What Cathy Eats! – Page 87

Wa Sushi. Small place. Excellent food.

July 19, 2010 Cathy Japanese Restaurants, Sushi and Sashimi, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog which is never on vacation. ed (from Yuma) is resting. Kirk is also resting. Cathy ate and doesn't rest. She is blogging today.

Wa Sushi used to be Haru-Ya. It's in the same mall with Khan's Cave and Boll Weevil, kitty corner from the Registrar of Voters. A few weeks ago, The Mister and I met to have dinner here and it was so very crowded. We would have to wait. So we walked over to Boll Weevil and had some burgers. The other day I was really craving 'food you can eat with chopsticks" and called TheMister and asked me to try meeting here again. We were lucky: there were empty tables. We noticed the sign out front "All sushi and rolls 40% off". We ordered from the regular menu. The Mister's meal came with an excellent -not salty- miso soup.
We ordered the Japanese cucumber salad($3). Crunchy cucumber, marinated with sweet (sugar) and a light vinegar, this was

excellent. I ordered the Assorted fish salad ($13). This is essentially chirashi, but sliced. Usually chirashi pieces seemto be leftovers and chunks of fish. A large amount of *very fresh* sliced tuna, albacore, salmon, yellowtail on top of mosty iceberg lettuce with a light, soy-ginger dressing. Those 'crunchies' on top are fried pumpkin and very tasty.
The Mister ordered the KinTara Misoyaki ($14). Sea bass, marinated in miso, cooked until the skin was crispy but the fish stayed beautifully moist and flavored delicately with miso. The spring rolls were vegetable filled and fried properly, a light crisp, the California roll was made with real crab. The rice, salad and pickles were all fresh and tasty.

We were almost done and still had the menu on the table and the "40% off all rolls and sushi" sign still had us thinking. So we ordered the "veggie roll" ($7 regular price). Asparagus, avocado, cucumber, cabbage, carrot, fried tofu skin, surrounded with rice and wrapped with soy paper instead of seaweed. An excellent dessert for us. Total bill was $40.55 ($1.50 each for hot green tea, refilled constantly.)

Wa Sushi 9340 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 8, San Diego 92123 (858) 569-9595

The 2010 San Diego County Fair. Part 2. A taste of some food offered.

June 14, 2010 Cathy Festivals & Events, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for coming back to mmm-yoso!!! the blog about food, in all iterations. Today Cathy is blogging. Kirk and ed(from Yuma) are reading. Part one of the 2010 San Diego County Fair can be found here .

Well. The Mister, me and our friend, Ms. T went to the 2010 San Diego County Fair. On Opening Day. At the opening hour (which is 11 a.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m on weekends). It wasn't too crowded because the day was quite cool and overcast.
Don Diego is dressed differently than when I saw him before the official opening. He looks more like a chef now. This look fits in with the logo of the Fair a bit better.
When you first walk in, you can see the ferris wheel at the far end of the Midway.
To your left are the various landscape entries.

To the right of the entrance are the various livestock barns.

The Design in Wood exhibits had some beautiful entries this year.

Oh. Then there was the food.

Here is my confession: A few weeks ago, I went to see my doctor for my annual appointment. I was told to not eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the appointment. The prior week was extremely stressful and I worked long hours and ate without thinking about any lab results. On Tuesdays, Popeyes sells their fried chicken 2 pieces for $1.29…I had 4 pieces. With red beans and rice. Large. On Wednesday, I stopped for breakfast at a friend's home. She bought bear claws and jelly donuts from Vons. I had two at her home and took one to go. On Thursday, Arby's $1 menu looked good. Then there was the wine…ANYHOW, I found out that Potassium numbers needed to be *higher* than 3.4 and LDL cholesterol numbers need to be *less* than 100…and that "fasting glucose" is supposed to be between 70 and 99. A higher score is *not* good in most cases. Then, I read the "side effects" disclosure for a recommended cholesterol lowering medication. That scared me. So for about a month now, my diet has been a conscious consumption of food so I can pass thenext bloodletting.

