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editor’s note 

BY DAVID PERLOFF 

“Just think of all those women on the Titanic who said, ‘No, thank you,’ 

to dessert that night. And for what!” —Erma Bombeck 

My grandmother turns 102 on January 25. No 

sh!t. No blood relation, of course—it’s my 

stepmom’s mom. If there were one, she’d have 

checked out decades ago. 

I’ve mentioned Ruth before. She rode a 

horse to college and didn’t see a car until she 

was 15. Her first boyfriend was a guy named Ben. They flew a kite 

together in a thunderstorm and discovered electricity. 

Ruth’s one tough cookie. She was speed-walking down a hill last 

week when the brakes went out on her walker. No joke. Or maybe 

she didn’t squeeze the thing hard enough. Either way, she jackknifed 

and hit the pavement, breaking three ribs, one collarbone and one 

hip. Knocked her head, too. Poor thing. My stepmother watched the 

incident transpire in slow-mo and feels guilty as hell about it. 

“I feel like I broke my Mom,” she said. She had been walking right 

behind Ruth at the time, and when she told me about it, she sounded 

as if she were going to cry, which is out of character. She’s tough, too. 

(Katharine, it ain’t your fault. If you can stop gravity, I have a couple 

other things for you to come take a look at.) 

You must have seen that “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” chick on 

TV. She’s like 80 years old and stranded in the middle of her living 

room floor. I’m not trying to make light of her situation; I’m just 

saying—compared to Ruth, she’s a complete wuss. Ruth could kick 

LifeAlert chick’s ass with one hand tied behind her cracked ribs. 

Now, seven days after the fall, despite the ribs, the collarbone, 

even the hip, Ruth is already walking around. She’s bored out her 

crystal-clear mind in the hospital room and doesn’t understand why 

the doctors won’t let her go home today. Actually, they probably will 

tomorrow—Christmas Day. 

Ruth is my hero. She doesn’t make resolutions. She just plain is 

resolute. 

“F#ck carpe diem,” she says. “I’m living for this instant.” 

Kidding. She would never talk like that. (Sorry, Gran, couldn’t resist.) 

But, regardless of how she would describe it, when I see how Ruth reacts 

to a smile, a hug, a sunset, I can envision the man I want to become. 

Resolutions are for old ladies who forgot to buy their emergencybutton 

necklaces. If you were to ask Ruth, she’d tell you not to 

promise yourself to be a better person tomorrow. She’d tell you to 

go outside, smile at someone, share some love and improve your 

surroundings before the second hand hits the 12 again. Don’t wait, 

do it now! (Remember, this is Ruth talking. I’m still just sitting here, 

typing, trying to count how many Santa cookies I’ve eaten. I really 

need to start cutting down on desserts.) 

Carpe momento, San Diego. Love you guys for making PacificSD 

what it is today—the city’s most popular magazine. I’m so happy to 

be with you as we enter our fifth year together. 

And happy birthday, Gran. My gift to you—new brakes. Let’s 

resolve to sue whomever made that damn walker you’ve been rolling 

around on. 

David Perloff, Editor-In-Chief 

(Ardo, I can’t believe you 

read this crap. I swear, it’s 

just you and my mom.) 

We have a winner! It’s you! 

Every day in 2010, PacificSD lovers won 

$50 gift certificates—and then some. In fact, 

the world’s most adored group of magazine 

readers won just over $23,400 in bar tabs, 

gourmet dinners, concert tickets, VIP passes, 

clothing, spa services, laser treatments (‘cause 

that tattoo just had to go) and so much more. 

The love shower continues throughout 2011. 

In January, PacificSD is giving away more 

than 450 cheeseburgers (see page 52 for the 

Click yourself the prize of the day at 

yummy details on that), hot event tickets and 

facebook.com/pacificsd. Thanks for playing from 

gift certificates to these generous sponsors: 

PacificSD, the magazine that loves you back. 

Happy 2011, guys! To match 

your unwavering sexiness, we’ve 

overhauled PacificSD’s look for 

the New Year, making it easier 

to navigate and more fun to 

read. Hope you like! 

LOOKING 

MAHHHVELOUS 

6 pacificsandiego.com {January 2011}

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M A G A Z I N 

staff VOL.5 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2011 

San Diego 

M A G A Z I N E 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

David Perloff 

PUBLISHERS 

David Perloff 

Simone Perloff 

CREATIVE 

DIRECTOR 

MANAGING 

EDITOR 

C O N T R I B U T I N G 

EDITOR 

C O N T R I B U T I N G 

WRITERS 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

A C C O U N T 

EXECUTIVES 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

INTERN 

Kenny Boyer 

Logan Broyles 

Brandon Hernández 

Taylor Doms 

Steven Froehlich 

Dave Good 

Loren Graves 

Catharine Kaufman 

C o o k i e “ C h a i n s a w ” 

Randolph 

Pat Sherman 

Genevieve Suzuki 

Brevin Blach 

brevinblach.com 

Jeff “Turbo” Corrigan 

turbo.fm 

Stacy Marie Keck 

stacymariesd.com 

James Norton 

shootnorton.com 

Greg Ronlov 

Jason Gregory 

jason@pacificsandiego.com 

Alyson Baker 

alyson@pacificsandiego.com 

Joseph Maldonado 

Laura Ricci 

Call PacificSD at 619.296.6300 or 

visit pacificsandiego.com today to benefit 

from dramatic countywide exposure 

via print, web and social media.

contributors 

Steve 

Froehlich 

Steve Froehlich is vice president of business 

development for BOSU ® Fitness, the 

preeminent fitness company teaching 

professional athletes balance training today. 

“My whole life, I wanted to play professional 

baseball,” Froehlich says. “It’s a dream that 

fought a hard death, well after I finished 

playing Division-I NCAA football.” 

Froehlich chose to write about U.S. 

Marine intelligence officer and bikini 

competitor, Samantha Fishow, because his 

lifelong experience in sports, combined 

with a career devoted to training elite pro 

athletes, drew him to Fishow’s intensely 

competitive nature. 

See Froehlich’s “Operation Bikini 

Freedom,” page 32. 

Pat 

Sherman 

Pat Sherman studied writing at Southwestern and 

City Colleges and was a San Diego Union-Tribune 

staff writer for over five years. His fascination with 

historic structures led him to write about the El 

Cortez Apartment Hotel’s storied past. 

“Prior to its renovation, while the El Cortez 

was populated only by vagrants and ghosts,” he 

says, “its neon sign seemed to blink in Morse 

code: S.A.V.E. M.E.” 

Sherman believes Patrick Bilbray’s performance 

on the Imperial Beach City Council will be something to watch. 

“It will be interesting to see how far up the political ladder the more moderate, surf-minded 

son can follow his congressman father,” he says. 

See Sherman’s “The ‘El’ Word,” page 26, and “The Life of Brians,” page 30. 

Catharine 

Kaufman 

Catharine Kaufman, aka “The Kitchen Shrink,” is a 

nationally syndicated food columnist and partner in 

RangeClub.com, a healthy gourmet cooking blog. 

“I follow the advice of Hippocrates, father of 

modern medicine, who said to ‘use food as your 

medicine,’” she says. 

As a cancer survivor, Kaufman researches 

nutritional means of prevention and healing to 

help people avoid and recover from illnesses. See 

Kaufman’s “Feed Your Mind,” page 59.

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PACIFICSD PROM O T I O N 

Is That a Projector 

in Your Pocket? 

If not, it should be 

Win this $449 MicroVision SHOWWX+ 

Hand-Held Laser Pico Projector. 

Visit pacificsandiego.com for contest details. 

Plug this ultra-portable little gem into your mobile phone (or laptop, 

desktop, whatever) to project a crystal-clear, HD image on any surface. 

Wow your friends—anywhere, anytime—with YouTube videos, full-length 

movies, you name it. The projected display size ranges from 12” to 100”. If 

there’s something cooler on this planet that money can buy, please get two 

and send us one. In the meantime, check this thing out at microvision.com. 

PacificSD’s prize patrol discovered this MicroVision SHOWWX+ 

Hand-Held Laser Pico Projector at the San Diego Film Festival this past fall. 

We begged and pleaded for one, somehow managed to score two (keeping 

one for ourselves :P) and now want to give one to you. 

pacificsandiego.com 

Click, love, win. 

Thanks for playing from PacificSD, the magazine that loves you back. 

IT’S A DATE 

BE THE TALK OF THE TOWN 

Want to go on a PacificSD Blind Date? 

Matchmakers are standing by. Submit a photo 

and a few sentences about yourself and what 

you’re looking for in a date to: 

blinddate@pacificsandiego.com 

OOPS, WE 

DID IT AGAIN 

TYPOS AND EFF-UPS 

Diss-robed At 2,200 square-feet, Pacific Beach’s Madison Boutique is one of the neighborhood’s 

largest clothing stores. They sell shoes, denim, basics, Vegas dresses, you name it, and almost everything is 

under $40. This is why we sent a photographer to shoot the place, but then we neglected to publish any of the 

photos. So, yeah, we feel silly about it. Anyway, check out Madison, 1031 Garnet Avenue, PB, 858.270.2222. 









WHAT A TANGLED WEB 

New this month on pacificsandiego.com 

SERGIO FERNANDEZ 

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH 

ANTONIO GATES 

Check out exclusive, behind-the-scenes photos from the Antonio 

Gates fashion shoot at his home in Poway, plus extra pics from most of 

the stories in this issue. Coming soon: industry discounts on bar tabs 

from the county’s hottest venues, insider access to concert and event 

tickets, blind date videos and more! 

Rock ‘n Roll 

Dueling Pianos 

IT’S A PLAN 

UPCOMING EVENTS, PLEASE COME 

Friday, 12.31.11: 

PacificSD’s New Year’s Eve at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego 

If you don’t have tickets yet, what are you waiting for? Put this magazine 

down immediately and go to hardrocknye.com! Even if the event is sold 

out, you still might be able to score a VIP table. 

Friday, 1.21.11: 

PacificSD’s 4-year anniversary party at FLUXX (details Page 14) 

DJ Cobra and Craig Smoove on the decks, Jason Whitmore on sax, 

FLUXX girls on fire, drinks and food on PacificSD. 

Saturday, 1.29.11: 

PacificSD’s spa day at Anatomy Day Spa in Hillcrest 

Come by for FREE eyebrow or bikini wax for the first 50 guests; FREE 

Vitamin B-12 injections; 45-minute facials for $10; 45-minute massages 

for $10; Botox for $7/unit and lots more. 

Anatomy Day Spa, 1205 University Ave., Hillcrest, 619.296.6224, 

anatomywellness.com. 

Get event details pacificsandiego.com 

What the FLUXX?! Downtown’s U.S. 

Grant hotel is an exquisite San Diego landmark, but 

it is not pictured on the December 2010 cover of 

PacificSD. Sadly, we wrote that it was. Dumb! The 

cover was actually shot at FLUXX, 500 4th Avenue, 

in the Gaslamp. You can tell, because it’s a picture 

of FLUXX, not the U.S. Grant. Duh! Sorry, RMD 

Group (Rodrigo, Mikey and Dave). 

Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu - Open at 7pm, Pianos at 8pm 

Fri, Sat - Open at 6pm, Pianos at 6:30pm 

NO COVER SUN-WED 

RESOLVE TO... 

Party More √ 

AT THE SHOUT! HOUSE 

Drink More √ 

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BEER BELLY BUCKETS 

in 

2011 

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Please join PacificSD for our 

Four-Year Anniversary Celebration 

At the risk of overstatement, it’ll be a doozie. 


Friday, January M A G A Z21, I N2011 E at 





DJ sets by 

DJ Cobra and 

DJ Craig Smoove 

Live saxophone 

by Jason Whitmore 

FlUXX Dancers 

Additional 

entertainment and 

special guests 

appearances TBA 

Complimentary guest-list admission before 10 PM for PacificSD insiders 

Four years, one love: San Diego 

RSVP: fluxx@pacificsandiego.com 

STAY INFORMED AT: pacificsandiego.com, facebook.com/pacificsd, Twitter @pacificsd

01.11 

pacificsd 

On the Cover: 

NFL superstar Antonio Gates was 

photographed at his Poway home by 

Brevin Blach. He was styled by Georgie 

Brown, with hair and makeup by 

Jeanette Marie. Mr. Gates is wearing 

a Lacoste shirt, $88; and a Michael 

Kors leather jacket, $895; both 

available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion 

Valley, Bloomingdales.com. Watch and 

earrings, Mr Gates’ own. 

THIS PAGE: 

Antonio Gates is wearing a Giorgio 

Armani tie, $145; Hugo Boss shirt, 

$125; Ben Sherman vest, $99; all 

available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion 

Valley, bloomingdales.com. Blazer and 

earrings, Mr. Gates’ own. 

Photo by brevin blach 

features 

OUT OF THE GATES 

Life beyond the gridiron, from 

the mouth of NFL superstar 

Antonio Gates 

meating places 

Where to connect with the 

county’s hottest burgers 

“If I’m out in 

San Diego, 

I’m going to 

enjoy the sun 

and go grab 

some sushi.” 

–ANTONIO GATES 

18 pacificsandiego.com { January 2011}

departments 

01.11 

pacificsd 

CURRENTS 

23 A Rivers Runs Through It 

The triumphant return of an irreverent superstar 

26 The “El” Word 

The history and renovation of a San Diego landmark 

28 Little Boy Blue 

The curious case of the blue ice bomber (a true story) 

30 The Life of Brians 

A new political dynasty has washed ashore in 

San Diego County 

32 OPERATION: BIKINI FREEDOM 

Fighting for peace, wearing a two-piece 

36 Chic Magnets 

Del Marvelous boutiques lure fashionistas 

with style 

TASTE 

59 Feed Your Mind 

How what you eat (grey) matters 

62 Rising Son 

The next in line grabs the reins of the family business 

64 Full of Schmidt 

The perfect pour from one of San Diego’s top ‘tenders 

GROOVE 

67 From Hot to Coldplay 

Tracking down a rumor about a local band 

gone big-time 

70 Rad Hair Day 

A dreaded bartender returns from “reality” 

BLIND DATE 

72 FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS 

Strangers in the night...that’s the plan, anyway 

CALENDAR 

78 ONE.ELEVEN 

January event listings 

IT’S JUST BUSINESS 

81 Advertisers INDEX 

P h o t o B Y ( f r o m t o p ) : B r e v i n B l a c h , B r e v i n B l a c h , S ta c y K e c k , 

Tessa Angus, Jeff “Turbo” Corringan 

VOICE 

82 OPENING DOORS 

Helping bar-goers break the ice 


A New Vision 

for Nightlife 

1.11.11 

“at that moment their eyes were opened...” 

