San Diego Magazine's Happy Half Hour

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Little Italy Food Hall announces vendors and fish taco-preneur Ralph Rubio drops by May 09, 2018

Show notes

In today’s episode hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are discussing the vendors heading into the Little Italy Food Hall this summer, Genteel Coffee in the East Village, and Frost Me Gourmet’s second outpost. Today’s guest is San Diego legend Ralph Rubio of the eponymous fish taco fame. He talks about his first job at Old Spaghetti Factory, how a 1974 spring break trip to San Felipe gave him the inspiration to launch Rubio’s Coastal Grill, and exactly how he expanded from one Mission Bay Drive location in 1983 to 203 Rubio’s across six states. In Two People/$50, we’re dining at Café Secret, Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria, Saffron, Cucina Enoteca, and Solace & the Moonlight Lounge. This episode is sponsored by Manchester Grand Hyatt’s Brew30, a modern gastropub pouring 30 different types of local craft beer and serving burgers, salads, and more.

Cocktail bar opens at Westfield UTC, Bird Rock Coffee expands, Giardino owner Marco Provino May 03, 2018

Show notes

On today’s show, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking about CH Projects’ cocktail concept now open at Westfield UTC, Uptown Tavern’s Dinners in the Dark series, Bird’s Rock’s new Del Mar outpost, and a charity bake sale happening this weekend. Plus, we’re taste-testing Salt & Straw’s “May Flowers”-themed flavors. Our guest is Marco Provino, chef-owner of Lemon Grove’s Giardino Neighborhood Cucina and Verandina in Imperial Beach. He gives us the scoop on how IB reminds him of his Sicilian hometown and which neighborhoods he thinks could be the next restaurant hotspots. Plus, we’re dishing on all sorts of new stories on our site, from Troy’s “two-bite rule” to an ultimate Mother’s Day guide. In Two People/$50, we’re dining at Ibis Market, Dija Mara, Caroline’s, and Costa Brava.

The Pearl has a new restaurant, Saffron is expanding, and chef David Warner is back at JRDN Apr 25, 2018

Show notes

On today’s show hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking about The Pearl’s new eatery helmed by a former Campfire chef, Saffron’s new location debuting this summer, and One Door North’s new happy hour. Today’s guest is David Warner, corporate executive chef for Eat.Drink.Sleep. (Tower 23 Hotel, Lakehouse Resort & Hotel). After working the kitchen at JRDN and partnering on the now-shuttered Bottega Americano, Warner is back at Jrdn. He’s talking about their new menu and why he came back. Plus, we have an update on Balboa Park’s food desert and an in-park vacancy that we want a local chef to fill.

A museum dedicated to avocados, and Masala Street chef-owner OB drops in Apr 19, 2018

Show notes

On today’s Happy Half Hour, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking about The Cado, a pop-up museum about avocados that’s opening in San Diego, a new burger spot by way of Portland, and Great Maple’s second location. Our special guest is Saranash Oberoi, better known as OB and the chef-owner behind Masala Street, a La Jolla restaurant that’s elevating San Diego’s Indian cuisine. He’s talking about working at a two Michelin-starred restaurant, his journey from being paralyzed to opening this restaurant, and his famous chef father who he’s partnered with on Masala Street. In Two People/$50, we’re dining at Mitch’s Seafood, The Venetian, and Wa Dining Okan.

Rooftop dinners at the Pendry hotel and San Diego dining FAQs Apr 12, 2018

Show notes

In today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking about Lionfish’s new rooftop dinner series, the upcoming restaurant-bar replacing South Park Abbey, and a new empanada spot downtown (we’re taste-testing some flavors on the show). We’re also taking FAQ reader questions. Where should you dine for your anniversary? What’s a hip and cool place that’s not crowded? Where should you take visitors? We’re answering it all. This episode is sponsored by Kaaboo Del Mar, the three-day music and comedy festival, featuring Katy Perry, Foo Fighters, Robert Plant, and more at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds September 14–16.

Soda & Swine goes to college, Barbusa’s PJ Busalacchi drops by Apr 04, 2018

Show notes

On today’s show hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking about Soda & Swine coming to UC San Diego, University Heights’s upcoming restaurant-brewery, and a new dessert shop in Del Mar Heights with rainbow-colored cakes. Our special guest is PJ Busalacchi, general manager of Little Italy’s Barbusa and part of San Diego’s famed restaurant family. PJ dishes about the evolution of the family’s brand, shifting focus back to Little Italy after years in Hillcrest, and what it was like growing up with his Sicilian father, or as Troy calls him, Papa Joe. We end with Two People/$50, including Little Lion Café, Harumama, Queenstown Public House, and OB Garden Café. This episode is sponsored by Kaaboo Del Mar, the three-day music and comedy festival, featuring Katy Perry, Foo Fighters, Robert Plant, and more at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds September 14–16.

