The Prado

Sorry I've been gone so long. Just finished being sick!

I recently ate at The Prado Restaurant for the first time the other day. We had reservations on a Friday night and I thought it would be more upscale than it was. The prices are definitely above average but it's not as up tight as I thought it would be. This restaurant is smack dab in the middle of Balboa Park which seems like it would be a great place to take a date. A very intimate setting and the lights are turned down low.

As for the food. They had very nice presentation with the food. I started off with tortilla soup as whenever I see it on the menu I order it because it is my favorite soup. Their version of tortilla soup was OK but it needed to be a little bit more hearty. Seemed like they were trying to make the tortilla soup fancy. Then I had Colorado Lamb. Overall the lamb was great. It tasted good throughout the whole thing. The polenta was very creamy and I loved the peas. I ended the night with a cream cheese flan. Usually flans are very sweet or the ones I've tried but this wasn't as sweet as other so I enjoyed it.

Overall this restaurant is great for it's intimate setting and is a great place to take a date or a loved one.

Da Kine's

Originally hailing from Hawaii, I can appreciate a good Hawaiian plate lunch. My regular local go to place is Da Kine's. It seems to be a regular favorite with the local policemen and fireman as they will come in waves whenever I eat there. As soon as you enter, you get the Hawaiian vibe with surfboards and pictures on the wall along with Hawaiian music. Plate lunches usually come with rice and macaroni or salad. One of my favorites picks is the Loco Moco which is a beef patty on top of rice smothered in gravy topped off with a fried egg. Another favorite is Kalua Pig which is just like one you would have at a traditional Hawaiian luau. You should also try the musubi which is a big favorite for a lot of people. It's rice and usually Spam wrapped in nori (dried seaweed) and it makes for a delicious snack. If you're still hungry after all that try their Kona Kake's which they get from a bakery in Mission Valley. Great tasting and top it all off with an "Aloha Maid" drink. While you're eating you can stare at all the stickers people put on the wall which range from Hawaiian stickers to local stickers. There's stickers from Kamehameha school and stickers talking about okoles (that's butt in Hawaiian). This place always makes me full and happy.

pinkberry

Not too familiar with San Diegans, Pinkberry, with locations such as Beverly Hills and Hollywood, is a big hit wherever it is located. So much so that it has a cult following with people calling it crackberry. But San Diego will finally get to see what all the hype is about as soon as their first San Diego store in Hillcrest opens on Robinson Street in between 4th and 5th. It seems as if yogurt is becoming really popular now and Pinkberry seems to be leading the pack. Although, it is not technically yogurt due to certain guidelines for yogurt, it is just as good. I passed by today and saw the sign for Pinkberry and hopefully it will be open before summer ends. For more info about it visit their website, although they don't say that they have a San Diego location coming soon. Beware though, if you visit their website their jingle may get stuck in your head...for days.

Forever Fondue

When someone suggested that I go to Forever Fondue I thought it'd be an interesting experience. Getting to dip all my foods into different things and eating them. Prior to going to the restaurant I was most excited about getting to have chocolate covered strawberries. So when I went the first thing that shocked me was the price. To get an all inclusive meal which includes a cheese appetizer, salad, main course and dessert you would have to spend a minimum of $25 and that's the vegetarian choice. Being that I'm not vegetarian I went for the next thing on the menu which was The Original inclusive meal which consisted of different styles of meat like teriyaki and also salmon.

So first up was the cheese appetizer which came with bread that I get to dip into cheeses. There was also salad so I was munching on that while waiting for the main course because I was starving. Finally the main course arrives and it turns out you have to cook it. Being that I was starving, I dunked all my meat and seafood into the broth fondue and waited again to eat. Once I decided it was cooked I took it out and commenced eating. In my hungered state, I rushed to put it in my mouth only to find out that the broth has heated it to a really hot temperature. So I waited a bit longer with my burnt tongue and proceeded to eat my fondue meat which was at it's best, OK. I didn't really taste any wonderful flavors and the salmon was the only thing I was enjoying because you can never go wrong with salmon. Disappointed and hot, I may add as the broth was steaming over in the middle of the table, we were all just looking forward to dipping fruits into chocolate. When it came there weren't that many pieces of the fruits and breads. I was disappointed that there wasn't a full bowl of strawberries that we could dip and eat to our heart's delight. To get an extra plate would cost me another $4.25 which I wasn't willing to spend as my bill was inching up on $40 including drink and tax. So that was that.

I hear that a lot of people like these fondue places and that there is another one called, The Melting Pot, which I hear is better. But after my first attempt, I don't know if I'm willing to give it another shot. Maybe I just had a bad experience. I'd give it another shot but not for another $40.

Plus if it's chocolate covered strawberries you want go to a farmer's market and get some strawberries and melt some chocolate of your own at home. It's just as good, if not better.

