What Cathy Eats! – Page 85

Albert’s- Lunchtime Dining at the San Diego Zoo

November 15, 2010 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Stuff, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome back to mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk and ed(from Yuma) are working. Cathy is playing Tourist today.

Hi. On a weekday not long ago, The Mister got a bunch of time off from work. We are members of the Zoological Society of San Diego and usually only go once or twice a year with out of town visitors. Since there are no rules about when you can go, we decided to pretend we were tourists.
We found close parking and walked between the elephant topiaries to the entrance, and went to see the flamingos straight ahead. The youngest ones were molting and just turning pink.
Then we walked to the left and visited the tortoises
while they were eating lunch…and stared at the Monitor Lizard across the way…

then popped into the hummingbird exhibit (there is one hummingbird feeding on the left side of the orange flower in the center right of this photo.).
Then we walked on the Trail through the Lost Forest, passing the Gorilla Exhibit, following the signs to Albert's Restaurant (named after Albert, a silverback gorilla who came to the Zoo at 4 months of age, was hand raised and lived here for about 30 years and was the Patriarch of the Gorillas). The fanciest place to dine at the Zoo. Cloth napkin fancy. The only full service restaurant here. We had to wait a few minutes to be seated, as the restaurant had just opened and others were being seated.

Everyone ahead of us took seats outdoors, in the treetops, and we got the view from inside the building-see the waterfalls all the way in the back?
Warm, crispy crusted, mildly sour sourdough and whipped butter was brought out after we ordered.
Soon, our artichoke heart appetizer ($7) arrived. Artichoke hearts, red pepper strips and garlic cloves which had been carmelized olive oil. Served with three crisp crostini. Very good.
The Mister ordered a Cobb Salad ($14). Romaine lettuce topped with the traditional Cobb toppings (Bleu cheese chunks, chicken breast, bacon, tomato, avocado and hard boiled egg). The chicken and the avocado were very cold. Chilled I suppose. If those had been room temperature, the flavors would have melded better. (It tasted much better at the halfway point, when the temperatures of the avocado and chicken had 'warmed' and was really good at the end.)
I chose the vegetable linguine($13). Zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli and onions in an opal basil cream sauce. I could have added chicken or shrimp, but didn't want to and this was excellent. The vegetables were not mushy nor too crisp. The sauce was just the perfect, complimentary richness.

You know how when you order onion rings and one french fry shows up? Or when you order cheese popcorn, there is one piece of carmel popcorn in the box? That happens with noodles too!

It was a fancy, fun, no-rules day for us. I hope you can have one of those soon.

Albert's Restaurant in the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park 2920 Zoo Drive San Diego 92101 619-685-3200 Website

Pacific Beach Bar and Grill- Brunch

November 8, 2010 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, Buffets, Pubs and Pub Grub, What Cathy Eats!

Today Cathy is "blogging" on mmm-yoso!!! Kirk is "working". ed(From Yuma) is "recovering".

Hi. I've posted on Pacific Beach Bar and Grill a few times. They have really good food, lots of beers on tap, televisions everywhere…

and technically, the front area is an outdoor patio, covered with a sturdy tarp.

It's been a while since we had Brunch here. It's a buffet. $7.95 on Saturday from 9 until noon and a bit more on Sunday, but then there are more items to choose from. Coffee is $1.95 and a very good French Roast. I don't take photos of people and today it was kind of busy, so only have photos of our plates.
From 12:00: Eggs Benedict, thick cut maple bacon, skin-on breakfast sausage (just the right amount of spice; really good), biscuit with gravy (the gravy needed pepper added), a potato cake (not greasy), a banana nut muffin (still warm and with vanilla in the batter), a 'spicy' burrito (it was chorizo and egg filled and very good).
The Mister had a cheese/tomato/spinach/mushroom omelet made to order and also picked up a still warm, buttery, crispy chocolate chip cookie.
(Counterclockwise from 9:00) I picked up some " scrambled eggs Florentine" which had bacon, onions and spinach in it, some "home fries" made with onion and lots of cheese and a "Jose Benedict"-slice of avocado, Hollandaise sauce, good, runny poached egg and carne asada on a biscuit.
See? Poached egg and carne asada. I could eat three of these as my breakfast. Easily.
Later (we were watching a *very long* football game), I went back and got some of the omelet add- ins and made myself a salad of spinach, tomatoes, chopped bacon and mushrooms. I also got more of the eggs Florentine and a good selection of tasty fresh fruit.
The Mister ordered a Bloody Mary ($3.50). I could taste every flavor in this- the tomato juice, the vodka, the black pepper, the Tabasco…and the olives were marinated in something. Like vodka. It was good, but very strong. I only had a few sips.
Then The Mister went back and had a waffle made to order. That strawberry topping is the frozen, sugared, memory triggering childhood strawberries-in-Winter stuff I grew up with. At least He took some pieces of fresh watermelon…

Pacific Beach Bar and Grill 860 Garnet Avenue San Diego 92109 Website (warning: LOUD! website)

Tea Garden. Fancy-ish beverages and really good snacks!

