Jodi Jackson’s Hollywood

With so many restaurants trying to do fusion, it’s remarkable how many of them fail. Zengo however will never miss the mark. Their take on Latin/Asian inspired cuisine will make you sit up and take notice. A lot of what they do is very sublime, but your taste buds will be the judge here.

I found my experience at Zengo to be much more then the blending of 2 ethnic cultures. They have truly mastered the fine art of combining Asian, primarily Japanese, and flavors from many Latin American countries into harmonious delicious dishes . There were no bad choices, everything was poised, with just the right amount of heart and soul.

Hugo Ignacio, from Mexico, was my waiter for the evening. He previously worked at Clafoutis, La Sandia, and Cupa Café in Beverly Hills, before coming to Zengo. His happy demeanor made my experience very memorable.

Steven Castro is the general manager and Executive Chef for the past 2 years. He started at 15 ½ at Burger King as a dishwasher, graduated high school at 17 and went to culinary school at the prestigious Cordon Blue. You can tell Steven is dedicated to satisfying everyone’s needs at Zengo.

Richard Sandoval gets involved in lots of events and charities: they will be making Arepas, a South American corn cake, at The Breeders cup on Oct 31. He has his 2-empanada lady’s make those 1000 Arepas in 2 hours in house, which is remarkable considering how time consuming they can really be! In October $1.00 from every meal will go to the Drink Pink – Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer.

Here’s what I tried:

Wines/Cocktails:

Chardonnay, 2011 Santa Diena, Central VLY, CH. You can drink this with the scallops or any of the raw fish dishes. It is subtle and can add to the fresh fish flavors.

Malbec, 2012 Casillero del Diablo, Rapel VL, CH. Hands down, do this one with the pork ribs, it will make you very happy.

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 Louis M Martin, Sonoma, CA. This wine went very nicely with the Zengo fried rice, as well as the mashed potatoes. I tried it with all of the fish dishes, but this is what I would recommend.

Pomelo Mezcal Margarita with Mezcal, Pomelo, Citrus, Grapefruit Bitters. This one did not make the cut for me; I would order the Jalapeno orange margarita instead.

Jalapeno Orange Margarita with Tequila, Orange, Serrano. The perfect amount of sweet and sour, this would be my go to margarita.

Ceviches & Tiraditos:

Tuna Tiradito with ponzu, Avocado, Fresno, Cilantro, Sesame. The tuna is an A+ grade, and is floating in the ponzu sauce. The pepper adds a nice element of heat to the dish.

Sushi Rolls:

Achiote Shrimp Tempura Roll, Avocado, Jicama, Chile Limon, Chile Torreado Aioli, Charred Scallion. With this dish you really aren’t aware that you’re eating anything that has Latin ingredients in it. The sauce does have a slight bit of tropical essence to it, but other then that it’s just really fantastic sushi to me!

Dim Sum & Antojitos:

TK Sea Bass Tiradito with Avocado-Yuzu Puree, Salsa Negra-Soy Sauce Tomato, Radish, Cilantro, Crispy Shallots. Like sashimi but with a built in Latin sensibility, this was high on my list as well.

Adobo Sweet ‘N Sour BBQ Pork Ribs, Chayote Slaw, Hoisin BBQ Sauce, Cilantro. A smidgen on the spicy side, but the sweet goodness, and tender ribs make this so spectacular.

Soups & Salads:

Miso Soup with Chipotle, Tofu, Tomato, Wakame, Truffle Oil. There is just something so different about this miso soup. Not your ordinary miso soup, this one is light-years away from most. It was so good I really had to finish the whole bowl.

Main Dishes:

Pan Seared Scallops, Pork Belly, Mushroom, Squash, Corn. Very savory, with nice delicate flavors. The scallops or only heightened by the woody aromas that come with the pork belly nuances.

Chipotle Miso Glazed Black Cod, Daikon, Lemon Togarashi Aioli, Kabayaki Sauce. The main attraction is the fish, and its delicate miso glaze, its got more Asian influences then Latin, so for me this dish was a real show stopper. The presentation is like a golden tower, crisscrossed fish and vegetables on bed fluffy white rice.

Sides:

Manchego Mashed Potato, Cream, Butter. These potato’s are very rich and creamy, just what the doctor ordered.

Brussels Sprouts with Apple, Lemongrass Mojo. A nice take on this ever-popular dish the Brussels sprout are cooked to a good soft consistency and the apple works very well with the blended flavors.

From The Wok:

Zengo Fried Rice, Shrimp, Duck, Pork, Egg, Snow Pea, Carrot. I really loved this rice, it very much like Chinese fried rice but has an extra zest that you cant quite put your finger on.

