San Diego Magazine's Happy Half Hour

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Javier Plascencia gives us the first scoop on his next San Diego restaurant Jul 18, 2018

Show notes

On today’s Happy Half Hour, we’re talking about Simsim headed to Kearny Mesa, a new wine country-inspired restaurant in the Gaslamp, classic burgers coming to Barrio Logan, and new menu items at The Crack Shack and Mendocino Farms. We’re joined by Javier Plascencia, the prolific chef known for toggling both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border with his legion of Baja eateries (Misión19, Finca Altozano, etc.) and two former San Diego spots (Romesco and Bracero, R.I.P.). But good news! He’s spilling details about the upcoming restaurant he’s going to open in San Diego—and sharing details about guest chef-ing at the Hotel del’s California Clambake series on July 28. Our guest is Laura Johnson, co-founder of You & Yours Distilling Co., a gin and vodka distillery that opened last March in the East Village. She talks about how a vacation to Cuba got her interested in the spirits, why she cares about ingredient transparency, and how regulations are different for distillers versus winemakers and brewers. Plus, canned cocktails! They’re coming. We end with Two People/$50, including Prep Kitchen, Punch Bowl Social, Trust, and Yakyudori.

Little Italy Food Hall opens and the owner of San Diego’s most classic dive bar drops in Jul 11, 2018

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour—first things first—we’re announcing the winner of our 100th episode Fantasy Restaurant Draft. Plus, we’re dishing on Hot Plates news—Little Italy Food Hall, Casa Rústica in Carmel Valley, and a new project in Oceanside, helmed by ex-Bice chef/owner Mario Cassineri. Joining us is Master French Chef Patrick Ponsaty of Hotel del Coronado’s 1500 Ocean. He talks to us about using local farmers, the ingredients he grows at the hotel garden, and menu items like an egg caviar we get to try during the show. In the guest seat is Chad Cline, owner of the iconic local dive bar the Waterfront, as well as six other spots in town, including Harbor Town and Club Marina. His Little Italy bar has been in the Cline family since his great-grandfather bought the space, and Chad tells us what it was like to grow up sleeping literally under the bar and how those memorable photos on the wall came to be. Our hot topic delves into Troy’s realm: the world of reviewing restaurants. He explains why he doesn’t review new establishments and reveals the fake name he uses for reservations. We end with Two People/$50, including Bali Hai, Nolita Hall, Olympic Cafe, and Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen.

The Patio Group debuts in Encinitas and we meet the fisherman who made sea urchin famous Jul 05, 2018

Show notes

After last week’s intense fantasy restaurant draft, we’re back and aboard Hornblower Cruises for this week’s episode. Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking restaurant openings, like Tocaya Organica in the Gaslamp, The Patio 101’s new Encinitas location, and Ramen Menma in Oceanside. Our guest is Peter Halmay, a 77-year-old fisherman with nearly 50 years of diving experience and the man responsible for bringing sea urchins to culinary fame. He walks us through a day in his life, shares which local restaurants are using his catch, and tells us about what it’s like to now work alongside his son. And don’t forget to vote in our 100th episode fantasy restaurant draft! You have until June 10, and we’ll be announcing the winner on the next episode.

