Dumpling Inn offers stir-fry, noodle soup, orange chicken and BYOB

Convoy Street fixture has great dishes that aren’t its namesake

By Marie Tran-McCaslin

Dumpling Inn can be considered a Kearny Mesa institution. Small, with about 10 tables and a long wait, it serves a variety of dishes with a focus on northern Chinese cuisine.

Monday, November 21,2011
Wandering Appetite

Carnivores are challenged at Manna in Kearny Mesa

L.A.-based, all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ traffics in high-quality meat

By Marie Tran-McCaslin

All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ has become popular enough that it’s referred to as AYCE. You know something’s made it big when it becomes an acronym.

Monday, November 7,2011
Wandering Appetite

Supping at Soltan Banoo

Delicious Persian fare with a planet-friendly ethos

By Marie Tran-McCaslin

The restaurant is cozy; we were seated on the covered patio decorated with dark wood and brightly colored pillows.

Monday, October 24,2011
Wandering Appetite

Two options for when a milkshake craving hits

Ice-creamy goodness at Beef ’N Bun Whistle Stop and Crazy Wheel Coffee

By Marie Tran-McCaslin

Ah, a good milkshake. Creamy, cold and, like the blend it is, a mixture of flavors—chocolate syrup with vanilla ice cream or avocados pureed with just a touch of sugar.

Tuesday, October 4,2011
Wandering Appetite

It’s lunchtime in Clairemont

Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot, Wa Dining Okan and Tea Garden

By Marie Tran-McCaslin

Sometimes lunch has to be delicious and quick, so I like to drop by Tea Garden (4685 Convoy St., Suite 110) for takeout. I only have one dish there: the pork stew rice, with less-than-lean pork minced and stewed in a soy-sauce-based broth.

Tuesday, September 20,2011
Wandering Appetite

Pizza, all grown up, at North Park’s Urbn

Eggplant-parm pie is a pleasant surprise

By Marie Tran-McCaslin

Covered with bits of fresh cheese and big basil leaves, the eggplant sits on a basic red pie with tomato sauce—just like traditional eggplant parm, but think of the pizza crust as a deliciously crisp and edible plate.

Tuesday, September 6,2011
Wandering Appetite

Eateries around Balboa Park

Food to pair with beer and/or Shakespeare

By Marie Tran-McCaslin

I’ve always been a sucker for Shakespeare, and his plays can’t be enjoyed on an empty stomach. As a result of eating before or after visits, I’ve found some great bites in the Hillcrest area, from a handmade bowl of udon to tater tots that blow any school lunch out of the water.

Wednesday, August 24,2011
Wandering Appetite

When eating Vietnamese, don’t just look for ‘foe’

These City Heights spots offer more than the signature noodle soup

By Marie Tran-McCaslin

At the nondescript intersection of Menlo Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard is my happy place: two neighboring strip malls where I go on weekends to indulge in some good eating.