Local surfers launch a coffee co, Cohn Restaurant Group’s Exec Chef Deborah Scott stops by Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

On today’s Happy Half Hour, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking restaurant news, including the new Queenstown Bistro at Westfield UTC and Marea, a fair-trade coffee company started by local pro athletes, like Rob Machado. Plus, we’re sharing all the details about a contest we’re hosting with Puesto, where your personal taco recipe could land on Puesto’s menu. Get all the info here—submit by March 31! This week’s guest is Deborah Scott, Executive Chef and partner at Cohn Restaurant Group, one of San Diego’s most prolific restaurant brands whose projects include Bo-Beau, Coasterra, Island Prime, Vintana, and most recently, Libertad. She chats about how Hillcrest has evolved, the challenge of finding good cooks, and diners who text her for reservations. We’re also chatting about a very hot topic—are you for or against sharing food at a restaurant? We end with Two People/$50, including Masala Street, The Friendly, and Bull’s Smokin’ BBQ. This episode is sponsored by Kaaboo Del Mar, the three-day music and comedy festival, featuring Katy Perry, Foo Fighters, Robert Plant, and more at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds September 14–16.

Puesto’s taco contest, and the family behind Lolita’s Mexican Food stops by Mar 22, 2018

Show notes

In today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking restaurant news, including Herb & Wood’s new brunch, an Indian-Chinese spot now open in Mira Mesa, and Pokirrito’s Impossible Sushi Burrito made with the Impossible Burger. Plus, we’re sharing all the details about a contest we’re hosting with Puesto, where your personal taco recipe could land on Puesto’s menu. Get all the info here—submit by March 31! This week’s guest is Jorge Farfan from Lolita’s, the local restaurant chain that’s celebrating 34 years in business. After launching in Chula Vista, they’ve since opened five more locations, with each son running a location and their sister on board as company president. Jorge gives the scoop on how the family-owned and -operated business came to be, which family members still work there, and how their father still comes in at 5 a.m. every day to cook. Best of all, he reveals something about his family tree that blows all of our minds. We end with Two People/$50, including Monello, Harumama, Blue Water, Family House of Pancakes, and Malahat.

Our Best Restaurants poll is live, and the owner of former pop-up eatery Royale drops by Mar 15, 2018

Show notes

On today’s episode hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking restaurant openings, including Maestoso in Hillcrest and La Colombe café at Westfield UTC. Plus, we’re sharing all the details about a contest we’re hosting with Puesto, where your own personal taco recipe could land on Puesto’s menu. Get all the info here—and submit by March 31! This week’s guest is Jordan Brownwood, co-owner of Royale, a burger and craft cocktail eatery situated between Point Loma and Ocean Beach. Jordan, who previously worked as a bartender at bars like Rare Form and Tamarindo, talks about how he launched the concept as a food cart in Austin before opening as a pop-up within Park & Rec. Late last year, they debuted their own brick and mortar on Voltaire Street in the old Session Public space. On top of the restaurant, he and his wife also run a 15-acre avocado, citrus, and hops farm in Escondido. As Troy says, apparently the man hates free time. Our hot topic is about the 13 food-centric words that Merriam-Webster added to its latest edition, everything from kombucha to natto. We end with Two People/$50, including Nonna, Little Lion, and Shank & Bone. And have you voted in our Best Restaurants poll yet? You have until Friday!

Vietnamese in North Park, Modern Times in Encinitas, and Whisknladle’s Arturo Kassel drops by Mar 07, 2018

Show notes

On this week’s episode, hosts Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking restaurant openings, including the new Shank & Bone in North Park, Modern Times’s plans for a plant-based restaurant in Encinitas, and Herb & Wood’s North County expansion. Our guest is Arturo Kassel, owner of Whisknladle Hospitality, whose restaurants span Catania, Milagro Winery in Ramona, and the eponymous Whisknladle in La Jolla, which just celebrated its tenth anniversary. He talks about how La Jolla has changed in the last decade, why restaurants “age in dog years,” and their latest ventures in Sorrento Valley: Gravity Heights brewpub and Park Commons food hall. Our hot topic is about a start-up working on a once-a-day capsule to keep peanut allergy sufferers from, well, suffering. We end with Two People/$50, including Chennai Tiffins, Red Fox Room, and Ruth’s Chris.

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