- GENESIS 

e d e n s a n d i e g o . c o m 

1202 University Ave. | Hillcrest | 619.269.3336 | info@edensandiego.com

get stoned 

COME TO THE 

SPA DAY SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, FOR FREE WAXING, 

VITAMIN B-12 INJECTIONS, $7 BOTOX & MORE!

currents 

coolture chainsaw PROFILE body STYLE 

first things 

A 

runs through it 

The triumphant 

return of an 

irreverent 

superstar 

By Alyson Baker 

Photos COURTESY 

O F S A N D I E G O 

THEATRES 

In support of her January 

15 stand-up comedy 

performance at the 

Gaslamp’s Balboa Theatre, 

entertainer extraordinaire Joan 

Rivers talks with PacificSD. 

Out of respect for Ms. Rivers’ 

precious time, we ask only the 

important questions. 

(Continued on page 24.) 

pacificsandiego.com 23


coolture chainsaw PROFILE 

North County 

2011 

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first things 

Q: If you could spend only $10,000 

more on plastic surgery for the rest of 

your life, what work would you have 

done? 

A: Oh, I think for a woman my age, it’s all 

about the jawline. I think it’s very 

important. And for $10,000, you wouldn’t 

get anything. You might get half a 

jawline. Especially men—nobody wants 

to see turkey necks. They’re so unpleasant 

looking. 

Q: The new crop of Disney celebs is 

already heading to rehab or worse. What 

do you think about that? 

A: I think it’s terribly, terribly sad. The more 

you hear about Lindsay Lohan, the sorrier 

you are for her, because you hear about the 

background and the home environment, 

and you go, “No wonder.” I think rehab’s the 

safest place for that poor girl. 

Q: It seems that Hollywood is full of 

back-stabbers. Have you ever sought 

revenge against anyone who wronged you 

during your rise to fame? 

A: I can’t hold a grudge. I think that’s because 

my life is such a lucky life. You’ll meet somebody 

who was a real son of a bitch to you five years 

ago, and you go, “Ah, look what’s happened to 

me since. F#ck you.” It’s easy to move forward 

when things are good. 

Q: And when times are bad? 

A: When times are bad, you should be so busy 

digging yourself out. Don’t waste the energy. 

Q: Speaking of busy, you do everything from 

acting to jewelry design to being the Celebrity 

Apprentice to stand-up. What aspect of your 

career do you enjoy the most? 

A: I’m like a whore and I like whatever I’m 

doing. I just love the business. 

Q: What can San Diegans expect from your 

upcoming show here? 

A: First of all, every gay man in San Diego better 

show up! That’s number one, because they’re 

the best audience in the world. So, they should 

expect an awful lot of gay men. And, they should 

expect just having fun and telling the truth. It 

isn’t going be going down memory lane, ‘cause I 

couldn’t give a sh!t about memory lane. 

“If you don’t enjoy the good times, you’re an idiot. Nothing stays 

forever and nothing lasts forever. And if it’s a good time today, 

enjoy it today, because you don’t know what the hell is going to 

hit you tomorrow. Really, really live with that. I know when it’s a 

good moment in my life, and boy, oh boy, do I appreciate it.” 

body STYLE 

An Evening With Joan Rivers 

Saturday, January 15 • Tickets: $28 - $88 

Balboa Theatre, 868 4th Avenue, Gaslamp, 619.570.1100, sandiegotheatres.org

ody 

STYLE

“ 


first things 

chainsaw PROFILE body STYLE 

coolture 

“...a series of additions and innovations made El Cortez the destination of choice for 

The“ 

WORD 

The history and renovation 

of a San Diego landmark 

The colorful history of El Cortez’ Don Room is 

matched by its ornate ceiling and chandelier 

By Pat Sherman • Photos by STACY KECK 

When it opened in 1927, the El Cortez Apartment Hotel 

was San Diego’s tallest and most elegant building. 

Constructed on the former site of Ulysses S. Grant, 

Jr.’s home at Ash Street and Seventh Avenue, the $2.5 

million Spanish Colonial Revival hotel boasted jawdropping 

views of a San Diego Bay that, at the time, 

included neither the Coronado Bridge nor Harbor and Shelter Islands. 

During the next three decades, a series of additions and innovations made 

El Cortez the destination of choice for visiting celebrities and dignitaries, from 

President Dwight Eisenhower to Bing Crosby. 

Elvis Presley stayed at El Cortez in April 1956 during his first visit to San 

Diego. After one of his two sold-out concerts, police reportedly arrested 12 girls 

running naked through the halls of El Cortez in search of “The King.” Mayor 

Charles Dail was so incensed by the libidinal hysteria that he reportedly passed a 

resolution barring Presley from performing in San Diego again (Presley wouldn’t 

return until 1970). 

Senator Robert F. Kennedy appeared in El Cortez’s 3,300-square-foot Don 

Room for a fundraiser on June 5, 1968, the night before his assassination. 

Nearly collapsing minutes into his speech, Kennedy had to be rushed into the 

bathroom, where he vomited then briefly lay on the floor. 

In 1940, the art deco Sky Room lounge was added to the 15th story, 

providing a panoramic view of the San Diego skyline. The cost for Lobster 


See more photos at 


visiting celebrities and dignitaries, from President Dwight Eisenhower to Bing Crosby.” 

Leaders who’ve visited 

El Cortez 

Presidents Barack Obama, 

Bill Clinton and Dwight 

Eisenhower; Vice President Al 

Gore; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; 

Robert F. Kennedy 

DON MIRRA PHOTOGRAPHY 

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: the Don Room is set for an elegant 

wedding, the main entrance to the El Cortez, bright lights over 

the big city 

Thermidor in the hotel’s dining room that year was just $4.95. 

The spacious Starlight restaurant was added to the 12th story in 1956, along with the world’s first exterior glass 

elevator. On weekends, people waited in a line stretching around the block to ride the “Starlight Express” skyward for 

dinner and dancing. 

In 1959, owner Harry Handlrey added another first—a moving walkway called the Travolator, which arched over 

7th Avenue, connecting El Cortez with an annex hotel and garage (today a Holiday Inn Express) across the street. 

During the 1960s and ‘70s, the hotel’s image became tarnished, and the property fell into disrepair. In 1978, El 

Cortez was purchased by San Diego evangelist Morris Cerullo, who closed it. It was sold again in 1981, but stood as a 

ghostly shell for more than two decades while several renovation schemes fell by the wayside. 

Vagrants were known to sleep on the Travolator bridge until its demolition in 1986. The entire El Cortez complex 

narrowly escaped demolition, in 1990, when it received historic designation by the San Diego Historic Site Board. 

Anthony Block, part of the development team that returned El Cortez to its 1927 splendor, said that when he first 

walked into the heavily vandalized building in the 1990s, there was nothing left but graffiti, bird droppings and “empty 

wino bottles.” The ornate sandalwood roof of the octagonal Don Room had partially collapsed. 

Block and former business partner Peter Janopaul purchased the property in 1997 for $2.4 million—less than it cost 

to build it in 1926. Though Block said they had hoped to re-create the Sky Room experience and restore the exterior 

glass elevator, modern building codes precluded those plans. Instead, the duo focused their attention on the Don 

Room, which has become “the premier destination for wedding events,” Block says. “That’s pretty much what it’s going 

to be for the next generation.” 

El Cortez was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 for its architecture and engineering. Today, its 

iconic neon sign, installed in 1937, continues to illuminate the skyline, welcoming passengers landing at Lindbergh Field 

and serving as a beacon of history above the downtown neighborhood that’s official name is now Cortez Hill. 

Celebrities who’ve visited 

El Cortez 

Ginger Rogers, Ethel Barrymore, 

Bo Derek, Leeza Gibbons, 

John Stamos, Leslie Nielson, 

John Ritter, Sarah Michelle 

Gellar, Freddie Prinze, Jr., John 

Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Burgess 

Meredith, Spencer Tracy, Clark 

Gable, Myrna Loy, Jack Benny, 

Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Jim 

Morrison, Jimi Hendrix 

El Cortez in TV and Film 

Film: Almost Famous (2000) 

and A Ticklish Affair (1963); TV: 

How to Marry a Billionaire and 

Extreme Makeover 

Prominent features and 

year added 

The El Cortez’s iconic neon sign 

with 12-foot-tall letters (added in 

1937, restored in 1999) 

Sky Room (1940) 

100-room Caribbean Wing and 

grand ballroom (1946) 

Starlight restaurant and glass 

elevator (1956) 

Travolator bridge (1959) 

El Cortez 

702 Ash Street, Downtown, 

619.232.6730, elc.cc 



first things 

coolture 

PROFILE body STYLE 

chainsaw 

COOKIE 

“ C H A I N S A W ” 

RANDOLPH 

Cookie “Chainsaw” 

Randolph provides 

a well-thawed-out 

perspective, weekday 

mornings with Dave, 

Shelly & Chainsaw on 

100.7 Jack-FM. 

Boy Blue 

Little 

The curious case of the Blue Ice Bomber (a true story) 

January is the month of renewal, of fresh beginnings, of 

rebirth. Yet, for me at least, the idea of rebirth can never 

be contemplated without thinking of my original birth. 

It’s a strange tale, but, according to those who know me 

best, it explains a lot. 

I’d like to share it with you. 

My mother, San Francisco Bay Bomber roller derby queen 

Hallie Randolph, was midway through a flight from San 

Francisco to Denver in August 1955 for a game versus the 

Colorado Sea Munchers, when she felt her belly rumble. 

As was her way, she enlisted a teammate to whip her 

down the aisle, knocking down three passengers ahead 

of her in line to the lavatory. Once she squeezed into the 

lavatory and upon the throne, the volume of the payload 

surprised her, but she chalked it up to her voracious 

appetite. Little did she know, what hurtled from that 

Douglas DC-7 was not only the first and only blue-ice baby 

on record, but the first to survive the tumble. 

For her part, Hallie gave her ensuing trauma little concern, 

having survived much worse on the banked oval at Kezar 

Stadium, home of the Bay Bombers. That she soon began 

lactating was a bit off-putting at first, but it soon became a 

favored parlor trick at team parties. 

As told by my adoptive godmothers, the chunk of blue 

ice (me) crashed through the hull of a rowboat in the middle 

of Trout Lake, Colorado. The single occupant, one Chester 

Phelps, was thrown from the watercraft. Summoning a 

courage he didn’t know he possessed, Mr. Phelps wailed so 

plaintively that a rescue team from nearby Telluride beckoned. 

His boat having sunk, a shivering Phelps was found clinging 

to the chunk of blue ice (me), which had popped to the 

surface after initial impact. 

The rescuers were so curious about the chunk of blue ice 

(me), they hoisted it (me) into the rescue boat before they 

hoisted Phelps, who soon began to sink. The rescuers snagged 

him with a grappling hook, which would leave him with a 

nine-inch scar on his inner left thigh. 

After dropping Phelps off at a local bait and tackle shop to 

get stitched up, the rescuers took the chunk of blue ice (me) 

to a nearby saloon for examination, but not before using it 

(me) to chill a bucket of Coors. After a few hours and several 

beers, the ice had melted and a baby wailed. To my rescuers’ 

astonishment and ever-lasting epiphanies, they believed a 

beer-baptized messiah had fallen from heaven. 

Blue heaven. 

Overwhelmed by the responsibility, my drunken rescuers 

swaddled me in a burlap potato sack and dumped the bundle 

on the doorstep of the Midnight Ranch, a combination 

Spanish mission/whore-house on the outskirts of town. It 

must have been that place that inspired my life-long devotions 

to the Padres and disinfectant. 

As you can imagine, despite the initial trauma, I proceeded 

to enjoy a typically idyllic American upbringing. Likely 

due to that burlap swaddling, I never lost a potato sack race 

during Telluride’s summer festivals, plus I won 11 diving 

competitions at Trout Lake over the years (I hope this doesn’t 

sound like bragging). 

Having now shared this deeply personal tale, I hereby 

open the bidding war for the movie rights to my life story. 

(I’m thinking it’s a perfect vehicle for Brad Pitt, spinning 

off his wide acclaim in The Curious Case of Benjamin 

Button, not to mention his striking resemblance to what I 

wish I looked like.) 

The journey includes hardships (bullies who called me sh!tbaby) 

and triumphs (a tearful reunion with my birth-mother 

at a traveling carnival, where she was making ends meet as a 

bearded lady/alligator wrestler). 

The most amazing thing about this story? My mom played 

the entire game the night of my birth, as her Bay Bombers 

totally face-planted the Sea Munchers, 169-54. 

Overwhelmed by the responsibility, my drunken rescuers swaddled 

me in a burlap potato sack and dumped the bundle on the doorstep of 

the Midnight Ranch, a combination Spanish mission/whore-house on 

the outskirts of town. It must have been that place that inspired 

my life-long devotions to Padres and disinfectant. 


Happy New Year!


first things coolture chainsaw 

body 

STYLE 

PROFILE 

This page: The political tides are 

changing for Imperial Beach town 

councilman Brian Bilbray, pictured 

here underneath the I.B. pier 

OPPOSITE: Father and son Bilbray 

celebrate their respective victories at 

downtown’s Golden Hall on election 

day, November 2 


“We used to pull Mexican nationals out of our swimming pool, 

because they would jump our backyard fence not realizing that we had a pool.” 

the life of Brians 

A new political dynasty has washed ashore in San Diego County 

By Pat Sherman • MAIN Photo by greg ronlov 

Sandy-haired surfer Brian Patrick 

Bilbray won his bid for a seat on 

the Imperial Beach City Council 

on November 2—the same day his 

father, Brian Phillip Bilbray, won 

another term as a Representative for 

California’s 50th Congressional District in coastal 

North County. 

