Pali Wine Co.

Little Italy has really morphed into a culinary mecca in San Diego over the past few years. 

But it's not just food that brings the natives and the visitors down to this cute little neighborhood.

There's something for everyone - 

from top chef restaurants, to cute little cafes,

adorable boutiques and a weekly farmers market,

bars that are cracking' till 2 am and craft tasting rooms that are perfect for a mid afternoon treat.

One of the newest additions to the block is Pali Wine Co.,

a Central Coast winery known for its premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from California and Oregon and its newer label, 

Tower 15, which features Bordeaux and Rhone from the Paso Robles region.

I consider all varieties to be the elixir of the gods,

so when Pali invited me to check out their brand new San Diego tasting room a few weeks ago,

I said... wine not?!

First of all, let me tell you about the space.

Location is perfectly situated near the heart of Little Italy, 

making it a practical location for a pre-dinner drink, or two (or five, if you're having a flight). 

The tasting room itself is very modern, light and airy. 

Very insta worthy, if you know what I mean. 

As for the wine itself,

having tried pretty much every variety they offer,

(my friend and I opted to share a flight each, one of Pali, and one of Tower 15),

I, like many others before me, fell in love with the Fiddlestix. 

With that being said, there's something for everyone. 

The Little Italy tasting room offers all of its bottled wine inventory,

 and houses an 8-keg wine on tap system for a refillable growler program!

Come by, and stay a while. 

A small plate food menu will be available to pair with your wine selections in the very near future. 

Pali Wine Co. 

2130 India St. 

Little Italy, San Diego

Nicky Rottens Coronado

BP jacket, Hudson jeans, Steve Madden heels, Celine bag

Well.. America had a busy week, didn't she?

This is definitely not a political blog,

so I'm not even going to go there. 

But since it's Veterans Day and all, I feel like we need to regroup as a country. 

And what's more American than a nice juicy burger as big as my head?

Nothing. 

Last week I was invited to stop by Nicky Rottens in Coronado to check out their menu and hang out for a bit. 

As soon as I walked in, I felt right at home. 

The world championships were on multiple big screens, 

the scent of sizzling burgers filled the air,

and as I looked around, I felt like I was an extra on an episode of Cheers.

Nicky Rottens is a family owned bar located on Coronado Island. 

There's a certain sense of pride that the island locals have,

and I think a lot of it has to do with the ownership of belonging to a small town community. 

Coronado also happens to be one of only two Navy SEAL headquarters in the US,

(ladies, take note),

and this neighborhood restaurant definitely pays tribute to this fact. 

They even have a special cocktail, the Cavner Mule, that honors SOC Brad Cavner Navy Seal.

 $1 of every drink sold goes to the Navy Seal Foundation in Brad’s Name,

and if that's not a reason to order up this delicious cocktail, I don't know what is!

The menu is sweet and simple. 

Although the famous burgers are front and center,

there's plenty of options for everyone. 

And perhaps... if you're feeling extra bold (or extra hungry),

you might opt to take the Ultimate Burger Challenge!

Weighing in at a whopping 2 1/2 pounds, 

this friggin’ huge burger will leave any grown man crying for mercy!!! 

You have one hour to clean your plate, and if you finish in 30 minutes, the burger is on the house.

Why?

Because there's nothing like having your name engraved in a neighborhood restaurant to feel like you truly fit in. 

Cavner Mule - Jameson, Fresh Lime Juice, and Angostura Bitters, Topped with Ginger Beer.
*In Honor of SOC Brad Cavner Navy Seal. $1 of every drink sold goes to the Navy Seal Foundation in Brad’s Name. 

Buffalo Wings - I like 'em HOT

Bacavo Burger and a side of tots! Cause.. who doesn't love tots?

I wasn't lying.. burgers as big as my head. 

Orange Ave. Michelada - Rotating Lager, Lime Juice, Hot Sauce, Clamato, Tajin Rim and Cucumber 

Peppercorn Burger and more tots tots tots!

