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Background by San Diego artist/ photographer Peral Preis. Images selected from Honey Art, one of Preis’ exquisite books available for purchase at short2000.com
13 | SPORTS Undress to Impress Sports figures shed their uniforms for Hef’s Halloween party at the Playboy Mansion.
20 | COOLTURE Put Your Foot Down The YWCA invites men to “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” to stamp out domestic violence.
14 | PROFILE All Choked Up One-on-one with Clark Gregg, the director of this year’s dirtiest film.
22 | STYLE Rank & Style Robert Verdi, the fashion police’s highest-ranking officer, appears at Fashion Valley Mall.
16 | PROFILE
24 | vision ten-thirty-one The haunting photography of Kenny Sanchez.
A Rivers Edgy Joan Rivers performs in San Diego to support same-sex marriage rights. 18 | COOLTURE Chick Flicks Glitz and glamour go Gaslamp at the San Diego Women’s Film Festival.
8 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
30 | TASTE are you ready for some foodball? Tackle your game-day appetite at these close-to-the-Q restaurants.
33 | TASTE Liquid Assets Tap into San Diego’s wealth of microbreweries.
42 | GROOVE Think Globally, Drink Locally Congratulations to Sean McNeil from the Local Eatery & Drinking Hole.
36 | TASTE A Cut Above Restaurateur Clay Bordan works hard to make his penthouse restaurant better than the rest.
44 | GROOVE Monster Bash The year’s biggest Halloween event rocks downtown.
38 | TASTE Six Pack Apps Half-a-dozen simple appetizers for your Instant Chef arsenal. 40 | GROOVE Undead or Alive PacificSD and DJHere present Halloween at The Prado.
46 | LOVE Blind date: TY, TY Again One courageous woman gives love a second chance. 50 | CALENDAR Ten.08 October event listings. 54 | THINK Off the Radar Graduates respond to Radar Magazine’s scathing report card for SDSU.
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Editor Seems like traffic is getting worse. If you commute through the merge, drive west on the 8 at seven in the morning or try to make it from the 5 to the beach, then I’m preaching to the choir. (Not that you’re in a choir, and not that there’s anything wrong with it if you are.) The point is that getting from here to there takes longer than it used to, and, on top of that, we can’t even use our hands to hold cell phones anymore. Actually, maybe that’s a good thing, because now you can hold a coffee in one hand and whatever else you want in the hand that used to hold your cell phone. I guess I shouldn’t complain, because, to be honest, my commute is a snap. I live by Downtown and work by the beach, so I’m home-to-office in about 15 minutes, and, along the way, I pass by the harbor and Mission Bay and catch a glimpse of SeaWorld. Although freeway congestion and the line to enter the beach do occasionally double my commute time, I’m reminded each day that we really do have a kick-arse town here, even if we need to spend money on Bluetooth headsets. Plus, now that the Zonies are gone, traffic should lighten up at least a smidge.
This AUTOMOTIVE ISSUE of PacificSD celebrates the ways by which cars are interwoven into the fabric of Finest City lifestyles. In Photomobiles (page 12), photographer Kenny Sanchez reveals intimate looks into San Diegans’ love affairs with what drives them. In Nifty ‘50s (page 22), it’s stilettos to the metal as vintage fashions get a new look. Parts Department (page 30) is stocked with simple gas-saving tips that really work and insight into how the main ingredient in tequila may soon become the primary fuel in your tank. Read about Street Scene’s return to Downtown (page 40), check out Chainsaw’s examination of the sexiness of Hybrids vs. Hummers (page 17) and ride along for a high-octane Rocket Car blind date through Little Italy (page 46)
forget about it! From the outrageous minds that brought you Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin comes Forgetting Sarah Marshall, now on DVD and Blu-Ray™ Hi-Def. What’s one thing that happened this summer that you’d like to forget? Email your answer to contest@pacificsandiego.com. Top ten answers win a Forgetting Sarah Marshall DVD.
PUBLISHERS David Perloff / Editor in Chief Simone Perloff / Fashion Director DESIGN DIRECTOR Kim Cuffe MANAGING EDITOR Michael Benninger FOOD EDITOR Brandon Hernández CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Craig Boreth Lauren Brunelle Carissa Casares Nicole D’Alesandro Katy Griffiths Hewitt Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Dave Lebhar PHOTOGRAPHERS Lou Mora, loumora.com Greg Ramirez, ramirezphotos.com Kenny Sanchez, threefourmedia.com INTERNS Molly Bedford Katie O’Connell
undercover: Clay Bordan, the hardest working man in the restaurant business, was shot at his La Jolla Shores penthouse restaurant, Clay’s La Jolla, by Greg Ramirez (ramirezphotos.com). Story page 36.
advertising info: Please call 858.274.1111 for advertising information and a complimentary consultation with a marketing expert.
Prize not for resale. All federal, state, and local regulations apply. The recipient of this prize assumes any and all risks related to the use of it, and accepts any restrictions required by the provider. Universal Home Entertainment and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of this prize. Prizes cannot be exchanged, transferred, or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. Universal Home Entertainment and their affiliates are not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to use his/her prize in whole or in part. Not responsible for lost, delayed, or misdirected entries. The decision of the contest is final. Void where prohibited by law. NO PURCHASE NESSESARY. Participating sponsors, their employees and family members and their agencies are not eligible. NO PHONE CALLS!
PACIFICsandiego.com 858.274.1111 10 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
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impress Sports figures shed their uniforms for a Halloween party at The Mansion by cookie “chainsaw” randolph
Imagine Hugh Hefner decking out the Playboy Mansion for an “Athletes Only” romp (otherwise known as the “Right After Every Lakers Game” party). But this is a special night: Halloween 2008. Forever inventing original party themes laced with irony, pathos and nuance, Hef and The Girls Next Door pick the perfect Halloween costumes for each famous athlete. Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds as The Olsen Twins Now that they’re off steroids, they fit perfectly into the Mary-Kate & Ashley collection. Big Brown as the Clintons Here’s a switch: a horse dressing up as two humans! He also lost a big race after winning a couple of primaries. Paris Hilton as an Olympic Pool Keep her away from Phelps… it’s obvious what’s she’s up to. What’s her event anyway? Snatch, Clean and Jerk? Bret Favre as John Madden So he can say, “Brett Favre” over and over without it sounding so conceited. Tony Romo as Nick Lachey A desperate ploy to trick Jessica Simpson into going away voluntarily. Terrell Owens as Helen Keller It’s the part where he can’t speak that we like the most. Michael Phelps as a Giant Spermatozoa With millions of tiny spermatozoa balloons attached by tiny strings, trailing him by a few yards. Shaquille O’Neal as a Pizza Oven Big mouth and a lot of bricks. Misty May and Kerri Walsh as Themselves In their beach volleyball bikinis, of course. Hopefully they’ll spike the punch.
Chinese gymnast He Kexin as an Actual 16-Year-Old With a real-looking passport and everything! No wait, she already wore that masquerade in Beijing. Shawne Merriman as Wile E. Coyote Miraculously recovered from devastating injury in time for the very next scene! (Except this coyote sacks his prey.) The Clintons as Big Brown We all know which end Bill will be and where his head is jammed. Sorry about the word picture, but it’s a fact. A-Rod as a Pumpkin So he can finally know what it feels like to be useful in October. The party is a smashing success! As expected, the couple in The Big Brown costume have a disagreement and separate, the back-end sneaking off with Paris Hilton, the front-end sneaking off with the Pumpkin. Man, that Pumpkin likes the older gals, huh? Everything happens at Hef’s—which reminds me of a story from the Playboy Mansion’s heyday, a tale which some consider true, and others consider urban legend: One night, during the wild, orgy-filled ‘70s, Mick Jagger walked in on Hef having sex with the late, great Dennis Weaver, the television cop. Mick exclaimed, “Hey, Hugh, get off of McLoud!” Happy Halloween.
Chainsaw masquerades as a professional broadcaster on the Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw morning show, weekday mornings on 101.5 KGB-FM. chainsaw@101kgb.com
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COOL TURE
One-on-one with the director of the year’s dirtiest film by michael benninger photos by greg ramirez
Clark Gregg is a cinematic Renaissance Man with an utterly filthy sense of humor. A native Bostonian, Gregg has played a myriad of supporting characters in film and television, including appearances in The Usual Suspects, The West Wing and Sex and the City. He appeared in this past summer’s mega-blockbuster, Ironman, and plays a recurring role opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus in The New Adventures of Old Christine. In addition to being an actor, Gregg is also an accomplished writer. He penned the screenplay for the 2000 Harrison Ford/Michelle Pfeiffer thriller, What Lies Beneath, and his directorial debut, Choke, hit screens nationwide on September 26. Choke is an offbeat and off-color satire based on the eponymous novel by Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk. The film stars Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile, Galaxy Quest, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) as Victor Mancini, a sex-addicted medical school dropout who works as a historical re-enactor by day, while intentionally self-asphyxiating with restaurant food after dark. By choking himself, Mancini risks his life again and again, hoping that his Heimlich-applying heroes gain a sense of responsibility for his pathetic soul and periodically send him cash. The money he “earns” from choking pays to keep his criminally-inclined and mentally-decrepit mother (Anjelica Huston) in an expensive, round-the-clock nursing home. The independent flick received a rave reception at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and is poised to make a big splash at the box office. We caught up with Gregg at one of the Hard Rock Hotel’s poolside cabanas when he visited San Diego last month.
