Belga Café

This original Belgian restaurant in Washington DC, Belga Café, is a great place for authentic Belgian food and Belgian Beers. Combining an intriguing atmosphere with excellent, light, healthy, and interesting food. The restaurant has a clean, modern, simple atmosphere with an outdoor patio for those warm days. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

Urbanspoon - National Rankings

Majority of my reviews have been featured on Urbanspoon for the past year now, with Washington, DC being my home base.  Even in the saturated sea of food bloggers, my reviews are continuing to increase in popularity. Since I try to review places I visit while on travel (whether for work or vacation), I wanted to share a summary of my rankings from across the nation*:

Old Ebbitt Grill

The Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington’s oldest, most historic saloon, was founded in 1856. Today the Victorian interior evokes Washington saloons at the turn of the century. Boasting beautiful Victorian décor from antique furniture to classic paintings, this restaurant is a classic symbol of the city and has fed many presidents and politicians over the years.

Molly Malone's

Last date I was here: 06/18/2011

Restaurant: Molly Malone’s (http://www.mollymalonescapitolhillsaloon.com/)

Location: Barracks Row

Total Rating: 3.95
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Molly Malone’s has just opened in the former local pub known as Finn MacCool’s. The storefront has been redesigned and done in Spanish cedar. To your left, a semi-private area offers a high-top table with room for a dozen friends and a plasma TV in a rather homey setting; the bar seating offers plenty of space to navigate between the tables. Skylights and ceiling beams have been exposed to let some light in and open up the space. Butternut wood from North Carolina gives the tables, bar backs, and lamps a light and refined look. The walls are decorated with posters and photos - most of which relate directly to Ireland - gathered from around the world. Behind the bar, a Cruvinet-style wine dispenser allows Molly Malone’s to offer 8 bottles by the glass, further distinguishing the new space from your average Irish pub. Soups, salads and sandwiches are available but menu items that really catch the eye can be found under the heading of “Saloon Fare.” Chicken pot pies are made from scratch daily. “Belfast Philly Sliders” combine first-cut corned beef and chopped sirloin with white cheddar, peppers and onions. There’s even a lobster mac & cheese for those days when County Cork fish & chips just won’t do. With kitchen service until midnight during the week and until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, you’ll have plenty of time to try all of them. Upstairs, is a more relaxed atmosphere with Chesty’s 2nd Floor Saloon. The name refers to Lt. Gen. “Chesty” Puller, the most decorated Marine in American history ( a good choice, since the Marine Barracks are right across the street). Closest Metro Station is Eastern Market.

April 2009: I was pleased to finally be able to try Molly’s since first hearing of Finn MacCool’s abrupt closure. The atmosphere is great – with the fresh smells of cedar wood immediately hitting you as you enter the door. The seats were very comfortable and service friendly and fast. Food and beer is a little over priced, but the convenience of their complimentary golf cart-like shuttle that ferries fans between the bar and the stadium is worth it. I will definitely make this a stop before and after Nationals games: There are deals before every home game, including $4 20-ounce beers. The Circulator bus stop is also right across the street.

August 2009: Went again, and there were a few changes to Molly's. The every day happy hour is from 5 -7pm and serves $3 16-ounce beers. We went before another home Nats game on a Friday night and it was packed. We sat upstairs and there seemed to be only one server for the whole floor. Service was slow, she took way to long to take our food orders and even forgot drink orders. Molly's has definitely become more popular since its opening. I tried the lobster mac and cheese and it did not meet my expectations. Although the flavors were alright, the dish should have been baked so that they could meld together. It tasted like a quick thrown together pasta dish and was frankly, a little disappointing dispite the fact that I saw about 4 others in the room order it. Keith enjoyed his steak sandwich and thought it was cooked well - too bad the waitress forgot his glass of water and beer. The free golf cart service to the stadium still exists, but it seems they dropped the private service and purchased their own golf carts to shuttle patrons. Still worked out for us though.

UPDATE: Returned to our favorite pre-baseball game spot in order to take advantage of the free shuttle service. It was an afternoon game, so we were one of the first patrons to arrive and ordered off the brunch menu. The omelettes were decent and served with a hearty portion of home fries and bacon. The pancakes were standard and my salad was gigantic with two chicken breast servings on top. Since we were there pretty early, service was on point. Unfortunately, it was not until after we all ate when we inquired about the shuttle to the game and were informed that it would not be running today due to the guy being on vacation. WTF?! Had we known that earlier, we probably would not have eaten there.

