The Other San Diego

2009-06-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

Some Local Restaurants serving Local Food
from San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project

NORTH

A.R. Valentien Chef Jeff Jackson brings more than 30 years experience to A.R. Valentien, the restaurant at the five-star hotel, The Lodge at Torrey Pines. His cooking is market driven and seasonally influenced, largely because of his use of locally farmed and produced food.
11480 North Torrey Pines Road

Stone Brewing Co. Co-founders Greg Koch and Steve Wagner endeavor to use as much in-season, locally and organically grown produce as possible, not just because they believe in the very simple principles of freshness and sustainability, but also because fresh, local and organic tastes better.
1999 Citracado Parkway

Michele Coulon Dessertier They take pride in creating spectacular wedding cakes and desserts that are both applealing to the eye and tantalizing to the taste. All of their cakes are baked from scratch using only the finest natural ingredients, many of them from local farms.
7556 Fay Ave # D

COASTAL

Ocean Beach People's Food Co-op San Diego's only organic food cooperative has been providing healthy food choices for over 30 years, including locally grown organic produce. The deli upstairs in their beautiful green building serves the freshest organic soups, salads, savory main dishes and plenty of sides, many featuring locally grown ingredients.
4765 Voltaire St

Roots Kind Food in Ocean Beach (not associated with San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project) is commited to providing beautifully prepared, superb healthful vegetarian food that includes food prepared from local and organic ingredients.
4976 Newport Ave

DOWNTOWN & SURROUNDS

Modus a casually sophisticated Supperclub, MODUS features a sleek, seductive setting, exceptional wines, serious cocktails and organic, modern european cuisine.
2202 4th Ave

JSix Restaurant Chef Christian Graves' menu features Coastal California cuisine, showcasing fresh, innovative, seasonal foods inspired by the freshest of seafood flown in every day and the artisan produce and ingredients of nearby farms.
616 J St

The Linkery is a neighborhood restaurant in North Park featuring farm-specific all-natural meats, highlighting sustainable farming of heritage breeds; fresh produce, often organic, emphasizing independent farms in our region; our own house made fresh sausages and house cured meats like bacon, hams, and other charcuterie; world-class craft beers, including cask-conditioned ale always on handle; and fine wines from craft producers all over the world, including the city of San Diego.
3794 30th St

Sea Rocket Bistro is a new North Park restaurant serving local and sustainable seafood and other local foods, beers, and wines. Their menu changes as the fish come out of the water and as the vegetables are picked, so stop by and see what they're serving. They've got a menu that is updated occasionally on this website.
3382 30th St

Ritual Tavern is yet another North Park creation, serving gourmet, local pub-style food. They have lots of beers on tap (local and imported), and accompany this with local meat, vegetables, and lots of gluten-free options.
4095 30th St

Spread is a vegetarian restaurant serving local produce. They also make and sell gourmet peanut butters. Also located in North Park, this is one of the first restaurants serving local foods. They continue to excel.
2879 University Ave

2009-06-22T21:38:00.001-07:00

Sbicca

I went to Sbicca for the first time this evening. Located in the heart of Del Mar, and with a great website touting fresh California-American cuisine, I had expectations. The atmosphere was good: nice decor, friendly and attentive staff. However, I order the menu was very meat heavy (which I totally respect, but don't indulge in). Okay, fine, my choices are limited. I ordered one of several delicious sounding salads, an appetizer, an entree, and a glass of wine.

The bread came, which was tasty (though could have been warmed). The wine was absolutely delicious. However, the salad was a little too simple (could have made it at home), the appetizer was bland (frilled artichoke... no flavor, and the ranch-style dipping sauce was totally overpowering), and the main course was not very imaginative - eggplant, pepper, tomato, on pasta. It was much better after I added a bunch of extra cheese to it.

Now, I can't rate this place on their meat. Maybe their meat is good, maybe it is not. Regardless, everyone (meat eater or not) should be able to enjoy a good meal of fine vegetables. Unfortunately Sbicca can't provide this.

Instead, go for a glass of wine and enjoy the view.

Sbicca
215 15th St
Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 481-1001

2009-06-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

2009-04-14T00:36:00.000-07:00

Yogurtland

Ever since yogurt became the new starbucks, I have made it my mission to find the best yogurt shop in San Diego. Ladies and gentlemen, Yogurtland is it.

First of all, the self serve beats the behind the counter service any day. No more trying to explain exactly what proportion you want of each flavor. No more fearing you are annoying the lady behind the counter with your never ending requests. Nope. You just get your giant (and I mean giant) cup, and you fill it as little or as much as you want, with as many or few flavors as you want. And don't forget they have free little sample cups, so you can make sure you want it in the cup first.

Second, no one beats the price! At $0.30 an ounce, it is $0.08 cents an ounce cheaper than the closest competitor (Yogurtworld). This adds up. And there is no question that it beats out the behind the counter service again - you just never know if they are actually going to fill your cup for you! I hate it when they leave a big hole in the middle of your yogurt. And of course the toppings just count in the per ounce price, no rip off $1 or $2 additional per topping.

Third, the labels are well marked, easy to read, and accurate. There are at least a dozen flavors of yogurt, and twice as many toppings, including both "dry" and "fresh" toppings. The place is really clean, the walls, the tables, the toppings counter, everything.

The plain yogurt is a little sweeter and less yogurty than some of the higher end yogurt places, but it's not a big enough difference that those places can justify their price. And on top of the Yogurtland experience is much more fulfilling.

They have easily accessible nutritional info in the shop, and their website is easy to find and navigate. The sugar content is reasonable, and they contain live and active cultures.

Finally, the decor is awesome, with green subway tiles, and mod furniture. And they are open until midnight!!! Midnight, people! You can get your yogurt fix pretty much any time. Yogurtland is number one.

Yogurtland
855 Garnet Avenue
(between Bayard St & Mission Blvd)
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 581-1700
www.yogurt-land.com/

Hours:
Mon-Thu. 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.

2009-04-14T00:22:00.000-07:00

Yogurt World - Kearny Mesa

I have taken on a quest of discovering the best yogurt shop in San Diego. As part of this search, a friend told me that Yogurt World in Kearny Mesa is "The Original - the yogurt shop that started all yogurt shops in San Diego." I definitely had to check it out.

