Crab Hut

Oops, we ate all the crab thingies before I took the picture.

Usually there are limes, but apparently there is some kind of
Tragic Lime Shortage in San Diego these days.

Oh, shrimp!  Don't forget to suck the heads.

This very weird-looking photo is of a potato.  Don't be scared.

The sausage is no-kidding amazing.

Miko has to have rice.

They give you bibs, but Jenne has this macho thing about not wearing them.

THE CARNAGE

They very kindly give you mints and wet-naps.

HOWEVER, WET-NAPS ARE USELESS.

Rating: Two thumbs up!

Date: 3/20/11

Time In: 5:41 PM

Time out: 6:50 PM 

Server's recommendations: Hot wings, cajun wings, cajun fries, fresh oysters, crawfish, shrimp

What we ordered: Crab wraps with cajun fries, a pound of shrimp (garlic butter, half-medium spicy), a half-pound of sausages (garlic butter, half-medium spicy), a half-pound of potatoes (garlic butter, mild), steamed rice
Number in our party: 3

Final check amount: $31.80

Notes:

• The food comes out in plastic bags, and you just peel everything and dump the shells on the table, which is covered in butcher paper.  No plates!  It's messy, interactive, and fun!
• The wraps had a lot of crab in them, which we like.  Crunchy and delicious!
• The fries are crinkle-cut.  Nothing special, but fries are fries -- always yummy.
• Crab Hut says they have a Louisiana kitchen, but everyone who works there is Asian.
• This restaurant would be greatly improved if they had a hand-washing station outside the bathrooms.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St, Ste 106A
Phone number: 858.565.1678
Website: http://www.crabhutsd.com/

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- it can get a little crazy, but you can usually find a spot if you drive around a few times.  But the spaces are teeny.

Ideal group size: 2-6; they do take reservations for parties of 5 or more.

Available vegetarian options: Sides, e.g. fried okra, fresh celery and carrot, potato salad, corn on the cob. Much better place for pescatarians.
Noise level: 3.5-4.5
Who not to bring: Vegetarians, prissy people who don't like to get messy.
Chopsticks: Not offered, even with the rice

Tapioca Express

Mango snow bubble (left) and tapioca milk tea (right).

Beef stew combo.

Crispy chicken combo.

Rating: Two thumbs up!

Date: 2/21/11

Time In: 6:35 PM

Time out: We sat around and talked for ages, but you could just get your food and go.  Lines can get pretty long, though.

Server's recommendations: Crispy chicken, mango snow bubble

What we ordered: Crispy chicken & mango snow bubble (Miko), beef stew & tapioca milk tea (Jenne)

Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: $17.51

Notes:

• It's fast food, but it's delicious.  The crispy chicken is a great snack -- like popcorn chicken, but tastier.  (By the way, even the mild is a little spicy.)
• I get the mango snow bubble every time.  It tastes like fake mango flavoring, but I like it.  (Miko)
• The beef stew is good, but we'd rather have the crispy chicken.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St, Ste 106B

Phone number: 858.636.7889

Website: http://www.tapiocaexpress.com

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- it can get a little crazy, but you can usually find a spot if you drive around a few times.  But the spaces are teeny.

Ideal group size: 2-6

Available vegetarian options: French fries, fried string bean, fried tofu, oolong tea egg, drinks

Noise level: 4 (you have to yell to be heard).

Shabu Shabu House

Beef and shrimp lunch combo.

Beef and fishball lunch combo.

You cook your vegetables and meat in the hotpot.  Add sauces as you like.

The rice was not the greatest.

And now it's a bowl of udon!

Rating: Two sideways thumbs.  

Miko would make an effort to come back and Jenne would not, but with a few slight changes, this place could be great.  And that's strangely frustrating.

Date: 2/11/11

Time In: 1:45 PM

Time out: ≈2:45 PM

Server's recommendations: Beef & shrimp, beef & scallop, lamb, pork 

What we ordered: Beef & shrimp lunch combo (Jenne), beef & fishball lunch combo (Miko)

Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: ≈$28 (I forgot to write it down because I'm a terrible secretary -- Miko)

Notes:

• They slice up the meat in front of us on a big machine, which is cool. 
• The rice is a little overcooked and mushy.
• The shrimp tasted a little like dirt.
• I love fishballs of any kind.  These were not the best fishballs, but I loved them anyway.  (Miko)
• It was my first time eating shabu shabu, and I was utterly charmed by how the hotpot turns into a bowl of udon.  (Miko)
• The servers were a little over-involved in the cooking process for me.  I wanted to do it MY WAY.  And also they seemed happy to let MIKO cook her own food!  Psh, I've spent more time in Japan than she has!  (Jenne)

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St, Ste 107

Phone number: 858.268.8648

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shabu-Shabu-House/351511476097

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- it can get a little crazy, but you can usually find a spot if you drive around a few times.  But the spaces are teeny.

