So we just want to thank our friends, family and loyal customers that support what we do, and eat our food.  We know last year was a rough one, and we are hoping that 2010 is a year that is refreshing and full of new opportunities, and of course, tasty food.  Happy New Year!  -Isabel and staff

Here are some photos from our Christmas Party…

The ladies that serve you smiles.

The men that slice it, dice it, and dish it all up.

The kid behind the camera, puts himself in front.

Goofy group photo numero uno.

Goofy group photo numero dos.

Here are some of the pictures:

So what’s the bestest most funnest thing to do if you’re vacationing in San Diego from Boston?  Surf?  No.   Sea World?  Nope.  Go shopping?  Wrong again.  According to this adorable family that you see pictured here, the raddest thing in San Diego is eating at Coffee Cup.  They loved it sooo much that they showed up three times in one week, so naturally we had to give them props and feature them on the blog.  Thanks to the Boston family for filling their tummies a few times during their stay.  We hope to see you again, and soon!

Okay, so I don’t remember if he really had coffee, but the Elf himself, along with his family stopped by the Coffe Cup for breakfast.  They were all very nice and seemed to be very impressed with the breakfast they ordered.  As the adults of the table continued to have conversation, Will took 4 of the kids and walked around the block.  We caught up with Will and politely asked him if we could take a picture.  He politely declined with this response, “I’m with my family so I don’t want to take a picture, but you can post on the blog that I really enjoyed what I ate”.

Marc (Coffee Cup server/personality) reported that Will had the Power Breakfast with Black Beans.  So if you want to be a funny hollywood start like Will, we suggest you stop by and order the Power Breakfast ASAP!

Will, thanks for stopping by and thanks for being cool about things!

Coffee Cup Crew

Segways and beach babes, bike riders and sun rays, french toast and OJ, coffee and banana pancakes, ocean views, sand in your toes, the best ever grande breakfast burrito!

Seaside Cantina is all about good food and great people watching.  Have a meal 10 steps away from the sand and watch a hundred different characters from around the globe pass by on foot, skateboard or bike.  See you in the sun!

This is a recipe that I took with me from Kauai, Hawaii.  You can drizzle Chili Pepper Water on your rice, meat, or anything else you think it would pair well with.  Alooooooha!

6-8 small red chilies, serranos or thai
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
2 sliced garlic cloves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon minced ginger (optional)
2 cups hot but not boiling water

Put first 5 ingredients into sterilized jar. Pour hot water over mixture, let cool down and flavors infuse for at least 5 hours. Cover with tight lid. Refrigerate.

The great thing about our trip to Kauai is that we got the best of two worlds. We stayed at the uber cushy Hyatt Regency. I did the spa thing and Bill hung out at the pool and drank pina coladas. We never really do that kind of thing so it was fun, for me, but Bill can only do that for a so long.  Thank God Michelle, Bill’s sister, her boyfriend Daryl and our niece Leah live there because we got to see the real Kauai. They live on a ranch and they live a Kauai cowboy life. The awesome part about them, is that they love, love, LOVE food and feeding people and Daryl is a great cook!

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS.

This is a very simple recipe for masa, to make tamales.  Feel free to use this recipe as it is and fill your tamales with something as simple as cheese and a spoonful of salsa.  Or get creative and come up with something more daring like the chocolate tamales.  (When I make chocolate tamales I add chocolate ganache, coco powder and brown sugar to this basic masa recipe.)

For a slightly sweet masa, add a little bit of sugar.  If you add corn kernels to your slightly sweet masa it makes a great tamale also.  You can fill this masa, or when your tamales are ready to be served you can serve it with something like a tomatillo sauce (pg. 148 Isabel’s Cantina) spooned over the tamales.

BASIC TAMALE MASA
1 ½-cups masa harina
1/2-cup vegetable shortening (or other fat such as olive oil, corn oil, butter etc.).
1-teaspoon baking powder
1/2-teaspoon kosher salt
Approx. 2 cups water

Place masa harina, shortening, baking powder and salt into the bowl of a stand up mixer. With paddle going slowly, drizzle water while mixer is going.  Mix until combined.  Masa should have a very soft “play-doh” type consistency.  More or less water can be added to achieve desired masa consistency.

Coming Soon:  Step by step tamale filling photos.

For Love and Food,

Isabel Cruz

A sincere “thank you” to all of you who attended either of the tamale classes.  I really had a great time meeting everyone.  What I had in mind to do when we started talking about this is to have some fun “foodie” events (unique to just a cooking class) some of them interactive (like the tamale class), some sit down meals with wine tastings or cocktails, and even some author foodie events (like the one coming up June 26 with Adam Schell- click here for info).

I also want to thank you for being in the first of our classes.  I know there are improvements we can make, and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I have quite few things in mind myself (wearing a microphone for one).

If anybody that attended either of the classes would like to stop by the restaurant on one of our tamale making days (for some more hands on time) email me and we can arrange something!

For Love and Food,

Isabel

P.S.  We had another outstanding turn out for our second tamale class.  Click here to see the photos of all the food and fun!

(Written by Neens: Customer/Blogger/Photographer)  There’s really not much to say about the event tonight, simply because it was AMAZING! Isabel and Warwick’s teamed up to host a cooking class and book signing at Cantina. The event sold out (and even overflowed for a second event June 1st), so I knew it was going to be a good one. As soon as the 50 or so eager culinary students signed in, the fun began! I’ll let the photos tell the story, but just to be informative for those that missed out, here’s a short summary of what took place….

You get to learn how to make a variety of tamales including CHOCOLATE tamales, as well as sopes (super tasty!), a refreshing citrus-ey beverage in time for summer, and balsamic dressing. Isabel and her crew don’t just teach you, but you get to go back in the kitchen and try it out for yourself! To top it all off, you also get to eat everything you just learned how to make. Need I say more?

The experience to me felt like Isabel invited 50 of her friends and family over to her house to learn how to make good food. That’s how the vibe was…more like family. It was amazing. So if you’re interested in signing up, don’t hesitate to call Warwick’s La Jolla (858) 454-0347.

Now if you want to see all of the beautiful people that attended the event and the mess they made in Isabel’s kitchen, click here.

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