San Marcos CA- Foreign Food & Fun, Fast Forward

Liking the convenience and multitude of choices in the Restaurant Row complex –Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, or Indian; meat, fish, or vegetarian- all at very reasonable cost.
Experiencing a film at the Edwards Cinema 18 Stadium presented in a comfortable, state-of-the art environment.
Strolling around lush Lake San Marcos, which pioneered the concept of an upscale seniors only community and flourishes today as a cool, ethnically white enclave offering many recreational activities and three restaurants.
Relaxing the “Brit” way at the CHurchill or Penny Lane Pubs.
Feasting on lots of food, beer brews, activities and music at the annual San Marcos Grand Summer Festival held every August.

Quick Tips:

This is a city in rapid transition from rural, agricultural and “hayseed” to urban, filled with strip malls and showing great ethnic and age diversity between long settled residents and newcomers. Non-coastal, in summer it’s warm, though it does get ocean breezes. Lake San Marcos, the only resort in the San Diego area that is on a lake (man-made), is much cooler and more homogenized than other areas of the city. Accommodations are few in the area outside of Lake San Marcos as the city has not focused full-bore attention on tourism YET.

Best Way To Get Around:

Rather spread out still, you need a car here. Busses run on major thoroughfares, but infrequently. And walking is problematic too, as considerable distances separate the main points of interest from each other. Biking is feasible in the tranquil Lake San Marcos, although many brave locals can be seen cycling on busy streets, but only during the weekends. The main streets, east –west San Marcos Boulevard, and north-south Rancho Santa Fe Road, are quite congested during morning & evening rush hours as the city is at a crossroads location for Freeways (I- I 5, for north & south, and the 78 for east and west).

Very much reflecting its late sixties’ beginnings, this restaurant, located on man-made Lake San Marcos, boasts a picture -window wall view of a charming, tranquil lake setting filled with swans a-swimming and many boats a- skimming the waters. Since it is located within a senior community, it attracts that community primarily, as well as any guests staying at the Inn next door. Fittingly, the fare is American, and the prices very moderate in keeping with the budgets of its upper-middle class, dominantly white and retired clientele. It’s a romantic spot for seniors, but younger people would feel a bit out of place here. That said, its prices are very appealing and its food decent, if you like meat, baked potato, coleslaw, hamburgers, and other standard American food, nothing exotic or ethnic.

Always trying to attract patrons from outside its mature enclave, this restaurant frequently advertises with coupons in the Sunday edition of the North County Times. During August, their Sunday "Champagne" Brunch Buffet with seafood salad bar, breakfast eggs, sausage, bacon, and other early morning standards, as well as beef, turkey, leg of lamb, and baked ham costs $13.95, and, if you "Beat the Clock" and come between opening time of 9:30 am and before 10:30 am, only $12.95. For their Lunch Buffet, at $10.95, soup, seafood salad bar, prime rib, hot food buffet and a dessert buffet is available from 11 to 3 Monday through Friday, and on Saturday, from 11 to 4, perfect for economizing seniors who want to eat early & attend an early show at the Edwards Cinema about 6 blocks away.

Reminiscent of lakeside lodges more indigenous to the Eastern part of the country, this red-roofed building’s Lounge area is well-stocked with alcoholic refreshments and also has THAT LAKE VIEW, making it a lovely spot for before or after dinner drinks. The resort has two other restaurants that I have not been to; a coffee shop, and George’s on the Green, caterings to golfers who use their private Executive course.

The whole area itself is gorgeously green, very well-maintained: people within its environs drive around mostly in golf carts or, in cars, observe a low 25 speed limit. It’s a carefully pruned oasis on the southwestern edge of this inland city, created long before the areas around it became so bustling and multi-ethnic. Invited to a housewarming party there by a business associate of my husband, I first became acquainted with the area’s beauty because the associate’s house, though only about 1600 sq. feet, a desirable size for "empty nest" seniors, was directly on the lake and had its own boat dock. I have no yearning to live isolated from others not of my own age or economic status, although I do understand the appeal of this enclave. It offers to non-residents a cool, peaceful place to stroll around and enjoy the scenery-a "city break "and to senior visitors quiet accommodations from which to explore North County San Diego.

Bruno’s is the kind of Italian familiar to those who grew up on the East Coast of the United States as I did. Pizzas are lovingly cooked to order and waited for. And forget "trendy" combinations; this is old-fashioned, southern Italian pizza (which means the kind of pizza immigrants favored for decades after they settled New York and environs). A visit to Bruno’s is just a bit nostalgic for me as the food reminds me of the kind I would enjoy after I had inveigled an invitation to have dinner (we called it supper) at an "Italian" girlfriend’s house. Exotic to me and far different from the Irish-American cookery I learned to disdain.

