McFlurry International - Reese's® Peanut Butter Cups in the United States

McDonald's at SouthCoast Plaza has two additional flavors along with its standard Oreo and M&Ms: Snickers and Reese's® Peanut Butter Cups.

The Reese's® Peanut Butter Cups McFlurry is still $1.99 at a fun size. The flavoring mix is made up of ground up peanut butter cups. The server put a couple big spoonfuls of the peanut butter cup mix in the soft serve before whirling it through the McFlurry machine.

Most of the Reese's® mix is pulverized so there were not a lot of big chunks of chocolate or the peanut butter center, probably to ensure that it will be distributed evenly throughout the soft serve after mixing. When you look closely, it seems that most of the mix was its peanut butter center instead of the chocolate shell. Otherwise it may have tasted more like chocolate than peanut butter. I was slightly relieved they did not add chocolate syrup, which would then definitely overwhelm the peanut butter flavor. There were a few larger pieces of Reese's® Peanut Butter Cups in the McFlurry giving the overall result a varied texture.

Praline Patisserie's Lavender Caramel Sauce

My one impulse buy at the Little Italy Farmer's Market was a ten ounce jar of Praline Patisserie's Lavender Caramel Sauce for a whopping (for me) US$8.00. The vendor at the stand was waving caramel samples in my face and I am a big sucker for caramel. The lavender was fragrant and floral in my mouth so I had to have it. She said that the caramel sauce has a shelf-life of about 3 months unopened before it starts to separate.

I forgot about my guilty pleasure after sticking it in the back of my pantry to save for a good time. More than 3 months had passed and the caramel already started to separate. It was time to break it out. After opening, a good mix with a chopstick brought the suspension of pure cane sugar, cream, glucose, butter, dried organic lavender, and sea salt back together.

The jar states, "Each batch of our artisan caramel is watched closely as it develops the rich amber color & complex flavors we are known for. The perfect care for an aching sweet tooth, it is great on anything from apples to ice cream and you'll probably want to eat it straight from the jar!"

Opening the jar, the silky, sticky, gooey caramel was bursting with the aroma of lavender mingling with the sweet caramel. It tasted even more decadent and indulgent than it smelled. The texture was smooth and thick. The caramel flavors hit first and are equally balanced by the lavender, which lingers on your tongue. The lavender caramel was great with apples, but it was even better to eat out of the jar. Just pluge your finger in the soft goodness and roll it around your tongue making sure the flavors spread to every taste bud dotting your tongue. I think most of the jar disappeared this way. Oh yes, pour that sugar in me. That lavender caramel is so divine you cannot resist a lick of it.

Praline Patisserie. Find them at one of San Diego's farmer's markets. PralinePatisserie.com.

Weird Fish in the Mission District

A vegetarian friend in the Bay Area recommended that we go to Weird Fish in the Mission District for lunch for something typically Californian (think fresh, fresh, fresh) and on a budget. The menu pleases non-vegetarian and vegetarians alike with a variety of options, including vegan ones. Even better, Weird Fish takes on the principles of eating local and sustainable and even tries to farm most of its own produce.

Weird Fish has a cozy little space on Mission Street. It is a bit reminiscent of being on a bright ship without all that pirate cheesiness. The decorative details show an appreciation for local art and the music is pretty good. If you look closely at the artwork above the kitchen area, you can spot a little vented window where the office presumably is. Only when someone is up there moving around do you actually notice. Very sneaky.

The veggie tacos had sweet potato (for that day), mango salsa, slaw, and vegan crema. The bright colors jump out immediately evoking thoughts of the peak of freshness personified is about to be consumed. The sweet potato was prepared in a way that brought out the girth of its savory qualities. There was no skimping with ingredients to build the taco. However light it tasted, the veggie tacos were surprisingly filling for its size.

