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Garrett Harris 10:11 p.m., May 23
Garrett Harris 9:48 p.m., May 23
Don Bauder 8:42 p.m., May 23
Lucy D. Barker 6:13 p.m., May 23
Shelli DeRobertis 2:14 p.m., May 23
Currant
The scenario is all but too familiar: “Can we please try that place? It looks too cute! I’d love to eat there sometime!” I plea to my significant other, hoping that after enough begging he’ll give in and be willing to try what I’m convinced could be my new favorite restaurant. His willingness to try these trendy looking eateries that manage to catch my eye has become less and less as what appears to be trendy and holds potential to be in our San Diego dining top ten, more often than not conclude in us leaving the place, our optimism for gastronomic glee depleted. Last Saturday morning, however, my restaurant radar made an accurate detection at last. I finally got to try that cute little checker-canopied eatery on West Broadway known as Currant, and it instantly was awarded a spot in my top ten. My experience there matched, if not surpassed, its positive physical aesthetics. I ordered an omelet with sun dried tomatoes, prosciutto, and gruyere cheese; along with a cinnamon apple malted Belgian waffle with Chantilly cream and a mimosa to drink (which go for $3 on Saturdays and Sundays F.Y.I.). The result was one of the most satisfying and delicious breakfasts I’ve experienced in San Diego, and the clear-your-plate goodness of the food was only the cherry on top of the eager-to-please service, sunny yet tree-shaded outdoor tables, and extraordinary Downtown ambiance. My request of “Can we please try that place sometime?” is no longer met by the turning of the radio volume button, but is instead answered with a “sure, Babe, maybe some time.” Currant regained my faith in my dining intuition as well as my boyfriend’s willingness to accept my suggestions. Delicious in its facade, Currant is all that meets the eye.— April 21, 2009 1:28 p.m.
Basic Urban Kitchen and Bar
The line that gathers around the corner to get into this place may have you thinking that this brick warehouse is a trendy club rather than a pizza place. It's menu is just that...basic. This restaurant strictly serves pizza, but toppings are endless, including unheard of toppers such as mashed potatoes. The drink menu is anything but basic; in fact, nearly ten different reds and ten different whites make up the wine list (all at a reasonable $30 per bottle), and the list of bottles of liquor from which you may choose is extensive.— October 10, 2008 12:26 p.m.
Downtown Johnny Brown's
This typical bar is San Diego beer connoisseurs' best kept secret. Tucked away in a hard-to-find corner of Downtown, this bar is visited primarily by those who go looking for it. Sitting around the bar counter you'll find true beer lovers who have come from all parts to have a glass (or two) of beer chosen from the extensive menu of rare and exotic brews. Shuffleboard table was a huge perk, as most bars only carry the usual pool table and darts. For those who are really into the game, a shuffleboard team meets weekly to practice and compete.— September 6, 2008 6:09 p.m.
Johnny V
On Fridays their happy hour is amazing: $3 beer and wine, and a free appetizer with each drink ordered, ranging from pitas with hummus to Ahi kebab. Once happy hour is over the music picks up and the dance floor begins to fill. The good dance and house music is a nice change from the usual low quality pop hits other PB bars typically crank out. Come early, as seating is a hard thing to come by on ever-popular Friday nights (I've gone as early as 4:30 pm sometimes).— September 6, 2008 5:01 p.m.
The Pennant Bar
On Thursdays this usually hole-in-the-wall looking beach bar transforms into a college student heaven, which is surprisingly a great time unless you're not a college student, or for that matter, not a University of San Diego student. Every other day of the week besides Thursday, tourists and bikers usually litter the place during the day. This place looks like a darker version of its competing neighbor, The Beachcomber. I've never seen anyone eat here, but I assume for good reason.— September 5, 2008 2:03 p.m.
Kahve Coffee House
Best place to get coffee in Mission Beach...and Pacific Beach (yes, even a bit better than Cafe 976)...and for that matter, in all of San Diego. Outdoor seating on plush benches, smiling Brazilian waitresses happy to be at your service, and exotic decorations from around the world. The menu offers a plethora of sandwiches, bagels, pastries, salads, coffee drinks, juices, etc., all of which are delicious. You will not leave this coffee joint feeling disappointed; in fact, its tranquil vibe will leave you feeling a bit more relaxed than when you came. For those who like to shop a bit after their coffee and croissant, directly next door is a very cute boutique that reflects the employees' Brazilian heritage. Suggestion: try the Chai tea latte (no exaggeration, it may be the best I've ever had) and the "Nicos" bagel (bagel spread with goat cheese, laced with honey, and topped with rosemary and toasted pine nuts).— September 5, 2008 1:50 p.m.
Café Joie
The waitresses would be much better off working downtown at Dick's Last Resort. If you like your coffee lukewarm and grainy, your croissant tossed at you still cold and in its Seran wrapping, and to begin your mornings with a waitress with a sneer indicating that she would really much rather be doing something else than serving you, then by all means come here. If you're like me and always opt for the cute, local cafes instead of visiting coffee-giant Starbucks, you too will be tempted to go here. But believe me, this place only helps to illustrate while Starbucks is so successful through its painfully long wait time, low quality and poorly prepared food, and just plain bad customer service. Seriously girls, you and Dick's could make a great pair.— September 5, 2008 1:37 p.m.
Karinya Thai
When you first walk into the restaurant you first question whether or not the food will be good due to its vacantness, lack of noise, background music, and conversation of fellow diners. However, just ask to be seated on the floor, and the host will take you past the normal seating to a huge dining room (you must remove your shows before entering this floor-seating area) where tables are low to the floor but nonetheless are still comfortable thanks to the open holes to put your legs and feet under the table, and plush Asian pillows scattered around each seating area. The room is decorated in an assortment of Eastern decor, giving off a Thai Buddhist shrine feel. The food is delicious, and can be specially ordered for vegetarians AND vegans. Spiciness can be requested on a scale of 1 to 10, but beware: this is one of the few Thai places I've been (including restaurants actually in Thailand) where they will ACTUALLY make it spicy if you ask for it. Prices are very reasonable considering the quality of the food. Dining suggestions: Try the Tom Gah soup and Phad Thai with a spiciness of "7" made with vegeatables and tofu.— August 2, 2008 12:56 p.m.
Lahaina Beach House
Truly the final frontier of being able to drink on the beach. This bar is extended on a platform out onto the sand, thus allowing you to still "drink on the beach" despite last year's alcohol ban.— August 2, 2008 12:42 p.m.
Bar West
If I wanted to immerse myself in a crowd where men initiate the conversation with lines like "My father [insert impressive profession here]..." I would have just gone Downtown. But here at Bar West, someone thought of the genius idea of bringing a piece of unglamorous Downtown to even less glamorous Pacific Beach. If you're going to do PB, do PB: PB Bar and Grill, Tap Room, Big Bertha's, Johnny V's, etc., just don't deny where you are by visiting a place full of Downtown's rejects like Bar West.— August 2, 2008 12:36 p.m.