Tuesday, July 31, 2007

_ two To initialize pizza pie to come echo park; _ more eagle rock

_ Suebee Silverlakeboulevard blog to bring us new that New York two To
initialize pizza pie being moving in at side the echo... I having
never to have their pizza pie, to be very good? _ echo park
unquestionable capacity to employ dinner option more, thus this good
being news.My faithful eagle rock reader statement that element cooks,
Pasadena delicatessen, capacity to succeed space Townsend gallery
spaces on Colorado with carrying option, to make cook with the furnace
goods and coffee.Also, Japanese restoring to be moving in the flower
to make shopping on the corner Shearin and Colorado... and,
Lemongrass capacity being expanding in space that to be to suppose to
be Michaelangelo' s.I' ll owe hop above NELA and to study... all to
excuse to test fish ' N piece York.Speaking drinking option, senor
fish in eagle rock to have to apply for a drink allowed... if to be
approved, one fish tacos on the patio _

The pizza pie of two Initializations comes to make echo the park; more rock of eagle

Does Suebee of the blog of Silverlakeboulevard bring news to us that
the pizza pie of Initializations of New York two will move inside
beside the echo... which I never had their pizza pie, is it any good?
The park of echo could certainly employ more options dinantes, thus it
is good faithful eagle of news.My that the reader of rock says to me
that that the kitchen of elements, the delicatessen of Pasadena, can
ensure the space of gallery of Townsend of space on Colorado with
options to be carried, goods cooked with the furnace and coffee.Also,
a Japanese restaurant enters the store of flower on the corner of
Shearin and Colorado... and, Lemongrass can increase in the space
which was supposed being Michaelangelo' s.I' ll must jump to bell-foot
more with NELA and study... any excuse pieces of N to test the eagle
the rock made a request for an alcoholic drink licence... if it is
approved, Bohemia some tacos fish on the patio.
To go for a voyage tomorrow
Estrella

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Cooling with Ellroy with the Peaceful car dinante

sometimes we are the right carnivores... Waune, we really did not dine
with James Ellroy, it we rested through the room, wearing a faded pink
shirt of sports shirt and dinant with a couple looking at bien-gity
when we stopped by car Saturday harms dinante Pacifique. We were late
for a meal for the birthday chechmate, who fall to the hottest part of
the year. A differently pleasant meal at Angelini Osteria was
disturbed last year by the air-conditioning of half-assed (to be
right, it was probably 100 degrees this night). I am recalled that the
car dinante Pacifique is always maintained at the temperatures of
meat-rack, which really astonishes when you consider the age of the
major part of the patrons.Matt were made quiver to see Ellroy
appearing, and is impressed that it managed to mention the titles of
two films of porn within two minute to have sat. For my part, I was
made quiver to have a distraction of the conversation continuing
beside us in what an injury between two ages of a strident voice
explained the dangers mortals of the rape of date and the Internet
dating with its octogenarian disconcerted mom.Matt appreciates a good
beefsteak, and the enormous nice one of net supplemented with truffle
butter was a very nice piece of meat. I thought that our two
beefsteaks côtoyé on rare instead of rare means, but otherwise the
dinner was impeccable, of jumped butter spinaches, gratin also-with
butter of With potatoes, and yes, the good butter been useful with the
bread basket. The rooms are with happiness peace compared with each
other restoring, and it is large how though it is not full, they
rather extend the parts in all the rooms than to crush them in Juste
one. So merry birthday... after matt year, part at our place!
sometimes.....
moreover

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Nous let us avons un gagnant de nuit de reggae!

There were some great entries for Reggae Night tickets, and I've excerpted some of the suggestions below.
I'm going to go with Lucy, who suggested TiGeorge's Chicken. It's appropriate since Haiti is certainly in the same vicinity as Jamaica, but I think it was the thought of the aphrodisiac conches (and a few band references woven in) that sealed the deal. Thanks for playing!

