What Cathy Eats! – Page 91

Karina’s Mexican Restaurant- Seafood- The El Cajon location

November 23, 2009 Cathy Mexican Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is just a blog, writing about food consumed. Today, Cathy consumed.

Hi. The Mister and I have been in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon lately and have noticed places we hadn’t previously. Karina’s is one of those places.
We finally stopped in the other day and were pleasantly surprised.
The bar area is pretty large and has two televisions and the regular seating area is nicely decorated. You can see the type of chairs in the dining area…kind of looks like we are in Mexico. But with air conditioning. Most people had a bucket of beer on their tables. We were here for the food, though.
I had to order a marlin taco ($3.75). Unfortunately, this was the disappointing part of the meal. The marlin was smoked well but it was stir fried with green peppers and onions in some sort of grease and was very salty. I found a few unadulterated chunks and those were good, but the combination of the stir fried flavors and the cheese on the corn tortilla was overwhelming. I still finished it though…
The Mister chose from the appetizer menu-the melted cheese molcajete with both steak and shrimp ($17.95). This photo is not as detailed as I would like, and you can’t see the molcajete bowl (a mortar-no pestle) that is heated and very deep. Filled with a tender, flavorful carne asada and at least 8 very large, juicy shrimp, the melted cheese laden area also was interspersed with sauteed mushrooms, fresh tomatoes and green peppers (no onions). It was well worth the price paid. Apparently you are supposed to enjoy the cheese with tortillas or chips. We did, once we got tired of everything else, but it took us a while.

I decided to at least appear to be healthy and got the mixed seafood salad ($12.50). Tomatoes, cucumbers, mixed greens, shredded red cabbage and shredded carrots along with fresh cooked octopus, tuna and shrimp (not as large as were in the molacajete, but just as flavorful and plump) topped with a light flavored citrus based creamy dressing. There was plenty of seafood hidden under the already mixed lettuces.

Everything here was very fresh and very good. We will be dropping by again soon. The lollipops that come with the bill are made in Mexico and are really good…

Karina’s Mexican Seafood Cuisine 820 Jamacha Road El Cajon 92019 (619)588-4119

Website

Spinners- real fresh and real fast Mediterranean food

November 13, 2009 Cathy Mediterranean Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of the blog. A few of us write about what we ate. You read and get to enjoy, or get inspired. Today, it’s Cathy being enjoyable and/or inspirational.

The Mister and I happened to be in the Rancho San Diego area last week and drove past the newly remodeled Ralphs and in that same parking lot, saw this place on a corner..and..you know… stopped.

We ordered, paid, got our beverages, sat down and our food was brought out very quickly.

The menu is simple- chose a “Spinner- Steak (it’s schawarma), Chicken (schawarma again),
Gyros or Falafel.

Then a way of serving it- in a pita, as a sub, on a salad, as a lettuce wrap or on a plate.

This is the gyros salad. A very healthy size serving of Gyros meat, moist and with excellent flavor, served on lettuce with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green pepper and dressing and sauce. $6.49 and we took home leftovers.

The steak plate ($7.99). A very large serving of the Schawarma, pita, hummus (fresh made and wonderful), pickled turnips and sauce. Again, we took home leftovers.

Here is a photo of the full plate not covered by the pita.

Of course we went back, less than a week later, so we could try other items…and satisfy my craving.

Below is the “Lettuce Wrap” with falafel and couscous(I could have had tabbouleh or couscous with the wrap) ($6.49).

The falafel are very good and substantial with a lightly fried crust and the insides are flavorful chickpeas and fava beans and parsley, as well as some spices.

The couscous was fresh, nicely chilled and had red and green peppers as well as a lot (at least eight) olives as part of the mix.

Bonus!!! The yellow sauce on top of the turnips is a *very* traditional falafel sauce, amba, made with mango chutney- pickled/vinegary with definite mango flavor and pieces. It is perfect with the falafel.

I have rarely seen amba served with falafel.

If you noticed the poster in the first photo- the kebab burger $5.95- this is it. A *really* flavorful piece of marinated kebab meat on a toasted sesame bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and large side of fries. Kebab is not listed as one of the “Spinners” because it is cooked on a grill when you order.

The fries were pretty standard, there looks to be a flavor coating but salt was all we tasted other than potatoes but a lot of people were ordering the “Spinner Fries” ($7.49), the other poster in the window in that first photo. A lot of fries topped with whatever meat you choose and feta, hummus (there is a jalapeno cilantro hummus offered), tomatoes and onions …pretty much one of the plates with fries instead of pita. It seemed to be the popular choice, but The Mister and I just don’t eat fires fries and left a lot of these.