Upon walking in I was initially impressed - they had the full range of flavors, the yogurt was only $0.38 an ounce. I sampled the yogurts (they give free samples), and I made my decisions. Like most self serve yogurt shops, they have only large and huge sized cups. I was used to this, so it was no surprise. I filled my cup with flavors, and then I went to the toppings.

The toppings, to be frank, were a little nasty. They looked kind of old, and things were not clearly or consistently labeled. They did have a large wall of "dry" toppings, like granola, sprinkles, chocolate chips, dried coconut, etc, etc, etc. This looking moderately clean. However the "fresh" toppings, such as the fresh strawberries, bananas, canned pineapple, caramel sauces and such were all kind of brownish. The crushed up butterfingers kind of stuck together in clumps like it had gotten wet. The snickers crumbs had been dropped into the oreos.

I continued onward, and I paid the tab. It was reasonable. The yogurt was pretty tasty. I admired the shop. It was also a little run down, like the toppings. The walls were marred. It was clean enough, though.

The walls boasted all the health benefits of yogurt - clears up acne, improves digestions, and so forth. I inquired at the counter about the nutritional information; it was not available. They gave me a website. I looked it up; it didn't work. They gave me another website. I looked it up. It worked. However, I found out that not all their flavors are yogurt. Some are ice cream; some are custard. This doesn't bother me per se, except that because of the name of the store it is implied that all options are actually frozen yogurt.

The yogurts they sell are certified to contain live and active cultures. They are moderate in sugar content. Most are fat free or low fat (though the ice creams and custards are not).

I also noticed they have only one register, which I suspect is to create an artificial line. This is a southern California practice to manufacture the perception of extreme popularity, and it drives me bonkers.

Overall, this place was okay, but needs to be cleaned, to be better labeled, refreshed toppings, and a second register.

Yogurt World
4646 Convoy St
Ste 113
(between Dagget St & Opportunity Rd)
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 268-1688

Hours:
Mon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

2008-06-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

Fairouz Mediterannean Restaurant

Fairouz is located on Midway Drive, in the Sports Arena area of San Diego. From the outside, it is an unassuming little shop. I spied it the other day in the non-descript strip mall where it is located. It is random happenstance that I was over in that area and hungry, and thought an independently owned Mediterranean mini-restaurant might have a few vegetarian options.

When I walked in I was delighted by what I discovered. The sights and smalls were sensory pleasure. They had a large buffet prepared for dinner, with items clearly marked if they were vegan or vegetarian.

The walls were covered with art work using bright colors and sharp lines to depict scenes that captured happiness and intrigue: archway covered streets, styled geometric flowers, lovely faces, wild landscapes of fields and trees. Display cases presented in various cases around the restaurant also showcase a variety of jewelry, both imported and made locally. Other decor is somewhat random and not or particular interest, but the artwork is the real gem of the environs.

The house white wine came in a large and very full carafe, and it complimented the meal perfectly. The buffet had probably forty items, including Lebanese lentil soup, saffron rice that soaks up the vegetable and meat dishes delightfully, hummus, Greek salad, eggplant, green vegetables - both cooked and salad, a plethora of meat dishes including chicken, lamb, and beef.

After two very large plates, a bowl of soup, and a small plate of dessert, I ended the meal feeling stuffed fat and happy. My favorite dish was Mousaka - a delicious combination of baked tender eggplant, fresh mixed vegetables and tomato sauce, baked in casserole with topping of a special béchamel sauce.

Desserts included tapioca pudding, a rose water flavored dairy pudding, baked sweet puddings and cakes, small cookies, and halwa.

The restaurant is owned by a family who came here from Jordan by way of Kuwait. The two brothers run the restaurant, one of them is the painter whose artwork is displayed. The father used to make the jewelry, but had turned to importing it in his later years. The family was warm and gracious, with prompt service and kind words. They have been in business 25 years.

Price is mid-range and good value. The buffet was $12.99 per person. I highly recommend this delightful discovery.

3166 Midway Dr # 102-103
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 225-0308‎
alnashashibi.com

2008-05-07T20:46:00.001-07:00

eLiveLife Spa Promotion

I recently bought a package of spa treatments from a company called eLiveLife. They sell discounted spa treatments at farmers markets and booth fairs. I bought the promotions at a booth fair, as I do not support non-food products at farmers markets. I purchased the promotional coupons somewhat impulsively, after the booth attendant sold me hard, telling me that I could get four massages or spa treatments for only $100.

First of all, after I got home with the certificates I saw that every single one of them had a required "consultation fee" of $20. Right off the bat, the deal was essentially no longer a deal because the price went from $25 for a massage to $45 for a massage, and there are a number of professional massage clinics that offer rates in that ball park ($50-60), as well as massage schools that can meet or beat the $45 price. However, I thought I would go ahead and give the spas a try, figuring I would get a small discount off their regular price and try some new places.

My curiosity drove me to ask more questions as I began redeeming the promotional coupons, though, and I learned a number of sad facts about eLiveLife. First of all, at $25 per coupon, NONE of that money actually goes back to the spa or therapist. At a large spa it is not as much of a concern, because they spa has invested in that promotion and the therapists are still getting paid (although some cheapskates might skimp on a tip with a discount price).

However, many of the promotions were with individual massage therapists who get nothing from my initial $25. When I heard that I became inclined to tip more generously, as they are then not making very much money off the deal. So then my own deal went out the door, as I am up to or above my usual price of $60 after tip, as my total cost was now $65.

2008-04-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

Chesaray's Touch Massage

Chesaray's Touch is located on Balboa next to 24 Hour Fitness. This mini-spa has 9 rooms, and the massage therapists generally focus on deep tissue and sports massage. The waiting room is small, but the facilities are recently re-painted and decorated, which means in general the place is in good condition. It is located in a strip mall, which is not in pristine condition, though the interior was been well tended to.

My massage, which speaks for only one therapist, was a deep tissue session. He did some good work on my tight tendons in the wrist and neck areas. However, he also dug into my skin with his fingernails all too often. There were no marks afterward, but it was enough to make me question the responsiveness of the therapist.

This massage studio offers massages starting at $59 specials. They also offer facials, waxing, and some other spa services beyond massage. My experience would speak to a below-average experience, and an average price.

