Tag Archives: fries

Alchemy (26 of 52) (CLOSED)

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I kind of love the San Diego neighborhood of South Park.  It’s got small town charm with hipster-y pubs and bars plus a yummy ice cream parlor.  There’s also a number of great places to eat in this section of town.  Among them is a place many of my friends have been going to for years but I’d never been to.  Several people were shocked to hear I’ve never been to Alchemy to which I always responded next time invite me, bitches  I guess the timing just never worked out.  Oh well, that’s what this here challenge is all about.  Joining me in this week’s adventure were:

Aimee-Roommate since the 90’s, BFF, allergic to hot dogs and therefore labeled a commie by many

Amy-Vegetarian Belle, Author, Event Planner

Harry-Wise guy, master of the grill, loves camping for some reason

Joey-Future music professor, Sazerac drinker, makes a mean cup of coffee

Kelsey-Project manager, Advanced level foodie, Has been known to drop it like it’s hot after a few cocktails

Suzanne-My Italian soul sista, Can throw down in the kitchen, the cultured one who pronounces everything correctly.

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Until we come back here and get a photo of all of us staggering drunk after sampling the entire drink menu, this shot will have to do.

The atmosphere at Alchemy is nice.  There’s books on ceiling.  I’m not sure why but it’s a quirky touch that I enjoyed and most importantly, not a single one fell on my head during dinner.  That’s a good thing,  as my ability to injure myself in unusual and hilarious ways is at damn near Wile E. Coyete levels.  Alchemy, as to be expected from their name, has a rather enormous drink menu.  Our group made good use of it here.  Aimee had the white Sangria, which she loved and applauded the fact that it was served without ice.  Amy ordered the Alchemist Mule (grapefruit-lime cordial & ginger-beer with Vodka) and later the Southpark (Gin, barrel-aged satsuma shrub & burnt orange).  She felt the real strength of this place was in their drinks with their interesting and different options.  Joey echoed those sentiments, adding that the cocktail menu was super thought-provoking and one that he’s eager to explore further.

For appetizers, Kelsey had the Shrimp Cocktail.  She found it nothing to write home about with a runny sauce.   Amy had the Pepita y Limon Ensalada (english cucumber, shaved radish, house blend red chile powder, arbequina olive oil,  micro cilantro)  and a bowl of Watermelon Gazpacho.  She said the salad was nice &light but could use a touch more chili powder.  In contrast, she loved the gazpacho and said it was fantastic.  Suzanne, Joey and I all ordered the Thai Corn Fritter (white corn,  chick pea flour,  fish sauce,  green curry,  micro cilantro & sweet chili sauce).  Joey called it delicious with a perfect pairing in the chili sauce but wouldn’t have minded a heavier hand with the fish sauce.  I really liked these.  The corn was fresh and sweet.  They were fried a little harder than I like but the flavors were all there and the sauce was insanely good.

I would build every course around this sauce... Which would get really awkward come dessert...

I would build every course around this sauce… Which would get really awkward come dessert…

For main courses Aimee ordered K.C. BBQ Pork Spare Ribs, Cheddar cheese grits with apple wood smoked  bacon and cheddar bay biscuits with wild flower honey-butter.  Aimee  said her ribs were delicious; tender but not overdone with a great sauce.  Of less note to her were the sides, stale white bread and “grocery store quality” cole slaw.  Pretty standard sides in her estimation.  Her grits (which were strangely missing bacon) were good, which is high praise from an Alabama native raised on such fare.  The real star aside from the ribs for Aimee were the biscuits and honey butter, both of which she absolutely loved.  Suzanne had the Sancocho Columbiano (stew pot chicken,  carrots,  plantain , yucca,  sofrito,  avocado & micro cilantro).  This was a dish Suzanne grew up eating.  Alchemy’s approach was a little different from how she knew the dish but she enjoyed their take on it.  The temperature at which the dish was served was a little extreme and she’d never seen the dish served with bone-in chicken but she really enjoyed it and the soffrito based, which they seemed to nail.

