The BEST and WORST Things to Eat at the San Diego Fair 2013

Some people spend their Spring dieting and working out so they look good at the beach.  Not me.  I work out so I can blow it all in one day eating everything I want at the San Diego Fair.  Cholesterol?  Calories?  Deep Fried?  Forgetaboutit!  For one day the foodie demons take a vacation and I'm eating like John Candy on vacation.  Some of it was good, some of it excellent, so let me guide you to the best and worst things to eat at the San Diego Fair 2013.

MONEY SAVING TIP:  On Tuesdays from 11am to 5pm you can get tasting portions for only $2.  Now you can try it all and pig out without breaking the piggy bank!

But before we dive into the food (and I mean really dive in), check out all the ticket and event promotions before you go.  And don't forget to check out the concerts and shows, most of them free with admission.  With acts as varied as The Beach Boys to Train, David Cassidy to Colbie Caillat to The Steve Miller Band, there's plenty of entertainment to please everyone in the family.  But you came here for the food so let's eat.

Who can resist stopping at one of the first food booths to pick up an ear of BBQ'd corn?  Cooking corn on a grill is harder than it looks so you have to give props to these guys who nail it year after year.  Add some hot sauce and seasoning salt and you have one of the best "no-guilt" eats, a winner year after year and a good way to start your San Diego Fair culinary adventure.

This year bacon is huge at the fair - there's even a Bacon Festival for those of you who can't get enough belly in your belly.  That's good news for the popular Bacon A-fair folks who know a thing or two about bacon.  This year there's BBQ'd boar wrapped in bacon kebobs with fresh pineapple and veggies.  Though the idea of boar might sound scarey to some, the flavor isn't much different from beef and the kebob as good as if you did it yourself in your backyard.  A winner!

From the same folks who brought you the killer bacon wrapped boar comes this strange but true creation - Bacon Root Beer!  People were standing in line for this but after one sip I'm not sure why.  Some claimed that their root beer had real bacon flavoring to it but mine was like, well, a root beer where the school bully tossed in some crumbled bacon in it when I wasn't looking.  This proves that bacon does not make everything better.  Try it at your own risk!

Since we're on the topic of weird bacon edibles, The Candy Factory in the infield has - wait for it - Bacon Cotton Candy!  It's such an insane idea that you might think it could work but the jury is still out.  I actually liked it but my wife pretty much made noises like she was being choked by Homer Simpson so I suggest you buy it for the kids ("it's all they had, sorry son") and taste it for yourself.  Mmmmm, bacon??  You decide.

Let's get back to the land of deliciousness with some Australian Battered Potatoes.  I avoided these for years as the idea of a battered deep fried potato seemed redundant but man was I wrong.  With its crispy exterior and cooked to perfection potato-y goodness, it's one of the best things to get at the San Diego Fair.  Top it with some ranch dressing and bacon (why not?) and it's deep fat heaven.  Incredible, don't miss! 

If you need more fried foods then head over to Totally Fried (aka Chicken Charlies).  The bacon wrapped pickle gets mixed reviews (it's good, just not as good as you think it should be) but the deep fried pineapple was the bomb.  These guys pretty much deep fry anything (check to make sure the chef has all fingers when ordering) and if your blood pressure needs a little lift, this is the place.  I make it an essential stop every time and so should you.

Every year someone goes over the top creating something so odd that you have to at least try it and Totally Fried has a Krispy  Kreme donut filled with sloppy joe filling.  You do this on Chopped and you get chopped but let's be honest, it wasn't bad!  OK, it got a bit sweet (it could have used some bacon - seriously!) but I liked it and it goes beyond the freak out factor and actually becomes a pretty good snack.  Wife hated it, of course, but I think it's worth considering. 

If you like your veggies deep fried then go no further than Reno's fish and chips. Nice crisp exterior and a perfectly cooked interior, the fried zucchini is a good way to check the veggie box while not feeling like you missed out on the fat.  On the other hand their fish taco is just OK, sort of like what passes as Rubio's at Petco Park - meaning a bit soggy and overdressed. Skip that but get the veggies or fish and chips.

Amazingly, Country Fair has been making cinnamon rolls for something like 30 years and they never once thought it would be better deep fried or wrapped in bacon, which is a good thing!  This is about as close as you're going to get to grandma's cooking (unless your grandma is from Totally Fried) and every year a stop to the County Fair Cinnamon Rolls is a blast to the past - and it's oh so delicious!  Split one if you dare, or just go for it and I guarantee you won't regret it.