Ideal group size: 2-4

Noise level: 2

Who not to bring: Small children, people who don't like interactive food

Chopsticks: On the table

B.H. Chung - CLOSED

Gyoza.

Seafood tofu soup.

Panchan.

Katsu curry.

Katsudon.

The special order our neighbor was eating!
He was very interested in our work and wanted us to take a picture.

Rating: Two thumbs up because of the curry and service

Date: 1/28/11

Time In: 1:30 PM

Time out: 2:15 PM

Server's recommendations: BBQ beef & chicken, seafood tofu soup

What we ordered: Seafood tofu soup, gyoza, katsudon (Jenne), katsu curry rice (Miko)

Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: $30.42

Notes:

• B.H. Chung looks like crap from the outside (especially with the awful sign), but inside, it is airy, comfortable, and clean, with lots of natural light.
• The menu is extensive and has a lot of appealing choices.  Good for groups that don't know what they want to eat.
• The katsu curry is DELICIOUS in a simple, mom & pop cafe kind of way.  The katsu on it has crispy breading, which makes it extra-yummy, and the curry itself is well-seasoned, with a slight hint of cinnamonyness.  It's the best Asian-style curry rice I've had outside the house.  The portion-size was also ginormous, so it's perfect to split with a friend.  (Note: our craving for this katsu curry drove us back to B.H. Chung three days later.)  (Miko)
• The katsudon is good, especially with the zucchini, but it's a little on the bland side.
• The gyoza tastes nice, but it's not amazing.  
• The stew is also fine, but the fishy taste is a little overpowering.  There are much better versions of this dish at both of the Tofu Houses.
• The server is extremely handsome and pleasant.  We call him "the son" because the place has a family-owned vibe, but we have no idea if any of the employees are actually related to each other.  He is really quick to notice if we need water refills.
• This is the restaurant that inspired the idea of the "one-dish wonder" (which Spicy City also qualifies as)--a place that probably wouldn't wow us except for that one dish that we HAVE TO come back for.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St, Ste 110

Phone number: 858.495.0059

Website: http://www.bhchung.com/

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- it can get a little crazy, but you can usually find a spot if you drive around a few times.  But the spaces are teeny.

Ideal group size: 2-6

Noise level: 2

Chopsticks: On the table

Yogurt World

Rating: Two thumbs up

Date: 1/15/11
Time in: 7:30 PM

Time out: 7:45 PM

Server's recommendations: Green tea tart, plain tart

What we ordered: Plain tart with mango, kiwi and mochi bits; dulce de leche and plain tart with strawberries, mango, mochi bits, and crumbled Reese's cups

Number in our party: 4

Final check amount: $.38/oz

Notes:

• Yogurt World is awfully convenient, since it's located right by our favorite restaurants.  It's not the best yogurt, certainly, but since we can walk there after dinner, it wins!
• They have hilarious signs.  Example: "P/U a cup."  Who abbreviates "pick up"?
• I (Miko) do love the dulce de leche flavor here.  But I wish they had red bean paste as a topping. 
• I (Jenne) always come back to the plain tart, with a little of the green coconut on the side.  I only like fresh fruit and mochi bits on top, nothing else.  

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St, Ste 113

Phone number: 858.268.1688

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/yogurt-world-san-diego

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- it can get a little crazy, but you can usually find a spot if you drive around a few times.  But the spaces are teeny.

Ideal group size: Any

Available vegetarian options: All

Noise level: 1 or 2, depending on the day

Chopsticks: N/A.  Unless you're a weirdo who eats ice cream with chopsticks.

Tofu House

Rating: Two sideways thumbs 

Date: 1/15/11 

Time In: 6:45 PM (15-minute wait)

Time out: 7:30 PM

Server's recommendations: #1: Chef's special + kimchi, #4: boiled house special tofu, #22: boiled BBQ tofu

What we ordered: #4, #22

Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: $24.00

Notes:

• Just so you know, there are TWO restaurants on Convoy called Tofu House.  This one is just Tofu House.  The other one is Convoy Tofu House.
• We like the formatting of the menu.  Crisp clean design.
• Panchan is served at the beginning.  Takuan and cucumber pickles are very nice.
• #4 has delicious shiitake, but the seafood in it is sub-par.  The shrimp tastes a little like dirt.
• #22 is good, but the broth is too strong.
• The rice is very good. (We love Korean restaurant rice!)

