Stout, San Diego

I've gotta hand it to San Diego- for a food lover, there's no place quite like it. For someone equally enthusiastic about spirits, it's unbeatable. Before this I thought myself an expert on culinary variety, and I'm sure there are places even more rampant with speakeasies, pubs, saloons as well as hole in the wall joints and white collar silver settings, but until I go to that place I'm content staying right here. Stout is a fantastic pub in the Downtown district that's large enough to accommodate a party of any size, and still dark enough to make you feel a little bit dirty and ready for a beer. Seemingly filled with hockey fanatics, they offer a wide span of sports offerings across countless HD TV's, but this doesn't strike me as a typical sports bar. Stout remains first and foremost an Irish pub, and one of the most popular across-the-pond experiences for San Diegans.



Typical Irish fare is served, along with some bar requisites like burgers and buffalo wings. However, how can you waste a pub opportunity by not getting a Reuben? With a Smithwick's in one hand, my eye on the Penguins, and a mouth filled with sauerkraut, there are few places I find myself as happy, or as full. Recommended for meatheads, hooligans, and drunks alike!

Stout Public House
1125 6th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 702-7933

Grill 'Em All

The gods of metal are surely smiling upon the latest trumpeteers of delicious glory on four wheels! Never has there been such an homage to all things delicious and devilish all wrapped upon in a mobile unit, thrashing their way into our hearts, minds, and stomachs. Grill 'Em All is a newcomer in the recent food truck explosion based in L.A., but with a solid menu and unapologetic culinary offerings they've already smashed their way into the highly competitive market and destroyed all that stand in their way. The duo of Ryan Harkins and Matthew Chernus paired up with a wild vision and have already landed a spot on the Travel Channel's "Food Wars", which followed the unholy pair as they blazed through California preaching their ideals of metal and BURGER.





Luckily, through mutal foodie fanatic and metal maniac Dave Witte I was able to catch these guys as they served up their goods boardwalk-side in Mission Beach, under the shadow of mighty Belmont Park. Unfortunately, a gloomy sky deterred many a regular Saturday beachgoer and potential slaves to the newly introduced Witte Burger, namesake of the very man above! I didn't need to ask what the Witte contained because to bear such a proud name means only one thing- A GLORIOUS EXPERIENCE. However, for the benefit of you mere mortals who haven't yet experienced the madness that is Witte, it's a burger on a homemade bun, slathered in California cream cheese, beer-fried bacon, Sriacha soaked grilled onions, and a roasted garlic aioli to make your arteries beg for mercy. Since the boys were on a roll filming for Food Wars, a malt vinegar aioli served as a delightful substitute in the garlic's stead. Not a disappointing choice. The film crew recognized the tunnel vision of food fanatics that have just been handed something that can't possibly exist outside the realm of awesome, and took the opportunity to ask us a few questions. I'm sure our close ups of sriacha-stained blood drool and flecks of juicy meat torn apart will look just greeeaaattt on all those HD-TVs. Hello America! This is Beth and Ashton and we're disgustingly enthusiastic! Join us in our revelry!





Only those who are from the South understand the automatic connection when you come face to face with one of your Rebel kin elsewhere in the nation. An immediate bond is formed for life once the name "Richmond" is invoked in conversation, and an instant friendship cements itself usually over a beer. Since the City of San Diego generally frowns upon public displays of drunkeness, we had to make do with gorging ourselves with meat rather than hops and yeast. The boys took to us instantly once we spoke the name Witte, and we didn't even need to ask- within minutes we were handed two dripped, glorious, thundering, mighty burgers, a side of truffle fries to boot!



The trumpeteers of Viking lore ten thousand strong could not have blasted more thunderingly into your face than this burger. I felt as though I was balancing on a pitchfork of insanity simply attempting to comprehend the madness of this gluttonous treasure. Mighty Thor himself would smite a legion of warriors to feast upon the Witte at his victory table, and sacrifice a thousand virgins to appease the demons swarming in his head with which the absence of burger would appear.



These preachers of metal and munchin' remain tadpoles in the food arena, but with a solid menu of absolutely phenomenal offerings and a schtick to rival any major stationary restaurant, I can't fathom that these crazy metal apostles won't achieve immortality through food.