Desserts:

Apple Custard Cake with miso ice cream, fennel and anglaise. The cake is filled with great moist apple flavor, it is almost refreshing.

Chocolate Banana Cake with Chocolate Agave Sauce, Salted Caramel, Banana Ice Cream. The ice cream on this is so delectable; the cake was not so bad either.

Chef Richard Sandoval runs and operates a lot of restaurants but like Midas, everything he touches turns to gold. And with 18 restaurants, he obviously knows what it takes to market his Latin-Asian inspired cuisine. At places like: Ambar, Bahia, El Centro, La Biblioteca, La Hacienda, La Sandia, Masa 14, Maya, Pampano, Raya, Raymi, Tamayo, Toro Latin Gastrobar, Toro Toro, T&T, Venga Venga, Venga Venga Express and Zengo.

Since opening 5 years ago their menu has changed. A year ago they brought in big flat screen TV’s, for their football promotions called football madness with $5.00 small plates. They also host chamber mixers.

Latin/Asian inspired décor, with high ceilings, low couches and chairs. The patio is very inviting for an open-air meal, with a great Santa Monica view.

I am told that their Brunch is fantastic, which includes American favorites: fries, hot dogs, beer, and burgers. They provide a DJ, with bottomless food, and bottomless drinks, it’s one big party. The Dinner clientele is intimate, there are always new people trying this wonderful cuisine. Zengo is truly a hidden gem in Santa Monica.

Zengo

395 Santa Monica Pl

Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 899-1000

http://www.richardsandoval.com/zengosm/

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This stellar place is part of the Busalacchi restaurant group; they own and operate 6 other Italian style establishments. I hope I get invited to all of them in the near future.

Vince the son of owner Frank Busalacchi, has his hands full. With 3 young children and the overseeing of all of the 6 restaurants he some how holds it all together. He made me feel very special. After our great sampling of pasta’s and other homemade specialties, he said lets walk down the street to my sister dessert driven restaurant Café Zucchero. He said whatever you want let me know and he prepared a big bakery box filled with authentic Italian treats, as well as a sampling of some very ice geleto’s.

Here’s what I tried:

Arancini, mini rice balls stuffed with sweet peas and mozzarella cheese. This would be considered an Italian staple, they did it justice, and it was oozing with melty cheese and had a lovely marinara sauce on top.

Antipasto Misto for Two with Salami, prosciutto, Gorgonzola, grana padano, taleggio, caprese, bruschetta, mushrooms and olives. You just can’t beat a real authentic antipasta, full of Italian products. Great cheeses, and fine array of Italian meat products, and bruschetta, olives, round out the goodness of this dish.

Fettuccine con Bolognese with Traditional Sunday sauce. You know this is the real deal, with a recipe handed down from generation to generation.

Ravioli Di Spinaci with Spinach and ricotta ravioli made daily. They deliver this one with two different sauces, one on each ravioli. This dish was completely finished.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara with pancetta, parmigiano, egg yolk, fresh black pepper and a touch of cream. A delicious traditional dish, done right it is so yummy.

Penne con Broccoli with roasted garlic, extra-virgin olive oil with parmigiano and pecorino cheese. There is serious garlic flavor in this; they must have put a whole garlic clove in this one.

Precchiette con Pollo, Chicken, sun dried tomatoes, asparagus & a creamy gorgonzola sauce. The sauce is creamy and flavorful; I would say this was one of my favorites.

Rigatoni con Piselli with sweet peas, mushrooms, pancetta and pecorino cheese. You can’t go wrong with this savory pasta dish.

Gamberi al Limone with jumbo shrimp with mushrooms, garlic and capers in a white wine lemon sauce. This dish I died and went to heaven, my favorite thing….shrimp. They butterfly their shrimp and cook it in garlic, lemon juice and mushrooms.

Pinot Grigio, Banti San Angelo, Toscana, this wine went great with the antipasti, it enhanced the luscious cheeses.

Pinot Grigio, Ruffino, Lumina, Italia. The subtle flavors of this wine will make the arancini a little more flavorful, as well as the Gamberi al Limone.

Clos Du Val, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, I would drink this with the Ravioli Di Spinaci, I loved the pairing.

Pinot Noir, Buena Vista, Sonoma, Wild Horse Unbridled, Santa Barbara. The clean subtle berry flavors worked great with the Precchiette con Pollo.

Merlot, Chateau St. Michelle “Indian Wells”, Washington. Somehow this worked good with this dish, Rigatoni con Piselli, especially with the smoky pancetta.

Super Tuscan, Frescobaldi, Tenuta Di Castiglioni, Toscana, this wine did great with the cured meats from the antipasti.

