Gourmet Dining in Carlsbad at Perfect Pairings

Ron came home recently and told me about a new restaurant in Carlsbad that we just had to try.  He had recently met the owner, Alex Morrison, and after talking food with him for a while, decided that his new restaurant in Carlsbad, Perfect Pairings, was something we would love.  We did.

We went to Perfect Pairings, in the shopping center at Carlsbad Village Drive and Coast Highway on a Thursday night.  They have only been open for three months, but the restaurant was about half full at 6:30pm.  Alex was there to greet us.  He is a charming host, who knows his food and beverage.  Each dish was described in detail, and the wine and beer pairings that had been chosen to accompany each dish, were also described.  They have several dining options.  Pick a 4 course meal with wine or beer pairing with each meal for $45, or order a la carte, and add wine or beer if you want.  We wanted to sample several different menu items, so we ordered a la carte.  Ron doesn't drink, so I just ordered one glass of Cotes de Rhone for myself.  Here's what we ate.

We started with a spinach salad for Ron, with a delicious gorgonzola dressing.  I ordered the deconstructed potato salad, sliced potatoes, egg, thick pieces of bacon, and pickled onions.  The dressing was mayonnaise based, and very good.  Next, Ron ordered the white fish on a bed of smashed peas, which was on a thin slice of potato.  It was beautiful as well as delicious.  I enjoyed glazed short ribs (cooked 9 hours), on a cauliflower/potato smash and broccolini.  What a wonderful meal.  We decided to pass on dessert.  We'll try that another time.

One of the great things about Perfect Pairings is that the menu changes every few weeks.  So, if you like to eat out a lot like I do, you will be getting a very different meal every time you go to Perfect Pairings.  Another thing I like about the restaurant is that they buy everything locally, from organic eggs, to fresh vegetables, to locally farm raised meat.

This is not your run of the mill restaurant for Carlsbad.  It is gourmet all the way.  It is a dining experience, and although you may pay a bit more for a meal like this, the attention to detail in the preparation and the personal attention you get from Alex, the owner and host, is well worth it.  Try it next time you are looking for a dining experience, not just a meal.  You will be happy you did, as we were.  I can't wait to take some of my foodie friends to Perfect Pairings.  There is really nothing quite like it in North County.  Good luck, Alex.  I hope your restaurant is a big success.

More Openings And Closings Around San Diego

There's lots of remodeling and new construction of restaurants around San Diego. That's a good sign for the economy. I have also noticed that many of the new restaurants are of a more upscale quality. Food is definitely improving in San Diego. In Del Mar Highlands Town Center, Snooze will soon be opening. They are taking over the space formeraly occupied by IHOP. Snooze, from Colorado, is one of my all time favorite breakfast spots, good for lunch too. I was first introduced to Snooze a few years ago in Boulder, having enjoyed the Hillcrest location, and am so happy that they're moving nearby. An opening date has not yet been announced. Also in Del Mar Highlands is a new Mexican restaurant from Diane Powers. She owns Casa Bandini in Carlsbad, and the new restaurant, close to completion, (they took over Red Robin and are improving it) should be another winner. Pizzeria Mozza (a Nancy Silverton and Mario Battali creation) should be open in six months. It will be in the old Police Building near Seaport Village. I LOVE Mozza, and can't wait until they open. Best pizza I have ever had. The crust is incredible. In fact, all their food is a notch above great. Appetizers, pizzas, salads, desserts. Moderate price (expensive for pizza) but worth it for a treat. If you can't wait until they open, go to Newport Beach and eat there. In Encinitas, Boston's closed quite a while ago, and will soon be replaced by Boudin Bakery. Construction is still underway, but they're getting close. Also in Encinitas, right next to Whole Foods, will be an upscale tavern. They will have 24 local beers on tap, plus many food items. Fish tacos and burgers for sure, and I don't know what else. I talked to the owner who was there watching the renovation, and he told me the food would be good. Finally, Sabor de Vida, a Brazilian grill opened a few months ago. It's the 99cent shopping center. We had dinner there last week and liked it very much. I'll review it another time. The newly remodeled Flower Hill Mall will soon have Burger Lounge. Grass fed beef and other organic and local produce make this one of my favorite burger spots. Also in Flower Hill Mall, but far from opening, is Cucina Enoteca, a sister restaurant to Cucina Urbana, a great Italian eatery on Laurel, near Balboa Park. They are taking over Chevy's, haven't started the new construction yet, so they're quite a ways from opening. The space previously occupied by Paradise Grill will soon house a new venture from Matt Gordon, owner of Solace in Encinitas and Urban Solace in North Park. What's closing? Well, IHOP is closed in Del Mar Highlands. Junior Seau's restaurant is also closed. In Encinitas, Boston's is gone, and so is Barracuda. In North Park, the Kensington Grill on Adams Avenue will serve it's last meal on March 30. One door closes, another opens. Hopefully these new restaurants will give San Diego more of what we love and have come to expect: good food and good service in a beautiful setting.

