But Rosemarie’s is getting a little bigger the second week in October when they open their second brick-and-mortar location at 1774 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. in Ocean Beach. 

Chef and owner Nick Balsamo says this is the next step in what he hopes is strategic growth across San Diego. “I don’t want to franchise. I want a few Rosemarie’s in specific neighborhoods where they can truly belong,” he says, adding he also hopes to develop other concepts, like Strada, an Asian fusion fast food eatery, and Festa, a catering business. 

Ocean Beach felt like the next natural step in Rosemarie’s growth. It’s where he had his first “a-ha” foodie moment that led him to relocate his family to San Diego and launch his pop-up dinner series, Festa Supper Club. “My wife and I started our journey here, and my son was born here,” he says. “We want Rosemarie’s to be a staple in this community, offering great food and a loving atmosphere where everyone feels like family.”

Rosemarie’s originally launched as a food truck before opening in Mission Beach in 2023. Inspired by his Sicilian grandmother, Balsamo’s menu is best known for its sliders—epic bites of carefully crafted flavors like the signature RosieMac made with a Wagyu beef patty, onion confit, American cheese, special sauce with Kewpie mayo (the undisputed champion of mayo), and a delicious little pickle harpooned atop the brioche bun. (He recommends getting two per person. I say, why stop there? I’m gonna need some spicy elote fries with that. And fried pickles. And the Captain Jack… you know what? I’ll just have one of everything.)

Taking over the former Whomp Burger & Brew space will take a few weeks, but Balsamo says he’s stoked for this next move. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone to our new location and celebrate this milestone with the community,” he says. “Ocean Beach has supported us from the start, and we’re excited to continue this journey together.”

*This is not an invitation to tell me what burger I missed that’s your favorite. Make your list!

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

More Burger News—Toolbox Burger Launching in October

Mobile burger joint Toolbox Burger is prepping to bring a South American spin to San Diego. Rafael Magalhães, co-founder of Toolbox, says Brazil’s gourmet burger scene inspired him and feels San Diego’s “vibrant food culture” will embrace their concept once they officially open. “We’re ready to cater to events and festivals, bringing our mobile setup to various occasions,” he says. “As a special thank you, [San Diego Magazine] readers who visit us and mention the magazine will receive exclusive perks.” Keep an eye on their Instagram for details on the grand opening and where they’ll be rolling around San Diego.

Whiskey & Wine Returns to Estancia La Jolla This Month

The 11th year of the Southern-inspired shindig returns Friday, September 27, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Expect bourbon, wine, whiskey, and hopefully some water after all that, as well as plenty of comfort food and fun. Don’t want to drive? Book the Whiskey & Wine room package, or grab some tickets here and reserve a rideshare afterward.      

Beth’s Bites

• Press pause on that A.R. Valentien holiday dinner reservation for a bit—the signature restaurant at The Lodge at Torrey Pines is undergoing a major renovation starting October 13, 2024, through March 2025. The overhaul includes building a new pastry kitchen and butchery and expanding the existing kitchen. I’m sure they’ll find a few other things during the demo (because isn’t that the way construction always goes?) The Grill at Torrey Pines will remain open during this time, so fingers crossed everything stays on schedule. 
• Happy 15th birthday, Station Tavern! Fun fact: I (very briefly) worked as a food runner there during their first two weeks open, and it does not seem like 15 years ago. Tater tots for Eva.
• I love watching listening bars proliferate across the city. My next stop? Tender Hooligan in Chula Vista for coffee, tunes, and vibes.

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Rosemarie’s Burgers Opening Second Location in OB appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Deep in the sea of booths, Wali Amin settles comfortably in his abyss of folding tables, crowded with a dizzying array of used doodads: shoes, CDs, a picnic basket. Amin has been buying out storage spaces for the past 12 years—but this is far from his first business venture.

“It’s in my blood,” he says. “My father was an entrepreneur, my grandfather was an entrepreneur, and so on. They used to travel the Silk Road.”

Amin’s father was a fur merchant in Kabul, Afghanistan. Amin was a tween when the Soviet Union invaded the country in 1979. His family fled to India, where Amin earned a college degree before moving to the US in 1990.

In between shifts at a gas station and as a valet driver in San Diego, Amin slung antiques at small swap meets in El Cajon. Over time, he eventually opened a high-end Italian clothing store. He married in 2000 and started a family. Then, the 2008 recession struck, and he lost everything.

“There were times, after I went bankrupt, [that] I didn’t have the money to buy McDonald’s,” he says. “[But] we have to work, you know? This country is opportunity, and it all depends on how you take it.”

Amin turned to garage sales and storage unit auctions to rebuild his business. “The best thing about doing this is the excitement of what comes out of the box,” he says. “It might be gold, and then there’s times that rats jump out.”

A customer pauses at one of Amin’s tables to pluck a beautiful acoustic guitar—one of the many treasures Amin pulled from obscurity. The drive to make the most from the least seems to be another family trait.

“[My brother] always used to tell me that you have to make good out of your bad,” Amin says.

The post The Treasure of Kobey’s Swap Meet   appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Since then, the suite has served as a tasting room, date night destination, and community gathering space. But come July 31, Rolle is packing up and moving just a few blocks away from Pechanga Arena.

Rolle says he wasn’t planning on moving, but he had no choice when his landlord hit him with a 20 percent rent increase. But, “I think it was a long time coming,” he adds. People only want mom-and-pop shops in the area, but he says the rising costs of real estate and rent are unrealistic for independent operators. “Those days are gone.”

Finding a new location ended up being easier than he expected. “It was meant to happen,” Rolle laughs. “We were hosting an event for the Point Loma Optimist Club… and I told them what was going on with the rent.” Coincidentally, the president of the club happens to be a commercial realtor. Rolle says within a week, they’d found the location in the Midway District and signed on the dotted line a few weeks later.

Rolle is working with the San Diego Storefront Improvement Program to brighten up the new place and will work with nearby Hancock Kitchens to provide a food element for guests. “We’ll have menus there, and people can just call it in,” he explains. “It’s literally just across the street.” He also plans to incorporate more events and live music and continue growing the winery’s wine club, which is currently just shy of 500 members. Plus—unlike the increasingly crowded Newport strip—there’s plenty of parking. 

The new Gianni Buonomo Vintners will throw a grand opening celebration on September 21, but Rolle says he hopes for a “last hurrah” in OB on Saturday, July 6. It’s bittersweet, but an opportunity to start fresh—or so he believes. 

“It was not a real difficult decision [to move], but it was difficult saying goodbye to all these people,” he says. “But we’re only moving three miles away… [and] I’m entirely grateful to the community for supporting us.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Iconic San Francisco Tiki Bar Popping Up This June

Calling all rum lovers—famed tiki bar Smugger’s Cove is coming to SoCal. Meet the team and get your tiki fix on Wednesday, June 26, at False Idol from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Can’t make it to Little Italy on a weeknight? The Smuggler’s Cove team also stops at bars in Santa Barbara, West Hollywood, and Anaheim, but why leave San Diego?) Reservations are available one month in advance and aren’t required but are encouraged. 

