Cathy – Page 76

Point Loma Seafoods-It’s the same, but better.

August 1, 2012 Cathy Seafood, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for visiting mmm-yoso!!! Today, it seems Kirk and ed(from Yuma) just don't have anything to write about, so Cathy will be the blogger du jour.

Seafood is bountiful in this Southern California county and Point Loma Seafoods has been a regular stop for The Mister and I for many years. I have posted about a few of those visits. This San Diego Institution (since 1963) recently underwent a major remodel, adding much needed seating, a larger refrigerated display area and some small menu changes. The remodel re-opened in about April of this year and we have been here several times already.

The parking situation seems to be a little bit better, but there are rarely empty spots unless you get here close to opening or during a lull in the afternoon.

There is open seating upstairs and enclosed seating just below along the side of the building.

The selection of fresh seafood is very good; I could not take a photo of the overall expanse of the ordering/waiting area nor of the smoked fish counter,because there were too many people milling about.

One of the changes is that now you can take a number and order then pay first. This had been a problem before, because PLSF only took cash or checks, which would sometimes take people by surprise. With this remodel, PLSF has joined the 21st century and now takes credit cards.

The biggest change in the menu is the "Small Bites" section- you can order a seafood (4 pieces of squid or 2 pieces of fish or 4 shrimp or 2 crab cakes) and either fries or coleslaw for $7.42. I do crave the slaw from here; it's creamy and crispy and whatever seasonongs are used are alwys the right amounts; no need to add salt or pepper. Of course, this meant we could try the onion rings ($3.48)-these onion rings are made to order; not frozen and not 'perfect'. The cornmeal batter is not greasy and nicely crisp, leaving the onions closer to fresh and not mushy.

The regular fish(cod) and chips plate is $11.13 and the amount of fries on it is enough for us to share. I am just a person of habit and really like the simple preparation of fish: it seems this is always my order here.

This is a shrimp sandwich ($8.35) The shrimp are also lightly breaded and crispy. As all the sandwiches here, it's served on fresh, soft sourdough with the wonderful PLSF home made tartar sauce.

The combination salad ($14.85)- Dungeness crab and Bay shrimp, served with a "Louie" dressing. Always good, always fresh. Half salads are also offered now, for $2 less. I haven't purchased the smaller version so am unsure if the plate is smaller or just the toppings. I know I never can finish one of the salads and usually end up taking some home.

The view from upstairs is nice and open, and the downstairs eating area is now enclosed, with real windows. PLSF always a nice place for a meal.

Point Loma Seafoods 2805 Emerson (at Scott) San Diego 92016 (619)223-1109 Summer hours: M-Sat 9-8, Sun 10-8. Website Link to Menu

TJ Oyster Bar- great seafood, but no oysters, in Bonita

July 30, 2012 Cathy Mexican Restaurants, Seafood, What Cathy Eats!

Yes, you have found mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk has stuff to do, ed (from Yuma) has places to go and Cathy is blogging about a place to eat.

I mentioned in a prior post that in December I had met up with fellow food bloggers and friends, canine cologne, Dennis and Carol, for a food crawl around South County- Chula Vista and Bonita. Of the many places we stopped at that day, our first was here-where I took this photo of the exterior. In December.

As I tend to be cautious about writing about any place until I have returned a few times, all the food in this post was consumed at this location, in a small mall on the same block just West of the McDonald's near Otay Lakes Road on Bonita road.

However, I do know the small storefront will be moving soon to just East of the McDonald's (and the Vons) in this same block very soon. The new location looks a lot larger. In any case, the food here is excellent and the lines out the door may be diminished with the new building.

In December, we sat at the front counter, which consists of six stools, to enjoy some tastes of what is offered at this primarily seafood Mexican restaurant.

We shared a large coctele and fish tacos. Everything was fresh and tasty and I wanted more, but in retrospect was glad we kept along on our crawl, because this was just the first of so many new-to-me places that day.

