Chinese Restaurants – Page 34

Saturday Stuffs – Private Kitchen Opening on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Coastal Crave Closes

December 10, 2016 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants, Gastropub

Things get quiet around here during the holiday season, but we keep rolling along. Here are a couple of things I noticed in my travels.

Private Kitchen:

I was driving between meetings and dropped by Havana Grill for some take-out and noticed something strange about the Indian Market location.

Sure doesn't look Indian – Middle Eastern to me. Something named "Private Kitchen". A good friend had mentioned a chef from Chengdu was looking for a spot around here. Could this be it? While it seems that the "wave" of Sichuan places has come and gone; we could always use a good Sichuan restaurant!

Over the last couple of years the place has changed several times, so here's hoping for some stability.

5440 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117

Coastal Crave Closes:

Man, with Kiel's, Hometown Buffet, Rita's, and now Coastal Crave closed; this strip mall seems very deserted.

It looks like fixtures and even the inventory is still in place. I don't see an eviction notice nor an ABC notice so am not quite sure what is going on here.

3065 Clairemont Dr
San Diego, CA 92117

Midweek Meanderings – Village North Quietly Opens, Char House Becoming Tradewinds Taverns, and Pacific Time Closes

November 23, 2016 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants

It's usually pretty quiet around here during the holiday season. But it's surely not around Kearny Mesa and Linda Vista.

Village North Quietly Opens:

I mean really quietly. This place used to be some AYCE sushi place, I think owned by the folks who run Manna….the awning still says "Asian Fusion". The only reason I saw the place was because I went to see what was going on with the now closed Char House.

Anyway, here's the scoop, I've been here once, it's the place's soft opening, the hours are flakey……they told me open at 11am, but I once went at noon and they were closed. The head chef is from Dongbei…a cuisine that's near and dear to my (and the Missus's heart), featuring ingredients we hold dear. Strangely, there's a bunch of Sichuan dishes and a bar and grilled items. I've visited once and a post will be upcoming. You know; I usually like multiple visits, but I thought this one is pretty unique for regional Chinese in San Diego.

Village North Restaurant
4428 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

And Speaking of Char House:

It's becoming something named Tradewinds Tavern. Looks like an Asian themed Gastro-pub. I guess Common Theory has opened up a market for this. Good for us.

And BTW, they are hiring…..just in case you're interested.

7765 Balboa Ave
San Diego, CA 92111

Pacific Time Closes:

This one I first about heard from Cathy, then Junichi mentioned it in a recent post. I'd actually gone down there and taken a photo. Too bad, I really liked the concept, though I hadn't visited much recently.

Too bad, perhaps Linda Vista and the USD area was the wrong venue. I'm hoping they reopen in the future.

I think there's a place in San Diego for a concept like Pacific Time.

5277 Linda Vista Rd
San Diego, CA 92110

COMC – Village Kitchen, Sizzling Pot King, and Thai Papaya

November 17, 2016 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants, Thai Restaurants

So what have we been eating since we've return from vacation? A whole lot of take out. So let's C(lear) O(ut the) M(emory) C(ard).

Village Kitchen:

As I mentioned in my post from earlier this year; VK has been a favorite for take-out for us. Though I think they took the sour and spicy chicken gizzards off the menu.

There's still the Eggplant and Century Egg.

The Pork Intestines with Bamboo Flavor is pretty good as well.

Village Kitchen
4720 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117

Sizzling Pot King:

**** Sizzling Pot King is now Zhang Liang Malatang

Nice take out spot for us. It's usually enough for 2-3 meals. The tendon has been kind of lousy the last two times; so it's been replaced by the pork intestine…..we still like the tripe here.

Sizzling Pot King
8058 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111

Thai Papaya:

**** Thai Papaya has closed

Can you tell we missed Asian food? Of course we got the Som Tom Khai Kem; but the Missus dug into that before I had chance to take a photo.

And of course the Spicy Thousand Year Old Eggs.

And got some Duck Larb to boot.

Every once in a while the Missus craves this stuff.

Thai Papaya by Sab E Lee
2405 Ulric St
San Diego, CA 92111

I've also been craving noodles; but I'll save those for another day.

What have you been craving?

Midweek Meanderings – Menya Ultra Ramen Replacing Do Re Mi House, Dumpling Hut Changes Course, and Great Wow Coming to Hillcrest?

November 16, 2016 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants, Japanese Restaurants, Ramen

I'm finally catching up on things. A few recent observations.