Chesaray's Touch
(858) 277-1900

2008-04-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ocean Beach Pier

The Ocean Beach Pier is an important landmark for San Diego's Ocean Beach neighborhood. It juts far into the ocean from the end of Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach's main drag for restaurants, shopping, and strolling.

On the pier itself is open year round for strolling, fishing, and sight seeing. The shops, open only in the summer, include a small restaurant shack serving concession stand type delights, such as nachos, soda, even funnel cake.

Surfers abound beneath the pier, riding the waves of Ocean Beach. The waves crash on the Ocean Beach shores, where surfers and hippies enjoy a day at the beach or an evening bonfire.

The Ocean Beach Pier is a great addition to an afternoon in Ocean Beach, to be combined with the other surrounding sights and sounds.

2008-03-28T21:52:00.000-07:00

Rancho's Cocina

Rancho's is a fantastic, authentic in flavor, but healthier than the usual, Mexican food restaurant. They have an extensive menu with lots of vegetarian options, but also plenty of meat. You can get heart attack on plate, with lots of cheese and beef, or you can get a vege-licious vegan meal. Rancho's has it all!

One of the more disappointing menu items is, amazingly, the avocado enchilada. Any dish featuring avocado should be divine, but somehow this dish manages mediocrity. Know, however, that is the only dish I have ever felt disappointed by. Typically dishes range from expected to extraordinary.

The vegetarian tortilla soup is hands down my favorite menu item, a delicious steaming bowl of soup at a moderate price. Don't forget to try their home made horchata - so delicious and not too sweet like the pre-made kind. Also try their tostadas for a sample of the simple, fresh flavors of Mexico.

You can eat a great meal there for ten bucks or less, including a non-alcoholic beverage. They also have a decent selection of imported beers, fairly priced.

The decor is charming, with burlap sacks from coffee beans lining the ceiling, and various plants and natural materials abounding around the restaurant. The service varies, sometimes slow, sometimes fast, but the staff is always friendly and helpful.

Overall, a highly recommended stop for affordable, healthy, and tasty eats.

Also note that the North Park location has a Rancho's Market next to the restaurant.

Ocean Beach
1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd
San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 226-7619

North Park
3910 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
619.574.1288

2008-03-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Roe-Duffy Massage

A freelance massage therapist, Jennifer Roe-Duffy was trained at San Diego's Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She specializes in deep tissue and Asian-style healing. With experience in Qi Gong, she applies these principles to her massage technique.

Scheduling can be a bit difficult, as she does her own bookings. It took us a while to get in touch with other after phone tag, and between both of our busy schedules, the appointment had to be booked a full week in advance.

The massage found all the crunchy spots in my muscles. She worked out a lot of tight areas, and I felt a lot of good muscular releases and loosened tendons. Her work style is deep, which is not as relaxing, but serves better to work through knots. She talked a lot more than I prefer. I tend to zone out and prefer silence.

The basic rate is $100 for an hour massage including travel to your location. If you want to book multiple or extended massages, she negotiates on the price. Overall, I would recommend her for deep tissue and injury work, but not for your typical relaxing Swedish massage.

She primarily does house calls, upon referral only. If you'd like a referral, please let me know.

Jennifer Roe-Duffy
619-517-9982

2008-02-26T21:30:00.000-08:00

Stephanie's Bakery

Stephanie's Bakery is a delicious bakery that emphasizes "real food" baked goods. You will not find junky trans-fats or anything artificial in their products, instead you will find delicious, indulgent treats. Their specialty is strudel, and to be honest it is the only thing I've had there! That said, the strudel is so good I haven't had any reason to try anything else.

They have sweet strudel, like classic apple or strawberry, a San Diego favorite made with local fruit when in season. They also have savory strudels; my favorite is the spinach.

The cafe is pretty average; I don't recommend it for the atmosphere. Their strudels are sold at several locations, and I highly recommend this local product whenever you're in the mood for a snack or light meal. It is also a good deal, since it is made in bulk, costing only a few bucks for a large slice. Yum!

Stephanies Bakery
4879 Voltaire Street
Ocean Beach, San Diego

2008-01-18T15:02:00.000-08:00

Game Towne

Game Towne is located in Old Town San Diego. (Or should it be Olde Towne?) Either way, Game Towne is a delightful game store, which packs a huge selection into a tiny square footage. On top of that, about half the store is dedicated to D&D type stuff, which is important to have, but doesn't particularly interest me. That said, in the other half of the already smallish shop (shoppe?), you can find the most engaging and interesting game collection in all of San Diego.

First of all, there are puzzles. And I'm not talking jigsaw puzzles, I'm talking all kinds of puzzles. From wooden puzzles to metal ring and string puzzles to puzzles that combine wood, metal, and string to plastic puzzles with moving parts to just about any kind of puzzle you can imagine. Some of my favorites include the classic Rubik's Cube (these come with stands for when you finish them), the wooden puzzle that locks down a bottle of wine until you can figure out how to open it (great gift to a puzzle-loving wine connoisseur!), and Tantrix, a metal pieces puzzle with infinite number of incarnations (too complex to explain, though simple to play - see picture above).

Second of all, there are wooden games galore. Wooden board games! These are my favorite kind of board game, and they abound at Game Towne. You can get Mancala, the Egyptian game where you move stones around, in any size, from travel size to jumbo full coffee table size! The stones in the biggie are beautiful! Then there are games like Quatro (kind of 3-D tic-tac-toe). Also the classics like Backgammon and beautiful checker boards.

Third, there are really just a delightful number of games that you would never find at your typical toy store. For example, a Sudoku where you make your own combination so you can play on the same board forever. Brilliant! They have games for childre and adults (either of any age).

Most of the games have samples so you can try them out, and the owners and employees are incredibly knowledgable and friendly. They know pretty much all the games and can explain them and make recommendations. Game Towne is a fantastic treat and an inspired choice for shopping when in Olde Towne.

www.gametowne.com
3954 Harney St
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 291-1666

2007-11-30T19:56:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

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/

2007-07-21T21:38:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-06-26T08:47:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-23T13:38:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-06-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-06-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-06-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-03T21:47:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-06-02T17:20:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-06-01T15:01:00.001-07:00

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

2007-05-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-05-29T23:55:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-05-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-05-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-05-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-05-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-05-02T12:34:00.001-07:00

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

2007-05-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

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/

2007-04-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-04-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-04-12T11:13:00.001-07:00

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!

