Feast! Entries for May, 2012

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Hoangie’s: French Wiches, Vietnamese Wizards

Always liked the French, always liked the Vietnamese. So when I spot this food truck “Hoangie’s, Banh Mi on Wheels,” ...

"Super Local" Tavern to Open in Hillcrest

A local restaurateur is looking to bring Hillcrest the quintessential San Diego experience via a new bar concept, and he's ...

Holy Gigantic Omelet, Batman!

I’ve been feeling adventuresome lately, so I ordered a pork filled omelet despite the fact that I usually care for ...

More Mole...Straight from the Source This Time!

When eating is part of your vocation and you live in a city of over 6,000 dining establishments, it can ...

Newest Kebab Shop! (Sprechen Sie Deutsch?)

They say Indian food has conquered the UK. The most popular dish over there isn’t fish and chips or roast ...

Eating at Small Bar

It's not my intention to disagree with other writers about the quality of certain restaurants. All things being equal, I ...

Café Virtuoso in Barrio Logan

Only a small circular sign on the glass door announces the presence of Café Virtuoso on National Avenue. Even that ...

Simply the Best Tamales I've Ever Had

I’ve tasted tamales from far and wide—San Diego to Cancun, Texas to New York City (New York City?!?!...get a rope). ...

A Bite of Hillcrest at Local Habit

A few weeks ago, I went on a Bite San Diego walking tour of Hillcrest. It’s a 1 ½ - ...

Old Town: Kawsak, the Salsa, Ice Cream…

You want ice cream? You want sunsets? You want to dance the salsa? On dirt, to live Ecuadorian pan flute ...

Mimosas, Salmon, and Urban Views at Sole Luna Cafe

While at the airport to pick up my husband who’d been gone for three weeks, I Googled “brunch near me” ...

Babycakes' Breakfast

When I was working just down the block in Hillcrest, I used to come to Babycakes all the time to ...

Small Yet Potent Plates, Pleasant Ambience and a Galactic Burrito at Kecho's Cafe

I’ve loved Ocean Beach’s Olive Tree Marketplace since my first visit back in 2009. It was then I discovered their ...

Checking in on Sea Rocket Bistro

I haven't been to Sea Rocket in a while, not since before Chad White started working for Brian Malarkey and ...

Chiba II: Japanese Cuisine in Tierrasanta

It was beer-thirty, and I was hungry. It was another one of those days when I preferred to dine out ...

New Island Discovered in Little Italy!

New discovery! Isola Pizza Bar (1526 India Street, Little Italy, 619-255-4230). Was walking down India Street with my friend Matt ...

Oggi’s: Stout-Hearted Men…

Jes’ came out from Ikea, up at Fenton Parkway, Mission Valley. Carla’s desperate for a king-size bed. Yeah, right. King-size ...

Do Not Fear the Sprouts on the Menu at Kensington Cafe

Although there was a time when I did not shave my legs and when I thought carob was a good ...

This Crunchy PB&J Almost Works

I’ve always found peanut butter sandwiches to be kind of a cute menu item, especially when they’re not listed as ...

$10 Lunch: Andiamo! in Tierrasanta

I was drawn in to Andiamo! in Tierrasanta by a sign in the window advertising "Express Lunch and Early Bird ...

No Bull, this Beef and Bison are Delicias

I, like many, was shocked when Paul McCabe turned in his whites at L’Auberge Del Mar’s KITCHEN 1540 in October, ...

Rick: Feast or Famine at First and A

Rick Severns brought something home to me. Not food or money, but the facts of San Diego life. He’s homeless, ...

Carnitas' Snack Shack: Still Surprisingly Affordable (Plus a Bit on the Global Financial Crisis...)

So, Barbarella pretty much had the first and final word on the Snack Shack at the end of last year ...

Truck Week: The Diva of Operacaffe

Truck report #3 (From the Food Truck gathering at 57 Degrees, 1735 Hancock Street, Middletown, 619-234-5757 (5/19/12): You get the ...