Q&A with gregg
Michael Benninger: Choke involves a lot of taboo subject matter that unfolds in a darkly humorous narrative. Was it the book’s comical approach to unsettling topics that led you to make this film? Clark Gregg: Actually, yes. I felt like I had never seen a really heavy and sad drama mixed so effortlessly with such irreverent black comedy. MB: Sam Rockwell plays Choke’s antihero, an underachieving scam artist with a sex addiction and some serious mommy issues. Why was Sam the right choice for this role? CG: Sam and I did a play together in New York in the ‘90s. It was also kind of
14 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
perverted, and he was brilliant in it. I had watched everything he’d done since then and, for my money, there’s nobody like him. He’s able to play really out-there, absurdist comedy stuff as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, and then switch into heavy drama stuff two minutes later, or even two seconds later, and you never see him shift gears. MB: Some people might find parts of Choke offensive or sacrilegious. Did you run into a lot of opposition while making the film? CG: No, but I definitely had people saying, “What are you thinking?” I feel like my favorite jokes are always the really disgusting ones that make people leave
the room and I envisioned this movie as one of those jokes, where I’m laughing hysterically, and everybody else has left the room. At the end of the day, there’s always going to be people who leave the room at my favorite jokes, but I’ve got to tell them anyway. MB: You’re also a member of Choke’s cast, playing the punctilious Lord High Charlie. Why did you decide to step into his colonial-era shoes and play such a straight-laced character? CG: I wasn’t going to, but the colonial-era shoes are basically heels for men, and I’m just enough of a drag queen that I really wanted to put those on. Okay, maybe not really. I’ve played enough guys like Lord
High Charlie—the pompous, failed actor walking around the lunchroom saying, “Thee” and “Thou,”—that, when it came time to offer it to somebody else, I kind of hesitated for a moment. Then my casting director said, “I see what you’re doing. You can’t bring yourself to give it to anybody else, because you want to play it, and I think you should.” That’s all I needed to make it a narcissism trifecta as the writer, director and actor. Also, I couldn’t pass up the idea of getting back into a situation where I could act with Sam again. MB: Do you find directing more gratifying than acting? Is directing inherently more challenging?
COOL TURE
CG: Directing is more challenging than acting for the most part. With directing, it’s all up to you, which is fantastic if you’ve got a control freak anywhere inside of you like I certainly do. It’s nice to have authorship over things and decide, in Choke’s case for example, which vibrator to use. There’s a tremendous amount of satisfaction that comes with having your movie in front of 800 people at Sundance and having them, to your great surprise, laugh and connect to it. But there’s nothing that compares to walking onto a set and mixing it up with someone like Julia Louis-Dreyfus or Sam Rockwell. Acting is very visceral, whereas directing is more cerebral. MB: You’re an actor, a writer and now a director. If you could focus on only one of these professions, which would it be and why? CG: That’s one of those damn questions that I hate, like, “You have to give up your ears, your eyes or your penis. Which one would you give up?” And I always think, I don’t really like thinking about this and I don’t like any of those options. MB: Do you spend a lot of time in San Diego? CG: I have been here quite a bit in the past two years. My wife (Dirty Dancing’s Jennifer Grey) actually acted in some episodes of HBO’s John from Cincinatti (filmed in Imperial Beach), so we came down a bunch. I was here for Comic-Con, too. I’m scared to come down here, because I’m afraid I’m going to buy a house. My daughter is a big fan of SeaWorld. Who knew that the orcas could do that? I feel like if they gave an orca a remote, it could program my TiVo. It was amazing. MB: What’s up next for Clark Gregg? CG: I just started the fourth episode of the fourth season of The New Adventures of Old Christine. I hear some whispers, and I’d hate to get my hopes up, but there’s an opportunity that maybe I’ll be able to reprise my role as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Coulson in Ironman 2. I would be very happy if that happened. I’m also writing a new thing that I’m hoping to make as my next movie, if I can convince anybody to go on a second date with me. MB: Speaking of dates, why should people go see Choke? CG: Because, though many of them won’t admit it, we all love porn. And when you’re watching porn, no matter how good the porn is, what you’re really thinking is “This is good, but it would be great if it had a story and a few jokes.” And Choke is nothing if not one of the world’s great porno movies with a story and some jokes. If that doesn’t get you to invest in a babysitter, I don’t know what will.
» images from the feature film Choke
COOL TURE
An icon among gay men and often imitated by drag queens, the hilarious Joan Rivers has an extensive catalogue of gay jokes. She tells of blind gay men with seeing-eye poodles and talks about how the Golden Gate Bridge swings both ways. For one night of hilarious comedy, Rivers will perform at the Birch North Park Theatre and then attend a VIP dinner at the adjacent Hawthorn’s Restaurant Lounge. A portion of proceeds from the October 12 event will benefit the “No on Prop 8” campaign. If passed, Proposition 8 would take away the freedom of gays to marry in California. Rivers is widely regarded as one of the world’s hardest working celebrities. She is a Tonynominated actress, best-selling author, Emmy Award-winning television talk-show host and is most well-known for hosting scores of Hollywood red carpet events and episodes of The Tonight Show. “Gay men are my most loyal fans,” Rivers says. “I look out in the audience and, if there’re six gay men in the front row, I know it’s going to be a good night.” Hawthorn’s owner, Michael Mack, is thrilled to have the raspy-voiced New Yorker perform at his venue.
a rivers
EDGY Joan Rivers performs in San Diego to support “No on Prop 8”
16 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
“Bringing Joan to the North Park Theatre helps both Dave Cohen and me realize a goal we had when buying Hawthorn’s back in January. We wanted to bring new events to the theatre that would create new energy and excitement in North Park.” Mack acknowledges others that have made this event possible. “Prominent businessmen Tom Felkner and Bob Lehman, a local couple who just married this past June, have been instrumental in helping us pull this event together. This night will give us the opportunity to support the community we are proud to be a part of.”
Joan Rivers Birch North Park Theatre Date/Time: October 12 at 7 p.m. Location: 2895 University Avenue, North Park Tickets: birchnorthparktheatre.net, 619.239.8836 VIP Dinner and Theater Packages: hawthornssd.com, 619.602.9453.
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Glitz and glamour go Gaslamp at the sixth annual San Diego Women’s Film Festival by brandon hernández
In its inaugural year, the San Diego Women’s Film Festival (SDWFF) garnered 25 film submissions and a total audience of about 50 people. The fledgling event, a small but stunning celebration of women filmmakers’ contributions to the cinematic arts, has blossomed into Southern California’s foremost and longest running women’s film event. This year’s SDWFF is being held on the weekend of October 3 – 5 at the Reading Cinemas’ Gaslamp Stadium 15 downtown and boasts over 500 film submissions from which 50 standouts have been selected to entertain an expected 2,500-plus attendees. Among this year’s films is Expired, which revolves around the off-beat, turbulent interplay of Claire, a kind-hearted meter maid, and Jay, a meanspirited traffic officer, who come to discover quite by surprise how love can breed hope under even the most unlikely conditions. Directed by Cecilia Miniucchi, Expired has been named Curator’s Choice and will be the highlight of the SDWFF’s Saturday night festivities. The following evening will be headlined by the festival’s closing film, 1000 Journals. Written, produced and directed by Andrea Kreuzhage, this unique documentary follows up on a social experiment conducted by a San Francisco graphic artist. Working under the pseudonym “Someguy,” the artist left 100 blank journals at various places around San Francisco. The journals were left with instructions, telling the people who found them to write in them and then either return them full or pass them along to interested parties via a networking website he had set up. The experiment took off, and people from all around the world flooded the website with requests for journals. After sending out his thousandth journal, Someguy ceased distribution. This documentary examines the diverse and uniquely-personalized journals that were sent back to him and catches up with the people who put their personal stamps on them. The SDWFF strives to empower, promote and mentor aspiring women filmmakers by exposing them to veterans of the craft. As such, the directors from both of the aforementioned films will be on-hand for interactive discussions with viewers directly following the airing of their works. Another prime opportunity to meet the creative minds behind this year’s productions will be at Friday’s opening night reception, which will feature skilled directors, producers and writers as well as fabulous fare from two of Hillcrest’s best – The Tractor Room and Hash House A Go Go – and exceptional wines from Napa’s Stag’s Leap. The independent films reeled up for this year’s SDWFF highlight positive messages about relevant social issues based on ethnicity, class, culture, race and, of course, gender. Come out, sit back and enjoy this most entertaining form of enlightenment.
