Chef Vito's
Starbucks In Normal Heights
The Local
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, April 30, 2007
Welcome to the freakin neighborhood
For anyone who doesn't know, I have lived in Kensington for 7 years. Living right on the main street, there has barely been a time when I didn't have some sort of construction going on around me. The lofts on Adams between Kensington Ave and Marlborough took a while, bringing in office space and homes in their multipurpose units. Then there was the condo conversion next door, where two bedrooms that once rented for $700 were "upgraded" and sold for $476,000. Soon, the gas station across from me and the two houses next to it will be knocked out and more multi-use office and loft space will be built. My landlord has been offered a lot of money to sell, too, and she's held out thus far, but one day I'll be displaced to be sure.
One of the additions to Kensington in this development has been a Starbucks. I'm not a fan of coffee in general though I spent plenty of my high school years hanging out at Just Java or Café de Café or at my first job at Pronto Café. Starbucks has a knack for building stores adjacent, across the street, or diagonal across the street from established coffee shops. In my neighborhood, they moved in diagonal from San Diego Coffee Company at Kensington, the new name of the shop since Kensington Coffee couldn't compete. I've almost gotten over the Starbuck's...I know a lot of people like their standards and consistency, it's always busy, and non-customers enjoy the patio they've built. I won't, however, get over the traffic it's created on the corner, especially the assholes in SUVs who park in the red zone (because they are excluded from laws), then cut me off as I'm making my left turn onto Adams from Marlborough.
One of the additions to Kensington in this development has been a Starbucks. I'm not a fan of coffee in general though I spent plenty of my high school years hanging out at Just Java or Café de Café or at my first job at Pronto Café. Starbucks has a knack for building stores adjacent, across the street, or diagonal across the street from established coffee shops. In my neighborhood, they moved in diagonal from San Diego Coffee Company at Kensington, the new name of the shop since Kensington Coffee couldn't compete. I've almost gotten over the Starbuck's...I know a lot of people like their standards and consistency, it's always busy, and non-customers enjoy the patio they've built. I won't, however, get over the traffic it's created on the corner, especially the assholes in SUVs who park in the red zone (because they are excluded from laws), then cut me off as I'm making my left turn onto Adams from Marlborough.
Regretfully, my problems may be minimized at someone else's expense. The people of Normal Heights will soon have their own Starbucks, conveniently (and I say that with the most sarcasm possible) diagonal from Lestat's. They booted out the Mexican produce market and have redisgned the corner. Now Jerry Sanders can get his coffee in Kensington without being harassed by the people from the other side of the 15 bridge; they can have their own hideous Starbucks to go to.
How they allowed this design to pass, I will never know. But just another step in the wrong direction.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Chef Vito's Is Closed
In going through my daily blogs, I came across and entry that Chef Vito's closed. This is sad news to me. My family has been going there for several years...it's where we went for birthdays, for my brother's deployment, for my brother's return, it's where my sister and her husband announced their engagement to us, and just for occasional family dinners. It was one of my favorite, if not my singlemost favorite Italian restaurant in San Diego. This is sad news and I hope the best for their family. Mine will be very disappointed.
Friday, March 9, 2007
North Embarcadero Visionary Plan
This has nothing to do with food, but it's something I wrote and thought there might be interest from my readers, so I decided to post it here without cluttering my music page.
North Embarcadero Visionary Plan
http://www.portofsandiego.org/projects/nevp/
by Rosemary Bystrak
Meeting March 8, 2007, 3-4:30 pm
The Port of San Diego held a public open house this week to discuss the current status of what is called the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan. The plan, which has been talked about for at least a couple decades, has officially been in the planning stages for 7-10 years and is finally expected to break ground in 2008.
The overall project is broken into 10 phases with a total estimated cost of $221 million dollars with total completion not expected for several years. This particular meeting was held as a public briefing on the status of the project.
A PowerPoint presentation walked through a history of the project and each of the phases as well as the intended results from each phase. It was stated that the embarcadero area in most places is at least 80 years old and the overall intent is to make San Diego’s port “world class”. As development has increased downtown, the pressure has increased to not just serve tourists, but residents as well, with services and the most important aspect of the project, open park space and public art.