True Food Kitchen Is Truly Delicious

On a a recent Saturday, I drove to LA to spend the day with my mom, always a treat.  The day began with David and fiancee Tracy coming over to show me "the ring."  It is gorgeous, they are adorable together, and I am so happy that my son finally found a wonderful woman to spend the rest of his life with.  They are so busy, that 45 minutes was all the time they had for us, but that's all right, mom and I were busy too.

We rustled up a delicious lunch of herring and sour cream, with pickled onions and apples.  It was just enough to hold us until an early dinner.  Next, we were off to the Academy, to see a new film, "Two Days In New York."  It's by Julie Delpy, starring herself and Chris Rock.  The movie will not appeal to everyone, but we thoroughly enjoyed.  I know when I don't look at my watch through the entire film, I liked it. 

Next, we were off to Santa Monica Place (completely redone) to have an early dinner at True Food Kitchen.  This particular day was one of the hottest and most humid days we've had in a long time.  Everyone was at the beach or at the shopping mall.  For lack of parking, we almost gave up and came home.  I'm so glad we didn't.  True Food Kitchen was great.  Here's a little background on the restaurant. (information taken from Dr. Andrew Weil's website).

True Food Kitchen Factsheet

History: Andrew Weil, M.D., met Phoenix restaurateur Sam Fox in the late 1990s at one of Fox's restaurants in Tucson (Fox Restaurant Concepts operates 25 restaurants in Arizona and the Midwest). After spending time with Dr. Weil, and in particular after cooking with him at his ranch, Fox came to understand how delicious healthy food can be, and realized that Dr. Weil's concept for a restaurant - one that serves great food that just happens to be good for you - could work. On Oct. 27, 2008, the first True Food Kitchen opened in Phoenix, Ariz. It was an immediate success, and inspired Fox and Dr. Weil to open new locations in the southwest, with the long-term goal of a national rollout.
Concept: All True Food Kitchen locations feature dishes that closely adhere to the principles of Dr. Weil's anti-inflammatory diet. They are intended to be a new kind of restaurant: one in which delicious flavors, healthy nutrients, environmental awareness and an inviting atmosphere come together to create an unforgettable dining experience.
Dishes are influenced by Mediterranean, Asian and Californian cuisine, and include soups, appetizers, salads, pasta, rice and noodle dishes, wood grilled dishes, sandwiches and burgers, brick oven pizzas and desserts.

Mom and I shared a few items, giving us a chance to taste several items on the menu.  We started with grilled sardines.  These are nothing like the little ones that come in the can.  These are about 6 inches long.  They butterfly them and grill them, and serve them with a lemon wedge and a small watercress salad.  What a great way to start a meal.  Other good looking appetizers included hummus, with pita, tomatoes and feta, vegetarian potstickers served in a warm broth, and a raw veggie bowl, filled with all kinds of raw vegetables, beautifully arranged, and served with several dipping sauces.