Filmusi Gueifi, Montepulciano, Abruzzo. You got to do this with the Fettuccine con Bolognese; it’s just the right pairing.

There is great lively art on the walls. You just feel like you landed at some ones family home here, with all the great features that an Italian home has to offer, great food, perfect atmosphere, and somewhere a Nonna preparing their great family recipes.

I will have to try their sister restaurants next time, but for now one of my favorite one’s here in Little Italy, come on out and try it.

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Zia’s Grill
619.234.1344
[email protected]

1845 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101

What started out as a family business back in Santa Barbara, has lured David Petrini right back into the fold. David moved all over the place trying to realize his dream and somehow San Diego is where it all came to fruition. The recipes have been handed down from many family members.

David’s Dad and his 2 brothers started the family restaurants in 1958 and by the 1980’s they had 5 restaurants. David digressed from the restaurant business for many years, trying his hand in acting, landscaping, moving to many differed cities. 8 years ago he bought what was then Urban Earth Café, and turned into a home style Italian restaurant. Filled with its regular customers, everyone has something good to say about Petrini’s.

Oddly, Petrini’s is in a commercial building, which may not be conducive to a homey Italian atmosphere, but their great food cancels that out. There is a large piano in the corner, and they play spotify’s acoustic lunch, for a nice mellow feel. There is a cute small bar with a nice simple interior.

My server and manager Shawna sat me down in a great location and told me about my dining neighbors. She said you will be siting next to the Martins, they are very friendly. Well Kathy and Haywood Martins, were more then friendly. They offered up some great neighborhood stories having lived in Little Italy for over 35 years. Kathy said she loved their pizza because it is gluten free and she would never want it another way. Her husband Bob said that Petrini’s is so good, because everyone is friendly and its just plain good home-style Italian fare, like no one else in Little Italy can do!

Here’s what I tried:

Antipasto Salad, there are so many sliced up cold cuts in this perfect salad. The dressing is also a great accomplishment. They actually bottle and sell this great vinaigrette.

Pizza with Pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms. They load the topping on and they make their own sausage. The crust is nice and crispy throughout, a good little pie.

Lasagna with homemade lasagna that’s meatless but has a meat sauce. They make the sauce way in advance, just like your Nonna would make, I love this dish.

Wines

Fantini Trebbiano D’Abruzzo 2012, Product of Italy. This was a nice light white wine that went great with the antipasto salad.

Fantini Farnese Montepulciano D’ Abruzzo 2012, Product of Italy. This is a very dry wine that paired great with the lasagna.

Petrini’s is know as The Hidden Gem on the South End” When your looking for an enjoyable little lunch spot try Petrini’s.

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Petrini’s
610 West Ash Street, Suite 100
San Diego, CA. 92101
www.petrini’ssandiego.com

Location, location, location. What this boutique lacks in space it fully makes up for it in the fact that it is in the most fun section of San Diego, Little Italy. The San Diego Italy Cultural Center is right across the street. The rooms have some amenities, they are rather small, but fill the void for a restful comfortable stay.

I mean they are literally right around the corner from some of the best Italian restaurants in all of San Diego, for that matter California. Wait maybe I spoke to soon, after all San Francisco has a Little Italy as well, with some astonishing establishments. But for what its worth San Diego’s Little Italy is an amazing surprise.

The rooms are cozy, but have everything you could possible need. You kind of feel like your some where in Manhattan or Downtown San Francisco, it’s just that urban. You can get a terrific deal online that is way under what it should be. They have flat screen TV’s in all of their rooms. Their air conditioner was very needed seeing that the humidity was through the roof. A comfortable bed with nice linens will keep the weary traveler happy. There is no art of the walls, just a sleek modern feel. I was on the 4th floor so I had a nice East facing view.

They do a nice continental breakfast every morning in their sweet little breakfast room, and have a business center fully equipped with computers and printers.

I wish had could say more, bot honestly if your wanting to do a mini vacation in Little Italy in San Diego this is the hotel for you!!

Urban Boutique Hotel
1654 Columbia St.
San Diego, CA. 92101
Phone: (760) 450-6955

http://urbanboutiquehotel.com/

Urban Bar & Grill is part of the “Dining on 5th” restaurant group that also has 3 other restaurants on 5th Ave. in The Gaslamp Quarter. Chianti, La Fiesta, Ocean Room. Hopefully I will be invited to come back and try the others. Medina Poulain, marketing director for all of the Dining on 5th Group, took such great care of me; she really made me feel so special.

