Tag Archives: San Diego Food Finds

Food News, Restaurant Reviews

Clever Chef At Catania Hits All The Right Notes

Catania
Whole Roasted Branzino with Manila Clams, Spring Onion Pesto, Grilled Asparagus and Chili Bread Crumbs

The smell of wood-fired pizzas hits you as you walk in the door at Whisknladle Hospitality’s Catania, nestled on the top floor of the La Plaza center in La Jolla, California.

San Diego Food Finds Catania Restaurant
Ahi Tartare with Melon, Calabrian Chili, Yogurt, Shallot, Lemon, Sesame, Pistachio and Tarragon

Inspired by Whisknladle Hospitality Owner Arturo Kassel and Culinary Director/Partner Ryan Johnston after their two-week, 1,400-mile road trip through Italy, this innovative 3,750-square-foot restaurant, with an expansive patio and outdoor bar space, puts diners right near the ocean and within walking distance of shopping.

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Food and Wine, Food News, Restaurant Reviews

Big League Chef Prepares Dishes With Precision

Charred Spanish Octopus (GF) with White Beans, Spanish Chorizo, Saffron, and Smoked Lobster Butter and Salsa Verde.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, La Valencia Hotel, also known as “The Pink Lady,” is a Mediterranean style oceanfront resort in beautiful La Jolla, California.

Kampachi with Yuzu Sorbet

Located inside this luxury hotel, The MED ocean view restaurant is home to big-league Executive Chef Alex Emery, who offers a dramatic dining experience and mans a kitchen that’s humming with precision in presentation and taste. 

Foie Gras Torchon with Toasted Brioche, Seasonal Jam, Duck Prosciutto and Tender Greens.

In many ways, Emery’s journey is a classic tale of climbing the culinary ladder, learning something special at every stop and adding more and more creativity to his skill level. “When I was 16 years old I started as a dishwasher at the Coronado Cays Yacht club, then moved up as a prep cook,” he told me. “Later, I fell in love with the industry and decided to go to culinary school at the San Diego Culinary Institute.”

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Chef Recipes, Food News, My Recipes

Kale and Strawberry Salad Recipe

Recipe and Photo by Maria Desiderata Montana

This light and healthy Kale and Strawberry salad is the perfect side dish for those sultry summer days!

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Chef Recipes, Food and Drink, Food News, My Recipes

Maria’s Almond Tiramisu Recipe

almond tiramisu recipe
Recipe and photo by Maria Desiderata Montana

Also known as a “Tuscan Trifle,” tiramisu, which translates to “pick me up,” is a luscious melt-in-your-mouth Italian layered cake.

The origins of tiramisu are a bit murky. Legend has it that a tiramisu-like dessert was created in Siena during the 17th century. But the known facts point to the dessert’s history as being fairly recent. The first documented tiramisu recipe appeared in 1983, in a book by Giovanni Capnist called “I Dolci del Veneto” (The Desserts of Veneto).

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Food News

Caroline’s Seaside Cafe

Caroline's Seaside Cafe
(Photo by Maria Desiderata Montana)

Given the wide array of stunning locations to dine in San Diego, it’s nearly impossible to find a new venue tucked away from the typical tourist hotspots. There are many choices in this beautiful city, with whitewater vistas and orange sunsets every day of the week. With a kaleidoscope of cuisines representing most corners of the world, it can be somewhat of a challenge at times to find a simple menu that still provides healthy and fresh choices.
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Food and Drink, Food and Wine, Food News, Restaurant Reviews

Create Your Own Dishes

San Diego Food Finds
The Haven Popeye

Do you like out of the ordinary dishes? Do you like making your own meals and adding exotic twists? We’ve found the best restaurants in the county that let you create your very own edible dishes!

Get a little slice of heaven or a whole pie at The Haven in Kensington. Family friendly and fun, The Haven has dishes for everyone, but the best option on the menu is building your own pizza pie! Make your own 9’” or 14” pizza on white, wheat or gluten-free pizza and sauce it up with your choice of bbq, garlic, olive oil, pesto, pizza and spicy pizza. Choose from over ten different types of cheeses and top it off with fresh veggies and hearty proteins like meatballs, sausage and prosciutto.

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