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

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.

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

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

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.