Restaurant at the Balboa Park Golf Course is a total hidden gem with a killer view and cheap eats.

Golfers know that the municipal golf course in Balboa Park is excellent. As city courses go, it’s one of the better ones. Hipsters know that Tobey’s 19th Hole Cafe, located by the pro shop at 2600 Golf Course Drive, is …

Tin Fish wins as Ed's most atmospheric eatery in Comicon, for the second year.

I tried. Honest, I looked everywhere. But once again, Tin Fish, the eatery at the bottom of Fifth (170 6th Avenue, downtown, 619-238-8100), turned out to be the most Comicon-spirited eatery in the Gaslamp. For me, at least. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/jul/19/49493/ http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/jul/19/49500/ …

At last: A real sidewalk terrazza in 'Diego

On February 13th this year, Ian Pike reviewed Buona Forchetta (3001 Beech Street, South Park, 619-381-4844), and got into the sacred issues of what authentic pizza should be. That’s always been a total mystery to me. But in this case …

Normal Heights bar opens for brunch. Neighborhood hipsters have not had to run for cover.

The Heights Tavern (3377 Adams Avenue, 619-501-3455) has has made a solid bid to stick around and become a part of Normal Heights. At first, the rabble roused themselves over the presence of a second True North opening Uptown. For …

A strong showing heats up the competition in the contest to be the best Ethiopian restaurant in San Diego.

Stop three on my comprehensive survey of San Diego’s Ethiopian dining scene was Harar Ethiopian Restaurant (2432 El Cajon Boulevard, 619-295-3735). It wasn’t too hard to find, since it’s just down the street from Awash Market. On the outside, Harar …

New pizza spot along Adams Ave has architectural superiority and tasty pie to boot.

After achieving success in waffles and happy hours, the Kensington Cafe’s ownership has opened the Haven just down the block. It’s a little confusing, since the Haven looks for all the world like it’s part of the Kensington Grill, being …

Vista breakfast spot has longevity and charm to spare.

No restaurant in Vista has been open longer than Allen’s Alley Cafe. In the restaurant world, sixty years is practically an eternity. I mean, Allen’s is no White Horse Tavern, but it’s been around for a lot longer the the …

New pizzeria occupies long-empty building and brings Neopolitan style gusto.

The building across Beech Street from Alchemy sat empty for years until Buona Forchetta moved in with a wood-burning pizza oven and a guarantee of certifiable Neopolitan pizza. Now, South Parkers can’t seem to get enough of the place and …

The weekly special at this Old Town bistro is a hit.

I went to 25 Forty Bistro and Bakehouse (2540 Congress Street) for “Trattoria Thursday” last night and I was served one of the biggest meals I’ve had in a while. Eight courses, without dessert, came out of the kitchen. Service …

The tour continues into North Park for "homestyle" sandwiches

Planted firmly across the street from Lefty’s North Park, Eddie’s Place seems to have taken a class on interior decoration from the pizza place. Rocky posters, Phillies MLB pendants, pictures of the Liberty Bell, and other Philly-centric tchotchkes festoon the …

As we were being led to our table at the newly opened Patio on Lamont, our hostess pointed out the brickwork in one of three dining areas -- the bricks had been part of Lamont Street Grill before the extensive …

The low-down on Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits: who they are, what they brew, and where you can get it.

San Diego Beer Week is in full swing. From now through November 11, locals and visitors alike will be abuzz with brewing industry excitement. Beer geeks will rattle off information about our breweries and their beers; nth degree conversations about …

Easy question: what's the most important thing about a coffee shop? Easy answer: the coffee. That's also the wrong answer. Or at least, it's not always the right one. This is because there is no "correct" answer to such a …

Truluck’s, just off the I-5 at La Jolla Village Drive, routinely tops various local polls for service, seafood, wine list and happy hour specials. Part of a Texas-based chain, and located at the Hyatt Regency at Aventine, it’s popular with …

My friend had a birthday and he wanted to go to Mexico so we took a trip to Puerto Nuevo for some famous lobsters. I got all the travel info I would need from puertonuevolobster.com. Barring an immediate wrong turn …

I have been seeing the sign on the side of Lighthouse Ice Cream in Ocean Beach for ages. "Home of the famous hot waffle ice cream sandwich," it says. I have yearned for that sandwich since first glimpsing the sign …

There was a time long ago when I drank Karl Strauss beer with greater frequency than suds from any other local brewing company. My location of choice was their Sorrento Mesa outpost (9675 Scranton Road). A buddy of mine worked …

I was drawn in to Andiamo! in Tierrasanta by a sign in the window advertising "Express Lunch and Early Bird Specials." I decided to take a risk and ask for a table before I had a chance to look at …

When Sarah invited me out for a Friday morning brunch, I had no intention of drinking a mimosa and then blowing off the rest of the day, but that’s exactly how it went down. We met at Parkhouse Eatery, where …

It takes some businesses a long time to get off the ground. The same can't be said for Pizza Port's Ocean Beach brewpub. Since day one, the place has been heavily patronized (in a good way) by people from all …