{"id":318321,"date":"2023-01-05T13:20:55","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T21:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/?p=318321"},"modified":"2023-01-06T10:12:50","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T18:12:50","slug":"food-and-drink-blotter-january-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/food-and-drink-blotter-january-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Food and Drink Blotter – January 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Shake up your sandwich routine with this book by a local author. (Courtesy photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sandwich mania<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sales have been brisk for the December release of \u201cClassic Rock Sandwiches,\u201d a photo-heavy recipe book written by North Park resident Cheryl Dagostaro.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The author and entrepreneur owned the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Tienda de s\u00e1ndwiches de rock cl\u00e1sico<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> on North Park Way for 10 years until closing it in 2021. She also runs <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Pet Tenders<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, a pet-sitting business she started 40 years ago.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dagostaro\u2019s book contains 101 recipes for all of the sandwiches customers enjoyed at her eatery, which reflected her love of classic rock artists and everything associated with the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Each sandwich is named after a musician or band. They include such creations as the turkey-ham based \u201cHendrix High\u201d with cranberries and wasabi mayo; the \u201cRockin Joplin\u201d with \u201cBobby McGee\u201d spread; the \u201cSultry Stevie\u201d using rotisserie chicken and pineapple-habanero sauce; and the turkey-avocado \u201cBeatlemaniac\u201d adorned with mixed greens and raspberry-chipotle sauce. Color photographs accompany all of the entries.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the 183-page collection features recipes for 17 salads and several crafty spreads. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m 50% sold out since releasing the book shortly before the holidays,\u201d said Dagostaro. \u201cSales are continuing and I get inquiries daily. So there <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>will<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> be a second printing.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Priced at $35, the book is available at <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Libros textuales<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> in North Park (<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>3793 30th St.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>) as well as through Instagram (@classicrocksandwichshoppe) or by emailing to <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>crss1969@aol.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Designer chocolates in Little Italy<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Crafty confections by a former fashion designer (Photo courtesy Grain & Grit Collective)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A toothsome, new tenant has arrived to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Sal\u00f3n de comidas Little Italy<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, bringing with it highly crafted chocolates, seasonal bon bons, and luscious caramels.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sweet Petite Confections<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> is the brainchild of clothing designer and chocolatier Michelle Lomelin, who is known for applying her sense of fashion to the making of her treats in terms of colors and packaging. Her flavor profiles vary in a product line that also includes candy barks and cookies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lomelin is a graduate of the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> and worked in the industry for nearly 20 years. After changing career and entering into the world of chocolate-making, she opened business in Bay Park and most recently expanded to this location. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>550 W. Date St., 619-707-1383<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>sweetpetiteconfections.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Italian power<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Fettuccine dressed up in pistachio-basil sauce and burrata cheese (Photo courtesy Al Dente)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A group of restaurateurs experienced in Sicilian and Neapolitan cuisine has come together to open <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Al Dente<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, a University Heights newcomer that offers traditional Italian dishes with modern twists.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The team hails from those connected to nearby <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>RustiCucina<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> and the newly opened <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Zama<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> in the Gaslamp Quarter. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Among their more inventive dishes are mushroom-encrusted elk chops, wild boar sausage in white wine sauce, and sole stuffed with fresh herbs and cheese. From the homemade pasta selection, there\u2019s oxtail ravioli, spaghetti with pork belly and creamy egg yolks, and fettuccine embellished with basil-pistachio sauce and burrata. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The restaurant is open from 4 to 10 p.m., daily. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4207 Park Blvd., 619-546-9288<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>aldentesd.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Latte with a side of wellness<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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A unique coffee shop in Normal Heights (Facebook)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Normal Heights collective with an irreverent spelling, Modrn Medicin, is up and running with a menu of latte drinks spiked with Ayurvedic-medicine spices meant to pacify and harmonize our doshas, known otherwise as \u201cenergy centers.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The bright, inviting cafe offers six different latte Ayurvedic concoctions, plus other coffee drinks, teas, hot chocolate, and sweet and savory eats. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>3349 Adams Ave., 619-800-8056,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> modrnmedicin.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cool chocolate<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

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Dr. Bronner’s partners with 800 farmers in Ghana to plant trees that complement each other and do not require toxic chemicals to grow. (Photo courtesy Dr. Bronner’s)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr. Bronner\u2019s released a new flavor of their luxury vegan 70% dark chocolate bar line. Cool Peppermint Cream is the latest addition to the Magic All-One Chocolate sold at retailers nationwide. The family-owned company gives a nod to its legacy of peppermint products <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>with the flavor.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201cPeppermint is synonymous with both my grandfather and the company he founded,\u201d said Michael Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner\u2019s. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One legacy the chocolate line breaks away from is the history of exploitation associated with the chocolate trade. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>In keeping with <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Dr. Bronner\u2019s<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> tradition of all-natural and ethically-sourced products, the organic ingredients that make up the chocolate are farmed using regenerative organic farming practices that benefit the land and the farmers that till it. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cocoa from Ghana, cocoa butter from Congo, coconut sugar from Indonesia and bourbon vanilla from Madagascar make up a guilt-free bar with spectacular flavor. The caramel-colored peppermint filling <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>makes this flavor a stand out even among a line of delicious options. For more information, go to <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>drbronner.com\/pages\/magic-all-one-chocolate<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Worth the Wait?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After years of anticipation for the opening of the Gaslamp Quarter location of <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Tacos El Gordo, <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>we offer you a summary below of the shop\u2019s pros and cons based on our visits and those by trusty sources. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The taco joint originated in Tijuana during the early \u201870s and later branched into Chula Vista, where it became wildly popular. Its arrival into urban San Diego occurred a little more than a month ago after numerous delays involving permit holdups, work code violations and the pandemic. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>783 Fifth Ave., 619-955-8220<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>tacoselgordobc.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pros:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/b><\/p>\n