Reading Cinemas’ Gaslamp Stadium 15 701 5th Avenue, Downtown Festival Hours: Friday, October 3: 7:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday, October 4: 1 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Sunday, October 5: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Tickets: All-Access Tickets, $50 ($25 student discount available); One-Day Pass, $30 ($15 student discount available); One Film Category Only, $10 ($5 student discount available). Tickets to the festival can be purchased in advance online at sdwff.org or at the door during the event.
18 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
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put your foot DOWN The YWCA invites men to stamp out domestic violence in style by katy griffiths hewitt
Listen up, guys. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so it’s time to strap on some stilettos and strut your stuff along downtown’s streets for a great cause. On Thursday, October 16, the YWCA of San Diego County will host Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an event encouraging San Diego men to participate in a light-hearted and high-heeled effort to raise awareness about domestic violence and its impact on individuals and families.
20 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
Hundreds of men are expected to put their best feet forward in this one-mile walk and fundraiser to benefit YWCA programs and emergency shelters for those affected by domestic violence. Domestic violence plagues women and children in San Diego and across the country. Each year in the United States, three million women are abused by their significant others. The high heels in this event are meant to symbolize the happilyever-after attitude that women have
when they enter relationships. For domestic violence victims, however, such fairytales are shattered by physical violence and emotional abuse. Registration is currently underway for individuals and teams from companies and community groups of all sizes. Visit the YWCA of San Diego County’s website for details and to pre-register. Don’t forget to include your shoe size when you sign-up; your very own pair of high heels are included with the $100 walk
donation fee. The walk begins at the South Embarcadero Marine Park at 5:00 p.m., with a post-walk reception at 5:30 p.m. Aside from a stronger sense of balance and an appreciation for how difficult it is to wear heels, participants will walk away with something greater: the knowledge that they’re spreading awareness of a serious problem and helping those who need it in the process. INFO: ywcasandiego.com
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STYLE
Q&A with Verdi Lauren Brunelle: What aspects of the Fashion Valley event excite you most? Robert Verdi: I’m really looking forward to the runway show. I always love to see the way different brands live together on the runway. I’m also really excited that it’s a charity event with proceeds going towards Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Breast cancer has touched my life many times, and I’m really happy to be involved with something like this. LB: What current fashion trends do you love? RV: I love the little, delicate charms, things like what your mom or grandmother used to wear. I like anything that feels personalized. Carolina Herrera did a country-like royal collection, and I love when really glamorous women are seen wearing a ball gown skirt with a tweed jacket, that sort of mix-and-match look. I also like the minimalist fashion trend.
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LB: What do you love most about fashion? RV: I love how eclectic it can be. You can wear tweed items, satin designs or big hats with feathers in them. Then you can have collections from Calvin Klein and Prada that are really austere. I like that balance and I like that women have the option to act out a fantasy of who they want to be on any given day.
the fashion police’s highest-ranking officer comes to fashion valley By Lauren Brunelle Photo by Bradford Noble
Cops hand out tickets for moving violations, but who has jurisdiction over style infractions? The fashion police, of course, and you’d better look sharp, because their chief is coming to town. Fashion icon, red carpet fixture and host of the Style Network’s weekly show, Fashion Police, Robert Verdi is the celebrity host for Simon Fashion Now, the October 24-25 celebration of style at Fashion Valley Mall (a Simon Mall). Verdi has one of the most highly recognizable faces in the world of fashion today. He made a cameo in the movie The Devil Wears Prada, where he played himself opposite Meryl Streep, and is the go-to fashion expert on The View, Regis & Kelly, The Today Show and CNN’s Headline News. Simon Fashion Now will feature runway fashion shows, the latest trends in cosmetics and the season’s must-have accessories. In addition to learning the dos, don’ts and probably shouldn’ts, attendees will enjoy exclusive designer discounts and interactive Simon Style Stops, including makeup demonstrations by Sephora. INFO: simon.com
22 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
LB: What has been your most rewarding fashion experience? RV: Years ago, I did a segment for a series that involved interviewing models on their ascent. Every one of the girls I interviewed was fresh to fashion. I was their first television interview, and now they’re the top models of the world. What I loved was the humanity of it—I got to hear their stories, real-people stories. It was very rewarding to meet these incredible people and see them become stars within their industry. LB: What one item of clothing could you not live without? RV: My black satin Christian Dior trench coat. I rarely wear it, but, when I do, I feel like a different person. LB: Which trendsetting designer should we be on the lookout for? RV: Rodarte. I think they’re really important. LB: What are your plans for the future? RV: Taking over the world (laughs). I would love to get involved with licensing and have the ability to affect what choices women have when they’re standing at the racks.
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3460 Ingraham St., Ste. B * Pacific Beach 858.273.4677 * ishopatscene.com Located on the corner of La Cima and Ingraham in PB
VISION
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24 | OCTOBER 2008 ÂŤ PACIFICsandiego.com
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PACIFICsandiego.com » OCTOBER 2008 | 25
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Sports Arena | 619.291.4810 3450 Kurtz Street, Suite D
Kearny Mesa | 858.492.0959 4488 Convoy Street
La Jolla | 858.622.9190 La Jolla Village Square
STYLE VISION
trick-or-treat Happy Halloween From PacificSD
28 | OCTOBER 2008 ÂŤ PACIFICsandiego.com
breakfast * lunch * dinner * lounge
fabulous beach front dining since 1970
Chef Chris Bates
Bates’ World Famous seafood dishes reflect his International approach to fine California Coastal Cuisine. Menu changes daily depending upon what seafood is freshest at market.
Reservations: 858.272.3100 * 711 Pacific Beach Drive * Pacific Beach
Enjoy a gourmet seafood dinner for about $20/person
TA S T E
Are you ready for some
foodball? Tackle your game-day appetite at these close-to-the-Q restaurants By Brandon Hernández
Finally, Rivers is flowin’, and LT’s rackin’ up some TDs. Football season is here, and Bolts fans from Oceanside to Otay are descending on Qualcomm Stadium to revel in the game-day experience, which wouldn’t be complete without a little pre-game partying. Tailgating can be fun, but, if huddling around a hibachi and avoiding errant Nerf Hail Marys from eight-year-olds trying to hit their wide-open fathers in the parking lot isn’t your cup of beer, check out any of these stadium-friendly hotspots. They’ll handle the grilling for you and they’re within rushing distance of the Q.
CAMEL’S BREATH INN 10330 Friars Rd. » 619.281.1722 For game-day fun, this gem comes through like the diamond-in-the-rough on your fantasy football roster. Most days you could walk right past this joint without even noticing it, but not on game day! That’s when Camel’s Breath becomes the “inn” place to be, thanks to giveaways and food and drink specials.
30 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
CHANNEL 1 SPORTS BAR & GRILL 3232 Greyling Dr. » 858.569.1310 Located atop the hill leading directly into the Q’s parking lot, this may be the best sports bar you’ve never heard of. With killer deals like free breakfast on Saturday and Sunday (with two-drink minimum) and $6 steak dinners for Monday Night Football (MNF), it’s a miracle of Holy Roller proportions that such a great place manages to fly under the radar season after season.
LONGHORN CAFé 6519 Mission Gorge Rd. » 619.283.0831 In Texas, the town watering hole is where locals gather to armchair quarterback before, during and after games. This Texas-vibed bar brings that atmosphere to its SoCal strip mall location with strong drinks, stick-to-your-ribs grub and a host of regulars who know more than a thing or two about football and happily let rookies join in the conversation.
TA S T E
MCGREGOR’S GRILL & ALE HOUSE 10475 San Diego Mission Rd. » 619.282.9797 mcgregors.signonsandiego.com Mix some green into your blue and gold at this hoppin’ Irish pub. It’s big enough to have bars at both ends, a kitchen serving an extensive array of beer-friendly delights, tons of seating indoors and out, a bank of pool tables and occasional rock bands. It’s no wonder this Blarneyed-out bar is easily the most popular spot in Mission Valley on game day.
SEAU’S THE RESTAURANT 1640 Camino Del Rio N., #1376 » 619.291.7328 seau.com We may be six seasons removed from the days when number 55 guarded the Chargers’ end zone, but, thanks to his namesake restaurant, Seau has never been far from Bolts fans’ hearts… or stomachs. As if offering stellar traditional game-day fare and top-grade sushi weren’t enough to keep folks coming back, Junior recently invested in 60 high-def 42” flat-screens for viewing pleasure.
