Archive for the ‘Bar’ Category

Counterpoint

Friday, January 8th, 2010
Counterpoint
Neighborhood: Golden Hill
830 25th St
(619) 564-6722

Here we go again with the new spots. And what a delightful new spot it is too. Open until midnight, Counterpoint is a pleasant addition to the Golden Hill Culinary scene. They just opened so stay tuned for website and menu links.

In the meantime cruise in there admire the clean design and start with the artisan grilled cheese sliders. When they say small, they mean small. What they don’t say is delicious, which is what they and their accompanying salad are. Appetizers, sandwiches (our favorite), salads, beer and wine are on deck. We are looking forward to what this joint will bring. Go make it happen.

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Small Bar

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Neighborhood: University Heights
4628 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA

With this post I think we officially become the soft opening review. That means either we’re that cool or there’s not that much going on in San Diego…

The Hamilton’s crew does round two and thankfully it does not suck. Finally a beer bar with booze (I would go soon while they still have Makers in the well!). The menu is interesting. My well read  and well dressed lady friend and I shared the kobe sliders. These fuckers come with no fewer than three dipping sauces which i can’t remember the names of except that one was horseradish-y, one was lemon-y and the last  was a sweet bbq type thing. We’ll update this once they get their menu online. The beef (in the sliders) was succulent, juicy and very tasty. The slightly seasoned ’shoestring potatoes’ were nothing to write home about. Keep your eye on this post for updates. There are several menu items that seem worth trying. One note: There is a lunch and dinner menu. The items are identical, only the prices change. Plan accordingly.

They offer breakfast and sunday brunch as well.

*Update* Nothing better after a basketball session than a nice burger. I was craving one and was also due to try the small bar burger after having the smaller burgers (see above). Solid burger. The rosemary bun was especially impressive. The patty was thick and cooked perfectly (medium well) maybe a little bland but nothing some ketchup couldn’t cure.

Also I verified the three dipping sauces on the sliders. They are; Creamy wasabi, lemongrass aioli, and asian bbq. Do it!

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Station Tavern & Burgers

Sunday, September 13th, 2009
Neighborhood: South Park
2204 Fern Street
San Diego 92104
(619) 255-0657

With some tightening up during the soft opening phase, this place will end up being a go-to spot. A step in the right direction for the neighborhood, it was nice to see Station open after YEARS of watching their construction.

The menu is basic and affordable and that’s exactly what we need. While the food did not suck, it was far from spectacular. I had the turkey burger with carmelized onions. While the patty was a tiny bit dry, I did like that the burger came without any sauces on it.  The homie had a cheeseburger which seemed slightly overcooked as well. My crew and I agreed The service left something to be desired. Gospel noticed the most glaring omission; that we were not asked how we wanted our burgers cooked. A small but substantial detail for a burger place, in our opinion. I’m just now realizing we didn’t get the signature sauces with the garlic fries (which were not very garlic-y either). The beer selection was not my cup of…beer(?). I think they had one Stone brew. The rest of the selection was pilsners and lagers. In case they didn’t notice, this will not cut it in this neighborhood no more.

Standing out is the railroad inspired design of this joint. With much open space, it feels bigger than it actually is. The family and dog friendly outdoor ’sandbox’ area was an interesting touch. All in all a very relaxed atmosphere, affordable grub and the standard South Park neighborhood vibrations will prevail in time.

Turkey Burger

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Toronado

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
Toronado
Neighborhood: North Park
4026 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 282-0456

I’ve never been to the venerable San Francisco location so I can’t comment on the contrarianism that surrounds this place. One thing is certain; they have a shitload of beer. They also do a fairly nice job of having the corresponding glassware for most of their ecclectic draught selection.

The dinner menu is interesting. I went with the lamb sliders with tomato roasted garlic bisque. Oh, yeah. It is as good as it sounds. Maybe a little better. They have a bunch of sausages and burgers as well.

On Mondays all draughts are $3 from 6-10pm. Go.

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Blind Lady Alehouse

Sunday, March 8th, 2009
3416 Adams Ave
(between 34th St & Hawley Blvd)
San Diego 92116
(619) 255-2491

Finding my once regular spot being totally blown out on weekends I was eager to try a new hole.. watering hole, that is. The homie mentioned the new bar that just opened up, ‘The Blind Mermaid‘. Like The Ramones, I said, “Oh, Lets go”. After a little trouble initially finding the place (read: irie) we stepped in to find a lively dinner crowd. We, however, come to drink beer. Decent selection of about 20 local and craft brews. Recently, I seem to be finding myself in a recurring predicament where my first and often second choice brews are sold out. I’m working on not taking that personally. I can’t remember the name of the first beer I had, which you can take as a sign of approval. It was a Belgian Trippel style with a Jim Beam finish to it. Strong. Next up was an Amber of some sort. Mission Brewery, I believe.

The Blind Lady serves food. “Hand-crafted and tasty organic salads & pizza” to be exact. It was too late for me to try a pie this time ’round. I did, however, try their ‘Avocado Citrus Salad’ and I can look you in the pixel and say that i have never tasted anything like it in my life. From their blog; “Oro Blanco grapefruits and Blood Oranges from Crow’s Past Farm in Temecula and Aaron has paired them with avocado, mint, pecans and a chili vinaigrette.” Handle it.

Pluses? Beer. Family Friendly (they have a kids pizza. $4.). Beer. Attractive staff.

Drawbacks? Kitchen closes at 10pm, bar at midnight. Yes, Midnight. Thats all I will say about that here.

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