Hemingway Sat Here?
“Ernest Hemingway sat right in that corner,” says one of the managers of the Chiki Jai Basque Restaurant (corner of 7th and Revolución, Tijuana). The corner seat is supposedly where Hemingway used to sit and write “Right there. When these …
Craft Cocktails? How About Draft Cocktails?
So now I’m across the road, and, you might say, across the social divide. Clue: bunch of fixies leaning on each other outside. Big open barn space inside, original brick exposed on all walls, ancient redwood rafters. Looks like, opened …
King of Quiz
“Okay, first question,” says Tom. He’s standing on the stage where Napoleon Complex will be playing later. “More people are killed by donkeys worldwide than die in plane crashes every year. True or shit?” This is quiz night at U-31, …
Kebabalicious!
Here is the news: The Middle East has just conquered Europe and is making serious advances across North America. You don’t believe me? Take a look at my belly. On second thought, better not. Carla and I just got through …
Happy (Hour) Blues
Dang. Just missed the Blue Line heading south. Standing at the Fitth Avenue trolley stop. Fifteen minutes to kill. Hmm. Talking of blue… I start wandering down Fifth toward the House of Blues terrazza (1055 Fifth Avenue, downtown, 619-299-2583), filled …
Reborn in TJ: Beautiful Claudia's Eggnog Cake
!Qué lástima! I'm at the top of Revolución in TJ, 7th street, and it’s happened. La Belle Claude, my favorite pastry and coffee place, closed! It had always looked recession proof, because locals treated it like their spot on the …
Nobu? No Way. But That’s Okay.
The most popular eatery on Broadway? I’m betting this place right next to the Spreckels Theater. Sushi Deli 2. And picky eaters will say snooty things like “Oh it's just Cali-sushi.” Me: It’s good honest Japanese eats for really good …
Pizza Revolución?
TJ Week continues! I have just come out from an arcade where artists and musicians are making this feel like you imagine Paris when Paris was hot. Guys selling old books, folk singers singing original songs, people sipping wine, sculptors …
Welcome to Pozolandia!
So after all the sightings of food for the dead, I’m kinda dying for some food myself. Come across this place near Sixth... ...with lots of talk and chat... ...and the bubble of soup in cauldrons. Okay, saucepans. “Pozole,” says …
Bread for the Dead, TJ Style
Down TJ way. Last night. November first was for the kids (like our Halloween). Last night, the second of November, is for adults -- for the serious business of remembering, revisiting loved ones who have passed on. And food's a …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
El Cajon: Get Stuffed!
Sunrise. Chris Barre. Sitting on top of El Capitan. Lotus position. Could see forever. Noticed how the rising sun appeared stuffed between two layers of cloud. "That’s it," he said to himself. “Stuffed.” He stood up. Yelled across the valley …