The Lovely Prospector

Trying out new places and taking pictures all at once.

[thelovelyprospector]

Wurstküche

800 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

*Rattlesnake & Rabbit with Jalapeño Peppers - buttery and mildly spicy

*Mango Jalapeño - chicken & turkey

*Vegetarian Smoked Apple Sage - apples, yukon potatoes, and rubbed sage

Located in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles, Wurstküche is a joint for sausage lovers. They are known for their exotic sausages such as the rattlesnake rabbit, crocodile & pork, rabbit veal & pork, buffalo and traditional sausages. They also have a great selection of German & Belgian beers from a dark stout, to fruity, to a blond ale. This is my third visit and that says a lot on how I feel about this place. I always bring friends that have never been and it surely never disappoints! It is really good!

The restaurant is divided into two rooms. The first room is where you get in line to order your food. You have a choice of two toppings from the following selection: Sweet Peppers, Spicy Peppers, Sauerkraut, and/or Caramelized Onions. There's also a choice of various dips for the amazing Belgian Fries. I highly suggest the Pesto Mayo, Chipotle Aioli, and the Curry Ketchup.

The last time I was here, I spotted Skrillex sitting by the outside patio! Keep your eyes peeled. You will never know who you'll see the next time you dine in. :)

http://www.wurstkuche.com

[thelovelyprospector]

Booze Brothers Brewery

2545 Progress St., Vista, CA 92081

*GreenEyed Amber

I first heard of this place from a coworker of mine whose brother-in-law works at this new brewery located in North County of San Diego. You wouldn't think there would be a brewery in the middle of a bunch of warehouses but apparently, there is one! Inside, we were greeted by a U.S. flag plastered on the wall, tables made out of wood, antler taps, and hanging plants. It was pretty cool and I can imagine this place packed when word gets out. I've only tried the GreenEyed Amber as it was recommended by one of the 'Booze Brothers'. It had the coffee/chocolate taste that I love and it was only $3!

This brewery is still pretty brand new but I definitely found a new place to hang out here in North County!

http://www.boozebrothersbrewery.com

[thelovelyprospector]

The Great Maple

1451 Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103

*Tofu Breakfast Stack - Crispy tofu, sundried tomato pesto, sauteed spinach, portabello mushroom, roasted tomato, sweet potato crisps with a single sunny side up egg ($14) 

*Portabello Mushroom Fries & Eggs - with pesto aioli ($15)

*Honey Mule - Muddled mint, 42 Below Menuka honey vodka, fresh lime, fever tree ginger beer in a beer glass ($8)

*Great Maple Popovers - Smoked grass-fed beef brisket, grilled asparagus, fresh tomato, & cherry smoked bacon. De-crowned English popovers topped with poached eggs, fresh tarragon Hollandaise cream, and served with roasted herbed new potatoes and fresh fruit. ($15)

As our car approached this quaint restaurant in Hillcrest, I spy with my eye hungry people waiting for their seats outside and inside. I don't know if I was happy or sad about that because it's either: a.) This place is really good or b.) We have to wait for an hour for a table. I asked my brother if he had made reservations and boy, was I relieved when he said he did! As we entered the place, I felt a 70's vibe when I saw the color palette of the restaurant and the Marshall branded speakers playing jazz music on the walls.

It took us a while to decide on what to order, since everything on the menu looked delicious as it was described. When we finally made up our minds, we ordered the tofu scramble, the portabello mushroom fries & egg, and a beef brisket great maple popover. My mom got the tofu scramble and she couldn't stop saying how tasty it was. She always eats small portions of food, but this time, she ended with a clean plate! My brother got the portabello mushroom fries & egg and literally, the thick cut portabello mushrooms were fried and was served cut like fries with some sort of a ranch dressing. I sampled a little bit and it was the bomb. As for me, I ended up trying the beef brisket great maple popover. The beef brisket was soft, the eggs were cooked to perfection, and the fruits added to the taste in the end. It was amazing, hearty, and I was so full to the very last bite! For the drinks, we ordered the honey mule and it was served in this nice bear glass! It was a little sweet for my taste but it was refreshing nevertheless. I heard the Maple Bacon Doughnuts were the talk of the town. Sadly, I didn't have enough room for it but I promised myself that I will try it next time.

If you have money and want to enjoy an amazing breakfast/brunch/lunch meal, come on a weekend, make that reservation, and enjoy the delicious meals of The Great Maple!

http://thegreatmaple.com

[thelovelyprospector]

Bankers Hill Bar & Restaurant

2202 4th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101

*Tuna Ceviche - albacore tuna, guacamole, and fruit served with crackers

*Truffled French Fries - truffle aioli & parmesan cheese

*Coconut Chocolate Pecan Tart - with kettle corn & espresso ice cream

*Mexican Fire Drill - spicy drink with a kick

A walk away from Balboa Park, Bankers Hill Bar & Restaurant, serves amazing food and drinks in the heart of San Diego. I always look forward to every visit since my friend is one of the bartenders here. I suggest making reservations ahead of time if you're with a big group. Otherwise, you can always catch a seat or two by the bar.

