mmm-yoso!!!

Carnitas y Mariscos Las Morelianas (revisit)

mmm-yoso!!! is where you have stopped in your scrolling.  Welcome (back).  Cathy is writing today; Kirk is not.

I posted about this Sherman Heights mainstay (since 1997) first in 2014 and again in 2017.  It's a great restaurant.There always has been an outdoor patio, which has now expanded to have some temporary canopy covers on the other side of the side/parking lot entrance.  Once you are seated, a menu is brought out.  
There are two kitchen areas (and parts of the menu)- the Las Morelianas (Carnitas side) will catch your eye first.
This carnitas quesadilla ($8.99) is quite a meal in itself.  The large flour tortilla (you can also have this on a corn tortilla for $3.99) is filled with fresh shredded carnitas and cheese then griddled to a light crisp. It comes with guacamole and a small salad and is large enough to share, except you might want it all to yourself.  So good.

 The Enchiladas Suizas plate ($11.99) includes rice, beans and three enchiladas stuffed with the surtido (mixed shredded pork) and topped with a mildly spicy tomatillo based sauce which is made with Swiss cheese. Wonderfully unique and quite a meal. The other side of the door into the kitchen has the La Bahia (seafood) menu and display.
 You can order something simple like a fish ceviche tostada ($6.99). Freshly prepared with fish, tomatoes and cilantro, the lime soaked ceviche topped with avocado is craveable. The ceviche is served on its own plate with tostadas on the side; a proper way to serve this dish.  You could get all crazy and order chicharron de pescado ($12.99).  Fried fish filets.  Many.  Plump and flavor filled.  Lightly breaded and fried and served with house made guacamole.  Great to share or have as a meal. 
 Then again, you could be healthy and order an Ensalada Plancha Pescado ($8.99).  Grilled fish on top of mixed lettuces, tomato, cucumber and avocado. 

Always a great place to stop.  Breakfasts are also available.

Las Morelianas/La Bahia  2121 Imperial Avenue San Diego   (619)239-6284 website Open Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

  We usually order a large aquas fresca ($3.50) made at the fruiteria area in the back of the restaurant (next to the juke box) when we first sit down.  Pepino (cucumber and spinach) is our favorite.

Sam Woo BBQ-Eating out during COVID

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog.  Today's post is written by Cathy. Kirk is taking a vacation with His Missus.

As you may recall, The Mister and I try to have a meal before grocery shopping.  If you type "Sam Woo" in the search box at the top left on the blog, there are over 200 results where this restaurant is mentioned; a bunch of those are my posts, because this is our 'stop' before shopping at 99Ranch Market (go ahead and search "99 Ranch"; there are over 800 results).

Sam Woo was one of the first 'dining out' places we ventured out to try once dining in was allowed again.   Tables were protected and distanced. It was not crowded.
 When we ordered from the lunch menu (back in March) they just brought us this huge bowl vegetable soup. I assume since it was not busy and they were happy to see us again. (SW is back to bringing out individual bowls with the lunch menu).
 We also received a communal bowl of steamed rice with our lunches.  This was Fish in XO sauce ($12.95)(current price)(also, hot tea is 30¢) which I was craving.  It was just so perfect, with the fresh vegetables, plump fish and XO umami . (They now bring out individual rice bowls).
 Shrimp in Black Bean Sauce ($11.95) was my other craving that day and the saltiness hit the spot.  The plump shrimp and more fresh vegetables were just so nice to have after so much at home cooking. 
  Of course, we try to avoid crowds when grocery shopping and Sam Woo for breakfast is our usual stop.  Coffee is now 70¢ (as is hot tea) and with the condensed milk is just a perfect offset to the savory breakfast. 
 Number one on the breakfast menu- rice vermicelli with lunch meat (fake Spam)($6.50) is always considered.  Number two on the menu is stir fried wide flat rice noodles with soy beans and soy sauce (Wok Hay!).  Number three, fried (crispy) noodles with bean sprouts are also considered.  Noodles with breakfast pretty much every time we go out.
 Fish filet porridge ($6.50)(four other porridges as well as 14 noodle soups are on the breakfast menu) is my usual choice; it has wonderful flavor.  Fried donuts ($2) are also now made here (used to have to run across the hall to pick some up at the 99Ranch steam table) making the breakfast complete. 
 Roast duck Lo Mein ($6.50) is always a choice when we see the ducks hanging in the BBQ area (sometimes they are not out early when we are here). Crisp skin, tender meat, savory broth along with non-mushy noodles and steamed box choy makes a great breakfast.  

