HAPPY TUEEESDAY! It’s actually my Monday.. cause ya know, nurse life. But guess what? I get the first four hours off unexpectedly due to unit staffing! I’m thinking this is for the best considering I’ve already spilled oatmeal on myself after overflowing it in the microwave and burning my tongue on my coffee. It’s gonna be “that” kind of day so maybe it’s a good idea that we don’t place human lives in my hands until I wake up a bit ;).
Alas, we come to our last post from San Diego, but I think it may just be my favorite.
We left off coming back from the Zoo in Part 2… Hungry as a couple of bears.
Per recommendation from a couple friends, we had to try the infamous Cucina Urbana. I want to say straight up– If you have one meal to have in San Diego, and if you are a human being that has any kind of love for food, GO HERE. Besides the brunch (which is just in another food universe), this was hands down, our favorite meal.
It’s the ultimate tasteful experience the from the warm farmhouse feel to the contemporary aesthetics to the food itself.
It was romantic, yet casual. All the food on their menu had Italian roots with unique twists.
We debated between the stuffed fried squash blossoms and the grilled octopus. We settled on the octopus (Can you believe it?!).. this was tremendous. I even liked this better than the octopus from Mister A’s, and I told DJ it was easily the closest I have had to Marco Prime’s (one day I will shut up about the octopus from Marco Prime- today is not that day). This octopus included speck + celery + cashew + lemon yogurt + salsa verde. Mmmmm mmmm!
I am an odd bird, and I’m not a huge fan of traditional pasta… don’t kill me! If I have the option I would much rather choose a seafood dish or pizza usually over pasta. But the waitress convinced me I had to try this dish, and I would not dare go against the expert’s suggestion! This is the chili thread farfalle with tahitian squash + brussels sprout leaf + red cabbage + burrata cider fonduta.
The verdict? Unbelievable. Seriously (I have my serious face on) one of the BEST pasta dishes I have EVER had. If I could go back to San Diego for one thing- I think I would grab this.
Anywho… DJ’s opted for their mouth-watering lasagna. There was not one little nibble left at the end of the meal.
After, we grabbed the check and rushed back to the hotel so we didn’t miss a beat of Bachelor. Also, fun fact- Tipsy Crow, a local bar/dive, airs Bachelor on Monday nights. We considered going, but decided we just wanted to relax in the hotel room and get some room service desserts!
The next morning, we walked to Gaslamp for breakfast. (This is going to be a comida saturated post).
The Breakfast Republic was beckoning to us from our Yelp app.
Every. little. thing. in this restaurant was paid mind to from the coffee mugs (Need) to the napkin holders.
I had their mushroom & pesto benedict- mmmm mmm!
Deej tried their pancake flight with oreo pancakes, traditional pancakes, and bacon pancakes… Take a look at their pancake menu! It’s amazing! I thought they were SUPER good, but DJ is a bit pickier 😉
Also, to settle the whole debate with male/female restrooms in California, they just stuck the M right in the middle of the two restrooms. I thought this was hilarious… and actually ingenious… and interesting….
In the bathrooms they have on the wall backwards, “You look fine” so when you look in the mirror……
You get a little pep talk!
Even washing your hands is an experience, lol.
We headed back to the hotel and got ready for the day to hit up the museums in Balboa park!
First, we went to the Museum of Man.
DJ might argue that this picture is pretty accurate at times, lol
To be honest, neither of us were all that excited about it. It just didn’t seem to have anything that really, “Wowed” us.
BUT across the street is a new Cannibal exhibit, and that was very fascinating!
Balboa is just stunning.
We walked around Balboa park and hit up the Natural History Museum. Once again, not anything thrilled us too much. We decided we probably could have done without the Museums, but they were worth a shot!
We couldn’t leave Balboa park without sneaking a peak at the Moreton Bay Fig Tree! It’s over 100 years old and one of the largest in California.
We peaked into the Japanese friendship garden, but decided we were ready to head out!
For our last evening we decided to spend it where? None other than the Gaslamp Quarter! We decided to see if we could snag a spot at Rustic Root, a desirable rooftop bar and eatery overlooking the heart of Gaslamp.
This was a treat!!!! We decided to just pop in for some light apps, and the warm air and casual ambiance was the most relaxing experience.
We devoured the salmon tartar with green onion , masago , sweet & spicy sauce ginger , papaya , avocado , and shiso as well as the garden flatbread with cherry tomato , jalapeno , roasted garlic , red onion zucchini , pesto , and manchego & jack cheese. So good!
After our apps we had quite a bit of time before the last big event on our itinerary. We passed a Tim Cantor art gallery, and I couldn’t not stop in.
I am obsessed with this picture below. (I knowwww I’m not supposed to take pictures of art, but I couldn’t help it).
Alll of his art was impeccable. It blended reality with almost a carnival like, dream state. I spent probably twenty five minutes in the small gallery. DJ ended up just sitting outside, but I couldn’t get enough!
After, feasting with our mouths and our eyes, we headed to the Shout! House. If you are a San Diego native, you know this is the PLACE.
We still had room for more food, so DJ had the wings and I was dying to try their Mac & Cheese balls.
The show included Dueling pianos. We LOVE comedy shows and anything of the like. Even though it was a Tuesday night, the place ended up filling up quite a bit. I was in awe of how talented they were! If you need something to do in San Diego, highly recommend this!
After Shout! House, we walked back and swam in the warmed pool at the Westin. This was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. I love love love swimming, and swimming on a San Diego overlook in this beautiful city on a warm evening was perfection.
We ended our last night with one more dessert from room service….
In the morning, we ended with breakfast at the hotel. It was the BEST hotel brunch I have ever had. It was so good that I left a review for them on Orbitz. I know I already reviewed the Westin in part one, but I would say, it’s worth staying here for the breakfast buffet alone (it’s not free, but 100% worth it).
They had beet and carrot juices that were so tasty.
AND NUTELLA FRENCH TOAST
One of my favorite parts of the breakfast was the goat cheese toasts. This would be a fantastic appetizer- toast, goat cheese, blueberries, and rosemary! I will definitely be recreating for a party or hosting.
We packed up and said goodbye to the hotel <3
Since our flight was in the evening we decided to spend or last couple free hours at Coronado beach again. We went and laid (lied? lain? HELP!) out on the beach, reading, and falling in and out of sleep.
It was a perfect way to end an absolutely perfect trip.
So, what did we miss?! I would love to hear all your suggestions for next time we stop by this incredible city!!!! Thanks for sharing in these fun memories with us 🙂
xo <3