La Fachada

When a Mexican brings you to their favorite food spot, you stand back, pay attention, order what they order, and prepare for some tasty shit. I like to think that I can taste my way through the standard Tex-Mex and spot a genuine hole-in-the-wall promising to serve some the best comida north of the border, but much of the time the best of the best places are those hidden deep in ghettos, behind crumbling walls, past flickering neon, and filled with cheap plastic chairs with nary a paleface in sight. When my co-worker who hails from our southern neighborland caught sight of my salsa tattoo a few months ago, he engaged me with tales of homemade menudo, fresh tortillas straight from generations past, and the best damn tacos you can imagine. When I proudly announced my successful trip to Tacos el Gordo, he sneered and told me I had no idea what I was talking about. My interest piqued, and he offered to take me on a lunch excursion the likes of which I haven't seen. How could I turn it down?!!

La Fachada isn't terribly far off the beaten path (just beyond Golden Hill on the south side of Market Street in Logan Heights on 25th street), but its promise of an amazing meal was apparent once we turned into the parking lot. A warehouse-esque restaurant sits beyond a small paved lot behind an open black fence, but all of the lunch action was taking place around the smoking grill next to a parked Roach Coach, surrounded by Costco folding tables and chairs with stacks of paper plates held down by jars of salsa and large bins filled with marinated peppers, carrots, and limes. Short, sweet, and to the point, the menu had the normal offerings of chicken and carnitas tacos, along with authentic crowd-pleasers such as lengua and cabeza, and even venturing into unknown (to me) territory of bucha and beyond! We went there for one thing and one thing only- damn good tacos.



We were not to be disappointed. While we waited (all 2 minutes- fresh and fast!), a heaping pile of grilled onions and peppers lay crackling across a charcoal grill, and we were encouraged to help ourselves to soaked radishes and limes. Our food popped up shortly, and the pig out of 2010 commenced. The major qualms that my co-worker has with Tacos el Gordo are few, but critical- too expensive, and too small. Personally, if the food is right, then $2.50 for a taco doesn't exactly make me want to blow my brains out with stinginess, but why pay more for less? La Fachada's tacos weren't obscenely bulging to the point of absurdity, overindulgence just for the sake of it, but they absolutely beat Tacos el Gordo on that point. As far as taste goes, I found it to be apples and oranges. Both superb in their own right. Does sitting in the sun surrounded by mariachi music, friends, and scents of grilling meat beat sitting inside a "fast-food" atmosphere? Maybe it does. All I know is these were some DAMN good tacos. We found what we were looking for. Venture into the neighborhood and take a chance. You won't regret it.

La Fachada
20 25th St
(at Imperial Ave)
San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 236-8566

Pictured above: Bucha, Cabeza, y Carnitas tacos with tomatillo salsa, hot salsa roja, grilled with cilantro and onions on fresh tortilla, squeeze of lime.

Krakatoa

If anyone has ever read The 21 Balloons, then you know that Krakatoa is a force not to be reckoned with. The mammoth diamond-bursting volcano erupted with such violence as to disrupt the secretly wealthy world's elite and force them to escape via balloon. Classic!

While Krakatoa in Golden Hill proves slightly less volcanic, it remains an active and bustling spot to get a caffeine or just friendly neighborhood buzz. I was introduced to it some time ago during my work's weekly Friday group lunch, an event that is vehemently discussed, pondered, argued over, and ultimately bargained for each week with intense enthusiasm and prejudice. Over the last few months, Krakatoa has remained one of our regular selections not only for the proximity to the office and inexpensive menu, but for the consistent quality of food and atmosphere.

Cozily tucked behind large palm fronds, just past the tiki guard, a quaint wraparound porch lolls its way around a small green house occupied by professionals and scenesters alike. The coffee menu boasts a healthy selection of flavors and styles, and the entire menu is available all day. Having been partial to the lunch selections (the Colima being my regular choice), when friends and fellow food appreciators James and Stephanie were in town from Richmond we sprung on the opportunity to enjoy a lighter brunch option.



While I find their coffee to be generally tasty (avoid the chai- I've been fooled a few times and find it to be unfortunately watery and flavorless), they also have a smattering of iced teas that seem to rotate. The blood orange tea popped out as the most obviously delicious choice to me, paired with their fresh lemonade which was a splash of delight. While I was tempted by their oversized and tempting desserts (which I have only heard wonderful ravings over and have yet to sample), it was a bit early to satiate my sweet tooth. Lighter fare beckoned, and with affordable prices, a fantastic porch gathering area, great people watching, and a bustling neighborhood, what wasn't to like?!?





Breakfast options range from sweet treats to health conscious and everything in between. My everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, fresh cucumber, and cold tomato screamed fresh, and Ashton's avocado-smeared bacon crumbled El Jorullo was a great balance of savory crisp and slightly sweet spread. Their fresh fruit was actually fresh, contrary to what many places serve as the standby of tasteless melon with a few scattered grapes, which was an extra-pleasant bonus. The menu isn't unbelievably extensive for first meals, but with excellent offerings for build-your-own sandwiches, along with ready-made sweets and daily specials, there's absolutely something for everyone. Next time I'll leave room for their famous dessert- stay tuned!

