Glass Blowing in San Diego County

Balboa Park Spanish Village Studio 20
Andy Cohn
Lessons - $550 for 12 hours
619-338-0441

Sue’s Glass Studio
Sue Cunningham
$25/hour for floor time (best deal because it’s a grant funded artist’s co-op/non-profit)
Teachers:
Rose - $15/hour (plus floor time) – recent MFA graduate
Justin - $25/hour (plus floor time) – blowing for about 7 years
Sue - $15/hour (plus floor time) – only beginners
Minimum 2 hour lesson, open until 10pm
760-471-6198

Rancho Bernardo Winery
James Stone
Lessons - $400 for 8 hours
Studio time, tools and assistance - $75/hr (4 hour min.) or $60/hr (10 hour min.)
Studio time (no tools) - $35/hr
www.stoneandglass.com
858-485-7701

Garry Cohen Studio
Garry Cohen
studio rental
760-745-7020

Palomar College
www.Palomar.edu
offers glass blowing courses with Gary Cohen
offers summer program

UCSD Craft Center
www-crafts.ucsd.edu
rents studio time & offers classes
858-534-1444

Eclipse Chocolat

This new store on El Cajon Boulevard, just a few blocks east of Park Boulevard, is a twee little chocolate chop and mini-cafe.

Their bon bon flavors include "Peppered Fig and Goat Cheese," a classic flavor combo for cheese, but interesting for chocolate. The pepper slightly out weighed the fig and goat cheese. "Rosemary and Peppermint" is a bit strong, and unless you're really into the minty types of flavors I suggest skipping it. There is also the Orange and Cointreau White Chocolate, Raspberry-Balsamic, and many more. They have about a dozen flavors in all.

The best chocolate on the menu when I went was by far the chocolate caramel with lavender scented sea salt. Caramel and salt go well together, and dipped with chocolate really tops of this subtle and rich bon bon. This same caramel chocolate ganache appears in milk chocolate with a pecan, and it is also very good. They were out of the caramel chocolate ganache with chili pepper, but I look forward to trying it soon.

Overall, I'd say the chocolates are fair to good. However, Eclipse Chocolat is still a worthwhile journey. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the cafe is pleasing to be in. They display local artists and quite good artists at that. It's not like some random shop with their friends' work on the wall. Eclipse hosts an array of talented artists in real exhibits. Their opening theme was "sugar" and they had many of San Diego's up and coming artists showing their work.

The ambiance is also appealing, with large comfy sofas in the color of dark chocolate. They support community efforts and natural ingredients. The walls are pleasant shades of pastels, and while their style is a little trendy, it is still aesthetically pleasing. The 1920s style silhouettes in fleur-de-lis style images is a bit on the up and up now, but it is a fashion I like. Their walls and packaging are adorned with this look, and clients will enjoy the comfortable atmosphere. Finally, they offer a wide range of teas and coffees, all very high quality products.

Eclipse Chocolat
http://eclipsechocolat.com/
2121 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, California
619.504.5310

IPSB

International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB) is a massage school located in Pacific Beach. As far as massage goes, it is one of the best values in San Diego. Value means you get good quality for a good price. At IPSB you can choose from either a student or professional masseuse, at a rate of either $45 or $60 for an hour massage.

There any extra amenities at IPSB; there's no spa, no hot tub, no shower, no facials. But you're also not paying for those things. Instead what you get is a good massage from either an experienced student or a full time professional.

They can accommodate massages at the last minute; they often have walk-in appointments available. If you schedule in advance you arrange several massage at the same time for you and friends. They have 10 rooms available.

The waiting room is nice, with classy-hippie decor: lots of fabric and crystal lamps. They have a small area with items for sale, but you aren't overwhelmed by the commercial aspect. They sell tasteful items, mostly massage oils and lotions, with a few imports and crystals.

For the most part, the staff is incredibly friendly. Occasionally there is one woman who works at the front desk who is not friendly or helpful, but I rarely see her. After your massage they have water and tea to hydrate with, and usually small cookies and packets of hot chocolate as well.

One note, and this applies pretty much everywhere, an hour massage doesn't always mean an hour massage. Some places are very clear that you are getting only a 50 minute massage and call it just that, but other places call it an hour and you still get only 50 minutes. At IPSB they call it an hour and it really varies; you will get bet ween 50 and 60 minutes. To maximize your chances of getting that full 60 minutes, be sure to arrive for your appointment 10-15 minutes ahead of time. If you're late you always lose that time (and again this applies anywhere).

IPSB
Massage Training Center
1414 Garnet Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: 858-490-1154
Open Seven days a week.
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
A full hour massage
$45 to $ 60

Ritual Tavern

In the blossoming heart of North Park, another new restaurant (among the many) has recently opened. Ritual Tavern has reason to stand out among the up-and-coming North Park scene.

The owners, Michael Flores and Stacy know their food. They both have extensive experience in the many facets of the restaurant business, but more importantly they have a strong style and impeccable taste. The menu excludes the use of corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils, and emphasizes fresh and local ingredients when possible.

The Ritual Tavern has a subtle gothic feel to it, evoking a sense of magic when you enter. This is a surprise from the outside, which looks, on the contrary, vaguely diner-like. The decor is rich and warm, making you wonder if outside it is a sunny San Diego afternoon or a blustery evening in London.

Of course the most important thing to mention is the food. While the menu is currently limited, plans to expand the options are scheduled as the Ritual only recently opened. Still, even with the current short list, they serve up dishes for a wide variety of tastes and needs, from the rich (and gluten-free) shepard's pie with Colorado lamb (after all, who eats lamb from anywhere else?) to the home made veggie burger that I warn you to NOT put ketchup on because you don't want to miss out on the delicious flavors! They also have fish and chips (what kind of tavern would be without this?), and of course a wide variety (and continually windening) of beers, wines, and other refreshments.

The Ritual emphasizes local fare, and this extends to their list of beers from San Diego breweries (like Ale Smith and Ballast Point). The wine list is also nice, though doesn't currently feature California wines. They even serve Mexican Coca-cola for being made closer to San Diego and featuring real can sugar!

The final note: Don't miss dessert! At the Ritual they truly serve the best for last (and it starts off pretty damn good). The strawberry shortcake is truly shortcake, and it is divine. The buttery cake crumbles in your mouth and pairs perfectly with the gelato they serve. The bread pudding is delectable, with a bourbon caramel sauce that takes it to another level compared to most bread puddings.

Ritual Tavern
4095 30th Street
San Diego, CA 92104
619-283-1618
http://www.ritualtavern.com/

SipZ

SipZ (stress the "Z"), is a vegetarian Asian-fusion restaurant in Kearny Mesa. The dishes are affordable, usually just under $10 for a full size entree, and they serve up a range os Asian dishes from sushi to curry to noodles to salads. They offer a number of "faux meat" dishes.

The sushi is very tasty, though the flavors of the different rolls don't seem to vary greatly. I love the wonton soup, mostly be cause it is nearly impossible to find vege wonton soup anywhere! You can't go wrong wit ha noodle dish in taste, but they can be a little greasy.

I took my boss and a couple colleagues there a few weeks ago, all of whom eat meat, and they were all impressed by the dishes! This from a group of men with whom the conversation focused on the last hunting trip one of them had taken! And he even got Boba Tea, to boot!

Two Locations:

5501 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117
858-279-3747

9450 #114A Scranton Rd
San Diego, CA 92121
858-457-1103

www.SipZ.com

Stone Brewery

Chocolate and Beer Pairing
Monday, July 9th, 2007

Last Monday I attended the Chocolate and Beer Pairing event at Stone Brewery. I have been meaning to get up there for some time, to tour the brewery. It took a night of chocolate to actually get me to act on that thought...!

None the less, the event was fantastic. Each "pair" was introduced by the representatives of Stone and Chuao.

The CEO of Stone Brewery is well-spoken, clearly excited about beer and thoroughly knoweldgeable (he better be!). Not to mention, he's pretty darn cute!