The Seitan N Chips plate had soy battered house seitan with housemade fries, vegan tartar, and slaw. Seitan, "wheat gluten," "gluten meat," or "wheat meat" is made from wheat starch or vial wheat gluten and washing away the starches leaving only an elastic mass that is insoluble high-protein gluten. It becomes similar to the look and texture of meat when cooked, serving as an alternative substitute to tofu. Different textures can be achieved and it can be flavored a variety of ways. Seitan was first developed in China and is popular among Southeast Asian countries. Those who require a glut-free diet be warned though gluten-free seitan is available. The pieces of fried seitan were just huge though the batter coating could allow one to easily mistake it for true fish. The seitan substitute for fish was mildly flavored, though slightly more chewy than anticipated. The texture was that of a solid piece of moist fish rather than being flaky or over-cooked and dry. The red cabbage slaw added some bite and contrast to the fried seitan. The chips were newly fried, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Veggie Tacos and Seitan N Chips
The weird fish that is not really fish at Weird Fish sets this restaurant apart. For every fish dish there is an alternative answer to it on the menu. Amazing. One can definitely appreciate this balance.

Weird Fish. 2193 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States. Tel: +1.415.863.4744. Closed Sundays. WeirdFishSF.com.

Devilicious and Food Truck Fabulousness

Summer is when Hillcrest gets ultra-fab and not just because of the incredible San Diego, but also to mark Pride weekend. Local San Diego food trucks gathered together at the San Diego LGBT Community Center for Food Truck Fabulousness, a benefit for the AIDS Walk in San Diego. It was also fitting that this particular event took place on the eve of SD Pride, a great kick-off for the weekend. Proceeds from Food Truck Fabulousness went to AIDS Walk and Run San Diego and visitors could also donate themselves at the free event. For those that have been hunting down a few of these trucks, this gathering made it a lot easier to find the vendors you want to try. I was after the butter poached lobster grilled cheese sandwich from the Devilicious Food Truck.

Devilicious Food Truck greeted everyone right at the entrance of The Center's parking lot and a few visitors were commenting on its participation in the Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race. Even at 18:00 there was a short queue. A short wait after paying US$9.00 for the butter poached lobster grilled cheese and $4.00 for truffled parmesan fries, the order came out very hot so you know it was made to order (at least at this hour). The butter poached lobster grilled cheese made with lobster, some sort of melted cheese, caramelized onion, oven-roasted roma tomatoes and herbs on sourdough.



The hot butter poached lobster grilled cheese sandwich felt decadently buttery upon first touch. It smelled buttery with the lingering aroma of lobster. It was definitely cheesy. The presence of the oven-roasted roma tomatoes was not very pronounced, blending in more with the caramelized onion. The lobster was cut into large chunks and not lost among the rest of the sandwich components to remind you that lobster is the co-starring with the cheese. The texture was definitely there, but the lobster flavor was a lot lighter than expected. It still was pretty tasty.

The truffled parmesan fries had black flecks from the truffles and covered with large shavings of parmesan. The parmesan cheese had a silkier texture and milder taste, which made me think that an aged Asiago was used instead as it takes on a flavor similar to parmigiano with age and is interchangeable with paremsan in some cuisines.

After looking at the Devilicious online menu, I am really curious about this asparagus grilled cheese sandwich made with goat cheese.

Here are a few more shots of Food Truck Fabulousness. I was actually wondering what an "Italian Lollipop" (offered by Mangia Mangia) was. The white chocolate macadamia nut cookies from Sweet Treats made a yummy dessert with big chunks of white chocolate and a chewy texture. Breaking it in big pieces was also quite easy.


From left to right: Sweet Treats cookie display, white chocolate macadamia nut cookie and whoopie pies from Sweet Treats, Mangia Mangia menu, Food Truck Fabulousness
Food truck gatherings are definitely a way to sample more in one place. One would be so lucky to have their favorite truck park regularly nearby.