The fish taco was beer battered, not heavy and the fish was light, flaky and tasty. The coctele-

had plenty of octopus in it (there were no oysters that day, despite the name of the place) and a very refreshing tomato-lime-cilantro sauce that the seafood was melding in.

I had to return with The Mister a few times.

One day we went, before crowds showed up and shared a fish ceviche tostada ($2.75) and a shrimp ceviche tostada ($3.50). Each of the ceviches were made to order and so crispy-fresh tasting. The respective seafoods were citrus-tangy and you could still taste the respective 'meats'. I have returned just for ceviche, which is really nice on these hot Summer days.

Of course we realized at some point that the fish tacos are 99¢ every day and ordered two on another visit. We basically drive by and if there is a parking space, we stop, otherwise we haven't, because the parking lot is an indicator of available table space. I think the seating capacity inside is about 20.

I had been curious about the "Pescadilla" part of the menu and on another visit, we ordered the $7.50 Mariscos/Seafood Pescadilla. It's a quesedilla, filled with sauteed seafood. Buttery, garlicy sauteed seafood. Served with rice, this is way more than a meal for one. Very rich, very filling, and now a regular order.

As of now, at the current location, the menu is on the wall and the cash register, where you order and pay, is right in front of you when you walk in the door. I hope the menu and quality of food at the new location stays the same.

TJ Oyster Bar 4246 Bonita Road 91902 (619)267-4577

Valley Foods Mediterranean Market- Eat in the store, shop in the store(revisit)

July 29, 2012 Cathy Markets & Grocers, Mediterranean Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome(back) to our food blog. Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Cathy usually blog in this space. Today, it's Cathy's turn.

Hi again. I've posted about Valley Foods, a small grocery store in El Cajon, run by a group of refugees from Iraq, two times now. It's turned into a regular stop for The Mister and I, for both a quick lunch and a place to do some interesting shopping.

When you walk in, just to the left are six tables and steam trays, with a price list above the trays. You order, pay and have a seat. (There are three cash registers straight ahead when you walk in)

The steam tray area is always interesting. The weekly specials, with even better prices, are listed in the area below the trays.

One day, we tried the lamb shank meal ($7.99) We were asked which rice we wanted to go with the shank and chose this one, which had bulgur and vermicelli. Then the nice lady put some scoops of a tomato and onion sauce on the grain mix before putting the large and moist lamb shank on top of it all.

We were also asked which soup we wanted to go with and chose this spinach-tomato soup, which was really good.

Another day, we chose the fried fish filet meal (also $7.99). This was tilapia, lightly breaded with corn meal and place on saffron rice. This came with the Iraq salad- chopped cucumber and tomatoes in a simple olive oil and lemon dressing and steamed vegetables. The squeeze bottles of pink liquid on the tables, the only condiment other than salt and pepper, is red wine vinegar. I use that with the vegetables as well as the rice after eating about half of it 'plain'.

The masgoof-prepared whole tilapia ($6.99) is in the steam table just like this and this is what you get. The whole fish, split and grilled with a whole onion and a whole tomato, also grilled. Usually one of us goes into the store and buys a piece of bread to go with this filling, simple meal.

The kabobs are always fresh and moist. They used to be 99¢ each, but in July the price changed to $1.15 for the chicken and $1.25 for the beef. Very much worth it. Even if you order just one, you get a side of sliced raw onion topped with sumac in the tray.

Here is a cross section photo of the kabobs. You can see some of the herbs which are mixed with the ground meats before grilling. I really like the kabobs here, not only moist, but so flavorful- and large. If we order five, we end up taking two home for dinner.

The chicken schawarma plate ($7.95). I mentioned in one of my other posts about the spits in the back cooking schawarma. This is an easy way to get more than a sandwich. The moist, grilled meat is a hefty portion and comes with lettuce, tomato, house made pickles and house made hummus and a small, hot piece of flat bread, which is made in the store.

As mentioned, we are here to shop also. Walking just past the steam trays is a glass case selling a few lunch meats, like all beef Mortadella, many types of olives, some pickled vegetables and various Feta cheeses. Right next to that case is this open case, selling grab and go items. A few are the same as offered on the steam trays, at the same prices.