More Ramen Coming to Kearny Mesa ?:

At least if the ABC notice is correct. Something named Menya Ultra. Some quick slapping on my keyboard yielded a clue…. and a bit more. I'm pretty sure that the folks at Nishiki Ramen can't be happy at the company name. But another Hokkaido ramen chain in San Diego? Well, I think there's room for that.

In the old Do Re Mi House location.

8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Ste M
San Diego, CA 92111

Looks like Dumpling Hut has changed course:

At least if you read the Chinese sign…..both the Missus and Xiāngjiāo said it says "Clay Pot". I see no change of ownership notification, so a wondering if it's the same owners.

Dumpling Hut
8046 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111

Is it (un) Great Wow…..sort of ?:

I was in Hillcrest for meetings a couple of days this week. so I managed to grab some lunch. I walked pass the "old" supposedly "closed" Trinitea location and saw a sign that got my attention.

Notice what's after the "Trinitea &"…..

Could it be? It does look like the "Wow" in Great Wow, right? I guess time will tell…..

3865 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

Well, there you go.

Hope you're having a great week!

Szechuan Chef and Bolsa -cumin (and turmeric) Fish

October 20, 2016 Cathy Chinese Restaurants, Vietnamese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Today's posting of mmm-yoso!!! is written by Cathy. The guys are busy doing other things.

It's that time of year again; birthday week for The Mister and myself – a week apart; eight days of eating out. Our standard modus operandi is that He gets to choose meals for the first three days, we jointly choose meals the middle two days then I get to choose restaurants the last three days. Putting the posts together, I noticed patterns in our choices this year.

I've posted about Szechuan Chef once before, as has Kirk (he didn't like it). There is one item in particular The Mister craves from this small restaurant, located next to Shan Xi Magic Kitchen.

The cumin/flour/hot pepper coated fish, stir fried until the coating is crisp and topped with stir fried onion, Chinese celery and bell pepper. The numbing shows up at the end while the flavors of the fish and vegetables all come through at first. To accompany the plate of turmeric yumminess, I chose the oyster mushroom with shrimp noodles, which is tasty on its own but neutral enough to have as the 'side' (instead of rice). The bottom of the pot holds a buttery garlic surprise of chopped shrimp and some dried shrimp. It's rare to find any XLB in San Diego, so we chose these soup filled dumplings which were made to order and came out midway through the meal. None were broken and the skins were not chewy at all; quite tender yet not thin. The pork filling was very delicate, had a light crunch (water chestnut) and, of course, pork flavor.

Szechuan Chef 4344 Convoy St San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 279-8881

When it was one of 'my' days to choose a celebratory meal, it was back to Bolsa. Immediately I knew what I wanted. The turmeric fish-Vietnamese style! (cha ca thang long)The fish is coated in flour, turmeric and egg then pan fried with dill and green onion. It's served sizzling on a cast iron platter. Wrapping the fish with some mint in the lettuce and dipping it in the fish sauce is just a perfect grouping of flavors. Not numbing, just tasty.
We also ordered a Banh Xeo (which has turmeric in the pancake batter) and is filled with bean sprouts, shrimp and pork as well as some mung beans.

The Mister wanted the pork and shrimp Spring rolls, made to order. Fresh!

Bolsa 9225 Mira Mesa Blvd Ste 118 San Diego, CA 92126 (858)693-3663 Open daily 8:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Website

There were a couple more 'overlapping' meal choices this year. The Mister and I have similar-yet different- food cravings. Stay tuned!

Comfort Foods: Chopstix, Niban, Golden City

October 19, 2016 Cathy Chinese Restaurants, Japanese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! today. Cathy is writing because the guys are just too busy.

After I got my fill of spicy foods following three weeks in the Midwest, it was time for what I just couldn't get back there (comfort food, San Diego style). Kirk posted in 2005 and again in 2015 about the original location of Chopstix. In 2006, he and I wrote a joint post about the second location and, in general, both locations are efficient with fresh food.The simple Hiya Yakko (cold tofu topped with chopped green onion, grated ginger on top of salad)($4) was just something I never thought I would miss and this really hit the spot. Hiyashi Soba ($9)- cold buckwheat noodle topped with imitation crab, chicken, sprouts, corn, cucumber, egg and seaweed was a perfect flavor mix on this day. The Mister ordered his 'usual'- mabo ramen ($7), which has a deep, sweet-spicy flavor along with the ground pork and tofu. Most of the other soup bases and fillings here are sort of 'plain'.