The first phase of the project is probably the most important and was the most talked about. The Broadway Hall and Formal Gardens is expected to break ground next year. A major component of this phase would be the realignment of Harbor Drive approximately 65’-70’ east in order to create space for an Esplanade. The roadway would be narrowed to 74’. To offset the narrowing of Harbor, Pacific Highway will be built out to 130’, with a 16’ landscaped median, 3 lanes in both directions, parallel parking, and striped bike lanes in both directions.
As a natural result of the street realignment and construction, not only in the Embarcadero but the Navy Complex and residential construction, parking is a major priority and public concern. As a result, the very first project will be a parking structure on the Navy Pier. Once completed, construction will start at B Street and move south to Broadway. The B Street Pier will be reinforced and made to accommodate the large cruise ships coming through San Diego and become the main cruise ship terminal. Some work has already been done on the piers with a separate $10 million loan from Carnival Cruises. $2 million has already been spent on dock improvements and passenger receiving areas. The low interest loan is being paid back by a $4 surcharge to cruise passengers and in no way comes from the Port, the City, CCDC or taxpayers.
The funding for Phase 1 of the Project will come from two sources. $10 million dollars will come from CCDC money out of $45 million dollars in bond proceeds allocated for the total project. The Port’s $10 million dollars will come from their share of money for the Lane Field (Broadway Navy Complex) lease agreements which will be under construction as early as this year.
Another major component of Phase 1 will be the creation of B Street as a thoroughfare all the way to the waterfront. Currently the street ends at the Complex.
To help control what could easily turn to chaos with the Embarcadero project and Lane Field and a host of other construction in the area, the Joint Powers Authority has been created. The JPA is made up of representatives from the City, the Port, and the CCDC. A meeting in May or June is expected to clarify how the projects will work together and be constructed concurrently with as little disruption as possible.
The other phases include The Cove, Market Square, South Lawn, North Lawn, Tavern on The Bay, The Wharf, Grape Street Pier and Piazza, The Crescent. Some of them are predominanty landscape projects, with the installation of decorative concrete pavers, pedestrian passes, etc. Some are more elaborate, like Market Square, which would have sail like structures that would serve as info booths on cruise days, and a public market on non cruise days. Some other interesting spots are the Wharf which would provide temporary/hourly slips for regional sailboats to sail in, park, and enjoy the embarcadero, the Grape Street Pier and Piazza which would actually allow water access in some manner, like a wide tiered area of steps to the water from the street level, or the Tavern By The Bay, which would allow for more dining in the area in front of Anthony’s.
There were clearly many issues that still needed to be worked out. Competing representatives from the Cruise Ship Council and Hornblower Cruises were present and tension was high because Hornblower had to relocate in order to accommodate larger cruise ship needs. An accessibility advocate was present and requested that the project surpass minimum code requirements, citing the walkways at Seaport as horrible for anybody in a wheelchair, and raised concerns about slope, terrain, and auditory directories for the blind.
I am looking forward to seeing this project break ground because park space and open land has not been enough of a priority in this city for too many years as it is hard to generate revenue from such areas. My feeling is that we live in San Diego, we pay the “sunshine tax” to be here, and we deserve these open spaces and park areas, and not only that, but they have been promised to us for so long that it is about time to make it happen.
North Embarcadero Visionary Plan
http://www.portofsandiego.org/projects/nevp/
by Rosemary Bystrak
Meeting March 8, 2007, 3-4:30 pm
The Port of San Diego held a public open house this week to discuss the current status of what is called the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan. The plan, which has been talked about for at least a couple decades, has officially been in the planning stages for 7-10 years and is finally expected to break ground in 2008.
The overall project is broken into 10 phases with a total estimated cost of $221 million dollars with total completion not expected for several years. This particular meeting was held as a public briefing on the status of the project.
A PowerPoint presentation walked through a history of the project and each of the phases as well as the intended results from each phase. It was stated that the embarcadero area in most places is at least 80 years old and the overall intent is to make San Diego’s port “world class”. As development has increased downtown, the pressure has increased to not just serve tourists, but residents as well, with services and the most important aspect of the project, open park space and public art.
The first phase of the project is probably the most important and was the most talked about. The Broadway Hall and Formal Gardens is expected to break ground next year. A major component of this phase would be the realignment of Harbor Drive approximately 65’-70’ east in order to create space for an Esplanade. The roadway would be narrowed to 74’. To offset the narrowing of Harbor, Pacific Highway will be built out to 130’, with a 16’ landscaped median, 3 lanes in both directions, parallel parking, and striped bike lanes in both directions.
