Tag Archives: San Diego Restaurant Week

Foodie Fever: Restaurant Week at Analog Bar

As mentioned in a previous post, last week was San Diego Restaurant Week.  I ventured out with Janice to a place that I had been wanting to try out for a while: The Analog Bar.  Here is yet another example of the kind of establishments that Janice and I seem to gravitate to: good music, good drinks, and musical paraphernalia attached to the walls.  If you recall, on our recent trip to London trip we paid a visit to a fantastic little bar called Callooh Callay where the walls of the restroom were covered with cassette tapes (posts here and here).  Not only are the walls covered with cassette tapes, but also with album covers as well.  I tried to look for a Depeche Mode cover, but I really only saw Human League.  I’ll have to go back to see what other 80’s groups I can find among the dozens.

If you are unfamiliar with Restaurant Week, I have a few posts about the week-long event (here and here).  It’s definitely something that my friends and I enjoy and we try to go somewhere different each time.  I missed Restaurant Week earlier this year, so it was Regi’s turn to miss this one.  The three of us try to get together as time and schedules permit, but sometimes one of us misses out.  Since we already scheduled the date and made the reservations, Janice and I decided to keep the date, and I’m really glad we did!

From the prix fixe menu (which was $30), we always pick different things in order to be able to sample a variety of what is offered.  In addition, we chose to do the Cocktail Pairings for an additional $12 because this meant that we each got a specialty drink that was made for each item on the menu.  The cocktails that were offered already would have cost a total of $36, so we thought it was a fantastic deal.  I also think we were trying to relive our trip to London and the fantastic drinks we had while we were out there.

Grapefruit Champagne Spritzer

“Bahn Mi” Street Tacos and Lobster Corn Dogs with tarragon dip

I started off with the Lobster Corn Dogs that came with a tarragon dip and Janice had the BBQ Pork “Bahn Mi” Street Tacos, which she had before.  Both dishes were very tasty and I thought the tarragon dip was a wonderful compliment to the lobster (lobster cakes surrounded by corn dog batter).  This was accompanied by a Grapefruit Champagne Spritzer, which was light and very delicious.  I thought it went well with the appetizers because it sparkled and wasn’t too heavy.   Already, the cocktails did not disappoint, so I looked forward to the other pairings.

Grilled Orange-Sesame Glazed Salmon

Next was our main dishes: I had the Grilled Orange-Sesame Glazed Salmon and Janice had the Braised Sterling Silver Short Ribs (not pictured).  Each were good versions of our favorite dishes.  They were paired with the Hendricks Experience cocktails which also was surprisingly refreshing.  For me, it went well with my salmon and didn’t overpower my meal. 

From the Cocktail Pairings (drinks appear in respective order to the menu)

My favorite part of the meal was the dessert (of course).  I had the Butterscotch Pudding and Janice had the Peanut Butter Cup Cake, which came with a glass of milk.  The Butterscotch Pudding was a brownie topped with pudding, salted caramel and whipped cream, served in a small mason jar.  This was paired with the Analog Organic Chai Mule, which was almost like what a liquid gingerbread cookie would taste like.  The spice of the ginger went very well with the sweetness of the dessert.  It was a wonderful way to end a delightful meal. 

Overall, this was a wonderful food and drink experience, and I know I would definitely go back again to take my husband on a night out.  The space resembles a sleek music recording studio, and I’ve read that it’s a great place to enjoy listening to music and dancing because of the DJ set up.  I would also like to return with my entire family to enjoy their brunch, because I know my son would love looking at all of the album covers and cassette tapes that adorn their walls.  Not only does Analog Bar have good food and great drinks, but a cool and hip atmosphere as well and appeals to the music enthusiast in me.  Cheers!

San Diego Restaurant Week: September 16 to 21

Can you believe it’s that time yet again?  Foodies rejoice, it’s time to rev up your taste buds and hit the town for San Diego Restaurant Week.  My girls and I are headed out again, and I’m trying to steer them to somewhere French because I’m still on a Euro kick.  If we choose something different, then I’ll take my hubby and son (I hope they’ll eat French cuisine).  I’ll be sure to tell you all which restaurant we settled on in an upcoming post.  In the meantime, for those of you here in San Diego, check out their list of fantastic eateries by clicking on the picture above.  Cheers!

Photo courtesy of the San Diego Restaurant Week Official Website

Restaurant Week San Diego: January 15th through 20th

Ah yes, it is Restaurant Week again here in my fair city. If you are a foodie, this is a great time to sample lots of great eateries for great prix fixe deals for both lunch and dinner.  I had a great dinner at a French bistro called Hexagone for the most recent Restaurant Week  (post here), so we are always excited when we see indications that the next one is approaching. 

I received an email from The Cohn Restaurant Group on which of their establishments are participating this week (see the picture below).  From this list, I’ve already been to Melting Pot, La Jolla Strip Club and Indigo Grill.  Although I would go back to those places again and again, my friends and I always use Restaurant Week as a way to try places we have never been to.

