Markets & Grocers – Page 23

Bristol Cafe (inside Bristol Farms market) (revisit)(lunch)

December 6, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Markets & Grocers

mmm-yoso!!! Food blog. Friends share blogging time. Today, Kirk is enjoying chilly weather elsewhere. Ed (from Yuma) is enjoying chilly weather in Yuma. Cathy is chilly too and is the author of this post.

This easily could be another 'eat in the store, shop in the store' post, but I didn't take photos of our purchases or store displays (it was too crowded; day after Thanksgiving) (know that we bought by-the-pound poke, by the pound olives, a chunk of Bleu cheese, a wonderful aged rib eye steak (40% off that day), a cardoon, a coffee pot and cups gift set (also 40% off) and a fresh baked sweet from the bakery); it would be sensory overload to photograph the displays and variety of items sold here. Bristol Farms is an upscale high end grocer located in La Jolla that has a sit down cafe inside the store. I posted about a breakfast here in 2010.

There is a grab and go area, salad bar area and steam trays as well as the menu above the Cafe cash register, so you can grab, choose, pay and have a seat in the Cafe area or on the patio, and enjoy your meal.

Or you can have a seat and have a menu brought out to you, for full service.

There are Daily Specials listed on small placards on the table, and this was the Special on the day we were here- tomato soup and grilled Cheddar on sourdough ($6.99). This is no ordinary tomato soup: it was chunky with tomatoes and it was spicy -in a good way-. This is a great soup on a cool day. The fresh sourdough grilled cheese was really nice on its own and went well if you dipped it in the soup.

As our waitress brought out our waters, I asked about the soup choices (there are five or six soups a day). Cabbage soup, something I crave from childhood, would be part of this meal. It was very well seasoned, had some tomatoes and beef in it and very, very good.

One of the menu items was a cup of soup and quiche ($7.99). There were also five quiche choices and mushroom was the only word I remember hearing and ordering. This was *so* good. Really flavorful crust, fillings, custard, cheeses. Our waitress mentioned that we could purchase a whole quiche, made fresh daily in the store. I will be doing so, next visit.

A very satisfying, flavorful meal in a nice setting.

Bristol Farms 8510 Genessee Avenue 92122 (858)558-4180 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Website

CDD Tofu & Grill (Inside Zion Supermarket)

November 26, 2013 Cathy Korean Restaurants, Markets & Grocers, Stuff, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. This post is being written during one of the food-iest weeks of the year by Cathy. This is because the foodier guys, Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are busy planning their magnificent Thanksgiving Day feasts.

The Mister and I try to have a bite to eat before grocery shopping and the Food Court area inside Zion marketplace (as well as the small counter in the midst of the actual market) offers quite a variety of selections.

You can see the signage advertising $2 off any combo all day as well as the Fall Special of $6.95 Tofu Soup, which we decided to share on this chilly day. We decided on a spice level of 2 (out of 5), since we knew the spicy here is very spicy.

The organic, non-GMO tofu in soup is handed to you on the tray, bubbling furiously. It comes with the raw egg, and various banchan (sides) of fried tofu, seaweed and marinated bean sprout as well as some mild kimchi. The 'Rice Lady' followed us until we found a table and had started scraping the rice out of a hot stone pot, presenting the rice in the dish you see above…

as well as the hot stone pot, with the remaining rice stuck to the sides, which she filled with warm tea- another side dish. The rice is a bit more 'toasted' in this hot pot and scraping it off and eating it with the tea is yet another great flavor combination (if you like Japanese Genmaicha-brown rice tea- you'll get that flavor from this bowl with the bit of burnt scrapings).

Here's a photo of the 'Rice Lady' leaving our table, heading to another table to deliver their hot pot of rice.

The tofu soup here is particularly good, filled with bok choy, onion and thin sliced pieces of beef (as well as the cooked egg which is not in this photo). The tofu is a perfect texture and the spice level was just enough that you can still taste the ingredients.

