Food trends come and go. So how can you tell which tastes are trending at this very moment?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to analyze which local businesses have been getting a noteworthy uptick in attention this month.
To find out who made the list, we looked at San Diego businesses on Yelp by category and counted how many reviews each received. Rather than compare them based on number of reviews alone, we calculated a percentage increase in reviews over the past month, and tracked businesses that consistently increased their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance.
Read on to see which spots are sizzling hot this winter.
Semola
Open since late September, this pasta shop and Italian spot is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Italian" on Yelp.
Citywide, such spots saw a median 1.1% increase in new reviews over the past month, but Semola saw a 72.3% increase, maintaining a sound 4.5-star rating throughout. Moreover, on a month-to-month basis Semola's review count increased by more than 280%.
Here's some information on the faces behind the business, from its Yelp profile: "Born and raised in Milano, Italy, Giacomo is one of the co-founders of Ambrogio15 and more recently he ventured, with his partners, into the pasta business [by] opening Semola."
If you're curious about specialties, "Semola brings artisan express pasta to Little Italy Food Hall, the highest-quality pasta ready in a few minutes for you to enjoy on the go. We know you have a busy schedule, so we are here for you!" — that's also courtesy of its page on Yelp.
Located at 550 W. Date St., Suite B (between India and Columbia streets) in Little Italy, Semola is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Harumama Noodles and Buns
The La Jolla's Harumama Noodles and Buns is the city's buzziest ramen spot by the numbers.
The ramen spot, which opened in early October at 1250 Prospect St., Suite B10 (between Ivanhoe Avenue and Roslyn Lane), increased its new review count by 90.9% over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 1.8% for the Yelp category "Ramen."
If you're curious about its specialties, "At Harumama Noodles & Buns, we are devoted to using the highest-quality ingredients as if we were cooking for our own family. We've reimagined traditional Japanese recipes and infused them with a cute, modern flair in a fun and lively atmosphere. From our wide selection of savory noodle dishes, handcrafted character buns and delicious bites, there is something for everyone to love. Guests can visit Harumama's locations in Little Italy or Carlsbad." — that's from its page on Yelp.
Harumama Noodles and Buns is open from 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Friday-Saturday.
Blue Ocean Sushi
The La Jolla's Blue Ocean Sushi is currently on the upswing in the Japanese category on Yelp.
While businesses categorized as "Japanese" on Yelp saw a median 1% increase in new reviews over the past month, this sushi bar and Japanese and Asian fusion spot increased its new reviews by 38.7% — and kept its rating consistent at 4.5 stars.
Open for business at 1250 Prospect St. (between Ivanhoe Avenue and Roslyn Lane) since Nov. 1, Blue Ocean Sushi offers varieties of its namesake dish, along with sashimi, soups, salads, small plates, rolls and such dinners as miso-glazed Chilean cod and oven-roasted chicken breast.
Blue Ocean Sushi is open from 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Friday-Saturday.
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
