What Cathy Eats! – Page 19

R&B Filipino Cuisine (again)

August 24, 2021 Cathy Filipino Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! thanks you for stopping by to read about things, primarily food. Kirk is busy with work and this is a short post by Cathy.

As is our habit, on Saturdays The Mister and I jump in the car and start driving without a plan. We randomly got to Mira Mesa Boulevard before 8 a.m. and found most restaurants were not yet open. When we got to Camino Ruiz, I decided to just drive by and see if R&B Filipino Cuisine was open-and it was!

We saw one person walking out with a large catering order and figured there would be something to munch on.
The steam trays were filled and we were the only ones ordering (so I did not take any photos). Closer to the end of the steaming trays, I saw a large tray with cooked eggs and next to it, longanisa (sausage), beef jerky (tapa), da (fried, dried baby milkfish) and tocino (cured pork-sort of like bacon to us caucasians). Since I know there are many types of longanisa (Wikipedia link), I wanted to try it here (we usually buy four or six fresh links from the meat counter at 99Ranch or from the fish counter at Lucky Seafood).
Longsilog is the name of the breakfast: Longanisa with two fried eggs (pritong itlog) and (really good) garlic rice (Sinangag). ($8). What a wonderful, flavorful, filling breakfast! But wait, there was more..
I just pointed at this chopped lechon (fried pork) mix with vegetables selection in the steam tray and asked for a small container size. ($4)
We purchased a calamansi pouch (sort of like lemonade) from the refrigerator. The sauce that goes with the pork was brought out to the table. Soy, vinegar and onions, the sauce cuts through the fattiness of the pork and is very complimentary. Wow, really great deep fried pork and sauce to go with the large amount of garlic rice. This was memorable.

Breakfast is only available on weekends here and it is worth the stop.

R&B Filipino Cuisine 11257 Camino Ruiz San Diego 92126 Open Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat & Sun 8 a.m.-6 p.m.(858) 695-8455

California Fish Grill

August 23, 2021 Cathy Seafood, What Cathy Eats!

Thank you for stopping to read the blog named mmm-yoso!!! Cathy is writing today, because Kirk is preoccupied.

I've mentioned before that The Mister and I do not 'regift' items, including gift cards. We have found creative ways to use them if we don't really want to purchase a compete meal (all appetizer meals, only dessert meals, a cup of coffee a week…). However, we knew nothing about California Fish Grill and were curious when we received the card this year. There are multiple locations (four) in San Diego County and 33 more scattered throughout California along with one Arizona and two Las Vegas locations. Their website does note that the seafood sold here is responsibly sourced, so that is a plus.
The drill is similar to many places nowadays: walk up order, pay, find a seat, grab your own beverages and your number is called.
You pick up your tray and take it to your table.

Louisiana Delta (!) Catfish ($11.75), fried. Two sides to choose: kaleslaw and sweet potato fries (additional $1.99). Mild and flaky fish, lightly fried, this was two filets, a large portion, and very good with the house made tartar sauce. The kaleslaw is unique, yet not: it's chopped kale and shredded red cabbage in a mild, mayonnaise based slaw dressing (I detected a bit of sweet and salty and tangy, so there is either mustard or vinegar along with sugar and salt). The sweet potato fries were very well fried and seasoned and sweet in a good way.
Calamari and battered fish ($9.99) was my chance to try more frying techniques along with seeing how they squid was prepared here. The lightly breaded thick cut squid strips were crispy from the light fry. The swai filets had a nice, crisp batter; texture contrasts were nice. The sides of kaleslaw and regular French fries were very good.

I just had to try a bowl of the clam chowder ($5.49) and was impressed. Creamy, very rich broth with a deep clam flavor and clam pieces along with diced potatoes made this soup memorable. The keto shrimp bowl ($9.99) was a great choice. Plenty of grilled shrimp severs over a spring mix of various greens and topped with a Green Goddess dressing. Very tasty plump grilled shrimp (I love the char) and a very large serving.
Had to try the battered fish and chips meal ($9.50)-three pieces of swai, great, crispy French fries and Brussels sprouts (an upgraded side- $1.99). The sprouts were outstanding- still crisp but charred and a real treat.
Here is a cross section of the fish- good sized pieces and see how light the batter is?

