I couldn’t believe the sunshine, 75 degrees, a soft wind playing over my skin. My husband and I grinned as we made our way from where we’d parked our car on Narragansett Avenue to Ranchos …
December 5, 2012
Back to profile
Stories by Emma Goldman
Organic dream
New Riffs
La Casita Mexican Diner has a new owner offering new riffs on Mexican food.
October 24, 2012
Beer and Barbeque, in That Order
Go gobble on the mountain — a revisit to Julian’s Bailey Wood Pit Barbeque.
July 25, 2012
Zelda's Place
The waiter at Street Side Thai Kitchen set the Garden Fish ($19.95) down in the middle of the table. A crispy orb peeked from beneath a fringe of cilantro. Freshly sliced tomatoes lined one side …
June 6, 2012
Made for You and Me
A drive down El Cajon Boulevard leads to Alforon, the said-to-be “amazing” Lebanese restaurant. No disappointments there.
April 18, 2012
Saucy Since 1967
The first North Park Little League team meeting of the new season had ended at Morley Field, and we were starving. “Mom! Tonight’s the fundraiser for my school at Paesano’s. Can we go there?” I …
March 7, 2012
Mean Beans
As a longtime San Diego resident, I’ve often been puzzled as to why, in a city full of amazing Mexican food stands, anyone would go to Taco Bell or Jack in the Box. Why order …
January 18, 2012
Tots on the Side at Tobey's 19th Hole
The sun glinted off oak trees. Golf carts waddled down the fairway. A dry, light breeze signaled an impending Santa Ana. I gazed upon this glorious scene, sipping Stella Artois, happy to be alive and …
November 22, 2011
San Diego Pizza Places
The younger sibling of the larger Arrivederci Ristorante a few doors down specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza. Sidewalk seating gives diners a front-row view of Hillcrest happenings. Servers are likely to speak Italian, and the low …
October 19, 2011
Burrito Especial
At this Five Points hot spot, hefty helpings of flavorful carne asada and shrimp are packed into flour tortillas like a past-his-prime wrestler into fluorescent pink Spandex. It’s a fitting analogy for a venue that …
October 19, 2011
Slow Food Fast
We were late heading out the door and needed to pick up dinner on the way to our friends Chuck and Rita’s house to watch the Raiders on Monday Night Football (yes, dear readers, Emma …
October 12, 2011
Golden Hill's Counterpoint
My friend Audrey and I hadn’t been in touch of late and finally settled on a time to catch up. “Where shall we meet?” she asked. “I really just want to hang out but also …
July 27, 2011
Catch the Drips at Mama's Lebanese
In our pre-kid life, my husband and I spent a lot of time crashing on our friends’ hardwood floor in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. We would roam around the city all day and recover at …
May 4, 2011
Rather Than a Riff: Golden Hill Cafe
Many years ago, my friend lived on 23rd Street, so we would occasionally meet for breakfast at a diner at 25th Street and C. Officially, the place is known as the Golden Hills Coffee Shop, …
March 23, 2011
Jimmy Carter's Has Soul on the Menu
A couple of weeks ago, my husband came back from a work trip and we decided to grab something to eat at Barrio Star, the newish restaurant in Banker’s Hill purveying “Mexican Soul Food.” As …
February 10, 2011