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Entries

Mai, oh Mai Tai, Plus a Great Take on PB&J

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Over the years, one thing has instigated my trips to Bali Hai—mai tais. Umbrella drinks may harken to a bleaker period of culinary history, but there’s a reason they’ve stuck around as the American culinary scene has evolved around them. …

Burrito Barato

Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe

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What can I say, I assumed the Hillcrest restaurant was named after the ex-President. It wasn't. I asked. My server told me that Jimmy was the owner and a third generation San Diegan. He told me that if I walked …

A First Look at Ariccia Italian Market

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I posted about the opening of a new Italian deli/grocery, Ariccia Italian Market, a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating a visit. Located on Girard Street in La Jolla, Ariccia Italian Market had only been open for …

Patty's Fruitland: So Good, So Good For You

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I’ve always remembered the story José Montez told me first time I popped in here, how he had come up from Durango in Mexico and worked for a catering company, cooking like 20,000 pieces of chicken and 1,000 pounds of …

First Look: Hillcrest Brewing Company

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It's only been open for a week, so this isn't intended as a conclusive verdict on the self-styled "first gay brewery" that's owned by the company in charge of Mo's and Betty's. The move from nachos and sugary drinks to …

A Decadent "Au-Re-Foie" at Red Light District

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Red Light District—it’s quite possibly the best restaurant you’re not eating at. At least that’s what it looks like when I’m there. Granted, I avoid the Gaslamp on high volume weekend nights, so perhaps I’m not being granted the best …

Breakfast at Crest Cafe

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This Hillcrest staple is celebrating thirty years in business this year. Because of that, my expectation was that the food there would be a little dated, that the restaurant had operated on institutional credibility more than an ability to stay …

Ribbon Cut, Doors Open: White Labs is Open for Business

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Friday afternoon, Mayor Jerry Sanders wielded his giant novelty scissors, snapping them shut on a yellow ribbon on the threshold of the new White Labs tasting room (9495 Candida Street). This symbolic gesture marked the official grand opening of the …

Philly Grill

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I finally stopped into this miniscule steak sandwich shop on University Avenue after passing by it almost daily for years. It is in an unappealing location where the streets are often filled with broken glass. The neighbors are a liquor …

Babycakes California Casual Cafe Opens in Morley Field

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This was news to me, but as of yesterday the new Babycakes Cafe opened up right next to the tennis courts in Morley Field. It's a big change form the main Babycakes in Hillcrest, which is a hopping scene for …

Karl Strauss Homebrew Competition Succumbs to Brown-Out

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If you’ve never attended a meeting of a local homebrewing club or had the chance to taste award winning entries from local homebrew competitions, you likely have no idea just how good some of the beers being produced by scores …

In the Barrio: Breakfast Bagel at Ellie’s Deli

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Passing El-Vis in the Barrio. Honest. He’s there with Marilyn. And a bunch of cows… http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/jun/16/26370/ So okay, they’re full-size, lightweight models, waiting for, like, shops to put them outside their front door to bring in business. But at the …

First Taste at Fabrison’s II

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Reporting live from the Republic of Coronado… Had to stop at Fabrison’s, on Day Two of their opening week, see what they’re actually offering. "Fabrison's," the name, is a combo of Fabrice - he's French, from Marseilles - and Alison. …

Bacon as Metaphor: the Lifecycle of a Culinary Trend

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I first heard about it on KPBS in the morning. They announced it as filler between news items of bigger importance--Burger King put a bacon sundae on the menu. The news brief was meant for levity, but for me it …

Homecoming for a Pair of Village People

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Most of my meals are strategized. Typically, it’s to provide myself and those who read my work a taste of what a restaurant has to offer. This weekend, I planned a visit to a specific venue, but the reason was …

The La Costa Wine Company: Where Even a Monday Can Turn Into a Party!

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During our cul-de-sac viewing of the recent solar eclipse, my neighbor turned hostess by bringing out wine, cheese, and crackers for us to munch on while we contemplated our sacrifice for the return of the sun. As one of my …

Babbo's Bar and Grille

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Fact: my former neighbors owned the Gulf Coast Grille that was on Park Boulevard at the border of University Heights and Hillcrest. Gulf Coast is no more and the building is now home to Babbo's. My neighbors, as far as …

Another Opening: French Invade Coronado!

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Fabrison’s, the French café-crepery (1425 India) that actually gives you lessons in how to speak French, has another grand opening. This time in Coronado. They’re taking over the space Bino’s Crepe place occupied at 1120 Adella. Promise: Fab crepes! They …

Napizza: First Taste...

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OK. Have made it into Napizza (1702 India Street, Little Italy, 619-696-0802). And the first thing is, they do have pizzas from $3, though most are $5.75. But this place is certainly rockin', even though they don't have their outside …

Local Habit Celebrates Anniversary with Special Beer and a Special Election

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Hillcrest Cali-Creole and craft beer haven, Local Habit, is about to turn one. It seems like only yesterday I was monitoring its transformation from its former identity as Pizza Fusion to its current all things local and sustainable model. I …

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