01.11.08: In-N-Out Burger, San Diego, CA

His double cheeseburger deluxe with fries

It's a dream He's treasured ever since reading about it in Fast Food Nation: to dine at one of only two(?) fast food chains even Eric Schlosser could approve of, CA's In-N-Out Burger. There was only one catch: She doesn't eat beef. And they don't do chicken.

A brief negotiation ensued. She protested She could just have some fries and get a snack elsewhere if needed. He protested that it wasn't a full meal, and he didn't want to drive farther in search of more food at 9pm if She still had an appetite (admittedly likely). She prevailed...and there was a surprise yet to come!

Her reg'lar cheeseburger - first ever!

SHE SAYS: That's right - I succumbed! Fully, happily, greedily. I started out with the fresh-cut, all-potato fries, but kept eyeing His double whammy of a burger. Gosh, but it smelled good! So...I had a taste. And then, as if my tum exerted a will of its own, I found myself at the counter inside plunking down $2.10 for my first-ever (ever!) full-fledged cheeseburger (no onions, thankyou).

It was chargrilled, not overdone, and pleasingly coated in some very American cheese. not too salty, not drowned in sweet relishes and ketchup. It was actually better than some so-called gourmet (lamb) burgers I've had. The fries were a little dry, but purely potato - no sugarcoating going on here. I don't think I'll be seeking out more beef for comparison, tho'; in In-N-Out I trust!

In-N-Out vs Mickey-D's!

HE SAYS: It may look a little like a Mickey-D's, but the burgers are a lot better. The limited menu gave me no choice but to sample their double cheeseburger deluxe and freshly cut fries. I went back for a single cheeseburger just to fill out the edges and that also satisfied my burger craving. I espesh liked the crispy onion and lettuce garnish that came with. A cheap and easy eating solution. Why can't all fast food be this fresh and good?

31.10.08: Kiki Sushi, San Diego, CA

Nothing spooky about the offerings at Kiki Sushi, tho' raw food on Hallowe'en is entirely appropo. Nothing fancy about the locale or location, either, but it was nice to sit outside on the deck and watch the revelers parade by (pirates are a big theme in a city by the bay, doncha know). And now, on with the show:

Miso
Salmon and tuna sashimi
Veggie roll: cuke, avo, some kind of mushroom stuff, sesame
Eel roll
Tomago (egg, for Him)
Crunchy roll: shrimp, crab, tempura crumbs

HE SAYS: The sushi was pretty good, not spectacular. Highlights for me were the tomago, which was better then most, moist and not too shweet, and the crunchy roll, which looked pretty, had loads of crunchiness to it and gooey crab filling.

SHE SAYS: All quite good, with the crunchy roll standing out for its juicy shrimp. I didn't care for the mushroomy bit in the veggie roll, but it was more than passable, and at least half of it passed my lips.

The salmon sashimi was far better than the tuna, with the languorous mouthfeel provided. Tuna was a little oceany, but again, passable. Eel in the roll was warm, flaky and sweet, not bad, but nowhere near as good as the ho-made kind. All in all, I was satisfied if not blown away as I'd hoped to be by CA sushi.



Best bit: The thousands (I kid you not) of costumed cyclists flooding the road, weaving between the cars, guarding the intersection expertly in the wildest occasion of Critical Mass we've ever witnessed - and all while deciding on the next piece of sushi to munch. Live footage from MasonMaysun above (we were dining in Hillcrest, but didn't make it into the frame).

30.10.08: Satali's Pizza, San Diego, CA

We strolled along the main street of San Diego's overmarketed 'Little Italy' in search of cheap 'n' easy, and found something satisfying in this pizzeria - which was mainly a takeout joint by the looks of all the people lurking in the doorway.

First, a small salad to share: basic leaves, tomatoes, chickpeas, cuke slices and peperoncini accompanied by the obligatory oil and vinegar cruets. A hot pie of pepperoni-mushroom graced the centre as we held our knives and fork poised for dining pleasure...

SHE SAYS: Humble and tasty, with a perfectly toasty thin-medium crust. It was good basic stuff - the sauce not too sweet, not greasy, and in all respects a perfectly decent American pizza. Even and average pie like this blows Britain's sorry excuse of a pizza joint out of the water with savoury gusto.

HE SAYS: Okay, not New York standards, but as She says it blew Pizza Express away (it puzzles me how they stay in business). The crust was firm and pretty thin, and we were able to pick up and eat slices without the toppings sliding off the edges. The local brew I drank in between bites had a satisfying malty, full-bodied taste just right for a pizza nite out.