Point Loma

For the longest time Point Loma suffered from a lack of restaurant choices. But now things are popping as Buzz reported in February. The latest addition to the group is Lighthouse Bar and Grill that opened last week at the corner of Canon and Scott Streets with a full liquor license (beers on tap too) and a menu that includes 10-inch pizzas ($11.95 to $13) that might give Old Venice pause.

It’s a casual room with bar seating (comfortable seats, unlike those hard tiny ones at Old Venice), with tables on the perimeter of the rooms. Expect some hiccups as they settle in with their menu that includes everything from salads and crab cakes to pasta and pizzas. (A few menu items may look familiar but with a different twist, coming from their sister restaurant Pomodoro next door.) My take-out pizza arrived with no basil (but had a not too thick or chewy crust, hand formed and was good even minus the basil). Their crab cakes are good if you like the almost pâté style that they and many other places serve. Buzz prefers the chunky, light, with no or very little, cracker crumb filler.

I called to let the manager know about the missing basil so that he could alert the kitchen, and he thanked me for telling him. Yes, it’s good to nicely let a restaurant know about a problem as it helps them iron out the opening kinks. It’s not nice to slam a place in a Yelp comment without first letting them know the problem.

Observed at the bar single gals checking the scene with drinks as well as solo guys, locals, having dinner. Open for dinner and now, soon for lunch. 1101 Scott St., Point Loma, 619-224-2272.

A few blocks away on Rosecrans, between Canon and Talbot comes Westy’s Antique & Tavern at 1029 Rosecrans. Just posted the ABC notice, so it will be a bit of time before it opens. Local resident James West is listed as applicant for the beer and wine license.

And in the same block La Playa Café and Marketplace opens Thursday, June 30. Owner Cindi of La Playa Bistro, next door plans to serve gelato, smoothies, sandwiches and more.

On Kettner, in Little Italy just before Juniper, 98 Bottles expects to open this summer. Sounds like it will be a fun spot

On the move: Ted Glennon leaves 1500 Ocean and Eno at the Hotel Del Coronado for a new venture in Monterey, near Pebble Beach. Coastal Luxury Management will soon open Restaurant 1833 in the building that originally housed Stokes Restaurant & Bar. Glennon will direct the wine program.

Now that the news is finally out about El Bizcocho’s new executive chef, Nicolas Bour (he’s been in the post for a few months) the Rancho Bernardo Inn will likely re concept the long running restaurant in the next few months for redesign and perhaps a name change to fit with Bour’s farm to table expertise. In May, he’ll be in Kentucky for a major Derby fundraiser.

La Playa Bistro will open a cafe as Buzz noted back before they opened. Owner Cindi Hoang said they expect to open the cafe late April or May. Look for take-out sandwiches and other easy to-go items, including gelato, smoothies and more for the lunch crowd that doesn’t have time for a sit down meal. Expect to see the crowded (and unsafe) intersection get a bit worse for noon time driving.

The latest eatery to grace the village of Point Loma is the terrific Supannee House of Thai in the strip mall at Shelter Island Drive and Scott Street. Buzz has been there three times in the past week…and they just opened. The menu features everything from soups to Thai sausage ($7.50) and summer rolls ($7), warm glass noodle salad ($8) and many house specials including spicy squid with small round Thai eggplant, green peppercorns, chili and basil ($10.50). The food is authentic, fresh, flavorful and well (not overly) spiced so that the ingredients meld yet are not overpowered by each other. It’s a tiny space, just 24 seats so if you’re in a hurry, call ahead for takeout. Open for lunch from 11am to 3pm and dinner from 5pm to 9pm. 2907 Shelter Island Drive, 3110, 619-795-8424. Closed Sunday.

While you’re waiting for a take out at Supannee, drop in next door to The Wine Pub for a glass of red, white or micro brew.

Here’s a place Buzz would take anyone looking for interesting sandwiches, omelettes, crepes, pancakes, French toast, and more. Cafe 21 recently opened a second location in the Gaslamp and the menu reflects a refreshing take on breakfast dishes that are served all day. The terrific version of eggs Benedict involves no bread or typical English muffin. Instead a thick pancake of potato mixed with sweet corn and shrimp or another with grilled wild salmon and potato, rice and zucchini or chicken curry. The cakes are topped with poached eggs and the various combos are satisfying and delicious ($13). Ingredients are locally sourced, breads and pastas made from scratch, and the dishes reflect the Azerbaiijan roots of Layla and Alex, the husband and wife owners. Service is gracious but can be a bit slower than expected. 750 Fifth Ave. 619.795.0721 Open daily 8am to 3pm, (dinner when their liquor license arrives) and 2736 Adams Ave., 619.640.2121, Open daily 8am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm.

