“I love to take something ordinary and make it really special.”
~Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa
Everywhere I go, I try to experience the local fare. Food is such an integral part of travel; it allows you to delve into the local experience. Whether it is domestic or international, I always try to sample the local cuisine.
So even though I have been to Encinitas and Carlsbad a number of times, I decided to branch out and try some different dining experiences, outside of Fidel’s Little Mexico, which we always enjoy. Here are some new favorites that stuck out that I just had to share. (And make sure you make it all the way to the end because the last place has changed my dining expectations forever.)
The 3rd Corner Wine and Bistro
This little gem is right in the heart of Encinitas, and it features over 800 wines from around the world for purchase. And a fantastic brunch with bottomless mimosas for only $20.95, total. Sweet deal!
We went to town at this brunch. I ordered the chilaquiles with scrambled eggs instead of fried eggs. Chilaquiles are tortilla chips smothered in salsa or enchilada sauce, topped with eggs, cilantro and cheese. It was savory and delicious and definitely one of the best plate chilaquiles I have had in Southern California, which is saying a lot. The breakfast potatoes were perfectly seasoned and the mimosas flowed plenty.
And then there was dessert. The Chocolate Turtle Torte with Vanilla Gelato. Chocolate. Turtle. Torte. Vanilla. Gelato. Let that one sink in. (Not to mention the caramel and pecans.) It was amazing and rich and clearly we only had a couple of bites.
All in all, this was a restaurant I would definitely visit again. Brunch is Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. And I loved the outdoor patio facing out to the main street in Encinitas was quaint.
Bangkok Bay
Just next door to the Courtyard Marriott Solana Beach is a little restaurant called Bangkok Bay, which serves up delicious Thai food. After a long drive, I walked the several steps over the restaurant, and just barely beat the huge rush.
I started with a cocktail. I don’t love coconut, but I love mango, so instead of their typical Mango Martini with a coconut sake, the waitress whipped me up a ‘Mango a Go Go,’ which was all mango deliciousness topped with mango slices. I had two.
Then, because I wanted to try a sampling of appetizers, I ordered the Bangkok Bay Boat. It was a little of everything: Chicken satay, golden flowers, golden fingers (shrimp wontons), a star ton, and spring rolls. It was delicious. I don’t eat items like crab Rangoon often, but the Star Ton, a wonton filled with cream cheese and avocado was delicious. All of the items were great and it was a wonderful sampling of everything. Clearly, I took some to go.
I also ordered the crab fried rice. It came with huge chunks of real crab meat and it was so flavorful.
But you know what else it was? Spicy. The waitress asked what level of heat I like. Those who know me know that I am a huge lover of spicy food. But this is Thai food, so spicy tends to take on a different meaning. So I decided to play it safe and order the rice at a level 5, which is supposed to be medium spice.
Wooooo, child! Their five does not equal my five. It definitely had some serious kick and cleared my sinuses a bit. But it was delicious and I would definitely return (but maybe order a level 4).
Pacific Coast Grill
I wanted to experience a restaurant right on the beach and the Pacific Coast Grill did not let me down. The restaurant was literally right on the beach with a lower patio that was on the sand and an upstairs covered patio that overlooked the beach and ocean.
The view was spectacular and so was the food. And drinks. I started with a Mai Thai and it was massive. Perfect blending and presentation. You could swim in it!
As an appetizer, we had the Lobster & Dungeness Crab Guacamole. It was a game changer. Never had I heard of a lobster and crab guac and it was awesome!
As entrees, so we could try everything we shared the Bag O’ Bonz and the Lobster BLT. We had the Lobster BLT on brioche bread and it was full of rich lobster salad with crispy applewood smoked bacon. The Bag O’ Bonz was a literal bag of bones: Applewood smoked Hawaiian style baby back ribs with fresh cut fries. Again, not a rib girl… but these ribs were heavenly. The Hawaiian style sauce really complimented the tender meat that fell off the bones. We were so full we didn’t even order dessert… and that was my only meal of the day.
Next time, though, I am going to be sure to make it a sunset dinner. That will be perfection.
Solace and the Moonlight Lounge
This place changed me. Period. My friends set up “brunch” at this corner restaurant in Encinitas and casually mentioned that we had to have the cinnamon rolls. We got there and enjoyed a carafe of mimosas. We ordered 3 cinnamon rolls for a table of 6 (5 adults and 1 child), and a couple of us lamented only ordering 3 cinnamon rolls for the table.
We were dead wrong. These cinnamon rolls were massive! And yes, that is cream cheese frosting on top along with an optional pecan glaze sauce. We took one bite and dropped our forks. A collective “MMMMMMMM” came from everyone at the table. It was like magic.
