LOVE
LEARN
4L
LOVE
LIVE
Magazine LAUGH
APRIL 2014 // INK
Max’s Pick
THE TATTOO ISSUE
GOT
TOP 20 SUPER FOODS Carnival in Cádiz
INK? FITNESS NUTRITION FOOD & DRINK RELATIONSHIPS TRAVEL FOURELMAGAZINE.COM | Fully cultured, yet unshaven
On the islands where we work, women give birth without professional help, sometimes alone in the forest holding onto a tree, or in other unhygenic places. They have nowhere to go and no one to turn to when things go wrong. Children die of malaria, diarrhea, respiratory infections, and a lack of nutritious food. SurfAid is working at the frontline. Together with the local health department, we train the community health volunteers so that the whole community is involved in the care and support of pregnant women, mothers, and caregivers. With your support, we are saving lives in more than 50 villages in the Mentawai, Nias, Banyak and Telo islands. Please take a moment and donate today.
surfaid.org
Photos by Dane Peterson
is to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people
FROM THE EDITOR * Fully cultured yet unshaven*
volume 2 * issue 2 * APRIL 2014
Publisher/Editor Chris Lapham
Every now and then you get thrown a curveball in life. If it’s one of those pitches that’s high and inside, it’s not always very fun. Whether it’s business, finances, relationships or anything else, you have to play the hand you’re dealt.
Director of sales/Senior Editor Steve Kang Senior Managing Editor Cory Waterhouse Director of Marketing Pete Rocky
For me, I’m going through one of those times, and it’s not very enjoyable. For a moment, I was tempted to use this column to write a scathing diatribe. To right a wrong, get justice. you get the picture.
Creative Consultant/Photo Editor John Schnack
But my philosophy in life is to always try and take the high road, so I decided to do just that. Would I really have felt better? Probably not…
volunteer Assistant to the Assistant senior Editor matt fairbanks
There are a lot of really great people in San Diego doing a lot of really selfless, amazing things for people who are less fortunate or in need. What really amazes me is that most of these people operate behind the scenes with no desire for credit or recognition. They simply do it because they believe in something bigger, they believe in the cause they support.
photographers Lauren Fraser, Mike Newton, John Schnack, Andi Pianalto
LIVE
4L LOVE
LEARN
We haven’t done anything huge, just the little things. Having dinner together, talking and joking around. We got a huge laugh out of Anchorman 2. Time seems to make the heart grow fonder, at least that seems to be the only logical reason why my two boys are actually getting along. I think they went two whole days without a heated argument, which qualifies as a world record. It’s been great to spend time with the boys back together.
CONTRIBUTORS Mike “Mikey Beats” Beltran, Mary Brooks, Dale Hersey, Erik Martin, Lara Miller, Michelle Lyn, BJ Penn, Brady Phelps, Miles Roberson, Holly Sheets, Jason Stewart, Max Wettstein, Steve Woods, Andrea Zancha
LOVE
I decided to focus on the positive. As I sit here writing this, I am with my two sons. My older is home for Spring Break for a couple of days, and it’s really great to have some time as a family. Being a competitive runner, he doesn’t get much time off, even during breaks.
Online Editor Jeran Fraser
Magazine LAUGH
Max’s Pick
INK APRIL 2014 //
TOP 20 SUPER FOODS
THE TATTOO ISSUE
Carnival in Cádiz
GOT
INK? FITNESS NUTRITION FOOD & DRINK
As many of our readers know, Four EL is a huge supporter of Cancer For College. We were fortunate to head out to the desert and cover the Desert Smash last month. All I can say is what an amazing event it was. Three days of fun in the sun, capped with a concert headlined by Nelly and Boys To Men. In the next issue we plan to run a full feature on the event, so I don’t want to spoil the highlights, but I will say the event raised almost one million dollars for the charity. The team at CFC should be congratulated, especially Greg Flores, who did an amazing job putting the entire event together. I couldn’t imagine undertaking a challenge like the Desert Smash.
RELATIONSHIPS TRAVEL
| Fully cultured, yet FOURELMAGAZINE.COM
This does not look Like Tatooine!
unshaven
Four El Magazine 1880 Diamond St., San Marcos CA Phone: (760) 744-0911 www.fourelmagazine.com
We’re already into April and that means baseball season is upon us. I always enjoy this time of year, and summer is just around the corner. If you get time, head down to Petco. Walk around the Gaslamp and take in this great city. Enjoy a great meal and cocktail, and go cheer on our Padres. Please check out Brady Phelps preview of this year’s team. He’s got a keen insight for sports and he’s funny as hell. Great combination. Next month is our south of the border issue, and it promises to have some really fun stuff. Tequila, tacos and surf. Who could ask for more? Until the next tide… 4 Four El | APRIL 2014
Four El Magazine is published monthly except Dec/Jan is bi-monthly. The known office of publication is 1880 Diamond St., San Marcos, CA 92078. Four El is published by Known Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Articles and stories appearing in Four El may not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Four El Magazine. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written consent is strictly prohibited.
FourElmagazine.com
contents
FEATURES
Features APRIL 2014
TATTOOED
PADRES
22 26 Four EL Man’s Up
Watch out NL West!
We promise our inaugural tattoo issue won’t stain your sheets a bit... Enjoy!
6 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
Service Industry Workers of America
Rules of the 4X4 Challenge: Four 1/2 lb. patties, four slices of cheese, four pieces of bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onions and pickles, topped with a fried egg, on a pretzel roll, surrounded by 1 lb. of fries.
WANTED
SIN-ers
Every Sunday | 8:00 til Close 1/2 Off Bar Tab + Food Specials
NO MODIFICATIONS! NO SUBSTITUTIONS! NO UTENSILS! NO NAPKINS!
Clean your plate in 30 minutes or less to be crowned 4X4 CHAMPION!
Friday and Saturday
967 S. Coast Hwy. 101 • Encinitas • 760.479.1657 • Lumberyard101.com APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 7
CONTENTS
DEPARTMENTS
business 54 perspective: Aaron Phillips
Fitness
55 entrepreneur: Josh Kerr
10 defense: Kimura
ON PAR
12 Fast Break: Flexibility 13 How To: Yoga 14 w/max wettstein:
Hand / eye
coordination nutrition 16 w/max wettstein: Top 20 Super Foods
food/drink 30 chef’s table: Jake’s Del Mar Duvinh Ta 32 BEATS & EATS: Wrench & Rodent 36 Restaurant Reviews: Romeseco (Bonita) 40 uncorked: Wine 101 42 CRAFTY: Cusp Dining & Drinks 44 IMBIBING: Seven Grand Whiskey Society 46 Happiest Hour: La Jolla Brewing Co. 47 Beer me: Barrel Harbor Brew Co. 48 Tender: Jennifer Ahn 50 dish: Wild Alaskan Halibut
78 All Hands on Tech: Lust-worthy gadgets that will truly make your life more enjoyable 8 Four El | APRIL 2014
PB’s Daddy Aaron Phillips
58 review: Avaria Golf Club 60 golf Tips: 8-Part Series
Gambling 56 Tips: Sponsored by Sycuan Casino
fashion 62 style watch: Out with the old... 63 makeover: In with the new!
relationships 64 dating: Become irresistible to women 66 Musings: Sports role in character building
stunning san diego
68 female population: Jordan Kozlowski
travel 70 weekender: El Encanto, Santa Barbara 74 Locale: Carnival in Cándiz, Spain
rhythm
82 hot wire: Concert and show dates
around town 84 April events: Local happenings and things to do
Um, yea, that’s my ride ...what?
FourElmagazine.com
R E A L E S TAT E
Donna Wettstein. Homes & Estates
North County Specialist.
AN EXCEPTIONAL REALTOR® FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
“
My commitment to all of you is to work SMART and DILIGENTLY, paying special attention to YOUR individual desires and needs, and to make it a fun journey... YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS!
“
I have told Donna many times that I will NEVER use another realtor as long as I live-because I mean it. She is the best. My wife and I are totally comfortable with her process, her manner, and her expertise in real estate. We can not recommend her highly enough.
“
Mike and Marie 4/25/13
C: 619.884.1884 DonnaWettstein@yahoo.com donnasellsrealestate.com encinitasdreamhomes.com CALBRE: 01380900
“
fitness
defense
Maneuver:
Sit Up Sweep
Kimura Sequence by bj penn
Warning: The Kimura is dangerous. It can seriously injure you and cause permanent damage. This is informational and for entertainment purposes only. If you are not a trained expert, do not attempt.
Kimura, chicken wing, double wrist lock or reverse keylock are all expressions used to specify a medial keylock known in Judo as gyaku ude-garami (reverse arm entanglement) or ude-garami. The application is akin to the Americana, except that it’s reversed. It needs some room behind the opponent to be effective and can be applied from the side control or guard. Contrary to the Americana, the opponent’s wrist is grabbed with the hand on the same side, and the opposite arm is put behind the opponent’s arm, again grabbing the attacker’s wrist and forming a figure-four. By controlling the opponent’s body and cranking the arm away from the attacker, pressure is put on the shoulder joint and, depending on the angle, also the elbow joint. (In some variations, the opponent’s arm is brought behind their back, resulting in a finishing position resembling that of the hammerlock outlined below.) The Kimura was named after the judoka Masahiko Kimura, who used it to defeat one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Hélio Gracie. 10 Four El | APRIL 2014
Train for this maneuver in Four basic steps: 01 From your back (Open Guard), wrap your legs around your opponent’s waist above his legs. Sit up quickly and reach your left arm across to his left shoulder. Your left armpit will go across his face and now his chin will be on the left side of your torso. 02 At this point use your legs to sweep him while simultaneously pushing with your right arm off the floor to help gain leverage and momentum. His left arm will naturally push against the floor because instinctually he is trying not to get mounted. 03 Target that arm to apply the Kimura. Your right arm is now locked onto his left wrist and your left arm is now over his shoulder and through his armpit. Lock your left hand on top of your right wrist. 04 Now fall down onto your back so that you can wrench his arm and shoulder back into a Kimura. Since your legs are still wrapped around him, there is nowhere for him to go except to tap out.
FourElmagazine.com
waterproof weatherproof sweatproof sound. secure fit design for athletes. Powered by H2O Audio’s patented waterproof technology, the Surge ear buds come with 5 ear tip sizes, guaranteeing a comfortable and secure fit for running, biking and swimming. Add the Amphibx Fit waterproof armband for your device or the Interval system for swimming to bring your training soundtrack to any climate or terrain. Breaking the Barriers of sound at X-1.com APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 11
FITNESS
FAST BREAK
Flexibility: The Game Changer by Jason Stewart
Ok. I want to talk about something that most of us don’t do properly or at all, stretching. Most athletes see stretching as an annoying, time consuming ritual that only gets in the way of the activity we have already set our minds to do. However, if you really want to perform to your best ability, then working on your flexibility should be a major priority. Young & growing pre-teens Very young athletes are usually very limber. Their bodies are still new and don’t need to be stretched before activity. None the less, I feel it is important to build a habit in young athletes so that working on flexibility becomes an evolving lifestyle. This way, they won’t feel like stretching is an annoying addition to their activity, but that it is part of the package. There is also an old wives tale that stretching as a young person in combination with proper sleep may provide a little extra room for your bones to grow adding centimeters or inches to your overall height. That’s good news for guys like Michael Jordan (6’6”) who reportedly stretched a lot as a boy. His parents were both under six feet!
Teens & young adults High school, college and twenty-somethings are the groups that are possibly hurting their performance the most by not consistently working on their flexibility. Stretching can improve the range of motion in your joints enabling you to cover more ground faster! Who doesn’t want to move faster? No one. There is no such thing as too fast. Another reason why this group needs flexibility more than the others is because this group is usually lifting weights in combination with pretty hard personal training, practice and games. Lifting weights causes the muscles to tighten, which restricts your range of motion. While lifting weights is necessary to compete at high levels, it comes with a price. In order to make yourself limber for performance, you must make working on flexibility a priority.
Adults, Seniors & Recovering Athletes Living a flexible lifestyle can prove to be a fountain of youth for performance. Not only will you reduce risk of injury to those older joints and muscles, you will probably find yourself able to pull out old tricks that you once did in your youth.
game for many years. Now ask me about my conditioning and that is a whole other story...
After tearing both my right and left Achilles in the span of three years, I worked extensively on my flexibility using the routine of daily yoga classes as an approach to rehab. I was pleasantly surprised with my performance. Well into my 30’s, I currently compete with high school, college and sometimes, professional players in pickup games. In many ways, I am able to hold back the years with flexibility and, of course, the wisdom that comes with playing the
However, I believe that the athlete that makes stretching part of their daily routine, regardless of the day’s activity, will consistently perform at higher levels. Competition becomes easier when you can move faster with less effort.
My recommendation is to make working on flexibility a lifestyle. Most athletes, if they stretch at all, only do it right before activity. Some do before and after.
I wish that I had been this studious about flexibility when I was younger. Maybe I would have dunked more easily.
I do personal training and life coaching for athletes. Visit my website at: www.ProUniversity.net
12 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
HOW-TO
FITNESS
Got Yoga? By Holly Sheets
You may have noticed the increased interest and what some may call “craze” around yoga. Have you stepped foot into a yoga studio? If you have not, you are probably among many with the misconception about just how amazing an hour-long yoga class can be. If you have not visited, it may take some coaxing to get you to a class. However, if you have, you know exactly what I am talking about. San Diego is such an active community that offers a landscape for year round outdoor activity. No matter what your sport—surfing, running, hiking, basketball—yoga is the perfect supplement to actually help you perform better.
Yoga has so many benefits for your body and health. During a yoga class, your teacher guides you through each position and explains the benefit of each move. Many teachers walk around the class making adjustments on students to assist them in getting the biggest benefit of the position. By the end of the class, you feel educated on exactly what you did for your health. There are so many different yoga classes offered all over the county. Finding the right class might take some time, but I am quite confident that after one class, you will understand the craze, and certainly be interested in trying it again. You may even make it a regular part of your active lifestyle.
First-timers, I have a few tips before your first class: 01 Do NOT try Bikram Yoga as your first class. While I absolutely LOVE Bikram, it is 90 minutes, 105 degrees and really intense for a first yoga class. I certainly do recommend trying one, just not as your first yoga class. 02 Try hot yoga as your first class. Many studios offer a heated yoga class. The heat will have you dripping with sweat shortly after the start of the class. There are so many benefits of the heat, including you can get deeper stretches. And when you see how much you sweat as you leave, you feel amazing! 03 Don’t use never having done yoga or not knowing any poses as an excuse to skip it. Fact No. 1: No one is paying any attention to you during class. You CANNOT have a good yoga session when you are watching someone else. You are looking at yourself in the mirror or focused on a random spot on your mat or somewhere in the room. You typically don’t see the 20-40 other people attending the same class! Fact No. 2: Your lack of flexibility should not discourage you. Yoga helps you increase flexibility. Every session is your session. One day may be a great practice and the next day may not be your best, but it does not matter: It is YOUR practice. 04 Ask friends in your circle for some class recommendations. They may be loyal to a certain studio and can make a great referral for a class that you may like. Everyone has a favorite yoga teacher or yoga studio or yoga class. Yogis are always excited to get someone to try out there favorite class! 05 There are many places that offer a deal for first-timers. Some places offer a discounted rate for your first or second class. CorePower Yoga actually offers a free week for new clients. I would recommend you take advantage of the discounted or free classes and attend a few classes the first week. 06 GROUPON! You can usually find quite a few offers on Groupon for yoga packages. The deals are always fantastic deals and a great way to find a studio. I hope these tips help and encourage you to try something new. Yoga is not for a certain type of person, yoga is for everyone. From the Navy Seal to the football player to the guy who paddles out every day, yoga is a way to increase your body’s ability to perform.
Good luck and Namaste.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 13
FITNESS
with Max Wettstein
Hand-Eye Coordination and Reaction-Time Training
Hand-eye coordination and reaction-time training usually go hand in hand when it comes to athletic performance and sports. So I am going to touch on some of the most popular drills to help you improve both of them simultaneously. The two don’t always go together, of course. Reaction-time training is all about reducing reaction time and improving quickness, while there are many relatively slow and deliberately methodical activities that still require tremendous precision and incredible hand-eye coordination, such as painting, playing a musical instrument, or brain surgery. In sports, however, hand-eye coordination usually involves speed and timing, like with ball and racquet sports. Catching, throwing, hitting, passing, shooting and driving all require tremendous amounts of hand-eye coordination, usually in a reactive, time-critical situation. Depending on the sport, balls can be traveling at 90 miles per hour or faster, bouncing and spinning along the way. Perhaps a better way to look at this is body-eye tracking coordination, or neuromuscular mapping and reaction. Because in most sports, it’s not just our hands having to react but usually our entire body. Our feet must first transport our bodies into position to make the play with our hands or racquets! The good news is, all this can be trained and improved with practice and very simple drills, though apparently much of the foundation is laid when we’re kids. So if you played multiple sports growing up as a kid—good for you! Your neuromuscular connections, reactive-timing, hand-eye coordination and muscle-memory will always be there for you, albeit a little rusty if you haven’t been on the court in a while! Before I get to these basic drills, you should know that the most fun way to develop your hand-eye coordination and improve your reaction-time is to just go out and play the sports you love! You’ll be much more motivated if you’re having fun and are going all out to make the play or win the game. The adrenaline, endorphins and dopamine boost we get only through the passion of being immersed in the game will greatly improve your performance and fitness, too. Some of the best sports to improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time are certainly not the most physically demanding; table tennis and most racquet sports require equal parts hand-eye coordination, reaction and timing. If you like the beach, I recommend checking out SmashBall beach tennis—another great option! Peppering or bumping the volleyball is also great.
14 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
FITNESS
with Max Wettstein
DRILLS
Some are so simple you can do them most anywhere—including your office, providing you have a cool boss. Here are some of the most popular, yet simplest drills; some can be done solo but all are more effective when done with a partner or trainer. • Tennis Ball Drills: Everybody owns a tennis ball, the original reaction ball Dribble the tennis ball; toss it against a wall and catch it, alternating between hands; juggle the tennis ball; hold a racquet flat and horizontal and bounce the tennis ball off it, alternating hands. Have a partner or coach throw balls at you to catch, one after another in rapid succession. • Reaction Ball Drills: Available it all sports stores, the reaction ball is literally created for performance drills (see photo). It is sort of a ball, with many lumps and bumps on it so that when it is thrown against the floor, the athlete won’t be able to predict or anticipate what direction it will rebound, and thus has to solely rely on reaction to catch it. It is reactive-training in its purest form. • Card-Catching Drills: This requires a coach or a partner to take a deck of playing cards, stand above the athlete on a platform and toss cards in rapid succession to the athlete. As the card flutters and spins toward the ground unpredictably, the athlete has to catch it, just as the next card is tossed at them. Plyometric or agility exercises can be done in between catches to improve fitness and make the drill more athletic. • Punching Bag/Speed Bag/Boxing Drills: This is great not only for hand-eye coordination but also for fitness value and venting stress! Be sure to bob and weave between punch combos, to make it full-body training. However, a lot of times hitting the bag may not be reactive in nature, unless it is the speed bag being hit. Remember, ideally we want our hand-eye coordination drills to be reactive in nature—unpredictable—so that we can’t anticipate our next move, forcing us to react! • Darts/Shuffleboard/Foosball/Billiards (Sports Bar!) Drills: While there may not be much fitness value in these popular sports bar games, which are usually accompanied by a few pitchers of beer, (which slow our reaction time!), there is absolutely no denying they are great for improving hand-eye coordination. • Video Games: I cannot believe I’m including this, as I never advocate video gaming, especially for our kids, but there is no denying the hand-eye coordination improvement that video games deliver. All the research backs this. But again, your overall fitness will suffer, so limit your virtual athlete and get outside and unleash your true athlete when possible! In my opinion, nothing beats playing your actual sport for specific improvement in that game’s skill set as well as maximizing the fun factor, but as a general rule we know cross-training is essential for all athletes for injury prevention. Drills are excellent ways to isolate and target specific skills. Plus, we don’t always have time or access to play the sports we love; this is where drills and gym days come in handy. At some point we all have to put in gym time, drills and bland workout days so that we will be in top condition on game day!