New Mini Market Coming to Oceanside

Green Cheek Beer Company is new to Oceanside, but the Orange County-based brewery is at home in the former Bagby Beer space. Starting this Friday, May 24, from 5 p.m.—8:30 p.m., Green Cheek is hosting a monthly “mini market” with local vendors selling handmade goods, including Rooted & True, West Velvet Shop, Ruby Rose Ranch, and more. Grab a beer and a treat for yourself or someone special. 

Beth’s Bites

Good news alert—Frida’s Taqueria already has locations in Escondido, Oceanside, and most recently Vista, but don’t stop counting quite yet. The popular taco shop is also opening a new spot in Ramona. Say it with me now: more tacos everywhere.

For today’s mind-boggling headline, Bali Hai announced they have poured three million Mai Tais since opening in 1954. That’s 3,000,000 over 70 years, or around 42,858 per year. That’s more than 117 per day. And they’re already counting up to four million! I’m positively tipsy just thinking about it. 

I previously reported restaurateur Leonardo Landini was opening a new eatery at 1520 Garnet Avenue (correct) called Chaparral (incorrect). It’s actually going to be called Slowly, and that’s all we know about that. It seems that news of the new location is coming… slowly.

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Gianni Buonomo Vintners Leaving Ocean Beach appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Abnormal Beer Company

Enjoy your beer with live music and a heated outdoor patio at San Diego’s first and only all-in-one restaurant, winery, and brewery. Abnormal Beer Company has 40 taps of various beers and wines, offering their own alongside many other guest beers from around the world. Their tasting room is attached to their restaurant, The Cork and Craft, which offers a variety of comfort food with a twist in a classy, pub-like setting.

16990 Via Tazon, Rancho Bernardo | 858-618-2463

AleSmith Brewing Company

Family owned and community focused, AleSmith has garnered a host of awards at prestigious local, national, and international competitions. At its new location, AleSmith is showcasing a custom Steinecker 80-barrel brew system, San Diego’s largest tasting room, and its famous Tony Gwynn Museum. Their outdoor beer garden now offers dine-in service.

9990 AleSmith Court, Miramar | 858-549-9888

Ballast Point in Little Italy

Ballast Point

Whether you prefer coastal breezes and patio pints in Little Italy or an outdoor patio in Miramar at Ballast Point’s largest West Coast brewery, you can count on casual dining ambience and both award-winning and experimental brews.

2215 India Street, Little Italy | 619-255-7213

9045 Carroll Way, Miramar | 858-790-6900 

Border X Brewing

This Latino-owned brewery expanded their operations to Los Angeles and was nominated for a James Beard Award earlier this year. Their beer is infused with traditional Mexican flavors like horchata and jamaica (hibiscus), and they serve Tijuana-style street tacos along with brews at their Logan Avenue beer garden.

2181 Logan Avenue, Barrio Logan | 619-501-0503 

Burgeon Beer Company

From its inception in 2016, Burgeon’s mission has been to give back to their local community and promote environmentally sustainable practices, all while crafting unique, high-quality craft beer made available to everyone. You can sip a Treevana, their West Coast IPA with mosaic and amarillo hops, as you relax in their outdoor beer garden

6350 Yarrow Drive, Suite C, Carlsbad | 760-814-2548

649 Rock Springs Road, Escondido | 760-546-6740

Chula Vista Brewery

Not only is this brewery veteran-owned, but it’s also one of the only Black-owned breweries in all of San Diego. Chula Vista Brewery opened in response to the lack of breweries in the neighborhood and focuses on creating a comfortable and inviting setting for enjoying their quality craft beers. They also team up with local restaurants and food vendors.

294 Third Avenue, Chula Vista | 619-616-8806

871 Showroom, Chula Vista | 619-616-8806

Coronado Brewing Company

This family-owned brewery opened its doors in 1996 and gained popularity over the years for its abundantly hoppy West Coast–style ales. You can enjoy their bright, piney Idiot IPA or Blue Bridge Coffee Stout fresh from the taps as you take in their coastal ambience. And don’t forget to check out their food truck lineup for the week.

1205 Knoxville Street, Bay Park | 619-275-2215

170 Orange Avenue, Coronado | 619-437-4452

875 Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach | 619-423-4900

Eppig Brewing

Situated right on the harbor, Eppig’s Waterfront Biergarten patio in Point Loma lets you enjoy your beer with a view of the water, boats, and an occasional sea lion, if you’re lucky. Eppig primarily brews German styles, like the Meister Northern German wheat ale, their most award-winning beer. Their Japanese-style Special Lager is another must-try.

2817 Dickens Street, Point Loma | 619-756-6825

1347 Keystone Way, Vista | 760-295-2009

1273 Prospect Street, La Jolla | 858-999-0065

Fall Brewing Company

Grab a pint of Plenty for All Pilsner and some bites from local food trucks and enjoy them on the “punk rock patio” at this North Park brewery, which is open with limited seating every day until 9 p.m. They recently released a special pomegranate kettle sour, called “Tough Luck,” as part of a fundraiser to help one of their employees who is battling breast cancer. Said employee also designed all the artwork for the beer’s label, promotional T-shirts, and merchandise.

4542 30th Street, North Park | 619-501-0903

3010 Juniper Street., Suite A., San Diego | 619-501-0903

Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Karl Strauss was established in 1989, before the term “craft beer” even made its way to San Diego. Known as the catalyst for San Diego’s now huge craft brewing culture, this company continues to pioneer the independent brewing scene as one of the oldest craft breweries in the county. With a wide range of styles, Karl Strauss features brands like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA, as well as beers such as their famous multi-award winning Red Trolley Ale, which has a distinct toffee flavor with hints of raisins and currants. Outdoor seating is available at their five brewpubs.

1157 Columbia Street, Downtown | 619-234-2739

9675 Scranton Road, Sorrento Mesa | 858-587-2739

5801 Armada Drive, Carlsbad | 760-431-2739

10448 Reserve Drive, 4S Ranch | 858-376-2739

Modern Times Beer

This brewery and tasting room focuses on sessionable hybrid beer styles, with 32 taps at its “Lomaland Fermentorium” and 20 taps at the “North Park Flavordome.” Their blog has a breakdown of the beers up for grabs in part one of their September special release sale, which features some old-school favorites, new concoctions, and a couple of remixes.

3725 Greenwood Street, Point Loma | 619-546-9694

3000 Upas Street, North Park | 619-269-5222

470 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas | 760-452-4304

Pizza Port Brewing Company

While their name may not sound like they’re known for beer, after the owners decided to go into the brewpub business in 1992, Pizza Port quickly gained a reputation in San Diego’s growing craft beer scene. They’ve won over 91 medals and awards from the Great American Beer Festival so far, so you can’t go wrong with whatever they’ve got brewing next. And of course, you can enjoy your beer with great pizza.

1956 Bacon Street, Ocean Beach | 619-224-4700

571 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad | 760-720-7007

204 Palm Ave, Imperial Beach | 619-373–1470

2730 Gateway Road | Carlsbad | 760-707–1655

301 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente | 949-940–0005

135 N. Highway 101, Solana Beach | 858-481–7332

Pure Project in Bankers Hill

Pure Project

Originally based in Costa Rica, this brewery is committed to more than just making good beer, by focusing on incorporating sustainability into their mission. They use local and organic ingredients whenever possible, and present their environmentally conscious story along with their product. They have a new taproom in Bankers Hill, along with an expansive beer garden serving pizza catered by Urbn.