Crazy Buffet

OK I just got back from a buffet and boy am I full. I rarely stuff myself but I decided to give another buffet a try. Often times buffets are full of second rate food that is mass produced so it's lost it's umph. Crazy buffet does fit it's name though. This is yet another asian style buffet, not as expensive as Todai but for what you're getting for the price you pay it's worth it. For the first time in my life, I tried frog legs. You know that old saying? Tastes like chicken. It really does taste like chicken to my surprise. I only ate half a leg because the thought of chewing on a frog's leg got to me. Other than that there are a bunch of great asian tastes ready to be eaten. Raw oysters, cooked oysters, cocktail shrimp, jumbo shrimp, steamed crab, fried crab, sushi and so much more. The dessert isn't that great but by that time, only the iron stomachs will still have room for dessert. Dinner for $12.99 on Fridays and Saturdays is a bargain compared to other buffets out there. This is a good buffet in the Miramar area and for that price it's well worth it.

Yogurt World

There seems to be a yogurt revolution happening or maybe I just haven't noticed yogurt too much until now. In comes yogurt world on Convoy Street in Clairmont Mesa. As I passed by on my way to another store I saw the line out the door. Wondering what was going on, we all decided to stop. My friend was ecstatic because she is a yogurt fan and couldn't wait to see what the fuss was about. Yogurt world is that, a world of yogurt. I never knew yogurt was so popular. What is the difference between yogurt and ice cream anyway? Didn't really get a definitive answer but I hear it has less fat. Anyway, I'm confused as to what is happening so an employee of Yogurt World explains the set up. You get a bowl and you basically have your way. There's different flavors of yogurt and you basically put what you want on it. Have it your way. After the yogurt, you decide what toppings you want like coconut shavings, strawberries, blueberries and even some candy and toss that into your bowl also. When you're done creating your masterpiece it is weighed by the ounce and you pay by the ounce. It was a fun experience and being that it is summer and it seems that June Gloom has finally left, I see myself visiting this place again when I'm in the area. One downside to the whole thing is the parking lot is a mess and ridiculous. Definitely a fun alternative to your ordinary ice cream.

Coronado Brewing Company

Microbrew! It is always an experience and a way to get a feel for a city to try a microbrewery. Coronado Brewing Company definetly gives off the Coronado Island feel. It is very small town and cozy. The food is great but you should really be here to try the beer that is given very Coronado and San Diegan names like the Coronado Golden or Pt. Loma Porter. There is ample parking for Coronado. If there's no luck in the front try the back alley parking. Give there beer battered onion rings and garlic fries a try. This is great pub food so you really can't go wrong. All the waiters and bar tender are always there to be helpful and were really kind. The bar tender can suggest a beer that will fit your taste as it can be a bit confusing. If indecisive go for the tasters before getting a full glass. So if you're in the area or want to give San Diego microbreweries a try, Coronado Brewing Company is a good choice.

Top Chef

Watch this season of Top Chef on Bravo to see San Diego's Oceanaire Seafood Room Executive Chef compete to become the top chef. Originally from Oregon, Brian Malarkey took the job here at San Diego's Oceanaire in 2001. He was recently voted San Diego's best chef for 2007 and now sets his sights on winning "Top Chef."

Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge

Walking towards the restaurant you already get the feeling you're in for something different as you're greeted by a giant tiki man. As if the name doesn't already tell you this place is fun, then wait till you visit it. The lights are turned down low and there's tiki decor everywhere. In the heart of downtown, The CohnRestaurant Group, has yet another restaurant to add to their collection. I recently dined here with a group of friends and it is much more than just a place with food, it's an experience. We started the night off right with a "Killa Kilauea." It comes to you as sort of a spectacle with over the top extra long straws and a fire going off in the middle of the drink. The food is a bit different and may surprise you at first. They take ordinary dishes and shake them up a bit which can go both ways in the taste department. If you're an adventurous eater then go for the more bizarre choices but if you're not stick to what you know. A friend of mine had mashed potatoes with a hint of wasabi in them and was turned off after taking one bite. After our meal of mixed feelings, we went straight to desserts and they brought out what looked like a holder for shot glasses but instead of liquor they were filled with tiny desserts in shot glasses. I decided to have key lime pie and felt as if I didn't get enough but settled to just finish the "Killa Kilauea."

Overall I give this restaurant 3 out of 5 Shamu's. The prices are slightly higher than average but the experience of it all is definitely worth it. At the very least go here and just chill with friends getting their interesting twists on favorite drinks such as a Lilikoi Mojito!

Bali Hai

At Shelter Island there is a great restaurant called Bali Hai with an incredible view. One of the many restaurants with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. Not only is the view great but the food is even better. For only 13.95, the Volcano Pupu Platter is the best choice for an appetizer. Pele's Nachos and Bali Hai Ribs are great and won't dissapoint. The atmosphere is very lively at night with many different things going on at once. The bar is in the dead center if you just want to eat and drink there but there's also tables that sit next to the window to eat while catching the view of the Pacific Ocean. Occasionally there are weddings going on downstairs.