As a kid, Brad Wise always wanted to go into the big, fancy steakhouses but he couldn’t afford it. With that in mind, the chef who made his name on woodfired cooking built a neighborhood steakhouse that wasn’t priced to the moon, didn’t require melting down family assets in order to eat well there. Sure, you can order up at Rare Society, spend rent. But you can also order a meat board—just like a charcuterie board or a cheese board, but with various cuts of steak and meats so that groups can share and nibble. Steakhouse tapas.
This weekend, his team unveils the second Rare Society—a bit glitzier, a bit Vegas-ier, but still with that neighborhood vibe—in the Cedros Design District of Solana Beach.
“The whole idea is to do simple things but execute them well,” he says. “My wife is from the central coast of California, which is where I got the love for the wood fire. When I could finally afford to eat at those New York or Chicago-style steakhouses, I’d be so excited. But then the steaks wouldn’t have enough seasoning, the side dishes were just plain mashed potatoes. So we decided to do our own steakhouse where the steaks had high flavor profiles, and the sides were just as good as the steaks.”
Every single day, he and his cooks host a friendly competition—each doing their own riff on a side dish.
“The whole staff gets a spoon,” he explains. “And they’re honest—they’ll say, ‘His is good but it needs more salt or acid.’ It’s a friendly way to push each other and keep the creativity going. It was wildly surprising to me that what people talked about when they talked about Rare Society was the sides or desserts. That said, I also learned to not overthink it. In the beginning I was doing sides that were too tricked out. We’d sell 200 mashed potatoes, 200 mac ‘n’ cheese, 200 truffled spinach, and 20 of this wild cauliflower thing I was trying. But the mac n cheese has five different cheeses and it’s this Kraft mac ‘n’ cheese meets the best melted Swiss thing you’ve tasted.”
Rare Society in Solana Beach has a gold-and-black Rat Pack vibe, with polished walnut tabletops and Vegas headlines carved along the sides. It’s got low, gold ceilings for a den-like feel, but an indoor-outdoor bar with a roll-up door that leads to the shaded patio. There are mirrored and amber-cast pillars, and there is Table 99, reserved for high rollers and inlaid with gold coins and a view of the open kitchen where the chefs are charring steaks and, well, everything with flames from red oak. The tables have lazy susans in the centers where the steak boards will spin. At the bar, it’s double-tiered chandeliers and American whiskey, Amari, and Scotch. The whole place seats 130.
“We didn’t come up here and put in a behemoth steakhouse,” says Wise. “It’s still a neighborhood joint. We love that look of black gold and the feeling that you’re in one of these Vegasy steakhouses. There are little playing card notations everywhere. The lighting’s done well. A simple, nice place to go. We didn’t spend millions of dollars. But we did spend a lot of money on the black suede chairs, because at a steak house you want people to camp out and enjoy themselves for a two and a half hour meal. You can spend under $50, or you can spend as much as you want.”
Troy Johnson is the magazine’s award-winning food writer and humorist, and a long-standing expert on Food Network. His work has been featured on NatGeo, Travel Channel, NPR, and in Food Matters, a textbook of the best American food writing.
Long as I can remember, Solana Beach has been better known for the mild waves at Fletcher Cove and a few blocks of high-end design shopping on Cedros Ave. But despite the glacial pace of change, the beachside enclave is gearing up to add lots of goodies to the local dining roster.
Over the past few years a few openings have brought attention (Rare Society, Rustic Root), with some more anticipated on the way (like Mia’s coming later this year). And, on June 20, some serious power will unveil Lana—in the marquee spot along Pacific Coast Highway that once housed the California Pizza Kitchen.
The Lana trio is wine guy Mark Wheadon, operator Travis LeGrand, and chef David McIntyre. Wheadon is a level 2 sommelier who’s worked for Robert Redford and Ruth’s Chris; LeGrand has been a manager at Marine Room, Herringbone, and Urban Kitchen Group (Cucina Urbana, et al); and McIntyre, who’s back stateside after 20 years working abroad for Wolfgang Puck, spent the last 14 overseeing Cut Steakhouse in London. He’s opened restaurants all over the world (Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, New York, Los Angeles, Bahrain).
