Back to Italy but not really....

The last time I went to Italy was probably about 5 years ago and boy do I need to go there again! It brought many memories and epic Italian food! I recently came across a place that brought back a glimpse of what I missed! The entire staff all seemed to have a thick Italian accent so it definitely felt very authentic! I have gone there twice now and I am convinced it's one if not the best Italian restaurant you can get in San Diego. I give to you Buona Forchetta! Everything I ordered so far have been very delicious, perfectly seasoned, and very authentic to what you would expect if you went to Italy for food. I don't praise many Italian restaurants but this one is without a doubt worth mentioning and sharing! I might regret doing this though because then I'll have to wait longer before I get seated =)

Store Front

Name: Buona Forchetta
Yelp: Click Here!
Google Maps: Click Here!

Here are items I have tried; sometimes pictures will speak volumes of how good it is so I'll just leave the photos for you to drool on!

Wild Boar Ragu Polenta Cake

Pork Shoulder Mushroom Risotto

Lobster Fettuccine

Salmon Arugula Ravioli with Saffron Sauce

Lamb Shank Risotto

Margarita Pizza

Your Highness, let me present to you the "Princess Cake"

The Princess Cake, a cake that truly lives up to it's name.  The simplicity of ingredient, but complexity of flavors and textures brings this cake up to the top few slots on my list of favorite cakes. 

Princess Cake

Name: Champagne Bakery and Bistro
Google Maps: Click Here!

From top the bottom, the layers are:
1) Chocolate ganache on top
2) Hazelnut-chocolate mousse
3) Plain cake layer
4) More Hazelnut-chocolate mousse
5) Crispy wafer
6) Dense Hazelnut filling
7) Plain cake layer

My only criticism is that the cake layers could be a little more moist, but given how much mousse in the cake, the cake as a whole does not feel dry.  It's not overly sweet, and my favor part is having the crunch of the wafer amidst the soft creamy layers.

Slice of Princess Cake

Almond Wall

Dinner Lab: Modern Mexican by Chef Daniel Espinoza

A whopping 93% of folks say his food belongs on a menu? This chef must really know what he's doing. He's one of the finalists to open up his very own restaurant as part of this Dinner Lab experiment. I got the honor to taste his 5 course meal and I'm here to break down what was served. For those that do not know what is "mole", it's a generic name for a number of sauces used in Mexican cuisine. It usually consists of one or more types of chili peppers, black pepper, cumin, cloves, anise, tomatoes, garlic, sesame seeds, and sometimes some dried fruit or chocolate. Basically everyone in the pool! If you love "mole" then this would have been a delight for you! I'm only so-so with the taste of "mole". The highlights for me were the Caesar Salad and the Duck Breast! Yes, Caesar salad originated in Mexico! Not in Italy!

Chef Daniel Espinoza

Sous Chef

First Course:

Atun

• Albacore Tuna, Mole Vinaigrette. Toasted Tamal Crumble, Pickled Pear

Second Course:

Ensalada de Cesar paired with Farmhhouse Ale [Saison Dupont, Barasserie Dupont, Belgium]

•  Grilled Romaine, Shaved Crouton, Spicy Parmesan Vinaigrette, Freeze Dried Corn

 Third Course:

Tostada de Cochinita

• Banana Leaf Braised Pork, Habanero Vinaigrette, Lentils, Beets

 Fourth Course :

Mole de Zarzamora paired with Chimayo [Tequila, Apple Cider, Creme de Cassis, Lemon]

•  Duck Breast, Blackberry Mole, Red Quinoa, Almond Espuma

 Fifth Course:

Taza de Camote

• Sweet Potato Pot de Creme, Rosemary Meringue, Edible Flowers

A Great Weekend Lunch Starts at Jake's

Living in the West Coast does have many perks! Many great seafood restaurants with an ocean view is one of them! I have grown a lot of appreciation with this restaurant and have been bringing my visitors here most of the time as I have yet to find something bad about this place. They serve super fresh, seasonal, and sustainable seafood. I have always enjoyed the seafood selections they offer and they taste great too! Oh and they serve fresh sourdough bread!

Name: Jake's Del Mar
Yelp: Click Here!
Google Maps: Click Here!

Front Sign

Front View

Kona Pineapple Pop

Ahi Tartare Tacos - wasabi cream cheese, chili vinaigrette, sea beans, micro greens

Seafood Chowder - crab, sweet corn, fresh fish, clams, bacon, potato, creamy fish broth

Grilled Tuna Salad - seared rare Ahi, field greens, asparagus, hard boiled egg, potatoes, olives, smoked paprika aioli, sherry vinaigrette

Mixed Seafood Pot - fresh fish, shrimp, scallops, mussels, saffron tomato broth, sea beans

Awesome NY Meat Lover Pizza in California?

Yup you heard it right! You don't need to go to the East Coast for some great NY Meat Lover Pizza! There's a nice place called Regents Pizzeria that surprisingly does a great job at making pizzas! Both New York (Thin) and Chicago (Deep Dish) style.
The tomato sauce they use is the perfect balance between sweetness and tartness. The toppings taste fresh. The dough they use and the crust is just spot on. The crust is so good that you actually want to finish it. It has the perfect texture and bounce back when you bite it. I don't usually have much memorable pizza experiences but this has got to be one of them. I always come here when I need to fulfill my pizza cravings! Let me know what you think!

Name: Regents Pizzeria
Yelp: Click Here!!!
Google Maps: Click Here!!!

NY Meat Lover - Medium

So Beautiful

Russian Food featuring the Shashlik!

There's a nice little hidden gem in San Diego that serves great authentic Russian food. I always take my visitors here whenever they want to try something new (outside their food comfort level) and usually they are pleasantly surprised by the food every time!  As spoiled from my post title, their Meat Shashliks are great!

Shashlik directly translated is "skewered meat" and was originally made of lamb. Now it can be offered as beef, chicken, and pork! Each is marinated overnight with some herbs and spices, vinegar, dry wine, and some sour fruits/vegetables and cooked on a grill called a "Mangal". The Shashliks here were served with a side of rice and roasted bell peppers, olives, and onions.

My group ordered the available meats and each was cooked perfectly! Cudos especially to the pork loin as pork is a tricky meat to cook properly and thoroughly without overcooking it. Give this a place a try and let me know! Where's your place for authentic Russian food??

Name:  Pomegranate
Yelp: Click Here!!!
Google Maps: Click Here!!!

Bread served with Dill-Infused Butter

Russian Soda (Pear Soda) - delicious!

Siberian Dumplings

Chicken Shashlik!

Lamb Shashlik!

Pork Shashlik!

Fancy Cupcakes - Move over Sprinkles

Time for some real moist cupcakes! I personally feel Sprinkles is over-hyped and past its prime. This place does it right and it's called Babycakes. My personal favorite is the Blood Orange.

Name: Babycakes
Yelp: Click Here!
Google Maps: Click Here!

Pumpkin

Red Velvet

Not so "Blood" Orange

German Chocolate