What I ate:

County Cork Fish & Chips
Cod and French fries served with fresh lemon-dill tartar sauce

Lobster, Mac & Cheese
Homemade mac & cheese with cheddar, gruyere,
toasted bread crumbs & Maine lobster

Miranda's Salad

grilled herbed chicken served over seasonal greens, feta cheese,

shaved onion, tomato and cucumbers with a Dijon vinaigrette

Plus Keith ate:

Henry's BBQ Burger
Served with cheese, ham and barbeque sauce and French fries

Flat Iron Steak Sandwich
Seasoned, grilled, & sliced. Topped with melted provolone,
caramelized onions, lettuce & tomato. Served with au jus sauce and french fries

Pancakes

served with maple syrup and bacon

Montmartre

Last date I was here: 05/08/2010

Restaurant: Montmartre (http://montmartredc.com/)

Location: Eastern Market

Total Rating: 4.5
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: A former post office in Eastern Market is the unlikely home of the city's best French bistro, a warm, happily chaotic place that can tend to feel cramped, crowded, with rushed service. The interior is tight, and sometimes all the wine glasses, plates, and dishes barely fit on the table, but the food makes all the difference. They also have a patio for outside dining. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

Fall 2007: Although in a tight dining atmosphere, I really enjoyed my meal. The scallops were cooked to perfection and I would like to venture out to try some of the more traditional French items. The prices are moderate, so this place has not become a regular spot for us yet – but we really want to go back soon.

UPDATE: We went back for dinner and sat outside on a windy night, but it was pleasant. We were served fresh French bread while we waited for our main course. The menu has been revamped and the prices seemed much more reasonable than I remember from the last time we were there. The food was very hearty, fresh, and delicious. Even though we had to rush, I enjoyed my meal and realized we should have come back sooner.

What I ate:

Coquilles St Jacques Sauteed Aux Jeunes Srtichauts Carrottes Et Celeri
pan-seared scallops with baby artichokes, baby carrots and celery, balsamic reduction

Monkfish

filet with root vegetables, asparagus, in a portobello balsamic reduction sauce

Plus Keith ate:

Cuissots De Lapini Braises Aux Olives Et Shlitakes
Linguinis Cremees a L'huile De Truffe
braised rabbit legs with olives, shiitake mushrooms and creamy linguini with truffle oil

Duck Leg Confit

with herb potato puree, French beans, mushrooms, in a rosemary sauce

Mon Ami Gabi

Last date I was here: 04/26/2010

Restaurant: Mon Ami Gabi (http://www.monamigabi.com/)

Location: Reston, VA

Total Rating: 4
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Mon Ami Gabi is a Classic French Bistro. "Mon Ami" means "My Friend" in French and "Gabi" is for renown Chef and Owner Gabino Sotelino. Mon Ami Gabi specializes in Classic Bistro Fare including crepes and quiches.

February 2009: We went to this restaurant for lunch in the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas to hopefully get an outdoor seat and catch the famous water fountain show across the street at Bellagio. Although we did get a lovely table outside, we missed the show and another would not start for a few hours. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our food in the sun. I might be interested to check out this place for diner, as a few items on the menu caught my eye.

UPDATE: During a day of shopping wiht my mother, we stopped at this restaurant in Reston, VA. We went towards the end of the lunch crowd, so we were seated without any problem. Our server was young and polite. Our food was prompt and delicious. My mother really enjoyed the fresh baked baguette we received before our meal and her strong French coffee afterwards. We shared our entrees, which was more than enough for lunch. With many tantilizing rich French dishes on the menu, Mon Ami Gabi is a nice place.

