February 27, 2010

Kitchen Nightmares – Cho Me Some Respect!

Mojitos

Hey guys and gals, EMC is back on track reviewing the best and worst food in Cali and the best and worst of the food shows on TV.  B and I took a much needed break and are back in action, doing our part to inform, and make you giggle like a little school girl.

We are jumping into Kitchen Nightmares with our pal Gordon Ramsey and are starting off with Gordon trying to help a Cuban restaurant in Brooklyn owned by a couple who are no longer able to tolerate each other’s existence.  They split up years ago but kept ownership of their restaurant as partners. Sort of… Keep reading →

February 16, 2010

Happy Mardi Gras from EMC

by Brian

Happy Fat Tuesday to all of our loyal readers.  As promised, I am giving you a fresh review to peruse.  Hopefully you are all having a great time tonight and remember, “laissez les bon temps roulez.”

So in honor of this great party holiday, I set off in search of some authentic Cajun food in the heart of San Diego.  I’m happy to report that I found a spot that’s only 10 minutes or so from my house.  Lucky me… you know how I love my spicy food.

Gulf Coast Grill – On Park Blvd. between University and El Cajon.

There aren’t many Cajun/creole options in the Greater San Diego area.  In fact, besides this place I only know of one other, and it’s in old town.  Since I generally avoid old town and its horrendous parking situation, I was pretty stoked to find out about Gulf Coast Grill.   Keep reading →

February 14, 2010

Holy crap, it’s been a whole year…

Alright everyone,

Exactly one year ago tonight, EatMeCalifornia came on the radar.  It’s been a pretty good year overall, I think.  But I can certainly understand the frustration that some of our readers have felt about the lack of content over the past few months.  What I offer you tonight is not an excuse, but rather, an explanation.

You see, over the past year, a lot has changed for Mikey and myself.  I started law school (don’t ask me why) and Mikey has been doing his best to navigate the treacherous waters of single-fatherhood.  While I can’t, and won’t speak for Mikey in this post, I want to assure you all that we still care about the site.  We love food, we love you, and we have the exhausted bathroom scales to prove it.

This post isn’t going to be a food review.  You won’t get the nice pictures and ruthless observations that you’re used to seeing, but that’s okay.  I am here to assure you that EatMeCalifornia is not going the way of the dinosaur/buffalo/Ace of Base.  We’ve been eating… a lot.  And we’re genuinely looking forward to bringing you some great reviews in the near future.  But right now, I’d like to explain myself and why I haven’t been up to snuff.  If you care to read on, I think it’ll give you good reason to still care about us. Keep reading →

October 18, 2009

Under Construction

by Mikey

Hey Everyone sorry for such a long delay in posting. I’ve been busy teaching homeless people how to make funny signs to get food and Brian has been learning the law to aid in my upcoming criminal trial. To make a long story short I punched a guy in the neck for laughing at my meat sculpture of the Island from Lost.

All of our content is still here and can be viewed. The newer stuff will pop in slowley as we get going again shortley.

Thank you and keep on eatin

Mikey

September 28, 2009

It’s good to know your Neighborhood

by Brian

In the month that I’ve been living in San Diego, I’ve had the privilege of eating at some awesome places.  One place, however, has risen above the rest and now qualifies as my home base.  That place, my friends, is the Neighborhood.

Neighborhood is a bar, first and foremost.  They are actually the closest thing to Father’s Office that San Diego can offer.  They have a great selection of craft brews and Belgian ales, and a nice wine list as well.  Recently they have also introduced hard liquor to the bar, in the form of two specialty cocktails which I have yet to try.  All I know is that one of the drinks is made with Hendrick’s Gin, which is really all anyone needs to know in assessing quality.  Here is a picture of my favorite part of the Neighborhood:

photo

As I said before, they have a pretty impressive beer selection.  They also have a happy hour from 4-7 during the week, and during that happy hour all San Diego beers are 2 for 1.  I’ve never seen a 2 for 1 happy hour with drinks before, and I’m not even sure if it’s legal, but I like where they’re going with the idea.  The last thing I will say about the beer menu is that it changes frequently.  If you’re looking to get your normal Stella or Newcastle, then this is not the place for you.  However, if you are looking to experiment with a few amazing IPAs, then I highly recommend them.  Like Father’s Office, the service staff is very knowledgeable about their beers and are always willing to let you have a little taste before you commit. Keep reading →

September 22, 2009

Mikey’s Buffet Rules – Part 2

by Mikey

Ok so we left you off at the line-hop rule.  Here are the final five rules that will get you through a buffet safe and jam packed with the good stuff.

