Lick the Plate
Experience the best of olive oil and balsamic vinegar
So I will admit, even as a food writer, my eyes had been opened recently to the world of high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar after attending the Fancy Food Show and seeing both being tasted like wine, with a plethora of flavors and nuances. Then I discovered Baker & Olive here in Encinitas and [...]
A contemporary spin on Italian at Crush in Solana Beach
It’s been over a year since I attended the Crush media dinner and it was about time to get back and see how they have settled into the space formerly occupied by Pacific Coast Grill in Solana Beach.
Nosh brings authentic deli fare to Encinitas
It’s about time that a restaurant opened in Encinitas that actually fills a need in our increasingly saturated restaurant scene. I mean really, do we really need another pizza or Mexican joint? Ever since Herschel’s bolted without warning, there has been a noticeable lack of a quality deli. Enter proprietor and Chicago native Bas [...]
Bellefleur has stood the test of time
I moved to Encinitas in 1995 and the dining scene in the area was nothing compared to what is going on here today.
Local barista takes top spot at Peet’s Coffee & Tea competition
I will be the first to admit that I’ve only recently been sucked into the whole gourmet coffee movement, if that’s what you call it.
Deborah Scott does it again with Vintana in Escondido
Vintana is located above a 300,000-square-foot Lexus Dealership. It’s not a typical location, but as we all know, there are gems of restaurants hidden in generic strip malls, attached to gas stations, or in the middle of nowhere. Ultimately, it comes down to the food and the ambiance inside and on occasion, the outside view [...]
Dining at the new Pacific Coast Grill is a cool breeze
It was a year in the making, but the new Pacific Coast Grill (PCG) opened in June and the result was worth the wait.
Easy recipes, courtesy of ‘Lick the Plate’
It’s a given that between writing this column and hosting “Lick the Plate Radio” on KPRi, I eat out a lot.
Lima Bean Faire celebrates our rich agricultural history
When people think of agriculture in North County, conversation usually heads toward avocados, citrus and flowers. Not many know that before the area had access to fresh water, lima beans were the go-to crop for early settlers.The San Dieguito Heritage Museum celebrates this history Sept. 29 with their annual Lima Bean Faire. I should note [...]
Chandler’s provides stunning location and cuisine to match
Many fans of Chef Pascal Vignau mourned the loss of Savory, which was one of the first fine dining restaurants to set up shop in Encinitas and helped establish the area as one that would support world-class food.