Great food, attention to details, ambiance, and very nice people working here.

California Fish Grill multiple location Website Open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

(the sadly unused condiment bar)

Barbecue Pit (La Mesa) again

August 20, 2021 Cathy BBQ, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is rolling into the weekend with another post written by Cathy; Kirk has had a long week.

Another local business survivor of COVID-19 is a favorite for old school oak smoked meats and delightful house made sides, the Barbecue Pit, which has been in business since 1947. The menu choices are the same, as are the flavors.
Walk up, order, watch the meat sliced, meal assembled and put on a tray. Pay and find a seat. There's a small condiment bar near the beverage fountain, along with utensils and napkins.
This was our meal, which also included a slice of pie (you'll see).
The pulled pork sandwich plate ($10.99) includes the tender pork, shredded, mixed with a bit of sauce and overfilling the steamed bun along with two sides (choice of fries, macaroni salad, potato salad, Cole slaw and baked beans) and some extra house made sauce (tangy, sweet, fresh-made warm). The sides have the 'made from scratch' flavors- brown sugar slow baked beans, lightly dressed slightly tangy slaw. This is like a good home made meal, without having to cook at home.
When I saw the roast beef behind the counter, I decided on the Soup and Sandwich ($8.99). Plenty of slow roasted beef with a nice smoke ring on the steamed bun…along with
a bowl of Navy Bean Soup (beans!, carrot, celery, onion). The other soup choice is split pea, which I also like, but think it goes better with a ham sandwich. This was a wonderfully filling meal with all the flavors of scratch cooking. We ordered and paid for one dessert ($4) and were told to grab what we wanted from the refrigerated display when we were ready.
Coconut cream pie, of course. A delicate (from scratch) buttery graham cracker crust topped with a coconut filled pudding-like filling topped with whipped cream and shredded coconut. Decadent.

Not hipster, not fancy, just good food.

Barbecue Pit 2388 Fletcher Parkway El Cajon 92020 (619)462-5434 Open Mon-Sat 10:30-9 CLOSED SUNDAY Website

Cake De Partie

August 19, 2021 Cathy Asian Fusion/Pacific Rim/Hawaii Style Fusion, Desserts, What Cathy Eats!

This mmm-yoso!!! post is written by Cathy. Kirk is having a busy week.

Back in 2016, signage went up on what had been Tea Garden, which had been closed for a while (and left some parking spaces for Pangea Bakery Cafe, where we frequented a bit more often). We were curious about the name, the food, the elk… yet even then we were avoiding crowds. Besides, there were posts online and in print about this place. Then there was covid and we couldn't even if we wanted. A few weeks ago, we drove in the parking lot, found a spot open and parked. Should have stopped here sooner.   'Asian Fusion, Desserts Cafe, owned and run by chef Pat & Molly' is all that is written on the web page. However, cc's 2016 blog post has an informative explanation of the business name: Cake de Partie is a play on the words, "Chef de Partie". Acording to the definition on wikipedia:
"A chef de partie, or station chef, is a cook in a restaurant who is in charge of a particular station (area of production); for example, a pastry chef or saucier. The chef de partie may be the only person working in their particular station, or may be in charge of one or more underlings."

