A Downtown Mix Tape That’s Not a Musical
Blending different varietals and vintages is commonplace in the wine world. The practice also has deep roots in Belgian corner of the brewniverse best exemplified by gueuzes (blends of lambics of varying maturity) and “grand cru” blends of strong ales. …
One Gaijin Doing Right by All Others
Celebrating its grand opening this weekend, Gaijin Noodle + Sake House is an example of the delicious things that can happen when a chef is given his way. For years, Antonio Friscia and his fellow chef friends have frequented Hillcrest’s …
Craft Beer at Half Price…What the Pho?
To quote author and travel journalist Anthony Bourdain, food writers regularly “kill what we love.” Most often, we do this by penning prose that turns people on to exceptional restaurants that, despite serving up delicious food, have somehow managed to …
One of SD's Best Damn Beer Events
It takes balls to call a beer-based business in San Diego the best damn anything. All over the county, brewery, beer bar, and retail shop owners are working their beer guts off scrambling to put out the best suds around. …
The Mother of All Triple IPAs at Urge Gastropub
The sound of a keg of triple IPA being tapped resonates like the screech of a dog whistle calling hopheads from far and wide to whatever bar’s been lucky enough to procure a keg of Russian River Pliny the Younger …
Tasting Notes from Renaissance 2012
Massive, sprawling beer festivals are great, but some of the very best craft brewing events involve little more than a quality venue with a stellar beer list. Such is the case with San Marcos suds standout Churchill’s Pub and Grille’s …
A Tale of Two Toronados
Toronado — this non-word holds a lot of meaning in West Coast craft beer circles. For San Franciscans, it’s the name of a Lower Haight bar whose stock has consisted of fine craft beer for the past 24 years. That’s …
Free Burgers with a Side of Nostalgia at Corvette Diner
One of the first times I thought myself to have discerning food tastes was when all my friends were celebrating their birthdays amid smelly ball pits and cardboard pizza at Chuck E. Cheese. Even the allure of Q*Bert and Dragon’s …
33 on 3/3
Earlier this month, I wrote a five-piece summary of a trip to five Vista breweries. My first stop was to one that hadn’t even opened yet. It’s called Latitude 33 Brewing Company and turned out to be one of the …
Gabardine in March
Two whole months with no new resto debut? It's almost eerie not to see restaurateur partners Brian Malarkey and James Brennan throwing open doors and popping champagne, but very soon, they'll be back to christening new ventures. March 5 will …
First Step in Culinary Evolutionary Announced
Last month, I reported on chef Daniel Barron's departure from Blue Point Coastal Cuisine and his emergence under the flag of Evolve Cuisine. A partnership between Barron and chef Flor Franco (Indulge Contemporary Catering, Urban Chicken), Evolve is all about …
Validation for a Self-Confirmed Beer Nerd
I love beer. So much so, I’ve made a career writing about it. I’m not a hop-head or a Belgo-phile. I enjoy every single style of beer from palate-dazing double IPAs to sweet vanilla-tinged barley wines and cloven German hefeweizens. …
Mission Hills' New (Brooklyn) Girl Gets New Guy
Brooklyn Girl, an eatery inspired by the edible artisanal renaissance occurring in the community it takes its name from, is set to open in mid-to-late March at the corner of Goldfinch and Ft. Stockton in Mission Hills. While constructors work …
Prepkitchen Standards Survive Little Italy Jaunt Intact
Good, uncomplicated food and a level of consistency necessary for a quality chain is what’s impressed me about Prepkitchen since my first taste of their home-style cuisine back in 2009. That was after the opening of their first store, a …
A Seriously Rockin’ Brew at Pizza Port O.B.
Music and craft beer are two of my foremost passions. One makes up the majority of my daily caloric intake, while listening to and playing the other sustains my non-dietary needs. So, when Yiga Miyashiro, head brewer at Pizza Port …
Cohn Restaurant Group Uncorking a New Concept in Hillcrest
Some restaurant names leave a lot to the imagination. The most recent addition to the Cohn Restaurant Group family, BO-beau, certainly did. But despite many a head scratch, people have flocked to that Robb Field-adjacent spot. The CRG’s latest concept …
A Whole Different Animal in the East Village
Last night, I headed to Neighborhood in the East Village for an impromptu casual meal. I’ve been here many times and usually go with their reliable line of burgers. This time, I was in the mood for protein and something …
Despite Big Bite, Zimmern Misses Out on Some SD Flavor
Last week, as I was flying out of San Diego to attend San Francisco Beer Week, a TV celebrity was on his way in to eat through America's Finest City on his never-ending quest to gobble down the most peculiar …
Asian-inspired Mexican Street Food Sans Truck Exhaust
Asian tacos and burritos — they're not just for food trucks anymore. In early March, Taco Banh, a new non-mobile spot specializing in Latin-Far East fusion, will debut in Hillcrest. Organic and all-natural will be the name of the game …
Bice Food Fight Bids Fond Farwell to Foie Gras
Come July 1, production of a most delicious and controversial gourmet ingredient will be banned in California. That tasty taboo-to-be is foie gras-fatted duck or goose liver. When cooked correctly, it's sumptuous, buttery, subtly gamey, and unbelievably scrumptious. Unfortunately, controversy …