Cookie Bomb - house made cookies with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce 

TRUST

Do you trust the restaurant recommendations you read on this blog?

If so, I have a new treat for you!

After hearing so many great reviews about Trust Restaurant,

I finally made my way over to Hillcrest last weekend to check it out for myself. 

My first impression as I walked through the large outdoor patio filled with chic patrons gathered around the fire pits, 

cocktails in hand,

is that it's very European-esque. 

I loved the unassuming decor of this place - 

large open windows, art deco gold bar stools, and an open kitchen accentuated with a wood fire oven are all spot on. 

As we sat down, the first thing that caught my attention was the Pental Quartz communal bar.

Before I could even dive into the menu, I needed a cocktail. 

Stat!

 The friendly waiter educated me about some ingredients that I've never even heard of, 

and promised that adding a whole egg would make my selection taste like apple pie. 

I believed him, and he was right. 

He was quickly gaining my trust. 

See what I did there? 

Next, I requested a few recommendations from the food menu. 

The hardest part for me was making a selection,

since so many options made me drool on the spot. 

He suggested that a combination of 4-5 plates from the Farm, Ocean and Ranch sections 

would be perfect for sharing between two people.

Right again. 

I'm a big fan of the small plate concept, since it allows to taste different dishes without being committed to a single option. 

The standouts for me were the Wood Grilled Octopus and the Uni Pasta, 

but I can't wait to go back and try out more options. 

The menu is constantly evolving to keep up with the locally sourced, seasonal ingredients,

so I trust that my next visit will be just as good as the first.

Pork Sausage Spring Roll - roasted butternut squash, watercress, basil aioli, ginger

Bone Marrow - beet pickled pearl onions, cauliflower, chimichurri, pain de mie 

Uni Pasta - shiitake mushrooms, clams, lemon, soft herbs 

Barbusa

Hey guys, just stopping in to tell you about a new Italian restaurant that recently opened... in Little Italy. 

But it's not just an Italian restaurant.

It's an homage to the Busalacchi family's Sicilian heritage,

and if I've learned anything about Sicily, it's that they play in a league of their own.

I stopped by Barbusa for lunch a couple of weeks ago, 

and mentally bookmarked the place as a new go-to restaurant whenever I need a carb fix.

The pasta is all housemate, and tastes incredible!

I tried out the daily special, thin cut spaghetti doused with crab and vodka sauce, and was not disappointed. 

Of course if you are disciplined with your diet, there's options for everyone.

Seafood is plentiful, and if you like it straight from the ocean,

I suggest you snag a seat at the crudo bar and order up some fresh urchin. 

If you're in a pinch, or don't feel like stuffing your face with a full course meal,

this place has an awesome bar area, and quite a selection of small apps. 

The ambiance is lovely.. modern and romantic at the same time. 

Next time you're planning a date night, or want to impress someone with a business lunch,

request a table by the window. 

I love me a green wall, and Barbusa knows how to swoon me. 

Seasons on Seasons at Seasons 52

And just like that, 

in a blink of an eye, 

autumn is here. 

Kind of... 

The temps were in the upper 90s today, 

and it's only supposed to get hotter before the weather starts cooling off. 

But hey, 

I don't mind sipping on my Pumpkin Pisco Sour in a sundress!

#notbasic

Last week I was invited to sample the flavorful and bountiful flavors of the season at Seasons 52,

a fresh grill and wine bar that offers a seasonal menu inspired by the appeal of a local farmer’s market and what’s good now. 

The menu is paired with an ever-changing collection of more than 100 wines, with 52 available by the glass, 

along with exceptional signature handcrafted cocktails. 

Some of my standout favorites were the Organic Sunshine Martini and the Perfect Storm cocktails. 

All the dishes I tried were bursting with flavor, 

but I really liked the Kabocha Squash Ravioli, the Lump Crab Cake,

and the Lobster & Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread. 