This restaurant serves large portions at economy prices and consistently draws a steady clientele. Servers are usually students of both genders who attend the local junior college or university. They are speedy with your drinks and friendly as they really appreciate tips. The "Come Back to Sorrento" atmosphere with marble counters, comfy booths, and murals all around, encourages one to relax and appreciate the more leisurely pace here. Their olive oil pizza is unique in that it has no cheese, just garlic, jalapenos, Italian parsley, tomato, and scallions-a vegetarian’s vote! For me, the Jumbo Shrimp Alfredo tempts, as well as their Chicken Marsala.

Their salads are rather standard garden variety, so I usually opt for soup-their minestrone is very good with lots of vegetables. Often, just the entrée suffices, though their dessert tray can make you decide you still have room to eat one. However, a warning is in order; their lasagne is so filling that you will not be able to have a dessert. This Italian favorite is open daily from 11 to 10. A Bruno’s II is located at 2216 South Camino Real, Oceanside, Suite 123. I hear their Sunday Champagne Brunch (from 10-3) is very good, and that they have a great view of the adjoining golf course around sunset time.

Bright yellow awnings beckon you to enter into a large waiting area and you are transported into a distinctly Chinese environment that is decidedly different. Yes, the posted news clips of favorable reviews on this restaurant’s entrance wall are not unusual, but the open kitchen where you can see the preparation of the orders is, as well as considerable whimsy in the décor –colander lamps, old wok light fixtures, ancient musical instruments, and bamboo peeking out where least expected- and all the artifacts create an air of surprise that signals this is Chinese with a difference-artful but not opulent. And the modest prices are happy news indeed! One wall is covered with a bright Chinese Chess mural that rivals the aura of those yellow awnings outside.

But,it’s the food that stars despite competition from the décor. If you like hoisin sauce, the triple delight of sliced chicken, shrimp and beef accompanied by vegetables is simply delicious; if you like spicy sauce, the shrimp in chef’s sauce will please you. Very different is their "wrap"-though you pick it up and eat it as you would a taco or a pita wrap, their wrap is lettuce that encloses a chicken, carrot, water chestnut and mushroom combination that will please your taste buds. Since this restaurant has been here a long time, its servers are so mature that they sense when you do and do not need them. Creative décor here delivers a creative Chinese dining experience. Sundays through Thursdays they’re open 11:30 till 9; on Fridays and Saturdays, they are open till 9:30.

This chain Mexican restaurant once had several locations in North County San Diego, long before it became fashionable and "politically correct" to endorse Mexican food. Open since at least 1988, when we came to North County, this particular restaurant has survived because its owners were careful to change their food preparations so that fat calories could be eliminated without rendering the results tasteless. A recent visit reconfirmed my initial impression; through the years, this survivor did not fail because it offers good value, very good service, and a very pleasant atmosphere that has been carefully maintained. Though the décor is still somewhat blatantly Mexican a la sombreros, serapes and other stereotypical objects still dominating the walls, dining in the outside, flower-edged patio on a summer’s day or early eve is still a most pleasing experience.

As evidence of its shrewd changes in menu is the popular Vegetarian Portobello Quesadilla, an item that "locks" into not only the trend towards vegetarianism but also the increasing diversity of foods that have changed American taste. Their Carne Asada. Mexican Scampi and Halibut Filet are also good, and you can chose which of 3 sauces you wish with them. I’ve heard the Roasted Yucatan Chicken is also good I don’t like chicken all that much, so haven’t had it. All items are available for take-out and most of the dinner items range from $8.00 to $15.00.

Sunday brunches here attract the senior crowd especially to an array of seafood, chicken and steak, as well as burritos, chimichangas, and enchiladas. At the Sunday Brunch buffet, patrons can have omelets made to order and there’s a soup and salad bar, as well as flan and churros for the sweet tooth. They also feature vegetable fajitas and garden tostadas to further appeal to those who eschew meat.

Again, the acid test is that we’ve never had an unsatisfactory meal or poor service here. For those who don’t have calorie concerns, their "Muy Grande Platters" and all-you-can-eat buffet dining cater to those who have been coming here regularly for years. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 to 10; Fridays and Saturdays 11 to 11, and Sundays 10-10. And, Their margaritas are very good, I’ve been told. Their virgin Pina Coladas are very satisfying-always frosty cold and not too sweet.

