Azuki Sushi: The fifth app.
The most expensive appetizer in happy hour is worth all six bucks
First thing to do here is look at the front door. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/sep/03/52503/ Look close. It is a pane of glass squishing a solid wall of reddish beans. Azuki beans. Most people rush in without even noticing. I only see them …
Asti downtown: Happy hour, happy meal?
Ed dines with conventioneers, and still leaves with change in his pocket
The kind of weather we're having, this shady western side of The Street - Fifth Avenue downtown - is definitely it. Setting sun is baking the other side. It's that time of the afternoon, before the mad rush starts, when …
Facing the (eight) elements in Mira Mesa
Giant Indian crepes catch Ed by surprise
At first I think they’ve given me a big brown napkin to eat. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/29/52272/ Then I touch it. Warm. Crispy on the rim, softer towards the center. I see it’s like a very thin, very large pancake. “This is the …
Sideways on Tenth
Ed waits for his bus with a big glass of Merlot
It's like 10:30 at night and I've got 45 minutes till my next stretch limo. There's nothing worse than being early for something. Where to fill in the time? Choices are: the bowling lanes, East Village Tavern + Bowl (930 …
New happy hour for downtown's oldest coffeehouse
Café Lulu reaches out beyond the late night hookah crowd
"Oh heck," say Sean. "Let's make it two dollars off everything in the menu." He's planning happy hour specials for Café Lulu (419 F Street, downtown, 619-238-0114). I popped in to see if they even had a happy hour. Turns …
Chef Miguel’s decision
A Chef takes time out from the big time to work with his family
“I was running around the world for 25 years opening restaurants for Ruth’s Chris Steak House,” says Chef Miguel Martinez. “They have over 100 restaurants all over the globe. Each time, you have to organize 50-60 trainers. It’s one on …
Scenes from a snack hunt
The Street talks. Ed chomps
OK, so you caught me heading for Jack In the Box (1110 C Street at City College trolley stop). Yeah, sometimes I do. Quick bite before heading down to Broadway to catch the 210 for Mira Mesa. Alas and alack: …
South Park: Farewell, ma belle
Vagabond's in its last days. Ed is weeping
Maybe it's because they're closing. But I swear. These two unpretentious little happy hour tacos are thee most delicious I've had in a lo-ong time. Carne asada, queso fresco, a little avo, green onion, and that's it. Simple. They're really …
Downtown: Fat Cat Café's secret weapon
The new sandwich shop is starting a whole new (Korean) ball game. Call it midday heat...
What’s beefy and spicy and came in at #23 on a CNN readers’ poll of the world’s 50 most delicious foods? Bulgogi. Uh, say whu? That’s exactly it: Bulgogi, South (and North) Korea’s most famous food that’s not kimchee. I’ve …
Scone With the Wind: Outside at the Brick and Bell
Über-cute La Jolla bakery is scone Mecca for at least 357 people every day
Five-twenty-five. That's when I turn up. "We close at 5:30," says Kara... http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/14/51291/ ..."But no problem." This is in this ancient li'l brick cottage that looks like Little Red Riding Hood's grandma's place in da woods. This is the Brick …
Old Town: Back from the dead with a deal
Cabana-filled courtyard is just the start: great lunch deal is the real surprise
“Tuesday to Friday,12-3,” the sidewalk sign says, “small salad, flatbread and a glass of wine or beer, $8.” That stops me. I’m on my way up Old Town’s Congress Street, graveyard of restaurants. So near the plaza, so far from …
Soup with a view!
Surprise deals on top of Nordstrom's
"Sweetheart, corazon, will you be downtown today?" Warning bells! She's going to ask me to do something I don't want to do. "Uh, maybe." "Great! Would you take this lipstick to Nordstrom's and exchange it for Doublewear Stay Ruby, or …
Barrio Logan: Eat your fruit!
New fruit and ice cream eatery delivers health the Mexican way
Okay. Here's the menu for dinner: Apples, bananas, sandia (watermelon), mango, piña (pineapple), papaya, melon, strawberries, cottage cheese, granola, coconut, raisins. We're in Barrio Logan, so Spanglish rules. 'Course I could have had pepino (cucumber), jicama, sandia, mango, piña, papaya, …
Alien pods discovered in Marina District!
Ed doesn't believe they're just $5 home-made sausages. Who would?
I sit here looking down at this...creature. Things are weird enough already. Here I am, surrounded by an oryx, a blackbuck antelope, a ram... http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/07/50911/ http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/07/50918/ http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/07/50921/ Okay, talking trophies on the wall. But they set the tone for this …
Late brunch, Old Town
Ed finds American comfort food in the heart of Old Town
Nothing more delicious than a guilty late brekky. Sitting on the red bench seats in the sun outside the Living Room (2541 San Diego Avenue, Old Town, 619-325-4445). Okay, table wobbles, hot noonday sun, no umbrellas, and a skillet handle …
Counterpoint: No BS Brussels Sprouts
Ed's search for the best sprouts in town reaches a high point on Golden Hill
Most popular spot on Golden Hill? Has to be here, just about opposite the fire station. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/05/50645/ Counterpoint (830 25th Street, Golden Hill, 619-564-6722), is, a kinda boxy-modern place between Broadway and the 94 freeway. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/05/50646/ But walking past about …
Hitting the G Spot: G Street Deli
Luscious chipotle chicken sandwich and meatball soup for $7.49
Suddenly get the munchies coming out of Office Depot down near the Santa Fe. Instead of heading back to Broadway I jes' carry on towards the trolley line. Seaport Village. And right there on well, G Street is the G …
Pasaje Rodríguez: Papas & Beer & El Muertho
Mamut microbrewery is the scene for eats and arts
“I estimate we have 60 microbreweries in Tijuana now,” says Juan Jose Quesada. “And maybe 20 in Mexicali, and 30 in Ensenada. We’re happening.” He’s happening too. We’re in the Pasaje Rodríguez, between 2nd and 3rd streets, and between Revolución …
Shot Cabo, a taste revolution on Revolución
El Colegio is a class in Baja-Med cuisine
Up on Revolución, thinking about maybe Chiki Jai for a Spanish snack. But at Fifth, kitty-corner from Caesar's, whoa, brand new eatery. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/jul/26/50142/ Has that semi industrial feel of places in Diego like Blind Lady. But all new, with things …
TJ wine bar with mini-theater, home-grown eats
Place has its own ranch in Guadalupe Valley
I was wandering down Tijuana's Puente Mexico, aka First Street, ten at night. Near the wax museum. Only sign of life: a little low-lit balcony loaded with people. They were drinking wine and chatting quietly away. This is La Faraona …