We celebrate the 1-0-0 with a Fantasy Restaurant Draft Jun 27, 2018

Show notes

Happy 100th episode! We’re toasting to our milestone episode aboard Hornblower Cruises’s Sights & Sips Cocktail Cruise, but before we get to our draft (more on that below), we open with restaurant news. The team behind Campfire is opening a modern French bistro in Carlsbad, You & Yours Distilling Co. is expanding their East Village space and has announced a new product, and our food critic Troy Johnson gives us the scoop on El Jardín, chef Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins’s new Mexican restaurant in Liberty Station. In lieu of a special guest, we’re playing a fun, foodie take on fantasy sports. We asked ourselves, if we could eat at only seven restaurants for the rest of the year, which would we choose? Each of us—Erin, Troy, Archana, and David—prepared a list of our favorite restaurants—everything from fine dining and tacos to breakfast spots and oceanview eateries. And things got competitive. Now that we’ve made our picks, we want you to crown a winner. Check out the picks below—intentionally listed without the drafters’ name!—and tell us which restaurant roster deserves gold. A huge thank you to our listeners and supporters, as well as those of you who joined us aboard the Hornblower—we couldn’t have made it to 100 without you. Looking forward to 100 more! You can vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2SXLVBF Team 1 1.1 Buona Forchetta 2.4 Little Lion 3.1 The Crack Shack 4.4 Lucha Libre 5.1 Cucina Urbana 6.4 Campfire 7.1 Mama’s Bakery Team 2 1.2 Cantina Mayahuel 2.3 Panama 66 3.2 Jaynes Gastropub 4.3 Hane Sushi 5.2 Old Venice 6.3 Cowboy Star 7.2 Caroline’s Seaside Café Team 3 1.3 Grand Ole BBQ y Asado 2.2 Isabel’s Cantina 3.3 Trust 4.2 Café Chloe (selected before news of their closing was announced) 5.3 Amplified Ale Works 6.2 Addison 7.3 Beerfish Team 4 1.4 George’s at the Cove 2.1 Las Cuatro Milpas 3.4 Sab-e-Lee 4.1 Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub 5.4 Born & Raised 6.1 Urban Solace 7.4 Rocky’s Crown Pub

The city’s Chief Operating Officer (and big-time foodie) David Graham drops by Jun 21, 2018

Show notes

In today’s episode Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are taping from The Westgate Hotel, where we’re talking restaurant openings, including Cali Banh Mi in Pacific Beach, Dolce at the Highlands’ revamp, and Amplified Ale Works upcoming East Village outpost. Joining us is the Westgate’s executive chef Fabrice Hardel. He’s dishing on his spin on classic French cuisine and the menu he’s created for the hotel’s Jazz Series. Our guest is David Graham, the City of San Diego’s Deputy COO, who’s telling us what it takes to bring businesses to fruition (he was behind the Quartyard), the state’s dated regulations, and more. He also once competed in the World Food Championships and served as sous chef to his mom at cooking competitions. Today’s hot topic is about the science behind restaurant menus. A San Diego-based pizza mini-chain is mentioned in the story. Can you guess which one?

Cutwater Spirits founder Yuseff Cherney drops by Jun 13, 2018

Show notes

Today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour is sponsored by The Westgate Hotel and their Sunset Poolside Jazz Series, hosted on the rooftop every Thursday through September 13. On today’s show, Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are taping from The Westgate Hotel, where we’re talking restaurant openings, including the new El Carrito in Barrio Logan and El Tianguis in North Park, plus who’ll be a part of Carlsbad’s Windmill Food Hall. We’re joined by Gilbert Castellanos, the acclaimed jazz musician who’s shared a stage with everyone from Liza Minelli to Dizzy Gillespie and plays every Friday at The Westgate’s Plaza Bar. He talks about curating the music for this year’s Sunset Poolside Jazz Series and the upcoming performances you can’t miss. Our guest is Yuseff Cherney, founder and Master Distiller of Cutwater Spirits and the former head brewer and COO of Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits. The UC San Diego grad talks to us about starting at Home Brew Mart, things he’s learned with his 26 years in the industry, and what that billion-dollar Constellation Brands acquisition felt like. Plus, he’s giving us the scoop on Cutwater’s most popular canned cocktails and what makes them “crushable.” We’re gearing up for our big 100th episode, which we’ll be taping on Hornblower Cruise’s Sights & Sips Cocktail Cruise June 22. And we want you there! Enter here for a chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to join us on the bay.

