You have navigated your way to mmm-yoso!!!, the blog about food. Today, Kirk as well as ed(from Yuma) are each doing something that requires focus. Cathy is multitasking, so here's a blog post.

I think we all know that the San Diego location of H Mart opened on November 17 -less than two weeks ago. In case anyone didn't know, I will do just about anything to avoid crowds. Therefore The Mister and I decided to wait until things slowed down to shop and check out offerings. The day after Thanksgiving was that perfect day.

Yes, there were empty parking spots at 10 a.m..

H Mart, a Korean Market, has great deals on fruits, vegetables, panchan, kim chee, meats and fish. Everything is fresh and clean. We were very happy walking around while being able to push our shopping cart and not having to navigate around and between shoppers and their carts. When we got to the far end of the store, next to the exit door, we saw the signage-

Similar to other H Marts and Korean Markets in general, you can observe the workers behind glass.

In typical Korean bakery fashion, grab a tray, top it with a paper liner, grab tongs and select your choices from behind and on top of glassed doored cases, stand in line, order beverages and pay.

On this visit, we picked out a good snack of sweets selection.

The round 'donut' ($1) was a very large rice ball/mochi, filled with smooth pumpkin and deep fried. It collapsed when we cut it, but biting into it can give you a cross section view. It was really good and quite large. The almond pastry – basically a croissant ($1.90)- was so light and flaky with crispy almond slices and had a good amount of almond paste filling. The other pastry (listed as a 'one bite' on the receipt, for $1, but on the display had $1.25 as the price) was essentially a puff pastry cup filled with delicious custard and topped with an apricot half. So good-each flavor distinguishable and the various textures made this a perfect snack item.

So, after we got home, there were daily discussions of which items at Paris Baguette we wanted to try and when we we went at around 2 p.m. on a weekday, there was zero parking in the lot in front of H Mart and only a few spaces in the back parking lot. However, hunger and curiosity won out and there were new sales inside the store and a few cart navigation incidents, but once I got to the far side of the store, Paris Baguette wasn't overly busy and I chose a good variety of items for a late lunch. The 4 box of baby chox ($2) was a perfect, soft version of choux pastry filled with real whipped cream which managed to make its way home.

The ham and cheese croissant ($2.25) was a perfect light and flaky pastry filled with just enough ham and cheese to make this sandwich an easy choice in the future. The other item in the above photo is a canele ($1.80) which I haven't seen around here. There was a nice story board on the counter telling that canele was first made in Bordeaux, where the wines are clarified with egg white, leaving yolks behind…

which are used to make the custard filling of this small, dense, caramelized cake. It is unique and wonderful.

The "Crunch Sandwich" ($5.95) which we found in the refrigerator section was very interesting. The package was heavy and ingredients listed are chicken salad, green leaf lettuce, honey mustard and pan croissant. The chicken salad was very nice, made with onion, walnuts and dried cranberries and wrapped in the 'pan croissant' which was a surprisingly nice, dense and chewy flat bread/flat croissant.

We've liked the food and service here and my only criticism is that the line where you wait to pay is along the the coffee, condiment/supplies and trash bins, which makes it awkward to get to the half and half/napkins/forks and knives or to clean your table when you leave.

Paris Baguette is a franchise and another location will be opening inside the new location of Zion Market on Clairmont Mesa and Convoy, when Zion opens (probably in January).

Paris Baguette (Inside H Mart) 9440 Mira Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92126 website

The hot beverage cups are cardboard covered in foam and don't need a cardboard 'sleeve'. I've brought both home and am going to use them for something…just pretty…

Road Trip Weekend-(Pasa)Dena Burgers, some markets, meat by the side of the road and final 2013 Rose Parade float road test.

November 19, 2012 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, Festivals & Events, Los Angeles County, Markets & Grocers, Road Trip, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for reading mmm-yoso!!! on this week of preparation, travel and beginning of holiday celebrations. Cathy is writing today. The guys (Kirk and ed(from Yuma)) are very busy.

This past Saturday was a busy (and exciting) day for us. The Mister and I woke early, let the dogs out, drove North, encountered rain and sunshine and got to Pasadena to enjoy the final day of Rose Parade float road testing before the actual parade (photos at the end of this post) and then drove North on Arroyo Seco, headed East on Orange Grove and saw this signage…and had to stop.

I liked the font…and right there on the corner of Orange Grove and North Los Robles, an angled building, to allow for drive through access while ordering from the passenger side of your vehicle-

Dena Burgers looked like a place to investigate.

Walk in, order and pay at one window,

and pick up at the other window.

We decided to go by the name of the place, and ordered a Breakfast Burger ($5.25)- a 1/4 pound burger, egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato and hash browns on a toasted bun. It was large and tasty, but kind of dry and we each added some ketchup at some point in eating our respective half.
A Machaca and eggs plate ($5.50) as well as some very good (Gavina) coffee completed this meal. The fresh tomato and crisp bell pepper as well as onion cooked with eggs and beef to a crusty brown, was really good (The salsa and onions on top were added from the condiment bar at the pick up window). The rice and beans were unusually tasty and the fresh, warm corn tortillas were a bonus.

Dena Burgers 445 E. Orange Grove Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91104 (626) 792-7035

When we finished, we walked across the parking lot to this grocery store.

Baja Ranch Supermarket was magical. I didn't take many photos inside, because it was quite crowded. There is a large steam tray area, deli area, excellent meat/poultry/seafood selection, tortilleria, bakery and produce area. There were extensive displays of chiles being sold here- dried in bags, in bulk and fresh. There items sold here include Mexican as well as Peruvian, Cuban and Salvadorean…and some American staples. We spent $21 and filled five cloth bags we had brought from home (this part of LA County charges for grocery bags).