CDD Tofu & Grill 7655 Clairmont Mesa Blvd San Diego 92111 Inside Zion Marketplace.
Here is a link to Kirbie's visit to CDD(includes a copy of the menu), and this is a link including Jinxie's visit to CDD.

After our shared lunch, we went shopping inside Zion. You'll notice we were here on 11/11—that special day is

Pepero Day!!! Celebrated in Korea in a way similar to Valentine's Day here…exchanging Pepero cookie snacks to show affection for friends and loved ones is how to celebrate. (Pepero Day originally had the purpose of exchanging Peperos with the hopes of becoming taller and thinner…as if).

The flavors above were our purchases (although other flavors, box sizes and individual foot long Peperos as well as a collectible tin were being sold)..the green one is chocolate coated and rolled in almond, the red is chocolate dipped and rolled in peanut and the yellow (my favorite) is "nude"- a plain biscuit, filled with chocolate (or as the label states: "chocolate is contained tightly in the stick biscuit").

Happy Belated Pepero Day!

Kai Kaphrao Khai Dao and a visit to Minh Huong Market

November 8, 2013 mmm-yoso Cookbooks, Cooking, Markets & Grocers, Recipes

I finally had some time off this past weekend. It has been a busy and stressful couple of weeks and it ain't over by any stretch of the imagination. Things are starting normalize as I finally got a chance to enjoy a couple of cookbooks that arrived during that period which I hadn't had the chance to open. So during the weekend, the one I opened first was Andy Ricker's Pok Pok. I've eaten at Pok Pok in PDX a couple of times and really enjoyed the food, which really did remind me of what came out of all those wonderful street stands in Thailand.

A couple of recipes jumped out at me and I decided to start with an easy one for breakfast the next day, the Kai Kaphrao Khai Dao.

Free range ground chicken, organic eggs, and greens and peppers from our garden.

One of the main ingredients in this dish is the kaphrao…."Hot" Basil, also known as Holy Basil. So early Sundya morning I headed off to Minh Huong Market and got some Holy Basil.

The recipes are quite precise; even though I deviated to our tastes, I appreciated the gram based measurements.

I've taken to measuring things fairly well nowadays and I basically changed a couple of things to fit our tastes and what we had in our pantry. More garlic, more fish sauce, more chilies, which didn't over-power the dish at all. The long beans looked terrible so we decided not to buy any. In terms of timing; in the book, the chef cooks his eggs first and places them on the side while doing the rest of the dish, making this a basic one-wok process. I prepped and completed the stir-fry portion up to the point of adding the hot basil, then started on the eggs….I also added some coconut oil for cooking as well. Once the eggs were almost done, I put the wok back on the flame, heated and added the basil to finish.

This turned out real well though the Missus told me She prefers regular Thai Basil in this…….

Kai Kaphrao Khai Dao

12 ounces ground chicken
3 Tb Fish Sauce
2 Tb Dark Soy Sauce
3 Tsp white sugar
3 Tb grated garlic
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
6 Thai Chilies sliced
2 Red Serrano Chilies thinly sliced
3 dried chilies crumbled
2 Cups loosely packed Hot (Holy) Basil
2 Tb grapeseed oil

3 Eggs
2 Tb grapeseed oil
1 Tb coconut oil

– Combine fish sauce and sugar in a small bowl. Mix to dissolve the sugar
– Heat the wok over high heat. When the oil is smoking remove it from heat, add the garlic and stir quickly.
– When the garlic starts to brown slightly, place back on the heat and add the onions and fresh chilies. Stir until fragrant.
– Add the chicken and stir fry, breaking up the ground chicken.
– When the chicken is almost done, add the fish sauce mixture and dried chilies, and combine well
– After about 30 seconds add the dark soy sauce – 1Tb first, until the color is right.
– Stir fry until the liquid has been completely absorbed by the meat.
– Start eggs in grapeseed and coconut oil
– When eggs are almost done as desired, put wok back on heat and mix in hot basil

Serve up with Jasmine Rice…..makes about 2-3 servings

Every once in a while I'll get an email asking where to get items like Holy Basil or Cha Om.