It was simple- lower sodium intake so as to increase potassium levels and eating more fiber and less fat. I am eating nothing artificial or overly processed. Fresh fruit and vegetables at *every* meal or snack. No magic.

My cravings have changed. Most of the Fair Foods had not much appeal for me. Especially the"new" ones. I never much craved sweets anyhow. What I did eat and photograph was just a taste of most of what I will show you.
So. I was very happy with this simple gingerbread cookie from the Gingerbread house, which makes "The World's Best Hot Chocolate"- photo in my previous post.
The hot dog on a stick, covered in hash browns or sweet potato shreds, held no interest for me. Nor did pizza on a stick.

Nor did the rolled tacos, sold at one of at least ten "taco shop" carts on the Fairgrounds.
However, this booth looked good.
The grilled asparagus was excellent. The lemony mayonnaise sauce was a nice compliment. ($6)
This booth has a cute design.
However, another booth dips a slab of vanilla ice cream in chocolate and then peanuts…satisfying cravings for many people (also a bargain at $3.50).
We always enjoy the fresh made pesto at Pignotti's.
The cheese tortellini topped with this sauce was excellent, as always ($6.50).
Three of us did share a blooming onion (~$6)
We also shared the garlic battered mushrooms (~$6)- the mushrooms were very fresh large ones. The batter did compliment them, and with the batter peeled off, the mushrooms were very large and still firm, fresh, white.
We finally found this cart down the "Cinnamon Roll" aisle off the Midway, all the way to the walkway that crosses the horse track to the Youth area of the fairgrounds. I looked at the items ordered by others…
Ended up ordering the "Cheese Crisps" ($8). Because the "Garlic Dippers" and the "Cinnamon Crisps" were kind of the same thing- frozen butter, placed inside a tortilla and then the tortilla deep fried. The garlic one was topped with parmesan and had marinara for dipping and the cinnamon one had some churros and whipped cream. I just didn't want either. The Cheese Crisp costs a bit more than either of the butter selections and basically is a quesedilla cut into strips then deep fried- then topped with a good marinara sauce. (Oh, I had the chocolate dipped bacon last year and loved it; crispy, salty bacon covered in chocolate then frozen and ready to grab and go in a small take out box. There are quite a few small carts which sell water bottles and have a freezer selling the chocolate bacon.). It was good.
The three of us did share the one item I have been buying at this Fair every year since we moved to San Diego. Two cream puffs- one with vanilla whipped cream, the other with a cocoa infused whipped cream and a coffee. The shells are baked in the booth, fresh, crispy and wonderful.
We didn't buy any gadgets or ride any rides. However, I will be going back later this week.

I never found the chocolate dipped pickle cart…and maybe I'll try a fried pop tart. Maybe.

San Diego Fair Website Read this to find out ways to get discounted entrance tickets, free parking and other discounts. Open June 11-July 5, Closed Mondays in June.

The 2010 San Diego County Fair, Part 1. Before it opens.

June 10, 2010 Cathy Festivals & Events, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food consumed by those of us who write about our adventures surrounding the consumption. Lately, you have been reading about Kirk's China vacation- family, sights and food He and His missus enjoyed. Today He is taking a break. Cathy is writing.

Hi. The 2010 San Diego County Fair will be opening tomorrow, June 11. Once again , I have a behind the scenes look into the set up and what you can expect to see and enjoy this year.

The theme this year is "Taste the fun" and the front gate proclaims this to everyone entering. Don Diego is wearing a tasteful apron embroidered with the Official Fair Logo.

Of course, you know from my prior posts, that I consider the "heart of the fair" to be the Home and Hobby section. Because the origin of County Fairs was for the farmers to show off the fruits of their labor.

This year is no exception, and the entries were submitted for judging a few weeks ago. Spinning and weaving.

Quilts. Various crafts. Collections.

