Located at the Irvine Spectrum, the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe Irvine is a small spot with  Hello Kitty merchandise, handmade hot and iced beverages, cakes, donuts, other sweet treats, and seasonal goodies.

The Hello Kitty Grand Cafe offers merch like t-shirts, tote bags, pins, keychains, and more. It's quite small, and there is a queue to order food. There is no indoor seating. Reservations are required for the Bow Room afternoon tea with seating. There are tables and chairs outside for mall patrons to use. The treats are packaged in Hello Kitty boxes or packaging for you to take with you.

Hello Kitty Grand Cafe interior

Drinks and Treats

You can expect mini donuts like cinnamon sugar, rainbow, and cookies and cream. Desserts are limited in quantity. The Hello Kitty Cafe has birthday cake, strawberry cake, chocolate cake, mama's apple pie, mixed berry pocket pie, macaron set, freshly baked cookies, and other sweets. They also have the seasonal strawberry tart, blueberry pocket pie, and rainbow mini donuts.

If you want something cold, they have pineapple and vanilla Dole soft serve. The Hello Kitty Cafe has iced drinks like teas (green or black), lemonades, blended drinks, espresso drinks, and strawberry milk. Even if you don't go for the tea service, you can still make a quick stop to soothe your sweet tooth. Get a couple of little cakes or donuts before you leave the Irvine Spectrum.

Supercute menu at Hello Kitty Cafe

Hello Kitty Grand Cafe Irvine Address

Located at the Irvine Spectrum at 860 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, California 92618. It's near the Giant Wheel Court. Park for free at the mall and then walk to the store. Depending on the day and time you arrive, parking might be hard to find, so I recommend just going to the parking structure. There's a lot more parking there. 

Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine sign

Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine Hours

Monday - Thursday 10 am - 9 pm 

Friday - Sunday 10 am-10 pm 

Afternoon Tea Hours

Wednesday - Friday 11 am - 2:30 pm (last seating) 

Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 3:30 pm (last seating) 

Afternoon tea at the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe starts at $60 per person. The expanded menu has savory foods like the pesto tart, salmon croissant, and cucumber sandwich with dill cream cheese served on milk bread. It also serves sweet options like strawberries and cocoa cream, seasonal scone, Hello Kitty mini cake, and more. This is a cute spot to come with a Hello Kitty-loving friend for a fun afternoon tea service and a sweet experience. 

Cocktail Service 

Wednesday - Saturday 5 pm - 9:30 pm (last seating)

Hello Kitty Grand Cafe also has a cocktail menu featuring items like the Kitty Colada with rum, pineapple soft serve, and coconut or the Bee Kind with gin, vermouth, lemon, lavender honey, and ginger.

Bow Room at Hello Kitty Grand Cafe Irvine

Bow Room

The Hello Kitty Cafe's chic pink Bow Room has a bar area, tables, and chairs. This is a separate space inside of the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe where you can dine with a reservation.

You should check out the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe at the Irvine Spectrum if you or someone you know is a Helloy Kitty fan. Making reservations to experience the afternoon tea service and ensure its availability. It is something kids will never forget for a birthday celebration or special occasion. You can also pick up Hello Kitty Cafe merchandise if you want to take a souvenir home that you can wear.

Take videos and enjoy the moment.

Find fresh, delicious food at The Desmond, which is part of Kimpton Alma in the Downtown San Diego Gaslamp District. The Gaslamp is known for its nightlife but has its fair share of other things to do, whether you're with kids, on a romantic trip, or stopping by with friends.

If you're staying in the Kimpton Alma, consider getting dinner at The Desmond, which is located on the mezzanine level. 

Where is The Desmond San Diego?

The address of The Desmond is 1047 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. They invited me to have dinner, so I went with my family to see what goodies were on the menu. The menu centers around San Diego and California cuisine with options like seafood and pasta. 

Parking in Downtown San Diego

The hotel has valet parking, which is easier than circling the one-way streets of downtown San Diego in search of a spot. But if valet isn't your thing, you can drive further away to seek a place.

Food and Menu

If you enjoy bread, start with the roasted garlic and herb focaccia bread service. The menu seems to rotate through the seasons, so when I checked back about two months later, the items I got weren't on it. They have appetizers, entrees, desserts, and cocktails.

That said, I really enjoyed the fresh, housemade pasta. The ingredients and thoughtful presentations are focal points to ensure an experience unlike anything you'd get at an average restaurant. Each dish is carefully presented. 

