West Coast Tavern - North Park

Last week, while at a nearby wine bar (that didn't serve macaroni and cheese, so it will go unmentioned) the waiter suggested, no rather, insisted that I try out West Coast Tavern in North Park. I planned an outing with a friend whom I haven't seen for a long time and I have to say it was amazing (the friend and the tavern). The presentation scared me a little - being all bright and visibly creamy/moist... you will come to find out that I slant more toward the 'baked' line of M&C.
This tasty treat had an infusion of sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, chives, and a hint of spinach. The cheese tended to be a bit too creamy, but the veggies made up for it. My friend inquired to the waitress, who informed us that it is never the same M&C - they change it up every day, the day before it had peas in it. I do not know if West Coast starts with the same 'stock' of pasta and cheese - that will require another trip - one that I look forward to! I would like to see them try to ease off on the yellow cheese, throw it in the oven and bake it with some bread crumbs... mmmm.
A couple other comments... the drink selection was good, a couple of the other appetizers were good (the green beans) and the atmosphere was comfy. The dining room is a bit noisy due to the ceiling having some strange acoustics, so if you are heading to North Park for a drink and some good comfort food - sit in the bar, and order the Mac and Cheese - not sure what you'll get, but it will be an experience I'll be trying again and again.

Do I have to? Glowing yellow from Red Robin - Escondido

From time to time I will add in something "just for kids", as one of the reasons I started this blog, was 2 fold: 1) to give you options to take your kids out to eat, and 2) because my kids won't eat much at nice restaurants (green = yuck, fancy name = yuck) and I wanted to find some place to look online for good mac and cheese places for them.
So, this entry is to be fair, and not just the creme de la creme, or should I say "cream de la cream" of our topic.
I think for kids, this M&C is ok... it is vibrant in color that attracts attention, and it is creamy. Red Robin has come a long way from the time when they would make a vat of Kraft M&C and then heat it up under a heat lamp. My daughter ate about half of this bowl. I think because it was simply too filling with the sauce. I took a bite, in order to honestly write this blog. I wouldn't order it for myself, and I will try to steer her towards the Chicken sticks next time.

A few thoughts on where this is going...

So in my haste to publish my first blog, I wrote it a week or so ago, and then just now pushed the button. I did so, because I have been telling people about the blog, and they are all excited to read it. What I forgot to do, or rather what I need to do, is create some form of rating - ie. what is great vs. good vs. bad mac and cheese. I am thinking of going with the 1-5 shell rating where 5 shells is a particularly amazing mac and cheese experience. Any comments?
For now I will go with this and use the label form to enter the rating... then you can search on "4 shells" or "2.5 shells", etc.

A visit to Stone Brewery - Escondido, California

Stone Brewery has to be one of my favorite places in San Diego to have a nice dinner or lunch. The restaurant was built with one thing in mind - fun, outdoorsy feel and entertaining. There outdoor patio is perfect on a warm summer evening where the kids can leave the table and run about the park like setting while you sit back and enjoy their famous beer, and in this case... their famous macaroni and cheese.

Stone's M&C is a must have. First, because they have the perfect blending of cheese to pasta and spices, but there is always the hint of a pale ale in the cream sauces. Stone also mixes in a seasoned kielbasa of sorts, and at times it can be overpowering (ie. too much keilbasa), it gives it a rich powerful flavor that is best paired with the 'Arrogant Bastard' ale. Secondly, their M&C is not always on the menu... so when it's there, order it as a meal with salad, or as an appetizer shared among others.  For kids, you can also have a fresh made Root Beer with the macaroni.