Of course, Preserved foods. I have shown and explained to you the judging of Preserved Foods in prior years and will skip that this year. Let's just say that this year (as you can see on the above entry table areas) there were more than 70 jellies for a single judge, as well as more than 70 jams for another judge and then a few other judges shared canned fruits, vegetables, dried foods, marmalades, conserves, preserves, pickles, relishes, salsas, honeys, syrups, vinegars and (new this year) liqueurs which left all of the judges pretty tired of craving much sweet or canned anything and wanting fresh vegetables and protein packed foods for quite a few days after judging. {The top liqueur has won "Best in Show" for the Preserved Food category.}
Once judged, the items are set up on display, and this is what you will see.

But I suppose you are interested in what delights the food vendors are offering this year…
So I am just going to show you some of the booths which are set up.
These are more or less the 'usual' ones.

The Health Smart menu on this booth has me intrigued…Because I will be eating items from this stand… and this one. All for the sake of mmm-yoso!!!

Again this year there are discounted tickets at the local Albertson's, you can get in free if you enter one of the daily contests and there are free parking lots nearby, with bus service directly to the gate. For more information, see the Official San Diego County Fair website

The 2010 San Diego County Fair, June 11-July 5 (closed June 14, 21 and 28)

Sakura at the sushi bar.

May 26, 2010 Cathy Japanese Restaurants, Sushi and Sashimi, What Cathy Eats!, What Ed Eats -You too can be like Ed!

This is mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Usually Kirk writes here about food he ate and adventures he had. Cathy and ed (from Yuma) kind of intersperse with their own anecdotal meals, if there is such a thing. Kirk is still 'vacationing' and Cathy is filling in so you will stay interested. She is only a Temp.

Hi. I was cleaning out my memory card and enjoying again a meal I shared with ed (from Yuma) when he drove in (from Yuma) -a three hour drive- in March. We who contribute to this blog think nothing strange of doing such a thing for food. It seems we who blog here all *really* like Sakura. So that was where he and I met up one evening. Here's our meal. (Most of the photos are from ed-many thanks)
We ordered from the regular menu while waiting for our special/omakase (i.e., not on the menu) sashimi plate to be prepared by Kazu, the itamae (sushi chef), who recognized ed when we walked in. From the "Hot" section: spinach with uni. I never had warm uni before. This was wonderful: creamy, salty, rich. (OK, I'll get it out of the way: everything was wonderful.)
Shiokara: salty, slightly sweet, savory squid guts. I've seen it on the menu, never had it before and will order it again. Really good, chewy, not too salty, rich with a pleasant aftertaste.

Agedashi tofu. House made silken tofu,  deep fried. I had a craving for this. Creamy and a little crunchy. ed had never had this before. He liked it too. (The sauce on the bottom is sweet.)

Our special sashimi plate was finished by Kazu and proudly placed in front of us.    The "decorative" mackerel skeleton was to be used later, as were the shrimp heads. This was a selection of the freshest most flavorful items available.   So fresh that those shrimp -drunk with sake- were still alive and moving. Other items on there, tuna, octopus, abalone,squid, mackerel, yellowtail, salmon…
Once we had consumed the shrimp, the heads were whisked away, lightly fried and brought back as part of a miso soup.
We also had ordered some tempura vegetables, which were perfectly fried and not greasy. A nice crunch.   Plus we were eating vegetables in addition to the spinach uni…

The Spanish mackerel skeleton was also whisked away with the shrimp heads, breaded, fried and brought back to our seats in this simple display. Yes, that's the head. With eyes. The crunch of the bones and flavor of fried mackerel was a wondrous, perfect dish. We squeezed lemon and dipped these cracker like pieces in the accompanying ponzu sauce.

At some point, ed and I decided we needed some kind of carbohydrate and the crab fried rice looked interesting on the menu, because neither of us had ever had -or heard of- Japanese fried rice…then there was the crab factor. Kazu grabbed the menu from us, looked at other things available and He also thought that might be a good way to end our meal. So we ordered it. This was wonderful! Who would have thought of Japanese fried rice? You can see the corn, onion and carrots, There was a lot of crab in here also. Fresh and flavorful, a perfect ending to a wonderful meal.