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 15
NUTRITION with Max Wettstein
Last month was National Nutrition Month, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Time to celebrate by eating super, nutrient-dense foods! I have compiled a beginner’s list here for you … because we all have to start somewhere.
TOP 20 SUPER FOODS LET’S GET HEALTHY
16 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
NUTRITION with Max Wettstein
There are many amazing foods that are nutrient dense and very functional. A list like this is inherently subjective and a practical list couldn’t and shouldn’t contain them all. So what makes me consider a food “super?” As far as this list is concerned, a food will not be considered super unless it possesses healing properties above and beyond providing nutrition and energy. “Healing properties?” you ask–why yes, along with providing energy and nutrition, food can also be Mother Nature’s most raw and powerful “medicine.” Let me give you few examples of some healing and medicinal properties I’m referring to and how they are defined: Antioxidant: Neutralizes free-radical molecules in the body, due to oxidative metabolism, by binding to them. Freeradicals left unchecked can wreak havoc in the body by pulling electrons from other molecules and speed up the aging process of cells. Alkalinizing: If you’ll remember from my earlier article on pH-balancing, your body’s natural pH is slightly alkaline, and many of the refined foods, sodas, coffees and dairy we eat are very acidic, causing the body to leach calcium and other minerals from our bones and muscles to neutralize the acids. An acidic body has a weakened immune system and does not function at its ideal. Anti-inflammatory: Some foods lower inflammation and it is now thought that
chronic, systemic inflammation is directly linked to elevated CRP, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, arthritis, lupus and many other problems. Lower LDL-cholesterol and/or raise HDL-cholesterol: This one really needs no explaining. Good for the heart and blood vessels. Antibiotic/Anti-fungal: Some foods naturally accomplish this role in helping the immune system eliminate harmful pathogens from the body and preventing candida (yeast) overrun. Anti-cancer/carcinogenic: Some foods directly battle cancer cells and bust up tumors. Anti-allergenic: Can help our immune systems grow accustomed to allergens and prevent reactions. Phyto-chemicals: Micronutrients found
in plant-foods including phytoestrogens to block bad/synthetic estrogens, isoflavones, flavonols and plant sterols. These amazing chemicals do things like lower LDL-cholesterol, function as antioxidants, support hormone balance and combat cancer. Improve insulin sensitivity/glucose tolerance: Helps cells uptake glucose from the blood for energy, using less insulin. The other component necessary for a food to make my “super” list is that it has to be very close to its state created by Mother Nature. Supplements have a place in the nutrition pyramid for sure, but Mother Nature delivers vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in better form than any supplement. Minimal processing and refining and—in fact for many of the foods on this list—eating them raw would be best, as heat from cooking can alter the chemical structure of fragile micro-nutrients and enzymes, and denature proteins.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 17
NUTRITION with Max Wettstein
Remember, this is not medical advice
Happy Eating
So without further introductions, here are some super, healthy foods for you. Many have already had quite a bit of buzz, so you may be aware of them. In no particular order:
Garlic: Though garlic is considered more of a seasoning, it possesses some amazing healing attributes, especially when a clove is eaten raw. The chemicals allicin and phytoncide in it function as a natural antibiotic, anti-fungal, antiparasitic, candida-yeast fighter and other pathogens. It also serves as a blood thinner and lowers LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and homocysteine levels. It is also is a good source of B-vitamins.
The Lemon: This simple, bright smelling citrus fruit is a great way to start off every morning to alkalinize your body and stimulate your digestive tract. Though lemon contains 5 percent citric acid, it has a very alkalizing effect on the body primarily due to its mineral ratio content and reaction to stomach acid. It is also packed with potassium, vitamin C and citrus bioflavonoid antioxidants. Squeeze half a fresh lemon in a glass of warm water upon waking. It is also an antiseptic.
Green Tea: Again, not really a food but a beverage, this tea seems to do it all from boosting energy with just the right amount of caffeine, to boosting metabolism and fat-burning with a chemical called EGCG, to fighting cancer cells with catechins, packing anti-oxidant power with plenty of polyphenols, to balancing pH because it is highly alkaline. Three cups a day and you’re good to go! Unlike with coffee, you can’t seem to overdo green tea, so drink up.
Almonds: Every pilot I’ve flown with at JetBlue loves munching on almonds, and I really hope we get our almonds snack back instead of cashews! Raw are best of course (and they taste just as good), and unsalted. The almond is one of the only nuts that is alkaline. At the same time, it is loaded with essential anti-inflammatory fats that lower LDL-cholesterol and boost HDLcholesterol (the good kind). Almonds also deliver a good dose of protein, vitamin E and Zinc to boot, with no sugar of course! Walnuts are a great runner-up.
Olive Oil: From salad dressings to dipping your bread and flavoring your pasta to low-heat cooking, this monounsaturated oil is one of the keys to the legendary “Mediterranean Diet” that is credited with longevity and lower cancer rates. Olive oil’s key nutrients are oleic acid and plenty of polyphenols antioxidants. Oleic acid is an omega fatty acid precursor that is multi-functional as an anti-inflammatory, protecting joint health, improving elasticity of arterial walls and supporting brain health. Look for “Extra Virgin” and coldpressed, if you want the most flavor and most polyphenols.
Wild Salmon (and other cold-water, ocean fish): Wild salmon made the list because it is probably the most tasty source of the essential fat, Omega-3 fatty acid you can eat. Wild is way better than farm-raised because farm-raised salmon swim in very sketchy tanks full of polluted water, and wild has lower PCB and mercury levels. Farm-raised fish also has more saturated fat and less omega fats. The omega-3 fatty acid is the best source of DHA and EPA, so important for brain and heart health.
18 Four El | APRIL 2014
The Egg: The egg is back! Some say it never left. The egg made this list because it is one of the best sources of complete protein found in Mother Nature. Egg has a high biological absorption value and is easily digested, supplying all essential amino acids in proper ratio. One egg provides 7 grams of protein. Egg also is an excellent source of B-vitamins, Folic acid, vitamin A, choline, iron, calcium, phosphorous and potassium. Yes the yolk has a lot of cholesterol, but it is now known that most of this is good, HDLcholesterol, and most of the fat is unsaturated. The yellow-coloring in the yolk also is loaded with carotene, vitamin D and E. And now the organic farms are fortifying their chickens with omega fatty acids too. Did I mention the egg is sugar-free? Flax Seed/Oil: Flax, whether eaten as seeds or oil, is loaded with the omegas 3, 6 and 9 in proper ratio. The lignans and seed hulls they provide are one of the best sources of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble, for cardiovascular and colon health. Use the oil in salad dressings, or blend in your smoothie. Yogurt: Look for natural yogurt with “live, active cultures” and no added corn syrup! Yogurt made the list because it is a great way to ingest friendly, probiotic bacteria essential for colon health and to keep yeast in check. Yogurt also provides calcium and protein, and moderate levels of sugar, as long as you avoid the corn syrup. Be sure to check out Greek yogurt, which is a favorite among my fellow fitness nerds lately! Oatmeal: Oatmeal is one of the best complex slowdigesting carbohydrates you can eat for sustained energy and minimal insulin release, and it also provides a good amount of soluble fiber credited for heart health by lowering LDL-cholesterol. Oatmeal can be eaten by itself or blended into smoothies or other recipes. Granola and other oat-based cereals are better than wheat-based cereals, especially if you suspect you may have a wheat allergy.
FourElmagazine.com
NUTRITION with Max Wettstein
The Apple: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” still holds true. Especially when eaten with the skin. The apple has a very alkalizing effect, and is packed with Flavonoids and other phytonutrients that function as antioxidants and anticarcinogenics. You also get a good serving of pectin fiber. Honey: It has to be raw and preferably harvested in your local area. Honey, like garlic, touts too many benefits to list here, but primarily helps treat allergies, since locally harvested, raw honey contains small amounts of the very same pollen, mold and dust that are most likely causing your allergies. Slowly you will develop immunity to these contaminants. Honey is also an alkaline source of sugar that packs more sweetness per calorie than regular table sugar (sucrose). Honey does not ferment during digestion and can be used to treat gastric and intestinal ulcers. Honey also combats H. pylori bacteria responsible for causing most ulcers. Blueberries: Berries as a whole are packed with antioxidants, but blueberries may top the list. Blueberries are also a good source of fiber, folic acid, vitamin C, E and can help prevent urinary tract infections. Avocado: The avocado tastes so good and, fortunately for us, it is very healthy. It’s also very alkaline and very satiating–a great way to fill up by adding slices to salads and sandwiches, as guacamole or just by itself. When you eat avocado, you are primarily eating a monounsaturated fat, like olive oil, that can be converted by the body into omega fatty acids. You’re also ingesting potassium, vitamins B and E and lot of fiber. Right off the tree, 100 percent goodness, and squeeze some lime on it to prevent discoloring from oxidation. Legumes (a.k.a. beans): Beans, beans, good for your heart … and everything else! Your favorite bean, whether black, red, or kidney, is packed with fiber, folic acid, protein and vitamin E. Sometimes eating too much leaves a lot of fiber to be fermented in the colon by friendly bacteria there to finish digestion, yielding some gaseous byproduct! Cinnamon: This favorite holiday spice has proven effective in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. So use it in your coffee, on your toast, or anywhere else, but just make sure it is fresh!
Dark Chocolate: In moderate amounts and most importantly it has to be “dark,” with at least 70 percent real cocoa content. This means your favorite Hershey’s or Snickers bar won’t do the trick. “Milk chocolate” won’t do it. It is the cocoa that has the health benefits, loaded with flavonols and L-Arginine that improve the health of your endothelial cells lining your blood vessels, dilating them (or causing them to release nitric oxide). Also, the fat contained in dark chocolate is from cocoa butter and is a functional dietary fat, not harmful to LDL-cholesterol levels, and may in fact raise HDL levels. Lastly, dark chocolate is lower in sugar than milk chocolate. Yams (a.k.a. sweet potatoes): An excellent source of energy-sustaining, slow-digesting, complex carbohydrate that won’t spike your insulin levels. Also, the orange coloring is loaded with beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Make sure you eat the skin for added fiber and potassium. Quinoa: An ancient grain that has surged in popularity lately, mostly because it is gluten-free, is relatively high in complete-protein content when compared to most other grains, and tastes great with a fantastic texture. Serve it like you would rice. Sprouted-quinoa is even healthier as the naturally occurring enzymes are activated. Coconut/coconut oil: Coconut oil has been used by some Asian and tropical cultures for literally thousands of years for cooking but for some reason has recently taken off in popularity in the health-hipster, vegan and fitness circles–mostly due to anecdotal claims. What I can tell you is, it tastes and smells great, is useful for high-heat cooking due to it’s high smoke-point temperature and is mostly full of saturated-fat, which is normally considered unhealthy by dieticians because it contributes to higher cholesterol levels. However, in the
case of coconut, the saturated fat is a mediumchain-triglyceride fat, which makes it special, because it will be burned for immediate energy like a carbohydrate but with no insulin release
(something cutting-phase bodybuilders have known this for years). Also, it seems to increase HDLcholesterol (the good kind), while leaving LDL
cholesterol alone. It also is a great skin moisturizer and is said to possess some anti-microbial properties.
Well, I’ll stop at 20 otherwise what is the point of making a list? Feel free to add to it. There are many more foods that deserve super status–just about any fruit or vegetable! These foods here are all nutrient dense and functional on many levels. They go way beyond just providing energy. You can gather from this list that the omega fats are highly regarded in health and nutrition circles. The omega-3 fatty acid (DHA especially) supports brain, cardiovascular, eye and joint health and acts as a general anti-inflammatory. Try to incorporate several of these foods into your daily diet. It’s easier than you think. You know, we can’t slow time, and we can’t change our genetics, but we can control what food we eat. Eating super foods like these just might be your best chance at offsetting the effects of aging; antioxidants, for example, stop the aging and oxidative damage caused by freeradicals. Super nutrition is the best weapon in our anti-aging arsenal and, best of all, eating healthy requires no prescription.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 19
nutrition
JUICING
THE ART OF
BEAMING by michelle lyn
I never thought I would be the kind of person who would do a juice cleanse. Let’s be honest-I like to eat. Although breakfast usually consists of a latte and (maybe even some toast), I certainly enjoy eating. And then there’s that glass (or two) of wine with dinner. Can’t forget about that now, can we? However, when I heard about Beaming and their 3-Day Cleanse, my interest was piqued by the type of cleanses they offer. Using all organic and unique ingredients, they have a wide selection of cold pressed juices, smoothies, soups, salads and pastries. Even better, you get to eat them during your cleanse. Well...not the pastries. Save room for a post-cleanse cookie. A Beaming cleanse is...exactly that. A cleanse. You’re cleansing your body with all natural, organic ingredients. Think of it as a detox to kickstart a healthier you. You aren’t depriving yourself of much needed calories-instead, you are pumping your body full of healthy ones. When I first committed to do a three day cleanse, I was skeptical that I would last the whole three days. I thought I would be hungry and feel too caffeine deprived (read: irritable). I couldn’t have been more wrong. On Day One, I picked up my designated bag for the day. Five bottles consisting of: two organic cold-pressed juices, a superfood elixir, a superfood smoothie, a raw soup, a salad and a Beaming protein bite. I looked at this bag full of liquids, save for the salad and “bite,” and thought I’d cave by noon. They suggest you start with a little lemon juice in warm water to prime your body for the day. Ok, easy enough. Then came Bottle #1: “Beaming Green” juice. A coldpressed juice that had three pounds of cucumber, celery, spinach, parsley, lemon juice and mint-all combined to detox, alkalize and provide energy. That one was pretty good. These are 16 ounce bottles, so I was feeling pretty healthy after Bottle #1. Two hours later came Bottle #2: Beaming “Almond Milk plus protein.” Using nutrient-rich sprouted almonds, they fresh press each of their nutmilks. Add a little Beaming protein blend to the house-made almond milk with cin-
20 Four El | APRIL 2014
namon and vanilla and voila-you have what tastes like a healthy version of horchata. I really enjoyed that one and started thinking if they all tasted this good, I could easily see myself stopping in to buy individual drinks. Around noon I started feeling a little sluggish, so I broke out my protein “bite.” It looked like a mini muffin, but it was very dense. I bit it in half and couldn’t decide if I liked it or not. It definitely tasted “healthy,” but you could also pick up a hint of sweetness from the coconut sugar, goji berries, pumpkin seeds and maybe some cinnamon. Before I even had a chance to realize I was missing my morning latte, it was time for Bottle #3: Beaming “Power Soup.” What looked like another vibrant green juice, was actually a velvety raw arugula curry soup with crunchy snap peas.
You would think the foods on the cleanse might be quite bland, but on the contrary, they incorporate so many spices that this one actually had quite the kick to it! Around 2 p.m., it was time for Bottle #4: another cold-pressed juice. After the first three bottles and several glasses of water in between, I was hardly hungry. For the sake of sticking to the suggested daily routine, I opened #4 and was pleasantly surprised by the “Salad Spinner.” A bright mix of carrot, beet, cucumber, celery, lime, romaine, apple, ginger and turmeric, the Salad Spinner had just the right balance and touted digestion benefits, as well as a liver cleanse and cellular regeneration. Sounded like a win-win to me. By the time 4pm came around, I was starting to drag a bit. This could be because of the cleanse,
FourElmagazine.com
surprise, I was much happier with the salad and protein bite. The pizza really didn’t appeal to me, which reminded me how much your body craves what it needs...and apparently pizza doesn’t fall into that category. If you want to do a cleanse to lose weight, this might not be the one for you. Granted, everyone is different, but I actually gained two pounds on the Signature cleanse. Two healthy pounds I like to say, which is fine with me. The day after my cleanse ended, I found myself craving just a little bit more, so I stopped back into Beaming to see what I might be able to try without doing a whole cleanse again. Luckily, you can get everything from the cleanse individually, and then some. The cleanse was a great way to get to know different products, so now I swing in to pick up the juices, smoothies and salads that I liked. And don’t forget about those “healthy” pastries. I could eat a Beaming cookie every night and easily forget about how “good” it is for me.
Choose the Cleanse that is Right for You Each of these cleanses are available as a 1-day, 3-day, or 4-day option SIGNATURE: The signature cleanse helps individuals focus on renewing a healthy eating lifestyle LEAN: Designed to cut back on the calories, the lean cleanse is meant for individuals looking to trim down while still maintaining a healthy diet PERFORMANCE/ATHLETE: Designed for active individuals, this cleanse provides more food to ensure individuals are met with the nutrients to keep their energy going
or it could have simply been because it was 4 p.m. I certainly wasn’t hungry or thirsty at this point, but in the interest of adhering to a schedule, I drank Bottle #5: a Beaming Superfood Elixir. I didn’t know what to expect, but it sounded like it would be just the boost I needed. Promising a powerful burst of antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, the “Electrolyte” contained alkaline water, coconut water, lemon, ginger, MSM, camu camu, cayenne and natural stevia. Heavy on spice, it burned a little bit going down, but got easier with each sip. And finally, is was time for dinner-a freshly packed chopped salad that was surprisingly filling. I treated myself to a little dessert-the rest of my protein “bite,” and called it a night. I went to bed feeling satiated, but not stuffed. On Day two, I knew what to expect, so now I was just curious about what new flavors were in store for me. I started with another green juice-Balanced Green. This one had all the same veggies, plus fennel and fuji apple. Pretty tasty-started thinking maybe I should start every day out with some green juice. The second and third day went by faster and my body seemed to ac-
cept that I would be inundating it with 16 ounces of something every 2-3 hours, so I tried to keep up. Some of my favorites for the day were the Gazpacho soup (and I don’t typically care for gazpacho) and the “Skinny Cooler” juice, which had pineapple, cucumber, mint and jalapeño (cocktail mixer anyone?). By the final day, I felt like a Beaming pro. My morning latte was a distant memory, I felt energized and pleased about all the organic superfoods I was absorbing. I found myself looking forward to my daily bag, wondering what new concoction I’d be tasting. Sometimes there were repeats, but for the most part I had new items to try each day. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the Cauliflower soup (seriously-who truly likes cauliflower?) and “The Alkalizer” superfood elixir. When I read the ingredients: alkaline water, raw apple cider vinegar, ginger, raw honey and E3Live (blue-green algae), I thought it sounded ok, but the smell really threw me off. Luckily, it tasted much better than it smelled and I actually enjoyed it. On the last night of my cleanse, my family ordered pizza (which I never pass up) and I thought after my last bite of salad I might treat myself to a small slice, but much to my own
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 21
Four EL Magazine Gets Tattooed
22 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
By Steve Kang
Tattooing in the Western world traces its roots back to the 16th through the 18th centuries. During maritime expeditions, Europeans often encountered Polynesians who had tattoos. The word itself is derived from the Samoan word tatau. These sailors would be intrigued, participate is getting their own tattoos and then return home with body art. The popularity of tattoos on sailors helped it become mainstream in Europe and eventually North America. Martin Hildebrandt was the first documented professional tattoo artist in the United States. Between 1861 and 1865, he tattooed Civil War soldiers while living in Boston. Tattoos have slowly become more accepted for civilians since the 1970s. It attracts both males and females, as well as a wide variety of age groups. In the most recent years, tattoos have come out of the shadows and into the mainstream. It’s no longer simply an activity by the fringe of society and is now considered an artistic expression that allows a person to celebrate his or her individuality. It’s become so mainstream that in 2011, Mattel released a tattooed Barbie. Modern advancements have really refined the process by having better pigments and equipment used for tattooing. This has resulted in a higher quality tattoo with finer details. Additionally, the mainstreaming has attracted a bigger base of artists to choose this field as a career. In the past decade, the popularity of shows like L.A. Ink, Ink Masters and Tattoo Nightmares proves tattooing is now firmly ingrained in American pop culture.
