This year’s Taste of Bonita, held July 18 at the Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course, once again served as a fundraiser for the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center. The tasty event showcased more than a dozen restaurants that exemplify the diversity and quality of eastern Chula Vista’s burgeoning culinary community.
“Each year we try to tweak the event a little,” said Carol Hammond, who serves as chairwoman of the event’s coordinating committee. “All the restaurants that participate are fabulous, and we seemed to have more from Bonita this year.”
Romesco, located in the heart of Bonita, won for best decorated table. Newcomers from Bonita included Los Antojos Mexican Cuisine, Maye’s Dessert & Bistro and Cotija Taco Shop.
Maye’s offers a full catering menu as well as a variety of 40 tasty meat- and fruit-filled empanadas (Mexican-style pastry). Call 479-0251.
Los Antojos translates as “craving” in English, and the eatery’s mole poblano chicken and beef ribs definitely titillated the taste buds. Call 934-0450.
The Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course served a delicious sampling of fish, pork, chicken and beef entree items. The pecan apple salad was the perfect starter.
All around, portions seemed to be on the large side this year.
In attendance from the Eastlake area were Miguel’s Cocina, the Brigantine, Villa Capri Italian restaurant and wine bar, Trattoria Via Lago and Trader Joe’s.
Villa Capri has been under new ownership since last September and, like many eateries in the area, has managed to weather the tough economy to continue to provide quality service to the community.
Villa Capri, located at 2330 Proctor Valley Road, Suite 101, in San Miguel Ranch, specializes in a full array of Italian cuisine — appetizers, salads, pasta, main courses, side dishes and pizza. For those diners who are on restricted diets, the restaurant can substitute wheat pasta on most orders.
Villa Lago is part of a chain of seven Busalacchi family restaurants, five of which are located in San Diego’s Little Italy district and another along Fifth Avenue in San Diego. The Eastlake location (866 Eastlake Parkway) opened in October 2008. The Italian-themed menu features a variety of pasta dishes and meat entrees, seafood and a selection of desserts.
The restaurant is planning a third anniversary wine dinner and party on Nov. 10. Reservations are required. For more information, call 216-8660.
The Brigantine recently was bestowed with the 2011 award for best seafood by the Sysco food distribution network and has adjusted its menu specifically to better serve the Eastlake community, according to general manager Mike Couri. Nothing on the Eastlake menu is more than $20.
The restaurant, located in the Eastlake Village Walk shopping center, also offers a three-course “first catch” dinner from 4 p.m. until close that has been extremely popular with local diners. Menu items rotate every Tuesday. Visit the Web site at www.Brigantine Restaurants.com or call 482-2226.
Trader Joe’s has been at its location at 878 Eastlake Parkway, Suite 810, for four years and continues to offer competitively priced quality food items. GM Jeff Beucler said the Eastlake store has about 500 different wines in stock and carries between 150 and 200 varieties of domestic and imported cheeses. Call 656-5370 or visit www.traderjoes.com.