Chopstix 4633 Convoy San Diego 92101 (858)569-9171 open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

Ten years ago, I wrote about Niban and then again in 2010 and in 2011. It's a regular spot for us when we don't want to cook at home: fast, fresh, unassuming. After ordering and paying, finding a seat and having water and hot tea (still free) brought out, food soon arrives.
The chicken katsu salad ($4.50) was what I wanted. So simple: iceberg lettuce topped with cold noodles, carrot and cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes along with a perfectly breaded and fried chicken thigh. The miso based, Japanese radish/fresh ginger salad dressing is so very good. One of the window specials that day was chicken katsu curry ($7). The Mister wanted his own pieces of chicken along with the flavorful beefy curry sauce made here-it satisfied his cravings.

Niban 7081 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92111 (858)268-0465 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Then there was my craving for something from underrated, more than ten years in the same location, consistent always good, comfort food for Kirk also, unassuming restaurant located at the South East corner of the 163 at Claremont Mesa. The rock cod with black bean sauce ($16 if not at lunch or late night (after 9 p.m., when it is $8)) is just done right here. Lightly crisp fried fish with red and green peppers, onions and salty black bean sauce along with some red-chili heat is just what I wanted.

Then again, so was the simple beef topped egg foo young ($14 at dinner, $7 at lunch or late night). That is a larger than tablespoon spoon on a very large platter. The crispy vegetable filled omelet, so simple to make (in theory) is just wonderfully flavorful, crispy and somehow addictive in flavor here. Most times, we order it just with gravy/vegetable only, because that's all I really want.

Golden City 5375 Kearny Villa (at Claremont Mesa) 92111 (858) 565-6682 open daily 11 a.m.-midnight website

Hope your week is still going well!

Revisits – Tasty Noodle House and Great Wow

October 6, 2016 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants

A couple of revisits for a quiet Thursday:

Tasty Noodle House:

For some reason, I was craving Zui Ji – "Drunken Chicken" and I thought the version at Tasty Noodle House had been pretty good on previous visits. So I headed over and braved the worst parking lot on Convoy….good thing they open at 11am….there were still three open parking spaces; albeit two of them were partially taken by very "thoughtful and considerate" folks in gigantic SUVs that they aren't able to park like normal folks.

As with previous visits, the staff here are pretty nice…..except that they were out of the Wined Chicken! The young man recommended the Steamed Chicken with Spicy Sesame Sauce….so, thinking this might be something along the lines of Ko Shui Ji. This is what arrived.

Well, the one good thing about this dish; the chicken was nicely prepared, meaty, and moist. But that super thick, "un-spicy", gloppy sauce with too much sesame paste…..well, I think that's a apt description.

On a previous visit, I thought the Chao Nian Gao (stir fried rice cakes) were decent, so I ordered that as well.

I think these folks kind of undercook the rice cakes a bit, but it's not terrible. The pork was tender, though I think it needed a bit more seasoning, especially in terms of sesame oil (I know, if I really wanted sesame flavor I could have dipped this in the tar pit from the chicken dish), though the vegetable (Jì Cài) added a mild bitterness and a textural counterpoint.

I was kind of bummed as my craving wasn't satisfied. I hope the next time I visit, they'll have the drunken chicken.

Tasty Noodle House
4646 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Great Wow:

**** Great Wow has closed

It's been just about 2 months since Great Wow opened. So it was time for a revisit…plus, I wanted some jiaozi.

They have a proper menu now; with quite a few dishes. Though I was basically here for the dumplings….I'll save trying some of the other dishes (no kung pao chicken or hot and sour soup for me from here though – wrong region if you didn't know….and based on what I've read, a lot of folks don't know).

I placed my order and was entertained watching the guy with the electric fly zapper work his way through the dining room. Not quite the most appetizing lunchtime sight….but for me; after watching that girl enthusiastically work her way around the lobby with one in Phnom Penh….well, I just can't help but smile.

Other than the pork hocks, I hadn't enjoyed the liang cai; cold dishes at GW much. But for some reason, I wanted to try the spicy potato strings. The Missus loves Her Sichuan style potato strings. This version was not bad.

It was lightly spicy, with a mild numbness as well. The potato was nice and crunchy. And while I've been indoctrinated into wanted a good amount of vinegar on my Chinese style potato dishes, this was not bad….though perhaps it could have used a bit more salt.

This time around; I just went with what I consider the most basic jiaozi….pork and cabbag.

First thing I noticed was that these weren't as plump as what I'd had here before. Also, whomever was making the dough for this had worked it too hard as it was too chewy and almost hard. The filling was fine, nice pork flavor, but could have used a bit more seasoning.

I think I'll stick to the Pork, Shrimp, and Chive. I didn't see pork and celery dumplings on the menu anymore. And one of these days I may try one of the entrees….though don't hold your breath!