My usual recommendation is that they check out Minh Huong Supermarket.

Even if you're not looking for anything in particular and are in the general vicinity, drop by…..

You'll see some items you won't find in your local neighborhood Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean market. On this day we saw some young women with Thanaka, the distinctive Burmese cosmetic paste applied to their faces. Something I'd never seen in San Diego.

Minh Huong Supermarket
4029 Euclid Avenue
San Diego, CA 92105

Vallarta Supermarket- Eat in the store, Shop in the store.

November 5, 2013 Cathy Markets & Grocers, What Cathy Eats!

Here you are, reading mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog, again. Kirk, Ed(from Yuma) and Cathy pretty much are the writers of various who-what-where-when-why-how posts here, which are food-centric. Today, Cathy is writing.

In case you haven't noticed, just about every grocery market has an area where you can purchase ready made foods and have a seat to eat those foods inside the store.

Vallarta Supermarket is a California Chain of 42 markets which started in Van Nuys in 1985. Only two locations are in San Diego County- this location in National City and one in Escondido. This National City location (on Euclid just North of Plaza Boulevard) used to be a Ralphs.

I'm not even going to show you the various departments. The prices here are great, the items sold here are varied, fresh and the people who work here are more than helpful (and multilingual) if you have questions. Here's a link to the page where you can put in your Zip code and see the weekly specials at the location closest to you.

It's a great market with great prices. When you walk in the door, to your left is the Produce section and to your far right is the bakery and extensive prepared foods area.

The center area is what I call the 'refrigerated section', where you can choose and pay for various custards, gelatins, ceviches and have fresh juices made to order.

Along the wall -this is the far corner- is what I call the 'heated' area.

When you find a seat in the center, you can see the ice cream section as part of the 'refrigerated' area to the right, the salsa selections in the center and again, the far wall, which is filled with steam trays of prepared foods.

Again, the refrigerated area not only sells fresh juices, sodas and the aforementioned desserts and ceviches, but also various fresh made aguas.

You can order from the steam trays and pay at this cash register, as well as the register on the side of the steam trays. It's all automated; you pay, get your number and wait for your order to be called.

Here's a medium (32 ounce) spinach-pineapple blend ($2.89) agua. You can see the plethora of egg selections available in that open refrigerator section.

Of course, there is the spit of al pastor meat waiting to be shaved off for an order…

along with too many steam trays of various stews and soups to photograph.

This is a copy of the menu- note the various fresh juice combinations in the far right bottom of the page. Having seen juices made this way is why I was confused the first time I went into Jamba Juice, (only three years ago)when I was so confused as to why they had so many out of season beverages available…nothing frozen here.

This particular heated area was most fascinating to me- because I had had a pupusa at the Escondido World Marketplace earlier that week…

This is a regular size (not small) plate under the $2.69 pupusa. I asked for the cheese (chicharron filled was also a choice). The pupusas are wrapped in plastic wrap in the steam tray. I saw the lady who was preparing my order take the pupusa out of the plastic wrap and place it onto the hot grill in the back, completely warming (and crisping) the masa based crust. She placed it over the (not Americanized-nicely, hot chili spiced) generous portion of curtido and similarly (heat wise) spicy hot pepper red salsa.

Here's a cross section of the cheese filled pupusa. You can see the flecks of green chiles and melting Mexican cheese, which was a very rich (full fat) cheese.

I also ordered the salsa verde chicharron platter ($6.99). A wonderful home made green salsa (again, spicy hot as well as heated) filled with meaty fried pork skins and accompanied by Mexican fried rice, wonderful, flavorful refried beans and four thick, fresh made, hot corn tortillas.

