A random exercise in nostalgia I have been working on over the past week.
Favorite Hookah – Zodiak Hookah Lounge
Comfy and classy Moroccan decor, a plethora of flavors of sheesha, belly dancers on Friday and Saturday nights, good food, and good ventilation so that you don’t end up choking on smoke. You know anywhere that you can end up being the only white person is probably a good find.
Favorite Comic Store – Comickaze
Robert and Lucky earned my loyalty by always being friendly, personable, ready to answer questions or re-order a comic, and by hosting a ton of cool events and giving me the opportunity to meet some of my favorite creators. I’ve never not been able to get what I wanted there and have ended up with a lot of awesome things I never knew I wanted.
Favorite Bookstore – Mysterious Galaxy Books
Similarly to Comickaze, the staff at Mysterious Galaxy really makes you feel welcome and appreciated. On top of that, they have brought through pretty much every major sci-fi/fantasy/horror writer you can think of, so there is really not any contest for top spot in my book here…
Favorite Beach – Cardiff State Beach
A long stretch of beautiful white sand that you can always find parking at? Where the hell else does that happen in So Cal? I don’t know why I’d ever want to go anywhere else.
Favorite Doggie Spot – Oceanbeach Dog Beach
… UNLESS, of course, it is not to actually go relax at the beach but to let my dog off her leash and watch her be the happiest she has ever been in her life. Dog Beach is huge, friendly, the dogs all get along well and have a great time doing it, and the owners are friendly and happy to chat as you watch your dog chase theirs. I rarely see “accidents” that someone hasn’t taken care of, and they even have occasional dog-themed events there with cute little shows, contests, raffles, etc.
Favorite Karaoke – The Ould Sod
A lot of my favorite karaoke spots have come and gone, but currently, you cannot beat the song selection or the enthusiasm of the patrons at the Ould Sod. And the drink prices aren’t too bad either, so it’s easier to grease the vocal chords of your less singing-inclined friends.
Favorite Thursday Night Spot – Boombox Thursdays at Air Conditioned
Air Conditioned is a nice lounge. There’s no cover, the dress code isn’t too extreme (no shorts, no sandals) (but it serves the purpose of keeping the crowd looking good), the drinks are cheap, the VIP room nice and comfy, and the music spun by DJs Edgartronic and Groundfloor is a good mix of electronic, indie, and 80’s… enough to keep you on the floor if that’s where you want to be, but pleasant to listen to if you’re not. Plus, the sunken lounge with the vintage bond posters is just too precious for words.
Favorite Dancing – Shooterz (in memoriam)
I haven’t really found my new dance spot since Shooterz shut down because of the untimely passing of its owner but because it was such a great place to go for so long, it gets to hold this spot. I have had a decent enough time hitting a few new places, but it’s not quite the same as the classic Shooterz was. At one time, you could spend every night of the weekend dancing and know it was going to be a good time (and I did, more than once)… the unmatched Klub 80’s on Thursday night, Therapy on Friday, and Sabbat on Saturday. Sabbat had long since moved on, but Brian Pollard seems to have been having trouble finding a spot so good to settle down his clubs, which is a shame because I think they were a cornerstone of the alternative scene in San Diego.
Favorite Indian – Punjabi Tandoor
This is one of those hole-in-the-wall spots that you feel pretty much like you rule at life win you find them. The food is just top notch. Every dish I have tried is delectable, and the prices are more than reasonable. Plus, the owner/chef works right there and is very friendly to chat with.
Favorite Mexican – Fidel’s Little Mexico
My family has been going to Fidel’s since it was actually the kitchen of a guy name Fidel, so perhaps I am biased, but it is just simply the best. Wonderful margaritas, wonderful chile relleno, wonderful crab burrito with green sauce. Plus, you always feel like you are on an adventure with the way that the building has grown into this maze of little rooms based on its ever expanding nature.
Favorite Vegetarian – Sipz Vegetarian Fusion Cafe(Followed closely by Pokez)
They have pretty much every Asian dish you have been missing since you became a vegetarian in an amazing tasting form. I have found that I definitely prefer gluten based meat substitutes to soy based substitutes, and that is most of what they serve. I’ve also brought numerous meat eating friends here and made them fans, so you needn’t only visit there if you are a veghead.
As for Pokez, they do a similar thing for Mexican food, and only fall short because after having been there a few times everything begins to taste… well… pretty similar. But if you space out your visits, that is still a very good taste.
Favorite California Sushi – Station Sushi
Easily the most creative and best tasting variety of “rolls” I have found anywhere. Not to mention you are right on the coast highway in beautiful Solana Beach and often park in the beach parking lot to go. I especially recommend their crunchy roll… It is such a dangerous combination of spicy mayo, tempura batter, and eel sauce (yes, I am aware a crunchy roll is not unique, but there’s is hands down the best I have had). The biggest flaw of this place is how busy it can get, but order for carry out, and you’re fine no matter how busy it is.
Favorite Traditional Sushi – Samurai Japanese Restaurant
Despite the crazy rolls at Station Sushi, give me a choice, and I will still pick Samurai. I will start with the very yummy cucumber salad they give you to start, and then move to the dynamite appetizer, because no one serves better dynamite, and then I will order the freshest nigiri in town served with just the right amount of rice, and finish with a samurai special handroll. Mmm, mmm.
Favorite Italian Food – Via Italia Trattoria
Like Station Sushi, Via Italia’s has the advantage over other Italian restaurants with its location: the heart of Encinitas on the 101. There is nothing like watching the sunset over the ocean while enjoying bruschetta and a good glass of wine. Plus, they have the best gnocchi in town.
Favorite Thai – Siamese Basil
It is hard to find Thai food in San Diego that isn’t California-cated and is instead homestyle, but Siamese Basil certainly tastes like something you would actually find in a Thai home. Yes, I think many of the qualities of homestyle suggest it is probably less healthy, but the food just tastes richer and more satisfying than the watered down Thai food you find almost anywhere else. Plus, they sometimes have Tad Mun, and that is a rare and beautiful thing.
Favorite Pizza – Pizza Port
You can tell I lived North County Coastal with my restaurant picks, but in north county, we had to have great restaurants because there was nothing else to do!
Obviously, trying to argue the “best pizza” is fruitless, because an individual’s relationship with pizza is about as complex as their relationship with a significant other. Everyone has different criteria for what makes it great. But, I think just about anyone I have ever made try Pizza Port has at least agreed, it is really damn good. My favorite pizza? Pizza Carlsbad: feta cheese, pesto sauce, artichokes, and sundried tomatoes, all on a spongy but not too thick crust. That served with some garlic “beer buddies” (basically their excellent crusts served in bite size chunks)… Well, I have heard the beer is fantastic too, so maybe if I liked beer, I would say it was heaven, but as it is, it is pretty damn close.
