Soul Food
“As my dad was dying, six years ago,” says Star, “he made me promise that I wouldn’t sell, that I’d keep the place going, as is.” Star Thompson, Ben Chaudoin and I are standing outside the Star Bar (423 E …
Trends: Keep It Close
If you had to pick four letters that spelled out what's happening in our restaurants this coming year, they’re “K.I.S.S.” Yeah, that’s “Keep It Simple, Stupid.” Or maybe that should be “K.I.L.S.” “Keep It Local, Son.” The National Restaurant Association’s …
Jesse James Drank Here
Back in the Barrio, heading down Cesar Chavez towards the trolley. Walk past ye olde brick building that was Chuey's bar-eatery for the longest time. 'Course for the last eight years it's been Ryan Brothers' coffee roasting and sipping place …
Sweet: Friday’s the Day
Get your walkin' boots on... At the mouth of the Sweetwater River, in the badlands west of the I-5, National City kinda surprises you with a brand-new facility beside a yacht basin. It’s a place where all the yacht owners …
Let’s Do Lonche
Was talking to Nathalie the other night. She’s one of the waitresses at this li’l ol’ place – the oldest eatery in Old Town, they claim, and I can believe it - La Piñata (2836 Juan Street, Old Town, 619-297-1631). …
New Year Resolution: Less, But Better
New Year’s resolutions could start right here. Mine are simple: One, raw veggies. And two, I swear I’m gonna get out and work off whatever else I eat. Not so much the gym. I mean what’s the point of wasting …
Marshmallows on the Bonfire Tonight!
Wow. Here’s something great for tonight (and tomorrow and Sunday) on your way to whatever else you’re doing. In Old Town Plaza they’ve got a bonfire going where you can sit around warming your tootsies and roast marshmallows and have …
Haji Baba New Years?
Suddenly got this good idea about what to do on New Year's. Was up at 8th and C downtown last night, heading for Broadway and buses. Passed this Middle Eastern kinda eatery-nightclub. Saw families in there eating, kids playing around, …
Late Breakfast in the Living Room
Aah. Nothing like breakfast in the living room. Except this is in the Living Room (2541 San Diego Avenue, Old Town, 619-325-4445, also in National City, Point Loma, El Cajon Boulevard near SDSU, Southwestern College, La Jolla). And this is …
Cheapest New Year’s Eats?
Scratching my head on this one. But I keep going back to O’Hungry’s (see this week’s Tin Fork) in Old Town (2547 San Diego Avenue, 619-298-0133). This cowboy eatery jes’ beyond the main entrance to Old Town Plaza has (drum …
Grapes of Wealth: Eating for Your Luck at New Year's
New Years? I shiver, 'cause used to be me and my buddy Mark would, uh, mark the moment when the year changed by hauling ourselves down to the Pacific Ocean and diving into it at one minute before midnight. We’d …
How to Grow Organic — and Survive Rabbits
Talking of Suzie’s Farm (see below), if you’re determined to be organic, how do you scare off everything that wants to eat your crops? Especially those pesky rabbits. Some organic farmers use scarecrows to protect their vegetables. Some use electric …
How to Eat a... Fractal?
“The Christmas dish?” says Quinn Wilson. She markets Suzie’s Farm produce from IB, in the Tijuana river valley. “It had to be Amy DiBiase’s Romanesco cauliflower soup. She’s the chef at the La Jolla Shores Hotel.” Uh, Romanesco cauliflower? “Sure. …
So Long, Solunto
Changes right next door to Davanti Enoteca, too. Solunto bakery (Panificio E Ristorante Solunto, 1643 India Street, Little Italy, 619-233-3506) has been sold and is about to get a name-change and a face lift. Sad to see the old name …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …