Well, another San Diego Comic Con has come and gone. Not sure if we'll be going back in the future, for multiple reasons. Let's see.....cram 140,000 fanboys into a convention center and watch the mass stampede. Hearing about CC crap isn't what -this- blog's about, anyways.

HOW THE HECK did we eat down there?? Quite deliciously, thanks for asking. Anthony's Fish Grotto did not dissapoint in the least. In fact, I now have a fave fish for eating, thanks to them. Sculpin is apparently a relative of the scorpionfish and is found in the rocky inner-coastal regions of California, hiding in the rocks. It was wonderfully delish, served with a lemon-butter sauce. Meaty, tender and juicy, even Brian loved it. I thought it was alot better than the Baquetta we got a few years back there at Anthony's as well. Really mild and sweet, we went back a second time to eat it! This fish even prompted me to give it it's own theme-song! (I had only -one- glass of wine, even! I swear!) The now-melodious (and infamous!?) jingle of Misterrrrr Sculpinnn!!! Amuses all who hear it's tune. Okay, so maybe not.

Mole and Mexican food at Casa Guad was great as usual. But, not as mind-blowingly tasty as in the past, so it only got one trip from us this time.

I did talk Brian into being adventurous, and try a new place: Ba-Ren. This place came highly recommended from the chowhound boards, as a highly spicy Schezuan place. I'd taken a look at the menu beforehand, and knew what I wanted to try. Brian tho....He just was so convinced it wasn't going to be any good, he ordered safe. And by ordering safe, he ordered WRONG. I got the stir-fried dry beef, and it was mind-blowingly HOT HOT HOT. 3 different kinds of peppercorns including the famous Sichuan peppercorn. I enjoyed the mix of flavors in the dish, and how the different peppers acted in my mouth. One (I think the Sichuan) even made my mouth icy-cool upon inhaling. VERY odd, but cool! (like Mentos cool, serious) I give Ba-Ren a big thumbs up, but Brian was only so-so with them.

GREAT NEWS!! San Diego is getting/has got in the coming weeks..A CURRY HOUSE! For those not in the know: CH is a Japanese-style curry resto that Brian can eat every day, every meal till the apocalypse. I enjoy them as well, just not with the same passion Brian has. They have a Keema-style curry with ground beef and a soft-boiled egg that's fantastic and a nice change from the normal fare of CH. Brian is overjoyed of this news, and says a trip to CH in SD will be on every trip there now. Oh YAY.

On a side note: We are both addicted to Mexican-imported Coca-Cola now. This is how Coke used to taste, kids. PURE CANE SUGAR, and god, did I miss it! It's like crack in a soda bottle. I got to visit Galco's Deli and Market in LA last month, and got to buy and try sodas I've only heard about. Moxie is the bomb!! Totally different, but addicting all the same.

Oh, and as a final note: I was a lazy girl, and took not a SINGLE pic of my SD food adventures. Yes, I know, I suck. Deal with it.

San Diego, anyone???

This was a quiet weekend, spent at home reading the final Harry Potter book. Sufice it to say, eating out wasen't big on my list- so I cooked a turkey breast and it was good. REAL good.

I'm going to San Diego on Wednesday, for Comic Con. We allways have so much fun down there, plus we eat fantastically.

We eat at 2 places there, that many "foodies" like to turn their snobbish noses up at, calling them "tourist traps". Hmmm..That's odd, as one place is at least 60/40% locals eating there, and the other, around 50/50.

Anthony's Fish Grotto is a family-owned chain that started in SD. I believe they have close to 4-5 places to eat, in the SD county area. When they are busy, they are PACKED. We've waited over an hour in line to eat before, and now know the secrets of getting in quicker. Eat after 8pm, and it's not as packed. Make reservations, even better. Have Anthony's on your cell's speed-dial, and you are made of WIN. Anthony's fresh fish specials are good to fantastic, best thing you can get (IMHO) is the blackened baquetta, a local type of snapper from what i've found out- caught in the waters off Mexico. DELICIOUS. So soft, flaky, buttery and even -sweet-, the blackening just makes it better.
Anthony's is famous for their pineapple coleslaw, and rightly so. This fine salad is so damn tasty, the sweet/slightly salty dressing on the cold, crunchy cabbage, my mouth is watering just imagining that i'll be eating this in less than a week. If anyone wants the recipie, i'll gladly share it with readers.
Anthony's is a great place for romantic, waterfront dining, if you can look past the dozens of families with bratty 6 year old kids making messes. Small babies don't irritare me as they used to really- it's the kids who are older and SHOULD KNOW BETTER from decent parenting, how not to act in a resturant. Feh, I could bitch and moan for hours, but i'll stop my tirade for now on the subject.