November 5, 2010 Cathy Chinese Restaurants, Stuff, What Cathy Eats!

Tea Garden has closed

Cathy is penning today's issue of mmm-yoso!!! The guys (Kirk and ed(from Yuma)) are merely writing things in their brains.

Hi. The other day, FOY(friend of Yoso), Food Detective, asked me in a comment if I had been to Tea Garden. I haven't, even though I have driven by, parked in front of it, walked past it and knew it was there. It is on Convoy, at Engineer Road, across from China Max and sometimes has parking when no place else on that street of countless amazing restaurants has parking available.

Deceptively small looking from the front, there is seating capacity for 57 inside. Of course, as is the rule for Convoy Street and its environs, parking availability does not correspond.You walk in and can grab a menu and sit on the couch next to the cash register, or just read the wall behind the register (that is just the beverage menu), or order a special straight from the whiteboard. Pay. Get a number. Find a seat. Free wifi, a shelf filled with board games, two televisions and nice surroundings. For our first visit,

We decided to try a green tea float ($4.25). Green tea, strong brewed, over ice with vanilla ice cream floating at the top. Very rich flavored. There must be matcha powder in it.
My standard Beverage of Indecision (coffee-tea-milk, no sweetener added) ($3.75)-no sweet at all. I could taste each of the three ingredients distinctively. Very nice. An appetizer of popcorn chicken ($3.99). Crispy and moist, mild thin breading flavored with fresh basil leaves (on the plate) from the fryer.
An appetizer of salt and pepper squid ($6.99) Soft squid, light breading topped with a relish of garlic, scallions and red pepper. Just enough heat.
House Special fried rice noodle ($7.99). A wonderful smoky flavor infused in the thin noodles and perfectly sauteed shrimp, beef and chicken along with green onion tops, onions, carrots, sprouts and (I think) bamboo. Maybe it was a fungus. Those brown things…they had a woody texture and not much flavor. Lots of flavor in everything else.
The other day (before this crazy heat wave happened), The Mister wanted soup. So we went back and He ordered the BBQ pork ramen ($6.99). This had a not salty, surprisingly rich broth, along with peas, carrots and cabbage as well as a few pieces of sliced BBQ pork (standard, not outstanding) and noodles which had a nice 'tooth',although not as good as the noodles at Yakyudori, my new favorite.
At lunchtime, most main courses come with a free iced black or green tea. You can ask for no sweetener (I think it is a simple syrup) and taste the tea…
I wanted to try the fried tofu ($5.59). When this came, I thought it looked like a thick, hard crust and was almost disappointed.Instead, I was pleasantly surprised at the delicate thinness of the coating and soft, soft fresh tofu inside. The dipping sauce was a very dark soy and sesame oil base and filled with chopped garlic, green onion tops and some red pepper flakes. Extremely complimentary for the tofu, and just the right amount of heat. I think if I had ordered the salt and pepper fried tofu (50¢ more), this dipping sauce would have been overpowering.

All in all, the food here has been great. A pot of hot tea is $5.95. Other items on the menu I am wanting to try include a Hot Clay Pot, fried udon, fried rice, congee, sizzling steak, other soups, brick toast, shaved ice and something called "vinaigrette soup" ($5.95), either shrimp, pork or squid. Oh and juices, smoothies and…yes, more appetizer snacks. You can easily get a meal, the plates and bowls are a very good size.

Thank you Food Detective!!! This is a great place.

Tea Garden 4685 Convoy Street, Suite 110 San Diego 92111 (858)277-8988 Website

Hours: Sun-Th 11:00 a.m.-midnight, until 1 a.m. Fri-Sat

Smashburger. A few meals.

October 30, 2010 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Burgers, What Cathy Eats!

Cathy is penning today's issue of mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. She isn't busy. Kirk is busy. ed(from Yuma) is busy. Vicky is busy.