Neither of us had any Sake, although we both wanted it. Hot tea and water were our beverages. I know you are wondering, so here is a photo of the bill.

Izakaya Sakura 3904 Convoy Street 92111 It is in the parking lot with the Original Pancake House, all the way in the back, next to the Recruiting Depot. The door way. The Neon "Open" sign in the window. No other signage.

Nijiya Market- grab and go for a quick meal

May 24, 2010 Cathy Markets & Grocers, What Cathy Eats!

You are reading mmm-yoso!!! the blog about food. Cathy is blogging again today. Kirk is *still* on vacation, as is ed (from Yuma).

Hi. The other day, The Mister and I had about an hour for lunch at the same time and we were in the same area, so we met at Nijiya Market. The first time I had ever gone to Nijiya, I came home and googled it. The first google item that came up was this blog. I started following Kirk and this blog. Way back in 2005. .
Located in the same mall as Sage French Cake, Okan, Shanghai City and Curry House , this Japanese Market sells healthy (mostly all organic) and gourmet foods. We walked to the wall opposite the entrance door, where prepared foods and sashimi are displayed. Yes. I am doing another post about meals you eat where you shop.
I took a warm vegetable croquette (99¢)- mostly mashed potatoes with carrot and peas, rolled in panko and fried and also a shrimp vegetable tempura pancake ($1.99)- onions, green pepper, carrot, squash and small shrimp dipped in batter and fried until crispy.
The mister grabbed a Saki Nori bento box($5.49) with warm smoked salmon, a piece of tempura shrimp with some karage style chicken all on top of laver (a thick piece of seaweed which has a good mineral content) which was on top of organic rice which had some sort of seasoning sauce (not soy) and bonito flakes on it. The rice ended up being very salty fishy tasting; The Mister likened it to anchovy-like saltiness, which he does not like. Of course, I thought it was wonderful.
I chose the Kaisen Chirashi ($6.99)- organic sushi rice,(Clockwise from top) Squid with salmon roe, salmon, octopus, shrimp, scallop(under the shrimp), cooked egg, yellowtail and tuna. The packing includes organic soy sauce, wasabi and ginger packets. You get chopsticks when you are paying at the cash register. To the far left of the grab and go counters, on top of the counter, is a hot refrigerator and the cans of green tea or coffee are very heated through and only $1. A quick lunch we could eat our front at one the the five set up tables in front.

Nijiya Market 3860 Convoy Street, Suite 109 San Diego 92111 (858)268-3821 Website

Centifonti’s. La Mesa. Breakfast.

May 21, 2010 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, Italian Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome back to the food blog named mmm-yoso!!! Kirk is (still) on vacation, but not as far away as he had been about a week ago. ed (from Yuma) is in Yuma, on his own vacation. Cathy is here, now. She blogs when the others play.

Hello again. I appear to be eating out a lot. Such is the magic that is blogging. Here is a meal I was particularly happy to enjoy with The Mister. Centifonti's was 'just' a candy store in the Village of La Mesa for about 16 years. Handmade chocolates, fudge, gummy bears, peanut butter filled peanut shaped delights. About six years ago, they moved down the street and opened a bar and restaurant. All while keeping the candies.

