The coffee and the game's the thing, come rain or rain

Walking up Cedar tonight, with the rain splotting down. Come by Pappalecco (1602 State Street, on the corner with Cedar, Little Italy, 619-238-4590). And guess what? Two elderly men sitting outside hunched over their espressos ($2.00 each), a bottle of …

Whole Foods lunch in Encinitas is quick and disgustingly healthy

Passing Whole Foods around one in the afternoon (Whole Foods, 687 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, 760-274-1580). See a bunch of people in a courtyard, eating out of boxes, looking healthy. Hey, who doesn't want to be healthy? http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/30/36259/ So …

When I heard about a "great new healthy restaurant" from a friend who is a proponent of "cleanses," I thought, Awesome, I'm off to spend an hour politely nibbling on an alfalfa and flaxseed dish with the texture and flavor …

The Tour heads to Pacific Beach for non-Philly steaks

I had a harder than expected time finding Pop’s Jersey Style Cheesesteaks in Pacific Beach. What is it with these sub shops that they are so sneaky? At least it existed. I eventually located pops at the back of a …

Little literary hideaway in Tijuana delivers world's best panini?

Tijuana: I come out of La Tasquita (see La Tasquita yesterday’s blog), the world’s smallest pub, and head left up Miguel Aleman street. Maybe 9:30 p.m. Come upon this pretty nice-looking eatery almost straight away. Called Caza Club. (It means …

"Artisanal" beers explode in our sister city. Best place to find them? A tiny triangle

On Agua Caliente Boulevard, 9:00 p.m. Rubbing my eyes. Whu? Because in front of me, here beside where the old bullring used to be, is a tiny red and black triangle with a big sign. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/29/36215/ “Cerveza Artesanal.” I’m standing …

North County food court cheesesteak delivers poor performance on day three of the tour

Here’s what happened: I went all the way up to Mira Mesa to try and find a place called “Moose’s,” but it turns out it’s not there anymore. I’d ended up wandering around a Scranton Road food court, trying to …

The tour continues into North Park for "homestyle" sandwiches

Planted firmly across the street from Lefty’s North Park, Eddie’s Place seems to have taken a class on interior decoration from the pizza place. Rocky posters, Phillies MLB pendants, pictures of the Liberty Bell, and other Philly-centric tchotchkes festoon the …

Venerable Irish pub lands farm-to-table chef

Brandon Brooks has left the building. That building is the firehouse at Liberty Station converted into a combination grocery and bistro that’s the base for SOL Markets (2855 Perry Road). That business went in back this winter and has since …

The Mia Francesca spin-off in Little Italy gets national recognition

Schussing down India t’other night. Happy hour crowds starting to fill the heated sidewalk patios. Had a Christmassy feel about it. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/28/36122/ http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/27/36121/ But what caught my eye was this sign on a sidewalk sandwich board. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/28/36123/ Chef Christopher Verotudela …

Ramona's first brewery to revive uncommon styles

Once upon a time, beer in San Diego consisted mainly of but a few styles: hefeweizens, amber ales, brown ales, porters, stouts, pale ales and, of course, the India pale ale. But, as craft brewing has taken hold across the …

Stage one: sampling the fare at San Diego's most established cheesesteak operation

Back in June, I ate at the Philly Grill in North Park and it didn’t blow my mind or anything. The steak was delicious, but there was too little of it and it had been assembled without much care. The …

Totally traditional stew house has the mole of moles

“This is mole Poblano, meaning, from the state of Puebla, where mole was born,” says Alfredo. He’s just handed me a plate of chicken mole. Maybe the best I’ve tasted in a lo-ong time. The brown stuff is oozing like …

Ex-Counterpoint chef going the pop-up route

Chefing is a transient line of work. It’s common for culinary professionals from exec chef on down to prep cook to have lengthy résumés populated by a plethora of bullet-points denoting previous employers. It’s just the nature of the biz …

Lil B's: different name, different location, still totally "Gay Denny's"

Everyone was shocked, and many were disappointed, when Brian’s American Eatery closed its doors. The closure came out of the blue — the word on the street being that one of the business partners was ripping off the other — …

Eureka! Burger brings booze and buns to the UTC mall

Yet another burger chain is set to hit San Diego soon. The newly revamped UTC mall in University City will soon become home to the seventh Eureka! Burger, a chain that opened its first location in Redlands in 2009. Eureka! …

As winter approaches in San Diego, my endless quest for the perfect bowl of ramen continues. Right now, my favorite can be found at Yakyudori (most San Diegans call it Yakitori Yakyudori, but the sign above the door simply reads …

I knew 100 Wines -- the latest bistro to pop up in the heart of Hillcrest -- was the newborn of Cohn Restaurant Group, but it wasn't until I entered the space that I realized the similarities with another Cohn …

