Food journal #7 - Phil’s BBQ

I went to Comic Con 2011 at San Diego this week. Before we go, I saw Phil’s BBQ on Food channel and I really want to try it. We went to the restaurant on a Wednesday night. it’s located next to the Sport Arena and inside is nicely decorate and very easy to find a seat.

I order BBQ baby back ribs for myself and my husband have the Beefy Rib & Chicken Dinner ( 2 Beef Rib and 1/4 Chicken BBQ’d), and we also order a side of corn on the cob and fried. The baby back ribs are very tender and juicy, and the sauce is very sweet and the meat is full with the BBQ sauce favor. 

I think it done well on the BBQ meat, but both of the side is very disappointed. The fries is not hot and crispy. The corn on the cob is using the grainy corn, and it’s very chewy, and the potato salad on my husband’s combo is not season, very bland. I would go back for the baby back ribs but I am not recommend to order the extra side. It’s not worth the money. (3 Stars)

Address: 3750 Sport Arena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92078

Phone: 619-226-6333

Food journal #6 - TLT BBQ (Meat Lover Paradise)

This store is for the meat lover, the chinese style meat kebab/meat skewer. The price is very reasonable, they also served beer. I recommend go there with more people. I was surprise with the eggplant kebab, a lot of people don’t like eggplant soft and mushy texture, but this store is totally different. You can see from the picture, it’s firm with a lot of favor. Highly recommend!

BBQ takes time to make so be sure you don’t have plan after dinner. It will take at least 15min before your first order arrive. The store is locate at the quiet corner of the strip mall, so be careful at night. Get their early, around 6:30pm then you don’t need to wait too long.

We did order the mix chow mein, which is chow fun noodle with chicken and sausage. A good item to fill up your stomach. Lamb kebab, chicken wing kebab, and beef kebab are the must try item. 

But don’t order the “A” vegetable kabeb, the texture like a wet paper towel dry up with burn edge.  (4.7 stars)

Address: 39257 Cedar Blvd., Newark, CA 94560

Phone: 510-494-1008

Food journal #5 - The Melting Pot

I like fondue, and I want to try this restaurant for almost a year, finally I got a chance this week to check in this restaurant. We went there on Saturday evening around 7pm with no reservation, and we can get a seat right away. The seat is at the back of the building, you can see Cal Train pass by every half an hour. This is a very nice seat if there wasn't a loud and obnoxious family with 8 kids running around and screaming every 5 minutes. I can say it wasn't a kid friendly restaurant because of the hot pot and flat top stove, and 8 kids was running around and their parents was chatting with themselves and totally ignore the kids, OMG. This is not a good situation at all. And, the host feel really bad for us and try to make up for our experience and give us 2 free drinks. I am really glad the waiter try their best to control the situation, but it was scary to see the kids running around and accident would happen anytime if they touch the "HOT" pot or the stove top. I wouldn't blame for the restaurant for the experience, I would blame the family.

This is the first time we try the Fondue experience, so we pick the set menu called Fondue fusion. 
First course: Cheese Fondue - we choose the spinach artichoke fondue with breads (Nice Fondue and the bread is soft and cheesy, we finish all the cheese dip before the bread and chips.)

Second course: Salad

Third course: Mojo cooking style - Lobster, shrimp, chicken, pork, filet mignon, sirloin, potato, and corn ravioli 

The cheese dipping sauce for seafood is pretty good.

Forth course: Dessert - Milk chocolate with gram cracker and s'more

That's all, the bill arrived. It costs $128.03 for us with 2 drinks. The service is great, the food is fresh, but I think this is a little expansive for 2 person dinner. My husband still feel hungry after the dinner, I think I won't be back again unless I am really craving for chees fondue. (2.8 Stars)

Address: 2 North B Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: 650-342-6358