OGGI’S PIZZA & BREWING CO. 2245 Fenton Pkwy., # 101 » 619.640.1072 oggis.com This beloved local chain’s Mission Valley outpost boasts a menu stocked with enough hearty and delicious pizzas, calzones, burgers and sandwiches to satisfy a 300-pound nose tackle. They also have a whopping 25 big screens, spacious patio seating and a line of great microbrews produced on-site. One of those quaffs, the McGarvey’s Scottish Ale, scored a gold medal at the Super Bowl of beers – the 2008 World Beer Cup.
HOOTERS / 1400 Camino De La Reina 619.299.4668 » hooters.com Yes, it’s an empire built on the wings of chickens and the backs of bodacious blondes in short shorts, but few places in town go as all-out when it comes to football. TVs feature every game on the schedule, and contests with prizes spice up commercial breaks. The whole experience may make you want to scalp your Charger’s tickets and spectate via satellite.
GORDON BIERSCH / 5010 Mission Ctr. Rd. 619.688.1120 » gordonbiersch.com In Deutschland, they call soccer “football” and revel in thrilling 1-0 defensive battles, but the line of German-inspired beers at this microbrew restaurant is enough to make even the most devout American football fans overlook such shortcomings. If that doesn’t do it, the extensive menu and televisions with NFL Sunday Ticket in the dining and bar areas should do the trick.
SAN DIEGO BREWING CO. / 10450 Friars Rd. 619.284.2739 » sandiegobrewing.com What’s a great game without an equally great beer? If you’re a fan of both and hate the idea of finding out the answer, head to this sudsy sanctuary where taps line two walls and spout a variety of the best beers in San Diego. An affordable menu, Foosball, darts and the obligatory array of TV screens make this the ideal pre-game spot for beer lovers.
PACIFICsandiego.com » OCTOBER 2008 | 31
TA S T E
Over the past decade, the popularity of craft brews has skyrocketed, and San Diego has come to be regarded as one of the greatest craft brew cities on earth. Throughout our region, skilled and inventive artisans are hard at work, pushing the brewing envelope and earning San Diego the reputation it now enjoys as a veritable pint paradise. If you haven’t set out to visit these craftsmen and enjoy the fruits of their labor, you are missing out. An afternoon spent caravanning from one microbrewery to the next can be tasty, rewarding and lots of fun, especially when you consider that many breweries have food or full-on restaurants and offer a variety of special events and promotions to enhance the beer-tasting experience. Here’s the low-down on several local breweries plus recommendations from owners and head brewers on the best of their mainstay beers as well as rare and unique gems from their collections. by brandon hernández
Tasting Room
KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY Downtown, La Jolla, Sorrento Mesa & Carlsbad » karlstrauss.com There’s a popular misconception that Karl Strauss, a 20-year-old San Diego institution, is a restaurant first and brewery second. The truth is, it’s a brewery that just happens to have restaurants and, as their menu attests, it’s all about the beer. Recipes are designed to perfectly incorporate and pair with Karl Strauss’ classic German offerings. Check out their monthly firkin parties where they tap a fresh keg of beer (a firkin) and let the tasters flow… for free! The Best: Amber Lager The Gem: Imperial Amber Lager
SAN DIEGO BREWING CO. 10450 Friars Rd. » Mission Valley sandiegobrewing.com It’s fitting that this local fixture bears the name of our fair city. Since 1993, when it had only (ahem) fifty taps, SDBC has showcased the finest quaffs from San Diego’s craft brewers, including their own distinct brews. SDBC’s goal is to keep their styles and processes simple and to use only the freshest, highest quality ingredients. This approach paid off for them when their Hopnotic IPA was named best double IPA on the face of the Earth at the 2008 World Beer Cup. The Best: San Diego Amber The Gem: Hopnotic IPA
Tours
Food on-site
restaurant
special events
STONE BREWING CO. 1999 Citricado Pkwy. » Escondido stonebrew.com
CORONADO BREWING COmpany 170 Orange Ave. » Coronado coronadobrewingcompany.com
Over the past 12 years, this North County brewery has gained a legion of disciples thirsty for its hoppy, inyour-face line of beers like Arrogant Bastard Ale and Ruination IPA. Guided by the mantra “Fizzy, yellow beer is for wussies,” the Stone empire has flourished behind big-time flavors. That same boldness extends to the cuisine served at the Stone World Bistro & Gardens, a palatial bar and eatery that stacks up against any brewery restaurant in the country. The Best: Stone IPA The Gem: Double Bastard Ale
Despite being removed from San Diego’s mainland, Coronado Brewing Company is deeply engrained in the local craft beer community. Their refreshing beach-friendly brews are available at many of the county’s best beer bars and taverns as well as in their on-site restaurant, which features an extensive beer and food menu. It’s the perfect spot for outdoor noshing and imbibing. The Best: Idiot IPA The Gem: Red Devil Imperial Red Ale
PACIFICsandiego.com » OCTOBER 2008 | 33
TA S T E
Gordon Biersch
gordon biersch 5010 Mission Center Road » San Diego » gordonbiersch.com This California-based chain of brewery restaurants boasts the motto “Never trust a skinny brewer.” While their selection of authentic German biers are the tasty stuff beer guts are made of, Gordo’s selection of steaks, seafood, pizzas, pastas and sandwiches is every bit as tempting. With a sophisticated interior and atmosphere more refined than your average beer hall, this is the best bet for a beer-bolstered business lunch or a casual after-work session. The Best: Hefeweizen The Gem: Winter Bock
ALESMITH BREWING CO. 9368 Cabot Dr. » Miramar alesmith.com
BACKSTREET BREWING 15 Main St., Ste. 100 » Vista lampostpizza.com/backstreet
BALLAST POINT BREWING Co. 10051 Old Grove Rd., Ste. B » Miramar ballastpoint.com
LIGHTNING BREWERY 13200 Kirkham Way, Ste. 105 » Poway lightningbrewery.com
The staff at AleSmith is comprised of accomplished home-brewers who united to create a masterful team of professional brewers. They may be in their 13th year of operation, but 2008 has proven anything but unlucky. AleSmith won several awards at this year’s World Beer Cup and recently expanded its facility to bolster production and keep up with demand for their diverse line of brews. The Best: Speedway Stout The Gem: YuleSmith Double Imperial Red Ale
Tucked away in a strip mall in Vista, Backstreet is headed by Adam Carbonell, who is both a beer and food enthusiast. Carbonell uses only natural ingredients (versus flavoring agents) to complete his mission to create beer that features the same delicious flavor combinations offered in popular edible dishes— oatmeal and raisins, blue corn and lime, chocolate and orange peel. The list goes on and on. The Best: Cal Azul-México Cerveza Agria The Gem: Wutizit
One of San Diego’s oldest and most respected brewing operations started out as Home Brew Mart, a retail store for home-brewers. In 1995, a brewery was installed on-site, and Ballast Point Brewing Company was born. More than a decade later, the original Linda Vista location is still thriving, to the point where a second brewery has been constructed in Scripps Ranch. Both facilities offer tours and a steinful of brewing knowledge to beer-loving visitors. The Best: Yellowtail Pale Ale The Gem: Sea Monster American Style Stout
There’s a genius at work at this hidden gem where owner Jim Crute uses his extensive scientific background to concoct the truest versions of classic and lesser-known European brews. A stunning example of Crute’s ingenuity is his Old Tempest Ale, which gets its authentic flavor from imported UK malts and water that has had its ionic strength increased to match water from wells of the Burton-on-Trent region of England, where this style of beer originated. The Best: Elemental Pilsner The Gem: Black Lightning Porter
34 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
TA S T E
pb Alehouse more breweries
GREEN FLASH BREWING 1430 Vantage Ct. » Ste. 104 » Vista greenflashbrew.com Green Flash believes that great beer born of the best ingredients, conditions and timing is as rare as, well…an actual green flash (the sunset phenomenon where the sun flashes green just before vanishing). To produce this elusive breed of beer, Green Flash brews in small batches. Their Hop Head Red took top honors in the 2008 World Beer Cup, and they were tapped to brew the official beer of the 2008 Craft Brewers Conference. The Best: West Coast IPA The Gem: Le Freak (Imperial Pale Ale & Belgian Trippel)
LA JOLLA BREWHOUSE 7536 Fay Ave. » La Jolla lajollabrewhouse.com
PACIFIC BEACH ALEHOUSE 721 Grand Ave. » Pacific Beach » pbalehouse.com Pacific Beach AleHouse’s objective is to elevate the Pacific Beach dining experience, great beer plays an integral role in accomplishing that mission. Brewer Erik Jensen offers up a number of refreshing concoctions to pair with a menu that weaves his pale ale and porter into several dishes. Add great service, a killer ocean-view location and laid back atmosphere, and it’s easy to see how this newcomer has been able to make a name for itself so quickly. The Best: Whitewash Wheat The Gem: Oktoberfest