Here's Lucy's winning entry:
"OK technically it's Haitian, not Jamaican, but when TiGeorges Chicken gets your lips smacking to the sultry beat of the Caribbean, you're feet are sure to follow. Whet your appetite with the tender conch and let its spicy aphrodisiac powers put you in the mood for the hot pulsating rhythms of Reggae Night. For the main course, choose the whole rotisserie chicken, which serves four, and as it melts in your mouth, see if you can taste the delicate scent of avocado infused when the bird turned on its Burning Spear. Chef-owner TiGeorges is an incorrigible flirt so exchanging bon mots en francais usually satisfies my sweet tooth. If you're like me, you prefer heat to sweet, especially on sizzling Reggae Night, so I recommend TiGeorges Hot Pickle Pickliz to go. A jar of that, you'll be Wailing reggae with all the lost souls at the Hollywood Bowl. -- Lucy
***
Here's some other great suggestions from Eating L.A. readers:
Knowing that most Rastas prefer 'ital' style food, the first place that popped into my head was Chadni. Chadni is a great little Indian cafe serving vegetarian (ital) style dishes at very affordable prices. An always friendly staff combined with a staggering 70 item menu and their should be little trouble finding a tasty dish.
A perfect menu leading up to Reggae Night would have to include the following:
Makki Rotti (griddle baked cornmeal bread), Gajar Matar (carrots and peas in a tomato based sauce) and finally Saag (mustard greens cooked with garlic/tomaotes/and ginger.)
These dishes may not be prepared in the Jamaican style, but indigenous ingredient similarities are definitely present. -- Matthew
(Chadni, 1909 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica)
***
The ideal place to dine before Reggae Night is Cha Cha Cha in Silver Lake. Sure, they have a great take-away menu packages so that you can easily cart up food to the venue and enjoy it al fresco at the Bowl, but I recommend dining at the restaurant which has been at the corner of Virgil and Melrose since 1986 with its playful Caribbean decor and friendly waitstaff. The menu offers a terrific array of spicy grilled fish and succulent pulled pork. The rice and black beans served with many of the entrees -- along with fried plantains -- are cooked to perfection, not overly salty like they can be at other Cuban places around town. The mango salad is a particular favorite, especially in the summertime. And, don't forget the Sangria, which keeps the locals coming back for Sunday brunch, but it's refreshing at any time of the day. -- Christina
***
Although not Rastafarian -- Cuba's music and culture shares something soulful, so my vote is dinner at Bodeguita de Pico at 5047 Pico. Now, do they have Red Stripe? That I don't know.
-- Linda

We have one gaining of night of reggae!

There were some great entries for Reggae Night tickets, and I've excerpted some of the suggestions below.
I'm going to go with Lucy, who suggested TiGeorge's Chicken. It's appropriate since Haiti is certainly in the same vicinity as Jamaica, but I think it was the thought of the aphrodisiac conches (and a few band references woven in) that sealed the deal. Thanks for playing!

