SD:Restaurants that are on my list to try in 2010..what's yours?

[Beach Chick]

Here's my list:

Sab-e-Lee..I tried to go a couple of weeks ago at the Santee location on the weekend for lunch but they are closed.

Mama Testa's for the potato tacos..I LOVE potato tacos and I can't believe I haven't been there.

Izakaya Sakura...heard nothing but raves for this place!

Farmhouse Cafe..the name alone sounds like everything is good.

Romescos in Bonita...if Kare/Alex says its good, I better get my butt down there!

Bull Taco Cardiff..thanks to SDGourmand..just haven't got out that way.

[sdaints]

I have been wanting to try Kitchen 1540, Blanca and Cavillion.

I still have not made it to Aqui Es Texcoco, Kaito, and dinner at Farmhouse. I have been there for brunch and keep hearing good things about dinner.

I want to try more taco/food trucks in Chula Vista and elsewhere, especially after just having a great experience at the Indian food truck.

[jturtle]

Blanca and 1540 on the fancier end.
Looking forward to the restaurant going into the old Modus spot.
Pizzeria Bruno
The new wine bar in Point Loma
Bice

[ibstatguy]

La Fonda Argentina (TJ) - I've been told its got the best cabrito around

[kare_raisu]

where is this?

[ibstatguy]

http://www.elmesero.com/fonda_argenti...

[pickypicky]

In our last SD days we're busy revisiting old friends. BUT the places I'm sad we missed are Blanca, Bull Taco, Cavaillon, Wine Vault, and that Guadalupe Valley (MX Wine Country) place. Oh, and I do hope I get one more brisket sandwich from the BBQ guys at the Little Italy Farmer's Market-- even though we'll be roadtripping through Texas.

[kare_raisu]

Laja - you need to get there one day...

[chetatkinsdiet]

This year is the year I find a passable high end restaurant in San Diego that's not a chain with decent service, a quality wine list, a full bar and excellent food. I love the mid/low price point food coming out of San Diego, but I really want something to shine at the top.

[pickypicky]

We loved Farmhouse-- mostly for its intentions. It's a true neighborhood bistro with great service and a thoughtful menu. Their brunch was the best I had in San Diego. My one complaint (a biggie for me) was too much salt, so you might mention that when ordering.

BRUNO Napolitano Pizza, yall. Perfection. Seize the day/pizza!

[cstr]

This year I'm on a hunt for more gems.

Some must tries are:

La Barbacoa for the rabbit.
Marisco's Godoy, need to hit more of the menu.
Re-visit Parkhouse for breakfast options.
There are so many new burger joints, have to hit a few. Also, the elusive perfect french fry.
My hunt will include hunting for authentic Lebanese fare and legit BBQ.

[kare_raisu]

La Barbacoa is making Rabbit mixiotes now? Or are you thinking of Texcoco?

[cstr]

Yah, sorry gray matter lapse.

[daantaat]

Sab E Lee in Santee
Indian truck on Kearny Villa Rd and Black Mtn Rd
Pho San Marcos
Blanca w/ the new chef

That's all I can think of right now....been eating out every day for almost every meal over the past week....

[daantaat]

Add...Wine Vault and Bistro. Unfortunately, they're closed this week except for NYE.

[Beach Chick]

me too on Wine Vault..Blanca..Blind Lady Ale.
I gotta hit that Indian truck and that might be before the New Year.

I couldn't remember were everyone goes for their favorite Pho?

[Fake Name]

Saigon, #33

Yes, I know everybody, it's not authentic, and everybody (except BC) will be aghast at my low caliber of taste and choice. But it's my favorite.

[Beach Chick]

FAKEY!!!
No ones going to be aghast at your low caliber of taste and choice...if its your favorite then I'm sure it rocks and no ones going to bust your huevitos.. ; )
Where is Saigon #33?
Do you get the Pho there?
I'm so glad you came out to play today..Happy New Year to you and your family!!!!!

[Fake Name]

Sorry- unclear. Pho #33 is rare steak and brisket, Saigon is on El Cajon Blvd. And those are huevos, not huevitos.

Back to read-only, Happy New Ear Beach Chick and Josh...

[Beach Chick]

hee hee

[Josh]

Saigon has become our favorite as well, mainly because they're seemingly the only Vietnamese place that's not hostile to vegetarian requests. In fact, Saigon is quite vegetarian friendly, offering mock duck, mock goose, and tofu, which they make available in almost any dish.

[kare_raisu]

Just went to Saigon for Brunch this morning - I love their Com Tam - everything about it. The tofu sheet wrapped shrimp is so vaguely baklava reminiscent - the pork bbq is wonderfully marinated - the egg omelette fresh - the cilantro flecked broth is delightful served alongside.

Having cafe sua da hot was an interesting experience too. They serve you a couple of hot shots of expresso with condensed milk at the bottom and you get a hot water flask to pour to your taste.

Saigon is one of my top 5 favorite San Diego spots.

[Josh]

Interesting - never tried it hot. I'll add to my list.

Have you tried their curried goat yet? Very tasty with the baguette on the side.

[kare_raisu]

I really like the pho broth at Saigon too Fake, so count me on your side - but gots to have me some tendon and tripe!

