Looking to try a new restaurant in La Jolla? Craving East Coast seafood? Look no further than Lobster West located at 1237 Prospect in the heart of The Village! We sat down with owner and chef, Chad Taggart, to get the inside scoop on his restaurant that’s making waves in the village!

Where did the Lobster West culinary journey begin?

Beginning in 2013, Lobster West was founded by a New Jersey family’s love of East Coast seafood. Taking inspiration from Maine lobster rolls, the family put their heads together to create the perfect recipe to share with San Diegans. Wit

h only a few ingredients in the dish, Chad and his family made sure to have the freshest lobster, fantastic bread that is locally baked, and even the best butter and mayonnaise. Lobster West continues to fine-tune its recipe and share the magic with its customers!

What is the family background and how does it play into Lobster West?

Originating from New Jersey, Chad followed his mom and sister all the way to San Diego. While taking in the beautiful rays and rich culture, they still felt something was missing. Chad and his family worked together to bring some of their favorite food, lobster rolls, coast to coast. Lobster West was a “grassroots effort” by the family and their passion is translated into the exceptional taste of their food. 

Where is Lobster West headed in the next 10 years?

With three locations already, Lobster West hopes to continue to expand its brand across San Diego. Never sacrificing quality over quantity, Lobster West continues to bring its crab cakes; chowder; and of course lobster, shrimp, and crab rolls to more and more San Diegans- the right way. 

Where did the name ‘Lobster West’ come from?

Much like their menu, the beauty is in the simplicity. ‘Lobster West’ came from the act of taking east coast lobster and bringing it out west to the Golden Coast, a “to the point name”.

What is the inspiration behind being a business owner in La Jolla?

La Jolla is known for more than just beautiful beaches and playful seal pups, Chad loves the tight-knit community feel in La Jolla. The village is its “own entity” and neighbor-driven. With Lobster West’s family background, there’s no better place than La Jolla to begin community outreach and share the craft with others. 

Lobster West is a must-visit for your next trip to La Jolla. Grab a drink, pick up an authentic Maine lobster roll, head down to one of our beautiful beaches, Scripps Park and enjoy America’s finest city!

The post Beyond the Menu – 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Lobster West appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

La Jolla Insiders is a media platform that offers businesses and organizations a chance to tell their story in a personal and authentic way. The team at La Jolla Insiders has a unique ability to “pull back the curtain for guests and visitors and reveal the exciting features of our ever-evolving community.”  They explain that La Jolla Insiders are locals (not paid agents living elsewhere) who proudly share the deep knowledge of everything that La Jolla has to offer as only a team of long-time La Jollans can. In addition to knowing where to go and what to see, we’re able to share a deeper understanding of La Jolla’s history and traditions, helping you to add a deeper meaning to your La Jolla experience.”

Long-format interviews, such as the one with Jodi Rudick are one way La Jolla Insiders get up close and personal with La Jolla’s community leaders.

The post La Jolla Insiders Interview LJVMA Executive Director appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

by Robby Robinson

The word boulevard conjures up visions of exquisite shops showing stunning clothing in the windows, lively coffee shops, diverse restaurants emitting mouth-watering aromas, gorgeous galleries, unusual book stores, colorful toy shops, inviting pet stores, yummy bakeries – in other words – pure bliss.  But wait – that’s our very own Girard Avenue! And Kate Whitney’s new consignment store, Boulevard, has taken The Avenue to a new level. Lucky us!  The sensational store carries carefully edited pieces by such designers as Yves St. Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Thierry Mugler, Todd Oldham, Gucci, Oscar de la Renta, Emilio Pucci, Versace, Chanel, Missoni, and the list goes on and on and on.

Dubbed “Hurricane Kate” by a friend, readies herself in the morning by whirling and twirling through her closet, coming up with an outfit that just feels good.  “It’s all about feeling good in the outfit”, Kate states. And her day begins. That poor closet.