Located in the heart of The Gaslamp Quarter, it is so fun, lively; there is just so much to do here. Every block has nightclubs, restaurants and lots of foot traffic. There are quite a few restaurants to compete with, but Urban Bar and Grill gets the job done.

The décor is very New York, but there are these huge very different chandelier type light fixtures that adorn the ceiling. There are quite a few of them, and they are all uniquely different. The bar area is hip and fun, and the dining room is very conducive to intimate conversation.

Here’s what I tried:

Libations/ Drinks:

Moscow Mule, Russian Standard Vodka, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, Bitters. There are so many restaurants that are doing this drink, I just don’t get it.

El Jefe Margarita, Tres Generaciones Anejo, Cointreau, Fresh Juices, Grand Marnier. My kind of libation, very sweet and smooth, it will get you where you want to be!

Wine:

Chardonnay Bridlewood Estate, Monterey County. This wine can carry the sweetness of the tuna tacos in all its glory.

Chardonnay Folie a Deux, Russian River Valley Sonoma. A nice well balanced wine that adds so much depth to the seafood in this linguine.

Chardonnay J Lohr “Riverstone”, Monterey County. I liked this wine with the earthy flavors in the Brussels sprouts, but that’s just my opinion.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Martin Ray, Napa 2011. You have got to drink this wine with the cowboy steak and its blue cheese topping, a real winner.

Pinot Noir, Mac Murray Ranch, Sonoma 2012. I like this wine with the seafood linguine, it is nice and light, but added some extra punch to the pasta.

Boom Boom! Syrah, Washington State 2012 Charles Smith. Either the steak or the lamb will do great with this wine.

Zinfandel, Peachy Canyon “Incredible Red”, Paso Robles 2011. I would do this wine with the lamb chops, it has a well-rounded fruit forward finish, and has lots of sweet cherry nuances, and you can’t go wrong.

Wakami Tuna Taco with crispy wonton shell, ahi tartar, seaweed salad, carrot and daikon sprouts and wasabi aioli. I was told that I had to try this, and I understood why. The overall flavor is sweet, but with nice Asian seasonings, I liked it a lot.

Braised Short Ribs Sliders, slowly cooked short rib, chimichurri coleslaw and garlic aioli. I was not impressed; there are too many other slider dishes that I have tried that rivaled this one.

N.Z. Mussels and Pommes Frites, sautéed green lipped mussels in a white wine sauce, and truffled French fries. This is a very delicious take on a popular dish.

Roasted Pear and Gorgonzola, with mixed greens, roasted pear, dried mission figs, Gorgonzola, candied walnuts, and port wine vinaigrette. This one was not a favorite, too many pears. They did say that this was a favorite amongst their customers, so you got me baffled.

Seafood Linguine, with sautéed shrimp, calamari, mussels, assorted fish, white wine-garlic and tomato sauce. Chalk full of seafood, with a good balanced red sauce.

Rosemary Lamb Chops with grilled lamb chops, sautéed heirloom spinach, rosemary demi glacé, balsamic reduction. Huge portion with very complex sauce, this dish is a must have!

Bone Inn Rib Eye Cowboy Steak with Blue cheese. Another spectacular dish, the meat is very tender and cooked to perfection. The blue cheese and sauce is just the addition you would want with this piece of meat.

Brussel Sprouts and Applewood Smoked Bacon Gratinee. Another one of these side dishes that every restaurant is doing now, but this version scored high in my opinion.

The clientele seems to love this place, and there were lots of them the night I went. Some of them young, some older, everyone out for the same thing, good fun and good food.

The menu is thoughtfully inspired by Chef Sara Polczynski and Chef Geraldo Espinoza, and they do a nice job. But, I would not mess around here and cut to the chase, order the Lamb or The Steak, you will be very happy you took the advice here at…Jodi Jackson’s Hollywood!!!

Urban Bar & Grill is contemporary American cuisine at it’s finest. Hours: Mon-Thur 4pm-10pm | Fri 4pm-12am | Sat 4pm-12am | Sunday – Happy Hour is all day, every day at the bar.

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Urban Bar and Grill
827 5th Ave. Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego, CA. 92101
619-235-8700
ww.urbanbarandgrill.com

I am going to have to come back and try the food, so this review will be short and sweet.

There is so much activity happening in the Gaslamp Quarter, nite clubs, live music, comedy, and things in between. But this place has a completely different concept. Exciting dueling pianos with both players taking requested from the very rowdy adult audience. So you can dance, sing, drink and be very merry. It’s like Disneyland for adults, and the adults come in all ages, shapes and sizes. But one thing they all have in common, they came here to PARTY!!