Hi, The other day, The Mister and I were driving along aimlessly and saw Smashburger, underneath Joe's Crab Shack. We decided to stop.

Smashburger is a nationwide franchise (but not that there is one owner per location, if you read the franchising criteria on the website) and has three locations in San Diego County- Mission Valley, La Jolla and Del Mar. Decor and motto are simple. "smash. sizzle. savor."

The menu is fairly small with choices of burgers, chicken, hot dogs and salads, which expand by size of burger (1/3 lb or 1/2 lb), grilled or crispy chicken, 4 choices of buns, multiple toppings, add ons and seven sides (which cost $1 less if ordered with a sandwich). You walk up, order, pay, get a number, fill a beverage container and find a table. Food is brought out in nifty metal baskets.
On our first visit, The Mister chose a 1/2 lb All American Smashburger ($5.99). This comes with American cheese, ketchup, mustard, onion (omitted) and pickles on an egg bun. We all (should) know that smashing down a cooking burger makes it lose juice, and therefore flavor. The meat (fresh, never frozen) here is smashed and seasoned as it goes onto the grill, not after it has cooked on one side. It is juicy. It is also Angus beef. Very flavorful.

I chose the Classic Smashchicken ($5.99) (crispy). Not greasy, not overly breaded. The chicken meat was very juicy and well flavored. This sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mayo on a multi-grain bun.
Here is a photo of the sandwich buns (multi-grain and egg). Both buns were lightly toasted and had flavor.
We shared a Smashside of Haystack Onions ($1.99, because we had ordered a sandwich-$2.99 if ordered alone). Lightly breaded. Lightly fried. Very tasty.

On the bottom of the receipt, there was a survey, which gave us a code for a free smashside on our next visit. I also signed up for the smashclub, which sent me an email for a free self serve float.
They only use Haagen-Daz ice cream here. Vanilla for the self serve fountain float, also chocolate or strawberry if you want a milkshake. There is no root beer at the fountain (you can purchase bottled root beer for $1 more).
Or try it with Coca Cola, which I haven't had in an ocean of time. This was really nice, especially in the frosted mug…
This visit, we tried the Sunset Smashsalad with grilled chicken (this is a large, ($6.99) the same bowl filled halfway with half as much chicken breast is $4.99). A full chicken breast, lightly grilled and very juicy on top of garden greens (there is spinach in there) with tomatoes, raisins, cranberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, blue cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
OK. This is what it looks like under the chicken…oh that Smashside…
VeggieFrites ($3.99 or $2.99 with a sandwich order). Oh. My. Flash fried carrots, green beans and asparagus. Served with a ranch dipping sauce. So. Darn. Good. Maybe even healthy…
I decided to make a "Create Your Own" burger, (only 1/3 pound) ($4.99)(really) with my own choice of cheese (blue), toppings (lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, grilled onion)Smashsauce (ketchp/mustard/mayo/relish/lemon juice) on a choice of bun (torta)..PLUS
for an additional 99¢, I added on a fried egg. This burger was juicy, perfec…
Well, the torta bun was slightly torn. Yet toasted and soft and fresh. Fresh breads tear…

This is not just another burger joint. It isn't just fast food. They do serve beer and wine. The food is good. Really good. Smashfries (regular and sweet potato) are made with olive oil, garlic and rosemary. OH WAIT.
Fried pickles. Wonderful, salty, lightly crusted. A really nice side. A really fun, tasty, almost too much side… ($2.99 or $1.99 with a sandwich).

OK. If you are near a location try it. Really nice. Really good. A nice place for a lunch. Or a dinner date. Or a dinner without a date.

Smashburger 7610 Hazard Center Road San Diego 92115 (SE corner of Friars and 163) website

Balboa International Market. Lunch in the store.

October 28, 2010 Cathy Markets & Grocers, Mediterranean Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Hey there! You're reading a blog about food. It's called mmm-yoso!!! A few friends writing about what they ate out, or food they prepared and ate in. Today, Cathy is writing. Because Kirk and ed(from Yuma) have jobs.

There is a parking lot behind some buildings which have a parking lot in front. Hidden from the main Road, Balboa Avenue (at the SouthEast corner-ish from Genesee, behind the See's Candy Store). All new construction.

