Nuevo Grill & Cantina

Outstanding lunch recently at Nuevo Grill and Cantina! They have an expansive two page lunch menu that includes seafood favorites. I tried today for the first time their “Langostino Lobster Burro”. If you’re unfamiliar with langostino, it is a Spanish word with different meanings in different areas. In the United States, it is commonly used in the restaurant trade to refer to the meat of the squat lobster, which is neither a true lobster nor a prawn. Squat lobsters are more closely related to porcelain and hermit crabs.

This dish was served in a more conservative lunch portion size, but was still quite filling. The burrito is made with a liberal amount of gently sautéed langostino lobster things, grilled peppers & onions, all rolled into a grande-sized soft flour tortilla. It’s then smothered with a savory ranchero sauce and a generous amount of cheese. Includes rice, beans and a daub of sour cream. All for $11.99.

The langostino looks like, and sort of tastes like lobster. I thought it was very good. I would definitely order this again in any other culinary vessel, to include tacos, enchiladas, omelettes, etc. (Just not on ice cream).

Looking forward to bringing Gail back to Nuevo Girl for the weekend brunch! I’ve lived up the hill for a hundred years and have never been here for brunch. I scoped out the brunch menu today and can’t wait to try the carne asada eggs benedict with complimentary champagne.

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Pailin Thai Cafe

There are about four places to get Thai food in Rancho Bernardo; a north San Diego hamlet, known for geezers and tech companies.  Pailin consistently has the best Pad Thai, that I can tell you!

Cinnabon

Cinnabon to go is an amazing thing!  That is all.  

Plaza Grill

Another outstanding meal at Plaza Grill!  Steak fajita fries and an amazing Reuben sammich!  

Claim Jumper

Outstanding Salmon Oscar at Claim Jumper!  Grilled salmon fillet topped with jumbo lump crab meat, lemon butter and grilled asparagus spears.  Definitely one of the best seafood dishes I’ve enjoyed at CJ!

D’Carlos

Recently I took Lady FoodObs back to D’Carlos Restaurant to get one of their outstanding chocolate eclairs. I have to say, this is probably one of the best desserts I’ve ever put in my mouth! This thing is huge; roughly the size of a small slipper or moccasin (about a men’s size 8). It’s only $6 and is served with a knife so you can cut it in half to share with your Hunny. (Tip for the guys: always take the smaller half!)

The eclairs at D’Carlos are filled with some sort of cream/custard filling, and a lot of it! The whole thing is then blanketed with an excellent warm, thick and rich chocolate sauce. Almost like a ganache.

I think what set this apart for me was the temperature contrast. The cold cream filling combined with the warm chocolate sauce made for an amazing oral sensation!

Pinto Thai

Outstanding dinner recently at Pinto Thai! Crab Fried Rice for $13.99. Made with fried jasmine rice, fresh crab meat, egg, green & white onions, peas, carrots and tomatoes in their special sauce. I’m not exactly sure what was “special” about the sauce, but it was a very good fried rice dish. 

This one did not have the traditional up front soy sauce flavor, it was more delicate and subdued. It did however have a great spicy note with unique, herbaceous and fresh tasting flavors. The consistency was on the drier side compared to most fried rice dishes I’ve had. You’ll find a liberal amount of crab throughout, although no lump meat! It mostly consisted of smaller bits of a more institutional, foodservice grade quality of crab. Fairly conservative amount of egg and green onion. Would have benefitted from more. For those of you who love cucs, Pinto garnishes most of their plates with several thick slices of cucumber. Acts as a nice cooling agent when you have a spicy dish.

This was a huge serving that could have been easily shared by two. I ate most of it and I’m pleased to report that it did not leave me feeling all bloated afterwards.

Sombrero Mexican Food

This is the “Special Burrito” at Sombrero’s, and what a marvel it is!  Your choice of beef or chicken with beans, rice and lettuce made into a huge burrito roughly the size of a small pillow.  The whole thing is then made totally amazing with a generous blanketing of their signature enchilada sauce and cheese.  I could eat this every day but would probably weigh 300 pounds…

Carnitas Tacos

Outstanding homemade carnitas tacos!  Our slow cooker pork shoulder yields so many amazing meals. 

Ramona Lisa Pizza

Outstanding lasagna from Ramona Lisa recently. Always a favorite for pizza, it was time to branch out and try a pasta dish. Only $8.99, includes a big piece of garlic bread. This was the perfect take-out meal. Generous portion of classic lasagna goodness. Rich, thick and very meaty sauce. All the layers stayed fairly homogenous without turning into a hot mess.