What Cathy Eats! – Page 36

2017 San Diego County Fair -“Where the West is Fun”- Part 3, the postscript (and plans for 2018)

November 7, 2017 Cathy Festivals & Events, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog, sometimes writing about events associated with consumption of said food. Today, Cathy is writing.

The 2017 San Diego County Fair with the theme "How the West is Fun" ended on July 4. I gave you a 'sneak peek' before the Fair opened and also a post while the Fair was in progress. There were so many things to see and do (4,187 attractions, 1,879 concerts) over the 26 day run of the Fair that I could not list everything nor give you a recommendation of what foods to try. (There were 108 concession stands in the main area of the fairgrounds, with another 12 stands in the Family Funville/Kids Zone area). (More stats: 1,565,933 visitors attended the events, with 1,609,481 total people passing through the entrance, because some people utilized the 26 day pass, which cost less than two entrance fees). Hopefully, you had a chance to experience this fifth most attended County Fair in the USA. .

Parking at one of the offsite free parking areas, or taking public transit, which offered a 'Fair Tripper' package (combining transit fare with Fair admission at a lower price than if purchased separately) meant you were transported to the front gate while passing the perimeter. It also means you leave from the front gate and relax on the bus before having to get in your car and drive home.

Once inside the gates, daily events and contests took place at almost every turn. There were foods I didn't mention, which are worth a mention now. The Bacon-A-Fair booths did indeed serve bacon wrapped cactus-if you asked. We also ordered bacon wrapped asparagus to even out the 'meal'. The cactus was a special to go along with the Fair Theme (Where the West is Fun).
Dixie's Mini Donuts, a booth inside Bing Crosby Hall, makes the donuts in front of you. Always a nice, warm snack.

Inside the Paul Ecke Flower Garden Show area, the Iron Skillet and Smoke booth was located in a shaded area with a sort of "non-Fair" menu-The Brandt beef patty melt (topped with smoked caramelized onions, smoked cheddar on toasted corn rye, was excellent. There was also a menu on the order area listing smoked wings, which were really wonderful.

Of course, the Midway had some more 'unusual' offerings, like frozen or fried lemonade…it's a fried lemon cake, filled with a creamy lemon filling and topped with a tart, lemony icing. Quite nice and fresh. The Mister always wants to stop at Pignotti's Pasta for pesto topped cheese tortellini, and so we did on our last day attending. It's always tasty and for us, a treat.
For me, the Fair experience isn't complete without a stop at the Chuck Wagon…for a pulled pork sandwich with baked beans and slaw…and my new favorite (mentioned last year), the fried apple rings.
There were booths (and foods) we didn't make it to..but we will-next year.

The Theme of the 2018 San Diego County Fair was announced a few weeks ago. Here's the logo. Looks like it will be interesting in decoration and theme and exhibits. Something to look forward to!

Website, which is updated as more information is available.

La Casa Blanca (La Mesa) (revisit)

November 6, 2017 Cathy Mexican Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! thanks you for stopping by to read. Kirk is (still) busy with work and Cathy is writing today.

The cool weather is finally upon us, and my soup cravings are kicking in. I wrote a post in 2013 about various food items, followed up by a December 2014 post, concentrating on my particular reason for going here, the housemade ranchero pinto bean soup.

The exterior and interior of this family owned, ten year old La Mesa institution has remained unchanged.
As has our general food order. The queso fundido ($6.95) is simple in its melty goodness, served with fresh made tortillas and a wonderful house salsa.
The rancho pinto bean soup ($4.95, cup size-which you can see is quite large), filled with chorizo, sausage and bacon as well as a variety of beans, bell pepper and poblano pepper, is is satisfying, filling and always a treat. The Mexican style shrimp scampi ($14.95) is unique in that the butterflied shrimp are cooked not only in butter and white wine but also with a garlic chili powder. The 'sauce' goes with the rice as well as tortillas, chips or a spoon. It's always a tasty time here.

La Casa Blanca 9570 Murray Drive La Mesa, CA 92042 (619) 466-2912 Website

In that second photo, on the wall, to the right..

2018 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road test, breakfast at Tom’s Farms

November 5, 2017 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Festivals & Events, Los Angeles County, Ontario/Riverside/San Bernadino, CA, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog. Kirk has been very busy with work, is eating but not posting. Cathy had an eating adventure after a short excursion North.

