Summer Brings New Life to the Menu at Downtown’s Jsix
As seasonal edibles harvested from SoCal farms becomes more and more the staple in San Diego, perusing menus gets more and more exciting. Unlike the old days in America’s Finest, many of our restaurants’ food bills change with a good …
Cuatro Milpas: Four Cornfields, Three Sisters
“Yes, we’re still here,” says Margarita. She’s at her cash register, pecking away while her sisters Sofia and Dora take orders and scoop up ladlesful of frijoles and Spanish rice, and stuff lard-fried tortillas with pork and chicken. Ah, the …
No More Bread on Market
Talking of bread (see Barbarella, below), it’s sigh time for one of the little jewels of downtown: Bread on Market, at 730 Market. I know. I’m the last to know, ’cause this happened a couple of months ago -- at …
Chocoloate and Cheese Make Unlikely Yet Yummy Bedfellows at Dallmann Confections
A gaggle of eager, happily chatty women salt-and-peppered with a few guys wearing skeptic expressions…sounds like Bunco night at the homestead when hubbies arrive to pick up their gambling- and chardonnay-loving wives. But last night, it was the scene at …
Bread & Cie Routine
There's no such thing as a schedule when one is in the process of moving, especially when it comes to meals. One fridge has to be cleaned out before another is stocked, and in the meantime, as dishes and silverware …
This Was My Place, These Were My Tacos
I was grooving, listening to someone strumming on the guitar in the door well of this Blue Line trolley... “Yes’n how many times must a man go down…” ...and watching the skeleton of the new library heading skywards, when we …
Come for the Daiquiris, Go for the Munchies
Leah Caguimbaga has her work cut out. She’s hostess at Wet Willie’s (555 Market Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, 619-546-8747) where daiquiris rule the roost. The daiquiris come from a row of dispensers behind the lo-ong bar. Look kinda …
Naughty Shot & Tasty Tacos
It's the only drink I could order that would make my father blush. That's why, when I go to Baja Betty's with Dad, I whisper the order as an aside to our server. Fortunately, on my recent visit (with David …
Eating Aboard the Trolley?
Eating in a trolley car in Barrio Logan? It's the biggest, most delicious surprise of the day. Was humping along Logan Avenue when I see this long, narrow coach-looking little building with a white, metal-security door, open, and a sign …
State Occasion
Sweet deal going on right across that beautiful pedestrian bridge outside San Diego State. Sweet potato fries for $2.50, French for $2, veggie egg rolls for $3 and shrimp tempura for $4. This is at State Street Grill (5131 College …
Stone Turns "Tea"-totaler to Aid Japanese Tsunami Relief
Stone Brewing Company has put out a great many collaboration beers of late. One of the latest to hit the scene is the Baird / Ishii / Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA. The beer was conceptualized and forged into reality …
Soft Opening, Hard Liquor
Leroy’s Kitchen & Lounge is finally open. It’s an upmarket replacement to Coronado’s popular Beach’n Diner (1015 Orange Avenue, 619-522-6890), and after a conversion of many months quietly started serving meals a few days ago for a soft opening. Hans, …
Sea Rocket Bistro Blasts Off into Cooking Channel Stratosphere
A San Diego eatery is going to be featured on a food-related TV program and, for once, it's not Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. That non triple-D eatery is North Park's Sea Rocket Bistro, which has gained a good deal of …
Landini's Secret Garden
Talking of great patios... “Best-kept secret in town,” says John. He and his buddy Derek are munching pizza and slurping Stone at an elevated wooden deck in someone's back garden that looks out over Little Italy towards the harbor. John …
The Rumors of My Professionalism Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Way before I started writing about food, I was in love with it and cooking up gourmet dishes on a daily basis. It was a dozen years of solid practice, constant learning and culinary evolution that got my chops to …
Coffee to Die For
"This coffee? It’s roasted by a murder lawyer and his partner in El Cajon,” says Kayla. “He deals with criminals by day and roasts by night. The West Bean.” Kayla Coffee to die for? Huh. Actually it is pretty durned …