The woman representing Chuao was a little less confident in her public speaking skills, and it showed. She didn't speak clearly about the qualities of the chocolates, instead ending all the choco-introductions with one-liners.

Here are the pairings we tried:

Stone Pale Ale with Melao salt butter caramel in milk chocolate.
Stone Smoked Porter with Candela macadamia praline in dark chocolate.
Stone IPA with Cinco de Mayo lemon tequila ganache in dark chocolate.
Arrogant Bastard Ale with Caracas dark bar with nuts.
Stone Ruination IPA with Picante spicy caramel.
Stone Vertical Epic Ale with Cardamon ganache dark chocolate.

The Picante Pair was my favorite (and it won by loudness of applause), and the Melao was my second fave (though by applause I think it was Cinco de Mayo, which was also a very good pair).

Interestingly, the pairings were created primarily for similarities in flavors, which surprised me. I would have guessed a more balancing approach, with the yin-yang thing going on. For example, the Stone IPA was very citrus-y, and they paired it with a very lemony caramel chocolate. They referred to this effect as "the flavor lock." I guess they know what they're doing because they really did go well together.

I am looking forward to many more adventures in beer in the future.

Dolci Mango

Dolci Mango is a new frozen yogurt shop in Pacific Beach, on Garnet Avenue. I was walking by the other day, actually thinking I would get myself a soft serve ice cream, because it's summer. The cute girls working there convinced me to try a free sample, and the free sample convinced me to get a frozen yogurt instead of an ice cream.

The most amazing thing about Dolci Mango's frozen yogurt is that it really tastes like yogurt. Most frozen yogurt is either bland or super-sweet tasting. This yogurt has a nice creamy tang to it, just like a good yogurt.

They only have two options for flavors of yogurt: plain and green tea. But then they have a whole bar of toppings you can choose from. They have fresh fruit, candy, crunchy stuff like cereal (including Captain Crunch). You pay per topping, or you can get 3 or more for the price of three.

The girls convinced me to get some fresh mango on top, and it was also really good, although the yogurt was so good that I liked it better plain. So I just ate the mango off the top and then ate the plain yogurt.

I will definitely be going back.

UPDATE:
Dolci Mangoe now typically has 4 flavors: Plain, Green Tea, Acai or Pomegranate, and Peanut Butter or Mango. It is true that Dolci Mango has some of the best plain fro-yo in San Diego. However, as reported in other yogurt reviews, it is still not good enough to justify the difference in price. Also, the experience is a let down compared to the self serve locations.

Dolci Mango
1420 Garnet Ave
(between Gresham St & Haines St)
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 483-6265

School of Healing Arts - Massage in PB

The School of Healing Arts Massage School is located on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. However, it is not to be confused with IPSB, which is also located on Garnet Avenue. The School of Healing Arts is in an upstairs office building.

A massage with a student practitioner is $39. However, I have to say that massage with the students here, in my experience, have been disappointing. They usually seem to want to talk to you and ask you all kinds of questions about you and your life. That's nice and all, but not during a massage. They also seem less sure of themselves than the students at IPSB, and less skilled.

So, if you are looking for a cheap massage, this school can offer it, but be warned that it still might not be worth it. However, if you do want to give them a chance, I can offer the same advice that I offer for any massage.

The secret is good communication; express your concerns before the session starts. Even during massage be sure to speak up if you would like lighter or harder pressure.

Some things to think about if you aren't familiar with massage:
Do you tend to get cold easily? Ask for a blanket.
Do you think you would like stretching during the massage? Yes or no, express this.
Are you stressed out?
Do you have sore muscles or joints?
Do you want your head massaged at the end?
Should the masseus avoid any areas, such as the stomach?

And, in this case: Let them know if you want to have massage without small talk!

School of Healing Arts
1001 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 581-9429
(858) 490-2560
(858) 581-9460

IPSB Massage in PB

The International Professional School of Body Work in Pacific Beach offers massage seven days a week. You can choose either a student ($45) or a professional ($60). You get a full hour of massage (not 50 minutes like most places).

The setting is relaxing and professional. You enter at the front desk, where the receptionist greets you; they are typically friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.

The students are fair to good in their massage skills. I can't remember a bad massage I've ever had at IPSB, but sometimes the students are just mediocre. However, the professionals offer consistently good massage, for just small difference in price.

There are no extra amenities, like shower or spa facilities, but they have necessities for a great massage. There is a lobby, which also sells some massage supplies and even some clothes and crystals and other items. There is also a lounge for discussion after the massage with your practitioner. They have water and tea and cookies.

The practitioners are trained in a variety of styles, and most can offer several different types of massage. The secret is good communication. If you tend to zone out during massage, as I do, then it is key to express your concerns before the session starts. Even during massage be sure to speak up if you would like lighter or harder pressure - even if it means pulling yourself out of a semi-conscious state. Improving the massage is worth waking up for a moment!

Some things to think about if you aren't familiar with massage:
Do you tend to get cold easily? Ask for a blanket.
Do you think you would like stretching during the massage? Yes or no, express this.
Are you stressed out?
Do you have sore muscles or joints?
Do you want your head massaged at the end?
Should the masseuse avoid any areas, such as the stomach?


IPSB Massage Training Center
1414 Garnet Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: 858-490-1154
Open Seven days a week.
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
A full hour massage
$45 to $ 60

Toby Wells YMCA in Kearny Mesa

The Toby Wells branch of the YMCA is part of the San Diego YMCA, which includes the Mission Valley location and the Hazard Center Annex, as well as the Downtown YMCA. Yes, that's right, these are all under one membership!

The Toby Wells YMCA is located in Kearny Mesa, and for many people it is quite out of the way. But if you work in the area it can be a very convenient location for getting in a workout or class. (I would have said "if you live or work in the area," but who lives in Kearny Mesa?)

It is clear that this location caters to the working world of Kearny Mesa. For example, they offer 45 lunch time workout classes Monday through Friday! They have 45 minutes pilates classes Monday through Thursday, and they have 45 minute yoga Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They also have some one-hour yoga classes, though if you only have an hour for lunch the 45 minute classes are already a tight squeeze.

They are also located next to "San Diego Spectrum," a generally generic strip mall, but worth noting because they have some (sort of) healthy lunch options like "Robeks" cafe and juice bar.

Toby Wells YMCA also has a pool, a hot tub, regular exercise equipment (you know cardio machines and weight machines, if you're into those things), and of course fully equipped locker rooms. They also offer childcare for up to two hours while working out, and full daycare facilities. Worth checking out if it suites your location!

Toby Wells YMCA
5105 Overland Ave.
Tel: (858) 496-9622

Hours of Operation
Mon. - Fri. 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m

Kid's Place Sitting Service:
Mon. - Fri.
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Mount Soledad


Mount Soledad is the highest peak of coastal San Diego. Mount Cowles is a little higher, but it's halfway to El Cajon.

Of course you have probably heard of the Mount Soledad cross, it seems to get more attention these days than the park itself.

Still, even in the shadow of the cross and this tedious on-going battle, the park is s beautiful palce to watch the sunrise or sunset, or even to catch some fourth of July fireworks (if you get there early enough). http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

It is a popular desitation for bike riders, riding up the steep hill is a great work out, and riding down is terrible fun.

Mount Soledad is on the highest point in between Pacific Beach and La Jolla.

Kate Sessions Park

On the northern edge of Pacific Beach, as you climb the hill towards Mount Soledad, hides Kate Sessions Park. This park is not that big, but is pleasant and beautiful, with sweeping views of San Diego's downtown, bay, and ocean.

There is a big grassy hill, a path around the edge that measures about half a mile. On the north side there is a children's play area with swings, slides, and monkey bars, as well as fort-like structures and picnic tables. There is a nice flat grassy area there as well, hwere you can almost always find people playing ultimate frisbee.

Behind the park is a maze of trails that are close to home, if you live in PB. The trails are nice, truly off-road trails, hidden away from the neighborhoods that surround them.