2865 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill | 619-323-2000

2825 State Street, Carlsbad | 760-278-7550

9030 Kenamar Drive, Miramar | 858-252-6143

2867 El Cajon Blvd, Dan Diego | 858-727-3450

1305 Hot Springs Way, Vista | 760-552-7873

Rouleur Brewing Company

Inspired both by the craft of modern brewing and the monastic breweries of the Old World, Rouleur aims to bring a well-crafted balance to style variations and ingredient combinations that reach beyond the rules and limitations of traditional beer. Enjoy their award-winning light and citrusy Bonkeur Mosaic Pale Ale on one of their two outdoor patios.

5840 El Camino Real, Suite 101, Carlsbad | 442-244-5111

2899 University Avenue, San Diego | 619-230-5615

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido

Stone Brewing Company

Now the ninth-largest craft brewer in the US, Stone is known for their bold, hop-centric beers. Their IPAs are a must-try, and they are also known for their barrel-aged creations. If you want good eats with your beer, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, their on-site restaurant, sits adjacent to each brewery.

1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido | 760-249-7866

2816 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station | 619-269-2100

310 N. Tremont St., Oceanside | 760-529-0002

1202 Kettner Blvd, Suite 101, San Diego | 619-450-4518

Thorn Brewing

Thorn Brewing began in North Park, made their way to Barrio Logan, and most recently opened up in Mission Hills. At the North Park location, their back room has an open-air roof and is large enough to accommodate 30 to 60 guests. Try their fruity, hazy Pink Passion IPA or their tropical and citrus Raccoonicorn Redux pale ale, both limited releases.

3176 Thorn Street, North Park | 619-230-5445

1745 National Ave, San Diego | 619-255-9679

4026 Hawk St, San Diego | 619-326-8881

Viewpoint Brewing Company

Del Mar’s first and only brewery and restaurant, Viewpoint Brewing sits on the banks of the San Dieguito Lagoon and River Park, where you can enjoy your beer from the deck and take in the river views. Although their initial philosophy was “drinkability,” the brewery is looking to be more aggressive with hops and bitterness as they tweak their beer recipes, in addition to their more approachable flavor profiles. They also have a seasonal food menu specifically designed to pair with the house beer, so keep an eye out for that.

2201 San Dieguito Drive, Del Mar | 858-356-9346

Viewpoint Brewing Company

The post 18 Breweries in San Diego with a Patio appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Caroline’s Seaside Cafe

Originally published October 2021 | Updated March 2023

Outdoor Dining Spots / Rooftops

Pali Wine Co.

Little Italy can sometimes feel frenetic, but that all slips away on the second-floor patio of this stylish, serene wine bar. The Lompoc-based vintners specialize in pinot noirs and chardonnays, with some bold reds to sample, too. You can even take your vino in a growler to go.

Vintana

While we never thought dining and car dealerships could mix, Vintana proves us wrong. This fine dining spot has panoramic city and mountain views atop Escondido’s Lexus Centre, and the menu is as luxurious as the sedans below. Decadent items include filet mignon and lobster mac ’n’ cheese, and their Tuesday date night special includes two entrées and a bottle of wine for $50.

05 the-nolen-1.jpg

The Nolen

Some downtown rooftops can be, ahem, cheesy. Not so at this refined space atop the Courtyard San Diego Gaslamp. Enter through a dedicated, non-hotel doorway and head up to the 14th floor for views of downtown and the bay. The menu is mostly small bites, and the cocktails focus on barrel-aged and throwback concoctions.

Trilogy Sanctuary

Superfoods, ocean views, and yoga sound like a winning La Jolla trifecta, and that’s what you’ll get at this rooftop vegan and organic café that shares a space with a yoga studio. While dining on grain bowls, smoothies, and vegan nachos, you can scope out their cool aerial yoga classes. They also host virtual events for breath work and reiki training.

catania-view-sdm-0223.jpeg

Catania

The coastal panorama from this Italian restaurant’s La Jolla rooftop is award-worthy, but Michelin doesn’t give out stars for views. The food’s gotta be spectacular—and, in 2022, Catania’s wood-fired pizzas and housemade pastas landed them a coveted spot in the Guide. Try the duck sugo orecchiette with braised duck and porcini mushrooms.

Rustic Root

Take in the Gaslamp action from the comfort of this hip, open-air deck outfitted in rose gold seats, life-size animal topiaries, and market lights. The rooftop has its own menu, with shareables like poke tostadas and firecracker shrimp. They’re well-known for their old-school tipples and craft cocktail shots.

Mister A’s

The perch 350 feet above sea level means you’ll be dining at eye level with incoming planes—plus skyline and bay views. The restaurant is known for its five-star plates of prime beef selections and seafood, but you should definitely order the truffle mac ’n’ cheese to start.

Half Door Brewing Co.

Housed in an early–1900s building near Petco Park, this brewpub has a charming roof deck with a robust menu and plenty of beers brewed in–house. The pretzel bites and fried goat cheese with Sriracha aioli are crowd-pleasers; then move on to juicy burgers and red-ale-braised pork belly.

^ Back to top

Outdoor Dining Spots / Ocean Views

21-Hello-Betty.jpg

Hello Betty Fish House

The rooftop at this Oceanside seafood spot has all the beautiful ocean views without the stuffy, fine dining vibe (flip-flops are welcome). It’s an expansive space with picnic-style seating, where diners feast on fish tacos, oysters, and margaritas.

Il Fornaio Del Mar

In terms of outdoor dining, the top of Del Mar Plaza is a golden standard. Il Fornaio offers formal dining on its own (closed-in) patio, but for informal drinking and eating, snag a couch on the Plaza terrace. Pasta, pizzas, and a lengthy gluten-free menu are popular.

Coasterra

It’s not a view; it’s the view. The Mexican American restaurant has a massive outdoor deck that overlooks the bay, harbor, and downtown, and is a popular spot for sunset viewing, preferably with a Deb’s Coconut Margarita in hand, and chips and fresh guacamole made tableside. Plus, a location by the airport means it’s the perfect stop for hungry out-of-towners—hello, holiday visitors!—who’ve just landed.

09 wonderland-ob-1.jpg

Wonderland Ocean Pub

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to catch the sunset. This Ocean Beach pub is famous for their amazing ocean view and daily “sunset toast,” a complimentary shot of the bartender’s choice. Enjoy taco specials and $5 margaritas on Wednesdays, half-off mussels and oysters on Mondays, and other happy hour specials the rest of the week.

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern

Set along the harbor between Shelter and Harbor islands, Jimmy’s balances the calming marina view with a lively atmosphere. The patio promises nautical eye candy—from the boats to the sailors boarding them—and the menu is full of burgers and bloody marys.

hudson-nash-patio-sdm-0223.jpeg

Hudson & Nash

Located near the San Diego Convention Center in downtown, Hudson & Nash provides killer Comic-Con people watching—if you can tear your eyes from the seascape. Watch boats pass and cosplayers clash (faux swords only, fear not) with a tiki drink in one hand and a sweet chili chicken wing in the other.

