Saturdate Night: Ichiban PB

Since Shaun's been back in town we have yet to do a proper date night. We were set on sushi, so it was Yelp to the rescue and we decided on a new-to-us place in Pacific Beach, Ichiban PB.

Ichiban PB

1441 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 270-5755

When you walk in, you place your order at the counter and they bring you your food. We were in luck because we were there during their happy hour (5pm-7pm Mon-Sat, dine-in only) which meant a couple dollars off certain rolls and beers (aka my kind of deal!). Their decor is nothing to write home about, it was pretty casual and you just seat yourself after ordering.

 

Seaweed salad + beer

 Vegetable tempura

We ordered the seaweed salad ($3.50), vegetable tempura ($3.95), and 3 of the specialty rolls on the happy hour menu:

• Mango special roll: Inside-mango, asparagus, avocado. Outside- salmon, mango. ($8 something $6 something hh price)

• Diego roll: Inside- jalapeño, spicy crab, spicy salmon, cream cheese, chili powder. Outside- tempura. Served with salsa. ($7.75, $6.25 hh price)

• Eel roll: Inside- eel, sauce, seaweed, avocado. ($6.25, $4.95 hh price)
  

 

Mango special roll

And a 16oz Kirin draft ($2 hh price) for me!

So. Much. Food. For how cheap the prices were, all the food was great in both quantity and quality. My seaweed salad hit the spot. The vegetable tempura was so-so, not bad but not great. The Mango roll was unique and really refreshing. By contrast, the Diego roll was spicy and so different than any roll either of us had tried before- served with salsa? The eel roll was pretty standard in my opinion.

I'd definitely go here again and Shaun agrees. The prices were right up my alley, and although I can be skeptical of a sushi place that are too cheap, the food was surprisingly good quality and much better than expected.  The service was quick too, but we also may have beat the rush a little.  If you're in San Diego, on a budget, and looking for some good sushi, I'd highly recommend Ichiban PB.  I'm adding it to the list of places I need to go back to!

Playa Grill and Margarita Bar

Sometime last week-ish, before pumpkin-patching (new verb), Shaun and I decided to check out Groupon Now! and see if there were any dining deals in the area.  I've decided that one of the perks of relocating from Ventura County to San Diego are the abundance of dining options.  I have a feeling that I'll be utilizing Groupon a lot more now that I'm down here.  One dinner option that caught my interest was pay $15 for $30 worth of food at Playa Grill and Margarita Bar.

Playa Grill and Margarita Bar

2401 Fenton Pkwy # D104

San Diego, CA 92108

619.280.0505

 It's a casual dining establishment and, according to the yelp reviews, their happy hour is to-die-for.  YUP, they have happy hour EVERYDAY! Mon-Sun 3pm-7pm:  1/2 price appetizers & 1/2 price all alcoholic beverages!  (I've also read that during Chargers games they serve $3 Chargaritas...a blue margarita?)

Initially, we were a little bummed because the Groupon stated that it was "not valid for happy hour prices", but we figured it would be a win-win either way.  They made up for it with the chips and two types of salsa they promptly served when we sat down.  Also, they have quite the margarita list,  as they should when the word is in their name.  I ordered the Parmarita (La Pinta Pomegranate tequila, Sauza Hornitos, Patron Citronge, house made sweet and sour) $10 and Shaun ordered the Seabiscuit (Cazadores Reposado tequila, Passoa passion fruit liqueur, St. Germain elderflower liqueur) $10...afterwards he ordered a house margarita to make-up for the semi-girliness of the previous margarita  ($6.50).  We both agreed that our drinks hit the spot!

Shaun + Chips + Salsa

Margs + Fajitas + Carnitas

For our entrees, I ordered the Shrimp Fajitas ($MP) and Shaun ordered the Carnitas Plate ($12.95).  I was more than satisfied with my dinner and while Shaun liked his, he did mention that the meat lacked a little flavor. 

The best part was that when we got our bill our drinks had been marked down to the happy hour prices ($5 each for our specialty margs) and our Groupon price was still deducted!   Awesome news, if you ask me.  I have a feeling I'll be coming back here again.  The atmosphere is fun and they have a great outdoor patio/fire-pit area.  A happy hour may be in my future!