San Diego Reader

Affordable, organic, locally sourced meals (fresh basil pasta from Seeds @ City Urban Farm at City College, anyone?) and a rotating selection of 12 San Diego craft beers, including one cask ($5.50–$6.50), make Local Habit a strong contender among America’s Finest City’s world-famous gastropub scene.

A joint venture of Barry Braden (Pizza Fusion) and Eco Caters in Ocean Beach, Local Habit specializes in gourmet pizza, house-cured meats, and inventive small dishes. The grilled oysters are a risk-free introduction to the medium — no sea snot, and a firm, palatable texture. Gouda Mac is heaven. The pork belly is bacon’s Buddha nature. Add charming waitresses, Edison bulbs, Stone Double Bastard, growler lampshades, and dark-hardwood everything, and you’ve got a classy but pomp-free drink-and-dine experience.

— Chad Deal

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