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New Deck In Town
Hiking down Little Italy yesterday (Thursday) past the new Davanti Enoteca (1655 India Street, Little Italy, 619-237-9606). Something’s different. Recognize Tony, one of the crew here. “What’s new?” I say. “Our outside deck here,” he says. “This is our first …
The Last Hamburger in America
The seal was probably attacked by a shark. There’s not much left of him. Nearby, a seagull climbs vertically like a helicopter to 30 feet and drops a clam. It splits on the hard sand. Beyond, three actual helicopters circle, …
Burger Time in Bressi Ranch
While doing some Christmas shopping in North County this weekend, I took the opportunity to check out Bressi Ranch Village Center’s Elevation Burger. The beef there is 100% USDA-certified organic, grass-fed and free-range. Additionally, it’s ground and formed into patties …
A Little Whine with my Cheese: Oliveto Cafe & Wine Bar
Let's get the whiny part out of the way. If you go to Oliveto Cafe & Wine Bar for happy hour (3:00–6:00 p.m. daily) expecting that the half-price small plates menu will be given to you voluntarily, this will not …
A Bit of Hawaii in PB: Leilani's Cafe
Leilani's Cafe on Cass Street in Pacific Beach is so comfy, so homey and friendly, that you feel as though you could walk in with pajamas and bunny slippers on and no one look up except to say hello. We …
Wanted: Café On This Spot!
If I had a spare quarter-mil, this is where I’d put my café, bistro, terrazza, whatever. The nicely-rounded corner is crying out for tables, umbrellas, waiters dashing around with their li’l round trays held high. It’s the new Strata condo …
Holidays: Whose Food?
Why does everybody have to say Happy Holidays? Why can’t we say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Eid, have a great Kwanzaa, Happy Winter Solstice? Why can’t we ALL celebrate ALL of them? Like being guests at neighbors’ houses. I …
Puesto to Bring the Street to Wall Street
Street foods are a vital component of nearly every culture the world over. Over the past few years, street staples like poutine, sausages and skewered meats a plenty have been getting their due and elaborate makeovers at the hands of …
Carnitas' Snack Shack
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. …
Octopus Artist Opens Arms to Market Street
I catch him coming out of Starbucks. Modest looking guy. Except I know he’s a magician. Alfredo Gutierrez is in the middle of painting the murals for the new place opening two doors away from Funky Garcia’s, at 415 Market …
A-Dish-onal Dishing on Barleymash
Last week, I wrote about barleymash, the bar-restaurant moving into the soon-to-be-vacated Whiskey Girl space on Fifth Avenue and Market Street downtown. Since then, deeper digging has unearthed additional details and a copy of the tentative menu. Barleymash will be …
Saying Farewell to Naomi Wise
There are some food writers in town that I’ve had numerous lengthy conversations with. Despite those interactions, I really have no idea who they are, what they’re about or what they really think about anything. Yet, although I never met …
Temecula Valley Slow Food Announces Fifth Annual 100 Mile Dinner
Temecula Valley Slow Food has just announced its 5th Annual 100 Mile Dinner, to be held at Jan. 28th at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Garden in Escondido. The 100 Mile Dinner is a five-course feast, featuring ingredients that have …
Naomi Wise, R.I.P.
Got some really sad news here, folks. Naomi Wise, the Reader’s food critic and my colleague, passed away yesterday from complications after surgery. She had been in the hospital for a week. Those are all the details I have. We …
Sunday Suppers at the Mediterranean Room
The Mediterranean Room at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla is now offering a weekly Sunday Supper prix fixe menu. Executive chef Lance Repp will prepare a three course dinner, served family style, from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm every …
Fast Food - The Office Edition: Specialty's Cafe & Bakery
I'd seen the Specialty's Cafe & Bakery sign a dozen times from Genesee or La Jolla Village Drive in University City, but I could never figure out exactly where the place was. Today I was in the area around breakfast …
Shivering Salads!
I know, I know. Midwinter and we’re talking salads? But here I am, seven at night, sitting outside Salad Style, that tiny little eatery just up from the post office (807 F Street, 619-255-6731), waiting for a Moroccan couscous salad. …
Monkeying Around Yields All New Brews
Since hitting the East Village this summer, Monkey Paw Pub and Brewery has only been living up to half its billing. With a solid tap and bottle selection and cozy, unpretentious neighborhood vibe, it had the pub component down flat, …
Getting Burgered: Boomerangs Gourmet Burger Joint
I tend to be a purist when it comes to my burgers. Salt and pepper only, medium rare. That's not to say I don't like toppings. Cheese, onions, even a fried egg gets the okay. Boomerangs Gourmet Burger Joint in …
Smokin' at the Motor City Deli
The stretch of Miramar Road between the 805 and the 15 probably doesn't immediately spring into your mind when you think about great lunch spots. But all those folks in the auto body shops, slab granite and hardwood warehouses and …