The elder Bilbray began his own career as an 

IB city councilman in 1976, eventually becoming 

that city’s mayor and a county supervisor. 

“I’ve lived in Imperial Beach pretty much my 

whole life,” says “Pat” Bilbray, as he’s known to 

friends and locals at I.B. gathering spots such 

as Scoreboard II and Ye Olde Plank Inn. “I love 

the small town kind of feel. I’ve tried to get away 

from it, but it keeps drawing me back.” 

An avid surfer, sailor and Republican (like his 

father), Bilbray says he caught his first wave at 

age eight, while on a trip to Baja with his father, 

then a county supervisor. 

“The first time I properly dropped into a wave 

was down just south of Ensenada,” Bilbray says. 

“I was so proud of myself. My dad jokes that my 

first steps were on a boat going from San Diego 

to San Clemente Island.” 

Bilbray was elected to complete the four-year 

term of Councilman Fred McLean, who died of 

pneumonia in 2009. Though on his Facebook 

page Bilbray describes his political stance as “right 

of middle,” he says he is more liberal on social 

issues than his father, favoring amnesty for illegal 

immigrants once the border is secure and certain 

conditions are met. His father is strongly opposed 

to offering citizenship to illegal immigrants. 

“I’ve been knee-deep in this issue since I was 

little,” Bilbray says. “We used to pull Mexican 

nationals out of our swimming pool, because they 

would jump our backyard fence not realizing that 

we had a pool. I probably understand (the issue) a 

little bit better than someone from Wisconsin.” 

Bilbray says part of his motivation to run for 

City Council was seeing the beach continuously 

dotted with closure signs (his father championed 

a sewage treatment plant in Tijuana that never 

came to fruition). 

“I just felt that City Hall wasn’t really taking 

the leadership role that I would like them to take 

with the Tijuana sewage,” he says. “I thought if 

I got on there I could really start pushing City 

Hall to petition the federal government like we 

should. Having my dad in there helps; we can 

start really putting pressure on Mexico.” 

Bilbray says he doesn’t feel enough federal 

money flows into his seaside hamlet, given that 

I.B. is home to a federal wildlife preserve and 

the Navy’s Ream Field. The City also collects the 

lowest per capita sales tax revenue in the county. 

He believes he can help I.B. businesses prosper 

and clean up the town’s shabby image. 

Bilbray and his younger sister, Briana, 

attended West Potomac High School in 

Alexandria, Virginia, while their father was 

serving as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. As 

a boy, Bilbray says he longed to follow in his 

father’s footsteps, but he lost his passion for 

politics after high school. While enrolled in 

courses at Mesa and San Diego City Colleges (he 

never graduated), he briefly worked in his older 

brother’s plumbing business in Nevada. 

“I wanted to be more of a surfer than 

anything,” says Bilbray, who rides a six-foot 

“potato chip” short board. 

“I ended up going off to Europe, working on a 

pleasure yacht for two years. I was the deckhandslash-engineer’s 

mate.” 

Bilbray says he did not tell his father he was 

planning to run for office last year. 

“I was kind of trying to keep it a secret from 

him,” he says. “He was excited, but a little 

apprehensive because he knows how mellow of 

a guy I am. He didn’t think that I would be able 

to take the criticism that goes along with politics, 

but I think I’ll be all right. When you grow up 

around this type of stuff, you learn how to let 

things roll off your back.” 

Like Father, 

Like Son 

Comparing the region’s 

Republican dynasties 

Duncan Duane Hunter, 34, and father 

Duncan Lee Hunter, 62: The elder Hunter 

served as a congressional representative from 

1981 to 2009. His son, a U.S. Marine and veteran 

of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, replaced 

his father in the 52nd District (East County) seat 

in January of 2009. Duncan D. holds a degree 

in business administration from SDSU; Duncan 

L. attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 

San Diego. 

Brian Patrick Bilbray, 25, and father 

Brian Phillip Bilbray, 59: The elder Bilbray 

served as Imperial Beach’s mayor before 

going on to join the San Diego County Board of 

Supervisors and the U.S. Congress. The younger 

Bilbray was elected to the Imperial Beach City 

Council in November. Brian Philip is a graduate 

of Southwestern College; Brian Patrick attended 

classes at City and Mesa community colleges. 

Pat Sherman 



first things coolture chainsaw PROFILE 

STYLE 

body 

Sergeant 

Samantha Fishow 

takes 1st Place 

at the 2010 

National Physique 

Committee 

Tournament 

of Champions, 

in Culver City, 

California. 

OPERATION: BIKINI 

FREEDOM 

Fighting for peace, wearing a two-piece 

By Steve Froehlich • Photos by Brevin Blach 

Beauty and brains—a combination too rich for most men to handle, and assuredly lethal 

when exhibited by a United States Marine. Add aggressiveness, a bikini, a pair of sexy 

stilettos and a tan, and you have the ultimate competitor, Sergeant Samantha Fishow. 

Fresh off her rookie season competing in the amateur ranks of the National Physique 

Committee (NPC) Bikini Division, Sgt. Fishow captured 1st Place in her height class (Over 5’7”) 

in her first two NPC contests, as well as a 1st Place Overall finish. 

“Fitness has always played a big role in my life,” says the 25-year-old intelligence officer. “I get 

out of the military early next year. Fitness has opened doors for me with personal training and 

created a new realm of possibilities.” 

Having deployed overseas three times during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sgt. Fishow loves the 

adrenaline of combat and embraces challenge. Case in point: entering four competitions in her 

first three months was a grueling test. (Continued on page 34.) 

COMPETITION SEASON workouts 

Weights—always lifts as heavy 

as possible 

Monday: 

Tuesday: 

Wednesday: 

Thursday: 

Friday: 

Saturday: 

Sunday: 

“I’m always 

asked about 

my abs. 

It’s all diet.” 

Know Body 

What it takes to be 

among the few, the proud… 

the bikini contest winners 

Back/Triceps 

Chest/Biceps 

Legs 

Shoulders 

Just cardio, minimum 30 minutes 

Train weak areas with coach 

Meg Kruse at FitnessQuest10 

Off 

Cardio—DAILY, except Sunday 

and leg day 

Spinning: 40-50 minutes 

Double-up two weeks before competition, with 

30-45 minutes of intervals on different cardio 

machines 

OFF-SEASON workouts 

Same schedule, but no stress if a day is missed 

Reduced cardio 

Off-season is the time to try new things 

Sgt. Fishow pulls her weight in the offseason 

at De Anza Cove on Mission Bay 



first things coolture chainsaw PROFILE 

STYLE 

body 

“I get cravings like nobody’s business, and it’s really hard,” she says. “All I thought about was 

food, all the time. The hardest thing about competing is not giving into cravings.” 

Fishow finished the season strong, ranking in her final two competitions, including the 

NPC National Championships in Atlanta, thereby positioning herself closer to her next goal— 

qualifying for her Pro Card with the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness. 

What will she do while she’s waiting to turn pro and become a certified personal trainer? 

“I would join the reserves if I could deploy again,” she says. “I want to kill an enemy. Everyone 

knows that, though.” 

If looks could kill, Sgt. Fishow’s enemies would already be dead. 

Sitting at the dock of the bay? 

Fat chance for Sgt. Fishow 

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS 

Sgt. Fishow’s Pre-Competition Diet 

When getting her body bikini-ready, Fishow eats 

only lean proteins, complex carbohydrates and 

healthy fats. To closely monitor her intake, she 

weighs and pre-packages her foods, most of which 

have only one ingredient. 

Daily Eating Schedule 

Five meals, plus protein shakes after 

workouts and 80 oz. of water 

7:30 a.m. 

6 egg whites 

1 packet plain instant oatmeal 

10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 

5 oz. chicken breast 

1/2-cup brown rice 

5 asparagus spears 

4:30 p.m. 

5 oz. chicken breast 

5 asparagus spears 

6 - 7:30 p.m. 

1 tablespoon all natural peanut butter 

1/2 pita 

7 egg whites, scrambled 

No-Nos 

Fast, fried, processed foods; sugar; white bread 

Go-to Cheat Meals 

Tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole 

Frozen yogurt 

Wienerschnitzel chili cheese dog on pretzel bun 

“You have to 

push through 

when you’re 

tired; you cannot 

miss a training 

day, ever!” 

“I got so desperate for carbs 

before a competition that I ate 

dog treats. They tasted good 

and I convinced myself it wasn’t 

cheating because it wasn’t 

regular people food. Eating the 

same foods all the time is boring. 

Let yourself cheat once a week.” 





first things coolture chainsaw PROFILE body 

chic 

STYLE 

MAGNETS 

Del Marvelous boutiques lure 

fashionistas with style 

By Taylor Doms 

Photos by James Norton 

The forecast may call for rain, but the weekend 

always calls for a cute, new look. Whether beachbound 

or livin’ it up in a Downtown loft, a girl 

always needs something sassy to strut. And even 

though track season doesn’t start until July, there 

are plenty of safe bets (for turf and surf) to be found at any of these 

fabulous Del Mar boutiques. 

Matti D 

2689 Via De La Valle, Del Mar 

858.523.0693, matti-d.com 

Something glimmers from every direction at the trésenchanting 

chictopia, Matti D, where countless baubles, layer 

upon layer of glamorous chains and an enormous disco ball 

compete for shoppers’ attention. There’s even a sparkling 

fountain with a crystal chandelier dangling above. 

All that glitters at this popular boutique is juxtaposed by 

shabby-chic furniture and sea-shell-encrusted decor. Despite 

the humdrum, strip-mall view from the exterior, inside, the 

aesthetic is pure whimsy. 

Ladies, strut your scenester style with paneled 

leggings by David Lerner, or channel your inner 

urban bohème with quirky-colored vintage 

cowgirl boots. An ahhhhmazing selection of 

soft-leather jackets and an entire rack devoted to 

denim cutoffs would have even world-renowned 

(and formerly San Diego-based) fashion blogger 

Rumi Neely quivering with fiendish delight. 

Upmarket flannel shirts, slick denim and 

outerwear by Howe; plus hipster-fab cardigans 

by Caulfield Prepatory make up just a few of the 

notable handsome selections for the fellas. 

A stylish sophisticate herself, Mattie D owner 

Marie Ferris does more than just stay au courant 

on all things fabulous. Aside from sourcing 

many of her pieces from fashion enclaves and 

exclusive designers in Europe and beyond, she 

also launched her own line of one-of-a-kind belts 

consisting of vintage brooches that she meticulously 

reignites with semi-precious stones and 

inspired designs. A cultish following hungers for 

her unique and stunning creations. 

Lust du Jour: Metal-studded, sawdust-colored 

suede Oxford ankle boots by Sam Edelman. 


The Backroom 

2683 Via de la Valle, Suite C, Del Mar 

858.720.1458, shopthebackroom.com 

The Backroom is a ladies’ lair of deluscious finds, where a solid selection of sensible 

footwear includes versatile knee-high suede flat-foot boots perfect for the city girl 

and a fine collection of UGGS ready to warm those frosty toesies. A girlie, zebra/ 

hot-pink theme runs across the store, while dripping glass chandeliers dangle from 

above, giving the space its ultra-edgy look. Stacks upon stacks of the most fabulous 

jeans by Hudson and True Religion lay in pristinely constructed piles; the place 

even stocks those coveted Seven “jeggings.” Stop in for a sweet selection of sparkly 

party dresses, silky tunics and cozy hippie-chic shawls, comprising an adorable array 

of daytime-to-dance-floor get-ups. 

Lust du Jour: The über-sexy Karina Grimaldi hot magenta silk, with black 

fringe that cuts across the center, could be worn in front for an ultra seductive 

look. This top plus Valentines Day equals Oh, baby! 

TRE Clothing 

2710 Via De La Valle, Del Mar 

(in the Flower Hill Promenade) 

858.755.7227 (other locations: 

Carlsbad, 760.942.0227; 4S Ranch, 

858.485.8000) 

As hip as it is high-quality, TRE 

Clothing’s ever-rotating stock features 

flouncy silk numbers, slinky dresses that 

gleam with embellishments and racks of 

fabulous faux furs in funky designs. Two 

levels of diverse offerings showcase glamorous gala attire in 

fresh, yet elegant silhouettes, as well as a wide selection of 

versatile everyday options. 

Lust du Jour: The black jersey top by Bordeaux has an 

impossibly low-draped back that’s just so seductive. 

Julie’s Beachwear 

1414 Camino del Mar, Del Mar 

858.792.1359 

Wintertime rarely has San Diegans scrambling for 

beachwear, but for those fortunate enough to be 

enjoying a vacay in the opposite hemisphere this 

season, this store is the hotspot. Offering a yearround 

selection of top swimwear lines including 

L*Space, Beach Bunny, VIX, Agua Bandita and 

Poko Pano, Julie’s is always prepared for those 

itching to hit the sand six months early. Come fall 

and winter, the boutique’s stock is chock full of 

cozy knits as well, most of which are sourced from 

fair-trade practices and outlets. 

Lust du Jour: A multicolored fair-trade scarf looks 

soft enough to nuzzle our chilly noses into. 

(Continued on page 38) 



first things coolture chainsaw PROFILE body 

STYLE 

Jolie Femme 

2609 Via de la Valle, Suite D250, Del Mar 

(in the Flower Hill Promenade) 

858.792.1222, joliefemmeboutique.com 

BellocCio 

1219 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar 

858.259.8636, belloccio.com 

Belloccio offers a mixed-up bit of everything, including fine accessories 

by Cirello Jewelry, a reclaimed stainless steel line handcrafted locally and 

inspired by “sacred geometry.” With an enormous collection of denim styles, 

pretty plaid shirts and even a saucy selection of lingerie by Cosabella, the 

boutique is home to both unique and stylish, crowd-pleasing pieces. 

Lust du Jour: We’re lovin’ an adorable faux-fur vest by Jenny Han that 

would look sassy over a hippish blouse. 

