Table of 3, Mia’s, Solana Beach

Since just before the New Year, I have visited 3 restaurants … Mia’s in Solana Beach was the first. And I will say, of all three, it was the best!

Mia’s, Mia’s, Mia’s! Where do we begin? lol

Stacy, Lisa and I met just before the year ended, to celebrate our friendship and our San Diego Foodies and Carlsbad Foodies accomplishments this past year.

Mia’s used to be ALCE 101, on PCH. It has both an indoor dining area and an outdoor area. The good thing about the outdoor dining is ~ there are heaters! We came for Happy Hour and that is an amazing ‘find’.

We order Ceviche, Crispy baby Yukon potatoes, the Mezzo Platter, (roasted red pepper and feta, muhammara, tzatziki, with vegetable crudité and pita), Meat Picadillo Empanadas and Rice Pudding.

We are talking about Ceviche at the table and if you didn’t grow up eating it I say there is a very good chance you don’t appreciate it. Lisa says this is a ceviche with a yellow tail and basically the lemon cooks the fish.

Surprise after surprise leave us all happy eaters!

And I must say there are nothing but surprises here: how friendly the staff is and how qualified and welcoming the manager is. The fact that they DO NOT USE seed oils. That will bring me back over and over again because seed oils are highly processed, (canola, rapeseed, palm or peanut oil, etc). I can’t wait to tell my daughter who uses a Restaurant Seed Oil app to detect and decide where she eats!

Another surprise!

I did not expect to like the Ceviche. My friends at the table say I like it because it’s because it’s so fresh. Lisa says: “I like the Ceviche too. It has a kick to it” On second thought she adds: “I actually like everything we are eating”.

I am surprised by the size of the Mezzo Platter and how well it goes with the Ceviche, mixing and matching those pita triangles. Lisa says: “the vegetables are delish and what a beautiful presentation.” “Fresh, colorful and delicious”, I add. “The vegetables are making me very happy.”

The Potato is the biggest surprise. You’ll just have to order it to see what we are talking about. I will say this: Stacy says “It’s almost like a potato pie.” And I will say they have done an amazing job with the taste and plating of a simple potato. Ok. You win. Go see the picture I took….

And last but not least, I am blown away by a rice pudding with pistachios on top. We are all stuffed, as we

continue to take bites of the irresistible rice pudding. One more comment from me: “I don’t even eat meat but the Empanadas are really good.”

I will come back, we all say together. Stacy says: “Great flavor profiles”. Hey wait a sec! That is usually my line! lol But it is true. They have really nailed the flavors. All of us have left satisfied, looking forward to our next time we gather here!

 

With garlic, gusto and gratitude,
Chef Marian🥂
🌎 chefmarian.com
San Diego & Carlsbad Foodies