I cannot even fathom 2020 Thanksgiving was last week. This year has been insane in many ways. I recently returned from a vacation and spent the last week adjusting to life again. We visited Mo-Mo-Paradise for an early dinner the other day. The $28.95 AYCE price tag didn’t seem so bad. Outdoor seating is the only option. They take reservations via Yelp. MIRA MESA Mo Mo Paradise is located in the same shopping center as Manna BBQ. Little Sakana Japanese Sushi Bar is also in the same center. We joked this is the AYCE center of Mira Mesa as all of these restaurants are AYCE. INTERIOR You can see t ..read more

Bay Park Fish Company ended up being a fun last minute find for us on a Sunday. We were at Fashion Valley and wanted to possibly find something close by for happy hour. That wasn’t an easy task for a Sunday football afternoon during the pandemic. It wasn’t exactly nearby but still accessible via local roads. I was even able to make reservations on OpenTable and get points. Their happy hour menu is offered everyday from 3-6p. BAY PARK FISH COMPANY Bay Park Fish Company offers seafood and a range of craft beers. The host was super cool and welcoming. The restaurant wasn’t too busy so I wasn’t su ..read more

The Presley opened at Liberty Station some weeks ago. I had it bookmarked to try as the outdoor seating seemed comfortable and spacious. They currently have a one page dining menu which offered a few items I really wanted to try (ie the homemade parker rolls with truffle butter). We visited one weekend when the weather was warm and sunny. THE PRESLEY – LIBERTY STATION The Presley took over the previous location housed by Fireside by the Patio. OUTDOOR PATIOGOLF COURSE VIEWSHADED PATIO The venue is still beautiful from what we could see from their outdoor patio. We had a shaded table with a vi ..read more

I was beyond excited to hear that Nick’s Del Mar was opening at One Paseo. I’ve been a fan of this restaurant chain since I visited their San Clemente location. Their soft opening was cancelled due to the pandemic but they had their grand opening on September 30, 2020. Reservations are recommended. Nick’s Del Mar is currently only offering dinner which starts at 4p. The BF surprised me with an early dinner date here. NICK’S DEL MAR – ONE PASEO Nick’s Del Mar is located at One Paso. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor seating isn’t very big but was well designed. I saw ..read more

Puesto Mission Valley took over the previous Gordon Biersch location. I don’t usually crave Mexican food but we recently visited the Puesto at the Headquarters and had a fantastic time. Puesto Mission Valley has outdoor seating offered in the parking lot as well as in their side patios. They also offer indoor dining after 5p when we visited. We were in the area and decided to try out their Happy Hour. Their Happy Hour is offered Mon, Wed- Fri from 3-5p. The tacos are $5 + upgrade charge for specialty tacos. Certain appetizers are also half off. PUESTO MISSION VALLEYPARKING LOT FRONT PATIO SEAT ..read more

I have visited Tom Ham’s Lighthouse for their Sunday Brunch but many years ago. I wasn’t very impressed back then. Over the years I had seen photos of their brunch seafood options. One of my favorite things is raw scallops which they offer at the brunch. I was surprised to see Tom Ham’s Lighthouse open and serving their famous AYCE Champagne brunch during the pandemic. The $54 isn’t cheap and has a two hour limit. But, the brunch is offered all outside on their breezy patio with harbor views. I haven’t been able to go out much the last two months but I am always looking for new food adventures ..read more

We recently had a great visit at Ketch Grill & Taps at Shelter Island. The outdoor patio with harbor views was a welcoming experience. Their happy hour menu was offered in the outdoor patio which was a wonderful surprise. They don’t take reservations so it’s a first come first serve type of deal during happy hour. We were lucky to have scored a view booth that day. The hostess stand is up front and you walk through their main dining room to the back patio. KETCH GRILL & TAPS This was our booth with the view. I couldn’t get the smile off my face when they seated us. HAPPY HOUR We were i ..read more

Viewpoint Brewing is located in Del Mar, CA close to the Fairgrounds. I have visited them a few times over the last two years. They are open for patio seating during this lockdown. I suggest making reservations via OpenTable as I have seen walk in’s turned away. They offer a limited menu but it offers enough to try over a few visits. The hostess takes your temperature before they seat you. The outdoor patio is pet friendly and we have greeted some friendly pets on almost every visit. Viewpoint Brewing does have a small parking lot they share with others. There’s a private paid parking lot near ..read more

Fogo de Chao offers an AYCE weekend Brunch for $43.95. EVEN during Covid-19. That in itself is a miracle. This second (revised) lockdown has been so hard for many (customers and restaurant owners). I had a personal set back some weeks ago but it’s turning out to be a bigger blessing than I could have ever imagined (hoping to post about that another time). Fogo de Chao San Diego is located downtown. I have never heard about their AYCE weekend brunch but wanted to treat a few special people for a Sunday brunch. The Fogo de Chao Brunch $43.95 price tag wasn’t cheap but the experience seemed to be ..read more

Gosh it’s been a while since I’ve blogged. I’ve been quietly doing my own thing which didn’t include writing for some time. I would have never thought (re)finding an old acquaintance could have happened during a pandemic. But it did (well, prior to the lockdown). Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse was the first place we went to once restaurants started to offer dine in service. He chose this steakhouse as it had harbor views and outdoor seating. Plus, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle is a bit fancy so it gave me a reason (*finally*) to do my hair/makeup and put on a nice outfit. ENTRANCE There is u ..read more