Anyhow, if you are in the Rancho San Diego area and are hungry, this is a very good choice. Very fast and very fresh.

Spinners 2654 Jamacha El Cajon, 92019 (West of the Ralphs in the Kohls Center) open daily 11-9

website

Stromboli vs. Calzone- A Brooklyn Pizzeria Revisit

October 27, 2009 Cathy Pizza, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome to the blog named mmm-yoso!!! It is written by Kirk, ed(from Yuma), Cathy and a few others who occasionally join in. We just write about stuff we eat. Today, Cathy ate. Then she wrote.

Hi. I hope all of you are healthy or at least not sick with some sort of virus.

A few days ago, The Mister and I were talking about food and each of us wanted 'something Italian', but we could not decide. So we drove down Mission Gorge Road and stopped at one of our favorite places, A Brooklyn Pizzeria. I did a post about this place, on Mission Gorge Road, within walking distance of the Kaiser Hospitals, more than two years ago, so it is time for an update.

We usually eat in, and the menu above the counter is the current one, not the website and not the paper menu.

As you know, I grew up in Detroit. What you did not know, is that my parents got engaged in a restaurant there which was named Stromboli's.

Who or what is a stromboli? Well, you all probably know what a pizza is. You may or may not know a calzone is pretty much a folded pizza, usually filled with ricotta cheese. A stromboli is a rolled pizza, mostly meat and some cheese… After much discussion in the car on the way, we could not decide, so ordered one of each. The Stromboli.
A cross section view.

The meaty insides. Ham, salami, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. $6.50. Worth it.
The (happy) Calzone. ($6.50)
The cross section- showing the melted mozzarella and ricotta blend.

Oh. Both were served with a nice, fresh, mild marinara. We did add oregano and some parmesan.

We still don't know which one we like better. Both are done very well here. The dough is so flavorful and the fillings are plentiful and fresh. I guess it depends on whether the craving is for meat or cheese. Along with a thicker or thinner (rolled) crust.
{editing note: The stromboli shown here isn't quite a traditional one; this one just had less dough and more filling. It wasn't rolled. No complaints, but not completely authentic. The flavors of the fillings make up for it.}

A Brooklyn Pizzeria 6171 Mission Gorge Road San Diego 92120 (619)584-9000

401 C at 4th San Diego 92101 (619)232-1900

2358 University San Diego 92103 (619)692-4100

website

Dim Sum Lunch inside Vinh Hung Supermarket

October 26, 2009 Cathy Dim Sum, What Cathy Eats!

Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Cathy, as well as a few others write on this blog, mmm-yoso!!! Today, Cathy is talking about another interesting lunch she had. You can enjoy it, too. Vicariously at least.

Hi. A few weeks ago, Mr. C sent me an email asking if we could meet for lunch. Of course I could. So we did. Kirk blogged about his lunch here about 2.5 years ago so I figure I can talk about my experience here.
You enter the supermarket (formerly movie theater-Mr. C said he could not believe this was where he saw "The Matrix" so many years ago)and walk to the right- past the steam trays. We were told to "sit by the window" and so we did. This was our view of the steam trays (which *obviously* used to be the movie theater snack area).

They serve Hong Kong style Dim Sum here. Mr. C knew what he wanted to order and so I let him. (You order from a menu here, no steam carts. Items range from $1.80 to $3.20 for the most part) I only told him I did not want chicken feet.

Top left- Har Gao- Shrimp dumpling, in a delicate thin wrapper (moist, good flavor) Top right- Siu Mai (pork and mushroom in egg wrapper). Front - Haam sui gok-sometimes called a salty pastry…wonderful oval shaped rice flour items filled with pieces of pork and a thick 'gravy', crispy fried on the outside and sticky/rice like on the inside.

The roast pork (it was almost $10 per pound, kind of high compared to other places; we shared 1/2 lb). It was *really* good. The skin was crispy but not tough, the layer of fat was just right and melted in my mouth. Oh. The pork meat had a very rich flavor also.

The baked cha siu bao (buns filled with BBQ pork) were very fresh, light and the sweetness of the pork balanced with the saltiness of the bun. Of course we had to have egg tart as dessert. Even though everything was excellent, my most favorite item was the Congee (porridge) with roast duck. Deeply rich with chopped pieces of duck with still crispy skin and that luscious layer of fat.