Added gelato.
Added daily fresh baked pastries. …and a bar, television sets, serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and wines. It works.
Coffee. $1.75. Good, fresh coffee. It is brought out in the cups *and* you get the small thermal pot on your table. Half and half in the small pitcher. This would be perfect with a slice of fresh pie ($3) or one of the bear claws ($2), a cookie ($1.50) or even one of the chocolate/caramel/nut/Oreo™/Reeses™/M&M™ covered apples ($5).
However, we were here at breakfast time. We had never been here for breakfast, a mistake we shan't make ever again. Excellent. French Toast, one poached egg, skin on breakfast sausage-The French Toast Platter ($8.95).
Each slice of the French Toast is dipped in the egg mix and then sliced almonds before cooking. A delightful surprise. The sausages were very fresh, just a bit burned (which I like) and the poached egg was perfect.
Eggs Benedict Florentine ($9.99). I had wanted spinach. This was fresh spinach, definitely not the frozen stuff…fresh. It got better.
This was a from scratch Hollandaise sauce. (Egg yolk, butter, just a bit of tang from the lemon juice-Wonderful). On top of perfectly poached eggs. On top of Prosciutto. On top of a toasted English muffin. Yes. Prosciutto. Thick sliced, chewy, dry cured Italian ham. The "Centifonti potatoes" were slightly seasoned diced skin on red potatoes, lightly fried with red and green bell peppers. Not the center of attention.

The breakfast here was a great, wonderful, flavorful surprise for us. If you are in La Mesa, this is a place to enjoy.

Centifonti's Bar and Restaurant 8365 La Mesa Blvd. La Mesa 91941 (619)461-4434 Website

Zodiac. Neiman Marcus. Fine dining in Fashion Valley.

May 19, 2010 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Yes, this is mmm-yoso!!! the food blog and really, Cathy isn't the only one who blogs here, it just seems that way. Kirk is on vacation. He will be back. ed(from Yuma) is decompressing and he will blog again also. Cathy is upping it a notch today, just to keep you interested.

So anyhow, I have blogged about quite a few places which have an eating area inside a store where you shop for food…Foodland, Wholesome Choice, Bristol Farms and Harvest Ranch Market are grocery stores with small, eat in areas. Other stores where you shop for items other than food, like The Bass Pro Shop, Ikea and Nordstrom also have very nice restaurants.

Possibly, like me, you haven't really shopped in this store.
It's right here in Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego, just across the door from Nordstrom at the North side of the mall. It's kind of fancy. OK-it's really high end. Don't be afraid.

Walk in, take the escalator to the third floor. Admire the Art Installation of thousands of butterflies made of feathers, gold and silver paint and mirrors hanging from the roof to the main floor. There are other Neiman Marcus Collection paintings and sculptures sprinkled throughout the store. It's a kind of art gallery sprinkled among the various Departments. At the top of the escalator, walk straight ahead, a bit to your right. There is an open doorway, "Zodiac" is emblazoned above it. Step inside. You'll be greeted promptly. If you are carrying bags, you'll be asked if you'd like to check them. Then you'll be seated and handed your menu.

Almost immediately, an espresso size cup of perfect hot chicken consummè, sided by a fresh, small, soft cheese biscuit is placed before you. If you're female, the cloth napkin wrapping your silverware will be shaken open for you. Usually they try to match the color of the napkin with your clothing (dark or light).

You are at the Neiman Marcus restaurant.
Another clue you are at Neiman Marcus: The man with the basket of still warm crispy flaky exterior, soft layered interior popovers (popovers!) and plate of strawberry butter stops at your table and places one on the plate which was on the table when you sat down. The butter is unsalted. The strawberry -with strawberry seeds- flavor is there, not too sweet, not overpowering. You know it is butter.

