A mythological menu

Crazy ol’ Annabel’s just made the biggest gaffe of her romantic life. Fool that she is, she’s dumped the poor sap she was supposed to marry. And the bearer of these unfortunate tidings is no less than a spot-on psychic, who’ll eventually walk our girl through the course of events that led to her bonehead move. Annabel’s crestfallen at the news, of course—and don’t be surprised if she comes up and asks for a bite of your cheese blintz while she frantically revisits her past relationships in her search for the jilted Mr. Right.

Just kiddin’. Annabel won’t really swipe your food. But if you were eating at The Studio Diner, she’d be close enough to pop in for a visit. See, The Studio Diner is part of a working Kearny Mesa soundstage, where CBS-TV and San Diego’s Stu Segall Productions are putting Annabel’s serial tale of woe together. It’s called Mythological X, and its 2008-09 season is in development as I write (much of the filming’s taking place in Ocean Beach as well). The significance of this isn’t lost on the eatery, to be sure—it serves stuff with names like Mihammy Vice, a too-large sandwich served on sourdough with ham and scrambled eggs ($7.50) and Crew Stew, a delicious $4.50 stew cup so satisfying you may not need an entrée to go with it. Y’gotta try the rice pudding, too, and pronto—it’s only $3.95, and it’s part of a dessert menu the staff calls “Go Ahead—Bake My Day!” Those zany folks have thought of everything, even the supertitles.

Lots of TV and movie sets are open 24 hours, and so is The Studio Diner. Seems like all that’s left is for you to go to 4701 Ruffin Road and order away. Or you could call 858-715-6400 if you have a question beforehand. Be advised, though, that it won’t do any good to ask for Annabel. She’s off in the cosmos looking for something she misplaced. And it’s not your cheese blintz.