I noticed the "Macho Banana" ($1.50) (it was listed as "Platano Frito" on my receipt) and since I had never bought one properly prepared, I ordered it also. The lady who was crisping and re-heating the pupusa on the grill, also had pulled out the plantain to re-heat and crisp on the grill and asked me if I wanted 'cream' with the plantain. I said 'oh yes', as if I knew what she meant…sweetened condensed milk-that's what she poured in the cut portion- and it made for a perfect dessert item. The plantain is more starchy and potato-y in texture, but on its own (with the carmelization) had a slight sweetness. A piece coated in the condensed milk made it really, really perfect.

Again, the grocery store is one of our regular stops because the prices and variety and freshness is great. The Eat In area is wonderful, consistently fresh and very, very organized. Here is a link of another post about Vallarta, from fellow blogger, caninecologne; it was her first visit here, and she had a different purpose for stopping by.

Vallarta Supermarket 901 Euclid Avenue National City, CA 91950 (619) 472-1683 Open 7 days 6:30-11 website

Kababayan Oriental Market (Nestor area of San Diego)

November 1, 2013 Cathy Markets & Grocers, What Cathy Eats!

This location of Kababayan Market closed and has moved to become Kababayan Bakery and food to go: 8423 Paradise Valley Road Spring Valley 91977 (619)267-1493

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog and Kirk is still way too busy at work to blog about anything; he'd rather sleep. Ed (from Yuma) is busy (in Yuma) and would probably also rather sleep than blog. So, here's Cathy today, blogging.

Earlier I began writing about the first stop on a Food Crawl I shared with fellow bloggers, caninecologne and Dennis earlier this month. (If you look at the bottom of the post belonging to caninecologne, you'll see all the places we stopped that day). I try to return to places to get a better post-or to try other items which piqued my curiosity, and this week, The Mister and I ventured South to Kababayan Oriental Market. I don't know why it's named 'Oriental', since all the items for sale here are Filipino in origin and style and 'Oriental' would mean there are items from other East Asian countries, but that's the name on the sign.

Located in the mall at the NorthWest corner of Coronado Avenue and Saturn Boulevard, in the part of San Diego known as Nestor, Kababayan is in the middle of one of the two strip malls of storefronts in this area with a very large parking lot.

I'm always curious about the various vending machine offers I see at stores lately; a far cry from 'penny candy', bubble gum balls and Chiclets that were my choices growing up.

The signage in the front window lets you know some of the goodies available for sale. Bulaklak means 'ruffle fat'…

Bibingka-you can read the link, or

just look at the display on the table, which holds all the ingredients. This traditional Filipino rice cake, coconut flavored dessert that is cooked in a banana leaf over coals is very time consuming to make and finding it here, fresh and available was a delight. The texture is sponge-like and this particular version was particularly tasty.

At the back of the store are the trays containing Pulutan- fried finger foods…our reason for this food crawl. From the left-pata (fried pork skin leg), bulaklak, dilis(fried anchovies) and chicharon manok (chicken skin). We ordered about a pound of mixed of the three items to the right, since all of know about fried pork skin.

Here's a close up of the bulaklak-ruffle fat…or fried intestines, as is an accurate description.

Here's a bit of each that we shared when we sat down- the chicken skin is wonderful, and I liked both the fried anchovies and the bulaklak (when I stopped thinking about what it was and instead concentrated on the flavor and texture). We were given several containers of the garlic-vinegar dipping sauce, which is very complimentary (opposed to salting everything).

When I went back with The Mister this week, we grabbed 1/2 lb of the fried chicken skins($4) and from the cash register area, garlic peanuts ($2.50).

We were very good and waited until we got home to eat our snacks. The chicken skins are a new craving of mine…

as are the garlic roasted and salted skin on Spanish peanuts.

Another great place, where I might not have stopped if not for this food crawl. This link to caninecologne's blog has more detailed descriptions of Filipino foods and what is available in this store.

Kababayan Oriental Market 1840 Coronado Avenue San Diego, CA 92154 (619) 575-0800

2014 Rose Parade Float Road Testing-Baja Ranch Supermarket-Pasadena Farmers Market (Road Trip)

October 27, 2013 Cathy Farmer's Markets/Night Market, Festivals & Events, Los Angeles County, Markets & Grocers, Road Trip, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping and reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food-centric blog. There are numerous ways to find and acquire ready made food and ingredients for meals at home. Today Cathy will share a couple of those ways along with sharing a bit of a quick Road Trip from San Diego. Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are relaxing today.

