Andrew Zimmern Visits San Diego

Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizarre Foods America (and others), made a stop in San Diego. I caught up with him at Catalina Offshore Products, where fishmonger Tommy Gomes showed him around the vast seafood warehouse packed with fresh fish. Zimmern visited a long list of local haunts while he was here, including Tita's Kitchenette, Mama Testa Taqueria, The Hillcrest Farmer's Market and George's at the Cove. When the episode is closer to airing, I'll post my full interview with Zimmern that explores his thoughts on San Diego's dining evolution and what excites him about the flavors and cultures of our region. 

Andrew holding a swordfish vertebrae, getting ready to discover the goodness within.

Sniff test

                                         

It must've smelled good; in Andrew's hand is a blob of swordfish marrow. 

Slurp! 

                                     

Andrew, a Con Pane cinnamon roll, and me. 

Hinotez

Yakitori Yakyudori has a special place in my heart, so when they opened a sister store less than a mile away from their Convoy Street location, I was eager to try it out. They also do to-go bento boxes for lunch, and have a traditional Japanese breakfast 7 days a week. 

The skewered meats were flavorful but lacked the charcoal singe that I love at the original Izakaya. 

BBQ pork was tasty- just a little dry around the edges. 

Fried chicken, or karage, was perfect.

Read the full review here.