Four EL Magazine Gets Tattooed William Lopez is the man behind Alternative Strategies, an award-winning, full-service, marketing-communications firm that believes in the power of media exposure, branding and advertising. Lopez is a leader in the industry and has been an instrumental resource for Four EL magazine. Not only do we have a great working relationship, we have also become friends. During one of our meetings, it came to light that he had several tattoos. One, a barbed-wire band, he wanted to get covered up. After a few drinks and a few laughs, the tattoo issue was born. I also committed to getting my second tattoo. My first was done way back in 1993 and is the source of a lot of laughs for my friends. It’s a cartoon kangaroo on my hip, obviously not a very manly place for a tattoo. I have to continually explain that my last name is Kang, so thereby a kangaroo. Also, back in 1993, getting a tattoo was still relatively taboo, so a lot of people got them where they can’t be seen. Now, after 20 years, it’s time for me to man up and get one on my arm. Lopez decided on a tattoo based on the art of Keith Haring. If you’re not familiar with the late artist and social activist’s work, he generally did outlines of characters in different colors. Lopez chose five figures in different colors to wrap around his barbed wire. Myself, I’ve always wanted to display a tribute to California in ink on skin. I have lived in Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and now San Diego. I love the Golden State and I don’t plan on ever leaving. So I found an image of a bear with his dukes up and decided to put a red star next to him with the word “Republic,” like “California Republic” that’s written on the original flag. I think both of these together show my fighting spirit as well as my love for California. With only one thing left to do, we set out to find a phenomenal artist and an awesome tattoo parlor.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 23
Several months ago, Meghan Balser of Seven Grand in North Park invited me to the Fernet Branca party, which is where I met tattoo artist Nathan Anderson for the first time. People were actually getting the Fernet logo tattooed on their bodies. I started talking with Anderson as he was doing one in the “tramp stamp” area of a guy. It was kinda strange but we were all laughing and had a great time. As we started to scout for the right tattoo parlor, Four EL editor Chris Lapham told me Bearcat Tattoo Gallery (off Kettner Street) is considered to be one of the top parlors in San Diego. A light went off in my little brain that had me fumbling for Anderson’s business card. Boom! He works at Bearcat. Destiny! I gave Anderson a call and he reported he was down for the cause. I found out he’s a family man and that he loves rap music, has an extensive art background and is an all-around cool dude.
On top of all of that, he’s also a writer, a true renaissance man and now a cool buddy.
24 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
Choosing the Right
Tattoo Artist for you
By Nathan Anderson
These days, tattoos are everywhere you look, especially here in Southern California, where everyone from doctors to grandmothers are getting inked up. Chances are, even you have been thinking about getting a new tattoo. With so many artists in San Diego, where should you start? Who’s the best artist to take on your creative masterpiece? This is a pretty common dilemma that serious tattoo collectors and first timers both struggle with. Hopefully, some of this advice can help lead you in the right direction. The first step in getting a good tattoo is figuring out a general idea of what you want. As a tattoo artist, things can become difficult if the client has an exact idea of what he or she wants with no flexibility on size or design. So, in other words, it’s great to have an idea for your tattoo, but it will probably come out best if you let your artist get creative. Tell the artist what you want, but the chances are they can come up with something better than a napkin doodle you just did at lunch. When you have a good idea for your new tattoo, it might be time to find the right person for the job. Going online is a great way to research shops.
(Notice the word shop. Not a kitchen, garage, living room or anywhere else your friend’s cousin wants to hook you up. Do not get tattooed by anyone but a licensed professional in a sterile environment!)
Whether you find a few shops you’re interested in online or you just decide to walk into some in your neighborhood, itʼs definitely good to do your research. Depending on how detailed your tattoo is going to be, you will be spending a good amount of time with the artist doing the piece and also in the shop they work at, so make sure it’s an environment you’re comfortable with. How do the employees treat you when you walk in? How is the appearance inside the shop? Is it extremely clean? If you feel comfortable with the way the shop looks and how you’ve been treated up to this point, then the next step is to see portfolios. Too many people ask how much a tattoo is going to cost before they ask to see portfolios. The quality of the tattoo is a much more important factor and asking the price right off the bat is going to let most artists know your intentions are to get a good deal, not a good tattoo. Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good! As you look through portfolios, don’t expect to find the exact tattoo you are looking for. The point is to find someone who has a style you like and has done tattoos you think are nice. Once you’ve found someone who’s pleasant, makes you feel comfortable and has a good
portfolio, don’t hesitate to put down a deposit and get a design going. Most good tattoo artists won’t be available to do your piece that day or even that week. Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to permanent body modifications! This isn’t a new shirt you’re buying, its something that will be with you FOREVER! Hopefully you now understand the process of finding a good artist and know that cheapest isn’t the best. Don’t be offended if a tattoo artist respectfully declines your piece and recommends someone else for you. They aren’t trying to blow you off; in fact, they are doing you a favor. They are probably suggesting that other artist for a reason, and they might be a much better fit for you. Be diligent when shopping for a tattoo. A good artist will always appreciate a potential client looking around for someone they’re comfortable with. Good luck with your new tattoo, and if things don’t go according to plan, I specialize in cover ups! Nathan Anderson has been professionally tattooing for seven years. He works at Bearcat Tattoo Gallery and specializes in realistic color and cover ups. He can be reached at (619) 269-2979.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 25
Keep your head on a swivel NL west, Padres Will Punch You in the Mouth By Brady Phelps
The Padres seem to have a little more to look forward to than the rest of the NL West. That’s right. Stick around and I will tell you why that statement is not as stupid as it sounds. Right now, every team is fired up, even the Rockies, who finished 2013 at the bottom of the NL West barrel. Colorado is hoping Carlos González and Troy Tulowitzki are healthy. That’s one helluva onetwo punch. Emotionally, it’ll be the first time in 17 years that they take the field without Todd Helton on their active roster. The Diamondbacks, who are no doubt encouraged because they actually finished 2nd in the NL West in 2013, have got a big bat in Paul Goldschmidt, and they picked up Mark Trumbo to provide some extra pop in their lineup. They’ve got a pretty decent and youthful rotation and from his days in San Diego, we know how good Kevin Towers is at putting together a bullpen.
26 Four El | APRIL 2014
Then there are those two big spending NL West teams that everybody expects to compete. The Dodgers have the largest payroll in all of baseball (over 235 million dollars) and are now considered the “Evil Empire” because of their grotesque spending and seemingly bottomless pockets. They’ve got a multitude of high priced mercenaries including Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Hanley Ramirez. They also have the best pitcher in all of baseball, the reigning 2013 Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw. Oh, and they also happen to have NL Rookie of the Year runner-up, Yasiel Puig, the Cuban sensation that lit a fire under the ass of every MLB player last year. Then there’s the hated Giants. They have won two of the last four World Series, and their payroll is the third highest in the National League. They also have the best catcher in baseball, Buster
Posey. Their pitching staff is full of guys who all had “ace” stuff at one time. Both the Dodgers and the Giants have plenty to be excited about. Not to fret, Friar fans; the Padres, I’ll argue, have even more to be excited about. Let’s start with the rotation. Sure, losing Cory Luebke to yet another Tommy John surgery was a tough loss, no denying that. I feel for the kid. The rest of the starters, though, have a chance to do something special. A no brainer as a No.1 is Andew Cashner, Ian Kennedy will be the No. 2 starter, followed by the Padres’ biggest free agent signing in the off season, Josh Johnson at No. 3, but who unfortunately is currently on the 15 day disabled list. Next up is Tyson Ross who is only 26 years old and was simply “nails” closing out the 2013 season. Then Eric Stults at No. 5? Not too shabby!
FourElmagazine.com
The bullpen took a blow when it lost Luke Gregerson (traded for Seth Smith) but was also bolstered when the Pads picked up Joaquin Benoit. Dude can pitch and should be a nice set-up man for Huston Street. However, I thought it was odd that Detroit didn’t really attempt to retain Benoit for 2014. ... What do they know that the Padres don’t? Hopefully nothing. How ‘bout that Padres infield? They’re young. Young and potentially awesome. The projected starters are as follows. Yonder Alonso at first base, Jedd Gyorko at second, Everth Cabrera at shortstop and Chase Headley at third. Respectively, their ages are as follows, 26, 25, 27 and 29. They’re kids and they all have an incredible upside. Behind the plate, I’m looking forward to Nick Hundley and Yasmani Grandal battling it out in spring training for the starting job. I love Hundley, but if Grandal returns to his pre-PED busted form, Hundley is in trouble as far as the starting position goes. Then again, they’re
catchers; they’ll be plenty of duties to share.
injury or accident.
Onto the Padres outfield ... or Platoonville. Buddy Black has no superstars in that outfield, but he’s got dudes who are major league ballplayers that he can match up like crazy based on the competition. I’d guess, from left to right, that Carlos Quentin, Will Venable and the newly acquired Seth Smith will be the listed starters. That leaves Cam Maybin (yes, he could very well reclaim his starting position), Chris Denorfia (NORF!) who lives a secret life as Inspector Gadget in the off-season, Kyle Blanks (88 Train!) and a few others to plug in as Buddy sees fit. That includes you, Alexi Amarista, the little ninja that could.
You can have the 1927 Yankees Murderers’ Row as your lineup ... and you’ll lose every single game... if it’s 1945. Some guys return to form, some guys never find it again. Could Chase Headley return to his 2012 dominant second half form? Maybe. Could Josh Johnson return to his dominant 2010 Marlins form? Maybe. Could Everth Cabrera lead the MLB in steals again? Maybe. Could Ian Kennedy be an ace like he was for the D-Backs? Maybe. Could Jedd Gyorko turn into the best Padres position player since Tony Gwynn ... okay, maybe that’s a stretch. You get the point. Every team has “maybes” and “what ifs”; who knows how it will all pan out?
Now we’ve come to a crossroads: I’ve written about this 2014 Padres team without once using the phrase “if they can stay healthy” or “if they can return to form.” Listen, this is baseball. Baseball is unpredictable. You never know if athletes are going to stay healthy or get sidelined from some freak
All that said, if the stars align and the Padres’ maybes and what-ifs fall into place, buckle up, San Diego, the 2014 playoffs await. The rest of the NL West won’t know what just punched ‘em in the mouth.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 27
food/drink
HAMBURGER-PALOOZA
HAMBURGER HAMBURGER
Excellent
Excellent
Very Good Good Average
Hamburger Judging Contest
Very Good Good Average
Hamburger Judging Contest
There are three burger categories:
(Bun, Meat, and Overall taste) for two different burgers 24 points eligible
There are 3 Restaurant categories:
(Service, Atmosphere/Décor, Overall Experience) 12 points eligible
Scoring System 1 point for average (so-so, boring) 2 points for good (mouth watering) 3 points for very good
(I’m coming back for sure) 4 points for excellent
(I will dream about it tonight) Burger Joint #3: The Grill at Torrey Pines These were the two burgers recommended by the staff:
Technologent is searching for the best hamburger in San Diego. They choose a different venue for each event. One rule, the burgers must be awesome and they must serve craft beer! Let’s see if anybody can get a perfect score of 36. May the greatest burger rise to the top, like the delicious foam on a great pint. This was Technologent’s third outing for their Hamburger Palooza. The burger offered here at both the Lodge and the Grill at Torrey Pines is coveted and revered by locals and people in the know. Today, Technologent decided to expose this tasty treat to all of San Diego, break it down, rate it, and see if they qualify for the Hamburger Palooza seal of approval. The Lodge is a fine dining area, so Technologent decided to have their event at the Grill. It’s casual and much easier to roam, mingle, eat burgers, and drink beers. When you’re sitting out on the patio or looking out the window, you see a manicured practice putting green and the 1st Tee at the historic Torrey Pines golf course with an ocean view beyond the fairway. Surprisingly, they had seven local beer staples on tap, nine 12oz bottles, seven 22oz bottles, as well as a good selection of wine. What made the experience even better was the great service. There was a young server who knew everything about the menu from the ingredients to how it was actually made. Furthermore, his knowledge of beer and wine was well beyond his years.
28 Four El | APRIL 2014
The Drug Store – The beauty is in its simplicity. In the 50’s, you can run to your local drug store and grab a simple but delicious burger. This was created to bring back that same charm. The meat is from Nimon Ranch with super fresh ingredients, house made sauces, and cheese steamed right onto the bun. The Secret –They always have a secret burger that’s not on the menu. Today, they decided to make an “Atomic” burger. It’s made exactly like the Drug Store but they added chopped jalapenos and a spicy sauce. Scores are averaged between the two burgers The Grill at Torrey Pines total average score: 31 (Excellent)
Cesar Enciso and his staff at Technologent really know how to throw an awesome party! This event brings in more and more people each time one is thrown. They are going to have to include a new requirement... the place has to be big enough to hold over 40 burger-hungry and beerthirsty tech dudes and ladies!
FourElmagazine.com
TECHNOLOGENT
Technologent is a leading global provider of technology infrastructure solutions for Fortune 1000 companies, aiding in bridging the gap between technology infrastructure and business strategy. They serve the complete technology lifecycle, including assessment, design, integration, and support services. They offer their customers unparalleled expertise, exceptional service, and technology from best-of-breed partners. Their strong network of provider partners includes EMC, Cisco VMware , Oracle/ Sun Microsystems, Hitachi Data Systems, Nimble Storage, Palo Alto Networks, F5, IBM, Symantec and others.
RO
LL
TO
TOMA
EXTR
AS
T
MEA
CHEESE GREENS
Sponsored By
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 29
food/drink
CHEF’S TABLE
jake’s del mar Duvinh Ta
If you’ve ever lived or vacationed in California or Hawaii, chances are pretty good that you’ve been to a TS restaurant. This proud family of restaurants (which includes Duke’s, Hula Grill and Jake’s Del Mar) combines beautiful waterfront locations with fresh seafood and tropical drinks served with aloha. When Executive Chef Duvinh Ta took the reigns of Jake’s Del Mar last year, he revamped the menu to match the beachy facelift given to the 33-year-old restaurant nestled on the beach in Del Mar. With TS Tuesdays, Waikiki Wednesdays and Happy Hour six days a week, do you really need another reason to make a sunset pit stop on the way home from work? by Michelle Lyn
morroccan grilled shrimp
30 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
Four EL: How did your journey with TS begin? Duvinh Ta: I started in Hawaii at Hula Grill on Maui during my externship from the California Culinary Academy in 2005. I later joined Jake’s as a sous chef, and since then I’ve steadily been increasing my influence on the menu. Now you can see my personal touch in lighter, fresher flavors as Jake’s moves toward a clean, eclectic menu using local produce, sustainable meat and seafood.
Duvinh Ta
What’s the vibe at Jake’s? Jake’s has vibrant energy with a friendly atmosphere. Our restaurant is unique to others because you can come in jeans and a t-shirt and grab a burger and beer or come in for your anniversary with a loved one and not feel out of place. Tell me about Jake’s “Legacy of Aloha” program. Legacy of Aloha is the name given to our company’s charitable efforts. It takes on many forms and faces but is grounded in the spirit of giving without an expectation of receiving anything in return. As part of the program, Jake’s Del Mar supports the San Diego Food Bank in its mission that no one should go hungry. Each month, Jake’s employees volunteer their time sorting food at the Food Bank. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the nightly Chef Special are donated. Since 2009, Jake’s has donated more than $66,000, which equates to over 210,000 meals, and provided more than 750 volunteer hours at the San Diego Food Bank. Where do you like to go out to dinner when you’re not working? Right now, my favorite place to go is Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy. Best meal you’ve ever eaten? It would have to be a tie between the spaghetti with fresh basil from Scarpetta in New York City and fresh homemade chicharrones with a vinegar and chili dipping sauce at my wife’s uncle’s backyard in the Philippines. Tell me about Jake’s “Legacy of Aloha” program. Legacy of Aloha is the name given to our company’s charitable efforts. It takes on many forms and faces but is grounded in the spirit of giving without an expectation of receiving anything in return. As part of the program, Jake’s Del Mar supports the San Diego Food Bank in its mission that no one should go hungry. Each month, Jake’s employees volunteer their time sorting food at the Food Bank. In addition, a portion of the proceeds
Roasted brussel sprouts
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 31
food/drink
BEATS & EATS
BEATS&EATS What’s RAD about
Beats & Eats? The food and the music!
by mikey beats
For the past few decades, San Diegans have opened the San Diego Reader and skimmed through the local music scene articles in the Blurt section. More than likely you have read an article by Ken Leighton, whose focus has been real news in the local music scene. I traveled up to Oceanside to 32 Four El | APRIL 2014
interview a real San Diego music scene journalist who has a love for his town and supports local business. He led me to a spot called Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub, where Executive Chef Davin Waite, the founder of The Fish Joint and a Cafe Japengo veteran, served us creative and tasty dishes. FourElmagazine.com
Ken, Mikey and the owner of Wrench and Rodent
gettin’ cozy
Wrench and rodent 1815 S Coast Hwy. » Oceanside » (760) 271-0531
Mikey Beats: You were born here, yeah? Ken Leighton: My parents even went to Oceanside High School. It’s really weird because I’m non-military, so it’s very rare for someone my age to have been born in Oceanside. I grew up around South Hill; this is my hood. Why I like this place so much is because Davin is from here, he’s homegrown.
[The waitress brings over some fish, and I am pleasantly surprised that the place serves sushi. Judging by the name, I figured the joint serves road kill. This is hardly the case.] Oh, look at that, you’re making it rain fish. What is that? New Zealand Salmon.
Mmm, Kiwi Salmon. Ken, you started writing while attending Oceanside High School? That’s when I started writing on a whim. I started writing about music in my senior year of high school for the Oceanside Blade Tribune, which became the North County Times. I did concert reviews for two years, continued through college, just for tickets, no money. I was set to transfer to USC as a junior but met someone backstage at a Jethro Tull stadium show and went to work for Chrysalis Records as a publicist when I was 20. At the
time, Chrysalis had just gone independent. They had Jethro Tull, Robin Trower and later Billy Idol and Pat Benetar. In ‘77, when I was 21, I worked for Capital Records in the tower. In ‘77, they rereleased Beatles Live at the Hollywood Bowl, and I actually wrote a press release for it. I interviewed Bob Eubanks, who was a DJ at the time, and he had put up his house as collateral to do the show.
I bet that worked out.
too. Oh, my biggest one was at Palomar College with 2,000 kids with this band 20/20. So, we did a lot of shows. I did that for like four years.
I love the history of San Diego music. I started writing a few years after Cameron Crowe; of course, he did much bigger stuff. But he was in San Diego when I was up here and he went on to fame and fortune.
Yes, it worked out well for him. Believe this or not, I coined the word techno, when I wrote a press release that described Kraftwerk’s music (from Trans Europe Express) that called their music “techno rock.” Robert Hilburn used it in the L.A. Times, and the rest is history. When I came back home, I managed a local band called Incognito, which was when the whole new wave/punk thing started happening, and they ruled down here from ‘79-’83. I was their manager and put on shows under the name Big Beat Productions.
Hey, you’re locally famous, nationally underground my man, at least in my eyes.
Where did you throw the shows?
Promotion and marketing. We had a magazine then, and I put it out monthly.
I did all age dance parties and charged three bucks to get in. I did shows at the Oceanside Beach Community Center, the Harding Street Community Center in Carlsbad, some in Encinitas, La Paloma, we did one in San Marcos and Fallbrook. We did all these shows with some national bands,
[Laughter all around.] Ha, OK. I wrote for a bunch of local papers. I had a weekly column in Times Advocate in Escondido. Then in ‘87 I went to work for the Belly Up for 12 years.
What was it that you did?
What years were those? ‘87-’99. Right after that I started writing for the Blurt section of the Reader and have been doing that since 1999. I also hosted and produced Night
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 33
food/drink
BEATS & EATS
Talk, North County’s only radio talk show from 1988 to 2002 on AM 1000 KCEO. I deejayed for awhile on KKOS 95.9 and was general manager of my college radio station.
About six months.
[I pause to regain consciousness.]
[The waitress comes over with more food and drops two rolls on the table.]
So why did you bring me here?
I feel like I just took a reality time out, orally. OK, the Del Mar Roll is now going in my mouth.
Waitress: That’s the Del Mar Roll, which is a shrimp tempura roll topped with seared tuna, avocado, spicy berry sauce and miso glaze.
I have known Davin for years. He is all about using mostly fresh, local fish, and using other local businesses like California Fruit Wines out of Vista. Davin’s success with Wrench and Rodent is similar to that of Roddy Browning and the Flying Pig. The are both quality driven, non-corporate and Oceansidedriven.
Is this place related to Bull Taco at all or do they just have a shared space? Basically it’s a restaurant within a restaurant, with a relationship with Bull Taco. They are going to build their own brewery. They’re in the process of that and have their own in-house beer.
How long has this place been here?