What I ate:

Chicken and Gruyere Crepe
w/ small frisee salad

Chicken, Brie, and Spinach Crepe

w/small frisse salad

Mussels Marienere

half portion of mussels steamed in garlic wine butter sauce with onions

Plus Keith ate:

Fish and Frites
w/ French tartare sauce

Kabuki Sushi

Last date I was here: 03/21/2010

Restaurant: Kabuki Sushi (http://www.pacificbeachkabukisushi.com/)

Location: San Diego, CA – Pacific Beach

Total Rating: 4.75
Food: 5, Price: 5, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Super cute and fun sushi place right in the heart of Pacific Beach. Offering free parking and gracious hospitality, this casual spot is great for large groups or first dates. Fresh hand rolls and specialty rolls float by on little boats – or you can order directly off the menu. Very inexpensive and delicious!

March 2009: I was in San Diego for work and tagged along with a coworker to Kabuki for dinner. She used to live in the area and this was one of her weekly local spots. The owner, Charlie, was very friendly and greeted everyone who came in. The free parking that they advertised just changed management companies and a few patrons (including us) received parking tickets, but Charlie offered to take care of it. I really enjoyed this sushi spot and would definitely come back the next time I am in San Diego.

UPDATE: One year later, I returned to Kabuki and brought along Keith. Good ole' Charlie was there to greet us and we had a lovely lunch of fresh sushi rolls. This place is so fun and friendly, I suggested it to everyone who asks for a sushi recommendation.

What I ate:

♥California Dreamin’ Roll♥
Crab, Avocado, Cream Cheese, rolled in rice with spicy mayonnaise and Teriyaki sauce

♥Shrimp Tempura Roll♥
Shrimp fried in light tempura batter and rolled in rice with extra crunchies on top

Rainbow Roll
Spicy tuna rolled in rice, covered with avocado, salmon, ahi, and yellowtail

Mochi Ice Cream
Strawberry and Mango

Gyoza

fried dumplings

Banana Café

Last date I was here: 03/12/2010

Restaurant: Banana Café (http://www.bananacafedc.com/home.htm)

Location: Barracks Row

Total Rating: 4.6
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: This Cuban, Puerto Rican, Tex-Mex restaurant and piano bar is a favorite of mine for dinner. Happy hour at the Piano Bar upstairs is popular, they also have Karaoke some nights. The restaurant has a fun, colorful atmosphere displaying great art pieces by the restaurant owner himself. Fresh chips and salsa (delicious!) are served gratis as you peruse the menu. The frozen house margaritas go down smooth and refreshing – a pitcher is a great deal for the table. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

I have also been here for breakfast/brunch where they have a buffet. I prefer the lunch/dinner menu. I love to sit outside on the patio as you have the prime view of happenings along Barracks Row. Although this place gets crowded, service is always accommodating.

What I ate:

Fried Calamari
Served with mango sauce

Sea Scallops a la Veracruzana
Seared sea scallops with a tomato pico de gallo cream sauce

Carribean Vegetarian Combo
Includes rtamal de elote, grilled vegetables, plantains, fried yuca, guacamole, white rice and black beans.

♥Plaintain Quesadillas♥
Pan-toasted flour tortillas with melted cheese, an fired green plaintains
served with pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream

Cuban Sandwich

sub-style sliced roast pork loin, honey baked ham and swiss cheese

topped with mustard, mayonnaise, and sliced dill pickles

Served pressed grilled “a la plancha” and with fries

Plus Keith ate:

Cozumel Fajitas

Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Beef and served with guacamole, pico de gallo,

red beans, yellow rice and flour tortillas

Stuffed Plantains
green plaintains, marinated, deep fried, and stuffed,
one with beef, one with chicken, and one with seafood.
Served with white rice and black beans

Shrimp Fajitas
Grilled to perfection with genuine Mexican mesquite wood and
served with guacamole, pico de gallo, red beans, yellow rice and flour tortillas.

Beef Burrito
Large flour tortilla, stuffed, baked, topped with ranchera sauce and melted cheese,
served with sour cream, pico de gallo, rice and refried beans

Ropa Vieja

shredded flank steak cooked with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices

served with plantains, yellow rice and black beans

Old Siam Restaurant

If you are craving the bold flavors of authentic Thai food, go to The Old Siam. Talented, experienced chefs create authentic Thai dishes using fresh ingredients and traditional Thai recipes. Exotic sauces and flavors intermingle on your plate and the hot, tangy aromas waft up to meet your nose, creating an exciting taste journey. Closest Metro Station is Eastern Market.