Notes and factoids on the rest of The Lost Abbey Ultimate Box Set

Yesterday, I rode the spirit of Thanksgiving overindulgence, sharing tasting notes on the first four beers in the dozen-strong set of barrel-aged creations included in The Lost Abbey Ultimate Box Set, which is being released tomorrow. Here are my tasting …

Haitian Cuisine proves less than exemplary, but not without its bright spots

I have been eyeballing the new Haitian restaurant in City Heights for a little while now. They’ve been open about two months and I had a chance to pop in the other night. I liked the way the restaurant was …

I was en route to one of my favorite lunch spots on Convoy (I'm talking about Tofu House, when I spotted RakiRaki: Ramen and Tsukemen, a new noodle joint in the very same strip mall, sharing one of the more …

Is this the final word on Turkey Day?

Last night, eating the usual toikey and pumpkin pie with Carla and a bunch of rellies. Jokes started flying… -What happened when the turkey got into a fight? He had the stuffing knocked out of him. -What music do Pilgrims …

Carnitas Snack Shack (2632 University Ave) had a recent makeover. The seating in the back was limited with two hightop eating areas and a cluster of five or six tables. Now, the entire back parking lot has been eliminated and …

Whetting beer fans' appetite for The Lost Abbey's Ultimate Box Set

There are plenty of reasons for excitement this weekend. For one thing, it brings double the days off for most of us. Then there’s the grandeur-laced Turkey Day feast. As if that weren’t already enough, for some—myself not included—there’s the …

I didn't know I was on a quest for exotic fowl, but it's apparently at an end!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Some people get (justifiably) butt-hurt over the atrocities of American colonialism this time of year, but this is still my favorite holiday. For many years, when I was cooking professionally, I took a lot of joy in …

Anonymous mealmakers turn up at a downtown parking lot

Dusk, last night, downtown. We're just above the rack of bank skyscrapers, between A and Ash at Fourth. The line’s forming in the middle of the parking lot. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/22/35838/ Saunter up to these guys, Magic One and Magic. Actually James …

If you're doing a traditional turkey dinner, and you're planning on drinking wine, please let me put in a word for Riesling. Whether you want something bone dry and laced with singing acidity, or something ripe and round and just …

San Diego's craft beer community sends Jerry Sanders off in style

As I keep reminding readers, though prevalent in San Diego, craft beer as an industry is still in its infancy. There is still a large percentage of consumers that have yet to even taste their first craft beer, and an …

Coffee franchise stacks up reasonably well against the best

Franchises and chains always tip their hand early. I actually think it has something to do with the way the design is free of error. It always seems like the place is laid out with an overarching vision that makes …

You’re invited, as long as you’re homeless

Kealani Keliinoi is throwing a Thanksgiving party, tonight at five. Anybody who's homeless or feeling the pinch in Encinitas is invited. It's kind of surprising to find the number of people who are facing hard times in this town. Encinitas's …

Sometimes, a meal turns into a pleasant surprise even when the food isn't anything special

Seriously? That was the gist of my thoughts when I was outside Sanfilippo’s in Bankers Hill, about to walk in and join friends for dinner. Let’s just say my expectations were minimal and falling. ‘We’re, like, right down the street …

Meal with wine for $7.50?

How can you make a sausage look like a million bucks? Come to Old Town. I did, t’other night. Right across from the late lamented Wine Cabana, I spotted 25Forty Bistro and Bakehouse (2540 Congress Street, Old Town, 619-294-2540). Then …

This Hillcrest restaurant throws down with big plates of deli food

Confession: I had always assumed that City Delicatessen in Hillcrest would suck. The internal system of hints and warnings, which is usually reliable to me, sounded the alarm every time I travelled past on University Ave. Keep going, the voice …

Coolest wine cabana in town folds its tent

Who knew? I was heading up Congress in Old Town last night, and suddenly remembered this über-cool place I had always meant to spend time at with my most sophisticated friends – haha – and tonight I see it here, …

Looking at hunger from above and below the poverty line

I can’t claim I know what it’s like to be homeless, chronically unemployed, or otherwise societally dispossessed. I’d guess I share that with most people. But, sometimes I get a glimpse into that world and it’s usually informative. I accidentally …

Now, you must go get these special, Nordic popovers this weekend!