Mr. C said that this is one of few places that serve the porridge with duck. He also said it was the best he has ever had. I never looked before, but I
will now…you know, so I can compare…

Forgot my token condiment photo and to mention the rice in lotus leaf…

Hong Kong Style Dim Sum, inside Vinh Hung Supermarket 10550 Camino Ruiz (SW corner at Mira Mesa Blvd) San Diego 92126 Opens at 9 am 7 days

The Original Pancake House – breakfast. Huge Huge breakfast.

October 25, 2009 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog where Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Cathy write about food they ate. Today it is Cathy writing.

Hi. I've been under the weather for a while now, as Kirk has, and just didn't post. This morning The Mister and I were awake early and decided to have breakfast at the Original Pancake House. It is a National chain, but no matter which location we have gone to, the food is always excellent. Fresh and of high quality.
The restaurant opens at 7 a.m., and by 8:15, there is a waiting list to be seated. All of the locations are decorated in this traditional decor.

Right down to real, heavy, quality, matched silverware on the tables.

The tables all have appropriate condiments.

The coffee (Boyd's brand) is served with *real* cream. Of course.

However, additional condiments, appropriate to your order, are also brought out.

Yes. The Mister ordered the German Pancake ($9.90), A larger version of the Dutch Baby, an oven baked delight that can be accompanied with fresh lemon juice, powdered sugar and, of course, real butter.

The pancake is eggy (it is baked, rises and falls; that's why it looks that way-a collapsed souffle) and thin, crepe-like and the plate it is served on (the one you can't see) is 12 inches in diameter. Huge.

I love the bacon, link sausage and patty sausage are wonderful here-the bacon is thick and smoky and cooked to just the right amount of crispiness, while remaining chewy, sausages are lightly but properly seasoned…but today I wanted an omelet. Not a too traditional omelet. The omelets here are prepared properly- hugely (as in about 2 inches thick) fluffy and soft on the interior but the crust is a touch crispy…like French Toast…

The corned beef omelet ($10.56) – house made corned beef…finely diced, flavorful corned beef, mixed with finely diced potatoes and finely diced onion. Mixed with both Swiss and Cheddar cheeses. All inside this fluffy omelet. Served on that 12 inch plate also. A the 12 o'clock position of the plate is a slice of The Mister's German pancake. We share.

Then again, this is the Original Pancake House. The omelets come with 3 buttermilk pancakes. Which are really good and filling, all by themselves. The syrup is *real* maple syrup, and is served warm (on that condiment plate with the lemons/butter/powdered sugar).

Sometimes, I am so disappointed in myself. Like when I can't finish all the food on my plate…

Original Pancake House 3906 Convoy San Diego 92111 858-565-1740

Website

Haru Ya Sushi and Sake…we didn’t, because there are no rules

October 9, 2009 Cathy Japanese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog you are looking at, probably because you bookmarked it, or googled it or something. Kirk, ed(from Yuma), Cathy and a few others share in writing here. About meals they have had. Today, Cathy is blogging.

Hi. It was one of those "neutral" days between birthdays. The Mister and I are seven days apart, but really it is eight days we celebrate by going out to eat-The Mister gets the first three days of where and what to eat (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) and I get the last three (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and on Tuesday and Wednesday, we both have to agree on where to go. So we did one of our 'date night' meals at Haru Ya- which used to be Haru, which used to be Takeya…you know in the mall with Khan's Cave Grill and Tavern and Boll Weevil, kitty corner from the Registrar of Voters. Date nights are when you seem to agree on everything…

It's been re-decorated, with an emphasis on the Sake/bar area and there are daily Happy Hour Specials.

We wanted none of that and proceeded to confuse our waitress with our order.

First, the seaweed sashimi salad ($12). Assorted, randomly cut sashimi pieces – a lot-, seaweed salad, baby lettuces, shredded daikon topped with a lemony/sesame oil/slight wasabi flavor dressing. There was a lot of sashimi-tuna, yellowtail, salmon, red snapper and albacore and a lot of lettuce. We started and ended our meal with this salad…

because everything else we ordered was fried- and an appetizer. On the left is the fried calamari ($4.95) it came with the dipping sauce above it-light and soy based. The calamari was very tender and lightly breaded and crispy fried, not greasy at all.

On the right, the mixed tempura vegetables (one each of onion, broccoli, squash, sweet potato, carrot and green bean)($3.95)- it was listed as vegetable pancakes on the menu and was shredded in that photo, but this was fresh vegetables and again, lightly battered and fried properly…not greasy. It was served with the homemade mayonnaise dipping sauce in front. Light and lemony.

