On a (Cinnamon) Roll
John Kennedy hands me an apple-loaded cinnamon roll and a cawfee. "We're the only dedicated cinnamon roll place in town that I know of," he says. Me too. Got drawn in here by the nose. Because there's nothing like the …
Grape Stomp Saturday
Feel like getting your feet wet...and red? This Saturday, August 27, Juan Diaz will be running his Third Annual Grape Stomp contest at his -- who knew? -- Barrio Logan Winery (3030 Main Street, Barrio Logan, 619-779-8055). Each team of …
New Eateries in Little Italy: Hold the Pasta Bowl
"You don't need another big bowl of pasta place in Little Italy," says Scott Harris. He's the wildly successful Chicago restaurateur who has just opened his newest eatery, Davanti Enoteca, right in the heart of the eatin' district on India …
It's All In the Oven
Maybe it was because I was in a rush, but this slice of pizza was a slice of heaven. Was jes' waiting on the trolley at Civic Center and saw that place you trundle past, like every day of your …
The Eatery in the Architects' Office
Here's how I discovered this hip place in the Barrio: I was standing at the corner. Looking across kitty-corner from the New Mexico Cafe. (Had been eating at its new addition, Viva Birria! What a great birreria.) So, kinda rubbing …
Dog Days of Summer
Wen it comes to hot dogs, the beautiful Carla is the World's Greatest Critic. But hey, she's like me. Appreciates a bargain. And here at the 8th Street trolley stop in National City, I may have the biggest bargain yet. …
Ambushed by Birria
It's around 1:30 p.m. Walking through the barrio, and all the time being reminded of Tijuana itself. The street life, the food, the friends, the long late lunches. It specially reminds me of it here on Beardsley, as I head …
Fruit Lunch Surprise
Barrio Logan. Wandering down National, hoping to find that El Porvenir is open again... along with Las Cuatro Milpas, the hands-down best burritos in town...because they still use wicked Manteca, of course. But...argh! Just past Beardsley, I see it's still …
Ideal No More?
It's dark on J. I walk up, stop to touch the Lucky Index Fingernail of Chin - the emperor who created China in 221 BC, and also in his spare time built the Great Wall – his 8-foot-tall bronze statue, …
Take Me To Your Humidore
So after that over-stuffing Happy Hour (at McCormick & Schmick's), what Carla calls the perverse side in me is out, rampant. Need something sweet. Touch of dessert. She's out till ten, so still time. I’m walking down Market. Stop at …
Crazy Hour
Don’t they always say: It’s the poor who pay? The rich don’t have to? Here at McCormick and Schmick’s (675 L Street, in the Omni Hotel downtown, 619-645-6545), I’m testing this out. They’re a chain of business-class eateries that stretch …
Smokin'!
Nice thing happened on the way to the forum, uh, ballpark last night. OK, not actually going to the Mets game. Twelfth and Imperial is just my transfer point. So I get off the trolley and smell…barbecue. Then I see…smoke. …
Salad on Your Pizza?
Up in the mountains, a man gets a hunger on. But a salad pizza? Isn’t that stretching it? “Not at all,” says Tammy McKay. “It’s one of our most popular pizzas.” Tammy’s at the Wynola Pizza Express (4355 Highway 78, …
Don Diego By Day. By Night...?
By day, he was Don Diego, society fop living the good life in Alta California. By night? He was mask on, sword drawn, out there saving maidens, robbing the rich, bringing justice to the poor. The name? Zorro. So Don …
Cajon, Kabob, Carumba!
Best kabob deal in town? How about 99 cents? That's for a beef or chicken kabob to go. Stefan (“Steve”) Sagmani has it going every day at his place (Sagmani’s Restaurant, 478 W. Douglas Avenue, El Cajon, 619-440-0077). Even here …
Tiger Eyes Tonight?
File this under “worthy survivor.” Talking about Meijo, located right out in left field on the edge of IB (Meijo Sushi, 600 Palm Avenue, Suite 300, Imperial Beach, 619-429-4373). Night view from Highway 75 As ShawnMichel blogged passionately (here in …
Burgundy on Park
At this end of Park (where it T’s into Adams Avenue), you usually think Mexican (El Zarape), Ethiopian (Muzita), or Persian (Soltán Banoo). But last night I took the Extra Step, and boldly walked almost to Adams. That’s where I …
Thoughts on Coming Alone into a Strange New Place
It was the dog. Standing there tied to the railing while his mistress and a trendy crowd packed the outside deck. You know how you have some areas around town you just never see, even though you’re buzzing all around …
Paradise Patio, Lost and Found
It could be the most beautiful cocktail deck you never see. Still doing our summer waterfront thing here...Friday I made this discovery when I was hanging around the Maritime Museum's ferry Berkeley. I was checking out something the beautiful Carla …
Coronado…and Opening Up
It’s heading for one in the mawnin’ and this place is popping…but in downtown Coronado? They say Coronado’s usually dead by nine, except for one or two bars like Danny's. Not from now on. We're about 100 yards from the …