The Balboa International Market building was opened not too long ago. It is not too large inside (only one cart can fit in an aisle) with a good selection of boxed/canned items to purchase and a good vegetable and large wall refrigerated section. It is not as large as Vine Ripe, which is closer to where I live, but I can see myself stopping here if I am in the area.

There is a small deli area and a Hot Food Menu (one page, with beef, lamb, chicken fish and specialty rice plates along with a soup of the day and a stew of the day). The gyros sandwich is $5.99, rice plates are $8.99 and the most expensive item is a white fish kabob plate for $13.99.
The Mister and I have been wanting to take a road trip just to go to Wholesome Choice since December, but life seems to have interfered. One thing we wanted was hot fresh sangak (flatbread). The day we were at Balboa International Market, they were testing the new ovens and asked if we would like one of their 'practice' flatbreads. Oh yes!. We decided we needed to eat it immediately, in the store, just as we did at Wholesome Choice. So we ordered.
So. The loaf of bread was not formed perfectly. The sesame seeds were not evenly distributed. So? It was fresh, soft, still warm. Excellent. (Oh and it was free. Everyone leaving that day seemed to be carrying a loaf in their bags. I am unsure what the price will be and don't care. It is *so* good).
Lam Kabob ($12.99) marinated lamb, grilled vegetables (a whole tomato, a whole onion and about half a green pepper) served with Basmati rice (that is piece of rice crust on top) and a small salad. Excellent fresh lamb, very lightly marinated. Not overpowering salad dressing. One of the condiments on the table is a shaker of sumac, which went very well with everything. So fresh.
This was listed as a daily special ($7.99, regularly $8.99)- Zereshk Polo. Baked chicken (lightly marinated) and the Basmati rice with sour barberries and saffron. Excellent and fresh. The chicken was juicy and not at all dried out.

The hot tea is $1. They give you a cup and there is a pump pot of hot water and box of Sadaf teabags at the counter.

We asked the man in the bakery area if he knew about Wholesome Choice and he said "oh yes". For now, Balboa International Market is a great choice. Yes, that is a very large restaurant that is going to open next door. The parking lot will be filled. I hope they use the same chef and ingredients as the market…

Balboa International Market 5907 Balboa Avenue 92111 (858) 277-3600 Website

Red Lotus. Good Mandarin and Szechuan food. Santee.

October 27, 2010 Cathy Chinese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! – that's the name of this blog. It's just food that we have enjoyed. Kirk, ed(from Yuma) and Cathy are the main bloggers, although some others occasionally participate. Today, it's Cathy's turn.

Hi. There's a new Mandarin-Szechuan restaurant in the same location as a now closed Mandarin-Szechuan restaurant in Santee. I enjoyed Flaming Wok for many years, but it closed and Red Lotus took over.
Red Lotus is an ABCDE (American Born Chinese Dining Establishment) because as soon as you sit down,
A bowl of fresh fried crunchy bits and plate of 'dipping sauce' are brought out to your table. But those are fresh fried crunchy bits and the sauce is somehow not too sweet and has some vinegar-y tartness and is quite pleasant.
The egg drop soup ($5.75), not salty, very deep flavored chicken stock and swirled with egg and not cornstarch thickener, is excellent.
A nice view from our table…while we were waiting.
Ma Po Tofu ($7.50). Very nice heat, very good pork and a good, fresh, firm tofu.
No. Not just a chicken dish.

Chicken egg foo young ($7.50). Crispy, moist, flavorful with crispy bean sprouts, onions topped with a great, not salty, un-gloppy gravy.
Of course, there are lunch combo specials, daily from 11:00-3:00.
These come with a cup of soup and the requisite fried crispies and nuclear red colored sweet thick yet somehow tasting made from scratch dipping sauce.
The spicy honey shrimp lunch special ($5.95) includes rice, egg roll, cheese wonton and this -light, crispy, fluffy batter- deep fried juicy large shrimp, glazed with a sweet-hot sauce. Really- see the shrimp to batter ratio? It's good.
The hot spicy chicken ($4.95-all shrimp dishes are $1 more) wasn't too spicy, the sauce is smooth and has plentiful white meat stir fried with a thin crisp crust which lets the chicken stay juicy yet have a pleasant light crunch of a crust. This was with fried rice.

All in all, this is a very good selection for Santee. There are many ABCDE dishes (shrimp with lobster sauce, Moo Goo Gai Pan, Double Happiness) which are all done very well. Fresh ingredients and quality cooking. I suppose it is more stereotypic Americanized Chinese, but it's really well done good food. A very short drive or long-ish walk with going uphill to get home for me.