Joey had the Watermelon Cod.  While the dish was light and fresh, Joey felt the flavors were lacking.  The seasoning that was there was noticeably uneven from bite to bite.  The pickled watermelon on the dish could’ve been stronger in flavor but the radishes offered a nice texture component.   Kelsey ordered Braised Beef Cheek with Ricotta Polenta and cheddar bay biscuits with wild flower honey-butter.  While she felt brown gravy was an odd choice for the dish, she did enjoy it but felt it was under seasoned and nothing she couldn’t make at home.  We’ll file the last part of that sentence under “things you’ll never hear me say unless a cereal restaurant opens somewhere”.

Amy ordered the Farro Risotto with heirloom tomato, broccolini, shaved golden beets, almond cilantro pesto & almond parmesan.    She was very impressed with the Farro.  Most places that offer a vegetarian or vegan options (Alchemy has both) tend to be limited and unimaginative in their offerings but Amy was really happy to see all that they offer.  She said Alchemy really knows how to make a good vegetarian dish.  “They get us.”   Harry had the shoe string frites & Larb Goong (shrimp tossed with lime, mint, bibb lettuce cups & peanuts).  Harry, like most of us who tried it, was crazy about the curry ketchup offered with the fries.  The curry spice with the tomato was kind of perfect.  Even Joey (a notorious ketchup detractor) seemed to like it.  Harry said the Larb Goong was really good with a nice, nutty flavor.

At first I resisted ordering the Fish & Chips as it seemed to be a very pedestrian choice.  I’ve noticed as time has gone on with this challenge, I’ve gotten used to ordering more unique dishes so this felt like a step back.  On the other hand, it was what I wanted so I went for it.  The portions were huge!  3 pieces of giant fried fish in newspaper.  That having been said, they were pretty delicious.  The fry went a little more well done than I prefer but it was super tasty and moist.  Then we have the chips.  THANK YOU SWEET LORD OF POTATOES!!!!  ACTUAL. STEAK. FRIES.  THIS is what I have been wanting for WEEKS!!!  Thick cut, done to perfection.  Floppy, moist and fluffy (also the names of my imaginary pet Llamas)  The garlic aioli was outstanding.  I’m sure the curry ketchup would’ve been pretty bomb with these also but by the time this occurred to me, the garlic aioli and I had already cemented our monogamous relationship with one another.  Seriously awesome.

Yes the fish was good but THEM FRIES, THO.

Yes the fish was good but THEM FRIES, THO.

After dinner, Harry and Suzanne kept the drinking theme going with a flight of Ports.  They seemed to enjoy them very much.  Suzanne called them a great finish to a really nice meal.   Alchemy’s dessert menu is by no means large but we sampled some of it.  Aimee & Harry had the duo of house-made gelato (The featured flavors were Lime/Cherry and Pink Guava).  They were both very tasty but the portions were a bit small.  Just a scosche above tasting portions.     Amy ordered the Blueberry Bread Pudding with bourbon caramel, strussel and cinnamon gelato.  This one was pretty deadly.  Sweet in all the best ways.  It evokes flavors of every great kind of blueberry baked goods and the cinnamon gelato was outstanding.

The big Blueberry finish.

The big Blueberry finish.

Overall I would say Alchemy lives up to the hype.  It seems like it would be a great place to stop in for a cocktail and some small plates at the bar.  Their brunch is also highly touted and this place made a good enough impression on me that I’m eager to return and see how many of those steak fries I can eat at try their brunch.

 

Further reading: http://alchemysandiego.com/

If you want to see all of the pics from this week’s entry, be sure to follow The Boy Who Ate San Diego on Instagram!

