**** La Playita has closed
La Playita has been well covered in two separate posts by the one and only Cathy. But I thought, since it's getting a bit warm out, this would be a nice chance to "COMC" (Clear Out the Memory Card), and do a short post of mostly photos on La Playita.
If you've read the previous posts you'll have good description of La Playita. A little family run shop with, one table, doing most of their business off a counter with six stools.
Most discussions center around two main items served at La Playita, the Ceviche:
Which is refreshing, if a bit too heavy on the lime for me.
The other item often discussed are the various Cocktel (Seafood Cocktails), which uses the home made hot sauce concoction as part of it's base.
The Missus's favorite is the Vuelve a la Vida ("Back to Life"), She always goes with the large sized cocktail ($13).
This wonderful seafood ambrosia is topped off with freshly shucked oysters. The only problem was trying to explain to the Missus that it wasn't the seafood that was coming "back to life", but the term is meant to be the effect of this wonderful concoction on the individual. I've read that this cocktail has a history as a hangover remedy, and brought many a bleary eyed, cotton mouthed, individual back to life.
It would be quite easy to stop at this point on the menu.
But I thought you might want to see a few of the other offerings.
The Taco Gobernador ($3), does not quite hold a candle to the version at Mariscos German, but is quite acceptable.
It is a bit less heavy.
The Pescadillas ($3) is a molten fried mixed seafood taco.
The Aguachili ($14), is a large portion of raw shrimp, "cooked" with lime juice, mixed with red onions which add a nice bite. Speaking of bite, everything is covered with a good amount of sweat inducing chili, especially if you order it spicy like I did.
The Caramones a la Diabla (Shrimp Diablo - $14) is a good portion of shrimp sauteed in a spiced up chipotle based sauce.
The colorfully named Pulpo Enamorado - "Octopus in love" (Spicy Octopus - $14) is another dish utilizing a tangy-spicy chipotle based sauce.
Just in case it's a bit too cold for ceviche, one of these dishes will be sure to warm you up. After all wouldn't it be nice to meet up with an Octopus in Love? Well, maybe not........
Of course, it may never be too cold for Ceviche.....
I've always been served seafood of good quality at La Playita.
Don't forget the tostadas and crackers.......
La Playita Seafood
5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
I've always enjoyed Cathy's posts on this place. It looks like the sort of thing I'd find out here in Yuma - but maybe even better.
Great looking pics.
Posted by: ed (from Yuma) | Wednesday, 01 July 2009 at 09:49 AM
Love those blue, Chinese-print melamine plates! Oh, and the seafood looks pretty yummy.
Posted by: Sandy | Wednesday, 01 July 2009 at 10:44 AM
yummy comc!
Posted by: kat | Wednesday, 01 July 2009 at 11:09 AM
Dang that looks go especially since it has been in the 100's for the last 2 weeks now. That cold seafood would definitely bring me back to life.
Posted by: nhbilly | Thursday, 02 July 2009 at 07:18 AM
Hi Ed - They do a pretty good job at La Playita.
Hi Sandy - I've found that moant businesses use those types of plates. Like Kabul Market....it is amusing.
Hi Kat - Thanks!
Hi Billy - Geeez in the triple digits......to think I've been whining about the weather.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 02 July 2009 at 07:49 AM
So I read this post yesterday morning and thought, "Well, I know where I'm going for dinner tonight!" I had the Vuelve a la vida and a pescadilla, which were delicious. Thank you so much for posting!
Posted by: lars | Thursday, 02 July 2009 at 10:47 AM
I can't believe we have never run into the two of you here. Thanks for showing some of the other selections.
Posted by: Cathy | Thursday, 02 July 2009 at 11:26 AM
Hi lars - Thanks for taking the time out to comment! I'm glad you enjoyed your meal at La Playita.
Hi Cathy - I know, it's a small enough place.......
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 02 July 2009 at 12:43 PM
I am impressed with the new menu. They added a lot of hot dishes. Last time I was there, everything was being cooked using a single hotplate.
Posted by: mindless | Wednesday, 08 July 2009 at 12:07 PM
Hi mindless - All of the hot dishes are still cooked on a portable propane double burner...the kind I see for sale at 99 Ranch Market.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 08 July 2009 at 08:13 PM