Café International - CLOSED

From a safe distance.

Okay, so this is another one that Miko keeps saying I should write something about, but like Manna Bakery I wasn't quite sure what to say.

We were excited to try Cafe International, thinking perhaps there would be delicious pastries from many lands!  However, as we walked up we passed the large open windows and patio seating, which was full of what looked like Bond Villain Henchmen hanging out off-duty, smoking heavily and playing cards.  I'm sure they are lovely people but we felt like we really shouldn't go in there without an invitation and/or possibly being armed.  We also decided that probably food was not their main focus, so we weren't required to within the rules.

If anyone has more knowledge of Cafe International, please advise.

Manna BBQ

 

Panchan, including AMAZING potato salad!

Salad and Miko's favorite steamed egg come with!

Good rice.

Rating: Two sideways thumbs

Date: 5/15/11

What we ordered: A1 Premium All-You-Can-Eat for each of us

Number in our party: 3

Final check amount: $74.85 + tax

Notes:

• We actually came here on 5/6, but there was such a long wait that we skipped ahead to Ichiro.
• The meat was flavorful and very good.
• The side dishes were also delicious, particularly the potato salad and the steamed egg.
• The sideways thumbs were given because we enjoyed the experience of Jeong Won better, and we would rather go there.  The meat might be better at Manna, but (1) we prefer the buffet set-up at Jeong Won; (2) there are no vegetables to grill; and (3) there are no desserts.  It was delicious, but we weren't fully satisfied at the end.  If you're a total carnivore, you would love it.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION
Address: 4428 Convoy St
Phone number: 858.278.3300
Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/manna-korean-bbq-san-diego
Accepts credit cards? Yes
Parking: You can park in the plaza just south of the restaurant.
Ideal group size: 3-4
Available vegetarian options: Side dishes?
Noise level: 3
Who not to bring: Vegetarians 

Ichiro Happy Japanese Restaurant



Ginger eggplant appetizer



Seafood dumplings

Free salad

Combination #1

Nabeyaki udon

Rating: One thumb up (Miko), one sideways thumb (Jenne)

Date: 5/6/11

Time In: 7:45 PM

Time out: 8:59 PM

Server's recommendations: Combination #1 (tempura, California roll, and salmon yakizakana), teriyaki steak, nabeyaki udon, champon

What we ordered: Ginger eggplant appetizer, seafood dumplings, Combination #1 (Jenne), nabeyaki udon (Miko)

Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: $40.73

Notes:

• The server was adorable -- she actually clasped her hands with joy when we ordered her recommendations.  Very enthusiastic in her recommendations.
• The nabeyaki was delicious; it was probably the best udon I'd had in San Diego. The broth tasted like my mother's.  Great comfort food!  The only criticism I had was that the egg should be on top, not the bottom.  (Miko--thumbs up)
• The rice was dry and a little hard.
• The salmon was overcooked.  (Jenne--sideways thumb)

RESTAURANT INFORMATION
Address: 4344 Convoy St, Ste Q
Phone number: 858.565.8603
Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/ichiro-japanese-restaurant-san-diego-3
Accepts credit cards? Yes
Parking: Private lot shared with a plaza 
Ideal group size: 2-8
Available vegetarian options: Veggie sushi options. With everything else, you never know if something might have bonito in it...

Noise level: 4, but only because of a rowdy party that sounded like a whole lot of fun on the other side of the restaurant.

Chopsticks: Come with the meal

Korea House

Wrapped spoon!  I (Miko) was charmed.

Salad with tasty sesame dressing.

Panchan and sauces.

More panchan.

The potato dish was especially yummy.

Dae ji sam gyup sal.

The rice was not as amazing as some Korean
rice we have had.

Seaweed soup--just okay.

Joo mul ruk gui (this was Jenne's favorite).

Sea woo gui.

So many dishes!

Rice + miso soup = comfort food.

After cooking -- look at that tasty shrimp!

