There’s still time to win BIG!!!

Attention all HDH Students.... HDH’s Dining Services Passport Program has had an EXCEPTIONAL turnout with over 20 students winning our first set of gift cards through dining on delicious eats all over campus. The GRAND PRIZE however has NOT BEEN CLAIMED and can be YOURS if you act fast!

What's the "grand prize"? Well, it just so happens to be a Markets to Go Certificate for the ENTIRE SUITE that completes their Passports together!

 

So, what are you waiting for?! Gather up your friends and head on out to check out the latest offerings at one of our 17 Dining Locations. Not sure what’s open or what you’re feeling? Then check out the HDH Dining Services Menu Pages (http://hdh.ucsd.edu/DiningMenus/) and see what menu tantalizes your taste buds!

If you’re hanging around town for the holidays, be sure to get a step ahead of the others and grab your friends to head on over to the Thanksgiving Feast at Café Ventanas. Not only can you get your Passport stamped, but you’ll also enjoy a delicious home cooked meal, just like mom would make!

 

 

For those of you heading home, safe travels and put your game face on when you return to dominate the Passport Program and win big when you return on December 1^st! Let the games begin!

It's World-Wide Vegan Awareness Month

Did you know November happens to be the month devoted to vegan living? Well, for those of you wondering what a vegan is, let me start there first!

Veganism is a dietary practice in which one chooses to refrain from eating any foods of animal origin or byproducts due to personal or health beliefs. Foods such as milk, eggs, fish, turkey, beef and cheese are excluded from a vegan diet, as well as ketchup, honey and some sugars depending on their source.  Living a vegan lifestyle is possible and can be a nutritious meal plan when you focus on eating a variety and the right kinds of foods. However, Vitamin B12 is of concern since it is primarily derived from animal sources, so oftentimes vegan’s will supplement with a vitamin.

So, how does UC San Diego accommodate our vegan population? In addition to daily offerings in the Dining Units, we also have an entirely VEGAN restaurant located on Muir College known as ROOTS.

Roots was a labor of love that opened over 3 years ago to make sure all lifestyle diets here on campus had a place to call home. Our menu ranges from soups and salads to bergers and fries! We also have some crowd pleasing favorites like the Pacheco Pass, featured below. This is a mouthwatering take on a stacked enchilada, with cilantro rice, our in house “berger” mix, and chipotle soy crème layered between fresh corn tortillas. Plus, it’s garnished with delicious avocados!

 

So, if you weren't in the mood for the traditional Thanksgiving Meal today as featured in our main dining units, today head on over to Roots and indulge in the numerous choices that we have in store for you!

Interested in learning more about a particular topic or planning something for your community? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

It’s Almost Turkey Time!

With less than two weeks to go until Thanksgiving, HDH Dining Services is gearing up to give you a little taste of the holidays.  Our first official holiday recipe poll was a huge success and I am happy to announce our new featured Market Recipe Card debuting upon return from Thanksgiving Break is …. Classic Pumpkin Pie! Thank you to all those who voted, especially Karissa Aguiar, Katherine Chang, and Nathan Ng. Please contact me if you have not already done so to claim your prize!

To continue sharing the holiday spirit, I invite you to join Dining next Thursday, November 20^th, for a traditional Thanksgiving meal served during lunch, featuring Carved Turkey, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Candied Yams, Sautéed Green Beans, Cornbread Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce and Dinner Rolls.  Plus, we’ll be serving up Classic Pumpkin and Apple Pie’s to satisfy that sweet tooth! The Thanksgiving Feast will be feautred at: Canyon Vista, Cafe Ventanas, Oceanview Terrace, Pines and 64 Degrees.

For those of you sticking around campus the following week, I suggest you check out two great steals Dining Services has in store for you!

• Café Ventanas Feast: The festivities begin at 11am with the traditional turkey feast starting at 1pm! Don’t worry; you can get your tickets at the door!
• Market Grocery Bag: $10 for $20 worth of food!

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

What’s your holiday favorite recipe?

Now that Halloween has come and gone, the holiday season is in full force! Even though we have a little over 6 weeks left of the fall quarter, before we know it we’ll be on winter break and relishing in the holiday festivities.

Because I for one am already am in the holiday spirit, watching Hallmark movies and baking pumpkin goodies, I thought why not debut a new MARKET RECIPE card based on YOUR vote for a holiday classic recipe! So, to get the ball rolling, please like the UCSD Housing and Dining Facebook page and cast your vote to see which of the 4 holiday classics you would like to see made available in your neighborhood Market. 

 

Ingredients will be brought in and available for you to purchase with your Dining Dollars to cook in your resident hall and share with your friends.

 

So... would you like to see:

1. Creamy Mashed Potatoes

2. Classic Pumpkin Pie

3. Old Fashioned Stuffing

4. Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole

 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/ucsdhousingdining

 

Plus, if you vote now and leave a comment, I may just a have an early holiday present for you waiting in my office… who doesn’t love a little bit of Holiday Cheer?!