The Mister and I woke up late yesterday morning. It was 4:45 a.m. and the dogs had to be fed and let out, we dressed quickly and were out the door at 5:07 a.m.. There was a low fog overhanging the freeway the entire drive. We got to the Red Hill exit from the 5 (in Tustin) around 6:25 a.m. and stopped at the Starbucks for coffee then drove up the street to Cream Pan and picked up three hot, fresh pastries. The cinnamon pecan roll ($3), which is filled with crispy, whole pecans; a raspberry bottomed cheescake in a paper cup ($2) and a ham and cheese croissant ($2.50)…light breakfast to eat in the car. The freeway entrance is just around the corner.

In about 45 minutes, we were in Pasadena, parked, crossed the Metro tracks and the Rose Parade float Road Test was already underway. The eHarmony.com float (the first dot com float ever in a Rose Parade) was going to be tested with people on board. (During the parade, Natalie Cole will be on the float, singing along the parade route).What will end up being the last float in the parade was also being tested- it looks like a football…and it looks like two GIANT screens will be inserted into those frames…we don't know, but speculate may be playing highlights of either prior Rose Bowl Games (2014 will be the 100th anniversary of the Rose Bowl Football game) or of prior parades (2014 will be the 125th Tournament of Roses parade). We'll have to wait and see… This VERY large float will be one of the first you will see in the parade- it is by Honda, the sponsor. we suspect it will look somewhat futuristic, because

it will be preceeded by these five smaller (powed by Honda motocycles and one driver, no 'viewer' inside) floats, depicting various "Dreams Come True"-the parade theme-along time… The famous WWII poster (and some sort of circular float behind it).

A sort of Model T vehicle.

A construct of the Spirit of St. Louis. There's also a small diorama depicting Man landing on the moon.

Other floats tested were in their basic stages… The City of Beverly Hills will be celebrating 100 years as a City and will have a float in the 2014 Rose Parade.

The RFD-TV float looks like a large barn-like dance floor will be on the front of the float, with smaller buildings behind. I'm interested in seeing how this ultimately will appear. The front piece, made with heavy steel beams (instead of rebar) is unique.

We left the road testing area, and had no plans for breakfast, drove up to Orange Grove Boulevard and stopped at Baja Ranch Market, which I only mentioned slightly in another float road test post last November. We wanted to grab another quick bite. When you first walk into this medium sized Mexican/Latin American Market, you are in the Bakery area.

It is right around the corner, next to an extensive steam tray area.

We picked up 1/2 lb of those fresh chicharron from the end tray.

and also asked for one of each flavor of the empanadas- the ham and cheese and the ground beef (which is made with corse ground hamburger, hard boiled egg, olives and raisins; a very traditional and wonderful flavor combination), sometimes called 'picadillo'.

We also picked up a few other items, went to the car and started driving East while munching on an empanada.

Baja Ranch Supermarket 475 Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena 91101 website

Parking on a side street, we had a short walk to the Saturday Pasadena Farmer's Market on Sierra Madre Boulevard (see Pasadena High to the right? The set up of booths is in the parking lot of the school.) This is the street where the Rose Parade floats line up at the end of the parade route.

I have become enamoured with young, small, tender jicama ever since I bought it here. It is so good, a bit sweet and easily a craving without needing to be mixed with other foods or topped with Tajin.

The autumn vegetables and fruits are in abundance. This Farmers market is central to so many farms and really is the nicest one I've encountered other than the one I went to when I was young..

I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!

Sunday Stuffs: Hinotez 2 replacing La Playita, Bristol Farms discounts, and what’s fermenting in our hallway

October 6, 2013 mmm-yoso Japanese Restaurants, Markets & Grocers, yoso-silly

Just some odds and ends for an "atsui" Sunday.