He and Wheadon worked together previously to open Crescent Heights Kitchen & Lounge in downtown San Diego in 2008, so Lana feels like a bit of a homecoming. “It’s nice to come back to help old friends and be a part of the team and help launch a restaurant,” says McIntyre.
Lana’s concept is simple: seasonal, West Coast bounty with ridiculously high-quality service—occupying that very San Diego space between laid back and big night out.
“The design impetus came from vintage California, being casual and comfortable but elegant,” explains Wheadon. But don’t expect the typical teal and turquoise tropes. They brought on designer Megan Power at Workind Studio (formerly of Basile Studio, she designed Le Coq and 31ThirtyOne). It’s a 2,500-square-foot, indoor-outdoor space that fits 187, including 20 at the keyhole-shaped bar, and 45 or so outside.
The menu from McIntyre and chef de cuisine Matt Martinez (Cowboy Star, Avant) strongly emphasizes seasonal produce, local ingredients, and top-notch seafood.
“My concept of cooking is to put five or six ingredients on the plate and let them shine,” McIntyre says. Depending on the season, the chefs will serve locally caught spot prawns, or simple classics like roasted chicken, a few different cuts of steak (he does have the chops for it, after all), and rotating flatbreads. The beverage program, helmed by The Lion’s Share alum Brandon Curry, leans heavily on California wines from small producers from Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast, as well as a few from around the world.
Curry’s cocktails will be a direct line from the kitchen to the bar to both minimize waste and spark creativity. Like a gimlet, but with cucumber and pink peppercorns; or an Old Fashioned made with vanilla bitters and toasted sesame oil.
Wheadon hopes to bring a little bit of nighttime energy to that stretch of the 101, which boasts a number of early morning coffee shops, but not a ton of dinner options (yet). During the construction process, he says people constantly poked their heads in with excitement.
“Once a day, [people] would be like, ‘Oh my gosh, Solana Beach needs this so badly,’” he laughs. “This whole area is just starting to blossom.”
Lana opens June 20 at 437 South Highway 101. Operating hours are Wednesdays through Sundays for dinner, plus brunch Saturdays and Sundays.
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
When Alce 101 permanently closed earlier this year, Solana Beach lost a pretty great tequila and mezcal selection. But the partners behind Bluewater Grill, Jim Ulcickas and Rich Staunton, plan to bring a new Baja-Mediterranean concept to the space called Mia’s Solana Beach.
Ulcickas says Mia’s menu will feel similar to Alce, renovated and reimagined. “Peruvian ceviche to vegetarian enchiladas, whole roasted fish, and some classic Mexican shrimp dishes,” he says of the menu, adding that they plan to source as much sustainable, organic, and local ingredients as possible, which has been a core philosophy of their restaurant since the get go. “Mexican-Baja style with a good tequila and mezcal program.”
Plus tacos, salads, oysters, tostadas, and prime cuts of steak, plus a kid’s menu, with no seed oils used in any dishes. The vibe will be fun, warm, and youthful, with soft pinks and dark greens inspired by the Southwest and Baja California. The partners plan to open in April, pending permits and renovations spearheaded by architecture and design firm PGAL (who designed Palihotel and Gravity Heights Mission Valley).
Ulcickas and Staunton have built restaurants together for nearly 30 years, opening the first Bluewater Grill in Newport Beach’s Cannery Village in 1996, then expanding to seven more locations across Southern California and Phoenix, as well as El Galleon, an American comfort grub spot on Catalina Island. “Our real estate philosophy is waterfront Southern California,” Ulcickas explains. When the space at 243 N. Highway 101 became available, the pair asked themselves “What concept do we feel would work in this community?”
Ulcickas believes Alce’s approach of upscale Mexican food was sound—it was just bad timing post-pandemic. The crowds were there, from summertime visitors to locals to people going to the races at Del Mar. “It’s a great location,” he says. If Mia’s proves successful here, it may be the first of several locations. “We have to prove the concept first,” he laughs. “[But] we’re confident… we’re excited to come to Solana Beach.”