Great Wow
3860 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Revisits – Pho Cow Cali and 777 Noodle House

September 26, 2016 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants, Vietnamese Restaurants

A couple more stops for "honey doo" weekends.

Pho Cow Cali:

I really wanted the Banh Mi Bo Kho from Pho Lucky unfortunately, they are still still closed for remodeling. At least the sign has changed and said "closed for painting". So I decided to see how the Banh Mi Bo Kho was at Pho Cow Cali. They sat me in the section by the restrooms in back….then proceeded to forget about me. Luckily, I managed to flag one of the army of servers down and place my order ($7.25).

So, beyond the rather odd serving dish…..I'm guessing there was a sale somewhere, what to say about this. In keeping with "Cow Cali" there's quite a bit of meat….it's flank and brisket and is quite tender. I really missed the tendon though. The broth was much too thin and this was really salty…as in the "MS heebie-geebies" salty. The bread was nice and warm though I'll stick with the pho here next time.

And of course, there's the typical pho shop service.

Pho Cow Cali
9170 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126

777 Noodle House:

Even though I think that Ly Heng has surpassed 777 with regards to Hu Tieu Nam Vang Kho, I still like the folks here, and the variety. I went with the Pork Intestine Egg Noodle Soup, still a bargain here at $5.77.

This was pretty good; the broth was a bit richer than what I've had in the past. The intestine was prepared well; slightly "offal-y", but quite clean. The noodles nice and chewy with a bit of stretch and the blanched bean sprouts adding a bit of crunch to things.

A bit better than I recalled….and a nice choice on this morning.

777 Noodle House
4686 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92105

Little Sheep (revisits) A Lunch and A Dinner

September 22, 2016 Cathy Chinese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. Kirk is crazy busy right now, as is Ed(from Yuma) so Cathy is writing a short post on this overcast day.

After driving home from the midwest (there are more 'chapters' about the three weeks of condiment-free foods consumed), I was craving spices, flavors, heat…food that could be consumed with chopsticks…! The Mister suggested Little Sheep, which has been blogged here a few times since opening in 2007. Lunch was available, with its own menu!($11.95)

Why yes, we each chose the 'spicy' soup base. The Mister chose the lamb shoulder and I chose the fresh fish filet. The same seasonal vegetables, meatballs and noodles were on the plates. I was happy with the flavors and glad to have tried the fish- it was fresh and different than what we've usually had.
My brother was visiting and we decided to bring him to Little Sheep, since he had never had Hot Pot. This was dinner, where you can mark your choices off the paper menu.

Playing it 'safe' by ordering the mild as well as vegetarian soups, we went a bit crazy on add-ins. The 'veggie combo' ($9) does not include mushrooms, so a small order of oyster mushrooms ($2.75) was added to it. Traditional hot pot dumplings ($5) were ordered instead of noodles.

A large order of 'Supreme beef' ($14) was more than enough. The small order of chicken breast ($6) was enough) The Tiger Prawns ($8) were great! The beef skewers ($6) were ordered 'just in case' there wasn't enough food. Ha.

All in all, a great way to satisfy the cravings.

Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot and Grill 4718 Clairmont Mesa Blvd, San Diego 92117 (858)274-2040 Opens 11:30 a.m. daily. Closed between 3 and 5:30 p.m. M-F. Closes at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. other days. Website

Saturday Stuffs – Char House and Yum Cha Cafe Closes and the Sign for the New 99 Ranch Market is up.

September 17, 2016 mmm-yoso Chinese BBQ, Chinese Restaurants, Dim Sum, Markets & Grocers, Vietnamese Restaurants

Here are a couple of items Cathy mentioned to me.

Char House Closes:

Man, they just opened in April! Cathy sent me a text about this and I went to check out their Facebook Page:

"Char House
September 14 at 9:03pm
To our valued guests, Char House is now CLOSED. Thank you for your support and we hope to continue serving you at our other location in Hillcrest: Pho Fifth Ave. 3807 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103."

I drove by yesterday…..

Geeez…..the Grand Opening sign is still up…..

7765 Balboa Ave
San Diego, CA 92111

Yum Cha Café Closes:

Cathy also mentioned this to me as well. Notice the trash bins in front of the door. The place caused a bit of buzz and opened to lines. But slowly got worse and worse and based on what I had during my last visit, they really did seem like they were circling the drain.

6933 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111

Since we've been on 99 Ranch Market watch here at mmm-yoso…… The sign has been up for a couple of weeks.

5950 Balboa Ave
San Diego, CA 92117

Hope you're having a great weekend!