When the massive mortar of smashed eggplant and green chili pepper, along with preserved eggs, arrived at the table, I realized it was a bit of a metaphor for Taste of Hunan as a whole. Sure, the oversized mortar is one thing, but there’s also the tableside show of the staff … [Read more...]
WORLD FARE: San Diego’s ramen glut jumps the shark
There are a lot of local choices when it comes to ramen. It doesn’t seem all that long ago when that was not the case. But around 2015, San Diego experienced what could be described as a bona fide ramen boom. Tajima, Ramen Yamadaya, as well as a few more, were joined by Rakiraki, … [Read more...]
WORLD FARE: Assenti’s Pasta is a fresh alternative to Valentine’s Day dining
The restaurant industry pretty much hates Valentine’s Day. Of course, the restaurant industry doesn’t hate it so much that they’d ever consider actually closing for the occasion. No. Instead, they passive-aggressively stuff butts in seats (albeit at 2-tops, not 4-tops), charge a … [Read more...]
WORLD FARE: Chef interrupted: El Jardín Parque Gastronomica
When Asmel Salazar returned to Tijuana after working at Azurmendi in Larrabetzu, Spain (one of the world’s 50 best restaurants according to the experts at the website of the same name), it seemed Tijuana, if not the world, might be his oyster. The initial idea to start small with … [Read more...]
WORLD FARE: Spicy delights at Bane Phonkeo’s
It’s in one of the least tony, more crime-ridden neighborhoods in San Diego. And that neighborhood, while it has its charms, is not the place one would expect to find an excellent example of a slightly obscure Asian cuisine. It’s Bane Phonkeo’s (110 47th St.) in Lincoln Park and … [Read more...]