Restaurant of the Moment: Analog Bar

801 5th Avenue
Gaslamp San Diego, 92101
619.233.1183

www.analogbar.com

In their own words: “With creative takes on rustic as well as elevated gastro-pub fare, the menu showcases truly inspired dishes.”

San Diego’s Gaslamp is chock full of good eats and drinks. For a no-less delicious, but more sophisticated meal, head over to Analog Bar. Modeled to look like the inside of a 1970s recording studio, Analog has a clean, dark, chic feel. An ambiance that is only complemented by their spectacular and robust menu. Craft cocktails and amazing beers round out the selections. Even such regular, run-of-the-mill dishes as the burger and grilled chicken achieve out-of-this-world flavor that quickly elevates them to the head of the class.

Dine out on the patio to get a feel of the Gaslamp atmosphere. Heaters keep you warm even in winter, so you can people-watch, eat, drink, and be merry the whole year through.

After 10pm, the music and dancing starts. As Analog is the sister restaurant to FIREHOUSE and Vin de Syrah, two other amazing San Diego spots, it’s no surprise that a visit to Analog is fun and packed with energy.

Happy hours deals from 5-8 Wed-Saturday. And don’t miss the Sunday brunch!

 

 

Design Trends: Graphic Prints

Is your home feeling a little blah? Want to liven it up with little cost investment? Try a graphic print.

Whether you incorporate in a bold rug, fun drapes, printed walls, or even a graphic throw, putting a little zing in your living space is easy.

Chevron is all over the place this season, but you can also pull in graphic prints in the form of stripes, cross-hatches, spirals, tribal prints, checks, and more.

View below for some inspiration for incorporating this trend into your home. When going graphic, think of it like a red lip: keep everything else neutral and understanding. Don’t make your print compete with anything else to be the center of attention.

Restaurant of the Moment: Bernini’s Bistro

Bernini’s Bistro

7550 Fay Avenue

La Jolla, CA 92037

858.454.5013

www.berninisbistro.com

The first thing visitors usually notice about Bernini’s Bistro in La Jolla, are the gigantic flaming torches out front. After that, new visitors are drawn in for that classic, Old-World charm, and finally, by the delicious smells.

At first place, Bernini’s might seem like your typical upscale Italian restaurant. But it’s the quality of their ingredients and the perfect combination of tastes that makes Bernini’s extraordinary. Even something as simple as Spaghetti Bolognese (spaghetti with meat sauce) is elevated by a superior composition of spices. You’ll be left scraping the plate off the bottom of your bowl of pasta…it’s that good.

The pizza is delectable and cheesy, hot, bubbling, and greasy. The salads are crisp and fresh, the vegetables tasting as if they were just plucked from the garden. The rest of the menu is populated by pretty standard italian faire–picattas and pastas and pizzas and parmigianas. But all are by fair the tastiest examples you’ve ever had the pleasure of ingesting.

Service is prompt and friendly, the atmosphere managing to be both casual and romantic at the same time. The stone, dark wood, and wrought iron decor will have you longing for your very own Italian home in the country. Luckily Bernini’s is open every day, including breakfast and lunch.

 

The Pinteresting Five: Lovely Dessert Creations

These are five of the best dessert-related pins we’ve rounded up in the last two weeks. All attributions are through our Pinterest account.

 

 

Restaurant of the Moment: Crabcatcher

1298 Prospect Street

La Jolla, CA 92037

858.454.9587

www.crabcatcher.com

The view from the restaurant

La Jolla is certainly not short on quality restaurants. (We reviewed The Manhattan here.) But the best of the best combine great food and atmosphere with a view. Perched high on the cliff above La Jolla Cove, virtually any seat at the Crabcatcher affords you a breathtaking view of the ocean.

Done up in quintessential seaside charm, dining at The Crabcatcher is always a treat. While the menu keeps a stable full of old standbys, the occasional changes to the menu keep regulars coming back.

Fresh sushi and sashimi is prepared Thursday-Saturday, with daily happy hour starting at 3. They are open for lunch Monday-Saturday, and a champagne brunch on Sunday.

While The Crabcatcher boasts an extensive wine list, it also offers an array of house specialty cocktails. Most notable is its dizzying selection of martinis, everything from the traditional Cosmo to sweet chocolate and mint creme flavors.

We happily recommend nearly everything on the menu, having sampled a wide swath of the offerings from the lobster bisque to the crab cakes to the ceaser salad to the salmon to the lobster to the crab legs to the halibut. And that’s not even counting the desserts.