Mikey’s Buffet Rules 5-1

5 – If it is not a seafood buffet, avoid the seafood.  This is a tricky rule.  Seafood, itself, requires you to know what kind of place you’re eating at.  I generally try to avoid seafood unless it is a seafood specific fiesta.  If it’s mostly red meat and then, off in a corner, there is some shrimp and maybe some crab or shredded crab salad, I will avoid it.  I don’t trust shrimp or crab that is hanging out with the red meat.  I don’t feel like all the care in the world is being put into the two seafood dishes. During a seafood buffet, you can feel safe ’cause they are working the ocean zone so everything is scrubbed and cleaned and prepared.

4 – If you don’t know what it is, and everyone seems to be avoiding it, do the same. There is a reason there is a big pile of whatever it is.  This country was built on suspicion and distrust.  Don’t mock what your country’s foundation is.  Pass up that pile of what could be meat or cake.

Besides I went to an Indian food buffet once and was the only one to get some of this green stuff everyone was avoiding.  To make a long story short, I was able to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in the bathroom.

3 – Do I need to finish my plate before I go back for more? Hell no! How often do you grab some salad that looked great, but tasted like a burnt pencil eraser?  Yeah I know you feel a little guilty about leaving un-eaten food on a plate.  The key is to get up and push your plate to the left where someone else in your party is sitting.  If they are gone then just put it on their plate.

2 – Don’t take fruit for a desert and punch anyone else who does in the neck.  At a buffet it’s your job to try every type of desert they have.  This is the one time you break rule 4 and you try stuff you don’t recognize.  Get the green pudding in the paper with the jelly bean on top.  If it sucks, no harm done, try something else.  If someone at your table is getting up, tell them to get you anything you might have missed.  Every desert needs to be tried.  If they only have soft serve and jello, then find the manager and punch him in the sternum.

1 – The last and final rule is if someone in your party makes some crack about having to loosen their belt, or needing to take a nap, you punch them in the gut or slap them with a piece of prime rib you didn’t finish.  All buffet jokes must be original and funny or you get stabbed with a corn cob.

Put these rules into effect immediately.  They will make your buffet experience more pleasurable and more exciting. Keep in mind that it’s all you can eat.  If you see someone only go up twice, let them know they need to step it up or you’re going to make them throw it all up and start over.

September 17, 2009

Mikey’s Top Ten Rules for Buffets – Part 1

by Mikey

Now that we have put a buffet review out there I thought I’d give ya’ll a few rules to go by next time you hit up a buffet. We’re not talking Hometown Buffet or Lester’s Chicken and More. We’re talking good quality great food kinda buffets.

Top Ten Buffet Rules: 10-6

10 – The first thing you need to learn for buffets is the don’t sit down and get comfortable rule. Many people get a table then sit down put there feet up, talk about how hot it is. You should have taken care of all the getting to know you crap in line. All you need to know is where is the table and where are the plates. As you are moving let the station waitress know what you want to drink.

9 – The next rule is now that your heading out to the food find the biggest plates. Don’t grab the bread plate or desert plate. Get the biggest plate you can find. You’re not doing anyone any good holding a tiny salad plate.

8 – Are you heading towards the salad line? You better not be. You don’t eat salad at a buffet. You wanna try the produce? Then get a steak. Wanna try the pre-made salads? Then get some prime rib. The problems with salads are that they take up room for meat plus you lose valuable time being stuck behind the old lady who can’t decide between the broccoli and the cauliflower. Salads involve too much time. Get out of the salad line now!

7 – Ok you’re back on course now heading for the real food. Most buffets break up the meat from the pastas and international foods. First thing you want on your plate is steak if they have a steak set up or prime rib. This is also the time you want to get your ham. Organize your sides accordingly. You don’t want to have chow mein and mashed potatoes on the same plate. They get all angry and start kung fu fighting in your stomach. Keep your sides organized correctly or your stomach will make sure you regret it.

6 – Can I line hop? Of course you can. What are you gonna do wait in every single line? You want to get pasta and the person in front of you is standing there wondering if Cajun shrimp sizzles with an accent. Oh hell no! Get in front of that guy your steaks getting cold!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the second part. Get yourself out to a buffet and practice. These rules can save your life!