Sam Woo BBQ Restaurant 7330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Ste 103 San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 505-9888 Open seven days 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

 (Old photo; fond memory.  You now have to request condiments)

2022 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Float Test #3, Breakfast at Lisa's Coffee Shop (Covina)

It's time for another mmm-yoso!!! 2022 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float Road Test post.  Kirk (and His Missus) remain on vacation and Cathy is writing.

Link to 2022 Float Road Test #one

Link to 2022 Float Road Test #two

The Mister and I were at Phoenix Decorating in Irwindale early on a Saturday in late September, in time to see floats lined up and ready to undergo mechanics and maneuverability testing.   The Lions Clubs International float has another cute design this year to accompany their "Quest for Kindness" theme.
The City of Alhambra has their 2022 entry to the Parade, "School Rocks" featuring a bit of movement of the float-the engine will be 'wobbling' its way down Colorado Boulevard over the five mile Parade Route.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day , a company that makes some delightfully scented cleaning products, will be sponsoring a float for the third time.  The 'outline' of Mrs. Meyer is on the label of most of their products and the reason for this float design.  Clever and cute.
Rotary International, another Service Organization, has their 2022 Parade entry, "Changing Lives Through Education", symbolizing the importance of education around the world and one of Rotary's seven areas of focus: Basic Education and Literacy. 
   The City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center will again (for the 49th year) be inspiring America with cancer survivors riding this beautiful float along the Parade route. 

Bonus photos:  This basic outline of a float might give you an idea of the design as well as the detail of sturdiness built into all floats. Hopefully more will be complete with the next Road Test to help 'connect the dots'.

 There is always a Driver, who only follows the 'rose colored line' along Colorado Boulevard, looking down the entire route. Then there is the Spotter, who can see out the front of the float and communicates with the driver constantly over headphones.  I caught the Spotter resting his hand out of his viewing area. {you can also see the Spotters’ cut out in each of the above float photos as well as the Spotter and Driver on the Mrs. Meyer's float}  Here are some peeks inside the decorating barn. 

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As always, we make no plans and just begin driving home, looking for a breakfast spot.  Usually, we see cars parked so we know a restaurant is open.  This time, we saw the signage.  Had to stop.  A good size breakfast menu with many choices.  Again, we did not order coffee, even though this is a Coffee Shop.

 The "Mini Attack" ($8.99) was wonderful.  House made buttermilk biscuit (light and fluffy), grilled and then filled with scrambled egg and a sausage patty (really good quality, flavor and size) and smothered in house made Country Gravy.  It was served with two *very good* house made salsas. 
The Corned Beef Hash breakfast plate ($13.99) was enough to share.  A good sized serving of griddled crisped hash along with nicely crisped Home Fries, two (poached) eggs and toast.  Flavors! Filling!  A great neighborhood place! 

Lisa's Coffee Shop 1530 W. San Bernardino Road Covina, CA 91722 (626) 339-2014 Open seven days, 7 arm,-2 p.m.

Anthony's Fish Grotto (La Mesa) (again)

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Cathy is writing today while Kirk and His Missus are researching new places to write about, in a relaxing setting.  

In La Mesa, Anthony's Fish Grotto has been an institution, since 1950, just after the first location opened in 1946. This is now the only remaining restaurant. (Soo posted about a meal at the original Bayside location in 2016). Stepping inside, the waiting area is as magnificent as the entryway.
The menu choices here are seafood centric (although there are beef and chicken dishes as well as a signature hamburger) and vary in preparation; choices for everyone. From the Big Bay Combo($29.95)- grilled garlic butter shrimp, a crab cake and filet of sole (we asked for a substitute of the salmon) with sides of rice pilaf and slaw, the preparation and quality of food is always spot on.
To a wedge salad/clam chowder in sourdough lunch ($13.50, Mon-Sat).  There is a choice of clam chowders here and we chose the white New England style (cream based with potato and celery along with a lot of clams). The red clam chowder is also good here, with a completely different flavor profile; it's described as "zesty", which is correct.   The sourdough bowl is fresh and a good 'sour'.  The wedge salad-look at it-fresh lettuce capped with a great bleu cheese dressing, chopped tomatoes, bacon crumbles and avocado slice.  A nice summertime/lunchtime meal.  
Of course, if you want a salad as a meal, there is always the Seafood Cobb Salad ($18.95 on the lunch menu (Monday-Saturday)). Real crab, bay shrimp and chilled cooked salmon, along with bacon, tomatoes, carrot, egg, avocado, the house dressing.
 One of the first menu items at Anthony's (in 1946) was the avocado salad, (I added shrimp)($18.95 at dinner) and it is a classic. The simple blend of celery and avocado with the House dressing and the shrimp (you can add albacore tuna, crab or shrimp and crab; different prices) is just perfect to me. Lettuce, cucumber, tomato and shredded carrots make a nice 'side salad' to mix in with the plentiful amount of stacked central ingredients.  
 Then again, you can always order what you really desire.  Mama's Platter ($24.95 at dinner) with a side of veggies and baked potato has everything properly fried with crispy, light, different batters. Shrimp, calamari and crab bites are each tender and filled with flavor. 
  When you are seated and perusing the menu, warm mini-ciabatta rolls and a side of garlic-y sun dried tomato butter is brought to your table. The beginning of a memorable meal.  