The food that I've tried so far are the tuna ceviche (not pictured), truffle french fries, and the coconut chocolate pecan tart. The tuna ceviche is AMAZING. It's the best ceviche I have EVER had and it will be yours too, especially if you love guacamole. Also, don't forget to order a side of the truffle french fries. It's really tasty and I couldn't help myself but to keep eating it until the bowl was empty! Lastly, to satisfy your sweet tooth, I suggest getting the coconut chocolate pecan tart. It's the most perfect combination of sweet and salty. It is also paired with espresso ice-cream and the taste is like heaven in my mouth! I have yet to try a real meal here but I'm sure no matter what I order, everything is going to be delicious. I'll definitely be back and am planning a nice dinner out here on my birthday. :)

http://www.bankershillsd.com

[thelovelyprospector]

The Lion's Share

629 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

*Monk's Gone Wild -Strawberry Infused Pimms & Green Chartreuse

*Bruschetta - Seasonal offerings: Pesto & Feta

*Pinot Grigio

The Lion's Share: The name itself has a very hipster approach and boy, was I right! We were greeted by a dimly lit restaurant with big paintings plastered all over the walls and animal heads hung around the place. All of the bartenders had beards and were either wearing vests or suspenders (typical hipster bar, I know). We were going for a table until we found out it was a 40 minute wait so we decided to hang out by the bar and were able to score seats quickly.

Sadly, my friend and I didn't make it to happy hour so we ended up just getting the basic $5 pesto/feta bruschetta to slightly fill our appetite. We're not big meat eaters so we didn't try out the talked about antelope sliders. I will have to try it next time though! We matched our food with the Monk's Gone Wild and that drink was really smooth and refreshing. It was even recommended on Yelp and Foursquare so we decided to go with the safe route as the drinks were priced at $11 ($6 during happy hour)!

If you love crafty cocktails, hipster looking bars, and have money to spend on $11 cocktails and exotic $12-15 food. Stop by this hidden bar across the trolley tracks on Kettner Boulevard.

http://lionssharesd.com

[thelovelyprospector]

Succulent Cafe

322 N Cleveland St., Oceanside, CA 92054

Located close to the Oceanside Pier, this hidden gem is worth the drive for all the succulent collectors, lovers, and appreciators out there. They offer free wifi, coffee/tea, pastries, and have a dog-friendly environment.

I took my mom here and she absolutely loved the ambience. As for the drinks, it was a little pricey but I still ordered the hazelnut latte with almond milk and it was actually pretty good. My mom got the chai latte but it was too sweet for her taste.

If you love the outdoors, coffee, and succulents, definitely check this place out!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Succulent-Cafe/596663860361877

[thelovelyprospector]

Craft & Commerce

675 W Beech St., San Diego, CA 92101

*Eastern Prospector - orange spice tea infused bourbon, lemon, honey

*Mexican Fire Drill - jalapeño infused tequila, pineapple, lime, demerara syrup, smoked salt

*Lay Lady Lay - raspberry lambic, champagne, ginger

*Michelada - mexican lager, house made sangrita, lime, salt, cayenne

*IPA Cocktail - IPA, grapefruit infused aperol, orgeat, lemon

*Mini Corn Dogs - bacon wrapped, stone ground mustard, spicy cheese fondue

*Devils on Horseback - bacon wrapped dates stuffed with pepperjack, bacon wrapped apples stuffed with bleu cheese

*Roasted Bone Marrow - local greens, toasted levain

*Veggie Burger - farro and black bean patty, cheddar, cucumber, yogurt dill sauce

*Bacon Ice Cream Sandwich - candied bacon, graham cracker crumble, hot fudge, marshmallow fluff, cherry on top

This has got to be one of my favorite places to go to. Craft & Commerce in Little Italy is not only very hip but they have the best cocktails, the best food, and the best bartenders you'll ever meet! As you may have noticed, my food and drink list is pretty long, but these are the things that I recommend you try.

For the drinks, I recommend the following: the Eastern Prospector and the IPA cocktail is for those who love something strong and refreshing, the Mexican Fire Drill and the Michelada is for those that love a spicy kick in their drinks, and finally, the Lay Lady Lay is a sweet drink for the girliest of girls!

