Get intimate with your produce!
Restaurant News
It’s San Diego Beer Week! Where is everyone eating…I mean drinking? #sdbw
Nov 9th
There are so many events happening… Click the link above to see a full calendar. Get out there and enjoy San Diego’s #1 Craft Beer Breweries & Chefs! More information on Chef Celebration of San Diego Craft Beer :
San Diego Restaurant Week Videos + Giveaway!
Sep 5th
Here’s Sam the Cooking Guy helping you to dine like a pro at San Diego Restaurant Week. Speaking of – have you signed up for our giveaway yet? You could dine for free at one of the participating restaurants, on us! 10 Winners have been picked so far & there will be 10 more next week!
Don’t miss out, everyone is eligible to win – so sign up here.
Follow the fun on twitter: @SpecialtyProd @SDRestaurantWk @thecookingguy #SDRW
Solace in the City
Aug 28th
The summer heat has finally made its way to San Diego which means the last thing any of us wants to do after a long day at work is spend hours in front of a stove preparing dinner. Lucky for us San Diego is chock full of scrumptious places that are more than happy to endure the heat in order to offer an array of delicious dining options to all of us hungry patrons seeking refuge from our hectic and hot days in the city. One such place that fits this bill to a tee is Urban Solace in North Park. Walking into Solace is just that, as you enter the southern style building you are greeted by a friendly staff and cozy yet cool ambiance with the scrumptious scent of fresh baked biscuits lingering in the air.
Whatever cool summer heat beating beverage you are in the mood for they are sure to have something to fit your fancy on their extensive drink menu. The plantation tea sounded fantastic (pineapple juice + tea) but I decided to go with their summer special, the white sangria. Mangos, peaches, oranges and Vioginer, so delicious!
To start off our meal we ordered the much raved about Sonoma goat cheese and butternut squash dip. The dip came served with crackers, baguette and veggies (a gluten free option for me!) but to be honest the dip was so scrumptious I would have been perfectly content eating the whole thing with a spoon. The warm autumny flavor of the squash melded perfectly with the richness of the cheese and left my taste buds pleased as can be!
For my main entrée I went with the Jidori chicken, which came served with a Yukon gold potato gratin and glazed carrots. Normally I am not much of a fan of chicken served on the bone but this chicken is the exception, so much so that I have been known to shamelessly pick the meat from the bones just so I can enjoy every last tasty bit. As a potato connoisseur I can safely say that the gratin is top notch, the perfect combination of creaminess with a palate pleasing crisp exterior, and as for those succulently sweet glazed carrots, oh swoon! If they served these as a side dish I would not hesitate to order them by the bowlful!
Of course after a dinner this delicious I had to have one of their desserts too. I decided on the salted caramel pot de crème with dark chocolate and cocoa nib crust, garnished with whipped cream and a sprig of mint.
Served in a cute little jar this little piece of heaven might just be the most delectable dessert I have ever tasted. The rich creamy caramel is enriched by bits of sea salt, add to that sweet chocolate, bitter cocoa nib, and smooth cream and you are left with one happy mouth.
As if the food at Urban Solace was not reason enough to hightail it down there right this instant, they always seem to have fantastic music being played there as well. The night we were there we were fortunate enough to have the pleasure of listening to the musical styling’s of a fantastic bluegrass band and an operatic duo whose voices were the most talented I have heard outside of an opera house.
Stepping out into the warm summer evening, still reveling in the deliciousness of the evening I noticed a sign out front of the restaurant…
I know where I will be going this Sunday!
Sweet Syrah
Jun 18th
If you blink you just might miss the unassuming sign and descending staircase on the corner of 5th and E that lead you underneath Dakota Grill and Spirits. When you reach the bottom and come to a wall completely covered in lush green shrubbery you have arrived. Your not dreaming though your surroundings may lead you to believe you are, this is Syrah a dreamy new downtown nightspot for drinks, small bites, and delicious nighttime rendezvous.
Upon entering Syrah the delectable dream continues, grassy hedge like walls create the walkways and twisted aged grape vines and upside down parasols hang above the spacious seating area.
You can cozy up on a loveseat or in a semi private seating room with your sweetie, gather with a group at one of the long tables, or mingle at the bar and ogle the gorgeous display of deliciousness they offer.
Syrah boasts an impressive and very reasonably priced selection of wines or if you don’t have a taste for the grape they also offer an array of different beers and spirits.