What else do we know about Ms. Whitney besides the fact that she wreaks havoc on her closet on a daily basis? Well, she spent the first 6 months of her life in New York City and seriously feels that she forged an attachment to that city in that short time.  After moving to Palm Springs for her early school education, Kate moved around a bit- attending Emerson College in Boston and living in LA for a stint while screenwriting in such areas as fantasy, thriller, religion, and – get this – period westerns (her fave).  Whitney always spent summers visiting her grandparents at their home in La Jolla Shores.  “What was not to love about La Jolla?  We lolled on the beach and stayed in the water until 10 pm.  Paradise.”, says Whitney.  And there were further Kate connections to this precious town. She worked at GQ on Girard for years, admiring the Ascot Shop and Capriccio’s, and generally felt warm and comfortable in La Jolla.  Exactly as she feels now, years later, as Boulevard is smack in the middle of Girard.  “I love walking to the cleaners and to the cobbler”, states Kate, “this town projects a sense of niceness.”

When consignors come in with designer treasures, I ask “How can you put them out onto the store floor and not hang them into your home closet?” “Well, I have a routine around this impulse”, says Kate.  “I’ll put the prize in the trunk of my car for two weeks.  If I still love it after the two weeks – it’s mine!”  What’s your most recent consignor -to car trunk- to your closet acquisition?  “A red quilted satin Chanel clutch shoulder bag with gold double Cs and a gold chain.” Exquisite! Dreamy! Drool! More drool.

As I enter Boulevard, Ms. Whitney enthusiastically bounds to the door welcoming me into her chic and comfy store/salon.  She is clad in a white crew neck sweater with a blue seahorse emblem (which she bought from a hotel gift shop), bedazzled Zara jeans, the most gorgeous electric blue Chanel lace-up boots imaginable-and a newsboy hat – topping off her look. Her style has me responding – “Dress me!”.

Kate believes in mixing her vintage designer clothing with today’s pieces.  “Throw on a St. John jacket with leggings and Adidas sneaks”, (nice) – “or wear a Versace dress with a denim jacket”(Ooooh).  Her style of customer service is a bit unique.  When customers come out of the dressing room inquiring whether the outfit is flattering, Kate will say, “How do you feel in and does it make you happy? That’s the answer!  “Feeling great in the clothes will bring out the light in you”, emphatically states Ms. Whitney. “If you feel good in the outfit, you will light up, your stars will align, and Lassie will come home.”

What’s your favorite thing about your boutique, Kate?  “The array of women who come into the store”, Whitney says enthusiastically.  Fascinating women who are bright, insightful, and fun!  I see local women, international tourists, bank presidents, CEOs of large companies, and moms of three kids that carve out time to come in – every day is an adventure and a story.  I just love it.”

How’s your fashion designer knowledge?  Let’s find out.  Here are some fun fashion designer facts:

Donna Karan dropped out of school at age 14. She began selling clothes at a local boutique, and years later she was accepted at the Parsons School of Design.  She then rose up through the Anne Klein empire, began her own company, and is known as one of the most influential fashion designers in the world.  I guess never having studied trigonometry didn’t really impact her career.

Miuccia Prada graduated from the University of Milan with a Ph.D. in poly sci.  She was always active in the women’s rights movement.  Get this – she trained at the Teatro Piccolo to become a mime and performed for 5 years.

Ralph Lauren began his career in fashion as a tie maker, selling ties out of a drawer in a showroom at the Empire State Building.  He made the ties out of fabrics that he found himself.  In the early days of his necktie business, his wife and her parents would sew in the labels.

Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel is perhaps the most well-known fashion designer of all time.  When Coco was 12, her mother passed away from TB and her father left the family.  She spent the next 6 years in an orphanage. Oy! Chanel left the orphanage to join a circus as a cabaret singer – thus the nickname “Coco’ came to be. She later became a licensed hatmaker and owned her first shop in 1910. The rest is history and her brand is best known for costume jewelry, two-tone shoes (the best!), quilted bags (yum!), and simple suits made of tweed or jersey.

Kate Whitney has pizzaz, style, and energy galore -come in and meet Kate – she’s great!

The best news of all is that last month Kate opened a second location at 7734 Herschel Ave Suite J called BLVD where everything is at least 40% off.  It’s like the outlet store of an already great store.

Well, if you cannot get to Paris Fashion Week this year, (darn), instead – browse Boulevard!

The post La Jolla Behind the Scenes – The Boulevard appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

by Robby Robinson

Twenty-three blue hues of waves lap up to pure white sand.  White buildings edge up to the sand and clear blue skies intersect with the sea.  Colorful fishing boats sit upon the Adriatic as seagulls flap around and pelicans parade around.  Aromas of grilled beef fill the air as well as whiffs of honeyed pastry.  Lively Greek music plays all over town. Oooh – sorry – I was just having a Mykonos moment.  But if you can’t have all of that while you are enjoying a Greek meal – we have a beautiful alternative.

