Food for Thought

One of the most exciting things about moving to a new place is finding your new favorite eateries. Conversely, moving anxiety can be heightened when you realize you will no longer be right down the street from your favorite spots.

Every time I visit Chapel Hill, I make an effort to have the Oreo cookie yogurt at Yogurt Pump, a piece of pizza at Pepper's and the whole wheat fettuccine at 411 West. In Cincinnati, I will NOT be missing the "Skyline Chili" on every other corner. However, there are some great places I was sad to move away from. In fact, the week I left the 'Nati, I was able to visit three great spots that were all new to me - Scotti's, a great (and divey) Italian spot downtown; Riverside - a Korean restaurant in Covington with amazing beef; and Chalk Food + Wine, one of Jean Robert's places in Covington (right next to Greenup Cafe on Greenup Street). My friend Linda and I shared this amazing S'mores dessert at Chalk that I think was one of the best desserts I've ever had.

My most missed meals in Cincinnati include: Mahi mahi tacos with chips and guac at Nada, the Godzilla burger at Habit's, the honeybee roll at Teak Thai (conveniently located just up the street from my old place), the peppercorn ranch salad and Edgar Allan Poe pizza at Dewey's, the Aztec at The Echo in Hyde Park, and the Buckeye Blitz and raspberry chip ice cream at Graeter's.

Fortunately, I've already had some outstanding food in the greater San Diego area. Favorites thus far include the hardwood smoked bacon, avocado, onion & swiss farm scramble at Hash House a go go (www.hashhouseagogo.com) in Hillcrest, the eggplant parmesan at Filippi's Pizza Grotto (www.realcheesepizza.com) in Little Italy, Bernadino's Huevos Rancheros at Americana (www.americanarestaurant.com) in Del Mar and the taco salad (although it's called something different) at Fidel's Little Mexico in Solana Beach. If only there were a Yogurt Pump here, I think I'd be all set...