Set up now for social distancing, there are a few tables inside and out front. When you walk in the door, there is a table with this menu on it. We were here for a pancake soufflé and knew it would take 30 minutes, so when placing the order, asked for that first. The nice lady at the counter walked back to the kitchen to let them know before we continued making the order. Since we knew we would be waiting for 'dessert', we ordered some Popcorn Chicken ($5.50)- original flavor (there is also a 'Zapp' and a 'Cheddar' option). This was quite *perfect*- a light, crispy, non-oily bite of juicy chicken.
The BBQ pork rice bowl ($9) was also really good. Honey BBQ pork over sticky rice with a small salad on the side. The salad had a sort of strawberry vinaigrette already on it and the dipping sauce for the honey coated charred pork had a bit of sour (lime juice?) and umami (fish sauce?) and a touch of heat that was a very complimentary condiment.
There were several choices of crepe cake slices ($8). We chose mocha. The Mister counted 25 crepes, each separated with a thin layer of a buttery mocha frosting. Buttery frosting. We had never tried a crepe cake before and definitely will seek out the other flavors.
This is why we were here. The Very Berry Soufflé Pancake ($10). Fresh and warm from the kitchen, served with a small scoop of strawberry ice cream and small cup of strawberry jam (pretty sure those were made in house).
There are two soufflé pancakes. Here is a cross section of the delightful, jiggly treat. This is simply wonderful.

As a side note, there is a wide array of beverages to choose from on the menu. A simple cup of organic hot tea ($3.50) is made to order from loose tea leaves. This was the peach blossom – a very natural flavored tea.

Everything served here is quality. High quality. A hidden gem right there on Convoy Street.

Cake de Partie 4685 Convoy Street San Diego 92111 Close Monday and Tuesday. Open Wed-Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (858) 987-0033 Website

"Drink Triple, Eat Double, Act Single"

Regarding the elk: the elk depicted in the logo is due to the chefs' admiration for the elk's revered status in Japan. Their culture views elk as a spiritual force.

Shirley’s Kitchen (La Mesa) (breakfast) (again)

August 18, 2021 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

Thank you for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! today. Cathy is writing while Kirk is attending endless meetings.

It's been about seven years since my last post of Shirley's Kitchen. The Mister and I would stop here quite a bit, then there was COVID-19 and things changed. Fortunately, Shirley's Kitchen adapted by adding tables to the parking lot. while keeping the same menu and cooks.
The Shirley's Breakfast Special ($7.49) is a standby. One meat (I am unsure why we received two this time, other than we are 'regulars'), two eggs and two pancakes. The sausage patties here are quite good. The over easy eggs are always perfectly cooked and the pancakes are slightly sweet (don't need syrup) with a crisp edge and a fluffiness I enjoy. The Biscuits and Gravy plate ($11.99) is a great choice when you are hungry. Two (properly) poached eggs, two sausages, crispy hash browns and two freshly made biscuits smothered in a tasty, peppery sausage-y gravy.
The Classic Benedict ($11.49) is a toasted English muffin topped with a good size slice of ham (you can see an edge of it at the 1 o'clock point), two poached eggs and a Hollandaise sauce. The home fries are always good/crisp with plenty of onions and bell peppers.
The Florentine Benedict ($11.49) is also a good choice, with sautéed spinach and the poached egg on a toasted English muffin. You can see that the hollandaise is made from scratch and sometimes different from day to day, but in a good way.

Since 1994, this La Mesa classic diner has been a great local gem.

Shirley's Kitchen 7118 University Ave La Mesa, CA 91941 (619)462-5732 Open daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Taco Kings-where birria is the thing

August 17, 2021 Cathy Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!!, this blog about food, hopefully is a respite in your online browsing. Cathy is writing today while Kirk is busy with several assignments at work.

A 'new' place for The Mister and I to stop (in addition to our 'usual', K-n-B lunch) before shopping at Windmill Farms opened only six weeks ago. Taco Kings is at the opposite end of the storefronts in the neighborhood shopping center.

It used to be several different taco shops, so we didn't expect much. The dark wood interior with metal seating and accents is very modern.
The tacos here are 'street' size and enough for a light bite. The quesataco ($4) includes the layer of cheese in addition to the beef stew meat, cilantro and onion. It is a good beef birria, even though we do prefer goat or lamb, which are not a choice here.
We went on a Thursday and the 'birria ramen' was $6-regular $12. A very large styrofoam cup with ramen, broth/consomme and large amount of beef birria along with cilantro, onion and sliced radish. We really liked this version. I'll speak about other versions in another post.

We looked at the menu and noticed other 'daily' specials and returned on a Monday.