Mia’s Solana Beach is planned to open in April 2025 at 243 N. Highway 101, Suite 7. Stay tuned for the chef announcement coming in January.
Courtesy of Encinitas 101
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Little Victory Lands Chefs Elliott and Kelly Townsend
Carlsbad’s first natural wine bar and shop Little Victory Wine Market has new chefs in the kitchen—Elliott and Kelly Townsend, the pair behind Long Story Short. Elliott, who previously worked at Cowboy Star and The Fishery, and Kelly, who previously worked at Juniper & Ivy, will create the menu of small, seasonal, and shareable plates designed to pair with Little Victory’s collection of minimal intervention wines. Between their experience and Little Victory owners Jeremy Simpson and Kirsten Potenza, who also have star-studded resumes themselves (Jeune et Jolie, Bestia), Carlsbad is showing no signs of slowing down.
Courtesy of Ambrogio15 Restaurant Group
Beth’s Bites
San Diego’s only 2024 addition to the Michelin-recognized list is going away—sort of. Ambrogio by Acquerello is closing their La Jolla location on Fay Avenue to focus on reinventing themselves at Ambrogio15 in Pacific Beach. The project was an ambitious romp into modern Italian, a collaboration with Milan chefs Silvio Salmoiraghi and Choi Cheolhyeok, of Michelin-star Milan restaurant, Acquarello. They promise the pizza isn’t going anywhere (thank goddess); they’re also opening another location in the San Diego airport next year.
Hotel La Jolla’s penthouse restaurant Sea & Sky is throwing a 50th birthday party for Napa Valley’s Caymus Vineyards (oh, those cabs). The five-course wine pairing dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 30 with chef Ernest Lopez’s menu of “land and sea” offerings like scallop crudo, herb-crusted lamb. Good chance to see the newly renovated La Jolla classic with views of the Shores. Reservations are a must.
Did someone say chilaquiles? Pop-up concept Chilaquilers is slated to open two spots in 2025, one in Vista and one in Chula Vista. I’ve found myself crossing the border to Tijuana to get my crunchy breakfast fix, but I guess I can stash my passport for now.
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
When we first reported that beloved Leucadia date spot Valentina was getting a sibling, the Solana Beach wine bar was planned for a March 2024 opening. Though what restaurant partner Todd Henderson calls “some barriers and unexpected delays” extended that timeline, North County dwellers awaiting a new place to woo Hinge matches will soon find succor: Vále Bodega should finally open its doors at 346 South Cedros Avenue by the end of the year.
Henderson says guests should expect Vále to feel like a little sister to Valentina, the Spanish-Mediterranean bistro that Mario and Morgan Guerra founded in 2019 and named after their daughter. The Guerras’ restaurant group The Leucadia Co. also operates Hamburger Hut, Corner Pizza, and Jaguar Paw, and the couple had been looking to replicate Valentina’s success in North County.
Courtesy of Valentina Restaurant
Many of Valentina’s dishes ( including the croquetas de iberico, gambas al ajillo, and jamón ibérico sliced from behind the bar) will appear on Vále’s menu, and it’ll share its big sib’s emphasis on small plates and local, sustainably caught fresh seafood. The wine program will be similar, as well, with lots of traditional Spanish wines, as well as a few Henderson calls explorative but not too adventurous.
“This is a space where we love to be able to have our creature comforts—things that are comfortable and familiar to a lot of our guests,” he says.
The space is quite small, with seating for a little over 20 guests and no outdoor space. A large bar will dominate much of the interior, along with a wooden banquette along the window custom built by local surfboard shaper Jon Wegener. Valentina’s executive chef Benjamin Lara (formerly of Campfire) will work with Mario Guerra on a few new menu items inspired by Guerra’s childhood visits to Spain to visit family. The food, Henderson says, is unfussy and “delicious, but it’s not bending the concept of what’s palatable. It’s tasty and simple and beautiful.”
Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos Interior of Valentina in Encinitas
Above all, Vále hopes to be a community gathering space helping friends and neighbors connect. After 17 years in the restaurant business, Henderson says that as much as he loves wine, he loves bringing people together even more. “Providing a service to others and creating a little landmark in a community—that is something I’m incredibly passionate about and very much looking forward to,” he says. “Being able to establish just a small, little space over in Solana—where I think Cedros will be very happy to have us—it’s just a beautiful endeavor.”
Courtesy of Olivewood Gardens
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
October Is Farm to School Month
If you aren’t already familiar with Olivewood Gardens, I strongly recommend you give the National City–based nonprofit a gander. The nearly eight-acre property offers opportunities for adults and children to learn about farming, sustainability, cooking, gardening, and nutrition and hosts a number of classes and other events. This month, Olivewood is partnering with the National City school district to teach students about gardening. To learn more about upcoming events or get involved, check out the org’s website and Instagram.
My family and I are huge fans of the food court at H-Mart on Balboa, and were disappointed to see the Korean snack bar It’s Boonsik had left the building. However, it appears they may be popping up once more in… the Northrop Grumman campus at 9326 Spectrum Center Boulevard? Weird, but better than nothing, I suppose.
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego’s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.
Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego’s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.
Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo’s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.
“San Diego’s strength comes from its makers and builders—the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. “These awards aren’t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region’s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.”
Matt Furman Photography
Building the Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy
Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy has grown alongside the country’s rapid investment in renewable power. “It’s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,” says CEO George Hershman. “The business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.”
The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.
Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company’s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. “Our intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,” Hershman says. “Last year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce—the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.”
Developing Medicine One Patient at a Time
Startup honoree La Jolla Labs is tackling one of medicine’s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases—many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient’s specific genetic mutation.
CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. “We’re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients’ lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,” she says.
Grossman credits San Diego’s concentration of research institutions—including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research—with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. “San Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,” she says. “We have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.”
She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. “You can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a café, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,” Grossman says. “That’s something very unique to San Diego.”
While Snake Oil Venue Company may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station—more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.
“We do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,” says CEO Mike Esposito. “I really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.”
Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego’s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. “We get to celebrate people’s most important moments,” Esposito says. “Whether that’s a wedding, celebration of life, or quinceañera, we’re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.”
Matt Furman Photography
Growing a Beach-Town Brand into a National Business
Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.
Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.
“‘Aloha’ is part of our name, but it’s also how we move through the world,” says CEO Lynna Barnard. “It’s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.” Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.
“I think what’s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,” Barnard says. “It’s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.”
Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego’s economy—not only through the jobs and revenue they generate—but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.
Change is hard, especially after 32 years. California Pizza Kitchen has been a stalwart spot on South Highway 101 since 1992 and will close up shop at the end of this week for good.
But Solana Beach goers need not lament for too long. A new concept called Lana is coming to the beachside location in February 2025. (Lana, So-LANA… get it?)
Courtesy of Yelp
Mark Wheadon and Travis LeGrand are the partners behind Lana. Locally, LeGrand has worked at The Marine Room, Waypoint Public, Herringbone, and Oceanaire, while Wheadon (who also is a Level 2 Sommelier) has worked for Robert Redford, the Tree Room at Sundance Resort, The Avalon in Beverly Hills, Ruth’s Chris, The Riverhorse in Park City, and Crescent Heights in San Diego. LeGrand will serve as the restaurant’s general manager while Wheadon will oversee wine and beverage operations.
The menu will focus on local and coastal cuisine, with influences from Southern California, Baja California, and Asia. “Lana will provide an upscale yet approachable dining experience for dinner and weekend brunch service,” says Wheadon, adding they’re still searching for a chef.
Megan Power at Workind Studio (formerly of Basile Studio) is handling the design of the space, which Wheadon says will be “coastal vintage-luxe setting” utilizing clean lines and a “wow factor” that’s lively, but comfortable for guests to feel fully immersed in the space. Power is also behind the design for both the upcoming Puffer Malarkey Collective restaurant Le Coq, and 31Thirtyone by Drew Deckman.
