By the (North) East County Eater
 
July 28, 2010 (Poway)--Did you ever wonder where to eat in Poway that doesn’t serve a happy meal? I have a few good ideas for dinner and dessert, all date-suitable. Today: Thai seafood and gourmet ice cream.

 
 
GARDEN FRESH GRILL & SMOOTHIE

6165 El Cajon Blvd., Suite F, San Diego 92115
(corner of College Ave. and El Cajon Blvd.)
(619)287-2373
www.gardenfreshsd.com  
 
Review by the East County Eater
 
 
July 23, 2010 (San Diego) – If you’re looking to savor a Middle East feast without leaving San Diego County, stop by Garden Fresh Grill & Smoothie. As the name implies, owner Sammy Elasad, a Lebanese immigrant, takes pride in serving up flavorful foods home-made with the freshest possible ingredients.

Himalayan Cuisine
7918 El Cajon Boulevard
La Mesa, CA 91942-6710
(619) 461-2503
www.himalayancuisine1.com
 
By the East County Eater
 
June 13, 2010 (La Mesa) – You won’t have to travel to the “roof of the world” to savor spicy, flavorful foods of the Himalayan mountains region in Asia. Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa offers a wide range of authentically-prepared dishes from the Himalayan region, which encompasses Nepal, India, and Tibet—as well as Mt. Everest and 100 other mountains over 23,000 feet. The owner of Himalayan Cuisine hails from Kathmandu in Nepal, known as the “land of the gods” for its many Buddhist and Hindu temples. Now he’s serving up traditional foods from his homeland to guests at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa.

 
By Leon Thompson, The East County Eater
 
CALI-COMFORT RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR
8910 Troy Street
Spring Valley, CA 92077
(619)337-0670
http://www.calicomfortsd.com/
 
November 10, 2009 (Spring Valley) -- If you’re looking for a place with mouth-watering, home-cooked meals in a comfortable ambience—not to mention the best barbecued ribs in town—stop by Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley.

Spinners Fresh Mediterranean Salads & Grill
2654 Jamacha Rd., Suite 101
El Cajon, California 92019
www.ilovespinners.com
619-825-5151
Open daily 11am-9pm

By Leon Thompson
The East County Eater

Tiramisu Trattoria
8273 La Mesa Blvd.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619)698-0096
http://www.tiramisutrattoria.com/ 

By the East County Eater

September 20, 2009 (La Mesa)--This is a tough job. For instance, how do you choose the best Italian restaurant in East County among so many tasty choices? After considerable (and delectable) research, I’m pleased to reveal my current favorite: Tiramisu Trattoria in La Mesa.

 The second you walk in, you feel like an honored guest. Everyone I’ve spoken to tells the tale of how the owner personally welcomed them and came by the table to ask if everything is to their liking. Our experience confirmed the owner’s reputation for not only dishing up fine food, but also warm hospitality.

By the East County Eater

June 30, 2009 (East County)--Watching “Anna and the King of Siam” is the closest I’ve come to visiting Thailand. But if dining at Basil Thai Bistro is a reflection of what Thailand is like – I wanna go. From exquisite food to exotic décor, Basil Thai is a true dining out adventure.

The interior has whimsical Asian elements, from Thai temple statues to origami swan napkins. Everything is neat and tidy and very inviting. The lighting (so important) is perfect and the overall feeling is like being invited by Thai royalty to dine--then being treated like the King himself.

By Miriam Raftery

Ballroom dancers Peggy Diamond and Peter Tworoger

April 21, 2009 (Alpine)—East County Magazine’s guests were all winners at our “On the Road With the East County Eater” party Monday night at the Vine Wines Bar & Bistro in Alpine. Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful sponsors, every guest walked (or danced) away with a prize!

April 7, 2009 (Alpine)—East County Magazine invites our readers to join us in a festive culinary experience—and the unmasking of our very own East County Eater restaurant reviewer. For the occasion, we’ve chosen one of our favorite spots: the Vine Wine Bar & Bistro in Alpine. The place is a cozy mountain retreat complete with lodge-like stone fireplace and a tree growing straight through the roof! Blues guitarist Paul Nichols has generously donated his services to entertain us—so we can offer you live music, wine tasting, a delicious array of food and a chance to win some great prizes—all for just $25! Help us make our first fundraiser a success-and support independent community journalism. Please reserve early—the more early-bird RSVPs, the more fun and surprises we can plan!

Read the “Eater” review of Vine Wine Bar & Bistro: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/819 Listen to Paul Nichols’ music, visit: http://www.myspace.com/paulnicholsmusic. Download the flyer here. Then make your reservation to join in the fun—all for a good cause!

2502 Alpine Blvd., Alpine CA 91901
(619)722-7046
www.visitthevine.net

April 1, 2009 (Alpine) — Let me recommend a sure-fire place to unwind. The Vine Wine Bar & Bistro in Alpine is situated in a cozy wooden building with hand-hewn beams and split-rail trim, reminiscent of places sure to be found in the back-closets of our memories. Places surrounded by trees and cool running creek water. How could you not feel comfortable in a restaurant that has a tree growing up through the middle of the bar and a huge river-rock fireplace warming the place?

Photos of celebrities who have dined at DZ Akins

Editor's Note: Due to a family member's illness, the East County Eater has been eating mostly hospital food for the past month. So guest columnist Denise Di Mascio fills the Eater's shoes this month with a review of a local favorite.

DZ Akins
6930 Alvarado Rd
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 265-0218
www.DZakinsdeli.com

(Leon Thompson)

4090 Adams Avenue
Kensington, CA 92116
619-255-4167
www.blueboheme.com

January 10, 2009 (Kensington) — Is there life east of I-15? Oui, and great food too. I've shown you world-class Mexican food, neighborhood sushi, continental cuisine in Alpine. Now the crème-de-la-creme: fabulous French food in an unpretentious casual restaurant called Bleu Bohème!

The atmosphere transports you to a long-ago French countryside. The feeling is like being in an ancient limestone and wood-beamed roadhouse filled with great food and grog for the long distance traveler. The banquet room conjures images of wine and revelry. At least that's my take on the place. I kept expecting a huge roasted pig with an apple in its mouth served on a platter. But then I have a vivid imagination.

CASA DE PICO
5500 Grossmont Center Drive
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619)463-3267

November 1, 2008 (La Mesa) - The longtime standard for the finest in Mexican food and ambiente is now in East County’s Grossmont Center. 

Mediterraneo Bistro Bar & Grill
1347 Tavern Road, Alpine 91901
(619)445-9902.

October 1, 2008 (ALPINE) - Dining at the Mediterraneo Bistro Bar & Grill, one can almost imagine oneself savoring a meal near the Mediterranean Sea.  Perched on a hilltop with distant ocean views visible through a screen of trees in  rural Alpine, this eatery has the feel of a sophisticated, upscale European restaurant. Contemporary and modern décor, colorful artwork, cozy seating and a well-stocked bar add flair to this backwater watering hole, which also features cozy seating and large, heated outdoor dining area.

OISHII JAPANESE & THAI CUISINE  10251 Mast Blvd., Santee
619-596-4852
www.oishiisantee.com

September 1, 2008 (Santee) -- Santee Sushi?

 If you thought East County only has cowboy and biker bars, you must not have ventured east of I-15 lately, where you will find a rich assortment of sushi bars sprouting up at prices far less than you’d pay at chi-chi sushi shops (down by the sea shore) in La Jolla or Del Mar.