Anthony's Fish Grotto 9530 Murray Drive La Mesa, CA 91942 (619)463-0368  Website Mon-Thurs 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday (brunch!) 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
 (Happy 'old fashioned' Birthday to my brother!)

Tom's Famous Family Restaurant (number 23)(Escondido) (again)

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy while Kirk takes a break.

I wrote about Tom's Famous Family Restaurant in 2018 and it's time to post some revisits to this classic California diner (the first location opened in 1962).   There is a menu at the drive through, if you park at that end of the lot.

 But there is also the full menu taped in the window next to the door (and another above/behind the ordering counter). There are also posters in the window and a White Board next to the cash register advertising special prices. 
 The original 'open kitchen' is in view when you order and pay. Food is brought to your table.
 One of the window posters had a "Strawberry Pancake Meal Deal" ($8.99) Two bacon (crisp!), two sausage (good quality; skin on), two eggs (perfectly made over easy) and hash browns (a good crisp, not a 'raw' interior)...
Along with a choice of pancakes or French toast.  Thick piece of eggy bread, crispy exterior and a proper fluffy interior topped with that wonderful frozen then thawed strawberries in sugar sauce, like Mom used to put over ice cream.  The White Board next to the cash register had "Chili cheese omelet, includes coffee" ($7.99).  I had to.  You can see it is a well made plain omelet topped with two slices of cheese (one Swiss, one cheddar (not American)) smothered with beanless (hot dog) chili.  Great flavors! The home fries were wonderfully crisp, topped with onion and bell pepper.  What a great breakfast! 

The Mister was craving pastrami so we were back the other day.  Tom's Pastrami sandwich ($8.99) was ordered.  Not the combo (which is only $1 more). The hand cut, smokey, flavorful pastrami on a toasted bun with mustard and pickles hit the spot. 
 I ordered the three piece fish dinner ($9.99). The lightly battered, perfectly fried flaky fish pieces were very well prepared.  I chose onion rings and vegetables on the side. The whole slices of onion, fried crisp after being dipped in cornmeal batter were just so good (no uncharge!).  The "Normandy"steamed vegetable medley was a good choice this cool day.

 Also included were toasted bread (a hamburger bun, as I would make at home) and a choice of soup or salad.  This day, lentil soup the choice.  It was amazing.  Lentils, tomatoes, celery, onion, herbs and spices.  The bowl of soup could have been a meal in itself.  

Tom's Famous Family Restaurant #23 505 West 5th Avenue (at Centre City Parkway) Escondido 92025 Open daily 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Breakfast served all day

 

Perry's Cafe (El Cajon) breakfasts-again

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!! Cathy is writing today while Kirk is taking a break. 

I've written about the El Cajon location of Perry's Cafe only twice, but it has been a regular breakfast stop for us over the years. During some of the more restrictive COVID-19 days, there was outdoor seating in the parking lot and the condiments were ready to be put on the outdoor tables. One day, The Mister chose the strawberry French Toast breakfast ($11.99).  There are a choice of fruit toppings in addition to plain French Toast (menu at bottom of this post).  The over easy eggs were, as always, perfectly made.  The bacon is crisp and the toast is crisp on the exterior and fluffy on the interior; perfect. These were the condiments brought out: warm syrup and lemons and tartar sauce. You might wonder why.
 Well, it's because fish and eggs ($13.25) are on the breakfast menu. This meal, with a choice of potatoes (home fries for me, of course) as well as toast or muffin (banana nut was a choice this day), perfect over easy eggs (the grill is utilized perfectly in this diner) and pan fried, lightly floured fish is always satisfying.  I fondly remember my catfish breakfast at Smokey's back in 2010.  The Mister chose the Italian Sausage Frittata ($12.99) one day. The mild sausage was plentiful, with scrambled eggs, mixed cheeses and tomato baked in a pan and lightly firm.  The sides were a pumpkin muffin and home fries.  As always, we choose items we don't want to prepare at home.
From the "Mexican Breakfast" side of the menu, I decided to try the Huevos Revueltos con Nopales ($11.50).  Scrambled eggs with cactus, onion, mild chiles and tomato.  This was wonderful, filling and something I will order again.  The meal included refried beans with cheese and warmed tortillas as well as a vey nice salsa.  The cactus is soft and not salty; has a distinct yet subtle flavor.The chicken fried steak ($10.75- a white board special at the front door on this weekday) had a crisp, yet light coating and the chopped steak was quite nice, as was the country style gravy and the perfect eggs.  The hash browns were nicely crisped and the biscuit, well, it wasn't quite right at this meal; it was dense instead of fluffy, but the top 'crust' was good with butter. (The dogs got a treat).  
 I had to get the fish and eggs again. (still $13.25) and this time the fish pieces were quite thick and still lightly floured with a crisp pan fry.  Poached eggs and a blueberry muffin this time along with the crispy home fries.  Always satisfying. 

