Curry Rice Hinotez Opens

*** Curry Rice Hinotez is now Yakitori Taisho

I'd been keeping an eye out since Cathy told me that Hinotez was opening another restaurant in the old La Playita location. While driving from a meeting I noticed a sign was up so I decided to take a quick peek.

I was surprised to see the "Open" sign as I drove up; it was 10am in the morning. I decided to return to grab a quick lunch.

About an hour later I returned. There a single table a counter with a mat blocking the view of the rest of the restaurant. The hand-written sign features but a single dish Pork Curry Rice ($5.50). It's also take-out and cash only as well.

Five-fifty? Why not, right? I placed my order....which sounds kind of strange since I had my choice on a single item and took a peek behind the mat. There were two women hard at work prepping stuff. So I had a chat with the nice young lady out front. Apparently they'll be doing a single dish a day, some kind of curry until they get their beer and wine license going....god knows that may be a while..... And the early hours will probably be in effect until then. Though when i asked her if they'd be expanding the take0out offerings, she just shrugged.....

A photo of my Pork Curry Rice:

This was decent, think of a mild curry flavored bolognese sauce made with ground pork. It could have stood to have a bit more of a kick and a more complex spice flavor, but it was more than fatty enough for me. Light pork flavor as well. At least it didn't taste like it came from a box.

Having a choice between a sandwich and this, I might choose this at least once a week or more.

The sign looks temporary, so I'm not sure what the final incarnation of this place might be. Those Yakyudori folks are full of surprises it seems. I really didn't think Hinotez would make it, but it seems like they are surviving. This seems like an interesting project in the making.

Curry Rice Hinotez
5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117

 

Comments

[nhbilly]

Couldn't keep the healthy streak going? Can't blame you for $5.50, sold.

[caninecologne]

Wow you're fast, posting this today! So that's what the photo looks like enlarged, ha ha. $5.50 for lunch isn't bad. I wonder what they will offer next time.

[Kirk]

Billy - One post does not constitute a streak! ;o)

It'll be interesting to see what ends up happening here CC!

[Sandy]

I was at the nearby Smart & Final about a month ago, and this place didn't have a sign yet. I was wondering about the status because the windows were dark. This was a pretty small restaurant so I can see how they're doing only takeout.

[kat]

$5.50 is super reasonable!

[Kirbie]

Wow, one dish a day. I'm trying to think if I've ever been to anywhere else with such a limited menu.

[James]

Is it me, or does the curry look lumpy? (Though for $5.50, I wouldn't care!)

[Mary]

Huh, I've never seen a place that only offered one item before! How interesting. I guess it's a "take it or leave it" kind of place. I like how the outside sign's text isn't even remotely centered, haha.

[Kirk]

Hi Sandy - They are really doing a lot of prep in the place....I took a peek past the screen.

Totally Kat!

Hi Kirbie - I'm thinking this is just a temporary arrangement.

Hi James - It's all the ground pork and minced veggies. It's pretty creamy overall.

Hi Mary - The sign really looks like a temporary thing. It's like someone got some stencil out and made it.I think they are trying to create a least a tiny bit of revenue until their liquor license comes through.

[Faye]

What ever happened to Playita? I found them through your website some years ago and was sad to see them closed.

I've never had ground pork curry before. The dish here looks like mapo tofu (minus the tofu).

But any type of fatty curry for $5.50 sounds like it's worth a try!

[Kirk]

I'm not sure what happened Faye. I was kind of sad to see them go as well. I'll surely miss them when the weather gets warmer.