I was approached a few months ago by local artist Tracy Sabin, who was putting together a book, “Tuesday Nights at the Calypso: A Decade of Inspired Entertainment by Jack Tempchin & the Rocket Science Band,” featuring sketches he produced over a decade during the Tuesday night gigs of the prolific songwriter and musician.
He asked to repurpose my 2011 “welcome back” column about Calypso, which had closed due to a fire, as an introduction to the book. Given my affinity for Calypso and those Tuesday nights, my answer was an enthusiastic yes!
For those unfamiliar with Jack Tempchin, he wrote hit songs like “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Already Gone” for the Eagles and many other bands and was a stellar touring musician in his own right, opening for many big-name acts.
His Tuesday night gigs at Calypso were pure Leucadia magic, when this special enclave was still clinging to its funky roots. In the book, Tempchin details how the gig occurred and how he assembled his Rocket Science Band for their 13-year run at Calypso.
Below is my original column, which might give you a sense of this time, not too long ago, when Calypso was the place to be in Leucadia, seven nights a week, for live music, great food, and an eclectic mix of locals. I encourage you to pick up a copy of Sabin’s book on Amazon.
***
Like an old friend, Calypso Café is back and it’s great to see
(published in The Coast News, Nov. 4, 2011)
There is really no place like Calypso in North County San Diego, and when it was closed for renovations, it left a massive void in the dining and entertainment scene.
It’s good to have you back, old friend.
Cool is hard to manufacture, and I can smell it a mile away when a business is trying too hard. Proprietor Gilles Knafo has defined cool at his Calypso Cafe, adding a dose of soul to keep things real. Walking into Calypso, you immediately feel a sense of warmth and energy that makes it very easy to relax and lose yourself in the music and delicious food. There is also a very international feel, as Knafo is of French Moroccan descent, and you can hear several languages being spoken on any given night.
Live music fills the air seven nights a week at Calypso, featuring a diverse range of genres. Songwriting legend Jack Tempchin, who wrote several hits for the Eagles, has a standing gig on Tuesday nights. If you ever want to treat an out-of-town guest to a pure California moment, take them to Calypso on that night and stick around until Jack breaks into “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” It’s a good thing. It’s too bad there is no dance floor at Calypso, as many of the bands really inspire movement, though people do tend to shake it around wherever they can.
Other nights feature jazz, classic rock, salsa and every Sunday night is reggae night. Local favorites, including the Mar Dels, Jeff Moore, John Bennett, Michael Tiernan, Triple Shot, and the Peter Sprague Trio, all have regular gigs. All this talent and regular full houses make every night feel like a weekend at Calypso. It can be tough to get a table between 7 and 9 p.m., so if that is your desired time to eat, I’d suggest a reservation.
Both indoor seating areas are fun, though the tables in the bar and music area tend to have a higher energy level. It’s nice to sit outside on the sidewalk with the music in the background, also, and soak up the vibe of a Leucadia evening.
The new Calypso still retains its old-school charm but features some nice new additions, including a significantly larger bar area. One of my favorite things to do is pop into Calypso early, grab a seat at the bar, order a drink and some food and listen to some music. Easy conversation with new friends almost always ensues, and the staff is always friendly.
I’ve tried just about everything on the menu at Calypso and have narrowed it down to my current top five, which tends to change weekly as Chef Ryan Adams whips up some amazing specials. My current top five starts with Denisa’s Yellowfin Tuna Napoleon, featuring sashimi-grade tuna, crab, avocado, and mango salsa. Next up would be the mussels.
They offer them four ways, and all of them are very nice. Henri’s Coq a Vin transports me to a French bistro every time. The Poisson Au Sel is also named after Henri, who is Knafo’s father, and is a whole sea bass baked in rock salt and stuffed with rosemary. If you are lucky and Henri is around, he will expertly fillet it tableside for you; however, the servers are also well-trained in this procedure.
I’m also a big fan of the St. Pierre, which is a John Dory with a light, crispy exterior covering a moist and flaky fillet. So that leaves me one more. Why did I limit myself to five? I’ll have to go with Yvette’s lobster ravioli. It’s rich and decadent and very hearty.
Honorable mention goes to Michael’s roasted duck, Anna’s rack of lamb, Donny’s seared ahi tuna, and just about every soup and salad on the menu. I’ve recently seen roasted quail as a special, along with an amazing cabbage and sausage soup. I never seem to have room for dessert, but there are some good-looking selections.
Entrées range from $18 to $30, and given the total entertainment and dining experience, it’s a fantastic value. Knafo has started a very popular nightly happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m., and on Wednesdays, the happy hour goes all night long.
***
Hope you enjoyed that remembrance of a fabulous time for food and music in Leucadia. If you experienced it or would like a sense of what it was visually, I would highly recommend ordering a copy. Search “Tracy Sabin” on Amazon, and the book will come right up.