Right across from that open refrigerator is this case, which has salads, the house made hummus, house made eggplant dip (that's what they call it, it is not labeled as baba ganoosh) and -the reason I am here at least once a week- house made yoghurt. Each is sold by the pound and I crave the yogurt. It is unlike any yoghurt I have ever tasted. There is a definite 'burned' or smoke flavor to it, along with an initial 'tang' that I just love.

Then there is the texture. You can see the 'skin' that was formed on top of this first scoop taken from the container. The yogurt is thick but not smooth. I always buy a container when here. The price is about $2.59/pound; worth it.

Along the back wall, just next to the open grab and go foods is the bakery. There are fresh sammoon rolls sold in bins just past this area (small, 11¢ each, large 30¢ each). At the end of this sweets display area you may get lucky and see a line of people standing and looking through that door right there. That's where the bread oven is located. If there isn't any fresh bread cooling, then someone is stretching and pulling dough, placing it on the rounded, flat pillow-like paddle and bending over, slapping the bread onto the wall of the hot oven and in less than a minute, grabbing it with long tongs after asking you how many and "white or wheat?" (If there is no line, there is a bell on top of the counter that you can ring to get the Baker's attention)

In a few seconds, the large, hot bread is folded and placed in a paper bag and handed to you. This is a large paper bag and the bread is folded twice.

Here is an unfolded white bread on the stove at home. It covers both right burners, the center burner and part of the left burners-18-ish inches around.

Oh. One piece is 99 cents.

Here is a photo of the wheat bread with a small container of the house made eggplant dip- which also has that smoke flavor-showing a size comparison.

Anyhow, in addition to these prepared foods, the store has a few aisles of basics, a small meat department and even smaller fish selection and a small vegetable department, some bulk bins of grains and sweets. It's a nice, not fancy, local place and I hope everyone has the chance to shop like this near their home.

I hope you are having a good week!

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

How to: Tea Eggs

July 28, 2012 Cathy Cooking, What Cathy Eats!

Cathy here, adding a short post to mmm-yoso!!! while Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are busy with other parts of life.

Just a short Saturday post. Within other posts recently, I've alluded about my latest craving, tea eggs. These see to be the perfect snack-a portable protein with both salty and savory components. I've purchased prepared versions when I see tea eggs on the menu and have been trying to perfect my own version at home.

First, make hard boiled eggs- bring eggs in cold water to a boil and keep at a low boil/simmer for about five minutes.

Remove the eggs and tap the shell, slightly breaking it with a spoon. Into the still hot water used for cooking the eggs, add the above three ingredients- black tea, soy sauce and Five Spice (or whole anise). Of course,it depends on the size of your pan and the amount of water in it. You can't really add too much of any ingredient; the tea will end up flavoring the yolk and the soy and Five Spice will flavor the white of the egg. The ratios I have found to like (in my three quart pot) are: one Tablespoon of five spice: one Tablespoon plus one teaspoon of black tea (three teabags):1/4 cup of soy sauce. I do love salty…

Bring the ingredients to a low simmer in the pan and add the cracked eggs back in. Let simmer for 20 minutes. At first, the ingredients are not melded, as above.

After the 20 minutes of a low boil, the eggs are technically done, as above (you can see I added some star anise to the mix). You can leave the eggs in the liquid in the refrigerator for up to two days and the flavors really meld.

When peeled, the whites show the pattern left from the cracks. When cut, you can see the soy color has enveloped the egg white. The flavor of salt from the soy and tannin tart from the tea and almost sweet from the five spice are just what blends with other small snacks, as on the plate above, or is good by itself.

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend.

Using the BBQ grill day-“Mexican” Corn, Lettuce and Spatchcock Chicken

July 27, 2012 Cathy Cooking, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog is back today with Cathy blogging. Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are researching subjects so they can blog again soon.

Hello again. With the crazy hot weather of late, The Mister and I have been cooking outdoors as much as we can, and keeping the inside of our home cool. I thought I would share some easy recipes and a few techniques.

