By Frank Sabatini Jr. | Dining Out in San Diego
If you’ve never eaten skinless ground beef sausages from Bucharest, known as mititei, or Transylvanian chimney cakes called kurtos, the new International Deli and Café in Linda Vista offers them in abundance. The deli, located in The Presidio plaza, specializes in a host of Hungarian and Romanian sausages made mostly in-house. It also stocks imported Eastern European cold cuts and groceries such as Estonaka kielbasa, Sweet Ann goulash cream and Univer paprika paste.
The owners have a similar shop in Orange County and source their breads and pastries from a Romanian bakery for both locations. Made-to-order sandwiches and assorted fried flat breads are also available. 5201 Linda Vista Road, 619-294-5755, intlmeatanddeli.com.
A beer and wine license is in the pipeline at the new Maduro’s Cigar Lounge in Old Town. The business was launched by Dennis Bartelmo of Bartelmo Limoncello and Herman Puentes, a cigar retailer. Set back from the street, the space previously served as a satellite facility for Rose’s Tasting Room, which remains in operation inside the Fiesta de Reyes. Cigar smoking is permitted on Maduro’s large semi-covered patio.
In the absence of a kitchen, customers can tote in their own food or receive deliveries from The Alamo Mexican Café or Pizza Bella. The cigar selection extends to about 40 different brands, and Bartelmo said an indoor bar will soon be built in preparation for drink sales. Check their Facebook page for updates. 2609 Congress St., 619-543-0619.
Gator by the Bay will hold its 16th annual food and music festival at various times throughout the day from May 11-14 at Spanish Landing Park. The event features a “French Quarter food court” and 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked in from Louisiana to the tune of live musical performances across seven stages.
Ticket prices range from $25 to $200, depending on the number of days and festival events guests attend. Children 17 and under are admitted free. For tickets and more information, call 619-234-8612 or visit gatorbythebay.com. 3900 N. Harbor Drive.
The third annual San Diego Paella Wine & Beer Festival sizzles into action from 1–6 p.m., May 13 at the Embarcadero Marina Park South. The event features unlimited tastings of paella from giant pots as well as samples of wine, sangria and beer from San Diego and Baja producers. Tickets range from $40 to $125 and can be purchased through paellawinefest.com. 200 Marina Park Way.
