Dining in San Diego, Part 2

this is my job sometimes. 

In between pondering the philosophical dilemmas of life, being a student and working for the County,  I also attend food events and restaurant openings as a representative of DiningOut SD.  The experiences I have been able to have through the magazine as well as my own personal foodie explorations have led me to some great dining spots in San Diego. 

San Diego has quite the food scene and has something for everyone. I wanted to share a few of my current favorites and recent discoveries. More to come, I promise :)

For Coffee:

- Caffe Calabria: Coffee is a highly debated topic because there are so many great coffee shops and roasting companies in SD, but in my opinion. Caffe Calabria is the best of all.  Not only do they roast their own beans but just one sip of their cappuccino takes me back to Rome in a heartbeat. Also, from Tuesday to Sunday, their talented pizza maker Luca makes pizza in a 950 degree oven that completes my Italian flashbacks. The pizza is an exact replica of what I ate and loved in Italy. Caffe Calabria has stolen a piece of my heart. 

http://www.caffecalabria.com/

exterior view. 

perfect cappuccinos. 

any pizza here is phenominal. cooked to perfection in 2 short minutes. 

- Coffee Couture: Their lattes and cappuccinos are well worth the drive to Tierrasanta. The milk is frothed to perfection and paired with a strawberry muffin, make for an excellent afternoon. 

http://coffeec.oliverwebguy.com/

- Pappelecco: Not only do they have coffee here, but also the best gelato in town. It is handcrafted with lots of love in store and sure to satisfy, rain or shine. They also serve authentic Italian pastries and sandwiches. But you really can't come here without trying the Nutella Cake. It's really all you've ever dreamed about if you love Nutella. 

http://www.pappalecco.com/

Dining in San Diego, Part 1

I really like food. 

Good Food. (And it’s a good thing that I really really really like to work out… or this would be a serious problem.)

Luckily, I live in the perfect foodie town… San Diego, CA. There is seriously a new restaurant opening every week and some kind of food event every weekend. It's kinda crazy how much San Diego to offer. You can find basically any food or cuisine in this town. The downside? It slims down your wallet and widens your waist.

Since I am a firm believer that moderation is key, I apply this concept to my food and dining out choices. For me, dining (and especially fine dining) is a form of entertainment. It's not just about being hungry, getting full and calling it a night. It starts with admiring and observing a restaurant's interior and ambiance. Discussing food prep and pairing with the servers is a must. I love seeing how chefs combine flavors, taste and texture and I love hearing waiters give their own opinion of the food. Waiters who know the food they serve is not only impressive but demonstrates that the owners and chefs truly care about what they are plating. Knowing about what you are eating and how it was prepared helps you enjoy a meal all the more. When the food arrives, you obviously have to instagram and spam your facebook feed with photos and finally dig in and enjoy the meal. But its not just about the eating part, its the whole experience and for me, it sure is entertaining. Some people pay for overpriced Disneyland tickets, I'd rather pay for an excellent dining experience.

That being said, I am on a personal mission to savor the San Diego food scene. I have a huge mental list of places to go and plates to eat. Thanks to social media, I have already been dying to try many awesome restaurants and some of the food they offer. I have also started covering events for DiningOut SD and I am thrilled for this opportunity! (I may also have to start exercising more....)

Food I have tasted (either at an event or at the actual restaurants):