Save Room for Dessert at Blueprint Café's Happy Hour
When I met Gayle Covner, I thought she was just another ravenous carnivore taking in the Cooks Confab 2009 "Meat!" event at The Grande Colonial Hotel. It wasn't until after a long conversation about our love of food that I …
Knotty But Nice
Just done a walk along Market. And where Wolffy’s once stood (844 Market), now stands The Knotty Barrel. It’s a gastropub which looks like it’s got some food that’s as interesting as its beers. But beers are the thing. These …
It Doesn't Need A Hole To Be A Donut
IB. I'm Baack. Lookin' for the fabled donuts of Imperial Beach. Was here (Stardust Donut Shop, 698 Highway 75, Imperial Beach) yesterday about four. Too late. So today I get here about 1.30. And yes! "OPEN" signs all over the …
Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em at True North Tavern
I don't smoke...but I also don't judge. After all, sensual experiences brought on by hand-crafted products is something I'm all about. I know the enhancing effect the perfect beer, wine or spirit can have on food and vice versa. So, …
Late Donut Run
Been dreaming of this moment ever since I got up, when at last I’d walk up to one of the most legendary donut shops this side of the Dunkin’ empire: Ed and Cliff Arnold’s Stardust donut shack on Highway 75, …
Ave et Vale, Wolffy’s
Am I the last to know? Wolffy’s Place, the “real” Chicago eatery on the edge of the Gaslamp (844 Market Street) is no longer. The two Wolffys, Bob, and his brother Steve I worried about it for a long time. …
L'Auberge Del Mar Offers Sneak Peek of KITCHEN 1540
Most of the time, when a restaurant gets a makeover, the reason they're in need of one has been extremely apparent for way too long. This isn't really the case with KITCHEN 1540, the fine dining option at L'Auberge Del …
And While You're Downtown, Ye Olde Curiosity Coffee Shoppe?
Got a spare Lincoln? ’Cause five bucks will buy you one of the more delicious coffees ($2) in the southland from one of its original roasters, plus a muffin or scone or croissant, and the richest atmosphere to down them …
Cheap Chow When You Need It
OK, weekend’s gawn, and so’s all that money you didn’t mean to spend. Where ya gonna eat? My best bet downtown: New Café (901 E Street, at the corner of 9th and E., kitty corner to the -- still -- …
Craft Beer's in the Pink at La Jolla's La Valencia Hotel
As a champion of local craft beer, there's something so delightful about turning people on to the quaffable medium or sharing a convo with a recent convert. I had such an experience recently while dining at La Valencia's Mediterranean Room. …
Ed's Best Patio: And the Winner Is...
So, here's my vote for best terrace/patio. (Saucepan drum-roll please...) Lou & Mickey’s (224 Fifth Avenue). And here's the irony: Lou & Mickey’s is from Chicago. But, for me, they’ve nailed the art of patio. Things I like: It’s surrounded …
Sunset Cliffs? Go at Sunrise!
Wow. Nothing so wake-you-up as a good stiff breeze coming up over Sunset Cliffs at sunrise. Or, shall we say, shockingly early, for me...like, eight o’clock. Plus, armadas of pelicans slo-mo cruising along the clifftop airlift and the waves crashing …
Late-Night Chef Spotting at Quality Social
I knew these guys could cook...that's their job! But who knew their interest in alcohol went beyond deglazing and consumption. Even I have to admit to being surprised to find that some of San Diego's most noted chefs are as …
Andiamo's Noche Peruana
The chef-owner of Andiamo Italian Restaurant (5950 Santo Road, 858-277-3501) is Javier Ugarte from Peru, and on July 30 he's featuring the foods of his homeland in a four-course dinner for $32. Peru probably has the best food in western …
A Tale of Three Patios
Naomi: let the search for the best patio continue! Three cases in point. Avenue Liquor (at Ninth and Orange in Coronado), I’ll admit, is not like your Café de la Paix in Paris. But they do one thing right. They …
Manzanita One-Year Anniversary Offers Heat-Beating Option
With temperatures registering in the sweltering range, their may be no community better suited or more appreciative of a beer festival than Santee. That's where Manzanita Brewing Company makes a lot out of their little piece of real estate, the …
House with No Name