2007-04-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-03-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-03-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-03-08T19:36:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-02-07T09:46:00.001-08:00

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

2007-02-02T12:11:00.001-08:00

Spices Thai Café

Spices Thai Café has three locations in San Diego: Carmel Valley, Rancho Bernardo, and Mira Mesa. All offer a delicious meal at an affordable price. Entrees are very large and cost around $10. Appetizers and dessert are usually $5-7. They also have lunch specials that serve a soup, entrée, and drink for a very affordable price.

The décor in the Mira Mesa location is a little more polished: The walls are painted in pleasing natural tones, there are display cases with some beautiful artworks and crafts from Thailand, and there are several large statues of deities. In Carmel Valley, the inside has no special qualities. There are flowers on the tables and table clothes, and some painting, but the overall appearance is pretty blasé. They do have outdoor dining, particularly nice for a lunch when the sun is shining.

However, I don’t recommend Spices for the ambiance, I recommend it for the food. For the past three years I have considered Spices to be the best Thai restaurant in San Diego, and this was in large part because of their fresh spring rolls and peanut sauce. The peanut sauce comes warmed, and the spring rolls are made fresh with carrots, lettuce, sprouts, tofu or shrimp, basil, and mint.

Occasionally there must be someone different in the kitchen because once in a blue moon the carrots will be large cuts instead of shredded, and this is the completely wrong texture. Instead of a light, puff of deliciousness coated in peanut sauce, you have to crunch into a giant chunk of dense carrot. On top of that the large slice of carrot will cut the rice paper wrapping, causing the whole thing to fall apart in your hands. It is disappointing when this happens, but I can only remember one time when I had this experience.

The spring rolls are a must order, regardless of the slight risk of poorly cut carrots. Other favorites include their soups and noodle bowls. In particular I recommend the Yen Ta Fo noodles, a steaming bowl of spicy, thick tomato broth with a heaping pile of rice noodles, loads of fresh spinach, and large diced vegetables like zucchini, carrot, celery, and baby corn. But be careful when you order. They ask you how spicy you want it, on a scale of one to ten. I personally love spicy food, but I almost always order a “five,” and more often than not it makes my nose run and eyes water. And I enjoy every last drop of the dish.

Spices Thai Café
Mon -Fri 11:00am- 3:00pm
Mon -Fri 5:00pm-10:00pm
Sat -Sun 11:00am-10:00pm

6785 Mira Mesa Blvd. Ste. 143
San Diego, CA 92121
Tel: (858) 552-8845

3810 Valley Centre Dr Suite 903
San Diego, CA 92130
Tel: (858) 259-0889

16441 Bernardo Center Dr.
San Diego, CA 92128
Tel: (858) 674-4665

2007-02-01T13:18:00.001-08:00

Pet-Friendly Hotels in San Diego

Are you traveling with your beloved companion? The one that means more to you than anything else in the world? And I’m not talking about your spouse… I’m talking about your furry friend! Whether it be dog, cat, or some other beloved pet, the hotels listed below are pet-friendly hotels, and can be found in all neighborhoods of San Diego. So whether you and you’re pet are looking for a beach-side resort or hip urban hotel, check this list to find the hotel for your perfect vacation. Be sure to check the pet policy with each hotel individually before booking.

Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa
4.0 stars in Coronado from $209.00

Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina
3.5 stars in San Diego from $199.00

Lafayette Hotel San Diego
2.0 stars in Mission Valley from $89.00

Travelodge Mission Valley
2.0 stars in Mission Valley

Sheraton Suites San Diego at Symphony Hall
3.5 stars in Downtown from $229.00

THE US GRANT - A Luxury Collection Hotel
4.0 stars in Downtown from $299.00

The Kona Kai Resort formerly Shelter Pointe
3.5 stars in San Diego from $159.00

The Sofia Hotel
3.5 stars in Downtown from $149.00

Hotel La Jolla At The Shores
3.0 stars in La Jolla from $139.00

Hotel Solamar- A Kimpton Hotel
4.0 stars in Downtown

Ocean Beach Hotel
2.0 stars in Ocean Beach from $100.00

La Valencia Hotel
4.0 stars in La Jolla from $275.00

W San Diego
4.0 stars in Downtown

Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa
5.0 stars in Rancho Santa Fe from $425.00

Westgate Hotel
4.0 stars in Downtown from $199.00

Vagabond Inn Hotel Circle
2.0 stars in Mission Valley from $70.00

Sheraton San Diego Hotel
3.0 stars in Mission Valley from $159.00

Seacoast Inn
2.0 stars in Imperial Beach

Tower23 Hotel
4.0 stars in Pacific Beach from $229.00

Marriott San Diego
3.5 stars in La Jolla from $229.00

Marriott Coronado Island Resort
3.5 stars in Coronado from $275.00

Radisson Suite Hotel Rancho Bernardo
3.0 stars in Rancho Bernardo $139.00

Lake San Marcos Resort
3.0 stars in San Marcos from $89.00

Hilton San Diego Del Mar
3.5 stars in Del Mar

2007-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

Mariposa Ice Cream in Normal Heights

Mariposa Ice Cream is a teeny little shop in the heart of Normal Heights, a block east of the giant “Normal Heights” neon sign (and therefore about a block east of Jyoti Bihanga Restaurant). The owners of Mariposa ice cream make some of the best ice cream this side of the Sierras.

The definition of gourmet ice cream, according to the American Ice Cream Association, is that the ice cream must contain at least 40% butterfat. That is what ice cream makers mean when they say gourmet. The gourmet ice creams have no regulations regarding quality or freshness, only a minimum fat content. Mariposa Ice Cream does not make gourmet ice cream by this definition. However, their ice cream is fresh, home made in small batches right there in the store, with a huge variety of creative flavors, made with all natural and high quality ingredients.

They offer all the usual flavors like chocolate, vanilla, chocolate chip cookie dough, and mint chip, as well their more imaginative flavors. Some of the more unique flavors that are not to miss are the white chocolate blackberry ripple, the Mexican chocolate, the maple walnut, and the peanut butter.

