mmm-yoso!!!

Ka Prao Thai Cuisine (Mission Valley)

mmm-yoso!!!, a blog 'o food, is being written by Cathy today; Kirk is enjoying the three day weekend with His Missus.

There are many malls in the Mission Valley area, the one which now is anchored by Living Spaces (used to be a K-Mart) has a series of restaurants opposite their frontage, sharing the same parking lot.  Ka Prao Thai Cuisine has been here since June 2015.  

The menu behind the cash register, as well as a few wall posters and a chalkboard out front have menu items.  Most are pretty standard.
 The wok Stir fry ($11) of pork with mixed vegetables was wonderful! Cabbage, mushrooms, carrot, green beans, Chinese and American broccoli, garlic and house made soy sauce was a wonderful combination. The four piece chicken wing appetizer ($6.50) was tasty (they're marinated in fresh garlic, fish sauce, lemongrass and cilantro) but this photographed serving was a few seconds over-fried.  Still moist and meaty, flavorful.Fried tofu ($6.50 six pieces), served with a sweet and sour sauce.  It's always good.
 The papaya salad ($10) is great.  Green papaya, tomato, carrot shreds, green beans, large cooked shrimp and peanuts mixed with a spicy lime dressing-great, great flavors; so fresh. 
 The Ka Prao Kai Dao (namesake) ($11.50) was another great meal.  Minced pork, sautéed with basil and garlic chili sauce, topped with a fried egg and served with jasmine rice. Wonderful!   This is a photo of one of the wall menus.  (I was here with cc and we shared).
 Grilled Lemongrass Chicken ($14).  It's marinated overnight in lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, turmeric, curry powder, coconut milk, soy sauce.  Grilled then served with sticky rice and a side salad (with a ginger soy dressing).  This is a meal so enjoyable-the multitude of flavors are not overwhelming but complimentary; distinct. Plus, sticky rice.  Can't talk about Thai food without curry.  This one is a peanut curry...pretty much a yellow curry with peanuts added.  Carrot, potato and onion with chicken ($11)-nicely flavored.  
Also must try Larb ($11) when seen on a menu.  This version is made with minced pork, mint, lemongrass, onion, chili, roasted rice, cilantro and lime juice.  A great version.  

Heat level choices here are 1-10. Two is almost 'too safe', but allows enjoyment of all of the flavors.   

Ka Prao Thai Cuisine 8590 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 105 San Diego 92108 Open: Mon-Fri:10:30-3, 4:30-9  Sat-Sun 11-9 Website

Spicy House

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy while Kirk is busy with a short vacation.

Kirk's most recent post about Spicy House was in 2016.  The Mister and I have gone here, but I never posted.  The Mister has been craving spicy foods for the past few months ever since several of his medications were changed and we've had a couple of recent visits.  The nondescript storefront (in the same parking lot as Nijiya Market, Koon Thai, Cafe Hue, Wa Dining Okan, Sage French Cake and Pho Mignon). Belies the glory 
 which is the interior of Spicy House.
  At the far end of the dining area, closer to the kitchen, is the refrigerated appetizer selection (three for $7).
 We choose items which might 'cool down' some of the spicier meal selections: Smoked chicken, (sesame oil) mustard greens and smacked (garlic-y) cucumbers.
On one visit, we tried the onion pancake ($3.99) and really enjoyed the layered dough as well as mild green onion flavor.  
   The Chungking Style Wonton ($6.99) appetizer has been ordered at every visit.  The sauce is unique, tart, hot and addictive in flavor.  If you don't want the sauce, the wontons alone are well filled and two-bite sized; a good serving.
 Szechuan Fish Filet ($10.99) offers a completely different spice and flavor point.  Not quite 'numbing' but great flavored sauce which goes well with rice ($1).  The bit of eggplant, fungus, onion and pepper which is stir fried with the (large quantity) of fish is nicely balanced. The walnut shrimp ($14.99) order is substantial, fresh made, with large shrimp having a crispy coating, mayonnaise based sauce and sweet, crispy walnuts throughout.  Not spicy; very tasty.
 The cumin lamb ($13.99) is a new favorite.  Just enough cumin which doesn't overwhelm the gaminess of the lamb and enough greenery to even out the heat.  