It's getting closer- the 2018 Tournament of Roses, with its many pre-New Year Day activities culminating in the January 1, 2018 parade of floats, equestrian groups and marching bands as well as the football game will soon be upon us. The theme of the parade is "Making A Difference" and floats following that theme are still being constructed and going though one of three road tests for maneuverability and safety. Last Saturday, The Mister and I drove up to Irwindale to Phoenix Decorating Company to see the progression. These are links to other road tests from earlier this year.

Honda, the sponsor of the Parade, will have this three part float, "Power of Dreams Express" (you can see artist renditions of the Phoenix Decorating Company floats HERE ).
This "Banner" float will feature the theme design on the front.

The City of Hope float, "Transforming Lives with Hope" was tested with riders on board (Usually the final test of maneuverability is with weight on board, plus a test that everyone can exit the float within 45 seconds in case of an emergency).
The United Sikh Mission USA, "Serving Kindness" is a depiction of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, where 100,000 people are fed daily without being charged. This Sikh langar (free kitchen) expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind…an embodiment of the "Making a Difference" theme of this parade.
This is listed as the 'final' float in the parade and the artist rendition is not online.

In the barn, the Trader Joe's float (one of three parts) was still being constructed.

We had left home late and hadn't stopped for breakfast and then were heading home, getting to the 15 South when real hunger hit.
The signage for Tom's Farms (also posted in 2014 and again in 2015) beckoned. Tom's Farms is a multipurpose area of various attractions, restaurants, furniture, grocery and produce sales, with areas for picnicking as well as a train, merry-go-round and seasonal activities geared toward children. We usually stop here to see what is on sale and grab some snacks to take home.

There's always something interesting in the candy and condiment aisles.

The Southernmost building is 'Tom's Burgers', which has breakfast in the morning.

The Mister wanted French toast ($3.99). The two slices of thick (Texas toast) soaked in egg batter and fried were crispy on the exterior and soft on the interior. Quite nice.
He splurged and ordered a side order of ham ($2.99). The pan-griddled ham slices were very good and not too salty. Since I had never had breakfast here, my order would be simple, a breakfast egg sandwich with sausage ($5.59). Well, at first I saw the egg, lettuce and tomato…
and you can see the side view- and the breakfast sausages! Wow! This was fresh, would be quite enough without any added protein, but those skin on, fresh breakfast sausages were a really high quality add in and great choice.

There will probably be some more regular stops here for meals as well as shopping.

Tom's Farms 23900 Temescal Canyon Road Corona CA 92883 (951) 277-4012 website

Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot (lunch revisit)

October 16, 2017 Cathy Chinese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping by to read this food blog named mmm-yoso!!! Kirk and His Missus are still on a mini-vacation, de-stressing from some major work projects. Cathy is writing.

Kirk wrote a two part introduction to Little Sheep about ten years ago. He also wrote a primarily photo post of the food here in 2011. At some point, Kirk took The Mister and myself here for a meal, teaching us the intricacies of hot pot. In return, The Mister and I shared our knowledge (and a meal) with Ed and Tina in 2013. I wrote posts in 2015 and again in 2016 and Kirk mentioned a new San Diego location early this year.

The past few weeks have had such chilly mornings and hot afternoons (temperatures yesterday varied from 61 to 98) and I must admit the cravings for Little Sheep kicked in.

The advertising for lunch meals here is simple, ($11.95). The receipt breaks down the prices (the cooking broth $3.75 for each person, meals are $8.20). We asked for low salt, 1/2 and 1/2-regular and spicy (there is a vegetarian broth also available; it is mushroom based). The Mister chose the beef lunch. I chose the fish filet lunch. Each lunch comes with four ounces of protein (though it sure looks like a lot more, doesn't it?) noodles, two krab pieces, frozen tofu, fish and meat (lamb) balls, enoki mushrooms, chrysanthemum leaf, cabbage, two slices of potato, two slices of turnip and one shiitake mushroom.

When we ordered, there was an optional add ins part of the menu and since "mixed seafood" was only $3, we ordered it to see if maybe something interesting would be on that plate…the Hokkigai surf clam, green mussel and calamari each cooked up nicely and now we know what to order next time. The small side of oyster mushrooms ($2.75) was just enough to satisfy the mushroom cravings I have when eating here.

All in all, a nice lunch with flavors to satisfy a craving. Have a good start to your week!

Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot 4718 Claremont Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92117 (858) 274-2040 Open Mon-Thurs 11:30-3, 5:30-9 Fri-Sat, 11:30-10, Sun 11:30-9:30 website

Newbreak Coffee & Cafe (Ocean Beach)(revisit)

October 15, 2017 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping and reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk is still with His Missus on a mini vacation and Cathy is writing.

It's been a little over two years since I first posted about this local owned Cafe, which was founded in 1993 and has two locations in the Ocean Beach area.
There's a stack of menus at the front door as well as a menu board of beverages behind the cash register (where you order and pay) along with other boards of 'specials' sprinkled throughout the space. If it's your first time here, look around before ordering…there's a lot to take in. This was one of the chalkboard specials on a weekday ($10). Flat bread topped with pesto, Feta, Black Forest ham and two eggs. This was an excellent meld of flavors and ingredients. An excellent choice.
This is a "Super Sunrise" sandwich ($7.75) Scrambled eggs with sausage, bacon and cheese plus (making it a 'Super', opposed to the 'Sunrise Sandwich') a layer of hash browns. Choices of bread here are bagel, croissant, pita, sourdough or a multigrain thin. Each bite of this sandwich has exactly what I want in a breakfast. The fresh eggs, meaty bacon, (Italian, not breakfast) sausage, melted cheddar and crispy layer of hash browns are all perfectly cooked with various textures and fresh flavors.

A good local place.

New break Coffee and Cafe 1959 Abbott Street (between Santa Monica Avenue and Newport Avenue) San Diego 92107 (619)224-6666 Open 6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily Website

Hong Kong BBQ (again)

October 14, 2017 Cathy Chinese BBQ, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!!, a blog. Subject: food. Kirk is taking a mini-vacation this weekend, following a horrendous week of work. Cathy is writing.

Earlier this week, Kirk posted about Fung Fung Yuen, a new restaurant in Mira Mesa. The Mister and I also wanted to try the new place, but our timing was always off and we just don't like waiting in line. After reading Kirk's post, I'm glad we didn't bother. In the same parking lot is the old movie theater turned grocery store, Vinh Hung. Inside Vinh Hung is Hong Kong BBQ, which has been visited by Kirk in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012, while I wrote posts in 2009 and 2015. The lunch menu is on the back page of the regular menu, but additional lunch items as well as the entire regular menu are embedded under the glass table top.
Shrimp with pepper bean sauce ($8.95) (lunch special 43). Black bean sauce, plump shrimp, onion, red and green bell peppers, water chestnuts and ginger. Chicken black bean sauce ($7.95) (lunch special 5). Quite a lot of stir fried chicken with the same vegetables as above. On the menu, the shrimp has a red chili, indicating a slightly spicy item, but both plates had the same level of heat and flavor…we were sad yet satisfied with the plates. Steamed whole flounder ($8.95) (Under the glass lunch special menu). I really liked this preparation of the whole fish and the soy/scallion/cilantro flavors. (After reading this 2013 article in Smithsonian Magazine, I've opted to purchase whole fish as much as possible, so I know what I am eating). Fried stuffed tofu ($7.95) (lunch special 31). A small, plump shrimp is on top of the soft tofu which is thinly breaded and fried to a light crispiness and is a tasty indulgence. I've ordered this more than once and sometimes crave it…stopping in a Hong Kong BBQ to get it as a quick meal.

All in all, a nice place to stop for a meal. Consistently good. Underrated.

Hong Kong BBQ and Dim Sum 10550 Camino Ruiz San Diego 92126 (858) 408-4888 Open Sun-Thurs 9-9, Fri-Sat 9-9:30

Corner Bakery Cafe (return visits)

October 13, 2017 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Chains, Salads, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a long running blog about food. We write about meals and sometimes other stuff. Today, Cathy is writing about meals; Kirk is working a bunch of overtime.

I wrote about Corner Bakery Cafe in 2010 and again in 2014. A small corner bakery that began in Chicago in 1991 is now a chain of 192 locations in the USA, with five San Diego County locations.

