Cancun Mexican Restaurant, Fairless Hills, PA

Good chorizo (huevos con chorizo and burritos con chorizo - the burritos came with a suiza sauce). Salsa, guac and sour cream were good. Found it on the Yelp app for Android. Would go back since they have a huge menu including shrimp.

On Lincoln Highway, just east of the Oxford Valley Mall.

- P

Pasta Pomodoro, Voorhees, NJ

P and spouse went to Pasta Pomodoro a few times over the past six months. Among our favorites:
Sauces: Bolognese, Adriana (peas, prosciutto, mushrooms), Alla Pana (peas, ham, alfredo) and Pesto.
Pizza: Capri (lump crabmeat, diced tomatoes, basil, garlic & mozzarella)
Dessert: Pumpkin cheesecake, tiramasu, blondie.
Complimentary bread includes dinner rolls and portions of what I assume is their tasty bruschetta. I've ordered a box of that to go.
Note: They have a large gluten-free menu too.
- P

website: http://www.pastapomodoronj.com/

San Diego eats December 2010

Pedro and the spouse visited San Diego again. Was it only 18 months? Here goes:

Marie Callender's
Alvarado Rd, just south of I-8
A fully functional kitchen helped this time. Our group had a Hamburger with Avocado, Tuscan Mac N Cheese, Bacon Spinach Quiche & Salad. For dessert, a properly chilled Blueberry Cream Pie to go.

Mimi's Cafe
Mission Valley (Mission Center Rd, just north of I-8)
For breakfast: crab & avocado omelet w/bacon for both of us. Despite seeing very mixed reviews on Yelp, we went back and were served promptly, and the food was just as good as last time.

Hacienda de las Rosas Winery Tasting Room
An unexpected treat. A friend who knows one of the owners suggested this tasting room in Old Town. An excellent selection, including reds such as Grand Rojo (a spicy zinfandel), Vistoso - Tempranillo (peppery), Sombra and Primera Rosa (awesome). We also tried Dulcinea (Concord), a very sweet wine. Well worth the trip.

Casa de Reyes
To follow the wine, some Mexican food in the Plaza De Reyes courtyard. Carne Asada and Guacamole burritos, Chicken Enchiladas and Fish Tacos were very good. The only drawback was the sun in my eyes and locating our waitress when it was time to (eventually) go. It wasn't crowded when we left, so we could actually sit leisurely and finish off our coffee.

Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill
Mission Valley, Camino De La Reina
A brief lunch with friends. Langostino Lobster burrito, Fish tacos, Street Tacos w/Carnitas - all good. On the other hand, I could be biased since it was my first Rubio's trip in over 15 years.

Chaquita's Mexican Food
Home Ave, just off I-805 S, near Fairmont Park
Very filling chorizo and eggs (my fave). Good chips and salsa.

Lake Murray Cafe
Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa
This diner had humongous portions. We went in a group of five and barely had room for all the plates, even in a booth. I had the Monte Cristo sandwich and could barely eat half of it. Hearty and delicious. I'd like to go back for dinner to sample more of the menu.

In-N-Out Burger
Mission Valley, NE corner of Camino Del Este & Camino Del Rio N; E of Mission Valley Mall
A mixed bag, considering how good their reputation is in message boards nationwide. We had two double-doubles (very good), a shake and a coffee (good), and some limp, tiny fries. I was hoping for better, since fries are INO's hallmark (at least they were in the 70s and 80s). That put a downer on the meal.

We skipped Roberto's this trip (for shame!)

Mikado Thai Pepper, Ardmore, PA

Tried this on the recommendation of a friend. Pros: appetizer combo (very subtle flavors, well-prepared); spider roll (crab); shrimp pad thai, fried ice cream (with honey). Cons: Tempura dinner was meh (all shrimp will be our choice next time - not sure why you'd want to coat carrot slices in a tempura batter. Carrots are crunchy, so why slice, cook and batter them to be crunchy again? Personal preference, I guess).

Mikado and Thai Pepper are side-by-side restaurants that merged several years ago. We will definitely be back to try some other dishes and much more of their sushi.

Mikado Thai Pepper
64 E Lancaster Ave
Ardmore, PA 19003-2208
610-642-5951

-X

Uno Chicago Grill, Deptford, NJ

Wifey and I made two trips here over the past four months. Last week, we took advantage of Uno's Summer Lobster menu. For entrees, we had the Lobster, Spinach and Goat Cheese Flatbread Pizza and the Lobster Mac & Cheese. Both were quite good (though we didn't need any more saturated fat or sodium for a few days after that meal). We started with Shrimp & Crab Fon-Do (Uno's version of fondue). We ordered two mini cookie sundaes and were surprised by the large size of the $1.99 desserts.

Our previous visit was in March. We tried the Lobster BLT (no lettuce) Flatbread pizza and a Pesto and Mushroom deep dish pizza (no tomato sauce). Both were good and lasted a few more meals in leftovers as we were stuffed after we both had one slice of each.

- X

Bangkok City, Voorhees, NJ

Wife and I found this while browsing a strip mall in Voorhees connected to an Acme. Near Fuddruckers and Target. For the appetizer, we went with Tofu Tod, fried tofu in a honey sauce. Not bad. For entrees, we had Shrimp Pad Thai and Pad See Ewe, a combination of noodles, veggies and brown sauce. Both were good. To finish, mango fried ice cream for dessert.

We don't go to Voorhees often, but may go out of our way back to Bangkok City.