We also ordered the 4 piece shrimp tempura ($4.95). Lightly battered, crispy, flavorful moist shrimp.

The agedashi tofu ($3.95)- lightly fried and served on a tempura sauce- was my favorite.

Of course we had hot tea and miso soup…

and a nice mid-birthday week dinner of exactly what we wanted.

Haru Ya 9340-B Clairmont Mesa Boulevard 92123 858.569.9595

Pho Pasteur Ahn Hong- Another meal from the eight days of feasting

October 3, 2009 Cathy Vietnamese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is this. A blog about meals. A few of us blog, individually and occasionally together. Today, Cathy ate. So she is blogging.

Hi. The Mister and I have birthdays seven days apart, so our tradition is to let Him chose what he wants to eat the first three days, we agree on the middle two days and I get to choose the last three days of meals. Here is one of “my” meals.

I have posted on Pho Pasteur. It is another of our “regular rotation”, and I realized I have not posted in a while anyhow, so this time I took photos.

It is in the same parking lot as K-Sandwich, a place Kirk and I have posted on *a lot*. Also, it is basically a walk inthe parking lot from Mein Trung, another place three of us have posted about *many* times. Right on the corner of Mesa College drive and Linda Vista Road.

Since this was one of “my” birthday days, and a Friday-when I don’t eat meat “just in case”- I got to choose the meal and I did. It was simple.

We ordered and waited. The decor has pretty much stayed the same here over all the years.

Especially the pretty pink tablecloths.

The fresh grilled tofu vegetable filled summer rolls ($2.95) arrived. Warm tofu, grilled slightly crispy on the edges and filled with sprouts, carrot, lettuce and rice noodles. Served with the hoisin-peanut sauce.

Soon, a large plate of lettuce, mint, sprouts, cucumber, marinated lily buds, carrot and daikon arrived.

After about 20 minutes, our meal, a whole steamed catfish (medium, $36) arrived. It was served flat and open on the platter. It had been steamed in basically with ginger-soy and topped with three types of onions (regular white sauteed and green onions as well as fried onions), cilantro and carrots with a black pepper touch, for some heat. Served with those rice noodles you see on the left in this photo.

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As well as the rice paper “tortillas” on top of a bowl of hot water (you dip the sheet of rice paper in the water for a few seconds and then it is softened).

You basically fill the rice paper with the noodles, sprouts, mint, marinated veggies, cucumber and fish, wrap all of it ina piece of lettuce, dip in sauce and eat.

I never got around to taking any photos of our little “wraps”. We were too busy eating.

I guess we were hungry…

Pho Pasteur Ahn Hong 7612 Linda Vista road San Diego 92111 (858) 569-7515

El Titanic Seafood – One meal from the Eight Days of Feasting

October 2, 2009 Cathy Mexican Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

El Titanic has closed.

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about meals where Kirk, ed (from Yuma), Cathy and a few others record memories. You are reading the blog. Today, it's Cathy doing the writing (or talking if you'd like to think of it that way).

Hi. If you didn't already know it, The Mister and I have birthdays exactly seven days apart. It is our tradition to have Him choose what and/or where to eat the first three days (and I can't say "no") and then we have to mutually agree on the middle two days and then I get to choose the last three days. This year, our birthdays fell on Saturday. Difficult to go out to dinner that night of the week. So we did lunch.

As you can see, a sunny day. Indoors.

The Mister ordered a Modelo Negro ($3.50) and we were served the standard chips, bowl of limes and fresh salsa.

Oh, this is El Titanic, I know I just posted on it not long ago. It is part of our "rotation" and The Mister wanted lobster…

And he got it- half a grilled Mexican spiny lobster, filled with shrimp sauce and served with three breaded (standard, from the freezer, butterflied) shrimp, rice, beans and salad ($16).

The lobster was a bit overcooked and dry, but still had flavor. Butter would have helped. The shrimp in the buttery sauce were excellent as were the rice and beans.

We shared the fish ceviche tostada ($3.50) We really like the fish ceviche rather than shrimp. It tastes so fresh. Topped with fresh slices of avocado. Just perfect.

I got exactly what I craved- the marlin chile relleños plate ($9). Yes, they are this large. I apologize for the photos which do not show the abundance of this fish. Two anaheim chiles stuffed with wonderful, flaky, smoked marlin then egg batter dipped and fried and topped with cheese, served with rice, beans and salad. Excellent. Perfect. Wonderful.