Your order is taken when you are ready. There is a wine list. There is champagne. There are bottled teas.
There is hot tea, the flavor and leaves which you choose from a box filled with many types- displayed in sort of test tubes- and then the tea is prepared and brought out to you in a press pot. $4. You can have more water added if you wish. You can pretty much have anything the way you wish. Zodiac restaurant is service based, professional.
Here is a surreptitious photo of The Mister's NM Cobb salad ($16). Mixed spring greens, chicken, avocado, blue cheese, red cabbage, egg, tomato served already mixed with a warm bacon dressing. It was fresh and good, but not extraordinary. He also ordered hot coffee ($3.50), refilled constantly. It was very fresh, good and served with real cream. Of course.
The Sampler Plate ($12.50) half a chicken salad (or tuna salad or turkey) sandwich on your choice of bread, toasted or not, served with a cup of soup (either white bean or the soup of the day- in this case chili soup), kettle chips…
and a small ramekin of fruit (in this case, melon and pineapple and topped with a raspberry, blackberry and 1/4 of a strawberry). The sandwich- classic, simple chicken salad of fresh moist chicken breast and real mayonnaise, salt and white pepper. The bread is a hearty whole wheat with excellent flavor. The kettle chips are thick and crispy. The chili soup had ground beef, finely chopped onion and celery and small black beans, was soup and not chili, topped with cheddar cheese that was melty stringy in every spoonful. The fruit was amazingly flavored and ripe. Every piece.
This. The "heart couture" lemon shrimp salad. $17. Two hearts of Romaine, quinoa, Feta, asparagus and toasted almonds topped with a citrus vinaigrette, sided by two very flavorful tomatoes and accompanied by five large citrus marinated plump grilled flavorful shrimp. No way would you think it was only 460 calories. No way would you think it was part of a 'healthy' menu. If everything labeled as being healthy tasted like this, I'd eat this way all the time. Everything in this salad, including the quinoa, was wonderously flavored.

It is not inexpensive to eat here. The food and service are high quality. Your bill comes after you are finished eating. The infamous cookie is $2.50. I have not had one.

Neiman Marcus 7027 Friars Road San Diego 92108 (Fashion Valley Mall) (619)542-4450 Website-Zodiac menu near top right

Boll Weevil. The real one.

May 18, 2010 Cathy Burgers, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food. Kirk usually writes, except he is on vacation. Sometimes, ed (from Yuma) writes, but he is kind of on a vacation right now. So Cathy is writing, just to keep you looking while you wait in anticipation for Kirk's return.

Hi. I'm still here. I ate. At one of the few remaining Boll Weevils in town. Most have closed, but are in the same location, a darn good copycat has appeared Kitty corner from the Registrar of Voters (in the same parking lot as Khan's Cave) is Boll Weevil. Kirk has posted on this location and He did not like it. I knew what I crave and wanted to see if my 'usual' order tasted the same as I remembered.
The interior of this location (NW corner of Clairmont Mesa and Ruffin) is quite large. There are four televisions, two pool tables and an added on covered patio, seen in this photo, above.
The traditional tray o' condiments is the same. A bit more of a selection -two mustards, tabasco-regular and smoked.
The container in front is a mix of mustard, mayonnaise and relish; something which goes perfectly with the burgers. At least I think so.

We perused the menu, noting the various possible selections. Toppings of bacon, various cheeses, mushrooms, BBQ sauce…all sorts of variations of toppings for burgers, chicken patties, Reuben sandwiches, salads…Broasted ™ chicken , smoked ribs. Then we ordered pretty much what we always do.
The 1/2 pound Steerburger, with cheese. Medium rare. ($5.39)
A small side of "Crings" curly fries and onion rings ($4.29). The onions are whole, battered in a mix which includes cornmeal; not those diced premade weird ones… The curly fries are OK, nothing to write about.
My 1/2 pound plain Steerburger, rare ($4.99). The patty is not a frozen one. It is shaped here from fresh, flavorful ground beef, lightly seasoned.
It was juicy.
Cooked rare. Very rare…

The basic burger. None of the fancy stuff. None of the fancy toppings. No fancy sauce. Not even lettuce or tomatoes. Happy Happy. Good Good.

Boll Weevil 9330 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92123 (858)571-6225

Niban – Inexpensive. Good. Japanese fast food.

May 17, 2010 Cathy Japanese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome back to the blog called mmm-yoso!!! Kirk is busy on his vacation, ed (from Yuma) is starting his vacation and Cathy is blogging.

Hello again. I blogged about Niban back in 2006, when Kirk was on his 'first' vacation-from the blog, at least.. I thought it was time to take the camera with me on my most recent visit. A lot is the same. It is pretty much Japanese fast food.