It's a terrific spot to celebrate a birthday, retirement, or special occasion dining experience. The prices are above the standard burger joint but not as costly as you'd expect for a fine-dining restaurant. You can get a cocktail and entree for around $75-80, depending on your order. They also have a 3-course and 5-course menu but you can call ahead to inquire about this.

Desserts

The menu will vary, but you can expect incredible deliciously seasonal desserts. Don't leave without getting at least one. For example, they have a Wildflower Honey Coconut Tapioca that's made with mango custard, honey sweet mango, coconut geleé, and a bit of toasted coconut.

When I went, I had the Basque Cheesecake and Gianduia Chocolate Budino. Both were decadent and the perfect way to end the evening. Desserts cost $10-15, which is around the same price as a dessert at a pizza place in North County San Diego. 

Cocktails at The Desmond

The cocktails are well-crafted and balanced with a range of alcohols and flavors, like Stranahan’s Whiskey. This drink is shaken with cardamom tea and lemon.

Ambience 

I went earlier during dinner service and was among the first people there. During dinner, several other patrons filtered through, whether on a date or business trip. It was still quiet and spacious. The bathroom stalls are gender-neutral and in one open-concept bathroom area.

Visit The Desmond San Diego in Southern California if you want a night of high-quality food experience. They are only open for dinner, but it's a lovely spot for a meal, wine, or dessert.

Costco Wholesale has a bit of everything. If you've been interested in trying Costco coconut shrimp, they seem to have at least a couple of options: the Aqua Star Coconut Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, Clean Tail, 16-20 ct, 2.5 lbs, and then the Royal Asia Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce, 2 lbs.

I purchased the Royal Asia Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce from Costco.

How to Cook the Frozen Coconut Shrimp

For best results, bake or air fry them. To bake, place the shrimp in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake at 400 degrees F for about 18 minutes or until golden brown. The directions say to flip them halfway through.

If you want to skip the oven, try the air fryer. To air fry the shrimp, heat them at 400 degrees F for about 8 minutes and flip them halfway through. 

The Taste of the Coconut Shrimp

The coconut is crispy and tasty. As the name of the frozen coconut shrimp would suggest, it has a deep coconut flavor with the texture of shredded coconut. The shrimp have tails which are easy to remove. The shrimp themselves seem small compared to the amount of coconut on them.

When you use the Thai chili sauce, there is quite a lot of sugar. I actually never ended up using this because the coconut shrimp had a lot of flavor on its own.

Nutrition Facts

The nutrition facts say that there are 8 servings, each 4 oz. This includes the Thai chili sauce, but there are no nutrition facts if you choose to skip the sauce.

Each serving is 390 calories and 24 grams of total fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 34 grams of carbs, 11 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 17 grams of sugar.

Final Thoughts - The coconut shrimp are tasty, but there's more coconut than shrimp

I found this in the frozen fish and seafood area of the store. It was on sale at the time, so I decided to buy it. I like the taste and texture; I just feel that the amount of coconut to shrimp is off. There seems to be a lot of coconut and small pieces of shrimp.

Costco has plenty of good deals, so this is already a good value and a delicious way to mix up how you eat shrimp. The shrimp are ready, so you don't have to clean, devein, or do anything other than pop them in the oven or air fryer.

Overall, I enjoyed the flavor, and it's a good item to have on rotation at home. I wouldn't stock it permanently, but it's nice to have when you want something different. These shrimp are fun to bring to a party or for a family dinner when you don't want to make everything from scratch.

Summer is around the corner, and Dutch Bros has some new drinks on the menu. The Mangonada Rebel returns for another year, while the Churro Freeze and Watermelon Fizz are both fresh additions. Find these available for a limited time at all Dutch Bros locations (all 850+ of them) now until June 30, 2024.

Churro Freeze Blended Caramel Coffee from Dutch Bros

The Churro Freeze uses blended caramel coffee, cinnamon sugar Soft Top, and churro bits for a chilly treat. The churro bits appear to be crunchy pieces of cinnamon sugar, so if you're expecting a dough-based churro, that's not the case. This is for the best since the sugar bits would get soggy in the drink while the cinnamon sugar bits remain crisp.  

The Churro Freeze mixes cinnamon and coffee for a blended but not-too-thick drink. It has the espresso factor if you want a coffee drink, but it's too hot for a warm beverage. It's a cold drink, but the cinnamon aspect almost seems as though it would be suited for fall. 