To enhance the experience you can nosh on cheeses, cured meats, olives, nuts, fruit, bread, chocolate, and other assorted sweet treats. I spied the chef making a delicious looking olive board.
Then had the pleasure of enjoying an amazing board that came complete with pork, beef and duck prosciutto, pâté, truffled honey, candied nuts, berries, dijon mustard, bread, and an array of swoon worthy cheeses.
Every single bite was divine and paired perfectly with our vino, a summery rosé pinot noir.
From enchanting ambiance to the delectable fare an evening at Syrah is truly a treat for the senses and a most delicious mini break from the busy world that lies above.
TGIP(izza)F(usion)!
Jun 12th
Whether you like your pizza piled high with meat or covered in veggies, sprinkled with vegan soy cheese or smothered with mozzarella and feta, Pizza Fusion has a pie that will please even the pickiest of palates. Located in Hillcrest on 5th avenue, Pizza Fusion has been serving up deliciousness in San Diego since Summer 2008. You can choose one of their specialty pizzas such as the scrumptious Seattle Pizza topped with tomatoes, red onion, basil and garlic, drizzled with balsamic and olive oil, and sprinkled with mozzarella and parmesan. Or you can opt to design your own choosing from their wide selection of tasty toppings. They also offer three different options crust wise for piling these scrumptious toppings upon, white, multi grain and my favorite, gluten free. All of their crusts including the gluten free are served up thin style, which personally I feel is perfect for pizzas with fresh and flavorful ingredients like theirs. The gluten free crust at Pizza Fusion was spot on flavor wise, had a nice bready texture and was not gummy or dense like many gluten free baked goods tend to be. It also came as a full size pizza, which is a rare find in the gluten free pizza world.
In addition to pizzas they also have an array of tasty beverages to choose from, yerba matte teas, natural sodas, organic wines and beers (there’s even gluten free beer too!). They also have a selection of scrumptious salads such as the delicious Roasted Beet and Feta Salad with roasted beets, arugula, candied pecans, roasted red onions and feta cheese.
Be sure to save room for dessert as they offer chocolate chip cookies or rich, chocolaty, vegan and gluten free brownies.
Not only does Pizza Fusion take care of their customers by using only fresh organic, hormone free ingredients but they always have the best interest of the planet in mind too through business practices such as use of corn containers for take out instead of plastic, offsetting their energy use with the purchase of wind energy certificates, building restaurants to meet LEED certification standards, and by use of hybrid vehicles for delivery service.
Delicious, nutritious and planet friendly, Pizza Fusion is the perfect solution for a pizza night that will fit the tastes and dietary needs of almost everyone and a most delicious addition to the growing selection of eco-conscious and special diet friendly eateries in San Diego.
The Taste of Little Italy
May 28th
When traveling one of my most favorite ways to get to know a new place is by going for a walk and tasting my way across town. Sampling all of the deliciousness that the local restaurants, cafes, and food purveyors have to offer all the while taking time to leisurely walk around looking at all of the bits and pieces that make up a place, things that one might otherwise miss if traveling by car. Since most of us are too busy in our day to day lives to slow down this much it can also be fun to take a few hours and do this in your own hometown. Here in San Diego we are fortunate enough to have events that cater to just this sort of activity and last night I had the pleasure of strolling the streets and tasting my way across one of my favorite San Diego suburbs at Taste of Little Italy.
Between 5pm and 9pm twenty different local restaurants opened their doors to event attendees and welcomed them with small plates of some of their most popular and scrumptious offerings. Here are a few of my favorites….
Sunsweet watermelon, wild arugula and toasted pepita seed salad with golden balsamic dressing at Anthology
Dining at Anthology is a full sensory experience! Scrumptious farm to table fare served in a swanky three level venue with acoustics that make each of their nightly shows an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
Pasta with homemade pesto and a cup of berries with sweetened mascarpone cheese at Mimmo’s Italian Village Deli & Restaurant
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for good pesto and the pesto at Mimmo’s did not disappoint. Where they really won me over though was with their sweet offering, fresh sweet berries with rich mascarpone cheese, oh be still my heart! The interior of this restaurant is so cute! Decorated to look like you are dining alfresco in old Italia, I think it would be the perfect place to take your special someone for a romantic date.