Cantler's Riverside Inn

Last date I was here: 07/11/2009

Restaurant: Cantler’s Riverside Inn (http://www.cantlers.com/)

Location: Annapolis, MD

Total Rating: 4.2
Food: 4, Price: 5, Service: 4, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 2

Summary: Nothing says summer like an afternoon picking Maryland blue crabs on Cantler's patio overlooking Mill Creek. If you own a boat, you can arrive by water, but the journey by car from downtown Annapolis is just a few minutes and a world away. The pace here is dictated by how long it takes to steam the crabs in giant kettles and how long it takes one to pick through the shells for the succulent meat. You can't be in a hurry for either. Cantler's is open year-round and offers a full seafood menu for those who don't want to get down and dirty crab-picking (there is a big wash basin out back). The owner and founder, Jimmy Cantler, is a native Marylander and worked as a waterman on the Chesapeake Bay. The Cantler family has worked in the seafood industry for five generations. In 1974 Jimmy Cantler started a restaurant dedicated to serving fresh seafood in a casual family atmosphere. Today all seafood is inspected by experienced handlers to insure only the highest quality product reaches their customers.

We went to this place after reading about it in the Washington Post. The road was winding and tricky as we drove up and then we had to wait for about 30 minutes as there was a line of cars waiting to even get in the parking lot. Be prepared for another long wait, especially if you want outdoor seating. This is what gives a lower accessibility score, however it was such a nice day we didn’t mind waiting for our table. Also, you can walk down to the pier and watch as they load, measure, and pack up the fresh crabs on site. After an hour wait we were seated and served right away. The portion was decent for the price and everything was fresh and tasty. Although super crowded, it is worth the wait for fresh seafood and Maryland crabs at Cantler’s. I would definitely come back again.

What I ate:

Clam Strips
Tender clam strips fried golden brown

Crab Cakes
Two Deep Fried - In Maryland Tradition
Served with Hush puppies and Cole slaw

Plus Keith ate:

Cantler’s Crab Boil
3 hard crabs, mussels, clams, 1/2 pound shrimp, corn on the cob & coleslaw

Good Stuff Eatery

Last date I was here: 06/26/2009

Restaurant: Good Stuff Eatery (http://www.goodstuffeatery.com/)

Location: Capitol Hill

Total Rating: 3.3
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: The newest burger joint to hit Capitol Hill from Top Chef alum Chef Spike. Although casual in atmosphere and with its menu, I expected a little more with the food and service. Closest Metro is Capitol South.

November 2008: After reading the mixed reviews and hearing all the local buzz about the place, we decided to try Good Stuff one rainy night. Surprising crowded, there was a bit of a line but they give you buzzers so you can go find a table while you wait. We ordered the village fries – but ended up getting the plain fries in our bag. We opted to try the chipotle mayo only since the other flavors (sriracha, mango, and old bay) did not sound as appetizing. Fries were way over cooked and greasy. So were the onion rings – disappointing. The saving grace was the homemade milkshakes. Since I did not have a burger this time, I noticed they have a turkey or Portabello mushroom version for us non-beef eaters, I would go back to give Chef Spike a second chance.

UPDATE: Decided to give Spike's another try. This time, about 8 months later, the hype has died down a little so it was not as crowded as the first time we went. The staff seem to be more comfortable with taking orders and delivering on time. One new thing we did notice was that now the menu offers a chicken alternative to any burger style. Another plus, for us non-beef eaters. I tried the turkey burger and was still disappointed. The patty tasted frozen, it was missing sprouts, and the avocado was more like warm guacamole. Keith, however, enjoyed his Big Stuff burger better than the first cheeseburger. Still not impressed, Spike.