Spiro’s Cuisine opened in the heart of La Jolla Village and offers a dining experience you will not forget.  The stark white building is decorated with colorful bright blue awnings – aaah Santorini -similar.

The menu: extensive, superb, and delicious. One can’t go wrong with the gyros and grilled kabob sandwiches or platters.  Lamb specialties are popular as are the authentic generous sized authentic family-style meals.  Love calamari?  The ones here are de-lish! Don’t miss the tasty sides (spanakopita, tzatziki, dolmas, and falafel).  Pita bread melt in your mouth.  Even though you will be quite full after dinner, chow down the yummy baklava.  You will be back – and it will be sooner rather than later. Oh, and this restaurant caters!

The service: cheerful and efficient waitstaff bring your platters to outside patio tables.

The view:  snazzy cars and snappy dressers flock by.  You’re in the center of the village!

Restaurant owner Nancy Chacones enjoyed quite a life experience highlight.  Ready for a stunning wedding fairytale?  Ms. Spiro carried her wedding dress through O’Hare Airport and boarded the aircraft for the couple’s 14-hour flight to Athens.  They then flew to Corfu with the best man, Panos, and the rest of the wedding party.  The gorgeous bride was brought to the cathedral in a horse-drawn carriage.  It gets better.  The Greek Orthodox church is over 500 years old and contains elaborate candelabras and a historic tomb of St. Spryridon – the warrior attributed to the protection of the island from invasion.  Sigh.  Romance plus.  The beauty pageant winner married her knight in shining armor.  A legendary story.  Chills.

As one cannot imagine a Mediterranean meal without olives or olive oil, I thought some fun facts would be entertaining:

• Olive oil itself is naturally cholesterol, sodium, and carbohydrate-free.
• On average, an olive tree can live between 300-600 years.
• All olives start out green and then turn black or dark purple as they ripen.
• On average, the world consumes approximately 2.25 million tons of olive oil each year.
• Baked goods will last longer when you substitute olive oil for butter.  It is the vitamin E and polyphenols that cause this longer shelf life.
• The annual consumption of olive oil in the United States is 70 million gallons.
• There are three towns and one city in the U.S. that are named Olive Branch.
• California produces 99% of all olive oil in the U.S.
• 11 pounds of olives need to be pressed in order to produce one quart of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
• And, for the grand finale of olive oil facts- what is the most expensive olive oil ever sold? Here goes – E-La-Won Luxury Edition. $729 per bottle.  And why?  This olive oil contains flakes of 24-carat gold.  And the history!  Olive oil has a tradition that goes back more than 3,500 years.  It’s been called nature’s secret in a bottle and hails from marvelous Mykonos.

Come see Spiro’s Mediterranean Cuisine.  You’ll leave having felt a slice (no pun) of your favorite spot in Greece.

The post La Jolla Behind the Scenes – Spiro’s Cuisine appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

by Robby Robinson

Lisa Harrison opened her absolutely adorable ladies’ clothing boutique in La Jolla, April 2021. The talented and entrepreneurial Ms. Harrison chose 7910 Ivanhoe Avenue as the new home for Be Boutique.

Ms. Harrison was raised in Los Angeles, graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and landed a job right out of the gate at I. Magnin, San Francisco.

Good start – yes?  She went on to work at Nordstrom (fab), Saks (oooh), and then – the one and only Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills  – and even better – Neiman Marcus Couture.  Gee, I wonder if she encountered any movie stars?!  She did!  However, Lisa is too polite to share any good gooey gossip star stories, but there were hints of a little something around Jamie Lee Curtis-nope -my lips are sealed.

The rockin’ retail resume continues as Ms. Harrison went on to work in various buying offices and became a personal shopper.  She leaped into the wholesale gift industry selling to everything from hotels to museum shops – aren’t they just the best?!  After 14 years in the gift industry with Anne McGilvray & Co., Lisa retired to marry and raise her foster daughter. Fast forward 9 years. No longer married, Lisa and a friend opened a consignment shop on Solana Beach’s Cedros Avenue and sold upscale designer dresses once worn – or even never worn. She hunted around thrift and consignment stores for her treasures.  Her favorite find – a simple black Oscar de la Renta sheath that she purchased for $30 at the Helen Woodward Thrift shop.