Here's Lucy's winning entry:
"OK technically it's Haitian, not Jamaican, but when TiGeorges Chicken gets your lips smacking to the sultry beat of the Caribbean, you're feet are sure to follow. Whet your appetite with the tender conch and let its spicy aphrodisiac powers put you in the mood for the hot pulsating rhythms of Reggae Night. For the main course, choose the whole rotisserie chicken, which serves four, and as it melts in your mouth, see if you can taste the delicate scent of avocado infused when the bird turned on its Burning Spear. Chef-owner TiGeorges is an incorrigible flirt so exchanging bon mots en francais usually satisfies my sweet tooth. If you're like me, you prefer heat to sweet, especially on sizzling Reggae Night, so I recommend TiGeorges Hot Pickle Pickliz to go. A jar of that, you'll be Wailing reggae with all the lost souls at the Hollywood Bowl. -- Lucy
***
Here's some other great suggestions from Eating L.A. readers:
Knowing that most Rastas prefer 'ital' style food, the first place that popped into my head was Chadni. Chadni is a great little Indian cafe serving vegetarian (ital) style dishes at very affordable prices. An always friendly staff combined with a staggering 70 item menu and their should be little trouble finding a tasty dish.
A perfect menu leading up to Reggae Night would have to include the following:
Makki Rotti (griddle baked cornmeal bread), Gajar Matar (carrots and peas in a tomato based sauce) and finally Saag (mustard greens cooked with garlic/tomaotes/and ginger.)
These dishes may not be prepared in the Jamaican style, but indigenous ingredient similarities are definitely present. -- Matthew
(Chadni, 1909 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica)
***
The ideal place to dine before Reggae Night is Cha Cha Cha in Silver Lake. Sure, they have a great take-away menu packages so that you can easily cart up food to the venue and enjoy it al fresco at the Bowl, but I recommend dining at the restaurant which has been at the corner of Virgil and Melrose since 1986 with its playful Caribbean decor and friendly waitstaff. The menu offers a terrific array of spicy grilled fish and succulent pulled pork. The rice and black beans served with many of the entrees -- along with fried plantains -- are cooked to perfection, not overly salty like they can be at other Cuban places around town. The mango salad is a particular favorite, especially in the summertime. And, don't forget the Sangria, which keeps the locals coming back for Sunday brunch, but it's refreshing at any time of the day. -- Christina
***
Although not Rastafarian -- Cuba's music and culture shares something soulful, so my vote is dinner at Bodeguita de Pico at 5047 Pico. Now, do they have Red Stripe? That I don't know.
-- Linda


do not be afraid of the darkness
thank you are in Karen! - I forgot to say to you what is...

Friday, July 27, 2007

Round not of restaurant: The Barber, hands of change of Mrs Matisse

Certain faithful to the Barber on Vermontn by all its raising of
priceses of changes..., organic food, of food did it remain was not it
equal of biodynamics to a certain point? Manger L.A. gave to the top
when that took half an hour with the espresso frigging of the order
one, but with the decoration with nice French and a principal place,
it could be so much more. Maintaining they is the again changed hands
and if all is well the new property will be more local and more
interested in than people of the country want in a bistro.Madame
Matisse also changed hands, with king de Debra de Cakewalk succeeding
the tiny coffee of laying down Blvd. sun. Does the king project to
more or less even keep things, to add some specials just daily and
more it made the goods cook with the furnace which have notices.And
Gingergrass good ensured the lease on the bookshop beside the coffee
of Silverlake... he would not be nice if they were transformed into
spot Vietnamese or something of food of fresh fast preparation? But
the word for now is that they will employ it like cooks for their
operation of restoration.
nudey
Delicious in the banana rolls of belly

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Ragging on the chronicle of SF for a change

We will give to Times of L.A a cut this week (naturally, I did
not see my weekend preferred however...) and will choose the chronicle
of San Francisco to whip this week. I do not know if the Michael
critic of restaurant that Bauer is liked or reviled to the top there,
but its article the dish on Los Angeles seems pretty lame. It is only,
that, 360 miles of distance, but was to him with L.A. in 10 years?
Give me a cut. Surely S. Irene obtains in San Fran little more often
than that. We were dissed, I guess.Let' S put side some of its more
stereotypes of used (Spago "continuous to going like rabbit of
énergifiant agent" and halètement, "people must lead to obtain
anywhere") and look at its choices: ... two Wolfgang Puckeries, Mozza,
Lucques, flask, Terza... is him testing with chose the majority of
choice of San Francisco-esque of the possible restaurants? Yawn. They
are certainly a part of L.A.' S better, although you have the idea
that Hatfield made the cut mainly because the chiefs hail of San
Francisco. But other that to repeat without end that, the surprise,
people in industry seem to go to many good restaurants, where they
does many businesses, it absolutely does not show any perspicacity in
the character and the texture of dinant L.A.. It is approximately as
good as it obtains: because it is hotter here, the restaurants have
patios. Is Ah, and also, there this thing called concert hall Disney,
and expense-looks at it, although patina? Anymore.OK not so hot,
Michael, you can turn over now.
do not be afraid of the darkness
sometimes.....