It is a big open space, brick wall on one side, lots of tables, with a stage on one side of the rectangular room. It is a very enticing atmosphere that makes you want to get up and shout, there are no wallflowers allowed. It really brings everyone together. It’s great for special events, birthday parties, and holiday parties. There is total audience participation, no one is sitting idle. They sing everything from Great Balls of Fire to Don’t Stop Believin’. A lot of the songs are piano driven, duh, but then there are those that are not. If you want to hear Elton John, Journey, Billy Joel, Jerry Lee Lewis, Abba, then you have come to the right place. So grab your friend and your vocal cords and come sing your heart out, you will be glad you did.

The Shout House
655 4th Ave.
in San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter
www.theshouthouse.com
619-231-6700

Our very gracious hostess Ann made everything lovely. She is so fun, gregarious and happy, it just rubs off on you. She prides herself on treating you like family when you’re staying at her Bed and Breakfast.

This is a great find, what an enchanting well kept home in this stellar community. Hillcrest is fun, lively, in a true San Diego eclectic neighborhood. It offers a lot of nightlife, so I stumbled into Mo’s, where it was show tune night. There were too many flat screens to even count, all playing different excerpts from film musicals, including some music videos. They passed out tambourines and clappers to get the crowd roaring. That is what I call a fun time in the ole town tonight!

There are 5 rooms at the Hillcrest: Balboa, Coronado, Gaslamp, Old Town, and Zoo. I stayed in The Old Town room which was very cozy, a home away from home. Ann says she puts only her friends and family in that room, and you can understand why. It had a separate entrance, with 4 parking spaces in the back alley. Easy access to get back to your room, or even easier if you just walk out the alley to University Avenue, a minute from the Hillcrest hub. You could go out and party and find your way home in 5 minutes.

I witnesses Mother Nature’s wrath when I was there. There was a huge thunderstorm that rolled through the East Side of San Diego, and hit everything in its path pretty hard. But I never felt like any part of my livelihood was threatened, there is something about The Hillcrest Bed and Breakfast that you can’t put your finger on. Like you’re being coddled in your mother’s bosom. Just safe and comforted, even through a tumultuous storm which had just turned a lot of people’s world upside down. It even had a name; “The Hillcrest Hurricane”.

There is a nice breakfast buffet set up in the morning, and Ann leaves perfect treats for her guest to enjoy all day and night. Coffee and tea is also available when ever you want it. A great heart healthy, Southern California breakfast of sliced seasonal California fresh fruits, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, granola, bran cereal, juices, Laura Scudder peanut butter, whole wheat bread for toast, home-made fruit preserves, and fresh-brewed coffee & teas. The smell of freshly baked muffins attacks your senses. No detail is left unnoticed here.

Your only seven minutes from The Gas lamp district, its considered uptown from downtown. Just 10 minutes to San Diego Beaches, Airport, Convention Center, Balboa Park Museums and Zoo, Old
Town, Cruise Ship Terminal and San Diego Bay. Lots of foodies go to The Hillcrest District for it’s fork to table eateries. Innkeeper/Owner Ann Callahan and her staff, have the “Scoop” on all things “San Diego”, and host an amazing clientele of Business & Leisure travelers from all over the world. Anything you need she will be able to help you with. So next time your in San Diego stay here, it’s a small extraordinary experience that I highly recommend.

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Hillcrest House
3845 Front Street
San Diego, CA. 92103
619-990-2441
http://www.hillcresthousebandb.com

I always have a favorite in my restaurant experiences when I take these trips. Davanti Enoteca would have to be mine. It’s just the way they do everything here, it’s all very special, and each dish is just remarkable.

They tell you that this is not your typical Italian restaurant; most of them serve huge piles of pasta on one dish. Here they serve little dishes of all of their food, which I found more then satisfying.

Beverages:

Gimlet Fresca with cucumber vodka, limejuice, simple syrup. A great beginning cocktail, will get your taste buds ready for this fine cuisine.

Chardonnay, Buehle, Russian River, CA. (Butter Bomb). This wine will make you have great dreams especially when you pair it with the scallops.

Sauvingon Blanc, Duckhorn, (Classic & Balanced). You could do this wine with the risotto or the carbonara; it will enhance the creamy flavors of both dishes.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Spellbound, Napa Valley (Blueberry & Vanilla). I would do this wine with the polenta and ragu, it would be the perfect combination.

Syrah, Clayhouse, Paso CA (Smoke & Cherry). I liked this one with the tomatoes and burrata.

Paste:

Risotto Carbonara with Aborio rice, pancetta, farm egg yolk, pecorino, and chives. A very soft subtle risotto, its like velvet in your mouth.