What I ate:

Sunny Fries

Onion Rings

Chocolate Milkshake

Free Range Turkey Burger
Chunky Avocado & Sprouts
Muenster Cheese & Ruby Tomato
On A Pennsylvania Dutch Whole Wheat Bun

Spike’s Village Fries
Topped With Fresh Thyme, Rosemary & Cracked Pepper

Plus Keith ate:

Bacon Cheeseburger
Two-beef patties, with maple-wood bacon, 2 kinds of cheese,
onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and special sauce

Big Stuff Bacon Meltdown
Double Patty, Lots’a Bacon, Double Cheese
Ruby Tomato, Lettuce & Pickles With
Good Stuff Sauce

Eventide

Last date I was here: 06/18/2009

Restaurant: Eventide (http://eventiderestaurant.com/)

Location: Clarendon, VA

Total Rating: 3.95
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Eventide is the new “hot spot” with a spacious roof patio and bar area that attracts the crowds more than the food. The rooftop is divided into two parts — a dining area and a bar. The dining area is comprised of tables that seat parties of 2 to 4 people only. Since they do not take reservations for the roof — these tables are seated on a first come-first served basis only and there is a two hour limit that is enforced. The rooftop serves its own distinct menu that is separate from the offerings in other parts of the restaurant. Its menu focuses on cool and chilled foods (think ceviches, chilled soups and charcuterie plates), summertime beers, refreshing outdoor cocktails and bright, crisp wine selections. The menus from the second floor and the lounge are not available on the roof. Closest Metro is Clarendon.

Keith and I stopped in this place for a bite to eat after attending a work happy hour. With its convenient location across from the Metro and rooftop patio, we were lured. We opted not to eat in the main dining room and were directed to the elevator that takes you upstairs to the roof. We were seated right away – most of the crowd was packed at the bar. The rooftop menu is limiting, but just what we were looking for. The prices were a little high and the ceviche, although fresh and full of citrus, should have come with some bread or tortilla chips. I am still interested what the main menu has to offer.

What I ate:

Peruvian-Style Ceviche
Trio of tilapia, scallops and white wine braised octopus,

dressed with aji limo chilies and lime juice.

Served on a bed of frisee with yellow cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and hearts of palm

Fregola Pasta Salad
Little balls of pasta with grilled asparagus, red pepper,

mushrooms, scallions and spinach tossed with arugula pesto

Olive Oil Cake
Huckleberry compote, vanilla-lemon anglaise

Zio's Italian Kitchen

Last date I was here: 05/09/2009

Restaurant: Zio's Italian Kitchen (http://www.zios.com/oklahoma.asp)

Location: Bricktown, Oklahoma City, OK

Total Rating: 3.2
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 3

Summary: Zio's Italian Kitchen is a chain restaurant that offers signature dishes from scratch, right when you order it. With an open kitchen designed for patrons to enjoy not only the fresh and delicious food that comes from it, but the show that process generates as well, the dining room is buzzing with people. Zio's provides a casual and comfortable, open-air Italian piazza atmosphere that is designed to provide a fun and entertaining place for parties, informal get-togethers, and evenings out with family and friends.

I went with a co-worker on a Saturday evening - and it was packed with large parties who were trying to eat before the baseball game and the highschool prom. We were initially told the wait would be 45 minutes for our table of two, but ended up waiting more like an hour and 15 minutes. The girls at the front were unorganized and frazzled, causing many parties to wait longer than needed when there were plenty of open tables. I would have rated lower on Service, but once seated, our waitress was expedient and attentive. The food was average - typcial classic meals like Spaghetti and Meatballs and Chicken Alfredo. My boss enjoyed her meal though - she had the Spicy Chicken Alfredo made with sliced sautéed chicken breast tossed with linguine, bacon, Roma tomatoes, onions, jalapeños and spicy tomato-Alfredo sauce; topped with tricolor tortilla strips. Also one note I had to mention - the "italain dipping oil" that they serve with the bread is in fact canola oil with seasoning in it (yuck!). We immediately told the waitress we did not want her to pour that all over our bread and asked her to bring some plain balsamic vinegar instead. All in all, with the crowd it was an ok meal. I probably would not come back again.

What I ate:

Cheese Ravioli on a Nest of Pasta

Cheese-stuffed pasta served on a bed of linguine with your choice of tomato sauce, Alfredo sauce or both.

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill

Last date I was here: 05/08/2009

Restaurant: Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill (http://www.tobykeithsbar.com/)

Location: Bricktown, Oklahoma City, OK

Total Rating: 3.85

Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 3

Summary: Leave it to country music legend Toby Keith to create a restaurant that offers great food and the best live music in Oklahoma City. Named after Toby’s hit single “I Love This Bar,” this exciting venue offers a real down-home experience. With 12,000 square feet and seating for 450 guests, the restaurant’s emphasis will be on great home-style food. Chef Brad Johnson has assembled a true down home menu that is sure to leave you adjusting your belt buckle. Decorated with over 100 pieces of Toby Keith memorabilia including signed guitars, platinum records and clothing Keith wore in videos, this restaurant provides a fun atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.