Monday, July 23, 2007

Billets de victoire à la nuit de reggae!

To eat L.A. mixed liability company our first gift of bill with
bills at night VI, Sunday 12 of reggae August to the basin of
Hollywood. Here how to gain: Say to me where you would eat if you
could have a great meal this night of reggae additional in an
unspecified way. It can be a Jamaican restaurant, a place which
serves food yellow, green and red... or that which, but employ your
best skittles of criticism of restaurant and says to us in some lines
why it is the place to be eaten before night of reggae. The program
comprises the extreme lance, Sly and Robbie, the troop of taxi, with
Horace Andy and Cherine Anderson and Réunion crying of hearts with
the reception of Anne Litt. Here what they say about it: The extreme
lance of the grandmaster of the reggae turns over, the positive
pioneers of drum of reggae and low, Sly and Robbie with the
distinctive vocals of Horace Andy (last heard with the massive
attack). The crying hearts join together after a 22-year absence. It
is night of a rockin of roots ' not to be missed!Email your response
to pattyberlin@yahoo.com and I will select one gaining per Friday,
July 27.

Tickets of victory at the night of reggae!

To eat L.A. mixed liability company our first gift of bill with
bills at night VI, Sunday 12 of reggae August to the basin of
Hollywood. Here how to gain: Say to me where you would eat if you
could have a great meal this night of reggae additional in an
unspecified way. It can be a Jamaican restaurant, a place which
serves food yellow, green and red... or that which, but employ your
best skittles of criticism of restaurant and says to us in some lines
why it is the place to be eaten before night of reggae. The program
comprises the extreme lance, Sly and Robbie, the troop of taxi, with
Horace Andy and Cherine Anderson and Réunion crying of hearts with
the reception of Anne Litt. Here what they say about it: The extreme
lance of the grandmaster of the reggae turns over, the positive
pioneers of drum of reggae and low, Sly and Robbie with the
distinctive vocals of Horace Andy (last heard with the massive
attack). The crying hearts join together after a 22-year absence. It
is night of a rockin of roots ' not to be missed!Email your response
to pattyberlin@yahoo.com and I will select one gaining per Friday,
July 27.
Cake of marriage and bunch of flowers (cakes of cup) for my friend
we all are insane...

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Notes of sample: Falafel de Froma and of Amir

We needed some provisions for a picnic with the sifting of Cinespia of
the night of Suspiria Saturday of Dario Argento, thus I stopped in the
new Froma store of charcuterie/cheese on the melrose. I tested some
proscuitto of Quercia of, large the procsuitto domestic of Iowa that
L.A. Times wrote on the subject few weeks ago. It is good
substance; still better after I made with certain little bearings to
take with us with the bearings of BreadBar they carry in Froma, with
tomatos cut in sections of heritage, with a drizzle of viniagrette
aillé makes house and with shaven Parmesan. We also had an excellent
bottle of pinot black of Montanya Vineyards close to Healdsburg (a
favour of part of the publicity agent for the guide of Michelin, This
Of Montanya).That was a very good dinner, but the lunch was not too
poor either: we were in the valley thus we stopped at Falafel d'
Amir (11711 Ventura Blvd.) Amir is an Israeli model, which means that
like king de Falafel in Westwood, there is a great choice of side
salads. There is a salad nice-spiced of carrot, aubergine, two kinds
of cabbage salad, tabbouli and several others. The thought subdues its
sandwich with roasted chicken was delicious, but the falafel is the
piece of resistance: coldly transformed, soft and pillowy, stuffed in
a fresh pita with cabbage and sauce with tahini. It is not as cheap as
some places of falafel, but it could be interesting being right the
jet of a stone of the universal city and not must face Hollywood of
the major north.
Bacang
injury (naked) in waiting

