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"I'm Going to Lead You Kicking and Screaming, Giggling and Laughing in to the Future"
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- 54 Reviews
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Review votes:
95 Useful, 23 Funny, and 70 Cool
San Diego, CA
Yelping SinceMay 2007
Find Me InNorth Park, City Heights, Kearny Mesa, Wasteland of Nolunch (Sorrento Valley)
My HometownPalo Alto, CA
Why You Should Read My ReviewsMy coworkers listen attentively as I expound upon the contents of my lunchbox.
The Last Great Book I ReadGrotesque by Natsuo Kirino
My First ConcertRadiohead
My Favorite MovieShanghai Triad
DateSan Diego, CA 92105
(619) 677-3999
Asmara
Category: African
Neighborhood: City Heights
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
I'm happy to say that it very much exceeded our expectations. The gluten-free crust is nice and crispy and lacks the weird aftertaste that plagues so many gluten-free baked goods. I don't feel like I'm getting a poor substitute when we eat here. Cheeses, sauces, and toppings are good quality and very flavorful, if sometimes a little scant in quantity. We like the Founders' Pie (chicken, kalamata olives, red onions, and gorgonzola) and the sausage and bell pepper combination. The vegan, gluten-free chocolate brownie isn't half bad either.
There is a nice list of wines by the glass and a small selection of draft beers-- offerings from Stone Brewery are always solid of course, but other selections can be hit-or-miss.
Staff have always been friendly, attentive, and happy to answer our questions.
If we didn't need the gluten-free crust I'm not sure how often we would eat here. It's definitely premium pricing and there are other competitive pizza options around. However, this is a great resource for people who follow a wheat- or gluten-free diet.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
If you want white-gloved service this is not the place for you. The small dining area is clean and tidy, but the menus are paper fold-ups and the proprietor splits his time between serving tables and cooking at least some of the food.
If you are chili-phobic or object to having a detectable Blood Garlic Level you may well find some tasty dishes but you will be missing out on some of the more interesting offerings. Even if you're a spice devotee like myself, be aware that their hotness scale seems calibrated differently than other places. A 5/10 here is perhaps an 8/10 elsewhere.
Now, if you're still game, go forth and try the salted fish fried rice, the noodles with pork and mint sauce, and the spicy raw beef. Especially the spicy raw beef. It's an explosion of salty-hot-sour flavors garnished with chunks of raw garlic (which actually blend in, believe it or not). The raw beef has a mild, savory taste and a texture not unlike some sashimi fish. It's very addictive.
The second time we went in the owner came over to take our order. "You want spicy raw beef?" he asked. "Sure," we nodded. "Try something different this time," he said. "Northwestern style with some bitter herb." I usually avoid very bitter dishes-- for example I hate bitter melon-- but I was curious and said yes. Now, on top of the spicy-salty-sour was a very slight bitter undertone. After a while he came back and asked us how we liked it. Happy in our chili haze we said it was delicious, and he smiled. "This," he said, "this is real Thai."
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Cool (2)
One occasional menu special worth watching for is the lamb stew. I ordered it expecting to get your basic lean stew meat, but they actually make it with lamb shank meat still on the bone, slow cooked until tender with a rich and mildly spiced sauce. It's served with the usual rice, bread, and small green salad. Definitely recommended.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Cool (3)
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 569-7773
Nozomi Sushi and Teriyaki
Category: Sushi Bars
Neighborhood: Kearny Mesa
...And yet, somehow what Nozomi does works. Their rolls, some of which approach the size of a small burrito, hold together variety in flavor and texture without becoming overwhelming or glorpy. I'm not quite sure I can explain it except that fish + pickles + rice + a little bit of fried or spicy + sauce = comfort and love. Also, the chirashi salad-- assorted chopped fish, lettuce, rice, and a little dressing, drizzled to taste with chili sauce-- is a refreshing hot-weather dinner.
(One caveat: while the sushi roll menu is epic in length many of the rolls are variations on the theme of spicy something, shrimp tempura, or both. If you combine someone who doesn't like a lot of "spicy something" rolls with someone allergic to shellfish you will have to hunt a little for a compatible selection).