Come hungry, leave full and happy.

Event in Focus: 2013 Del Mar National Horse Show

April 18th-May 5th, 2013

Del Mar Fairgrounds

http://www.delmarnational.com/

San Diego’s premier equestrian event is back! Now in its 68th year, this a chance for San Diego residents to see some of the county’s best riders and horses, including several Olympic team members and other international equestrian stars.

April 18th-21st: Western Week

Dust off your cowboy boots and rustle up your hat: the old west is back. From western pleasure classes to reining, to trail competitions and barrel racing, come out and see some genuine American Quarter Horses compete to win. The highlight of this week is The Night of the Horse, a fantastic show on the order of Cavalia. Night of the Horse tickets are available, while the rest of the Western Week events are free to spectators.

April 25th-28th: Dressage Week

Unless you were living under a rock during last election season, you’ve heard of dressage. Mitt Romney’s wife, Anne, is a dressage rider and co-owner of Rafalca, a horse that traveled to London this past Olympics to compete in the highest level of the sport, Grand Prix, with her rider, Jan Ebling. Additionally, many members of the US Dressage team, past and present will be on hand to compete for the top prize in both the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle. The highlight of Dressage Week takes place on the 27th, The Evening of Musical Freestyles. Horse and rider pairs dance around the area to their own choreographed patterns and music. All other dressage events are free to spectators.

April 30th-May 5th: Hunter/Jumper Week

One of the most exciting sports, Hunter/Jumper week features a variety of different jumping events, open to riders and horses of all make and model. The premier event of the week is the Saturday night $10,000 Grand Prix jumping event. The stars are sure to be out during Hunter/Jumper week…catch several past and present Olympians in the competition line-up. As in the other weeks, all regular events are free to spectators.

 

Community Focal Point: Stamping Details

Stamping Details

14009 Midland Road

Poway, CA 92064

Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm

858.513.8024

www.stampingdetails.com

“We are a stamp store with an art focus and more!”

Mention that you saw this write-up about Stamping Details to receive 25% off the purchase of one item. Excludes classes, gift certificates, and sale items. Offer expires 6/1/13.

Voted San Diego A-List’s #1 Craft Store in 2012, Stamping Details is celebrating their ninth anniversary this month! Offering a variety of products, including used stamps, Stamping Details is North County’s premier arts and crafts stop. Whether you visit their well-stocked store or browse online, take advantage of their custom ordering, “Catalogue of the Month Program”, and the in-store manufacturer trunk shows.

They offer a full schedule of classes in stamping, paper crafts, mixed media, and even jewelry making. With all ages and experience levels necessary, this is a great place to reconnect with old friends or even make new ones. Consider commemorating your special event with one of these classes…great for groups! Not only are the employees skilled and knowledgeable, when you take a participate in a class or event, you will receive a super level of teaching. Many teachers often fly in from out of state to offer their expertise to the crafters at Stamping Details.

Whether it’s sponsoring Poway community events or sending hundreds of handmade cards to the troops overseas, Stamping Details actively gives back to the community.

Want to see your business featured here? Contact us!

Design Trends: Industrial

Sometimes seen as more of an urban, Brooklyn-cool aesthetic, the design trend often crops up inside San Diego restaurants and clubs. URBN, Analog, and Fig Tree Cafe Hillcrest immediately spring to mind. Mixing brick, concrete, exposed pipes, industrial light fixtures, slab wood, and stone accents, these spaces hit just the right note of cool and cozy.

Brick and concrete cozy? When warmed up with a rich-colored slab of wood and unfussy details, yes. Certainly more than your grandmother’s penchant for combining armchairs in every heavy, tapestry floral available.

To incorporate this trend at home, think simple. Install some industrial pendant lights over the island in your kitchen for a modern and updated look. Switch out your faucets, curtain rods, and hooks for fixtures in brushed nickel. Switch out your coffee table with slab wood to give the room a focal point with more texture. With this trend, a little goes a long way.

(Images via Pinterest)

Restaurant of the Moment: Sushi Kuchi

Sushi Kuchi

4475 Mission Blvd., Suite C

Pacific Beach, CA 92109

858.270.1986

Dragon Roll

If there’s one thing Pacific Beach isn’t short on, it’s sushi joints. While they may be a dime a dozen, they’re certainly not all created equal.

