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Entries
Pastrami Wars: the Barrio
"We get around," says Mike. "And this place is good." Ron and Mike He and Ron are with CSI scaffolding, working on the big Mercado shopping project that's going up across the road here in Barrio Logan. Mike's eating the …
San Diego Beer Week: Day One
With hundreds of events (over 400 at the time of this writing) from pint nights to festivals and all-out, multi-venue fermentable free-for-alls, San Diego Beer Week can be confusing…and that’s before you start drinking. Fortunately, I know a thing or …
The Missing Point in Del Mar's Chef Triangle
Last month, I reported that the former chef at Pacifica Del Mar, Evan Cruz, pulled up stakes and bid adieu to that resto. It worked out for them -- they were able to hire a former kitchen aid to come …
Speaking of Wine Dinners...
For better or for worse, there's but a small percentage of chefs who go Tony Gwynn, spending their entire careers in San Diego. With a restaurant scene that's everchanging and a clientele that's tough to peg, much less enjoy long-term …
Really Delicious (Looking) Hot Dogs in Coronado
I was at Bay Books (1029 Orange Avenue) for their 20th anniversary/20 percent off sale yesterday. Trick or treating was in full swing. I spotted this dog being paraded up the sidewalks of Orange. The “hot” dog is Luca. His …
The Ladies Go French
Reporting from deep inside the French Gourmet: Da Goils (Carla, Linda, and Eva…see “How Do You Say ‘Halloween’ in French?” blog last Friday) finally said I could come, seeing as how they were talked out about my shortcomings anyway. Eva …
Vacationing Turns Recon in Paso Robles
This weekend I spent the weekend in Paso Robles, touring wineries and tasting vino under the guidance of Ryan Render. A winemaker from the region, he concluded our whirlwind day of Central Coast vino indulgence by sharing his personal creations …
Batter Up: Ralph Rubio Returns to His Roots
[Full disclosure: As part of this story, I was given a fish taco (pictured), for tasting purposes. Also a soda, for drinking purposes. Scroll down to bottom for special bonus video of Ralph Rubio frying fish for said fish taco.] …
Correction! (Re: Donovan's)
Never believe a press release. I shouldn't either. It's happened before -- when will I learn? So now I owe lots of apologies. In a blog post about the new chef at Donovan's Prime Seafood downtown, I passed on some …
Gluten-Free Fest
More and more readers seem to be suffering from gluten intolerance and asking where they can get a good gluten-free meal (not to mention more information). Gotta think why this is happening. (Skip ahead if you don't want to think …
The Dead Pool, RIP: Kazumi
One of the best sushi shops in town has shut -- Kazumi, in the heart of Hillcrest (right by the movie theater) has vanished. There's some chance Kazumi-san and family may reopen in another neighborhood, but it's just a maybe. …
How Do You Say “Halloween” in French?
Halloween weekend, and the lovely Carla’s lucked out with da ghouls -- uh, make that da goils. Saturday night, she and her buddies Eva and Linda are off to the French Gourmet (960 Turquoise Street, Pacific Beach, 858-488-1725) for a …
All-Day Happy Hour
I came across Brant Sarber the other day, last met on black-out night when he kept his Mexican eatery, Costa Azul (1031 Orange Avenue, Coronado, 619-435-3525), open for as long as they had candles and cool beer. Lot of friendships …
A Cheapskate's Guide to Intelligent Splurging
I’m like most of you out there reading this and, by that, I mean not rich. Still, I indulge in pricey meals every now and then. It’s a necessary evil. Luxurious white linen fare doesn’t come cheap. The trick is …
In the Land of Big Umbrellas (and Veggie Burgers)
Cruising the land of nuts and twigs again. Solana Beach. Coming up Cedros, the avenue of converted Quonset huts. Arty. Place called OMG bristles with Asian imports, looks like. But on the other side, I spot a little garden with …
Hey, Even New Yawkers Like This
Blame the trolley for this. They’ve set up a temporary stop just about outside Tommy Pastrami’s New York Delicatessen while they repair America Plaza’s platform. So you get off and immediately catch wafts of beef, salty beef, sauerkraut, brisket. I …
Breakfast, Old Solana Beach Style
Beautiful North County morning. Heading down towards the beach. Solana Beach. Look left on South Acadia. Aha. Thar she blows! That little ol' ivy-covered corrugated-iron roof garage sticking right out in the middle of this dusty side street. Sigh of …
Alpiners Pine No More -- You Can Duet
Several weeks ago, I delivered some bad news for local hop-heads, reporting that Alpine Beer Company would no longer be able to get their hands on enough Simcoe hops to produce one of their best-selling brews. That beer, Duet IPA, …
Breakfast, Santa Fe Style
Jimmy's used to people like me, wild eyed, tickets in hand, minutes to go before the train hauls out. Catching the Coaster. Still got to navigate that God-awful ticket machine to get the Coaster add-on to my Compass Card. But …
Bye, Deco. Hi, McFadden's. Bye, Suite and Tender. Hi, Saltbox.
Deco's, the block-long, floor-through Gaslamp nightclub and once-upon-a-time decent restaurant, is gone for good. The new tenant is McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon, which calls itself the "Wildest Pub on Earth." Judging by the artwork in their ads (photos of pretty …