Flawless frocks require perfect beneath-the-sheath attire, and 

Jolie Femme offers all the right solutions, including Nu Bra’s full 

line and other options to help nix almost any booby dilemma. 

The boutique also satisfies minxy needs with salacious goodies 

ranging from elegant and seductive teddies by Arianne to thighhigh 

lacey peekaboo tights by Leg Avenue. There’s even a “badgirl 

corner” filled with all kinds of naughtiness guaranteed to 

make any girl giggle and blush. 

Lust du Jour: Some things are better left unsaid. 

Sundancer 

1418 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar 

858.259.4722 

Perfectly suited for the everyday gal who fancies a bit more dazzle in her daily 

affairs, Sundancer offers a wide selection of cute comfortables from lines including 

Hale Bob, Hard Tail, Sky, Michael Stars, Bailey 44 and Yummie Tummies. With a 

few sassy, cocktail-hour-ready pieces, plus well-constructed and impeccably tailored 

outwear and a unique selection of handbags, the quaint boutique is a great place to 

round out that haute new look. 

Lust du Jour: We’ve got our eyes fixated on a luscious pair of Marcia Moran 

dangly earrings fitted with a lux, yet earthy, light-blue druzy. 


Out of the 

Life 

BEYOND THE 

GRIDIRON, 

from the 

mouth of 

an NFL 

superstar 

On a breezy, early-December afternoon in Poway, Antonio 

Gates, the San Diego Chargers’ six-time Pro Bowl tight-end, 

opened his home and his heart to PacificSD. 

Smiling for the camera, our dapper hometown hero is a 

man’s-man’s fashion plate, all decked out in the latest looks 

from Bloomingdale’s—not counting the shoes. The luxury 

department store carries plenty of men’s size-14 footwear, 

but Mr. Gates has been nursing a toe injury and didn’t 

want to risk making it worse. Clothes may make the man, 

but when you’re rocking a five-year, $36 million contract, 

putting your best foot forward on the field (rather than for 

your favorite magazine) just makes sense. 

Enough of the fan chatter. Here’s what Number 85 has to 

say…in his own words. 

Photographer: 

Brevin Blach, brevinblach.com 

Stylist: 

Georgie Brown 

M e r c h a n d i s e r : 

Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley 

H a i r a n d M a k e u p : 

Jeanette Marie, jeanjeanette-marie.com 

I N T E R V I E W : 

JENNY CAVNAR, CHANNEL 4 SAN DIEGO 


On life after 

football… 

“I’ve 

thought 

about 

staying in 


and going 

into 

coaching, 

but you 

know the 

coaches 

gotta 

be there 

earlier 

than the 

players— 

and I 

don’t 

even get 

there on 

time now.” 

Giorgio Armani tie, $145; Hugo Boss shirt, $125; Ben Sherman vest, $99; all available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales.com. Earrings, Mr. Gates’ own. 


Zegna sport shirt, $245; Michael Kors watch, $225; both available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales.com. Earrings, Mr. Gates’ own. 

. 


On fatherhood… 

“I want to 

continue 

to raise my 

children to 

treat people 

how they 

would want 

to be 

treated.” 


Zegna Sport sweater, $245; Armani 

Collezioni pants, $195; all available 

at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, 

bloomingdales.com. Earrings, Mr. 

Gates’ own. 

RLX hoodie, $145; Zegna shirt, 

$95; RLX pants, $125; all available 

at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, 

bloomingdales.com. Earrings, Mr. 

Gates’ own. 

On his style… 

“I was 

the bestdressed 

in high 

school, 

but I think 

my fashion 

has grown 

over time. 

Back then, 

having 

a jersey 

on Was 

sweet.” 


On his 

signature smile... 

“That’s 

what 

people 

recognize. 

I look 

totally 

different 

to people 

on TV 

than I 

do in 

person.” 


On television… 

“I did some 

broadcasting. 

I was on a set 

in New York 

and I did 

the whole 

ESPN thing. 

I felt pretty 

comfortable 

doing that.” 

Lacoste shirt, $88; Michael Kors leather jacket, $895; both available at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales.com. Watch and earrings, Mr. Gates’ own. 


Salvatore Ferragamo coat, $2,250; Hugo Boss shirt, $95; Burberry tie, $140; Michael Kors pants, $145; Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, bloomingdales.com. Belt and earrings, Mr. Gates’ own. 


PLACES 

Where to connect with the county’s hottest burgers 

Bare Back Grill barebackgrill.com 

This Down Under-themed spot is head and shoulders above the competition when it comes to the sheer 

volume of toppings (and protein) on their Big, Bare and Dirty, a monster loaded with two organic beef 

patties, two fried eggs, bacon, cheese and an Aussie favorite, beet root. Bare Back…Australian for burger. 

624 E St., Downtown, 619.237.9990 

4640 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach, 858.274.7117 


Burger Lounge burgerlounge.com 

SoCal restaurants are at the forefront of the country’s 

responsible-eating movement, and this chain applies that 

approach to burgers on a grand scale. Their all-natural 

organic burgers are not only conscious-fortifying, but also 

delicious and one of the best on-the-go options in town. 

922 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6835 

406 University Ave., Hillcrest, 619.487.1183 

4116 Adams Ave., Kensington, 619.584.2929 

1101 Wall St., La Jolla, 858.456.0196 

1608 India St., Little Italy, 619.237.7878 

hether it’s a molten slice of cheese, crispy bacon strips or fresh 

avocado, nearly everything seems right at home atop a glistening 

patty of ground beef sandwiched between toasted buns. The 

versatility of the almighty burger allows it to adapt to anyone’s 

taste, making it a great menu staple for every type of restaurant 

from greasy spoon to gourmet. 

Modern life may have us scrambling for cost-efficient comfort, but burgers can 

provide our palates with a taste of affordable luxury. Savor the richness by sinking 

your teeth into any of these man-sized, prime-beef numbers. 

By Brandon Hernández 

• Photos by Brevin Blach 


The Grill 

lodgeattorreypines.com 

Take a trip back in time to an American 

standard, courtesy of this golf-course adjacent 

Lodge at Torrey Pines eatery. Simple and 

straightforward, their Drug Store Burger is so 

juicy that the bottom half of the bun acts as a 

soft, delicious sponge, soaking up all that 

beefy goodness. 

11480 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, 858.453.4420 

Canada Steak Burger 

canadasteakburger.com 

Rife with the scintillating scent of sizzling meat, 

this smallish urban outpost has been serving 

up burgers and gyros for decades. Both of these 

sandwich options are great, but carnivore 

nirvana is achieved when they slap a heaping 

spatula of slow-roasted lamb atop a freshly 

grilled beef patty. 

3604 University Ave., Normal Heights, 619.283.4345 

Hodad’s hodadies.com 

Being featured on the Food Network gave the 

place cred, but not as much as decades of milelong, 

wrap-around-the-building lines of ravenous 

patrons have. Since 1969, the Hodad’s family 

of “burgermeisters” has been serving up hearty 

two-handers in Ocean Beach. In 2011, they’ll 

spread that beefy love to a second location, a 

downtown spot at 10th and Broadway. 

5010 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 619.224.4623 


Neighborhood neighborhoodsd.com 

Inspired by the unpretentious, yet thoughtful 

grub of international gastropubs, this East 

Village spot is the local cornerstone of a 

movement toward casual, ultra-modern 

consumption. Neighborhood’s burgers have a 

fine, homogenous texture rivaling that of any 

restaurant in San Diego. Now, if only they’d 

bring back the mushroom Masala burger! 

777 G St., East Village, 619.446.0002 

Five Guys fiveguys.com 

These guys have bucked the big-business trend by keeping 

it real—despite having more than 600 US locations, the 

mega-chain has adhered to an always-fresh ideology that 

has driven the company since its first location opened in 

Virginia a quarter-century ago. Everything’s fresh, including 

the laundry list of toppings customers can use to customize 

their burger experience. 

1020 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.272.2105 

2445 Truxtun Rd. (in Liberty Station), Point Loma, 619.223.1679 

Rocky’s Crown Pub 

rockyburgers.com 

Most pubs have a regular following of 

neighborhood denizens looking to knock back 

a few while brushing off the dust from a hard 

day’s work, but this spot enjoys a downright 

cult following for its lusciously greasy burgers 

that go down just as easily as the first sip of 

an ice-cold pint. 

3786 Ingraham St., Pacific Beach, 858.273.9140 

Encinitas Alehouse 

encinitasalehouse.com 

This beer haven has been open just over a 

year and has already created enough buzz 

to justify the claim they’ve staked for their 

“locally world-famous burgers.” A favorite 

among their North County coastal clientele 

is the 10-ounce Wagyu (Australian version of 

Kobe beef) burger with gruyere and gorgonzola 

cheeses and crispy onion straws. 

1044 South Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760.943.7180 

Public House opening soon at 830 Kline St., La Jolla 

O’Brothers 

obrothersburgers.com 

The ideal of responsible eating is cool, but only when it resonates as well on the 

palate as it does with dietary dogma. Such is the case at O’Brothers at Horton 

Plaza, where everything is 100 percent organic, including not only the burgers, 

but also every topping and even all the beverages. 

188 Horton Plaza, Downtown, 619.615.0909 


Stingaree stingsandiego.com 

Chef Antonio Friscia’s menu at 

Stingaree is loaded with gourmet 

options, not the least of which is his 

Brandt Beef Burger, made with organic, 

locally-sourced beef topped with white 

cheddar, savory Nueske bacon and 

a secret sauce. The chef’s Kobe beef 

burger is also top-notch. And forget 

the guilt—even the extra calories that 

come with the side of shoestring fries 

are easily burned off on the dance floor. 

454 Sixth Ave., Downtown, 619.544.9500 

If you think these photos look good enough to eat, win yourself a delicious burger from any of these restaurants at facebook.com/pacificsd: Bare Back Grill, 

Burger Lounge, Crazee Burger, Dirty Birds, Encinitas Alehouse, O’Brothers, Smashburger, The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole, The Waterfront 


Smashburger smashburger.com 

When typical chain restaurants roll 

into a new city, they tend to try winning 

customers over with an alreadyestablished 

style of food or take on a 

specific dish. This nationwide, Denverbased 

macro-burgery is different, having 

arrived bearing a different kind of 

gift: the regionally-inspired San Diego 

Smashburger, served with avocado, 

cilantro and chipotle mayo on a torta roll. 

Welcome, neighbor! 

7610 Hazard Center, Ste. 507, Mission Valley, 

619.684.1550 

1000 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.750.2531 

1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, 858.461.4105 


Nicky Rotten’s nickyrottens.com 

Big, unwieldy burgers are the name of the game 

at this gangster-motif bar and grill, where no one 

goes hungry thanks to offerings like the Dirty 

Sanchez (chili, jalapeños, pepper Jack, guacamole), 

Pizza Burger (pepperoni, provolone, marinara) or 

Da Ultimate Burga: 2½ pounds of beef with all the 

fixin’s (yours for free if you can finish it). 

560 Fifth Ave., Downtown, 619.702.8068 

The Waterfront 

waterfrontbarandgrill.com 

When it comes to food, quality is often inversely 

proportional to serving size. At this beloved Little 

Italy sanctuary, however, quality comes in half-pound 

servings via an array of burgers that have helped 

keep the joint packed since it was actually on the 

water, back before the San Diego airport was built. 

2044 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 619.232.9656 

Crazee Burger crazeeburger.com 

Exotic proteins are the name of the game at this 

North Park spot, serving up burgers made of 

everything from ground antelope and alligator 

to ostrich and kangaroo. With dozens of options 

on the menu, Crazee Burger is a great choice for 

burger fans craving the ultimate in variety. 

4201 30th St., North Park, 619.282.6044 

Second location opening soon in Old Town 

Boomerangs boomerangburgers.com 

This cult favorite is stocked with a smorgasbord 

of top-shelf toppings. Choose from an 

astounding 15 cheeses, 32 sauces, 40 veggies 

and other toppings, but only after deciding 

whether all that goodness is to be piled atop 

a patty made from beef, turkey, buffalo, lamb, 

chicken or…bratwurst?! It’s all about building 

from the ground (meat) up. 

4577 Clairemont Drive, Clairemont Mesa, 

858.483.9500 


Dirty Birds dirtybirdspb.com 

Tell the guys behind the counter to take your burger and stuff it! It’s not an insult, it’s how 

they do things at Dirty Birds, where the Ja-Colby, like the majority of the burgers on the 

menu, is stuffed with wholesome goodness (in this case, Colby Jack cheese) then topped 

with a mound of fried onion strings and slathered with their specialty “dirty” ranch sauce. 

4656 Mission Boulevard, Pacific Beach, 858.274.2473 



The Local thelocalsandiego.com 

At this popular drinking hole, a half-pound of beef (or a vegetarian Boca 

patty, for those so inclined) is regarded as a blank canvas on which to 

create a customer’s dream burger. They provide the basics—lettuce, 

tomato, onion—but beyond that, it’s a build-it-yourself deal, and no 

combination is out of bounds. Hankering for something as outlandish as 

Gouda, guacamole and teriyaki sauce? Can (and will) do. 

1065 Fourth Avenue, Downtown, 619.231.4447 


WHITE TEETH FOR THE REST OF YOUR 

LIFE $99* (INCLUDES TRAYS) 

*$99 INCLUDES INITIAL VISIT FOR WHITENING AND WHITENING TRAYS. 

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Now and Zen 

A Brighter Smile, Instantly and Permanently 

By laura ricci / Photos courtesy of zen diego 

Dr. Christopher Walinski is a widely 

respected expert in Laser Dentistry. He 

practices Minimally Invasive Dentistry 

in Hillcrest, and has published a book 

that’s been translated into 10 languages. 

Between patients, Dr. Walinski took a 

moment to tell us about the spa located 

inside his clinic and why chewing gum 

with Xylitol is the worst kept secret in 

Europe. 

What inspired your dentistry career? 

Dr. Walinski: I’m really not sure. I hated 

going to the dentist when I was a kid. 