The menu is updated every week, 

so no guarantees that my recommendations will be available when you undoubtedly decide to stop by a location near you.

But don't worry, 

there’s always something new and flavorful to discover at Seasons 52.

You won't be dissapointed!

The restaurant features live music at the bar every night! Don't see that very often nowadays. 

Kabocha Squash Ravioli - brown butter, walnuts, crispy sage

Lump Crab Cake - Maryland-style, mustard sauce.
You guys, this was ALL MEAT. No funny business with these cakes. So good!

Oak-Grilled Rack of Lamb - caramelized root vegetables, Yukon mash, pomegranate sauce,
with an accompaniment of Caramelized Sea Scallops

Oh and the dessert part is fun, and I'm not even a sweets person!
They bring out everything at once and go through every option until you're frantically searching for your napkin to wipe the drool off your face.
I opted for the cannoli, which was so creamy I almost DIED.
The portions are all squeezed into a shot glass so although filling,
these little guys are not big enough to make you feel guilty about indulging. 

Seasons 52

789 West Harbor Drive

Seaport District, CA 92101

Café Gratitude

Have you seen that meme that goes a little something like this:

"*eats a salad one time* I am honestly the most pure being on this earth. I can feel the toxins escaping my body right in this moment. health is a lifestyle."

Or better yet, all the vegan jokes going around social media for the past... idk, decade?

I like this one:

*someone starts having a heart attack*

person: is anyone here a doctor?

vegan: I'm a vegan.

Whhyyyyyyyyy? 

I know why. 

Because you go to a place like Café Gratitude,

eat the most amazing vegan dishes,

and feel pure af. 

I'm a carnivore, by the way. 

Did I mention that?

So when I got invited to a media dinner at the newly opened Café Gratitude,

I was like... wait.. so no meat? 

Okay. But what if I don't like it? 

Well. I went. I tasted. And I LOVED it. 

The charismatic head chef Dreux Ellis brought out dish after dish of raw, delicious goodness. 

I am abundant.

I am flourishing. 

I am transformed!

All dishes are always plant-based and 100% organic. 

I'm talking even the spices.

It's pretty incredible, and, no pun intended,

it's truly food for thought. 

I am celebrating - two collard spring rolls, daikon and wakame filling, carrots, sunflower sprouts, avocado, Japanese pickled vegetables, wasabi and thai almond dipping sauces

I am abundant - sicilian antipasto plate, cultured cashew academia cheese with saffron, preserved lemon and sundries tomato, eggplant caponata, bistro pickled vegetables with germinate, fennel salad with green olives, toasted almonds and smoked salt, toasted gluten-free sourdough baguette & gluten-free crackers. Wowza!

I am flourishing - braised asparagus arancine, arborio rice, braised asparagus, cashew mozzarella, gremolata, basil hempseed pesto oil, arugula.

I am dynamic - yam cauliflower chaat, two whole wheat samosas, roasted garnet yam and cauliflower filling, kale, chana masala, tomato, housemate beagle gram masala, coconut mint chutney, spicy tomato jam

Owner Ryland Engelhart sharing with us the story behind the restaurant. So inspiring!
Really makes you think... is the glass half empty or half full?

I am bountiful - quinoa pasta, braised cherry tomatoes, roasted marinated eggplant, green olives, capers, raisins, brazil nut parmesan, wild arugula, fresh basil. This was AMAZING!

BEST LEMONADE I'VE EVER TRIED: elevated - rose water lemonade

I am warm-hearted - grilled polenta, braised summer squash, sautéed kale, roasted tomatillo sauce, salsa verde, cashed queso fresco, spicy pipits, chopped scallions, cilantro

Dreux Ellis presenting us with more delicious goodness! I swear, by the time this course came around, I could barely breathe, but it was sooo good!

And dessert! Explain how they made raw food taste like key lime pie? Avocados?
Mind. Blown. 

Café Gratitude

1980 Kettner Blvd. 

Little Italy, CA 92101