Sushi Kuchi is definitely on the casual and more affordable side. It’s often loud inside due to their 99-cent Sake Bombs (every night, 7pm-close) and the fact that a birthday celebration calls for the use of a strobe light. But let’s be honest: if you’re dining in PB, ambiance probably isn’t very high on your list.

Yes, there’s fire on that plate

What is high on that list? A fun time, great flavor, and good value.

Sushi Kuchi serves huge rolls, stuffed to overflowing, and artfully arranged. We sat at the bar when we went and as it turns out, if you buy the sushi makers a sake bomb or two, they’re more than happy to whip you some samples of this or that. We ordered three rolls and ended up sampling about three more with dessert.

Angel Roll

We tried the Dragon Roll, Angel Roll, and the Homeless roll, which were all amazing. For two hungry people, it was more than enough food. Between that, the drinks, and all the freebies we got, we were both plenty stuffed when we left. Plus, they give you an edamame appetizer.

Word to the wise: if you have conditions that are aggravated by flashing lights, skip Sushi Kuchi.

An example of the beautiful plating

Recently Sold: March 2013

Claiborne Square

From the MLS:

“Stunning upgraded plan 5 in Blackhorse Farms, featuring 4BR with 1 on main floor, and 3 baths. Lots of natural light, neutral decor with designer finishes throughout. Soaring ceilings, 3 interior fireplaces, travertine flooring, wood in MBR,numerous custom built-ins, and central air conditioning. Quiet location, backing up to La Jolla Farms. Spectacular patio designed for entertaining, complete with fireplace, built-in BBQ,dining area under heated pergola, and 2 fountains. Move in condition. Pending for $1,295,000.”

Palmitas

From the MLS:

“Gorgeous newer home with expansive ocean views on double lot. Rare opportunity to purchase this approximate 5561 sq.ft. custom home almost 1/3 acre with 7 bedrooms, 6 baths, pool/spa, guest house and 4 car garage. Three oversized west facing decks epitomize the best in Southern CA living. Photos don’t do it justice. This home lives like a single story with master bedroom, kitchen, office, great room and family room on main level. Beautiful craftsmanship and exquisite custom details are evident throughout. Pending for $3,850,000.”

Winecrest Road

From the MLS:

“Stunning home situated in the highly desirable community of Ivy Gate! Dramatic floor plan featuring 5 bedrooms, office/den and bonus room with high end upgrades and finishes throughout, four car garage,expansive yard and pool with raised spa overlooking an amazing canyon view. All this plus the highly regarded Poway Unified School District. Pending for $1,450,000.”

Zinnia Hills

From the MLS:

“Manzanita Trail’s finest GREEN home with upgrades galore! Lets start w/ stunning wood floors & custom slate tile in all baths. The cooks kitchen boasts gorgeous slab granite w/ custom back splash & GE Monogram appliances.  Did I mention the 4 stage whole home water filtration system or the custom trex deck patio w/ trellis and outdoor fireplace?  Enjoy all this & the fantastic location near the upcoming Gonzales Canyon Park, new Solana Ranch Elementary & incredible Pacific Highlands Ranch Rec Center. Pending for $799,900.”

Glencliff

From the MLS:

“Heights Plan 5 at Highlands Point – View lot is 11,988 sf ft with easterly views of mountains, hills, city lights!  Full bedroom & bath downstairs, remodeled kitchen (see supplement for full details). Master suite with great views, fireplace & remodeled bath, vanity, tub & shower areas.  Rear yard has pool, spa, level grass area for entertaining or kids, side yard with access to dine and storage area. Views from Master suite, family room, nook, kitchen are SUPERB, enjoy night lights and lovely sunrises! Pending for $1,449,000.”

Meadows Del Mar

From the MLS:

“Five ensuites, all upstairs bedrooms with balconies 5 fireplaces 8 sets of french doors,gorgeous library, travertine and wood floors. Soaring two story windows and dramatic winding stairway, Lavishly landscaped , pool,spa &BBQ. Pending for $2,449,000.”

Brittany Forrest

From the MLS:

“BEST DEAL ON THE CANYON! Stunning Lexington plan 3 with 5 bedrooms, one brm suite & office at entry level 5.5 baths & oversized bonus room. Lovely finishes include double dutch doors, crown moldings, custom lighting, sandstone fireplace mantel & built-ins in family room, custom built-in closets, lavish master bath w/beautiful travertine, electric static air filter & 6 kilo SOLAR ENERGY! All this plus wonderful double cul-de-sac location, close to top rated schools, shopping, beaches and so much more! Pending for $1,575,000.”