As much as I love the cinnamon rolls, there's just something about a deep fried dessert that gets me every time which is why Pennsylvania Dutch Funnel Cake wins the Best Dessert award.  Don't mess it up with the fruit toppings and God forbid that you put chocolate on it.  No, go with the basics and stick with a dusting of cinnamon sugar and life in the fat lane doesn't get much better.

 

There are a lot of corn dog options but my favorite are the ones from this stand - and it's not Hot Dog on a Stick.  Nothing wrong with HDOS but you can get those at any mall so I go with the real deal, the independent hot dogger who came up with the Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog on a Stick!  Brilliant!  

Dang, I had high hopes for the Gingerbread House this year.  Last year they won my favorite bite, the cookie dough on a stick.  It was deliciously simple and addictive.  This year they did a Pina Colada Parfait which is basically pineapple with coconut in a cup.  Too simple, though I would imagine with a super fresh pineapple it might fly.  They make plenty of other good stuff so don't avoid the gingerbread man, but skip the parfait.

The guy next to me said "this is the best enchilada I have ever had" so my expectations were high.  But one bite told me that Rose's Mexican Food is no Fidel's.  It's not even Taco Bell!  It's good enough if you're at the fair and have a hankering for a burrito but there's better food at the Fish Taco Palapa down the way.

I'm starting to feel a bit like Gordon Ramsey kicking people out of Hell's Kitchen but I have to call out The Ranch for their wimpy pulled pork sandwich.  Last year I loved it, a huge helping of pork with a great flavor but this year I got the recession version with the skimpiest of meat, so skimpy that I can't even remember if I liked the flavor or not.  These guys normally make great stuff and the Santa Maria tri-tip looked great so go that route if you want BBQ and you won't be disappointed.

I was expecting run of the mill sausage at Austriano's but instead got a great sausage with wonderful grilled onions.  Man oh man, this place gets my vote.  You serve this up in a hip urban setting and you'll have all the hipster foodies Yelping about how these are the best sausages in town.  Great stuff and a super nice staff.

Can you really go to the fair and not get an order of Tasti-Chips, the super fresh homemade potato chips?  I don't want to get all foodie on you but some of these things were puffed up like a pommes soufflees - I mean, really, a French restaurant would serve these up as part of a $40 entree.  Light, crisp, don't mess with them by putting Nacho sauce on them and go basic with a touch of salt.  Essential.

I know what you're thinking  - can the people responsible for frying everything from Kool-Aid to SPAM actually make a credible non-fried entree that could win Best of the Fair?  Chicken Charlies' Pineapple Express did just that with their Teriyaki Chicken and pineapple served in a pineapple.  The teriyaki chicken was as good as Surf Bros Teriyaki and that's saying a lot - moist, nicely charred, tastes like something you'd get in Hawaii.  The sauce was served on the side (Whaaa - restraint??  At the fair???) and the sticky rice was perfectly cooked.  Add chunks of grilled fresh pineapple and you have a meal and presentation worthy of your next Rancho Santa Fe luau party.  Wife gave it two thumbs up and nearly ate the entire thing and even the most clogged artery fried food lover will have to admit that this is the entree that doesn't need the fair atmosphere to be a winner.  They also have shrimp and beef versions for non-chicken eaters.  Sure it's a bit pricey but for the money you get an entree that would not be out of place at the Hula Grill on Maui - it's that good.

So that's the Best and Worst of the things to eat at the San Diego Fair, 2013.  Now it's your turn to get yourself to Del Mar and pig out.  And if you happen to see this mascot, let me know.  He was last seen running down Highway 101 after being chased by a group of men wanting to wrap him in bacon and stuff him in a smoker.  Need.  More.  Bacon.  Now!

Bon Appetit!

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Rubios to Host Beach Cleanup in Oceanside May 11, 2013

Look, we eat a lot of fish tacos in San Diego.  We love them and we love Rubio's.  But every now and then it's time to think about the fish that are not wrapped inside a tasty tortilla and topped with delicious salsa.  The oceans could use a little help and on May 11th, 2013, Rubio's is hosting the beach cleanup in Oceanside from 10-2 starting at the pier (200 North The Strand, Oceanside).