I don’t often get to say this, but I know for a fact I’m the first person to have the Thanksgiving “aebleskivers” (Danish pancakes, $4) from the North Park Roast Coach. The proprietress told me so. It’s the perfect time …

Big breaking news on brewer Jeff Bagby's next chapter

Shortly after posting the second of what had been planned as my two-part “My Beer Radar” series, I received some big news pertaining to an upcoming craft beer company that’s being watched by beer enthusiasts, not only on a local …

And now, new brewhouses coming to already beery 'hoods

Yesterday, I focused on three upcoming brewing companies touching down in neighborhoods that don't yet have their own brewhouses. Today, I'm touching on a bunch of other projects (but not all of them) slated for communities that are already fortunate …

Brewing companies planning to enter brewhouse-less communities

It felt good getting back in the groove this week—reporting on interesting, previously unreported, barely skimmed, or completely unknown San Diego beer scene developments after spending much of the preceding weeks going over more standard San Diego Beer Week and …

As we were being led to our table at the newly opened Patio on Lamont, our hostess pointed out the brickwork in one of three dining areas -- the bricks had been part of Lamont Street Grill before the extensive …

Sandwich chain bites at coffee market, achieves adequate parity

Passing by it over and over again in Hillcrest, I’ve had the same thoughts as most people. Chiefly, what the heck is a Subway Cafe? I mean, I had my ideas (which proved not too far off), but I am …

Don’t blink. You’re passing the champion pub you never noticed

I just about did pass this by, even after I noticed the funny beer signs. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/14/35492/ It's right by the bus stop at 6th and Broadway Then, guess I got drawn in by the fact that you could see the …

New brewing company looking to make a go of it at Mission Brewery Plaza

Many have lamented the fact that Mission Brewery Plaza (2150 Washington Street, Five Points) is once again dormant. The facility, constructed in 1913 as the base of operations for the original Mission Brewery, went black when the company shut its …

It turns out that Grantville has a very good juice and torta shop with spicy sweets and tostilocos to boot!

Just when you think that all the juice has been drunk, the smoothies sipped, and tortas nibbled, another option in the vast panoply of Mexican juice bars reveals itself. This time, it’s Tropical Fruit Paradise on Friars Road. And damn …

How old are these old beer signs?

Hauling up Broadway, caught these signs in the window of The Beer Co (602 Broadway, downtown, 619-398-0707). What I wonder is: Have these signs been resurrected from pre-Prohibition days? Because it seems San Diego was pretty famous for our suds …

Freebies for folks in the right place at the right time

You have to notice it. Walk through the inner plaza of Civic Center and it comes at you: Power, radiating from the surrounding buildings. The Servants of the People, making decisions on our behalf, from which pot-hole to fix next …

Something new en route for Julian...craft beer company coexistence

Of all the blips on my local beer radar, there’s one that’s been blinking red longer than any other. It’s odd a business sequestered in the small getaway-ville of Julian would garner so much attention, but due to a number …

At Village Vino, the staff doesn't pull any punches in terms of wine

Back in July, Mary Beth Abate did a thorough job of getting at what Village Vino is all about. The Kensington wine bar gets ahold of interesting vintages from small New- and Old World vineyards. Owner Rita Pirkl is an …

No time to finsh the lobster, a lifetime to regret it

You know how things you have to rush are the best? You kinda have memory flashes of the hot dog you couldn’t finish, or the beer you couldn’t chug before you had to go catch a stretch limo. Happened to …

Field folks reveal plans for new Gaslamp brewpub inspired by SF's Magnolia

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was San Diego Beer Week, a 10-day fermentation fete made up of hundreds of individual yet significant events. Something that large and magnificent deserves a food-and-beer journalist’s …

The chilly weather over the weekend put a damper on one of my favorite activities: sitting outside cafes and drinking coffee. The act is made less pleasant for me, who chills easily, when the air has such bite to it. …

Concluding this week's getting-to-know-you five-parter with a look at rookie Fezziwig's Brewing Company.

Here we are, on our final stop on this San Diego Beer Week-inspired series of posts devoted to telling the tales of local brewing companies. Yesterday’s entry was about New English Brewing Company, a brewery aiming to bring English-style ales …

As promised, a reflection on class hierarchy and restaurants!

A little while back, I was reading through A Framework for Understanding Poverty, by Ruby Payne. The book mostly deals with the social structures that surround the culture of poverty in an attempt to construct an understanding of working class …

Add another layer to the recent history of the building at 1290 University. In January, I wrote about how the Kebab King restaurant moved into a defunct barbecue joint and simply put signs in the windows, leaving the “BBQ” sign …

Ed crashes private party at the Park and Market trolley stop.

“This is usually Thomas Jefferson Lawsuit Night,” says Brandon. Say what? I’ve just popped across from the Park and Market trolley stop. Was waiting for the Orange Line. Heard sounds coming from this little place on the west side of …

An English lesson or, more aptly, a lesson in New English, as in San Diego's New English Brewing Company.

