Beer

Beer, Lotus Cafe and SOLMarkets

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In Liberty Station close to the Barnett Avenue entrance look for  SOL Markets(Seasonal, Organic, Local) to open late January.  According to one of the principals in the venture, Vincent Brown, “We will only carry products from local farmers/ranchers and other craft purveyors.  The farmers market rotates its suppliers and appears part time.  We will be open 7 days a week and are moving to open an exhibition kitchen and tasting room for beers and wine.  We have a dedicated space there for community and education, we carry credit cards and fully vet our suppliers.  We are not here to compete with the farmers markets, but to help grow the number of people who are interested in buying locally and eating seasonally.”

In Hillcrest, Lotus Cafe and Juice Bar adds a second location (they’re in Encinitas) and moves into the spot recently occupied by Pizza Nova.  Construction is underway, so expect to see it open soon.

And beer buffs can get in on the festivities to celebrate and enjoy San Diego Beer Week that runs until November 13.

A quick note about Buzz’s absence on these pages:  For the past year she’s been testing recipes for a friend’s cookbook due out next October, coupled with traveling far and wide.  Expect to read about some of the meals she had in New York, Puerto Rico, Paris and soon Cuba.  In the meantime, here are a few bites from Buzz about San Diego’s restaurant scene.  Expect another post sometime after November 17!

 

 

Pub Sprawl and Caffè Vergnano 1882

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Do the pub sprawl in North Park on April 25 from 8pm to midnight  when 11 of the bars and restaurants will offer $5 drink specials.  $5 per ticket = 1 drink. Tickets are on sale that evening. Check their website for information.

Italy comes to San Diego in a great way:  fabulous espresso.  Look for Caffè Vergnano 1882 to open by the end of April in Hillcrest. You’ll find it mid block on the left hand side of  Fifth Avenue between University and and Robinson. Buzz sampled this coffee recently while in New York.  The coffee is in Mario Batali’s homage to everything Italian–the mega Italian grocery and eatery known as Eataly.  Caffè Vergnano’s arrival in San Diego, for espresso lovers, will be the place for a properly pulled shot (and a good addition to the neighborhood with Chocolat just down the street).  For more information: 619-255-1882.

Food Trucks, BBQ, Beer and the Wine & Food Festival

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For the those of you looking for a different type of  meal, check out where the various food trucks of San Diego are serving up everything from cupcakes (Corner Cupcakes) and Asian fusion (Tabe BBQ) to espresso (Joes on the Nose) and ice cream (Sweet Treats).

The Hillcrest corner of Fifth  and Washington that housed Sushi Itto will soon become Brazen BBQ on a ten-year lease for the  3300 square foot space.  Two young guys, John Bracamonte and Brad Thomas, who are winners of some major barbecue competitions, including those sanctioned by the  prestigious Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS), are the minds behind Brazen BBQ.  Sounds like they may give Phil’s a good run for the money…San Diego could use some really swell and authentic barbecue.

And in case you missed it, also in Hillcrest, Kemo Sabe closed to relocate at some point to a coastal site in North County.  The Cohn Restaurant Group will launch their food truck Chop Soo-ey in January at the Little Italy farmers market.  In the meantime, they have their launch party in November and are doing private gigs.  Their competition as recently seen on local NBC tv, is Miho Gastrotruck with creative food including pork belly sammy and lots of other goodies.

While we’re talking Cohn restaurants, they recently installed a hot new chef, Daniel Barron, at Blue Point Coastal Cuisine.  This restaurant gets a huge share of convention business, and the place was full on a early weeknight.  Barron has cooked around the country.  However, there was disappointment in what was touted as one of his signature dishes, a 60 hour boneless short rib ($35).  As explained by the server, this chunk of meat is cooked sous-vide and comes out melting in your mouth.  Not.  This was one tough hunk that needed lots more time, though it apparently was meant to be what was served.  The horseradish hash browns were yummy, crisp and with a bite.  Perhaps one needs to stick to the seafood.

There’s still time to join the fun at the San Diego Wine & Food Festival that runs from November 17 to 21.  Famous chefs, lots of wine and a good crowd to boot.

If beer is your drink of choice, the annual San Diego Beer Week has many many options for you…Check out the schedule here.