Spicy House 3860 Convoy Street #105 San Diego 92111 (858) 278-5883 open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

"The spiciness is adjustable, please choose a suitable spicy scale" (we have never been asked what level of spiciness we would like and take what we get; it has always been great).

Pupuseria Salvadoreña & Mexican Food (El Cajon)(revisit)

mmm-yoso!!! is written by Cathy today; Kirk (and His Missus) are enjoying a three day weekend.  

Ever since The Mister and I stopped at Silvia Pupuseria in December, He has been on the prowl for Salvadorean foods (especially pupusas).  Revisits to our 'local' Pupuseria, which I wrote about in 2009 and again in 2010 have occurred.
  Not much has changed, other than the prices.
Freshly prepared curtido is brought to the table when you order pupusas. Also, a plain tomato sauce is an accompaniment.  There is a house made a chili based hot sauce (usually used with the Mexican side of the menu) which I requested.
 You can hear the corn based dough being prepared for stuffing as your order is prepared. The plate of freshly grilled and stuffed flatbread is beautiful.
 A cross section photo of the stuffed dough doesn't quite do it justice.  The calabaza (zucchini squash) with cheese was light and refreshing.  The revuleta (beans, cheese and chicharron) was almost too 'bacon-y' in flavor. The spinach and cheese filled pupusa is wonderful.  
 Of course there is Mexican food on the menu.  We tried the carne guisado con arroz y salad (beef stew with rice and salad) ($9.99) and it was wonderful!- large pieces of beef, potato and carrot (along with the required olive)in a thick yet smooth gravy.  The rice along with the cucumbers and tomato on top of some lettuce are perfect accompaniments.  (Those are not pupusas, but fresh hand made thick corn tortillas on the side).  There are photographs of meals on the walls.  The Mister and I pointed to one and ordered it.  Chicken soup ($8.99) which arrived with this wonderfully fried quarter of a chicken on the side, a bowl of rich chicken broth filled with vegetables and the sides of rice and salad (and tortillas) as well as onion, jalapeño and lime wedges.  After eating the chicken skin and trying some of the vegetable filled broth, shredded chicken was added to the soup and gave the meal another great flavor combination.  We will order this again. 

There are tamales on the menu; this one is pork ($2.50) and it was particularly good; the masa has lard in it. The banana leaf wrap seems to add a different dimension from the corn husk/traditional wrap.  We plan to order some for the holidays later this year.

Pupuseria Salvadoreña 1207 East Main Street El Cajon 92021 (619) 447-2501 Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 10-9

In winter, we enjoy the atole de elote, a hot corn and masa based beverage ($2.50) made fresh here. 
 

Pupuseria Salvadoreña 1207 East Main Street El Cajon 92021 (619) 447-2501 Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 10-9

Little Sheep-revisit

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy today; Kirk is busy.

Kirk introduced us all to Little Sheep in 2007.  I visited and posted in 2015, 2016, and 2017.  Kirk mentioned LS opening a second San Diego Location in 2017, also.  It's been about time for a revisit, especially in this chilly weather!  This time, dinner.

We selected the Yin-Yang (House Original and House Spicy) soup base ($3.75 each) which was brought to the table and the induction heater was turned on, bringing the soup to a rolling boil. 
The actual menu only has photos of each item.  When you order, the prices are on the sheet.  (This meal was $46.39 with tax; hot tea is free)
The 12 ounce beef and lamb combo ($10.95) is probably enough meat for a light meal for two. 
 However, I wanted the fish filet ($6.95) (full order)
The Veggie Combo Platter ($8.95) is pretty much always ordered; a good variety of vegetables which cook quickly in the hot soup. 
However, mushrooms are not included with the vegetables, so a small order of Shiitake ($2.75) was chosen.
 The lamb wonton ($5.95) gave us some carbohydrates without needing to also choose noodles.  