As a natural result of the street realignment and construction, not only in the Embarcadero but the Navy Complex and residential construction, parking is a major priority and public concern. As a result, the very first project will be a parking structure on the Navy Pier. Once completed, construction will start at B Street and move south to Broadway. The B Street Pier will be reinforced and made to accommodate the large cruise ships coming through San Diego and become the main cruise ship terminal. Some work has already been done on the piers with a separate $10 million loan from Carnival Cruises. $2 million has already been spent on dock improvements and passenger receiving areas. The low interest loan is being paid back by a $4 surcharge to cruise passengers and in no way comes from the Port, the City, CCDC or taxpayers.
The funding for Phase 1 of the Project will come from two sources. $10 million dollars will come from CCDC money out of $45 million dollars in bond proceeds allocated for the total project. The Port’s $10 million dollars will come from their share of money for the Lane Field (Broadway Navy Complex) lease agreements which will be under construction as early as this year.
Another major component of Phase 1 will be the creation of B Street as a thoroughfare all the way to the waterfront. Currently the street ends at the Complex.
To help control what could easily turn to chaos with the Embarcadero project and Lane Field and a host of other construction in the area, the Joint Powers Authority has been created. The JPA is made up of representatives from the City, the Port, and the CCDC. A meeting in May or June is expected to clarify how the projects will work together and be constructed concurrently with as little disruption as possible.
The other phases include The Cove, Market Square, South Lawn, North Lawn, Tavern on The Bay, The Wharf, Grape Street Pier and Piazza, The Crescent. Some of them are predominanty landscape projects, with the installation of decorative concrete pavers, pedestrian passes, etc. Some are more elaborate, like Market Square, which would have sail like structures that would serve as info booths on cruise days, and a public market on non cruise days. Some other interesting spots are the Wharf which would provide temporary/hourly slips for regional sailboats to sail in, park, and enjoy the embarcadero, the Grape Street Pier and Piazza which would actually allow water access in some manner, like a wide tiered area of steps to the water from the street level, or the Tavern By The Bay, which would allow for more dining in the area in front of Anthony’s.
There were clearly many issues that still needed to be worked out. Competing representatives from the Cruise Ship Council and Hornblower Cruises were present and tension was high because Hornblower had to relocate in order to accommodate larger cruise ship needs. An accessibility advocate was present and requested that the project surpass minimum code requirements, citing the walkways at Seaport as horrible for anybody in a wheelchair, and raised concerns about slope, terrain, and auditory directories for the blind.
I am looking forward to seeing this project break ground because park space and open land has not been enough of a priority in this city for too many years as it is hard to generate revenue from such areas. My feeling is that we live in San Diego, we pay the “sunshine tax” to be here, and we deserve these open spaces and park areas, and not only that, but they have been promised to us for so long that it is about time to make it happen.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Hiatus
I just thought I would write here and say that the food blog will be on hiatus until I get my new computer. There's just too much going on with Dialed In right now for this to get any attention.
Go eat...
Go eat...
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Bargains!
*1/17-1/19 OCEANAIRE EXTENDS RESTAURANT WEEK MENU The Oceanaire extended its Restaurant Week menu for a week longer (until January 19) so patrons can still enjoy the $30 three-course dinner steal.400 J Street, Downtown San Diego 619.858.2277
*Cohn Restaurants is celebrating their anniversary by offering $20.07 dinner specials at select restaurants including Dakota, Thee Bungalow, Corvette Diner, Kemo Sabe, and Dakota. Check out the site here and check it out before it ends on January 24.
I will try to get to some reviews this weekend: my favorite sandwich spot downtown, California Grinders; Panda Inn @ Horton Plaza; La Strada and a couple others...
*Cohn Restaurants is celebrating their anniversary by offering $20.07 dinner specials at select restaurants including Dakota, Thee Bungalow, Corvette Diner, Kemo Sabe, and Dakota. Check out the site here and check it out before it ends on January 24.
I will try to get to some reviews this weekend: my favorite sandwich spot downtown, California Grinders; Panda Inn @ Horton Plaza; La Strada and a couple others...