But don't think of the Rubio's Beach Cleanup as one big drag!  Dang, it's a party with free food, cooking demonstrations, surf lessons, face painting, live music, art exhibits, and tons more games and activities. And how cool is this?  The trash that is collected will be turned into art!  That's recycling taken to the upper limit.  And for those of you who don't care about a clean beach, this is your day to toss your trash into the surf because there will be plenty of people to pick it up!  But of course that's a big fail  - instead, get out there and help out and you'll not only feel better about yourself but will be helping out the fish and sea creatures that you love to eat as well as keeping San Diego beautiful.

And speaking of responsible taco eating, Rubio's is all about making sure that there are fish tacos for generations to come with their focus on sustainability.   That's cool because the oceans really are getting fished out so it's good to know that you won't see sharks fin tacos on the Rubio's menu any time soon.

So come out the Rubio's Beach Cleanup on May 11th in Oceanside!  We really are so darn lucky to live here in San Diego so grab the family and help keep our beaches clean.  And it will be fun, I promise!

Local Wally

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The original local guys guide to San Diego.... since 1996

Make Pizza, Not War at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza

Recently I declared a War on Vegetarians.  I've got nothing against them personally and I am sure that most of them are very nice and someone has to take care of all those cats but vegetarians drive me crazy!  Just try going out to dinner with them - Want to go to Flemming's Steakhouse?  Gross!  Um, how about Roys of Hawaii or the Fish Market or The Marine Room???  No, no, and no!  Ah, let's get some Mexican food!  No, there's lard in everything there.  Sushi?  Forget it.  Pasta, you can eat pasta!  No, I'm allergic to glutton.  So where?  Oh God, please, not Ki's!  

Of course, going out for pizza is nearly impossible with a vegetarian. They're bound to find a billion reasons why they can't eat there.  Unless you take them to Sammy's Woodfired Pizza.  What?  That's right!

The other day I was trapped into dining with a vegetarian and I braced myself for the worst.  Could Sammy's satisfy both vegetarian and meat lover? 

In case you didn't know, Sammy's has been around for 23 years so it's easy to forget that they once were one of the most hip places to get an unusual pizza - this is back when gourmet pizza seemed like a contradiction and items such as Thai Chicken Pizza and Chinese Chicken Salad were fresh and innovative.  Of course, times change and those items fell out of favor and were removed from the menu but due to customer demand Sammy's not only returned the classics but spruced up their dining rooms and even added handcrafted cocktails at some of their locations.

Additionally, they have a ton of vegetarian and glutton free options so you don't have to sacrifice your dinner just to keep them happy.  But can you really keep both sides of the war happy?  Let's see.

We started with the Chilled Roasted Vegetable Salad, made with organic spinach, fresh mozzarella, edamame, artichoke, yellow tomato, red bell pepper, red onion, fresh organic basil, lemon, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.  Of course the vegetarian gave it a 10 and I had to admit it was very tasty, a nice tang to the dressing and lots of flavors and textures. OK, it was really good.  And look at how stunning the presentation is.  I wasn't expecting that from a pizza house.

Next up was a really crazy volcano sized mountain of greens.  They call this salad the Red Quinoa and its made with golden beets, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, wild arugula, parsley, almonds, mint, scallions and topped with a citrus chili vinaigrette.  Now I don't expect meat lovers to have any clue what quinoa or kinwa is but vegans are all over this like it's better than a rib eye steak.  I don't know, could a grain mixed into a salad really be any good?  I was skeptical.

Heck, I was wrong again!  I really dug this salad.  Hey you, Mr. Vegan, stop smirking.  Even meat lovers should check this salad out as it was not only tasty but oddly enough it was almost hearty, a description that never goes with a salad.  It also saves well in the fridge as a leftover for a couple of days, which is also weird but it's true.

Time for some meat.  Or more specifically, chicken meatballs done up with an Asian sauce with a side of housemade pickle slices.  Oh yeah baby, these were good balls!  Well that didn't quite sound right but you get my point - a nice appetizer.  And the pickles were so good that you might want to hide them from the vegetarians.

Time for some pizza.  Here's the classic Thai Chicken Pizza, one of the most popular pizzas at Sammy's.  It was good, a bit undercooked on the crust but perfect when I brought the leftovers home and heated it up.  By the way, you DO know the best way to reheat pizza, don't you?  You simply put it in a frying pan on medium heat, cover it while it's heating back up.  The result is crispy crusty bottom and piping hot top.  It was good at the restaurant but even better at home heated my way.