34 Four El | APRIL 2014
Ah, miso hungry! Waitress: The other is the Hedgehog, which is also a shrimp tempura roll topped with seared yellow tail, roasted garlic, truffle oil, salt and pepper. Enjoy! I’m about to put a Hedgehog in my mouth.
[I stuff a roll in my mouth and, although tempted to swallow it hole, I destroy it in my mouth with my tongue before chewing.] How the garlic, truffle oil, salt and pepper mix together is so good. Add that to the crunchiness of the tempura balancing out the soft rice, oh man, this is special.
[Open mouth, insert food.] Oh my goodness, I would like to bathe in that berry sauce! I just want to say thank you, Ken, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Now back to the beats. What is your position with the Reader? I’m just one of the many contributing writers. I’ve been doing it since ‘99 and I write mostly for the Blurt section. Over the years they always wanted me to write about their newsie stuff in the music scene. One thing was when Agent 51 had a song that was copied by Green Day and Warner Bros. and Green Day settled out of court. Agent 51 got a lot of money.
Do you know the amount?
FourElmagazine.com
No, I never knew the amount. That was the kind of stuff I did over the years. I always was willing to talk about Ticketmaster, when Ticketmaster had a monopoly and was charging too much for the average ticket buyer. Now that’s changed.
So you never pull punches? Well, I don’t know about that. I never was afraid; if there was a news story out there, I wrote about it. People don’t necessarily want everything to be talked about. But I maintained that it should be talked about. That’s what I’m all about. Not all of my stuff is investigative stuff. But on the other hand, I’m not afraid to do that stuff. Yeah, I like that.
[More food arrives.] For the record, I’m looking at Wings of the Sea, as they
call it. They look like fish tails; I’ve never had a fish presented like this. It’s basically like fish chicken wings. [I dig in with my fingers like they are chicken wings, dipping into the sauce provided that is similar to a buffalo sauce but has a sweet and tanginess to it that stimulates a mini oral orgasm in my mouth.] What’s this one again?
[I point to a very colorful nigiri in front of me.] That is absolutely gorgeous. That’s a Fijian Albacore with kumquat chipotle and sesame seeds on top.
Wow, that’s dedication right there. I am taking a bite and … my goodness. I love my job. What’s your interest in the Royal Dive? I’m the original owner. We’ve been around for six years and we’re all about original music and all kinds and everything like underground hip hop to rock to metal to punk to acoustic. Every Wednesday night we have our open mic and it starts at 9. From 6 to 10 p.m., Davin provides sushi. So it’s kind of like a catering thing. We aren’t supposed to have food but its catered under him. It’s a craft beer bar with open mic and sushi. He sets it up right on the counter with the refrigerator so it’s really cold.
You hadn’t opened a venue before that, had you? After being connected in some way with music since the ‘70s, working for record labels, the Belly Up, as a writer and as a manger/promoter, I thought having a live venue was the right next step. It’s not easy but to have a big name in a small venue is kind of cool. We are happy that North County is sort of becoming a market all its own like Orange County is
to L.A. This month Ape Machine from the Bay Area plays here the day before the Casbah. Earthless did the same thing a few months ago. People in North County sometimes would rather stay in North County. Everyone loves Nate, who does sound, and Willie our bartender, who is a rock star himself. Joe Trapman, who used bring in acts to Jumping Turtle for many years, is also working with us. There are a lot of music venues that aren’t around anymore like Hensleys, Flying Elephant and Beachbreak. Even though it is harder to do live music, when you are one of the few left standing, like musical chairs, it does get a little bit easier, but nothing is that easy.
Nothing’s easy, especially with live music and especially in San Diego. You seem very pro-San Diego, pro-business, very pro local. Yup, pro-local. I just think it’s good to support local and homegrown people at every chance.
Absolutely, I’m the same way, man. I see people come in from out of town saying, “This is what San Diego needs. I’m telling you what San Diego needs.” I just watch them come in; they’re in here for six months and then they’re out. In an out.
It’s like, pick up your trash on your way out, please.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 35
food/drink
RESTAURANT REVIEW
romeseco Who invented the Caesar salad? There is debate on who was the actual inventor; was it Santini the cook or Cardini the owner? Juan Jose Plascencia took over the original restaurant, rebranded it to its original glory and paid tribute to both. Juan is also the mastermind behind Romesco. Luis Pe単a, the general manager and our host, took us through a culinary journey fit for a king. Gustavo, our server, made the experience both fun and educational. This place is top notch with food and equally impressive with service. We review a lot of restaurants, and this was definitely one of our favorites, if not the favorite.
36 Four El | APRIL 2014
Romesco 4346 Bonita Road Bonita (619) 475-8627 www.RomescoMexmed.com
Executive Chef:
Javier Plascencia type of cuisine:
Mexican, Mediterranean, Tapas Bar
FourElmagazine.com
What We Ate: 01 Roadside Ahi Tuna Tostada
06 Gobernadores
First thought is that it is super fresh. The fish shines and the tostada complements. The bite explodes with flavor.
The shrimp is minced so it’s even more tender. Buttery garlic is my best friend.
(Guacamole fresh cream, mix tender greens, lettuce, mild habanero salsa, extra virgin olive oil)
07 Grandma’s Tacos de Fideo
02 Orejas de Mar (De la Familia del Abulón)
(Spaghettini tacos with fresh cream, Spanish chorizo, fresh salsa verde, tender green, fresh cheese)
(King Top Shell escabeche in a mild chimichurri habanero sauce. From the abalone family)
Cazuelita De Gambas
My goodness, more unique offerings. This is not a Mexican-American restaurant. This is authentic Mexiterranean, and it’s awesome. 03 Tostadas de Pulpo (Sautéed octopus, mus-
tard and bell pepper aioli, chipotle piloncillo, mixed tender greens, cotija cheese)
I love exotic meats, so by proxy I love octopus. The sauce gives a hint of tart that goes well with the sweetness of the onions. You can tell it’s fresh and cooked to perfection due to it’s tenderness. 04 Pulpo Asado a las Brasas
(Grilled octopus)
Pulpo Asado a las Brasas
(Shrimp and mozzarella-grilled tacos, habanero salsa)
Crisp shell, the unique texture of the spaghetti actually shines through. Tasty and light. 08 Bone Marrow Sope
(Fresh habanero and chile de arbol sauce, rustic beef glaze, old school fried parsley)
They call this “a Mexican delicacy,” for which they bring the bone marrow out in the bone and push it down and onto a mini sope. Then comes rock salt, demi-glaze/au jous, chile de arbol … a dry chili concoction they make special here. The sope is crisp and the bone marrow is like a thick butter that makes you say, “What am I eating … and where has this been hiding?” 09 Tacos de Cachete de Res
This has a crunchy outside with a smoky char. The inside is once again delectable and soft. It has a citrus punch and a spice that hits you on the back end.
(Beef cheek tacos with cilantro, chopped onion, fresh salsa)
Very tender. Who knew that cheeks can be so tender? I do now.
05 Cazuelita De Gambas
(Shrimp, garlic tomatillo salsa, fresh thyme, chili oil baked with feta cheese)
Shrimp grilled crisp and tender is thrown into a tomatillo salsa that actually tastes like grilled chili peppers: warm, gooey and outstanding. Slightly tart and tangy with the feta cheese complementing.
10 caesar salad An authentic Caesar salad made fresh right in front of you with the anchovies crushed down and emulsified into the dressing. It’s warm and savory. After having this, I don’t know if I can eat Caesar dressing out of the bottle again.
main dish
tostadas de pulpo
11 Slow Cooked Beef Short Rib
(Cabernet sauce, braised fennel, Yukon gold potato puree)
Caesar Salad in progress
It started falling apart before I even put the fork in it, and I was stuffed but I wasn’t going to let that stop me.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 37
food/drink
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Welcome!
making you feel like family... GM Luis peña and the friendly staff AT ROMESECO.
Everything tough is out … love me tender, love me sweet! It’s hard to imagine it gets better than this: the rare wine, the high quality tequila, the staff that makes you feel like family and that you’re dining at home. And don’t forget a shot of their house mescal. Dessert is up next, but do I have enough room? Of course, there’s always room for dessert.
12 Tijuana’s Border Churros
(Dulce de leche dip, vanilla ice cream, Ibarra Mexican hot chocolate) I usually don’t eat dessert, but how can I stop now?
38 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
What We drank: Wine is from Baja in the Guadalupe Valley, a.k.a. The New Napa (per research).
Madera 5 Tempranillo Cabernet 2010 Smooth and silky and feels like you’re privileged to obtain something that’s not readily available.
Tamarindo Martini Housemade tamarindo with the most popular being Tajin. With a spicy salt all over the rim. This bad boy packs a punch.
Cucumber Martini A crisp and refreshing light concoction that cools you down with subtle hints of cucumber.
Manly martinis: Ahhh... just what the doctor ordered. Hey bartender, I think we are going to need a bigger glass!
The Joint: When you first arrive in the strip mall, your expectations aren’t high because you’re generally used to getting fast food in places like this. When you walk through the doors, your expectations are immediately transformed. The appearance of the restaurant and staff resemble that of a fine dining establishment. If you continue to walk toward the back, you see a nice cozy bar area that showcases several exquisite bottles of tequila. If you walk farther into the back room, you find yourself in a more casual dining area with a larger bar. If you want high quality, unique food, superior service and a choice between fine and casual dining, you must come to Romesco; you absolutely won’t regret it.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 39
food/drink
UNCORKED
Wine 101 By Michelle Lyn
Some of the world’s most authoritative wine writers joined forces to create The World Atlas of Wine, a definitive wine reference book that also looks pretty good on the coffee table. Here are a few of their tips for wine novices and wine lovers alike.
how to... 01
02
Store Wine Glasses Despite the wide variety of wine glass shapes available, there is absolutely no need to have different glasses for different wines. What is important, however, is that the wine glasses should be clean. Should go without saying, but just sayin’.
Pull the Cork Remove the foil by cutting neatly just below the rim of the bottle so you can keep the look of the bottle intact. Use a special foil cutter if you have one. A good corkscrew has a hollow helix rather than a solid shaft, and should end in a good, sharp point.
They should be polished and untainted with smells of detergents or cupboards. Most are best rinsed with hot water and dried by hand with a linen cloth, ideally when still hot. Cupboard or cardboard smells usually come from keeping glasses upside down, on a shelf or in a box. Unless you’re storing them on open shelves, keep them right way up in a clean, dry, airy cupboard. Sniff before putting them on the table … it’s good practice for the nose.
When opening a sparkling wine, try to keep bottles well-chilled and unshaken. After taking off the foil and untwisting the wire muzzle, hold the cork down into the bottleneck while gently twisting the bottle off it, ideally at an angle. The cork should pop off discreetly, but just in case, always aim away from your guests.
40 Four El | APRIL 2014
If you’re dealing with a very old cork, you may run into some problems. They can easily disintegrate under the pressure of a corkscrew, especially a more powerful, modern design. If the cork does break and you have to let part of it fall in, just filter the wine. No harm, no foul.
03
Decant Wine To decant or not to decant. Many people think you just need to decant older bottles with a lot of sediment, but it is actually the younger wines that benefit most. The oxygen they contain has had little chance to take effect, so the air in the decanter works rapidly and effectively. An hour can make all the difference to a young, tannic, alcoholic wine. If you don’t have a decanter, you can always pour through an aerator or aerate by swirling the wine around your glass. Once you’ve pulled the cork, wipe the lip of the bottle to clean it, hold the bottle in one hand and the decanter in the other. Pour steadily, ideally with the bottleneck against a strong source of light. If you store wine with the label on top, the sediment is in the right place. Continue to pour until you see the sediment (if any) moving into the lower neck of the bottle. Stop when it starts to move close to the rim.
FourElmagazine.com
01
02
03
Taste and Appreciate Wine Use your eyes. Pour a tasting sample into the glass, no more than a quarter full. Make sure the wine is clear (no cloudiness or fizziness). Look straight down at it to see how intense the color is. Red wines become paler with age and white wines become deeper. Tilt the glass away from you against a white background to observe the color in the middle of the liquid and at the rim. The glossier the color and the more subtly shaded its different color gradations, the better the wine. Use your nose. Concentrate and take a sniff. Swirl the wine around and sniff once more. The stronger the impression, the more intense the aroma or bouquet. If you are tasting to assess wine, note whether it smells clean, intense and what the smell reminds you of. As you taste or drink the wine, notice how the smell changes. With time, good wines tend to become more interesting, inexpensive wines ‌ less so, if you know what I mean. Use your mouth. The fun part. Take a good mouthful and swish it around all of your taste buds. The tip of your tongue measures sweetness, upper edges for the all-important acidity, back of the tongue for bitterness, insides of the cheeks for drying tannins and the entrance to the throat for any burning excess of alcohol. Once you’ve swallowed (or spat out) the wine, you can judge whether all these elements are in balance and how persistent the wine is on the palate, a good indicator of quality.
Happy tasting!
food/drink
CRAFTY
cusp dining & drinks
Not Your Typical Hotel Bar by Miles Roberson
When I think of innovative, craft cocktails, hotel bars don’t normally come to mind. So when I found out we were on our way to Cusp Dining & Drinks in the Hotel La Jolla, I had no idea what to expect. As the elevator opened to the 11th floor, I was immediately taken aback not only by the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean but the moody, sophisticated and romantic ambiance. This a great place to bring a date. When I bellied up to the bar, I immediately noticed the telltale signs of a good cocktail bar: fresh
la llorona (the weeping woman)
01
fruits, herbs, bitters and the tools of the trade. I was ready to imbibe. On the other side of the bar, I was welcomed by new lead bartender Chris Burkett. Chris blends ingredients that aren’t always familiar to the average patron like obscure spirits and liqueurs, bitters and infusions—but presented and served in creative, inviting ways. As I scanned the cocktail menu, I noticed the column on the left listed such classic offerings as the Gimlet, Blood and Sand and the Sazerac. Now, I’m a big fan of the classics and I’m sure Chris would
still life with juniper
02
do them up right but I was after something new, different and exciting. With names like The Patty Hearst Syndrome, Foster Child and Jockey Full of Bourbon, I was intrigued and had to wonder where the hell they came up with these names. There’s a cool story behind them all, so if you get a chance have Chris fill you in. When I’m out sampling libations, I like to mix it up a bit and not try the same spirit twice. I decided on a tequila drink, a gin drink and a drink made with Bols Genever, which is something the Dutch call Maltwine.
The flight of the navigator
03
Located at 7955 La Jolla Shores Drive in La Jolla | (858) 551-3620 | www.CuspRestaurant.com 42 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
01
La Llorona (The Weeping Woman)
• 2 oz. Corralejo Reposado Tequila • ¾ oz. Oloroso Jerez-Xeres Sherry • ¾ oz. espresso-vanilla ghost pepper syrup
• Dash of Angostura bitters
I’m fascinated by house made infused syrups, so when I saw the espressovanilla-ghost pepper syrup, I was all in. I love tequila drinks with a kick! The base spirit here is a reposado tequila, which is aged in oak barrels anywhere from a minimum of two months to less than a year.
Oloroso Jerez-Xeres Sherry is a dark and nutty fortified wine made from white grapes. The tequila and sherry combined with the sweet/spicy syrup and dash of bitters to round it off are served “up” in a cocktail glass and garnished with a dark cherry. This is a delicious and complex drink. With several flavors coming at you yet complementing each other, you have a perfect balance of sweet, savory, spicy, and bitter all at once. Here you have one of those drinks where you tell your friend next to you, “You gotta try this.”
02
Still Life with Juniper
Genever is the juniper-flavored national and traditional liquor of the • ¾ oz. Kina l’Avion d’Oro Netherlands and Belgium, from which blood orange fennel syrup gin evolved and can only be made • ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice there. Kina L’Avion D’Or is produced by infusing white wine with Cinchona • Dash of rhubarb bitters bark, orange peel, wormwood and • Egg whites other exotic spices. The result is a perfectly balanced aperitif with a deep golden hue, aromas of quince and fine marmalade, and a complex, mildly bitter flavor that leads to an elegant sweetness on the finish. It’s very similar to Lillet. • 1 oz. Bols Genever
I enjoy gin drinks made with egg whites. The added ingredient gives the cocktail a frothiness. Still Life with Jupiter captures the sweet complexity of blood orange and mouthwatering tartness of the rhubarb bitters, lemon juice and nicely rounds off things with a little herby fennel. It’s a great drink to watch the sunset with on a warm afternoon.
03
Flight of the Navigator
• 1.5 oz. Aviation Gin
Aviation Gin is American. Distilled in Portland, it blends spices from all over • .5 oz. Noilly Pratt Dry Vermouth the world. Noilly Pratt is a brand of • ¼ oz. Cynar vermouth. Vermouth, an aromatized fortified wine flavored with various botanicals, is the most versatile of all cocktail ingredients, which is why it’s listed so often on cocktail menus. Cynar is an Italian bitter liqueur made from herbs and plants. Combine these three and top it off with a refreshing housemade celery soda over crushed ice and garnished with a lime and you have the Flight of The Navigator. It’s another refreshing-yet-complex drink that goes down easy but not like anything you’ve ever had. Inventive and progressive.
Cusp takes pride in their cocktails and it shows in a big way. They use only the freshest ingredients, fresh squeezed citrus, and all syrups and sodas are made and infused in-house. If you are looking for a sophisticated San Diego spot with an ocean view to die for, then check out Cusp. Perched high on the 11th floor of Hotel La Jolla, this is where you come to relax, linger over drinks, savor the scenery and bask in a worthy Southern California setting. The only thing I imagine being better than catching the sunset in La Jolla is catching the sunset in La Jolla sipping on a cocktail at Cusp. Watching the sun drop behind the Pacific with drink in hand. Sunset Happy Hour is every evening from 4 until 7 p.m.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 43
ood/drink
IMBIBING
Seven Grand whiskey society This is one monthly meeting you’ll want to sign up for.
By Meghan Balser
The Seven Grand Whiskey Society is a tasting and educational experience hosted at Seven Grand in North Park. At least once (and sometimes several times) a month, drams are poured among enthusiasts and novices alike in private gatherings. Held in the whiskey den’s stage bar, the lineup is curated by Seven Grand “Spirit Guide” Josh Judd. Some notable tastings in the past have included Mike Miyamoto, the master distiller of Suntory, and John Glaser, the founder of and whiskey maker at Compass Box. In a recent sitting, we were introduced to several expressions of Four Roses Bourbon and were led by none other than the master distiller himself, Jim Rutledge. It was a rare and unique opportunity to taste each bourbon alongside the man who made the juice.
Seven Grand’s Selections: OBSO 35% Rye Aged 9 years, 11 months Nose: vanilla, black cherry Palate: Dry, spice, stone fruit
OESV 20% Rye Aged 9 years, 6 months Nose: sweet, maple, citrus zest Palate: Lush, silky, vanilla, caramel
* Th ese limited edition bottles were hand selected and are only served at Seven Grand in San Diego and the original location in Los Angeles. *A nnual Whiskey Society memberships are $120 and include you and a guest. Each tasting is $15 for non-members. * Email josh@213downtown.la for more information.
This Whiskey Society meeting at Seven Grand featured two of their own private barrel selections. The barrel strength program allows establishments to pick one of their favorites aged from 8 to 10 years. Each bottle has an alphabetic code indicating what mash bill and yeast strains were used in production of the liquid. Rutledge uses all five proprietary yeast strains (coded V, K, O, Q and F) and two separate mashbills (coded OE and OB) to distill and separately age 10 distinct bourbons. Four Roses is the only distillery to produce 10 different bourbon recipes and ages them in single-story warehouses. Every Four Roses bourbon is different by formula design rather than merely a different age, strength, or aged in one warehouse versus another. 3054 University Ave., San Diego | Neighborhood: North Park | (619) 269-8820 | www.SevenGrandBars.com 44 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
SPORTS // CULTURE // MEDIA
// SAN DIEGO
if you lob it up, we'll take a shot at it..
www.lobshots.com
Something for Everyone!
Sauced and Tossed in your choice of 10 Wing Flavors!
Boneless Wings
Phone Ahead!