I tried this place with some co-workers as we were in town for a conference. Since they do not take reservations, we had to wait 45 minutes for a table, but were able to sit at the bar and order a drink while we waited. We were then seated upstairs in one of the “Redneck Loveseats” that had a prime view of the musical stage. The band that night was pretty good - Brandon Clark Band - and we were seated just as their set began. Patio seating was also available outside. The food was fairly proced for the large portions and tasted pretty good. My chicken was cooked perfectly - seasoned right and juicy. They had many confort food items on the menu as well as a decent selection of beers. In addition to live music, big screen televisons were scattered throughout for those sports fans. Overall, I enjoyed this place and was neat to try some Oklahoma cooking.

What I ate:

Grilled Chicken Breast

An 8 oz. grilled chicken breast topped with bacon, ham, BBQ sauce and Monterey Jack cheese.

Served with Mashed potatoes - made with Red skin potatoes, sour cream, butter, roasted garlic, green onion, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper; Sauteed Mushrooms with shallots and butter; and jalapeno corn bread.

Bistro du Coin

Last date I was here: 03/27/2009

Restaurant: Bistro du Coin (http://www.bistrotducoin.com/)

Location: Dupont Circle

Total Rating: 4.5
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Bistro du Coin is a Neighborhood restaurant where you can eat good food at a fair price. With a motto of "French, Fun and Friendly", Bistro du Coin serves classic bistro food in a loud and fun party atmosphere. Closest Metro Station is Dupont Circle.

After reading that Bistro du Coin has the second best mussels in the city, we had to try it. On a rainy Friday evening, we trekked over to Dupont Circle and arrived early enough to be seated without a problem. Surprisingly large in size, the dining area is packed with many tables and there is a second floor with more seats and a foosball table. The bar is on the main floor and is wide enough for about 18 or so to sit and expands the room with its massive mirror behind. The walls are yellowish-brown to mimic the classic European bistro feel. The service was ok, considering it got packed about 30 mins after we were there. The mussels were amazing, full of flavor and freshness. The main course comes with fries, but you can also order a slightly smaller portion sans fries as an appetizer. A great restaurant for a date or with friends; I would definitely come back again.

What I ate:

♥Moules Normandes♥
Steam mussels in cream sauce with celery, leeks, mushrooms, potatoes and bacon

Plus Keith ate:

Moules Catalanes
Steamed mussels in white wine with onions, peas, peppers, tomatoes and chorizo

New Orleans Creole Café

Last date I was here: 03/20/2009

Restaurant: New Orleans Creole Café (http://www.neworleanscreolecafe.com/)

Location: San Diego, CA – Old Town

Total Rating: 4.5
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 3

Summary: New Orleans Creole Café serves lunch or dinner and is located in the mystical and charming gardens of the Whaley House, San Diego's first brick mansion built in 1856. Legend has that it is one of the most haunted houses in America. Located in historic Old Town, New Orleans Creole Café offers authentic generations-old Creole dishes.

Went for dinner with some coworkers and was I pleasantly surprised. We sat in the quaint 1870's indoor dinning room, historically recreated in San Diego's 1850 American period which looks out on centuries old Pepper trees in the park setting. With wood floors, old pictures on the wall, gas lanterns, and soft Cajun xydaco music playing – the New Orleans Creole Café is a cute spot that transports you to New Orleans from the heart of San Diego. The food was delicious and made fresh in house (including the sauces) in the little kitchen next door. The atmosphere is great but I rate low on the accessibility because of the limited amount of seats (capacity is 20) and the limited days (Monday and Tuesday is lunch only - closed on Wednesdays). I tasted the jambalaya with sausage and chicken and it was nice and hot – with chunks of meat and not too spicy. My macaroni and cheese was just right. I would love to come back to this café during my next visit to San Diego. And that time, I will not pass up the red velvet cake – it looked divine!

