Oasis in Escondido
I look for reasons to drive all the way up north and east to Escondido, because I know that right off the Centre City Parkway exit, a haven from the modern world awaits. Hacienda de Vega is a 1930s residence-turned-restaurant. …
Bankers Hill Hotspot
I tend to forget it's over there, on the other side of Hillcrest, so I was happy when my friend Jane recently suggested we happy hour at Bankers Hill Restaurant and Bar, the foodilicious marriage between Carl Schroeder and Terryl …
Old Town Cosmopolitan
You've probably walked right by it, but after last year's renovations, I suggest you walk up the steps and check out the inside of the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant in Old Town. Everything has been restored to its lush, 1800s …
Summer Spritz!
With barbecues and fireworks just around the corner, it's time to prepare with some great summer recipes. Now, I don't cook, but my man does, and I'll be sharing some of his choice creations, along with recipes, for you to …
A Pig's Paradise
Chef Hanis Cavin is leaving Kensington Grill to open his own restaurant with partner and fiance Sara Stroud. His last official date at Ken Grill is July 17, and he expects (hopes) his new place, located at 2632 University Avenue, …
BO-beau in Ocean Beach
The people who brought Bleu Bohéme to Kensington have teamed up with the Cohn Restaurant Group to transform what used to be Thee Bungalow into a "casual neighborhood bistro" reminiscent of Provence, called BO-beau kitchen and bar. The "BO" stands …
Oysterfest 2011
Yesterday, I attended the 2nd annual San Diego Oysterfest, held at the Embarcadero right by Seaport Village. The weather was perfect, sunny and clear with a cool breeze coming off of the water. Unfortunately for me, I can't stand oysters. …
Knotty Barrel
David summed up the flavors of this new gastropub in East Village best: Simple yet satisfying. The Knotty Barrel just opened a month ago, but it looks and feels like a longstanding neighborhood pub. I happened by it today on …
Lunch at the Prado
When I find myself in Balboa Park (which is fairly often, as there's a whole lot to do over there), I do my best to stop by the Prado. It's one of the Cohn restaurants, one of 11 local restaurants, …
Cute Chihuahua
San Diego is definitely a dog's town, and is home to several dog-centric boutiques, such as Fido & Co., Howlistic, Sprinks, and South Bark. Though I don't have a dog of my own, I enjoy hitting up Dog Beach in …
Geometry Playground
Opening this weekend and sticking around all the way until June of next year is the new exhibit Geometry Playground at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. The exhibit was directed by Peggy Monahan, who told me, "Every time we …
Small Plates at Ken Grill
You'll hear a lot about my haunts on here, because as much as I consider myself a food explorer, I'm also a die-hard repeat customer when I fall in love with a place. It doesn't surprise me that Kensington Grill …
Drunk Brunch
If you're doing it right, Sunday morning is really just an extension of Saturday night. The problem is it's too damned bright outside. This Sunday, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon didn't help, a bad '70s music cover band blasted me …
Seaport Village Ducklings!
It still feels like Spring when you see fluffy little ducklings paddling their way across the pond behind their mama duck. At Seaport Village, in the pond directly outside of one of my favorite bookstores, Upstart Crow, I saw more …
42nd Annual Greek Festival
I'm one-quarter Greek. My mother is half Greek and half Italian (Sicilian, specifically), and my father is all Irish. I hit the genetic jackpot for birthing hips. Though my father doesn't have any Greek blood, he loves the culture and …
San Diego Ad Club Bash
Last night I attended the San Diego Ad Club's Centennial Ad Bash, celebrating San Diego's Top 100 Brands (of which the Reader is one). The event was held at the San Diego Zoo, at the Zoofari Outdoor Patio. Here's a …
Balboa Park App!
I just found out that Balboa Park has a free APP for the iPhone. Among its features: Events guide (updated daily), Attractions guide, Restaurant guide, Maps, Bookmarking (so you can plan an itinerary), and Links to resources. I spoke with …
Memorial Mimosas
It seems odd to celebrate the fallen by firing up the Q, but that's what we Americans do on Memorial Day. When my father-in-law said, "Happy Memorial Day," I couldn't return the sentiment. I said, "Thank you." But what's happy …
Karl Strauss Carlsbad
It's super far from where I live, and I'm not much of a beer drinker, but yesterday I found myself all the way up by the Flower Fields at Karl Strauss Brewing Company in Carlsbad, because that's where my sister …
Food with a View
Chances are, if the weather is gorgeous (as it often is in this town, so let me clarify: by gorgeous I mean 70 degrees and sunny with a cool breeze), I get an itch to head to the C Level …