pizza PORT 571 Carlsbad Village Dr. » Carlsbad 135 North Hwy. 101 » Solana Beach pizzaport.com There’s arguably no better tandem than an icy brew and piping hot pizza. This blissful union is celebrated daily at Pizza Port, where the diverse yet universally flamboyant beers of Port Brewing are on tap in great multitude along with selections from other choice San Diego breweries. Not-to-be-missed events for beer lovers are the Carlsbad Port’s annual Real Ale and Strong Ale Festivals. The Best: Hop 15 The Gem: Older Viscosity
THE LOST ABBEY 155 Mata Way, Ste. 104 » San Marcos lostabbey.com
OCEANSIDE ALE WORKS 3800 Oceanic Dr., Ste. 105 » Oceanside oceansidealeworks.com
SoCal is a hotbed for brewers working outside the box to craft avant-garde brews, but Tomme Arthur, the creative mind behind The Lost Abbey, has an appreciation and passion for Belgium’s old-world farmhouse and monastic (produced by Trappist monks) ales. So, that’s what he brews. In only its second year, this Belgian bastion has already won the Best U.S. Small Brewing Company award twice. That’s math that’s easy to do even after a few strong ‘Abbey ales. The Best: Judgment Day The Gem: Cuvee de Tomme
How do you turn a remote business park suite into the most hoppin’ hangout in town? The county’s northernmost microbrewery has a tried-and-true formula: provide a variety of great-tasting malt-driven beer styles and a cheery, hospitable, relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy them all. Weekend festivities are enhanced by live music, food vendors and the fact that the fun-loving owners are on hand to answer questions and share a pint of good cheer. The Best: American Strong Ale The Gem Big Ru Wee Heavy
This brewhouse keeps it real and is the best place in La Jolla to get your hands on our region’s craft beer creations. On top of great house beers and varietals from other local breweries, owner Claudette Mannix regularly holds fundraising beer dinners and other events benefiting local humanitarian causes. Can you think of a more enjoyable way to give back to the community? The Best: Blonde The Gem: The Darkness Belgian Lavender Stout
ALPINE BEER COMPANY alpinebeerco.com BREAKWATER BREWING CO. breakwaterbrewingcompany.net THE BREWHOUSE AT EAST LAKE brewhouseeastlake.com FIREHOUSE BREWING CO. firehousebrew.com MISSION BREWERY at Miami Grill missionbrewery.net OGGI’S oggis.com ROCK BOTTOM rockbottom.com SAN MARCOS BREWERY & GRILL sanmarcosbrewery.com
PACIFICsandiego.com » OCTOBER 2008 | 35
TA S T E
cover story
a cut
ABOVE restaurateur Clay Bordan works hard to make his penthouse restaurant better than the rest by Nicole D’Alesandro photo by greg ramirez
The exhilarating view from Clay’s La Jolla, the fabulous restaurant in the penthouse of Hotel La Jolla, makes everyone stop and stare. Everyone, that is, except for executive chef and owner Clay Bordan, who stops to smell the rosés but doesn’t have time to admire the scenery. “I guess I have too much work ethic,” says Bordan. Bordan has helped open more than 45 restaurants but takes launching this skyscraping hotspot more personally. “Opening Clay’s was a lot like giving birth,” he says. “You’re creating something from scratch that you have to nurture in your own way. It all comes down to control. I’m in control of this restaurant’s destiny.”
clay’s la jolla
11th Floor Penthouse of Hotel La Jolla » 7955 La Jolla Shores Dr. » La Jolla Shores » 858.551.3620 » clayslajolla.com
36 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
TA S T E
True to his entrepreneurial workaholic form, Bordan hung the curtains, painted the walls, designed the bar and created the California Fusioninspired menu. However, he doesn’t take all the credit for the restaurant’s success. “My staff is just as much part of this place as I am, and they’ve been here with me since the beginning,” he says. Bordan was appointed executive chef at a young age and demonstrates gratitude for the promotion and loyalty to his staff by promoting from within when new opportunities arise.
“Opening Clay’s was a lot like giving birth”
In one instance, Bordan was so impressed with a dishwasher’s ambition that he promoted the man through the ranks, ultimately making him the restaurant manager at Clay’s. From his finely-tuned staff to the venue’s finely-tuned live jazz, Bordan has used every crumb of his vast experience to launch Clay’s La Jolla, his dream restaurant, despite all the hard work.
Nicole D’Alesandro: What inspired you to get involved in the restaurant industry? Clay Bordan: I had to pay my bills. When I got into the food business, it wasn’t popular and was looked down upon. But now people think it’s very cool, and there is a respect for this position. ND: What is the biggest challenge to owning a restaurant? CB: Maintaining a balance between creation and finances. Meaning, being creative enough for guests but balanced enough for investors. ND: How do you describe the food and ambiance? CB: Not as fine dining. I hate that term. I’d describe it as unpretentious, high quality, artistic but familiar. ND: With so many dining options in La Jolla, why should people come to Clay’s? CB: Our philosophy is, “If you’re cool enough to find us, then you deserve to be here.” Just kidding. People should come here because it’s beautiful, consistent and extremely high quality. ND: What’s one of your vivid childhood memories about food? CB: Making a grilled cheese sandwich for my first girlfriend. I made it in a hamburger press. It was approximately one millimeter thick when I gave it to her. ND: Do you consider yourself more of a chef or entrepreneur? CB: Chef. Because that’s what I like to do, and, at the end of the day, I’m cooking. ND: What are you doing when you aren’t cooking? CB: Eating.
TA STY ST LE
six pack
APPS simple, sexy appetizers to wow your dinner guests by Craig Boreth
Everybody loves appetizers. Chefs love making them, because they can get totally creative and adventurous. And everyone loves eating them, which explains why, at even the haughtiest affairs, guests form a scrum around the hors d’oeuvres like a pack of hunting dogs devouring a freshly killed antelope. Home cooks should also embrace apps. They make for a beautiful presentation, eliciting all the requisite oohs and aahs, and they’re interactive and delicious, keeping hungry guests distracted, while you finish the main course and the kitchen fills with smoke.
Here are half a dozen great, simple appetizers that all home cooks should have in their Instant Chef arsenal:
instant chef Gourmet dishes you can master in mintues
38 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
1
Bacon-Wrapped Date Bombs Cut strips of bacon in half crosswise, wrap each piece of bacon around a pitted date, then secure each wrap with a toothpick. Sauté in a skillet over medium heat until well browned, turning once. Instant Improv: Stuff the dates with pieces of chorizo, Manchego cheese, almonds or a clove of roasted garlic.
2
Figs and Goat Cheese Trim the stems off of fresh, ripe figs and cut each fig in half from top to bottom. Place figs on a serving platter, cutside up. Drizzle figs with balsamic vinegar, top with a teaspoon of herbed goat cheese and drizzle with honey. Instant Improv: Before adding the honey, roast the cheese-topped figs in the oven for a few minutes until warmed through, or top with a hazelnut, pine nut or even a candied pecan. Anything to add a little crunch will be great.
3
Prosciutto e Melone Cut a thin slice of skin off the top and bottom of a ripe cantaloupe. Stand the fruit upright, then slice the rest of the skin off the melon in strips from top to bottom. Cut the melon in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut the flesh into large, bite-sized cubes, then wrap each cube in a piece of prosciutto. Secure with toothpicks and serve. Instant Improv: Everything tastes better wrapped in prosciutto. Try using different kinds of melon, peaches, or leftover figs from the previous recipe.
4
Toasted Almonds Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Add blanched almonds (skinless almonds, which may be labeled as “raw almonds”), reduce heat to low and sauté almonds until lightly browned, about 5-8 minutes. Transfer the almonds to a serving bowl, let them cool for about 10 minutes, then sprinkle with sea salt and serve. Instant Improv: Just about any type of nut turns wonderfully fragrant and delicious when toasted this way.
5
Caprese Salad Cut tomatoes and fresh mozzarella into ¼-inch slices and select several fresh basil leaves. Layer tomato, cheese and basil leaf on a serving plate. Drizzle liberally with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Instant Improv: Try using peaches instead of tomatoes, add a few strips of prosciutto to the mix, or brush baguette slices with olive oil and toast them, then stack individual Caprese salads on each slice of baguette.
6
Shrimp Cocktail Yes, this dish has been around forever, but it’s a classic for a reason. Buy boiled large shrimp from an excellent fish market (one pound of shrimp serves about eight people as an appetizer). Make cocktail sauce by mixing horseradish and ketchup. Start with one part horseradish to four parts ketchup and add more horseradish to taste. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Serve on a bed of crushed ice with lemon wedges. Instant Improv: Add a few drops of Tabasco or a splash of clam juice to the cocktail sauce, or serve the shrimp with fresh salsa or guacamole instead of cocktail sauce.