Their ice cream is egg free (except cookie dough). The ice cream is lower in sugar than most commercial ice cream, and it has less air! This means it has more real flavors and is not too sweet! The sherbet contains a small amount of low-fat milk, but the sorbet is all dairy-free!

The owners are a married couple. They create the flavors, make the ice cream, and serve it up. They do it all! They are super-friendly, and great supporters of the community. They support San Diego and the Normal Heights community in many ways, by donating ice cream, time, and money to local organizations, and especially local schools! They also give students of all ages a discount (with Students ID).

In addition to offering delicious ice cream they have really reasonable prices. It’s only $2 for a scoop unlike the gourmet places that are closer to $5. And Mariposa has a weekly special, making a special treat for a special price. They make ice cream pies for birth days and special occasion, sell their ice cream by the pint to take home, and even sell three-gallon tubs for really big parties! Mariposa also offers a full range of classic soda fountain ice cream dishes, like root beer floats, sundaes, banana splits, and so on. So if you’re looking for a fresh, quality, all natural ice cream, head over to little Mariposa and experience an ice cream lover’s dream come true!

Mariposa Ice Cream
3450 Adams Avenue
Normal Heights, San Diego
619-284-5197

Open most days 12pm-8pm
Saturdays and Sundays 2pm-8pm
Closed Tuesdays, major holidays, and occasionally for local events

2007-01-28T20:07:00.001-08:00

Mission Valley Library

Mission Valley hosts a huge number of shops and restaurants. It can be a good palce to go shopping because of the variety of options, although it lack’s the personality of other shopping areas, like the Gaslamp, Little Italy, Hillcrest, La Jolla, or Pacific Beach. Still, Mission Valley draws lots of visitors, both tourists and locals alike.

One gem in this shopper’s paradise that is often overlooked is the new Mission Valley Library. Locals have the added benefit of being able to check out library books, which is nice because everyone loves free knowledge. But tourists will also enjoy sneaking a peek at the modern design and simple décor. The modern industrial outside boasts engine-turned polished stainless walls, and an illuminated clock tower that changes color at night.

Inside the library the décor is impressive, with high ceilings and water-jet cut decorative steel plating. The organic patterns are detailed, with outlines of leave and cut-outs of leaves, both. The complex design is accentuated by the front lighting that casts shadows on the ceiling.

The landscaping is minimalist, with clusters of reeds and ricer stones lining the path to the entrance. The parking lot is small, but ample for library visitors. However, the library is located in the Fenton Parkway Shopping Mall, and some visitors to the mall will occasionally park in the library lot. (By the way, if you see this happening, report it to the parking lot security agent, who will ask them to leave.) When this happens tha lot can become too full, though I’ve never had to wait more than just a couple minutes, and that was on a weekend.

Another added perk to the library is that it is located at the Fenton Plaza trolley stop. The library is a beautiful site to behold as you exit the trolley into this Mission Valley stop, and the library offers a memorial site to trolley riders who pass by. The other side of the trolley line there is the San Diego River, making the green line a fun to ride just for the view!

Libraries across the country, San Diego included, are experiencing a revival. Beyond the modern architecture making this library a place of substance, the library also hosts numerous community events on a weekly and even daily basis, whether it’s hearing a guest speaker, looking the art and collections on display, or joining in on a local club meeting, libraries offer much to their local communities and visitors alike. Check out the schedule of events to make an interesting stop into a special afternoon.

http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=SANDIEGO

I definitely recommend stopping by the Mission Valley Library when passing by on the trolley or if you are at nearby IKEA, Cold Stone Creamery, Starbucks, International House of Pancakes (IHOP), Lowe’s Harwarde, or even Qualcomm Stadium down the street. Even if you can’t check out any books, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the impressive design of this San Diego Landmark!

2007-01-26T18:00:00.003-08:00

Veg-N-Out – San Diego’s Meat Free Eatery

Veg-N-Out is a newish restaurant in between South Park and North Park in the hip area that spreads out on the east side of Balboa Park as it meanders from North to South. The whole area surrounding balboa Park is lined with great options for dining, including Hillcrest, Mission Hills, Downtown, and Golden Hill spread from North to South along the West side of Balboa Park. Even though you may be overwhelmed with options in the urban center of San Diego, don’t dismiss this eatery just because it is meatless.

Of course Veg-N-Out is great for vegetarians. But meat eaters love this healthy, fast dining options as well. The menu is loaded with all varieties of burgers, from the Western Burger, that includes freshly made onion rings INSIDE the burger, to the Hawaiian Girl, which includes hot off the grill pineapple rings!

The burgers are made with two different patties: a Veg-N-Out home made grain patty, and a meaty patty that is made of soy protein. I suggest the meaty patty for anyone who might be skeptical of the meat-free burger. The meaty patty has a great smoky flavor and a chewier texture. I personally prefer the grain patty because it is lighter and nuttier in flavor.

The burgers arrive heaping with toppings, and everything they set on a plate is incredibly fresh. These burgers seriously look like the kind of burger you would see in a photo advertisement – crisp and fresh with little dew drops on the lettuce leaves, ripe red tomatoes, and steaming hot potato wedges. Did I mention that every burger comes with home made potato wedges or a side salad?

The menu has also expanded and improved since they first opened. Be sure to try their amazing starters as well. The delights include tempura avocado (divine!), freshly fried sweet potato wedges, and many others, including a soup of the day and side of the day. They even have home made dressings – the creamy tarragon goes great on a salad OR the potato wedges! Or pretty much anything else.

2007-01-26T18:00:00.001-08:00

Yoga , Pilates, and More at the YMCA

Now you might not expect the YMCA to be listed as a destination on a traveler’s website, but it’s just the place to look if you want to squeeze in a yoga or Pilates class while out and about in San Diego. There are many studios around San Diego, and many of them offer great classes. But the YMCA offers classes all day long, very extensive when compared to the limited evening classes of most studios. And the YMCA charges only $10 to visitors, compared to the $12-15 that most studios charge.

The place to look for yoga or Pilates classes through the YMCA is at their Mission Valley Hazard Center location, 7610 Hazard Center Drive. This location is in the heart of Mission Valley, a central San Diego location. They offer a huge variety of classes including: eclectic blend yoga, fitness yoga, gentle yoga, hatha yoga, iyengar yoga, kundalini yoga, mat-based Pilates, NIA, power yoga, stretch, tai chi, and other specialized classes for back health, athletes, cancer-survivors, arthritis, Parkinson’s, and more.