Fast-casual breakfasts, gourmet sandwiches, homemade soups, salads and pasta along with (of course) bread and pastries are the menu. The restaurant is very similar to Panera, including free wifi in all locations.
Commuter Croissant ($5.69) Scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, cheddar and tomatoes on a toasted, flaky, fresh croissant is an easy and tasty meal. Berry Almond Swiss ($6.49) Large bowl of Chilled Swiss Oats (muesli) topped with toasted almonds and fresh strawberries & blueberries served with plain low fat yogurt/skim milk and a homemade raisin pecan sweet crisp. This is always my choice in the summer. It's tasty and refreshing. (There is a chilled Swiss oats choice made with green apple, banana, currents and dried cranberry that I also crave). The Pancake Combo ($8.29) is a simple meal made with some tasty buttermilk pancakes. The bacon here is smoky, thick and a better quality than some other places. Anaheim Scramble($7.99) with a side of fruit and Harvest toast (nutty and seedy) is simply eggs scrambled with tomatoes, green onion, cheddar and avocado. Really good.

When we stopped in for lunch one day, there was a special seasonal salad advertised on the front door poster (I forget the name; it was $8.49). Strawberries, blueberries, glazed nuts and blue cheese as well as a good portion of grilled chicken. This was served with a (sweet) strawberry vinaigrette which wasn't necessary. The blending of flavors and textures was just right. I do enjoy trying limited time offerings. The roast beef and cheddar sandwich($8.99), served on a soft sesame bread with lettuce, tomatoes and a cracked pepper balsamic mayo was unexpectedly wonderful. I asked for the side of potato chips (and took those home for later) but I could have ordered a side of raw carrots instead.

All in all, tasty and 'sensible' choices for a fast breakfast or lunch.

Corner Bakery Cafe website Multiple locations

Le Bistro de Louisa (Rancho Bernardo)

October 12, 2017 Cathy French Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Le Bistro de Louisa has closed. It will be missed.

mmm-yoso!!! is blogging about food again today. It's Cathy, not Kirk, with this post.

In the space occupied by Bernard'O for 24 years, Le Bistro de Louisa opened in April 2016. 'French casual' dining, opposed to 'fine dining' is the theme to this restaurant.

Located in a strip mall anchored by an Albertsons in the mid-County area of Rancho Bernardo, the eclectic interior has an interesting vibe with added music for ambiance. It's so nice not to see a television when enjoying a meal. The French onion soup ($8) has a lamb based broth; probably because lamb chops are on the menu (at the bottom of this post) as both a "Starter" and a "main". It is wonderfully unique in flavor and combined with the melted cheese, bread and mild onions; a filling appetizer. The "Planche de Fromages' ($10), an assortment of cheeses (three hard, two soft) served with crisp and (soft, warm,fresh, wonderful) bread, also an appetizer, completed my wonderful meal. That far right cheese is breaded and fried Camembert with honey and can be ordered as an appetizer. Those 'dots' at the bottom of the plate are a slight smokey-tart-sweet aged balsamic.

The fish and chips plate ($15) is the best we've ever had. The perfect 'frites' were addictive. The breaded then fried cod was delicate in flavor, perfectly fried and quite hearty in size.

As you can see from the below menu, there is Sunday brunch here and we will be trying it. A wonderful find.

Le Bistro de Louisa 12463 Rancho Bernardo Road (At Pomerado Road) San Diego 92128 Tues-Fri 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat-8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Closed Monday

Bushfire Kitchen (Del Mar)

October 3, 2017 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

This is mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk is having technical difficulties today, so Cathy is writing this post.

Bushfire Grill is a family owned and operated restaurant with locations in La Costa, Temecula and Del Mar. There's an 'About Us' poster near the condiments: "Farm Fresh Food Made the Old Fashioned Way – affordable, top shelf ingredients, local and organic (when practical) cooked simply with bold flavors". The Del Mar location opened a year ago this month. The Mister and I dropped in for lunch on a weekday. The Northwest corner of Interstate 5 at Del Mar Heights road is the location of this obscure mall. Anchored by Vons, AAA and some other interesting (future posts) eateries, right next to a Starbucks. You are directed to walk along the food preparation area then order and pay. Menus (Breakfast and Lunch/Dinner) with prices are above the open area (and at the bottom of this post) Take a number, find a seat and your order is brought out.

When I saw that Zumbar coffee was sold here, I ordered a press pot ($4) and it was brought out first, with a pitcher of half and half. Zumba is my favorite local roast coffee and this was just so perfect. The Mister ordered the half chicken plate ($11) and it came with a house made peri peri sauce (crushed chillies, citrus rind, onion, salt, pepper, lemon juice, bay leaves, paprika, pimento, basil, oregano and tarragon). It was a bit spicy. The chicken had been coated in a very nice spice blend already…very moist and the addition of sauce 'interrupted' those flavors.

