A family-run Pacific Beach spot blending Peruvian and Brazilian cooking, which Roger flagged as a standout for the combination of both cuisines under one roof.
This Garnet Ave location, where Roger dined in 2015, closed at the end of January 2019 after 13 years when a new building owner gave the family a 30-day notice. Owners Fredy and Sara Palma relocated the business to a stall in Liberty Public Market at Liberty Station, but that location's Yelp page is now also marked closed as of a 2026 listing update, indicating the business is no longer operating at either site.
A Pacific Beach sushi counter Roger calls the most authentic Japanese spot in town, praised for reservation-only demand, sushi-bar seating with the chefs, and standout sashimi, chirashi and uni.
From the order notes
Chirashi bowl · Sashimi · Uni · Sweet shrimp (grilled head after)
Go for
Sitting at the sushi bar · High-end sushi worth booking ahead
Roger rated this 4 stars, admitting he'd passed this Garnet Avenue breakfast spot for years -- by car, skateboard, and on foot -- always wondering about the long line, before finally trying it for breakfast.
A Gaslamp Peruvian spot Roger found dead on a Friday night, with reheated-tasting anticuchos and dry potato, off-textured ceviche, an overcooked bistec a lo pobre, a wrong dish sent out, and over $70 spent on a disappointing meal.
Roger followed the Brazilian guys from the Hillcrest Farmers Market to their storefront (shared with Cake off Reynard), recommending the stuffed hash brown and ground beef with cheese and plantains.
From the order notes
Stuffed hash brown · Ground beef with cheese and plantains · Acai bowl
