Love Boat Sushi

Outstanding teriyaki beef bento box lunch special!  

Miguel’s Cocina

Outstanding Mexico City style quesadilla at Miguel’s Cocina.  This place is definitely a top shelf SoCal Mexican restaurant chain. 

Starbucks

Starbucks “Evenings” has finally come to Ramona! Recently they had their inaugural evening that features a thoughtful selection of wine and craft beer alongside a menu of “small plate” specialties.  Starbucks has been slowly rolling out this concept over the last 5 years at select stores. Come in after 4pm for beer & wine so you can go completely full circle with your stimulants/depressants at the same place.  

I tried the Truffle Mac & Cheese for $5.95. Macaroni pasta in a creamy truffle fondue with herbed parmesan breadcrumbs. Came out better than expected. I would definitely get this again. Portion was just right if you happened to have had a big, late lunch.  

Also tried the Chicken Skewers for $4.95. Marinated chicken breast coated with parmesan and panko breadcrumbs, served with a mustard dipping sauce. Fairly tasty but quite a bit more institutional tasting than the mac. 

It was kind of a trip walking into Starbucks tonight and being offered a wine tasting.

Panda Express

Outstanding two item combination plates at Panda!  This place has some of the best orange chicken in Chinese fast food.  Also had the Beijing beef which was excellent.  My favorite at Panda Express is always their amazing chow mein.  Perfect noodle size, not all thick and gummy.  

Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Company

Outstanding lunch specials at a San Diego sports bar institution!  Individual pizza with a cold, fresh, crisp salad is an amazing combination.  Here at Oggi’s you have an impressive array of creative pizzas to choose from.  I chose what they call “The Heavyweight”.  Made with Canadian bacon, ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami and all natural ham.  Looked and tasted excellent!  Caesar salad accompaniment was equally tasty.  

Taco Bell

These new Quesalupa things are amazing!  One of the best specialty items TB has come up with for some time.  

The Oaks Grille

Outstanding takeout order of boneless BBQ wings from The Oaks Grille.  

Rubio’s

Outstanding Smoky Oaxacan Shrimp tacos at Rubio’s, a SoCal institution.  Food prepared with delicious, quality ingredients. 

Homemade Beef Wellington

This was an experiment that turned out very well!  Homemade Wellingtons made with beef tenderloin steaks and store bought refrigerated puff pastry dough.  I had to pay attention to the technique though.  Needed to quickly sear the filet mignons and cool.  Half sheet of puff pastry rolled out, then tucked all up nicely with an egg wash.  Everything into the oven and about 15-20 minutes later, brilliant dinner.  

Dunkin Donuts

Last Valentine’s Day we treated ourselves to an outstanding display of romantic donuts from our hometown Ramona DD!