Always fresh, a tasty and filling meal here. I hope your week is going well!

Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot and Grill 4718 Clairmont Mesa Blvd, San Diego 92117 (858)274-2040 Opens 11:30 a.m. daily.  Closed between 3 and 5:00 p.m. M-F.  Closes at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. other days. Website 

Bonny's Cafe (El Cajon) revisits (Breakfast and Lunch)

Kirk is busy at work and mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy today.

I wrote about Bonny's Cafe in 2018. This Mom and Pop East County Diner which serves breakfast and lunch has been around now for more than 25 years.   The interior is quite large with tables, booths and a sizable counter/bar stool area.There are white boards with Specials listed at both doors (there is a large parking lot next door (opposite the Veterinary Hospital side) with a back entrance next to the Tatoo Parlor).  This was the order of banana walnut pancakes ($6.95) add bacon and eggs ($3.25). The fluffy with crisp-edged, buttermilk cakes were wonderfully flavored-and even better topped with the fresh bananas and walnuts.  The eggs were perfectly poached and the bacon added a good salty bite.  Yes, that's some 'would you also like some whipped cream?' in the soup cup.
The Breakfast sausage croissant with a side of cottage cheese ($10.95) is large, hearty and very tasty. There were leftovers to take home. 
   Dropping in for lunch, I couldn't decide and ordered that way- Soup, salad and a half sandwich ($10.50). That's really the charge for a half sandwich and a choice of two sides.  Side choices are (in addition to the soup and salad): slaw, steak fries, waffle fries, Cajun fries, onion rings, cottage cheese and potato salad. There were several soups available and I chose Navy Bean; a wonderful version is made here. The Mister and I each had a house salad, His with Blue Cheese and mine with Thousand Island.  
The tuna salad sandwich is made on grilled sourdough bread with American Cheese and a tomato.  The tuna salad itself is simple and made with sweet relish.  The dill pickle along with the sour, crispy, buttery grilled bread added the right amount of salty to the meal. 
This is why we are here for lunch.  A proper Monte Cristo.  ($11.95)  The three slices of bread, with the center slice separating Ham and Swiss from the Turkey with Swiss, quartered, battered and flash fried then sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with strawberry preserves is the way a Monte Cristo should be prepared; not half battered and fried then cut-less area to soak up the custard, leaving the bread a bit dry.  This is an absolutely wonderful, memory inducing sandwich.

Always a great stop with friendly servers and great food, Diner Style.

Bonny's Cafe 596 Broadway El Cajon 92021 CLOSED TUESDAYS, otherwise Open Wed-Mon 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (619)579-3464

El Huevo Estrellado (Chula Vista)

Here's another mmm-yoso!!! post about food, written by Cathy while Kirk and His Missus are enjoying a little vacation elsewhere. 

As The Mister and I tend to do, driving and stopping and not researching ahead of time lead us to this lovely Taco Shop down the street from the bakery where we ordered our Rosca de Reyes for 2020 (photo of the Rosca at the bottom of this post).  We were at the corner of Broadway and Naples and stopped at the signal light, saw the signage and turned into the parking lot.
 Stepping inside the storefront at the far end, we noticed a second room of tables was available (the 'addition' is new and can accommodate about 30 people) and were told to 'sit anywhere'.  A two sided menu was brought over.
Fresh chips and a good, house made, medium heat salsa was also brought out.
 The Mister immediately honed in on #23, Chile Relleño with shrimp on top ($14.50). (We asked and the menu is served all day).  A wonderful Oaxaca cheese filled mild poblano, dipped in egg white then fried is under the plump, large shrimp and topped with a wonderful garlic-y green salsa. Every bite of this plate was wonderful.
  Since the name of this Taco Shop has 'huevos' in it, I felt the need to try an egg/breakfast dish.  Chilaquiles ($10.99) just sounded right.  There was an option of red, green or mole sauce with the chips and I opted for the red because The Mister had ordered green sauce.  

