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When it comes to culture, many long for something concrete. Because America is such a melting pot of identities, I’ve noticed that food from our ancestors is often what we hold onto most tightly. At Spiro’s, that longing is evident. The menu is Greek, but there’s also a section labeled “not so Greek.” Walking in, […]

Island Pasta, an Italian restaurant, opened for 30 years, has officially come to a close. Its successor? A retro American burger spot, Double Standard. According to them, the name is a play on the “double double” burger, supposedly the double being the standard. I admit, the name and its explanation made me a bit skeptical […]

I am curious about what the Coronado community thinks of brunch. Because it’s a rather controversial meal in the culinary world. The late celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain, once said, “Then there are the People Who Brunch. The ‘B’ word is dreaded by all dedicated cooks.” Food writer Jeff Gordinier has described brunch as “the gastronomic […]

During my preteens, I lived in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. On some Sundays, my family and I would walk to the local grocery store, Seaside Market, where they sold “Cardiff Crack” in a tent outside. I remember the wafting smell of smoky tri-tip preceded me as I watched people line up for lunch.  When I saw the business […]

In honor of the old Irish patron, St. Patrick, I went to McP’s Irish Pub in Coronado for this week’s review. Ireland’s culture has always been whimsical to me: a land of writers, cliffside seascapes, rolling hills and witty storytellers. Oh, and Guinness (unfortunately something I cannot drink more than a sip of). When I […]

Jolie, located on the ferry end of Orange Avenue, is generous in all the ways you might not expect. Self-identified as French-California coastal, Jolie — meaning “pretty” in French — is Chef Jason Witzl’s fifth concept. It began as a butchery with a six-item menu: oysters, crudo, scallops and a few salads. Executive Chef Jack […]

Situated on C Street, tucked into the corner of a small commercial plaza, sits Nado Republic, owned by Chef Gorgio Cortelli. From outside, the sectioned-off terrace gives the impression of two separate restaurants, but inside feels like someone’s living room.   In the spacious bar, stacks of wine, champagne and liquor bottles backdrop the bartender. A […]

Swaddee Thai is not exactly the type of restaurant that comes to mind when I think of Thai food, a cuisine I associate with casual street vendors, family-style meals and tropical, sticky weather.  Swaddee — a traditional Thai greeting — lives up to its name, as servers welcome guests with warm smiles upon arrival. Still, […]

The classic liquor deli is usually underrated. Hardly anyone ever thinks that going into a liquor store filled with mini vodkas in plastic bottles, standing next to trucker-style spiced pumpkin seeds and packaged gummy bears typical of road trips, could yield a juicy, satisfying sub. But lo and behold, a liquor store deli always has […]

Valentine’s Day is about romance. And romance, as kitschy as it can be, may also be translated to indulgence. Kisses, chocolate, fondue, wine, dreamy weekend getaways. It’s about getting lost in the senses of life. And who loves indulgence better than the French? Their joy of life, or joie de vivre, is sacred, and their […]

When I lived in Tokyo, I ate a lot of katsu: katsu udon, katsu curry, tonkatsu, katsu sandwiches. You can find katsu everywhere in Japan and pair it with almost any dish. It’s like your favorite pair of jeans — it goes well with everything. To make it, which is harder than it looks (believe […]

There’s something about American diners: burnt coffee in a clunky mug and those little creamers where you peel the plastic off the top. They’re inviting yet unassuming, something of a civic religion to the elderly, nostalgic for a time when people still flipped through print newspapers at their tables and dusted ashes into saucers.  I […]