W.I.T.H. Resources & Relationships - I’m Hungry Let’s Eat And Drink Something Great!!!
WITH is focused on the future of meetings AND dining out in San Diego. I am happy to tell you that our future looks bright. Shiny days are ahead beginning with San Diego Restaurant Week April 11-17, 2021. If you are like me, you probably haven’t been out to eat in a while and you have a little “stimulus” to share. So let’s go out this week in support of our local San Diego restaurants.
The restaurant industry saw huge losses and some of our favorites were forced to close down for good. But now, San Diego is starting to open back up. We’re getting “there” and I’m grateful.
I’m grateful for the COVID-19 vaccine. We are all at less risk and CDC says if we are fully vaccinated, we have much less risk to pass on COVID-19 to others whether we are inside or outside.
I’m grateful for the resilience and patience of the restaurant industry. You have been taking care of one another. You have met COVID restrictions and challenges with creativity and devised absolutely ingenious ways for us to dine out safely and have fun.
And I’m grateful for you - the San Diego citizens. Your actions have moved us out of lockdown, out of our homes, out of our fear, and moved San Diego County into the Orange Tier for reopening. And soon, thanks to you, all of the “Tier” restrictions will be gone, and we can gather again in the “face-to-face way” we all enjoy so much.
Pick a date - this week is San Diego Restaurant Week. This annual event will be from April 11 - 18 2021, will still feature some of the best restaurants in San Diego, but it will be different. (For more information visit SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com)
As we go out to a restaurant this week we can expect to find a different San Diego restaurant industry. Some restaurants will not be back and some restaurants that will be back will be different. As part of the recovery, owners are making long term changes necessary for growth. They are focusing on what they do well and what makes them unique and different.
We will all experience a new and exciting mix of dining options and concepts from dine in, dine out, take out and delivery, to walk up and pop-up establishments. You will see expanded patio and curbside dining options that will provide more space for you, your family, and your friends to enjoy your meal. You can expect to see some new restaurant openings and new dining and drinking options throughout the city. Take advantage of it all. Try a new ethnic cuisine. Find a new restaurant. Let your creative taste buds explore all that San Diego’s diverse culture have to offer. I know I will.
Let’s go. Click on the links below to check out the websites and Instagram “food photos” of some of San Diego’s best and most exciting ethnic dining options.
I am looking forward to eating some of my favorites foods at some of my all-time favorite small food operations including:
Chiquita’s Mexican Restaurant in San Diego Center City. The Rodriguez Family and Chiquita’s team have been cooking up some of the best Mexican food in San Diego since 1967. Their patio is one of my favorite spots to eat in San Diego and every time I go there I never fail to run into someone I know. Check them out at https://www.instagram.com/chiquitasonhome/ ¡Buen provecho! Let’s Eat!
Niederfrank’s storefront ice cream parlor in National City. In fact, Niederfrank’s, the granddaddy of ice cream in San Diego, first opened in 1948. Patti Finnegan and Mary Ellen Faught purchased Niederfrank’s in 1995. They preserve its rich heritage making their delicious ice cream the same way it has always been made. https://www.instagram.com/niederfranks_icecream/ Vær så god! Let’s Eat!
Hans and Harry’s Bakery in Bonita. Hans and Harry Bakery co-owners, Hans Zandee from Holland, and Sumi Campbell from Singapore, combine over eight decades of experience. Hans and Harry’s has been making classical European style deserts in Bonita since 1991. Their famous fresh fruit strudels are to die for. Opverten! Let’s Eat!
Coop's West Texas BBQ in Lemon Grove. Coop’s has amazing authentic slow-smoked barbecue and finger lickin’ soul food as you can see at https://www.instagram.com/coopsbbq/ Chakula chema Enjoy! Let’s Eat!
I am also looking forward to visiting some of my new favorites:
Louisiana Purchase in North Park. The design of this intimate cocktail restaurant was inspired by the charm and character of New Orleans’ French Quarter, with creative touches of personal effects that will give you the feeling of warmth, community and fun. I know these photos will make your mouth water too. Bon appétit ! Let’s Eat!
Tiramisu Trattoria in La Mesa. Click on the link and scroll down their web site to see their beautifully hand-crafted Italian cuisine. They also offer carefully selected Italian imported wines and attentive service in an intimate atmosphere with old school charm. And, in the true Italian tradition, you can take your time here. Your table is yours for as long as you want it. Buon Appetito! Let’s Eat!
Giardino’s in Lemon Grove. Giardino’s is also a charming little Italian eatery with beautiful decor. They offer great food and fabulous weekly specials. Join them the last Sunday of every month for their Last Sunday Wine Tasting Series. They are also participating in San Diego Restaurant Week offering a 2-course lunch for $15, and a 3-course dinner for $40. Make your reservation and join them for San Diego Restaurant Week! https://www.instagram.com/giardinosd/ . Buon Mangiare! Let’s Eat!
And, of course, I am also eagerly anticipating some of the new restaurant projects on the horizon including:
Barrio Food Hub in Barrio Logan. This is an interesting new concept billed as a way to give restaurants and chefs the opportunity to operate a business within a small space to prepare food without having to worry about the substantial costs of maintaining a dine-in, brick-and-mortar restaurant. Barrio Food Hub is a 10,000 square-foot "ghost kitchen" filled warehouse that will eventually house more than 50 eateries. There is a kiosk to allow for walk-up take-out orders. The building currently houses approximately two dozen different concepts including Cali BBQ ( https://wCali BBq ww.instagram.com/p/CM_L6F-jBCK/), an offshoot of one of my favorites – Spring Valley's Cali Comfort BBQ. Other ethnic eateries I look forward to include Willie Wingz Asian-influenced chicken wings, and the popular Japanese hibachi concept El Arabachi.
White Rice in Liberty Station. This is renowned National City chef Phillip Esteban’s first brick-and-mortar location of his former “ghost kitchen” like those in the Barrio Food Hub. Click on the link and scroll down to see the photos of savory rice bowls inspired by Phillip’s native Filipino cuisine. Kainan na! Let’s Eat!
Tabu Shabu in North Park. This is a new Japanese-style hot pot restaurant. It has cooktop tables where diners cook their own meats, seafood and vegetables by swishing them around in a pot of steaming broth. Itadakimasu! Let’s Eat!
There are so many options for you to enjoy the experience as San Diego’s restaurant industry makes progress toward a full reopening. If you are planning to dine in, I offer a few words of caution: Continue to be patient and manage your expectations. Indoor restaurants now operate at 50% capacity so you must make reservations. Additionally, you may experience slightly higher prices, limited menu options and a different service level as owners make needed changes. But ……… people in this industry and San Diego citizens and visitors alike love the creativity, the action, the good food, and the great people here. So they are finding their way back. You should too.
You can find many dining options on line by visiting Sandiegoville.com ‘s comprehensive list of San Diego restaurants open for dine-in, take-out and delivery, sandiegomagazine.com’s list of Black Owned eateries, and Sandiegoasap.com’s list of best San Diego ethnic restaurants.
The whole San Diego community is excited about supporting local restaurant business establishments. Join us. Let’s get out and continue to show our love for San Diego’s great restaurants - large and small.
I’m hungry! Are you? Itadakimasu, Buon mangiare, Buon appetito, ¡Buen provecho!, Vær så god!, Opverten, Kainan na!, Bon appétit! and Chakula chema Enjoy! Let’s eat up this week in support of our local San Diego ethnic restaurants!
Clara
Be safe. Wear your masks, Vaccinate when it’s your turn, and follow the latest San Diego County reopening guidelines.