The vegetarian picked the Burrata and Pesto pizza and dammit if it wasn't better than my meat option!  The cheese was thick and the pesto gave a nice complexity to the flavors and melded well with the fresh tomatoes and man oh man did I just say that the vegetarian pizza was better?

So in the end perhaps my War on Vegetarians was a bit too George W.  We CAN all get along if you dine at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza.  So the next time you're stuck dining with a crazy picky vegetarian know that you can win both the battle and the war just by going to Sammy's.  With great vegetarian options that even meat lovers will appreciate, there is no way everyone doesn't go home happy.

Local Wally
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Win 2 Dinners for San Diego Restaurant Week 2013!

I started the year on a crazy detox Paleo thing where I couldn't eat beans (so long Roberto's), rice (see ya sushi), grains (oh no, no more Honey Bunches of Oats!), and any sort of pasta or breads or even, gasp, French Fries.  Yes, I went healthy since my blood pressure is skyrocketing and my cholesterol climbing faster than a monkey in a banana tree. But life is about balance so when I heard San Diego Restaurant Week was back (Jan 13-18), I decided to screw the Caveman diet and get back to where I once belonged - even if only for a night.

But if I was going to splurge the calories, where to go?  After all, San Diego Restaurant Week features some our best restaurants serving up delicious food at affordable prices.  It's a great time to try new places and new things but where or where shall I go?  Well, if you know me you know that making big decisions like that drives me nuts so since I live in North County it's back to my favorite, Del Mar Rendezvous.  And guess what, you can win a couple of free dinners there thanks to Local Wally and Rendezvous!  Yea!

So let's talk about the Restaurant Week offer at Del Mar Rendezvous.  They have three dinner options - pick from the $25, $30 or $38 menu.  All three offer the same appetizer and dessert options with the difference in the entree selection.  But before you start, you'll want to join their free Loyalty Program because that's how you get half-off bottles of wine and $.88 glasses of wine, beer or sake on your second round during Restaurant Week.  What??? That's right, half off - and it's good stuff, too - Rendezvous has a great wine selection.  The loyalty program also gets you a free entree on your birthday month, free dessert on your anniversary month, and lots of other free stuff.  Hey, free is good!

Dining with crazy vegans or glutton free fanatics?  No need to compromise your dining experience as there are special menus just for your picky friends.  But I eat everything so let's go.

I started with the BBQ short rib slices over a nice spring mix salad.  A bit like Kalbi Ribs, it has a nice flavor but without the bones.  A bite with the salad topped with a bit of chili oil and it was a winner.

The second appetizer we ordered was the dumpling sampler.  Del Mar Rendezvous' chef is Tony "Cu Jung" Su, the son of the same people who own the crazy popular Dumpling Inn, a hole in the wall place in the Convoy area that attracts lines of foodie-centric fans.  So yes, I will have the dumplings.  Let's pick one up... darn they are slippery!

Splash!  Dang it! Oh well, the chili oil went nicely with the fresh dumpling and I understood why people line up for these at the parent restaurant.  The Ha Gow dumpling filled with shrimp was my favorite, a bite size pop of delicious freshness.  I could eat a dozen of these on my own.

The Chilean Sea Bass was a crispy explosion of flavors with a distinctive sweet chili sauce over a bed of bok choy.  Sweet Chili Sauce is so popular that you can get it at Trader Joe's now but there's nothing like the real thing that doesn't come out of a bottle.  It's more complex with deeper flavors and without the cloying sweetness.  The fish had great texture and flavors and the dish was another winner.

I was lucky enough to get invited to the kitchen to watch my lobster dish being prepared.  Things get fast and furious back in the tiny kitchen and these guys were hustling to make sure no one had to wait very long for their food.  That's the lobster before it hit the fire, a nice portion.

Here's the lobster dish all done.  It's a salt and pepper lobster with a nice five spice flavor and a chili pepper seasoning.  The onions and bell peppers were so delicious that by the time we were done there wasn't a speck of food left on this plate.  Go ahead, pick up the lobster tails with your hands and dive in.  There's no elegant way to eat this dish but it's so tasty you won't care!

Finally it's time for dessert.  As I've said before, Chinese restaurants are not known for their desserts so it's easy to dismiss them as an afterthought.  And Del Mar Rendezvous even allows diners to skip dessert during Restaurant Week and get $3 off their tab.  But why?  Why, why, why??  The Xiagjiao is one of all time favorite desserts.  It's surprisingly simple, a banana wrapped in a thin dough wrapper and deep fried until it's soft and sweet, served with fresh whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauce.  Every time I have this I swear it's one of the best things I have ever eaten and I'll swear it again - get this dessert!

