You Should Make This Your Haunt: Neighborhood

Neighborhood rocks.  Everything there is delightful and yummy.  If you're in San Diego, you should surely visit.

There are small plates and big plates.  You can make a meal of snacks or have a true entree.

If you want an Arnold Palmer, you get this.

Great ingredients to mix your own!

Apple Wallie -- Granny Smith apple bisect, cumin mayo emulsion, smoked pecans, arugula, cranberries ($9).

Crisp, tart, and nutty.

Farmer fresh strawberry spinach salad, shaved fennel, crispy goat cheese, honey balsamic dressing ($8).

Sweet, fried, and creamy.

Jalapeño mac and cheese ($7).

Rich and dreamy with a bit of kick.

Chorizo corn dogs, mustard seed aioli, smoked chipotle aioli ($9).

Such fun food!

At night, Neighborhood has a completely different vibe -- great place to drink and meet friends!

Bar-B-Queue: Phil's BBQ

Phil's BBQ is extremely popular.  It's so popular that you can view the line for food via a webcam.  Now why would we subject ourselves to this?

In the interest of full disclosure, I can't say that we've ever actually stood in the serpentine line.  Whenever we go, we phone in our order, grab our food to go, and eat in our hotel room!  Just as yummy!  No waiting!

Baby back rib tickler -- three bones, two onion rings, slaw, fries ($6.95).


Fabulous.  All of it.

Beef rib dinner -- three bones and large side (we got the full corn-on-the-cob) ($13.95).




This is what you get at Phil's BBQ.  You go for the beef ribs!  Trust me on this one.  I am a huge fan of baby back ribs.  I always like baby back ribs more than any other ribs.  Or so I thought.

Phil's BBQ changed my mind.  BEEF RIBS FOR THE WIN.

Quick, Cheap, and Tasty: The Kebab Shop

The Kebab Shop rocks.  It's fast.  It's affordable.  It's tasty.

Our chicken and lamb doner kebabs ($6.79 each) were both juicy, flavorful, and portable.  Great meal on the go!

Green and Pet-Friendly: Hotel Indigo

One time, we stayed at the Hotel Indigo in San Diego for just $50 via priceline!  Crazy! Another time, we booked a room for $112 through the hotel, which was still a very good deal.

Our room provided an impressive view of Petco Park.

Hotel Indigo prides itself in being green.  It is LEED-certified and sustainably built. Hotel Indigo also offers many amenities for pets.  It's an excellent place to stay at an excellent price for both you and your four-legged friends.

An American Brasserie: Currant

We've eaten at Currant twice and enjoyed it both times.  Currant is probably the best part about The Sofia Hotel.

The space is high-ceilinged and comfortable.

Mr. Monkey had fresh-squeezed orange juice ($3).  I got a super cheap mimosa ($3).

For only $8, you can make your mimosa bottomless!  A veritable steal!

Chorizo hash and eggs -- two eggs any style, red chili sauce, toast ($8.95).

The hash was made of sweet potatoes and steeped with spicy chorizo. Great spicy start to the day!

Machaca breakfast burrito -- pulled short ribs, jack cheese, scrambled eggs, red chili sauce ($9.95).

Stuffed to the brim with beefy goodness.  Definitely no skimping on meat here.

Currant feels very different at night.

Hot bread and butter greet you.

Duck salad ($11.95).

Hazelnuts and strawberries? Yes, please!

Moules frites ($14.95).

Strong rendition of the French classic.

Duck linguine ($18.95).

Ample meat, powerful flavors, springy pasta.

Duck cassoulet ($22.95).

Yeah, we love duck.  This was my fave dish of the night.

Chevre cheesecake -- goat cheese, granola crust, raspberry coulis, fresh seasonal berries ($8.95).

Creamy and strong.  Don't get this if you don't love goat cheese.

Currant is a modern French bistro with American warmth and hospitality that's worth visiting.