ZARLITOS FAMILY RESTAURANT505 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950
(between Cummings Rd & E Ave)
(619) 474-1144http://www.zarlitos.com
This place is amazing! Everything on the menu is authentic. I've had my share of Filipino food and they definitely covered all items that you would find in a Filipino home kitchen. You may think this place is like the other of Filipino fast food spots in National City. You might be asking what sets Zarlitos apart from them? Here's your answer: They have fused the traditional Filipino dishes with American, Chinese, and Mexican dishes. This is a family style restaurant; there's no lines to order 3 or 4 item lunch boxes. And that is why they have set them apart from other places. Although it's a quite a drive from where I live, it's worth every pump at the gas station ;) I've been told to only go on weekends because that is when you'll get their Mexican and Filipino inspired dishes. I'm passing this advice onto you because their fusion dishes are delicious ;p Take their chicken adobo enchilada for instance; the traditional Filipino chicken dish has been combined with the Mexican enchilada and it's simply HEAVEN when it's combined with the creamy green chile sauce. Their famous sisig (pork belly) have made it on the menu to be incorporated into tacos, burritos, and fries. I repeat: there is PORK BELLY FRIES! Oh and it's doesn't stop there...their Chicharon Bulaklak with vinegar sauce is definitely one of my favorite appetizers ;p I've had fried pig intestines before (yes I'm quite daring when it comes to food) but nothing is like this stuff. It's ridiculously good! My mom couldn't hold herself back from it. Their tocino (sweet bbq pork) tacos is off the hook. Then there is the chorizo and longanisa fried rice with over easy eggs; a combination of both the Filipino sausage and the Mexican chorizo is a fabulous dance number with the egg yolk broken into it. Take the drive. Order the food. Thank me later ;p
Mahalo! Mahalo! Mahalo!
Island Style Cafe, San Diego CA
5950 Santo Road, San Diego, CA 92124
(858) 541-7002 http://www.islandstylecafe.com/
Hidden in a little strip mall is Island Style Cafe. I wouldn't have known it existed in my neighborhood if my friends didn't take me here. This place serves up a one of a kind breakfast along with other Hawaiian inspired dishes and bbq plates. I have yet to try anything but their breakfast and dessert crepes. Their homemade food is yummy and affordable. Made to order breakfast doesn't get any better. For starters, if you're HUNGRY, they'll have enough on your plate for you to say you're FULL. Take the'Loco Moco' (first picture shown below), it consist of a soft fluffy crepe, topped with a bowl full of fried rice, topped with a hamburger pattie, topped with a fried egg, and all topped with homemade brown gravy. Who wouldn't be full after that? I took my brother here for the first time and he couldn't believe how good it was; he said I should have brought him here sooner. He claims it's a good place to eat for a hangover ;p I like everything I've had here including their omelets, crepe breakfasts, potatoes (cooked and seasoned perfectly), and their dessert crepes. They offer a mini and full size order on their dessert crepes; unlike the French crepes, these are soft and fluffy. My favorite would probably be their banana crepe with toasted macadamia nuts and cream. Yum!
Guamanian food served homemade style
Chamorro Grill
6628 Mission Gorge Rd., #C, San Diego CA 92120
619-280-2000 www.chamorrogrill.net
I found this place on my recent apartment move. I'm surprised on how good the food taste. It's borderline Filipino food... meets Hawaiian food... but with a Guamanian twist. Guam is a small country and it's probably one of my first time trying their food because I've never stumbled upon a Guamanian restaurant before. I had ordered their Chicken Kelaguen and I LOVE IT! It's very similar to the Lao style Larb salad that I enjoy. It's basically chopped barbeque chicken mix in with green scallions, red peppers, and lemon juice. It's fairly simple yet taste so good with their red rice (made with calrose rice and seasonings). Another dish that I have tried and enjoyed is their Kadun Pika which is braised chicken in a spicy coconut sauce. The stew like texture of it taste very comforting and filling. Living just across from this restaurant, I'm sure I'll be enjoying more food items on their menu. For now, I would like to introduce this place to you guys and hope you find it to your liking (and it's reasonably price) ;)
Hawaiian Fusion is what you'll encounter at
ROY'S Restaurant, La Jolla CA
8670 Genesee Avenue, San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 455-1616 www.roysrestaurant.com
You can find Roy's at 2 locations in San Diego: La Jolla and Harbor Drive. Elegantly presented, fresh fish options daily, sushi options, combination plates and prix fixe menus available. What's your excuse not to try it? I would just go back to get their Ono fish (best fish ever) and their signature dessert which is the Roy's Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle cake featured on your left. The food is good and pricey; the portions left me wanting for more. So do order either a prix fixe menu or get appetizers before your entrees.
Get Lei AT
LEI LOUNGE, San Diego CA
4622 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 813-2272 www.leilounge.com
Voted as one of the top 5 trendy bars in San Diego is one of my favorite, Lei Lounge. This place is not just any ordinary bar; it's an oasis getaway. Once you're greeted by the kind security man outside (who checks your ID after a certain time), you walk into this beautiful indoor bar with a waterfall background and decorated with beautiful lei flowers. Passing the bar you'll enter the outside seating area with private cabanas on both sides of you. There's also a fire pit outside and accessible heat lamps for when you feel cold. Hookah is also available by request. I go here for the AWESOME food and FRUITY COCKTAIL drinks. They offer early and late night happy hour specials daily which is great for get togethers. Their food is fusion I would call it. They add their own twist to normal American food such as their phily cheesesteak spring rolls. Ever heard of that one? It's super good (picture below). Their crab cakes are lumped with crab served with a perfect sauce that balances it out. The ahi tuna was nice and fresh. Their sweet potato fries served with a side of caramel are also addicting. There's not one thing that I've tried here and not like. My all-time FAVORITE IS THE CRAB MAC N CHEESE. I can only describe it as a warm and hearty goodness plate loaded with crab meat ;) It's the one thing that I consistently order everytime I come here (unless they don't offer it that night). Their drinks are sweet yet some can be strong. I love mojitos and they have a variety of mojitos to choose from. Before I forget, let me mention the staff is gay-friendly and will be happy to serve you. So give yourself a break from the everyday stress, and come to this beautiful bar for some good food and drinks. You will be glad you did ;p
Fusion Chinese Food
Khan's Cave
9350 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 279-9799 www.khanscave.com
My girlfriends and I went here for one of our monthly dinners. The food here is suppose to be Chinese but I find it to be a little more Americanized with some not so Chinese dishes. That's why it's in this fusion section. Overall I enjoyed our food and I think it's a pretty good spot. Happy hour was a plus. We had sesame crusted ahi tuna which was really good. We had their lamb tapa and dumplings which were also good. Their dessert was awesome!