Devilicious Food Truck. Check schedule for location details. San Diego, California. DeviliciousFoodTruck.com
Sweet Treats Truck. Check schedule for location details. San Diego, California. SweetTreatsTruck.com
Mangia Mangia Truck. Check schedule for location details. San Diego, California. MangiaMangiaMobile.com
San Diego LGBT Community Center. 3909 Centre Street, San Diego, CA. theCenterSD.org

McFlurry International - Rolo McFlurry in the United States

McDonald's is known for its taste standard, which is tasting exactly the same at whatever location you happen to visit anywhere in the world. The appeal of the McFlurry is that the McDonald's vanilla soft-serve is combined with different flavors, specializing the McFlurry by region or county. Even abroad, my Twitter feed blew up with the announcement of the Rolo McFlurry. For those not acquainted with the Rolo, it is a milk chocolate shell filled with caramel in the shape of a truncated cone. The thick shell of chocolate means ratio of chocolate to caramel is slightly higher and the caramel filling is also soft to almost solid.

The Rolo McFlurry is mashed up Rolos, which looked more like pieces of milk chocolate shell, and a swirl of caramel sauce.

Snack size (US$1.99) is 340-430 calories while the regular (US$2.69) is 510-640 calories. Also on the menu were the classic Oreo and M&M flavors. It is not clear exactly where the Rolo McFlurry is on the calorie scale, but chances are it is on the higher side.

The server who made the Rolo McFlurry at the Southcoast Plaza location visited in California put heaping spoonfuls of Rolo and a thick squeeze of caramel in the McFlurry cup with its protective lid to prevent spillage. It was haphazardly mixed together by hand and looked like a gorgeous mess, though maybe not well-mixed. After I started taking a photo of it, the server offered to make a second "better looking" one (and better mixed using the McFlurry machine). I took the server up on this offer but was immediately mortified when she threw it away instead of just giving it to some kid passing by as a mistake order. In the below photos, you can see the first Rolo McFlurry compared to the second.

Oh...It was good. Plenty of thick caramel sauce and chocolate chunks throughout the soft-serve ice cream. The actual portion was up to the top of the cup instead of halfway, the way it usually comes out in China (that is what that special lid is for!). Rolo in McFlurry form...yum.


McFlurry photos on the left are the first McFlurry while the second one made is on the right

Cheese Shop Sandwich

After spending an extensive amount of time in Asia, cravings for a good sandwich start to magnify. Sandwiches are not showcased as a lunch-time meal (or any for that matter) so its presence and consistency is practically non-existent. The best sandwiches in Shanghai are at City Deli, better for ordering in than eating there. The turkey avocado is still outrageously priced for a standard sandwich at 68RMB (about US$10.00), but at least is large and incredibly filling.


Pleading to fellow Chowhounders on the message board, I was directed to the The Cheese Shop.

It was late in the afternoon. Promptly seated, I asked the server which sandwich he would recommend and told him to fix it however he would like it. He was surprised I let him have free range on my lunch, but seeing as he serves and sees numerous sandwiches in a day, he should know what is best. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith when the idea of the ultimate sandwich has been marred by poorly constructed ones in Asia. I got the turkey avocado on wheat with salt and vinegar chips on the side. The sandwich was packed with slices of ripe, creamy avocado and deli turkey. The untoasted wheat bread could barely contain its contents. For my personal preference, a more hearty bread could have been chosen such as the ciabatta or thick rustic (an error on the diner's part). It was one big bite of sandwich goodness. The only thing it lacked was the crispy bacon I neglected to ask for to give the sandwich an extra crunch (or bites of the salt and vinegar chips could suffice). Yum. That avocado really topped it off.


My friend ordered the spinach and feta cheese omelette with a side of hash browns, which was generous with the spinach and feta. The hash browns were browned nicely, not so spectacular and the omelette good for what it was. The serving was large and filling, but perhaps these eyes have been used to Asian-sized portions for a while.


The cost of my sandwich in the States was about as much as its Shanghainese equivalent. Considering the current standards of living in the States compared to China, the City Deli sandwich is relatively overpriced however tasty it is. A return visit to the Cheese Shop is needed to try one of the Cheese Shop Grilled Cheese Sandwiches because it is, after all, a cheese shop.