Jap chae.

Rating: One sideways thumb (Jenne), one thumb down (Miko)
Date: 4/22/11
Time In: 7:10 PM
Time out: 8:21 PM
Server's recommendations: Family Combo for 3, which comes with Jap Chae and Dumplings, Korean House Combo for 4
What we ordered: Hae mul pa jun (seafood pancake), jap chae, joo mul ruk gui (thinly sliced tender prime beef served with sesame oil sauce mixed with salt and pepper, served in round pre-cuts), sea woo gui (fresh shrimps marinated with a light sweet sauce), dae ji sam gyup sal (sliced pork bacon served with sesame oil sauce mixed with salt and pepper)
Number in our party: 4
Final check amount: $70.47
Notes:
From Miko:

• The seafood pancake never came, and I REALLY wanted it, damn it.
• I was thirsty, and water refills were slow. The server wasn't very friendly, and I'm getting used to super-awesome service on Convoy.
• The Jap Chae was greasy, and it tasted too strongly of green pepper.
• I liked the panchan -- the fish cake and potato dishes were especially good. The meat was tender and juicy, and their shrimp didn't taste like dirt. But it all wasn't so delicious that I'd come back here just for that, especially with so many Korean BBQ restaurant options in the neighborhood.

From Jenne:

• I thought it was all pretty good, although I agree about the jap chae.  
• I wasn't as mad about the seafood pancake that never appeared. :-)  
• So I would come back if I was with someone who wanted to go, I just wouldn't make a special effort.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION
Address: 4620 Convoy St, Ste A 
Phone number: 858.560.0080
Website: http://koreahouse.menutoeat.com/
Accepts credit cards? Yes
Parking: Private lot shared with a plaza
Ideal group size: 3-4
Available vegetarian options: Yang nyum tofu (rectangular cut fresh tofu with green onion with ginger soy sauce), tofu salad (tofu and spring mix, served with special homemade dressing), buh sut jap chae (pan fried soft yam noodles mixed with vegetables and various mushrooms, sae ssac bi bim bab (variety of sprouts and vegetables served with a spicy sauce, sesame oil and rice), ya chae twi gim (Korean style, lightly battered fried vegetables) 

Noise level: 3

Chopsticks: On the table, along with the charming wrapped spoon.

A Café

 

Random free soup.



Delicious beef wraps!



Sauteed greens.

 

Fish & egg chow mein.



Beef noodle soup.



Wings.

 

Amazing juices!



Giant shaved ice, with Miko for scale.



Miko was worried that they wouldn't have
condensed milk.  NOT TO WORRY.

 

Giant waffle with ice cream.



The aftermath.

Rating: Two thumbs up

Date: 4/9/11

Time In: 1:40 PM

Time out: Hours later 

Server's recommendations: Deep fried chicken wings w/ spicy salt, diced filet mignon in black pepper sauce, beef or chicken chow fun

What we ordered: Deep-fried chicken wings, beef wrap, pan-fried Chinese broccoli w/ wine sauce, beef brisket noodle soup, fish & egg chow mein, kiwi juice, guava lemon juice, honey pomelo drink, shaved ice, waffle with ice cream

Number in our party: 3

Final check amount: ≈ $62

Notes:

• Apparently, Howie, Jenne, and I were trying to eat our way through the whole menu.  This is a very reasonably priced place, and most people would not end up spending $25 each on a meal here.  We just couldn't stop.
• We would come back just for the juices.  They are cheap and amazing.
• The Fish & Egg Chow Mein was our favorite.  We especially enjoyed the way the crispy noodles went soft as they soaked up fish & egg sauce.  Sounds gross, but it's so good.
• The beef wrap is pretty delish -- it's a little sweet, but the meat is juicy and fatty.
• The chicken wings are moist inside, but they're a little greasy, and they would be much improved by more salt and MSG.
• The greens are good, but I'd rather have the sauteed greens at Dumpling Inn. (Miko)
• Beef noodle soup: the texture of the meat is good.  According to Howie, the flat noodles aren't traditional, but Jenne and I like them. 
• The desserts were ginormous.  They are meant to be shared between three people at least.  Although that didn't stop us from ordering two.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St
Phone number: 858.874.6989

Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-b-spot-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: 3-4

Available vegetarian options: The vegetarian section on the menu includes: vegetables, fried Rice, and lo mein.