Her next stop – Little Italy, where she opened Bubbles Too Boutique with a partner. A year later in 2016, Be Boutique was born.  All was humming along in her contemporary ladies’ clothing and gift boutique when – boom- Covid emerged. Twelve months later, stars lined up -a lease came available, and Lisa was able to move Be Boutique to 7910 Ivanhoe.  Now she’s back in her hood – at last – and close to her elderly mom who needs much TLC.  Fun Fact – Lisa’s first retail job was in La Jolla at Wagener European Fashions. The Wagener’s daughter, Andrea is now Lisa’s social media manager and merchandiser at Be Boutique. Yay for serendipity, circles of life, and happy endings!

Retail, clothing, and gorgeous taste are in Lisa’s DNA.  Her grandfather was a dress manufacturer and retailer in New York and Lisa’s grandmother was his designer. Clothing genes (and jeans) flowed down to her dapper dad and Grace Kelly look-alike mom. Lisa likes her father’s style to that of Cary Grant.  He had impeccable taste and finished off his look with chic black eyeglasses. Handsome.

Be Boutique is chock full of casual and wearable contemporary clothing and beautiful accessories.  All of the inventory can be seen from the doorway entrance – uncomplicated! The jewelry is all made by local designers.  Cheerful tops, jackets, and dresses decorate the store.

Lisa is excited about her favorite denim line – Liverpool.  “I love Liverpool jeans because they are so comfortable”, states Lisa. “They move with me as they have a bit of spandex in them for added stretch.  And they have so many awesome styles -gliders, skinny, cropped, frayed, flared, slim and straight.  There’s a style of jeans for everyone.  I just love this company – they are a dream to work with and I’m thrilled to be a Liverpool Destination Store.”  And what fashion advice does tastefully dressed Lisa give to her homegrown boyfriend from Leucadia when they go on a dinner date – “Honey, please no flip flops or vintage T-shirts tonight!”

How about a few facts regarding denim that might just knock your white Adidas off?

Seriously- I’m hiding behind my sunglasses as I tell you the best way to care for your denim.  It comes from denim experts on YouTube, Google, Instagram, and grandmothers.  Wash your jeans – and NOT too often – with Woolite on the cold cycle.  Spot clean the stains or dirt but seriously preserve them by minimizing the washing machine runs. Hang dry or fluff dry.

The average woman owns 7 pairs of jeans.  The average man owns 6.

The most popular shades of denim are dark indigo, light wash blue, grey, and black.

I’m saving the best for last.  Here are the most expensive jeans ever sold. Hold on!

10. Guess jeans – $400
11. Earnest Sewn Custom Fit – $1000
12. Dolce & Gabbana – $1200
13. Roberto Cavalli – $1200
14. Gucci Jeans – $3100
15. APO Jeans – $4000
16. Escada Custom Made Jeans – $10,000. (You may request Swarovski crystals)
17. Levi Strauss & Co. 501- $60,000. (Sold at auction and were from the 1880s)
18. Dussault Apparel Trashed Denim – $250,000. (Contain diamonds, rubies, and rose gold).
19. Secret Circus – $1.3 million. (Unique diamond-designed pockets). Soooo, one could buy a couple of houses – or – buy a pair of Secret Circus jeans. I’ll get back to you on that.

Come and visit Lisa and her little dog, Daisy at the shop.  Be Boutique has so much more to offer than clothing and accessories.  Lisa is as knowledgeable as it gets about fashion, fit, and, just, all-around facts of life.

The post La Jolla Behind the Scenes – Be Boutique appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

by Robby Robinson

Lisa Harrison opened her absolutely adorable ladies’ clothing boutique in La Jolla, April 2021. The talented and entrepreneurial Ms. Harrison chose 7910 Ivanhoe Avenue as the new home for Be Boutique.

Ms. Harrison was raised in Los Angeles, graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and landed a job right out of the gate at I. Magnin, San Francisco.