Poseidon

At a place named after a water god, ocean views are a must. And this Del Mar restaurant delivers as one of the few places with patio dining right on the beach. Take a break from tanning and sandwiches to feast on fresh seafood plates and tacos instead.

12 georges-ocean-terrace-2.jpg

George’s at the Cove

The La Jolla institution is known for many things: a commitment to farm-to-table ethics, an outstanding bar program, and amazing views from its Ocean Terrace rooftop. It’s polished, not pretentious—a happy medium between California Modern’s fine dining on the ground floor and the relaxed second-floor bar, Level2. It’s so popular for golden hour that they update their website every day with sunset times.

The Grill at Torrey Pines

This restaurant at The Lodge at Torrey Pines looks out over the iconic Torrey Pines Golf Course and onto the ocean, but without any of the stuffiness that usually presides at five-star resorts. The menu embraces fire-themed cooking, with dishes like wood-roasted vegetables and the must-try Drugstore Hamburger on a fluffy steamed bun.

the-shores-outdoor-sdm-0223.jpeg

The Shores

San Diego’s at its shiniest at the La Jolla Shores Hotel’s beachfront restaurant—both in the gorgeous coastal tableau and in the food, California-inspired and sourced from local farmers. Get the muscles, which are harvested in Carlsbad then served with ancho chiles, chorizo, roasted garlic, anejo tequila, and lime, plus ciabatta to soak up that spicy sauce.

Chandler’s

Chandler’s at the Cape Rey hotel is one of the few spots in Carlsbad to catch a view of the water. The Pacific is just far enough away to avoid sand in your hair, but close enough to smell the sea salt. The open fireplaces make for a comfortable spot to lounge, dine, and listen to seasonal live music. They also have their bases covered for accommodating kids, including coloring activities and room to roam by the pool, hotel grounds, and lobby.

jrdn-outdoor-dining-sdm-0223.jpeg

JRDN

The ideal vantage point for armchair-judging surf competitions in Pacific Beach, Tower23 Hotel’s JRDN elevates classic post-beach food (fish tacos, burgers) with local ingredients and housemade sauces at lunchtime. Dinner offerings are even more sumptuous—think lamb lollipops, braised short rib, and lots of sushi.

World Famous

Situated on the Pacific Beach boardwalk, this surf-and-turf eatery claims one of the city’s best ocean views. You’re going to spot the water no matter where you sit, but the most impressive seats are along the railing facing the ocean. Time it right, and you can be sipping on a Surfside Margarita while taking in the sunset.

Carnitas’ Snack Shack

While we’ll always come back for the food, it’s the view at their Embarcadero waterfront location that seals the deal. The counter service and no-frills modern decor create a relaxed happy hour environment to sip on a cocktail or two, order some carnitas tacos, and watch the cruise ships go by.

^ Back to top

Outdoor Dining Spots / Sidewalk

18-underbelly.jpg

Underbelly

Now that summer’s over, it’s socially acceptable to slurp ramen again, and UnderBelly’s chic North Park patio is the perfect spot to mix sipping with sidewalk seating. New menu items for fall include yakitori grilled oysters with yuzu butter and a Japanese Scotch egg.

Buona Forchetta

The Neapolitan pizza pros’ original South Park location has the liveliness, twinkly lights, and friendly Italian servers with those velvety accents who first won our hungry hearts. It’s no longer a secret, so be prepared for hour-ish wait times unless you have a reservation for a party of six or more. The good news? Stylish vegan restaurant Kindred across the street has a sidewalk patio for a pre-dinner tipple.

grand-ole-bbq-sdm-0223.jpeg

Grand Ole BBQ

Owner Andy Harris toured the States’ most storied BBQ meccas (Kansas City, Memphis, Texas) as delicious research for his own smokehouse in North Park. Enjoy the spoils of his hero’s journey—brisket, tri tip, smoked lamb by the pound—on Grand Ole BBQ’s homey patio. On Sundays, the place converts into an Argentine asado, serving chorizo sandwiches, entraña skirt steak, and morcilla.

Le Parfait Paris

This bakery offers a charming respite from the bustling bars and restaurants of downtown. All pastries, including the pillow-soft almond chocolate croissant, are made in house, and they also serve heartier fare like quiches and granola bowls. The petite patio overlooks G Street, a good spot to take in the Gaslamp revelers—with a cappuccino and macaron in hand.

The Roxy

This popular Encinitas bar and restaurant comes with a 1920s theme, complete with contemporaneous antiques and old-school cocktails. Take a seat on the charming patio for a menu that runs the gamut from healthy (salads and fig crostini) to indulgent (a cheesy falafel burger and gnocchi carbonara). Check their site for live music events.

15 cafe-madeleine-1.jpg

Café Madeleine

We feel totally transported to France every time we take a seat on this charming patio in South Park. Though best known for serving Illy coffee and piping-hot croissants—get ’em fresh from the oven when they open at 7 a.m.—they also serve savory crepes, quiches, and panini. You’ll see a mix of neighborhood regulars reading the paper solo, young families, and couples with four-legged friends.

^ Back to top

Outdoor Dining Spots / Gardens

22-atypical-waffle.jpg

Atypical Waffle

Enter through the alley on the right side of 30th Street Laundromat and step into a backyard café with succulent decor and a fire pit. The menu is filled with Belgian waffles—both sweet and savory—as well as lemonades and coffee. Try the crowd favorite Number Seven with bacon, avocado, and goat cheese.

Davanti Enoteca

This Italian eatery boasts a leafy, tree-filled patio. All the better to enjoy their famous focaccia di Recco appetizer, a Ligurian flatbread stuffed with cheese and topped with oozy honeycomb. Dinner includes pizzas and pastas, but we’re partial to Davanti’s weekend brunch, when they roll out their extensive DIY bloody mary bar, with olives, house-pickled veggies, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, and more than 100 hot sauces.

Old Venice

It doesn’t get more romantic than this Point Loma landmark. The back patio, a popular spot for private parties, is draped in whites, candles, and market lights. Pastas and pizza keep diners coming back, but don’t miss their lunch special, which includes a half-portion pasta plus salad for $12.

20-stone-brewing.jpg

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens

Dining at this sprawling Escondido outpost feels like you’re reading a fairy tale while drinking a cold one. The outdoor patio is adjacent to the property’s one-acre garden, dotted with fruit trees, herb gardens, and a stone bridge over a running brook. Sustainability is also key, as chefs use mostly local, organic produce and naturally raised meats.

Casa Guadalajara

The extensive menu of cheesy enchiladas and pollo tamales matches the maximalist decor at this Old Town staple that sports colorful umbrellas and live mariachi music. There’s a candlelit garden room, as well as a courtyard with a 200-year-old pepper tree. During their weekday happy hour, along with their famous “bird bath” margaritas, they dish out a gratis spread of appetizers. Fiesta!