A Plus!!! You get Fortune Cookies here, too. Really easy Chinese Word Fortune Cookies.

The Red Lotus Mandarin & Szechuan Cuisine 9888 Magnolia Avenue (At Mast, in the Albertsons Center) Santee 92071 (619)596-3749 Mon 4:30-9:30, Tues-Sun 11:00-9:30

A Cafe…um “A” Cafe…Hong Kong Style dining

October 26, 2010 Cathy Chinese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome back to mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Cathy is blogging today. Kirk and ed(from Yuma) are busy with other things.

The other day, I got a frantic SMS from Mr. C. who was at work and apparently was hungry and wanted to know if there was Hong Kong style food in San Diego. As if I am my own Google.

Of course, I immediately answered with
this photo. I appeared to be organized. "A" Cafe is on Convoy Street, and part of the parking lot from hell group of restaurants.
This is the sign on the building from the parking lot side.
There is a menu in the window at the door. Yes. It says "Hong Kong Style Specialize".
You are seated quickly and asked about beverages. There are many boba/juice/2 pages of beverages on the menu, but ordered hot tea ($1.75. Each.) It is small inside (8 tables) and there is a patio area. The tea apparently is brewed and put into a cup and them more water is added to the container using the same bag. It brews a nice second cup.
We ordered two dishes to share and a good size cup of a nice, not salty egg drop soup was brought out for each of us.
Chicken fried rice ($6.99). Not bad. Not great. Chicken fried rice.
Mixed seafood chow fun (rice noodle)(no gravy) ($8.99). Lots of seafood. Not bad. Not great. I liked the noodles and onions most. The shrimp was large and flavorful, pieces of fish good, squid was tender.

Turns out that Mr. C also had not found what he was craving, some sort of noodle dish…which he says can be found at Garden Cafe in Rowland Heights, off the 60 freeway at Colima and Fullerton. Road Trip!

We were still hungry, so walked through the parking lot, to Tapioca Express.

Mr. C. had not been here before, but he was the person who introduced me to boba drinks. He was fascinated with the 'snack food' aspect of this place. We decided on just a dessert, which took less time than choosing beverages…
We each got a coffee tea milk: mine hot, his cold with boba. We shared the fried baked donut dessert, which comes with dipping sauces of whipped cream and-yes, diluted frosting. (total was ~$11)

Not a bad lunch. But not great.

A Cafe 4646 Convoy San Diego 92111 (858)874-6989 Open 7 a.m.-midnight Sun-Th (until 1 a.m. Fri- Sat)

Tapioca Express 4646 Convoy San Diego 92111 (858) 636-7889 Open 11 a.m.-midnight Sun-Th (until 1 a.m. Fri-Sat) Website

La Mesa Bistro & Bakery. Breakfast.

October 24, 2010 Cathy Bakery, Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

You are here. You are reading mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are working. Cathy apparently isn't, so she will blog about another meal she has enjoyed. You can enjoy vicariously.

If you follow the blog, you may have noticed a pattern. I like breakfast. I also live in East County. So, when I go out for breakfast, it's usually close to home. At Interstate 8 at the Grossmont Center Drive exit, you can go North to Grossmont Mall/Hospital, or South on La Mesa Boulevard, toward the downtown/"Village of La Mesa". Pass two signal lights when going south, and you'll see a small mall anchored by the USE Credit Union.
It's been here for years, does a brisk, local business and is located in the far back corner of the mall, you'll see cars parked from 6:00 a.m. until about 3:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Walk inside (after perusing the 'Specials' menu board outside) and you can grab a menu (which is titled with 'Old Fashioned Baking, Healthy and Nutritious Foods, Gourmet Coffees and Catering') and sit down. Then walk up to the cash register, order and pay. You'll get a number card to place on your table. You serve yourself beverages (there is a lemon-water dispenser near the door)and… See all those pump pots of coffee on the right? 'Gourmet coffees' are listed on the menu.You pick up a cup (paper or ceramic) and pick the one you'd like (only two of those coffees are flavored, the rest are beans from around the world; I picked the Sumatra for about 3/4 of the cup and added some French Roast for the rest and The Mister chose Costa Rica). There are also espresso drinks which can be made for you. Those are fresh made pastries in the display case straight ahead.
The Mister's granola waffle ($7.95) with two poached eggs and two slices of bacon, topped with fresh fruit (they make fresh fruit smoothies here and offer fruit bowls and sides, so garnish is easy). The granola waffle was a special this day. The waffle was not as 'fluffy' as the plain waffle, meaning not as tall…but the flavors and nutty-ness and cranberries was wonderful. The granola was evenly dispersed and not 'chunky' in the waffle. The eggs were poached perfectly and the bacon provided just the right bit of saltiness.