Birria Pizza-$12 (regular $16)
The fork is for scale. There is a tremendous amount of beef birria sandwiched between two large tortillas, easily enough meat to make three large burritos. It was our lunch and dinner.A pretty thick layer of cheese on one of the tortillas to accompany the non-brothy birria. You need a fork and knife to eat this. The three (very well made) salsas, along with limes and radish add a nice variety to the flavor to the beef. (If you've not read my prior posts; I tend to eat items as served for the first half, then try the rest with condiments at the end of the meal, which makes it a whole new meal.)

We have had other items here and those are good, too. These were just different items than most taco shops offer. It's nice to find a surprise new place.

The other daily specials are: Tuesday: two street tacos $5, one fish taco $1. Wednesday: one adobada taco $1.50 Friday: Michelada $6

Taco Kings 6358 Del Cerro Blvd San Diego, CA 92120 (619)287-8541 Open daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

2022 Rose Parade float Road Test (One) Breakfast at Norm’s

August 2, 2021 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Festivals & Events, Los Angeles County, Road Trip, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. Today, Cathy is writing the post; Kirk is having a really busy Monday at work.

Link to 2022 Rose Parade Float Road Test #2

Link to 2022 Road Test # 3

We couldn't wait any longer. Our last road trip to Pasadena was on January 2, 2020 to see the Showcase of floats of the 2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade. If you are a reader of this blog, you know that The Mister and I enjoy "Start to Finish" (as well as Decorating) Rose Parade floats. Last year, the Parade was canceled, however the Theme had been chosen and it will be used for 2022.

Road tests hadn't been announced online, but we drove North on Saturday and, indeed, "our" decorating barn (Phoenix Decorating) was not open, so we drove about two miles North,

saw several news trucks and parked. The Fiesta Parade Floats barn was having a road test of three of their 2021 floats.
You can see this float, by the City of Torrance, will be adorable! The elephant's head sways back and forth and it looks like there will be a water feature.
The base of the Donate Life float (facing opposite of the drawing) will have people in the small boats at the bottom. You can see where the "spotter" is sitting in the front. The driver is way in the back (inside the boxed in area), since all he sees and follows is the 'Rose Colored Line' along Colorado Boulevard during the parade.

This one might be difficult to envision now, but you can see by its size that it will be magnificent! The UPS Store float will have to be able to 'collapse' along the parade route, that's why all the hydraulics are there. Again, this is the 'off camera' side view of the float-the "basket" is at the front of the float. The smaller photo is where the rooster tail feathers will be- and I think they will be moving.

After this wonderful semblance of 'normal', The Mister and I drove about six miles, South East. We had to stop. Norms, one of the first 24/7 Los Angeles restaurants, an icon since 1949, has a Norms Junior location in West Covina, in a former Spires Restaurant building. Because of new protocols, the menu is simple,

as is the order and pay area.
Beverages and utensils are ready at the end of the counter and you can carry those to wherever you would like to sit. Soon the food is brought to your table.
The Mister chose the "Bigger Better Breakfast" ($8.99). Wow, two pancakes, two eggs, two bacon, two sausage, a large slice of ham and hash browns. So much flavor! Perfectly cooked over-easy eggs, really nice pancakes. What a great meal.
I chose the breakfast sandwich ($5.99). I used to always try breakfast sandwiches following road tests for the many years and somehow got out of the habit. I am now back in the habit. The toasted eggy brioche bun was quite large. There were two eggs (I asked for over medium and they were). The cheese and sausages were just the perfect compliments; quality sausage and a better American cheese. A great meal.

So happy we stopped here.

Norms Junior 501 N. Azuza Avenue West Covina 91791 open daily 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Website (626) 859-2375

Pho Mai Cali (Santee)

July 25, 2021 Cathy Vietnamese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!. This food blog is usually written by Kirk, but He is still on vacation with His Missus and Cathy is, once again, writing a post.