The Hidden Dangers of a Weekday Brunch at Parkhouse Eatery

When Sarah invited me out for a Friday morning brunch, I had no intention of drinking a mimosa and then ...

Amplified Ale Works Turns Volume Up Another Notch

Last December, I shared news that the owner of College Area restaurant, California Kebab, was not only opening a second ...

Losing My Inhibitions at Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

One of the great pleasures in life is communal dining with friends. Especially when you throw away your knife, fork ...

Scenes from the Gathering: The Truck from Louisiana

Jack takes the catfish from Rebecca and chomps into it. He’s 10 months old (Jack, not the catfish). http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/22/24833/ Rebecca’s ...

Tiki Temple Says "Hai" to New Exec Chef

Shelter Island’s sanctuary for tiki drinks and Pacific Rim fare, Bali Hai, bid adieu to former executive chef Chris Powell ...

Movable Feasts! – Truck Burger Goes Surf’nTurf

Wow. What a night. I am ber-loated. Sated. Gorged. Did I mention stuffed? I was at 57 Degrees’ monthly gastro ...

The Raw and the Vegan - Peace Pies

Like many people today, I try to combine driving errands. Today’s stops took me to Encinitas, which by virtue of ...

Kip's Cafe

The original Kip's was out in El Cajon, and had been there for fifty years before it closed down and ...

Powers to the People: I’m Coming to Del Mar Highlands

I’m a native San Diegan. Growing up, my family didn’t really eat out much. But when we did, we frequently ...

Checking Out the Super Vons

I visited the high-octane Vons that opened in Mission Hills recently. It was, bar none, the fanciest Vons in which ...

Azuki Sushi: Chirashi and...Belgian Beer?!

As I've said before, I'm a big fan of chirashizushi. It's elegant in the way that only sushi seems able ...

Kebab Shop: Why They Called Alexander “The Great”

Walk into the Kebab Shop (630 9th St, 619-525-0055) and you walk into history. First because they have all these ...

Star Chef Gavin Kaysen Returning to Send El Biz Off in Style

Earlier this week, I shared news former Quarter Kitchen chef Nathan Coulon is returning to San Diego to helm Fashion ...

$10 Lunch: Cafe Cabaret

It’s official. I have a new love. My once-favorite, stay-all-day coffee shop in North Park has been replaced by Café ...

Las Hadas: Late Night Carnitas Heaven

Late night downtown? Here’s a handy place for a late feed without breaking the bank or scuffling round trying to ...

Lunch and a Zaney Pants at Cafe 21

I knew nothing about Café 21 when my friend Delicia invited me to join her there for lunch. She gave ...

SD's Best Coffee? In a Barrio Tattoo Shop. Plus Great Surf ’n Turf Nearby.

Andrew “The Kid” Farnsley’s buzzing a portrait of Nicholai’s wife into his left flank. And I’m sipping the best coffee ...

Hotel La Jolla Renovation Includes Addition of Cusp Dining & Drinks

Kimpton's big renovation of Hotel La Jolla is in the midst of wrapping up. When complete, the building will house ...

Zensei Sushi

I had spent the morning outside with friends in some windy conditions. I was tired and chilled and I wanted ...

Bronx Pizza

People from New York love Bronx Pizza. The Mission Hills shop has the Empire State crowd completely on lockdown. It ...

True Food Kitchen Calling Coulon Back Home

It was early morning and pitch black save for the faint orange rays of the streetlights. I emerged from my ...

Rooftop Brunch to Usher in Year Two at Pizza Port OB

It takes some businesses a long time to get off the ground. The same can't be said for Pizza Port's ...

T&O: Carla’s Summer Thirst-Quencher!

The Lovely Carla has learned a lot, living with me. Like, how to be a total cheapo. More important, how ...

If It's Not Illegal, It Should Be: Earthblend Tea & Coffee in Tierrasanta

Most days during the week, I take my daughter to school in Kearny Mesa and then make the drive down ...