Friday, July 20, 2007

Abigail Breslin whip the menu of $20 kids to the palm

Here a small piece which I wrote for the variety about all the slip
roads of food for film "no reservation." No fear of work children here
-- it has the thesp Abigail Breslin of kiddie appearing on Emeril next
Thursday of phase before the film opens as on a menu of the new kids
for the restaurants of palm... just $20 offers "of consultation" of
cheese or beefsteak of N for imper them '. While Thomas Keller
consulted on food for "Ratatouille," "reservation" did not obtain the
council on making cook to the top of a fictitious restaurant of New
York of the white of Michael de Fiamma.
The tacos puts Jorge coming at the westside
its face is a chart of the world is a chart of the world...

Thursday, July 19, 2007

The hot knives crossed in daily dish

Just a few weeks in the life of the blog of food of L.A. Times,
the local bloggers draw already swords. The hot knives, the types of
in love with the vegetarian chef/beer which make the BBQ vegan with
the events of the center of colony of the holidays of little radio,
have a bone to select with one of the posts of the daily dish about a
new beer guide. They feel as times do not obtain really the Internet;
what is the point to publish a printed beer guide which will taste
like beer ventilated per tomorrow, etc, etc, on top read just their
catch. While waiting, I will discover a part of this beer of Season of
farm of Sonoma which they write approximately on the post above.
the kids are well
Lawyer bread

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

_ York to rock mountain park

Manger L.A. took place in park of mountain not in the past, but twice
last week. The first time for the night of forecast in York was lit,
new the gastropub, naturally, York Blvd. where the wild hares were.
They opened space completely with large windows on the street, the
walls of brick and the light assemblies imaginative for very a feeling
of New York. There are a nice choice of beers on the tap (we tested
marvellous Hefweizen) and a good small wine list. Food seems very full
up to now -- a juicy and tasty hamburger superb; the desiccated
catfish had a clean taste without the pasty panage and a nice jumped
corn side; fact of frying a little exaggerated as I like them and the
fried beans causing a chick-pea dependence for snacking above with
drinks. Only the cuban sandwich seemed to need little more work -- the
preserves with the vinegar must go on the interior to add moisture,
not side. I am sure that the opinions will be divided surplus if the
park wants/needs of mountain a hamburger $12, but it seemed pretty
recreation at the night of us.Saturday which we checked the opening of
the art of reader of the faithful flower of Ellen comprising of
joinings of the historical vicinities of L.A., like the astonishing
pieces by Clare Graham with the gallery of MorYork and then stopped by
Bar of Johnnie' S. I loved the people, drinks and environment, but I
could have made without "my Ex-Small superb friend" exploiting the
broad-screen TV (which you of a film artsy or something would say
recreation to look at?) and incredibly strong music reverberating in
addition to ceiling of can of the vintage of the tiny room.

York rocks the park of mountain

Manger L.A. took place in park of mountain not in the past, but twice
last week. The first time for the night of forecast in York was lit,
new the gastropub, naturally, York Blvd. where the wild hares were.
They opened space completely with large windows on the street, the
walls of brick and the light assemblies imaginative for very a feeling
of New York. There are a nice choice of beers on the tap (we tested
marvellous Hefweizen) and a good small wine list. Food seems very full
up to now -- a juicy and tasty hamburger superb; the desiccated
catfish had a clean taste without the pasty panage and a nice jumped
corn side; fact of frying a little exaggerated as I like them and the
fried beans causing a chick-pea dependence for snacking above with
drinks. Only the cuban sandwich seemed to need little more work -- the
preserves with the vinegar must go on the interior to add moisture,
not side. I am sure that the opinions will be divided surplus if the
park wants/needs of mountain a hamburger $12, but it seemed pretty
recreation at the night of us.Saturday which we checked the opening of
the art of reader of the faithful flower of Ellen comprising of
joinings of the historical vicinities of L.A., like the astonishing
pieces by Clare Graham with the gallery of MorYork and then stopped by
Bar of Johnnie' S. I loved the people, drinks and environment, but I
could have made without "my Ex-Small superb friend" exploiting the
broad-screen TV (which you of a film artsy or something would say
recreation to look at?) and incredibly strong music reverberating in
addition to ceiling of can of the vintage of the tiny room.
where the wild things are...
Tacos Of The Lion

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Just if you would need more than Cakeshop lark of small cakes...