Regular Wings
Gliders
Boneless Strips
760-434-WING (9464)
2508 El Camino Real, C1 Carlsbad, CA In the Vons/CVS Shopping Plaza, across from the mall APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 45
food/drink
HAPPIEST HOUR
La Jolla Brewing Co. 7536 Fay Ave. » La Jolla (858) 412-7715 » www.LaJollaBeer.com
happy hour flatbreads we ate: El Padre
(Pulled pork, beer-braised onion, Asiago, jalapeño, onion straws, LJBC BBQ sauce, cilantro) Pulled pork?! My lord, I remember when I thought BBQ chicken was fantastic; this one has notched it right up and passed it. The Pearl
Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.: 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays: All day (11 a.m.-close) Half-Price Flatbreads and Wings House Brews $4
(normally $5.75)
(Fresh mozzarella and provolone cheese, tomato, shallot, garlic olive oil. Topped with mixed field greens tossed in lemon dijon vinaigrette) This one is like a salad but better! You get the “healthy” dose of salad but when it pushes through to the mozzarella and provolone cheese, you are in flatbread nirvana. The Pearl is definitely a hidden gem; just when you think you know what you’re getting, BOOM, it’s way better! Charger
(Chicken, chorizo, avocado, mozzarella and tomato basil sauce)
The chorizo has a spice that takes a bit to hit you but then the spice lingers in your mouth. This is a nice traditional flatbread with a Mexican flare.
wings we ate: Jumbo chicken wings are deep-fried and tossed in your choice of one of their housemade sauces, served with ranch dressing and veggies. Additional flavors include jerk, lemon pepper and garlic herb. Teriyaki Not just a typical wing blasted with hoisin sauce, this one has a subtle tang with a delightful sweetness. Root Beer BBQ I never had Root Beer BBQ before, but I was excited to try it. Sure enough, I could actually taste the root beer in it. It’s not overpowering, so it brings you right back to the traditional BBQ flavors. Spicy LJBC This isn’t just flavored in a spicy hot sauce; the flavor is so smooth that I suspect a good amount of butter … YUM! It has enough hot to give you a sweat ‘stache but mild enough to survive you through the next bite. This one definitely makes the perfect marriage with the ranch. 46 Four El | APRIL 2014
What we drank: Neptune’s Nitro 4.9%
(Their lightest selection in color, alcohol content and hopping rate. It’s a golden ale with a light malt sweetness, mild yeasts esters and carbonated with a blend of nitrogen and CO2 gases. Delicately dryhopped with East Kent Golden Hops.)
I don’t think I’ve ever had a golden ale on nitro … and cold nonetheless. With flatbreads, it’s the way to go. Mild so that the flatbread does the talking, not the beer goggles. Sunny Jim’s IPA 6.8%
(All about the hops. Hop selection and thus profile may change as different blends of New Zealand, Australian and American hops are added. Look for this beer to have a medium malt body and 7% alcohol content with more of a tropical hop flavor.) It’s got a great bite and complements the wings. Cool and refreshing while cleansing your palate.
LJBC beers: Bird Rock Brown Ale 6.7% Glider Port Pale Ale 6.2% Cove Side Stout 4.6%
the joint:
It’s a bit tucked away off the street but when you walk in you immediately notice the cool patio area with a fire pit. The large rolled up garage style doors connect the patio to the main bar and dining area. The industrial design matches up well with the stainless steel beer vats they use to brew onsite.
FourElmagazine.com
BEER ME
FOOD/DRINK
tasting notes Dry Stout 4.8% abv - Dry Irish Stout (on nitrogen) Brewed in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot (German purity law). One of the best stouts we’ve ever had! Silky smooth with almost no bite, very creamy, luxurious and pleasing. Black IPA 7.6% abv - Black India Pale Ale Great balance of roasted coffee like flavor with a nice malty backbone to counter nice bitter hops.
Open your eyes Man!
Barrel harbor brew co.
Hopportunity 8.9% abv - Double India Pale Ale “You only get one ‘hopportunity’ for a beer like this!” An amazing IPA that was five years in the making. Heavy on the English malts cut by citrusy Cascade hops. Super delicious tasty mouth treat.
vista, ca by Dale Hersey
A little hard to find but worth the time, Barrel Harbor Brew Co. is right in the middle of the North County beer mecca that is Vista. Once Four EL found them, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. With 11 varieties sipped, we’ve found a new favorite (at least for the month). It’s no wonder we love their beer; they’ve got a lot of passion, pride and perfection poured in every pint. Barrel Harbor describes its brewing style as very “technical.” Their beers are “spot on” for their respective beer classes. It partially helps that they play the waiting game. “No beer before its time” is their motto. That is no small feat when they constantly carry 10-plus beers on draft. They prefer to take the path less traveled; you may argue that it is more difficult as well. The first beer brewed at the Vista brewery was a pilsner. Boring you might say, or not part of the San Diego beer scene. A good pilsner is one of the more challenging styles out there. Brewing this on a large commercial brewing system for the first time is very challenging, as most new breweries will tell you. They have set their goals pretty high. After only five months in business,
Barrel Harbor already submitted four styles (which is the max) to the World Beer Cup. They’ve submitted their pilsner, red ale, black IPA and, most interestingly, Gotland’s Dricka, an old Viking recipe. This ancient brew uses smoked malts, English yeast, rye and juniper, among other ingredients. The Gotland’s Dricka was scheduled to be released on March 30 and paired with local BBQ. Both space and beer will be limited so be sure to check their website and Facebook for information; you won’t want to miss this. Another beer to check out that is a little more available, but should be tried nonetheless, is the Barrel Harbor Stout. This brew is so good it would make any fan of Guinness blush. The 4.8 percent dry Irish stout excels in every specification for that style. It’s silky smooth with virtually no bite. Do not try this beer unless you are willing to look at Guinness as a silver-medal runner-up. A portion of this beer is taken from the full batch and placed into glass containers. Grain is poured into the glass containers along with the stout to add Lactobacillus, a strain of yeast found on the grain. The process is known as souring. That augmented portion of stout is then added back and boiled again to kill the bacteria.
The result is one of the best stouts we’ve tasted. Don’t take our word for it, try one for yourself. It’s a little easier to wrap your head around such a great beer once you find out that Barrel Harbor’s Master Brewer Dave Meadows spent time at St. James’s Gate in Dublin, Ireland. He had also spent time at the Carlsberg brewery (ergo, spot-on pilsners). Co-founder Tim St. Martin has also spent time abroad. While stationed in Germany near the Czech border, he fell in love with many technical German beer styles that he found there. With such an expert palate, expect to taste a hefeweizen on par with some of the oldest recipes in Germany. Be sure to keep checking Facebook for their announcements regarding a special release of their Thunderclap. The Imperial Russian Stout is currently aging in whiskey barrels from a certain Lynchburg, Tenn., distillery that we’re pretty sure we can’t mention by name. Stop by and check one of these brews along with your favorite fur face, because Barrel Harbor is also dog friendly. Barrel Harbor Rocks!
Irish Red 5.2% abv - Irish Red Ale An anytime beer. Light roasted flavor much like an amber but a bit more hops. This beer is scary good so remember to pace yourself because it goes down sooooo easy. Sun Dog IPL 3.8% abv - India Pale Lager A session-able hoppy light lager that would be a great companion on any day spent doing yard work. Feneris IPA 7.3% abv - India Pale Ale A nice golden color just like the tropical sunset that it tastes like. Subtle flavors of pineapple, mango and passionfruit come from the mosaic hops. Put your feet in the sand and grab a pint.
Barrel Harbor Brew Co., 2575 Pioneer Ave., Vista, CA 92081 (760) 734-3949 BarrelHarborBrewing.com
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 47
food/drink
TENDER
BANG BANG BARTENDER
Jennifer Ahn ORIGIN: Born in Seoul, South Korea. CREDENTIALS: My first stint at bartending was at the Se Hotel, which is now known as the Hotel Palomar in downtown SD. I worked at both the pool bar upstairs and Saltbox, downstairs in the lobby. Fast forward five years, and I’m now at Bang Bang. SHIFTS: I’m usually at Bang Bang Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Wednesdays or Thursdays, you can find me behind the bar at Basic in East Village. SIGNATURE DRINK: I just like pouring shots of tequila as well as taking shots of tequila! WORDS OF WISDOM: Never lie in a bar. You may, however, grossly exaggerate and lean. That’s rule No. 54 of The 86 Rules of Boozing, a must read for anyone who has or ever will be in a bar. Google it. history: I was raised in San Diego since I was 3. My family moved to New York right before my sophomore year in high school. I lived in Queens, then Brooklyn and the Upper West Side before deciding that it was time to move back to California. Right before my 19th birthday, I pulled the trigger and came back to California with less than $1,000, no car, no job, and no place to live. Needless to say, my parents were less than thrilled. But things worked out in the end, and I consider it one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.
The Joint
This is a very interesting place. You walk up a giant flight of stairs that resembles a subway station then when you turn to the right, you are greeted by a friendly staff. To their left just beyond an archway, you can enter a traditional-yet-hip sushi bar. If you decide to go to the right, you are led into a very large bar area where the ceilings are covered in Asian paper lamps. The décor around the bar is modern but is accented by traditional Asian accents. Last, but not least, the third room just on the other side of the bar is where the music goes down. You can lose yourself in to music underneath a GIGANTIC disco ball or saddle up into a booth surrounding the dance floor and lounge with cocktails and watch all the action go down.
BANG BANG
Located at 526 Market St. // San Diego Neighborhood: East Village (619) 677-2264 // www.BangBangSD.com
48 Four El | APRIL 2014
FIVE QUESTIONS
Mmm... Mixing them well
01 What do people guess you are when they guess your ethnicity? I usually get Japanese or Korean. Sometimes when people find out I’m Korean, the follow-up question is whether I’m from the North or South. To these people, I tell them neither, that I was born in the DMZ right on the 38th parallel. The expression on their faces is usually priceless. 02 What do you think is your best feature and why? Men are awesome because they are much less complicated than women. The only time I think men are lame is when they’re sick. Am I the only one that’s noticed that men are complete babies when they’re sick? 03 How many drinks does it take for you to catch a buzz and how many to get shitfaced? It doesn’t take much. Cheap date, one-hit wonder, call it what you like. 04 Do you prefer to go bar hopping or clubbing? Bar hopping. Give me a good seat at the bar with a well-made cocktail in front of me and I’m a happy camper. 05 What do you love about working at Bang Bang? I get to fulfill my wildest dream every day I work—peeing while Ryan Gosling watches.
FourElmagazine.com
North County restaurant re commendations
koko beach KoKo Beach has been serving great food in downtown Carlsbad for 22 years! They have a warm and friendly staff of employees that have been there for years, and give the restaurant its family feel. KoKo Beach is known for their prime rib, hand cut steaks and fish, Alaskan King crab legs, and all of their homemade dressings and soups. And they serve dinner until midnight, everyday! They have some nice local beers on tap as well as a full bar, and over 20 wines by the glass too. So if you are in the village, early or late, think of KoKo Beach restaurant.
2858 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad 760-434-6868 • KokoBeach.com
Señor Grubby’s was started by a group of local guys looking to put a twist on the local Mexican fair. After numerous trips south of the border and not so great American breakfast spots, they noticed missing elements that they wanted to highlight and put their own creative twist on. They called this new fusion of flavor “California Grub”. So now you know how Grubby’s got its name, but we bet that you didn’t know is that they have a great variety of local and craft beer!
Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub is headed by executive chef Davin Waite, founder of The Fish Joint and Café Japengo veteran. He continually conjures up a menu relying on the highest quality, chefselected fish and produce. Ingredients are carefully chosen, grown, or made from scratch. Offerings include Loch Duart and Mt. Cook salmon with a caper tapenade, a ceviche flight that changes daily, and the freshest, most exciting specialty items from local fishermen and divers, and specialty produce from local growers.
377 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad 760.729.0903 • EatGrubbys.com
1815 S. Coast Highway • Oceanside 760.445.6846 • SeaBasstroPub.com
Señor grubby’s
headline here
wrench and rodent
cantina mas fina
encinitas ale house
hooked on sushi
Encinitas Ale House has laid claim to bombass burgers and a helluvalot of specialty ales. It’s tough (but entirely fun) to choose from their rotating 32 taps of not only local but many hard to find craft, import and microbrews. To add to the bliss, they throw in a selection of over 350 bottled beers. A good idea may be to move within walking distance (or crawling) distance of this mecca. They boast to have meats that are humanely raised: beef, bison, goose, alligator, venison, lamb, duck, rabbit, wild boar and of course... ostrich!
Seemingly hard to find, but once you do you will be back for sure! Yes, Hooked on Sushi is a fitting name for this ever popular raw fish locale. Through the years, Hooked on Sushi has remained committed to serving not only the freshest but the tastiest sushi in town. Your head will spin and your taste buds will be tantalized, as you try to pick which could be your favorite roll. Is it the Mexican’s Gone Wild, El Fuego or the Zombie? Hmmm...it’s a good thing they have big to-go boxes here.
With some of the cheapest and strongest drinks in town, plenty of flat screens, great food and friendly locals, it’s no wonder that this place routinely has a packed house. Throw in a diverse menu that is not just filled with Mexican favorites, but American ones as well. The gamut is fully covered, from ridiculously addicting pizzas to crab enchiladas. If you are in the mood to just eat, drink and “hang” with a fun crowd, then mark “The Cantina” on your hit list.
1044 S. Coast Highway 101 • Encinitas 760.943.7180 • EncinitasAleHouse.com
2508 El Camino Real, Carlsbad 760.434.8811 • HookedOnSushiSD.com
2780 State St., Carlsbad 760.434.3497 • MasFinaCantina.com APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 49
food/drink
DISH servings
these recipes
willIt’s Heart feed 2 Healthy!
Wild Alaskan Halibut + Blood Orange Cilantro Sauce with Quinoa, Fennel and Roasted Broccoli
by lara miller
This month we’re going to focus on heart healthy super foods. That’s right, my peeps, super foods! Super, isn’t it? (Just a fair warning, I’m going to be using the words “super” and “foods” about 350 times in this small space, so I am apologizing to you in advance for that.) I’m sure we’ve all heard the term super food and know how SUPER super foods are for us. For example, kale is a big super food. Acai berries are another, whatever those are. Cacao is a super food, which they trick you into thinking you can eat chocolate and it will be healthy for you. Wrong. Really, it’s that super unsweetened chocolate that you can only have like one tiny piece of before your mouth puckers and you want to drown your taste buds in something else to mask the bitterness. So you reach for the real chocolate, you know, the one that is in no way healthy for you, at all, and
50 Four El | APRIL 2014
eat a pound of that to make up for that 90 percent cacao “super food” chocolate mishap. The list of foods that claim to be super goes on and on, but sometimes I feel like the term “super foods” can be more intimidating than it needs to be. We really don’t need to seek out super foods. Most of us are already eating them on a daily basis without really even knowing it. You don’t have to go to a fancy joint to get an acai bowl or find out where they carry gogi berries and what to do with them once you have them. If you eat oatmeal for breakfast, you’re eating a super food. If you top your oatmeal with blueberries, you’re eating a SUPER bowl of super foods. There really are tons of ways to incorporate these beneficial ingredients into our diets without looking too far. I’ve come up with a recipe that is chock-full of super foods that are also every-day ingredients that make it super simple and super delicious.
I know what you’re thinking: Did she really just use super that many times in one sentence? Yes, I did. ... Forgive me. I got carried away. Super, isn’t it? Oh man, someone stop me. So anyway, salmon is normally the fish I feel like most people associate with being a super food because of the high omega-3 content. While that is true it does have the highest healthy omega-3s, it is not the only fish that possesses these benefits. I thought I’d switch it up and give halibut some of the super food spotlight love for a change. It’s a heart-healthy fish that is milder in flavor than salmon and extremely versatile. It too has omega-3s (not as high as salmon), which can help lower your risk of heart disease and even has lots of vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid. You always want to opt for wild fish instead of farmed because wild has higher amounts of healthy omega3s and less fat content than farmed. Broccoli is another SF (there, I used
the initials instead so I won’t have to say it again; you’re welcome) that has incredible anti-cancer properties, helps boost our immune system, fights birth defects (for all you pregnant peeps out there) and is one of the most nutrient-dense foods known to us. The blood orange has the benefits and vitamin C qualities of regular oranges, as well as having the same super antioxidant that’s found in blueberries. That’s a twofer right there. There are many more advantages to fish, blood oranges and broccoli, as well as the rest of the ingredients I’ve used in this recipe. You should look them up and prepare to be fascinated by the sheer volume of super foods and all of their amazing benefits. It just might surprise you to see how many super foods you’ve already been eating to nourish yourself every day. Who knew you all were so super? This girl right here.
FourElmagazine.com
For the halibut:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees 4 - 6 oz. wild halibut fillets, patted with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture (to help create a nice, crusty sear on the fish) Kosher salt Fresh cracked pepper 3-4 tablespoons olive oil (If you’re using a non-stick skillet, you won’t need as much olive oil) Get a large, oven proof sauté pan (non-stick, if you have it but totally doesn’t need to be) searing hot over medium high heat with the olive oil. Liberally season your fillets with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy now. You want your fish to have big flavor.
01
* Make sure you don’t overcrowd you pan. If only two fillets fit comfortably, then get another sauté pan and put the other two in there. If you pile all the fillets into a small pan, they will steam instead of sear and you will never get that gorgeous crispy crust we are after.
02
Sear the halibut fillets for about 3-4 minutes on the first side, until you see a nice crust develop on the bottom.
If you are not using a non-stick pan, do not try and move the fish once you place it in the pan or it will tear! Leave it to sear for at least 3 minutes before you attempt to flip it.
03 04
Flip the fillets and sear for one more minute.
Spoon one tablespoon of the blood orange cilantro sauce (recipe below) over each fillet before transferring the pan to the oven to finish cooking. Fish cooks pretty quickly and you don’t want to over cook it or it will be dry. Dry wine, good. Dry fish, not so much.
05
06
Bake them in the oven for about 6-7 minutes for halibut perfection.
07
Take out of the oven and let it rest in the pan for 2-3 minutes before serving.
08
Top each fillet with another spoonful of the blood orange cilantro sauce right before serving for a fresh and bright bite.
TIP: The reason we sear the fish on the stove first and then transfer it to
the oven is because it helps to seal in all the juices, which keeps the fish nice and moist. Not to mention the added bonus of getting some great color on the halibut.
If you don’t have an oven proof skillet, you can always cook the halibut completely on your stove top. Sear over medium-high heat for about 3-5 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook another 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and spoon the sauce over the fillets and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 51
food/drink
DISH
For the blood orange and cilantro sauce: 2 blood oranges, freshly squeezed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 lime, freshly squeezed
Fresh cracked pepper
1/2 bunch of chopped cilantro 1 small jalapeno, diced (you can seed it if you don’t want too much heat, but the heat works really well with the sweetness and tartness of the citrus) 1 garlic clove, minced 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 teaspoon honey
52 Four El | APRIL 2014
»
Combine all the ingredients and stir with a whisk to incorporate the olive oil. Set aside.
TIP: This sauce gets better the longer it sits, so feel free to make it way in
advance. It’s also going to work double duty in this recipe. It’s going to be the sauce for the fish as well as the dressing for the quinoa with fennel. This sauce would be great with other types of fish as well, amazing on some grilled shrimp and even delicious with chicken. It would amaze as a salad dressing with blue cheese and nuts. Don’t be limited by just the halibut. Use your imagination and get crazy with it. It’s so fresh and so clean.
FourElmagazine.com
For the quinoa:
For the roasted broccoli:
3 cups cooked quinoa
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
1/2 bulb fennel, cored and sliced super thin (with a mandolin if you have it)
2-3 bunches of broccoli, cut long, keeping the stems on (FYI: It will look like a flower with a long stem, so you can picture how to cut it)
* To core the fennel, slice the fennel bulb in half and remove the core like you would for a head of romaine lettuce or a cauliflower. * With raw fennel, you don’t want to eat the green stalky part, just the white bulb.
1/2 cup chopped pistachios, shelled (obviously!)
1/4 cup olive oil Kosher salt Fresh cracked pepper
01
Line a baking sheet with foil.
1 blood orange, segmented
02
Wash and cut your broccoli. When I buy my broccoli in bunches, I like to keep the stems on long for added texture and flavor.