Hated the pain. Hated the smell. Hated 

the sound of the drill. In hindsight, 

I think that’s why I’ve become so 

compassionate with my own patients. 

What sets your dentistry practice 

apart from others in San Diego? 

Dr. Walinski: Three things. Obviously, 

the fact that Zen Diego has a fullblown 

spa is just a bit different. 

Secondly, I practice Minimally Invasive 

Dentistry (MID), which is a very 

conservative approach to patient care, 

where we try to do as little as possible 

and leave as much of the natural, 

healthy tooth structure as possible. 

And, the fact that I’ve been called an 

expert in Laser Dentistry is also pretty 

unique. My book on laser dentistry has 

been published around the world in ten 

languages. That still amazes me! 

Why the marriage of spa care and 

dental needs? 

Dr. Walinski: I always thought it would 

be really nice to offer our patients a head 

and neck massage after longer dental 

appointments. I didn’t think people 

would book their massage appointments 

at a dental office, but offering a 

unique service would be a great way to 

differentiate our business from other, 

more established dental offices in the area. 

Well, at the same time I was actively 

adding staff to Zen Diego, a very 

prominent spa in La Jolla was shutting 

its doors. This gave us an amazing 

opportunity to bring on some highly 

experienced spa staff members and gave 

us a boost right away, since they were 

able to start working even before our 

dental equipment had been installed. 

We now offer the services of a male or 

female massage therapist, aesthetician 

and acupuncturist who has a Masters 

degree in Chinese medicine. 

What’s one thing most non-dentists 

don’t know that we really should? 

Dr. Walinski: When I get a chance to 

step up onto my soapbox, I tell everyone 

about Xylitol. It is a naturally-occurring 

sugar that STOPS cavities PERIOD. Two 

of my favorite brands are Zellies (www. 

zellies.com) and Epic (www.epicdental. 

com), which actually comes with a 

cavity-free guarantee. If you use Epic 

gum or mints and ever get another cavity, 

they will give you a full refund. Xylitol 

is also very effective in decreasing ear 

infections in infants and toddlers, since 

cavities and ear infections are caused by 

similar bacteria. Ask a friend or relative in 

Europe about Xylitol, and you’ll find that 

it’s benefits are common knowledge. 

Why do you think some dentists still 

drill instead of using a laser? 

Dr. Walinski: It’s just a matter of 

educating them so they completely 

understand the benefits of using a laser 

instead of a drill. One of my most 

gratifying experiences as an instructor is 

when a dentist “gets it” and changes their 

practice philosophy to incorporate some 

of the less invasive technologies like lasers 

and digital radiography instead of regular 

x-rays. Drills cause heat and vibration, 

creating tiny cracks. If you have ever had 

a tooth break for apparently no reason, 

you have experienced the result of these 

tiny cracks caused by drilling the tooth. 

Drilling also causes the cavity preparation 

to be coated with debris. This results in 

fillings that are sensitive or fall out. There 

are so many more advantages to using 

a laser instead of a scalpel or drill, but I 

don’t want this to turn into a lecture. 

There are so many 

more advantages to 

using a laser instead 

of a scalpel or drill, 

but I don’t want this 

to turn into 

a lecture. 

Zen Diego Dental Arts 501 Washington Str #704 San Diego CA 92103 619-49—SMILE (7-6453) www.zen-dentistry.com

ADVERTISEMENT 

The Undisputed Difference 

The Heavyweight Champs of San Diego Fight Training 

By Brandon Buzarde / Photos by JAMES NORTON 

In January, 

get one month 

free with this ad 

Undisputed training center is nestled 

on the corner of 16th and K Streets 

in downtown’s East Village. Marked 

with intentional graffiti and secured 

with barbwire fences, Undisputed gives 

off an ominous first impression. The 

regular passerby would see the MMA/ 

Boxing/Jiu Jitsu signage as a warning to 

all that, here, on this block, is a place to 

get hurt and hurt others. Don’t judge a 

book by its cover. 

Following his vision, Undisputed 

downtown owner Ted Johnson opened 

this location in 2008. A long-time 

boxing and martial arts enthusiast, 

Johnson wanted to create a community 

training center that facilitates the 

beginner, the fitness enthusiast and the 

professional, all under the same roof. 

“I just saw the need for a place that 

people could come and—no matter 

what experience level—learn something 

and get a great workout,” Johnson says. 

With a growing membership base of 

400, Undisputed has created success 

by offering a huge variety of classes 

(set at times to accommodate anyone’s 

schedule) for a price that no downtown 

facility can beat. Beginners through 

intermediates benefit from first-class 

instruction and individual attention 

not often found in group-fitness today. 

“People come in here all the time to get 

in shape and accidentally learn how to 

fight,” says one of Undisputed Muay 

Thai instructors Brett Albee. 

The facility’s vast open space 

and rugged equipment allow for 

unorthodox training applications that 

have created quite a buzz among fitness 

fanatics. Members can devise Spartanstyle 

workouts, implementing tractor 

tires, sledgehammers and large vessel 

ropes. Featuring only the essential 

equipment, an outdoor weight yard, 

reminiscent of Venice, California’s 

Muscle Beach, offers that old-schoolgym 

vibe that traditional bodybuilders 

made famous. The full-size, regulation 

boxing ring makes up-and-coming 

local pros feel like heavyweight champs. 

“This place is like the Cheers of gyms,” 

says Undisputed member Ryan Girard. 

“Sometimes you want to go where 

everybody, including the owner, knows 

your name.” 

Undisputed has impacted its 

surrounding area by pioneering the 

business community past 15th Street. 

“The presence of Undisputed in the 

area has helped other businesses sustain 

and attract new business,” says one 

local business owner. 

Kids from all over the neighborhood 

take part in a youth outreach 

program called The Undisputed Kids 

Foundation, which, for a minimal 

price, allows local youth to take part in 

instructional boxing classes focused on 

positively channeling energy and staying 

out of trouble. 

A family environment that reaches 

out to its community and provides a 

first-class service at a great price is the 

Undisputed difference. See you there. 

“The presence of 

Undisputed in the 

area has helped other 

businesses sustain and 

attract new business,” 

says one local 

business owner. 

Undisputed 320 16th Street San Diego CA 92101 619-450-6999 www.undisputeddowntown.com

ADVERTISEMENT 

Food at FIT 

All Fresh. All Natural. Never Frozen. 

By connie cook 

The Food at Fit program makes eating 

clean simple, affordable and delicious. 

With over 75 meals to choose from 

weekly, it’s like having your own 

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at Fit program gives you perfectly 

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When you eat clean, you eat food that 

is as close as possible to how it occurs 

in nature, its natural state. (You eat the 

potato, not the potato chip.) Once you 

start changing the quality of a naturally 

grown food by adding preservatives to 

extend its shelf life, or artificial flavors 

to change its taste, you rob yourself 

of all the nutritional value food can 

provide and end up doing your body 

more harm than good. 

The more processed your food is the 

harder it is for your body to digest, 

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FIT Athletic Club 350 10th Avenue Suite 200 San Diego,CA 92101 619-764-5348 www.fitathletic.com

taste 

WHAT’S COOKING 

DINING OUT 

COCKTAIL 

Jimbo’s Markets Stacy Keck 

Feed Your Mind 

How what you eat (grey) matters 

TOP: An assortment of brain foods from Jimbo’s market 

ABOVE: Piatti chef Pepe Ccapatinta presents his salmonstuffed 

avocados 

B y C a t h a r i n e L . K a u f m a n 

(aka The Kitchen Shrink) 

When it was analyzed during 

autopsy, Albert Einstein’s brain 

was shown to have 73% more 

glial cells than average. These cells 

form during the embryo’s development, so Mama 

Pauline must have been eating right while her 

budding genius was still in utero. 

Leonardo Da Vinci enjoyed a popular 

Renaissance dish of grilled eel and orange slices, 

and studies have shown that eating foods rich in 

omega-3 fatty acids, like carefully chosen seafood, 

may help boost IQs. Beethoven had a penchant for 

strong coffee (60 beans to the cup), the Dalai Lama 

is a chocoholic, and Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel was 

a fan of green eggs and ham (made green by healthy 

herbs, no doubt). 

Einstein said, “There’s a genius in all of us.” If 

he’s right, then perhaps all we have to do to realize 

our mental potential is eat healthy foods. 

Here’s a list of no-brainers. 

Fish and Tips 

Swap red meat for red snapper or other omega-3 

fatty acid powerhouses (especially wild-caught, deep 

sea, cold-water varieties) including salmon, herring, 

sardines and mackerel. One of the omega-3s in fish, 

DHA, is a key building block in components of grey 

matter. So, a diet rich in omega-3s may keep brain 

cells well-lubricated and vibrant, improving mood, 

brain-wiring and cell-to-cell communications. That 

all adds up to quick thinking. Wild-caught salmon is 

also a rich source of niacin, which is believed to ward 

off age-related cognitive decline from dementia and 

Alzheimer’s disease. As Dr. Seuss says, “One fish, two 

fish, red fish, blue fish.” 

Pepe Ccapatinta, executive chef at Piatti in La 

Jolla Shores, puts sardines, wild-caught salmon and 

anchovies on his A-list of brain foods. 

“A lot of people don’t like sardines because of a bad 

experience as kids, but they need to move beyond that 

(Continued on Page 60) 


taste 


FROM TOP: An açaí bowl, which is the most popular way the berry is enjoyed in 

Brazil, is like a sorbet sundae; bushels of freshly harvested açaí; chef Claire Allison 

spices it up with rosemary; lamb sandwich marinated in rosemary and mint 

DINING OUT 

COCKTAIL 

Stacy Keck 

and add them to their diet,” he says. 

Ccapatinta decorates pizzas and 

antipasti platters with anchovies, 

balancing the salty fish with sweet 

tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Another 

of his faves is wild-caught salmon salad 

stuffed inside avocado halves. 

Brazilian Bombshell 

Açaí (meaning “fruit that cries” in 

Portuguese) is a brainy berry packed with 

antioxidants, omega fatty acids, amino 

acids, fiber, vitamins (A, B6, C and E), iron 

and calcium. A Brazilian import linked to 

staving off age-related brain ailments, açaí 

is available as a juice, fruit pulp or freezedried 

powder. Its rich taste is a blend of 

purple berries and bittersweet chocolate, 

making it delightful in smoothies and 

traditional Brazilian frozen açaí bowls. 

Feeling Berry Good 

Blueberries are packed with a variety of 

micronutrients including Vitamins B6, C 

and K, along with manganese, antioxidant 

pigments and phytochemicals attributed 

to enhancing long-term memory and 

boosting cognitive processing. Studies have 

also shown that wild blueberries may lessen 

deterioration in Alzheimer’s patients by 

shielding the brain from free-radical attack. 

So, toss them in your muffins, cereal and 

yogurt, and rejoice. (Stoli Bluberi vodka 

may make you feel smart for an hour or 

two, but a “brain food” it is not.) 

Forgetmenots 

(better jot them down to be safe) 

Rosemary not only jazzes up 

boring chicken and tames the 

gamey flavor of lamb, but also 

snaps memory back into shape. 

The aromatic evergreen of 

Mediterranean roots contains 

carnosic acid, which has 

been found to put the skids 

on neurodegenerative diseases such as 

Alzheimer’s by warding off free radicals 

from the brain. 

Claire Allison, chef/owner of Claire’s on 

Cedros in Solana Beach, recommends her 

hormone-free lamb sandwich, marinated 

in rosemary and mint (picked fresh from 

her restaurant’s on-site garden). 

“When you see rosemary, you just want 

to grab it in your hands, smell it and crush 

it,” says Allison. “The fresh, clean, piney 

fragrance invigorates you and transports 

you to a warm, sunny Mediterranean 

clime. We’re so fortunate it grows here, 

copiously, like a weed.” 

Use Your Bean 

Arabica rules—more than 100 million 

people in this country can’t start their day 

until they’ve had their java jolt. In its most 

pristine form (sans the double-caramelmocha-crème-brûlée-like 

infusions) coffee 

is now, after decades of debate, widely 

considered to be a high-octane brain fuel 

when consumed in moderate amounts. 

The caffeine, in particular, has been shown 

to boost short-term memory, increase focus 

and enhance problem-solving skills. 

In addition to being a brain-friendly 

upper, the coffee bean is packed with 

antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, just 

like its close cousin, the cocoa bean. 

Pure, dark chocolate with a cocoa 

content of over 70 percent is a brainstimulating 

food packed with catechins 

and antioxidant flavonoids—eight times 

the number found in strawberries. This 

blissful bean endowed with aphrodisiacal 

properties elevates mood and cognitive 

functions, so indulge guiltlessly. 

“We’re especially happy to give people a 

brainy sweet chocolate fix,” says vegan Jim 

“Jimbo” Someck, owner of Jimbo’s natural 

markets across San Diego. Jimbo’s not only 

embraces “brain foods,” but also carries 

them in organic, hormone- and antibioticfree 

varieties. 

“Anytime you eat simply, you’re more 

alert, sleep better and wake up with a 

clearer head,” says Someck. 

Go Nuts 

How fitting it is that walnuts, loaded with 

brain-boosting plant-based omega-3s (i.e., 

alpha-linolenic acid), resemble miniature 

hemispheres of the brain? The fatty acids 

in these little gems, which are said to 

increase cognitive functioning as omega-3s 

from animal sources do, have also been 

linked to blocking signals produced by 

free radicals that could eventually create 

inflammation in the brain. Walnuts 

have also been found to hike melatonin 

levels, one of the body’s sleep-regulating 

hormones. Crazy? Maybe. Nuts? For sure. 




Hook, Line 

and Sinker 

Get caught up in your next night out… 

World Famous Lobster Benedict 

Succulent poached Maine lobster tails, served over 

broiled focaccia squares with hand-whipped lemon 

butter hollandaise, poached eggs, chopped fresh parsley 

and steamed aspargus spears 

b r e a k f a s t l u n c H d i n n e r l o u n g e 

Bates’ World Famous seafood dishes reflect his International approach to fineCalifornia Coastal Cuisine. 

