Gaslamp Gal: Where to find good Chinese food and flaming drinks in this town
2 comments | Five years living in San Diego and I’m still fascinated and frustrated by the fact there is hardly any good Chinese food to be found. San Francisco, which really isn’t that far away, has one of the best China Towns in the nation and, heck, we’re on the coast closest to the Far East, so how can there be such slim pickings?
Beyond the lack of quality lo mein and crab rangoons, my biggest concern with this is that San Diego is missing out on the Scorpion Bowl. Ahhh, the mother of all rum cocktails! The Scorpion Bowl is a two- to three-inch deep bowl, about six inches in diameter with a small, shallow cup in the center. The main bowl is filled with a potent mixture of light and dark rums and assorted fruit juices over ice, and 151-proof rum sits in the center hollow by itself. When it comes to the table — typically to be shared by two to four people — the 151 is set on fire, creating a flaming masterpiece.
My first Scorpion Bowl experience was at the Hong Kong in Boston’s Faneuil Hall, the day I turned 21. This place is legendary and the flaming drinks served with brightly colored, three-foot straws are enough to get a gal hooked (and also tipsy!). Ever since, it’s been one of my favorite things to do.
Luckily, I’ve found a spot in San Diego that has what I consider the best Chinese food in the city AND flaming drinks: China Inn in Pacific Beach. Though it has a Scorpion Bowl on the menu, its Volcano Bowl is actually more what I know the Scorpion Bowl to be. Either way, itshas good food AND two flaming adult beverage bowls to choose from. Solid!
Mr. Tiki’s Mai Tai Lounge in the Gaslamp also has some flaming drinks and, seasonally, other bars around the city do, too. I have yet to find any as good as the Hong Kong’s or, by California’s standards, the China Inn’s, but they at least provide the “wow” factor.
Tags: China Inn Pacific Beach, Chinese food San Diego, Gaslamp Gal, Hong Kong Faneuil Hall, Lauren Clifford, Mr. Tiki's Mai Tai Lounge Gaslamp, Scorpion Bowl, SDNN, Volcano Bowl San Diego
Comment by: Ramona Posted: November 24, 2009, 8:18 pm
Try Mandarin House on 5th Avenue and the Mandarin House in La Jolla. Up until 2003 when I lived there, it was the best!
Comment by: Nikki Posted: November 30, 2009, 2:12 pm
Wait, you’re supposed to share the Scorpion Bowls?