May Starts with Margaritas

The month of May has a number of holidays - Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Cinco de Mayo... Okay so maybe Cinco de Mayo isn't exactly a holiday, but when you live in San Diego (and especially if you're of legal drinking age) the 5th of May is the day to have your fill of Mexican food and margaritas.

As you know, San Diego has such a fine array of authentic Mexican food.  Everyone has their favorite "hole-in-the-wall" taco shop around the corner, but given the recent festive celebration, I decided to go to the place to be on Cinco de Mayo - Old Town.

La Piñata,  Old Town

Among the myriad of Mexican eateries in Old Town, La Piñata offers a quaint, authentic experience that some of the bigger, more well-known restaurants in the area lack.  The restaurant is filled with traditional Mexican decor (including piñatas hanging from the ceiling) and a nice patio dining area, which is where my friends an I decided to sit.  Since Cinco de Mayo might as well be "National Margarita Day" I decided partake in the tradition...

Large "Regular Margarita" - $9 @ La Pinata

Now as margaritas go, this wasn't the most unique, but it was quite strong and it had the right amount of tangy citrus flavor to keep me refreshed as my friends and I sat outside on the patio.

The Meal

As for my meal, I decided to go with the carne asada taco plate. Yes, just one taco, but I assure you it's bigger than your average street taco. 

Carne Asada Taco - $9.25 @ La Pinata

Loaded with juicy grilled steak, pico de gallo and guacamole, this large taco gives you traditional Mexican flavors in every bite.  I squeezed a couple wedges of lime and added a couple of dashes of the house hot salsa and the taco became everything I was hoping it would be.  Served with a large portion of rice and beans, this plate was enough to fill my belly and curb the potency of my margarita.

Although my plate had me stuffed by the end of my meal, a couple of my friends ordered this house specialty behemoth...

Pinata Supreme - $10.25 @ La Pinata

Now this was a loaded shell, if I've ever seen one.  Filled to the brim with sliced avocado, juicy tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and a monstrous serving of carne asada, this crispy flour tortilla is bigger than any taco you'll find on the street.  Although I didn't get to taste it, my friends said it was definitely worth the $10.25.

Try Some, Won't You?

I'm not saying this is a substitute for your favorite taco shop, but La Piñata (map it) is definitely a place you want to check out when you're in Old Town, especially on a popular day like Cinco de Mayo. The fresh salsas and juicy meat paired with a icy margarita are a flavorful combination that will complete your authentic San Diego-style Cinco de Mayo experience.

Until next bite, savor the flavor my friends!

Seriously Spicy

Don't you hate it when you order something "spicy" or with "hot" sauce, and as you brace yourself for the first bite, you find there's hardly any reason to call the dish spicy at all?  Okay well maybe some of you don't exactly enjoy the lip-tingling sensation associated with really good spicy food.  You may argue, What's to enjoy if my mouth is on fire? But there's a fine line between perfect spice and pure pain - a line I find myself pushing the limits of all the time...

I must confess, I'm a sucker for spicy. I can recall eating my first jalapeno with a burger when I was about 9 (or so...).  My early interest may have been mostly due to my mom and what she prepared for dinner as I grew up.  There was always a side of fresh cut, eye-stinging sili ( Thai chili pepper) with just about every meal, and our pantry is always stocked with a solid array of real hot sauces.  I'd also have to thank my dad for always ordering "#10 spicy" dishes whenever we go out to eat.  It's just understood - bland food never makes it to the table with my family. Lucky for me, there's a wide variety of places to eat in San Diego that can properly tickle my taste buds.

Island Spice

Although this wasn't my first time going to Island Spice, I just had to add it to my gastronomical adventure.  It's a small, authentic Jamaican restaurant on Market Street near Downtown San Diego.  I admit their prices are borderline out of my budget ($10-14 per dish), but the portions are rather big and I always have enough leftovers for an entire second meal.  

The Meal

When you think Jamaican food, you might automatically think jerk chicken, but I assure you there's so much more to this ethnic cuisine.  I ordered my favorite -  the Barbecue Chicken Plate, "hot" (of course). 

Barbecue Chicken Plate (hot) - $10 @ Island Spice

I realize this photo may be the least appetizing thus far on this blog, but you'll have to take my word for it that the picture does not do the meal justice (partly because I had to take the food home).  The plate comes with 4-5 pieces of moist chicken drowning in the rather spicy house barbecue sauce.  I haven't tasted anything like it - it's tangy, thick, and packs a big punch to your tongue.  Also on the plate is a generous serving of traditional Caribbean red beans & rice, veggies, and fried plantains.  The rice has its own smoky seasoning that complements the spicy chicken.  The plantains have a crispy outer layer that encases the sweet fruit that provides the perfect contrast to the spices from the rest of the meal.  

Try Some, Won't You?

Of all the Caribbean-style or Jamaican places I've been to in San Diego, I have to say my favorite is Island Spice (map it) .  You can either dine-in or take out, but keep in mind if you come in close to closing time (8pm), you'll have no choice but to take your meal home (as my boyfriend and I learned the other night).  Also, they have a tight side parking lot, so you might want to park along the street if the place looks full.  When you go, be sure to also try one of their many imported Jamaican juices and sodas, like ginger beer.  I assure you they're a great way to quench your thirst after a few bites of that spicy barbecue!

Well until next bite, savor the flavor my friends!

Mangoes & Mussels

Going out on a whim is always such a gamble, hence why we have food-finding apps on our smartphones these days.  But sometimes walking into a place you just happen to stumble upon can turn into a tasty surprise.

Having class cancelled always brings about last minute plans, normally to get food.  Today, a close friend of mine and I decided to celebrate the freedom with a drive to La Jolla.  While walking along Prospect Street, chatting about our luck and soaking in some sun, we decided to eat at the next cafe we'd come across.  Being in La Jolla, I braced myself - and my wallet - but much to our surprise we found a nice place, with a great view, and decent breakfast and lunch prices.

Il Covo, La Jolla

Il Covo is a little hard to spot along the street. The restaurant is actually above street level, with a tucked away staircase leading to the patio dining area.  But there's a reason for the second level dining - the view is fantastic...

View from the patio - Il Covo

The Meal

To start, Eve and I shared a plate of fresh papaya, melon, and mango.

Papaya, Melon, Mango Plate - $6 @ Il Covo

The fruit was refreshing, sweet, and drizzled with honey. Every bite came with a splash of cool, natural juice - the perfect refreshment when you're sitting in the sun. 

Now although they serve breakfast until 1pm, I was in the mood for a savory lunch.  I decided on spaghetti con cozze (spaghetti with black mussels). 

Spaghetti con Cozze - $9 @ il Covo

Now this dish was bursting with flavor! The sauce - a slightly spicy marinara - had an abundance of stewed grape tomato halves and whole cloves of garlic, that made their way into just about every bite.  The pasta was cooked al dente, and the mussels retained a lot of the juices of the sauce (specifically the robust garlic flavor), giving a nice blend of spices and seafood.

Try Some, Won't You?

If you find yourself in La Jolla around lunchtime, and you don't want to break budget for a nice lunch with a view, check out Il Covo (map it). Parking, of course, is on the street so be prepared to do a little walking, but why not take advantage of the opportunity to stroll in the sun and feel that light sea breeze on your sun-kissed skin? 

Until next bite, savor the flavor my friends!