Quick SD report from SEA 'hound (The Linkery, La Barbacoa, Cafe Chloe, Super Cocina)

[terrier]

Normally SEA and NYC-based, I had the pleasure of the spending the last few days in sunny San Diego. Many meals were taken of necessity at lousy venues (conference hotel food, 'nuff said) but I did manage to score some outstanding meals over the weekend.

The Linkery - The only place I'd gotten a recommendation for outside CH, ended up here for dinner on Friday night. The whole farm-to-table thing sometimes falls apart for me when what shows up on the table isn't actually that good. This wasn't a problem here. Outstanding choucroute with Klobasa and Loukanika. I also liked the heart & cheek burger, while my better half was fond of the squash puree. Live cask beer from local breweries warmed my Pacific Northwestern heart.

La Barbacoa: Autentica de Borrego - Holy smokes. The order: consomme, orden de barbacoa, cuitlacoche quesadilla, tortilla, horchata. Wow, wow. Loss for words. I owe kare_raisu a profound debt of gratitude. I'm originally from El Paso, and have lived all over Texas as well as in LA and the Bay Area at various points in my life; I've eaten a lot of Mexican and "Mexican" and regional Mexican food, and this one will live in my memory for a long time. Only disappointment: no tlacoyo on the menu, at least not at lunchtime on Saturday. Well, that, and that I couldn't physically eat any more.

Cafe Chloe - Stumbled across this place while looking for something good within walking distance of our downtown hotel, it proved to be a real charmer. Tasty frites, great job on a pork chop with quince & braised veg and lamb sirloin with fava beans, olives, & root veg. Dessert, pistachio bread pudding with a pleasantly salty caramel sauce was a knockout. High marks for service, best of the trip.

Super Cocina - Hit this up after the Zoo. As gringos we got the sample treatment; I'm not complaining! Ended up ordering and devouring chicken with cilantro sauce (not sure if it had another name), huevos oaxaceño, carnitas, and puerco en salsa roja.

Had a great time in San Diego - will have to come back.

[clayfu]

Thanks for the post Terrier! I'm going to have to go to La Barbacoa =) It's only open on the weekends yes?

http://clayfood.blogspot.com

[ensenadajim]

There is one at the corner (NW) of El Cajon Blvd. and 43rd Street (west of Fairmont) - open all week.

[kare_raisu]

Fantastic that you enjoyed yourself here terrier. I am glad you made it to La Barbacoa and SC they are probably some of the most unique restaurants here in San Diego

[Tom Armitage]

Amen on Super Cocina and Cafe Chloe. I'll look forward to eating at La Barbacoa when I next visit San Diego to dry out and warm up from the Seattle winter..

[RandyB]

Went to Super Cocina on Tom's and others' recommendation. (I am also a Seattle hound, living across the street from Tom.) We had just seen the Darwin exhibit at the Natural History Museum, so Mexican food seemed appropriate. (Ok, a non sequitur, but terrier started this off with going from the zoo to Super Cucina.)

Arrived at 3pm, a slow time. The ladies behind the counter realized we were newbies and started giving us tastes without out our even asking. Wow. What a treat. The chicken mole was really rich. The pork in green sauce (?) was falling apart as it should and also delicious. The chile relleno was for me perfect. A great, big chile with a thin batter and reasonable amount of white cheese inside, and not too much sauce. Chicken enchiladas ok but nothing special. Beef empanadas I found too sweet (ketchup inside or something else red), but the two others with me really liked them. I also prefer empanadas as finger food without sauce.

It is a bargain, but I think everyone knew that.

My future San Diego trip Mexican food fixes will definitely include Super Cocina.

[stevewag23]

"The ladies behind the counter realized we were newbies and started giving us tastes without out our even asking."

That that place really has great service and puts san diego in the best light possible.

We could use a few more locations for sure.