This was a "proper" plate of chilaquiles- tortillas fried then placed in the sauce (not tortilla chips, which are thin and already fried) with the eggs on the side.  So very good.  The beans and rice were just so much better here than elsewhere.  

We are already planning what we want to order on our next visit. Mary and Jake were here in 2017!

El Huevo Estrellado  1096 Broadway (at Naples) Chula Vista 91911 (619)498-1286 Open Daily 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Our Rosca for 2020 was purchased at Sweet bakery Mexico Lindo 
 The Rosca was filled with a wonderful custard/cream and much more interesting to eat this while taking down the Christmas decor on the 12th Night following the holiday.

Sweet Bakery Mexico Lindo 212 Broadway (at E Street) Chula Vista 91911 Open Sun-Thurs 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri-Sat 8-8 

Hungry Lu's- Italian Deli & Goodies (Ocean Beach)

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy today; Kirk and His Missus are enjoying a few days off.

Hungry Lu's is located in the midst of homes and a few businesses on Voltaire Street, three blocks East of the Pacific Ocean.  The Ocean Beach community has been able to enjoy this Bakery and Deli since 1973. Walk in, order and pay.  There are some tables out front and your order is brought out to you.  
 Of course, you can just order some meats, cheeses and (wonderful fresh baked) rolls to make your own sandwiches at home.

 We were here in early January and Christmas Cookies were still being baked; a nice way to continue the holiday treats a bit longer (and to ignore a silly resolution)
 There is a menu on the front window as well as on the wall and taped to the counter inside.  It's simple and has just enough choices, especially if you are walking to or from the beach. The "personal size" pizza is quite large, cut into six slices and has a wonderful crust!  All pizzas are priced the same, $6.49.  This, the 'Meat Lovers', includes pepperoni, sausage, salami and mozzarella.  The sauce is a good tomato flavored unadorned deliciousness. 
The Baked eggplant sandwich, listed under 'Favorite Subs' ($8.99) is simple with eggplant baked in olive oil, mozzarella and the simple yet flavorful tomato marinara.  The sandwich/bread baked here is quite large and half of a sandwich (on the wonderfully tasty toasted bread) is filling. There appeared to be some ricotta on the sandwich also...which made it even better.   
 There is one item not even listed on the menu, but everyone orders it.  The cannoli shells ( a delicious fried pasty) are near where you place your order at the counter and are filled when you order. The filling is a smooth ricotta with citrus (lemon) and the ends are topped with tiny chocolate chips (optional; as if I'd say no).  The cost was around $3.  

A nice, long time, local sandwich place.

Hungry Lu's 4920 Voltaire Street, San Diego, 92016 (619)223-4722 Open Mon-Fri 10:30-4:30, Sat 10:30-5:30 Closed Sunday.

Mikami Revolving Sushi and Bar-a first look (Clairmont Mesa)

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Cathy is writing today while Kirk stays busy at work.

Another revolving sushi bar has opened in San Diego. Located at the South West corner of Clairmont Mesa at Ruffner, in the same mall as PT Eatery, Katsu Cafe, one of the original Lolita locations, the Tea Station location  I write about.  The corner across Ruffner Street has the Original Tommy's.  The other corner, across Clairmont Mesa Boulevard, has Ajisen Ramen.  The parking area is plentiful and free (compared to the parking area by the other San Diego revolving sushi restaurant, Kura).