For our main courses we ordered a sashimi tuna salad, with avocado, edamameme, sesame seeds, and a most delicious ginger-sesame dressing.  We also ordered a hot casserole of spaghetti squash with tomato sauce, garlic and cheese.  Absolutely wonderful.  Other items which I didn't get to try included a delicious looking kale salad, steak tacos with red beans, small pizzas, a bison burger and sea bass with veggies.  Presentation of everything was wonderful, and except for the fact that they serve no Diet Coke, everything was perfect.  They do, however, have some interesting fruit and vegetable drinks, including a lemonade infused with cucumber. 

Lucky for us in San Diego that True Food Kitchen has recently opened in Fashion Valley.  It's a bit far for me to go for a meal, but it will give me an excuse to go shopping, something I don't like to do.  The one negative is that Ron doesn't like the menu, it will be a place I will go to for lunch with my women friends.  He wants something heartier, and kept saying, "What will I order?"  He could always go for the bison burger or the pizza, but whereas True Food Kitchen is exactly the kind of food I like, it's exactly what Ron does not like. 

Give this restaurant a try if you're in the area of Fashion Valley.  The prices are moderate, the setting is contemporary and comfortable, and the food is delicious.

First Fridays on Abbott Kinney

You're probably all aware of the great truck food explosion and the impact it's had on urban culture. Gourmet food trucks of all types roam the streets of our major cities, stopping to serve at any event that attracts a crowd: a ball game, a concert, a downtown office building at lunch, or a nightclub that's closing. How do you know where the trucks are? You Twitter, of course. Just follow your favorite truck on Twitter, and they'll tell you where they are and what they're serving each day. Technology and food have finally met up.

The businesses on Abbott Kinney have come up with a clever idea to increase their own business. Bring in the food trucks. On the first Friday of every month, dozens of food trucks line the streets of Abbott Kinney in Venice, attracting thousands of diners and potential buyers. The businesses stay open late and the food trucks do too. It's a win-win situation for shopkeepers and food truck owners. I was there last week to check out the action.

Overall, I was disappointed. Some of the food was absolutely delicious, some was just ok, some I didn't really like at all. We arrived on the early side as I had been told parking was a big problem, and many trucks were still not up and running when we left at 7:45. Maybe the action starts late. In any event, my favorite truck was the Korean Taco Truck. I had a beef taco, Korean style that was just delicious. It was not too spicy, but there was plenty of kimchee for those that like spice. We also ordered a quesedilla from them, also delicious. My least favorite truck was a small truck serving Japanese streetfood. They only serve one thing. It's a ball about the size of a large egg, filled with octopus. The batter is a mixture of rice flour and herbs. It is baked and topped with scallions, mayo and teriyaki sauce. We all tried it and decided we would not order it again. At another truck we ordered mac and cheese. Good, but not great. David bought several desserts to take home from cupcake and cookie truck. Mini cupcakes, iced cookies and rice crispy bars were just some of the items.

The trucks were mostly ethnic, Korean and other Asian foods were the most plentiful. Lots of sushi trucks, Korean Barbeque, Philippino foods, and Thai. You really don't know where to start or when to end. I really overate.

Some of my favorite trucks were Ahn Joo (Korean), Kabab'n Roll, Calbi, Greenz on Wheelz, and Shrimp Pimps.

The main negative for me is the lack of anywhere to sit. I still like to sit down and eat. Food trucks serve mostly finger food, wraps, tacos, sandwiches and the like, that you can hold and eat and walk at the same time. It's a social experience that most will enjoy. I can't wait to try some other unique foods, like crepes, shrimp tacos, ice cream and gelato trucks and bacon tacos at another time.