Baja Ranch Supermarket 475 Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena 91101 website

We continued East, got to Sierra Madre Boulevard and

stopped at the Pasadena Farmers Market again.

We chose a few seasonal items…

Pasadena Certified Farmers Market, Sierra Madre at Paloma, next to Pasadena High School website

Then we headed East on the 210…and, remembering that H Mart was opening in San Diego that day, decided to check out what we figured would be an uncrowded H-Mart located close to where we were…

Upon entering the Diamond Bar location of a Super H Mart and turning to the right,

we encountered a large Food Court area… which included this little franchise-Deli Manjoo

which has a window where you can watch this conveyor belt baking system making sweet treats. We were given samples fresh off the griddle! You can get a mix of eight for $3…

You can see the walnut shapes are filled with red bean paste as well as a walnut. For Lucky Fish we chose two filled with custard and two filled with cream cheese. Deli Manjoo Website

We also picked up savory treats at The Tous les Jours franchise. Excellent and so very fresh! The young ladies working here were very helpful and the selection was amazing. Website

There were other vendors in the food court area..and small shopping areas on other walls of this large store- then there was the H-Mart store itself.

Clean, fresh, friendly. One thing we noticed that the ladies giving samples were set up at the aisle ends, which were specifically sample areas- outlets on the floor so electric pans could be easily heated for sampling. Combined with the available items in the 'regular' food aisles, H Mart is a great store. I can't wait to visit "ours". Generic H Mart website link.

Since it is Thanksgiving, we needed to pick up our smoked ham, or "meat by the side of the road" as I have fondly termed it.
Once again, the Valley Center Optimists have their trailer set up in front of Fat Ivor's and are selling smoked hams (whole and half) for Thanksgiving. They will also be selling hams for Christmas and Easter. We wait for this time of year to be able to purchase this ham.
Here is a cross section view of the smoked half ham ($35). My friend from Valley Center, Ms. T., picked hers up and warmed it so The Mister and I could have a slice when we drove by to pick up ours. Valley Center Optimists 760-390-4173

Oh. So this day began with the last day to see 2013 Rose Parade floats do their final road test of the year. I've posted about previous road test days…all the floats need to pass three tests before being allowed to drive down Pasadena streets on New Years Day.

When we got here, the Lions Club float was finishing the test drive.

The Honda float, very long and intricately detailed was parked and waiting in line to be tested. Those are steps leading to a slide that people will be sliding on during the five mile long parade route.
Here's a better view of the slide.
Here's an unusual view of another float…

and another float from a high viewpoint…

and here is another perspective of the front of the Honda float (see the slide?).

Those viewpoints are from above ground, because I was standing on-ON- the front of The Lutheran Hour float! Yes, The Mister and I were asked to participate in the road test and fire drill.

Here's the float after the fire drill. It had started to rain when we were testing…but had to pretend there was a fire anyhow.

We've never made a "Bucket List" of things we wanted to do, but if we had, this would've been on it- and checked off!

If anyone wants to know about volunteering to decorate a Rose Parade float, information is available HERE.

I hope everyone has a non-hectic week ahead.

#GoBlue

Po & Pho -Next to H Mart in Mira Mesa (part 1: pho)

November 16, 2012 Cathy Vietnamese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Po and Pho has closed. There won't be a part 2.

Hi. The page you are reading is mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are busy with Thanksgiving planning. Cathy appears to be organized for Thanksgiving, so she is blogging today.

The highly anticipated Korean Grocer, H-Mart, will have a Grand Opening on the 17th (in the old Ralphs location on Mira Mesa Boulevard near the 15). The Mister and I were thinking there might be a 'soft' opening a few days sooner and drove there the other day, but the store was still getting organized. Since we were already in that parking lot and it was close to lunch time, we decided to try the newest restaurant of the six in that parking lot.

There- all the way on the left of the above photo- the small storefront "Po and Pho". Seven tables inside and one table out front, seating for about 20, this clean shop serves a combination of New Orleans-Po Boy sandwiches, gumbo and Vietnamese-pho, noodles and rice plates. There is also a small breakfast menu, extensive beverage menu and the menu includes catering items that are not offered on the regular menu.

The take out business was bustling when we were here, but when we sat down to read the take out menu, a nice Young Lady walked over to take our eat-in order. I'm not sure if we were supposed to order and pay and sit down or not…

In any case, since it was a chilly morning and the sun still had not peeked through the clouds, I ordered a bowl of chicken pho (one size only $6.25).

This was a very good, very large bowl of pho. The broth was clear, not too oily and had good flavor on its own. The noodles were mostly loose, barely in a clump. The chicken was plentiful, included the liver and was accompanied by the fresh dipping sauce (nuoc cham) made of lime juice, fish sauce, garlic and sugar. The onions and cilantro and ground pepper toppings, when mixed part way through my meal, along with the (very fresh) add-ins transformed the the bowl into even more fresh flavors.
The Mister was torn about what he wanted to order- there are 13 sandwich offerings in addition to three types of Po'Boy offered (shrimp or chicken or fish). We saw a *very* large sandwich being shared at another table and the bread was not close to bahn mi in size and decided we could share one at another meal. At the bottom of the "Noodles and Soups" section of the menu Seafood Gumbo ($5) was listed. That also sounded good on this cold day. The bowl is smaller than my bowl of pho, but it should be. The rich sauce, filled with crawfish, shrimp, crab and smoked sausage covers a good amount of broken rice and fresh okra. This was one of the best gumbos I've tasted in a long time.

We'll be stopping here again, for a Po'Boy, ideally avoiding crowds.

Po & Pho 9430 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Suite 5C San Diego 92126 (858) 271-8988 Website