 The Mister and I were here on a weekday (and Mikami is still in the 'Soft Opening' stage) and only one Conveyor was open.  The second photo is looking into the Bar area, which has no conveyors, but where appetizers, entrees and 'buckets' can be ordered.
The rolling conveyor (kaiten) had a good variety of choices, although a good 1/3 were salmon based (The Mister doesn't really like salmon), each group of plates proceeded by a plate with a description on one side and number on the other.  All conveyor plates are $2.80.  Beverages are $2.85 (and the hot tea is really good).
As always, we like to try the salad offerings. This was plentiful and filling.  Fresh vegetables as well as good quality krab along with avocado. 
 We got all wild and crazy and chose a 'Las Vegas Roll' from the rolling belt.  The breaded fried roll had a filling including real crab and cream cheese.  It was fresh and tasty. We also shared this half and half (tuna and salmon with cucumber filling) roll, which was also fresh and well made.

 Then we set our eyes on the touch pad ordering system. Pretty simple to navigate; we did order one item at a time.  First we decided to try the fried calamari rings ($7). 

 The smooth running wood railed trolly delivery system was pretty much silent.  Once you take your order off the rocket ship, you can send it back by pushing the button on the table or it will eventually automatically go back to the kitchen.
The sea salt topped (where else does salt come from?) fried calamari rings were quite nice, well fried, not greasy, and served with a slightly spicy dipping sauce.
 We also ordered a Blue Crab hand roll ($2.80) which was quite large and fresh made (the rice was still warm). Really nice quality.
The soy wrapped spicy scallop hand roll (also $2.80) was  wonderful and also much larger than expected.  I would much rather have this than three smaller spicy scallop rolls from the conveyor for the same price.
We didn't see any soft shell crab on the conveyor nor on the menu, however when we asked, found out it's the 'Spider Roll' (again, $2.80) and wow, we will order two of these next time!  Perfectly fried half of a soft shell crab.

A nice alternative in a good location.

 
Mikami Revolving Sushi and Bar 7319 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92111 Sun-Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Showcase of floats, Lunch at Costa's (Covina)

Welcome back to reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog, on this beautiful January day.  Cathy is writing and the first part of this post is about the 2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Showcase of Floats, and at the end is the part about the food we ate that day.

When the Rose Parade ends, the floats line up end to end on Sierra Madre Boulevard and they can be viewed from about 1 p.m. on January 1 and from 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. on January 2.  There are three entrances, each one easily found with a colored balloon (you can see the red balloon here).  

The Theme of the 2020 Parade, "The Power of Hope" logo was on the Opening float, parked in the Pasadena High School parking lot.
The Burbank Tournament of Roses Association presented "Rise Up", depicting a mythical Phoenix rising from the ashes (of the 2018 California wildfires) to create hope, rebirth and renewal.
 "Hope Knows No Limits", presented by Shriners Hospital for Children celebrated the carefree spirit of childhood that is born of Hope. Notice the 'child' on the swing has a prosthetic leg."First Responders Bring Hope, Presented by the Oddfellows and Rebekahs and had multiple First Responders, in uniform, riding the float and being applauded along the Parade route. 
"Hope Keeps Us Going" by the City of Alhambra was a cute contribution to the variety of 46 floats along the route.
"The Voyage of Hope-1620" presented by General Society of Mayflower Descendents embodied the parade theme in that the 12 passengers who embarked on the journey in a cargo ship 400 years ago were motivated by the hope for freedom religion and a better way of life.  
 Details of so many of the floats are missed when viewing on television.  the Welcome Credit Union float, "Hope Creates Community" showed the story of a community coming together to help a young (squirrel) family fix up their new 'tree home'. Such detail. 

Speaking of details, here are some close ups of signage on some of the floats:
 So many of the float designs also had details you might have missed if you were watching the Parade on television. 





46 floats, thousands of volunteers, tens of thousands of man hours.  Impossible to document it all; I have over 300 photos. This post has links to all of the float road tests we attended. This is a link to Phoenix Decorating Company, one of three float builders (in addition to the six self-built float builders).  This link to The Rose Examiner has so many articles about the Tournament as well as float winners and better photographs.

The theme and President of the 2021 Tournament will be introduced in just about two weeks.