I analyzed the fascination of small cake inside and outside during
several years now, but I am always kind of narcotic that the stores of
cake and small cake continue to open at feverish intervals. Now we
have our very have it in the lake silver plated, the elegant pale
green store of cake of lark on laying down it sun at Micheltorena. I
liked that the small red velvet cake, left, was a size very reasonable
however with a healthy spoonful to be frosted nevertheless, improves
me to frost of the phenomena. The part of cake could employ an
end-agreement
-- I am employed with tantine Em' S, which moist superb. If you would
have enough cake, that I think that perhaps I have in this moment,
there are scones, biscuits, tiramisu and of coffee. Plans of lark to
remain open until to 10 of the weekends, just the place for a
difficulty of small cake after dining. Now so only somebody could open
a good cake Shop3337 W Sunset of lark of bread bakery... Blvd.(323)
667-2968
Now I obtain it...
missed

Best the fish taco in Ensenada comes in Hillhurst

Manger L.A. stopped inside with best the fish taco new in the stand of
Ensenada on Hillhurst Saturday. It is kind of soft opening because the
sector of external allowance of the places is not ready still but the
tacos are in service. The superb simple menu is composed of the fish
tacos ($1.50), of the shrimp tacos ($2.00) and of sodas. It is him,
but of more have you need, really? Well, perhaps from good beer of the
cork of Cap' N that the next door... there is now a combo I could
obtain behind! The owner Joseph Cordova comes from the fish businesses
wholesale and known as which it will add more salsas and tastes. They
have already a nice choice; we combined the slaw radish with the
lawyer salsa and the sour cream which was large top hat for the shrimp
taco. With the difference of the mares of Siete and majority of the
other places of fish taco, Mendoza supports a very light panage thus
they are not too bready and to fill. It is serious about serving each
fresh and hot taco: against allowances of girl out of one by thus you
will not finish upwards with the cold fish taco of fish.Best in
Ensenada (open the 11-7 ish, probably 7 days)1650 N Hillhurst
Eat this! 1.001 things to eat before you the mode
best the blog of the day

Friday, July 13, 2007

Something of different: Breakfast for the dinner

Manger L.A. was invited to take something of different at Noe the last
night. The Ishii throat of chief, who recently succeeded as an
executive chief of the Robert left Gadsby, makes a breakfast for small
July 15-August 14 of sample of dining. We started with one to amuse
cotta of hammered of asparagus, follow-up of the crawfish quiche
with grapefruit. After to the top of were banana crepes (described),
supplemented with fats of liver and cutters peppered with a nice
spiced bite. I could easily eat a dish of the latter for the breakfast
any time! The principal dish was one or the other an ox net
supplemented with A truffled the egg and the fried potatoes with small
the not very tasty one of kielbasa; or original bread pudding of bagel
with salmons and the capers smoked. For the dessert, made fritters
house with cutters and the cream. Us all naps become like insane for
the butter diffusion of truffle of Ishii on the French bearings;
deliver just some books of this to the house, please. The menu of
sample is $60 and can be installed with the cocktails breakfasty like
a mimosa with the expense-tight orange juice, a lévier, Mary bloody
zesty or a coffee Irish. Ishii projects to now reveal more changes
than it is succeeded at Noe, in the menu and the decor.Noe at Omni
Hotel251 S. Olive St.213.356.4100
my have the ugly bird very
News De Taco

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Food of these annoying young people ' ones