If you want a little bit of autumn in the summertime the Churro Freeze is a delicious way to get that feeling in a cup. Cinnamon is considered one of the warming spices you often see paired with ginger, cardamom, etc.

The blended Churro Freeze seasonal drink is quite cold, so if you have teeth sensitivities, this is something to consider. I don’t, but it was still very cold on the teeth.

Watermelon Fizz from Dutch Bros

The cold beverage definitely has the tell-tale signs of summer. It almost tastes like a fruit 7-Up or a spin on a Jolly Rancher. It’s very carbonated and sweet but not too cloying. There is a lot of ice, so drink it sooner rather than later because the ice melts and waters down the potency of the Watermelon Fizz.

Mangonada Rebel

The Mangonada Rebel is the Dutch Bros version of the Mexican drink. This rendition has Rebel, which is Dutch Bros' exclusive energy drink as well as and mangonada flavor. It's topped with strawberries and Tajín® (made of mild natural chili peppers, lime, and sea salt).

Dutch Bros Seasonal Drinks Prices

At my local Dutch Bros in the San Diego area, the small Watermelon Fizz and small Churro Freeze seasonal drinks totaled $12.02. Given the state of inflation across all industries, the price is pretty decent. They are standard as far as specialty drinks, like Dutch Bros frozen coffee, go. Whether that’s a price you want to pay or not, it’s up to you. 

Donuts are delicious delights of fried dough. Whether you like them creme-filled or glazed, there are a few places to find donuts in Oceanside. While looking up reviews and photos, you can choose the best donut shop. Do you prefer cakey donuts like an old-fashioned donut, or want something doughy and light? Are you looking for vegan options? There are good donuts, but only you can determine the best donuts since each person has different qualities they look for (whether that's price, atmosphere, flavors, etc).

Selection of donuts at Parlor Doughnuts in Downtown Oceanside, California.

Best Donut Shop in Oceanside - Where to Find Donuts in Oceanside

Parlor Doughnuts - 331 N Cleveland St Oceanside, CA 92054

Doughside Donuts - 417 S. Coast Hwy. Oceanside (coming soon, according to their Instagram)

Tans Donuts - 3375 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058

Hill Street Donut House in Oceanside, CA.

Hill Street Donut House - 1926 S Coast Hwy Oceanside, CA 92054

K-Donuts - 4750 Oceanside Blvd Oceanside, CA 92056

Sk's Donuts on South Coast Highway.

Oceanside Donut - 3772 Mission Ave Ste 119 Oceanside, CA 92054

Mr. Donuts - 1950 Oceanside Blvd # C, Oceanside, CA 92054

Sam's Donuts - 3504 College Blvd # A, Oceanside, CA 92056

Coffee and Desserts in Oceanside

There are many doughnut shops in Oceanside. Oceanside is part of the North County San Diego area, about 40 miles away from Downtown San Diego. Most of these doughnut shops serve coffee, and some offer espresso drinks. The price will vary by business. 

As with most donut shops, there are fewer options if you arrive in the afternoon. Early morning hours are best for visiting for the freshest doughnuts and desserts. Plus, you'll have the most flavors to choose from. Find the best doughnuts the earlier you go.

Related reading: Oceanside Beaches: Best Beaches in Oceanside, CA. Read here.

Exterior view of Parlor Doughnuts in Oceanside.

Old California Restaurant Row, now called San Marcos Restaurant Row, is a staple for foodies in San Marcos, California. Come for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour. There's a little bit of everything at this North County dining experience on San Marcos Boulevard. Some of the restaurants in Restaurant Row San Marcos have outdoor seating, while others are indoors. You'll find a range of cuisine options, from seafood to chicken wings to burgers or brunch. The family-friendly environment and food options make it a great spot to eat!

Address: 1020-1080, W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078 

Hours: 8 am - 10 pm

What restaurants are in Old California Restaurant Row in San Marcos? 