Having lived in Solana Beach for 10 years, Wheadon feels it’s the ideal location to open a “true neighborhood place.” But above all, he wants to provide a respite from the busyness of life. “Our goal is to make each guest feel consummately taken care of, so they can leave the stress of their day at the door,” he says.
Lana will land at 437 South Highway 101 in February 2025.
Courtesy of Aromi Italian Cuisine
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Now Open: Trattoria Da Sofia in Kensington
Once home to Cucina Sorella and Kensington Grill, 4055 Adams Avenue is now Trattoria Da Sofia, an Italian eatery open daily from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The minds behind the trattoria come from Sicily, Mexico City, and San Diego, and have put together a menu that includes favorites like bruschetta, lasagna, beef carpaccio, spaghetti al pomodoro, and plenty of wine and cocktails.
Coming Soon: Pizza by Aromi in La Mesa
Known for its tableside cheese wheel pasta, Aromi is expanding to the suite next door to add Pizza by Aromi sometime during summer 2024. Expect more Sicilian-inspired plates, wood-fired pizzas, and cheese imported straight from Italy.
Courtesy of Landini’s Pizzeria
Beth’s Bites
First came Encinitas, then Gaslamp, and now Pacific Beach. Union Kitchen & Tap opened its third location on March 26 on Garnet Avenue, slinging the same faves like shrimp and grits, Molly’s homemade carrot cake, and, of course, brunch classics like chicken and waffles and their short rib breakfast burrito.
Leonardo Landini of Landini’s Pizzeria also plans to bring another concept to PB at 1520 Garnet Avenue, tentatively named Chaparral, later this year.
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
From the hubbub of Gaslamp to beachside serenity—Rustic Root is growing up and out of its original downtown location. Coming this July, Rustic Root will open their second restaurant at 343 S. Highway 101, Suite 100 in Solana Beach as part of the new mixed-use Sand Box development that will include retail, restaurants, and apartments. The new eatery will span 3,273 square feet of indoor space, plus a 923-square-foot patio instead of a have a rooftop patio. The design team Davis Ink and architect Arch5 Design Studio worked together to create the signature Rustic Root vibe with a Solana Beach spin—think more crashing waves than honking cars.
The original location opened in the Gaslamp in 2015, featuring elevated comfort food fare like their Texas-style smoked ribeye, firecracker shrimp, and homestyle butter biscuits with maple pecan and charred jalapeño butter. The downtown culinary team will help bring the same regional and local cuisine to the new location, as well as an elevated cocktail program with classics like margaritas as well as signature cocktails like A Lover’s Flannel with cucumber and mint-infused Absolut, strawberry syrup, lemon, and egg white.
Finding a new location took a while, says RMD Group partner Mike Georgopoulos. “We’ve been looking in this area for some time, hoping the perfect place would open up, so once we found an opportunity, we jumped on it,” says Georgopoulos. “The small-town feel and tight-knit community make it the perfect spot for our restaurant… We know Solana Beach locals will love the casual yet energetic feel of the atmosphere, as well as the classic yet creative take on comfort food and cocktails.”
He adds they hope to offer live music at the Solana Beach location if permits allow, and promises to bring the same Rustic Root experience to a brand new neighborhood. “I know this town well after living in North County and spending time in the area with my family,” he says. “Solana Beach is the perfect spot.”
Once open this summer, the Solana Beach location will be open for dinner seven days a week from 4 p.m. to close, and open for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
I’m nothing if not a total dumpling fiend, so news of a new dumpling restaurant always piques my interest. The Orange County favorite Bafang Dumpling opened this weekend at 9690 Reagan Road in Mira Mesa, bringing Taiwanese favorites like potstickers, spicy noodles, Taiwanese soup, and much more to San Diego for the first time. You can even pick up frozen dumplings to make at home (with or without meat). Bafang is in the midst of an aggressive expansion across Southern California, so are more locations on the horizon? My stomach prays it is so.