In the end, a fabulous dinner and experience at Del Mar Rendezvous.  And now, it's your turn to dine there on me, compliments of Dan Schreiber, the managing partner at the restaurant.  Here's how you win!

LOCAL WALLY DEL MAR RENDEZVOUS CONTEST RULES
Win a dinner for two at Del Mar Rendezvous, a $76 value, good through the end of Jan. 2013.  To enter just do the following:

1. Like my FB page and get one point:  http://www.facebook.com/localwally
2. Like my San Diego Beer Guide page and get another point:  http://www.facebook.com/drinkupSD
3. Like Del Mar Rendezvous's FB page and get another point!  This is so easy!
4. Post this blog on your FB page and get 2 bonus points!  Make sure you add the url of your FB page below in the comments section so I can give you credit and let me know when you "like" my pages.
5. I'll pull the winner on Jan 23rd and get the card to you. 

Good luck, and thanks for reading Local Wally's Blog to San Diego!

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Rubio's Fish Tacos Gets Better and Better

There was a time not that long ago that if you told people you were having a fish taco you would hear choking sounds and see heads shaking NO, sort of the same reaction you would get today if you said you wanted a rat taco or a donkey burrito.  Back then a fish taco was exotic, unusual, and there was only one place in town to get it and that was Rubio's in Pacific Beach.

Well, times have changed and now just about every lousy restaurant has a fish taco on their menu - most of them pretty average.  And though we owe Ralph Rubio a lot for importing the baja fish taco to the states and onto the menus across the US, I have to say that the Rubio's fish taco has lost some of its luster to some tough competitors like The Brigantine (best fish taco in San Diego) and South Beach Bar and Grill in OB.  So sue me if I haven't been to Rubio's in a while, but after coming back I think I'm the one who needs to be battered and deep fried for my long absence.

TIP:  Looking for a last minute stocking stuffer?  Get them a Rubio's Gift Card!

You see, a lot has changed at Rubio's, starting with food being served on actual plates in the San Diego locations.  What?  Plates?  Like a real restaurant?  That's right.  Though you still order at the front the food comes out looking all nice and pretty on a plate, which is nice.  And the food is definitely kicked up a few notches, like the gourmet shrimp taco with bacon and avocado and Mexican cheese on top.  This is good stuff, the shrimp cooked right (meaning not overcooked) and the salty savory flavors all blending together into a perfect concoction of deliciousness.

Getting shrimp right is hard.  Down the street is a incredibly popular Mexican restaurant that was transplanted from Old Town (you know which one) and their shrimp are so rubbery that if you dropped your taco it would bounce back onto your plate like a superball.  This Rubio's shrimp taco puts their version to shame - at a fraction of the price.

I also went for the habanero mango mahi mahi taco and it blew my mind!  The sweet mango contrasted nicely with the hot, but not too hot, habanero chile.  But it was the fish that was the star, a fresh and clean tasting piece of mahi that was tender and moist, perfectly cooked - not fishy at all.  I also had the langostino taco, frankly expecting a disappointment but finding myself surprisingly happy with its lobster goodness.  Seriously, I was forced to go to (of all places) a restaurant owned by (of all people) Carlo's Santana's wife and I ordered a seafood enchilada where the filling could have easily have been string and band aids.  It was terrible!  Even in an expensive restaurant like that lobster can be a disappointment and lantostinos (aka "is it really lobster"?) even higher risk, but this taco was delightful.  I want another one now!  It's a seasonal offering but if you see it on the menu you should not hesitate - get it.

Of course you have to get at least one battered fish taco at Rubio's and it's still very, very good.  The fish has a nice flavor to it and the batter is crisp and light - it may no longer be the best in town but you can do a lot worse than this.  And on Tuesdays after 230 they're only a buck and a half, which is enough motivation for me to come back.

The shrimp burrito was very tasty, perhaps a bit light on shrimp after having those great tacos but not short on killer flavors.  I liked it but there are better burritos in the various taco shops around town so maybe next time I skip this one and stick to the tacos.  Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad burrito!  It's just a bit more pedestrian when stacked up to it's taco cousins.

