Restaurant Reviews

Lady Lasagna

Lady Lasagne, Scripps RanchLady Lasagna
10585 Scripps Poway Pkwy. Ste. D,
Scripps Ranch
LadyLasagna.com
858-271-1144

Tucked away in the Scripps Ranch Marketplace is Lady Lasagna, a family-owned restaurant. This new fast food concept offers mouth-watering lasagnas prepared by Italian chefs. For them, making lasagna is an art, with completely hand-made pasta sheets.

The mostly take-out restaurant is very clean, with bright, cheerful colors on the walls. There is a small dine-in area with barstools and a table with chairs outside. Encased in a glass display are rows of warm lasagna trays, about 10 different varieties, and desserts. A spanking new stainless steel coffee machine serves traditional Italian or American-style coffee and cappuccinos.

The hostess, a sweet Russian girl, asked what we would like to order. We deliberated for about 10 minutes, asking her for vegetarian options. She was very patient and mentioned that everything is cooked on the premises. The young Italian chef then gave us a grin and a cheery wave from the kitchen. Maria, who was also helping, gave us details about the ingredients in each dish.

We ordered four large lasagnas ($9.99) that each fit in a 4- x 7-inch box. Each order came with a salad, drink and focaccia bread. The portions are deceptive. There were six of us dining together, four adults and my two daughters, Priyanka, 11 and Prajna, 7, and there was ample food for all!

While waiting, Maria gave us a sample of their unusual lasagna dessert to taste—Ricottina, with layers of pasta, ricotta cheese, chocolate and hazelnuts. Just a tad sweet, but very rich and delicious. My husband, Shree, sipped a hot espresso, Italian style with no milk or sugar, claiming it was “eccellente”!

The Napoli (tomato and basil) lasagna that they recommended was outstanding. It was mild, with a creamy tomato taste, a hint of basil and so tender that it could be easily cut with a plastic fork. It was our favorite, and the kids absolutely loved it! The Pompei lasagna was flavorful and slightly tangy with a sharp taste of red peppers. The Genova lasagna was green and creamy, with a very potent pesto flavor. For pesto lovers like my husband, this was a delight!

Our friends, Wendy and Tony Graham, ordered the Bologna lasagna. Wendy said that it was very different, unlike the traditional American meat lasagnas. There were layers of pasta and meat sauce with fresh bechamel sauce instead of ricotta cheese, with almost no tomatoes. Could add a bit more spice, our friends mentioned, but it was tasty.

We really savored the fresh ingredients, especially the pasta. The girls enjoyed the lasagnas and said they would eat it again. The focaccia bread was very good, and the texture was porous and crispy, with hints of rosemary. The salad was a simple combination of lettuce, tomatoes and corn topped with croutons and a choice or ranch or Italian dressing.

Lady Lasagna boasts unusual flavor combinations like the Portofino or salmon lasagna, which combines fresh and smoked salmon, or the Vicenza, with layers of bechamel sauce and cheese with tender asparagus.

The restaurant offers combinations of individual platters, kids meals, large combos and refreshing new desserts to suit everyone’s tastes. If you haven’t been able to savor some classic Italian lasagna, here’s a chance to pamper your palate!

Geeta Shreedar is a freelancer who lives in Sabre Springs.
 

Cafe 21

Cafe 21Café 21
2736 Adams Ave,
Normal Heights
www.cafe-21.com
619-640-2121

Previously known as Café 2121 (at 2121 Adams Ave.), the place that serves “neighborhood fare with flair” was reborn in February 2010, moving down the street in University Heights and growing in size (and adding a dinner menu). Owners Alex and Leyla, originally from Baku, Azerbaijan, have refined a mix of continental-style dishes with Azeri roots that is both familiar and exotic, and ultimately satisfying.

Situated on Adams and Idaho Street, Café 21 has a small parking lot of its own, but there’s usually plenty of street parking. There’s a nice outdoor seating area with four tables, but no heaters, so bring a sweater on cool nights. Inside, it’s comfortable casual with country-style tables and a beer and wine bar at the front. An interesting feature is a ceiling-mounted projector that shows colorful images of Baku. Although there were children present when we chose to eat dinner, Café 21 struck me more as a date-night location.
After we were greeted, our very attentive and knowledgeable waiter brought flaky rolls made with turmeric, cumin, sesame, and cardamom. Easily the most unique “dinner rolls” I’ve ever had, these were very flavorful and light and a great hint of the meals to come.
For appetizers, I ordered the Crispy Wild Calamari ($9) and a Palm ale, which was on tap ($6). My wife had the Grilled Pear Salad ($12), which featured dried cranberries, feta cheese, spring mix, and a honey balsamic dressing. The calamari was lightly fried and presented with fresh pesto and a spicy marinara. The large tasty salad could be an entrée on its own, but we had no problem finishing it off.
My wife ordered the Char Top Loin ($16) with grilled watermelon, asparagus, house fries (large, thick crispy potato chips), and balsamic syrups. The steak was cooked perfectly for her (the well side of medium), and the watermelon was an interesting flavor component. I had the Whole Rainbow Trout ($17) stuffed with blue crab. Light basmati rice, asparagus and carrots and a lemon sauce finished it off. I requested that they remove the trout’s head, but if you’re so inclined, your meal can look at you while you dine. The fish was beautiful on a hot skillet, and the lemon taste contrasted well with the mushrooms and crab—a very filling meal.
We were too full for dessert, which included Leyla’s fresh-baked cookies and other treats, but we vowed to come back and try them, along with Café 21’s extensive tea list, which includes black, red, green and white varieties.
The hospitality Azerbaijan is noted for is very present at Café 21—our waiter made sure our meal exceeded our expectations, and owner Alex visited each table throughout the night to answer questions and make suggestions. We perused the breakfast and lunch menus while waiting for our food and decided to make Café 21 a place we’d revisit with friends.

Patrick, 41, is a writer/editor in North Park.

 

 

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