Bella Vista Caffe (revisit)

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog.  Kirk is extremely busy today.  Ed(from Yuma) is also very preoccupied with things to do, so Cathy is sharing a recent Happy Hour meal.

I've posted about Bella Vista Caffe and have been here many times, just not documenting the wonderful meals here.  If you read the prior post, you know the Caffe is located in the medical research office park area of La Jolla, near UCSD and the Torrey Pines Glider Port and serves brunch on the weekend (when we usually visit). (Be sure to bring your parking ticket to the restaurant; it will be validated).Above is a view from the balcony. Yes, that is the Pacific Ocean.One recent evening, just after 4 p.m. we decided to stop in (actually we were avoiding traffic after leaving the County Fair) and the menus given to us included Happy Hour pricing. (The craft beer was $3.70 on the receipt; I'm unsure of the regular price).Well, $2 off the 'antipasti' part of the menu and craft beer and wine discounts were an unexpected surprise. In addition, we had never seen this menu before.  After a day of eating unusual food at the Fair, we were in the mood for ordering things we never had tried before. 

Yep, neither of us has ever had beef carpaccio before ($8.95 Happy Hour price).  We will order this from now on- the thinly sliced raw beef, topped with arugula and shaved Parmesan and a dressing of lemon and olive oil was so wonderfully decadent.  The very flavorful marbled raw beef was plentiful, the peppery arugula was crispy fresh and the shaved Parmesan complimented everything so very well.   L'Argentino empanada plate ($8.95 HH price) was wonderful.  The menu states there are four empanadas,  with choices of fillings- we asked for two beef, one chicken and one spinach and received two smaller spinach empanadas.  The aioli in the center was (I think) sun dried tomato flavored. It complimented the crispy baked empanada crust.  
The fillings were plentiful and richly flavored, as if each had been a very tasty stew before being placed inside the crust, which was baked to crunchy perfection.  The spinach had an excellent flavor, was not watery and was as good as the meat varieties.  You can see the onion and bits of red pepper and herbs in the fillings.  I will order this again, but in addition to trying other items from this menu. The food was familiar yet new again. We really like it here.

Bella Vista Social Club & Caffe 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 (858) 534-9624 Website

Comments

[Ed (from Yuma)]

Good looking stuff. You and Kirk both keep finding these places. The empanadas in particular look very satisfying and different.

[Fat Killer]

Very nice looking place.

I'm going to hit them up soon for some lunchie lunch. I love empanandas. Makes my mouth water looking at those pictures.

Thanks!

[Dennis]

Looks great Cathy! Haven't been back in a while and need to revisit.

[nhbilly]

Sound like it hasn't missed a beat from the last visit. Beautiful view, delicious food, and a surprise HH price. Definitely a win win.

[Cathy]

Thanks, Ed. You can see from the prior post that the location is completely unexpected...but people eat near home and near work and the quality here is not compromised (sorry I didn't take a photo of the beer and wine menu; it is extensive). I was surprised at these empanadas-in a good way.
Just remember this is in an Office Park area, FK- at lunch you walk up, order and pay and the food is brought to you. At brunch and dinner/Happy Hour, there is table service. As mentioned, I hadn't seen empanadas on the lunch menu.
We sometimes need a reminder, Dennis. This 'other menu' is fascinating and we will go back to try more deliberately-without needing to avoid traffic.
It really is a great place, for both the view and the food, Bill. The bonus of new things to try makes it even more of a destination.

[caninecologne]

Great update on Bella Vista and their Happy Hour. Haven't been here in nearly a year. The empanadas are a nice addition to their menu.

[Faye]

I still haven't visited this place. This and your post about Green Acres has made me want to visit this part of town after work. There seems to be a very open/light feel about the place which I really like. I haven't had an empanada in ages (unless you count the curry ones from Pangea). That's nice they let you mix and match which empanadas you want to try for the HH. Thanks for the parking tip too!

[Cathy]

I know you aren't often in this part of town, cc. We really did stop here because traffic was just backed up everywhere and I wanted some 'normal' food. The HH was a really nice surprise- saw another table getting the pizza, which was served on the same board as the empanadas were on...so I know it is that size...and after hearing the "oohs" emanating from there, I know I want to try that plus the calamari next time.
This research industry part of town offers their workers some great breakfast and lunch options, Faye. Bella Vista staying open late as well as being open on weekends, makes it available to the rest of us. I can see on their website and Facebook page that a lot of events are held here. The food quality, choices and added view make BV quite a hidden gem.