I kind of wanted lunch…or maybe salty, so ordered the Deli Omelette ($7.95), made with corned beef, pastrami, tomatoes, onions and Swiss cheese. It's made with three large eggs and *filled* with all those ingredients, and the melty Swiss just makes it luxuriously smooth. This was served with country potatoes (I could have chosen fruit-they give you a lot of fresh fruit) and choice of toasted potato bread, whole wheat, sourdough or English muffin. I *love* potato bread, buy it whenever I can find it (which is rarely) and this is made here. Oh and the sesame seed topping makes this just right when toasted. (The other breads baked here are also really good, especially for the lunch sandwiches).

La Mesa Bistro and Baker doesn't need any publicity and doesn't even have a website. If you can drop by for breakfast or lunch, you won't be disappointed.

La Mesa Bistro and Bakery 8697 La Mesa Boulevard La Mesa 91941 (619)589-0806 Open seven days 6:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Website

Pacific Beach Bar and Grill- a little lunch

October 9, 2010 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Pubs and Pub Grub, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome back to mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk is taking a short vacation, ed(from Yuma) is enjoying his weekend (in Yuma) and Cathy is writing a little bit today.

Hi. I wrote about the Pacific Beach Bar & Grill about three years ago, so it's time for a revisit-for you. We were back again last week for a light shared lunch.

..and some football. Beers on tap are $2.75 during Saturday games, Pear Cider is $5.50. If you care. Yes, there are about 30 taps…
Nut crusted brie, served with an apricot and mango chutney (lots of red peppers and cilantro) and olive oil herbed crusty baguette is regular $8.50, but $3 off all appetizers during College football games.
The Brie is warm and oozing….very good.
We ordered the Seafood Louie salad ($10.50), told our waitress we were going to share and it was brought out on two plates (no extra charge). ..so this is a photo of a half salad. The shrimp are very large and flavorful, the crab meat was also very fresh and tasted good, without the need to add condiments.
We also ordered a bowl of French Onion Soup ($3.25)(only 50¢ more than a cup, and considerably larger), which was made with a good, rich, not salty beef broth, sweet, not mushy onions and topped with croutons and slices of Swiss cheese, melted just right.

The food here isn't quite 'bar food' and is very good. There are sliders and nachoes and that type of thing on the menu, all kind of high end. PBB&G has weekday specials and a very good Brunch. More information is on the website (which has music attached, so if you click on the link, you may want to turn down the sound). It's good.

Pacific Beach Bar and Grill 860 Garnet, San Diego 92109 (858) 272-1242 Website

A great cup of coffee-Zumbar

October 1, 2010 Cathy Caffeine Fix, What Cathy Eats!

You are reading mmm-yoso!!!, which is a blog about food and sometimes beverages. Today's short post is written by Cathy, because ed(from Yuma) and Kirk apparently don't have much to say. Today.

Hi. The other Saturday, after after a breakfast at Opera Patisserie, I decided to drive about aimlessly, as I tend to do (The Mister could tell you some stories) and drove West, under the I-5 and then North on Scranton Road, parallel to the freeway, until I got to the intersection of the I-5 and I-805.
Then I saw a small strip mall, just behind the Coaster stop. I recall someone mentioning this great coffee shop. This rather obscure signage…
Ali Baba's Cave looks interesting, was not yet open. The simple words "Coffee Shop". We had just had a coffee with our breakfast, but that really never stops me. I like good coffee.
Zumbar. Humble. Unassuming. The sign with the name is inside. Three tables and a bar with two stools inside, three tables out front. That is the whole menu. They roast their own coffee and sell it here. (the majority of the space in back is taken up by the roasters) Yes. The entire menu. They make coffee the right way. Coffee.
They make it pretty. ( I ordered a macchiato and The Mister got an Americano). We got it to go, but you can see they have plenty of "for here' cups.
The add-ins area is small. Really, you don't need to add anything. This place has *really* good coffee. Stop in. They have a few pastries available. It is wonderful.

Zumbar 10920 Roselle Street San Diego 92121 M-F 6 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (858)622-0000 Website