Louisian style at Red's Espresso Eatery
Point Loma coffee shop might be a little weird, but it has a certain kind of charm.
As my server battled with errant extension cords and flounced about the mostly empty dining room in a state of controlled chaos, I thought back to my last visit to Red’s and I realized something: the place is a certifiable …
Incoming on Washington!
The old Brian's building is finally getting a makeover after a long dormancy.
I mourned the loss of Brian’s American Eatery like I’d experienced the passing of someone who was almost, but not quite, a friend. It was an abstract sadness, a recognition that a void opened in the world and an uneasy …
Wackness at the Joint
Ocean Beach sushi bar is best when things get weird.
A Newport Street hotspot, the Joint is a weird place. It appears appropriately seedy and OBecian from the outside, promising the beachy awesomeness of a Hodad’s or South Beach, but the interior had an aura of North Park hip courtesy …
New wine bar in Talmadge
Romeo and Julieta's Wine Cafe is open for business.
I Followed a tip out to Talmadge’s sleepy neighborhoods and the unlikely corner of Monroe and 47th. There, lo and behold, sat Romeo and Julieta’s Wine Cafe, new (and only) kid on the block for wine, espresso, and Polish-inflected tapas. …
Ocean Beach mini-donuts
The OB Farmers' Market contains wonderful, portable, miniaturized treats.
I was minding my own business, waltzing through the Ocean Beach Farmers’ Market (Wednesdays from 4-7 on Newport Street) in a vain search for a guy who sells photo journals, when the unmistakable scent of fresh donuts wafted my way. …
MOGL cares for La Mirage
Locally-run loyalty program establishes a fundraising drive to help an ailing restaurant owner.
Yesterday, I (and all the other MOGL subscribers) got an email with the subject, “request to help a restaurant owner in need.” I subscribe to the loyalty program, which rewards customers at restaurants with cash back, as much for the …
High expectations for Gang Kitchen
New, pan-Asian spot downtown set the bar high, delivered in some respects. Still has lots of potential.
Gang Kitchen was hyped and hyped, and then hyped a little more in the months leading up to its opening. But, hey, it’s been open for a little while now and my curiosity was up, so I stopped by for …
Win cash at Old Mill Cafe
North Park restaurant has a novel idea for generating customer loyalty.
Old Mill Cafe is trying to buy my loyalty. And yours, too. All of our loyalties. With cold, hard cash. Yup, that’s right, this family-style restaurant in North Park is, as far as I know, the only restaurant with “Win …
25 Forty on Thursdays
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 …
Dark Horse Coffee is open!
Normal Heights now has its very own super-small-batch coffee roaster
I’ve watched, hawk-like and keen-eyed, as Dark Horse Coffee postponed opening over and over and over again. Normal Height’s new roastery was supposed to open in October of last year, but delays in construction and inspection (part and parcel of …
Boar burger fail
Burger Lounge's new burger (and its free burger offer) are non-delicious in Hillcrest.
I’ve been seeing everyone and his cousin lined up at Burger Lounge in Hillcrest as of late. This is probably because Burger Lounge mailed the entire city of San Diego a buy-one-get-one-free coupon. Under normal circumstances, I’m averse to the …
Point Loma's coffee roaster
Red's has great decor, under-performing espresso machines.
Based on looks alone, I liked Red’s Espresso Eatery (1017 Rosecrans Street) immediately. The place had an unexpected amount of character. The outside was unassuming, a “we’re open” sign the only indicator that anything’s going on inside. The narrow halls …
McDesi at Kasi
New Indian spot in Hillcrest serves curry fast food style
Naked Pizza tried to simplify ‘za with iPhone apps and pictographic menus. While the PB franchise is still in operation, the Hillcrest branch didn’t last very long in the tough-to-fill spot on Fifth Avenue. Now, Kasi is trying the same …
Downtown's newest cocktail bar
Bailiwick enters the cocktail fray with some good drinks in a high-profile spot
The new cocktail spot downtown, Bailiwick (756 5th Avenue), has a cool look about it. It’s a mixture of shabby chic and Edwardian cool, like the Titanic is going to sink at any moment behind the bar. Clawfoot tubs and …
Scoops and stamps
Is it a cafe with a post office or a post office with a cafe?
I saw a cool and random thing the other day in Old Town — a combination post office and ice cream parlor. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/jan/17/38558/ I’m about 110% sure I’ve been in Korky’s (2371 San Diego Avenue) before, but I didn’t remember …
Dogs for UH
Two of the best street foods join forces in one liquor store parking lot.
University Heights’ street food scene is exploding! Well, sort of. I cruised by the liquor store at Texas and Meade the other day and espied the new arrival of a food cart in the parking lot. The combination outfit features …
No musubi?
Ocean Beach Hawaiian bar doesn't deliver on the island food, but the vibe's still cool.
I was feeling mighty mainland the other night, freezing in the cold and darkness, so I thought to myself, hey, I’ll check out Tiny’s Tavern in OB and see if they got da kine make me feel more better. I …
Escape
Downtown fish bar charges a premium price, but the fish is seafood is indeed fine.
A sense of good humor marked the menu at Escape Fish Bar with little snippets and jokes (“stalk us on Facebook!”). The staff, while perhaps a shade over-friendly on a quiet night, came off as nothing if not hospitable. Spirits …