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 404-0041
Salad Farm
Categories: American (New), Vegetarian
Neighborhood: Mira Mesa
Baco-Bits, in a Cobb salad served by a supposedly healthy restaurant. It is an abomination, yes indeed.
I am pretty sure they grow their protein in a vat for all the taste and texture it has. Steak was limp and slightly grey, chicken had the texture of reconstituted sawdust and the taste of... well, nothing much, really. Add in the dull-eyed, listless staff and the over-inflated Scranton food court prices and lunch at the Salad Farm feels more like penance than pleasure.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (1)
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 297-7799
Apertivo Italian Tapas & Wine Bar
Categories: Wine Bars, Italian, Tapas Bars
Neighborhood: North Park
This mystery didn't take long to solve. I hate to say it, but Apertivo just isn't very good any more. It's like they've stopped trying. Innocent vegetables are drowned in butter (and I am no stranger to butter). The food has grown generally bland. Our server was initially friendly but never came to check on us after we ordered. Our dinner, made up of several small plates, was dumped onto our table abruptly and nearly all at once-- salad! *wham* squid! *thwack*-- and given the underpopulated dining room they had no reason to rush us out of there.
Finally, they have shrunk their portion sizes. I assume that's a cost-cutting measure, but between the declining food quality and indifferent service it's an extra irritation. We all know that food is getting more expensive and I would have had no issue if they had raised their prices to keep up with costs while maintaining the same quality. Unfortunately, what began as a restaurant with surprisingly good food in surprisingly large portions at a surprisingly low price has become just another mediocre place with meager portions of food that isn't really worth the time and money.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Cool (1)
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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10/14/2007
I like just about everything about Apertivo. Their food is tasty and reasonably priced. They do nice things with vegetables and pasta sauces-- try the roast baby carrots and the puttanesca sauce. Wines by the glass are inexpensive and diverse. Service is usually fairly attentive and visually, the ambience is pleasant.
So why am I only giving them three stars? BECAUSE IT'S TOO *&#@!% LOUD IN THERE! I HAD TO SHOUT AT MY DINNER COMPANION THE WHOLE TIME! EVEN THOUGH I ENJOYED THE MEAL I LEFT FEELING PISSED OFF AND HOARSE!
Right, so, Apertivo has always had a noise problem. However, they recently doubled the size of the restaurant and evidently did /nothing/ to dampen the noise. What used to be an annoying but bearable dull roar is now an assault of cacaphony that sours an otherwise enjoyable dinner experience.People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (3)
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 793-4758
Heaven Sent Desserts
Category: Desserts
Neighborhood: North Park
Their non-cake items show more promise. I enjoyed the chocolate souflee, and the creme brulee was light and had a nice vanilla flavor. I also saw an attractive selection of items featuring fresh summer fruit on my last visit. Since I live quite close to Heaven Sent I will certainly keep visiting, but it isn't the cake-lover's haven it might have been.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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10/1/2007
Let's establish something-- Heavent Sent is not Extraordinary Desserts. If you read my review of ED you'll see why that's fine with me.
Anyway-- HeaventSent doesn't quite make it to divinity. Some things are better than others, and they can be inconsistent from day to day. Nonetheless, they are my cake provider of choice in San Diego thus far. For me, their desserts hit the right balance of being interesting but not discomfitting, elegant but not snooty, and familiar but not dull. I especially enjoy the chai spice cake and grand marnier truffle cake. The green teaser, lingonberry, and carrot cakes are also good.
Their tea selection compliments the desserts well. I have not tried their coffee. They have nifty mugs with curved handles which work great if you're right handed, less well if you're not.
The warm wood furnishings and lighting provide a relaxing ambiance. This is a good place to relax and chat with friends. They can get pretty busy on the weekends but the staff keep up and I have never had to wait long for a table. The owners clearly care about customer happiness and will sometimes come out to chat with the patrons.
Heaven Sent is a nice addition to the North Park food scene and I hope their success continues.People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 285-1220
Just Fabulous Pastries - CLOSED
Category: Desserts
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
1 List
Staff here are quite pleasant, but this is not a place for a quick meal. I appreciate being able to linger and savor the food, but once finished it can take some time to flag down someone to bring the check.