I may or may not have hungrily DM’ed the Shawarma Guys‘ Instagram account in November 2022 for an update on their first brick-and-mortar location that they announced in May of that year. Finally, that update and that restaurant are finally here at 5525 Jackson Drive, Suite B in La Mesa. Long operating out of a truck in a parking lot in South Park, Shawarma Guys earned national recognition on Guy Fieri’s show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives after being named #1 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2020. Their menu of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired dishes includes favorites like their Wagyu beef shawarma, lemon cream chop fries, California shawarma wrap (yes, it’s like a California burrito, but better), fattoush salad, and even vegan shawarma and falafel. Run, don’t walk, and get a side of garlic paste.
Beth’s Bites
Better late than never—I finally got to check out the crab corn doughnut at Quixote, the Oaxacan-inspired mezcalería inside the old Red Fox Room location attached to the LaFayette Hotel. What can I say? It was worth the wait and $21.
Lion dancing, duck fat fries, and perhaps a visit to the apothecary—everything I love is happening at Common Theory this Friday starting at 8:30 pm. Won’t you come feed the lions with me to celebrate Lunar New Year?
I have it on good authority that the fish tacos at Mariscos Mar Y Tierra in Chula Vista are massive, both in size and deliciousness. Can someone please confirm/deny?
Have you planned your Super Bowl menu yet? There’s still time to order what I consider to be some of the best party wings in town—Wei Wei Asian Express’ salt and pepper wings. $66 gets you 50 pieces of the savory, garlicky, lip-smackingly crispy wings that will definitely make you the hero of the party. Honestly, they didn’t pay me for this. The wings are just that legit.
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
If you’re anything like us, it can be easy to get so caught up in taking care of everyone else, that your own needs get lost in the ether. But while this may be a cliché, that doesn’t make it any less true: You can’t give your best self to other people unless you’re taking care of yourself.
Sometimes, that looks like stopping in for your regular acupuncture or chiropractic appointment. Other days, it means giving your body the fresh, organic fuel it needs to truly feel and function at its best. And some other times still, it involves leaving your responsibilities behind for a weekend to pamper yourself at an incredible resort and spa.
Only you can decide what your truly need. We’re just here to help you find the best ways to get it.
Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
Island living meets desert luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. When you step onto the 11-acre property, you’ll be surrounded by sweeping view of the Santa Rosa Mountains with olive trees and fragrant citrus groves decorating the grounds. In other words, everything about this relaxed but refined resort is primed to help you let go of the stress from home and enjoy easy sun-soaked days and gorgeous starry nights.
The rooms blend calming, woven textures with Tommy Bahama’s signature tropical prints and feature private lanais, making it easy unwind the moment you walk in the door. If you book one of the four Villa Suites, you’ll be treated to exclusive Tommy Bahama furniture and unique personal touches to further that feeling of instant ease.
At the award-winning Spa Rosa, the expert team will help reset and recharge your body and mind using methods and rituals inspired by the desert. The 12,000-square-foot retreat includes outdoor soaking pools, eucalyptus steam rooms, and outdoor cabanas, as well as massages, facials, and body masks—all aimed at creating a day dedicated to you. We’re particularly partial to the Day Long Escape, an indulgent all-day affair of CDBs soaks, renewing scrubs, life changing massages, and transformative facials.
Following your treatment, continue the experience with a meal on the patio at Grapefruit Basil. We love the Hamachi Crudo, a light, citrus-forward dish featuring premium yellowtail, house-made ponzu, creamy avocado, and fresh seasonal garnishes.
Whether you’re strolling the gardens, relaxing beside its saltwater pools, or indulging in a restorative treatment, you’ll be able to escape in style and relax in luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa.
Healcove Chiropractic
There’s no shortage of ways to stay active in San Diego—but if you really want to enjoy everything the city has to offer, you’ve got to make sure you’re giving your body its tune-ups. Enter: Healcove Chiropractic. The board-certified chiropractors and wellness professionals at Healcove are experts at addressing that stage where you’re not injured, exactly, but you’re not at 100%, either. Maybe you’re feeling a bit tense or stressed out. Or it could be that you’re not quite moving the way you want to. Sometimes, it’s just that the accumulation of days, weeks, or even years of daily strain is starting to take a toll. No matter what stage you find yourself at, the Healcove Chiropractic team can provide integrated, preventative care centered on long-term, science-backed approaches that ensure you can always stay active and live the life you want to live pain-free.
