San Diego Symphony on Saturday night — the best concert ever
Yes. I’m going to go with that.
Garrett Harris 10:27 p.m., May 22
Kearny Mesa Stories
What about people who sleep in their cars?
They can park at New Life Church and Jewish Family Services
“Hey guys why do you need like 12 squad cars,” asked Konrad Czerwinski to the police officers that blocked off his auto shop. At approximately 8:00 a.m., on May 5, Czerwinski, the owner of Adams ...
Dueling car washes on Aero Drive
Arco pulls plans in deference to Happy Car Wash traffic study.
“Well this sure seems like a backhanded way to stop the people across the street from competing with you. I’m at a loss for words, I really am,” said Councilmember Scott Sherman on April 25. ...
Murphy Canyon gas-station grapple
Arco expansion roadblocked by Chevron? Or traffic?
Armed with the signatures of 42 Stonecrest Village residents, neighbors of the Arco gas station at Murphy Canyon and Aero Drive are fighting the business' expansion to add four new pumps and a car wash. ...
About those bombs dropped on North Clairemont...
Residents told WWII ordnance investigation scheduled for 2085
Janet Lancaster came armed with questions for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program manager Jeff Armentrout on March 2. The town-council meeting had a modest turnout but all eyes and ears were at full attention ...
Council Brewing's kiss of tartness
Something spontaneous, something new at the Magic Factory
Council Brewing Company is set to launch a spin-off sour brand. The Magic Factory was initially the name given to Council's second production suite, which sits across the industrial park from its main Kearny Mesa ...
More pressure on Mickey Kasparian
Donna Frye protests against union chief accused of sexual misconduct
In a lawsuit filed in December, United Food and Commercial Workers Union president Mickey Kasparian was accused of sexual harassment and denigrating employees. Demands for him to step down are increasing, and the protests continue. ...
Vigilance expressed at Dakota pipeline rally
Corporation vows to push through plan despite government decision
A candlelight vigil in support of a group of self-described "water protectors" blocking the construction of the oil pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reservation in North Dakota had an atmosphere of cautious celebration ...
Dakota pipeline protesters flood Kearny Mesa courtyard
Water vs. oil war brought to Army Corps of Engineers' doorstep
Despite a call from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday (November 14) for a round of additional studies that would temporarily delay construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, supporters of residents at ...
Big on jork
The ancients called Chinese porridge the “first healthy food under heaven.”
The Eight Immortals are Crossing the Seas. They float by, riding paper mules, lotus flowers, flower baskets, aboard feather fans, storks, even a discarded crutch. People love the Eight Immortals. They represent prosperity and long ...
Gun-shop opening garners councilman's proclamation
“I’m not only a supporter. I’m a customer.”
On September 17, over 800 people turned out for the grand opening of the GS Glockstore in Kearny Mesa. The event raised over $6000 for fallen San Diego police officer John DeGuzman. Representing the Clairemont/Kearny ...
One percent of a San Diego brewery for sale
Magnetic offering small ownership stake as crowdfunding reward
When Magnetic Brewing opened to customers for the first time last August, it started about as small and low budget as a brewery gets. Morgan McCarty worked alone on the same 1.5-barrel system he'd assembled ...
Poke by any other name would not taste as sweet
Wherefore art thou, One N Half?
Right on trend, I noticed a new poke shop is about to open on University Avenue in North Park, and it’s got a terrible name. Poki One N Half does use an alternate spelling of ...
Corned beef in Kearny Mesa
Elijah’s serves classic deli food in a new neighborhood
I can’t count the number of times I’ve found myself driving to Kearny Mesa for lunch or dinner over the years, but I do know 100 percent of those trips involved eating Asian food. Until ...
Fluxing Quantum's recipes
Biochemist Martin Beaulieu leaves big-pharma biotech for small-batch beers
Quantum Brewing is going thorough a phase of uncertainty. The owners have changed, the beers are changing, and even the name is liable to change. Martin Beaulieu became officially entangled with the two-year-old brewery last ...
Ice cream, thanks to science
Once you smell waffle, it’s tough to want anything else
Dessert fans have a good reason to visit Kearny Mesa. The made-to-order liquid-nitrogen ice cream chain Creamistry opened last month, and it truly does feel like the ice cream shop of the future. You don’t ...
Lawsuits filed over county's primary ballot-counting
"Not that we're trying to get Sanders to a win, though I certainly wouldn't mind."
Complaints over conduct by the county registrar's office in the wake of the June primaries held earlier this month continues, with lawsuits now pending at both the county and state levels. "The registrar wants to ...