Of course, it is always living in the shadow of Mount Soledad, where you can see downtown, the bay, the ocean, and La Jolla.

Kate Sessions Park is on Soledad Road, the entrance about three blocks north of Beryl Street.

Wine Steals

Wine Steals is located on the eastern edge of Hillcrest, as the area begins to morph into North Park. On University Avenue, a few blocks west of Park Avenue, Wine Steals is a wine bar that also offers wine tastings and an array of tapas style food items. Glasses range from about $5-7.

Wine Steals is typically pretty crowded. They are going for a very European approach to drinking and dining. Many tables are large enough for multiple parties (depending on size, of course), and the wine bottles, which are also for sale, are the primary decor.

You order your drinks and food at the bar, take a number, and they bring it out you. The bartenders are typically quite knowledgeable, and they have a good selection of wines to choose from. The bartenders are friendly and will offer suggestions, even take your wine back if you aren't satisfied.

Yet for all their good efforts to be European, I think they have fallen short of what they strive for. The music is a bit too loud, the crowds a little too rambunctious. While the wines are quite delicious, the bread is a little stale, the cheeses nothing to write home about. Of course there are plenty of bars in Europe that have only mediocre food, but there is something more subtle than that. I suppose the best way to state it is to say it is slightly less civilized.

That's not to say it is a bad place. I would certainly return; it's just a matter of adjusting your expectations. It's an American Wine Bar, not European, and not Wine Tasting.


Wine Steals
1243 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 295-1188

Hours
Mon 4-10 pm;
Tue-Wed 2-10:30 pm;
Thu 2-11 pm;
Fri 2 pm-midnight;
Sat 11 am-midnight;
Sun 2 pm-9:30 pm

Hillcrest Cinemas

Located in the heart of Hillcrest, in the shopping center between University Avenue, Washington Street, 5th Street, and 6th Street, Hillcrest Cinemas is a great urban movie theatre showing independent films. It is part of the Landmark Theatres, the nation's largest theatre chain dedicated primarily to exhibiting and marketing independent film.

There are five screens. The seats are just your normal theatre seats (not the big cushy ones), but they are in good condition and have drink holders. They typically show all the well-known indie films, as well as others that aren't getting as much publicity; they typically have a good offering.

Along with a great array of indepedent and foreign films, the Hillcrest Cinema snack bar is a step up from your normal theatre. They serve hot teas and espresso drinks, chocolate bonbons, Italian sodas, vege dogs, and various other alternative snacks. Generally their food products a higher quality than your normal theatre.

To see a list of currently showing films click here.

Hillcrest Cinemas
3965 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 819-0236

Lopez Park near Penasquitos Canyon


Lopez Park is located on Calle Cristobal in Mira Mesa. This park overlooks Lopez Canyon, which is a tributary to Penasquitos Canyon in Mira Mesa. As you drive by, it at first seems like a generic suburban park, and in many ways it is. There is a baseball field, a small playground, friendly families, park benches and tables, a small recreation center facility, and lots of SUVs in the parking lot. But if you take a moment to stop at Lopez Park, you will find it offers more than meets the eye.

In addition to the facilities you notice immediately, there is a paved walkway around the perimeter of the park, which has a trail par course with four stops around the park. You can add pull ups, push ups, bar hops, walking with your hands, gymnastics rings, sit ups, and many other exercises to your lap or laps around the park.

Also, the park expands to the edge of a small plateau, and from there you have a great view down into Lopez Canyon, a beautiful preserve that is part of the Penasquitos Park system. Though there are housing developments around the plateau (and across the plateau on the other side as well), it is lovely to see everything in between still growing wild.

The very perimeter of the park is maintained flower beds, but with an emphasis on native plants. This creates a beautiful transition to the wild lands just on the other side of the fence that spill into the canyon. Instead of looking contrasted against artificially green landscaping, the landscaping highlights the natural beauty of the region, even if this means it gets dry in the summer. The wildflowers and native vegetation are beautiful, and the park service gives them just a little more water than nature to keep the edge of the park look fresh, even though beyond the edge it might be extremely dry. This is the perfect combination of tended and wild.

Overall, the park is a delightful surprise in the depths of suburbia, but not worth going out of your way for. Located on the south side of Sorrento Valley Blvd / Calle Cristobal, about halfway between Caminos Ruiz and Santa Fe.

Pokez

Pokez Mexican and Vegetarian food is located in downtown San Diego. They are on the corner of 10th and E, and if you take 163 south it will turn into 10th and shoot you out past Pokez.

Pokez offers all the traditional Mexican dishes, but without the lard. They also offer a wide array of vegetarian style Mexican dishes, like their tortilla soup (sans chicken) - not to miss! The menu headlines are pretty standard: tortas, tostadas, soups, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, salads, sides, combos. But every heading offers seemingly endless possible combinations: Shrimp, Mahi Mahi, Jack or Cheddar Cheese, Bean, Potato, Tofu, Mushroom, Beef, Chicken, Corn, Carne or Pollo Asada, Mixed Veggie, tofu, vegan chorizo... You get the idea.

The atmosphere is nothing remarkable. It's an old diner converted into hipster style Mexican decor. But yet it suits the vibe of the place just perfectly: kind of grass-roots punk rock with a twist of granola healthy.

Perhaps best of all, you can enjoy a healthy, hearty, delicious, fresh, and high quality meal for an affordable price. You can stuff yourself silly for under $10.

Pokez
Mexican Restaurant and Vegetarian Cuisine
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm • Sat: 9am-7pm • Sun: 9am-7pm
947 ‘E’ Street, Downtown, San Diego, California
619-702-7160

San Diego Bay

San Francisco isn't the only "Bay Area" in California. San Diego boasts a Big Bay of its own, from the northern most Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument to the southern most Imperial Beach, the Coronado "Island" and Silver Strand make a bay that extends from the heart of San Diego's downtown in both directions.

At the north end, visit the Cabrillo National Monument to explore tide pools and learn about the early explorers and European settlers of San Diego. Point Loma offers fantastic views along the coast and the bay, and driving through these neighborhoods is a great way to see some of San Diego's best old architecture.

From Shelter Island you can take a deep sea fishing trip along the California coast or in Mexican waters. And of course there is the America's Cup Harbor, as well as parks, marinas, restaurants and hotels, like the famous Humphrey's By the Bay, which is always showing great musicians.

Spanish Landing Park offers open space right on the marinas of Harbor Island, as well as beautiful pavilions and art. Harbor Island boasts its own hotels, marinas, restaurants, and park space, as well as great views of the Bay.

On Harbor Drive you head towards downtown and can find the Maritime Museum and the Star of India, a San Diego "land" mark from the 1860s, which still sails once a year. Along this stretch you find the "Urban Trees" public art exhibition.

Keep going to reach Seaport Village, with shopping and street performers. Right next door is the San Diego Convention Center, which is always hosting some event or another. Check it out to see if it is something you might be interested in! From here you are just steps away from downtown's historic gaslamp quarter and all the restaurants, shopping, and nightlife it hosts.

At the southern end you reach National City, Chula Vista, and Imperial Beach, all three offer their own take on dining and shopping, each with their own downtown. These three cities also boast historic buildings and unique histories, with many museums and home tours.

Lei Lounge

The Lei Lounge in University Heights is a trendy new spot for drinks and tapas-style dinners. The setting is beautiful, with semi-private booths throughout an open air patio style establishment. In other words, basically the whole lounge is outdoors.

Their specialty is mixed drinks, with interesting, though trendy, drink specials like pomegranate martinis, blueberry martinis, and other sweet and fruity and tropical drinks. Their drinks are good, but they cost $7 and do NOT use top shelf liquor. Still, worth going in for a drink or two to enjoy the atmosphere.