Miang of King Crab with ginger, lime and coconut palm sugar drizzle at The Glass Door at Porto Vista Hotel
A dragon belly mojito at The Glass Door at Porto Vista Hotel
At the Porto Vista Hotel their their resturant, The Glass Door was serving for the event on the roof, which had a cozy set up of couches, out door heaters, bar, and spectacular views of the harbor and San Diego skyline. The small bite of king crab, ginger, lime and coconut palm sugar was a delectable amalgamation of flavors and the mojito was the perfect balance of refreshing and sweet with just the right amount of mint (which can make or break a mojito in my opinion). I can imagine sipping cocktails here on summer evenings after work, enjoying the spectacular San Diego sunset. I peeked inside the restaurant on the 5th floor on my way out and it boasted a gorgeous view as well and was beautifully decorated with colorful glass lanterns.
Ceviche at Indigo Grill
There’s nothing quite like ceviche on a warm almost summer evening. Fresh veggies bursting with color and flavor and the subtle fresh from the sea flavor of the shrimp, its the perfect precursor to any number of Indigo Grill’s delicious entrees. Using fresh seasonal ingredients Chef Debora Scott is consistently creating the most delectable dishes. From the roasted butternut squash soup to the hickory and apple smoked pork ribs everything they offer is always incredibly scrumptious!
Prosecco at Enoteca Style
I could spend hours sipping wine and relaxing at Enoteca Style. This classy yet cozy wine bar not only boasts an outstanding selection of wine offerings but has an array of paninis, salads and other scrumptious small bites that pair quite well with their wines. Pop in on a Monday for Half Off Italian Wine by the Glass Monday (I know I will be there!).
Braised pork shoulder with orzo, spinach, and feta cheese at Illume Bistro
You can tell that a great deal of thought is put into each and every dish that Illume offers. Farm fresh ingredients prepared and combined as to bring out the most palate pleasing flavors and textures. Their offering at the event was the perfect example of this, the soft orzo and sharp feta and sweet sundried tomato melded perfectly with the melt in your mouth slow roasted pork and spinach that tasted as fresh as greens I have grown in my own backyard. I will definitely be back again soon as I am dying to try their herbed gnocchi with fiddlehead ferns and pearl onions.
Chipotle sliders served on a Hawaiian roll with chipotle sauce and grilled onions at The Waterfront
Since they first opened their doors in 1933 The Waterfront has been a popular spot to share a brew with friends and unwind after a day at work or even better mid day on a lunch break! In addition to beverages they also have an array of delicious twists on pub style fare such as Italian style fish and chips, breaded fish tacos and an array of mouth watering burgers and sandwiches. They are also open for breakfast and brunch serving everything from eggs, bacon and hash browns to French toast or pazole.
Strawberry tart and green apple tart frozen yogurt from Yogurtland
Yogurtland has been one of my favorite frozen yogurt shops for a while now so you can imagine I was pleased as a peach when one opened up in Little Italy so close to us here at Specialty Produce. They always have a great selection of both tart and creamy flavors and an array of tasty toppings, from rainbow sprinkles, fruity pebbles, and mochi to fresh fruits and nuts Yogurtland has something that will please just about everyone.
If you happened to miss this delicious outing don’t fret, there will be more deliciousness to come at the Fall Taste of Little Italy! In the meantime why not pick a few restaurants, grab some food loving friends, put on your walking shoes and spend an evening tasting your way across Little Italy on your own.
Have you heard about Prepkitchen yet?
May 13th
You know those days where you just don’t feel like cooking, and you don’t feel like going out to eat, and you definitely don’t want anything from the “fast food” or “take-out” joints? Well, now you have an option……. Prepkitchen!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Katherine Randall
BERKMAN
619.231.9977 (office)
katherine@berkmanpr.com
PARTNERS OF NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED RESTAURANT WHISKNLADLE OPEN PREPKITCHEN, A GOURMET TAKE-OUT EATERY
Serving handcrafted quick-service meals for lunch and dinner in La Jolla, Calif.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 12, 2009) – The managing partners of nationally acclaimed Whisknladle Restaurant today announced the opening of Prepkitchen (www.Prepkitchen.com), a gourmet take-out eatery serving quick-bites, complete lunches and fully balanced dinners in downtown La Jolla. Inspired by all the prep work that goes into making food from scratch, Prepkitchen serves handcrafted, artisanal food offering the convenience of to-go dining without compromising the quality of the meal.
“The success of Whisknladle has been so rewarding and we are excited to further expand our signature brand with the opening of Prepkitchen,” said Arturo Kassel, managing partner of Whisknladle and Prepkitchen. “Our goal with Prepkitchen is to make the handcrafted cuisine we serve at Whisknladle accessible to those who want to dine in the comfort of their own home or want to grab a quick meal to eat-in on their lunch break.”
