COOL PLACES WITH YOU

Where we are when we're not here. There's plenty of other great places, too.

MOONLIGHTING

Visit our gastro-cantina, El Take It Easy, 200 yards north of us at 3926 30th Street.

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

If I get to eat a meal at one restaurant in California -- or maybe anywhere -- it's at Laja. Chef/owner Jair Tellez also heads the amazing Merotoro in Mexico City.

Also in our extended neighborhood, check out Chef Benito Molina's deservedly renowned restaurant group: the beautiful Silvestre in the Guadalupe Valley wine region, and Manzanilla and Muelle Tres on the harbor in Ensenada.

FARMSTAND

San Diego's most farm-driven restaurant is almost certainly Roots Kind Food, which is actually a stand at local farmers markets including Little Italy and Hillcrest.

MEAT I'D EAT

While their main focus is fresh local seafood, Sea Rocket Bistro is (along with the Linkery) the only other restaurant I know of in Southern California that buys pastured meat directly from independent farmers. Their sourcing of everything is impeccable, including getting fish directly from the boats. They're in our old location on 30th Street.

Burger Lounge makes well-conceived and tasty "California"-style burgers from grass-fed Tallgrass beef. They're located in Kensington, Coronado, and La Jolla.

MORE ON 30TH STREET

Ritual Tavern is the project of Linkery alumnus Mike Flores, and it features handmade food, local and craft ingredients, and first rate beer and wine.

Further up the street, Jayne's Gastropub makes ever-so-slightly posh dishes from great ingredients, and serves them in their stylish neighborhood dining room and patio.

San Diego is known as America's city for craft beer, and 30th Street is home to one of San Diego's best beer bars, Toronado.

Alchemy is my local, and for that I am grateful. Particularly their vegetarian farmer's market menu option on Wednesdays, and their excellent wine list.

FARM-TO-TABLE I COULD BIKE TO

Starlite offers up delicious slow food and sleek style, all with a neighborhood friendliness and a serious approach to cocktails.

The folks at The Pearl are modern-chic but they do substance too: local produce, house cured meats, and great meals.

AND MORE GOODNESS

I think of The Blind Lady on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights as, like, something that escaped from 30th Street: world-class craft beer and pizzas made with organic ingredients and housemade cheese. Sheesh. How'd we let it happen in another neighborhood? It's delicious.

Kaito Sushi changed my whole perception of what sushi is about, while using ingredients which are clearly world class. I don't know sushi but I know when food is excellent.

A little further afield, Stone World Bistro rocks (heh) their commitment to local, fresh, slow, handcrafted food and beer. In a beautiful environment, as well.

Even further afield, we are lucky to know and be continually inspired by the the folks at some of the most remarkable restaurants in the country: Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos, Magnolia in San Francisco, Mendo Bistro in Fort Bragg, Diner and Marlow & Sons in Williamsburg NYC, and the incomparable Farm 255 in Athens, Gee Aay.

SURF

Seth Godin is our marketing inspiration, where marketing means "doing something so remarkable that people not only buy it, they also feel compelled to talk about it." Click his head!