Krakatoa
1128 25th Street
San Diego, CA 92102-2105
(619) 230-0272

Coffee!

Nowadays, it's hard to find a happy medium between the highly-sugared bland yet hugely available McCoffees (or whatever they are branded as) and the upscale but totally worth the cost also hugely available Starbucks blends. Plus, while we all love our neighborhood coffee shop, I hate to admit that sometimes convenience is king and price is a major make-or-break for my cup of morning joe. However, for those connoisseurs who refuse to lose an iota of flavor and are ready to pay the big bucks for a morning jump start, I invite you to take this CNN quiz to see how your coffee knowledge REALLY measures up!

If you've got the tastebuds and the ca$h, then forget the coffee hajj to Columbia- head to the great dirty city known as Baltimore and make a beeline for Spro, a hot spot for coffeeheads with bulging wallets and empty pockets alike. Spro owner Jay Caragay emphasizes freshness, flavor, and only the highest quality bean in all his roasts, including the famed $13 a cup brew that has tongues wagging for more. While it's not the most expensive bean on the planet, (that title belongs to Kopi Luwak, "a bean that is eaten, partially digested, and excreted by the rodent-like Common palm civet. These legendary beans are worth $600 a pound, or $50 a brewed cup." via CNN) by all taste tests it seems to measure up to the cost. A good cup of coffee should be dynamic, fresh, and experience metamorphosis while it cools, and Spro claims to have some of the best stuff around. I'm anxious to get back to the East Coast and try it for myself! Until then, 7-11 will have to do.

From Me to You

This is one of those times when the work can speak for itself. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you From Me to You, a photoblog from NYC. The photography speaks for itself, and the writing's not bad either. My only qualm is his occasional use of the typewritten word seemingly pressed upon antique pages, which lends an extremely classic motif, but alas it also doesn't lend itself well to the readers' eyes. Nevertheless, take my word for it and check it out. A delightful blend of photos, food, enthusiasm, design, and more. An inspiration to stop using a phone camera and do the food justice. Other patrons be damned!!

Noble Experiment

A spritz of bitters, a splash of soda, egg yolks, egg whites, cucumber, mint, lemon, cherries, blackberries, not to mention the actual hearts of gin, whiskey, but never vodka are all possibilities to wash over your tongue and warp your mind when you enter Noble Experiment. You might not be able to see it from the street, and if you can even manage to find it entry is not guaranteed without a reservation which are set via texts. This catacomb-eque room oozes elegance, from the a flickering red sign upon a deeply stained wooden wall in the oppressively small entryway, spooky gold skull wall first visible upon entry, mirrored end tables, only a handful of white vinyl booths, an overwhelming white and crystal chandelier dangling from a ceiling covered with gilded images of duchesses and the English countryside. Did I mention this was a secret bar?

It only fits 25 to 30 people at a time, and entry is not open. This month old aptly named Experiment promises to be one of San Diego's hottest new trends, and I'm predicting a major hot spot for impressing first dates. With drinks about $10 a pop, it's not a major steal that keeps tongues wagging about the mystery of the place, it's the ultimate hand-crafted cocktail served by true spirit masters that will keep the place as packed as it can be; with only 8 barstools, it proves to be an exclusive club indeed. A short menu is available for those mystery-seekers enjoying the experience and mystique rather than in search of a pre-Prohibition style drink, but with old methods with a new twist, I predict that within a month there will be a waiting list to attend the Noble Experiment. I'd recommend staying as close to the bar as possible- it was a treat and a delight to witness a true artist at work. I'm sure for a nice chat the booth would prove a cozy and intimate setting, but why go to a psuedo-chemistry lab and not observe?

I confess, I'm already guilty of diluting the secret, which I hope people are able to continue to enjoy despite the inevitable mystery being solved by the general population. Once the secrecy of the location and experience get completely overrun by the Gaslamp rats, at least the cocktails will speak for themselves. You can't knock any bartender that asks you if you have any allergies before hand-crafting a drink complete with impurity-free hand-cracked ice! To those interested in any standby drink served at a meat market in order to complete some sort of Friday night hopeful carnal fulfillment, don't bother. There's a fantastic beer bar in the front of the building. However, for any adventure seeker, liquor fanatic or not, looking for an exciting alternative to the standard PB or Gaslamp experience, don't be shy about trying it out. It will definitely leave you wanting more.