Hinotez 2 to open in the former La Playita location:

Cathy originally noticed the sad news that La Playita had closed.

This week she followed that up by telling me that Hinotez 2 was opening in that location. So I went over and sure enough, that's what it says.

I kinda find this a bit odd…..I've been to Hinotez a good dozen times and the place has never been what I'd call busy, but maybe I'm going during the wrong time. It'll be interesting to see what this tiny shop will be doing…..perhaps take-out only?

5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117

Bristol Farms discount:

I know, it's already pricey, so what's 10% gonna do? Well, we do shop here about once a week, the Missus enjoys the sausages, and I like the meat department, especially when there are good sales, like baby back ribs for $3.99. So anyway, I saw this on my last trip and though some folks might be able to take advantage of the discount…it's for both students and faculty, which is nice.

Bristol Farms
8510 Genessee Ave
San Diego, CA 92122

What that fermenting in our hallway:

Well, the Missus decided She wanted to make Her own sauerkraut, go figure. So after doing some checking online She decided to go with the 10 liter Harsch Gairtropf Fermenting Crock Pot. So we've got a bunch of purple cabbage fermenting away……this type of crock uses a water seal, so every so often gas is released through the water with a fairly loud "blooop". It can throw you off a bit. You'll be sleeping then hear "blooop"……

As for the smell? I just blame that on Da' Boyz…..

Evora: Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of the Bones), The Public Market, and the University of Evora

October 4, 2013 mmm-yoso Desserts, Markets & Grocers, Portugal, Portuguese Food, Travel

Breakfast at Albergaria do Calvario is no joke.

It is locally sourced, organic, and most of all, well prepared. There's a nice variety of items available; they cram a lot into a tiny space.

You can also have eggs done any way you wish and even bacon if you desire. The Missus had Hers poached. We decided on getting a good sized breakfast since we had reservations for dinner that I was certain (it was) was going to be huge amount of food.

This was to be the day we'd just explore the walled city, stretch our legs, but do things at a relaxed pace. We always identify the one or two things we want to see and leave the rest to fate; it's not important to see everything, rather, we like to take in the atmosphere, people watch, and see how folks live. That's why we just can't do tours, get on the bus, get off the bus, take a bunch of photos just to prove you were there, get back on the bus, rinse…repeat….

There was one place I wanted to visit in Evora…..

Near the Southwest corner of the walled city lies the Igreja de São Francisco, the Church of St Francis.

Now the church is quite grand and beautiful…..

But what really drew me here is in a Chapel outside and to the right of the Church entrance and is probably one of the popular sights in Evora; though there was no one there when I visited. It's called Capela dos Ossos, the "Chapel of the Bones". Ok, I'll admit, inside of me is a adolescent just waiting to burst out and see stuff like this…..

The Missus had no interest in checking this out, so she went on Her way to explore a bit and I walked down the rather peaceful and sedate entrance into the Chapel of the Bones……

Paying and admission and walking under the inscription that reads "We bones that are here, we are waiting for your's", you walk into the rather dark…there are three small windows that let light in on the left side of the structure, kind of eerie, but not particularly spooky "chapel". From what I've read, the chapel was built, with over 5,000 skeleton's by monks who were worried about the deteriorating values of wealthy Evora in the 17th century. They wanted to make people meditate on how fleeting life was and contemplate ones mortality. Oh, and in case you're wondering, the monks who built this aren't included in the collection……

On one of the pillars hangs a poem by Father António da Ascenção:

"Where are you going in such a hurry traveler?
Stop … do not proceed;
You have no greater concern,
Than this one: that on which you focus your sight.

Recall how many have passed from this world,
Reflect on your similar end,
There is good reason to reflect
If only all did the same.

Ponder, you so influenced by fate,
Among the many concerns of the world,
So little do you reflect on death;

If by chance you glance at this place,
Stop … for the sake of your journey,
The more you pause, the further on your journey you will be."

