Lola 55 one of many delights at The Beacon
The Beacon La Costa shopping center has commanded my attention lately for very delicious reasons....
Lick the Plate
Meat rules at Wise Ox Butcher & Deli in La Costa
I have to admit that when I learned of the Wise Ox Butcher & Deli joining the Shake Shack as another meat-centric dining option in...
Farewell to Karina’s Taco Shop after 40 years
I thought I might get a little numb to writing restaurant obituaries around Encinitas, specifically Leucadia, in the name of “progress,” given the frequency they’ve...
Lunchtime bliss at Mendocino Farms
Living in the land of culinary abundance as we do in North County, options for a healthy, delicious and satisfying yet not food coma-inducing lunch...
Cardiff’s Besta-Wan Pizza an old school favorite with new twists
It’s been 14 years since I originally “licked the plate” at the iconic Besta-Wan Pizza House in Cardiff. And with a recent change in ownership,...
Casa de Bandini rolls out delightful new seasonal menu
I’ve always been a huge fan of Casa de Bandini — the margarita menu is as fun and delicious as I’ve had anywhere, and the...
An epic local yellowtail story at Beacon’s Beach
Every year I write a fish stories column that usually entails going offshore on Boundless Boat Charters and returning with a tale. This year was...
Seafood in its element at Oceanside’s Brine Box
I’ve always had a bit of a problem eating seafood at a restaurant that is not in some proximity to a body of water. It’s...
BBQ reimagined at Leucadia’s Smoke & Salt
If you’ve been on Coast Highway in north Leucadia lately, there is a good chance you’ve caught a whiff of one of life’s great aromas...
The joy of a meatball sandwich
First off, let’s clarify that the term sandwich is used as a general describer and could include sub, hero, grinder or hoagie, depending on the...
Creating the Hidden Foods brand with Kendra Matthews
My marketing/culinary mind has an insatiable curiosity regarding the backstories behind all the unique and delicious products we find in our area grocery stores. On...
Mak Mak Organic elevates Asian street food in Oceanside
Over the years as a food columnist, I’ve been lucky enough to cover several consecutive restaurants that blew me away with their concept, preparation, flavors,...
Breakfast elevated to a higher level at Manna
Simply put, I’ve never experienced anything even close to their inventive and delicious menu, and I can’t stop thinking about my next visit....
Discovering La Perla Tapatia in Oceanside
How did I learn about La Perla Tapatia? Well, most of us that work in an office environment have, at some point, had a vendor...
Gelati & Peccati Diner serves American classics with Italian flair
From the Buona Forchetta Family comes the Gelati & Peccati Diner, a new restaurant serving up Roman-style pizza (pizza al taglio), authentic Italian gelato and...
