Everyone in Southern California has their own story to share about Thursday's widespread blackout. Ours involved a trip to Viejas Casino -- one of the few places in San Diego that still had power. One quick cellphone charge later (reminder to self: must get a car charger for my iPhone), we went back home and... Continue Reading →
Finding Faygo in San Diego
Faygo is a constant on our household. Paul grew up with it in Michigan and I, due to Paul’s influence, grew to appreciate it as well. Every trip to the Midwest has always included a search for Faygo as well as some failed attempt to smuggle transport it back to San Diego. When we got... Continue Reading →
Food Detour: Scenes from the Road
This summer has been filled with road trips. It started with a trip through Ohio into Michigan, around Lake Erie through Canada and back through New York State and Pennsylvania. While I'm sure there are more road trips planned for the future, the one thing that always gets me are the unique roadside attractions. You... Continue Reading →
Avocado: Cheesecake Shot
It's hard to convince someone that cheesecake doesn't have to be traditional. You know— the rich cream cheese-laden cake with sometimes decadent topping. I personally like my cheesecake unadorned to taste the full fat of the cheese. Sometimes a strawberry topping for some added color to a blank palette is a welcome addition. But when I... Continue Reading →
San Diego Summer: Gone Clamming
One of the best things about living in San Diego, among many, is the beach. From where we live, it's only a few minutes away. Four miles to the sand. Four miles to the Pacific Ocean. Four miles to fresh ocean breezes. Unfortunately, it's also been 10 years since I actually dipped my feet into... Continue Reading →
Culinary Culture in Comics: Comic-Con 2011 Wrap-Up
San Diego Comic-Con 2011 has been over for a week and while other sites may do coverage of the latest news to affect Hollywood and— god forbid— news about comics, I'm sharing the culinary side of the convention: costumes, products and food. There were the usual scantily-clad slave Leias on parade during the convention along... Continue Reading →
Crisis on Infinite Plates: Where to Eat Downtown During Comic-Con
It's that time of year again and no, I don't mean that or even that. I'm talking about the largest pop culture convention in the world, located right here in San Diego: Comic-Con! San Diego Comic-Con International starts Wednesday with preview night and continues through Sunday and as usual, I'll be helping Paul at his Cool Jerk table, located... Continue Reading →
Ground Control to Major Appetite: Astronaut Food
Last week, I watched the last manned space flight (for now) take off from Florida to the International Space Station. I'm still amazed at the intensity of the launch and how quickly the shuttle reaches orbit. While watching this historic event via my computer, several questions popped into my head: What's it like to shoot into... Continue Reading →
Playing Vegetable Roulette: CSA Box
Nothing gets my nerves in a bind than deciding what to do with a load of fresh vegetables dropped off at my doorstep. These vegetables were courtesy of Abundant Harvest Organics. They provide a CSA-ish box with farm-fresh organics not only from San Diego but from Central Valley as well. When I was offered the opportunity... Continue Reading →
Rest in Peace Herr Sausage King
An institution has been lost in my neighborhood. The storefront that once held Sausage King is now up for rent following the passing of Fred Spenner. I only spoke to Mr. Spenner only a few times. He always helped me choose the right meat for the recipe. Was I making paella? I needed linguica. And... Continue Reading →
My Burning Kitchen... on the road 