The food menu is quite good, with an emphasis on seafood and traditional American dishes wit ha trendy flair. They serve seasoned sweet potato fries with balsamic vinegar, miniature kobe beef hamburgers, wasabi mashed potatoes, and crab anything-you-can-imagine. Like the drinks, the food is good, but not as great as the price implies. Also, you will receive much better service if you are a gay male, than if you are straight and/or female.

Overall, I'd say it is fun to check out, but not a place where I'd become a regular.

Lei Lounge is open 5-10pm daily. Plus they are open for brunch on Sundays. I was going to look up the times for that, but the website took so long I closed it out.

I don't recommend visiting their website; it is incredibly slow and frustrating. They have a bunch of lame pictures in the background that move, and their interface is difficult to use (like little "feathers" you have to click to scroll the menu up and down inside the browser window, instead of just scrolling the actual browser widow).

Lei Lounge
4622 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA
619-813-2272
www.leilounge.com

Artist Susie Reneau


Susie Reneau is an artist, who lives and works in La Jolla, California. She creates beautiful art using silk screen, as well as drawings and paintings. Her work is playful and enlightening, using animals and bright colors to demonstrate the feelings of peace and happiness that associate her work. She uses quotes in much of her work and has successfully created additional commodities from her original artwork by reproducing it in larger quantities, making postcards and other more ephemeral items. She also makes an annual calendar, largely by hand.

Images that recur in her work include penguins, cats, tea cups, and many other critters. Pigs, unicorns, and butterflies are also important players. She chooses quotes from the inspirational to the silly, and everything in between, addressing such issues that all of face in life: birth, death, nature, shopping, chocolate, friendship, and so many more.

You can buy her work in San Diego at Studio Maureen in South park.

Susie Reneau
PO Box 2488
La Jolla, CA 92038

Mission Beach Boardwalk

The Boardwalk in Mission Beach is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon. The entire boardwalk stretches for three miles from Law Street at the north end of Pacific beach, all the way down to the jetty in Mission Beach, just across the channel from Ocean Beach. The boardwalk goes officially by the name "Ocean Boulevard" and many locations acutally use that as their address.

Along the entire boardwalk you will find restaurants, shopping, and sunny spots. In Mission Beach, especially, you will find, of course, the MB Roller coaster. This is a classic San Diego landmark, and has been around for decades. The surrounding area is now a developed "mall" with an emphasis on entertainment: There are other rides, as well as arcades and carnival type games. In other words, there are plenty of places to waste money. There are also tourist trap shops selling t-shirts with bikini bods, naked butts, USA, San Diego, and dead starfish and seahorses, among other items to waste even more money on.

There is Canes, which is a bad restaurant, but which has good concerts in the evenings. They have a deck with a fun view, looking down on the people meandering the boardwalk. Then there is Hamel's, a resource for renting all kinds of boards and blades. And of course you can also find a plethora of bars, pizza joints, and ice cream vendors, as well as strange characters riding on boards, blades, and choppers.


Mission Beach has been recently renovated, most especially notable are the surrounding houses. Check out the admirable architecture. It is mostly modern in style, which doesn't appeal to all, but it is certainly but well-done.

Head to the south end to watch the volley players and enjoy the scenery. At the end, you will find the jetty which offers a dangerous adventure if you walk out to the end. Plenty of people do it, but it can be very slippery.

Pacific Beach Boardwalk


The Boardwalk in Pacific Beach is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon. The entire boardwalk stretches for three miles from Law Street at the north end of Pacific beach, all the way down to the jetty in Mission Beach, just across the channel from Ocean Beach. The boardwalk goes officially by the name "Ocean Boulevard" and many locations actually use that as their address.

Along the entire boardwalk you will find restaurants, shopping, and sunny spots. In Pacific Beach you will find, specifically, new swanky places like the bar, hotel, and restaurant at the end of Felspar. You will also find such standbys as Kono's breakfast joint (@ Garnet), where you get greasy eggs, potatoes, and bacon from early morning to midday. This is right across from the Crystal Pier, and the Crystal Pier Hotel, floating above the water.

Then there is the PB Hostel, where there is always a random mix of travelers, young and old, all looking to get very drunk at any given moment. And of course there is the coffee chop and bakery that is always changing names, but which I will always know as the Mission (just south of Grand). This is a great palce to sip a latte or munch a muffin and watch the passer-bys.

Speaking of which, this is probably the best pastime of the PB boardwalk - people watching. Grab a spot along the seawall, lay out a towel by the volleyball nets, or choose a table or chair at a cafe or restaurant right along the sidewalk, and settle in to watch a wide array of partiers, families, and random people. There is the guy who roller blades in slow motion, the roller blader who wears a speedo decorated for the nearest holiday (although he hasn't been around lately), and all the other funny characters. Enjoy the show!

The Green Tea House Cafe

The Green Tea House Cafe in Kearny Mesa is one of my favorite boba tea shops in town. Word on the street is that they were sold about a year ago, shortly after the Tapioca Express went in three shops down from the Green Tea House Cafe in the same complex. (This is very poor management by the complex owners, IMHO.) I tried the Tapioca Express once, and Green Tea House is way better. it is much more natural tasting (though not sure if any boba is really all that natural...)

The Green Tea House sometimes has DJs or other events on the weekends and in the evenings. I could take or leave these events; I just go for the boba. What I love is that they have a great selection of flavors (tremendous, really). You can get green, black or mixed boba and with or without milk (actually non-dairy creamer, as is standard at boba tea shops). My favorites are the flower teas, like jasmine green or rose black, with milk.

The Green Tea House Cafe
4646 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 715-9500

Balboa Park Japanese Gardens


The Japanese Gardens in Balboa park are located just north of the giant outdoor organ (the largest out door organ in the country, by the way). The gardens require a modest fee to enter, and it is worth, but probably only one time. I wish I could say that the gardens are a spectacular place to while away an entire day or afternoon, but the truth is they are only mediocre. They have coy ponds and interesting buildings, but they just lack that special “kabang” that makes you want to return over and over again.

However, in one of the pagoda buildings they have rotating exhibits. These can be anything from uninteresting to quite extraordinary. I saw a beautiful exhibit of Japanese calligraphy there once, fro ma calligraphy master who was there himself speaking about his work. That was a special experience.

Also, they have a nice teashop. It is, again, not the most mind-boggling tea shop. They don’t have the largest selection, not he most peaceful scenery, but it is a nice place for a cup of tea on lazy afternoon in Balboa Park. And if the exhibit in the garden sounds interesting, it’s worth going in again.

Balboa Park Sculpture Garden


The Balboa Park Sculpture Garden is a hidden treat in the cultural haven of Balboa Park. Everyone knows about Balboa Park – the museums, the gardens, the Prado, the zoo. But the Sculpture Garden is a well-kept secret.

If you look straight at the San Diego Museum of Art, which is by the large water fountain at the west end of the Prado (pedestrian walkway), the Sculpture Garden is to your left. There is also a Water’s Café to your left. This is a delightful café to get a bite to eat with delicious, fresh food. It is run by Water’s Catering Company, a favorite food place in San Diego. You simply go by the Water’s Café cart, through the little dining area and out to grassy opening. There you will find the sculpture garden. Don’t be fooled into thinking that Water’s is a restaurant; it’s not, you are free to enter the covered area, and in fact it is the only access way to the Sculpture Garden.

Once you are in the Sculpture Garden give yourself some time to play. Take some pictures. These modern sculptures are great to let your imagination play with. The Old Globe Theatre looms behind them, contrasting in style and creating a wonderful backdrop. You may even like to bring a picnic, or buy something at Water’s Café to enjoy in the sun among the sculptures.

Add this stop to your next day in Balboa Park. It won’t take up a full day, but it can add a special stop to the other, more well-known attractions of Balboa Park.

Going Native Resources

Thinking about doing some gardening? There are a lot of factors in choosing to garden, including if you have the time to maintain the garden, what kinds of plants you will put in, how much time and money you want to put in, and how you will maintain it. For a beautiful garden that requires very little maintenance, and saves you big bucks in water, think about going native!