World Famous for seafood 

World Famous for the view 

World Famous since 1970 

Chef ChrisBates 

Reservations: 858.272.3100 • 711 Pacific Beach Drive • Pacific Beach

taste 


COCKTAIL 

DINING OUT 

RISING 

SON 

The next in line 

grabs the reins of 

the family business 

B y G e n e v i e v e A . S u z u k i 

P h o t o s b y J e f f “ T u r b o ” 

Corrigan 

As Jewish deli D.Z. Akin’s 

bounds into its third 

decade, another generation 

of Akins has stepped up 

to the plate to continue 

pushing Matzo ball soup on the masses. 

Having studied film at USC in LA, 

Elan Akin, 29, never imagined returning 

home to assume general management 

duties of his family’s restaurant just east 

of SDSU. He was working as a television 

producer for HGTV when his parents, 

Debi and Zvika (“D” and “Z”) told him 

they were thinking of selling the place. 

His older brother, Neal, who everyone 

had thought would take over the 

business, had opted instead for a career 

in real estate. Younger brother, David, 

works in the bakery, but at age 19, he’s 

still too young to take over. 

“[Neal] always wanted to do this. I 

didn’t feel strongly either way,” Akin says. 

Nevertheless, when D and Z told their 

middle son about the possibility of a 

non-Akin-owned deli, he returned to San 

Diego without regret, despite admitting 

that, at the time, he didn’t think he was 

“leaving-leaving” LA for good. 

Akin soon warmed to the idea of 

CLOCKWISE FROM 

TOP: D.Z. Akin’s 

famous Reuben 

sandwich; Elan Akin, 

the new GM; the 

mighty elixir, matzo 

ball soup 

A Family of Fare 

Keeping it in the family runs in the family when it comes to the Akins and the Epsteins. Brian’s 24, a Gaslamp restaurant popular among the 

post-clubbing crowd, was passed on to the next generation of Epsteins after its owner, Steve Epstein, died a few months ago. Steve was Debi 

Akin’s (the “D” in D.Z. Akins) brother. He was also a good friend of PacificSD, offering warm support and kind guidance. We miss him a lot. 

Working with his mother, Steve’s son, Brian, has asumed the role of running the restaurant, which serves up breakfast 24 hours a day. 

Coincidentally, Brian’s 24 was not named for the new guy in charge. 

“There had been two Brian’s restaurants in San Diego, but eventually the owners split the businesses, and the one who owned the downtown 

Brian’s sold it to my family,” explains Elan Akin, Brian Epstein’s cousin. “The Epsteins did wonders to improve the restaurant into a success, day 

and night alike. They’re especially proud of their pancakes—fresh daily with all real ingredients really make these hotcakes stand out.” 


playing a larger role at D.Z. It’s a 

family business, after all, and who 

better to help keep the name and 

tradition alive? 

“It’s my parents’ being here 

that made the business,” he says. 

Zvika, originally from Israel, 

was working as a kosher butcher 

in Los Angeles when he met Debi. 

“They fell in love over a bowl 

of chopped liver,” says Akin with a 

chuckle. “It’s a very Jewish story.” 

That love the couple had for 

each other spilled over into the 

restaurant they opened together. 

“The deli, when it started, 

was tiny,” Akin says. “It was a 

family business and luckily it was 

a successful family business. That 

meant my parents worked 

a lot.” 

Now, the workload 

is largely his, and Akin 

has embraced the 

challenge. 

“This is the 

beginning of the 

future,” he says, “but 

you don’t change 

something that works.” 

With one eye focused 

on modernization, Akin 

remains eager to preserve 

the deli’s heritage. As it’s 

always been, diners will 

continue to be able to 

nosh deli pickles at the 

table while the waitstaff 

serves up personality-plus. What’s 

new, among other things, is that 

the once-photocopied table tents 

have been replaced with digitallyprinted, 

full-color versions. Akin 

has also created the Noshers Club, 

an opt-in email program that 

notifies customers of specials and 

discounts. 

“It’s just to sort of acknowledge 

that there are always things to 

evolve to,” he says. 

Mother Debi continues to offer 

input, such as the addition of 

designer salads to what’s been mostly 

a traditional Jewish deli menu. 

“For every client who comes 

in wanting a Reuben,” Akin says, 

“they might have a daughter 

who’d want a salad.” 

Despite leaving the glitz of 

show biz behind, Akin regards his 

(sorta) new career as a wonderful 

opportunity. 

“Not everyone has a successful 

business handed to them,” he 

says. “If I ever felt the need for 

that side of me to come out, I’d 

shoot a commercial.” 



NEW FOR 2011 

HAPPY HOUR SPECIAL 

HALF 

PRICED 

APPETIZERS & MIXED DRINKS 

EVERYDAY 

4–6PM 

ALL DAY SPECIALS 

MONDAY 

TUESDAY 

WEDNESDAY 

THURSDAY 

FRIDAY 

SATURDAY 

SUNDAY 

“Half price, 

 

$3 BLUE MOON PINTS 

50¢ WINGS 

$2 DOS EQUIS LAGER PINTS 

$3 PREMIUM PINTS 

$5 WING PLATE 

5-10-12 PITCHERS 

$5 NATTY $10 DOMESTIC $12 PREMIUM 

TACO FRIDAY - $3.50 SNAPPER / $4 LOBSTER 

$3 SOL & CORONA 

$13 MIMOSA PITCHERS 

$3 DOMESTIC BOTTLES 

ANOTHER BLOODY SUNDAY 

$4 MARY’S 

$2 NATTY LIGHT ALL DAY, EVERY DAY 

JUST WHAT THE 

DOCTOR ORDERED 

In addition to the Reuben sandwich (“smoked, pickled meats are the icons of the 

deli”), D.Z. Akin’s general manager Elan Akin says the deli’s defining menu item 

is matzo ball soup, which is not only delicious but also a favorite elixir among 

under-the-weather customers. “We joke that it’s Jewish penicillin,” he says. 

D.Z. Akin’s 

6930 Alvarado Rd., 619.265.0218, dzakinsdeli.com 

 

WWW.BOARDWALKMISSIONBEACH.COM 

JUST OFF THE BEACH AT TOWER 19

taste 


DINING OUT 

COCKTAIL 

Full of Schmidt 

The perfect pour from one of San Diego’s top ‘tenders 

By Brandon Hernández • Photos by Jeff “Turbo” Corrigan 

On November 30, eight of our Finest City’s 

finest bartenders converged on one of San 

Diego’s most respected cocktail destinations, 

downtown’s El Dorado, to determine, once 

and for all, who is the pourest of the pour. Eight mixologists 

battled in a head-to-head, Iron Chef-style competition that was 

conducted in single-elimination rounds where only three types 

of liquor were allowed. Adding to the challenge, each round 

featured a surprise ingredient that had to be added to the mix. 

The action got off to a shaky start, and when all the 

glasses were half-empty, it was Anthony Schmidt from the 

East Village hideaway, Noble Experiment (the speakeasy 

hidden inside Neighborhood), that won top honors and 

bragging rights with his Wry Grin, a minty sweet-and-sour 

tipple with a rye whiskey base. 

“Serving five judges with various interests can be 

challenging, so I tried using a drink that appeals to as wide 

an audience as possible,” says Schmidt. “It’s an approachable 

drink for the novice palate, but the use of Fernet Branca 

[an Italian digestif made with herbs and spices] adds deep 

complexity and appeals to the more experienced drinker.” 

Despite being a technician who’s studied the art of craftbartending 

at spirit-centric spots across the country, Schmidt 

admits to having been anxious about the competition, which 

was stacked with bartenders that are not only local titans, 

but also some of his best friends. 

“I respect all the pros who had the guts to show up at the 

event at El Dorado,” he says. “It takes courage to put yourself 

out in the open like that. I know I was nervous as all get out.” 

Victory is sweet, but it’s the satisfaction of a job well done 

that drives this intoxicating innovator. 

“I love Noble Experiment because it gives me every possible 

tool I need to make sure every customer who sits on the other 

side of the bar is as happy as possible,” Schmidt says. “The 

rest is up to me. If I make the right decisions, if I study up on 

cocktails and ingredients, if I’m nice and engage the golden 

rule, I get instant gratification—happy new friends.” 

Cheers to that. 

Top 

of 

the 

Glass 

El Dorado’s 

bartender 

contenders 

Jacqueline Coulon 

Starlite 

Garth Flood 

Cowboy Star 

Eric Johnson 

Craft and Commerce 

Seth Laufman 

URBN 

Eric Plambeck 

Jaynes Gastropub 

Anthony Schmidt 

Noble Experiment 

Mathew Stanton 

El Dorado 

Tim Stevens 

Prohibition 


HAPPY HOUR 

3PM - 6PM 

HALF PRICE WINGS & DOMESTIC PITCHERS 

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Schmidt’s all smiles now, but 

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face at the second annual El 

Dorado Bartending Challenge. 

In the meantime, try your hand 

at mastering this award-winning 

cocktail on the home-front. 

Schmidt’s Wry Gin 

1½ oz. Hudson Manhattan Rye 

½ oz. Fernet Branca 

¾ oz. simple syrup (equal parts 

water and sugar, brought to 

a boil then cooled to room 

temperature) 

3 lemon wedges 

8 medium-sized mint leaves plus 

1 large mint leaf for garnish 

THE MOVES 

Place ingredients in cocktail 

shaker. Muddle and taste for 

sweet-and-sour balance. If 

mixture is too sweet, add more 

lemon. If too tart, add more 

simple syrup. Add ice to shaker, 

cover and shake aggressively, 

then strain into ice-filled double 

rocks glass. Garnish with large 

mint sprig. Serve. Repeat. 

The Noble Experiment 

777 G Street, East Village 

619.888.4713, 

nobleexperimentsd.com 


OPPOSITE PAGE: 

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groove 

FROM 

b a r t e n d e r 

c y c l e 

s h o w t i m e 

t u n e 

s p i n 

- i n 

TO 

COLDPLAY 

Tracking down a rumor about 

a local band gone big-time 

By Loren Graves • Photos by TESSA ANGUS 

Back in the US from a recent European tour with the Killers’ 

frontman, Brandon Flowers, San Diego alt rockers Transfer 

are poised to match their success abroad right here at home. 

Across the pond, the British press showered our local 

boys with accolades. Q Magazine placed the band among its 

“10 New Faces of 2010,” and Clash Magazine included the 

quartet in its “Ones to Watch” feature. 

(Continued on Page 68) 


TOP: Matthew Molarius, 

vocals and guitar; 

Jason Cardenas, lead 

guitar; Shaun Cornell, 

bass; Andy Ridley, 

drums (all shot by 

Tessa Angus at Brixton 

Academy, London) 


groove 


c y c l e 

It’s been rumored 

that Transfer will be 

hitting the road with 

Coldplay in the 

coming months, 

which is why I 

find myself lost 

in BFE Kearny 

Mesa, looking 

for White Horse 

Recorders—the 

studio that Transfer 

owns. It’s a fact-finding 

mission, which is off to a poor 

start considering I can’t find the address. 

Three U-turns later, I manage to park and 

interrupt the band in the middle of a practice 

session. They agree to sit down with me. 

I lead with the question at hand: 

“What’s up with your tour with Coldplay?” 

 

I couldn’t tell if it was the first they had 

heard of it or if I had somehow been leaked 

some confidential info. 

Andy Ridley, the drummer, broke the 

silence. “We’re into putting good things in the 

atmosphere and seeing what happens, like with 

s p i n 


- i n 

t u n e 

that AC/DC tour coming up…not really sure 

how they’re gonna like opening up for us.” 

With Ridley’s English accent, you can’t be 

sure what’s true. 

We spend an hour catching up on the last 

six months, which has been anything but slow 

for Transfer—their opening of the studio, their 

recording and online releases of “Future Selves” and 

“Losing Composure” and their love of San Diego. 

“When you hit that Mission Bay turn on the 

drive, when you see downtown, that’s why I live 

here,” Ridley says. 

“We’re looking forward to playing 

Soundwave [in Mission Beach]. It’s been a 

while since we’ve been home,” says bassist 

Shaun Cornell, cleaning his shotgun as he talks. 

When asked how the tour with Brandon 

Flowers went, frontman Matt Molarius 

understates that “the swell around the last tour 

was a good response.” 

But none of it gets me any closer to the 

Coldplay rumor. 

When I push, Molarius finally offers up a 

solid lead. 

“Chris Martin and Andy [Ridley] were 

actually soccer mates back in England,” he 

says. (Chris Martin, Coldplay’s lead singer, is 

married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow.) 

Ridley confirms, “Me and Elton John, also.” 

Yeah, that sounds reasonable—Chris Martin, 

Sir Elton and Andy Ridley, all doing bicycle 

kicks on the Queen’s lawn. 

Cornell cuts Ridley off before he can elaborate. 

“I don’t want you to print that,” he says. “It’s 

nepotism.” 

And that’s where they end the interview, 

leaving me lost, again, as to whether or not 

Transfer may soon be embarking with Coldplay 

on the biggest tour of their career. 

See Transfer perform live in concert New 

Year’s Eve at: 

The Casbah 

2501 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy 

619.232.4355, casbahmusic.com 

THIS PAGE: Transfer’s lead 

guitarist, Jason Cardenas 

OPPOSITE: DJ Antony Ross 

moves ahead 


See exclusive 

photos and stream 

DJ Anthony Ross’ 

most recent releases 

and dance mixes at 

pacificsandiego.com. 

HEAR 

NOW 

The latest and greatest 

from one of San Diego’s 

rising-star DJs 

By Taylor Doms 

Photo by James Norton 

Anthony Ross has gotten plenty of local press of late, 

but his latest accomplishment has taken the Voyeur 

resident DJ global. 

The recent news is big—world-renowned superstar 

DJ Tiesto played Ross’ track, “Feel Me” (Enton Mushi Remix), 

on his wildly popular podcast/radio show, “Club Life.” Such 

exposure can propel a music-maker to the top of the charts. Case 

in point—Ross’ release “Feel Me To” just hit number 35 (and 

is still climbing) on the taste-making hub for electronic music, 

beatport.com’s Progressive House chart. 