Anthony Bourdain, Punch Bowl Social, SD bars relocation, Balboa Park’s restaurant drought Jun 08, 2018

Show notes

On today’s show hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram discuss the shock of Anthony Bourdain’s death and the legacy he’ll leave. In our local scene, there’s the opening of Punch Bowl Social and Prepkitchen San Marcos, as well as the Red Fox Room and Aero Club’s moves. Today’s guest is Jennifer Davies, the San Diego Tourism Authority’s Director of Cultural Tourism for Balboa Park. We talk about the park’s Food Truck Fridays series and what’s going on with the restaurant scene in one of San Diego’s most visited landmarks. In hot topics, we’re discussing how people are pointing fingers at a local hospitality group for the death of hundreds of fish in Lake San Marcos. When reached for comment, the group, which handles day-to-day activities of the lake, referred us to a work plan organized by the Citizens Development Corporation, which maintains upkeep of the lake. They say they “are currently working with stakeholders, residents of the surrounding community, and State regulators to arrive at a long term solution to many issues including nutrients, excess algae, and fish kills at the Lake.” We’re also chatting about Jimbo’s suing Horton Plaza. They claim the shopping center’s lackluster performance has cost the natural grocery store millions in sales thanks, in part, to low foot traffic. Plus, we’re gearing up for our big 100th episode, which we’ll be taping on Hornblower Cruise’s Sights & Sips Cocktail Cruise June 22. And we want you there! Enter here for a chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to join us on the bay.

Cheesesteaks hit PB, a boozy kombucha in NP, Valentina Di Pietro of Monello and Bencotto May 31, 2018

Show notes

On today’s show hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are dishing out restaurant openings, like Calozzi’s Cheesesteaks, JuneShine kombucha bar, and The Crack Shack’s collaboration with Salt & Straw ice cream. In the guest seat is Valentina Di Pietro, co-owner of Little Italy restaurant staples Monello and Bencotto, which earned Troy’s pick for Best Italian in this year’s Best Restaurants issue. Valentina chats about her career evolution from working in public relations for Dolce & Gabbana to opening a restaurant in Little Italy before it was the buzzy neighborhood it is today. She gives us the scoop on the one dish everyone is going nuts for at her restaurants and the recipe her co-owner husband won’t share “until his death.” Plus, we’re gearing up for our big 100th episode, which we’ll be taping on Hornblower Cruise’s Sights & Sips Cocktail Cruise June 22. And we want you there! Enter here for a chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to join us on the bay.

A farm dinner event led by female chefs, and chef-restauranteur Brian Malarkey drops by May 24, 2018

Show notes

In today’s episode hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are discussing San Diego restaurant news, like Supernatural Sandwiches heading to Pacific Beach, a major dinner event with all female chefs happening May 27, and a barbecue concept headed to San Carlos this summer. Joining us is Brian Malarkey, chef and co-owner of Herb & Wood, Farmer & The Seahorse, and Green Acre. He’s here to celebrate making the cover of our new Best Restaurants issue—that’s Herb & Wood’s sea bass on the cover—and winning Best of the Best Fancy Restaurant, as chosen by Troy. He’s also dishing about the highs and lows of being a prolific restaurateur, the shaky start to Herb & Eatery (Herb & Wood’s next-door café), and the two new restaurants he’ll be bringing to the city in 2019. Plus, we’re gearing up for our big 100th episode, which we’ll be taping on Hornblower Cruise’s Sights & Sips Cocktail Cruise June 22. And we want you there! Enter here for a chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to join us on the bay.

A healthy café heads to Solana Beach, and Pisco executive chef Emmanuel Piqueras May 17, 2018

Show notes

On today’s show, we’re chatting about a pasta shop headed to the East Village, Le Parfait Paris’s new beer and wine garden at Fashion Valley Mall, and a healthy eatery coming to Solana Beach. Our guest is Emmanuel Piqueras, executive chef of Pisco Rotisserie & Cevicheria in Liberty Station and Carlsbad. Over some ceviche and Peruvian beer, we’re discussing how he landed a TV show, partnering with Sammy Ladecki on the Peruvian concept, and why this New York-based chef wanted to work in San Diego. In Two People/$50, we’re dining at Alexander’s, Panama66, Fathom Bistro, Bait & Tackle, and Born & Raised.

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