I'd heard the name, Bangkok West, from my father, usually in passing, as in, "I had lunch at" or "I'm having dinner at Bangkok West." A creature of habit, when Dad finds something he likes, he sticks with it. But, …

In October, David and I traveled to Japan on an epic quest to sample ramen made by the “Tokyo Ramen Gods” he’d read about in Lucky Peach, David Chang’s (of New York’s Momofuku Noodle Bar fame) new magazine. With their …

The long-awaited (why does opening a business take so much time?) pork love-child of Hanis Cavin and Sara Stroud, Carnitas' Snack Shack, has finally opened. Here's the low-down -- Hanis was the head chef at Kensington Grill for, like, ever. …

Cafe Bleu has moved to Mission Hills, to a location just a hop, skip, and a jump away from it's old spot on University Avenue. Now on Washington Street over by the Red Door (it's becoming quite the colorful neighborhood), …

On my "prep for Tokyo" tour of Japanese fare in San Diego, I hit up one of my favorites, Tajima Japanese Noodle House. Because I'm going to be on a ramen quest while in Japan, it was crucial that I …

The word yumeya means "house of dreams" in Japanese, and that is what one family created in Encinitas, with Yu Me Ya Sake House, about six years ago. More recently, the family ("Dad, Mom, and 2 sisters") opened up a …

After driving by to check out the extensive renovations being done on the restaurant space on the corner of Fifth and Washington in Hillcrest and then driving by and catching whiffs of smoked meat, I finally got a chance to …

It's only been open for around six weeks, but already I can tell that the Range Kitchen & Bar in Hillcrest is going to break the curse of that location it's in. You know, the restaurant with the super-high ceiling …

Tomorrow night, director Gary Hustwit (Helvetica, Objectified) will screen his documentary film, Urbanized at USD's Peace & Justice Theatre. The event, presented in association with the San Diego Architectural Foundation, Neat, Neat, Neat, and Set & Drift, will include a …

When I signed up for a seat at Harney Sushi's new, monthly Nook Dining event, I was expecting an evening of sushi. Despite knowing about the small sushi spot in Old Town for years, I'd never before been inside. The …

I don't know how this happens, but I always seem to forget it's Restaurant Week (how often is this happening these days, anyway?) when I stumble into one of my haunts, which I always seem to do when it's Restaurant …

Too late for breakfast, but not quite lunch on my birthday this year, which fell on a Saturday, I sought out relaxation on the water at C-Level Lounge. Because I hadn't had my coffee, but also because can't enjoy my …

You hear about pop-up restaurants and underground dining experiences the way you hear about anything worthy of checking out -- word of mouth. That's how I learned about Cellar Door, an "underground pop-up restaurant in Normal Heights." Actually, this restaurant …

The original El Zarape on Park Boulevard is one of my favorite California-Mexican restaurants. From the barbecue chicken burrito to the carnitas plate, everything I've tasted there has been brimming with flavor, and it's all served up so fresh that …

I knew the Perry's Cafe had been around forever (25 years), and I'd heard about the fire, accidentally ignited by grease towels in the kitchen in December, 2009. I'd heard it had reopened in April 2010 and that it was …

My father has been trying for years to get me to lunch with him at Yoshino's, a Japanese joint located in the basement of Mission Hills. Because my father is not exactly what I'd call a "foodie" (his go-to eateries …

Okay, so I know I gave them flack for their Ironic Independence Day Celebration, but ever since I saw that brunch sign, I've been curious to learn what a fish & chips & beer joint like Shakespeare Pub & Grille …

Don't let the "tofu" part of Tofu House fool you: this always-hopping restaurant on Convoy serves plenty of meat, much of it still sizzling on a hot plate when it lands on your table. In fact, the plates at this …

This is a big weekend for Shag-loving rockabillies. The theme for this year’s Tiki extravaganza, Tiki Oasis 11, is “South of the Border: A Retro Tijuana-Style Tiki Party.” The three-day event is being held at Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter …

A popular Chico restaurant has decided to branch out in Solana Beach. Crush Restaurant & Wine Lounge is nestled in the corner of a strip mall off the main drag (HWY 101). This is where Pacific Coast Grill used to …