What’s the old saying? “Good wine needs no bush?” I’ve just been eating an afternoon breakfast at this restaurant which has no name other than, uh, “Restaurant.” It’s right across from City College trolley stop on Broadway at Park (ex …
Small Bar Bites
Sure, they carry esoteric brews such as Tactical Nuclear Penguin, have 42 quality beers on tap, and barrel-age their Manhattan cocktail, but what many people don't know about Small Bar, is that their kitchen is on par with the bar. …
Alchemy's New Street-Food Menu
Alchemy (1503 30th Street, 619.255.0616) has a brand new globally inspired menu from chef Ricardo Heredia, emphasizing (as always) organic and local ingredients. This new menu highlights “street food” dishes from America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, and while it …
More Gluten-Free at Terra, Plus Mini-Tempest
The new branch of Terra in La Mesa offers several gluten-free choices — several salads, at least one main course — along with vegetarian items. Jeff Rossman's eco-conscious neighborhood restaurant has been thrilling good palates La Mesa, and others in …
FINALLY open again -- Cafe Sevilla
They're up and running at last at 353 Fifth Avenue. The Spanish tapas bar, restaurant, and nightclub are open seven days a week, 4pm-1:30am. The huge opening night party announced here earlier will be 7/27 at 7 p.m. Well, that's …
Maine Lobsterama in New York -- where here?
This year saw a giant harvest of Maine lobsters on the East Coast -- the lobstermen have been good conservationists, while the overfished cod that used to prey on the "bugs" are scanty. Hence, low-priced lobsters. In New York City, …
Mamma mia! Arriverderci Solunto!
Solunto Bakery in Little Italy closes today. Owner Domenick Cefalu is ready for retirement. (The Buon Appetito rstaurant mini-chain will be grabbing up the space.) Oh, but this is molto triste. Restaurants may come and go, but a bakery turning …
It's Summer. Go Ahead, Be A Tourist
This is international city down here at the waterfront. The line for the counter at the Bay Cafe (1050 North Harbor Drive) is long and you're hearing Russian, Spanish, Chinese, French, Portuguese. But hey, if you can attitude-adjust out of …
Found! Best Staycation BBQ
What is this duck doing swimming around in this fountain at nine at night? He’s just one of the summer crowds who make business boom for the resident café in ’Diego’s best-hidden park – Campland on the Bay (2211 Pacific …
Local Brewer Makes Playful Toast to the Other Budweiser
With the unveiling of bottle art for his newly renamed beer, Green Flash head brewer Chuck Silva proves there's always room for fizzy yellow beer and some humor. Overa a year ago, Silva invented Fizzy Yellow Beer, a low alcohol, …
Old Town: Cheap Nibbles, Free Tipples
Tuesdays and Thursdays are turning into quite a scene at Barra (4016 Wallace Avenue, in Old Town Plaza, between San Diego Avenue and Congress Street). I like it because, okay, tourist central, yes, but this is the remains of a …
What IS San Diego Food?
We're so caught up with food fashions from Europe, New York, Tokyo, whatever, but what about our food? San Diegan food? For a start, consider the humble oak tree. It's native to here, it produces thousands of tons of nutrition …
Customized Homebrew (or Any Brew) Cupcakes
The popularity of homebrewing -- not only in San Diego, but in America -- was displayed during last month's American Homebrewers Association National Homebrewers Conference, a sellout event that took place at the Town and Country Resort. Like any craftsmen, …
More Than Gelato
People have recommended Pappalecco in Little Italy to me for gelato, but I had never tried it, loyal as I am to Gelato Vero. I'd been meaning to make my way over to the corner of Cedar and State streets, …
Top Toque Going to Longtime Sous at Starlite
Over the past four years, Starlite has been a favorite of locavores, particularly those with a penchant for late-night eats and craft cocktails. From day one, the former has been comprised of classic Americana with a modern twist and a …
Tivoli: Poutine, Anybody?
Yes, the Tivoli Bar (505 6th Avenue, at Island) is as frontier American as it gets, but the food here is French Canadian. Its signature dish, anyway. Montreal’s, the independent eatery at one end of the bar, serves poutine, Canada’s …
Tivoli Bar: Older than Waterfront?