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St, Ste 116
Phone number: (858) 576-6433
Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tofu-house-san-diego

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- it can get a little crazy, but you can usually find a spot if you drive around a few times.  But the spaces are teeny.

Ideal group size: 2-6

Noise level: 3

Chopsticks: On the table

Gorilla Korean Fusion Restaurant

Rating: Two sideways thumbs

Date: 12/19/10
Time in: 5:50 PM

Time out: 6:55 PM

Server's recommendations: Beef bulgogi, kalbi short ribs, spicy seafood dduk bae gi (spicy seafood soup with tofu), boo dae jji gae (lots of ham, ramen, sausage, veggie stew)

What we ordered: Boo dae jji gae, corn cheese

Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: $18.48

Notes:

• Panchan is served at the beginning.  Delicious cucumber pickles.
• Good sticky rice.
• The stew included more than it said -- there were also rice cakes and tofu.   
• One soup is enough for two. 
• The corn cheese is greasy and delicious, but easy enough to recreate at home.  We suspect that it's nothing but corn, mayonnaise, sugar, and a ton of melted cheese, baked in an oven.
• The Korean pop music is really loud and terrible (in Miko's opinion) / terribly awesome (in Jenne's opinion).

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4688 Convoy St, Ste 112 (Plaza del Sol)
Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/gorilla-korean-fusion-restaurant-san-diego

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- spaces available.

Ideal group size: 2-8

Available vegetarian options: Corn cheese

Noise level: 4

Chopsticks: On the table (both metal and wood)

Jeong Won Korean BBQ Buffet

Meat buffet!

Just a few of the many things to grill.

Delicious side dishes!

On the grill.

Unexpectedly delicious ice cream.

Rating: Two thumbs up!

Date: 12/12/10
Time in: 5:40 PM

Time out: 6:45 PM

Server's recommendations: N/A

What we ordered: All-you-can-eat buffet

Number in our party: 3

Final check amount: $67.86 ($19.99 buffet for each person; rice, miso soup, and soft serve included.)

Notes:

• We really didn't know what to expect when we walked in, but it turned out to be a MAGICAL WONDERLAND.  There are about 100 different things to grill!  Plus many sauces.
• Side dishes: potato salad, bean sprouts, spinach, kimchi, many more!
• Meats: beef brisket, top sirloin, marinated pork, marinated chicken, mussels, shrimp, liver, etc.
• Vegetables: tofu, onions, carrots, mushrooms, corn, etc. 
• Interactive and fun.
• The rice is very good -- it was the sticky shiny kind.
• The soft serve didn't come with toppings, but it didn't need them.  It was creamy and delicious.
• Friendly service.  They offered to change out the grill.  
• There may be a wait for your table.  We accidentally jumped the line because we thought they were saying "Miko" instead of "Nico" but they let us stay because Nico hadn't shown up.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4690 Convoy St, Ste 104 (Plaza del Sol)
Phone number: 858.292.4670
Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/jeong-won-korean-san-diego

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- spaces available.

Ideal group size: 4-6

Available vegetarian options: Many vegetarian side dishes.  Tofu and vegetables to grill. 

Noise level: 4

San Tong Palace

Boiled dumplings.

Mapo tofu.

  

Spicy noodle soup.

Kimchi.

Excellent fortune cookie.

Rating: Two thumbs up

Date: 12/3/10
Time in: 1:40 PM

Time out: 2:30 PM

Server's recommendations: Dumplings, spicy noodle soup

What we ordered: Boiled dumplings, mapo tofu, spicy noodle soup

Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: $32.50

Notes:

• The tofu was flavorful, delicious, and comforting.  Recommended!
• The server was nice -- it felt like a friend's mom was cooking me dinner.
• The tea tasted like pancake syrup, only not sweet.  But in a good way.
• Free kimchi to start.
• Good rice.
• Spicy dishes were on the milder side -- they weren't overpowering.
• The fortune cookies were very good.  They were made of thicker wafers and came unwrapped on a plate.  And the paper slips inside were actually fortunes, not lame-o proverbs or advice.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4690 Convoy St, Ste 105 (Plaza del Sol)
Phone number: 858.571.6837
Website: http://santongpalacemenu.info/

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- spaces available

Ideal group size: 4-6 for everyday dining, but there are party rooms available.

Available vegetarian options: They have a large "Vegetables" section in the menu, which includes Buddha's delight, moo shu vegetables, and three mushroom tofu.  But the dishes might be made with meat or fish-based broth, so we would recommend double-checking.

Noise level: 2