If you like curries or Tandoori cooking, then this Indian restaurant will delight you. Their cuisine, billed as "Royal Indian" or Mughlai, can be ordered mild, medium, hot, or spicy, in ascending order of bite. Every entrée is served with basmati rice, but if you want a side of mango chutney, it’s extra charge (a modest $1.25). One extra, ranging in price from $1.50 to $5.95, is the Roti Wali Galli, fresh baked Tandoori Breads-try the Garlic Nan; it’s only $2.25.

For main courses, they have lamb, chicken, seafood and vegetarian entrees, with an average price of $12.95. Our favorite meat is lamb, so I like the Shahi Korma, lamb in a creamy sauce covered with fruit, and my son had the Lamb Saag, lamb in creamed spinach flavored with ginger and other spices. Then, we shared, which was easy to do as the two entrees and the basmati came in small dishes to the table. Both of us preferred the Lamb Saag and did not dislike the other;it was good. We had 2 extras, the garlic nan that was excellent, pungent and of almost flaky texture, and the mango chutney. For the same $12.95, you can have Chicken Saag.

Among the vegetarian dishes, the Baingan Bharta is charbroiled eggplant with tomatoes and onions, or one could have the Malai Kofte that consists of vegetable rolls stuffed with nuts and spices and served in a cream sauce. For dessert there’s five items, each priced at $2.95; someday, I’ll try the warmed carrot pudding, but, usually, especially when I’m ordering a la carte, I don’t have dessert. And we were full; my son had a Sam Adams ale and I had pink lemonade. They have Indian tea, sodas, a limited but reasonably good list of beers and wines to imbibe with your meal.

Service was very attentive, but I did notice they suggested drink refills twice, and we declined both times. The décor is pleasant, an attempt to convert what had formerly been a Chinese restaurant into one with Indian atmosphere. I did notice that the backs of the booths were quite worn and needed replacement.As we were leaving, I noticed that several of the diners were Indian-usually a good indication that the food is authentic. Their Lunch Buffet from Mondays to Fridays from 11 to 2:30 is a bargain at $6.95, and a good way to discover what Indian foods you like. Or, try their Sunday or Saturday Champagne Brunch from 11-3, for $9.95. And, if you like lamb as I do, order their Lamb Curry and have it with the mango chutney. This is a relatively new restaurant in the Row, so, they have coupons in the Sunday North County Times, and you can download one from their new web site, www.indiaprincess.com. The tab was a bit pricey, $36.53 before tip, but a la carte always costs more.BONUS: Just got 425 miles because this restaurant is on American's dining program, a pleasant surprise as I didn't know it was.

Between 9 am and 5 pm on Sunday, August 18, this annual food, drink, music, and crafts festival promised a fun family day.On the food roster were specialties drawn mostly from Old California Restaurant Row eateries, and the drink highlighted was specialty brewed beer drawn from many of the area’s finest breweries. This year, due to its lack of popularity last year, wine productions from the locality were "absent." Striving to reflect hometown interests, the organizers had 5 stages for musical performances, rather than the 3 they had last year.

On the Community Stage was Legoland’s Kevin Johnson and His Five Feathered Friends; on the Multicultural Stage, Grupo Switch and Fey appeared. In addition, there was a Specialty Food, Beer and Blues (What a combination!) Festival Stage, A Wild Animal Productions Stage, and, on the "Children and Families" Stage entertainment by Kids With A Cause, a local group of child actors .Another significant change from last year’s well attended festival was a policy of free admission to the food and beer area where patrons could purchase as much or as little as they chose. Last year, the Festival charged everyone $15.00 to enter this area as cover for the food and drink available there. Apparently a mistake - the Festival this year let freedom of choice reign!

That very busy, seemingly ubiquitous Ruby Presnell appeared with her Red Hots group on the Main Stage. She’s appeared with the Summer Pops Orchestra and in the TGIF series in Carlsbad just last month. The daughter of actor-singer Harve Presnell, Ruby is establishing herself as one of the best singers in the area. Not left out by the planners, kids found pony rides, a laser show, face paintings, Foosball, and more challenging rock-climbing than they faced last year. And parents could plan on the San Marcos Lions Club’s Pancakes Breakfast from 7 to 11 as an easy way to prep for this day of family fun. Other interesting events included a Classic Car Show, and demonstrations by a SWAT Team and Sheriff’s Canine Division, sure to appeal to many young and old alike. Of course, vendor booths, over 330 of them, encouraged people to buy the American Way. But, this event is free each year, and offers a Sunday full of diversions for all comers.

For an anglophile or those who have emigrated from Great Britain, this wee place that has been open since 1989, is a reminder of London pubs or a home away from home.