Many choices for lawn and garden require massive amounts of water. One of the worst offenders is one of the most common: The grass lawn that we are so famous for in the USA. Native plants, on the other hand, are chosen for the specific clime they reside in, so they naturally use the amount of water available for the region.

Going native can also mean you won't have to amend the soil, because the plants are made for the soil where you are planting them! Again, that means saving money on fertilizers, and it also means you are preventing fertilizers from being washed into the water system (local rivers, lakes, and eventually bays and oceans), where they disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem causing disruptions in plant and animal life than can eventually leave entire areas dead.

Especially in arid or semi-arid climates, it is especially important to consider drought tolerant and low water using plants. And if you're going that far, then go ahead and look into natives. They help preserve the unique natural beauty of your corner of the world by giving native insects more terrain to live in and a wider selection of plants to pollinate. This also means you will be attracting native hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden when your native plants flower. Beauty attracts beauty!

Some resources in San Diego for going native:

Water Conservation Garden

San Diego Native Plant Society

Walter Andersen Nursery

Quail Botanical Gardens

Landscape Watering Calculator

Bella Tosca Day Spa

Bella Tosca Day Spa is part of the Town and Country Hotel, located in the heart of Mission Valley, between Fashion Valley Mall and Interstate 8. Upon arrival, it looks like nothing special, but the facilities are quite nice once inside. The Town and Country is a San Diego classic hotel, and has been around since Mission Valley really was a valley, and on the edge of both town and country.

Bella Tosca offers a full service hair and nail salon, and a complete day spa. After check-in, you are given slippers and a robe, a nice amenity not provided at some day spas. The locker rooms are separate for men and women, and have a dry sauna and a large hot tub, as well as multiple showers and a well stocked counter area. One down side is that the indoor hot tub makes the rest of the facilities smell strongly of chlorine. You can also use the workout facilities and attend classes if they have any running (but these are rare).

All the facilities are included with a spa treatment (but not a salon treatment). The price for day use is very reasonable, at only $25. Treatments are averagely priced for spa services, at about $100 for an hour.

Town and Country is particular good for groups, as they can accommodate many people within an hour or two hour time range, sometime most spas can not do. Everyone can use the sauna and hot tub as they wait for the group to complete their treatments. Be sure to schedule ahead.


500 Hotel Circle
San Diego, CA 92108
866-91Relax (866-917-3529)
www.bellatosca.com

Aqua Gardens Day Spa

The number of day spas in San Diego is fairly high, and it is rising. San Diego is finally becoming a sophisticated city. This means good news for people who like to live life well, and enjoy fine things, like good restaurants and spas. And it also means that more people will be bale to afford these things as more good restaurants and spas move to this city.

Aqua Gardens is a little over a year old, near the corner of 4th and Washington Street in Hillcrest. They do not have a parking lot, only street parking, so arrive early to ensure you find a spot on time. They will make change inside if you need it.

They offer a number of specials, the majority of them exclusively for first time customers. You can call to see what they are currently offering. I am a big proponent of using first-time customers specials (or any special discount). This means you can try a new place without a risk of feeling like you lost the money if the atmosphere or treatment wasn’t right for you. If it is right for you, then you can make a conscious choice to continue to invest the money to go there and receive treatments as part of your wellness plan.

Aqua Gardens offers a wet and dry sauna, and a pool, all available free of charge when you receive a treatment. You can also pay a day use fee to use these facilities without receiving a treament, though it is rather highly priced, though other treatments are average.

The staff is very friendly, and the owner is often at the reception desk. He is very willing to accommodate requests and even changes at much later dates than many spas. They use Young Living Essential Oils, a very high grade of essential oils. The bathroom is well stocked with plenty of towels and products. But there is only one, and it is the only changing room, which can be problematic if many others at the spa at the same time, though because it is a very small location you will often find yourself there a lone or with only a couple others. It is in a remodeled house, which also adds to the charm. They offer you tea or water when you arrive and depart. Overall it is a pleasant experience, though for me nothing extraordinary.

UPDATE: Aqua Gardens is no longer in business.

Locavore Resources

Here are some resources for dining locally and in season in San Diego.

Local Harvest offers lists of farmers and locally produced natural foods, available by USA zip code. A list of San Diego food producers is found here.

Slow Food is an international movement dedicated to preserving artisanal ways of growing and preparing food. San Diego has it's own chapter.

They also have a list of Slow Food Restaurants in San Diego, though I warn you that all it means is that the restaurant is a member (they don't all serve local produce, though many do).

Green Restaurant Certification offers certificates at various levels for being eco-friendly.

"The Well-Traveled Tomato," recent article in San Diego Reader, explores where our food comes from and where all it goes before it gets to our plate.

Be Wise Ranch


Be Wise Ranch, located in the Santa Fe Valley, just twenty miles north of San Diego, is a local source of organic and seasonal produce. Be Wise Ranch sells their produce locally at Jimbo's (Escondido, Carlsbad, Del Mar & 4S Ranch), Baron's (Rancho Bernardo & Point Loma), Cream of the Crop (Oceanside), and People's Food Coop (Ocean Beach).

If you want to get your hands on some on their mouth watering, sun-ripened produce, you can go to one of the stores listed abve. But here's the even better news: You can also sign up for their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program and get fresh vegetables and fruits delivered the day they are picked to a drop off location near your home or work. Locations include State College, North Park, Mission Hills, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, Ocean Beach/Pt. Loma, Pacific Beach, University City, Poway, Rancho Penasquitos, Scripps Ranch, Encinitas, Leucadia, Fallbrook, and Vista. You select the location that's most convenient for you.

And it just keeps getting better. Signing up for the CSA will actually save you money. The CSA puts you in direct contact with your local farmer, so you cut out the middle man, saving money every week. You can choose from a large or small box, and a weekly or bi-weekly pick up, so you get the amount of produce that works for you. Getting your box of veges is like having your birthday every week (or every other week): You get loads of delicious fresh food taht will make you so happy when you pull the produce out of the box. You will continually be amazed at how much you get for such a good price.

Check out he details and sign up at http://www.bewiseranch.com/csa.htm

Vegetarian Thai Restaurant in PB

Ivory Thai Cuisine in Pacific Beach has two locations, one on Garnet and one on Hornblend. Both offer all the usual Thai menu items, like Pad Thai, fresh spring rolls, Tom Yum soup, a variety of curry dishes, a plethora of noodle dishes, and much more. Both are inexpensive and tasty. Though they taste good, the quality of the ingredients is only average: dishes are typically rather oily. The lightest dishes are the soups, and because they feature more Asian vegetables and spices the ingredients seem to be fresher, too.

The locations are small and don't boast much ambiance, but the staff is very friendly and willing to accommodate most requests. They are especially kind to their senior patrons, always helping them into their chairs, etc.

The Hornblend location is soon converting into a vegetarian version of this typical Thai diner. (The Garnet location will retain full meat options). The emphasis will be on lighter, healthier fare, taking a corner standby up a notch. I look forward to trying the new presentation of this local standby. I hope the reincarnation of Thai will also emphasize a higher vegetable to noodle ratio.

