Tin Fork
Huh... A gold, studded “Champion’s Booth,” a corner throne area where, it looks like, champion wrestlers get to chow down. There’s a chandelier above, wild-pink-and-sea-green walls, a gold table cloth, and a red velvet rope …
Encinitas. Hour to kill before the Coaster. Spotted these giant ficus trees. They’re the kind you see in National Geographic, strangling ancient cities. Then I noticed a little ol’ building huddled under them, and a …
Washington may declare that the recession is over, but don’t tell that to Chad and his cousins at Market 32. They’ve had to close the doors on their original, very green idea. These guys from …
Answer this: What kind of place gives you a big chunk of chocolate to munch with your beer? A real serious-about-beer place. Where a man can find a far-out stout. Sayer the server hands me …
I’ve been called flaky. But hey, this is flaky. Who woulda thought? Eating a pastry-covered curry pie for breakfast in a converted condo in East Village? Here’s how it happened: I was wandering hopelessly around …
“And now for a special live report from the border, here’s our border-affairs reporter, Ed Bedford. Ed?” Cue Ed: “Yes, Cindy. I’m actually standing on the border. One foot on either side, my right planted …
Hey, Mr. Sumption! Greetings from October 2009. You stamped this piece of sidewalk with your moniker a century ago, almost. “H.W. Sumption, October 1910.” And this huge tree. A Moreton Bay fig, the plaque says, …
“I starred in Star Trek. You don’t recognize me?” Bill looks at our blank faces. We don’t recognize him. “Okay, so not exactly a starring role. I’m the guy in the gray jumpsuit with a …
“Russ?” “Yup.” “It’s me. I’m in El Cajon.” I’m calling on my first-ever cell phone. Hate the end of freedom. But now I need this thing. “That Dubai restaurant you were crazy about? It’s closed! …
“Know why this area’s called the ‘Stingaree’?” asks Mark. We’re at the bottom of Eighth, right where it meets Market, inside this Asian bistro I just happened on called J. Wok. Mark Richmond’s an artist. …
Do I follow the crowd? Hell, yes. This one, anyway. It’s Sunday afternoon, down at Quivira yacht basin. I’ve been wandering past boats with names such as Sonny Daze, Bad Habit, Sea Ya, and Bad …
“What men or gods are these? What maidens loth? What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?” Huh. I impress myself. I do remember something from high school English. John …
From the start, you pretty much know: everybody getting off the number 3 bus at Fifth and Elm is headed there. Five o’clock on a Thursday, where else? Horizon Park Chapel. Free food. Me too. …
“Hot? Hot-hot? Hot-hot-hot?” Sanaa stands there, in one hand a big pestle at the ready, in the other, a bunch of nasty little green and red chili peppers ready to throw in for crushing. Ready …
“Juanita’s Carnitas of Encinitas! Juanita’s Carnitas Encinitas!” This is Ted’s kid, chanting. Best way to get the carnitas tacos he loves. “Juanita’s Carnitas of Encinitas…!” “Ah, you mean ‘Little Jane’s Little Meats of Little Oaks,’ …
I know. My friend Naomi’s been here. Matter of fact, that’s part of why I stopped by. For me, barbecue’s like art. I don’t know much about it, but I know when I like it. …