One of the first restaurants where The Mister and I enjoyed "Eating In" since restrictions were lifted, Pho Mai Cali is on the 'other end' of the parking lot where the new location of Island Style Cafe opened earlier this year.  In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this second location of Pho Mai Cali opened in the space formerly occupied by Flaming Wok, a 30 year Santee standby. (To the end, the Szechuan-Mandarin restaurant handed out forks, not chopsticks and our eat in order was always the same: the large bowl of soup, and the Pu-Pu Platter). The owners retired in April of 2020; it was the right time.
The interior was re-done, making space for a few more tables..   A nice touch is the chilled water bottle and glasses of ice brought to the table while you peruse the menu. Condiments are brought out after you order.
Spring rolls ($4.99)- rice paper wrapped lettuce, vermicelli, mint leaves, shrimp (and pork on the other side). These seem to be made to order, as the shrimp have arrived warm. There is a good amount of filling making this a light lunch.
Cha Ca Thang Long ($10.99)- Grilled fish with dill and onion…except they didn't have dill, so I received extra onion. Served sizzling on a cast iron pan with lettuce and various sides and dipping sauce, this was very good.
Grilled chicken and Cha Gio (egg rolls) ($9.99). Under all of those toppings are lettuce and chilled rice noodles and when combined, each bite is a refreshing flavor of summer.
This is a mango salad with beef ($10.99) and my latest obsession. Shredded green mango and green apples, carrots, basil and perfectly cooked tender beef (you can opt for chicken or shrimp). Not like a papaya salad and they shouldn't be interchangeable.
The Banh Xeo is better to eat in than 'to go'. Trust me. The crepe needs to be tasted while crispy, even if broken. The pork and shrimp filling (with sprouts and mung beans) with bits of broken turmeric flavored crepe, wrapped in lettuce with some mint and pickled carrot and radish, dipped in fish sauce is refreshing and has distinct flavors and textures.
  The papaya salad ($9.35) is made with shredded green papaya, shrimp and pork as well as sprouts and carrots, topped with peanuts and fried onion and is quite good.

This is the Pho Mai Cali ($11.99). You receive the large bowl of beef broth with meatball and oxtail in it, then the sides (brisket and other cuts of beef) to add in as you wish. Herbs, onion, noodles always have been fresh here.
  The Steamed Fish ($10.99) is always a good choice.
This is the above mentioned Mango Salad with beef ($10.99) in its 'to go' packaging. Still great flavors, just not as dramatic of a presentation.
This is the "Special Appetizer" ($8) in its 'to go' presentation- two Spring rolls, two crispy egg rolls. Lettuce, mint and fish sauce and peanut sauce. Fresh made and well filled rolls. Definitely a meal.

We are fortunate to have this gem close to home.

Pho Mai Cali 9888 Magnolia Avenue (at Mast) Santee 92071 (619) 328-2700 Open Daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Summertime Seafood Salads

July 24, 2021 Cathy Salads, What Cathy Eats!

It's Summer Vacation time here at mmm-yoso!!! Kirk and His Missus are enjoying a few days together. Cathy is writing this post.

We have been having some daily heat waves over the past month or so. Thankfully, with the cooling down at night, it isn't unbearable. The Mister and I have been going out for lunch and I noticed a pattern in our orders.

We finally ventured back to Las Morelianas/La Bahia after missing it for more than a year and were happy to see it was still open and thriving.

We always try to order from each 'side' of the menu/kitchen and to compliment the carnitas craving, we decided on a simple fish salad ($9). Nicely grilled tilapia on lettuce with cucumber, tomato and avocado. Quite large and refreshing..
When we went to Chopstix Too!, it was another memorable return. The menu is about the same and one of our choices that day was the Grilled Seafood salad ($13). The wonderful char on the shrimp and the salmon was a forgotten flavor I had missed.
.Since Covid-19, the 'food court' area of the 'first' HMart had been closed (it re-opened about two months ago). So, our pre-shopping meals have been at The Fancy Fish (after it re-opened with indoor seating). Deceptive photo. The salad bowl is HUGE, deep, filled with what might be the equivalent of a whole package of salad greens. It is topped with FOUR soft shell crabs. $14.50 and worth it. Recently, returning to Anthony's in La Mesa brought back so many good memories. We are happy they have managed to stay open. It was crowded, there was a wait for tables both inside and outdoors, but seating in the Bar area was available. The Seafood Cobb Salad ($18.95 on the lunch menu (Monday-Saturday)) was my choice. Real crab, bay shrimp and chilled cooked salmon, along with bacon, tomatoes, carrot, egg, avocado, the house dressing…a perfect meal.