In the end was the churro.  Like the fish taco, there are a lot of mediocre and downright bad churros out there so I was highly skeptical.  But one bite and I was smiling.  The Rubio's churro has a nice crisp crunch to it and a freshness that tells me that they took some care in this.  If it's overly sweet with the cinnamon sugar, pass it to me.  In fact, gimme it now!  If VG Donuts made churros, this is the one.  Don't let the kids order it and you not get any.  Order one for yourself.

So I left Rubio's with the same sort of excitement and satisfaction I had years ago when I first discovered them and ordered my first fish taco.  Who knew that some of the best seafood and fish tacos were hidden in one of the most obvious spots in San Diego?  Go back, rediscover Rubio's and order something new and I'll bet you'll be smiling as big as me when you leave. 

Rubios
Various San Diego locations

Arrrrrrggg.... Pirates Beware!

SAN DIEGO PIRATE SHIP ADVENTURE

I recently had a chance to check out the Pirate Ship Adventure, a new San Diego attraction that promised cannon ball fights and action packed adventure!  You've seen the beautiful tall ships on the harbor by Anthony's Fish Grotto.  The Star of India from the 1800's, The Californian ship, a replica tall ship built for the 1984 Olympics, and the HMS Surprise, the ship used in the movie "Master and Commander".  All beautiful ships, all incredible experiences.  Cannonball fights with giant BOOMs in the Summer, the sails hoisted for a trip around the bay that you will recall so many times your friends will hate you. 

This isn't one of those ships.

No, the Pirate Ship Adventure "ship" doesn't raise any sails at all - nor could it if it wanted as they're mere props.  As the boat chugs out to the bay from Harbor Island on diesel power, the "Yo Ho, Yo Ho" singing and music begins.  OMG, it's a live version of Pirates of the Caribbean!  

The crew is dressed in pirate apparel and the guests are coaxed into doing pirate imitations.  Arrrg, Happy Birth---day to you, matey.....  I wanted to cringe. I mocked people on the Old Town Trolley but here I was, San Diego's expert on the wrong ship! Not Penny's Boat for sure! 

But at least I wasn't one of these guys!  This group was new to San Diego and one of them had the bright idea to spend an afternoon on a pirate ship.  And someone in that group had the brighter idea to dress up!  Well, whoever it was isn't living this one down.  While there are "rum runner" events aimed more at adults later in the day, the day time trips are strictly for the  Chuckie Cheese crowd.

Let's talk about that.  If you're a grandparent, this is one great adventure!  If you're a parent looking for a neat birthday idea, look no further.  And if you are a kid, beg your parents to take you on this!  Giant squirt guns in the bay, singing pirate songs, guys in pirate costumes shouting "ARRRR", this is a fun way to spend an hour or so on the bay. 

Kids will have fun looking for the treasure and the cast, I mean crew, are really entertaining.  And you do get to see San Diego from the water, an essential activity for any tourists.  It's better than a Harbor Cruise if you have kids.

Of course, adults would much rather be on this ship.  That's the Californian, a true tall sailing ship.

Or this one below!  Crap!  I hope no one on that boat saw me!

But as much as I mock it, the kids are just happy as can be on the Pirate Ship Adventure.  So I give it a big thumbs up if you're in the right demographic (ie: kids, parents with kids, grandparents with grandkids) and a big thumbs down if you're looking for an authentic sailing adventure on the bay.  I know, it seems so damn obvious and I'm sure I will soon have angry pirates at my door but I have to tell the truth here.  Don't get me wrong - I think anyone with small kids will love this activity.  But adults with adults or older kids would be better off skipping this and going on a real sailing ship.

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San Diego Wine and Food Fest Coming Nov 14-18, 2012

GET READY FOR THE BEST FOOD EXPERIENCE IN SAN DIEGO!

I can't wait for the holiday season to start.  I know, it's a bit early to be thinking about composting the pumpkin and defrosting the turkey but not too early to start planning to go to the San Diego Wine and Food Fest! 

Before I forget - DISCOUNT TICKETS courtesy of Local Wally!  Just type WALLY as the promo code.

So here's the lowdown.  On the Embarcadero, the area that sticks out into the bay behind Seaport Village, San Diego celebrates the best it has to offer in wine and food.  Just about every top restaurant is there serving up tasty bites that represent the some of the best local bites.  I know what you're thinking, you've been to too many "tastes of ____" events where the food is crappy pasta in a plastic cup but that's not this event.