The first three businesses I focused on in my five-part series on local breweries in honor of San Diego Beer Week were pretty well known. Still, I thought it was important for those just catching the craft beer bug to …

On principle, I’m a fan of being able to get coffee outside. It makes a lot of sense to avoid going into a building to get something that’s perfectly suited for on-the-go consumption. Why, when it’s a beautiful day, go …

Toni Weinfurtner is pushing the limits in the cupcake kingdom

This is a cupcake? “It’s my French Toast cupcake,” says Toni. “It has bacon bits and maple butter cream frosting, plus bacon bits on top. It flies out of here.” Actually, so does Toni. She’s a long-time flight attendant with …

Information on the evolution of AleSmith Brewing Company and the beers that drove its ascent.

Day three of this five-part San Diego Beer Week examination of five brewing companies takes us to hallowed ground for most long-term local beer fanatics—AleSmith Brewing Company. The Basics: Originally established in the nineties by highly regarded local brewer Skip …

It wouldn’t fit into the list of pure awesomeness that was Ambrose Martin’s Fried Chicken Survey from the Feast! issue (because they only do rotisserie birds), but Mr. Chick in Mission Gorge deserved a little look-see nonetheless. Locked away in …

The who, what, when, and where about rapidly-growing local company, Hess Brewing.

Part two of this San Diego Beer Week-inspired getting-to-know-you series spotlighting individual local brewing companies finds us in the Miramar area, a part of town that is suddenly packed with brewing companies, from award-winning stalwarts like AleSmith to newbies like …

Just ignore the ladies grooving with wildlife

I’m going to (mostly) ignore the fact that Celadon is a Thai-style restaurant specializing in the familiar rice and noodle dishes that characterize so many take-out joints in Hillcrest and elsewhere. The place had a lot more character than that. …

The cool, politicians' downtown retreat hides one of the most scrumptious pâtés in town.

It’s not the cheapest joint downtown, but it has two things in its favor: One, it’s nearest the bus stop at 4th and Broadway, so you’re a 60-second sprint from your stretch limo. Two, as I discover tonight, for $9 …

The low-down on Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits: who they are, what they brew, and where you can get it.

San Diego Beer Week is in full swing. From now through November 11, locals and visitors alike will be abuzz with brewing industry excitement. Beer geeks will rattle off information about our breweries and their beers; nth degree conversations about …

This Hillcrest sushi bar has a few great sashimi specials that give it serious credibility.

I popped into Ebisu in Hillcrest on a whim, tired and hungry and feeling like taking myself out to sushi. It’s proximal to me but I’ve never gone there before. I couldn’t explain why, but it might have something to …

Signs of life, where Gaslamp meets East Village

The signs are up. Spotted this ABC Public Notice of Application to Sell Alcoholic Beverages at 933 Market. They’re to give neighbors a chance to approve or complain about a new café here to be called “Grapes and Hops.” http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/02/34836/ …

Hey, San Diego. I just want you to know I appreciate you.

A while back I ate at, of all places, the Outback Steakhouse. Judge me not. There was a gift certificate involved and a certain amount of curiosity. I hadn't eaten at one of the popular "casual dining" chains in a …

Make the best of the final day of the San Diego Beer 10-Day with these meet-the-brewer events

Sunday, November 11 It’s the last day of San Diego Beer Week. The last chance to get all those special beers and submerge yourself in San Diego’s craft suds culture. If you haven’t met or hung out with a brewer …

Gayle Covner's day-later veggie soups are keeping the barrio warm

“Believe me,” Gayle Covner tells a reporter. “Soup tastes better a day later.” She’s a pretty famous chef who has set up her restaurant, Blueprint, in Barrio Logan (1805 Newton Avenue, Barrio Logan, 619-298-7010). She was talking to Keli Dailey …

Day of the Dead is becoming a big deal - and a good deal - at Old Town's Plaza

You thought Halloween was ghoulish? Check out this Day of the Dead menu at the Cosmopolitan Hotel’s restaurant (in Old Town plaza, 2660 Calhoun Street, Old Town, 619-297-1874). http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/01/34788/ Day of the Dead runs tonight and tomorrow night. It has …

I went berserk at my phone trying to find the new coffee place in North Park via Google. I had seen it and vaguely remembered the location and name, but all my searches for “underground coffee” kept turning up the …

When the bar allows pets, should we call the tubular meats frankfurters to avoid confusion?

I don’t know why it took me so long to notice that this new-ish bar and drill in Hillcrest was open. I think I mistook it for a doggie daycare agency for a while, since it seems like one of …

Don't slow down during SD Beer Week's home stretch...here's the best of Day 9

Saturday, November 10 10 a.m. – Ballast Point Beer Brunch Looking for a good reason to check out the new location for The Range Kitchen & Cocktails (1220 University Avenue, Hillcrest)? How about beer? How about brunch? How about Ballast …