Good luck on mid-terms guys and I look forward to seeing your input!

Happy Halloween UC San Diego

I know, I know; you’re adults and over the whole Halloween thing… right? Well, I for one am a child still at heart and love any holiday where you get an excuse to eat candy all day!!!

While “all day” may be stretching it a little, my point is you can surely find the right balance of treating yourself to a Halloween delight without breaking your nutrition bank for the day.

For instance, our Markets across campus are filled with satisfyingly sweet snacks that are not only delicious but nutritious. Check out my finds of the latest Taste Bud Approved sweet treats to pick up at your neighborhood Market this weekend.

Luna Bars are labeled as the nutrition bar for women, but they really are just a stellar nutrient packed snack that males and females alike can enjoy.  These are my top three flavors and are a great alternative to a candy bar between classes.

 

 

Maybe you prefer a little more salty than sweet? Well then my friends, you have to check out Annie’s Sweet & Salty popcorn mix, Back to Nature’s Sweet Potato Cinnamon Crackers or Somersaults Cinnamon Nuggets. With just the right balance of salty and sweet, you’ll satisfy that craving while getting a bit of fiber in at the same time!

  

 

For those of you who just can’t shake the craving for a decadent dessert, then opt for a Spooky Sprinkled Donut! These guys are a better option than the Pumpkin Cupcake or Muffin and when paired with a cup of milk actually provide you with a little bit of protein as well. Plus, it’s National Buy a Doughnut Day J.

  

 

Have a safe and healthy Halloween folks!

You asked... we listened!

Dr. Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Now… do I have your attention! Read on to find out just how much you have to learn about what’s new and hot in Dining Services!

The beauty of sharing feedback to Dining is that WE LISTEN! We are here to serve you and want you to know that our ultimate goal is to provide an exciting, meaningful dining experience for your college years. Yes, we want you to be well fed and nourished, but we also strive to bring you unique dishes and concepts that are not found in other universities. (Heck, that’s what made us #19 in the nation’s top college foodservice survey!).

But, we also want to make sure your happy and feel excited when you walk into our restaurants, confident you can find something that makes you feel comforted and satisfied.  So, without further ado, check out some recent updates to Dining at some of our locations!

Café Ventanas:

·         Breakfast Burritos are Back!!!

o   Meat Burrito starts at $4.95 with choice of bacon, sausage or vegetarian sausage

§  Or opt for a Burrito at $3.95 without meat

·         The Grill is Back on Fire!!!

o   Taste Bud Approved Herbed Chicken Sandwiches on 100% Whole Grain Rolls

o   Classic Cheeseburger and French Fries

o   Chicken Fritters

o   Gardein Vegan Burgers & Morningstar Chipotle Black Bean Burgers

Canyon Vista

·         Canyon Noodles

o   Check out the Pho broth and add in some tofu! A stellar VT option.

·         Soup & Salad

o   Try one of our daily standard VT soups, like the Black Bean & Corn Variety. (It’s also gluten-friendly too!)

o   Or toss some egg and sunflower seeds on a nice bed of mixed greens, a perfect pact of protein and healthy fats!

·         Mediterranean Platform

o   The Heart Healthy Hummus platter will surely leave you meeting your fiber intake for the day! Plus it’s paired with delicious Baba Ganoush & Pita Chips.

64 Degrees

·         Vertically Crafted Deli

o   Try your sandwich wrapped in Lavash or on a 100% Whole Wheat Bun!

·         Burger Lounge

o   Gardein Burger and Chicken Breast Sandwiches are served daily and taste amazing on the 100% Whole Wheat or Brioche Buns!

Though we always offer a vegetarian and “Taste Bud Approved” item on our menus, they may not have been identified clear enough and we apologize for that. If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Tastebuds@ucsd.edu. We’d love to hear from you!!!

Also, be sure to check out the units special FOOD DAY offering tomorrow! Café Ventanas, Oceanview Terrace, Canyon Vista, 64 Degrees and Pines will be featuring a Potato Mushroom Lasagna, featuring our local San Diego Soy Dairy Tofu and Daugherty Farm Mushrooms alongside Suzie’s Farm Baby Spinach and Rainbow Chard. Enjoy the entrée and be entered to win by submitting your photo to the HDH Facebook Page.

Crepes & Music at Oceanview Terrace!

    Looking for something to do tonight? Well, be sure to head on over to Marshall College and checkout UNLPUGGED at Oceanview Terrace. It's the hottest place Thursday's on campus and is a great place to kick back and relax with your friends...for FREE!

   Be sure to arrive early so you can check out and indulge in one of OVT's newest additions to their stellar menu, crepes!

    From 4-8PM, OVT features a crepe station that will leave you completely satisfied.  If you need a little something salty after your sweet delight, stick around and nosh on some wings as you listen to the beautiful voices that surround us here at UC San Diego. 

  Don't forget too the Passport Program is still running strong! Be sure to get your Passport stamped at OVT and submit via the UCSD Housing and Dining Facebook Page to be eligible to claim your prize.