There are so many great places to eat in Hillcrest that we found ourselves gravitating towards the usual suspects, only to find many closed for lunch on a Saturday – go figure. Wandering about, which in itself is a pleasant repast in the ‘hood; we spied a discreet placard on Fourth Avenue promoting Kous Kous. One fabulous thing about Kous Kous is that it’s downstairs off the main street and you would never have known it was there. So reminiscent of all of those killer places you find below street …

Even before there was a 10-day free-for-all devoted to promoting our local beer industry, there was the San Diego Brewers Guild Festival. A celebration open to all brewing companies who brew within the county, this festival is the best opportunity for locals and tourists alike to get a feel for San Diego’s incredible brewing scene. And for those who are already well versed where the who’s who of local beer are concerned, it’s a great place to keep up with what they have going on, be it new brews or …

He’s not a doctor, but he plays one at Stone Brewing Co. And he’s quite convincing. Dubbed “Dr. Bill,” Bill Sysak does not own a Ph.D., but what he does have is a deep knowledge of craft beer and a network of friends in high places at breweries worldwide. Because of this, he is able to procure the best of the best for the Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens, which opened San Diego Beer Week by holding a Rare Beer Breakfast rewarding early risers with live jazz, a creative …

Being out of the kitchen was anything but an easy hang for chef Jason Maitland, who made a name for himself in a big way with his forward-thinking fare at Carmel Valley’s Arterra before unceremoniously picking up stakes and trading the limelight of that dining room for a low-profile hiatus that left his fans wondering where he’d resurface. This summer, those backers were abuzz with rumors that his new restaurant, Flavor Restaurant & Lounge would be opening this November and, later, collectively disheartened to learn that a rash of setbacks …

AVE 5’s recent concept change is best exemplified by, of all things, its tables. Gone are fine white linens and immaculate stemware. In their place are tastefully bare tabletops adorned simply yet elegantly with vegetables plucked from local soil.

AVE 5′s steak entree.
Courtesy photo

The same treatment has been applied to the bill of fare, which used to boast high-priced proteins gussied up courtesy of complex culinary techniques, but now includes what chef-proprietor Collin MacLaggan calls “heightened gastropub” fare—common yet high quality ingredients cooked simply but elevated via care and precision …

Over the past several years, Quarter Kitchen, the fine dining restaurant at the Gaslamp Quarter’s Andaz San Diego hotel (formerly The Ivy hotel), has played host to a diverse procession of head chefs. First, there was Damon Gordon, a flamboyantly quirky (and at times cranky) British import who, despite a creative cuisine mindset and quality dishes, never really fit into San Diego’s dining landscape.
In 2008, when he left to accept a prestigious post at The Jefferson Hotel in Washington, DC, his clogs were filled by Nathan Coulon, a local boy …

I first met Ingrid Qua six weeks ago at a San Diego Brewers Guild meeting. We got to talking about our mutual affinity for craft beer, and our shared respect for local brewers. It became instantly clear that she was my kinda people.

Chicks for Beer at The High Dive.
Courtesy photo

I visited her at The High Dive, which she and her husband own, and recently converted to a bar specializing in local craft beer. Over the course of our dialog, it became clear to me what a special, driven and …

Beer is food is a popular war cry among craft brew enthusiasts, and a local baked goods upstart is looking to expand on that. Founded earlier this year by self-proclaimed “Beer Girl” Misty Birchall, PubCakes is looking to simultaneously satisfy San Diego’s sweet-tooth and thirst for superior suds, with a line of cupcakesusing beer as the primary flavoring agent.
Birchall is a San Diego native who served six years abroad in the U.S. Navy before returning to discover the brewers in her hometown “make some damn good beer.” She funneled her …

On-the-go foodies get a basket full of opinions on where we should dine next. A valued friend recommended Tapas Picasso in Hillcrest. We’re glad we listened.
Tapas Picasso is special find in San Diego. Just steps off the beaten path and lost in a world of funky retail, thank goodness we were pointed this way. It’s a blink-and-you-will-miss-it establishment. Once inside, you immediately see the Picassos. While none of these paintings are going to fetch a million dollars, the inspired intent is here. The vibe at Tapas is cozy and …

Hidden treasures abound for us San Diego foodies these days. Nothing is more satisfying than finding a new haunt that delights the senses, satiates the palette and provides bragging rights. Tao on Adams Ave in Normal Heights is just such a find. Non-descript and a “blink-and-you-will-miss-it” street-side presence, Tao is that “how have I missed this place all this time” kind of establishment. Up and running for almost two years, Tao delivers a wonderful blend of Japanese and Vietnamese dishes with a propensity towards vegetarian fare.

Mango chicken with rice.
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