Good start – yes?  She went on to work at Nordstrom (fab), Saks (oooh), and then – the one and only Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills  – and even better – Neiman Marcus Couture.  Gee, I wonder if she encountered any movie stars?!  She did!  However, Lisa is too polite to share any good gooey gossip star stories, but there were hints of a little something around Jamie Lee Curtis-nope -my lips are sealed.

The rockin’ retail resume continues as Ms. Harrison went on to work in various buying offices and became a personal shopper.  She leaped into the wholesale gift industry selling to everything from hotels to museum shops – aren’t they just the best?!  After 14 years in the gift industry with Anne McGilvray & Co., Lisa retired to marry and raise her foster daughter. Fast forward 9 years. No longer married, Lisa and a friend opened a consignment shop on Solana Beach’s Cedros Avenue and sold upscale designer dresses once worn – or even never worn. She hunted around thrift and consignment stores for her treasures.  Her favorite find – a simple black Oscar de la Renta sheath that she purchased for $30 at the Helen Woodward Thrift shop.

Her next stop – Little Italy, where she opened Bubbles Too Boutique with a partner. A year later in 2016, Be Boutique was born.  All was humming along in her contemporary ladies’ clothing and gift boutique when – boom- Covid emerged. Twelve months later, stars lined up -a lease came available, and Lisa was able to move Be Boutique to 7910 Ivanhoe.  Now she’s back in her hood – at last – and close to her elderly mom who needs much TLC.  Fun Fact – Lisa’s first retail job was in La Jolla at Wagener European Fashions. The Wagener’s daughter, Andrea is now Lisa’s social media manager and merchandiser at Be Boutique. Yay for serendipity, circles of life, and happy endings!

Retail, clothing, and gorgeous taste are in Lisa’s DNA.  Her grandfather was a dress manufacturer and retailer in New York and Lisa’s grandmother was his designer. Clothing genes (and jeans) flowed down to her dapper dad and Grace Kelly look-alike mom. Lisa likes her father’s style to that of Cary Grant.  He had impeccable taste and finished off his look with chic black eyeglasses. Handsome.

Be Boutique is chock full of casual and wearable contemporary clothing and beautiful accessories.  All of the inventory can be seen from the doorway entrance – uncomplicated! The jewelry is all made by local designers.  Cheerful tops, jackets, and dresses decorate the store.

Lisa is excited about her favorite denim line – Liverpool.  “I love Liverpool jeans because they are so comfortable”, states Lisa. “They move with me as they have a bit of spandex in them for added stretch.  And they have so many awesome styles -gliders, skinny, cropped, frayed, flared, slim and straight.  There’s a style of jeans for everyone.  I just love this company – they are a dream to work with and I’m thrilled to be a Liverpool Destination Store.”  And what fashion advice does tastefully dressed Lisa give to her homegrown boyfriend from Leucadia when they go on a dinner date – “Honey, please no flip flops or vintage T-shirts tonight!”

How about a few facts regarding denim that might just knock your white Adidas off?

Seriously- I’m hiding behind my sunglasses as I tell you the best way to care for your denim.  It comes from denim experts on YouTube, Google, Instagram, and grandmothers.  Wash your jeans – and NOT too often – with Woolite on the cold cycle.  Spot clean the stains or dirt but seriously preserve them by minimizing the washing machine runs. Hang dry or fluff dry.

The average woman owns 7 pairs of jeans.  The average man owns 6.

The most popular shades of denim are dark indigo, light wash blue, grey, and black.

I’m saving the best for last.  Here are the most expensive jeans ever sold. Hold on!

10. Guess jeans – $400
11. Earnest Sewn Custom Fit – $1000
12. Dolce & Gabbana – $1200
13. Roberto Cavalli – $1200
14. Gucci Jeans – $3100
15. APO Jeans – $4000
16. Escada Custom Made Jeans – $10,000. (You may request Swarovski crystals)
17. Levi Strauss & Co. 501- $60,000. (Sold at auction and were from the 1880s)
18. Dussault Apparel Trashed Denim – $250,000. (Contain diamonds, rubies, and rose gold).
19. Secret Circus – $1.3 million. (Unique diamond-designed pockets). Soooo, one could buy a couple of houses – or – buy a pair of Secret Circus jeans. I’ll get back to you on that.

Come and visit Lisa and her little dog, Daisy at the shop.  Be Boutique has so much more to offer than clothing and accessories.  Lisa is as knowledgeable as it gets about fashion, fit, and, just, all-around facts of life.