Slater’s 50/50 (11 of 52)

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Of all the places in this challenge so far, Slater’s 50/50 has the been the place that the largest number of my friends and associates were shocked to learn I’d never been to.  The intonation in their disbelief was similar to when I tell people I’ve never been outside the United States and they say “You’ve never been to Mexico?!” as though I had been there before but just refused to acknowledge it as a separate country.  With so many of my friends familiar with Slater’s I came armed with a lot of knowledge and unsolicited opinions with which to guide the small army of friends I showed up with:

Aimee-Roommate since the 90’s, BFF, allergic to hot dogs and therefore labeled a commie by many

Anna-Educator, flannel wearer, still mad at us for going to Snooze without her

Brad-Rocky Horror performer, Fluent in most nerdisms, Still thinks Miley Cyrus is sexy

David-Technical writer, singer, robot super villian

Joe-Theatre and beer enthusiast, podcast co-host, Co-Creator of World’s Cutest Baby

Joe “Bish”-Computer wunderkind, Husband of Kate, a tall drink of water

Kate-Costume designer, Comedian, Once starred in a church rap video

Ky-Rocky Horror performer, Disneyland enthusiast, Roommate of Brad

Lily-World’s Cutest Baby (a Joe & Nicole production)

Mandy-Writer, Top-shelf level geek girl, lives in my pocket

Matt-My co-star in “Five Course Love”, Runner, Lover of beer

Stephanie-Blogger, runner, fellow Disneyland enthusiast

Tomy-Fashionista, Rocky Horror performer, an original Kathryn

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If there were a dozen or so fewer of us you could see the giant bronze burger we are standing in front of.

The namesake burger of Slater’s 50/50 is crafted with 50% beef and 50% Bacon.  Yeah,  BACON. This, to me, was equal parts seductive and terrifying at the same time.  It’s like if  Bradley Cooper and Betty White put out a sex tape.  Among the other bold and awesome factors to Slater’s was the fact that they boast over 100 microbrews on tap.  I don’t even like beer and i’m impressed!  Among some of the beers ordered were Matt’s Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale & Stephanie’s Latitude 33, which they both loved.  Slater’s also offers the opportunity to create and name your own burger, which several folks opted to do.  As for me, I felt crafting my own burger wouldn’t really be giving Slater’s a fair shake at seeing what they offer from their menu so I went with the “World’s Greatest Turkey Burger”.  It’s topped with smoked gouda, baby greens, red onions, a portobello mushroom cap and creamy pesto sauce on a honey wheat bun.  When it arrived, I learned the other trademark of Slater’s 50/50:  Cartoonishly large food.

I now know what it's like to have a sloppy make-out session with Audrey II.

I now know what it’s like to have a sloppy make-out session with Audrey II.

While there was much confusion with exactly how I was supposed to eat this, I made do.  I took at least 2 bites before asking our server for a shovel and a rake.  This was a damn tasty burger.  Well cooked and juicy.  The gouda added a great sharpness and the honey wheat bun was a really nice change up from the usual sesame seed buns I eat at McDonald’s  other fine establishments.

Our appetizers and main courses arrived at the same time, not that I’m complaining.  It was all going to the same place:  the stomachs of 14 ambitious burger lovers.  I ordered a combo plate of Fried Mac & Cheese Balls with Tapatio Ranch and Beer Bettered Jalapenos with cilantro Lime sour cream.  Enormous, fried, soul-hugging goodness.

Sized for sharing.  with a baseball team.

Sized for sharing.  with a baseball team.

Naturally, with so much food I was going to need to wash it all down somehow.  Enter the Almond Joy Milkshake!  The selection of Milkshakes at Slater’s 50/50 is redonk like whoa (meant in the best possible way).  I took the most time deciding what kind I wanted.   When you’re a late 30’s Diabetic, drinking ALL of them isn’t an option anymore so you pick and choose your moments with the utmost care.  It was of course, the best sex you’ve ever had served in ice cream form.

Aimee had the Graceland Milkshake (Peanut butter and banana, RIP king) and the Frito’s Crunch Burger, ground beef patty topped with melted cheddar cheese, house made chili, Fritos and 1000 island dressing on white brioche.  She said the burger was really good with a nice, but controlled spice on the chili.  Anna and Joe both ordered the B’B’B’ Bacon Burger, the lauded 50/50 patty with bacon American cheese, sunny side up egg, thick cut bacon and bacon island dressing on a bacon pretzel bun.  Anna said it was everything you want a bacon burger to be.  I should hope so considering I’m sure the only reason everything on it didn’t have bacon was because the chickens died of heart attacks from the bacon-only diet they were fed before they could lay the eggs for the burger.  Joe enjoyed the burger and added that it was surprisingly, not over-bacon’ed.  Keep in mind Joe’s childhood nickname was “Twinkie” so make of that what you will.

