By Miriam Raftery

Shepherd's Pie

March 7, 2009 — Sure 'n there's no finer place to hoist a pint of ale and toast St. Patrick's Day than at Hooleys Irish Pub and Grill, the most authentic Irish setting you'll find this side of the Emerald Isle! Charmed by the warmth of an Irish Pub in Ireland, Craig MacDonald and two friends created the original Hooleys in Rancho San Diego in 1999--importing all interior elements from Ireland, right down to the polished brass whiskey still and the old church pews supporting the bar. Now ten years later, Hooleys has opened a second location in Grossmont Center, La Mesa, featuring many elements from the Auld Sod. Fortunately, you don't have to choose which Hooleys in which to celebrate--since the proprietor has lined up double-decker bus to ferry party-goers from one Hooleys location to the other.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2009 — Where are the sweetest spots to savor a romantic Valentine's dinner for two in San Diego's eastern region?

East County Magazine's restaurant reviewers, staff and editors have teamed up to offer these recommendations for places that offer not only fabulous food, but a cozy ambience ideal for wining and dining your sweetheart this Valentine's Day.

February 1, 2009 (El Cajon) -- Savor a flavorful tour of the Water Conservation Garden on Saturday, February 15th at 11:30 a.m. Tour includes samples of sweet and savory flavors from the botanical world including fruits, vegetables, and herbs--and then there is chocolate!

Partnership promotes benefits of cranberries During
the Month of December

December 3, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) — San
Diego-based Souplantation, voted one of "America's Healthiest
Restaurants" by Health magazine, has formed a partnership with the Cranberry
Marketing Committee (CMC), a committee established by the federal government
that works to promote and inform the public about the benefits of U.S. cranberries.
Souplantation restaurants will also feature several cranberry-filled recipes
on their December menu to celebrate the partnership.

By Miriam Raftery

Credit: Leon Thompson

Whether your holiday spirit hearkens for a traditional feast or offbeat alternative
activities, you’ll find plenty of tempting choices in and around East
County this Thanksgiving weekend.  Here are a few of my favorite discoveries
for ECM readers to savor:

Story and photos by Gayle Early

November 1, 2008 (La Mesa/Spring Valley) - It’s 7:00 a.m., third Saturday of the month. The line behind Crosspointe Life Church in La Mesa snakes through the parking lot and all the way down the alley. Feeding America, a nonprofit agency formerly known as Second Harvest, has dropped off its monthly food distribution here in La Mesa, where demand from hungry people seeking food has leaped 103% this quarter. Volunteers also picked up fresh produce and staples from Albertson’s and are setting up tables. Distribution starts at 9:00 a.m. It’s chilly. Many are camped out in chairs, huddled with blankets, surrounded by retractable shopping carts, canvas and plastic bags, bins, cardboard boxes, even laundry baskets with which to carry food home. If they have a home. It’s a long wait.

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

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

Lavender Raspberry Oat Muffins and Lavender Avocados

October 1, 2008 (Valley Center) – Lovely lavender blooms are good for more than sachets!  Try these tempting
recipes, compliments of The Lavender Fields in Valley Center.     

Editor's note:  Gio's has gone out of business, however a new restaurant has opened in its place. 

By Richard Noel

If you’re out and about in East County and in the mood for a great glass of wine in an elegant atmosphere, relax with the knowledge that this urge will not require you to drive into the urban core of San Diego and spend an exorbitant amount of time or money just to park your car.  That’s because GIO Restaurant in downtown La Mesa has opened the doors to its much-awaited wine bar.