Ross’ yet-to-be-released track “Funky (Like it, Like it)” 

has already been signed by German DJ/producer Tocadisco’s 

label, TOCA45. His remix of “Freak” by UK Producer Mike 

Foyle has been swooped up by Smu[th] Music, and his remix 

of “Camberwick Green” by Chris Dunn is forthcoming at 

Hardphaze Recordings. All of these releases are slated for early 

2011, so it’s sure to be a happy New Year for Ross. 

DIDJA KNOW: Anthony Ross is half of the indie-electro 

production duo Bubblegum Sci-Fi (featured in PacificSD’s August 

2010 issue). He also produces and DJs under the pseudonym 

Grey Ghost, which also happens to be his dog’s nickname. 



januaryconcertcalendar 

1/1: Pato Banton @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com* 

1/1: Porn & Eggs @ El Dorado, eldoradobar.com 

1/7: Pharcyde @ 4th&B, 4thandbevents.com* 

1/7: 40 oz. to Freedom @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com* 

1/8: Anthony B @ Soundwave, wavehousesandiego.com 

1/10-11: Pinback @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 

1/11-12: Thirty Seconds to Mars @ House of Blues, hob.com 

1/13: Cedric Gervais @ Voyeur, voyeursd.com 

1/13-14: Rebelution Winter Greens Tour @ House of Blues, hob.com* 

1/14: Rolling the Stones @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com* 

1/14: Teengirl Fantasy w/ Pictureplane @ Soda Bar, sodabarmusic.com 

1/14: Feel the Noise w/ Saul Q & Gabe Vega @ U31 Bar, myspace.com/u31sd 

1/14: Baths w/ Lesands @ the Loft at UCSD, theloft.ucsd.edu 

1/15: Kevin Hart @ San Diego Civic Theatre, sandiegotheatres.org 

1/15: Pase Rock @ U31 Bar, myspace.com/u31sd 

1/15: We Came As Romans @ Soma, somasandiego.com 

1/16: Willie Nelson @ Pechanga, pechanga.com 

1/18: The Album Leaf @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 

1/19: Jagermeister Music Tour @ 4th&B, 4thandbevents.com 

1/19: No Use for a Name @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 

1/20: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony @ House of Blues, hob.com 

1/20: TV Girl @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 

1/21: Best Coast w/ Wavves @ Soma, somasandiego.com 

1/21: Bonnie Raitt @ Pala Casino, palacasino.com 

1/21-22: OzomatLI @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com* 

1/22: Dashboard Confessional @ House of Blues, hob.com* 

1/22: Le Castle Vania @ Voyeur, voyeursd.com 

1/22: Styx @ Pechanga, pechanga.com 

1/23: Guster @ House of Blues, hob.com 

1/27: Infected Mushroom @Fluxx, fluxxsd.com* 

1/29: Thursday @ Soma, somasandiego.com 

*PacificSD will be giving away tickets to this show via Facebook, 

Twitter and pacificsandiego.com. Add us, follow us, click us! 


groove 



Kelly Sharbaugh adds 

Jameson Whiskey to 

Quality Social’s homemade 

pickle brine 

c y c l e 

t u n e 

s p i n 

- i n 

RAD 

HAIR 

DAY 

A dreaded bartender 

returns from “reality” 

By Dave Good 

P h o t o b y 

Jeff “Turbo” Corrigan 

Kelly Sharbaugh thinks her blond dreads 

may have been the ticket that got her 

a free trip to Samoa in 2009. Once on 

the island, she joined the Galu tribe on 

the long-running reality show Survivor—she lasted 

24 out of 39 days. 

People Magazine’s TV Watch says Sharbaugh was 

“shocked and dumbfounded” to be, as they say, 

“voted off the island.” Banished from her tribe, she 

returned home to West Hollywood (where she lived 

at the time) some 14 pounds lighter. 

“You just didn’t really eat. Period. Well, you 

could eat weird sh!t, or just not eat,” she says. 

When she moved to California from her 

native Delaware, the hairdresser-turnedmixologist 

wasn’t into sporting the blond Barbie 

look that has infiltrated the West Coast. 

“I wanted something different,” she says. Despite 

appearances, however, this is no Rasta chick. “I 

definitely wear lots of makeup and dress girly.” 

These days, Sharbaugh, 26, is on a different kind of adventure, doing 

a whole lot better than just surviving behind the bar at Quality Social in 

East Village, where she’s worked since the place opened in March. 

“Right now, I’m enjoying the freedom and the lifestyle bartending 

gives me, and being able to travel whenever I want,” she says. “I meet a 

lot of interesting people. For the foreseeable future, this is where I’ll be.” 

Given how her regulars flock to Quality Social when she’s behind the 

bar, it seems that Sharbaugh won’t be voted off this gig any time soon. 



Cures What Ails Ya’ 

Using locally-sourced ingredients, Quality Social cures all of their own 

charcuterie in-house. (They even make their own ketchup and mustard.) Nonbelievers 

are encouraged to check out the on-site meat-locker and consider 

the fact that the bar’s phone number is 619.501.PORK. 

Quality Social 

789 6th Avenue, Downtown, 619.501.7675, qualitysocial.com 


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love 

FRIENDS WITH 

BENEFITS 

Strangers in the night… 

that’s the plan, anyway 

DATE 

by david perloff 

P h o t o s b y B R E V I N B L A C H 

During the day, Jessica promotes 

nightlife. She’s a publicist for a 

prominent local public relations 

firm and focuses her energy 

on servicing the company’s 

hospitality accounts. For work 

and pleasure, she’s always on the scene. She grew up 

in San Diego and seems to know everybody in town. 

Finding a guy Jessica doesn’t know is a tall order, but 

tonight’s date is meant to be a blind one. Failure is 

not an option. 

J.R. is a mechanical engineer from Mission Viejo, 

California. He moved to San Diego less than a year 

ago and isn’t friends with Jessica on Facebook (a 

PacificSD blind date prerequisite), so it feels like a safe bet that 

they haven’t met before. 

As we speak, J.R. is riding in style in a mega-stretch N Style 

limousine. He’s being chauffeured from his downtown apartment 

to Jessica’s place in Pacific Beach. Before the vehicle exits The Five 

at Grand/Garnet, let’s review the pre-date interviews. 

PacificSD: What do you do for a living? 

JESSICA: I’m a publicist at J Public Relations, a 

hospitality and luxury-lifestyle public relations firm 

based here in San Diego. We represent restaurants, 

nightclubs, hotels, et cetera, all over the world. Love 

my job! 

J.R.: I am an engineer. 

What do you do for fun? 

JESSICA: Just about anything social. I love going 

out downtown, grabbing dinner with friends, 

going to Padres games, going up to LA—whatever 

I feel like at the moment. 

J.R.: Anything to do with the beach—Jet Ski, 

volleyball, boating, fishing, et cetera. 

  

What makes you a good catch? 

JESSICA: I’m smart, funny, have a great job, am 

down to earth and just like to have fun no matter 

what I’m doing or where I’m at. 

J.R.: I’ve had my fair share of practice in 

relationships, so my relationship commonsense is 

on point. 

What are you looking for in a date, physically 

and in terms of personality? 

JESSICA: I like the standard—tall, dark, handsome, 

athletic—but personality is definitely important. No 

douche bags, please. I don’t care how hot you are. 

J.R.: I like a girl that has a good balance, physically, 

mentally and spiritually. Bubbly personality helps, too. 

Fill in the blanks: In general, the people I date 

are “blank” and “blank.” 

JESSICA: Outgoing and funny. 

J.R.: Social butterflies and electric personalities. 

How and why did your last relationship end? 

JESSICA: We were just in two different places in 

our lives. 

J.R.: Restraining order. 

What’s your favorite thing about yourself? 

JESSICA: Not taking myself too seriously— 

definitely not afraid to laugh and have fun with 

things. Life’s too short to be uptight. 

J.R.: My drive. 

What’s your biggest fear? 

JESSICA: Bad first dates. Oh, and heights. 

J.R.: Hot air balloons. 

What animal are you most like and how? 

JESSICA: A polar bear—I’m cute and fluffy, but 

don’t f#ck with me. 

J.R.: A dolphin. Don’t all girls like dolphins? 

After the limousine pops over to PB to collect 

Jessica, the daters pop a bottle of champagne for 

the ride north to dinner at Flavor Del Mar. 

As they step out of the limo in front of Del Mar 

Plaza, Jessica and J.R. flicker amid flashes from 

PacificSD’s paparazzo. There isn’t enough 

space in the magazine to print 100 

photos of the couple disembarking 

their chariot, but it’s a blast to 

watch passers-by stop, whisper and 

point, expecting to spot someone 

famous. Works every time. 

(Continued on page 74) 

THANK YOU! 

N Style Limousine, 

619.866.1616, 

nstylelimos.com 


love 

(Continued from page 72 ) 

Flavor 

of the Day 

Dinnertime in Del Mar 

DATE 

It’s Friday night, and Flavor Del Mar is packed. 

In the main bar/lounge area, after-work stock 

broker types in loosened ties are rubbing 

elbows with dudes in flannels and dudettes 

in high-boots and short-shorts. Despite their 

differences in appearance, the factions are comingling 

well (and you just know that suits and scenesters alike 

will all end up across the street at Jimmy O’s later this 

evening—it’s not just Del Mar’s finest night spot, it’s 

also the only one). 

A smiling hostess escorts the daters across a small 

footbridge to a private table by the fireplace in the 

main dining room. They order dinner, drinks and 

dessert, chatting and smiling the entire time. From 

the magazine crew’s vantage point, the couple seems 

to be hitting it off. 

After about an hour and a half at Flavor, Jessica and 

J.R. head back to the limo for the quick ride inland to 

Club M, the new restaurant, nightclub and sports bar at 

the luxurious and regal five-star Grand Del Mar resort. 

Before they go inside to enjoy exclusive bottle service by 

the dance floor. they’re split for mid-date debriefings. 

PacificSD: How’s it going so far? 

JESSICA: He’s really sweet. He’s fun. We get along 

really well. 

J.R.: It’s going really well. I think that she’s a really 

cute girl and she’s got a great personality, which 

goes a long way with me. 

How was dinner at Flavor? 

JESSICA: I had the scallops and he had the short 

ribs. Everything was amazing, I’m a huge fan of 

the chef there. 

J.R.: Flavor was awesome. I had the short ribs, 

which were amazing. It was prepared a little 

different than what I’m used to, unbelievable. She 

had the scallops, which were really good, too. 

What was your first impression of your date? 

JESSICA: I have a confession I have to make— 

J.R. and I actually know each other. He’s kind of 

casually dating one of my best friends. 

J.R.: Let’s just say I was shocked, because we knew 

each other. 

Is this the type of person that you would 

normally date? 

JESSICA: Yeah, he’s cool, he’s sweet, he’s outgoing 

and fun—and just, like, down-to-earth. We get 

along really well. 

J.R.: She’s great; she’s everything that I look for. 

What’s the least attractive thing your date has 

done so far? 

JESSICA: Nothing. 

J.R.: I guess the least attractive thing is that I went 

out with her best friend. 

What would your parents say if you brought 

your date home? 

JESSICA: I think they would approve. He’s like a 

generally nice guy. 

J.R.: Oh, they would love her. I come from a big 

family—I have seven brothers and sisters—and 

she’s kind of got like a little spunky personality, 

which goes a long way with my family. 

Rate your date’s looks on a scale from one to 10. 

JESSICA: I would say probably like an eight. 

J.R.: She’s a 10. 

How about for personality? 

JESSICA: Like a nine or a 10. He’s funny. 

J.R.: Ten. 

Does your date want 

to kiss you right now? 

JESSICA: No. 

J.R.: Yes. 

Do you want to kiss your date right now? 

JESSICA: No 

J.R.: Yes 

Out of 49 PacificSD blind dates, this is the 

first time (we know of) that a dater was 

already dating the other dater’s best friend. 

Here at America’s Finest magazine, while we certainly 

wouldn’t want to break up BFFs—with Jessica giving 

J.R. an eight and a 10, and J.R. being ready to give 

and/or receive a kiss—at least we can cross our 

fingers and hope for melodrama. 

After the mid-date interviews, Jessica 

and J.R. head into Club M for 

drinks and dancing. Inside, the 

crowd is a little older than what 

you’d find on Garnet Avenue 

or in the Gaslamp, but the 

energy level is high, and the 

dance floor is hopping. 

(Continued on page 76 ) 

THANK YOU! 

Flavor Del Mar 

1555 Camino Del 

Mar, Del Mar, 

858.755.3663, 

flavordelmar.com 


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love 

(Continued from page 74 ) 

DATE 

M-azing 

The blind date 

heats up at North 

County’s new 

nighttime hotspot 

Sitting at their private table 

by the fireplace at Club M, 

Jessica and J.R. pour drinks 

from their complimentary 

bottle of Grey Goose vodka. 

They talk and laugh together briefly, 

then step into the action to shake their 

respective groove thangs—first with each 

other, then with other Club M patrons. 

Once the daters have boogied all the 

way over to the side of the room, the 

magazine crew (minus the designated 

driver) drains a few fingers (each) of 

the Grey Goose bottle (it’d be a shame 

to waste it) and begins to pack up. 

Then, like so many Frenchmen, we 

vanish into the night without a word, 

finally leaving the daters alone to enjoy 

the rest of their evening in privacy. 

The next morning, we call to see 

what we missed. 

PacificSD: Overall, how was the big night? 

JESSICA: It was fun. To be honest, part of me was 

super-relieved that I knew J.R., so we were able to 

just relax and have fun—even though that kind of 

defeats the purpose of a blind date. 

J.R.: The overall date was great. Dinner was great, 

and drinks at club M in Del Mar was a blast. You 

go on a date with me, and it’s kind of hard not to 

have a good time. 

How was Club M? 

JESSICA: Club M was a trip. I don’t venture into 

North County too often, and it definitely upheld 

its “Cougar Den” reputation. We drank a couple 

of vodka-cranberries, then decided to socialize, 

make new friends and have a good laugh. 