So which is the oldest pub town? Down here in the Stingaree, they don’t doubt it. The Tivoli (505 6th Avenue, at Island) is it. (Locals call it "I Lov It," "Tivoli" spelt backwards). “Yes, The [1933] Waterfront’s liquor license …
An Imperfect Union with Some Serious Blue Chips!
I'd heard some buzz, but it wasn't until chef Paul McCabe of KITCHEN 1540 leaned over to me at the California Restaurant Association awards and asked, "So, have you been to Union yet?" that I knew I'd need to fire …
Desert-Raised Caviar
The name Abu Dhabi may sound a little like a joke or an old song ("...said the monkey to the chimp" in the dumb song from 1954 or so) but it's now a rich, dead-serious place, connected to the explosion …
CU Chain Restaurant Ratings — Locals Win Some
Consumer's Union surveyed nearly 37,000 readers about their preferneces in chain restaurants. A lot of the results were refreshing, or I guess a relief. Bottom of the heap was Mickey D's. Yes, yes, yes! I ate one of the burgers …
Local California Restaurant Association Awards
If the legendary Smitty's BBQ of Lockhart, Texas, were to move here, Phil's BBQ would still win Best BBQ. If Eric Ripert were to branch out from New York, Blue Point would still win Best Seafood (although they are very …
Ed’s Alternative: Locovores in La Jolla
Are there any real cheap eats in La Jolla? Ask Diana Goedhuys. I was wandering up Girard carrying Carla’s Great Burger Care Package (see Carla's Call), heading for the #30 bus stop on Silverado. And I was jes’ thinking: This …
Bourbon
I used to think bourbon was a man's drink. But after David and I went on that underground bar tour in New York last year, I learned how tasty and versatile the booze could be in the hands of an …
Carla’s Call: Best Burger. And the Winner Is...
Reporting live, from Inside Deepest La Jolla. I can now confirm: even the rich and the famous eat burgers. And they're not that outrageously expensive. See, while I was up there, I had this assignment. The Beloved Carla said don’t …
Sneak Peek: Asian Cowboy Desserts Planned for Del Mar's Burlap
Rachel King is the confectionary mind behind Searsucker, Brian Malarkey's en vogue restaurant on Fifth Avenue and Broadway in the Gaslamp Quarter. Serving hundreds of hungry customers per evening has allowed the young pastry chef to get her name out …
And Talking of Ribs, Hold That Trolley!
Call this "filling in time." Waiting for the Blue Line, here at 12th and Imperial. I know it's gonna be another ten minutes. Starved, as usual, just after midday. Sun's beating down. Head for the shade in the trolley HQ. …
Big Rib Day
Good news from the south! I was in IB yesterday. Descended from my stretch limo (the 901) at Rainbow Drive and Palm, right across from Silver Strand Plaza. Found myself walking into < ahref="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/places/big-kahunas-pizza-n-stuffs/">Big Kahuna’s (600 Palm Avenue, Suite 117, …
Copper Chimney Comes Ashore
If you’ve been wandering around Black Mountain Road forlornly looking for Allen Sem and his South Indian “Copper Chimney” food truck, you’re out of luck. Just as food trucks have come on stream big time, he has pulled out and …
Taco King Rules Bankers Hill
Ooh, yeah. Oozing eggs in the open air, stuffed with steaming onions, green peppers, tomatoes, two big well-cooked flaps of bacon- and cheese-capped frijoles on the side. And lotsa salsa. And cawfee. My Huevos a la Mexicana Sigh. Contentment. Breakfast …
Hotel Del Makes It 1500 Plus Two
The Hotel Del Coronado was dealt a crushing blow this spring when wine director Ted Glennon, who was in charge of adult beverages for the ENO Wine Room as well as their white linen enclave 1500 Ocean, turned in his …
Wine: Drink Corkage-Free at Fleming's Downtown This Summer!