Grilling corn in the husk is easy. Put the whole ears on a medium heated grill. Turn the ears every five minutes, as the husk burns. 20 minutes total.

Remove and let cool a minute and hold the 'tip' end.

Cut off the bottom/stalk.

Pul from the top and the silk comes off with the husk.

Clean, cooked corn! You can eat this as is, it's been steamed in the husk and if fresh, needs nothing added.

Or you can make Mexican corn, using cleaned corn with the above photographed ingredients: Mayonnaise or olive oil, Cotija grated cheese (it's like Parmesan- a hard cheese)(you can buy it whole and break it into small pieces) and Tajin seasoning(a chili pepper, salt, dehydrated lime juice mix).

If you put 'cleaned' corn onto the medium heated grill, brush with a bit of olive oil first then roast it until it is lightly charred (I do this with 'older' corn) it cooks in about ten minutes.

Slather the ears of corn with mayonnaise…

You need the stickiness so you can coat liberally with the grated cheese and Tajin. This tastes like summer!

Now, back to the grill.

This is a new flavor point for me. Grilled lettuce. Cut a head of Romaine in half, brush with olive oil and sprinkle on salt and pepper (I have also done this with Italian seasoning and also salad dressing and both work, but I think each has almost too many spices for my palate).

Place the cut side onto a low to medium heated grill, maybe for a minute.

Turn over and place the other side on the grill(there will be some oil and salt/pepper on the grates because olive oil /salad dressing fell into the cracks; this side seems to be done very quickly). A simple salad.

On to spatchcocking…

"Butterflying" is a cutting technique- you butterfly shrimp, whole fish and steaks- cutting part way down and laying the shrimp or piece of meat flat..if you do that same technique to fowl the technique is called 'spatchcock'. Basically, I cut down the back of the chicken and flatten it, pushing down and breaking the breastbone if necessary.

This photo is a spatchcocked chicken that was placed onto an edged/jelly roll sheet pan and sprinkled with some seasoning and placed on the other/unheated side of our gas grill, using the grill like an oven. The chicken, and all fowl, cook faster using this cutting technique. This chicken was done in less than 30 minutes.

This 15 pound spatchcocked turkey was done in 90 minutes (at 325) this past Thanksgiving.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. You can grill stone fruit (nectarines, peaches, plums) and just about every vegetable, using direct or indirect heat. Stay cool and eat well!

A Delight of France in Escondido

July 26, 2012 Cathy European Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Well, you have found mmm-yoso!!! and are probably wanting to read about food. Cathy is blogging today; Kirk and ed(from Yuma) are busy with other things.

The other day, The Mister and I found ourselves in Escondido around lunch time. I recalled that I had met a friend for lunch somewhere around here a few years ago and thought I had enjoyed it. So we parked, we walked and then I recognized the facade. It seems that there are several newly opened restaurants on Grand Avenue, this main street downtown, and even the ownership of A Delight of France has changed recently.

The interior is neat and clean and looks like I think it would look if located in France.

As with bistros, you walk up, order, pay and find a seat. I also fetched my own coffee and water and silverware. A very nice lady (I think the owner) came over and asked if I would like some bread. This half a baguette of still warm, crisp crusted French bread, along with strawberry preserves and butter was brought out while we waited for our food.

Soon, my plate- the French Deli plate ($10.75)- was brought out. A large plate filled with a selection of four meats, including pate, saucisson, ham and turkey, a grainy mustard as well as Brie and cheddar cheese , a hard boiled egg, tomatoes, cucumber, pickles, olives, cornichons and a small scoop of a wonderful egg salad. This was a fresh, tasty selection and filling lunch.

The Mister ordered the Quiche du Jour ( a choice of ham and cheese or spinach this day) ($8.95). It comes with the side salad which is lightly dressed and, as you can see, a salad made of a variety of lettuces, cucumber, celery and tomatoes. The quiche was deceptively large/deep, filled with ham and cheese and a nutmeg flavored custard with a wonderful flaky light crust.