55 Yard Line - Sports bar, burgers, outdoor dining, takeout

Buffalo Wild Wings - Sports bar, American food, chicken wings, takeout

Cocina del Charro - Mexican food, Latin American, buffet, delivery, takeout, curbside pickup options

Fish House Vera Cruz - Fish House Vera Cruz has seafood, fish, cocktail bar, outdoor dining

Katsu Sushi and Teppan Grill - Sushi bar, Japanese, outdoor dining, takeout, curbside pickup

King and I of San Marcos - Thai food, takes reservations, vegan options, offers catering, good for groups and kids

Landon's East Meets West - American, Indian, pizza, takeout

Old California Mining Company - American food, seafood, breakfast, brunch, outdoor dining, takeout

Ascend Coffee Roasters (formerly called Old Cal Coffee / Old California Coffee Company or Old California Coffee House and Eatery) - This coffee shop has been a staple for locals for years. Coffee, tea, cafe, outdoor dining, delivery, takeout. Learn about coffee shops in the nearby city of Carlsbad here or Encinitas coffee shops here.

San Marcos Brewery & Grill *this business is permanently closed

Sublime Alehouse - *this business is permanently closed. There are breweries all over North County. Learn about Vista breweries in this post.

IHOP - Breakfast, brunch, burgers, takeout

Nearby Restaurants a

There are other restaurants close if you don't find one at Restaurant Row in San Marcos that suits your fancy. Mama Kat's and Darunee Thai Cuisine are nearby. If you are looking for some ideas on things to Do in North County San Diego, California, read this blog post.

Restaurant Row San Marcos

Ready to embark on a culinary adventure? The Arizona Fresh Foodie Trail® makes every bite something to savor. Discover the hidden gems and culinary hotspots that make this trail a must-visit for foodies visiting the area. Don't miss out on this gastronomic delight - read the full article now!

The Mesa area is vast, sprawling area that's developing with every passing second, even as you read this article. While I was there it was a unique experience to see the development and land and the area's ability to spread out and have space. Step out on the Fresh Foodie Trail and take a bite at a new adventure! 

Driving into Mesa

Drive to Mesa with your own car from wherever you are or you can opt to fly. Mesa visitors flying into Phoenix can easily rent a car from Hertz or Enterprise at the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport. Then you can explore Mesa, Queen Creek, and Gilbert as desired. You can pick up and drop off at the airport so you don't have to drive willy-nilly around town. 

San Diegans looking for a close trip can find a foodie haven in Mesa, Arizona. The flight from San Diego to Phoenix takes under 90 minutes, then it's a modest drive from Phoenix into Mesa. Mesa is similar to San Diego County in that it's spread out and covers a large area. You might go from Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, or Queen Creek at any given point, just like you might have brunch at your favorite spot in Downtown San Diego, hike in Torrey Pines, and then drive up north to walk the pier in Oceanside.

Exploring the Arizona Fresh Foodie Trail 

Visit Mesa has a full brochure and information you can check out on their website.

Queen Creek Olive Mill

Address: 25062 S Meridian Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

If you enjoy high-quality extra virgin olive oil, then you have to pay a visit to Queen Creek Olive Mill, a blossom-to-bottle agritourism destination in Queen Creek, Arizona. Queen Creek Olive Mill has a radiant rainbow of extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars that you can both sample and purchase. Take the Olive Oil 101 class while you're there to learn how the special process they use to make extra virgin olive oil and they'll also teach you how to correctly taste olive oil, which I found really interesting! 

Schnepf Farms

Take the family for peach picking at the Schnepf Farms peach orchards while in season during May. Visit in autumn for The Pumpkin & Chili Party, an epic fall festival.

The Cozy Peach at Schnepf Farms

Address: 22601 E Cloud Rd, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142

Schnepf Farms has been growing peaches for over 50 years, offering a 8 varieties of peaches to the Queen Creek area. Now Schnepf Farms added glamping in restored vintage trailers to its repertoire. Guests can camp in style in one of the trailers, each has its own theme and designated decor. 

Agritopia 

Agritopia is huge, it's quite impressive. The idea of Agritopia started back in the 1960s when the Johnston family purchased the land and built their home. They nurtured the farm into what it is today, a thriving hub that brings the community together. Agritopia has a residential portion, a farm, Joe's Farm Grill, a coffee shop aptly named The Coffee Shop, and Barnone, which houses a dozen local artisans. 

Barnone

Address: 3000 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, Arizona 85296

Barnone has a range of makers selling their work, from woodfire pizzas at Fire & Brimstone to ice cream at Cream of the Crop. I visited Garage-East for a wine tasting and their meat and cheese board. Sit around the table to chat at this bright wine bar. The wine tasting at Garage East has six wine tasters of your choice; they come in cool little test tubes. Take a moment to savor the art on the walls as you sip your wine.