We've also been stopping at La Mesa Bistro, but mostly for breakfasts. We arrived at 11:30 one day and looked at the lunch menu. The "Gourmet Tropical Salad" ($10.95) caught my eye. I saw you could add tuna salad or shrimp for $5.50. Perfect! Cabbage, cucumber, carrots, tomato, walnuts. dried cranberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries on top of organic mixed greens, with a basil vinaigrette (which perfectly complimented the sweet berries). The tuna salad- high quality tuna, simply made and plenty (the two scoops were more than one can in volume).

Hoping everyone is enjoying the Summer of 2021!

Zion Market Food Court-eating in

July 22, 2021 Cathy Korean Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Today, mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy.

Before The Mister and I go food shopping, we try to have a small meal. Most markets have a steam tray area or nearby restaurants with the same ethnic foods, so we get an idea of what we might buy inside the grocery store. Zion Market does have a prepared foods area, as well as a food court area (the building used to be a K-Mart and is very large). We can buy inside the market, pay, then sit at a Food Court table.

However, during Covid and all the restrictions, we chose to give our business to the storefront restaurants in the Food Court area. All of them.
  This post began in late June of 2020. As of now, just assume most every entree is around $12.

Wok Bar- Mabo Tofu. Plentiful, spicy hot and good on a rainy day. The soft tofu and ground pork, along with the creamy spicy sauce is very satisfying.
Gala Chicken (it used to be inside the Market). The three piece leg combo (or you could get wings or chicken strips) is a perfect size. The chicken is lightly breaded and crispy. The Mac salad is lightly dressed and the shredded cabbage and its dressing are just the right sides to go with the rice. $1 for the side of radishes because it tastes good.
The generically named storefront has a great version of Bibimbap.
When it was packed 'to go', it was just as tasty and plentiful as the 'for here' version.
The pork katsu is a good choice when you are craving crispy. The Mister loves the choices at Poke U.
The medium size bowl is quite large, includes four scoops of marinated seafood, a base of rice and/or salad, cucumber, seaweed and krab. There are about six sauces and eight shakers of seeds and spices you can have mixed and matched on top.    There are also Bento box options  as well as some appetizer-ish sides (takoyaki) for about $5.
  The former CDD Tofu and Grill changed hands sometime in 2020.
The bulgogi platter is quite large, very flavorful and the side of calamari ($4) made for an easily shareable meal.   The Bibimbap here is wonderful and almost always a choice… But there was this day when I thought…'hmmm, a Tuna Mayo Bowl", let's try that. Then I ordered the side of sweet potato.
Oh my! Tuna, mayonnaise, rice and lots of seaweed. Perfect, simple, wonderful. The sweet potatoes were lightly breaded and fried and just, well just all of this was a perfect meal. This place. The menu is loosely translated. Number Seven. The receipt says Tangsuyuk. Get it.
No, that isn't styrofoam. It is magic surrounding tender pork. It is addictive in texture and flavor. The vegetable dipping sauce that comes with it is warm. It's really good. The yellow things are radishes. A wonderful surprising meal.
Paris Baguette. So many choices. We have been stoppng here and picking a dessert to take home. The lemon meringue croissant is one of the seasonal choices. Get it.  The coconut cream croissant, also seasonal, also wonderful.
Everything here is good.

Sadly, Cocohodo closed in May 2021. We would stop to enjoy a small, sweet treat if we were not going to go to Paris Baguette. This was where I saw the infamous 2020 Covid Concoction, Dalgona Coffee, being sold. I never was sure I made the simple recipe correctly at home and really liked the thick version here.

Always interesting and always good. The Food Court here is unique.

Zion Market Food Court 7655 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard 92111

Our dear piano playing teddy bear has gone into isolation. Damn Covid!