We did not have room for dessert, but the selection was beautiful and plentiful. Business was brisk, with the seating area filling up just after we had ordered. All in all, a nice lunch on a beautiful street that is reinventing itself. We will make an effort to visit more, especially the newer restaurants.

A Delight of France 126 West Grand Avenue (between Broadway and Maple-Broadway is the divider between East and West) Escondido 92025 (760)746-2644 website

Shopping and eating on University Avenue: Penzey’s Spices, La Casa del Maiz and Carnitas Las Michoacanas

July 24, 2012 Cathy Markets & Grocers, Mexican Restaurants, Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

La Casa del Maiz has closed.

This is the food blog called mmm-yoso!!! The bloggers here are usually Kirk, sometimes ed(from Yuma) and sometimes Cathy. Today is one of those sometimes Cathy days.

Well. This has been a crazy summer so far. The Mister and I seem to have something scheduled every day, but aren't overly busy…just home-type chores, which includes gardening and the occasional Home Depot and food runs. We have been cooking at home a lot and were thrilled when we found out that Penzey's Spices was opening a San Diego location. Kirk posted about one of his Penzey's stops during a Torrance Road Trip in 2010. The Mister and I get excited when the Penzeys catalog shows up every couple of months and usually make two orders a year, to save on shipping charges. The spices, herbs and blends are so fresh and interesting. We decided to take a drive West, to the Hillcrest area of town to see "our" new Penzey's store.

The store is located on University Avenue one block East of the Ralphs/Trader Joe's Center, in the same parking area that has the Starbucks. Apparently that little mall is named Hillcrest Colonnade.

The display area inside is mostly stacked wooden crates and even this kitchen vignette (I grew up with a Kelvinator refrigerator just like this one; a common sight in Detroit). See the larger jar in the middle on top of that fridge? That's a sample jar. There is one with just about every product in the store- you can smell the herbs, spices, whole chilis and blends (there are even glass bottles with the liquid extracts for you to sniff). It was like reading the catalog but live!

As I said, we have purchased items from here before and sort of knew what we wanted… but of course we got more than that. The blends are very convenient and have all the flavors we like and would end up mixing anyhow. (The Mitchell Street Steak Seasoning was our 'gift' when we presented a coupon from the catalog which we had received in the mail.)

Really, I only came here for the peppers- they are unusually moist and fresh…they smell 'rich' and almost buttery in the sample jars; that's the only way I can explain it. They are not all dry like the stuff from dusty packages on store shelves that need to be reconstituted or added to liquid to get at the flavor. I don't use much for the flavors I like and the smaller size portions available are just right for a few months.

We then headed East on University and in the newer City Heights mall area (with the Albertsons, McDonald's, Starbucks among other stores) made a stop (for the second time now) at this clean, modern tortilleria, La Casa del Maiz.

Basically a tortilla factory

which sells a few other related items

shelf stable milk, eggs, cheeses, salsas and a refrigerator of beverages, mostly Jarritos.

On this visit, we went all crazy and purchased a dozen flour and a dozen corn (you are given a choice of white or yellow) tortillas. The corn are wrapped in paper and are sold by weight. How much are these still warm , fresh made tortillas?

Yes. A dozen fresh, hot corn tortillas *and* a dozen fresh, nicely thin and flaky flour tortillas…that's the price.

Since it was close to lunch time, we continued East on University, down to one block West of the Kroc Center. This sign is on what used to be a Starbucks and can be seen from the street. The restaurant is just to the left in this photo.

Walk in and that's the menu: Burritos, carnitas by the pound, quesedillas, sopes, soups, tacos, plates, posole, tortas, tostadas maravilla and chilaquiles. The by the pound carnitas are not at all the only meat here, although (so far) I like it very much.

Neat and clean, there is seating for 60 inside.

If you order to eat in, sides are brought to your table when you order.

As well as a salsa bar at the front, if you are buying something 'to go'. As an aside, the green hot sauce tastes green-and is hot/spicy. The orange hot sauce is very pleasant and has a mild, if any, heat.