Expect the action to pick up in the sleepy little village of Point Loma with the addition of Harbor Town (as the ABC posting says) in the old Roseville space on Rosecrans at Canon.

A block away on Scott at Canon in the former La Scala spot, Lighthouse Bar and Grill opens as soon as they get their approved liquor license as noted here. Expect the menu to have steaks, burgers, sandwiches, bar food and a well-priced, not fancy menu, all with an Italian flair. Both new venues will certainly give the locals other choices other than Old Venice (where the bar stools are arguably the most uncomfortable seats anywhere).

Other choices close by on North Harbor Drive include Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern where you can sit and sip inside or out with a perfect view of the dock and the yachts. In the same complex Pizza Nova pleases with the same view and good pizza and drinks.

In Fashion Valley Mall, look for Stacked to open summer 2011. They will occupy the Uno space and customers will be able to custom build (stack) everything from burgers to pizzas using tableside IPads with proprietary technology. The brains behind this unique concept also created BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. Love Boat Sushi expands from North County to the spot once held by Smith & Hawken. And sadly the Bing Crosby space waits for litigation issues to resolve.

Coronado now has its own store featuring olive oils and more. Check out Coronado Taste of Oils where you will find everything from oils and vinegars to pastas and pesto. 954 Orange Avenue, Coronado, 619-522-0098.

Knight Salumi Company has closed as reported by Caron Golden of San Diego Foodstuff. No details as the phone is disconnected.

Soon to open next door to (but not affiliated with) Farm House Cafe on Adams in University Heights, is Cueva Bar. Expect to find some basic tapas (so far from the menu on their website) and wines from any country that speaks Spanish (Spain, Mexico, and maybe a few that speak Portuguese), along with micro brews on tap. Will be nice to have another choice in the hopping and growing area that includes some good places on Park Boulevard.

You need not be a foodie to stroll Canon from Rosecrans east two blocks to Shafter on a Sunday morning to support the new Farmers Market. You’ll find local organic produce and other goodies including flowers and even craft items. Cheese lovers can rejoice at the selection that Mary Palmer of Taste Artisan Cheese brings to the market. Mary and her hubby George decided to do the markets rather than the brick and mortar place they had on University next to Wine Steals.

Buzz recently cruised the market and found it a terrific start for the Point Loma residents who don’t want the hassle of the Wednesday Ocean Beach market, or don’t want to drive to Hillcrest for their Sunday shopping. Besides good produce, cheese, and flowers, you can have a less traditional Sunday brunch as you munch on the multi-ethnic prepared foods available. Buzz would like to see an earlier opening as their current hours are 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.

It’s up to the community to support local farmers…and our local economy. What would you like to see at the Farmers Markets …wherever you live in San Diego?

There is bread and then there is artisan bread. There’s the baguette that’s just a soft mass of melt-in-your mouth dough. Then there’s the baguette with texture, flavor and a crust with some crunch.

Nothing irritates Buzz more than to want to support a Point Loma newcomer (that would be Charlie’s Best Bread) only to find that the new place can’t come up with their own unique menu of breads and various sandwiches. How does Buzz know this? Well, the new guy occupies the space that the artisan bakery Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe had for ten years. Charlie’s moved in and instead of creating their own menu items, decided to see if they, their bread and some of their menu items could emulate those of Con Pane. They do not.

Many of Charlie’s breads are baked someplace else, as they are bagged in plastic and ready to take (just as they are at the Hillcrest Farmers Market). They do have muffins and breakfast items, roast beef, pastrami and veggie Cobb sandwiches, paninis and daily breads ( listed in exactly the same order as Con Pane). They use organic flour in some of their breads, and their prices can be higher on some items than the former tenant’s. Buzz bought challah and have had their turkey Cobb…same ingredients vastly different outcome. You’ll also find already wrapped cinnamon rolls with walnuts and raisins that for many don’t hold a candle to the light and flavorful ones at Con Pane that are never pre-wrapped.

Buzz would like to see Charlie’s find their own identity. There are a zillion sandwich combos, why not create your own? And don’t try to fool the customers who recently came in thinking it was Con Pane redone and ordered a turkey Cobb sandwich. Expectations were high–but dashed-when they tasted the wannabe Cobb (roasted turkey breast, bacon, avocado, blue cheese, roasted roma tomatoes mayonnaise and romaine lettuce). When the customer found out that Con Pane moved to Historic Decatur and Dewey Roads in Liberty Station, they rushed down and happily enjoyed the original Cobb (roasted turkey breast, applewood smoked bacon, fresh avocado, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, house roasted roma tomatoes, mayonnaise and romaine lettuce).