Cacio e Pepe with Spaghetti, pecorino, and black pepper. So simple and delicious, it just goes to show you what great ingredients can bring to the table.

Insalate:

Roasted corn, cremini mushrooms, toasted walnuts, aged goat cheese. The corn was very sweet and the balance of the goat cheese really brought this dish to life,

Roasted cherry tomato, buratta, basil pesto. What makes this dish so incredible is the tomatoes are cooked and are still on the vine. The pesto is on the vine branches. I have never had a burrata dish where the tomatoes are whole and slighty cooked, wow!

Per la Tavola:

Mascarpone polenta, ragu of the day. They come to the table with a pot for the polenta and one for the ragu and they pour them onto each other. The flavors are unbelievable, one of my favorite polentas ever!!

Focaccia di Recco & honeycomb. My waiter said its like Angels Wings, and he was right. It’s oozing with warm cheese and the sweet honeycomb is so decadent.

Piatti:

Capesante e Favewith Seared diver scallops, fava beans, pea tendrils, guanciale vinaigrette. These are huge scallops with lot of flavor, the fava beans and bean tendrils just round out all of the goodness this dish has to offer.

Dessert:

Cioccolato pb&j, fourless dark chocolate cake, fudge sauce, raspberry compote, peanut butter whipped cream, salted peanut brittle. How do you say remarkable, I am hooked!

Biondo Torta del Burro Bruno with Brown butter blondie, maple gelato, caramel sauce, and marcona almonds. This is my kind of desert and I loved it!

Scott Harris Chef-Owner is from Chicago and has established himself as one of Chicago’s most iconic restaurateurs. There are 20 Francesca’s restaurants in the Chicago metropolitan area as well as locations in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona and soon, California. Mr. Harris has also created a number of other concepts, including Davanti Enoteca, a cousin to Francesca’s and another smash success. Scott is a native of Chicago and currently lives in the Chicago and San Diego areas with his wife and two children.

General Manager Joshus Zanow most recently served as Manager at PlumpJack and CADE Wineries in the Napa Valley, where he was responsible for overseeing the guest experience, wine sales for 40,000 visitors per year. Mr. Zanow sees Thomas Keller, Rick Bayless, Scott Harris and John Conover as his key sources of professional inspiration.

The interior reminded me of an Enoteca in Venice, or Florence, clean simple lines with arched partitions It is a very warm and inviting atmosphere, but really who cares about the interior, here the food will outshine any atmosphere. Really I highly recommend this stellar restaurant.

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Davanti Enoteca
1655 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
http://davantienoteca.com/sandiego/

The one thing Old Town San Diego has is lots of restaurants and bars, some of which serve just plain old bar food, and others, classic Mexican food. Inside the Old Town Historic state park lie’s a unique Mexican Restaurant. Casa De Reyes is an original Mexican Pueblo established in 1821 with loads of ambiance and a very authentic menu. So, when in Rome…….

I am not the biggest fan of Mexican food, it’s just not my drug of choice, but Casa De Reyes has so many options that you will leave happy, and glad you tried their cuisine. The chef uses authentic recipes from his grandmother’s kitchen.

Here’s what I tried:

Margaritas:

The Classic Cadillac with 1800 reposado tequila, premium orange liquer, fresh lime and lemon juice with house made sweet and sour, agave nectar and a splash of orange juice because the Cadillac didn’t exist in the 1800’s! Nice well rounded cocktail with a lot of spunk!!

The Ultimate Revolutionary with Herradura blanco tequila, lime squeeze, sweet and sour and agave nectar shaken with a float of cointreau and served with a salted rim. A little different then your usual Margie, with a nice sour zing, this one is an attitude adjuster.

La Riviera Maya with a refreshing blend of 1800-blanco tequila, Matusalem rum, coconut, strawberry and pineapple juice-a Mexican Riviera delight. For the sweet drink lover, for me, not so much.

Appetizers:

Mexican Caesar Salad with tender hearts of romaine lettuce, tomato wedges, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, tortilla strips and chipotle Caesar dressing. This is a huge salad with a lovely tangy Caesar dressing. A good light choice.

Food:

Sea Bass con Pico de Gallo de Naranja with fresh sea bass rubbed with Mexican spices and topped with a refreshing spicy orange pico de gallo. Served with ensalada de nopales and black beans. A little on the salty sauce, but the fish alone was worth ordering it.

Tampiquena Especial with carne asada steak and a cheese enchilada served with guacamole (gluten-free). Imagine a gluten-free Mexican entree, thats the whole reason for selecting this one.

Pork Tamales with white corn masa stuffed with pork, topped with cheese and tomatillo sauce (gluten-free). Another gluten-free dish, oh my!