The menu is still in the front window, with the daily specials in the display caseby the "in" door.
You walk in, order, pay then sit down. A nice waiter or waitress will pick up our receipt stub and bring out your beverages (hot tea is free).
Miso soup. Standard rehydrated with freeze dried tofu cubettes and a highly reflective quality.
One of the daily bento specials ($7.25). Six California rolls (made with krab), teriyaki chicken, baked salmon and fried fish and fried shrimp with rice, salad, pickled bean sprouts.
Seaweed salad topped with two pieces of pickled burdock ($3.25). I almost always get this. The seaweed is crunchy, not really salty and fresh tasting, served on top of some lettuce, which I end up eating.
Mixed sashimi plate ($12.50). 4 pieces each salmon, tuna and albacore. The fish is fresh, not a bad quality, very good. This is served with the rice, pickled beans prouts and salad. A satisfying quick meal.

Niban 7081 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard (at SE corner of the 805)(the Souplantation parking lot) San Diego 92111 (619)268-0465

GIO. Breakfast. La Mesa.

May 16, 2010 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

GIO has closed.

This is mmm-yoso!!, the food blog. Kirk isn't writing, because he is on vacation. Really. He is on another continent, visiting, photographing and eating in an exotic and beautiful country. ed(from Yuma) is in Yuma, working diligently. Cathy is in San Diego's East County, eating and blogging about it.

Hi.  The original Drew Ford was on the triangle shaped block in the Village of La Mesa, at the end of La Mesa Boulevard and Allison Street.  It has moved a few miles away, closer to the I-8 location most of you know and is now Drew Auto Center . This original building was preserved, windows and all. It has gone through many incarnations of restaurants, one I remember fondly was called "The Black Forest", which had a weeknight prime rib special (like two for $12) which was very popular and that restaurant eventually moved to the Mission Hills area of San Diego and closed.
When GIO, more or less an Wine Bar and Bistro, is open so are the windows. All of that courtyard you see in the photo is filled with tables and fountains, and makes a comfortable outdoor eating area.
When you walk in, to your left is the bar area. You can see the open window and original industrial wall that used to be part of the Drew Ford Auto Dealership…
  Just behind the counter is the espresso machine. There are about 6 indoor booths and tables to you right and then the majority of the seating is outdoors.

We were here early (9:15) on a Saturday morning a few weekends ago and were seated quickly. It took a while to have our order taken, but once that happened, coffee ($2.75. Each.) was brought out.
It was an excellent French Roast coffee. Both of our cups were refilled, twice, before our food was ready.

When the food came out, it was prepared properly and was hot. I got the "Eye Opener" ($7) . Three poached eggs, rye toast, homestyle potatoes- shredded potatoes sauteed with onions and bell peppers- not plain hash browns- and 3 slices of wonderful thick sliced applewood smoked bacon. This was served with a side of catsup and strawberry jam- a nice touch instead of tossing bottles on the table as condiments.

Here is a good cross section photo of my poached egg. All three eggs were done properly, were placed in the cup with no excess water draining and I was very pleased with my meal.

The Mister ordered a  Breakfast combo plate ($ 11 ). Three eggs, over easy, with homestyle potatoes, two very nice, skin on link sausages and… a golden Belgium waffle, served with loads of butter and warm maple syrup. The waffle batter was very nice and sweet all by itself, without the need to add the condiments.

GIO is more or less a leisurely lunch and 'date night' dinner place, offering wine tastings, happy hour prices for appetizers and good food. Service is spotty- and has been every time I have been here. It is like they don't have enough staff slated to come in at opening time.  The basic meal I ordered was a good value, but I don't think the waffle was worth the extra $4 in lieu of two slices of toast… and in general I don't usually order a beverage with meals, but in the morning I have to have coffee. It seemed kind of expensive…

GIO 8384 La Mesa Boulevard (at Allison, between 3rd and 4th) La Mesa 91941 (619) 462-9100

Website