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Multicultural Fair
This is more for Dialed In but it's long so I thought better to link you to this page:
NINTH ANNUAL SAN DIEGO MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP ANNOUNCED
SAN DIEGO, CA — The Ninth Annual San Diego Multicultural Festival will feature
an exciting lineup of entertainment that reflects San Diego's diverse
population. The free event on Saturday, January 13, will feature a variety of
food, entertainment and fun for the entire family. The festival takes place from
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade on the north
side of Harbor Drive between Market Street and Fourth Avenue, across from the
San Diego Convention Center. The festival coincides with the Martin Luther King
Jr. Day Parade at 10 a.m. near PETCO Park. The popular festival regularly draws
thousands of people, and this year, 25,000 to 30,000 people are expected to
attend. For all festival details, visit www.ccdc.com.
Entertainment Lineup:
EAST STAGE: MACY'S STAGE
11:30 a.m. Native American Dancers, Northern Traditional
12:15 p.m. Bayou Brothers, Louisiana Bayou Music/Culture
1:15 p.m. CIA (Callahan Institute of Arts); Hip Hop Dance
2:00 p.m. Harvey Mendiola, Polynesian Dance
2:45 p.m. Riders of the Purple Sage, Classic Western Band
3:30 p.m. The West Coast Boogiemen, Blues, Rock, Swing
4:15 p.m. Bolgazohdoomah, Music of Ghana
WEST STAGE: CCDC STAGE
11:15 a.m. Skelpin', Irish, Spanish and Turkish Music Fusion
12:00 p.m. Lucky Lion Dancers, Traditional Dances of China1
2:30 p.m. Corazon y Candela, Cuban Music (Salsa)
1:30 p.m. Joel Penner, Jazz
2:15 p.m. MLK Parade Awards
3:00 p.m. Balinese Dance
3:30 p.m. SoulVoice, Women's A Capella Quartet
4:10 p.m. East West Band, Jazz Fusion
INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLERS STAGE
12:00 p.m. Native Talk, Native American Storytelling
1:10 p.m. Asako Aizawa, Japanese Storytelling and Origami
1:45 p.m. Alyce Smith Cooper, African American Tales
3:00 p.m. Tales from the Story Bag, Irish, Scottish and English Tales
3:35 p.m. Tales Alive, Musical Folktales from Asia & Africa
4:15 p.m. Abel Silvas, Californian Native American Storytelling
NINTH ANNUAL SAN DIEGO MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP ANNOUNCED
SAN DIEGO, CA — The Ninth Annual San Diego Multicultural Festival will feature
an exciting lineup of entertainment that reflects San Diego's diverse
population. The free event on Saturday, January 13, will feature a variety of
food, entertainment and fun for the entire family. The festival takes place from
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade on the north
side of Harbor Drive between Market Street and Fourth Avenue, across from the
San Diego Convention Center. The festival coincides with the Martin Luther King
Jr. Day Parade at 10 a.m. near PETCO Park. The popular festival regularly draws
thousands of people, and this year, 25,000 to 30,000 people are expected to
attend. For all festival details, visit www.ccdc.com.
Entertainment Lineup:
EAST STAGE: MACY'S STAGE
11:30 a.m. Native American Dancers, Northern Traditional
12:15 p.m. Bayou Brothers, Louisiana Bayou Music/Culture
1:15 p.m. CIA (Callahan Institute of Arts); Hip Hop Dance
2:00 p.m. Harvey Mendiola, Polynesian Dance
2:45 p.m. Riders of the Purple Sage, Classic Western Band
3:30 p.m. The West Coast Boogiemen, Blues, Rock, Swing
4:15 p.m. Bolgazohdoomah, Music of Ghana
WEST STAGE: CCDC STAGE
11:15 a.m. Skelpin', Irish, Spanish and Turkish Music Fusion
12:00 p.m. Lucky Lion Dancers, Traditional Dances of China1
2:30 p.m. Corazon y Candela, Cuban Music (Salsa)
1:30 p.m. Joel Penner, Jazz
2:15 p.m. MLK Parade Awards
3:00 p.m. Balinese Dance
3:30 p.m. SoulVoice, Women's A Capella Quartet
4:10 p.m. East West Band, Jazz Fusion
INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLERS STAGE
12:00 p.m. Native Talk, Native American Storytelling
1:10 p.m. Asako Aizawa, Japanese Storytelling and Origami
1:45 p.m. Alyce Smith Cooper, African American Tales
3:00 p.m. Tales from the Story Bag, Irish, Scottish and English Tales
3:35 p.m. Tales Alive, Musical Folktales from Asia & Africa
4:15 p.m. Abel Silvas, Californian Native American Storytelling
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