[daantaat]

Lucky Pho
Pho Cow Cali
Pho Ca Dao
Pho San Marcos does fresh, homemade noodles, which is why it's on my "must try" list...
looks like Saigon #33 is going on the "need to try" list!

[cgfan]

daantaat - I think you may have Pho San Marcos confused for Pho Saigon (Escondido) for the homemade noodles. PS has the homemade noodles, and they are terrific! My favorite Pho noodle by far, and perhaps the only handmade ones in S.D.?

I love Pho San Marcos overall, and wish I can only combine PSM's broth and beef with PS's excellent noodle.

[daantaat]

thank you for un-confusing me!

[eatemup]

Wine Vault was open last night for a great 10 course meal with wine for $32.50. Same menu tonight.

[Beach Chick]

10 course meal with wine for $32.50...unbelievable!
Do they change up their menu daily and do they post it on their website?
Thanks eatemup!

went to Jeremy's on the hill last Saturday for lunch..excellent and very busy.

[deeznuts]

I did the 9 course with wine tasting the Sunday before Christmas. If it's the same thing, the 9 courses are very very small. Me and my girlfriend are tiny eaters (especially her) and we ate a lot of bread, which was good anyway (she loves bread). It is a tasting menu, with wine, so don't expect to be fully satiated if a big appetite. I have some pictures I took that I have at home if interested.

It was an excellent experience. We did not get full but we were fine, and it's a tasting menu, not a pig out one :)

[Beach Chick]

loved to see the photos!
I couldn't imagine a full blown vs. tasting 9-10 course meal..how many wines are paired with the meal?

[eatemup]

Yes. I was amazed too and every one was excellent. They change it pretty much daily and send it by e-mail. It may also be posted. I think the chef may have worked at J Six.

Glad to hear you had a good experience at Jeremy's and that he was busy. Happy New Year!

[honkman]

You can see all their menus etc on their webpage. The courses tend to be small even for tasting menus (e.g. Providence, Spago). They don't have every day of the week tasting menus but a chef's tasting every Saturday and quite often wine dinners. The quality of the food is good (but not outstanding) and if you go quite regular dishes tend to repeat in different tasting menus.

http://www.winevaultbistro.com/calend...

[daantaat]

I must have misread something in my dizzy state, d/t hunger....

[beantowntitletown]

We plan to eat out more while we’re home. Cavaillon, Blanca, Mariscos Godoy, Super Cocina, Sab E Lee, Ba Ren, Okan, Yakitori Yakyudori, Cowboy Star, Surati Farsan, and Cucina Urbana are some of the places we want to hit.

BTW, we’ve been big fans of Romesco since they opened, but had an uncharacteristically disappointing dinner there in October. We were brought the wrong soup and the wrong salad, the correct soup was cold, one of our entrees was not as described on the menu, our waiter (who knew us) didn’t believe us until he brought a menu to try to show we were wrong, and the food was below its usual quality. We've chalked it up to arriving 20 min before closing on a Sunday, so we’ll try again.

[SaltyRaisins]

No, you're right about Romesco falling off...I have had two less than average meals there: one lunch and one dinner. As you said, cold food, iffy service and the interior of the place has started to feel a little dingy. It's too bad- I really loved it before. Maybe they'll get their act together again.

Went to the South Indian truck tonight- the owner guy is really a character and very genteel. Had the mirtchi baji- like a wonderful cheeseless chile relleno with great accompanying sauces/puree. Idli great, but not as good as Vik in Berkeley. Chicken biryani, too. No table or chairs, though, so be prepared to eat while standing- street food for real. Very good.

[Beach Chick]

Salty..
Is the South Indian truck the one that daantaat mentions at Kearny Villa and Blk Mtn Rd?
I can eat standing up all day long..sounds fab!

[SaltyRaisins]

That's the one. Get on it.

[kare_raisu]

I've been to Vik's multiple times and never really understood the hype. I think Surati Farsan is much better for chaat.

Idli is pretty simple - what made Viks better? The side chutney /sambhar?> Were they lighter or more sour?

[SaltyRaisins]

The shape of the idli is not as large but is a little thicker at Vik and the texture is much lighter. Also, I prefer the chutney/sahmbar up there- a more flavorful than Copper Kettle's.

Vik is hyped, but I think it is pretty deserving (in the same vein as La Superrica in SB)- it has gotten very big and busy these days and is not the place that I fondly remember: in the back of the old store. But they make my all time favorite channa masala and lamb roti. But I plan on going back to the truck for some mirchi... There's nothing like it at Vik- so good..

[ibstatguy]

This is disappointing about Romesco and I must admit its been about 6 months since I last visited

[kare_raisu]

Youve got a great list beantown!! 3/4ths are my standbys

[Cathy]

Something odd must have happened that weekend you came out to Santee; Sab E Lee has been open Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. the last two weekends.

[Beach Chick]

LOL..they saw me coming!

[DiningDiva]

Romescos is very good, you should enjoy it.

I didn't eat out much this year, so in 2010 I want to eat everywhere I didn't go in 2009 ;-)

[ibstatguy]

2nd the Romesco's vote