San Diego Unseen: An Urban Portrait
A burger from The Counter
Troubled by our nation’s broken food system and want to learn more about how to mend it, all while meeting the movers and shakers behind positive change? The annual Cultivating Food Justice event takes place Friday, April 8, through Sunday, April 10, at 2228 52nd St. in City Heights. Last year, hundreds gathered to listen to folks like activist, scholar and author Raj Patel, meet local growers and congregate with like-minded hippies—er, people. Don’t miss this; it’s one of the best events of the year. Times are listed at sdfoodjustice.org.
Two food trucks launched nearly in tandem the week before last—one piloted by San Diego native Jack-in-the- Box (Jack’s Munchie Mobile) and another by Green Truck, a solar-powered vehicle that serves organic food, runs on repurposed vegetable oil and shuns non-biodegradable materials. greentruckonthego.com, twitter.com/munchiemobile
Anthony’s Fish Grotto’s Chula Vista location closed Sunday, March 20, after 37 years in business. The La Mesa and Embarcadero locations will remain. gofishanthonys.com
The Counter opened its second San Diego County location (12873 El Camino Real, Suite M4) on Monday. The burger joint is one of a slew of restau rants, including Rimel’s Rotisserie and Brian Malarkey and James Brennan’s Burlap, slated to grace the Del Mar Highlands Shopping Center in Carmel Valley this year. thecounterburger.com
Cooks Confab will host the School Lunch event from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at Fibonacci’s Campus Pointe Bistro by Waters (10300 Campus Point Drive in UTC). Area chefs will prepare gourmet takes on cafeteria food while in-the-know school administrators, cafeteria staff and growers report on the future of school food. Adults, your $35 ticket also includes adult-style drinks. Tickets are $15 for kids younger than 15. Proceeds will benefit Slow Food Urban San Diego. cooksconfab.com
The first Chef Celebration dinner this year, now in its 16th, takes place Tuesday, April 5, at Pamplemousse Grille (514 Via de la Valle in Solana Beach). Each week, a team of noted local chefs will gather at an area restaurant and create a meal steeped in their collective talent, with proceeds supporting scholarships for budding chefs.
The lineup of chefs includes Bernard Guillas of Marine Room, Jim Phillips of Barona Resort and Casino, Hanis Cavin of Kensington Grill and Francisco Sedano and Joe burns of Pamplemousse Grille. $65. chefcelebration.org Last week, Blue Point Coastal Cuisine’s executive chef, Daniel Barron, rolled out an 11-course tasting menu. “The Experience,” as it’s coined, is open to 16 people every Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. The cost is $99; reservations are required. A six-course version is available all week. cohnrestaurants.com
This supper club, that supper club. Supper clubs everywhere. And why not? We’re grownups, after all. Grant Grill’s (326 Broadway, Downtown) Saturday Night Supper Club launched this month to the tune of live jazz and classic cocktails. grantgrill.com
Got food tips? Write to brookl@sdcitybeat.com.
