“The curry here was aight, a bit watered down as I'd expect from a place like this but nevertheless still tasty.”
Roger, Google Maps review (2008-08-28)
Thai · Asian Fusion
The Asian Bistro
Hillcrest, San DiegoWorth trying
After finding their planned Vietnamese spot closed, Roger tried this Hillcrest restaurant -- which he refers to throughout by its earlier name, Jimmy Wong's -- ordering a chicken and beef curry with eggplant and ginger that he found a bit watered down but still tasty, with good presentation and friendly service.
“The curry here was aight, a bit watered down as I'd expect from a place like this but nevertheless still tasty.”
With their original plan for late-night Vietnamese food foiled by a closed restaurant, Roger and a friend ended up here instead; he ordered a chicken and beef curry with eggplant and ginger that was a bit watered down but still tasty, with nicely presented plates (rice shaped like a heart) and friendly, quick service, plus a $5 two-beer deal and hours until 3am.
Roger's Hillcrest cigar-bar pick, run by an owner (Raul) he calls the friendliest in town, open later than most local lounges with a strong Belgian beer selection on tap and bottle.
From the order notes
A cigar paired by Raul · Belgian beer on tap or bottle
A Hillcrest Chinese restaurant Roger says declined after the pandemic, dropping from a two-star review to one star, after an earlier visit he'd already called just okay and Americanized.
A Hillcrest location of the Nishiki Ramen chain -- a separate address from the site's existing Kearny Mesa entry -- rated a middling three stars by Roger.
