Group 2013 February

Open and Shut archive for February, 2013

Approaching a new brewing Benchmark

AleSmith alum setting up shop in Grantville

The first time I interviewed long-time AleSmith brewer Matt Akin about the brewery he’s building was last March. Nearly a ...

Heat Bar and Kitchen

New restaurant for North Park outdoes itself for happy hour.

Despite the fact that it’s right up in my neighborhood, I seldom travel Park Boulevard south of University. What can ...

There's Culture brewing on Cedros

New brewery brings Solana Beach’s design district customized suds

I believe in multi-tasking and love killing two birds with one stone. The evening I ventured to Pizza Port Solana ...

First look at Soda and Swine

North Park's new "concept" restaurant is here, but it's a tough meatball to swallow.

I can’t pass binding judgment on Soda and Swine since it’s only been open for three days, but I did ...

Beer Touring: Thorn Street Brewery

New North Park brewery has all but one element for success

The last stop on my latest San Diego brewery tour was a recently opened spot called Thorn Street Brewery (3176 ...

Bread Canyon turns up the heat

An update on the "bread CSA" that I found out about last year.

I don’t know if anybody remembers, but I was clued in to a secret sourdough bread baking operation last fall ...

Beer Touring: Coronado Brewing - Tecolote Canyon

Off-island offshoot offers expanded look at Crown City operation

Coronado’s a beautiful place, but unless you live in the Crown City, it’s someplace you don’t likely frequent. The lure ...

Beer Touring: Helm's Brewing

Dark side of the equation is brightest at Kearny Mesa newbie

The first time I had a beer from Helm’s Brewing Company (5640 Kearny Mesa Road, Suite C/N, Kearny Mesa) was ...

Gaslamp: Red Pearl Kitchen's woks go cold

Hollywood-style Chinese eatery closes just before Chinese New Year

Heading by the Mardi Gras party downtown. Folks are rattling around with a ton of beads round their necks. Russian ...

Beer Touring: Belching Beaver Brewery

New Vista brewery offers more than nomenclature would suggest

For over a year, there have been over two-dozen work-in-progress breweries for me to monitor at any given time. And ...

Beer Touring: Offbeat Brewing

A progress report on Escondido’s other craft brewery

My December excursion to Europe to visit craft breweries left me thirsty for tasty San Diego beer, which I indulged ...

Pop-ups taking over Market

San Diego Public Market fundraiser realizes chef’s makeshift resto concepts

Last year, farmers market maven Catt White and business partner Dale Steele went the Kickstarter route in search of funds ...

Incoming on Washington!

The old Brian's building is finally getting a makeover after a long dormancy.

I mourned the loss of Brian’s American Eatery like I’d experienced the passing of someone who was almost, but not ...

Non-native Native Foods in Encinitas

Newly arrived veggy-vegan chain committed to speedy delivery

A new restaurant just opened in Encinitas and its staff is officially on the clock. I’m not talking about 15 ...