The teachers are as diverse as the classes, with some of them taking you through rigorous workouts, while others are more relaxing. When you pay to take a class you are welcome to use the facilities as well. Every location has all the basic workout equipment, including cardio machines like treadmills, bikes, and cross trainers, as well as weightlifting circuits, as well as locker rooms with showers. In this sense the Hazard Center location is the most limited, as the other locations also have pools, saunas, basketball courts, childcare, snack bars, and other amenities.

The classes run pretty much from 6 or 7 AM until 8 PM Monday through Friday, and about 8 AM to noon or 1 PM on the weekends. The YMCA also has locations in Mission Valley on Friars Road, in La Jolla, in Kearny Mesa, and Downtown, though the yoga and Pilates classes at these locations are more limited. Check with each location for details on what they offer.

The San Diego County YMCA website is: www.ymca.org

Mission Valley YMCA at Hazard Center
7610 Hazard Center Drive
619-298-3576 X2202

Mission Valley YMCA
5505 Friars Road
619-298-3576

Toby Wells YMCA in Kearny Mesa
5105 Overland Avenue
858-496-9622

2007-01-26T17:59:00.003-08:00

Jyoti Bihanga

Ahhhh… Perhaps my favorite restaurant in San Diego. Though I’ve been to fancier, ritzier (and more expensive) restaurants, none can replace the role of Jyoti Bihanga in my dining life.

I’m not sure what exactly it is about Jyoti Bihanga that I love so much. It is located in Normal Heights, one of the best neighborhoods in San Diego for wandering around and exploring the shops. Everywhere you go is filled with personality. There are bookstores with huge selections of used poetry, coffee shops filled with teen angst, and magic shops selling oils and potions.

Jyoti Bihanga, or JB as I affectionately call it, is housed in a beautiful corner building, built nearly a century ago, directly underneath the neon “Normal Heights” sign. The ceilings are high, painted light blue with clouds, and the windows are two-story arches that fill the space with natural light.

This vegetarian restaurant serves a variety of American and Indian dishes, including a curry of the day, a special of the day that usually features mock meat, soups and dessert of the day, and their regular menu.

The infinite blue salad is a good option for a filling salad with steamed vegetables in addition to fresh leafy greens. The sandwich menu includes the Buddha Burger, a homemade grain patty of above average quality on a wheat bun with fresh lettuces and tomato. They have a variety of wraps, my favorite being the Shiva wrap which is a wrap with the curry of the day rolled into one with a full on salad, served with their homemade chutney. But my all time favorite is their best-selling Neatloaf. Available in vegetarian and vegan versions (vegetarian is more full in flavor), it is a grain and cheese (if you have it) loaf topped with a homemade barbeque sauce and served with the most delicious mashed potatoes this side of the Mississippi.

Now I must warn the un-expecting: this restaurant is staffed entirely with followers of a guru of a somewhat obscure Hindi-based religion. The servers are friendly, but odd. Many speak English as a second language, and most seem a little spacey. Be sure to check out the picture of the guru hanging on the wall by the bathroom; he is lifting 300,000 pounds with one arm while he levitates. No, I’m kidding. But he is supposedly lifting some absurd amount of weight. If you’re lucky, they are sometimes showing videos of the same unbelievable feat.

There are sister restaurants across the country and even in Paris. I have been to a few and in the United States they seem to offer a similar fare, somewhere in between American and Indian, all with the infamous Neatloaf. However in Paris the food was as Parisian vegetarian is: bland. That aside, though, the San Diego branch offers a delicious, home-cooked, affordable meal with a beautiful atmosphere, in a funky neighborhood. Bon appetite!

2007-01-26T17:59:00.001-08:00

Daily’s – A Healthy Dining Option Near UTC (University Town Center)

Across the I5 Freeway from La Jolla, hidden on the other side of Towne Center Drive, is a little café called Daily’s. Daily’s was started by a prominent San Diego cardiologist. And this restaurant is all about heart health: delicious food that’s good for your heart.

The menu offers a huge variety of sandwiches and wraps, everything from turkey to chicken to fresh veggies, many of which are vegetarian. There is also a lasagna of the day, a soup of the day, and daily specials that include a side salad or soup and a drink. All options are low in fat and high in fiber.

I tried the grilled panini sandwich with mozzarella, basil, and tomato. This came with a soup, and I chose minestrone. I had fresh brewed berry herbal tea and a blueberry smoothie to round it out. I also got to sample off my friend’s plate, and tried the grilled eggplant and zucchini sandwich. Both were delicious, although I thought the grilled veggie sandwich could have used a more flavorful sauce.

So next time you’re out shopping in La Jolla or at the mall, and want to find a healthy, quick option for lunch or dinner, cruise just a little bit east of the beach for this hidden gem.

UPDATE: Daily's is in the process of moving! New location posted soon...

2007-01-26T17:58:00.003-08:00

Café 9-7-6

Café 9-7-6 in Pacific Beach offers much more than just a bite to eat. The menu is extensive, and offers options for vegetarian dining as well as heart healthy choices. Breakfast is served from early morning into the afternoon, as it should be for surfers hitting the daybreak breakers or for the rest of us on our lazy beach days. The breakfast menu is pretty normal: eggs, bagels, burritos, waffles, French toast, bowls. There are some local influences here giving props to the Mexican border just a few miles away, with items like Huevos Rancheros – eggs cooked in a Mexican salsa.

Lunch is served until 3pm, and after that the menu is limited. Bu the selections before 3pm are extensive, with salads, soups, sandwiches, pizza, and more Mexican options like quesadillas, tacos, and burritos. The lunch menu I have found to be hit or miss. The Spinach Burger is dish not to miss – fresh, unique, and totally delish. But the Spicy Eggplant Sandwich always seems to fall short of my expectations by skimping on the toppings.