Brad had the Peanut Butter and Jealousy, ground beef topped with thick cut bacon, creamy peanut butter and strawberry jelly on a honey wheat bun.  He felt the burger was lacking Peanut Butter and could’ve benefited from some good sharp cheddar.  He assured me more than once that he wasn’t stoned during our meal.  David ordered The Old Timey because he was the oldest person at the table and at 6:30pm, it was getting close to his bedtime.  The Old Timey is ground beef, American cheese, thick cut bacon, grilled onions, green leaf lettuce, tomato and 1000 island dressing on white brioche.  While he said the burger was okay, for him it was nothing unlike he could get elsewhere, just hugely portioned.

Joe “Bish” ordered the specialty burger of the month: Japanese pork Belly with coleslaw.  He loved it.  Melt-in-your-mouth rich, smooth and well partnered with the coleslaw.  Joe also enjoyed how easy it was to cut up and share, which he did with me because he’s demonstrated many times over the course of our 12-year friendship that he’s skilled at getting on my good side.  Damn tasty sandwich.  They should really add it to the main menu.  Kate ordered the create your own burger:  She crafted a 2/3 lb fried chicken (“The whole God damned hen house”-Kate) on white brioche with coleslaw, beer battered onion rings, thick cut bacon and barbecue sauce.  She named it “The Trailer Dweller’s Delight”.  It was huge.  Seriously.

 

At 6 months pregnant, Kate's soon-to-be Daughter is already entered in 3 competitive eating contests scheduled the week after her due date.

At 6 months pregnant, Kate’s soon-to-be Daughter is already entered in 3 competitive eating contests scheduled the week after her due date.

Ky also created her own burger:  50/50 patty on a brioche bun with Vampire dip (roasted garlic, cheese & artichoke), tomato, jalapeno, pickles, lettuce and garlic aioli.  She named the burger George and enjoyed eating him very much.  Lily Did not partake of a burger because she is a baby but she was able to wear a Brioche bun like a giant hat at the Kentucky Derby.  Did I mention the size of the food here?   Mandy created her own burger called “I’m Boring”.  It had lettuce and tomato on a beef patty.  She found it very flavorful despite the name she gave it.

Matt had his own creation, The “In my Mouth”: a 50/50 patty with bacon pretzel bun, Danish blue cheese, arugula, grilled onions and Slater’s signature Bacon ketchup.  Matt had been to Slater’s several times and deemed his creation “absolutely delicious”.  Stephanie created her own “Texas” burger: beef patty on brioche, baby greens, fresh salsa, roasted corn, black beans, avocado mash & cilantro sour cream.  A Slater’s veteran, she pointed out that they tend to cook mediums closer to rare so level up for desire done-ness.  She also mentioned that her toppings were a bit bland and could’ve benefited from a bit more seasoning.

Tomy created his own burger, “Kathryn”: 50/50 patty on bacon pretzel bun with vampire dip, baby greens, lettuce and Fritos.  He said it was tasty but “a bit much” size-wise.  He was one of a few people who contacted the following day to tell me their stomachs regretted their choices.  Ah, the dangers of building your own burger.  Caution is advised.

The side items seemed to be the real stand out.  Between everyone at the table we had Beer Cheese Fries (chili, beer cheese sauce, melted pepper jack cheese and jalapeños), Slater’s Fries (A canoe sized bowl) with bacon infused ketchup*, Sweet potato fries with pumpkin dipping sauce*, Mashed potato Mac n’ Cheese (Exactly what it sounds like but surprisingly light!).

*Highest overall marks of the night from all diners.

When our affable server, Matt, asked us if we were ready for dessert, we roared with laughter and then quickly stopped ourselves for fear of creating a flash flood of collective vomit.  We then waddled “March of the Penguins style” back to our cars, which were all now lower to the ground.

Overall this place was really great.  Bring your hungriest friends and get ready for some seriously big, but delicious, eats.

Further reading: https://slaters5050.com/