Santee’s Manzanita Brewing’s Branching Out

More interesting local brewing news unearthed during the recent World Beer Cup ceremony. Things are coming along well for the ...

Lotus Thai

With its borderline medieval doorway and dark visage, Lotus Thai on Sixth Avenue in Hillcrest looked a touch imposing as ...

Prep Kitchen: Tapa Time

Amazing how often I’ve crossed India, crossed Date, and never noticed this place. Only reason tonight is that people are ...

$10 Lunch: Champagne Bakery

My friend Tina lives less than a mile from Champagne French Bakery Cafe in Del Mar. Last week, on a ...

Stepping Back Through the Red Door

Those who’ve been to The Red Door Restaurant and Wine Bar in Mission Hills are familiar with the fact it’s ...

The Lunch Line at Tacos el Gordo

What a wacky place Tacos el Gordo is! The Chula Vista branch of a Tijuana taco shop has a pretty ...

The Foundry: I'll Take a Mystery Bag!

According to the bartender, the Foundry has been open for about six months. The place is an unexpected melange of ...

Chatting with Nino Camilo, Founder of San Diego's I Love Poke Festival

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/13/24299/ 2012 has been a Hawaiian kind of year for me. In February, I spent five days on the Big ...

El Sol: Jewel of University Avenue

Made my usual mistake tonight: Got the 7 and the 15 buses confused. Was aboard the #7, and we turned ...

Pizze, Pizze at Caffe Calabria

A while back, Ed Bedford wrote about the pizzas at Caffe Calabria in North Park. I’m always on the lookout ...

A Sneak Peek at Vintana in Escondido

The media is often treated to construction stage, pre-open glimpses of works in progress called “hard hat tours.” They require ...

Baked Potato – TJ-style

Alex and I are sitting up to the counter watching Francisco and Victor working that hot plate. Four hands flailing, ...

3rd Annual "I Love Poke" Festival is May 30th

I think that Hawaiian food, or any of the similar cuisines from the Pacific Rim, is one of the most ...

Minty Fresh Developments at Iron Fist Brewing Company

Amid the brew-fueled post-event revelry at this weekend’s World Beer Cup award ceremony, I took a few minutes and my ...

Upscale Ice Cream Coming to La Jolla: Bardot Bars

San Diegans will be introduced Bardot Bars early this summer. The first Bardot Bars shop will open early this summer ...

Le Dîner à San Diego Announces Partnerships

Le Dîner à San Diego, Southern California's inaugural flash pop-up picnic dinner to occur on May 25th, has announced a ...

The Quiches of San Diego County

Announcing the first Hot Quiche In A Coffee Shop award. First prize has to go to Twiggs Coffee House and ...

Ian Pike Learns to Taste Tequila

I attended my first ever tequila tasting over the weekend. Randomly enough, this happened at a school fundraising gala that ...

$10 Lunch: Beaumont's Eatery

A recent post by Mary Beth Abate inspired me to set up a lunch date at Beaumont’s Eatery in Bird ...

Societe Brewing Co. Set for Soft Open

In March, I wrote up a rare brewery tour piece that involved no beer tasting. I can get why that ...

Oscar's Mexican Seafood

The opening of another fish taco shop in the Bird Rock/Pacific Beach area isn’t newsworthy; there’s one on almost every ...

Tiger! Tiger! — Bite this Po' Boy Oyster Sammy

Tiger! Tiger! Usually, I hear those words and I think golf. But I get off the Number Two tonight, and ...

$10 Lunch: Noodles & Company

I was a bit confused when I first went into the Noodles & Company at Sports Arena and Rosecrans (other ...

Chicken, Waffles, and a Ton of Butter at Bootleggers

Some dishes are confounding in their ability to draw me to them over and over again. Count chicken and waffles ...

Chamorro Grill: Island Cuisine in Mission Valley

The Guamanian restaurant situated in a small, Mission Valley strip mall seems to have a pretty steady client base of ...

Gastro Trucks: The British Are Coming!

God Save the Cuisine? That’s the name of the latest food truck to hit the streets. It’s two Brit brothers, ...

