Author: Andrew Smith

  • Animal – Los Angeles (Fairfax Area)

    Animal – Los Angeles (Fairfax Area)

    Paul and I recently took a little mini-vacation to Los Angeles.  It was a great time to see the Getty museums, The Walt Disney Concert Hall and Griffin Observatory.  Chef Brian Redzikowski from Kettner Exchange suggested that we have dinner at Animal, one of the restaurants owned by Jon Shook and…

  • Cowboy Star – East Village San Diego

    Cowboy Star – East Village San Diego

    Cowboy Star is an upscale steak house in San Diego’s East Village neighborhood, that was the vision of Jon and Angie Weber (formerly from Kensington Grill), and executive chef Victor Jimenez.  They have created a beautiful and comfortable setting to enjoy an amazing selection of meats and fish, craft cocktails,…

  • Bracero – Cocina de Raiz

    Bracero – Cocina de Raiz

    First, we have to make full disclosure — the general manager of Bracero is a good friend of ours.  But with that on the table, I will do my best to be fair and impartial in this article. Bracero is the latest restaurant from Chef Javier Plascencia, who is widely…

  • Rustic Root

    Rustic Root

    On June 30 of this year, we had the chance to try Rustic Root in San Diego’s Gaslamp neighborhood.  The first night we went there, the rooftop was not yet open for business.  We sat in the main room of the restaurant and had a great meal with our friend…

  • The Palette at the Art Institute of San Diego

    The Palette at the Art Institute of San Diego

    I had lunch last week at the Palette at the Art Institute of San Diego.  For those who have never been there, this is the student run restaurant for the culinary programs at AI.  First, readers should know that each quarter, a different team of students (and I presume, teachers)…

  • Buona Forchetta – San Diego’s Best Pizzeria

    Buona Forchetta – San Diego’s Best Pizzeria

    Yesterday, we took Cooper down to a great dog park in the South Park neighborhood of San Diego (Grape Street Dog Park at Grape and 28th Street).  Since we were so close, we decided to stop by one of our favorite South Park restaurants, Buona Forchetta (http://buonaforchettasd.com/). Buona Forchetta is…

  • Kettner Exchange

    Kettner Exchange

    We had the opportunity to join two friends at Kettner Exchange the other night.  This is the relatively new restaurant that features the work of Executive Chef, Brian Redzikowski.  Chef Brian has some amazing credentials including Le Cirque 2000 in New York, Joel Rubuchon at the Mansion in Las Vegas,…

  • Cocktails for the Oscars!

    Cocktails for the Oscars!

    If you are hosting a party for the Oscars this year, here are a couple of cocktail ideas that are sure to wow your guests.  Both of these drinks start with a sweet & sour base that can be made the day before your event. Fresh Citrus Sweet & Sour…

  • North County Wine Company (San Marcos, CA)

    North County Wine Company (San Marcos, CA)

    My friend Curtis introduced me to a great wine shop/bar in San Marcos, CA yesterday evening.  The North County Wine Company (www.northcountywinecompany.com) offers an impressive variety of wines at all price points.  This shop is owned and operated by Jim and Bill Tobin and they provide a warm and welcome…

  • A. Rafanelli 2012 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County)

    A. Rafanelli 2012 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County)

    I thought it would be appropriate to dedicate my first wine related blog to a wine I have really come to love over the past few years.  The Rafanelli family has consistently produced luscious wines and their 2012 Zinfandel does not disappoint.  Too often, wine collectors turn their nose at…