I found this to be sobering and yet beautiful at the same time……

The Missus met me right down the stairs from the church. She had been exploring and told me we should take a walk through the Public Market…which She said was small and empty, yet charming in it's own way. The building that houses the market looks very modern.

It probably wasn't the best time of the day for the market, which was empty except for a few customers…..

After visiting the public markets in Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto (which seemed the busiest), we could only wonder…..had the busy supermarkets (which we also checked out) made these a thing of the past?

We hope not……..

Even after just a day, it's hard to get lost in Evora. We headed Northeast and easily found the University of Evora. So, what's up with visiting a University? Well, this one has a long history. It was a Jesuit university established by Don Henrique in 1559. It was one of the crown jewels of Evora's time as the city of artists and intellectuals. When the city lost favor and the Jesuits expelled in 1759, the University was closed. In 1973 it became a state run University again.

Still, it's a University, right? Well, you have to realize that both the Missus' parents taught in Universities….which I've covered in posts before. I think there's a part of the Missus who feels an affinity for College life…..it is part of who She is and what She is. So why not visit an historic campus founded in the 16th century.

What I remember the most about our visit here…..the place is just welcoming and wide open to visitors, are my first really up close encounter with Azulejos, the traditional Portuguese tilework.

Each scene told a story…….

Many of which I interpreted to be of Portugal's travels to Asia……

We peeked into a classroom and were delighted to find that the tilework in the roon reflected what was being taught.

It was well worth the visit.

We left and wandered around a bit….and guess what? Just as on previous walks we ended up at Templo Romano, the Roman Temple. We really got to see how it looked different during every part of the day.

I'm thinking that this is as good a place to stop for now as any.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Valley Farm Market, The Sandwich Shop and BBQ (Spring Valley)

August 19, 2013 Cathy BBQ, Markets & Grocers, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. Kirk, Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy are busy with everyday things and somehow find a way to document the mealtime portion of their days. Today's blogger, Cathy, is writing about one of her adventures in East County.

I've shared quite a few Grocers and Markets and their eat in the store food areas. This Spring Valley Market has been in business since 1956 on the NorthWest corner of Campo Road at Bancroft in Spring Valley. It never had an eat in area and never has had a deli section, selling prepackaged cold cuts in the store refrigerator.

Right there, on the corner of the parking lot at the intersection is a small building.

Note those two smokers to the left.

You kind of can't miss it. The small building has been here about a year now.

Walk up to the window, and a simple menu is on the White Board. Order, pay and have a seat…or go shopping in the store if you are going to take it to go (more on that later).

When we ordered, we saw one of the workers walking out a cart of ribs to add to one of the specially made very large smokers.

They know their business model and how much meat they will need- to sell inside the store as well as at the BBQ Sandwich Shop.

Our order- 1/2 smoked chicken with fresh made, smokey meaty baked beans and really good, fresh slaw ($6.99) There is an orange colored mustard based sauce that goes with the chicken available with other condiments at the counter; you can see a sliver of the cup at the top. The other item on the right is 1/2 lb of pulled pork ($7/lb)- smokey with a slightly sweet (also house made) sauce.

I apologize for the photos. We sat at one of the two outside tables, which have red umbrellas… In any case, the chicken is perfectly cooked, moist, smokey witha ring and doesn't need the sauce; it's that good.

We do shop here as part of our rotation of markets. The Produce Department is always interesting. You can see part of the wine, beer and liquor selections against the wall in this photo.

This isn't the whole butcher counter, which spans the back of the store. There are pork, and lamb, house made sausages as well as house made chorizo and house made carne asada (wet and dry) and pollo asada.

Prime and Choice beef cuts are for sale too. There's also a poultry counter…

Opposite the meat counter is an area of warm shelves and smoked meats and fish, sold by the pound. (In case you'd rather try some of the smoked items at home)

The seafood counter has high quality selections…wild caught and sustainable.

They make the Ahi Poke here too. It's good.

I mentioned if you didn't want to eat at one of the two outdoor tables, there are options…take a left out of the side parking lot (go North on Bancroft) about 3/4 mile and on your right is Eucalyptus Park.

