Leanne A.
7 Recs
-
House on the Hill Restaurant, Poway
03/06/08So far, House on the Hill has lasted longer than any other restaurant in that location since I've lived in Poway. It's a little spendy (entrees hover around $20, more or less), but the food is surprisingly good. I expected something mediocre, with a lovely view, so I was happy to really enjoy my meal.
You start your meal with crackers and their house made cheese spread. The cheese spread could use a little more salt, but it's a good thing to have in front of you while you wait for the piping hot bread rolls that come out of the oven after you order. Fresh warm bread? Always a winner in my book.
I wasn't impressed with the calamari appetizer (too salty and too tiny of pieces) but every other fish dish has been spectacular. If the halibut is on the menu, order it! It's ever-so-lightly breaded and the fish stays so moist and flavorful. I don't know how they do it. We've also tried their steak, which was cooked nicely to medium rare and covered in an espresso sauce.
One thing I don't recommend, however, are their desserts. It's sad to say, since I love my sweets, but I haven't tasted anything there worth ordering. They seem like pre-packaged desserts just nicely plated. The servers gush about the desserts like they were house made and just heavenly, so I'm telling you not to fall for the hard sell.
It's definitely not a place we go every week, but when we want a meal that's a little more special and don't want to drive too far, that's where we go. I recommend trying it at least once if you're in the area.
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
-
The Linkery, North Park
03/06/08I'll start by saying after my first visit to the Linkery, I was not impressed. I couldn't understand why I would drive to North Park to sit in a tiny restaurant and pay so much money for, essentially, bread, sausage, and chutney that I could easily put together at home. Granted, this was when they first opened and before their menu expanded so well.
Now, having been there a few more times, I find myself wishing we lived closer. The menu changes constantly, from the type of "chips and dip" to the main entrees. Plus, the sausages are always rotating, which is nice. You can't ever get bored here! On the flip side, if you find a dish you love, you can't get too attached because it just might not be there next time.
It's a perfect spot for everyone because, usually, the large beer list makes the boys happy while the food choices make the girls happy. Don't forget to peek at the specials on the chalkboards and always save room for dessert. And if beef bacon is on the menu (or even mentioned with the sausage plate) order it. You won't be sorry.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here five to ten times.
-
Cafe de Thai, Poway
09/24/07Cafe de Thai is actually sushi AND Thai food - two restaurants in one location! The sushi bar is off to the left, but you can order off both menus in the restaurant.
There is much debate over "good" and "authentic" Thai food in San Diego. I don't really know what makes it authentic, but I know what my tastebuds like and they like the dependable pad thai and coconut milk-based curries. Like most Thai places, Cafe de Thai has nice lunch specials, pairing popular dishes with a cup of soup or salad for under $10.
My favorites are the pad thai with shrimp, or green curry with beef. It should be noted that Cafe de Thai doesn't serve pork in their dishes. It's by no means the best Thai food in Poway, but since it's located next to the movie theater, it is convenient and makes for a good dinner.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here more than ten times.
-
Chicken Pie Diner, Poway
09/24/07Most people in San Diego know of the Chicken Pie Shop, where you can get a comforting meal of chicken pot pie for way cheap. Chicken Pie Diner is more of a 50's diner, with Elvis clocks and pictures of James Dean on the wall. The menu is full of open faced meatloaf sandwiches, chicken fried steak (or chicken), real cherry Cokes, and, of course, chicken pot pie.
There is a lunch special of the day, which ranges from spaghetti, chicken pot pie, or varous sandwiches. Any of the cold or hot sandwiches on the menu will fulfill your nostalgic needs as well as a hungry stomach. I've had the Reuben, patty melt, cold turkey (with cranberry sauce), hot turkey (with mashed taters and gravy), meatloaf, and french dip. All good. All comforting. All tasty.
Dinner come with a roll, coleslaw (with pineapple) and usually green beans or corn niblets. Anything with gravy is a must order. People with diets need not apply. To me, this is not somewhere you go for every day dinner. You go to Chicken Pie Diner when you want a comfort food meal and something slathered in gravy. And a real cherry or vanilla Coke.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here five to ten times.
