restaurant design

through my m+m (mangia & mingle) posts, i highlight the design of establishments (mostly local to southern california), and include a fair amount of restaurants (also capturing their cuisine).  design can set the tone, draw the crowd, and echo the essence of the food served within.  it's fascinating all the elements that go into planning the interior space, as it'll inevitably provide the first impression to customers long before they are served a meal or take a sip of their drink.
this thursday, the AIGA idea series presents restaurant design at the neurosciences institute in la jolla (10640 john hay hopkins drive) from 5:30-8:30pm.  featuring three local restaurant designers (micheal soriano from onairos design, paul basile of basile studio and barbara rourke from bells & whistles), they will present recent projects and hold a moderated speaking panel.  but before the panel begins, they will have a "chef-off" and "mix-off" between local restaurants so that everyone can experience the branding that they achieve to establish.  it should be a great night of discussion and perspective!

a morning in santa monica

images megan.christine

i went up to santa monica to visit one of my best friends.  with both of us being early risers, sunday found us wandering around town at the crack of dawn.  looking back i realize just how much we did in one morning.  it was nice to explore, just next time hopefully more will be open!

santa monica farmers market: pick up fresh produce, eat street food with fine presentation, support the local artisan, and enjoy the petting zoo of farm animals

main street: a block away from the beach, shops (like weego baby & weego home), restaurants & bars.  very local feel.

m street kitchen: hip restaurant that always has a crowd, sleek modern interior & delicious food.  for breakfast try the farmers market root vegetable hash with lemon aioli and poached eggs (light & flavorful)

montana avenue: (7th to 17th) stroll on the tree lined street, which runs all the way to the beach, and stop into the many shops & restaurants

yogaworks: awesome yoga studio (los angeles & orange county), check out carolina goldberg's vinyasa flow (2/3) in santa monica, it was incredible

m+m: snooze

image megan.christine

successful after our second attempt, we finally had the timing, patience and appetite to grab a bite at snooze in downtown denver.  this "am eatery" serves a breakfast and lunch menu that has earned quite an incredible reputation for delicious food, evident by the long line regardless of what day of the week it is, or the time.  but at least while you linger on the sidewalk or lounge under heat lamps (they are flipping hot), sometimes for up to hours, you can sip on a fresh cup of coffee or enjoy one of their many adult beverages.  we chose fresh squeezed grapefruit drinks, including the hound dog (like a greyhound) with citrus vodka, grapefruit juice and a touch of raspberry liqueur.  the restaurant, which has 5 locations in colorado and 1 in california (san diego, hillcrest, 3940 5th avenue), has an energetic atmosphere that is pumped with loud music, a mid-century modern interior with bright colors, and lots of movement.  they deliver big tasty belly fillers, and with everything looking incredible, it's hard to choose just one.  on this occasion, i picked the bella!bella!benny.  if trying to recreate, it included: thin slices of prosciutto, taleggio cheese and poached eggs on toasted ciabatta, topped with cream cheese hollandaise, balsamic glaze and arugula.  as a side, they served perfectly crisped hash.  salty, shredded and browned on all edges, i wish i had enough room to devour the sweet and spicy potato mound.... but at least i got to share it.

images snooze

m+m: underbelly

images megan.christine

the weather was rather nasty yesterday in san diego, and with the rain and strong breeze, the cool temperatures felt even chillier.  i went to meet a friend for lunch and knowing that i wanted something warm, we decided it would be a great time to try underbelly, the japanese ramen bar in little italy.  in a tiny space (~1,000 sq feet), part of an incredible jonathan segal glass building on kettner & fir in the heart of little italy, the minimalist interior (by studio number one, mauricio couturier, and paul basile) is brought to life by a giant succulent wall bearing the image of mao zedong (by black lotus floral).  the space fills up fast, and thankfully the glass walls double as tabletops, as they fold down blending the indoor and outdoor space to expand the establishment.  the flow of fresh air and exposure to the elements would on any other day in san diego be perfect, but with the current weather i had to keep on my jacket and wavered between a craft brew or a hot tea (hopefully they will solve this winter dilemma, perhaps add some ceiling heaters).  rumor has it that they are expanding the space into the upstairs and will also include a patio, to all be completed in the summer of 2012.  underbelly is a creation of arsulan tafazoll and nathan stanton, and the duo already has some incredible downtown restaurants under their belt; neighborhood, craft & commerce, noble experiment, and el dorado.  it lived up to it's expectations, with a large selection of local and international beers (the gold taps are all unmarked) and the small japanese menu is heavy on pork and vegetables.  we opted to start with the shrimp gyoza (shrimp, shitake, asparagus and scallions), and both got the vegetable ramen (truffle oil, shitake, hon shimeji oyster mushroom, enoki, white asparagus, topped with bean sprouts, ginger, scallions, seaweed and sesame seeds).  while the plates were on the smaller side (they simply wet your palette), the house ramen is a healthy portion.  they don't serve the ramen with spoons, and after you've retrieved the "goodies" with your chopsticks, the only option to finish the dish is to pick up the bowl and slurp away (which is encouraged).  just as the space is expanding, so is the menu.  they plan to add oysters and japanese whiskey, proving that these guys know how to capitalize on a niche market.  underbelly has done an incredible job with a difficult space and a unique menu.  i will surely be returning.

although they list most of the ingredients on the menu, i thought i'd look into making some homemade japenese ramen myself and found this recipe.  i have yet to try it, but it looks relatively easy and healthy.

m+m: prep kitchen (little italy)

images megan.christine

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces, just good food from fresh ingredients."