J.R.: Had some Jäger bombs and vodka and 

danced with Jessica a while. Then we quickly 

See more photos, 

view past dates and 

sign up for your 

own blind date 

adventure at 


realized the cougars at this place is where it’s at. 

They couldn’t keep their hands off of us. 

Describe the limo experience. 

JESSICA: Limos are always fun. We drank 

champagne, laughed about what a small world 

San Diego is, blasted the radio. You know, the 

usual. 

J.R.: Well, this limo wasn’t as big as mine, but it 

worked for the occasion. Put a little Jay Z on—big 

pimpin’, baby! I had her at “hello.” 

What was the best part of the date? 

JESSICA: Dinner at Flavor Del Mar for sure. 

J.R.: Cougar hunting at Club M. 

What happened after the magazine crew left? 

JESSICA: We finished the rest of our drinks, 

hopped in the limo and went down to Fluxx to 

meet up with some friends. 

J.R.: We decided to head over to Fluxx nightclub, 

or should I say, “The best place on earth.” Disney 

has nothing on Fluxx! We did a little Spanish 

Lambada on the dance floor until our clothes 

came off. Oh, wait, was that at the end of the 

night? I don’t remember. 

There are plenty of fish in the sea, 

but somehow J.R. managed to get 

hooked up with two of them that were 

already best friends. Perhaps the “relationship 

commonsense” he spoke of earlier is really 

something more akin to ESP. 

When asked if J.R. were the kind of person she’d 

date, Jessica said, “Yeah, he’s cool, he’s sweet, he’s 

outgoing and fun.” She said she didn’t want 

to kiss him, though, which means 

she’s a best friend that comes with 

benefits—in this case, loyalty. 

Not counting any real or 

imagined pantsless Lambada 

at Fluxx, for J.R., it seems 

that Jessica is a friend 

without benefits. But don’t 

shed a tear for our young 

engineer. He’s probably 

chin-deep in cougars by 

now. Rawrrrrrrrr! 

THANK YOU! 

Club M 

(at the Grand Del Mar) 

5300 Grand 

Del Mar Court, 

San Diego, 

858.314.2700, 

thegranddelmar.com/ 

club-m 


calendar 

01.11 

Submit events to calendar@pacificsandiego.com. Compiled by Laura Ricci 

1/4-9: West Side Story 

Venue: Civic Center, downtown 

Tickets: $26-$102 

Info: broadwaysd.com 

See the Jets battle the Sharks in this classic musical (scored 

by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim) about starcrossed 

lovers caught in the middle of rival New York gangs. 

12/30-1/2: San Diego International Auto Show 

Venue: San Diego Convention Center, downtown 

Tickets: $10 

Info: sdautoshow.com 

Join more than 100,000 people expected to converge 

on the Convention Center to see, sit in and even testdrive 

hundreds of new, domestic, imported, exotic, 

eco-friendly and concept cars. A special art exhibit 

features sculptures made from old car parts. 

1/9: 2011 San Diego Resolution Run 

Venue: De Anza Cove, Mission Bay 

Registration fee: $25 per team member, 

$35-$40 per individual 

Info: sandyfeetevents.com 

Leave your green footprint on either a 5K 

or 15K run around Fiesta Island at this 

social and athletic race for to promote 

environmental consciousness. 

12/30-1/2 

01/4-9 01/9 

01/13 01/15 

01/15 01/16-21 

1/15: Laugh at My Pain Tour 

Venue: Civic Theatre, downtown 

Tickets: $42 

Info: sandiegotheatres.org 

Known for his roles in The 40-Year- 

Old Virgin, Scary Movie 3 and his own 

special on Comedy Central, comedian 

Kevin Hart performs stand-up. 

1/16- 1/21: Restaurant Week 

Venue: 180+ San Diego restaurants 

Meals: $20, $30 or $40 

Info: sandiegorestaurantweek.com 

Sample new flavors while enjoying 

discounted, three-course meals at more 

than 180 participating restaurants around 

San Diego. Reservations recommended. 

1/13: Sex Ed for the Real World 

Venue: Wine Steals, Point Loma (at 

Liberty Station) 

Tickets: $25 

Info: winestealssd.com 

Sip wine while learning about 

orgasms, oral sex and the G-, P- and 

C-spots from San Diego sex educator 

and creator of sexy-toy website 

onjenoo.com, Yvonne Silva. 

1/15: Stephen Strasburg 5K Walk 

& Fun Run with Tony Gwynn 

Venue: Tony Gwynn Stadium, SDSU 

Registration Fee: $40-$45 

Info: strasburg5k.com 

SDSU phenom pitcher Stephen Strasburg and Padres superstar 

Tony Gwynn host this inaugural 5K run to support the Aztecs’ 

baseball program. All participants receive an autographed 

Strasburg photo; the first 1,000 get a free pair of Padres tickets. 


calendar 

01.11 

1/18: Pourwars Flair 

Bartender Challenge 

Venue: Millers Field, Pacific Beach 

Admission: Free 

Info: pourwars.com 

Juggling and performance art meet drinkmaking, 

as the nation’s top flair bartenders 

compete for cash and glory in the fourth 

annual Pour Wars in Pacific Beach. 

1/21: A Night with 

Airedale Brewing 

Venue: Handlery Hotel & Resort, 

Mission Valley 

Tickets: $50 

Info: handlery.com/sd 

Come hungry and thirsty to this fourhour 

taste-fest, where San Diego’s own 

Airdale Brewing will pair its best local 

drafts with a five-course menu. 

Joan Marcus 

1/22: Monster Jam 

1/18-23: Next to Normal 

Venue: Qualcomm Stadium, 

Venue: Balboa Theatre, downtown 

Mission Valley 

Reggie Claibourne 

Tickets: $26.50-$99.50 

Info: broadwaysd.com 

This Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning 

rock musical from the director of Rent 

addresses modern family issues including 

bipolar disorder, drug abuse and suicide. 

Tiffany Arcand 

Tickets: $15.35-$106 

Info: monsterjam.com 

Eco-unfriendly monster trucks, including 

returning champion Dennis Anderson’s 

trademark Grave Digger, race as they 

jump over and demolish cars. 

01/18 

01/18-23 

01/21 01/22 

01/22-2/27 01/24-01/30 

01/27-30 01/30 

1/22- 2/27: Death of a Salesman  

Venue: Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park 

Tickets: $29-$67 

Info: theoldglobe.org 

Arthur Miller’s Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning 

play tells a cynical tale of the American Dream 

through the life of salesman Willie Loman. 

1/27-30: San Diego Sunroad Boat Show 

Venue: Harbor Island, downtown 

Tickets: $10 

Info: bigbayboatshow.com 

Take free boat rides and soak in San Diego’s 

exquisite waterfront while checking out 

hundreds of vessels for sale. 

MJ Johnson 

1/24- 1/30: Farmers Insurance Open 

Sunroad Marina 

1/30: Bridal Bazaar 

Venue: San Diego Convention 

Center, downtown 

Tickets: $9 in advance, 

$12 at the door 

Venue: Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla 

Info: bridalbazaar.com 

Tickets: $16-$26 per day, $105 for the week 

Brides-to-be, rejoice! Fawn over 

Info: farmersinsuranceopen.com 

dresses for yourself and dowdy 

the Old Globe 

Fore! Tiger Woods, San Diego star Phil 

Mickelson and returning champion Ben Crane 

hit the links to compete against top PGA 

golfers in this nationally televised weeklong 

tournament (formerly the Buick Invitational). 

sacks with which to punish your 

bridesmaids, as more than 300 

wedding-industry pros guide you 

through the dos and don’ts for 

creating your perfect day. 


advertiser index 

ADVERTISER 

PAGE 

6 Degrees, sd6degrees.com....................................................................................... 24 

7th Avenue Cleaners, drycleansd.com..................................................................... 71 

207 (at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego), 207sd.com.................................................. 16 

Analog, analogbar.com............................................................................................. 3 

Anatomy Day Spa, anatomywellness.com................................................................ 22 

Aztec Graphics, posteramerica.com......................................................................... 71 

Bare Back Grill, barebackgrill.com.......................................................................... 75 

Bar West, barwestsd.com......................................................................................... 15 

Boardwalk—Mission Beach, boardwalkmissionbeach.com..................................... 63 

Boomerangs, boomerangburgers.com....................................................................... 73 

Brewley’s Pint, brewleyspint.com............................................................................. 77 

Brian’s 24, brians24.com........................................................................................ 19 

Broken Yolk Cafe, thebrokenyolkcafe.com............................................................... 71 

Coors Light, coorslight.com .......................................................................back cover 

Dirty Birds, dirtybirdspb.com................................................................................. 65 

Eden, edensandiego.com.......................................................................................... 21 

Firehouse American Eatery Lounge, firehousepb.com............................................. 66 

Fit Athletic, fitathletic.com..................................................................................... 58 

Float (at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego), hardrockhotelsd.com.................................. 17 

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, hardrockhotelsd.com............................................16-17 

Hooters, hooters.com................................................................................................ 4 

Johnny V, johnnyvsd.com.......................................................................................... 7 

Just My Ticket, justmyticket.com............................................................................ 75 

Mitchell & Gilleon Law Firm, mglawyers.com......................................................... 2 

Miller Lite, millerlite.com......................................................................................... 5 

Lahaina Beach House, facebook.com/lahainabeachhouse........................................... 8 

Laser Away, laseraway.net....................................................................................... 11 

Lotus Thai, lotusthaisd.com.................................................................................... 71 

Naked Pizza, nakedpizza.biz.................................................................................. 29 

O’Brothers, obrothersburgers.com........................................................................... 10 

P.B. Shore Club, pbshoreclub.com........................................................................... 29 

Quality Social, qualitysocial.com............................................................................ 33 

Re:vive Salon & Spa, revivesalonandspa.com.......................................................... 25 

Sandbar Sportsgrill, sandbarsportsgrill.com............................................................. 77 

San Diego Restaurant Week, sandiegorestaurantweek.com...................................... 81 

Side Bar, sidebarsd.com............................................................................................. 9 

Stadium Sports Bar, stadiumsandiego.com.............................................................. 25 

Tavern at the Beach, tavernatthebeach.com............................................................. 77 

The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole, thelocalsandiego.com...................................... 73 

The Shout House, theshouthouse.com..................................................................... 13 

Tutto Cuorre, tuttocuorreshoes.com......................................................................... 83 

U31, u31bar.com..................................................................................................... 8 

Undisputed Downtown, undisputeddowntown.com............................................... 57 

Verant Group, verantgroup.com.............................................................................. 77 

Vin de Syrah, syrahwineparlor.com......................................................................... San Diego 39 

Wavehouse, wavehouseathleticclub.com................................................................... 35 

World Famous, worldfamous.signonsandiego.com.................................................... 61 

Zen Diego, zen-dentistry.com................................................................................. 56 











619.296.6300

voice 

Opening Doors 

Helping bar-goers break the ice 

By Alyson Baker • Photos by James Norton 

Wild chicks in leopard print mini-skirts, cougars 

running around like college girls, dudes behaving 

like party animals—it’s a jungle out there. In the 

hopes of catching free-range singles in their natural 

habitat, PacificSD hits the town to help otherwise solitary souls 

mate…or at least meet. 

Closing deals isn’t part of the game—the goal is just to open doors. 

It’s Friday night and it’s freezing as we arrive at La Puerta in the 

Gaslamp to spark hook-ups with firewater. (Puerta means “door” in 

Spanish. If you don’t know at least that much Spanish, please return 

to Wisconsin immediately, and may el dios help you.) 

Armed with a photographer and a bar tab, the PacificSD crew 

approaches La Puerta’s wildlife with a simple proposal: point out 

whom you’d like to meet, then we’ll buy that wild thing a drink on 

your behalf, as long he or she agrees to pose, with you, for a photo. 

Game on… 

ICE-BREAKER: Keith P., 25, New York 

TARGET: Mia P., 23, La Mesa 

KEITH SAYS: “The girl in the stripes. She’s pretty cute.” 

RESULT: The couple hits it off and ends up sitting together for hours. 

ICE-BREAKER: Tyson G., 25, 

East Village 

TARGET: Natalie E., 25, 

Pacific Beach 

TYSON SAYS: “That chick in 

the red. She has nice eyes.” 

RESULT: Natalie’s scores twice 

in one night—picked by two 

guys in less than hour. 

ICE-BREAKER: Dan The Man, 

28, Bay Park 

TARGET: Me (Alyson), 25, 

Pacific Beach 

DAN SAYS: “You. You have 

beautiful brown hair.” 

RESULT: He sweeps me off my 

feet, but I need to finish buying 

drinks for everyone else. 

ICE-BREAKER: Alex S., 37, Downtown 

TARGET: James M. (left), 23, England 

ALEX SAYS: “This guy, ‘cause he kind of 

looks like me.” 

RESULT: Age ain’t nothin’ but a number— 

these two forge an instant connection. 

See more photos 

and animal 

attractions 

online at 


La Puerta 

560 4th Avenue, Gaslamp 

619.696.3466, taco619.com 

The same guys who own La Puerta just 

opened The Lincoln Room (901 Fourth 

Avenue, across from Horton Plaza) on 

the site that used to be Confidential 

Restaurant + Loft. The new spot offers classic American dishes and drinks, wallto-wall 

Lincoln logs and an 1850s vibe. It’s like pennies from heaven. 

ICE-BREAKER: Roger D., 45, Downtown 

TARGET: Rafael N., 42, Freemont, 

California 

ROGER SAYS: “There’s no cute chicks here, 

because I would already have bought them 

a drink. So I choose him, ‘cause he’s a cool 

motherf#cker.” 

RESULT: BFFs, single and staying that way… 

for the moment, anyway. 


FOOTWEAR AT THE HEART OF FASHION 

1019 Garnet Avenue, Pacifi c Beach | tuttocuoreshoes.com

©2010 COORS BREWING COMPANY, GOLDEN, COLORADO 80401 

©2010 NFL Properties LLC. Team names/logos/indicia are trademarks of the teams indicated. 

All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

currents - Pacific San Diego Magazine

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