Craig Boreth is a food writer and author of The Hemingway Cookbook. He is also the author of How To Feel Manly in a Minivan: a survival guide for new dads, and How To Iron Your Own Damn Shirt: the perfect husband handbook.
GROOVE
undead or
ALIVE
PRESENTS
Join PacificSD, DJhere Productions and 2,000 of the city’s hottest revelers at the Halloween Ball at The Prado
Constructed in 1915 for the World’s Fair, The Prado in Balboa Park has a haunting, old-world personality. Now, nearly a century later, that history and sexy architecture is reborn… or at least undead. On October 31, San Diego’s mastermind entertainment production company, DJhere, reanimates The Prado with world-class sound and lighting to create the city’s premier Halloween Ball. Like the Jack-O-Lantern is to Halloween, superstar DJs Scooter and Scotty Boy are to turntables. Luckily for us, this dynamic duo of rhythm are passing on Vegas gigs for the second year in a row because, as Scooter puts it, “DJhere at The Prado is Halloween.” Pat and Chris English, the twins who run DJhere Productions and are dressing up as each other for Halloween say, “This city is becoming a destination city, so we like to create Halloween and New Year’s Eve events that are worth flying in for.” The ever-elusive elder statesman of San Diego nightlife and founder of DJhere, Matt Spencer is looking forward to the big night. “Hey, I’m not 23 anymore,” he says, “but I love this event, because it offers indoor/outdoor space, balconies to hide out and talk, plus a ton of bars and plenty of space to get your best dance move on. Buy me a tequila shot, dammit!” So, whether you’re a Wookie, Cartman, sexy police girl or a high school gym teacher with inappropriate shorts and a megaphone, the trick is to treat yourself to one of the year’s hottest parties:
Halloween at The Prado in Balboa Park.
djhere.com » pacificsandiego.com » discoversd.com » fortune421.com » dtownproductions.com
40 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
purple
GROOVE
DRINK of the month
haze
Sick Cruisers from $105 to $1005
Moondoggies’ murky mixture will treat you well by carissa casares
photo by LOU MORA
In recent history, Purple Haze has been the name of a ‘60s Jimi Hendrix Experience hit, a popular strain of cannabis and a Bar Mitzvah DJ from the ‘80s. Thanks to Moondoggies, the mysterious moniker has a new meaning: a deeply hued cocktail that’s sure to rattle your bones. In an ode to autumn and just in time for Halloween, the mixmasters at Moondoggies have created their signature Purple Haze, a hauntingly opaque libation containing Malibu rum, Blue Ice vodka and Blue Curacao mixed with a splash of Sprite and a dash of grenadine. The refreshing combo packs a powerful punch and is perfectly suited for bubbling in a witch’s cauldron or being sipped through Dracula teeth. Slip into your own Purple Haze at the all-new Moondoggies, offering a fresh new menu, dozens of HDTVs and weekly Monday Night Football appearances by Marshall Faulk.
Huge Showroom 1211 Morena Blvd. San Diego s 92110 www.beachbikes.net
MOONDOGGIES / pacific beach 832 Garnet Ave. » 858.483.6550 » moondoggies.com
BeachBikes.Net
bartender of the month
GROOVE
think globally drink locally cheers to Sean McNeil from the Local Eatery & Drinking Hole PHOTO BY LOU MORA
Q&A with sean McNeal
PacificSD: Where are you from and how long have you been in town? Sean McNeil: Originally from Pasadena, went to ASU and lived in Tempe for more than ten years. I used to run a bar there called The Thirsty Beaver. I’ve been in San Diego for six years. PacificSD: What’s best food-and-drink combo at the Local? SM: That’s hard. We have a lot of good food. I’d have to say lobster tacos and a Dos Equis. PacificSD: What makes the Local unique? SM: It’s just a great place to work. The locals are cool, the staff is tight, our vibe is casual. Plus, we branch outside of the Local, creating events for our customers that involve sports and travel. PacificSD: What’s most intriguing about the Local? SM: The building is more than a hundred years-old and it’s haunted. We actually had a cook quit because of it. A woman came in to do a ceremony to scare away the ghost. Since then, the ghost is gone… mostly. PacificSD: Favorite place in San Diego to grab a drink besides The Local? SM: PB Shore Club, Open Bar, Beach Comber and Pizza Port. PacificSD: Best place to eat after closing time? SM: Santana’s! PacificSD: Biggest weakness? SM: My mom’s cooking. PacificSD: What are you going to be for Halloween? SM: Hulk Hogan PacificSD: What’s your best Halloween costume ever? SM: YMCA Crew… everyone was over 300lbs. PacificSD: Relationship status? SM: I’ve been dating the bar’s owner for four years. PacificSD: Trick or treat? SM: Treat. I’ve had too many tricks in my time.
THE LOCAL: 1065 Fourth Ave., Downtown » 619.231.4447 » thelocalsandiego.com 42 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
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monster BASH
GROOVE
PacificSD, Dos Equis XX and Southern Comfort present the year’s biggest Halloween block party with a $3,000 costume contest
Don’t be caught dead sitting at home this Halloween night. Come celebrate in the haunted Gaslamp at the most wicked outdoor block party of the year, The Eighth Annual Dos Equis XX Monster Bash, presented by Southern Comfort. This year’s graveyard bash will take place on Friday, October 31, from 6:00 p.m. ‘til midnight on the outskirts of the Gaslamp, at Seventh Avenue, between Market and J Streets, and at Island Avenue, between Sixth and Eighth Avenues. Beware of having too much fun as you shake your skeleton alongside naughty go-go dancers to the deadly sounds of some of San Diego’s hottest live entertainment. The entertainment lineup on the Main Stage, sponsored by the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, promises to have energetic and upbeat music that will have you dancing into the night with bands including the Disco Pimps, The Trip and Electric Valentine. DJ G-Roy will spin his signature beats between sets.
The Scary Details: Dos Equis XX Monster Bash Date: Friday, October 31, 2008 Time: 6:00 p.m. – Midnight, Location: 7th & Market, Downtown Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door (21+ with valid ID)
Grooving by the main stage isn’t the only way to party at this year’s Monster Bash. Creep over to the Day of the Dead DJ Stage, sponsored by Fred’s Mexican Café, for a howlin’ good time with San Diego’s top DJs: Brent Bartel, Channel 93.3’s DJ Marc Thrasher and the sexy and talented DJ Miss Lisa.
Getting all dressed up pays off big-time at this year’s Monster Bash—the costume contest winner takes home an impressive $3,000 cash grand prize. After the excitement, use your wristband to enjoy great food, drink specials and exclusive no-cover-charge privileges at more than 30 restaurants and clubs throughout the Gaslamp. Monster Bash will include an exclusive VIP zone, the twisted Haunted Mansion area, where the city streets will be transformed into an outdoor night club with two bars, cocktail service, complimentary appetizers, lounge seating and private restrooms. Tickets are sure to sell out fast, so don’t wait. INFO: gaslampquarter.org » mcfarlanepromotions.com » 619.233.5008
44 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
Entertainment schedule
DJ Stage 6:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.: Marc Thrasher 8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.: G-Roy 9:15 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Brent Bartel 10:30 p.m. – Midnight: Miss Lisa Main Stage 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Disco Pimps 8:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.: The Trip 9:45 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.: Electric Valentine 11:00 p.m. – Midnight: Costume Contest & DJ Brent Bartel * DJ G-Roy performs between sets from at 6:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. roving Entertainment 7:00 p.m. – 11: 00 p.m.: Stilt-walkers, contortionists and other circus-like performances
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ty, ty
LOVE
AGAIN
Despite last month’s blind date misfortune, one brave woman gives love a second chance photos by greg ramiréz
suzannah
rocket car ride
Last month’s blind date drama (Test Drive, September ’08) told the story of Suzannah, owner of Fresh Karat women’s accessories (freshkarat.com), and her rocket car ride through Little Italy with Kevin “The Food Dude” Roberts. Unfortunately, the daters’ passion for each other was not firing on all cylinders, and the whole experience seems to have made Suzannah reluctant to get behind the wheel again. “Before the mid-date interview, Kevin made me promise that I wouldn’t throw him under the bus,’” Suzannah explains. “He was really concerned about that. Then, ironically, he threw me under the bus. I should have gone with my instinct, which was not to trust the guy.” After reading Test Drive, one loyal PacificSD reader, nightlife mogul Ty Hauter, had a crush on Suzannah. “She’s got beautiful covered,” he says, “so that takes care of my second biggest turn-on. Honestly, the biggest thing that turns me on is someone who’s secure in their own skin and knows what they want out of life. Plus, I loved Suzannah’s smile and I appreciated her comments in regards to what she was looking for in a man.” As the owner of half-a-dozen of the county’s hottest entertainment venues, Ty certainly has the
46 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
ty
opportunity to meet a variety of women, but he prefers to be introduced to potential dates through friends and business contacts. “I’m definitely NOT the ‘Rico Suave’ guy at the end of the bar that girls usually run from,” he says. “If anything, I’m probably more on the shy side.” Long story short, Ty asked PacificSD to set him up with Suzannah. We agreed to make the introduction, but only if Ty agreed to have the date documented in print, and only if he understood that his friends and other PacificSD readers might make fun of him. “I’m used to that,” he says. After last month’s debacle, convincing Suzannah to trust us again wasn’t easy. “You want me to do that again?,” she asked. “I’m not a masochist! And I certainly don’t want to give the impression that PacificSD’s blind date is my portal into the dating world. That would be a dismal existence.” (True dat!) The answer was, “No!,” unless we were willing to provide more info.