This just in: from Friday, July 1-Wednesday, August 31st, you can bring your wine into the K Street location of Fleming's Steakhouse & Wine Bar and enjoy it with your meal without paying a corkage fee.* "We were just thinking …
Filipino Secret: Mix Your Dessert with Your Main
If you want a good meal, follow the crowds to the noisiest joint, right? Real people noise, not canned noise. That’s sure the case with Tita’s Kitchenette (2720 E. Plaza Boulevard, Suite E, National City, 619-472-5801). Each time I’ve been …
The Father of All Espressos
Aah. Coffee. Morning. Hillcrest. Fifth. Or, just a mo’. Is it Caffe. Mattino. Roma, Via Veneto, whatever? I swear. Take one look at Hector’s gargantuan espresso machine here at Caffe Vergnano 1882 (3850 Fifth Avenue, between Robinson and University) and …
Dallmann Chocolate Boutique Sweetens Up Flower Hill Promenade
Isabella Valencia has sugar and over a century of tradition coursing through her veins. A third generation confectioner, she's used time-tested family recipes and her forward-thinking creativity to do what her forefathers have done back in her home country of …
Spelunking Beer Beyond the Counter at Iowa Meat Farms
Like many an American, I find myself heeding the carnivorous call of mighty Miss Liberty, heading out to get some Grade A beef for not one, but numerous Fourth of July weekend barbecues. This year, I opted, as I have …
Eclipse Chocolat
I'm proud of San Diego's own chocolatiers, and my two top favorites are Chuao and Eclipse. Because Eclipse is closer to where I live, it's my go-to place for last-minute desserts. Meaning, when I'm tasked with bringing a treat to …
Cooking from Africa Classes
Yes, it's interesting food! And super healthy. Yes, you might want to try cooking it. I don't know whether our calendar has included this or not, but I'm a-gonna blog it anyway. When I lived in Northern California (land of …
Chipotle Growing Even More Local
Chipotle, which I consider to serve the only real "healthy" fast food, is trying to go as local-grown (within 350 miles) as possible. This won't be easy in the Prairie States or New England, where most of the produce season …
Another Cohn Bargain — Seafood This Time
Family Style Sunday — Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, local seafood specialist, , offers a Sunday night, family-style feast with family-style dining. The meal includes live Maine lobster, Chesapeake Bay blue crab, mussels, shrimp and redfish, all brought steaming hot to …
The Prado's Thursday Night Dinner Package
On Thursday evenings between July 7th to September 22nd there's a special VIP Dinner Package. This VIP Package includes a 3-course dinner at The Prado with a bottle of wine and 2 tickets to the San Diego Museum of Photographic …
Nitrate-free organic franks? Guess again.
Turns out that "all organic, no added nitrates" on a label is totally meaningless, alas. "If you actually surveyed consumers going out of their way to buy no-nitrate products, they['d be very surprised to learn that there's plenty of nitrates …
Stingaree as a restaurant is Stingarooed
Stingaree nightclub is still open, but they've closed the attached restaurant. Basically, nobody went there. (The food was good, but the room always felt like a second-thought, the eating-slum offshoot of the club.) Chef Antonio Friscia will still be cooking …
"Round It Up" for Charity
A coupla chefs in Orange County started the "Round It Up" movement, have raised half a million bucks for good causes in a few months,. and now it's arrived here. The Round It Up America concept is simple. Give patrons …
SD Beer Industry Insiders Team Up Against Breast Cancer
Collaborations are common in the craft brewing industry. The most typical collabs involve brewers from different companies getting together to put together a joint effort beer like the Highway 78 Scotch Ale from Stone, Green Flash and Pizza Port Carlsbad. …
(Hot) Dog Days of Summer
Photo: View of Quivira Basin, Mission Bay They’re baa-ack! Those slothful afternoons under the palapa at the edge of Mission Bay, with really sloppy hot dogs and jammin’ music from bands like Swamp Critters (they’re playing tomorrow - Saturday - …
Red Door Owners & Chef Part Ways
So much for that chef at the Red Door who likes to take patrons to the adjacent Mission Hills Farmers' Market. Brian Johnston has left the building, but both sides say it's an amicable parting of ways. Owner Trish Watlington …
Bold Kid Kole
Kids know best, right? Especially when it comes to burgers. So, this three-year-old kid, Kole, is sitting at the table across from me, here at Ryan's Cafe (5201 Linda Vista Road, suite 103), manhandling a giant burger. At least giant …