Starlight star bright... enjoy your dinner here tonight - San Diego

The Starlight is one of those places that, if you've lived in San Diego, have definitely passed a hundred or more times, but have you gone in yet? Just up from the airport and down the street from El Indio - is the Starlight.  This has become a favorite of mine - quaint retro styling, and servers that seem to be people you just want to invite to sit down with you and chat. The produce and products come largely from local places (so I'm told) and if you choose to come - make sure you have a reservation or be prepared to wait. It has two great bars - a swanky one up front for people watching, and one out back for those evenings that being outside in San Diego makes living here and paying high property tax all worth it.

Ok, so I digress... the Macaroni and Cheese here is a staple. They don't sway too much from the standard noodles and cheese - but it is always made perfectly and comes served at the right temperature. As you read my blog you will see that I tend to like those that blend other ingredients, but this will suffice! The cheeses taste like a blend of feta, parmesan and cheddar - but it is only my guess. The topping is a blend of bread crumbs browned and allows for the heat to be kept inside until you want to eat. As  you can see we couldn't wait for the picture to be taken, so a couple bites have exposed the creamy sauce just waiting to be savored. We paired this with a bottle of Cab Franc and an arugula apple salad. All amazing.

Here is the full version of the poem:
Star Light Star bright,
The first star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.
(19th Century Poem)


I think I got my wish that night...


Starlight  www.starlitesandiego.com/


Disclaimer: no one knows I write this blog when I go in... no one gives me "free Mac and Cheese" and certainly does not pay for what I write.  However, if you want to, feel free to contact me!

The one that started it all... Willi's Wine Bar (Santa Rosa)

This is a travel piece of sorts... not San Diego, but many people go up the coast to Sonoma County I just had to include it.  I had mentioned it previously below (um, yes... a year ago - apologies to my 2 followers!)


Just north of Santa Rosa is a tiny little place, that in ~2002 became Willi's Wine Bar. I was living up there at the time, and just happened to go in for a "quick bite" when I found that they had a Mac and Cheese on their menu. I seem to remember asking them if this was for the kids, and the reply was... "oh no... this is no kid's macaroni".  Since it is a wine bar I ordered some wine, salad and then asked for the Macaroni. It was like nothing else I have tasted. The cheeses were subtle and not over powering. In the perfectly baked dish was not only macaroni but at that time I remember, baby tomotoes, onion, and even some cauliflower. It was perfect. To top it off it was baked to perfection - you know when you have to slightly tap the top of the macaroni to get to the gooey noodles and insides... this was that!


A trip back over the summer (yes, my blogging is months behind, again) yielded the same experience. The picture above is from the summer - I paired it with some asparagus and an Arnold Palmer. I am salivating just thinking about it. It is a must stop if you are traveling anywhere near the wine country. www.williswinebar.net


On a side note... I was recently wandering the streets of Paris, France - when to my surprise, I was standing in front of Willi's Wine Bar. I found out that this place had been a expat mainstay for over twenty years. Since it was somewhere near lunch time, I went it and had lunch. No macaroni... but the filet mignon, wine, salad and of course french bread made up for it. Tres bien, magnifique!  I am sure the Santa Rosa establishment is aware of the Paris location as they had a similar logo - never confirmed any relationship - so if anyone is reading my blogs and wants to ask - please comment!  www.williswinebar.com


Willi's gets the highest rating...