Given to the County of San Diego on Christmas Day 1929 from Walter S. Lieber…trees here were planted in 1880. For the inspiration and pleasure of the people.

There are picnic tables, slides, swings (old and new) and horseshoe pits and even a working water fountain! It's a nice neighborhood.

Valley Farm Market 9050 Campo Road Spring Valley, CA 91977 (619)463-9595, meat department (619) 463-5723 open 9-9 daily. Sandwich shop (619)303-8343 open 10-7 daily. Website

Saturday Stuffs: What going on with the old Zion Marketplace (U Mart?), where Voltero’s is moving to. Blue Korea House? I hadn’t even noticed. how I pack for 3 weeks of travel and a Xiang Chun Ya update.

July 13, 2013 mmm-yoso Cooking, Korean Restaurants, Markets & Grocers, Pizza, Travel

Here's a far ranging edition of Saturday Stuffs for you.

U Mart? What's U Mart?:

I had been wondering what was happening with the old Zion Marketplace site. I don't recall seeing some of the old food court shops in the new Zion and thought perhaps they were hold-outs? So imagine my surprise when I drove past that location and saw this:

No, there weren't any businesses in the empty shell of a location, but what was U Mart? After calling around a bit, the best info I could find was that the folks behind First Korean Market will be running this place. Not sure why "U Mart" for a Korean Market….but I guess "K Mart" is already taken, right?

4611 Mercury St
San Diego, CA 92111
Between Engineer Rd and Dagget St

Where Voltero's is popping up:

Not sure if you folks have noticed, but that strip mall on Balboa where Einstein Bagels used to be is going to become a Chipotle and a Five Guys. I was wondering what happened to Voltero's? I did a post on the cheeseseals there, during my cheesesteak round-up that started in 2010. Voltero's is pretty much your generic neighborhood pizza joint, nothing amazing, but they had a pretty loyal following, and if I recall were owned by local folks.

So I was fairly pleased to see this sign when I ate at Szechuan Chef.

4344 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

It's now Blue Korea House:

Did you even notice?

Haven't been here in over a decade, as I didn't care for the food. An acquaintance of mine used to call this "Baegin-gyp", 'nuff said.

Anyone eat here since the change?

4620 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

What I wear for three weeks of travel:

"David" emailed me about my comment on only taking about 6-7 kilos in a carry-on for over three weeks of travel. He asked how much did I really pack….well, other than what I wore, that was it. If we didn't have a couple of more formal dinners, I'd have lost the two dress shirts. I was actually going to take a jacket, but didn't in the end. I use Eagle Creek packing cubes and a packing folder. I went for it and actually used a $30 Campmor Essential Carry-On, which weighs about half a pound. The packing folder gave the rather floppy bag structure and I had no problems with the bag, nor laundry either. What about wrinkles? A spritz from a spray bottle, a good shake, and a steamy bathroom does wonders…irons are perfectly fine as well of course. I did end up buying a "hoodie" from H&M, which are everywhere in Europe for about 10 Euros.

I'm now sold on One Bag Travel….until I have to go home or visit relatives…you know, the "gifts" thing, right?

The Missus favorite new "pet" – Xiang Chun Ya:

One of the dishes the missed most by the Missus is eggs with shoots from the Xiang Chun Ya, the Chinese Toon tree. This was one of Her favorites growing up and was one of the first things She wanted to eat when we visited QingDao.

We finally got a plant this year….thank "SL"! Sadly, SH left the tree in her hot car that day and it looked dead. But, after transplanting and some TLC, shoots are coming out which has the Missus going nuts…..you see, it's the tender shoots of this plant which are used for scrambled eggs:

The Missus has told me that She's going to pick these shoots already and buy some eggs…I said, "based on the size of these, it better be quail eggs….."

I also told Da Boyz that they aren't Her favorites anymore….they've been replaced by a tree!

Seriously, it's about time we actually used the space in the backyard to grow some stuff.

Anyway, I hope everyone's having a great weekend!