How to segment the orange: This just means to trim all the peel and pith (white, bitter part) from the orange. Using a sharp knife (a small paring knife would be ideal for this), cut sections on either side of each slice from where the orange slices connect, or the membrane, and let the segments fall into a bowl. Squeeze the remaining juice out of what’s left of your orange and toss what’s left of the membrane in the trash. You will end up with little jewels of blood orange with no skin or connective tissue—just bursts of candy for your taste buds in the quinoa. Not a necessary step, but definitely one that’s worth it.
03
Toss the broccoli on the lined baking sheet with the olive oil, and add salt and pepper to taste.
04
Put it in the oven and roast for about 20-25 minutes, until the florets look a little charred.
1/2 cup blood orange cilantro sauce
Toss all the ingredients together, except the orange segments, and set aside. You’re going to mix the orange segments into the quinoa at the end.
»
* You may need to add more sauce before serving because as the quinoa sits, it will continue to absorb the sauce. So to add a little moisture back into the quinoa, spoon some more sauce in until it’s the right consistency for you. And always remember to check for seasoning … salt and pepper are your best friends when cooking!
Roasting the broccoli adds so much more flavor than steaming or boiling it. It has a nutty flavor and the florets get crispy, so it’s almost like broccoli chips. Even non-broccoli lovers love this dish when I’ve made it for them. Trust me, this broccoli takes on a whole new flavor and you will never go back to steaming or boiling it again! I hope I’ve helped shed some light on how very easy it can be to incorporate healthier, more SUPER ingredients into your cooking repertoire. There are so many great benefits to buying and cooking with fresh ingredients that it’s hard not to reap the rewards since most of them come with a super food seal of approval. Nutritious and delicious. That’s a super combination anyone can be excited about. (OK, just one more …)
TIP: For this recipe, I cooked 2 cups raw quinoa with a pinch of salt and
a teaspoon of olive oil. You can cook yours according to your package directions. For two cups raw quinoa, typically it will call for 4 cups of broth or water. I use 4 scant cups of water. This just means that I don’t fill my cup measure ALL the way to the top. Bring the water to a boil and then turn the fire down all the way to simmer the quinoa for however much time the package says it needs, mine was 15 minutes. I turn off the heat and leave the pot sitting there, still covered, and the quinoa continues to steam for a bit. I find that this keeps the quinoa a little fluffier and it doesn’t turn out quite as dense or mushy as adding full cups of water.
Hope you all have a SUPER DUPER day!
My name is Lara Miller and I am a wife to a pretty cool San Diego dude and mama to three handsome little boys. Yes, I am a lone ranger in a pad full of testosterone. Here is my thing... I love to cook. I’m not a chef, but cooking is what makes the world turn for me. It’s like my therapy, and believe me… dealing with three boys on the daily requires some serious therapy!
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 53
BUSINESS
PERSPECTIVE
Pacific Beach
Who’s Your Daddy? Entrepreneur Aaron Phillips, CEO of The Wood Group, owns and operates five bars and restaurants planted in Pacific Beach. A former bartender, this San Diegan knows how the hottest spots sprout. Phillips is behind Reds, The Wood, Avenue, Woody’s and TruckStop. Nicknamed “Dad” by his staff of nearly 200, Phillips is certainly the leader of this family. Read on for our take (and Dad’s) on The Wood Group’s establishments. Avenue: We like Monday’s Karaoke Night. Performers come dressed up in crazy outfits, wearing wigs and even choreographing dance routines. If there is such a thing as serious karaoke, it doesn’t happen at Avenue. Phillips says, “Avenue serves jack-assery at its finest.” The Wood: With arguably one of the best rooftop views in PB, The Wood was formerly known as Beachwood. During football season, Phillips shows NFL games, and the first-floor bar is full of Packer backers. The Wood really perks up on Sunday Fun days when PB’s finest bikini-clad bodies are an artful part of the rooftop décor.
54 Four El | APRIL 2014
Reds: This country-inspired spot is where boots are scootin’ as smoothly as the jokes on Wednesday Comedy Nights. Located downstairs from The Wood, Reds is a popular test-space for stand-up comedians poised for prime time in Los Angeles. Any other night, Reds is ripe with Americana. Pick a song from the jukebox, but heed the sign on the wall that reads, “If we don’t like your shitty song, we’ll change it.” Woody’s: The boardwalk is home to Woody’s, a breakfast-andburgers spot featuring acai bowls, breakfast burritos, burgers and more. Try the street-level seating and a top-level deck for ocean views and prime people watching. Hot coffee and plenty of cool wipeouts (read: tourists on in-line skates) are served.
Four El: Tell me about your nickname, “Dad.” Aaron Phillips: My daughters, Katie and Haley, work at Woody’s when they’re on school breaks. With these two around, “Hey, Dad … (insert request here)” started to sound like a broken record. My employees picked up on it and started calling me Dad. Dads aren’t supposed to have a favorite, but we won’t tell: Which of your five establishments is your favorite? I love parts about each one. TruckStop is the new baby, so it’s getting lots of love and attention. On Mondays, TruckStop offers half-off tabs for industry folks. I love the opportunity to talk shop, and it helps me determine the best practices for The Wood Group establishments. The Wood Group’s five establishments are all located in PB. Is that strategic? It’s not strategic. However, I can easily get to any one of the locations in two minutes or less with my new company car. [Pictured below with Phillips]. That kind of convenience is important since “father knows best” and there’s only one of me. What do you like to do in your off time? What off time? I work an average of 80 hours each week. When I can take time away, I like going home to San Francisco to see my family and friends.
FourElmagazine.com
entrepreneur
business intuition
busness
He’s currently involved with several local companies in San Diego, including Saint Archer Brewery, which happens to be one of the fastest growing microbreweries in the county. Saint Archer has plans to hit other markets in Southern California in the near future, so we can expect to see similar success. Josh is also involved in the recent launch of a new underwear and loungewear brand called VNDA (pronounced unda). He also has ties with an up-and-coming juice brand called Citizen Juice Co., which happens to have some of the best cold-pressed juices in the business. In a world of who you know, not what you know, Josh continues to put ideas and concepts together that reflect his true drive to not just be a surfer but an entrepreneur. When you’re surfing the world tour, your time is limited. Josh can attest to the fact that he’d love to be home more often to spend time with his beautiful wife and children. But the truth is he’s setting himself up to eventually have unlimited time with his family and friends, once his surfing career is behind him.
Josh Kerr
Surfer and business innovator by jeran fraser
If you don’t follow surfing, you may not know that there’s a secret society of professional surfers living in North County. One happens to have made a name for himself on the ASP World Tour, currently being ranked No. 9 in the world. And although he doesn’t quite have an accent that matches one of Carlsbad descent, he fits right in. Josh Kerr has called Carlsbad home for several years now, and he’s becoming a household name in North County because, like Tony Hawk, Kerr is everywhere. Originally from Australia, Kerr met his wife (who grew up in Carlsbad) and, after spending several years Down Under, they made a deal to make Carlsbad their home. When he’s not in the water or on tour, you can find him at a local skate park with his daughter, who at 7, most likely skates better than you ever will. You may also find Kerr eating out at his favorite restaurant, Fish 101, or having coffee at your local
coffee shop. And if you happen to see Josh, don’t hesitate to say hello. One thing about Josh that makes him such a unique surfer on tour is he’s focused on more than just surfing. He’s an entrepreneur and making things happen outside the world of surfing. Surfing for him certainly pays the bills, but he knows, like everyone else on tour, there is life after surfing. And he’s already preparing himself. Many professional athletes are focused solely on their career, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But like any other job, it’s your ability to be a forward thinker that allows the dream to continue. Josh has found a way to leverage his surfing abilities and his personality into something that will extend far beyond his surfing career. In his short time in San Diego, his business intuition seems to mimic his heroics in the water.
For more information on these companies you can find them on the web at: www.SaintArcherBrewery.com www.vnda.com www.CitizenJuice.com
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 55
gambling
tips
Blackjack Gambling Tips:
Splitting 8’s and Aces Brought to you by Sycuan Casino
A three part series to play the odds in your favor
WHAT IS SPLITTING? In order to win at Blackjack, a player must have a better hand than the dealer by getting closer to 21 without going over. If the player or dealer goes over 21, it is considered a “bust” and is automatically out of the hand. The player must finalize their hand before the dealer so they have the first chance to bust. When a player receives a “pair” they have the option to split. For example, if they have a pair of 8’s, they can play it as an 16 or “split” them and play two hands starting with 8. You play the first hand until you want to “stop” or you “bust’. Then you play the second hand in the same fashion. You must place an equivalent wager for each of the “split” hands which is based on your initial bet. rule #1
Always split 8’s and Aces Splitting 8’s: When a player receives two 8’s, which is a total of 16, the player has a difficult choice to make. He is either stuck with 16 or he splits it. Most people always tell you to assume the next card is the equivalent of 10. Thereby, if the dealer is showing a 10, your assumption may be that you have to hit your sixteen or split them and you will have two sets of 18. Either way, you lose by potentially busting, or double your bet and lose two hands. This is a daunting decision for most beginners. Why does the “book” say to always split 8’s? It’s because technically splitting eights limits one’s losses and improves one’s hand. Probabilistic research of expected value scenarios shows that by splitting eights one can convert a hand that presents an expected loss to two hands that may present an expected profit or a reduced loss, depending on what the dealer is showing. A split pair of eights is expected to win against dealer upcards of 2 through 7 and to lose less against dealer upcards of 8 through ace. If a player hits on a pair of eights, he is expected to lose $52 for a $100 bet. If the player splits the eights, he is expected to lose only $43 for a $100 bet.
56 Four El | APRIL 2014
Splitting Aces: When a player receives two Aces, which is a total of either 2 or 13, it’s pretty obvious to split them to have a chance at two blackjacks. Additionally, now you have two hands to work with an Ace, so you will more options for each hand since an Ace can either be a 1 or an 11. Most gambling establishments have implemented rules regarding splitting Aces since it is so advantageous to the player. Many casinos will only allow you to draw one card for each Ace but if you happen to find one that allows you to do more, you need to take full advantage of their generosity! Additionally, most casinos do not consider it a natural Blackjack, so it only pays 1 to 1 instead of the 1.5 to 1 when it’s natural.
When you arrive at Sycuan to play Blackjack, find yourself a nice table that you’re comfortable with, especially the limits. If you ever wonder what you’re supposed to do, the dealer will always be nice enough to tell you what the “book” says. Remember, most people play by the “book”, so if you decide to go against it and it causes the players at the table to lose, people may get upset with you. It’s always awesome when the whole table wins but it’s never fun when you are the cause to the house winning. Be respectful of the dealer and the other players but never forget to always have fun!
FourElmagazine.com
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 57
on par
GOLF COURSE REVIEW
Aviara Golf Club 7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad // www.golfaviara.com Tee Times / Pro Shop: (760) 603-6900
Golf Course Features:
Green fees Rates Mon. - Thurs. Fri.-Sun. Rack
$225
$245
Midday
$160
$180
Twilight/junior/replay
$105
$125
A-Club
$130
$150
A-Club replay
$80
$80
Course Description
The par 72 course features a memorable coastal layout, with the 18 holes uniquely sculpted around rolling hillsides, plenty of bunker and water challenges, and landscaped with native wildflowers of Southern California. Located within an elegant two-story, 32,000-square-foot Spanish colonial clubhouse are premier player amenities, such as full-sized lockers, eloquent lounge area, full-service bar and Argyle Steakhouse, a fine dining restaurant with outdoor balcony seating available. Professional golf facilities at Aviara include a practice driving range, putting and pitching greens, modern GPS systems on all golf carts and an upscale golf pro shop.
58 Four El | APRIL 2014
Blue Tees
Kip Puterbaugh’s AviCourse rating: 72.7 ara Golf Academy, located onsite at Park Slope rating: 139 Hyatt Aviara Resort, is the longest-running golf Distance: 6,591 yards academy in the western Dress code: Collared shirt United States, featuring one-, two- and three-day golf schools. Puterbaugh has consistently ranked as a top golf instructor in the nation. Golf Digest listed the Aviara Golf Academy among the top 25 U.S. golf schools. The Aviara Golf Academy is also proud to be home to the first TaylorMade Performance Lab. Once only available to active PGA Tour professionals, the two hour custom fitting experience is conducted in a fun, friendly and professional environment and includes driver, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putter.
Condé Nast Traveler readers named Aviara Golf Club the No. 1 golf resort in Southern California. San Diego’s only golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, it’s also been named one of the best resort golf courses in the country by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.
FourElmagazine.com
Hole No. 18 (par 4): This was once named the toughest finishing hole by Golf Digest. As I am standing on the tee box, it just doesn’t seem that tough to me. There is a lot of water down the right hand side, but it doesn’t seem that menacing. Chris White had to leave early to a meeting, so now there are only three of us left. Chris and I both go into the water and Lee can’t find his ball. Okay, so maybe this hole is showing its true colors. Because we hit into the water so early, we still have a ton of distance left to the green. I hit a great second shot and Lapham goes into the water. Lee also takes a drop since walking back to the tee box is really not realistic when people are waiting. After my penalty, I hit my fourth shot off the back of the green. I pitch on and two putt for a seven. Now I see why this is a tough hole; all that water along the side really messes you up if you roll into it early. Chris just drops and decides not to count his score on this hole. Lee hits his fourth shot on after his two-stroke penalty and two putts for a six.
Four EL Magazine playing the course: Joining me and Four EL magazine editor Chris Lapham on a beautifully warm San Diego winter day are a couple of special guests. They pretty much made the San Diego beer movement what it is today. They are both unique individuals and I was lucky enough to throw a few back with these beer experts while hitting a little white ball around the breathtaking scenery. Chris White, the holder of a Ph.D., is president of White Labs, Pure Yeast and Fermentation. Founded in 1995, his company supplies breweries, wineries and distilleries with fresh yeast and related products and provides analytical services. White Labs was the innovator of pitch-able yeast. (www.whitelabs.com) Lee Chase is the former master brewer of Stone Brewing and current co-owner of Blind Lady Ale House (BLAH), Tiger Tiger and Automatic Brewing Co. (www. blindlady.blogspot.com, www.tigertigertavern.blogspot.com and www.automaticbrewingco.blogspot.com)
During the round, Lee had told us that we’ll see more and more San Diego craft breweries use cans moving forward. They actually keep the beer fresher and, on top of that, more people recycle cans so it’s good for the environment. He also notes that White Labs, a yeast company, is located on Candida Street, which is the name of a strain of yeast. Yet it all happened by coincidence. White and Chase are both very entertaining guys. Who else can wear bright green golf pants with a golf theme embroidery and get away with it other than Lee? We wrapped up on the course and headed to the skatepark to meet Buster Halterman for a session, then finished up by hanging with Pizza Port owner Vince at their new Bressi Ranch location. Vince gave us a private tour, and we wrapped up a great beer themed day with great beers. So there were no losers today.
Hole No. 3 (par 3): This is a gorgeous short hole. You have to hit and carry over water but the right side of the green also has water. I can always rely on my friend Chris Lapham to play worse than me. It always secretly makes me feel better about my mediocre game. But not on this hole; Chris ends up about eight feet away and slam dunks a putt for a birdie. Lucky for him because it would have probably run another 10 feet past the hole on these hard greens. Chris White hits into the water and gets a bogey, I go into the water twice and get a double bogey, and Lee goes into the water on the right side of the green and gets a bogey. The water on this hole destroys all of us except for Mr. Lapham. Alas, that will be his only shining golf moment of the day. Hole No. 15 (par 3): As Lee and I stand on the tee box, we marvel at all the beautiful landscaping. I can’t fathom how many man hours this particular hole must take to keep it so pristine, let alone the entire course. The hole is littered with botanical explosion. Contrasting flower colors dazzle your eyes while all the shrubbery is very peaceful to lay eyes on. It’s so mesmerizing that we take some extra time on the tee box to soak it all in. Unlike the third hole, Chris White, Lee, and I all par and Chris Lapham walks away with a double bogey. The Golf Gods have restored my faith.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 59
on par
GOLF TIPS
The Crossings at Carlsbad Presents
TIPS FROM TEE TO GREEN An eight-part series to improve your game By Steve Vaughan, Director of Instruction
bad take-away
good take-away
perfect swing
Part 2: Stop Topping Your 3 Wood The weight transfer during the golf swing is often misunderstood. Novice players feel like they need to sway or rock from front to back, then back to front again in order to gain power and momentum as well as getting underneath the ball to give it flight. By doing this, you are actually doing the exact opposite. The sway promotes late contact with the ball with the face of your club. So what you are actually doing is contacting the ball as your club is on its way up. Thereby, you are creating a downward spin by spinning the ball from the bottom to the top. You are not actually “topping” the ball, but rather “upping” the ball. If you were literally topping it, the ball would barely move and probably plug into the ground. To compensate for this late hit, you will naturally start to lift your arms, which further complicates the problem. Now you’re in a completely unnatural swing pattern and hitting the ball accurately becomes exponentially more difficult. So how do you fix this? To generate the power and momentum that you are looking for without swaying, turn your body at the waist. It’s like a corkscrew effect. It feels like you’re twisting yourself into the ground. Your back foot should have a turning sensation into ground. The shoe on your back foot should be grabbing and turning into the grass, not rolling from side to side. Two basic things to keep in mind during your swing: 01 Your body: Turn don’t sway 02 Your feet: Screw don’t roll
60 Four El | APRIL 2014
Practice Drill: Grab a short iron and hold it like a cane. Place the bottom of shaft inside your back foot around the arch of your foot. The shaft should now go across your shin so that the middle part of the shaft is now on the outside of your back knee. In this position, the club will allow you to twist and turn at the waist but prohibit you from swaying from front to back. It will acclimate you to the feeling you should have in your swing.
Email: Steve Vaughan at Sdgolfpro65@gmail.com Schedule a lesson at www.zdtusa.com/svaughan
FourElmagazine.com
The Crossings at Carlsbad Golf Dining Corporate Weddings
Enjoy the Views
Experience the Golf 5800 The Crossings Drive, Carlsbad | 760.444.1800 Book tee times and restaurant reservations online
WE MAKE THE BEST EYEWEAR BETTER.
w w w. S P O R T R X . c o m CALL AND SPEAK TO AN OPTICIAN
1.888.831.5817
stylewatch
trending
spring
fever
Spring is here. It’s a time for rebirth and revitalization. A time when plants are in bloom and the sun is beginning to shine more brightly. More importantly, spring signals the start of baseball season. It’s also the perfect time to declutter your closet and re-invent yourself. Here are some things to keep in mind when rolling up your sleeves and starting your spring cleaning.
By Andrea Zancha By Andrea Zancha
Make women swoon and is sure you noticed this spring season!
Out with the old...
Pitch perfect We’re all guilty of holding onto things we don’t need but can’t seem to part with. The ugly sweater from grandma. The worn-out t-shirt from an ex-girlfriend. Or the favorite pair of tattered jeans that look as if they lost a battle with a lion. There’s no time like the present, my friend, to either pitch em’ or donate your gently used clothing to Goodwill. The general rule of thumb is that if it doesn’t fit, can’t be repaired or tailored, or you haven’t worn it in a year, pitch it! If you need advice on what to keep or what to ditch, recruit your girlfriend, spouse, partner, best friend, a professional organizer or stylist, whomever it may be. Your home will be less cluttered and you’ll feel better. After all, a clutter-free life is a clutter-free mind. You’ll also get Brownie points for asking your girlfriend/wife/spouse/ partner for her help.
62 Four El | APRIL 2014
In with the new!
Getting technical It’s the perfect time to take inventory on new items you may need. The must-haves for every man’s closet include: a suit, white dress shirt, blue blazer, well-fitting jeans and khakis and casual shirts, such as polos or button-downs. Have you noticed that all that hard work at the gym has paid off and your sport jacket is too big? Now is the time to invest in a double breasted sport jacket. It’s the perfect accessory to have in case of a last minute business meeting or when taking in the Del Mar horse races. If you’re looking to add a few pieces into the mix, men’s fashion has become more lenient in terms of what is acceptable. Solids and stripes are no longer the norm.