Bangkok City
700 Haddonfield Berlin Rd (Eagle Plaza)
Voorhes, NJ 08043
856-309-0459

- X

Westgate Pub, Havertown, PA

Last night, Wifey and I went to the Westgate Pub in Havertown, along West Chester Pike. We've passed by this place for years, but never went in. Our loss.

We started with a crock of French Onion soup, and chicken fingers w/horseradish sauce. Both were tasty.

For entrees, we both had the choice of pasta w/half moon ravioli (in our case, capellini w/sausage). Two mammoth plates, with plenty of leftovers. Very rich red sauce.

For desert, carrot cake served with whipped creme. Also good.

Next time we'll try the pizza and hot sandwiches.

website: www.westgatepub.com

-X

Casa Mia, Media, PA

Visited Casa Mia with the wife after seeing a flattering review/advertisement in Delaware County Magazine a few months back. Of course, all DCM's reviews are flattering, but I went anyway.

Very friendly waitress, attentive service. Wifey had Penne Vodka (it came with bacon-yum!) and I tried the Tortellini Alfredo with Chicken. For desert, tiramasu. Excellent. Both entrees congealed nicely in the fridge overnight, so brunch the next day was great, too.

Definitely worth a repeat trip the next time we're in the area.

website: www.casamiabistro.com

-X

Embellishment, CPK style

Remember, it's not bacon, it's applewood smoked bacon.

Notice how lots of products, both on restaurant menus and in the grocery store, appear to have gone a bit overboard lately in embellishment? See bacon. I'm not sure what "applewood smoked" actually means. It's likely in the category of "Corinthian leather" - a nothing word added to convey luxury or density where neither exists.

I just happened to be on California Pizza Kitchen's menu (www.cpk.com) since a CPK recently opened at Cherry Hill Mall. Haven't been to one since the wife got sick after eating a Thai Chicken pizza over a decade ago in a state far, far away.

Some examples (in addition to bacon):
Pan-sauteed (most things cooked in a pan are, even if just sauteed in butter)

Fire-roasted mild chilies (I don't think chilies exist today without being described this way)

Fine herbs (because if they called them cheap herbs, you wouldn't eat the entree)

Crisp Romaine lettuce (likewise for wilted lettuce)

Vine-ripened tomatoes (they can still be canned, people!)

Enjoy!

- X

What the unsub has for lunch

KFC launches new "Unthink" $5 Box ads, Taste the Unsub Side of KFC. Targeting Subway patrons and (niche market!) Criminal Minds fans.

San Diego eats

P went to San Diego recently with the spousal unit and sampled the local cuisine. Some highlights:

Roberto's (Miramar Rd near Carl's Jr.)
Carne Asada Burrito (steak, guac, pico de gallo)
Chorizo Plate (chorizo, rice, beans, flour tortillas)
Verdict: Awesome. First food after getting the rental car. Could only eat half it was so filling.

Vallarta Express (Genesee Ave just north of Balboa)
4 rolled tacos (beef) with guac, sour cream, cheese, and lettuce
Chorizo Burrtio (chorizo, egg, cheese)
Verdict: Not bad. Impulse purchase after shopping at Ralphs grocery store at Balboa and Genesee Aves. Drive-thru was a plus. They also have call-ahead ordering. Very good salsa verde on the side. Salsa roja was a bit volcanic (not bad, just h-h-h-h-hot).

Mimi's Cafe (Auto Circle Dr, just north of I-8)
Omelet with Avocado and Crabmeat
Verdict: Another impulse visit, since it happened to be across the street from Best Buy in Mission Valley. Excellent. Again, could only eat half due to volume. Good quality and value (under $10)

Cotija's (Jackson Dr.)
5 rolled tacos with guac, cheese, lettuce
Verdict: Very filling. Massive amount of cheese and guac (very light colored, apparently the same way for decades).

Sardina's Restaurant (Morena Blvd., Linda Vista)
meat calzone (really, a stromboli since there was no ricotta cheese, but I won't quibble)
spaghetti carbonara
white chocolate macadamia cheesecake
cannoli
Verdict: Attentive and welcoming staff, large volume of tasty food, great desserts. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for good Italian in San Diego. Lots of "to-go" boxes. Didn't have pizza, but saw lots of other customers eating it. Next time.

Mimi's Cafe (Mira Mesa)
Panini with Bacon, Ham, Tomato, Cheese and Garlic Spinach
Verdict: Very light-tasting yet filling. This mini-chain has a lot going for it.

Extraordinary Desserts (5th St., Hillcrest)
Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
Verdict: Very tall. Very lemony. Very good.

Cotija's (Clairemont Dr.)
Carne Asada Burrito
Verdict: Could only eat half due to volume. A huge amount of steak. Next time I'll try the shrimp burrito. Hard to believe I never went to this place before. Shout-out to mmm-yoso (their review from 2005 is here).

Marie Callender's (Alvarado Rd, off 70th St.)
Bacon Spinach Quiche with Salad Sampler
Blueberry Cream Pie
Verdict: A limited menu on the day we went, due to their kitchen being renovated. Bummer, since their full menu is really good. Having said that, the quiche was good and the pie was excellent. Note to self: pie does not travel well to the east coast.

Overall verdict: Hopefully business takes me to San Diego soon. Philly is limited when it comes to San Diego-style Mexican food, though small taquerias are spreading through the Italian Market and Northern Liberties sections of town. A taco truck in Center City wouldn't hurt, either.

- P