Crispy Chicken or Beef Tacos with chicken or beef, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce and shredded cheese. I loved both of these tacos, done the old school way.

Fish or Shrimp Tacos with grilled fish or shrimp on a soft corn tortilla with a shredded green and red cabbage slaw, spicy cream, cotija cheese, cheddar, and jack cheese, pico de gallo and avocado. The shrimp taco was better then the fish taco, lots of plump fresh shrimp.

The outside patio has different entertainment every night, and is extremely lively; you get the feeling that there is always a party. On any given night they have; Mariachis, Folklorico dancing, bands, themed historic melodramas, guaranteed lots of excitement!

There are many fun stores that are all part of the Fiesta de Reyes; you can buy anything from kitchenware to a Mexican serape. All within stones throw from your outdoor dining experience.

Owned and operated by Old Town Family Hospitality Corporation, Chuck Ross, dubbed as “The Old town Parks Turnaround specialist”, Chuck owns Barra Barra, Casa De Reyes, and The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant. His successful business ventures here in Old Town Park have made him a pillar in this community.

Fiesta de Reyes means celebration of kings and you will feel like Mexican Royalty after enjoying this authentic cuisine.

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Casa de Reyes
2754 Calhoun St
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 220-5040
www.fiestadereyes.com

What can you say about a hotel that has been consistently in business for the last 200 years? The Cosmopolitan’s history goes back to a man named Juan Lorenzo Bandini, one of San Diego’s pioneers who settled there in the 1800s. He designed and constructed his grand residence, the largest in Old Town, between 1827 and 1829. The single-story home was built around False Bay, later named Mission Bay circa 1944. It was designed with Spanish Colonial architectural featuring thick adobe walls, muslin ceilings, pane-glass windows, and a brick-lined patio, all part of the Spanish Colonial charm. The family lived there until 1859. Only wanting the best for his wife and 2 daughters, he made sure that they all had the most comfortable surroundings. Seven rooms, an entrance hall, an enclosed courtyard, a corral, and several sheds and barns were all part of the package.

When Juan Bandini died, Emily and Albert Seeley, took over the building to create a place where travelers could have comfort, style and entertainment at the same time. With that in mind, The Cosmopolitan Hotel opened in 1869. The architectural theme was Greek Revival, also adding a second level to the adobe structure. Some of the amenities of The Hotel were a bar, sitting and billiards room, a barbershop, and a local post office. But the hotel’s main attraction was its grand balcony that wrapped around the second story, where guests to San Diego could enjoy seeing the crowd and activities in the town square below.

In 1888 Seeley sold The Cosmopolitan and in 1900 the building became a canning facility for an olive factory. In 1928 Cave J. Couts Jr. took over the property. A grandson of Bandini, Couts, he turned the broken-down building into a hotel and restaurant with added amenities such as wired electricity, gas, and a new style of decor.

During the 1950s the hotel and restaurant became an upscale tourist motel owned by James H. and Nora Cardwell. Then in 1968, the property was sold to the state of California, the same year the original buildings in Old Town San Diego evolved into Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Because it’s a state park the owners had to keep in compliance with very strict rules, in keeping this hotel authentic. No televisions are in the room because they didn’t have televisions in the 1800s. But there is air-conditioning, which was not part of this time period which was stipulated to for the comfort of the guests. All of the furnishings had to be approved by the state parks and planning commission, and once again they had to keep in line with what was the true original fabrics, window treatments, and furnishings of that time period.

In 1976 they made the hotel surrounding area into state park. Later in 2010, everything was renovated at a cost of 3 million dollars. All eleven rooms got a makeover.

The night I was there for dinner they had a great band called Zzymzzy quartet who played pre prohibition, Hawaiian and 20s music. What a great treat to hear this style of music in 2014. They played one of my favorites, “When The Saints Go Marching In.” The band consisted of a stand up bass, a clarinet and a sideways Hawaiian Guitar.

Here’s what I tried:

Dinner:

Cosmopolitans:

Church Bell Cosmo with Hangar 1 Mandarin Vodka, Triple Sec, lime and cranberry splash. It was very thirst quenching, nice and light.

Other Cocktails:

Stagecoach Smash with Gentleman Jack Bourbon, honey, ginger beer, muddled seasonal fruit and champagne splash. If you like Bourbon you will love this drink.

Mad as Hops Mojito with fresh meddled mint and lime, shaken with sweet rum, house-made simple syrup and soda. For the Mojitos lover this one will blow your hair back.

