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.