Carnitas Shack

 

L O C A T I O N - San Diego, Old Town 

P R I C E -  $

R E V I E W

We're driving along at tortoise pace as we eagerly look for the iconic iron pig that guards the shack. 

We've come on a Sunday around 3-ish on purpose. With only 4 people in front it's no doubt we're lucky - the sign next to us apologising in advance for the wait - which can take up to 45 minutes....

Hot fuss ---

And it's certainly living up to it!!

 You don't get sides with your mains - and to be honest you don't need them. 

Come hungry - very hungry.  

Most people leaving as we arrive are packing their carnitas goodies to take home. This is not food that can be left behind without regret!

With all it's startlingly good reviews i feel like i need to find something not quite right. Apart from the restless wait to indulge [which in reality was all of 18 minutes]; there isn't anything... 

Some of the best pulled pork i've tasted comes in the majority of their mains. 

I'm a sucker for pork belly [bottom left] - this one was so soft chewing was a waste of time, it just falls apart in your mouth. I won't deny that i missed the crackling though 

The homemade carnitas sauce they serve with the chips should come bottled! Made with bacon fat, tomatoes and other surprises i found myself pouring it over everything. And the Snack Shack Burger comes with bacon jam. Yes, bacon jam!!!

The Regency Cafe

L O C A T I O N - London, pimlico

17 - 19 Regency Street, London, SW1P  4BY

P R I C E - £

R E V I E W
***Essential cafe visit***
This little cafe became famed for its role in the film Layer Cake, but it has only itself to thank for its glowing success.

Everything is perfect, the food the atmosphere - Bold fast service, traditional British cafe setting. The walls are covered with autographed football memorabilia and Vogue shoots that have taken place here.
Breakfast for me is my favourite meal of the day - nothing can happen until I've eaten and had a good cuppa! Tell them what you want, they'll price it, and cook it! If you're coming for lunch turn up in good time and be prepared to wait to order, it gets busy in here. I can only describe the food as best, British, greasy spoon cafe!

Considering all this it's hardly surprising that its just been voted the 5th best restaurant by over a million users on yelp!

Telegraph Review - Regency Cafe has got top London restaurants licked!

Is this cafe becoming a London icon?
For me it already is

The Swiss Hotel

L O C A T I O N - Wine Country, Sonoma

18 West Spain Street, Sonoma, CA 95476

P R I C E -  $$$



R E V I E W
Idyllically located and with only 5 rooms this is more of a guest house than a hotel, but this is what makes it special. This building dates back to the 18th century and its history is evident throughout.

They have an Italian like menu and dining set up - get a table outside in their garden. The patio is picturesque - A wood fire and overhead canopy of vines as you eat.

The food here is good but needs more attention to live up to its surroundings. Surprisingly the pizza came out top amongst the friends I ate with - punchy flavours, especially with the goats cheese.

Pasta was ok ...  the flavour of the duck seemed to be lost in the pasta sauce, despite it being light - none of the ingredients gave it a memorable taste.

A beautiful place to stay-over enjoy a drink and snack - but I would not go out of my way to eat here

Bistro Ralph

L O C A T I O N - Wine Country, California

109 Plaza Street, Healdsburg CA, 95448

P R I C E  - $$$

R E V I E W
This little understated bistro brings all the goodness of this beautiful region together in their dishes!
This place is a must if you're in the area!!

Fresh, light and local - probably the best sort of late lunch you can ask for after a morning and afternoon of wine tasting.

Starting with the cheese board may sound unusual but in this case is a must! This restaurant is located a stones throw away from Sonoma valley in California. Many localised goats cheeses are
made there so it makes sense to have them on your plate. They bring the perfect amount
to wet your appetite and at the same
time leave you yearning for more!

Our mains have arrived - it's hard not to order fish when you're so close to the coast. My heart sank slightly when the plate appeared with the typical lightly toasted and garlic brushed bread slices -

BUT ...
Excluding their dull dipping companion these are the best muscles i've ever tasted!
Served in a white wine and cream sauce i will be forever comparing future dishes made in this way to this bistro. Perhaps the fact that they are ideally placed in the wine region and next to the sea is their secret to this dishes success.

Fish of the day was not far behind - pictured above.

But for me it's all about the muscles and goats cheese here!

The Encinitas Cafe

L O C A T I O N - Encinitas, San Diego

P R I C E -  $

R E V I E W

I'm a sucker for is old school like local cafe look - and looking at the menu what the hell am I going to eat.

There's so much on the menu that I know this will take more than one visit. They cook your eggs however you like them here and you can easily make up an order. Homemade hash browns, yes please!

What's more they even have an on site bakery chef who will bake to your order to collect the next day - being a local here must be hard ;)

Truckers haven - Ranch House restaurant

Breakfast on route -

L O C A T I O N - America, California

Gorman off motorway 5 - exit 202
(travelling towards San Francisco or Bakersfield but you can access as well if you're travelling in the other direction towards San Diego)

P R I C E -  £

Breakfast for two inc tea and coffee and tax came to $22.34

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, bar they have the lot here. Get comfy in a diner like booth in a dark ranch like setting and order away. They have a whole page of breakfast options. It's hard not to order anything with hash browns here as in most places in America they're always home made.
Lunch and dinner plates between $6 and $12

OB Noodle House

L O C A T I O N - America, San Diego    
2218 Cable Street, San Diego, CA 92107                    

P R I C E -   £
(ridiculously cheap for what you get!)                       

W E B - obnoodlehouse.com





A refreshing Asian fusion feast - this is no American pre prepared food!
And you won't be left short on the drinks front either with 40 beers on tap - which surprisingly are all 1/2 price if you rock up during Sundays happy hour.

Their menu is made up of Pho, sizzling plates, crispy noodle dishes, grills, hong kong and dry chow fun and of course rice dishes. Appetisers include rolls, wraps, dumplings - all of which are so good that you'll be tempted to have a main of just all the dishes on that page!

My favourite -- Pho OB Special pictured above and below.
You even get a side plate of fresh goodies to spice it especially to your taste - basil, lime, bean sprouts and jalapeno peppers. And with only an extra 75c to make it an extra large it's impossible to leave hungry or with a dent in your purse

You may have to wait to eat but it's worth it!

Parties of 8 or more can book by calling 619 450 6868