^ Back to top

Outdoor Dining Spots / Kids

Panama66

The team behind Blind Lady Alehouse renovated the space next to the San Diego Museum of Art into a stylish, all-outdoors spot for a pre-theater meal or Sunday Funday drinks within Balboa Park. The counter-service menu includes gastropub hallmarks like burgers and charcuterie boards.

13 park-101-1.jpg

Park 101

At this all-outdoors space in Carlsbad you can order counter-service barbecue sandwiches, as well as acai bowls, salads, and donuts on the ground floor. Or, head upstairs for a more adult-friendly deck with small plates, wine, and fire pits.

Caroline’s Seaside Cafe

When you’re located on the campus of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, water views are a given. But this charming rooftop also serves up classic breakfast fare, like buttermilk pancakes and egg scrambles, plus sandwiches and salads for lunch. Counter service makes it an easy choice when dining with kids, and you can walk directly down to the beach after your meal.

Bagby Beer Company

A part of Oceanside’s recent cool-ification, Bagby Beer was launched by a former Pizza Port brewmaster and is known for every color of the beer rainbow—IPAs, pilsners, blondes, and German-style lagers. There’s a sidewalk porch, a back patio, and even a rooftop to enjoy the smoked chicken wings and various pizzas.

Puesto

This restaurant is the centerpiece of The Headquarters at Seaport Village and the newly-opened Mission Valley location packs the same punch. Their outdoor patio fills up quickly with a mix of families, couples, and small groups who feast on the popular taco trio plates and Parmesan guacamole.

Station Tavern & Burgers

This South Park gastropub is known for burgers, beers, and a half trolley, a nod to the site’s history as a mid-1900s trolley easement station. Daily specials range from beer brats on Sundays to Saturday’s Train Wreck Tots—potato fritters with sloppy joe mix, cheese sauce, and green onions.

The Crack Shack

Families and hipsters alike flock to this counter service spot that serves chicken and egg dishes using high-quality proteins. Their fried chicken sandwiches and duck fat fries are popular choices, but save room for the soft serve, which is customizable with unlimited toppings.

^ Back to top

The post 41 Outdoor Dining Spots to Try in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Addison

Addison and chef William Bradley are bringing the flavors of San Diego’s only Michelin-starred restaurant into the comfort of your own home. Available for pickup Thursday through Sunday, the four-course menu features seasonal local ingredients. The package is available for $89 per person, with the option to include wine selected by Addison’s wine director, Victoria O’Bryan. Schedule your pickup time through Resy.

5200 Grand Del Mar Way, Del Mar | 858-314-1900

Bleu Bohème

Bring the classic flavors of France into your home this holiday season with Bleu Bohème. The complete menu will be available to order, including their signature mussels and the rest of their expansive menu of classic French cuisine made with fresh Southern Californian ingredients. Bleu Bohème also offers a list of wines and signature cocktails to go. Curbside pickup and free delivery within two miles of the restaurant will be available on their website from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

4090 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights | 619-255-4167

Busalacchi Restaurants

Barbusa, Nonna, and Zucchero have teamed up to offer a to-go menu that highlights favorites from each restaurant. The menu includes three courses for $20, with the Busalacchis’ famous garlic bread serving as a starter, then your choice of two salads, five pastas, and the option to add extra sides, mains, desserts, and wine. Each meal is designed to feed one person, and the minimum order is two meals. Takeout orders can be placed daily from 4 to 8 p.m. All orders will be available for pickup from Barbusa; you can also get delivery through DoorDash.

1917 India Street, Little Italy | 619-238-1917

Café Gratitude San Diego

For those who want to trade in the holiday ham for something plant based, Café Gratitude San Diego has flavorful pies and sides for preorder. They’re offering seasonal, family-style specials like cranberry-roasted butternut squash and garnet yams. For the ones who like sweet treats, try the gluten-free maple pecan spice cake or mocha cheesecake. Order your choice of holiday pies and sides online or in-store by December 20 and plan to pick up on December 23 by 9 p.m.

1980 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy | 619-736-5077

Cardellino

You can still enjoy a prime rib dinner this holiday without even changing out of your pajamas. Cardellino’s holiday takeout meal includes a 12-ounce slice of prime rib, mixed greens salad, truffled mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, horseradish cream, and jus. Dinner is $45 per person, but you can add on something sweet and something to sip on for an additional cost. Place your order by December 21 and pick up on December 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cardellino. Preorders can be placed online.

4033 Goldfinch Street, Mission Hills | 619-600-5311

El Cruce + 241

This Chula Vista eatery will offer a series of to-go packages to pair with their to-go beer crowlers and bottles of wine from Baja. Order the Birria Tacos Family Pack, which includes 10 hand-pressed tortillas, birria, black beans, and all the fixings for $30. Or choose the Three for $40 special, which includes your choice of three signature dishes. El Cruce will be open on Christmas Eve, and orders can be placed in person and online.

241 Third Avenue, Chula Vista | 619-474-2244

DZ Akin’s

If you’re looking for a family-size meal with all of the fixings, then give DZ Akin’s a call to place your order. They’re offering either a ham or turkey feast complete with sides, rolls, and dessert. The turkey feast starts at $199, the ham feast at $225, with each meal serving 10 to 12 people. Order at least 24 hours in advance to secure your holiday dinner and pick up on Christmas Eve before 3 p.m. and New Year’s Eve/Day before 8 p.m.

6930 Alvarado Road, La Mesa | 619-265-0218

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Feel like Santa Claus when you walk through the door with this special holiday package filled with delicious to-go items from Greenfinch at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. The restaurant is offering a special 11-course dinner on Christmas Day that serves four to six people. The dinner comes with appetizers, entrées, sides, and something sweet to end the night. The meal is $350, and you can pick up your package between 12 and 5 p.m. on December 25. Call the restaurant to place your order.

9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla | 858-550-1000

Fortunate Son

James Tran and Olivia Beall

Fortunate Son

Fortunate Son, CH Projects’ newest venue, is honoring the takeout tradition of ordering Chinese on the holidays by offering their full menu to go. The restaurant will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day; orders can be placed by calling the restaurant or via their online order form.

2943 Adams Avenue, University Heights | 619-391-3766

Hotel del Coronado

Though the holidays look different this year, especially at the Hotel del Coronado, you can still enjoy a Christmas dinner to eat at home. Parking is validated, so plan a few extra minutes to stop in and take a look at The Del’s lovely interior before you pick up your holiday feast. The menu for four people includes lovely entrée options, decadent sides, and a yummy dessert to finish off the night. Order online by 3 p.m. on December 18 for pickup on December 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado | 619-435-6611

Mille Fleurs

Craving some French classics to enjoy in the comfort of your home? Try Mille Fleurs’ new three-course takeout meals. The menu changes weekly and is offered Wednesday–Sunday, 4–8 p.m. The restaurant has also moved their wine cellar online, so you can order a bottle to toast alongside your meal. Cheers!

6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe | 858-756-3085

Moniker General

Enjoy an at-home celebration with Moniker Cocktail Co.’s boozy bundles. The baskets change every week, so keep an eye out for your favorites or try something new. If you want to upgrade your kits, you can order additional wine varieties, too. Orders must be submitted each week by Wednesday at 4 p.m. for free Friday delivery throughout Point Loma and Ocean Beach or for pickup at Moniker General.