-
Thee Bungalow, Ocean Beach
09/18/07Thee Bungalow gets overlooked as it has been absorbed by the Cohn Group of restaurants. There is also a new chef (he started summer 2006?) who has been tasked with keeping the restaurant favorites as well as bringing new dishes to the menu. If you join the Cohn mailing list, you'll get a monthly e-mail with all the seasonal dinner specials and packages. I pay attention only to Thee Bungalow, as they have interesting menus with a really good price.
Sometimes there is valet parking, sometimes there is not. Almost always, we park in the softball parking lot next door and walk over, which is also where their overflow valet parking is, ha!
The only time I've deviated from ordering the roast duck is when we are there for a wine dinner with a set menu. Otherwise, I can't make myself order something different. Thank goodness for dining companions with different tastes! So, the duck is wonderful - go with the cumberland sauce over the orange sauce. The salmon on the menu is good, too. Cooked perfectly, it is moist and flavorful and just melts in your mouth. I believe entrees come with a salad or soup - I've done both and the house salad is fresh and tasty. If cream of asparagus is the soup of the day, go for it.
I wasn't too impressed with the dessert souffles, aside from the sheer volume of dessert you get with 1 order (2 souffles in the same flavor), but the chocolate mousse and creme brulee are worth saving room for.
We typically go when there is a dinner special or prix fix menu, which keeps costs down considerably. Off special menus, I've had a lovely kobe flat iron steak, decadent mushroom ravioli, and a nicely done cheese plate.
Service is always pleasant and if you happen to miss your server, any available server is happy to tend to your needs. The dining room is cozy and can get loud if large parties are talking a lot, but after a while you enjoy your meal so much you don't even notice. Entree portions are generous and you shouldn't leave hungry at all, even if you just eat the entree. For this reason, I haven't gone through the appetizer section much.
I highly recommend you go and give this little bungalow restaurant a chance. I think you'll enjoy it.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here five to ten times.
-
El Comal Mexican Restaurant, Poway
09/18/07El Comal is tucked away in a thrift store shopping mall, hard to see unless you know it's there. Luckily for us, we know it's there. A recent dinner had us enjoying carnitas, topes (like taquitos but more interesting), and enchilada suizas. The margaritas are strong and flavorful (and come to the table quickly) and the chips are freshly made (I dislike old, cold chips).
The carnitas plate comes with beans, radishes, salsa fresca, avocado, tortillas, and a pile of pork goodness. I did find some fatty pieces within the carnitas, and some dry pieces, but as a whole the dish satisfied my craving immensely. Nestled into soft, warm flour tortillas it was a comforting dish. Large portions, too, as I had to take half the pork home with me.
Service was quick and friendly, and they made us feel welcome long after the plates were cleared away. The menu is quite extensive and the prices are in range with typical other restaurants.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here once or twice.
-
Poway Sushi Lounge, Poway
09/18/07The location of Poway Sushi Lounge has gone through a few identity changes through the years, so I've been happy to see this one stick long enough for me to enjoy it more than once.
While the regular menu is pretty standard with Japanese meals and sushi and many, many rolls, it's the happy hour menu that we've grown to enjoy. Prices range from $1 to $3 for most items like fried mushrooms, salmon skin hand rolls, spicy tuna hand rolls, and jalapeno poppers. From the small menu, you can easily build a satisfying early dinner.
However, if you prefer eating later and can manage a Monday night out, there is a half price menu on Mondays that will knock your socks off! Almost all their popular rolls are on this menu, meaning you can get usually-pricey rolls for about $6 each. Also on the Monday menu are standard orders of sushi, so you can get your fill of just about anything. I'm particular to tuna sushi or any roll with eel in it. Crunchy, tempura rolls are good to mix up the textures.
The ambience is lively and fun and there is almost always someone fun to watch.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
7 recs
0 toasts
1 fan
Here’s to !