Hayden Flour Mills at Sossaman Farms

Address: 19101 E Ocotillo Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Hayden Flour Mills is on a mission to bring the art of stone milling to the foreground. Tour the mill and learn more about the ancient and heritage grains. They have a pretty epic shop with items like purple barley berries, gazelle rye flour, pancake mix, emmer farro crackers, and more, so you can get a taste of ancient grains yourself. 

Cider Corps

Address: 31 S Robson Suite 103, Mesa, Arizona 85210

Cider Corps, a veteran-owned and family-operated business, has two taprooms in Mesa and Gilbert, Arizona where they sell craft cider and canned cider. Thirsty patrons can come to Cider Corps and order a taster flight to sample a few of their options like the Mango Foxtrot with mango and rosehip or the 40 Myke-Myke, a collab with Myke's Pizza made with honey, as well as ancho and arbol chiles for a spicy kick.

Jalapeño Bucks

Address: 3434 N Val Vista Dr, Mesa, Arizona 85213

People come to Jalapeño Bucks for the bbq and burritos. They have a bunch of burritos to pick from, whether you're into the Green Chili Shredded Beef, Red Chili Shredded Pork, or the Brisket, Bean, and Cheese.

True Garden Urban Farm 

Address: 5949 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85205

True Garden Urban Farm is the first and only facility of its kind in Phoenix where they grow living produce vertically without soil or rainfall. Only solar power and water are used. You can buy commercial or residential aeroponic tower farms, seedlings, or take a class to learn how it all works.

Proof Bread

Address: 125 W Main St, Mesa, Arizona 85201

Spare yourself the 11-hour flight to Paris. Instead, you can enjoy a delightful array of pastries from Proof Bread in Mesa, Arizona. So flaky and flavorful! Take a look at their website to learn more. 🥐

Other spots to check out:

The Orange Patch 

Address: 3565 N Gilbert Rd, Mesa, AZ 85213

Steadfast Farm at Eastmark 

Address: 5111 Inspirian Pkwy, Mesa, AZ 85212

Superstition Dairy Farms 

Address: 3440 S Hawes Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212

Vertuccio Farms

Address: 4011 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212

The Windmill Winery

Address: 1140 W Butte Ave #48, Florence, AZ 85132

Arizona's Fresh Foodie Trail allows travelers to try fresh food from local farms, locally grown produce, wine tasting, live music, agritourism attractions, and everything you need to have an enjoyable time in the Mesa area. Visit Mesa has loads of information on different eateries on the Fresh Foodie Trail so you don't have to spend hours researching destinations, what's there, and why it's good. 

If you're already based near Mesa and Scottsdale, then you might have time to pursue, taste, and get to know the nooks and crannies and morsels of the area. If you're a tourist or out-of-towner like myself, then save room because there are a lot of great places to check out. There's a lot to experience.

Pasteleria Ideal in Ciudad de Mexico captivates you with its wafting scent, you can smell the pastries before you even see the pastries. The shop has many amazing, unique, excellent pastries, breads, sweets, and other delicious baked goodies to pick from. 

CDMX is massive, bigger than you could possibly explore in your seven days here on honeymoon with your husband. You start researching where to buy sweet breads or small cakes nearby.  You find out that Pasteleria Ideal is within walking distance so you begin your mini trek through Mexico City. Don't skip this tasty bakery with a long history in CDMX! It's a true wonderland of quality baked delights.

Founded in 1927, this pasteleria first began selling baked goods during the Cristero War. Now they're a leading baking industry company in Mexico and beyond. They're popular and well-loved amongst locals, tourists, and foodies everywhere. They sell traditional bread and unique pastries, puff pastry, viennoiseries, rustic bread, individual pastries, cakes, and cookies. I saw some jelly, jello, gelatinous treats in the front behind the glass case when you first walk in.

Pastelería Ideal is big. There are more options than you ever could have dreamed of. Pasteleria Ideal bakery is iconic amongst both locals and tourists alike. If you're in the city, you might have searched things to do in Roma Mexico City, read my blog post to learn about what to do! 

They have large cookies stuffed with jam or dulce de leche, chocolate tres leches cake, traditional rebanadas de mantequilla (sliced bread with butter and usually sugar), artisanal donuts, and more. They have specialty goods for holidays like Día de Reyes, Día de las Madres, and more. People in CDMX come here because the pan is delicioso and you can find just about anything within the aisles and mountains of pastries.