Julia Child

in 2008 a talented chef and a culinary school drop out came together and created whisknladle hospitality, which spawned whisknladel restaurant in la jolla.  named after a brooklyn underground supper club, the restaurant is actually honoring that tradition by hosting supper clubs every 2nd and last wednesday of the month.  in order to offer the same great food, but at a less expensive price and a more relaxed setting, the group opened prep kitchen.  quickly prep kitchen became a neighborhood spot, serving artisinal, seasonal and handcrafted food.  they make most of their food from scratch or take a farm to table approach, and when needed, they will source a specific item. after expanding into del mar (i enjoyed this place a fair amount over the past year, especially their outdoor patio), they have opened their third prep kitchen in little italy in downtown san diego.  the largest of the restaurants, it boasts a dining room, full bar and lounge.  given the scene in the area, the long high-top communal farm tables in the lounge are the perfect setting for social gatherings and happy hours.  with food and drink specials from 4-7pm daily, as well as a $3.50 all night tapas menu, it's a great place to go for great food and not put a dent in your wallet.  

venice beach. gjelina & jake

images from megan.christine

After a weekend spent in Manhattan Beach for a wedding in Westlake Village, it came to an end with Sunday brunch with a few of my girlfriends.  Since one friend had just recently moved from Brooklyn to Venice Beach, we decided to group on Abbot Kinney Blvd at the hipster restaurant, Gjelina.  I had read about Gjelina in many magazines and had talked to a good friend who was lucky enough to be on the design team for the interiors (done by Peel Inc and Modern Architectural Inc), so it would have been accurate to say I was a tad excited to go meet them.  Thinking ahead, my friend made reservations (which I highly recommend).  This place is packed and the wait can be brutal on the weekends.  What's rather pleasant is that everyone waiting stays outdoors, which is great not to have a bum in your face as your eating.  We got a large table in the front of the restaurant by the bar, with optimal people watching views indoors and out.  We started with ice coffee and blood orange mimosas, and then shared dishes family style.  Chef Travis Lett, did not disappoint.  His spin on margarita pizza (with jalapeno) was delicious, as was the Moroccan eggs and eggplant with burrata.  There wasn't a bite left on any plate.  The combination of flavor was artful and the textures were well balanced.  I think I could have sat at that table until dinner.  It didn't hurt that I had a beeline view of Jake Gylenhaal the entire meal!  

images from, my last bite

Claire's on Cedros

I love eggs. I love breakfast. I love when it's deliciously prepared with fresh ingredients. I love good decor. I love green practice. And I love eating amongst friends. Enter, Claire's on Cedros. Slightly north of the Solana Beach train station on Cedros Avenue, is the fantastic eatery, that I find myself most Saturday mornings (if I had the luxury to pop in every day, I would without a doubt). Claire's doubles as both a cafe and a bakery. They make most everything from scratch on site, including an entire selection of gluten free goods (muffins, breads, cookies, etc). This brought a smile to my friend's face this weekend, when she discovered she could have toast with her eggs. Claire's has a good breakfast selection, and the portions are big enough to satisfy a healthy appetite but not too large to overstuff. It's entirely too easy to eat an entire plate, but when everything is fresh, somehow even pancakes covered in chocolate chips and syrup feels healthy. My favorite dishes are the Caprese frittata (ricotta, arugula and the basil pesto) and the wild mushroom & roasted tomato omelet (brie, shallots and thyme).

Claire's took a sustainable menu (ie ingredients are grown on the property) and extended those values into their building. It is the first LEED Platinum restaurant in San Diego, a praised distinction. From materials to energy, every detail is well thought out with Mother Earth in mind. In addition, they just joined the Green Restaurant Association, and will run their business using sustainable practices (example, unless asked for, water is conserved, and not served).

A trip to Claire's is a delightful experience. Frequently there is a wait, but with complementary coffee, a ridiculously nice staff, a garden to peruse and a neighborhood of friendly locals to chat with, I really have nothing to complain about.