2860 Sims Road, Liberty Station | 619-255-8772

Mongolian Hot Pot

Mongolian Hot Pot is bringing their classic hot pot experience to your home with their takeout kits. Each kit includes different meat options, sauce, veggies, homemade noodles, and their house soup base. Families can also purchase a stove-and-pot set with their food, and the kits can feed anywhere from two to six people. Prices range from $45 to $120, with the option for more add-ons.

4718 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Clairemont | 858-274-2040

Parc Bistro

Put a French twist on your occasion and call Parc Bistro to place your order for the holidays. Each package serves two people with a menu of coq au vin, baked salmon, or filet mignon in addition to appetizers, sides and, of course, dessert. The packages range from $100 to $150 and are available for preorder now over the phone. Pickup times are December 24, 25, or 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

2760 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill | 619-795-1501

Pendry San Diego

Provisional Kitchen at the Pendry San Diego is offering their Pancakes and Pajamas holiday brunch event to go on December 19. This brunch takeout kit will include cooked pancakes, colorful toppings, and a pair of complimentary children’s holiday pajamas from P.J. Salvage for all hotel guests.

550 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter | 619-738-7000

Pho Ca Dao Vietnamese Kitchen (Mission Valley)

Enjoy a family meal from Pho Ca Dao this holiday season. Offered for groups of two or four, the meals are packed with their most popular items—including pho, appetizers, and rice dishes—for a delicious, no-brainer dinner. The meals range from $25 to $65. Orders can be placed in person or over the phone daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

2647 Fenton Parkway, Suite D104, Mission Valley | 619-684-5129

Puffer Malarkey Collective

Enjoy an herbaceous, locally sourced, family-style Christmas Eve feast with chef Brian Malarkey’s Herb at Home. For Christmas Eve, menu items include American wagyu sirloin, braised local pork belly, pesto white beans, and dessert. The New Year’s Eve spread includes white truffle mashed potatoes, pink peppercorn-crusted filet mignon, and dessert. Guests can preorder their dinner on OpenTable. Pickup will take place at both restaurants the afternoon of each holiday.

2210 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy | 610-955-8495

131 D Street, Encinitas | 760-704-8300

Ranch 45

Ranch 45’s à la carte pickup menu allows you to fully customize your holiday feast. With choices like herb-crusted prime rib, smoked turkey leg, smoked Cornish game hens, roasted broccoli with Parmesan and garlic, and olive oil smashed potatoes, it’s hard to say no. Dessert will also be available to purchase. The Solana Beach butcher shop and eatery will be accepting orders up to 48 hours in advance. Place your order online or over the phone.

512 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach | 858-461-0092

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Rancho Bernardo Inn has put together some seasonal dishes for takeout so you can still celebrate the season even at home. The menu includes lobster bisque, watercress and grilled endive salad, a 10-ounce grilled prime ribeye, and dark chocolate mousse. Preorder by December 22 at 12 p.m.

17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo | 888-976-4417

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Take the hassle out of the holidays and order the Holidays to Go feast from Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. Order before 5 p.m. on Friday, December 18 and pick up your meal on Christmas Eve between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Choose from menu items like prime beef tenderloin, lobster bisque, and truffle mac and cheese, along with a selection of wine pairings.

5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe | 858-756-1123

Rusticucina

Eckis Marketing

Rusticucina

Give your home Christmas meal a Sicilian twist with Rusticucina’s holiday menu, which includes short ribs, cannelloni pasta with roasted chicken, and dessert. Each order comes with a full panettone! Preorders can be made by phone or through the website and are accepted until December 24. The restaurant is also offering gift baskets with savory treats to send to your loved ones.

3797 Park Boulevard, Hillcrest | 619-684-5129

Tamales Ancira

Indulge in a holiday tradition with some tamales from Tamales Ancira. You can order a dozen for $25 or order the party pack of 50 tamales to freeze for later. Call in your orders over the phone and check in on their social media for special offers and deals throughout the holiday season.

2260 Main Street. Suite 17, Chula Vista | 619-424-3416

Teriyako & Bao

Hiba Khalid

Teriyaki & Bao

Teriyaki & Bao brings some holiday cheer this year with their holiday bao bun special. December 21–January 4, order their snowman bao buns filled with fresh sliced bananas and nutella. The restaurant is open regular hours even during the holidays, and is currently offering takeout and delivery through their website and third-party apps.

711 Grand Avenue, Carlsbad | 760-637-5737

Tribute Pizza

North Park’s Tribute Pizza is continuing their curbside pickup this holiday season with meal specials for the family. Feast on wood-fired porchetta or a vegetarian lasagna with add-ons like Brussels sprouts, potatoes au gratin, and spiked eggnog. Place an order online for pickup on December 23 or 24.

3077 North Park Way, North Park | 760-637-5737

Villa Manila

The Filipino holiday meal to go from Villa Manila in National City comes with à la carte items like bibingka, halaya, and buko pandan salad. Orders can be made online or over the phone and must be placed at least three days in advance. Pick up anytime between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

500 East Eighth Street, National City | 619-477-8512

Vistal

The waterfront InterContinental San Diego will be offering a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day takeout dinner from their signature restaurant, Vistal. The meal includes an entrée, sides, and gravy for $32 per person. Guests also have the option of adding on a soup or crème fraiche option for $9 per person. Orders, which will be available for pickup from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas, can be placed by calling the restaurant or by emailing [email protected].

901 Bayfront Court, Embarcadero | 619-535-0485

The Westgate Hotel

For those who don’t want to cook during the holidays, but still want to bring a little fanfare to the dinner table, The Westgate Hotel is offering a four-course dinner for two. The meal includes a porcini mushroom and chestnut soup, salad, 16-ounce Angus beef tenderloin, and dessert. The price for this upscale dinner at home is $138. Call the hotel or order through this online link before December 22. Pickup is December 24 or December 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

1055 Second Avenue, Downtown | 619-238-1818

Jenna Miller is a freelance writer. Her website is jennaruthmiller.com.

Ranch 45

Maraelia Romaine

The post Order Holiday Takeout from These 27 San Diego Restaurants appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

It’s a shared feeling on Blossm, the app that Feretic and his business partner Nick Mitchell founded earlier this year. Think Meetup meets OfferUp, but for plants. Users connect with other plant lovers within a set mile radius to swap plants and connect over their shared botanical skills.

The idea first sparked in October 2019, when Feretic found his way to a garage sale in Ocean Beach. After setting aside some items to purchase, he came back with money and a rubber plant he had recently propagated as a gift. In return, his neighbor let him pick out something from her garden.

“It was totally unexpected, but super cool to bond over our shared love of plants,” says Feretic. “I then wondered if there was a way to find more people within the community that were into plants and would be interested in swapping and connecting.”

Feretic roped in his friend and fellow green thumb Nick Mitchell, who used his skills and experience in software engineering to build out the app and officially launch it in early June, during San Diego’s first pandemic shutdown. It was a risky move, Feretic admits, but the intention was never really to make a profit, but instead to create a sense of community among plant people. And at a time when many of us were forced to stay home, plants and community were exactly what people wanted most.