As authentic a pub as possible, this late 60’s old place with its low, small bar is homey with friendly barkeeps and patrons. To provide parking for the weekend wayfarers this inn welcomes, there’s a parking lot just east across from the driveway into Churchill's (see photo), as its original few spaces in front of the inn no longer suffice to accommodate both regulars and drop-ins. This pub proclaims its allegiance immediately with Union Jacks waving from the ceiling in the dining room and a prodigious number of pictures of the British Royals covering its walls. Of the two British pubs in San Marcos, my son prefers this one because of its livelier atmosphere. Outside there’s an area with fire pit, almost de rigueur in Southern California to allow some space for smoking since all inside public areas are legally off-limits to smokers in California.

Of course, you can play darts on the premises and the Strangewoods, a Celtic folklore group, perform currently on Friday nights from 8:30 to 12:30. This interesting group has a website at www.strangewoods.com. And it has been playing at the Camelot for the last 27 years! (Talk about a long term engagement.) Fans of the pennywhistle, bodhran, recorder, keyboards, and guitar, as well as the bagpipes have really enjoyed this resident ensemble. They even have a CD, "live at the Camelot," as well as 3 others. In keeping with Arthurian motif, many of the dishes are linked to that legend-thus, the King Arthur is a fish dinner with three pieces, the Queen has two pieces, and the Jolly Knight has only one, at respective prices of $12.95, $10.95, and $9.95. Steak Mc Camelot is a New York strip with onions, chips, a Bourbon cream sauce, garlic bread, and a vegetable, all for $12.95. The owners have had lots of fun playing with not so veiled references to the ubiquitous "Mc".

On weekends, specials for $12.95 are Roast Beef dinner and Lamb dinner, both with Yorkshire pudding, for $12.95. Some non-British items have crept onto the menu: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich and Baked Ziti, but, for the most part, the menu lists what you would expect of a real British pub that serves an array of brews from the Isles, as well as English tea by the pot and ginger beer, another of my favorites, priced at only $2.00. In addition to the expected Guinness, Bass, Newcastle and John Courage on tap, an American nod goes to Sam Adams Brown Ale.

Hours are on Mondays to Thursdays 11 to 9, bar remains open till 11; on Fridays and Saturdays 1, with bar till 11, and on Sundays they are only open 11 to 8:30 p.m. There’s a gift shoppe with British canned foods, snacks, and drinks. Now named Churchill's by new owners.

The "other" British pub in town, Penny Lane with its Beatles’ and Liverpool motif, has its partisans, just as Camelot has its fiercely loyal adherents. Its style differs from the Camelot’s in that it is not as long established, is situated in a mall of mixed and somewhat odd shops, and seems to attract a younger crowd than the Camelot does. Both establishments flaunt an English telephone booth outside, however, to signal their allegiance. On tap are 18 beers including London Pride and Double Diamond, two beers not available at Camelot. Lunch here is 11-4 daily with a Happy Hour from 4-7, and dinner following Happy Hour from 7-10:30.They provide takeout on their entrees that include spicy chicken tenders and Cajun shrimp, departures from their usual "Brit" offerings of fresh-cut chips with gravy or curry, fish & chips in beer batter, bangers, mash with onions and gravy, chicken pot pie, and steak and mushroom pie.

A family and group-friendly place, their prices are very similar to the Camelot’s-inexpensive. Like the Camelot, Penny Lane has a big-screen TV devoted to sports-here it’s soccer. The music of you guess who plays constantly in this recreation of Liverpool amid photos and memorabilia including a copy of John’s birth certificate! Not shunned here is the music of other greats like Eric Clapton and Queen, but the juke box is dominantly headlined with 10 Beatle CD’s. And copies of the Union Jack newspaper are prominently available on the premises.

The conservatory-like extension that fronts this restaurant is a congenial spot for watching the people parade on San Marcos Boulevard; on a quiet Saturday afternoon, there were about 7 people occupying this area and having lunch.

WOW! What a popular place on a Saturday afternoon! So many people were standing in line for tickets, cars were coming & going-it was a mini-madhouse as I was taking photos here. Fortunately, when my son & I went to see "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," here last year, we went on a weekday for a matinee showing. A brief explanation is due: I had not been to a movie theatre in over six years as my work schedule has been week-to-week for years and weekends tied up with house chores. Crowds bother me, and, in the past few years, we have a home theatre set-up that is much more congenial to me than going to a theatre. My son had to drag me on that occasion.

The whole experience was terrific. Each of the 18 theatres is small; the seats are very comfortable; since the aisles are tiered, views of the screen are not obscured if you happen to seat yourself behind a taller person, and the sound is state-of-the-art. Some months later, we rented the DVD of the movie, which has become one of my favorites, and I had to admit my experience of it in this theatre had been superior to that of viewing it at home. With such an outstandingly photographed film as this one, experiencing it at the Edwards allowed you to fully enjoy the panoramic scenes that so distinguished this particular movie. I also enjoyed the full beauty of the musical score much more in the theatre than at home.