How to Order at Pastelería Ideal

This is a self-serve heaven. While you're at Pastelería Ideal, grab a round plate / tray on your way in. Use the tongs to grab your stuff and get your fill. Take a good look at all the options because there are a lot and it varies by day. The price for the portion is a good deal! I went a couple of times and the options were different. One of the pan dulces I didn't get on my first visit wasn't there the next time I went. 

Make your way through the sea of people. Wait in line then you pay at the counter. They'll give you a ticket as a receipt while they get your goodies nice and wrapped up. You'll wait around a bit more until your baked goods are packed. There are a lot of people and they have a great process to handle to the volume of orders. 

Bakery Information

They have more than one location in Mexico City:

One location is at: 16 de Septiembre Av. 16 de Septiembre 18, Colonia Centro C.P 06000 Ciudad de México ​ 

Phone Number: +55 51 30 29 70 ​ 

The other location is: República de Uruguay 74, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Venustiano Carranza, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

You're walking to the Top Gun house in Oceanside, Southern California as you take in the view of the Pacific Ocean. The iconic house has a Victorian cottage exterior in a soothing hue of powder blue. There's a motorcycle by the entrance and someone hops on to take advantage of a pretty cool photo op. 

When you walk inside HIGH-pie, you notice the decorated interior. The Oceanside pie shop has nautical-themed wallpaper with whales, ships, and shells. Photos of the original Top Gun movie hang on the wall: Tom Cruise as Maverick giving a thumbs up, a signed Top Gun poster, photos from the film. There's one cupboard filled with teacups, plates, and knick-knacks and one cupboard filled with ceramics like spice containers, a chicken teapot, and a rolling pin. You take everything in as you make your way in line to order.

Read my other articles about Oceanside

Oceanside Harbor Restaurants 

Oceanside Pier: Restaurants, Fishing, Parking

Located in North County San Diego at 250 North Pacific Street, Oceanside, CA 92054 at the Mission Pacific Hotel, HIGH-pie serves tasty hand pies at the historic Top Gun house. The pie shop is open seven days a week from 12 pm to 8 pm. 

Oceanside, California is in North County San Diego County, about 45 minutes from downtown San Diego. Grab a bite to eat and then check out the other local businesses nearby.

HIGH-pie Menu 

You stand in line and look at the menu. There's the apple hand pie or the cherry hand pie. Each hand pie is filled with a fruit compote made from locally picked fruits. The pies are gluten-free, made with Thomas Keller’s Cup4Cup flour.

They also have the mini pie a-la-mode. The mini pies are filled with the house-made mascarpone ice cream, then fried, and baked to order. Choose from dipping sauces such as Charlie’s Chocolate, Government Cheese, Lemon Curd, and Sea Salt Caramel.

As for bevvys, HIGH-pie serves hot coffee as well as their take on New Orleans-style iced coffee made with sweet milk. They also have seasonal kombucha.

Visitors who love history will enjoy the long story behind this house! While you're in North County San Diego the area, walk over to the Oceanside Pier and enjoy the magnificence of the Pacific Ocean. Click here to read my article about the Oceanside Pier, nearby restaurants, parking, and more.

The Graves House and the Top Gun Movie

The historic Graves House was built in 1888, owned by Dr. Henry Graves. In 1905, the house was sold to Charles Burlock. After that, Angeline Morgan owned the home for more than 40 years. Paramount Pictures used the home in the 1986 Top Gun movie. 

For several scenes in Top Gun, you can see Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis in the home. Cruise plays Maverick while McGillis plays Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Blackwood, who owns the home. The characters chat and hang out in the house.

You can learn more about the Top Gun house on the Oceanside Historical Society website. The opening of HIGH-pie aligned nicely with the release of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022. 

HIGH-pie Information

HIGH-pie / Top Gun House Address: The house was moved from its original location about a block away to the Mission Pacific Hotel: 250 North Pacific Street, Oceanside, CA 92054

Website: The Famous HIGH-pie 

HIGH-pie was developed by Tara Lazar, chef, restaurateur, and hotelier behind the F10 Creative-hospitality group of restaurants:  Cheeky’s, Birba, Mr. Lyons, Seymour’s, and High/Low.

You'll want to stop by the long awaited HIGH-pie if you loved the original Top Gun movie, Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, if you're a foodie, or if you're a fan of sweets. The pies are small enough that you won't leave with a sugar-induced stomachache. Guests can sit and eat their delicious hand pies with a view of the beach.