Claire's on Cedros: 246 North Cedros

* photos Megan Christine

Burgers & Brews: Simmzy's

You know you've found a good joint, when in a three day span you find yourself returning multiple times. In our last visit up to Manhattan Beach, we found ourselves, more than once, waiting in the ridiculously long lines for a seat at Simmzy's. Situated along the busy thoroughfare, Manhattan Beach Boulevard, with views of the pier, this relatively new pub is a bustling hot spot for beach goers and locals. With a quaint interior, open air dining and bar full of craft brews, it gets very busy and crowded and scoring a table takes patience. But, it's worth it. They have 24 rotating taps, with the beer list hand scrolled on a large chalkboard, so there is always something new to try (I had Alagash White). In addition to the beer (and a decent selection of wines), the food is fantastic. In the span of a weekend, I had the sesame crusted salmon sandwich, bacon blue deluxe burger and a grilled ahi salad. The menu includes locally grown and seasonal ingredients. Everything I ate, shared and sampled was delicious. Just as I was about to leave to come back to San Diego, I got a text from a friend, asking if I'd like to meet up at Simmzy's!

* Photos Megan Christine

Suzie's Farm & El Take It Easy: Tonight in North Park

Tonight, 29 July, from 6-9pm, El Take It Easy in San Diego's North Park neighborhood is partnering with Suzie's Farm for a party featuring vegetarian dishes from the farm. In an effort to promote Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and gain new shareholders, they are cooking up delicious recipes like black radish taquitos and eggplant & squash blossom cazuela. This should be a great event to mingle and meet. In addition to the food items, there are drink specials on beer, micheladas and wine. I have been wanting to learn more about CSA, and have heard great things from friends and family both in California and back East. I think it'd be a fantastic way to support your local farmers and enjoy delicious healthy fare! To top it off, I've also heard great things about El Take It Easy. If it's anything like the Linkery, I assume those guys know how to put together a fantastic establishment.

Proper Gastropub: Gin Cocktail

Saturday afternoon felt like a summer day, warm and sunny. and I decided to join some friends for sunset cocktails. We decided to meet on the rooftop bar at Proper Gastropub, in downtown San Diego's East Village. Proper, which is the other half of the wildly successful Wine Steals chain, set up shop in a storefront building inside Petco Park. What's a plus at Proper, is that in addition to the wide selection of food and beverages on their menu, they will also serve the menu from Wine Steals (which pleases most ladies). Yesterday, I had a delicious gin cocktail. Mixed with thyme and white grape with a little simple syrup, it was surprisingly refreshing and light. It was the perfect way to unwind from a sun soaked day.

Jaynes Gastropub

Last Wednesday, I finally made my way to Jayne's Gastropub (on 3oth Street near Adams Avenue). I have been meaning to do this for some time, and I was happy when my girlfriend wanted to swing by after work for a quick catch-up. While a handful of gastropubs have emerged in San Diego, I had an inkling that this place would stand out above the masses. And I was right! Rather than yet another burger joint, Jayne's is more like a bistro, serving delicate upscale versions of traditional bar nosh and main dishes. I happened to pony up to the small metal bar for their daily Happy Hour, which includes a short food menu and good drink specials. I got a delicious crisp Riesling, while my friend enjoyed a Manhattan from their newly crafted cocktail menu (they just recently got their full bar). The atmosphere is a welcoming, casual neighborhood gathering spot. Conversation flowed between staff and guests, and the friendly attitudes just enhanced the entire experience. Temptation was too great, so we decided to order a little snack while we sipped our beverages. We got pulled pork quesadillas, which while tiny, were full of flavor and juicy meat. We also got a slider with fries, which was tasty, but I wish I had listened to the bartender and got the croquettes instead. Beyond the small bar, there is a long rectangular dining room and quaint outdoor patio enclosed by ivy covered walls. To me, the decor comes off as a London flat meets Victorian tea room. I was immediately a fan of the faux animal busts! I look forward to heading back to enjoy a proper dinner!

- photos Megan*Christine

Long Beach: Starling Diner

On my last trip up to the greater Los Angeles area, I made a stop in Long Beach to catch up with a good friend over brunch. She always picks the best places, and on this visit, we went to Starling Diner. It is a hip local diner nestled in a neighborhood of adorable houses, with street side cafe tables and a cozy dining space. A rustic interior, adorned with local art, it reminded me much of Cafe on Park in San Diego's North Park. I was a fan of the "spa" (cucumber) water, but the mimosa quickly topped that! The food was a far from diner fare, and was fantastic! We started with a trio of scones. Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love scones. And these were served with lemon curd and some sort of orange butter - both which were so tasty! Then we split a goat cheese, mushroom and spinach scramble with crispy potato wedges, and a lox & cream cheese bruschetta. It was the perfect amount of food, and every bite was one to savor. Definitely a place I would recommend!

Tart: Los Angeles

Last weekend I met my girlfriend for a delicious brunch at Tart in Los Angeles.  Attached to the Farmer's Daughter hotel on Fairfax Avenue, Tart is a blend of urban meets country.  Rustic decor hangs from the patio walls, like over sized farming tools and metal sculptures, and the tables and private booths are tucked amongst tall succulents.  The food was delicious, as was the spicy Bloody Mary.  I had a spinach frittata (with roasted red peppers, leeks and goat cheese).   If you find yourself in The Grove or the Farmers Market, I recommend stopping by Tart to grab a bite!