June 21, 2011 (Santee) -- The Via Moto restaurant is now in Santee.  A  grand opening was June 15 for the 4,400-square-foot Via Moto restaurant in The Marketplace in Santee, California. According to Michael Pirraglia, owner and restaurateur, Via Moto is a new Italian dining concept that will feature an express section where diners can order at the counter, a full service bar and dining area for table service, and a vast selection of local and draft beer at the indoor/outdoor bar. The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in The Marketplace, at Mission Gorge Road and Carlton Oaks Boulevard.  

Photos by Sami Roy Photography

June 11, 2011 (El Cajon) – Paipa’s Buffet restaurant has reopened in a new location within the Syucan Casino. The restaurant, which is entirely smoke-free, has been renovated with a new kitchen, seating for 320 people, more specialty food stations and new design elements.

By Miriam Raftery (guest columnist)
Terra Bistro

7091 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
www.terrasd.com

Popular chef/cookbook author’s new eatery opens today
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

April 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Not every new restaurant parks a tractor outside. But for Jeff Rossman, executive chef and owner of Terra American Bistro, the vehicle symbolizes his commitment to supporting local farmers.

“East County needs a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on sustainability and supporting local growers, artisans and families,” says Rossman, who is also the author of the new cookbook, From Terra’s Table: New American Food, Fresh From Southern California’s Organic Farms.”

By Miriam Raftery
 

March 29, 2011 (La Mesa)—David Zaloudek decided to combine his two passions: coffee and restoring vintage light fixtures. You can savor and purchase both at Marcella June’s Coffee Lounge, La Mesa’s newest java joint at 8513 La Mesa Blvd. The coffee lounge is named in honor of Zaloudek’s mother, whose portrait adds a vintage touch in keeping with the period lighting that softly illuminates this cozy, one-of-a-kind shop.

Winemaker moves operations from San Marcos, opens tasting room in East County
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

March 24, 2011 (Julian) – Marc Hashagen isn’t your typical winemaker. A firm believer in giving things a go even when the odds seem long, he began making wines with a friend back in 2006 because “we love wine,” he recalled.

Born in Norway and raised in a small English farming town by his parents, both American teachers, he returned to the U.S. after they retired and headed west.  “We Googled winemaking in San Diego,” said Hashagen, who teamed up with a friend, Charlie Chabalko, now co-owner.

March 17, 2011 (Flinn Springs) – Alpine Kiwanis invites the public to savor “good food and fine wines” at Vintage Alpine, the “wine experience in the country” set for May 1st from 1-4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms. Tickets are $50 before March 31, $60 after March 31, and $70 at the door. The event includes live music in a garden setting, a silent auction, and opportunities to emet wine and food specialists.

February 4, 2011 (Alpine) – Chinese New Year kicked off at Viejas Casino yesterday with the opening of Emerald Asian Cuisine.

Owned and operated by San Diegan Mike Lee and his family, Emerald Asian Cuisine is known for its award-winning Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, including authentic pho, Vietnamese coffee, Banh Mi, and much more.

December 16, 2010 (Santee) – “We’ve got at least 600 people here,” Santee Chamber of Commerce Warren Savage estimated, smiling broadly while sandwiched between teen beauty queens in the jam-packed lobby of Union Bank in Santee on December 2nd.

Dec. 3, 2010 (La Mesa)– Executive Chef Bernard Guillas and Chef de Cuisine Ron Oliver of the Marine Room team up with Sharp HealthCare’s Registered Dietitian Candy Cumming for a live cooking demonstration in La Mesa--along with a discussion on how carbohydrate content of foods can affect your blood sugar. The famed chefs will share cooking techniques, healthy recipes and information about fresh seasonal ingredients.

Recipe courtesy of Chef Raul Delgadillo; originally published in Hooked on Baja by Tom Gatch

November 10, 2010 (San Diego)--Mexico is surrounded by the sea, so it is easy to understand why seafood plays such an important role in la cocina Mexicana. One of the most popular appetizers is ceviche. Almost every coastal state has its own rendition of this mixture of raw shrimp, fish or scallops, which naturally ‘cooks’ itself in fresh citrus juice. This particular recipe is a specialty of Executive Chef Raul Delgadillo at La Fiesta, a popular restaurant in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, and is typical of the version served in Acapulco.

by Cindy Douglas

Cindy Douglas, a certified raw foods educator from Whole Raw Food Now (www.wholerawfoodnow.com), will host a free workshop on raw foods November 13 from 1-3 p.m. in Alpine.  The even will feature cooking tips, the latest science, and free smoothie samples.

Recipe courtesy of Home Made Simple (See our review of the Home Made Simple book in our San 

Diego Bookshelf section--and scroll down for this sweetly simple recipe.)

November 6, 2010 – Chutney, a sweet and spicy relish originally from India, was imported to merry old England in the 17th century, where it swiftly gained popularity. Jelly-like in consistency, chutney is customarily made with fruits, vinegar, and spices of East India.  Now you can brighten up your holiday table with these festive flavors!

 November 3, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Thanksgiving is coming and the people of the United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM) invite you to let Mama do the baking this year. Two members are helping Mama’s Kitchen raise money to provide nutritious meals for San Diego men, women and children affected by AIDS and cancer. You can help by purchasing a pumpkin, pecan, apple, or sugar-free apple pie for $20 ($15 is tax deductible).

October 15, 2010 (Spring Valley) – The first annual Spring Valley Tailgate & BBQ Festival will be hosted this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. In front of Cali Comfort  Restaurant & Sports Bar. Troy Street will be closed down between Bancroft and Central avenues for the event, which includes BBQ samples, family activities, a children’s fun zone, street vendors, and more.