Plantswap event at Reunify Yoga in January

“The interest in owning plants had been growing for the past couple years, but once the pandemic hit, it switched from a rapidly growing niche to a full-on mainstream trend,” Feretic says. “Most of the users we have on our app now are new plant people, directly related to the pandemic.”

He adds that interest in the app exploded almost immediately to around 2,000 users, allowing him and Mitchell to build it even further by expanding the radius beyond San Diego. For those willing to ship them out, plant swaps can happen in different states all across the country. In those cases, they suggest rooting the plants in moss or other moisture-absorbent foundations to ensure the plant makes the journey safely.

The app is Feretic’s main source for plant shopping—he’s done around 60 transactions with people from all over. Beyond the basic swap, Blossm also keeps plant people connected through interesting resources and educational tools, as well as local socially distanced workshops on a variety of plant topics, like how to mount a staghorn fern.

Feretic stays in touch with those he swaps plants with, often receiving messages and photos about how the plants are doing and talking upkeep and care with other users. He and Mitchell continue to expand on Blossm’s offerings, but feel most proud for simply creating a place for a tight-knit community to come together around their shared interests.

The post These San Diego Locals Launched an App Dedicated to Plant Lovers appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

First Taste / La Doña

Gabby Lopez is standing over a searing hot molcajete on our table. It’s a giant stone cauldron, and at least a little dangerous. Inside, a chile-red stew of sorts burbles with shrimp and octopus and scallops. Lopez’s mask is darkened a bit from kitchen sweat, and her eyes are equal parts exhaustion and inexhaustible joy. It took her over 20 years to open La Doña here in Ocean Beach, the restaurant she dreamt about as a kid growing up in Tijuana. She has a small ownership percentage (it’s a partnership with Social Syndicate, who’s also behind Wonderland, Bootlegger, Grand Ole BBQ), and you can tell it is enough for her and it is everything.

“It is so much work,” she admits, “but I am so happy. I started from the bottom, with nothing. God is blessing us right now; we are doing well. If I have to go back to clean floors for people again, I will. I don’t care. But everything in this restaurant has a story of my family.”

Raised by parents who cooked (her mom was “the birria queen” and her dad a chef who worked in San Diego), Lopez was making tortillas from scratch by the time she was eight. She wanted to become a chef, “but I got pregnant when I was very young, so you do whatever you have to do,” she says. As a teenage mom, she’d clean houses all day to pay the bills and afford culinary school at night.

With the help of Mina Desiderio, who hired Lopez to cook for her family’s parties, word of mouth spread. Lopez started her own catering company and became a private chef for Mexican celebrities, including boxer Canelo Alvarez. She consulted for restaurants in the Social Syndicate, from Wonderland to The Local and OB Surf Lodge. Then Desiderio told her friend she needed her own place.

“Before, I was a free bird,” Lopez says. “But now people know La Doña is me. I don’t want to sound arrogant—it’s just a dream I’ve been pursuing a long, long time.”

The burrito is her grandmother’s recipe (ranchero steak and sauteed shrimp, smothered with guajillo red and verde sauces, topped with Cotija, garlic, and scallions). A woman stands at a plancha next to the streetside window all day, constantly making the Lopez family recipe tortillas. The birria is the same her mom, the birria queen, slow-cooked every weekend. And the star of the menu, that burbling seafood stew of sorts in the flaming-hot molcajete cauldron, is a memory of her dad.

“We used to go to San Felipe, and my dad had a little old motorhome that we’d park by the ocean very close to the sand,” she says. “He bought a molcajete from a local vendor and just put it straight onto the campfire. He threw mussels and shrimp. He made a salsa and threw it in there, added a little butter. He didn’t have a recipe. He was just cooking, and it tasted so good.”

In the sauce for her “Molcajete del Mar,” the stone vessel is coated with melted cheese (Oaxacan and Asadero, best known for its contribution to chile con queso). It’s orange from bloomed chipotle, with deep notes of garlic butter and caramelized onions and a ping of fresh lime. It’s best eaten with a spoon, and it’s a testament to the laborious yet essential things Lopez does to build her flavors.

“Most of our food is Guadalajara and Tijuana and Baja,” she says. “But I love the food of Oaxaca and Puebla. Indigenous foods where people toast their spices, saute their chiles, dry their own chiles, layer flavor over flavor. I’m trying to do all the little things that many people don’t take the time to do.”

Like this morning. She’s been up since 4 a.m. making moles and tamales for the Dia de los Muertos dinner. “We’re going to have mariachis!” she says, and you can tell that, too, is everything.

La Doña

1852 Bacon Street, Ocean Beach

The post First Taste: La Doña appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The reaction from neighbors was almost immediate. “I realized if there was something I could do to brighten people’s days during this time, it made sense to just keep on doing it,” he says.

Ocean Beach Artist / Draw

Dewey Keithly

Toussaint has created one new piece a week ever since, spending around four hours to complete each one. While he does re-create well-known art, he feels most proud of the more personal pieces, like a tribute to a neighbor’s dog who had recently died, and original works that shed a light on the human rights issues close to his heart.

He begins with only a rough outline, and enjoys learning the ins and outs of working with the medium as he goes—for instance, that ocean breezes will erase fine lines almost immediately. To counteract that, he smudges each stroke in to get a richer color and give the art a little more longevity.

Ocean Beach Artist / Chalk

Dewey Keithly

But the quick cycle of creation, admiration, and destruction is part of what Toussaint loves most about his work. “I was the kid at the museum who always wanted to touch the paintings,” he says. “This isn’t so precious. Dogs roll over the chalk while I’m working, my kids ride their scooters over it, and by the end of the week, the piece is pretty faded.”

When social interaction is kept to a minimum, a sense of community can be hard to come by. But for Toussaint and his OB neighbors, one artistic hand and a pack of chalk has helped create a space for people to gather at a distance, say hello, and stay connected through art.

Erick Toussaint re-creates the famed Roman sculpture Laocoön and His Sons

Dewey Keithly

Muir Avenue, Ocean Beach

@sidewalk_chalk_dad

Ocean Beach Artist / Profile

The post The Ocean Beach Artist Creating Sidewalk Masterpieces appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Bigfoot Natural Café

This mom-and-pop shows that vegan food can be comfort food, too. Try the classic Mac N’ Cheez with cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots cooked with housemade cashew-cheese sauce. Their popular chili-guava-infused jackfruit tacos made with slaw, maple-toasted coconut chips, avocado, and cashew sauce, is a must-try. And a trip to Bigfoot Natural Café isn’t complete without indulging in a mini cashew cream pie.

3231 Camino de los Coches, Carlsbad | 760-230-9282

Café Gratitude

If you’re in the mood for some good food and good vibes, Café Gratitude will have you practicing a little self-care with every order. Beverages and dishes are named as affirmations, like “I Am Stellar” and “I Am Exquisite,” so you can blame the humblebrag on your meal this time. Their popular dishes include I Am Eclectic, breaded cauliflower with adobo buffalo sauce, celery, and ranch dressing; and I Am Magical, a black bean burger on a brioche bun with cashew-macadamia cheddar, tomato, and red onion, served with fries. If the theme is too much for you, the waiters don’t mind if you order the food by its “normal” name.

