Lick the Plate
Discovering Chuao chocolate
For those of us brought up with mass-produced chocolate, discovering chocolates like those made by Chuao is like opening a whole new pleasure area of the brain. I mean really, how many times has a Snickers bar produced an endorphin release similar to that of a nice scalp massage? Nothing against Snickers, as they [...]
Find the essence of Leucadia at Café Ipe & Surfy Surfy
When I try to describe living in Leucadia, my nutshell version usually goes something like this. Leucadia represents a sleepy, old-school coastal lifestyle that is slowly disappearing. It’s a mix of surfers, yoga/healthy living folks, big money and locals all coexisting rather nicely.
A transformative four-day cleanse with Beaming & the bAR
As I’ve mentioned in past columns, my strategy for maintaining my health while writing and talking about food on a weekly basis has been to intensify my exercise routine in order to burn off the highest amount of calories as possible.
Find bagel paradise at Garden State Bagels
Garden State Bagels has been at their Encinitas location for 28 years.
Hand crafted, artisan sausage and salami from The MeatMen
If you have been to the Leucadia Farmers Market, Blue Ribbon, Craftsman, Ritual Tavern, Proper Gastropub, or many other of San Diego’s quality-minded restaurants, there is a good chance you have come across The MeatMen.
Good stuff from 2012
The dining scene in coastal North County showed no signs of slowing down this year with plenty of new restaurants and more to come in the first quarter of 2013. Options are plentiful and the choices are enabling foodies to keep it local rather than trekking to San Diego for quality meals.
La Especial Norte tops list of local places for great soup
It’s officially soup season in San Diego. The blustery weather has us all bundled up and craving something warm and comforting. I say that somewhat in jest, but it’s all relative right? Regardless of what your idea of winter weather is, once we get into December, soup is at the top of my mind and [...]
Local high school teams compete in Soup Bowl
When I was approached by Natalie Elkind of Heying & Associates, the agency behind promoting the first ever North County culinary arts competition for high school students, I jumped at the opportunity.
World-class Chef Guillas calls Encinitas home
When I first heard from Kelly McMullen of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club that Chef Bernard Guillas was interested in being a guest on “Lick the Plate Radio” I was very excited and a bit nervous to say the least.
Solid burgers & brew and a few surprises
In the past few years, hamburgers have been elevated to a level I’m not sure they were meant to be. It seems every corner has some kind of unique spin on this most basic of culinary indulgences. It’s almost to the point of enough already, give me a simple burger made with quality beef [...]