Bold and mixed patterns are popping up everywhere. Not quite ready to take a walk the bold side? Subtle patterns like this bandana patch denim shirt will suffice. If you don’t have a significant other, sister, or close girl friend to seek assistance from but still want to be stylish, look no farther. Women love nothing more than a man who can roll out of bed and rock distressed jeans and a plain t-shirt. You can make it look simple or edgy all depending on the shoes you wear. If you’re running afternoon errands, throw on these Steve Madden IDOLLLs. It’s a casual sneaker with a modern flare. If you’re out with friends and want a more rugged look, throw on these Bed|Stü “Patriot” Cap Toe Boots and top it off with a utility jacket.
FourElmagazine.com
makeover
trending
infLuence salon Through master stylist and hip, innovative techniques, Influence Salon provides a top notch client experience. They are committed to a culture of creativity by inspirational education. Their highly trained staff, ability to recognize client needs, and their use of quality products allows them to exceed their clients’ high expectations and separate themselves as a leader in the industry. The founder, Justin Jachura, has been in the service industry
his entire life. Born into the hair business by a Detroit Union Barber Shop Owner and his beautician wife, Justin quickly learned the business and the importance of customer service.
Subject:
Brandon Glade (Strength conditioning coach and athletic trainer)
Black Ops–Human Performance
After several successful business endeavors, he’s excited to finally get into the “family business.” Last but not least, Justin is highly involved in community outreach and strongly believes giving back is a key part of running any business.
(Owner/Operator)
2820 La Mirada Dr. Vista, CA 92081 GladePro@gmail.com
1 Treatment #1: Esthetician Eyebrow wax Nostril wax Facial Brandon’s thoughts: A bit painful but in the end everything is symmetrical and it looks good. She gave me a soothing massage as my facial was drying. 2 Treatment #2: Haircut Buzz the sides Scissor cut the top Brandon’s thoughts: I got a #2 on the sides and longer on top for a dramatic look. It looks great, clean, stylish, and really pliable. I can do whatever I want with it. 3 Treatment #3: Scalp Wash hair Treatment Scalp Massage Brandon’s thoughts: I feel so refreshed, I feel like I ran through a eucalyptus forest and it feels like somebody rubbed peppermint all over my skull. She also massaged my arms while the treatment was penetrating my scalp. Brandon’s overall thoughts: Great service, great team, excellence in their expertise and they are also very sharp on using the right team member for the right job.
Brandon is a man’s man. He’s buff, he is tattooed, and he works with bad ass dudes. He came into Influence Salon and Justin tamed this beast by plucking, masking, cutting, and massaging.
Let this be a lesson for all of you dudes out there. No matter how manly you are, coming in and taking care of yourself will not only feel good for your mind, body, and soul but it will have all the attractive ladies flocking towards you.
So take a word of advice from Justin, Brandon, and Four EL, come into Influence Salon and get your manscape ... the ladies are waiting!
Influence Salon • 401 N. Coast Hwy., Suite J • Oceanside, CA 92054 • (760) 435-0000 • www.Influence-Salon.com APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 63
RELATIONSHIPS
DATING
summer says
Become
irresistible
Women to
Let’s face it, dating in today’s economy, hot, interesting women can pretty much pick and choose the men they want to date. In vying for the attention of said women, most men obsess about the things they can’t change about themselves. What you need to learn to do is maximize what you have right now. Once you know how to do that, you can become irresistible to any woman, even if she seems ... wait for it ... “out of your league.”
Be Funny Humor is magic, and that is not an exaggeration. Humor is one of the fastest, most powerful ways to attract a woman, even ones you might consider out of your league. Make a woman laugh–not a nervous laugh out of awkwardness or a forced laugh but a genuine laugh–and I do not care how hot or unattainable she seems to you, you are in a space where she is willing to consider you. So if you are naturally funny, go with it. If you are not a natural crack-up, it is time to learn. Try watching some stand-up comedy specials and sketch shows. Not only will that help you be funny, but you will laugh a lot in the process. And maybe seeming less uptight won’t be so bad for your chances either.
Be Romantic Romance is not just the language family that encompasses Italian, French and Spanish. And it is about more than the run-up to sex; it is also about more than buying her flowers and lighting candles. It is really about looking past the surface of a woman and letting her know that you really dig who she is as a person. It is about having the imagination to spot the opportunities and drop a perfect compliment at the right moment, or surprise her with a little, thoughtful gift that lets her know you were thinking of her. The guy who is thinking of her and not just himself is that much more exciting and that much more irresistible.
Give Her the Right Kind of Attention Have you heard? Women like attention. But, interestingly, it is much better to hint at that kind of attention than to be over-the-top in demonstrating it. Example: Instead of buying flashy, expensive gifts or dropping obvious compliments, try saying something like, “I was thinking about you today,” or “I just wanted to mention that I really like hearing your voice on the phone.” You will let her know she means enough to be in your thoughts when she is not around–and that is a very powerful way to become irresistible to women.
Give it to me. Feel free to contact me for questions (embarrassing or not!), advice or topics around relationships you would like for me to address at Summer@FourELmagazine.com. 64 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
Be Confident Do I really need to say it? Humans tend to prefer confident people to nervous worriers, and women are no exception to this. Problem is, too many guys take “confidence” too far out of fear or insecurity and just come off as arrogant. Arrogance is a turn-off. What will help you with the ladies is the ability to go after what you want in life without constantly putting it off out of fear. Can you ask for directions when you’re lost? (I know with smartphones this almost never happens, but if it did …) Are you unafraid to rock a daring wardrobe choice every now and then? Will you stand up for yourself if you’re mistreated by a waiter or cashier? Do you have the guts to ask for a raise at work when you know you deserve one? If you have a certain quiet assertiveness about you without resorting to bragging, aggressiveness or talking smack, you’ve got the kind of confidence that women find attractive.
Confidence you can do it!
Be Adventurous Nothing is a bigger turn-off to a woman than a buzz-kill who is always saying no to her ideas, so you should always be open to trying new things, even if it is just trying a new restaurant that just opened up, or dancing with her a little when a song you both like comes on. If she keeps proposing things that are out of your comfort zone, and you keep saying “No,” sooner or later she is going to get tired of your attitude and start wishing the guy she was with was a bit more adventurous. Be Unpredictable Sounds like a no-brainer. Nobody eats the same thing for lunch every day. No one wants to see the same movie every time they go to the theater. So why would a woman want to feel like she can predict every single thing you ever do? I’m not saying you should randomly dye your hair red (please don’t) or quit your job to pursue professional knitting. Just make sure to shake things up every now and then–even if it is something dorky like challenging her to a race down the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Showing her that you are capable of breaking out of the mold will suggest that you are not overly prone to getting stuck in a rut when it comes to sex or relationships.
FULLY CULTURED YET UNSHAVEN
THE FOUR EL’S OF SUCCESSFUL ADVERTISING LATITUDE Where our readers live, work and play LONGEVITY Your ads make lasting impressions LOYALTY Our readers come back for more LIMITLESS Your return on investment FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 760.744.0911 OR STEVE@FOURELMAGAZINE.COM
RELATIONSHIPS
MUSINGS
Musings on Life From the Other Side of 40 By Stacy Cafagna Pollard
The weekend of the big football game found me, like many of you, picking sides (Seahawks!) and preparing to welcome friends. But as I was busy making wings and icing drinks, a pre-game story captured my attention. Maybe you saw it too? It was about Jake Olson and Pete Carroll. Jake is a high school junior in Orange, California. This season, he played long snapper on his varsity football team. He’s friends with other football players and coaches. Nothing too extraordinary, right? Except that Jake has been completely blind since the age of 12. And those friends of his? They play for, and coach, the Seattle Seahawks. Having lost an eye to cancer as a baby, Jake fought for years until ultimately losing his other eye. A huge USC fan, 12-year-old Jake had one wish before permanent blindness: to see a last USC football game. Pete Carroll, then head coach of the Trojans, made it happen. The two forged a friendship and stayed close when Carroll became head coach of the Seahawks. Jake even credits Seahawks’ long snapper Clint Gresham with being the first person to show him how to long snap. This story got me thinking about how sports are so much more than just the win, or even the game. Ultimately, sports are about cultivating young men and women of character and integrity, and coaches have a vital role in making this happen. “A coach is someone who can give you direction without causing resentment.” These are the notable words of John Wooden, one of the greatest coaches of all
time, admired not only for his winning record (10 National Championships for UCLA Men’s Basketball) but also for his ability to motivate players and instill character. With three kids playing organized sports for the past 12 years, our family has clocked countless hours playing soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, lacrosse and golf. With such an investment of time, of course I hope they learn the fundamentals and find a sport to play with passion. But what I really want them to come away with is more significant. Like how to handle a heartbreaking loss with dignity. What’s the correct way to behave when an official’s calls are clearly biased. Conducting yourself on the field with confidence and self-assurance but, more importantly, with grace and humility. “Participation in sports can build character,” says Michael Austin, in a Psychology Today article, “but it doesn’t just happen; we must be intentional about it. Parents and coaches need to demonstrate through their words and actions the values of sports that translate well into daily life, including respect for oneself and others, fairness, grace in defeat, humility in victory, and the virtue of self-denial.” With nearly 22 million kids between the ages of 6 and 17 playing youth sports (Sports Fitness and Industry Association 2011 data), that’s a staggering amount of lives coaches can influence. Speaking with a mother’s heart, coaches, please remember, whether the athletes on your team are 6 or 16, we parents are entrusting you with the most im-
portant beings in our world. We give you valuable time with our cherished kids and their impressionable spirits, and they take your words and actions—whether positive or negative—to heart. Please do not take this position lightly. Yes, teach them fundamentals. Push them to reach their potential with a firm but kind hand. But above all, model integrity so that they may follow your lead both on the field and off. Many youth coaches are already doing this, and to you, I extend heartfelt gratitude, for volunteering your time and being a positive force in our kids’ lives. To others, I hope my words help you recognize the tremendous influence you have on our most precious resource, our kids. Coach Wooden reminded his players that “reputation is what others perceive you as being, and their opinion may be right or wrong. Character, however, is what you really are, and nobody truly knows that but you. But you are what matters most.” He concluded, “What you are as a person is far more important that what you are as a basketball player.” I can definitely cheer for that. Keep up with Jake Olson at www.OpenYourEyes.org, the website of his foundation, and his newly-released book, Open Your Eyes: 10 Uncommon Lessons to Discover a Happier Life.
Stacy Cafagna Pollard, a San Diego native, is a graduate of the University of Southern California and holds a teaching credential from UC San Diego. In addition to assisting with Cancer for College and being Chief Coordinating Officer for her family, she writes two blogs: Celebrating Survivors (CancerForCollege.wordpress.com) and her personal site Prayers and Piazzas (PrayersAndPiazzas.wordpress.com).
66 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
stunning san diego
68 Four El | APRIL 2014
female population
FourElmagazine.com
stunning
san diego Jordan Kozlowski
San Diego Connection: I’m from Florida but my entire family is in San Diego so I joined in. … Family is awesome. Zodiac Sign: Aquarius Profession: I am serving at Hennessey’s and Dini’s right now, but I am looking to further my career by studying to be an interior designer. Outdoor activities: Beach volleyball, softball, mountain biking and hiking Hobbies: I just love cooking. Favorite food: Sushi Favorite libation: Grimbergen Double Abbey Ale
Growing up: Born in Fort Lauderdale. My dad played for the Dolphins. It was a great life to grow up with all the football families. My family is amazing and my sisters are bad ass. My family decided to pack up and move to San Diego. Not a bad deal: It’s always sunny, the people are laid back, and I don’t have to deal with the Florida crazies anymore … ha-ha.
Passion: I want to travel all over the world. I would love to expand my current life through a variety of ethnic culinary delights and new cultural experiences. I know that there is so much out there in the world. I might live in paradise, but I know that I can grow and learn from meeting new people and experiencing new things.
Career: I am looking to continually improve myself, but my passion is in interior design. I have always relied on myself but my family has been my rock. I am hoping to fulfill my dreams one day by making other people’s dreams come true by creating their dream home.
Family: I’m lucky enough to finally be here in San Diego with my whole family. Seriously, I love them. I am a family girl. I can’t imagine myself without them. I firmly believe that family makes you strong and, by the same token, you make your family strong.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 69
travel
weekender
EL ENCANTO hotel
santa barbara, CALIFORNIA
BY michelle lyn
SANTA BARBARA
EL ENCANTO This luxury hotel in Santa Barbara ideal retreat for those in search of seclusion, romance and charm.
A
fter a seven-year renovation, the iconic El Encanto hotel was meticulously restored to capture all the glamour and beauty it once retained. A new addition to the Orient Express collection, the sprawling property boasts sweeping views of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean.
70 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
01
MORNINGS Start your day with breakfast on the Terrace restaurant and sip mimosas while taking in the picturesque view of Santa Barbara down below. After breakfast, explore the property’s seven acres of gloriously landscaped gardens, complete with a wishing well, hummingbirds surrounding the trellis lined arbor and lily ponds.
01 Encanto Infinity Pool 02 Arbor with Lily Pond 03 Downtown Santa Barbara 04 Santa Barbara Maritime Museum 05 Stearns Wharf
Indulge in a visit to the Spa, a haven of peace and tranquility that spans seven treatment rooms. Take advantage of soothing water therapies in the special wet treatment room, or unwind with your significant other in the romantic couple’s room. Peppermint from their garden is infused into the Refreshing Peppermint Body Treatment, which includes a lavish grape seed body scrub, an invigorating apricot oil massage and nurturing avocado oil hair therapy. Linger after your treatment and enjoy the relaxation lounge, showers and steam rooms. Each treatment concludes with a selection of detoxifying teas as you enjoy breathtaking views from the patio. If you want to save the spa for later, pay a visit to the nearby Santa Barbara Zoo. Housing Asian elephants, Californian condors and more than 180 other species, the zoo is always popular with the whole family. Or … marvel at the wonders of the deep at the Ty Warner Sea Center. Get up close and personal with residents in the touch pool, or find out more about ocean giants in the Marine Mammal Mezzanine.
03
02
04
AFTERNOONs One of the best ways to experience Santa Barbara is to hop on the Waterfront shuttle service for a trip along one of California’s most beautiful coasts. The service runs every half hour from Santa Barbara Harbor to Stearns Wharf. Take in the atmosphere as you meander past golden beaches, casual restaurants and colorful street artists. Feeling adventurous? Take one of El Encanto’s complimentary electric bikes and visit Downtown Santa Barbara to shop or grab lunch. Find unique boutiques and art galleries for authentic souvenirs. Art lover? You can also learn more about California’s rich nautical and fishing industry at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, or peruse timeless antiquities and contemporary photography at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
05
Back at El Encanto, take a dip in the lavish infinity-edge swimming pool or visit the Lounge for afternoon tea. Make sure you stick around for sunset cocktails in the Lounge. If it’s too cloudy to see the sunset, just look out onto the horizon and feel like you’re floating in the clouds.
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 71
travel
weekender
05
planning ahead 01
evenings Before dinner, relax by your fireplace with a glass of wine and write notes home on the complimentary stationery in your room. Gaze out your window or balcony and watch night fall on the 92 California-styled suites and bungalows dotting the lush grounds. Have dinner in the elegant Dining Room (or on the Terrace under the stars) and enjoy an innovative menu of contemporary Californiacoastal cuisine infused with Asian touches and a French flair. Expect dishes heavy on organic and locally sourced ingredients, with herbs directly from the garden, homemade unpasteurized beer and El Encanto cheese, each block made from the milk of Ellie, the hotel’s cow. Retire to the Bar for a nightcap and some live music while you plan your next day.
02
Getting There El Encanto sits high on a Santa Barbara hillside, 15 minutes from the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport or 90 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport. They believe in environmentally friendly travel, so the concierge is more than happy to coordinate train travel and transfers. They also have a charging station for electric vehicles. When to Go Santa Barbara is beautiful year-round, so anytime is a good time!
01 Evening View from Restaurant
packages
Book It Rates start at $425 a night for a Superior Bungalow and include welcome amenities and high-speed wireless access. For reservations, call (805) 845-5800 or visit www.Elencanto.com.
Monarch Butterfly Migration From mid-fall to early spring, the Monarch butterflies migrate to the 03 Encanto Balcony Coronado Butterfly Preserve in the 04 The Grounds city of Goleta. Experience this natural at Encanto marvel before returning to luxury at El Encanto. Package includes luxury 05 Main Entrance accommodations, $60 daily breakfast credit, welcome amenities including signature Monarch Cocktails for two, a healing cocoon spa treatment and more. Valid through mid-March. 02 Suite Accomodations
Stay a Little Longer If you get a taste of the good life at El Encanto and want to extend your stay, get 50 percent off every third consecutive night. When comfort is this luxurious, why go home?
03 72 Four El | APRIL 2014
04 FourElmagazine.com
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 73
travel
locale
Carnival in Cรกdiz
cรกdiz, spain
BY Erik h. martin
74 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
01 Carnival in Cádiz 02 Lunch with a view 03 Pregnant Nuns
01
Whether it began during the early years of the Christian church, the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia and Bacchanalia, or the Greek celebration of Dionysia, Carnival has truly evolved into something absolutely amazing and fun. According to church tradition, followers were not to celebrate or eat rich foods, such as meat, dairy, fats and sugar, over the 40 days leading up to Easter. Therefore, all rich food and drink had to be disposed of before the period, known as Lent, began. Their solution … have one giant party for the entire community and consume everything before Lent; similar to the urgency we feel to finish that last beer before the bouncer kicks us out. However, over time, the forbidden fats and sugars of early Carnivals have fermented into potent libations, the dairy has evolved into bare derrières, and the meat … well, I’ll let you come to your own conclusion. For various reasons, certain cities tend to offer more attractive “forbidden” pleasures and, therefore, become a pilgrimage for many throughout the world.
02 We are all familiar with the party that is Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; beautiful women wearing only bright g-strings and colorful headdresses, their feet blurring the definition of Samba. We recognize the darker images of Carnival in Venice, Italy; ghostly white papier-mâché faces floating over bridges under which gondolas split the dark waters of a Labyrinth of canals. However, despite the fact that it is considered the second largest Carnival celebration in the world, Cádiz, Spain, gets only a fraction of the notoriety that falls upon Rio or Venice. Maybe flamenco doesn’t translate as well as samba. Or maybe it’s because dancing half naked isn’t an option in Cádiz with the cooler winter air. Whatever the reason, the raw, satirical, “I don’t give a shit” Carnival of Cádiz, Spain, is an experience you’ll want to add to your bucket list.
by Hercules after his 10th labor. Columbus and his crew departed from the Andalucian port on two of their voyages to the New World. It was here that Sir Frances Drake captured and destroyed a great number of ships belonging to the Spanish Armada. For centuries, pirates pillaged Cádiz and left their mark on the city walls. During Carnival, it is not uncommon to see pirates, mayors, transvestites, cowgirls, gypsies and Elvis make their marks on the city walls as well. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Diego Maradona twins snorting white lines off a dirty CD. Don’t be appalled if you run into four pregnant nuns smoking, coughing, drinking, cursing and kissing each other. Sightings of Viagra Man’s weapon pointing to the heavens have been recorded. A generous brood of “chickens” handing out the bird flu to the millions 03
Considering the fact that Cádiz was founded in 1104 B.C., the ancient port city has seen its fair share of colorful characters. According to the Greeks, the city was founded
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 75
travel
locale
How to
get there Fly into Seville, Spain, via Madrid or Barcelona; average flight time is 20 hours.
01
Train from Seville’s Santa Justa Station to Cádiz: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
01 Cádiz Church at Sunset 02 Cádiz Bay and Fortress
02
76 Four El | APRIL 2014
of tourists that come to celebrate is just another example of the satire that is Carnival in Cádiz.
Spain tends not to follow the rules of political correctness; making “Chinese-eyes” during an Olympic team photo shoot in China is bound to get you a slap on the hand. Nowhere is this more evident than in Cádiz and, in particular, during Carnival. Their satirical approach to Carnival is not done in a vindictive manner but rather to poke fun at stereotypes and undercut the sensitivity certain topics conjure up within society. You see it from the time you arrive in Cádiz’s train station; satirical costumes of politicians, actors or other famous figures pour out into the streets. Below a 15th century church you might find those four pregnant nuns buying several liters of beer from one of the many make-shift bars throughout town. Several years back,
a local politician who opposed masturbation was mocked by a 21-year-old dressed in a suit and tie, holding a giant dildo with hairy hands, and standing atop the steps at City Hall. In 2009, a group of five Chinese-Spaniards suited up in Spanish national basketball team jerseys and forced their eyes wide-open for those who wanted to take their phot o. With every costume being a conversation piece, chirigotas (choral folk songs that are satirical in nature) rallying everyone around a number of comical absurdities, and shyness hiding at the bottom of every drink, Carnival in Cádiz is the world coming together for one big laugh. Laughing at others and laughing at oneself. Although the celebration there doesn’t offer as many half-naked girls as Rio, or the sophisticated pageantry of Venice, the warm welcome to be a part of and celebrate as a community is the simple pleasure offered by Carnival in Cádiz.