Hope you are having a nice, cool, Autumn weekend!

Perry's Cafe 475 North Magnolia El Cajon, CA (619) 440-5724 open daily 6 a.m.-2 p.m.

 

Sushi Yorimichi

Sushi Yorimichi replaced Thai Papaya back in June. While I was still working from home a couple of days a week, until the Delta variant got out of control, I managed to make a couple visits between the middle of June until the middle of July.

I visited right as the place opened on all four visits and was the only customer in the place.

The interior has changed slightly from the days of Thai Papaya' the tables a bit more spread out (perhaps for more Covid "distancing"), there're seats in front of the counter.

Like "FOY" SomTommy described to me in an email, having visited soon after they opened, "there's everything on the menu from sushi to ramen to yakitori". And Junichi mentioned that the yakitori is done over on a gas grill, so I wasn't going to be ordering that for sure.

And yes indeed, the menu has everything from karaage to katsu don, to a "loco moco", sushi rolls (of course), yakitori, yakisoba, ramen (both tonkotsu and birria),  poke....... The prices though, except for one exception seem to be quite reasonable.

On my first visit, I decided to try out the Katsudon (I chose Tonkatsu - $9). The portion size was quite generous......especially in terms of rice. A good lesson as I'd order just "half rice" the next time.

   This was not bad, the egg nicely doused and tender, a bit on the salty side, but that's something to be expected. The tonkatsu was decently breaded, but over-fried and the panko really dark and starting to peel off of the slightly dry pork cutlet.

The rice was decently done, no complaints there. I've had worse....

Junichi had mentioned enjoying the Dashimaki Tamago  ($7), so I decided to get that and some other appetizers to spare me all the rice on my next visit. This version had mozzarella cheese and mentaiko (cod roe).

I did enjoy the mentaiko in this version of the Japanese Rolled omelet, it added a much needed savoriness to the tender egg, which I thought was on the bland side. I really didn't enjoy the milkiness of the cheese in this either.

I also ordered the Agedashi Tofu ($5).

 I really didn't enjoy this very much. The tentsuyu really tasted like mentsuyu.....the really salty bottled soup base. The tofu wasn't evenly fried; half of it brown, the other half pale white which fell right off the tofu. The texture of the tofu was quite "wet-mushy"....I don't think it was drained properly before making this.

The Chicken Karaage ($5), looked pretty good and it was indeed decently crunchy.

 I thought the cutting of the chicken was interesting....some small cubes, some slices where I could tell the cook was checking to see if the chicken was done. The color was dark and rich looking, but this was pretty bland. 

My favorite item of the day was the Kawa-su ($5).

While the chicken skin was on the thick side and some bites were overly chewy; the sauce was quite good; balanced soy, sweetness, and sour/acidity. There was a mild spiciness to this as well.

A few days later I decided to return and actually try some of the fish; I went and ordered the Chirashi ($22), easy on the rice.

  This was a mixed bag; not the best quality fish, the cutting was a bit on the "thicker" side, and definitely not even in the same league as even Chef Jun, not to mention other places. The rice was terrible, hard and dry, the sushi meshi very mild...perhaps as to not offend? That albacore was dry and cut much too thick, the maguro had a metallic finish, the scallops somewhat fishy. The uni was decent and the salmon standard issue.

I left somewhat disappointed. I guess this place is really just for rolls......

