Category Archives: restaurants

Winner, winner!

Posted on January 12, 2012 | 2 Comments

Congrats to Faye, winner of the San Diego Restaurant Week dinners to Del Mar Rendezvous!  I hope you enjoy your walnut shrimp!  Mmm… walnut shrimp…

I thought it was interesting that Mary and Kirbie tried the walnut shrimp and soup dumplings and kung pao pork, too.  But, I think they are dishes you kind of have to try.  Obviously, if someone in San Diego has xiao long bao on the menu, you have to find out if they’re good or forgettable.  Same with walnut shrimp.  I’ve had some pretty terrible walnut shrimp dishes, so I’d consider it a small measure of overall quality if I’m served a really good version.  I do admit that the walnut shrimp stuck in my head after reading that Mary’s was crispy and good.

In related news, Del Mar Rendezvous has provided a link if you’d like to sign up for their e-mail list.  You’ll get a 20% off coupon for your first visit.  It’s probably not valid during Restaurant Week, but you’re also getting a pretty good deal there, since their 3-course meal is only $30.

And now, we’re off to Portland for a mini trip.  I have no idea what we’re going to see or do, or where we’ll end up eating (I have a list, but you know how those things go), but I’m sure we’ll have a blast.  Also, our house is being looked after by friends, in case you were thinking of coming by and robbing us blind.  Also, also, we just gave a bunch of stuff to Salvation Army since I’ve been on a clean and purge kick, so we’re running out of things to steal, anyway.  If you’re going to steal a dog, please take the skinny white one.

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Posted in food, giveaways, restaurants

Alchemy – Suckling Pig

Posted on January 11, 2012 | 8 Comments

Way back in 2011 (December), we celebrated our friend Jeff’s birthday at Alchemy. Not just for tasty bites, but for their whole suckling pig dinner.  I heartily endorse this method of celebrating birthdays, since it involves a good group of friends and some really delicious food.  I’m a fan of good food, in case you haven’t noticed.  And since you need 8-10 people to really do this pig dinner right, a birthday seems like the perfect excuse to gather everyone up, which is exactly what his lovely wife Cami did.

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Del Mar Rendezvous

Posted on January 8, 2012 | 37 Comments

Disclosure: Our meal was complimentary but I was not compensated for this review. As always, all opinions are my own.

Sooo… happy New Year?  I’m not really going to apologize for ignoring this blog for weeks on end.  Life got busy, but the fun kind of busy, and life in the sunshine takes precedent over internet musings any day.  Besides, I was just giving you plenty of time to go make your own tomato jam and candied jalapenos (which I have been enjoying with Brie and waffles as a lazy leftover lunch).

We’ve been doing a fair amount of eating out, thanks to hectic schedules, odd hot wing cravings, and restaurant coupon expiration dates (not all in the same visit).  But the visits have been about eating, ending my hunger, and not really about blogging.   But then Jennifer Jenkins at BAM Communications asked if I’d like to review the menu at Del Mar Rendezvous prior to San Diego Restaurant Week. I have to be honest, it’s been a couple of years since we’ve participated in SDRW.  And we probably won’t make it this month, what with a short weekend trip out of town, my birthday, and a pending baby arrival (not mine!) I was also considering whether or not I wanted to review a restaurant in Del Mar, since we don’t really get up there very often (although, now that I work up there, it’s more feasible).

Spoiler alert: I accepted, we dined, and I’m so glad we did. You’ll be glad, too, since I now have a fun giveaway for you!

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Snooze – Hillcrest

Posted on December 1, 2011 | 12 Comments

Disclosure: Our meal was complimentary but I was not compensated for this review. As always, all opinions are my own.

Just in case you haven’t heard, a fabulous new breakfast/brunch spot has opened up in Hillcrest. I’m almost hesitant to tell you about it because I will be sad when the wait becomes super long as word gets out. On the flip side, I want them to have lots of crowds that stick around so they’re successful, because I’m pretty sure they’ve just become my favorite place to eat breakfast. Ever.

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Smashburger’s Windy City Burger

Posted on October 19, 2011 | 11 Comments

Sometimes, I can be a sucker for “limited time only” products. I hate feeling like I’ve missed out on something that may never come back (even when it usually does come back at some point).  I’ve gotten better at this, as most things always go on sale again and I really don’t even need half the things I want to begin with.

Food is a completely different story. If we’re on vacation and near a must-eat spot, Travis knows that we’re most likely going to eat it.  I’m still sad we weren’t able to squeeze in a dessert trip to WD-50 when we were in New York.  Or splurge for a meal at Alinea when we were in Chicago (granted, we weren’t really in the same financial situation then).  I also enjoy seasonal food items – peppermint mochas at Starbucks, mint M&Ms, Cadbury mini eggs (those may be my weakness).

So, when I heard Smashburger was bringing the Windy City burger to San Diego, I was intrigued.  When I found out it was only going to be here through October, I was very interested.  And when I found out the darn thing is served on a pretzel bun, I started making plans to work in a burger dinner.  Throw a limited-time banana shake in the mix and I’m a goner.

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