Casa Guadalaraja is in historic Old Town. I've been going here (Old Town) with my family since I was born, and know the area like the back of my hand. My family was very partial to Casa Di Bandini (yes, the fertilizer folks, I kid you not) and we allways ate there, with much happiness. CG is a joint discovery of me and Brian, and I think it's much more satisfiying than CDB, for many reasons. EXCELLENT red salsa, can be very spicy if we get lucky. Chips fresh, super-thin and warm. Margaritas that make Lisa VERY happy and satisfied in all things, (great esp. after dealing with the huge dealers room and smelly con fanboys) and are x-box huge.

My passion, after becoming friends with Nilda- is Mole. I adore mole like few dishes on the planet, and i've yet to have more than 5 types. There are literally HUNDREDS of variations of mole. So far, the mole served at Casa Guad is sublime. Rich, savory and complex..I can just lightly taste the chocolate and it makes my insides all quivery eating such a delightful concoction. Brian dosen't care for mole, after trying one single bite! GRRRR!!! This is where picky eaters really fucking get on my nerves. How can you judge something on one SINGLE bite?? Give it at least 2. Chew it. TASTE it.

Casa Guad is right in the thick of things, touristy-wise. We know it, we understand this. We don't care that it is, and wonder why the HELL anyone would drive 1/2 mile to the nearby mall, and eat at Chevy's, for food? What's more underiseable- a shit-tastic mundane CHAIN place, or a campy-tourist driven GOOD food resto?? I'd rather go with campy and good food, thanks so very much.

The hotel's got internet acess. I'm gonna take pics of my wonderful food, and post for you all to see when we get back to Vegas.

See you soon

A new place for me to babble!

I really like food. Cooking it and eating it are fun, and so is talking about it- at least to me! I've got specific friends I know I can count on to be as adventurous as I can be, when it comes to food..And those NOT to bother asking "Hey!! Wanna go out for something funky tonite?"

My husband's desire to try new foods is pretty limited. Yes, he's a PICKY EATER. Something that truly gets under my skin, and grinding my teeth many a time.

I'll admit i'm a bit quirky with my food "phases" I will go thru, like craving things with maple syrup/flavor, or my obsession with finding the PERFECT fish and chips. (let's not get me started on getting delicious Mole!) I can be a bit of a snob with my food, with things like tea, and cinnamon. Spoiled, I guess so! I know what I like, and really dislike to compromise, when I have the ability to have things the way I like them. But, I'm also open to learning new, exciting things about food..About things I thought I'd -never- eat.

A good friend of mine, Nilda is a wonderful, talented pasty chef and co-conspirator of mine, when it comes to food. We really enjoy getting good food together, if it's something as ghetto as a Tommy Burger in LA, or hitting something high-end like B&B Ristorante here in Las Vegas. Cost is irrelevant, but good food is good food. Nilda's cousin is also a baker, and imparted to her (and therefore me as well now) one of the wisest words of food-wisdom that have served me well:

"If it's prepared good, and the ingredients are good..You will eat it, and you will LOVE IT. No matter what you may think you like"

Sounds simple enough, right?

This blog will serve as my venting outlet for talking about food. I post fairly regularly on chowhound.com and have a good time there. I try to not "hoard" my food-finds, I want everyone to know where to get awesome food, and be happy. From push-cart tacos eaten at midnight on the way home from work, to a delish 4-course tasting meal..To a small, family-owned business to a big chain, or touristy place...I like to chat about my experiences.

I travel to and from LA/Las Vegas pretty much every other month. My family's in LA, so it's great to be able to visit, AND get some wonderful food that only LA can do great. (again with the Tommy's!!^__^) I've been to Japan twice, with a 3rd trip probably to be had within the next 12 months.

I hope people who happen to read this enjoy my commentary. Even respond back, if you wish! I don't bite, honest. I just respectfully ask that if you have a differeing view than mine, don't get violently nasty. Debate is fantastic, but bashing just pisses me off.

In 8 days, we're off to San Diego, to attend Comic-Con. I adore SD, I wish I could live there. Looking forwards to getting great seafood at Anthony's Fish Grotto and my beloved mole at Guadalahara in Old Town.

I'll be in contact before I leave, that's for sure~!

Welcome everyone!