I decided to try an entree portion of mixed sides ($12.95) Clockwise from 12:00: Grandma's Mac & Cheese; quinoa, beet and wild arugula salad; Kaleslaw; baked sweet potato. Each of these sides were flavorful and unique. Of course the mac & cheese was the favorite…each item was so fresh and went with the chicken.

Other sides choices include: bacon & beans; butternut squash; seasonal grilled veggies; garlic mashed potatoes; potato chips; french fries; sweet potato fries; rustic greek salad; caesar salad; spinach & strawberry salad and mixed seasonal greens. Both the chicken and the sides entree came with a piece of house made focaccia-light, fluffy, soft, warm…with a side cup of champagne vinaigrette infused with chopped chives-unique and another burst of flavor.

Service was outstanding, even though it was getting busy. The food was really great. We are planning a follow up visit.

Who else has been here? Soo was here about six months ago, so was Faye, about ten months ago.

Bushfire Kitchen 2602 Del Mar Heights Road Del Mar 92014 (858) 461-0946 open daily 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Website

2018 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road testing, breakfast at Aroma Craft Coffee (Walnut)

October 1, 2017 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Caffeine Fix, Festivals & Events, Los Angeles County, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!!is a blog about food. Todays post includes activities leading to consumption of food. Cathy is writing.

The Mister and I were on our way to Irwindale at 5 a.m. on Saturday, arriving at Phoenix Decorating Company after 7. Four floats were being road tested for the January 1, 2018 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, which has the theme "Making a Difference".

The float sponsored by Western Asset, an investment company, with it's title "Oceans of Possibility" will have no riders and will appear to be underwater (see the concentric circles on the larger dolphin nose? There are also a few more at the tips of the taller pieces of seaweed, to depict breaking the water surface) (also, water reflections on the backs of the larger mammals).

"Armenian Roots", sponsored by The American Armenian Rose Float Association (click the link to see the artist rendition of this beautiful float) was in the second phase of testing. You can see the slotted out area where the float 'spotter' will be seated. (The driver looks down, at the rose colored line down the center of Colorado Boulevard; the spotter communicates with the driver with instructions and also has their own set of brakes in case of an emergency). "Transforming Lives with Hope" is sponsored by the City of Hope Hospital system and will be a beautiful with its florals hanging from above.

The United Sikh Mission will have its third entry in the Parade in 2018. (photos of the two previous floats are at this link).
Peeking in the float barn, we saw a bit of construction happening…and then were off to find breakfast.
Last month, after leaving BMC Pho (following float road testing), we stayed on the side roads and stopped at a Starbucks in Walnut before jumping on the 60 to drive home. After leaving the Starbucks, we drove through the parking lot and had noticed

Aroma Craft Coffee, made a mental note and remembered to stop in on Saturday.

The Diedrich coffee roaster in the front window had me intrigued; it was being used to roast fresh, green coffee beans by the time we were leaving.

Walk in, order and pay, find a seat and your beverages and food are brought out to you. A perfect espresso ($3), accompanied by sparking water, was brought out first. This is how an espresso should taste; the strength yet slight sweetness of the beans came through. The Mister ordered the Prosciutto Benedict ($12). The toasted english muffin had a layer of baby spinach 'protecting' it from not getting soggy, being topped with (a generous amount of ) thin sliced, quality prosciutto, topped by perfectly poached eggs, topped with a lemony fresh made Hollandaise sauce.

I saw this item being delivered to a table while waiting in line to order. Avocado Toast ($10). Since I've never ordered avocado toast before, I technically can't give a comparison of flavors. Since I know what I like, I can say this was absolutely wonderful. The toast: multigrain-I could taste rye- there were seeds and texture and flavor to the thick slice of toasted bread, which was protected by a layer of spinach and mixed lettuces and topped with a great portion of soft scrambled eggs, topped with sliced avocado, topped with a mild soy based sauce with fresh dill.

We weren't done:

There were several these Siphon Coffee makers at the ordering counter. We ordered a cup ($7) made with this week's special roasted bean, Columbian.

This turned out to be about three (proper, 6 ounce) cups of coffee. A small shot glass 'snifter' of the grounds was provided. This was a beautiful, clear smooth cup of coffee.

A wonderful meal on a beautiful day.

Aroma Craft Coffee 20265 Valley Boulevard, Suite Q Walnut, CA 91789 (909) 869-0001 Website Open Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-7 p.m.