Hors d’oeuvres:

Rustico Bruschetta with herb goat cheese, chimichurri brochettas and rustic bread. Loaded with nice cheese and basil flavor, it was a nice way to begin your meal.

Braised Pork Cheeks with breaded pork cheeks, caramelized onions, merlot reduction, and crispy onions. Kind of misleading from what the menu says because these little wonders are hiding inside of a puffed pastry, but are terrific!!!

Ahi Lettuce Cups, garlic, ginger, julienne vegetables, cilantro and baby iceberg. I would skip this one save room for the entrees.

Entrées:

Parmesan-Crusted Shrimp Scampi with wild mushroom ravioli, capers, tomato, and white wine butter sauce. The star of this show is the mushroom ravioli. It’s a very fragrant mushroom with butter flavors.

Espresso-Braised Short Ribs with pan-friend garlic Brussels sprouts, herbed marble potatoes and natural au jus. Very tender beef with an unusual take on a braising ingredient.

Homemade Gnocchi, pan-seared scallops, fresh-made gnocchi, cherry tomatoes, asparagus spears, and chimichurri sauce. I always love any kind of scallop dish, this one did not disapoint.

Herb-Crusted Pork Chop, tender pork chop, confit baby red potatoes, sautéed spinach, edamame succotash, roasted corn and tarragon cream sauce. This is their signature dish, and it is terrific.

Salads, Soups & Burgers:

Cosmo Caesar on Grilled Naan Bread, chicken or shrimp and great Caesar dressing. This is a very filling salad with the bread underneath all of the lettuce.

Baby Iceberg Wedge with smoked bacon, baby tomato, Point Reyes blue cheese, tobacco onion, and blue cheese vinaigrette. The presentation is very grand, with great blue cheese flavor.

Sides:

Lightly Battered Chinese Long Beans: sprinkled with sea salt. You can still taste the sweetness of the beans with its nice salty flavor.

Lunch:

Hors d’oeuvres:

Kung Pao Calamari with sweet chili sauce, peanuts, and Asian slaw. Calamari in a very sticky sweet sauce makes this calamari like candy.

Entrees:

Fried Chicken and Churros with Crispy herb breading, cinnamon pastry, jalapeno and bacon-infused maple syrup, and tempura string beans. The Fried Chicken and Churros is by far my favorite take on a chicken and waffle type dish. The Churros have sugar and cinnamon and are crunchy and light. The fried chicken only enhances the sweetness in the sauce. This dish is a leader in all of these new chicken and waffle type menu items.

Pan-Seared Chipotle Salmon, Chipotle-cumin rub, preserved cherry potato hash, Southwestern jicama salsa. The salmon was delicious and the accompaniments were sweet and sassy.

Angus Pot Pie, Slow-cooked Angus beef, root vegetables, flaky pastry crust. If you are looking for something comforting, like something your Mother cooked back home, then this is the dish is you.

Wine:

Chardonnay, Sawbuck, Mendocino. A great accompaniment with my delicious lunch.

Some say this place is haunted. When I spoke to Ryan Ross he said that some of the employees have gotten so scared by what they see, they quit their jobs right away! Some of what people have seen; objects moving in plain site, rooms having hot and cold spots for no reason. Shoes left in rooms have their laces tied or untied. The biggest sightings were in rooms 45 and 11. Sightings of a full body of Isadora Bandini in her youth at the top of their stairs at night time.

My server at Lunch was Greg, who kept us very entertained, and said he has never had a sighting himself, but 6 months ago there was a lot of activity in a 24 hour span. One of the maids had left a bottle of water in one of the rooms, and then heard a big crash and the water bottle was outside of the room on the patio. A lot of people say that they hear cat noises and scratching sounds on the doors at night. I myself had my own interesting phenomenon.

I went to sleep in the little room, which to me is the little girls room, and in the middle of the night I had a blunt force trauma to my thigh, which was more shocking then painful. The reflex of this action made my foot jump up and hit the bottom of the bed post. I was half asleep when it happened but knew full well that I was being visited. I had been waiting for a paranormal activity so I was not scared. The lighting in the room changed as the night progressed. At some point it was pitch black but way before sunrise it got very light. I told some family members this story and they asked me if I was scared. I answered no since I’m used to this. Somehow I always get picked.

They play blue grass music by the restaurant patio, which is very loud and by the second day there I wanted to shoot the speaker, but that’s just me.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fun adventure into a world gone by, this is the place for you. Bring a good book, or your tablet with Netflix, settle in and enjoy Old Town San Diego at The Cosmopolitan Hotel!

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The Cosmopolitan
2660 Calhoun St.
San Diego, CA 92110
Phone: (619) 297-1874
http://www.oldtowncosmopolitan.com