For things to eat, I recommend the following: Mini Corn Dogs are the BEST corn dogs you'll ever have in your life! Dip it in the mustard and the fondue and you'll finish your plate in no time! The Devils on Horseback is also amazing! I can't really describe what it tastes like but do order and take my word for it. Their bestseller is the Roasted Bone Marrow. It is VERY TASTY and DELICIOUS. I capitalize those words for a good reason and trust me, when I start to capitalize things, I mean serious business! Last but not the least, the Veggie Burger is a little dry, crumby, and slightly bland (since they don't serve ketchup) but regardless, it is still pretty good for those that don't eat meat. Pair it with sweet potato fries and you'll be filled up in no time. If you still have room for dessert, top it off with a Bacon Ice Cream Sandwich! It's your typical vanilla ice cream sandwich but with bacon bits on top. Sweet and cravory perfection!

BUT I must warn you with the following: #1. They don't serve ketchup or vodka for the best reasons. Ketchup ruins the real flavor of the food and vodka has become a flavorless, generic addition to any drink. #2. They don't take reservations so get there early if you don't want to wait an hour for a table.

Regardless of these reasons, I rate C&C 5/5 in my book. :)

http://www.craft-commerce.com

[thelovelyprospector]

Coin-Op Game Room

3926 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104

Fan of arcade games? Well, this place will bring back childhood memories. Another San Diego Beer Week participant, Coin-Op Game Room has an awesome craft beer menu. Not to mention, good-looking bartenders (my friend went gaga over our bartender wearing a Stormtrooper t-shirt as seen on picture above). For happy hour, it is $2 off any drink on the board until 7pm. I ordered the Vanilla Porter as I am a big fan of vanilla. From what I've heard, their grilled cheese here is great. I must try it next time!

If you love Space Invaders, Mortal Kombat, Contra, Street Fighter and Beer, come on down and don't forget to bring quarters!!!

http://www.facebook.com/coinopsd

[thelovelyprospector]

Eclipse Chocolate Bar & Bistro

2145 Fern St., San Diego, CA 92104

*Chili Burnt Caramel Truffle - sweet and spicy dark chocolate

*Balsamic Pink Peppercorn - dark chocolate shell, dark chocolate ganache, raspberry puree, balsamic vinegar, and pink peppercorn.

Chocolate truffle lovers, rejoice! Here's a place that I highly recommend to you! Located in South Park in San Diego, this place is for those with a sweet tooth and those with a taste for craft beers.

My friend and I went here for San Diego Beer Week. They had a good deal going on: $5 for a tall glass of craft beer paired with a truffle. A truffle is $3 each so this pairing was a steal! The one that we tried was Societe's The Debutante with Chile Burnt Caramel Truffle. The verdict? AMAZING. I wish the truffle was bigger though. My friend ordered the Balsamic Pink Peppercorn Truffle as it was the recommended item on Yelp and it was unique and delicious! Our bartender/server was very friendly and was a terrific conversationalist. I dropped hints if they had some truffle 'samples' to give. Unfortunately, they didn't but hey at least I tried to ask! Hahaha.

If you like chocolate, beer, and/or artisan cheese (I heard they're delicious), this place is a must visit!

http://eclipsechocolate.com

[thelovelyprospector]

Eat Drink Americano

923 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

*Fish Crisps (Happy Hour) - Mini Halibut Tacos with Sriracha on top. $5

*Sangria (Red Wine) $6

I've always heard about this place and I thought I would finally try it out. It's located in the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles and I was expecting it to be a big restaurant, but it turned out to be small. The ambience was really nice and the typography on the wall caught my eye. I ordered the fish crisps for happy hour and enjoyed every bite of it. The downside of it is that their happy hour food have really small portions. As you can see, the fish tacos are the same size as the sliced lime! To top it off, I got a sangria to drink, but it's not different from any of the other versions I've tried out there. I'm not sure if I'll ever come back but I will definitely give it another chance for lunch, dinner, but not for happy hour.

http://eatdrinkamericano.com

[thelovelyprospector]

Flying Pig Pub + Kitchen

626 South Tremont St., Oceanside, CA 92054

*Pork Belly Burger - Pork burger served with tempura onion, '626' sauce, fried egg, cheddar + vinegar fries

*Grilled Flatbread - Wild arugula, confit of garlic, house made ricotta, salami, proscuitto + spicy '626' sauce

*Ginger Mojito - Ginger, mint, lime, Ron Copa silver label

A friend of mine recommended this place to me and I have always heard good things about it. I decided to give it a try and went on a Thursday night at 6pm. The place had a warm vibe and I didn't think Oceanside would have a great place to eat right around the South Coast Highway. It wasn't crowded but as the hours passed, people started pouring in. I recommend you get there early so you don't have to wait for an hour to get a table. You must try the menu items listed above as they were all fantastic! As soon as my friend and I were out of the door, the owner rushed to thank us as he waved goodbye! I will definitely be coming back!

http://flyingpigpubkitchen.com