Cool.
A lot of support right away after saying no more tours and now writing about food.
And… now it seems people are excited that I said I would be blogging more.
Crap.
What did I get myself into… again?
“You have a lot of enemies,” remarked someone yesterday while having beers.
I do and don’t. Or who knows.
Some people don’t like what I have to say. That’s for sure.
But in here I intend to be good. I’m not planning on shitting on restaurants or drinks. If I don’t have anything good to say, I simply won’t say it.
If you wanted brutal destruction of places, this is not about that.
Or perhaps some… just a tad.
With that in mind, I went to Cine Tonalá yesterday. This place has mixed reviews from everyone. Americans tend to love all of it. Mexicans tend to think it’s a great place but overpriced and bad.
So what is it?
Well… It has good things and bad things. The good can be very good and the bads can be like, oh shit, I can’t believe I paid that much for that.
Mistakes are made. Mistakes are hopefully corrected. If not by the place, then by oneself. And some things are not worth it.
Things that are worth it.
Santo Tlali. Ok. It’s 105 pesos for a small mezcal drink, but maracuya + piña, habanero bitters, and tajin rimmed glass is delicious and refreshing. Gin Saavedra is also good. I avoid the Old Fashioned until they have a proper ice cube (or ice ball) at proper temperatures and replace the idea of Wild Turkey for something nice like Angel’s Envy, Buffalo Trace, or Makers (at the very least).
But you are not just paying for a drink, you are paying for the atmosphere, the rooftop views, the music is generally good, there are constant events, and new people visiting. So yeah. You are paying for all that and the drink. So the drink better be as good as the views. Some are, some aren’t. There’s one made with Baileys that… well… don’t get it. And usually, you shouldn’t do that.
Look at me. Pretending to know what I’m talking about.
Don’t buy into my bullshit.
Food.
I like the burger a lot. It’s one of my favorites in town. But that’s because I’m a sucker for Persian cucumbers and garlic aioli. My exgf loved the salads (especially the beet with goat cheese) and the portobello burger. Vegetarians usually really like the salads and the portobello burger.
Now the TAY-KOHS.
It is tough to compete in taco town. There tacos. They are good. They would be even better if they were half the price (or at least 1/3 of the price) or if they were doubled in size. If you ignore that, don’t care, earn dollars so it doesn’t matter much, then they are great tacos… but… but…. taco town.
Tacos go for roughly $3 each which should get you a fine taco in many places in San Diego (sans the view and space). And it basically achieves the same thing (plus a view and space). I’ve learned that my favorite is the braised rib with black beans. Handmade tiny tortilla, somewhat greasy and slippery. It earns points for the use of Persian cucumbers, pickled radishes, and red onions.
Told you I was a sucker for Persian cucumbers.
The other two I had was the pesto octopus and the pork jowl. For both, I demand a bigger tortilla. The octopus was good, but slippery that it all fell out. Similar thing on the pork jowl, the tortilla was too small for the amount of meat. Double tortilla? Or perhaps they want me to use a knife and fork on my tacos? Who knows…
Pork jowl tasted similar to carnitas, so if you are craving that and other carnitas spots are closed, then go for it.
For me, if I get tacos there, it’s just going to be the braised rib.
I accompanied the tacos with a Juan Cordero by Insurgente at 85 pesos, that’s a fair deal. Most craft places are hovering between 60-100 pesos a beer. The addition of Insurgente was greatly needed.
All in all, I love Cine Tonalá and that they are in town and will continue to go. You just gotta learn what to avoid and what to go for. Bread and Dip as an appetizer and a couple of drinks if it’s early. Go heavy if it’s night.
It is a great place to easily wow visitors with the view and the creative space.
And this is what I wanted to avoid. To actually pretend to know how to review food…
Today and this weekend is Stu’s final week. I forgot to go buy a bottle of whisky. He deserves it.
I’m going to miss that place so much…
Oh.
And I spoke to Haydee and Bryan yesterday. They are both willing to be tour guides. Haydee will be your family-friendly day tour guide while Bryan will take responsibilities of crazy nights and bachelor parties.
Details, prices, and other things are still to discuss. But if you are looking for tours, there will be some through them.
It’s not all dead. It’s just not Tijuana Adventure with me.