The Cheese Shop. 627 4th Avenue. San Diego, CA 92101, United States. Telephone: +1.619.232.2303. Hours: Mon-Fri 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat-Sun 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.cheeseshopdeli.com

Cucina Urbana

After passing on Laurel Restaurant for its high-priced menu, Cucina Urbana popped up giving those in the down economy a light with its reasonably priced rustic Italian dishes with a Californian touch. Rave reviews and word of mouth contributed to the popularity of the restaurant. Calling in Tuesday morning for reservations that evening, tables were already booked out aside from early and late dinner times. Seeing the packed dining room and bar, there was no way you could get a seating without a reservation.

The wait staff was very personable, friendly, and welcoming even though we were late arrivals and walk-ins were vying for our table. They invite diners to visit their wine retail store / "private" dining room as they only charge US$7.00 corkage fee for bottles purchased at retail. Excellent! The wine selection and menu placed a heavy emphasis on hot catch words like "organic," "local," and "sustainable." The food menu also featured daily specials for those looking for dining deals. The concept of the establishment was well-thought out. Diners help their tummies, their banks accounts, and the world.


The two starters we ordered were the barbecue octopus with salted fingerling potato, endive, radish, chili herb vinaigrette and lemon aioli ($11.00) and stuffed squash blossoms (herb ricotta) with purple basil pesto and cured lemon dressing ($9.50). The barbecue octopus was incredibly tender and not tough at all, especially after expecting a texture somewhat similar to tako from previous octopus experiences. It was meaty, yet very light and had a light smokey flavor from the charring. The salad also had a bit of baby octopus or some other cephalopod, which was a little bit chewier. The endives gave a nice crunch to the otherwise softer textures on the plate. The stuffed blossoms were amazing and light, not over-breaded. The pesto served as a savory compliment to the the saltiness from the ricotta and tang from the lemon dressing. The stuffed blossoms really hit the spot.


Each main course was selected one from each area of the menu: pasta, piatti, and pizza. The crab ravioli seemed promising, but fell flat when it came to the actual crab filling. The crab was a little bit dry and could have benefitted from using chunks instead of whatever was centrifuged from the shells. However, the buttery sauce and cheese in the filling did not overwhelm the crab flavors allowing the crab to be the star of the dish. The tower of thickly sliced aubergine in the eggplant 'parmigiana' with gigante bean and escarole salad and shaved grana ($15.50) was easy to cut into. The eggplant was not bitter had a thick, breaded, crispy crust and layered with fine slices of mozzarella complimented with a light sauce using fresh and flavorful tomatoes. The fig and gorgonzola pizza with caramelized onion, candied pecan, arugula, and aged balsamic ($14.00) had a lovely, charred crust. The toppings were mostly hidden by the forest of arugula, but the peppery green did not overwhelm the entire pizza. Each bite was a surprise of sweet and savory from the ripe, deep-colored figs and the bite of the sweet balsamic acid. This combination was particularly pleasant for warmer summer days.

Dessert came out and we shared the bittersweet chocolate bundino ($8.00). The chocolate was incredibly rich and you can taste the higher percentage of cacao. The chocolate was creamy and smooth. Two small bites were almost too much, but chocoholics would definitely love this dessert. The espresso ($3.50) rounded off the meal nicely.

Looking around at the end of the early dinner, the dining room and bar were seated primarily by women sipping summer whites and roses and sharing antipasti plates. The occasional male present was claimed by a female counterpart by the looks of the suggestive body language. Regardless, Cucina Urbana definitely has the food and ambiance at a great price to make this a regular spot.

Cucina Urbana. 505 West Laurel Street San Diego, CA 92101-1634, United States. +1.619.239.2222. Open Tue-Thu 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-12am; Sun 5pm-9pm. www.cucinaurbana.com

Cafe Chloe

I actually came to Cafe Chloe several years ago when it first opened and the East Village was being gentrified as a hipper, more local alternative to the Gaslamp. A friend and I came late for a dessert of creme brulee and a bottle of sparkling wine to once again celebrate the fact that neither of us had money to spend. Flash-forward a few years later. The Chowhound boards are buzzing with recommendations for Cafe Chloe and the small wine bar established itself as a dining destination in San Diego.