Despite my claustrophobia, I would go to the Edwards again whenever an especially well-executed film would be showing there. For inveterate moviegoers, since it opened in 1998, this is the only theatre to go to in the area in order to get a "full" experience. Since it opened a few years back, it has become a resounding success: it has an ample free parking lot and some places for eating are located in the parking lot facing San Marcos Boulevard, notably a Rubio’s (fish, Mexican) and a newly renovated French restaurant that I have heard good comments about & hope to try soon. Adjacent to the complex just east of it is the Old California Restaurant Row with its diverse choice of 18 eateries; Penny Lane Pub is just across the Boulevard and Churchill's is located just three blocks away. If you like movies, this is the only way to go in North San Diego!

This enterprise is one of our son’s favorites; some years back, he brewed his own beer for a while and, ever since, he has been an enthusiastic fan of establishments like this one that brew their own beer on the premises. If you frequent this place, you learn it’s wise to call ahead and find out if your favorite is available for their full repertoire of brews is not available at one time. They rotate some of their more unusual offerings, although certain brews like their signature ale are always available. Just west of the other buildings in Restaurant Row, this restaurant is just south of the Village shops, for this building is a later addition to the complex, and the Brewery itself has expanded since. It is very popular, especially with young singles and couples who enjoy unusual beer. The food they serve is somewhat of an afterthought; it’s basic American fare at an economical price.

We have stopped in here a couple of times before dining elsewhere in Restaurant Row as my husband and son like their beer, and my son appreciates that they serve them at the correct temperature. His favorite is the Amber Ale though he also likes their Old English beers. There’s a long, old-fashioned bar you can sit at, so you can see what brews are on the slate behind and above you at the bar. Or you can sit at one of the nearby tables, or at the tables in the rooms for dining to your left. They do serve wine, but we have never ordered it here, so I cannot offer my wine connoisseur husband’s opinion on its quality, but I suspect they offer wine out of tolerance, for this is a beer lovers’ place, first and foremost.

Their hand-crafted ales can accompany fresh seafood, salads, pastas, ribs, and steaks served on the premises, they have Happy Hour, and, what is unusual for Restaurant Row, Late Night Dinners.

Opened in 1978 and very innovative for its time, this cluster of varied restaurants all in a large city block with spacious parking lot has not changed much in décor (a sort of faux Southern California old-looking adobe) since we moved into the area in 1988, but the particular restaurants included in its roster have.

Survivors include our favorites- Fish House Vera Cruz (the one here is larger than the one reviewed in my "Carlsbad-‘As Good as it Gets’" Journal, but the menu is the same), and Acapulco Mexican, the only survivor of what once was a chain of restaurants in the North County San Diego area. Newer entrants that have become favorites include the San Marcos Brewery & Grill that features handcrafted ales and the India Princess, which have joined another survivor, Katsu, an excellent Japanese restaurant with impressive longevity.

Changes in kinds of restaurants partly reflect changes in San Marcos’ demographics (more young people and many who eschew meat); hence, the death of Cattleman’s Choice which featured steak & prime rib and the opening last month in its place of the new Zip & Zack’s Filling Station, filled with a noisy, young crowd on the Friday night we passed by it on our way to the Indian Princess. Rockin’ Baja Lobster draws crowds here, though I don’t like it because it is too noisy and its seafood inferior to that of Fish House Vera Cruz.

Expansion has involved adding a row of shops called "The Village" to accommodate tourists primarily, though these souvenir shops don’t appear to me to be thriving. In the Village, every Thursday afternoon from 2 to 5 there’s a farmers’ market with produce and flowers. The location has grown even better with the years; this restaurant complex is just north of the Edwards Cinema Complex and this proximity inspired several restaurants to offer "Dinner & A Movie" Specials in the recent past (basically, packages, a set price for both dinner & movie). This complex is always busy, but especially at lunchtime, for it is centrally located and offers a variety of cuisines to choose from.

And ample, free parking assures busy people that they won’t waste part of their free time ferreting for a parking space. That little surrey in the photo is used to cart diners from the back of the parking lot on weekend evenings, though we felt the walk from there desirable on a "dine-out" evening. Rest Rooms in the Row, most off patios connecting and servicing patrons of a couple of the restaurants, like the Indian Princess and Marieta’s Mexican adjacent to it, need some up-dating, as I thought the one I visited needed painting and better maintenance.