There is always a barista (or two or three) on duty to make the extensive coffee and hot drink menu. The basics are covered, as well as a few regional specialties like Mexican Hot Chocolate, and of course the 9-7-6 specialties like the 9-7-6 (espresso, white chocolate, hazelnut, and milk), the Almond Joy (espresso, chocolate, coconut, almond, and milk), and many more. They serve locally mixed teas that are loose-leaf teas placed into a large bleach-free tea bag just before serving. The tea selection is extensive and unlike many coffee shops the baristas know how to make a good cup of tea. My favorite is the Cherry Sakura – a Japanese green tea with cheery flavor. Just don’t over brew it after you get to your table or it will become bitter.

Also of note is the newly refurbished décor, both inside and out. The café is inside an old house, with a huge patios dining area surrounded by flowers and many native plants. The wooden chairs outside have recently been repainted with a rainbow of bright colors. The inside has also been redone with new paint in bright pastels, and new counter that retains the same homey feeling, but more easily services the customers.

The walls have always been home to rotating art by local artists, and that is the same after the re-painting. In the hallways and restroom there is a permanent collection of old photographs of Pacific Beach, including one of the hosue that is no 9-7-6!

On a sunny day be sure to grab a table outside. If it’s chilly I recommend the sunny nook with booths inside, although it’s usually taken!

Cafe 976
976 Felspar Street (at Cass St)
San Diego, CA 92109
858-272-0976

2007-01-26T17:58:00.001-08:00

Athenaeum

Next time you are wiling away a day in La Jolla, be sure to stop into the Athenaeum. This music and arts library has been around for over 100 years. It is one of the few remaining private libraries in the nation. If you did not know, all libraries used to be private; you had to pay a fee to join in order to check out books. In some parts of the world libraries still work this way, for example in Paris. In the United States the vast majority of libraries have been publicized, except for 17 of them, and most of these are specialty libraries.

The Athenaeum’s specialties are art and music. There is a huge selection of music CD, sheet music, and books on art and music to check out to members. But the library itself is open to the public, and anyone is welcome to browse the selections for a minutes or an afternoon. I highly recommend spending some time in the space. There is a gallery that hosts several art exhibits each year, specializing in artists from Southern California and Baja Mexico.

The library includes three heritage buildings that have recently been renovated to connect the space inside, without altering the appearance of the protected buildings on the outside. The gallery was expanded, the art school was made handicapped accessible, and behind the scenes the offices were improved and they built a climate-controlled vault for their art collection.

Their collection of art also has a specialty: Artist Books. This relatively new art form really only came into critics sight in the 1970s. But San Diego is a hub of activity for book artists, and the Athenaeum is one reason. They have a permanent collection of artist books, and they have an exhibit of artist books that is simultaneously on display with the larger art gallery.

Throughout the library there are little nooks and each corner seems to hold a surprise discovery. Whether you wander into the art gallery, happen upon the artist books, or discover the children’s art books collection, the athenaeum is a delightful place to explore. In the heart of La Jolla, on the corner of Wall St and Girard St, it is a historical delight that is not to be missed.

Athenaeum
1008 Wall Street (@ Girard)
La Jolla, CA 92037-4418
858 454 5872

2007-01-26T17:55:00.000-08:00

A-List at the Athenaeum

The Athenaeum is a historical music and arts library located in the heart of La Jolla on the corner of Wall Street and Girard. They host concerts during the lunch hour and in the evenings. These concerts focus on the traditional and academic forms of music, like classical, jazz, and even opera.

However, the Athenaeum has started a new program for young adults, the A-List. This new take on art and music offers evening parties every three months, with up and coming artists on exhibit and up and coming musicians to set the mood. The most recent event hosted electronica with a DJ mixing in the sounds of saxaphone and flute into the house beats. A pair of “His and Hers” neon nooses was on display along with photography from Tijuana and installation art that questions “Who is it good for?” on the back of bus stop bench.

This fresh take on art costs $10 for non-members, though members get in free with a guest. Once inside you never know what to expect. In addition to the art and music the Athenaeum chooses a theme for each A-List event, and mixes up cocktails to match, like the “Yellow Cab” – a mix of vodka, lemonade, and lime juice.

If you think the party stops there, you are wrong. There is free beer from local breweries like Karl Strauss, Stone, or Rock Bottom; there are door prizes from local restaurants, boutiques, and artists. Not to mention the crowd is full of artistic folks who can have interesting conversations about the art on the wall just as easily as they can debate which IPA is best or what mixed drink they recommend.

So next time someone asks you, “Are you on the list?” you can answer, “I’m about to be.”

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
1008 Wall Street (@ Girard)
La Jolla, CA 92037
858 454 5872
http://www.ljathenaeum.org/A%20List.htm

2007-01-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

Jack’s La Jolla

Jack’s has, of late, become the hottest place for singles in La Jolla on Thursday nights. And I made the mistake of venturing in unknowingly on one of those Thursday nights.

I have been to Jack’s before, and I enjoy the mixed crowd that can’t be easily characterized. The range of ages, styles, and even ethnicity is unexpected in La Jolla, but refreshing.

I used to go to Jack’s fairly regularly, and I have always enjoyed their food and drinks. They have an extensive menu, for a bar, and during dining hours they have three separate restaurants: The top floor "beach bar" serves steak and sushi, the mid level fine fining foom serves, well, fine dining, and the lower level bar serves California fusion. The presentation is artistic, the ingredients fresh, and the food is interesting in the way you would expect it to be. (Yes, that’s an ironic comment. Think organic salad greens with candied walnuts, blue cheese, and sliced pear. It’s a trendy dish that thinks it’s being original, but good none the less.)

However, since my days as a regular, Jack’s has changed. The crowds are upon the three leveled location, and it’s really too bad. Jack’s isn’t handling the stress very well. For example, during dining hours they have live music, a classy touch. Except here is the exchange that happened while we waited for our table:

One of the musicians: Excuse, why are you standing here? Are you waiting for a table?
One of us: Yes. We are.
One of the musicians: Oh, well, where’s the host?
One of us: I’m not sure. Around somewhere.
One of the musicians: Well, could you scoot back?

Now, even though the decor is attractive, with glass stairs, plush upholstery, just dim enough hanging lights, and expensive flooring, there isn’t a waiting area on the top level. So there was nowhere to “scoot” too. We backed up about an inch and a half, and the musician just had to live with it. This was all particularly striking because the musicians had a tip jar out.