Noise level: 3
Chopsticks: Came with the meal.

The B Spot

The B-B-Beast!

It took all my strength and ingenuity to cut it in half without destroying it.

Avocado, bacon & Swiss burger

The cheese is cleverly stuffed inside the burger.  Why?  Who knows.

Rating: Two thumbs up

Date: 3/27/11

Time In: 5:45 PM

Time out: 6:21 PM 

Server's recommendations: The B-B-Beast (roast beef, corned beef, pastrami, french fries, tomatoes, cheese, and coleslaw sandwich), The B-B-Beauty (turkey, chicken, ham, french fries, tomatoes, cheese, and coleslaw sandwich), Texas burger (bacon, onion rings, and BBQ sauce with cheddar)

What we ordered: B-B-Beast and the avocado, bacon & Swiss burger
Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: $16.29

Notes:

• The owner is really friendly and is clearly paying very careful attention to details. He's responding to customer requests (they didn't have milkshakes at first, but now they do!) and the sandwich bread is delivered fresh-baked every day (except for Wednesday). 
• The B-B-Beast has a really good balance of flavors, and the deli meat on it is good quality.  It was surprisingly easy to eat, considering how tall it is.
• The peppercorn sauce is too salty on the Avocado, Bacon & Swiss Burger.  (Jenne) Tastes nice to me.  (Miko) 
• There are a lot of exciting items on the menu that we want to come back for. Examples: chocolate malted crunch shake (a bestseller), wonton soup (the picture on the wall looks delicious), shrimp poboy, and curry bowls!
• "Man vs. Food" was on TV, which was very appropriate, considering the size of our sandwiches.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St, Ste 103
Phone number: 858.571.6038
Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-b-spot-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

Available vegetarian options: Veggie Deluxe Stuffed Sandwich (avocado, lettuce, onion, fries, coleslaw), yam fries, french fries, sweet potato fries, tater tots, zucchini sticks, milkshakes.  Note: the vegetable soup isn't vegetarian.
Noise level: 3
Who not to bring: People on a diet?
Chopsticks: N/A for our order

Crepe World - CLOSED

Nutella & custard

Nutella, strawberry & banana

Rating: Two thumbs up

Date: 3/20/11

Time In: 6:52 PM

Time out: 7:15 PM 

Server's recommendations: Strawberry banana nutella crepe

What we ordered: Strawberry banana nutella crepe, custard nutella crepe

Number in our party: 3

Final check amount: $10.28

Notes:

• The crepes are pretty yummy.  We were really full (after eating at Crab Hut!), and we had no problem polishing off our order. 
• The custard isn't too sweet, so it works well with the nutella.  Next time, we'd get one with nutella, custard, and strawberries.
• The whipped cream is fake.  Boo.
• The sweet butter crepe has been on their menu since they opened, but it's not available, and it looks like it never will be!  And it sounds so good!
• Crepe World's owner also owns Tapioca Express and Yogurt World.  Crepe World doesn't have a restroom, but you can go use Tapioca Express's.
• They could use quite a bit of work on the interior.  It's big and bare, with random decorations that look like they were left over from another restaurant.  Example: the Chinese gong that's against one wall.  Also, the mural creeps us out.  It's a big picture of a flowery field, with white silhouettes of children playing.  Shudder.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St

Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/crepe-world-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: Any

Available vegetarian options: Dessert crepes, egg salad crepe, veggie crepe

Noise level: 1

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