EAST COUNTY EATER: TERRA AMERICAN BISTRO PROVES A TASTY ADDITION TO EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery (guest columnist)
Terra Bistro

7091 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
www.terrasd.com

May 24, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – When Chef Jeff Rossman invited media members to a tasting at his new Terra American Bistro, I relished the opportunity. Author of the cookbook From Terra’s Table: New American Food, Fresh From Southern California’s Organic Farms, Rossman’s specialty is farm-fresh organic cuisine. He previously ran Terra Restaurant, a popular eatery in Hillcrest, before moving east just one block from La Mesa to have a larger kitchen for his catering service and be closer to local growers.

The dinner lived up to expectations, providing a flavorful dining experience that reflects the freshness of the ingredients as well as the chef's creative flair.

Seated at a large farm-style table in the restaurant’s casually-themed ambience, we began our repast with a spring melon gazpacho. Light and flavorful, ideal for a summer’s eve, this dish was created especially for those in attendance. I hope it will be added to the menu soon for all to enjoy.
 

Next came an organic farmer’s salad with locally-grown greens selected “at chef’s whim” plus a variety of fresh vegetables. The salad was a work of art, though I was less fond of the Kaffir lime vinaigrette dressing, which was too tart for my taste. Fortunately there are a variety of other dressings from which to choose next time around.

A locally-caught sea bass came served in a delicious ginger-soy glaze over stir-fried vegetables, including beets, with spicy wasabi aioli and brown rice pilaf.

Equally pleasing was the hearty Karl Strauss Amber Lager-braised pot roast with mushroom ragout, roasted garlic potato mash and truffle oil.
 

For dessert, Chef Rossman served up a trio of delicacies. My favorite? The fresh berry cobbler with home-made coriander ice cream.

There was also a flourless chocolate cake with balsamic caramel and a ricotta cheesecake with locally-grown organic strawberries and compote—alas the latter was consumed swiftly by our ravenous table of reporters and food reviewers before I had the chance to taste.

I look forward to savoring the cheesecake on my next visit – and much more.
 

Terra Bistro also had a pleasing assortment of wines, including some local vintages, as well as seasonally infused vodkas and tempting drinks such as the Strawberry and Mango Sangria and Ginger Lemongrass Mojito.
 

For more details on Terra American Bistro, see our preview story at www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/5880. For a full menu and more information, visit the restaurant’s website at www.terrasd.com.