There's a lot to do in the city of Oceanside! You can head to Oceanside Harbor Village and check the restaurants and eateries over there as well.

LAVO San Diego has a large space with windows to let in the sunlight. Stay through nightfall and you'll witness the restaurant transform. Much like the sun setting, the dining room lights dim every once in a while until you're left with a lowlight. You can hear the restaurant buzzing with life; the chatter hums through the 15-foot high ceilings. LAVO San Diego guests include couples on dates, groups of friends, some trios. At the large bar area, a barstool sits between one man in a black suit, black socks, and black loafers and one man blue t-shirt, blue jeans, and flip flops. LAVO San Diego doors open at 5 pm every evening. Come for LAVO's playful cocktails and dinner. Enjoy the evening and stay until 11 pm, or 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Cheers!

LAVO San Diego serves up cocktails and food until 12 am on Friday and Saturday.

LAVO Italian Restaurant in Downtown San Diego

The restaurant is located in Downtown San Diego at 611 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, LAVO Italian restaurant serves appetizers, salads, brick oven pizzas, housemade pastas, specialty cocktails, and more. 

The dining room area has 235 seats. Tao Group Hospitality Chief Culinary Officer Ralph Scamardella created a menu of dishes to delight your tastebuds. Popular items include the delicious pasta truffle dish, Truffle Ricotta Cavatelli, truffle fries, 20-layer chocolate cake with peanut butter mascarpone. Learn more on their website!

There are many fantastic restaurants, eateries, and bars in the city's historic Gaslamp Quarter. The Gaslamp is a lively neighborhood with artisan markets, live music, skate Sundays during the summer, and so much more. 

Pictured here are the chopped antipasto salad, the garlic bread, and The Meatball from LAVO Italian restaurant.

Appetizers

On the LAVO restaurant San Diego menu, you can find popular appetizers such as the Baked Clams Oreganata made with Littleneck Clams, toasted breadcrumbs, and garlic butter or the garlic bread that comes with three types of dipping sauces: Basil Pesto, Marinara, and Gorgonzola Dolce. As a garlic lover, I loved the garlic bread as well as the variety of sauces to dip it in. If you enjoy the acquired taste that is Gorgonzola, you will love that sauce. I also tried the tuna tartare made with diced yellowfin tuna, avocado, crispy garlic, black olive dressing, and little crispy crackers. 

The Meatball

The Meatball is the noticeable one pound Wagyu meatball served with marinara and a creamy fresh whipped ricotta. The Meatball is photo-worthy and video-worthy, perfect for foodies and anyone who loves head-turning food. The meat is tender, moist, flavorful, and almost melts into your mouth.

Salad

The chopped antipasto salad has gem lettuce, a variety of Italian cured meats, provolone, artichokes, roasted peppers, pepperoncini, marinated mushrooms, green beans, cherry tomatoes as well as the Creamy Italian Dressing. 

House Specialties

Then there are the house specialties like the Chicken Marsala or the grilled branzino with heirloom tomato, Panzanella, and salsa verde.

Pasta

Savor the flavor of housemade pasta. If you like truffle, mushroom, and pasta then you really can't go wrong with the Truffle Ricotta Cavatelli. This truffle pasta dish is decadent and scrumptious. Made with crema, mushroom ragu, and shaved truffle.

Brick Oven Pizzas

Brick oven pizzas are known for the char flecks, the texture, the taste. They make a statement, especially if you love pizza crust. LAVO Italian restaurant San Diego serves pizzas such as the Angry Maria with Calabrian chili, tomato, vodka sauce, basil pesto, and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Desserts

Notable desserts include the tiramisu or the 20 Layer Chocolate Cake made of chocolate devil’s food cake and peanut butter mascarpone.

Cocktails

Reviewers talk about the Sicilian Cartel with Dos Hombres Mezcal, fresh lime, egg white, and grapefruit cordial. I tried the Amalfi G N'T with Malfy Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, Italicus Bergamont, juniper, laurel bay, and lemon, delightfully botanical!

Information

• LAVO San Diego Address: 611 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
• Phone number: (619) 762-5286 
• Chief Culinary Officer Ralph Scamardella
• Find it located in the city's historic Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego
• Popular items at LAVO San Diego include the truffle cavatelli, the truffle fries, and garlic bread.
• LAVO Website