Oh Joy Eats

fish tacos on wheels in {san diego}...

When moving to San Diego recently, everyone talked about the infamous "fish taco" that you have to get in San Diego. With our proximity to Mexico, the fish tacos here are certainly the best I've had outside of Mexico. My new favorite fish taco comes from the streets of San Diego at Marisco's German Taco Truck in City Heights. Marisco's offers authentic, non-pretentious street food tacos that make me happy to be eating in a cement parking lot. The seating is no frills and is made up of a couple plastic tables and chairs under a tent. But each fish taco is only $1.00, so a meal for two {including 4 tacos, 2 soups, and 2 sodas} runs $7.00!

a lovely & luxe lunch in {san diego}...

Cucina Urbana in Banker's Hill has become my new favorite go-to spot for always pure, always good California/Italian-inspired food. Lovely and rustic {yet cush} in ambiance, dining her always feels comfortable and fun with an attentive and friendly waitstaff...especially during lunchtime when the dining room isn't so packed. Standout dishes for me include the Polenta Ragu Board {5th photo}, Chocolate Budino {1st photo}, and the Zucchini Bread Pudding with Pistachio Ice Cream and Candied Carrots {3rd photo} - yum! I also love the Lavender Lemonade and the Aquazul Strawberry soda.

Final thoughts...4.5 out of 5 happy ladies. One of the best restaurants in San Diego, hands down.

oceanside brunching in {del mar}....

For a lovely brunch or lunch by the ocean, take your dearest to dine at Kitchen 1540 in the L'Auberge Hotel in Del Mar. Like a mini sun-filled vacation, the modern space surely feels like an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. The almond french toast was a decadent breakfast treat while the beet salad offered a refreshing lunch-perfect palate cleanser.

Final thoughts...4 out of 5 happy ladies for calm ambiance, service, and delicious fare.

{photos by Oh Joy}

bread heaven...

Dear Con Pane,

I've touted your glorious abilities in bread-making before, but now I really know the power of your abilities. I could cuddle up with your cinnamon buns on any given Sunday, and I'd gladly use your Pane Ciccolata {chocolate bread} as a pillow for a restful slumber. Just in case you didn't know it before, I love you a lot. I'm scared to say this {but I believe it to be true}, you've got the best freshly baked bread this Happy Lady has ever had.

Yours in carb heaven,
Happy Lady

{photo by Oh Joy}

{local inspiration}: beet & grapefruit salad

I love being inspired by ingredients and combinations used in a restaurant dishes especially when they're simple enough to make at home. This seasonal greens + baby beet salad at Cucina Urbana is so fresh, light, tasty, and a nice treat to recreate. Simply combine beets {red or yellow}, grapefruit {or pomelo} segments, thin slices of ricotta salata, candied pecans, and a light vinaigrette for a summery, colorful, and refreshing salad.

{photo by Oh Joy}

double the sweetness in {san diego}...

I've previously raved about The Daily Scoop's giant and swoon-worthy cupcakes. So you may be surprised to hear that I only recently taste-tested their specialty...ice cream!  Made of all natural and organic ingredients, you won't find any overly sweet or artificial flavors here. The ice cream feels more "grown-up" yet still made up of fun flavors for the sweet-toothed kid inside all of us. Try the red mint chip {peppermint ice cream with mini chocolate chips shown above}, the homemade waffle cones, and of course, the cupcakes!

Final thoughts...4 out of 5 happy ladies!

{photos by Oh Joy}

amarin thai {in san diego}...

Amarin Thai Restaurant sits sandwiched amongst residential homes on a side street of San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood. It's simple and unassuming like most Thai places yet they offer a lovely mix of traditional Thai staples {phad thai & green curry} as well as some less than common dishes not usually found at Thai restaurants in America like meung kum {a mix-and-match plate of salty, sweet, sour & crunchy toppings that get wrapped in lettuce, top photo} and larb moo {a minced pork salad, bottom photo}.

Final thoughts...4 of out of 5 happy ladies!

{photos by Oh Joy}

freshly baked in {san diego}...

There's really nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread. That heavenly scent gets even better when that bread is baked on the premises and you can watch these yeasty delights being made before your very eyes. Con Pane in Roseville/Point Loma is a lovely local bakery and cafe that make incredible breads and sandwiches. The Almost Grilled Cheese sandwich {a mix of melted triple cream brie & gorgonzola} is cozy & delicious, as is the Italian Salami {a rustic update to your typical Italian sandwich}. Also be sure to try the specialty focaccia breads and, for something sweet, the Chocolate Brioche Twists.

Final thoughts...5 out of 5 happy ladies!

{photo by Oh Joy}

the best orange juice in {san diego}...

Every week, we buy a quart of Polito Family Farms freshly-squeezed valencia orange juice. Like pure liquid gold, this orange juice leaves Tropicana in its dust. There's really no turning back once your taste buds have becomes spoiled with freshly squeezed refreshments like these. If you're in San Diego, you can find Polito's stand every Tuesday at the Coronado Farmer's Market and every Saturday at the Little Italy Farmer's Market.

{photo by Oh Joy}

berkeley pizza in {san diego}...

There's a new deep dish pizza place in town called Berkeley Pizza. The delivery-only establishment {yes, they currently only deliver} brings piping hot, Chicago-style deep dish pizza right to your front door. Located in downtown San Diego, they deliver mainly downtown but will deliver to surrounding areas on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Give them a call when you're craving some tomato goodness. They also have samples and small pies available at the Little Italy Farmer's Market on Saturdays. They are super nice and make a mean deep dish.

Final thoughts...4 of out 5 happy ladies!

{photo by Oh Joy}