Gas prices jump but maybe not too high
World oil prices decline following Brexit vote
San Diego area gas prices jumped 10 to 15 cents per gallon last week, with many stations pushing their cash price for regular gas over the $3.00 threshold. Surprisingly, the oil companies are not offering ...
Parks users say, Keep your vague rules, Sacramento
"This is bureaucratic overreaching with a one-size-fits-all rule."
At least 250 state-parks users — many from the communities near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park — turned out for a Wednesday-night (June 22) hearing on a proposed new rule that would allow the Sacramento headquarters ...
County fined for concrete removal
"They said they took it out because it wasn't working.”
San Diego County may have dodged a $2.9 million bullet Tuesday (May 31) when it agreed to pay a $25,000 fine and construct three replacement projects for the 118,000 square feet of porous pavement — ...
Culinary trends collide
Poke bowls and sushi burritos at Pokirrito
This may be the most of-the-moment restaurant opening San Diego will see in 2016. Convoy Street’s new Pokirrito manages to capitalize on two current fast-casual trends at once, combining poke salad bowls and sushi burritos. ...
Chicken hearted
Eating adventurously at Char House
Word of a new Vietnamese restaurant off the Convoy restaurant row in Kearny Mesa got me wondering whether my next lunch would involve bánh mì, pho, or bún, aka vermicelli noodles. All are included on ...
How many ramen shops can San Diego sustain?
Nishiki tries to distinguish itself from the competition
How long does a restaurant have to stay open before a GRAND OPENING sign comes down? Nishiki Ramen, sharing a parking lot with Mitsuwa market, still proudly flies their big, red banner, six months after ...
Wide, thick ribbons of wavy, chewy goodness
Liang’s Kitchen has noodles
Word of mouth finally reached me of a Convoy Street shop known for its hand-pulled noodles. Actually, of a California chain of restaurants called Liang’s Kitchen, named for its founder’s mother. Mama Liang reportedly learned ...
Japan + Philadelphia at Nozomi
Not-so-ancient Japanese secret
It’s been more than a couple years since I’ve started submitting Feast! stories, and there are a few wonderful places I haven’t been willing to share with the general public because I don’t want y’all ...
Mosaic hops coax tropical finish from tart saison
Pineapple note emerges from Council Brewing's fruitless Beatitude
About this time of year, I usually start transitioning from warm-weather beers to stouts, heavies, and double IPAs — styles that offer their most belly-warming satisfaction during winter. But since I keep hearing El Niño ...
We’ll all be judged for our actions in this life
Unfortunately, we’ll fail to meet God’s standard
Q&A with Pastor-elder Craig Marshall of Grace Bible Church in Kearny Mesa.
Try a different kind of breakfast
Traditional Japanese at Hinotez
In the United States, the word “breakfast” conjures images of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Because we’re right on the border, San Diegans might also think chilaquiles or huevos rancheros, which are just variations of an ...
Walnut-shaped pastries are a thing
Cocohodo sells a very specific Korean dessert
I hit the food court at Zion Market recently. The large Korean supermarket in Kearny Mesa has a great number of distinct little businesses under its roof, and I cruised the pan-Asian area for a ...
Feast! The Mesas
Culinary explorations in the land between freeways
Adventurous eaters know to dig deep into Kearny Mesa, Clairemont Mesa, Mira Mesa, Linda Vista, and Miramar for hidden joys and authentic Asian restaurants. And while some are launching more convenient outposts closer to a ...
Growing a brewery is hard work
Council Brewing opts for long hours over heavy debt
Speaking to Mike Hess recently, he revealed that while he "brewed almost every drop of the beer" his first year in business, by the time Mike Hess Brewing turned five this July, he'd gotten too ...
Going beyond BBQ at Blue Korea
New dishes to feed the Korean habit
It’s easy for me to get into a rut when eating ethnic food. Once I’ve tried a couple of dishes that capture my imagination, I tend to go back to them. Especially since I usually ...
Cheetahs' choice
Former dancer sues strip club for not paying minimum wage
In a class-action lawsuit filed June 22 against Kearny Mesa strip joint Cheetahs, a former dancer says the club should be paying the talent a minimum wage. Jasmine Hayes, who worked at the club for ...
In the line of booty
How much the police department spends on lap dances is none of our business.
On April 24, 2014, a Hispanic female exotic dancer walked across the neon-lit room inside Cheetahs Gentlemen’s Club dressed in black lingerie. According to an undercover officer from the San Diego Police Department’s vice unit ...
Church in limbo
City's new zoning squeezes out San Diego Christian Worship Center
On May 28, the San Diego Christian Worship Center in Kearny Mesa filed a lawsuit against the city over zoning changes that will force the church to move from its location east of Interstate 15 ...