ty and suzannah meet
Suzannah to read about him in Ty One On (August ’08), a story we published a couple months back. “He seems like a nice guy, he’s cute, and I had to give PacificSD the chance to set things right,” Suzannah said after reading the story. Then, after a long pause, she finally cracked. “Ok… I’ll go.” PacificSD: If this doesn’t work out, maybe the third time will be a charm? Suzannah: Uh… no! This date may be a little less “blind” than our typical offerings, but to get Suzannah on board, we had to bend the rules. PRE-DATE PREDICTIONS Ty: We’ll meet, go steady for six months and be married with a child on the way within the year. Just kidding, Suzannah. I’m just thinking we’re going to have a great time getting to know each other and enjoy some free food and drinks. Hopefully she’ll let me enjoy that smile of hers a few times. Suzannah: I’ll refrain from speculating. We’ll see what happens soon enough. I’m just planning to go forth with a clear mind and not allow a less-thanpleasant experience to taint any future possibilities.
Ty had already seen and read about Suzannah, so, to keep things fair, we revealed his identity and told
[ Continued on page 48 ]
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LOVE
ABSOLUTELY MARBLE-OUS Suzannah and Ty meet at the Marble Room, Fifth Avenue’s brand-new, chill-vibed, fine-dining restaurant specializing in small-plates cuisine. With an innovative menu chock full of adventurous selections and the highest-quality, locally-sourced ingredients, the Marble Room offers delectable palate-pleasers amid stylish and sophisticated décor. After a drink at the bar, Ty and Suzannah sit in a plush, intimate booth to enjoy wine, tapas and ice-breaking conversation. An hour later, PacificSD splits the daters for mid-date debriefings.
Suzannah’s Mid-date Interview PacificSD: How’s it going so far? Suzannah: It’s going amazingly, much better than last time. I’m actually a bit giddy right now. PacificSD: First impressions of Ty? Suzannah: There’s good conversation, he seems like a good person and he’s good looking, obviously. He’s very warm, ingratiating and easy to talk to. I can tell that he’s a lot of fun and that he’s a good decent person, which is hard to find. PacificSD: What do you think of the Marble Room? Suzannah: Chic décor, good music and it’s upscale, but not over the top. We ordered a couple tapas—the cheese plate and the grilled shrimp. I think both of us were more focused on each other than the food, but I really enjoyed what I got to try. PacificSD: How’s the level of attraction? Suzannah: In my heart and in my head, so far so good. In terms of looks, he’s definitely my type of guy. I think he’s very attractive physically and I think his personality is attractive, too. He’s an all-around good person. PacificSD: Any thoughts about the rest of the evening? Suzannah: I’m not looking at my watch every five seconds like I did last month, so that’s good. I’m looking forward to the rest of the evening.
48 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
Ty’s Mid-date Interview PacificSD: How’s it going so far? Ty: It’s going good so far. Suzannah’s very nice and down to Earth. We seem to like the same things and we like going to the same places. I was a little nervous at first, because she’s been through this whole process before and had kind of a bad taste in her mouth, but it’s all good. PacificSD: What do you think of the Marble Room? Ty: It’s got the perfect vibe, and the music is right on. We had the cheese plate and grilled shrimp, and both selections were excellent in presentation and taste. Kudos to these guys for bringing this concept to the Gaslamp. PacificSD: What are Suzannah’s best features? Ty: She’s a beautiful girl and she has a pleasant, warm smile. I know that’s kind of a corny comment, but her smile put me at ease. PacificSD: How’s the chemistry? Ty: Suzannah understands the business side of life and what it takes to get there. That’s making for a better connection. She has to hustle to do what she does, and I have to hustle to do what I do. I can appreciate that. PacificSD: Any thoughts on the rest of the evening? Ty: When tonight ends, I’d like her to want to go out with me again.
[ Continued on page 52 ]
TEN/08 EVENTS
STYLE
SUBMIT UPCOMING EVENT INFO TO CALENDAR@PACIFICSANDIEGO.COM
LISTEN [concerts]
LISTEN [concerts] 10/21: Pinback The Casbah » casbahmusic.com 10/29: Neil Young, Death Cab for Cutie, Everest Cox Arena » cox-arena.com 10/30: Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Thrice Cox Arena » cox-arena.com
ADMIRE [ARTS]
MOONDOGGIES FRI., SAT., SUN. NIGHTS EAST VILLAGE TAVERN FOOTBALL: SUN. 10AM - 4PM MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: 5PM - 11PM MILLER’S FIELD GUEST BARTENDING THEME: CEOS AND SEXY SECRETARIES OCT. 22, 9PM - CLOSE GET VIP TREATMENT COME SEE RODNEY FOR A: HONEY BOMB! FOR MORE INFO, CHECK OUT: MYSPACE.COM/GREYSTREAK GREY STREAK’S LAST MONTH BARTENDING IN P.B.
10/31: Jason Mraz SDSU Open Air Theatre » livenation.com 10/1: Lagwagon, MXPX, TAT House of Blues » hob.com 10/3: Shiny Toy Guns SOMA » somasandiego.com 10/3: America Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay humphreysconcerts.com 10/5: Panic at the Disco, Dashboard Confessional San Diego Sports Arena » sandiegoarena.com 10/5: Earth, Wind & Fire Valley View Casino » valleyviewcasino.com 10/7: Neil Diamond San Diego Sports Arena » sandiegoarena.com 10/8: Smokey Robinson Pala Casino Resort and Spa » palacasino.com 10/16: Jimmy Buffett with The Coral Reefer Band Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre » livenation.com 10/17: Weezer, angel and airwaves, tokoyo police club Cox Arena » cox-arena.com
10/12: Joan Rivers in North Park The irreverent comedienne performs at the Birch North Park Theatre in support of “No on Prop 8.” hawthornssd.com (Story page 16.) 10/3-5: San Diego Women’s Film Festival Glitz and glamour go Gaslamp at this sixth annual cinematic event » sdwff.org (Story page 18.) 10/4-20: Italian Film Festival See a fantastic line-up of recently-released Italian flicks at the Museum of Photographic Arts. Free admission. Balboa Park » sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com 10/7-11: Spiders of San Diego San Diego’s Natural History Museum presents an adult program on how to identify spiders and avoid the deadly ones. Balboa Park » sdnhm.org 10/21-11/16: Water & Power Latino theatre troupe, Culture Clash, returns to San Diego with their award-winning drama about two sons named Water and Power. Downtown » sandiegorep.com
EVENTS
GET OUT [OUTDOORS]
10/20: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes The YWCA invites men to stamp out domestic violence in style in a one-mile high-heeled stroll through South Embarcadero Marine Park » ywcasandiego.com (Story page 20.) 10/24: Light the Night Walk The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual walk at Qualcomm Stadium raises funds for and pays tribute to thousands of local cancer patients and their families. Mission Valley » 858.427.6655 chalk drawing
10/12: Little Italy Festa Enjoy authentic Italian food, music and art at the 14th annual event. Little Italy » littleitalysd.com 10/2: 4th Annual Chef Showdown Some of our city’s most talented chefs gather at Point Loma’s NTC Promenade to battle “Iron Chef” style at this festive foodie free-for-all featuring food from dozens of San Diego’s finest restaurants. Tickets are $125 » ccssd.org
10/26: San Diego Triathlon Challenge World-class challenged athletes, professional triathletes, celebrities and other able-bodied participants compete on a breathtaking course. La Jolla Cove » challengedathletes.org
OKTOBERFESTS 10/3-5, 10/10-12: El Cajon » germanclubsandiego.org 10/3-5: La Mesa » lmvma.com 10/4: Carlsbad » rotaryoktoberfest.org
10/4: Coastwise Mile This one-mile walk/run in La Jolla includes divisions for elite athletes, a corporate relay, a stroller derby and a mutt-mile and doggy costume contest for pooches » coastwisemile.com
10/4-5: Julian » julianca.com
10/5: Mission Bay Triathlon Watch or compete in a 500-meter swim, 15K bike and 5K run at Ski Beach » kozenterprises.com
10/3-5, 10/9-12, 10/16-19, 10/23-31: Scream Zone at Del Mar Fairgrounds This haunted wonderland of ghouls, goblins and bloodcurdling screams scares the Dickens out of adults and children » sdfair.com
10/11: Pacific BeachFest A fun-filled, family-friendly celebration of the beautiful Pacific shoreline. Pacific Beach » pacificbeachfest.com 10/11: Palomar Challenge Pedal to the top of Palomar Mountain from Lake Henshaw, then coast down one of the highest paved roads in San Diego County » julianactive.com
10/11: Ocean Beach » oboktoberfest.com
HAUNTS
10/31: 8th Annual Dos Equis XX Monster Bash Shake your skeleton at Downtown’s annual Halloween extravaganza. 10,000+ revelers, live bands, $3000 cash costume contest » gaslampquarter.org (Story page 40.)
