Category: Dining & Drinks

Brig in I.B. Beckons with Beach-View Patio and New Nosh!

We all love the Brigatine, but it’s a chain, right? What’s the point of driving down the Strand if you can hit up Taco Tuesday right here on the island?

I gave it a try yesterday and I’m glad I did. First off, I’m a sucker for a little drive down the Strand. Bay on one side, beach on the other…what’s not to love?

About 15 minutes later, I found myself at the new Brigatine on the corner of Seacoast and Evergreen, right across the street from the Pier.

It’s clean and contemporary and inviting with lots of bike parking and a long, open patio facing the pier and beach.

The inside is bright, and a little warmer then the revamped Coronado Brig with lots of wood and natural surfaces. The same idea though—lots of bar seating and casual eating style. (Yes the formal old-school Brig style is gone for good…but I’m rolling with it. My kids would ruin it anyway.)

Digging the Catalina Island wall art.
Peek into the kitchen.
Beer!



But what I’m really loving about this location is the long, open patio along Seacoast, facing the ocean. (The bartender told me its dog-friendly, and I can totally see us bringing our Bulldog.) The outdoor space is way less cramped than the patio in the Coronado location.

When it comes to the menu, yes, it’s similar to Coronado.

Of course I ordered the Orange Wit to start.

But, according the the bartender, the first two items under “Beach Favorites” are unique to I.B.!

The “Kale and Farro” with organic baby kale, Italian farro and butternut squash, California goat cheese, cucumber, raisins and truffle vinaigrette was calling my name. But the bartender encouraged me to try the “Cali Steak Taco Plate.”

I was reluctant because if I’m going to get a taco at the Brig, it’s going to be the classic fish taco, but I allowed myself to be swayed.

Holy smokes, am I glad I did!

I ordered just one taco a-la-carte, and it came out stuffed with grilled skirt steak, charred tomato salsa, HOUSE-MADE FRIES, avocado sauce, salsa fresca, and lime crema on a griddled cheese blue corn tortillas.


 EXACTLY.

It was decadent and delicious. Best part? It was only $5.50. On Taco Tuesday, you can get these bad boys for $4.50!

Beer was more than the taco!

So yes…a solid THUMBS UP to the Brig in I.B. You can bet I will be back for a brew and the skirt steak taco, bulldog in tow.

See you on Taco Tuesday!

 

 

 

Hooked on Poke 1-2-3 in Imperial Beach

Something fishy is going on in Imperial Beach…and I like it! I visited Poke 123 earlier this week, and it stole my heart–hook, line and sinker.

Let’s get this straight…a legit, affordable poke shop is open JUST down the strand? You don’t have to drive over the bridge and stress out over parking? Or pay a $5 delivery fee on Uber Eats?

I’m here to tell you that it’s all true, and Poke 123 will satisfy the cravings of even the most persnickety poke eater. The shop is already making waves with locals, and shortly after I left, there was a line almost out the door.

An easy 10-minute drive from the Village, Poke 123 beckons from the new shopping center on Palm and 9th—The one with the Starbucks and Chipotle and the Grocery Outlet. (You know the one.)

The inside is clean, contemporary and inviting. Nothing fancy, and no booze here, but that’s not what we are here for.

The manager could tell I was a Poke 123 virgin, and he came out and walked me through poke-procuring process.

First things first…you pick your bowl. The bowls are ALL THE SAME SIZE…the only thing that varies is how many scoops of protein (i.e. poke) you get.

I opted for the medium bowl, that’s 3 scoops of protein.

(As you can see, they also offer “Norritos” which are basically poke burritos and “Waves” which are like poke tacos. I’ll have to go back to try those.)

Step 1: Choose your bowl “base.” Choices are white rice, brown rice, salad, rice noodles or tortilla chips. I chose the rice noodles.

Then, you get to choose your sides, and they are all delicious! I got avocado, cucumber and seaweed salad. Yum!

Step 2: Choose your protein. The best part! Ahi, salmon, Hamachi, octopus, shrimp, scallops and chicken…even tofu, for the vegetarians among us.

I got spicy tuna, Ahi 123 and the salmon. And they are pretty juicy chunks! And check out all the sauces! I got the Fire Shoyu, Spicy Shoyu and Spicy Mayo (because I like it hot.)

Step 3: Pick your toppings. You can get crazy here! I did onion, wasabi, cilantro, ginger, and eel sauce.

The finished product? So poke-licious, I don’t want to mar its beauty…but hunger beckons. And it’s as good as it looks! Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself.

Sure, when it comes to Poke, there are lots of fish in the sea…but I can promise you, if you drive down to Poke 123, you’ll be reeled in like me. Catch my drift?

Thanks for reading!

Over the Bridge: Barbarella in La Jolla Goes Bats for Halloween

Would you like a mummy with your mimosa? If you’re looking for a wicked-good brunch (or lunch or dinner, for that matter) Barbarella in La Jolla Shores has the skinny on sinfully-yummy food and deliciously-dark decor. The folks at Barbarella go totally bats spooky-fying the place for Halloween…as in every square inch is covered in skeletons, spiders, and spectors. It’s totally worth a trip over the bridge!

You’re going to have to take my word on the food, but the scare-factor? Take a look at the pics!


Barbarella is located at 2171 Avenida de la Playa. If you don’t want to wait I would visit the website to make a reso. Happy Halloween!

Day Drinkers, Behold! First Annual “Spirits by the Bay Festival” Haunts the Ferry Landing this Saturday

He drinks a whiskey drink…he drinks a vodka drink…

Looking for something to do this weekend? A “spirited,” social event that incorporates the explosive combination of day drinking, mingling and live music? Look no further. The first annual “Spirits by the Bay” Festival comes to the Ferry Landing this Saturday, showcasing San Diego’s finest handmade concoctions from local distilleries. Sounds like a Beer by the Bay, but with hard alcohol. Sold!

“You won’t find any commercial spirits like Captain Morgan or Tito’s vodka here,” claims the event’s website. “The Spirits by the Bay Festival features a wide range of hand-made whiskey, vodka, gin rum, and much more from a variety of local producers.”

Revelers will enjoy sweeping Bay front scenery, awesome live music, nibbles from local restaurants and big plates from food trucks. And don’t forget the sips and samples from local distilleries!

The event runs 1-5pm, with early noon access for VIP ticket holders. Online ticket prices start at $45 and go up to $65 for a VIP ticket. (Ticket prices are higher at the door so be sure to get your tickets in advance!)

Put on by the San Diego Distiller’s Guild and Hearts for San Diego, this event won’t leave you stone-cold sober, so be sure to plan an Uber!

See the website for ticket sales info and more details.