On a Monday evening, the small restaurant was able to accommodate a party of three outside, though smashed around a tiny table. The "larger" tables inside were not that much bigger. With nice weather, it is nicer to sit outside anyway. The restaurant does not take reservations for smaller parties. Promptly seated, the server immediately asks what we would like to drink and even offers a small sampling of a few wines to accompany the meal. This detail of service is amazing because we got to choose a wine that suited our palates. Ended up going with a medium-bodied red to match the variety of dishes we selected created by chef Katie Grebow.


We shared the starter of the corn and smoked mozzarella tart with pickled shallot ($8.75), which was then cut into thirds for sharing. The corn added a sweet taste to the meatiness of the smoked mozzarella. Its summery taste matched the ambiance and was a good start for the dinner.


After some time as each dish is made to order, the entrees eventually came out. The local white sea bass with ragout of summer vegetables, herb salad, espellette pepper sauce, grilled ciabatta ($23.00) was lightly overcooked as we saw it sitting under the heat lamp waiting for the other dishes to finish preparation. The sea bass had a thick crust, but the fish inside was not light and flaky, but rather dry. The fish should have been prepared last out of the other dishes. Ordering the steak & frites with roquefort, onion marmalade, and sautéed spinach and wild mushroom ($21.75) also meant that Cafe Chloe will donate $1.00 to the S.D Food Bank's Food for Kids' Backpack Program, at least during the month of August. The steak was more on the rare side than the requested medium-rare, but was still succulent with the generous chunks of roquefort. The frites were also well-executed and added a new texture in between bites of steak. Also on the side were the spinach and a variety of tender wild mushrooms. The plat du jour: choucroute garnie- fresh cherries & brandy pork sausage, brined pork loin, spiced pork belly, sauerkraut and butterball potatoes ($23.00) showcased pork in one of its several forms. The pork belly tasted more buttery than spiced - so lusious. Pale in comparison were the sausage, still rich and slightly sweet, and the loin. Full from the dinner, we passed on the dessert.

The foodie mill was right to recommend Cafe Chloe as a great place to dine, but the experience was not as mind-blowing as the hype led it up to be. That was slightly disappointing because I expected each bite to provoke wide-eyed amazement and wonder of the food. Maybe my taste buds have been spoilt by too much foie gras imported from the southwest region of France.

Cafe Chloe. 721 9th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101-6481, United States. (619) 232-3242. Open Weekdays 7:30am-10:30pm; Sat 8:30am-10:30pm; Sun 7:30am-9:30pm. www.cafechloe.com

The Mission - SoMA

Quickly becoming a brunch institution in San Diego is The Mission, whose good name is spread mainly by word of mouth. “Oooh. My friend/brother/sister’s friend’s boyfriend went there and said it was awesome. And I heard you have to order those strawberry banana pancakes or that French toast.” The Mission sounded too good to resist on a beautiful weekend morning.

The specific restaurant visited (there are three – Mission Beach, North Park, and Downtown) is located on J Street in the East Village right next to the home of the Padres. The restored vintage structure is light and airy with exposed beams and original art flushing the room with bright color. Immediately upon entering, the aromas screaming “tasty, (relatively) healthy, simple breakfast” hit the olfactory system flooding the mind with memories of childhood comfort food. The room is already full of people having leisurely breakfast with sounds of delight as patron’s orders arrive or neighbors glance over and see what gastronomic excitement is in store for them.


Jumping the local bandwagon, the recommended breakfast staples do make an impression. Large slices of strawberries and bananas decorate the triple pancake stack surrounded by a blueberry purée. The optional sides of rosemary potatoes and bacon are another generous meal in itself. Thick slices of cinnamon bread used in the French toast are decadently cinnamon flavored with perfect caramalization. Other highlights include the Huevos Rancheros Verdes served on a generous portion of beans soaking up the salsa verde. The only disappointment was the chicken apple sausage, which could have found greater satisfaction from a fatter cut.


Do not hesitate to indulge at The Mission to fuel yourself for a sunny weekend in San Diego.

The Mission - SoMa. 1250 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101