On our first visit we ordered one pound of carnitas ($10.99). It comes with rice, beans(cooked with lard and runny, in a good way) and a dozen corn tortillas.

The carnitas are just filled with flavor, moist with a little crispness, not fatty and just right. This serving of one pound was substantial for the two of us; we had leftovers (especially of the tortillas, which are good, but not when compared to those from La Casa del Maiz)

This was the recent meal- a carnitas taco ($2.39) and a cheese quesedila ($2.79)-filled with all white cheese and very good with the hot sauces offered.

The al Pastor burrito ($4.99). The marinated meat is tender, flavorful and plenty in the burrito, which has some rice and the wonderful wet beans, the al pastor marinade and avocado. This was a wonderful surprise and I now want to order the other meats on the menu…

All in all, a nice drive, great food and shopping and we were almost home. I hope all of you are having a good week.

Penzey's Spices 1274 University Avenue San Diego 92104 (619) 297-2777

La Casa Del Maiz 4403 University, Suite 100 San Diego, 92105 (619) 283-3566

Carnitas Las Michoacanas 6503 University Avenue San Diego 92115 (619)229-9574

Pasadena Road Trip-An early 2013 Rose Parade event and breakfast at Lucky Boy

July 19, 2012 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Festivals & Events, Los Angeles County, Road Trip, Sandwiches, Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

Hi there, person reading the blog called mmm-yoso!!! Sometimes Kirk writes here about meals and events and sometimes ed (from Yuma) writes about meals and events. Today, Cathy is writing about an event and a meal.

Well, it's been a hot and busy summer so far, probably for everyone. There are events every weekend it seems. Last weekend, San Diego was hosting both Comic-Con and Over the Line, the Orange County Fair opened and on Saturday, The Mister and I woke at 4:30 a.m., let the dogs out and back in the house, grabbed some snacks and coffee and jumped in the car and headed North, to Pasadena. In less than two hours, we were greeted by this sign.

Our reason for the trip and being here before 7 a.m.. Some of the floats that will appear in the 2013 Tournament of Roses parade were going to be road tested! There are at least three road tests for each float before the parade. This road test was mentioned on the Phoenix Decorating Company Facebook page and not on the website. The Rose Parade has fascinated both of us since we were children, watching it on television every New Year Day from our snow-bound homes back East and we are so happy to be able live here and be able to help decorate floats and also watch the progression of their creation every year.

This will be the Trader Joe's entry. You can see a few of the many kitchen gadgets (and cupcake holders) that will be part of the float. There will be some animation and those parts seemed to be the ones tested.

This is the initial sketch of the float. You can see the photo is facing the opposite of this drawing. It will be interesting to see the final product, which I am sure will be great.

Another float was being driven, with the Observer in front, directing the driver (who will be in an enclosed area in the middle of the float) down the street using headsets and microphones and then directing to a 180 degree turn at the end of the street to get back to the barn.

You can see the driver in this photo.

Other floats have the rebar skeletons covered and are almost ready to be marked for colors. This is the Shriners Hospital float. One bear depicts the Shriners Open Golf Tournament and the other bear depicts the Shriners Football Classic:

The rectangle cut into the belly of that bear will be where the Observer for this float will be looking out along the parade route.

Some of the floats are essentially ready for decorating, covered with foam and painted the colors where the various live and dried materials will be placed and glued. This is the 'off side' of the Nurses' float-the side the television cameras won't show.

This is the "camera side" you will see when you watch the parade on television. So beautiful.

The Rotary International float is very animated- that screw knob in the back spins and so do all of the gears! It was tested with nine riders.

The City of Hope float looks like a Chemistry Laboratory, complete with a spiral bound notebook and microscope.

There were eleven floats in all, all in different levels of being finished and tested for safety. It was fun to watch…and was all over before 9 a.m. There will be another road test on August 18. Dry decorating of the floats begins December 1. Volunteers are always welcome, but you have to sign up. Here are three links about decorating opportunities.