What I ate:

♥Macaroni and Cheese with Andouille Sausage♥

Aqua Blu

Last date I was here: 03/19/2009

Restaurant: Aqua Blu (http://www.aquablu-sandiego.com/)

Location: San Diego, CA – Gaslamp

Total Rating: 3.8
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Aqua Blu is one of the newest hot spots to hit San Diego’s Gaslamp District. Featuring seafood and Pacific Rim cuisine, the bold fusion flavors are fresh, interesting and tasty.Stopped by for appetizers and drinks – they had ½ off martini specials – with a friend, before meeting our larger group of friends. I had the pineapple lychee martini, delicious and strong! We sat outside, so we could people watch under the warmth of the heated lamps. Service was great and many items looked good on the menu, including the 3 course prix fixe menu. A little pricey, but I may try this spot again for the full dining experience next time I am in San Diego.

What I ate:

Shrimp Tempura

Current

Last date I was here: 03/14/2009

Restaurant: Current (http://www.coronadoresortmarriott.com/L-Escale-77.html/)

Location: Coronado, CA – Coronado Island Marriott

Total Rating: 3.8
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Current Restaurant provides resort guests and locals a relaxing dining experience in an atmosphere of contemporary comfort. Savor California Coastal Cuisine, the perfect balance of taste and wellness. Local flavors abound with the focus on fresh, organic and farm raised menu items and features. Dine alfresco on the patio and take in the panoramic views of beautiful San Diego Bay and the abundant California sunshine and afternoon breeze. Located in the Coronado Island Marriott Resort, Current serves innovative menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I ate here twice for dinner while staying at the hotel. Service was great and I love the fresh bread served with olives, sun dried tomato spread, and herb butter. A little pricey for the everyday meal, but it is to be expected since it is in the hotel.

What I ate:

Pacific Cobb Salad
Jumbo lump crab meat, grilled shrimp, bacon, avocado, blue cheese crumbles,

with mixed greens and balsamic vinaigrette

Shrimp Florentine
Grilled shrimp served with Tomato linguine, spinach, tomatoes

in a parmesan cream sauce

Ra Sushi

Last date I was here: 03/13/2009

Restaurant: Ra Sushi (http://rasushi.com/)

Location: San Diego, CA – Gaslamp

Total Rating: 4.3
Food: 5, Price: 3, Service: 3, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 3

Summary: Rated as one of San Diego’s best Sushi spot, Ra is was recommended by several people and was promised to be very popular. Went for dinner with a large group on a Friday night – and the wait was almost 2 hours long. It was crowded and pumping with hip music and atmosphere inside, with barely any standing room even at the bar. So we opted to put our name on the list and go down the street to another bar to wait until our table was ready. Glad we waited though, because the sushi was great – and apparently so were the sake bombs (Happy Birthday, Erin!). It was very busy and took a while to get our order and then the check, but it was cool to experience. The sushi was up to par with any other place, so I may not need to go back to Ra any time soon.

What I ate:

Edamame

California Roll

Spicy Tuna Roll

Rainbow Roll

Shrimp Tempura Roll

Spicy Yellowtail Roll

La Dolce Vita Ristorante

Last date I was here: 03/12/2009

Restaurant: La Dolce Vita Ristorante (http://www.ladolcevitaristorante.com/)

Location: La Jolla, CA

Total Rating: 4.55
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Find a little piece of Italy nestled away in the heart of La Jolla. Hidden in a pretty courtyard of international shops, La Dolce Vita Ristorante will charm you. As the customers walk up the alley, the mood changes; it looks like a small part of Italy made its way to La Jolla. The ambiance makes it charming to eat on the out door patio by the fountain. The indoor dinning rooms also have a cozy and romantic feeling. At La Dolce Vita Ristorante you will find home cooked Italian food at affordable prices.

Took a day trip to La Jolla with some coworkers, and we stumbled upon this charming place. We sat outside and enjoyed eating our meal in the sun. Service was friendly and quick. Our food was fresh and generously portioned. I really enjoyed my meal here and would recommend this restaurant to others.

What I ate:

Prosciutto e Melone
Thin slice Parma cured Italian ham, served over fresh ripe cantaloupe melon

Penne alla NormaFresh tomato sauce with grilled eggplant and melted mozzarella cheese