Don't Order Your Grilled Cheese From a Kiosk (Especially If It's Not on the Menu)

I went to Bird Rock on an errand a couple of weeks ago and found myself hungry. My daughter was ...

San Diego World Beer Cup Winners

Over the weekend, winners from the World Beer Cup, the Olympics of beer, were announced during the closing ceremonies of ...

Szechuan Mandarin

Across the street from a Toyota dealership on a well-developed stretch of Mission Gorge Road, Szechuan Mandarin is a great ...

Yeah, I Ate the Doritos Taco....

So, it definitely happened. I went to Taco Bell and ate one of those special tacos where the shell is ...

Refried Beans for Breakfast: Molletes at Eastlake's Cool Down Coffee

I’ve recently discovered that I get approximately 50% less work done when I work from home. Oh, I get plenty ...

Green Flash and Founders Brewing Company: Linchpin White India Pale Ale

On May 1st, Green Flash Brewery and Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Founders Brewing Company released their collaboration beer, Linchpin White India ...

Lincoln Room: Honest Mussels At Midnight

“There’s only one other place I know in the Gaslamp with a deal like here when it comes to mussels,” ...

Hottt! On the Wing: I Take Up South Park Abbey’s Challenge

So if you were looking in Feast! about – Lordy! – six weeks ago, me, Ian Pike, and offdutyfoodie were ...

Teri Cafe: Teriyaki and Noodle House

Last week, on the way to pick up my daughter, I saw a sign for a teriyaki and noodle house ...

Shell Gas Station = Gas and a car wash…and Persian food?

The Shell Gas Station at the corner of Leucadia Blvd. and El Camino Real offers gas and a full service ...

Counting Calories at The Coffee Bean

There was a time when I didn’t think much about calories. I’ve recently attributed my newfound calorie counting to my ...

An Early Morning Surprise at the Julian Gold Rush Hotel

The weekend before last, I took a rare vacation. Well, I did end up working and, technically, I’m writing this ...

Bunz: Burgers and Shakes in Hotel Circle

The Days Hotel (not Days Inn!) may not the be most exclusive location in town, but Bunz is a credible ...

Dynamite Deal: Green Mussels at Sushi Deli

Whew. Just beat the line. And there’s always a line outside Sushi Deli 2 (135 Broadway, downtown, 619-233-3072.) http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/03/23836/ OK, ...

Taste of Polynesia Samoan Restaurant: Fa Afetai Lava, Junior

Rita Gorniak and her son Raymond didn’t ever meet Junior Seau. But their Samoan customers coming in today all talk ...

$10 Lunch: Indigo Cafe

I stood in a strip mall in Kearny Mesa, faced with two options. This was a moment not unlike another ...

Coming Attractions: Peri Peri in La Jolla

The former Vigilucci's space in La Jolla has a new tenant set to take over. Namely, William Sussman, a native ...

Café Needed Here!

Man, if I had the money… http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/02/23819/ The Sofia Hotel (150 West Broadway) which used to share the historic 1928 ...

Currant: Affair on Broadway

Where do you eat when nobody’s eating? I’m slurping a coffee from a nice handled glass ($1.83 after tax) at ...

Herringbone in La Jolla Set to Open May 23rd

Herringbone, the fifth installment in the Brian Malarkey/James Brennan San Diego restaurant empire, is slated to open in the long-empty ...

Initial Impressions at Anny's Fine Burger

I'd just finished a 12-hour workday during which I hadn't had a thing to eat. My stomach was growling, I ...

Ranchos Cocina

I haven't visited Ranchos since well before the place got a facelift, which was quite a while ago now. It's ...

Diet Fads: Pick Your Decade

I’m desperate to get down to 200 pounds. Got about 6 to go, but, man, it’s hard work. I did ...

Stone to Rogue Beer Tour Companies: You're Cut Off!

Many brewery tasting room visitors will recognize this scene. A placid space filled with craft beer fanatics and newcomers alike. ...