An extremely nice birthday feast.

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El Titanic Mariscos

1771 N 2nd El Cajon 92021 (619)593-0637

Mystic Grill and Bakery-Mediterranean Cuisine

September 29, 2009 Cathy Mediterranean Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog which Kirk, ed (from Yuma), Cathy and a few others write about food they eat. Today, Cathy ate.

I have had occasion to drive past this corner- University and 70th- on the border of La Mesa, oh about 20 times since last December. I saw the old Auto Parts place turn into Mystic Grill and never took the time to turn into the parking lot. I wish I had stopped here sooner.

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It is pretty large inside, about 14 tables. Clean.

The food is Halal. Made from scratch.

The falafel appetizer ($3.95), six of *the best* garbanzo vegetable deep fried delights- made with *fresh* garbanzo beans, not that powdered stuff and served with *fresh* made hummus, is absolutely a wonderful, filling starter.

They advertise a $5 pizza (includes two items) on the sign out front, it is only for "to go" unless you order other items, then you can eat the pizza inside at the tables. (I suppose they don't want a bunch of kids taking up table space with one $5 pizza…) We had it one day, cheese only- thin, tasty, chewy crust, light sauce. Very good.

The spinach pie appetizer ($1.95) is in the display case up front and is made with fresh baby spinach, olive oil, lemon and sauteed onion in a light dough crust. Served with lemon wedges. I could eat three of these as my meal.

The grilled salmon plate ($8.95) is fresh salmon served with a lemon/garlic sauce, not too heavy in flavor, with pita, rice and salad with chunks of cucumbers. Very filling and fresh tasting. That is sumac on the edge of the plate- give a nice citrusy/salty 'zing' to the other flavors.

On one visit, The Mister wanted gyros and also wanted pasta. It's there on the menu- $8.95. You have a choice of penne or spaghetti. You can see what He chose. I doubt it's healthier than pita bread, but it satisfied his cravings. The pasta had a light alfredo sauce. The Mister really liked it.

Of course, they serve Shawarma ($4.95). This one is carved fresh off the spit chicken with lettuce, tomato, onion and a pickle with fresh tahina sauce wrapped in warm fresh flatbread. It is served with a small salad (and very large tomato half…)

All the food here is high end fresh made, quality and served with a smile. Stop by if you are in the neighborhood.

Mystic Grill and Bakery Mediterranean Cuisine

6990 University (70th and University) La Mesa 94941 (619)461-1985

Website

A quick Lunch at Anthony’s Grotto in La Mesa

September 5, 2009 Cathy Seafood, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this blog. It is written by a group of friends, but mostly Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Cathy. I am Cathy. I am writing. Because I ate.

Hello again. I got a gift card for Anthony's from some clients earlier this year and The Mister and I figured it would be air conditioned this past Saturday (when it was 104° in Santee). That seems to be our criteria these days. We have no humidity (<20%) but the dry heat is like opening an oven door and it just knocks the energy out of us. Oh. We love seafood. That was also a good reason to choose Anthony's .

When you are walking in, a small Grotto greets you.

If you are sit by the wall of window, you have a complete view of the lake out back.

We ordered and got some fresh baked Italian (soft, not crusty) bread rolls with sides of sun dried tomato butter.

We decided to share an appetizer of artichoke and shrimp dip ($6.95). There were 12 small but juicy and flavorful shrimp baked in the shell shaped dish, along with artichoke heart pieces and a lemony mayonnaise, topped with crispy breadcrumbs and accompanied by some toasted bread. A nice starter.

I chose the chowder and salad combination ($8.95). Of course, New England clam chowder.

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This was served in a fresh made sourdough bread bowl, which just helped me with my carb overload of the day. The sourdough was not very sour, but the bread was wonderfully fresh and the chowder, was, as always, creamy, rich and filled with fat clams and diced potato.

The Garden Harvest Salad that came with mine was served on a fish shaped plate. (click on the photo so it enlarges and you'll see the tail of the fish plate)

It was filled with shredded lettuces, cucumber, parboiled squash and carrots, flavorful tomatoes and topped with a light vinaigrette.

The Mister wanted to try the "Northern Combo" A choice of grilled sole, salmon or cod- any two or two of the same ($11.95) He chose cod and salmon and cole slaw as his side. Both fish were grilled and lightly seasoned, remaining moist. The cole slaw here is made with pineapple and is delightfully refreshing.

The total for this lunch was exactly $30 and there is still money left on the gift card…and our birthdays are coming up!

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