So what I’ve suggested to the other two of my trio (Janice and Regi), is that we try Analog this time around.  Their prix fixe menu is a steal at $20, and they sound like out-of-the-ordinary choices.  I’m especially drawn to the lobster corn dogs minis and the Twinkie tiramisu.  Although, we may save Analog for later this month since they will actually have this menu (and price) throughout the month of January in celebration of their new menu that will be introduced in February.  Whatever our final choices will be this week, I will be sure to post a review of each of the places we visit.  Click on the pictures for either additional links or an enlarged menu for better viewing.  Happy dining!

Images courtesy of San Diego Restaurant Week and The Cohn Restaurant Group

Foodie Fever: Restaurant Week In San Diego at Hexagone

Last Tuesday before our family trip to Palm Springs, I had a girls night out during Restaurant Week in San Diego.  It was our regular threesome:  my cousin Regi, best friend Janice and myself, meeting up right after work.   Our choice was suggested Janice’s co-worker, which was a French bistro called Hexagone, located on Laurel Street (Bankers Hill).  We decided that we wanted to sample a cuisine that we hadn’t tried together, and have now decided that we would continue that tradition for our future Restaurant Week jaunts.

We each have such varied tastes that we get the chance to sample everything offered on a “prix fixe (fixed price)” menu.  But we started off the evening with drinks at the bar, while chatting up a gentleman at the bar who was a regular at Hexagone.  He raved about how wonderful the food was while having the liver and onions.  I’m not a fan of the dish, but he said that he wasn’t either, until he had it at Hexagone.  If someone’s mind can be turned on a dish typically turned away, we knew we had made a good choice.  And my mind was made up when my Kamakaze-disguised-as-a-Cosmo drink was as good as it was pretty, all done up in a Martini glass.

I loved the coziness of the restaurant.  We were seated near a window, which had a great view of the street.  I feel like San Diego is so quaint sometimes, that I love places that make me feel like I’ve been transported into possibly New York or other larger metropolitan city.  I started the evening with the subtle but flavorful Bisque de Homard (lobster soup).  Next, I had the Filet Mingnon, which was so tender, and melted in my mouth.  I ended the meal with the Crepes Suzette in a Grand-Marnier sauce.  I last had crepes in Paris, so I just had to have crepes again if we were to have dinner in a French restaurant.  If you enjoy citrus like I do, you will love this dessert.

Other than the exquisite food, the best part of the evening was that each of us wore some kind of animal print.  Although you can’t see Regi’s shoes, she was wearing a pony hair, leopard print wedged shoe.  Although the dinner was definitely planned, our coordinating animal prints were not!  Either way, that just seals the deal with how close we have become as friends that we can instantly agree on the cuisine and the attire for the evening.  And we all agree:  we highly recommend Hexagone.  Bon appetit and have a great weekend!

Dinner With the Girls


As much as the everyday activities and tasks in life seem to take hold and drive our time, we not only need a little quiet time to ourselves, but we should also spend some time with our best girlfriends. So last week during San Diego’s Restaurant Week, two of my best friends and I went to Peohe’s in Coronado to have a little girl time. Regi, Janice and I have been friends for a long time (Regi is actually my relative). At first, we mainly partied together because we were all in a nightclub promotion group. But since those crazy days and weekends, we’ve calmed down quite a bit and have been in each other’s weddings and are Godparents to each other’s children. Rather than the all night party, we now do things like shopping, spa days, children’s birthday parties, movies, concerts and dinners out.

Restaurant Week is always great because participating restaurants will have a fixed menu for around $20, $30 and $40. It’s usually a three course meal, consisting of a starter, entrée and dessert. There were three selections for each course of the fixed price menu at Peohe’s, and luckily enough, we were able to try everything on the menu because we all have such varying tastes. Here was their Restaurant Week menu:

Choice of First/Appetizers Course

Lobster Bisque

Finished with whole butter, sherry and fresh lobster.

Peohe’s Salad

Field greens, mandarin oranges and candied walnuts, tossed in orange-ginger vinaigrette.

Herb-Steamed Artichoke

Poached in seasoned broth. Served with clarified butter and lemon-basil aioli.

Choice of Second/Main Course

Prime Rib of Beef

Slow-roasted to perfection, served with au jus and creamy horseradish.

Crab-Stuffed Tilapia

Coated with breadcrumbs, stuffed with crabmeat and finished with warm caper butter sauce.

Coconut Crunchy Shrimp

Large shrimp breaded in tempura batter, coconut and panko breadcrumbs. Served with sweet yet tangy plum sauce.

Choice of Third/Dessert Course

No Ka Oi (Hawaiian translation: “The Best”)

Macadamia nut ice cream pie in a chocolate cookie crust with bittersweet chocolate sauce.

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Creamy cheesecake infused with raspberries and white chocolate.

Macadamia Nut Ice Creme Brulee

Homemade custard topped with caramelized sugar, macadamia nuts and fresh berries.


I’m so glad that Janice chose Peohe’s because it’s right by the water and although it was chilly, it was beautiful. We walked around a bit, getting in as much girl talk as we could before it got too cold. It’s times like this that I’m reminded of how beautiful San Diego is. All in all, it was a wonderful night with my best girlfriends. We’re planning a trip to the Bay Area sometime this summer. More adventures to come!