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In 2018, Phoenix Decorating Company moved the construction barn from Pasadena to Irwindale and that gave The Mister and I plenty of new restaurants to explore following our observing the float road tests.  One restaurant we really liked was Costa's Family Restaurant in West Covina, where we enjoyed dinner after decorating floats in 2018. We hadn't been to Costa's for more than a year!  It was January 2 and the lobby was still decorated for Christmas.  Being a weekday, there were several 'lunch specials' on the menu. Time for comfort food to start the year, and follow the miles of walking to view the floats.
 Liver and onions (calves liver; tender, thin and with a wonderful flavor). $8.29.  It came with the salad or soup, dinner roll and either a beverage or dessert. 
 The hot turkey sandwich ($9.99) on a slice of white bread, served with vegetables, mashed potatoes and lots of gravy (along with -yes- canned cranberry sauce) was really wonderful, filling, flavorful and satisfying.  The (baked here) dinner roll; wonderful. The mixed sherbet dessert was just a perfect ending to this meal and just enough to make the drive back home to East County without needing to stop for a snack.  

Costa's Family Restaurant 851 E. San Bernadino Road Covina, CA 91723 Open Daily 5:30a.m. - 9 p.m.

 Happy New Year! 

Costa's Family Restaurant 851 E. San Bernadino Road Covina, CA 91723 Open Daily 5:30a.m. - 9 p.m.

Silvia Pupuseria (National City)

Here we are, less than a week before Christmas (and maybe a short week for those who are using up vacation time before the end of the year), at mmm-yoso!!! Cathy is writing today's post.

Long story short, The Mister and I were driving around looking for businesses giving away 2020 calendars as advertising, (as we do every year) and there were crowds, so we started driving in another area, looking for a quick meal before continuing on our trek. 

I had to stop at a signal light and saw the signage for businesses in the mall...and, well, we had been talking about pupusas for the past few weeks.  We had to. 

 You can walk in and order to go, or have a seat and a menu (without prices) as well as chips and salsa are brought out to you. Yes, the menus are written only in Spanish, but I understood it all.  The waitresses understood my ordering in English. The house made salsas, red and green, are both hot, in a good way.  No dumbing down here.  
The two storefronts are joined and open to accommodate about 50 seats with tables and booths and a beautiful mural on the 'kitchen' side.   Since this is a Pupuseria, I ordered two ($2.25 each). There are ten flavors on the menu. You can hear the dough being slapped in the kitchen when preparing the order.  The one in front is chicharron with cheese, the other one is bean and cheese- black beans with cheese.  What wonderful, fresh, filling and large/heavy pupusas! Such fresh flavors!  A wonderful meal by themselves.  The accompanying fresh made curtido and tomato sauce were very complimentary to all the flavors.  The curtido was so fresh, with the cabbage, carrots, Mexican oregano and just enough jalapeño with a light fermentation that we did finish the bowl brought out, some of it with food and some of it just plain.  There were several 'Breakfasts' on the for here menu and the choice of plantains with creama and beans or plantains with eggs looked interesting.  Plantains with beans, crema, a piece of cheese and eggs scrambled with a fresh house made salsa turned out to be the order ($9.99) (we were not asked how to have the eggs prepared).  The fried plantains with just a bit of the crema were sweet and hearty.  The refried beans (not black beans like in the pupusa) were wonderful.  The scrambled eggs with the tomatoes, onion and cilantro, were really good, with flavor in every bite.  

We noticed other tables that asked for coffee were given a cup of hot water and a jar of instant Nescafe (the table behind us got decaf).  Nescafe is one of few instant coffees that I like; this is a great alternative to possibly getting stale, bitter coffee from a pot.  Next time.  Also next time, a bowl of soup, definitely, along with maybe a mushroom pupusa.

Kirk was here in 2016!

Silvia's Pupuseria 916 East Eighth Street, Suit 106 National City, CA 91950 (619)534-2037 Open Daily 9:30 a.m.- 9 p.m.