I mean, look at this!  Crab Bisque?  No, you're not in line at Costco begging for a microwaved chicken finger!  Let's see some more food.

Don't you want to just reach over her shoulder and grab that and run?  But guess what, you don't have to because you can get your own!  And there's more and more and more to try!  Every booth has something you'll want to try, from gourmet mac N cheese to crab claws to seared filets.  And the restaurants are the big names in town, not a bunch of chain restaurants but places you want to eat at.

Scallops?  All you can eat?  Well, I can eat a ton of them and I did.  I'm surprised they didn't ban me from the booth, but there is plenty more where this came from.  I can't resist, one more food photo.  I know, I'm forcing you to look at these.

Tweezers to pace the greens on top just right?  That's right, it's that kind of event.  I have to say it again, I've been to lots of events just like this and the San Diego Food and Wine Fest is the only one that delivers what it promises - it's the BEST of San Diego.

If you know San Diego then you know that wine isn't our forte, but don't worry that you'll be drinking Almond Champagne from Temecula.  The San Diego Wine and Food Fest features lots of wineries from all over as well as local beers and spirits.  Let me put it this way, get a hotel room!  Seriously, the best way to do this event is to get a nearby room and make a weekend of this.  (OK, Local Wally has discount hotels but this isn't an advertising plug, it's a good idea!  I just got a room at the cool new Hilton for $115 from my site!)

There are a bunch of events you will want to check out.  The basic ticket is the Saturday tasting event but you don't have to wait until the weekend to have fun!

•  SWISH (Wed):  Come out to play after dark at this fashionably chic downtown tasting featuring up to 25 of the edgiest wineries and breweries. See and be seen as you mingle your way through this walk around beverage tasting and step outside to dine al fresco at our food truck block party featuring San Diego's hottest restaurants on wheels.
• THE VAULT (Fri)  An exclusive and elegant evening for collectors of fine wine, The Vault: Reserve Wine Experience & Silent Auction sets the stage for wine enthusiasts to taste the pride of the vine from 160 wineries and spirits producers. Exciting silent auction items such as large format bottles, libraries, and decanters will take the spotlight this year with proceeds benefiting the American Institute of Wine & Food culinary arts scholarship programs.
•  8 DEGREES LUNCHEON (Fri):  Join two of San Francisco's finest Italian wine and culinary masters for a once-in-a-lifetime tasting experience of Barolo wines from eight decades of the 20th century. An intimate and exclusive 12-person luncheon at the newly remodeled San Diego Marriott Marquis' Marina Kitchen, guests will relish in an expertly paired and prepared menu by award-winning chef Suzette Gresham-Tognetti and wine expert Giancarlo Paterlini. 
• CELEBRITY CHEF LUNCHEON (Sun):   Join nationally acclaimed Celebrity Chefs Gavin Kaysen of Café Boulud in New York City, Gale Gand of TRU in Chicago, James Cambell Caruso of La Boca in Santa Fe, Bernard Guillas of The Marine Room in La Jolla, Katsuya Fukushima of Daikaya in Washington, DC, RJ Cooper of ROGUE 24 in Washington, DC, Chef Kerry Simon of Kerry's Gourmet Burgers in Las Vegas, NV, Michael Antonorsi of Chuao Chocoaltier in San Diego, CA and 15 legendary wineries in an unforgettable dining experience.

So get your tickets now before they sell out and make sure you type WALLY in the coupon code to get your discount.  Here are a few tips if you plan to go.

1. Arrive early and rush the gates like it's a Who concert.  Early is good, late is bad.
2. Come hungry.  There is plenty to eat and you'll be bummed if you wasted your appetite on a McMuffin.
3. Grab that Sadie Rose bread when you come in.  Best bread in San Diego! 
4. Bring a sweater as it can get chilly from the wind.
5. Bring some sort of tote (you'll see)
6. Make sure you stop at the Stella booth as you not only get a beer but a free Stella glass.  Repeat 4 times and put glasses in your tote (now you get it??)
7. Don't be pushy but don't be shy.  Try it all!
8. Take the trolley or a taxi home or get a hotel so you can drink and enjoy all that the event has to offer.  Trust me, you won't want to say NO when they're pouring such good wine and beverages.
9. Bring your best friends - this is a fun event!

Hopefully by now you get my point that you need to go!  It's the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season and a great new tradition you should start with your friends.  There's a reason why it sells out and why people come year after year and now there's no excuse why you shouldn't be there as well.  See you there!

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