The post La Jolla Behind the Scenes – Be Boutique appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

by Robby Robinson

Some things are just cool – Ray Bans, Brad Pitt, Cabo, – and Ciao Ciao Piadina.

Who can open a restaurant with outdoor seating in a tiny parking lot – paved in asphalt – with a view of a vacuum cleaner repair shop on one side and a noisy flow of Pearl Street traffic on the other?  Ciao Ciao Piadina can. And it works!  The dog-friendly patio is chock full of eye-catching tables and chairs – and get this – there is a nifty Vespa on display.  They opened with a bang and stayed that way.  More bang – there is a DJ playing vibe-y music on the weekends.

The interior of the restaurant is compact and absolutely alluring, with pretty, swingy pastel Italian fresco murals and a large painting of The David’s ray-banned head (fab Instagram backgrounds). The white bar and comfy banquets scream “Come on in – you’ll have fun in here.”  And you will.  The airiness and the light palettes instantly lend to a feeling of chic coziness and casual relaxation. Time easily melts away.

Here’s what to know before you go:

Piadina – is an artisan Italian flatbread sandwich and Ciao Ciao has seven winners.  How about this one?  Grilled eggplant, mozzarella, parmigiana cheese, heirloom cherry tomatoes, balsamic reduction, and basil.  Or this – spicy Calabrese salami, aged provolone cheese, heirloom cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and mayo? And the other five are just as swell.

Aperitivo- well, this is more or less a lifestyle.  The Italian aperitivo is a pre-meal drink served with small bites and salty snacks.  It’s a time of day where friends meet, chat, and have some grins- a social club, actually.  Ciao Ciao offers you one drink and unlimited bites of finger foods, 4-9 pm, Monday – Sunday. $29.

Let’s not ignore the delicious desserts.  Anyone up for a marshmallow cream brûlée with artisan gianduia gelato, caramel, and almond biscotti crumble?  I’m in if you are.

And now ——the wines.  ALL of the wines poured at Ciao Ciao are imported from Italy.  Nice.  The owners are proud of their selections as there are many, including sparkling, rose, white, red, and orange. Huh?  Orange wine, also known as skin-contact white wine, is a type of wine made from white wine grapes where the grape skins are not removed and therefore stay in contact with the juice for days, or even months.  Chianti Classico Riserva Tuscany is a popular red with the Ciao Ciao crowd as is Cave Rose di Una Notte, Sardinia – a much-requested rose. The Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato is also a restaurant fave – an orange!

So who came up with this smooth Italian concept?  Francesco Burnazzi, whose dream was to bring piadina to Southern California partnered with the geniuses of Ambrogio 15 and creative director Lauren Turton.

And creative she is!  Lauren’s mom denied her a candy bar at age 8 – telling her to buy her own candy bar.  “I have no money”, says Lauren.  “Figure it out”, says Mom.  And Lauren figured it out.  She learned how to make jewelry, sold it to her mom’s friends, and bought the candy bar.  She thinks it was a Snickers. This episode became Lauren’s life theme – she just figures things out and it works.  With every kind of job under her belt (house cleaner, babysitter, Krispy Kreme Donuts server, Express sales associate, caterer, server, bartender, corporate trainer, restaurant manager, whew!), the laundry list of tasks has now led her to restaurant owner, business coach, #1 best selling author of Soul Career Clarity: The 8 Step Formula to Breakthrough to Your Next Level of Success, and public speaker.  She also is Vice President of Help the Kani, a nonprofit that supports women and children in southern India. Egads – what a resume!

Ciao Ciao Piadina brings a dash of Italian philosophy to a cupful of La Jolla style.  The two matchups are a superb combo.  Benvenuto -you’ll be delighted that you stopped in!

Open for food, fun, and fabulousness Tuesday thru Sunday.

The post La Jolla Behind the Scenes – Ciao Ciao Piadina appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

Bistro du Marché. A mark of excellence.  A luxury brand.  An extraordinary dining experience. And here’s why…

This La Jolla French restaurant excels in all the facets that constitute a perfect eatery.