1980 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy | 619-736-5077

Civico 1845 / Civico by the Park

Civico 1845 in Little Italy and Civico by the Park are both owned by the same Calabrian family and feature Italian fare that goes back to their roots. The former made its mark as one of California’s first restaurants to offer an optional vegan Italian menu. They were recently able to extend their outdoor seating into the Piazza Basilone. Just steps away from Balboa Park, Civico by the Park also offers a full vegan menu and serves authentic pinsa Romana, a lighter, crispier, more airy kind of pizza crust. That and their own Calabrian-style pizza are the stars of the menu, but they also offer pastas, like the ravioli zucca, a butternut-squash-stuffed ravioli with fresh fava bean sauce.

1845 India Street, Little Italy | 619-431-5990

2550 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill | 619-310-5669

Donna Jean

Lindsay Kriegbaum

Donna Jean

Pizza or pasta is definitely the main choice at this rustic jungle patio. If you haven’t paid a visit to Donna Jean, you’re just in time for their fall 2020 menu drop. New seasonal menu items include the Tuscan kale salad and the Widow, a pizza topped with black garlic and a smoked date puree, Calabrian chiles, ricotta, red onion, and kale. The newest member of the pasta section, the butternut squash triangoli, is served with tatsoi, brown butter, tarragon, truffle, kabocha squash, and hazelnuts.

2949 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill | 619-299-5500

Eve Encinitas / Eve Oceanside

In addition to must-try cauliflower-crusted flatbreads and Buddha bowls popping with color, you’ll also find an array of superfood smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and local kombucha. Don’t miss favorites like the Havana Affair, a bowl packed with coconut cilantro lime brown rice, quinoa, black beans, roasted yams, pickled slaw, wakame chuka (Japanese-style seaweed salad), plantains, and “Cuban Mojo Sauce.” Top it all off with their housemade coconut yogurt parfait. And if you were thinking of leaving the little ones at home, reconsider, since kids under age 10 can eat free. 575 South Coast Highway, Encinitas | 760-230-2560

507 North Coast Highway 101, Oceanside | 760-231-1052

Green Door Café

Enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather with live music on Green Door’s plant-adorned patio, which evokes the ambience of Paris or Madrid. Breakfast or brunch won’t be complete without French toast topped with fresh banana and berries, fruit puree, and powdered sugar. And if you’re stopping by for lunch, don’t miss out on the popular Bombay Bomb curry burger, a classic vegan burger made with 30 gluten-free ingredients, including tart apple and chipotle sauce, lettuce, tomato, and sautéed onions.

7644 Girard Avenue, La Jolla | 858-291-8886

Kult Kabana at Kindred

Arlene Ibarra

Kindred

Kindred’s eclectic heavy-metal vibe makes its way outdoors with Kult Kabana, their new sidewalk oasis complete with palm branches and embellished white parasols. Take a stab at their best-selling dish, the Babylon Burger, which stacks an Impossible kebab patty, gem lettuce, preserved lemon and Castelvetrano olive relish, and whipped garlic inside a sesame bun. Fries usually pair best with burgers, but try Kindred’s popular popped corn instead, made with garlic chili, chive, and dill, and served with a lemon wedge for that extra zest. Whatever you order, you can expect it to be complemented by an uninterrupted stream of metal tunes.

1503 30th Street, South Park | 619-546-9653

NoW Café / NoW Sushi

Two different concepts under the same mission: to improve animal welfare and eliminate wildlife animal cruelty across the world. Both eateries are named for their nonprofit, NoWorries Movement, and all proceeds go to support the construction of its wildlife sanctuary. So you can do good while you eat well. Create your own bowl, choosing from acai, dragon fruit, macha, coconut charcoal, and chia pudding, with toppings like granola and honey or agave. NoW Sushi is one of San Diego’s first all-vegan sushi restaurants. Signature specialty rolls include the Sweet P (sweet potato tempura), a caterpillar roll made with shiitake mushroom “eel”; and a crunchy California roll made with mock crab.

844 West Mission Bay Drive, Mission Beach | 619-317-3620 3852

Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach | 858-246-6179

Peace Pies

Pies, pizzas, salads, wraps, entrées, dried goods, desserts, chocolates, and more. The Luna Tuna Wrap is a staple: a mock tuna salad, served with pickles, honey mustard, and veggies, wrapped in an onion dill coconut wrap. They’ve been making this classic daily for 13 years. Another popular dish is the mango curry wrap, with mango, avocado, carrots, cabbage, sprouts, spring mix, and a curry sauce all wrapped up in a coconut curry tortilla.

4230 Voltaire Street, Ocean Beach | 619-223-2880

The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro

This bistro serves vegan dishes across many different Asian cuisines, such as the Chinese-influenced Peking “Duck” Lettuce Wraps; minced soy proteins that come with shiitake mushrooms and water chestnuts on a bed of crispy rice noodles; and their bánh mì, Vietnamese sandwiches served with cucumbers, onions, pickled daikon, carrots, cilantro, vegan mayo, and your choice of lemongrass “chicken,” lemongrass “beef,” or tofu. And you can never go wrong with classic Orange “Chicken” Meatless, battered soy proteins in a tangy orange sauce topped with sesame seeds. Pair your meal with a refreshing drink like the chrysanthemum iced tea served with aloe vera vegan jelly and goji berries.

6171 Mission Gorge Road, Mission Gorge | 619-280-3388

Soulshine Vegan Market, Deli, and Café

In response to public health restrictions, Soulshine has transformed their café to include a market and a deli. Before you stop by the market to pick up your essential plant-based groceries, relax at the café and sip their popular golden milk latte, an anti-inflammatory, feel-good drink packed with antioxidants, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and a bit of black pepper. Pair it with the newly added garlic and herb biscuit sandwich with sliced tomato, fresh greens, smoked provolone, fried egg, and bacon. If you just want something to munch on, call in for their daily rotating seasonal pastries, like the almond croissant and pumpkin loaf with pepitas.

3864 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach | 858-886-7252

Trilogy Sanctuary

Trilogy Sanctuary

What better way to end a rooftop yoga class than with rooftop dining? Enjoy the views from La Jolla for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a post-workout snack. Try their colorful miso bowl with brown rice, roasted peppers, broccolini, cabbage, spinach, fresh basil, and cilantro, tossed in a ginger garbanzo bean sauce. And you definitely can’t pass up a smoothie: Choose from a very Zen-themed menu, like the Serenity, made with almond milk, acai, banana, blueberry, protein supplement, and goji berries.

7650 Girard Avenue, La Jolla | 858-633-3893

Veganic Thai

You’ll be able to indulge in a vegan spin on traditional Thai dishes here, with protein options including tofu and mock meats like duck, chicken, beef, and shrimp. If you’re in the mood for something spicy, try the panang curry or the kow soi, wheat noodles in a spicy curry broth. And you can’t leave without trying the sweet sticky rice for dessert, especially when it comes with coconut ice cream.

1417 University Avenue, Hillcrest | 619-230-5540

Civico by the Park 

James Tran and Olivia Beall

The post 13 Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Spots with Patio Dining in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.