New craft beers highlight this week's culinary tidbits(2)
Nine-Ten. 910 Prospect St., La Jolla. 858-964-5400. If the main dining room at this upper-class spot seems too stuffy, you can order off the main menu at the bar—try the excellent Jamaican jerk pork—and, if you’re lucky, have your drink prepared by bartender Mike. Just don’t order a Budweiser, please.
El Comal. 3946 Illinois St., North Park. 619-294-8292. This family-run spot might be a little shaky when it comes to specialty cocktails, but is spot-on with authentic Mexican dishes like mulitas, barbacoa and tasty tlalpeno soup.
Wa Dining Okan. 3860 Convoy St., Kearny Mesa. 858-279-0941. Okan means “mom” in Japanese, and this unassuming spot, located in a strip-mall, serves the kind of Japanese comfort food you’d most likely find only in Japanese homes. Standouts include the grilled sanma (a North Pacific fish) and, for dessert, purin.
Con Pane. 1110 Rosecrans St., Suite 100, Point Loma. The bakery and café rolls out regular bread specials, as well as standards like the Point Loma sourdough and tasty cinnamon rolls. The Sweet Bread Bakers Plate lets you taste specialty breads, or you can order up a sandwich (like a turkey or veggie cobb), for a picnic near the water.
Cowboy Star. 640 10th Ave., East Village. 619-450-5880. The spot is all about the meat: bison burgers, perfectly prepared strip steaks, venison sausage and tasty charcuterie plates. Save room for the Julian apple cobbler with homemade brown-butter ice cream or hit up the adjoining butcher shop for some take-home cuts.
El Pescador, 627 Pearl St., La Jolla, 858-456-2526. The fish sold here is among the freshest in town. You can buy your seafood pre-prepared or fresh from the case, and if you need cooking tips, the staff is more than happy to help. Try the seabass, the yellowtail or the opah and don’t skip the $2.75 cup of clam chowder. The wooden tables are usually claimed during busy lunch hours, but you can grab your meal to go and head to the beach, just a few blocks west.
Shanghai City. 3860 Convoy St., Suite 105, Kearny Mesa, 858-278-5883. The closest you’ll come to experiencing traditional Shanghainese cooking without going to China, the menu includes favorites like xiao long bao (steamed pork buns) and Jiangsu crispy chicken.
Tapenade. 7612 Fay Ave., La Jolla. 858-551-7500. If you’re looking for an affordable-yet-nice spot for dinner, the bar area at this eatery has generous, wallet-friendly happy hour that runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Menu items include escargot, a homemade ravioli in a white-truffle foam and chocolate-drenched profiteroles for dessert. Glasses of wine are $2 off, too. www.tapendaderestaurant.com.
Olive Tree Marketplace. 4805 Narragansett Ave., Ocean Beach. 619-224-0443. The popular corner market sells avariety of locally produced foods (like Jackie’s Jams and La Salsa Chilena salsa) and also whips up tasty sandwiches at the deli. Definitely give in to the impulse-buy fresh-baked cookies at the register. www.olivetreemarket.com.
Kous Kous. 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. 619-295-5560. Kous Kous prepares classic Moroccan cuisine—like the flaky, savory and sweet b’stilla—in a cozy and cool, subterranean Hillcrest spot. www.kouskousrestaurant.com.
La Fachada. 20 25th St., Logan Heights, 619-236-8566. You can opt to sit inside the restaurant, or outside near the taco truck, where last-meal-worthy Mexican staples are served. Every corn tortilla is made fresh, as is the salsa. Standouts include the carnitas and the melt-in-your-mouth gorditas.
Kaito Sushi. 130-A North El Camino Real, Encinitas, 760-634-2746. Owner Kazuo Morita has lots of local fans who flock to Kaito for his classic Edo-style sushi. Check the restaurant’s blog to see what’s come in fresh and, even, where it’s coming from: www.sushikaito.com.
Surati Farsan. 9494 Black Mountain Road, Mira Mesa. 858-549-7280. Located in the Little India Center, this spot specializes in vegetarian South Indian Cuisine served as small snacks or “chaat.” Stand-outs include the masala dosa, delhi chat and pani puri.
Sab E Lee 2405 Ulric St., Linda Vista, 858-650-6868. One meal at Sab E Lee is enough to captivate—this is Thai food like you’ve never tasted. New discoveries are found here, including raw beef salad and catfish larb, while familiar dishes—curries and noodles—rival those found anywhere else.
Jack & Giulio’s Italian Restaurant. 2391 San Diego Ave., Old Town, 619-294-2074. J&G’s does it old-school with classic dishes served amid endearingly dated decor. Pace yourself so that you’ll have room for the homemade ricotta cheesecake at the end of your meal. www.jackandgiulios.com.