Ivory Thai Cuisine
859 Hornblend St
San Diego, CA 92109
http://www.ivorythaicuisine.com/

San Diego Farmer's Markets

Taken Mostly from the San Diego Farm Bureau's Website

TUESDAY

Coronado - 2:30 to 6 p.m.
Old Ferry Landing at First St and B Ave
Manager: Mary Hillebrecht (760) 741-3763

Escondido - 2:30 to dark (effective Oct. 3)
Grand Ave between Broadway and Kalmia St
Manager: Debra Rosen (760) 745-8877
Website: www.downtownescondido.com/events/farmers_market

UCSD/La Jolla - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Sept thru June)
UCSD Price Center near the bookstore at Lyman Lane and
Library Walk
Manager: Bonnie Harmon or Christine Woolery (858) 534-4248
or via e-mail at bharmon@ucsd.edu

WEDNESDAY

Carlsbad - 2 to 5 p.m.
Roosevelt St between Grand Ave and Carlsbad Village Dr
Manager: Christy Johnson (760) 434-2553 Cell (760) 687-6453
or via e-mail at info@shopcarlsbadvillage.org
Website: www.shopcarlsbadvillage.org/events/farmersmarket.html

Ocean Beach - 4 to 7 p.m. (8 p.m. in summer)
4900 block of Newport Ave between Cable St and Bacon St
Manager: David Klaman (619) 279-0032

Temecula - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Promenade Mall accross from Edwards Theatres
Manager: Gayle Cunningham (760) 728-7343
or via e-mail at gcfarm123@aol.com
Website: www.temeculafarmersmarket.com

THURSDAY

Chula Vista - 3 to 6 p.m. (7 p.m. in summer)
Downtown Chula Vista at Center St and Third Ave
Manager: John Ward (619) 422-1982

Horton Square/San Diego - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Mar thru Oct)
Downtown San Diego at 225 Broadway and Broadway Circle
Manager: Mary Hillebrecht (760) 741-3763

North Park
Reopening Thursday, June 21, 2007
3 p.m. to sunset (Spring-Summer); 2 p.m.-dark (Fall-Winter)
CVS Pharmacy parking lot at University and 32nd streets
Manager: David Larson (619) 237-1632
or via email at drlinbaja@hotmail.com

Oceanside - 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Pier View Way between Coast Hwy and Ditmar St
Manager: Suzanne Bendixen (619) 440-5027

FRIDAY

Borrego Springs - 7 a.m. to noon (Nov thru May)
Christmas Circle Community Park at Christmas Circle and
Palm Canyon Dr
Manager: Erica Savage (760) 767-5555

Clairemont Mesa - 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Ray Kroc Middle School
5050 Conrad Stree
Clairemont Mesa and Highway 805
Manager: Susan G. Beach (858) 272-4267

La Mesa - 3 to 6 p.m.
8300 block of Allison Ave east of Spring St
Manager: Suzanne Bendixen (619) 440-5027

North Pacific Beach - 3 to 6 p.m. (7 p.m. Mar. thru Oct)
Corner of Cass St and Chalcedony
Manager: Ron LaChance (858) 272-7054

Rancho Bernardo - 9 a.m. to noon
Bernardo Winery parking lot at 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte
Manager: Mike Machor (760) 723-2469
or via email at rexranch@att.net

SATURDAY

Carlsbad - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Roosevelt St between Grand Ave and Carlsbad Village Dr
Manager: Christy Johnson (760) 434-2553
or via e-mail at info@shopcarlsbadvillage.org
Website: www.shopcarlsbadvillage.org/events/farmersmarket.html

Del Mar - 1 to 4 p.m
City hall parking lot at Camino Del Mar between 10th St and
11th St
Manager: Alan Usery (760) 727-1471

Pacific Beach - 8 a.m. to noon
Promenade Mall on Mission Blvd between Reed and Pacific
Beach Blvd
Manager: Mary Hillebrecht (760) 741-3763

Poway - 8 a.m to noon
Old Poway Park at Midland Rd and Temple
Manager: Suzanne Bendixen (619) 440-5027

Scripps Ranch - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School
10380 Spring Canyon Rd
Manager: Bev & Mike Cassity (858) 586-7933
Website: www.scrippsranchfarmersmarket.com

South Park - 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Corner of 30th & A Streetsl
Albert Einstein Academy playground
Manager: Darcy Young (858) 405-6086
Website: www.southparkmarket.com

Temecula - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Old Town Temecula at 6th and Front Street
Manager: Gayle Cunningham (760) 728-7343
or via e-mail at gcfarm123@aol.com
Website:www.temeculafarmersmarket.com

University City - 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Spreckels Elementary School
6033 Stadium Street, San Diego 92122
Manager: Mike Echavarry (619) 729-4333
or via e-mail at mike_echavarry@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.openairemarkets.com

Vista - 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.
City hall parking lot at Eucalyptus Ave and Escondido Ave
Manager: Margo Baughman (760) 726-8545
or via e-mail at baughman@tfb.com

SUNDAY

Hillcrest - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DMV parking lot at 3960 Normal St and Lincoln St
Manager: David Larson (619) 237-1632
or via e-mail at drlinbaja@hotmail.com

La Jolla - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
La Jolla Elementary School at Girard Ave and Genter
Manager: Darcy Young (858) 405-6086
or via e-mail at darcyyoung@verizon.net
Website: www.lajollamarket.com

Leucadia/Encinitas - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Paul Ecke Elementary at Union St and Vulcan St
Manager: Ron La Chance (858) 272-7054

Solana Beach - 2 to 5 p.m.
410 to 444 South Cedros Ave at Rosa St
Manager: Barry Koral (760) 631-0200 or (760) 455-1261

Third Avenue/San Diego - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Downtown San Diego at Third Ave and J St
Manager: David Klaman (619) 279-0032

Gourmet Tamales

Gourmet Tamales is a small family-run business based in Oceanside. They sell their tamales at farmer’s markets around San Diego, and even up into Orange County and LA. Their flavors include sweet corn and scallion (simple, but one of my favorites), spicy black bean (flavorful, but not really spicy), green mole and vegetables, feta and spinach, poblano and cheese, chile relleno (similar to the poblano), Tinga (spicy chicken), beef, and dessert tamales like pumpkin, apple-strawberry, and pineapple. This is not even half of their flavors.

They do not use lard; they make their masa with olive oil. They also use onion broth to make their masa, giving all their tamales a light and delicate flavor with a hint of sweetness that complements the savory flavors. Their dessert tamales, luckily, are not made with broth, but instead are made with apple juice, again adding flavor and sweetness.

The tamales run $7 for a pack of three, which adds up quickly but is well worth it. I always keep several flavors on hand in my freezer as they make a quick and delicious meal for about $2.50 that puts to shame anything you can get from the frozen department of the grocery store. You simply wrap your tamale in a wet paper towel and microwave up to 5 minutes. I emerges steaming hot and ready to eat. You can also steam your tamales if you are not in rush.

You can buy Gourmet Tamales at these farmer’s markets in San Diego County:

Sunday
Hillcrest
Encinitas
Solana Beach

Tuesday
Escondido

Wednesday
Ocean Beach

Thursday
Chula Vista

Friday
Rancho Bernardo

Saturday
Vista
Del Mar

Gourmet Tamales
760-402-0805

Where's the Cheese?

Upon my return from Spain, and after the delicious and decadent cheese adventure I had there, I decided to seek out San Diego cheese, or at least Southern California Cheese.

But alas! I have had a very hard time finding it. I have found cheese from Humbolt (Cypress Grove Chevre), and I have found cheese from Sonoma (Bellweather Farms Fromage Blanc), and I can find cheese from Spain and France and England and Holland, but in all my searching I could not find any San Diego Cheese. The cheeses above can be found at People's Co-op (www.obpeoplesfood.coop) or Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's has a good selection, too.

I have never seen San Diego cheese at the Hillcrest Farmer's Market, which is the largest farmer's market I have found in San Diego. Until Earth day 2007. For the first time I saw Southern California cheese. It wasn't from San Diego County, but it was from LA County, which is closer from Sonoma, which was all I could find until now.

Winchester Gouda is a farmhouse-style American Gouda made by Valerie and David Thomas in Winchester, California. And it is GOUD. I had never heard of "sharp" gouda before, but now I have. And I can buy it at the Hillcrest Farmer's Market.

I also enquired at my new favorite restaurant, Spread (www.spreadtherestaruant.com) about where they obtain their delivered-daily-fresh-cheese. They would only tell me the creamery doesn't sell to the public. But the owner of Spread did say "everyday more sophisticated people are moving to this town," and that means more sophisticated palates, which means when we reach a sophisticated critical mass, I will have the San Diego Cheese I am dreaming of.