I really wanted to find something that I'd really enjoy here; so I went with one last try......I was somewhat fascinated with the Yorimichi Style Loco Moco ($9)....and you know me and Loco Mocos. I guess Justin Young is right, "You can take the boy from the island, but not the island from the boy". I'd had my eye on that from the first time I opened the menu, so I finally went ahead and ordered it.

   This was an interesting dish. The rice, while still a bit on the dry side, was better in texture than what I'd had previously. The egg was decently cooked, still somewhat runny, with no off flavors. The burger had less filler than I expected, but was moist, tender, and mildly beefy. The menu claimed that the burger was topped with Hayashi Sauce, which makes me expect sort of a demi-glace beefiness, along with earthy mushroom-onion flavors, with perhaps a tangy tomato-ness. This was like across between Hayashi style sauce and Japanese Hamburg style sauce, both are similar in many ways. I believe I detected a hint of Worcestershire in this. This wasn't too bad and wasn't overly sweet. Totally Yoshoku.

In the end, I think of Yorimichi to be kind of a "diner" of sorts. There's still ramen/curry/teriyaki/etc on the menu. The prices are quite reasonable, the service efficient. I tend toward the "specialists" when it comes to Japanese cuisine, with a few exceptions. I'm not quite ready to make that exception for Yorimichi yet......

Sushi Yorimichi
2405 Ulric St.
San Diego, CA 92111
Hours:
Daily 11am - 830pm

The Little Italy Mercato and Pozole Blanco From My Pozole

This past weekend was the Little Italy Art Walk....a great event to be sure, but I felt kinda sad.....you see for the last couple of months the Little Italy Mercato has become a routine for me. I would grab some coffee and park on Ivy Street.....you know, we aren't able to get back to Paris, where I'm able to shed pounds just doing the the Flâneur thing, so every little bit of walking helps.

And then I'll just walk up Kettner or India and do the opposite back to the car. It's been quite fun for me......after all there's a lot to see.

From places that I'm quite familiar with....

To that which I'd never seen before......

   In fact, the first time I saw the statue of Frankie Laine in front of Nonna, it brought a smile to my face. As I mentioned in an earlier post my late Mom enjoyed country music....and I grew up to the sounds of Rawhide and Mule Train playing on the record player....in Kaimuki of all places. More about Frankie Laine in San Diego can be found here.

Often times, I'd arrive a bit early and would just walk along the streets.

On one visit, I was taken with the houses on State Street that are from a different time in San Diego's history....it reminded me of our walk in Pacific Grove.

And of course, Little Italy would not be complete without a Catholic Church and Our Lady of the Rosary truly fits the bill. It just looks like it belongs here. I haven't been in the church yet.....but perhaps I'll be invited to a wedding soon! 

And it's interesting to see how Little Italy has pivoted to outdoor dining with parklets and such.

And of course, it's always interesting to see how long the line for Morning Glory will be......

I do hope they are checking out the market after their breakfast/brunch.....

And there's always something to keep you entertained.

But, of course I'm here to shop. And after almost three months I've got my favorites.

My favorite is this one - Indian Summer Farms.

It's a one man show, the proprietor, Andrew is so kind, friendly, and gracious. And he has some really great chard, kale, shishito, radishes, and whatever else comes out of his farm in Ramona. The Missus also loves the eggs he sells which he says comes from his neighbor.

I'm sure you want to know what I've been getting the last couple of months.....well, in a previous post I mentioned  that the Missus had started to enjoy gooseberries....

Dragon Tongue Beans are so delicious.....it is stringless, sweet, easy to sauté, and if I recall in season until mid-November.

Shishito of course.....

And oh man; purple okra....so sweet and tender, you can eat them raw. While the Missus loves them roasted, She'll eat them dipped in hummus.....

Of course there's all the prepared food and similar vendors....though for us, it's been a mixed bag. On one visit I went ahead and picked up pozole from this stand.

It was pretty good....pozole blanco. The pork was much better than the chicken version.

 It's mildly "porky", has a nice velvety texture.... while not quite as rich as "homemade", it's still really nice overall.

Until, of course, the Missus demanded that I make pozole blanco.......which you have to understand is to Her taste. You might want to try this out. It also feeds the "cabbage versus lettuce" thing which I'll go into at a later time.

As a bonus, whenever I see the sign, there's a certain beat that goes off in my head....to the tune of "My Sharona"......"Da da da da dum dum....my pozole!"

I know the Little Italy Mercato is also going strong on Wednesdays, but have only been to the Saturday Farmers Market, so will only list that time for now.

Little Italy Mercato
Saturday 8am - 2pm

I seem to notice something new on every visit. And sometimes, it seems like Little Italy is trying to communicate with me......