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Great views within Brigantine at Portside Pier
My wife and I are "regulars" at the La Mesa Brig. In fact, we met there 25 years ago. We still love it! Unfortunately, with temperatures hovering in the 90's, outdoor dining is not a pleasant experience for us in La Mesa these days. We decided to try the new Portside Brig for lunch his week. As a bonus, our dynamic and favorite server, Armando, has transferred from La Mesa to Portside. So, we looked forward to seeing our friend as well. We had reservations for 11:15am. We spent $7.50 in quarters for 3 hours of meter parking on Harbor Drive (a complete rip-off) And strolled a short distance to Portside, arriving at the sidewalk reservation podium/circus at 11 am. Upon arriving, I informed one of the 3 stooges manning the podium of our 11:15 reservation in Armando's section. We were asked step to the side which we did for about 5 minutes. One of he stooges then walked us to a table in a back corner with no sun shade, with the only view being that of the Russian submarine at the Maritime Museum. (Probably a reminance of the Trump boat parade held the day before). I immediately objected to the seating choice, noticing dozens of nice view tables available. Her response was, "You asked for Armando. This is his section." So be it. We sat here a couple of minutes when a young server approached, "hi, I'm --, and I'll be serving you today". I reflexively responded, "No you won't. Armando will be serving us." Simultaneously I spotted Armando a couple sections over and he spotted me. He hustled over and took control of the situation, moving us to a much better table in his section and apologizing profusely to both my wife and me, and to the initial server. He is a class act! Anyway the 3rd member of our party arrived, and we had lunch. As usual with Armando, the service was spot on. The food was OK, but certainly no better than our beloved La Mesa Brig. But the overall experience was mediocre...Much to do about nothing! The "big boys at he Harbor District and the Brig ownership have blown it! The Harbor Drive frontage of the building is hideous, resembling a large corrugated metal storm drain. Most of the sightlines from the inside are decent. But he ambiance and personnel are less than impressive. The "Reservation" podium is like something out of a 3 Stooges movie...good luck! And the parking, $7.50/3hours meter; $15+/3 hours Valet. What a rip-off So that's the best the shakers and movers could come up with for one of the most prime harbor side properties?! No thanks!. No return. This may be a treat for vacationing desert dwellers (although there are much better options along the harbor) but we'll stick with our La Mesa Brig, even if we have to wait a few weeks longer to enjoy it!— October 10, 2020 6:07 a.m.
Scott Peters gift to Duke just coincidental?
Excellent post! A quality "river park" went bye bye when C. A. Smith and other Mission Valley landholders sold out for the development of the May Company and Mission Valley shopping center. You are also correct on the sleazy deal that political darlings, UCSD got. This city has been notoriously crooked forever; that's a given. At least the SDSU deal benefits tens of thousands of students, and many more alums and fans...Go Aztecs!— March 22, 2019 8:02 a.m.
L.A. Times writing more of Union-Tribune stories
Agreed.— January 17, 2019 7:01 a.m.
Live in Alpine? Get a generator.
SDG&E management is concerned only about its stockholders, many of whom are the SDG&E employees themselves. With nepotism rampant throughout the company, their workforce, with a few exceptions, is an overpaid, overcompensated, mediocre collection of slackers; the exceptions being their skilled engineers and field techs. With most managerial positions being filled from this pool of mediocrity, it's no surprise that some idiot scheduled system upgrades and subsequent power shutdowns in Alpine during the hottest months of the year. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) should come to the rescue...But, oh yeah...that's right...SDG&E, Southern California Edison, and Pacific Gas and Electric (and their lobbyists) own them! Disgusting!— August 22, 2018 7:08 a.m.
Airport noise — from La Mesa to La Jolla
My wife and I have lived on the southwest slope of Mt. Helix, half way to the summit for 20 years. In normal weather, flights originating from the north and northwest of San Diego have used a landing approach that typically passes near or directly over our house. In fact, we've been on a couple of flights from the northwest when on approach, we were able to clearly recognize our house down below. There are many safety and ecological concerns living in the center of a large urban population for sure...The idiotic I-8/125 interchange, as an example. Commercial flights over La Mesa...not so much.— August 3, 2018 7:55 a.m.
CPUC wipes away Peevey/Edison collusion, criminal investigation
Well said.— August 1, 2018 6:39 a.m.
San Diego's no-helmet scooter documents under wraps
The problem is THEY AREN'T SAFE....I don't really care about the scooter-riders themselves. In fact, I pretty much agree with sdvoyager regarding the helmet. The issue is the obvious danger they pose to pedestrians when ridden on the sidewalks. If you don't understand the potential harm to a pedestrian by a 10-year old riding an electric scooter 20-25 mph on a sidewalk then you are truly an idiot...and don't tell me it isn't happening regularly...I see it on the Mission Beach Boardwalk multiple times daily!— July 20, 2018 1:56 p.m.
A well-timed contribution of special interest
Are these STVRs subject to the city's room tax requirement? If so, are the taxes being collected? Seems there should be millions of dollars in revenue available for city services/infrastructure.— July 9, 2018 6:52 a.m.
Bird scooter smashes BMW on Mission Blvd.
...I'm not a resident of the city of San Diego...I reside in La Mesa. I do exercise 4 days a week on the Boardwalk in Mission Beach. San Diego citizens have obviously voiced concern with someone with the city as indicated by police enforcement of helmet violations upon scooter riders over the past 2 weekends at the beach. Perhaps voting residents of the City that follow City politics via the Reader can pick up the torch and get something done... How about you?— June 19, 2018 2:15 p.m.
Bird scooter smashes BMW on Mission Blvd.
Mayor Kevin/City Council...Get a clue! The scooter problems are just beginning...You morons sit on your thumbs and do nothing! The Mission Beach Boardwalk is already a mess with these things...Many of the riders are reckless (and clueless) as evidenced by the helmet tickets, DUI incident, and now the hit and run incident. How many injury and property damage law suits will it take before you do the right thing? How much money will the taxpayers have to shell out in liability awards because of your short-sightedness and greed? Unbelievable!— June 19, 2018 7:46 a.m.