FourElmagazine.com
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 77
GADGETS & GEAR
REVIEWS
TECH all hands on
Whiskey Barrel Shaving Kit Price: $198
“Add a touch of rustic elegance to your every-day routine. Handcrafted from whiskey-barrel wood, the stand, brush and razor handle combine the classic style and techniques of wet shaving with modern blade technology for an unbelievably close shave. The shave brush is crafted of pure badger bristle, relied on for hundreds of years for its ability to soak up water and transfer it to your face. We’re always in such a rush that every
once in awhile it’s OK to scrape your face and remove the stubble with a little dignity and class, you filthy animals. Plus, some poor whiskey barrel died for you to have a smooth mug. Don’t let that son of a bitch die in vain.
www.Heritage-Handcrafted.MyShopify.com
By Cory Waterhouse
The Tattoo Chair Price: starts at $TBD
“Upon first glance, The Tattoo Chair looks as if it was lifted from some elementary school classroom. Full of mindless scribblings from some bored students in Algebra. Get closer, however, and you’ll realize those doodles are actually freaking sweet tattoo style drawings. The Tattoo Chair from Cookie Bros. is a tribute to old school tattoo culture and vintage dutch design.” Tattoos, you say? Wherever did you get the
inspiration for a tattoo chair in this issue with … tattoos on the cover. Zing! My tattoos, you ask? I have none because I’m too much of a wimp. There, I said it. I’ve put the stamp on my utter lack of cool. My brother Chris has both sleeves tattooed, so he’s plenty cool for both of us. Or so he thinks. Double Zing! www.CookieBros.com
Wow
Mansory Cyrus Price: $400,000
Factor
“Mansory knows a thing or seven about merging luxury with supercars, so a new ride from this company is always worth a look. The 2009 Mansory Cyrus still stands up as one of the company´s best efforts, certainly among those who believe anything carbon fiber on a car automatically makes it better. Based on Aston Martin´s already beautiful DB9, the Mansory Cyrus combines the beauty of the British marquee with the ferocity and design of a full-on supercar. It’s also clad head to toe in carbon fiber, and the result is startling; aside from its obvious influence on weight, it looks sensational.” This is what any self-
respecting superhero should be driving. Or secret spy. Then again, if you drove this, you’d be way too visible. So I guess I’d be a horrible secret agent/superhero. At least I’d have this beautiful car and be the coolest Mr. Mom shuttle-bus driver ever. www.Mansory.com/Cyrus 78 Four El | APRIL 2014
FourElmagazine.com
Lynx Smart Grill Price: $TBA
The Lynx Concept Grill is a voice-activated smart grill that automatically cooks foods based on user commands. Operation of the concept grill is driven by a flyby-wire system that drives primary functions such as ignition and burners via an automated system that cooks recipes that have been pre-programmed by Lynx’s master grillers for a perfect meal every time. Smart phone? Check. Smart Car? Check. Smart house? Check. Oh, no. I’m not saying I own all of these things. Only that they exist. And this smart grill is only the next logical step. This is especially important for the guy who likes to have 11 beers at the weekend BBQ and turns my angus burger into a charred hockey puck. Mmmm, sweet delicious angus burger hockey pucks! www.LynxGrills.com
Gerber Money Clip Price: $32
“Thanks to technology via phone apps that have replaced an array of credit and loyalty cards, fewer items wind up in wallets. This translates to money clips growing in popularity. Enter the Gerber GDC Money Clip. Not only does it hold up to five essential cards, but it contains a 1.75 inch fine edge stainless steel blade for discreet access and ultra-practical incorporation into the daily routine. It perfectly integrates high-tech function with a need for basic, sturdy steel.” Use this dandy little tool for when the valet comes up and you whip out your Gerber blade to remind him to park your eight-year-old Jeep somewhere safe. Actually, don’t do that. That would end up with you either getting beat up by a valet or going to jail for assault with a deadly weapon. Both sound like a really bad day. www.GerberGear.com
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Compact System Camera with 14-42mm 2RK lens Price: $800
“Built to a higher standard, the EM-10 boasts a powerful TruePic VII image processor, a large interactive electronic viewfinder, built-in flash and WiFi, a warp-speed AF system that allows sequential shooting at 8FPS and much more. So ditch the bulky DSLR and lighten up with the EM-10.” This
camera has the old school look with all the current technology to give you street cred with all the other dads at gymnastics. Though you’re not really allowed to take pictures at gymnastics practices anymore because some asshead creepers ruined it for the rest of us. www.GetOlympus.com
If you’d like to have your product reviewed by Four EL Magazine, e-mail cory@fourelmagazine.com APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 79
GADGETS & GEAR
REVIEWS
TECH all hands on
Survival Slingshot Price: $140
“This Survival Slingshot is configured for archery as well as a tactical light for nighttime hunting. A Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit is mounted using our aluminum mounting bracket. Whisker biscuits increase accuracy with arrows but folds out of the way when you want to use regular slingshot ammunition. Our standard bands are approximately 25 pounds pull and easily shoots regular arrows like the aluminum Easton arrows shown. Ample power to bow fish as well; this set up shows a Cajun Archery Bow Fishing Arrow.” What is an AHOT section
without something to prepare us for the impending collapse of our society via financial clusterfudge, asteroid collision, extraterrestrial invasion or zombie apocalypse? I also wanted to include this item simply because they use the term “Whisker Biscuit” in their description. I believe that’s what one drops while using the Whiskey Barrel Shaving Kit on the pot. www.SurvivalSlingshot.com
Turbo Destroyer Motorcycle Price: $TBA
“Turbo Destroyer has a 1200cc fuel-injected motor with a Trask turbo system. They used the finest components available and notable additions include a welded crank, Screaming Eagle heads, a Thundermax computer, turbo, a custom HD gas tank, Brembo brakes, a BST carbon fiber front wheel and a Ducati front end hooked up by Chainsickle.” Looks cool, it’s fast, has all the bells
and whistles and it name drops all the right parts. Plus, it’ll most likely get you arrested or dead. Win-win, if you ask me. Plus, the company’s name is DP Customs. Now, admittedly, I barely read over the content on their website, so I have no idea what DP stands for. In my head, at least, it stands for Dangerous Projects. www.DPCustomCycles.com/Turbo.html
80 Four El | APRIL 2014
Star Wars Cufflinks Price: $125-$4,200
“Bring a bold new management style into the boardroom with these officially licensed Star Wars® cuff links, featuring likenesses of such characters as Yoda, Darth Vader and Chewbacca. Prices reflect those made of Palladium-plated metal with matte finish ($125) and, in limited edition, 14-karat yellow gold (up to $4,200).” I think I’ll
preface this by asking George Lucas and his cadre of ever-present attack attorneys to not sue me. Why, you ask? I don’t know. I just feel like anytime I mention Star Wars or Lucasfilm in a sentence, I’m going to have a cease-and-desist jammed into my Sarlacc. Anyway, these cufflinks are Snerdzy (snazzy+nerdy), so of course I approve and will feel the need to own them at some point. But if you buy the $4,200 pair, that’s a bit overboard. And you have way too much money. And you’re obnoxious. But you’re welcome to buy them for me. www.NeimanMarcus.com
FourElmagazine.com
Google Glass Titanium Eyewear $150-$225
Product description: While it still features the rather huge box, camera and floating screen, Google Glass Titanium Eyewear does look quite a bit more normal than its predecessor. This new collection includes four frame shapes that can accommodate prescription lenses, as well as three sunglass options that were designed in collaboration with Maui Jim. Four EL take: One knock against Google Glass
is how odd the glasses actually look. Which to me is one of the obvious reasons not to purchase the first few generations of new technology. New technology often looks goofy, rarely works as well as advertised, and early-tech adopters tend to be a continually disappointed bunch. (Which is how I felt after I bought the HTC Thunderbolt; what a pile of monkey dung.) But, at least when it comes to the design aspect of this Google Glass eyewear, these titanium frames can anchor the device to your face in a way that makes you look less like an Android (pun intended) and more like a Cyborg ManDroid. Which is my stage name at NASA cocktail parties. What am I even talking about? I need coffee. www.Google.com/Glass/Start
WFSS4Lmag.indd 1
APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 81
7/26/13 11:40:49 AM
MUSIC LISTINGS
HOT WIRE
concert dates
rhythm
4/14:
Cage the elephant Belly Up
4/9 Foster The People, Belly Up The lead vocalist Mark Foster went through an immense struggle before the band’s breakthrough to popularity with the hit single “Pumped Up Kicks”. Even If you don’t like it, you have to respect it, but you should like it to. 4/11 Coachella Weekend 1, Coachella Valley Coachella is one of the biggest multi-genre music festivals in California. 4/14 Cage The Elephant, Belly Up Cage The Elephant is well known for their intensely energetic live performances. They gained a massive following in both the UK and the US in 2008 after the release of their album “Cage the Elephant.”
4/16:
bonobo Belly Up
4/15 City And Colour, Humphreys Fun Fact: The name comes from a play off the lead singers name Dallas Green, Dallas being a city and Green being a color. Get it? 4/16 Broken Bells, Humphreys The band is composed of duo Brian Burton and James Mercer, who was the lead vocalist and guitarist for The Shins. 4/16 Temples, The Casbah This English rock band has been cited by Noel Gallagher, (Oasis), and Johnny Marr, (The Smiths), as the greatest rock band in Britain. 4/16 Bonobo, Belly Up The Bonobo, formerly known as the pygmy chimpanzee…Uh...wait… wrong Google search. Bonobo makes some pleasant sounding experimental instrumental music. 4/17 Cypress Hill, Humphreys Cypress Hill was the first Latino-American Hip Hop group to Have MultiPlatinum albums. They are insane in the membrane.
4/23:
Jeff Bridges and the abiders The Belly Up
82 Four El | APRIL 2014
4/17 Bryan Ferry, Humphreys Ferry began his music career with a group called Roxy music and went solo in 1973 with hits such as, “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” and “Lets Stick Together.” 4/17 Bombay Bicycle Club, Belly up The band name comes from a no longer existent chain of Indian restaurants in Britain and these guys have been in several different titled bands since they were 15.
FourElmagazine.com
4/27:
4/16:
Augustana
Broken Bells
SOMA
Humphreys
4/26:
The Dillinger Escape Plan Porters Club
4/18 Coachella Weekend 2, Coachella Valley This is the second Weekend of one of the biggest Multi-Genre Music Festivals in California. 4/19 The Expendables, House of Blues This band consists of a pleasant mixture between reggae, ska, and punk rock music. In 2005, they contributed to an album that was a fundraising effort for the USA Junior Surfing Team. Gotta love the philanthropy. 4/23 Jeff Bridges and The Abiders, Belly Up An American Country Musician who is also a well-known actor that played in movies such as, The Big Lebowski, Ironman, Seabiscuit, and Tron: Legacy. 4/26 The Dillinger Escape Plan, Porter’s Pub The Dillinger Escape Plan has a very unique but appealing style of rock. Check out the music video, “One of us is the Killer.” I’m not entirely sure why they made a music video for this song…they could have just muted an episode of Dexter. 4/27 Eric Hutchinson, House of Blues Check out the song, “Tell the World.” That song is just catchy as hell. 4/27 Augustana, SOMA San Diego This American rock band is best known for their singles, “Boston” and “Sweet and Low.” 5/2 Tribal Seeds, Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU This San Diego Native band has shared the stage with many other wellknown artists such as, Atmosphere, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid and MGMT. 5/2 Tokyo Police Club, Belly Up This Indie rock band from Ontario has played in several massive music festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza. They have also toured with several popular rock bands some of which include Foster the People and Weezer. 5/3 SRH Fest, House of Blues SRH fest will include artists such as Unwritten Law, Mickey Avalon, Johnny Richter, Big B and Perro Bravo.
LOCALLY WORLD FAMOUS BURGERS & ALE TUESDAY NIGHT
2 FOR 1 BURGERS (Some restrictions apply)
1044 South Coast Highway 101 | Encinitas 760.943.7180 | encinitasalehouse.com APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 83
around town
LOCAL EVENTS
Apr. 4 - 6:
San Diego Crew Classic Price: In Advance - $12 At the Door - $15 Locale: Mission Beach
“Over 4,000 athletes from more than 100 universities, clubs and high school programs from across the United States will participate in this two-day premier rowing event in San Diego.”
Apr. 6:
2014 Campagnolo Gran Fondo Price: From $65-$120 Locale: Little Italy People on bikes need to remember that they’re supposed to have the right of way but a car or truck doesn’t care about supposedly. You’ll just end up as mush. Be smart and be alert. Or be mush.
As this is a very large event for the Ivy League crowd, I’m expecting pinky raised snobbery and Skull and Bones shenanigans. Keep an eye on your farm animals folks.
Apr. 5 - 13:
San Diego Opera Presents Don Quixote Price: In Advance - $12, At the Door - $15 Venue: San Diego Civic Theatre Locale: Downtown
“Pulsating with Spanish rhythms, dances and color, Don Quixote welcomes the return of the brilliant Ferruccio Furlanetto, who has conquered opera houses from New York to Moscow, Vienna to Paris and Madrid to Budapest.”
Apr. 8:
Beer Pairing with Coronado Beer Company Locale: Croce’s Park West in the Expatriate Room
“Join us on April 8th as Coronado Brewing Company (Coronado, CA) and Croce’s Park West presents a Beer Pairing Experience!” And enjoy responsibly. No one wants to have another St. Patrick’s day on our hands. At least during St. Patty’s, they’re mostly just dry heaving because they didn’t eat anything.
Tilt away folks... Apr. 13:
Tactical Pistol Three Course Price: $275 Locale: Pala Resort
“Tactical Pistol Three trains the fundamentals of practical gun fighting skills. Take this Pistol Course and see what professional mentorship can do.” This actually sounds kinda fun but being around other people with firearms make me a little nervous. Maybe I’d be less nervous if they learned to hit what they were aiming at. Unless it’s me of course. Apr. 27:
La Jolla Half Marathon Price: $275 Locale: Pala Resort
“The La Jolla Half Marathon is one of America’s most picturesque and beautiful point-to-point races. Starting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the course follows a scenic coastal route before reaching the challenging climb to the summit of Torrey Pines State Park. After leaving the park, the course rolls atop Torrey Pines mesa, continues down through the residential district of La Jolla Shores, and finishes in Ellen Browning Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove.” You know who was a big marathoner? Jesus. True story... 84 Four El | APRIL 2014
Apr. 29 - 30:
Spring Busker Festival Price: Free Locale: Downtown
“The celebration brings colorful street performers from across the country to perform their bizarre talents like sword swallowers, jugglers on unicycles, escape artists and comedic stuntmen to the cobblestone streets of Downtown’s Seaport Village.” Busk your ass down to Seaport Village and be amazed at talents you never thought were profitable.
May 23 - 25 :
San Diego Jazz Festival Price: $150-$975 Locale: Omni La Costa Resort and Spa
Apr. 27:
San Diego Earth Fair Price: Free Locale: Balboa Park
“Under the musical leadership of nine-time Grammy Award Winner Wynton Marsalis, the world-renowned jazz orchestra brings together the finest soloists, ensemble players and arrangers in jazz music today.”
“Set in San Diego’s Balboa Park, the celebration of planet Earth features a children’s parade, booths, educational exhibits, music and earth-friendly food!”
Jazz takes some time to enjoy. Start with Miles Davis and Kind of Blue. If that doesn’t sound good to you, then you’re a classless heathen and should stick to Miley Cyrus and her blathering hordes.
I’m sending a hippie sneak attack. I’m wearing my anti-patchouli, just in case.
Through May 24:
Artist in Residence - Jarmo Mäkilä Price: Included with Admission Locale: North County Coastal
Apr. 19-27:
“The large-scale autobiographical paintings of Jarmo Mäkilä reflect personal childhood memories and the mythology of his native Finland. Ritualistic scenes of boys playing cruel games are a favorite subject.”
Cabrillo Parks Free Admission for National Parks Week
Little known fact: People in Finland do not actually have fins.
Price: Your Taxes Locale: Shelter Island
“Free admission and ranger programs all week.” (Kuh-Bree-Yo) for those of you who’ve inexplicably never taken a Spanish class in your life. Or had Mexican food. Or seen Sesame Street. Busk your ass down to Seaport Village and be amazed at talents you never thought were profitable.
Apr. 26-27:
Adams Avenue Unplugged Price: Free with Admission Locale: Mission Valley
“Adams Avenue Unplugged is a weekend music and art festival with over 150 live acoustic performances over 4 outdoor and 22 indoor stages” Personally, any music that will remove the song, “Let it Go” from my head, I’d really appreciate it. I’m about ready to run my head into the wall. And my skull will most likely let go of my brain.
Through Jun 28:
Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones in Old Town Price: $45 Locale: Old Town
“Travel into a world of new opportunity, colorful customs, and ruthless pride as you walk the streets of San Diego’s Old Town. The Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones will have you tasting our favorite dishes and samples of popular cocktails in the area.” Tequila and Tombstones. Sounds like a terribly gloomy punk band with a drinking problem. APRIL 2014 | Fully cultured, yet unshaven | Four El 85
around town
LOCAL EVENTS
Through Sept. 28:
Real Pirates Price: TBA Locale: San Diego Natural History Museum, Downtown “National Geographic’s Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship at theNAT features more than 200 artifacts recovered from the ocean floor.” Listen, I could make some dumb “arrrrrrrr, you’re going to the Real Pirates exhibition,” but that would just be beneath me. Read Four El Loro for that stuff.
Through Dec. 31:
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Price: $5 with general museum admission Locale: San Diego Air & Space Museum, Downtown
“Escape from the ordinary and step into the shockingly odd world of Ripley at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! This is the first time a Ripley’s exhibition has been to San Diego since the California Pacific International Exposition of 1935.” I’m writing this from my bed, in my PJs and listening to Flamenco Sketches. Believe it or not.
Joseph Aaron Goulding Photographer and Waterman
www.AaronGouldingPhotography.com // www.JAGMediaProductions.com
Aaron Goulding has been capturing images in and out of the water, on and off throughout the past 20 plus years. His favorite shoots take place in the water because he loves the challenge and the action.
April 1-Oct. 31:
Sin Diego Price: Included with admission Locale: Stingaree, Gaslamp District “‘SIN DIEGO: The Stingaree’s Transformation from Vice to Nice’ showcases the development and eventual ‘clean up’ of San Diego’s infamous red-light district.” Also known as StingCleaning. No, they don’t really call it that, but they’re free to use that term if they pay me $12 and a Milky Way bar.
86 Four El | APRIL 2014
His images have been published and featured in The Surfer’s Journal, Slide Magazine, Glide Magazine (Japan), Australian Surfing Life, Surfline, Surge Bodyboard Magazine, Planeta Surf (Mexico), and SUP Journal. His travels include; France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Japan, China, Mexico, Austria, Switzer-
land, Canada, England, Australia, Germany, Spain, Greece, Costa Rica, Bali and Fiji mostly due to his band Pridebowl. He was the singer but don’t hold that against him. Aaron specializes in surf photography but is comfortable shooting photos in any environment. He’s also worked with several high profile celebrities and their families for his underwater portraits. See Aaron’s work on display at The La Jolla Information Center 1162 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037
striving to make a
difference environ-Friendly Inks SDP uses custom formulated, soy based, low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) inks for our printing processes. These inks are B.A.C.T. Compliant (Best Available Control Technology) and are certified by The San Diego County Air Pollution District. SDP uses environmentally friendly roller and blanket wash as part of our commitment to help lower greenhouse gasses.
All Waste Paper, Plates And Inks Are Recycled
SAN DIEGUITO PRINTERS 1880 Diamond Street • San Marcos, CA 92078 Phone: 760.744.0910 • sd-print.com