After we were seated, which took less time than anticipated, about ten minutes, the fifth member of our party arrived. And the bouncers wouldn’t let him in. Apparently, in the ten minutes we had been waiting the entrance we used had been transformed into the VIP entrance, and our fifth diner was to wait in the ever growing line. I went down to fetch him, but the bouncers were busy letting in their friends (a very large group), a girl wearing a shirt that read “F*** ME IT’S MY BIRTHDAY,” and all of her friends. They finally said they would “take care of him,” but continued to check IDs of other people standing in line. Said friend was finally bored of waiting and annoyed at the power tripping bouncers and decided not to stay.

I returned to the table, amid the elegantly draped dining room. We cleared away the fifth plate. The food came: butternut squash, carmelized onions, apple bisque; salmon nigiri, a tropical sushi with beautiful presentation, and it was all quite good. That was the one thing that hadn’t changed. But by that point, it wasn’t really all that enjoyable.

2007-01-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

Hillcrest Farmer’s Market

The Sunday Morning Hillcrest Farmer’s Market is on of the best Farmer’s Markets in San Diego County. It used to be held in the parking lot of the Department of Motor Vehicles near the corner of Park and University, on the east edge of Hillcrest. However, the market continued to grow and the surrounding parking wasn’t ample, so now the market is held on a long block of Park Boulevard, and the parking lot has returned to it’s usual purpose.

At the market there is a huge array of natural, organic, and always-local produce stands, selling everything form tropical fruits to Mediterranean delights, to heirloom varietals, to the basics. There is a mushroom booth, a nuts and grains booth, and a tea booth, as well. There are also a great number of prepared foods, to eat at the market or to take home. There is granola, olives, specialty olive oils, artisan cheeses, samosas, agua fresca, and many more.

My personal favorite prepared food booths are Gourmet Tamales from Carlsbad, and Guanni Chocolates from Fallbrook. The tamales are $2.50 each, which at first seems expensive, until you see how huge they are. One tamale is a full meal, and then the price seems fair. But when you bite into them you realize they are actually a bargain because the ingredients are incredibly fresh and high quality, with flavors like spinach feta, potato cilantro, and poblano in sweet corn. Guanni chocolates provide a similar experience, except sweet instead of savory. Again they seem expensive when you see only the price, but they are delightfully enormous, and when you bite into the decadent flavors you feel like you should be on a credit card commercial oohing and aahing over how priceless this chocolate experience is.

The market also hosts a number of craft booths, which range in products and quality. I would prefer that these booths be limited to hand-made goods by local artists and craftsmen, but the yare not. This means that some booths offer locally made products, but others offer goods imported. Some of these imported goods are nice products, but I think that these products are not appropriately sold at a farmer’s market. Still, the range of products by local artisans includes handmade books, beautifully crafted scarves, clothes such as skirts, shirts, and dresses, and jewelry.

The must-tries include the heirloom tomatoes and watermelon, the fresh herbs, the exotic fruits, the chocolate, and tamales. Bring your grocery list, because the farmer’s market is one of the best places to stock up on all your basics. You can’t beat the freshness, and the prices are great, too.

2007-01-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Two San Diego Chocolatiers: Guanni and Chuao

San Diego chocolate lovers can boast about being the home of two top-notch gourmet chocolatiers: Guanni (Goo wan ee) and Chuao (Choo wow). Both these artisan chocolatiers use the highest quality South American cocoa, fresh fruit and other all-natural ingredients. Neither includes artificial flavors nor preservatives. The results are delicious, decadent, delightful chocolates.

Guanni is truly a one-woman show. Mariella Balbi creates the flavor combinations, makes the chocolates, and sells them herself at three farmers’ markets locations in San Diego. The chocolate making lineage goes back three generations to her great-grandmother, but all of her recipes are her own. She began Guanni chocolates in July 2003 and it is named after her three sons, Gianni, Guanalvaro and Ian. Balbi, originally from Lima, Peru, specializes in South American and Peruvian flavors. Her “Criollo” chocolate takes its headlining flavors from Peru’s traditional milk desert with cinnamon and vanilla, Manjar Blanco. Another Peruvian inspiration is Balbi’s “Pisco,” named after and created with the national drink of Peru, a grape brandy. Balbi’s top seller is “Cassis,” dark chocolate enrobed raspberries and cream of cassis ganache.

Balbi’s chocolates are made fresh every week, and she exclusively uses organic ingredients. They are low in sugar and high in antioxidants but still divine, making them an indulgence you can feel good about.

Chuao chocolatiers Michael Antonorsi and Brian Vandenbroucke use Venezuelan cocoa beans, but mix styles and flavors of the actual chocolates to include a number of traditionally French flavored chocolates with those of South America, as well as other parts of the world. Chuao is named after the region in Venezuela famous for producing high-quality cocoa beans.
An Asian influenced Chuao chocolate is their “Zen,” a ginger ganache infused with green tea in a dark chocolate shell. The “Tiramisu” is inspired from the famous Italian desert, with mascarpone cheese and coffee liquor butter cream. “Le Citron” blends lemon pulp with caramel and hint of mint, all covered in milk chocolate.

Artisan chocolatiers now outnumber independent drugstores in the United States, and the number is growing as consumers learn to appreciate the difference between grocery store chocolates and the higher-quality artisan chocolates. Just as vintners choose only prize grapes for their wines, chocolatiers search the world over to obtain the highest quality cocoa for their chocolates. And much like fine wine, which has gained popularity in the past few years, so are fine chocolates gaining respect and notoriety for their distinct flavors and qualities. These two chocolatiers are highly recommended to chocophiles, and to those who claim not to be chocolate lovers: watch out, you just might be converted.

Guanni Chocolates
www.guannichocolates.com
guannichocolates@san.rr.com
858.337.6805
Sold at San Diego Farmers’ Markets and select boutiques.
They also deliver; place orders by phone or email.

Hillcrest Farmers’ Market
Corner of Normal St and Lincoln (DMV's parking lot)
Sunday from 9:00 till 1:00 pm
www.hillquest.com

Chuao Chocolatier
www.chuaochocolatier.com
Info@chuaochocolatier.com

Chuao Chocolatier
The Lumberyard, Suite C-109
937 S. Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA 92025
1-888-635-1444

Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday 11 am. - 6 pm.
Sunday 10 am. - 4 pm.