The food truck explosion offers a new dimension to our culture. Fine food at low prices is available to anyone. You just need to be connected to the internet and keep track of where your favorite trucks are setting up today. It's a great concept, offering a great variety of food, but for me, I still enjoy sitting down to eat my meal.

Brett's Barbeque is Great

My husband LOVES barbeque, and when we first moved to North County, there was literally nowhere to get it. Then we discovered Phils Barbeque (http://www.philsbbq/) in San Diego. It is delicious, but quite a drive for those of us in North County. Then, about two years ago, Bretts Barbeque (http://www.brettsbbq/) opened in Encinitas. It is just fantastic, especially if you like smoked barbeque as opposed to open fire cooking.

Housed in a shopping center on Encinitas Boulevard that had been home to many restaurants in the past, all short lived, Bretts seems to be here to stay. Their menu is a typical barbeque menu, consisting of pork ribs, beef ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and sausage. You can get one meat item or combinations. They also have delicious french fries and sweet potato fries. The portions are huge. Each meal comes with two side dishes which include the fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, beans, and my favorite, corn pudding. I could make a meal of the corn pudding. It's sort of like a corn souffle, very rich and creamy and it goes so well with the ribs.

In addition to beer and soft drinks, Brett's offers sweet tea, a southern favorite. Brett's also has several wonderful salads. When I'm eating light I will often order the house salad, which includes a hardboiled egg, and eat off Ron's plate. (he just loves that!). But it is enough. Sharing is IN at Brett's. On my last visit I just HAD to try the bread pudding, so I ordered a salad for dinner and had the bread pudding for dessert. I was not disappointed. It was delicious, and enough for four to share. So next time you're in the mood for some great barbeque, give Brett's a try. I think you'll be happy you did.

More Happy Hour Deals

As you know by now, I love a bargain. Some of my favorite restaurants in the Del Mar/Solana Beach area also have some of the best happy hours. All three that I will tell you about today have wine, beer, and mixed drinks at discounted prices, plus appetizers and main courses at very reduced prices. These are not your typical happy hour fare. The restaurants I will tell you about serve gourmet food all the time, including happy hour. Here they are.

Pacific Coast Grill (www.pacificcoastgrill.com) is one of my favorite spots for an early dinner when the weather is warm. I do not suggest going there during the racing season, Mid July through Labor Day, unless you don't mind waiting. Happy Hours is from 4-7 daily, either in the bar area or on the patio. An added feature for dog lovers is that they encourage dogs on the patio. They even have a dog menu, and each dog gets a bowl of water. The $5 gold margaritas are a great way to start. All appetizers are 40%off, but for my buck the meals are the best bargain. Try the delicious burger and fries for $4.95, the bag 'o bones (baby back ribs and fries), or the chicken fajitas for $7.95. Also available are braised short ribs with truffle fries, and on Mondays only, their signature dish, lobster tacos are half off. This is one happy hour you won't want to miss.

The Brigantine in Del Mar (www.brigantine.com) has another great happy hour. The restaurant overlooks the racetrack, thus it is very popular with the track crowd, and always busy, but especially during racing season. Again, happy hour takes place in the bar area from 4-6 daily, and from 4-11 on Tuesday. The house margarita is only $3.50. Other food items include artichoke fritters at $5.00, nachos at $6.00, shrimp cocktail at $8.00, and their signature fish taco for only $2.75. The Brig has lots of atmosphere and a very lively crowd. You won't want to miss it.

Finally, Sbicca in Del Mar (www.sbiccabistro.com) has a happy hour you must try. Except for the fact that it is in the very crowded bar area, everything else is exceptional. It takes place daily from 4-6:30, and you can have a wonderful meal for half what it would cost in the main dining area. For example, fish tacos are $6.50, grilled chicken tortilla salad is $6.50, 1/2 lb. bistro burger is $7.25, turkey cobb salad is $7.25, crab cakes are $6.50, and chicken spring rolls are $5.75. The food here is consistently good and the price is right. So eat a little early and save a lot of money!!