So, it was breakfast time and The Mister and I walked half a block North and over the Metro Gold Line tracks (this is the Fillmore Station)

to Arroyo Parkway and took a left,

and stopped at about two blocks North, at Lucky Boy…which is right at the corner with
the *Original* Trader Joe's location (the logo under the main sign is "Your neighborhood grocery store").

Anyhow, Lucky Boy. Walk up, order…

pay and wait for your number to be called…

A little peek inside the cooking area. The tortillas are cooked on a grill- and have grill marks.

This is a cross section of the famous Breakfast Burrito ($5.80). It weighs about one pound. Really. Hash browns, cheese, scrambled eggs and, in this case, ham-which was warm from the grill; nice. The salsa which came with was tasty and unique, a tomatillo based with some green chili and also a red chili with some heat.

We have been here before, but for lunch and dinner, and I usually order a pastrami something, but this time I decided to try a simple breakfast…

An egg sandwich, on rye toast. ($3.25)(not a typo). Soft scrambled eggs with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on a really nice rye bread.

A perfect day. We stopped at a few places and were home by noon. The day had just begun!

Lucky Boy Drive In 640 S. Arroyo Parkway Pasadena, CA 91105 Website It is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, otherwise it's open.

Hans and Harry’s Bakery-Bonita

July 10, 2012 Cathy Bakery, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome back to mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog with varied daily posts. Today, Kirk is resting from the heat as is ed (from Yuma). Cathy is writing about another bakery she has enjoyed for years.

Hi. I've mentioned that one of my first jobs was working in a corner Polish Bakery in Detroit. Working there made me appreciate baked goods, both breads and pastries. There is one bakery I make certain to drop in to for a sweet treat whenever I'm near. Since I live in Santee, I am not near it very often.

Hans and Harry's is located in an out of the way mall, East of the E Street/Bonita Road/Plaza Bonita exit…way East, in the area where Bonita Road goes down to one lane each way, just past where the unimaginatively named Bonita Golf Course veers North from Bonita Road at Central (there is a Starbucks at that corner of the mall). The mall is pretty large, and has gone through many businesses and was very popular about 20 years ago. This was Old Bonita. The parking lot now is pretty empty and you can find Hans and Harry's easily, even though it is not right on a curb.

There are a few tables outside and inside and the selection of pastries are exquisite.

Real whipped cream cakes, fruit strudels, pies, tarts…all very fresh

as well as individual sized selections, including cupcakes, cookies, brownies, scones…pretty much any type of baked pastry. I can say nothing bad about this place. The freshness and quality are consistent. If you get here near clsing, the close to 100 daily available selections are down to a handful. Every day.

This is a $2 almond croissant that made it home. I enjoy the crispy sliced almonds on top of the crispy fresh pastry. The pastry is flaky and sweet on its own. Not too sweet, though.

Just the right amount of home made almond paste in the flaky layers. Just enough; it is not overstuffed; the way I like pastries. Because the pastry is the star. Very crispy exterior…

This is a $1.85 bear claw. This is a soft pastry dough filled with a layer of the almond paste and a cinnamon paste. Again, not too sweet. The softer, fresh pastry is a bit more sweet than the almond croissant pastry. .

Then there is the Danish for the undecided ($1.95). Soft Danish dough and filled with both cherry pie filling and the home made Bavarian Creme that makes this German Bakery famous. Looks kind of small?

NO! This is a pie shaped piece of Danish, the pie part being filled with the fillings.

Hans and Harry's is worth the drive and a stop.

Hans and Harry's Bakery Corp 5080 Bonita Road, Bonita, Ca 91902 (619) 475-2253 M-F 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m, Sat 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sunday Website

E & Drink- mini Hot Pot, Tea, Coffee and More- inside the 99Ranch building

July 2, 2012 Cathy Caffeine Fix, Taiwanese Food and Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

E & Drink has closed

Click here to link to a more recent visit

Hi. You've found mmm-yoso!!! the food blog. Kirk, ed(from Yuma) and Cathy usually write about food and things related to food. Today's post is about food and Cathy is writing because Kirk and ed(from Yuma) are busy.