10/11: Poseidon 91X Beach Cleanup San Diego’s cutting-edge rock station and Del Mar’s famed oceanfront Poseidon Restaurant team up to clean up Torrey Pines State Beach » poseidonrestaurant.com 10/12: Kick Gas Festival Buckle up for the Grand Prix of electric vehicle drag racing. Lakeside » kickgasfestival.com 10/12: Chargers VS. New England Patriots Tom Brady’s down for the count, so the Bolts shouldn’t have a problem taking out the Pats. Qualcomm Stadium » chargers.com 10/19: U.S. Women’s Triathlon Series This women-only triathlon raises money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Mission Bay » uswts.com
10/31: Halloween Ball 2008 at the Prado DJhere and PacificSD team up to present the city’s premier Halloween Ball: Two levels, live DJs, killer drinks. Balboa Park » djhere.com (Story page 44.)
STYLE
LOVE
SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT The daters roll out of the Marble Room and stroll to the famed Shout House dueling piano bar on Fourth Avenue, where two talented and hilarious piano players tickle the ivories and sing request-driven hits from the past 60 years. The audience sings along and laughs aloud, creating an unforgettably energetic atmosphere. Suzannah and Ty sit by the bar to talk and enjoy the show. Suddenly, a spotlight illuminates the faces of the unsuspecting daters. The piano players call Suzannah and Ty to the stage and command them to perch atop the pianos. One performer asks Suzannah if she’d prefer to be serenaded with a nice song or a naughty one. She opts for the dirtier ditty, and the musicians begin belting out the lewd lyrics of the Emmy-winning Saturday Night Live short, D!©K in a Box, made famous by Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg. The audience cheers along as Ty and Suzannah whisper and wink back and forth and try to survive three agonizing minutes of embarrassment. Finally, PacificSD leaves the daters alone. The next morning, Suzannah and Ty reveal how the night ended up.
SHE SAYS You can always count on having some good laughs and entertainment when you go to the Shout House. As soon as we got there, I just kept thinking, “Wait for it. Wait for it.” I just knew they were going to make us do something completely ridiculous and embarrassing. But, much to my surprise, it ended up being a lot of fun. We laughed a lot. It was classic.
HE SAYS I’ve been to the Shout House numerous times. I love the vibe and the customer and employee interaction, and the performers are certainly never at a loss for quick, wise-ass remarks. I was just praying they wouldn’t make me look too stupid in front of Suzannah. We stayed there for about another half-hour. Then, as soon as the magazine crew turned their heads, we were out of there for some privacy. We stopped by Whiskey Girl and then dropped into The Bitter End for a bit.
After our on-stage appearance, we stayed for about half an hour, then we went out on our own. We went over to Whiskey Girl for a few and then walked down to The Bitter End.
What surprised me most was just how much we have in common. It was obvious in the first few minutes of conversation. Everything from our taste in music, our likes and dislikes, where we spend our time out on the town, past personal and relationship challenges and all the way down to cowboy boots and cars.
There was definitely some chemistry between me and Ty. I think we both felt that pretty much from the moment we met. The whole night was great. And, don’t get me wrong, I love the magazine crew, but the best part was getting to know Ty away from the cameras. That’s when we truly got to be ourselves... uninterrupted.
Truthfully, her best quality is the fact that, head to toe, she’s just beautiful. The chemistry between the two of us was off the hook in my mind. I’m thinking… and hoping… that you’re going to get the same answer from her.
At the end of the night, Ty drove me to my car. We talked some more, exchanged numbers and said goodnight. I don’t kiss and tell, but, if there wasn’t a goodnight kiss, then I’d have nothing to tell. Does that make sense? I don’t like to speculate on the future. I prefer to live in the present, which, fortunately for me at this point, is just awesome. Oh, and the magazine has definitely redeemed itself. Thanks a million!
The two best parts of the night were the first few seconds after meeting Suzannah and the moment after we ditched the magazine crew. The rest stays between me and Suzannah. We exchanged numbers for a date later this week. Maybe this blind date thing does work after all. I had an awesome time, and the whole experience was just great!
TY THE KNOT? Suzannah and Ty really hit it off. Whether or not they end up getting married (ceremony at The Marble Room, reception at The Shout House?), this was definitely one of PacificSD’s best set-ups to date, which, admittedly, probably results from the fact that the daters chose each other. It just goes to show that, if at first you don’t succeed, Ty, Ty again. For your chance at romance and glory, email setmeup@pacificsandiego.com
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52 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
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off the RADAR
THINK
A national pop culture magazine says SDSU has the Most Degenerate Student Body. PacificSD hits the streets for alumni reactions [The following article was originally published in the September 2008 issue of Radar Magazine. For Radar’s comprehensive “Bad Education” package, check radaronline.com]
Most Degenerate Student Body SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY San Diego, CA
“For most students,” notes one perceptive San Diego State graduate, “SDSU is just a place to spend those magical seven years that fall between high school and your first job at the warehouse.”
To be fair, 58 percent of SDSU’s keg-happy attendees actually take a mere six years to graduate. “The students just wanted to get laid or get drunk and party,” goes TOTAL COST (PER YEAR): $18,994 one common complaint. “I felt like only 10 (out-of-state, $29,164) percent of the people were actually there to learn something.” But give them a break. According to a “Multilevel Study of College Parties” funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism—which evidently deemed SDSU’s campus an ideal testing ground—there are as many as 22 bacchanals happening simultaneously on any given night.
ACCEPTANCE RATE: 44% 4-YEAR GRADUATION RATE: 17%
The revelry was halted briefly this year when the police broke up a drug ring involving seven fraternities, four pounds of cocaine, 350 ecstasy pills, 50 pounds of marijuana, and four firearms (as well as undisclosed amounts of hallucinogens, hash oil, methamphetamine, and illicit prescription drugs). Seventy-five students were arrested, adding to an already impressive total of 785 drug- and alcohol-related arrests on campus over the past two years. But to anyone familiar with the university’s reputation as a scandal factory, the highprofile bust was no surprise. In 2003 a revealing photograph of football players and coaches at a strip club with the handwritten caption “Party Animals” resulted in the resignation of athletic director Rick Bay. But jocks aren’t even the worst offenders. Last year SDSU’s toxic Greek culture led to not one but two cocaine fatalities. And in May 2008, Delta Sigma Phi was expelled after three pledges kidnapped and choked a fraternity brother senseless during initiation week. Even the townies get drawn into the depravity. Expect “lots of parties with high school girls” warns a student, referring to the preponderance of “jailbait.” “Nearby gangs also join in, so it’s good to be careful.” To be fair, notes another grad, SDSU does offer a diverse range of recreational options: “You can go to Mexico and get wasted, you can go to the beach and get wasted, or just stay in the city and of course get wasted.” Notable Alumni: Raquel Welch, Mika Tan (porn star), Alison Waite (Playboy playmate), Julie Kavner (voice of Marge Simpson).
54 | OCTOBER 2008 « PACIFICsandiego.com
alumni responses: “It’s easy to focus on the negative aspects of any university. However, SDSU offered me a comprehensive education that led to a successful career as a TV journalist. As with anything in life, you get out of it what you put in.” Heather Myers San Diego 6 Nightly News Anchor SDSU Class of ‘01 (graduated in 4 years)
“I don’t know what they’re talking about. I finished State in four years… unless you count those four years at Grossmont College.” David Lebhar Account Executive for PacificSD SDSU Class of ’97 (High school class of ’89)
“Radar Magazine twisted information to fit their own journalistic needs on this one. SDSU provided me with a challenging academic environment and a healthy student lifestyle.” Heather Nelson Founder and CEO, Social Betty, socialbetty.com SDSU Class of ‘00, SDSU Masters in ‘02
“The mighty Aztec warriors invented the keg stand during their rituals. Wait, I think I just blacked out. What was I talking about?” Steve Bishop Medical Sales Rep. SDSU Class of ‘98. (High school class of ‘91)
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