This starts by providing truly individualized care. Every patient can expect a thorough 60-minute consultation session that includes a posture and movement screening. This allows the team to develop a completely personalized plan. That plan might include chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage therapy, as well as functional fitness training, vibration and sound therapy, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, a clinical rehabilitation method that retrains the body’s stabilization systems. Whatever the team recommends, you can be sure that it’s tailored to meeting your body’s needs today and the future.
There’s a reason that San Diego Magazine named Healcove the “Best Chiropractor in San Diego”—don’t wait until you’re struggling with an injury to find out why. Book an appointment today for holistic, integrated care that helps ground and heal your body before it reaches a crisis point.
Juice Holler
West Coast wellness culture meets the community feel of Southern Appalachia at Juice Holler. Juice Holler’s menu consists of made-to-order smoothies and smoothie bowls, as well as grab-and-go cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, salads, and more. It operates from the blissfully simple premise that fueling up with food and drink that’s guilt-free and good your body should be simple, accessible, and, above all else, delicious. And if you haven’t yet made it out to the Encinitas café, which opened just this year, let us be the first to tell you: Juice Holler delivers on each and every of these fronts.
We love the Supercharger smoothie, a mood-lifting and body-fueling option made with banana, almond butter, blue spirulina, maca, grass-fed whey protein, raw cacao nibs, medjool dates, and coconut milk. We’re also partial to the Thrive Alive smoothie bowl, where avocado, mango, sea moss, spirulina, mint, coconut milk, and agave are mixed and topped with coconut, chia seeds, strawberry, mango, and chocolate drizzle. The wellness shots include the Detoxifier, a cleansing blend of kale, cucumber, lemon and spirulina, plus a shot specially designed to fight inflammation (named, fittingly, Anti-Inflammation). Probiotic overnight oats, lemon turmeric bars, and strawberry shortcake chia pudding are other standouts on the grab-and-go menu.
Much of the vibe feels beachy North County chic—think green tile with orange and pink accents, grounded with greenery and natural wood—but Juice Holler founder Kelly Sergott, a longtime Encinitas local, has also enfused the space with her Kentucky roots. In Appalachia, a holler is small valley between hills and mountains, where nature reigns, community is king, and nourishment comes right from the land. At Juice Holler, Sergott has created a holler for the busy modern times, using local ingredients to create a spot for people to come together and enjoy fresh, fast, feel-good fuel for their day.
Everwell Acupuncture
We’ve all had that experience with a medical professional where we’ve felt rushed, ignored, or misunderstood—and ultimately, like we didn’t get the answers that we needed. But at Everwell, the holistic acupuncture practice located in Solana Beach, the care team wants to transform your understanding of what healthcare can look like.
Patients at Everwell experience care rooted in intentional listening and radical empathy—and trust us, those aren’t just corporate buzzwords. This place actually puts those ideas into practice. You will always be given the time you need to tell your story— initial in-take appointments are two hours long—and you can rest assured that your story will be believed. Every single question and concern will be addressed by a dedicated practitioner who wants to find the specific solutions that work best for you, and you’ll receive care that’s aimed at healing the body, mind, and spirit.
Everwell’s highly trained, doctorate-level practitioners blend evidence-based acupuncture with the practice of classical Chinese medicine. (If you’ve never tried acupuncture before or aren’t sure if the team will be a fit, we’d highly recommended Everwell’s complimentary 20-minute consultations.) Research shows that by stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture activates a natural healing response in the body, helping to restore balance, regulate the nervous system, and improve overall wellbeing. This allows the practice to address an incredibly wide range of conditions from chronic pain and autoimmune disorders to digestive issues, from stress and burnout to headaches migraines, fertility and postpartum struggles, hormonal imbalances, sleep concerns and more.
At Everwell, you can expect to feel heard, trusted, respected, and cared for. This is a space that doesn’t want to be just another healthcare provider you visit; it wants to provide patients with dedicated partner who will be there for their entire health journey.