Spread – revised


After my return to Spread the Restaurant for the first time in about a year, I am happy to report that changes have been made. Not that it wasn’t good to begin with (it was), but now it’s even better.

They have changed their serving style to be more in the tapas approach. Each dish is served individually, set in the middle of the table, and all diners try everything. The menu still changes daily, as the chef-owners shop for fresh produce to feature, as it is available and in season. The highlight of our night was the flowering herbs that were interspersed or sprinkled on top of almost every dish. Who doesn’t like to eat flowers? It’s what they serve in heaven, alongside the milk and honey.

We started with drinks, made with fresh squeezed juice and top shelf liquor. It was citrus season, so we had blood orange juice and oro blanco (AKA grapefruit) mixed with champagne and sweet potato vodka, respectively. Then we had a wilted spinach salad with an avocado vinaigrette and flowering herbs. Divine!

We then had a fresh, house made pasta with wild mushrooms and flowering herbs headlining. Third course was a potpie made with corn bread crouton as the crust, and again featuring wild mushroom and other in season vegetables. I don’t even like mushrooms, and this pie was amazing. For dessert, we had a creamed ricotta (delivered daily to Spread) with a caramelized fruit topping. It was simple, but it was out of this world!

The grand total for this 4-(small)-course meal with drinks: $35 a person (after tax and tip). You really can’t beat it. However, they did stop with their peanut butter samples, it seems. Still, I recommend going to Spread first chance you get for this divine and continually evolving restaurant.

Spread
2879 University Avenue
San Diego, California 92104
Tel. (619) 543-0406

Tuesday through Saturday evenings from 5:30pm-11pm
Sunday brunch 10am-3pm

Whole Foods La Jolla


Well, it’s not like they need the publicity, but I go there regularly, so I thought I’d write them up anyway. Whole Foods La Jolla is a great place for a quick meal. It’s not somewhere you’d go on a romantic date or anything, but they have a hot food bar, a cold food bar (including salad, of course), pizza, soups, sandwiches, drinks, snacks, and even produce! It is a pretty normal sized grocery store (for the United States… HUGE for the rest of the world), but the emphasis on prepared foods is much more than your average store. This is what makes it so good for a meal.

They have meat choices as well as vegetarian; they are healthy and wholesome, but not always good for you. I almost always get one of their soups, but I am a soup lover. I recommend their tomato soup – either of their tomato soups, to be exact. They have everything from a roasted tomato basil soup, which is very heart healthy, to their creamy tomato basil soup, which is a delicious artery clogger. They usually have some kind of chicken soup (like chicken noodle), and a bean based soup (like lentil or split pea). They don’t have anything too unusual, but they still never disappoint.

While I recommend Whole Foods for a meal, I do not suggest you do your regular shopping there. Their grocery prices are very high. If I did regular shopping there, I’d be able to eat one week out of the month. They have a great selection, and offer high quality products, but they are not a good value.

The parking lot is a nightmare- always overcrowded. And the whole mall is like that, so you can’t even head to the back of the lot because it’s full, too. I recommend going at non-peak hours (in other words avoiding the lunch rush and after-work rush). Also beware when you leave the parking lot; if you are going northbound in I5, you must exit form the far side of the mall and go north one block to La Jolla Village Drive. You can not access I5 northbound from Nobel.

Whole Foods Market
8825 Villa La Jolla Dr
La Jolla (San Diego!), CA 92037
(858) 642-6700

Torrey Pines State Park


Torry Pines State Park is one of the most beautiful vistas in San Diego. Nestled in between University of California San Diego on the north end of La Jolla (just to the park's south) and Del Mar just to the park's north, the park is well marked off of Pacific Coast Highway. This urban escape can't be closer to civilization, yet from the trails all you see is the rare Torrey Pine (native to this small stretch of coast) and the ocean.

Once on the trails you are guaranteed to see other hikers. Still, the trails are extensive, with lots of benches and decks jutting off the main trails throughout the park, so you can take a moment to step off the main routes and have a little (semi) privacy. None-the-less, the views are rewarding, the air crisp and fresh, and the scenery beautiful. The wildflowers bloom here in the spring and there are some interesting cactuses and land formations, like the eroded sand that makes beautiful patterns.

The trails total to about 7 or 8 miles, and you can loop around to create several different routes. From the parking lot you can hike up the road (or drive and start from the lot at the top), and take quite a few short loops to see maintained gardens with plants of interest marked, or you can venture out on the the larger loops that ascend and descend a couple of times. You can hike down to the beach from the top of the park. However, I don't recommend to start at the beach because unless there are crowds of people hiking you may not be able to find the entrance. I tried this once and ended up in a scary predicament climbing a eroding wall and endangering myself as well as breaking park rules and hiking off trail through sensitive habitat, both of which I could have done without.

On a clear day you will be able to watch gliders hanging from the clouds as the La Jolla glider port isn't too far away. From the far southern edge of the park you can also (unfortunately) see the Torrey Pines golf course, a glaring green against the natural subdued colors. Still, this park is a great city escape for an afternoon hike or all day escapade. I recommend bringing a picnic and hiking down to one of the benches on the cliffs for a day you won't want to end and view you won't forget.

Cowles Mountain



Cowles Mountain (or Mount Cowles) is a great San Diego hike, part of the larger Mission Trails Park. The Mount Cowles is a great urban escape, head east on I8, exit College Avenue and go north (away from San Diego State University). Follow the road as it curves and changes names until you reach Navajo, and turn right. This road curves through some cute (though suburban) neighborhoods until you reach Mount Cowles on your left. Keep a sharp look out for the entrance at the stoplight. The parking will be on your right as you make the left turn off Navajo.

From here, you start the hike. It's pretty much ascent and descent. The whole hike should take about one and a half to two hours, depending on how fast you go. Some people run the whole thing and complete it in under and hour. I'm not quite there yet. You are guaranteed to pass other hikers while you hike, no matter what time or what day. Still, the trails are fun and the hikers are friendly.

At the top you are rewarded with amazing views of San Diego County in all directions. On a clear day you can see well into Mexico. There is a back route that you can take all the way down into Santee, and another that emerges off of Navajo a little further east.

A more adventurous option is to go to Cowles at night, by the light of the full moon. This is a popular hike and even after dark you will encounter other hikers. A fun option to this great easy escape!

Spread

This North Park restaurant, located on University Avenue just west of 30th next door to the remodeled theater and across from Clare de Lunes.

This is one of the few locavore restaurants that is also vegetarian. They use eggs and dairy, but not meat. The decor seems to be in transition; it began as a funky pop place, with plastic chairs and flatware, and live DJs on the weekends, even during brunch. They seem to be moving towards something more classic modern, with large square (ceramic) plates that are used to make beautiful food displays.

The food is inspired and fresh, with their daily menu changing as the seasons change. I most recommend the breakfasts, with a few staples like spicy Thai omelettes and almond French toast, and specials like purple potato breakfast tacos. Whatever you order, they serve water fro ma pitcher filled to the brim with the seasons finest fruits and herbs, from watermelon and rose petals to rosemary and citrus.

Did I mention that peanut and other nut butters are their specialty? They actually started out as a gourmet peanut butter company, selling exclusively at farmers markets. Now they include these gourmet nut butters in many of their recipes, like the chili lime peanut butter that makes their omelette spicy and Thai. And the almond butter that makes their French toast nutty.

While you wait for your meal they usually bring out a sampler plate with a nibble of several different flavors of the nut butters to try while you wait. They are fun and delicious, and it's great marketing because I inevitably buy one before leaving.

The prices for the menu are average, though the nut butter are a bit inflated. Overall, it is a highly recommended find in San Diego locavore dining.

Spread: 2879 University Avenue • San Diego, California 92104 • Tel. (619) 543-0406.

Cafe Japengo

Japengo used to be the hot La Jolla singles spot for Thursday night. And luckily it is not anymore, because that means I can enjoy going an ANY night of the week without fear of running into throngs of hoity-toities.