Certainly it is a matter of taste as to which bakery you’ll make yours. Charlie’s also has an unfortunate parking situation as many spaces around the building are marked for the bank and other tenants. Buzz wants to see the new guy on the block succeed, though not as a copycat. If, dear reader, you’re up to it, try your own taste test with breads from each place. Buzz wants to hear from you.

Spoke to Chris Walsh who closed his Hillcrest restaurant, Bite, August 30. The reason? It’s the economy stupid…and it seems that area diners love to drink more than to eat–so even though his menu was well-priced and good, it just was not enough to keep people coming back.

He mentioned also a few facts that many diners don’t realize when it comes to eating out: Most restaurants top costs are: Labor, then rent, food and all the other costs such as license fees, utilities, etc. Most diners also don’t factor into the price of a meal the ability of the chef to create and deliver dishes based on their expertise and training. When asked what he will do, he replied, “I’ll get a job.”

In Point Loma, the long running La Scala Italian Restaurant at Scott and Canon, will soon become Lighthouse Grill a concept from Fabio Speziali (Pomodoro and others) and Antonio Mastellone (Arrivederci and others). Whatever these two create, we know it will likely be a hit here in Point Loma as Pomodoro has taken off with solid Italian food, nothing fancy, but well-priced and always good in a cozy, bustling room (and enclosed patio).

Charlie’s Best Bread opens Labor Day weekend in the old Con Pane space. One thing Buzz already knows from buying their challah at the Hillcrest Farmers Market is that it is more expensive and a much denser, less satisfying loaf than that of the artisan bakery, Con Pane, now in Liberty Station on Historic Decatur and Dewey Roads. Buzz will give their breads and other menu items a try.

Back in April, Buzz reported on Point Loma’s Dolphin Motel’s expansion of a steakhouse and then heard it would be a coffee shop. Lately, nothing seems to be happening…as the restaurant seems to be stuck in the Coastal Commission’s review.

In the world of food, let’s face it, there’s a lot of junk, stuff that kids grow up on because their parents can’t figure out how to cook a simple breakfast, or in this particular case, can’t put bread in a toaster and then top it with any and everything from peanut butter and jelly to a fried egg and bacon. Instead, they eat Pop-Tarts that are practically a faux food created 40 plus years ago by food giant Kellogg. These sugary things that many consume for breakfast or snacks now have a brand store. Yep, a store with everything Pop-Tart(ed). Should you find yourself in New York’s Times Square, you can indulge a sugar craving at the first Pop-Tarts World store located at 128 West 42nd St. The New York Times gives you the rest of the story.

Point Loma’s Roseville abruptly closed last week. Various issues seem to be at the heart of the restaurant’s sudden turn. We’re hearing that owner George Riffle is trying to work with the landlords but might possibly relocate the restaurant. So, as with all things in life, it’s a fluid, changing situation. Stay tuned.

Charlie’s Best Bread’s new location is the former Con Pane space in Point Loma. Con Pane, for those of you who missed it, is now in a spacious new space at Dewey and Historic Decatur Streets (in the same building complex as Ace Hardware, Tin Fish and Point Loma Sports Bar) with lots and lots and lots of free parking. It’s a short walk to the park if you want a place to relax with a coffee, sandwich or just a slice of artisan bread.

The just renovated Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant in Old Town San Diego State Park is destined to be a hit. Most will know the spot as the former Casa Bandini restaurant. But oh what a cool place it is now with a second floor of ten hotel rooms and some familiar faces to welcome you for drinks and food. The proprietor is Joseph Melluso well-known for his Tin Fish restaurants in San Diego and around the country, the chef is Amy DiBiase formerly of Roseville and bar goers will find Sheila Tracy mixing drinks. The entire venue is set in the 1870’s, complete with period costumes for the staff and victuals that reflect a modern take on those from earlier times.

Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe artisan bakery opens Wednesday June 16 in their new home at 2750 Dewey Road in Liberty Station. The location is around the corner from Ace Hardware and in the same block as Tin Fish restaurant. NOTE: The bakery’s last day in the old location is June 13, and they will reopen on the 16th. Buzz has peeked at the new digs and there’s a large patio, a much bigger counter, new oven and they’ll even take credit cards!

It's Got Bite

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
About San Diego's Food Scene

Lighthouse Bar and Grill and More in Point Loma

1500 Ocean, Restaurant 1833, El Bizcocho and La Playa Bistro

Supannee House of Thai and Cafe 21

Point Loma, Coronado and Fashion Valley

Tapas and Point Loma’s Farmers Market

Dueling Baguettes: Con Pane vs. Charlie’s Best Bread

Bite Goes and Charlie’s Opens

Pop-Tarts and Roseville

Cosmopolitan Hotel and Charlie’s Best Bread

Con Pane on the Move