After that, I didn’t know how my meal, a breakfast burrito with green tomatillo salsa could even compare to the decadence we were experiencing at the moment. But alas, my bacon and cheese breakfast burrito was delicious as well. It was the perfect blend of flavors with the breakfast potatoes being slightly soft to make the burrito soft, not crunchy.
Everything on the table looked good. I tried a couple of fries, and they were amazing. Even the Bloody Mary’s looked excellent, and are in fact called Hot Hot Mary’s because of the chipotle and Serrano infused vodka.
My friend explained that whenever people come in town they say, “Okay, let’s go to brunch,” and it is always implied that it means taking a trip to Solace and the Moonlight. Now I see why. And I fully agree.
*drooling on keyboard* Ok so I clearly should not have been reading this post on an empty stomach. I need to know where I can get allll of these dishes in the state of MD or in DC…like for real..especially that caramel, torte with vanilla gelato and other yummy goodness!
So I’m reading this post and I keep scrolling and wondering, “when are these food pics gonna end”? lol. I’m not a foodie like that but I was over here drooling. I definitely agree about experiencing the local foods.
Sounds like you had an amazing experience! So many different foods to try! I love trying new foods and discovering how much I like them!
The Chilaquiles look extra special! Thanks for showing us these meals, they all look fantastic! When I travel, I make sure I try the local food as well.
Everything looks and sounds so delicious, omg! I need to go to every single one of these spots!
My stomach is now growling..wow.. this looked so yummy!.. i am taking a note so i can look these dishes up when i go out.. thank you much for sharing.
Your photos made me crave for some good food. I’d love to try those cinnamon rolls, love love cinnamon!
omg wayyyyt to make me hungry. Every last photo you posted looks beyond delicious! I would like one of everything please 🙂
Those foods look delicious and tasty, I’d love to try the pacific coast grill and the solace moonlight.
What delicious looking food. I would mind trying some of those dishes for myself.
once I again you have left my mouth watering! I have been craving Thai food so after this will have to get some! I love eating on the beach! And the torte and cinnamon roll?!! Yum!
That cinnamon roll looks amazing! I don’t make it to California very often but I’ll definitely check out Solace and the Moonlight Lounge if I make it to Encinitas!
This food makes my mouth water. You did a good job with getting pictures of it. Thanks for sharing this with us.
All of the selections look mighty tasty. I wouldn’t mind visiting those spots. Looks like you enjoyed it too.
My goodness! I don’t know what to do with myself after looking at all that good food! Delicious!
OMG! Talk about food porn! All of this looks so incredibly good.
We definitely like to try new things when we’re out traveling too. It adds to the experience ten fold. Your pictures her are really great. You made some fun choices!
I’m so glad I don’t live anywhere near this place. I’d be 500 lbs! Thank you for sharing. Everything looks so delicious!
All this food looks totally delicious indeed. I would love to eat here some day. Yummy!!! I would love one of these cinnamon rolls for sure. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t even focus for real because this chocolate turtle goodness looks so dag on good. That cinnamon also made my mouth water a bit. I’m sucker for food I swear I am. That grab fried rice looked good too.
I always plan my vacation around the food. I love to try the local food and food spots.
It’s great to know places based on their food or culinary offering. The encinitas looks so tasty.
Wow! All of these foods looked incredible! My favorite though is the Thai place, I absolutely love Thai and it’s hard to find a good place!
What an incredible experience. The food and the place sound awesome!
Looks like a great trip full of lots and lots of food. I like spicy also, but never thought of spicy fried rice.
I agree, travel does allow you to delve into the local experience. We make sure to check out local restaurants every time with travel. The Chocolate Turtle Torte with Vanilla Gelato looks delicious!
That chocolate turtle torte looks soooo good. I also love the view you had while eating. I can only imagine how much more enjoyable that made your meal.
Everything looks super delicious. I might have to do a day trip to Encinitas this weekend and indulge.
That chocolate turtle torte, looks so good! I love brunch and rhat breakfast burrito looks like one I’ve eaten recently, yum!
That looks like the perfect place to grab brunch!! All of this food looks absolutely amazing!
Hubby and I are huge food enthusiasts. I’d visit just for the spring rolls and the Chocolate Turtle Torte with Vanilla Gelato.
Wow! This all looks super tasty! I don’t think I’ve ever had anything pictured here! It all looks really great!
This dish chilaquiles with scrambled eggs instead of fried eggs might be favorite. I get the same old food but will have to look for chilaquiles next time I eat mexican. And your photos are awesome