This is the Clairmont Mesa Boulevard entrance to 99Ranch Market. The 'back' parking area is closer for me, since I exit from the 52 at Convoy Street, but the other day I decided to get out of my comfort zone and did things a bit differently. The fountain, with its oxidation, is quite beautiful.

99Ranch Market has undergone renovations recently and is a regular stop for groceries (and, like most other markets The Mister and I frequent, has an eat in area-there will be an updated post soon). Once inside the building, you are in a long hallway which has several businesses along with the Market. Three of those businesses are are sit down restaurants.

Yes, three. At the North end ('my' parking lot entrance), across from Sam Woo in the former Video Store space, E & Drink has popped up.

The Mister and I had passed E & Drink several times in the past two weeks, checking out the menu at the entrance and making mental notes to stop in. They seem to specialize in Taiwanese Hot Pot and boba-like drinks and snacks. It finally was time. (See that orange rice cooker in the above photo? Tea eggs are being sold for $1 as a grab and go snack.)

Once we were seated, we were given both a beverage menu and a food menu. The lady behind this counter is making beverages. I like the idea of a dual level additional seating bar area. There are about 20 two person tables that can be reconfigured for groups in the rest of the eating area.

The decoration is modern, with one television and overhead music, which was on pretty loud until someone complained. We were here at lunch, but the menu remains the same all day with one small difference.

The Hot Pot Lunch Special includes green or black tea (hot or cold); no beverage is included with the Hot Pot Dinner. That's the black tea on the right. It is slightly sweet and has a nice tannin 'bite' to it. I did not order the Lunch Special, so no beverage came with and ordered my usual, (because I can't decide) a coffee milk tea ($3.55). The beverage selection is extensive and I have plans to try other items. Add-ins, like boba and sago are 25¢ and I think the prices are reasonable, especially for the size. The coffee milk tea tastes of all three flavors-very refreshing.

When we first sat down, two small plates of a sort of appetizer were brought out- cucumbers and cabbage, both lightly pickled. A nice salty accompaniment which we 'saved' to use with our meals; there are no condiments on the tables. Our utensils, small plate and napkin were also brought out.

We had also decided to try a tea egg appetizer ($2.50 for two)

This was really good. The egg white took on the flavors of anise/five spice and the egg yolk took on the tea flavor. (As a side note, the eggs in the rice cooker at the entrance are in there longer and have more flavor that the ones from the kitchen, at least if you come in to eat closer to opening time. In any case, all are good.)

Since The Mister had ordered a Hot pot, he was given a choice of five sauces to go with and chose the peanut and the spicy bean sauces (the ones he did not choose were soy, hot chili and bar-b-que sauce). Not knowing what was in his pot, he added on a side of cuttlefish dumplings for $2.25. Below is the menu page of add- ons for the Hot Pots.

Oh. His hot pot?

The seafood. Served in a mini wok on top of a nice stand which held a sort of sterno heat source which was lighted at the table, this didn't need any add ins and in fact, the dumplings could not be added in right away because the pot was filled. There were several pieces of a flaky white fish, some squid rings, two head on shrimp, fresh tofu, several types of mushrooms, fish cake, krab and an egg along with broccoli and bok choy. All in a very rich seafood broth which was not salty. There were also clear rice noodles on the bottom of the pot AND a choice of rice or noodles came with the pot. (The Mister chose the (very good) sticky rice) .

At first, I was going to try a few items from the "Small Dish" menu, then at the bottom, I saw the "E & Drink House Special" and had to for this first visit.

Quite a large serving of marinated pigs ears, marinated tofu, marinated seaweed and (raw) peanuts.($7.99) Wonderful! The marinade had sesame oil as well as the traditional marinade which includes cinnamon, anise, soy, pepper and garlic. This was a wonderful combination of flavors, a very large portion and in combination with the hot pot, a *lot* of food.

We will be back- to try other hot pots (there were about ten to choose from) and some of the fried items…

E & Drink 7330 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92111 *Cash Only* open 10:30 a.m.-midnight, seven days