Plastic-bag ban a no-brainer
Could be why the city ordered an environmental impact report. Seriously.
The proposal to ban plastic bags in the City of San Diego is moving forward but not before the city conducts an environmental impact report. According to a city notice, San Diego's Planning Department is ...
Myung In Dumplings opens on Convoy
Foodie-famous Korean dumplings hit San Diego
The big problem with watching TV shows about food is that, no matter how absurd the show might be, they often leave you hungry and unable to satisfy the craving they’ve just ignited. For example, ...
Get hot at Pho Hoa
I take a chunk of meat, collect some noodles and bean sprouts, and shove them in my maw.
Studio Diner stands out in Kearny Mesa
Homage to the Hollywood depiction of ’50s-era coffee counters
There’s no question, Studio Diner stands out in east Kearny Mesa. Built to resemble a metal film reel canister topped by a black-and-white-striped director’s clapboard, what the 24-hour diner really looks like is an art ...
This pizza counter keeps on going
Reviewing all these slices could take a while
I’m often amazed at the pizza microclimates and how some people are prejudiced against one or another. One friend of mine, a Chicago native, has strong opinions against New York style pizza. He also disparages ...
Revolving Sushi Bar opens on Convoy
A “game-like” dining experience
The first thing you’ll need to do after finding a seat at KULA Revolving Sushi Bar is to listen carefully to the instructions you’ll be given. For example, “Do not touch Mr. Fresh.” This anthropomorphized ...
Um, your agenda is showing
Was Cheetahs punished for airing their grievances to the media?
Suzanne Coe, president of the Kearny Mesa strip joint known as Cheetahs, claims the San Diego Police Department's vice unit revoked the club's entertainment permit in retaliation against her and her club after her manager ...
Japan on Convoy
Chopstix is quick, cheap, and delicious
While on the way to Tofu House, I rarely pay any mind to the big red awning advertising “Japanese Noodles” across the street. Once every few months, David and I venture to try something new ...
Nickel Beer makes it a double (dubbel)
Collaborating with Julian brewery for Beer to the Rescue charity beer
Last year, I had the pleasure of collaborating in the brewing of an English-style extra special bitter (ESB) aptly named Bitter Beer Writer. It was the idea of Tom Nickel, the owner and brewmaster at ...
Going once, going twice...
“Is that the actual key?” Eric Denton says with obvious delight. “And it still works?” It does. “We should raise the price,” he says, only half joking about the $99 price tagged onto an old ...
Meet Kilowatt Brewing Company
Beer plot thickens in brewery-dense Kearny Mesa
It’s hard to believe that, although two-and-a-half-years ago there had never been a brewery in Kearny Mesa, there will soon be five. It’s even more inconceivable that three of those share a strange, unplanned thematic ...
Beer Touring: Quantum Brewing
Two local beer writers team up to taste through new Kearny Mesa beers.
One of the best things about the San Diego brewing scene is the fact that most of its players opt to regard each other as comrades versus competitors. Sure, they produce similar products and vie ...
More like Sushi Factory
Sushi Deli 3 has unique sushi at a great price — if you can slow their roll.
Sushi Deli operates three casual sushi restaurants with locations in Gaslamp, Hillcrest, and Kearny Mesa. I ventured to the last on the list, known as Sushi Deli 3, and found myself in an odd industrial ...
Musical cars
Some will lose Sunroad’s parking game in Kearny Mesa.
Residents of Kearny Mesa refer to it as “musical cars,” the nightly race against hundreds of neighbors for a parking spot. If unsuccessful, the loser must decide between parking as far as five blocks away ...
Side dishes with an order of anything
Learning to identify my favorite banchan
I walked into Do Re Mi House recently and ordered a dinner of hot tofu stew for about 10 bucks. It could just have easily been japchae noodles, or a hot stone bibimbap rice bowl. ...
Street-dumb phone stuck in the past
Consider this the formal goodbye to State Route 274
Motorists traveling northbound on 805 out of Mission Valley into Kearny Mesa may have recently noticed something covered up on the green freeway signs indicating the Balboa Avenue exit. Covered over in mismatched green is ...
Now Try This: Hambāgu at Wa Dining Okan
Japanese burger? Yes, please!
Drop what you are doing for yet another trip to Convoy Street. This time, it’s the hambāgu from Wa Dining Okan that ought to drag you out of your hiding place for an extended lunchtime ...
Bedeviled by the details
When "unpretentious" just means "mediocre."
The closest San Diego comes to having a “China Town” is the stretched out expanse of cold, industrial Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa. The mile-long stretch of pedestrian-unfriendly road is home to nearly 100 Korean, ...