Ryan Johnston, executive chef of Prepkitchen and Whisknladle, has fashioned an a la carte take-out bill of prepared foods, made fresh daily, with a special emphasis placed on fresh high-quality proteins and organic produce purchased from local farms.
Prepkitchen’s dinner menu, available all day, from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., offers a selection of prepared entrées such as Niman Ranch Pork Loin Porchetta, Roasted Jidori Chicken, Braised Lamb Shoulder, Slow Roasted Niman Ranch Tri Tip Beef, Herb Roasted Fresh Catch and Handmade Pasta of the Day. Entrée prices range from $12 to $19.
Served by the half pint are side dishes of vegetables, starches and snacks such as Chicken Stuffed Piquillo Peppers, Squid Escabeche Ceviche, Rustic Potato Salad, Marinated Olives and more. Also available is a cutting board of house cured meats and artisanal cheeses. Lunch menu items consist of a homemade soup of the day and a variety of salads and sandwiches.
Other unique features include half bottles of wine carefully selected to complement the food and served at retail prices to-go and with an $8 corkage fee for dining-in. Retail and catering options allowing customers to order their own platter of antipasto, cured meats and artisan cheeses for easy entertaining are also offered.
Prepkitchen is located at 7556 Fay Avenue, La Jolla California 92037. Prepkitchen is open for walk-in or call-ahead orders daily from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and offers delivery services from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Monday through Friday) within an eight-block radius via bicycle. Lunch and dinner menus are available all day. For more information please call 858-875-PREP or visit www.Prepkitchen.com.
About Prepkitchen
Prepkitchen (www.Prepkitchen.com) is a gourmet take-out eatery serving quick-bites, complete lunches and fully balanced dinners in downtown La Jolla. Inspired by all the prep work that goes into making food from scratch, Prepkitchen serves handcrafted, artisanal food offering the convenience of to-go dining without compromising the quality of the meal.
Prepkitchen offers homemade soups, sandwiches and salads for lunch, as well as a fully balanced dinner selection of roasted meats, poultry and fish, complemented with a selection of locally grown starches and vegetables that are packaged to-go and can be heated in your oven at home. Also available for pick up are house-cured meats, artisan cheeses, fresh handmade pastas and sauces and Mediterranean anti-pasti.
Prepkitchen is located at 7556 Fay Avenue, La Jolla California 92037. Prepkitchen is open for walk-in or call-ahead orders daily from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and offers delivery services from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Monday through Friday) within an eight-block radius via bicycle. Lunch and dinner menus are available all day. For more information please call 858-875-PREP or visit www.Prepkitchen.com. 7556 Fay Avenue • La Jolla • CA • Across From VONS Supermarket
About Whisknladle
Whisknladle is a neighborhood spot that takes a back to the basics approach to food and dining. Arturo Kassel, owner and proprietor, and Ryan Johnston, executive chef and partner opened the new concept in February 2008. Whisknladle specializes in gourmet comfort food, which is tasty, honest, healthy and fresh, and meant to satisfy the belly and satiate the soul. The restaurant purchases all of its ingredients from local organic farms and growers like Chino Farms and La Milpa and Chef Johnston also bakes, churns, smokes, ages, cures and pickles everything in-house, taking a very old-world approach in his kitchen.
Whisknladle features private dining, off-site catering and an after-hours bar and lounge. Lunch is served daily and brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy Happy Hour cocktails and the bar menu daily from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Dinner is served from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Happy Hour cocktails and a limited menu are available after hours from 10:00 p.m. until last call on Friday and Saturday nights. 1044 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA, 92037. 858.551.7575 (tel), www.whisknladle.com
Featured in Food & Wine Magazine
Conde Nast Traveler Hot List – One of the World’s 105 Best New Restaurants, 2008
Riviera Magazine – 3/4 Stars “Whisknladle manages to be all things to all people.”
La Jolla Village News, Winner of Best New Restaurant Reader’s Poll 2008
San Diego Union Tribune – 3/4 Stars “It happens to be one of the most
exciting restaurants in San Diego.” Michelle Parente, Food Critic
San Diego Reader – 4/5 Stars “I predict that in a couple of years, this is likely to become
not only one of the county’s most famous restaurants, but one of the
whole country’s food meccas.” Naomi Wise, Food Critic
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