This Asian restaurant with a Japanese emphasis is located beneath the Hyatt La Jolla, just between the University Town Center mall and Interstate 5. There is a valet parking lot and attendant at the door, or you can usually find street parking on the street before turning into the lot.

Ask for a booth, the screens that divide the booths make for an intimate dining experience. Up to 5 can fit in a booth – they’ll pull a chair up on the end if you ask.

Pretty much everything on the menu is good. The sushi rolls are worth experimenting with and the new head chef has been concocting some interesting delights, like salted steak filets.

But the best part about dinner at Japengo isn’t dinner at all. It’s dessert. They offer several dessert samplers, which I recommend for the un-initiated. The chocolate sin boasts an array of the chocolate dessert, including a few items not for ordering a la carte, like a chocolate dream shot – creamy ice cream with chocolate and Bailey's in an icy shot glass. The larger dessert sampler also includes delights unavailable to order on their own, like the root beer float served in a martini glass.

Of course if you want to focus in, the chocolate lava cake is hands down the best flour-less chocolate cake I’ve had ANYWHERE, and the small one on the sampler doesn’t quite get the texture right. The assorted brulees are also delish, as are the gelatos (though not quite as grandiose). I recommend the tawny port to accompany dessert, especially if you are having anything chocolate.

Cafe Japengo 8960 University Center Lane, San Diego, CA 92122 Tel. 858.450.3355

Asian Progressive Dinner - La Jolla

Join my virtual self for a suggested night of La Jolla dining, making the rounds to FOUR La Jolla/UTC area Asian restaurants.

4:30pm start with drinks ($8-15) at

Zenbu
7660 Fay Ave., Ste. 1 La Jolla, CA 92037

5:15pm Then we'll have appetizers ($10-20) at

Roponngi
875 Prospect St (Cross Street: Bishop Lane)

7:00pm For main dish ($8-15/roll), we'll head over to

Sushi on the Rock
7734 Girard Avenue


And we'll finish off with dessert ($10-20) at

8:30 Japengo
8960 University Center Lane (at La Jolla Village Dr)


I've included approximate prices for the course suggested at each restaurant. If you choose to go on any day between Sunday and Thursday, Zenbu will have happy hour starting when they open at 4:30 with certain drinks on special. Also, Asian tapas are on happy hour at Roppongi from 4-6, which is why there isn't much time alloted at Zenbu. I assume this will make those stops significantly less.

The evening is part known deliciousness, and part adventure. Zenbu looks like it has a great bar and specialty drink and sake selection, although its prices in general are outrageously expensive (make this one a happy hour, for sure!). Roppongi's Asian tapas look intriguing, though they tend to change their menu often. Sushi on the Rock I know has excellent sushi, with lots of interesting vegetarian options, and Japengo has the best dessert menu in San Diego.

Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market


Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market is a really long name for a grocery store, but perfect describes the store. “People’s” as it is often called in short, is located in Ocean Beach, (practically) on the corner of Sunset Cliffs and Voltaire. It’s is the “People’s” because it is a cooperative; it is member-owned and operated. They sell largely organic products, and it is primarily a food market.

People’s is the most beautiful, aesthetically pleasing grocery store I have EVER been to. It was not always this way. This is actually their third building, though the previous two were also in Ocean Beach, and the last one was literally on the same lot. I never saw the original store, but the second store was nothing special to look at, in fact it appeared a little run down. But excellent management had big visions and great planning, and they built the most recent store from the ground up.



The store has ambient, natural (sun!) lighting. The windows take advantage of the ocean breeze and can maintain a comfortable temperature year round without air conditioning. They have solar panels on the roof, and the lay out is really natural. The deli is located upstairs, and the seating goes around a balcony so you can look down into the store and watch people pour over soymilk for hours.

L Street Fine Art

The L Street Fine Art Gallery is located in the downtown gaslamp district. This gallery exhibits some of San Diego's finest artists, and pairs unlikely artists together creating breath taking interplay between works that may not have ever met otherwise, but seem like they were created to be together in this space.

Currently, the exhibit Domestic Deviation joins established San Diego artist Ernest Silva with up-and-coming artist May-Ling Martinez. This exhibit runs March 3rd through May 21st 2007. This is the third exhibition of the 2006-2007 San Diego Art Prize, which "is given annually to three established artists and three emerging artists who have exhibited outstanding achievement in the field of visual arts."

The space is surprising. In the shadow of the Omni hotel, this tiny space seems to expand as you go inside. The wall is entirely glass, and the art is exhibited along the interior wall, in visible view from the patio and L street.

I highly recommend this gallery at any time, but especially during this exhibit.

L Street Gallery
www.lstreetfineart.com
628 L Street 92101

SD Art Prize
www.sandiegoartist.com

Café 1134 in Coronado

Café 1134 is located in the heart of Coronado, just a couple blocks away from the famous Hotel del Coronado. When you are taking a day or afternoon to explore this delightful San Diego community, I recommend a pause at this delightful café. Don’t fall into the tourist traps: The Hotel is lovely, and you might like to have a drink at a beach bar and enjoy the view, but only one! Because everything at the hotel is outrageously overpriced. Nurse along one tea or beer, but when you actually want to eat something, head down Orange avenue.

The menu is fairly extensive for a café, but definitely not moving into the restaurant category. They have sandwiches, pastas, breakfasts, pastries, and desserts. They also have a full coffee bar selection, with all matters of lattes, espressos, and the like, as well as hot chocolates, teas, and iced drinks as well. Don’t be fooled by the boxes of tea bags on the shelf; they café has an extensive selection of loose-leafed teas behind the counter, just out of sight.

The staff is fast and efficient; they are friendly, but more focused on the job at hand, which is great! When I was there, there were several people in line in front of me, and the line could have easily taken ten or more minutes to move, but the two baristas moved us along in just a few minutes, and I was very pleased.

Formerly a sister restaurant to Café 976 in Pacific Beach, the Café 1134 in Coronado still has a similar vibe to the beach café. However, some differences also exist. While the appearances are similar, Café 1134 offers only a few tables outside, with no garden surrounds. Still, it pulls off the more urban vibe as you watch the people (mostly tourists) wander around on Orange Ave., the main drag of Coronado. It affords some interesting people-watching, provided the weather is nice.

Coronado Historical Association

The Coronado Historical Association is located on Orange Avenue on Coronado Island, just a few blocks away from the famous Hotel del Coronado. The Coronado Historical Association can really bring a visitor a great deal of information regarding the interesting history of Coronado. They offer historical walking tours on a daily basis that point out many of the historical buildings in the center of Coronado. These cost about $10, depening on the tour, and cover a variety of themes from the history of Coronado to the Hotel del Coronado to the trees on the island. You can also purchase tickets to all teh major attractions in San Diego: the Zoo, Sea World, you name it!

The association is housed in an historical building (naturally!). There is a gift shop with some a unexpected surprises, including darling cards by artists. The artists are not local, which I think is a shame, but the gifts cards are adorable and some are very funny. They also offer charming collection of memorabelia as well as some typical trinkets and souveniers.

The Coronado Historical Association also offers a free art and history exhibit in the building. There is a permanent exhibit about Coronado’s history, but there is also a rotating exhibit that offers a broader context, though also relating back to Coronado, at least tangentially. The rotating exhibit has shown a photo exhibit of Marilyn Monroe, who filmed “Some Like it Hot” at the Hotel del Coronado.

Other exhibits include a history of the island itself, from the days as a grass patch where people hunted jackrabbits, to the purchase of the entire island in the late 1880’s for $110,000 by the developers of the Hotel del Coronado. There is also information about the military base there, and the history of women’s roles in the military. It is all very interesting.

The exhibit space is very small, but it allows visitors to spend quality time at each stop inside. Instead of whirling through, you could spend just a few minutes at each stop and really read and enjoy every portion, and still be done in an hour or so.

Coronado Historical Association
Coronado Visitor Center
1100 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
619-437-8788