Two approaches to feed the open mouths of children:#1: Make them the
cook he themselves: Chris Rubin written to the kids making cook
classes in L.A. Times today. Mine were not receptive with the
classes still, but I always give the hope. Two other places
interesting to look in that were not mentioned in times are the new
school of the kitchen, where the son of Kathy obtained a great
beginning with the kitchen of his and the timbered academy of art of
summer in hills of Pasadena and régfion, which runs the weeklong
making cook camps all the summer.#2: The family dinners of approach
like a military campaign: I must give it at times of New York that
Leslie Kaufman, that like me, obtains around to 7:30 at the house the
night, and like me, has two kids which one is superb-super-picky. In
her history the mom puts the family on her plan of meal, it describes
how it makes cook Sunday ahead and puts a decent meal on the table at
least during five nights per week. It employs more ox than I, but it
is a good explanation nevertheless.
Cake of raspberry moouse
sometimes.....

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

L.A. Times make the daily dish

New the blog of food of L.A. Times where the daily dish debuted
today and this seems like a pretty full effort up to now
-- a mixture of the news of restaurant, daydreams on various
ingredients and dishes, mixtures like the sushi of toy, etc... Still
better, it is marked on the homepage of times -- just a few months
ago, I would have clicked probably around during 15 minutes trying to
find it. I am sure that they will work on their rather idiosyncratic
list of bond -- I like to be informed of the farms in Monterey and the
Chinese kitchen, but contents little more local would be nice (cough,
cough).
Estrella
we all are insane...

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Travel of road: San Diego last brews


house-cured charcuterie at the Linkery

Why does San Diego county get all the good beer, while Los Angeles suffers by comparison? This question was never answered to our satisfaction during this weekend's whirlwind San Diego beer tour, but we had some great food and beer nonetheless. We started our tour on the way down at Pizza Port in Solana Beach, a cute, artsy little town just north of ritzy Del Mar. It's the kind of place they could use a half dozen of in L.A. -- super casual with outdoor tables, decent bready pizza overloaded with toppings, plenty of games to occupy the kids while the adults taste beer, and an excellent list of house-brewed and guest beers.

a flight of beer tastings with house-made chipotle potato chips at Stone Brewing



I tried the Baja Session ale, which had a nice spicy finish and very little carbonation, while Kathy had the Belgian white ale. We detoured to Imperial Beach, where they film "John from Cincinnati," to drop off Kathy's son at surf camp, and then checked into our hotel, the historic U.S. Grant, which is now owned by a local Indian tribe. After a bit of research I decided on The Linkery for dinner. Kathy was dubious, since their Web site seemed to contain many stipulations including a mandatory 18% service fee and no reservations.

Sun Cafe, a vestige of old San Diego still open for breakfast



We found it in the quaint North Park neighborhood which had several cute cafes, bakeries and bars, and were happy to see it wasn't at all busy on a Sunday night. The menu is chock full of dishes composed of local or sustainable or organic ingredients as well as a great beer list (and nice Californian wine, too.) I had probably the best beer I've ever tasted -- a cask-conditioned Summer Yulesmith IPA from San Diego's Alesmith Brewing. The full-bodied, carmel-scented brew was sweet enough to offset the hoppy IPA flavor, and it packed a real punch. I savored it with the Linkery's house-cured saucisson sec and grass-fed bresaola, some portobello tacos and a lively herb salad. The Yardhouse was right across from the hotel -- in San Diego, even the touristy chain places have 100 beers on tap.

Carlsbad mussels and clams in beer broth at Stone Brewing



On the way home, we stopped at Stone Brewing's amazing facility in Escondido. From a distance, it looks like a warehouse, but up close, it features a beautiful sunken garden, huge open air patio and restaurant overlooking the glassed-in brewing operations. The food at the Stone World Bistro was also excellent, including local mussels and clams and a salad full of extremely flavorful greens and veggies. We peeked inside the brewery, picked up a bottle of Arrogant Bastard, and went home to the nearly beerless Eastside.
Chocolate balls
Orange cake (no mixer)