The menu:  How’s this for a salad starter? White and green asparagus, deviled eggs, smoked eel and caviar.  Seriously.  Or this salad – blue crab and mangos with an emulsion of coconut milk and lime.  Nice.  Let’s discuss a crowd favorite entree – moules marinières and pommes frites.  The mussels hail from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, and are the best on the market.  And this entree – diver scallops, green asparagus risotto, snow peas, and mushrooms.  Beyond.  The signature dish is the wild mushroom ravioli, port sauce, and parmesan Reggiano.

Ending the meal with meringue, caramel sauce, creme anglaise, and toasted almonds (Ile Flottante) sounds utterly divine – yes?

The service:  Diners are attended to by a myriad of waitstaff.  The hostess greets you with kindness and leads you to the table.  Bussers set up the tables, welcome the customers, fill water glasses, and continuously keep the tabletop tidy under their watchful eye. Then come the knowledgeable and amiable servers.  The food runners deliver the delicious goods. Hadrien, the Maitre D’, makes frequent visits to diners to answer any questions in an eloquent French accent.  All staff (minus the hostess and Maitre D’) are dressed out in chic black shirts, black trousers, and black aprons.  Marvelous.

The brick and mortar:  Stunning.  The wine wall is a work of art.  The bar is welcoming, and the oversized clock is a lovely touch, reminiscent of a French village. The restaurant is cozy and pretty. Now to the exterior.  Tables are set up beautifully outside on the pavement and perfectly spaced.  The atmosphere is festive and lively.  For those of us who are anxiously awaiting a return to Paris – this restaurant fills all of those senses. Minus the schlep and jet lag.

The chef:  Alain Delahaye trained in France and has worked in such notable Michelin star restaurants as Cafe de Paris in Biarritz and Argi Neder in Ainoha, Pays Basque. He has worked with Chef Patrick Ponsaty, who was named “One of the Best Chefs in America” by the James Beard Foundation.  Wow.

The behind the scenes:  Husband and wife team Sylvie and Jean-Michel Diot are a duo with remarkable previous experiences.

She – born in southwest France and worked as a PR and marketer for high-end retailer Galeries Lafayette, Aeromexico, and as a liaison between the U.S. and Monaco for tourism with the Monaco Government and Tourist Office.

He -born in central France (Vichy) and was recruited to Maxim’s Hotel, New York (now the Peninsula Hotel) as Executive Chef. Combining forces, the Diots, and other fellow partners opened Park Bistro (on Park Avenue South) and rapidly earned three stars!  They then opened Les Halles – New York’s only French steak house.  The talent and stellar reputation continued as the Diots opened Brasserie Des Theatres – and a cafe featuring French pastries.

The grand move of the Diots to San Diego gave birth to Tapenade, which opened in 1998 and quickly became a national and international foodies’ destination. Tapenade had an eighteen-year run, earning many awards and recognitions.  After closing Tapenade, Chef Diot, with his strong 45-year career in French cooking, now continues to craft innovative dishes at Bistro du Marché, which he opened with his wife in October 2015.  The restaurant was named after the La Jolla Farmers’ Market (marché fermier in French), where they like to shop and derive inspiration.

Why did the worldly couple choose La Jolla as their latest venture?  “We came to La Jolla in 1992 to follow America’s Cup races, says Sylvie.  “We watched the beautiful yachts in this gorgeous area of the world and decided that this was the spot for us.”, continued Sylvie.

Lucky us for that decision! Sylvie and Jean-Michel brought a bit of Paris to La Jolla!

Thank you Madame et Monsieur Diot.

The post La Jolla Behind the Scenes – Bistro du Marché appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

by Robby Robinson

YOU HAD ME AT THE NAME

Something new just happened in La Jolla.  Something new and exciting.  Something new and exciting and glamorous happened.  Mermaids & Cowboys came to town.  And wait until you see this restaurant.

The 3,200 square foot restaurant slid into Alfonso’s former space at 1251 Prospect Street.  There’s an elevated, heated patio that allows diners to people watch and car watch along Prospect Street – ooooh.  At the entrance of the dining room sits the Pearl Bar, named for its pearlescent fish scale adornments – aaaah.  Opposite the bar is a brown leather banquette resembling a well-worn horse saddle.  The ceiling bears pearl chandeliers bringing a true sense of elegance to the restaurant- brilliant!

The concept of Mermaids & Cowboys celebrates the best of both land and sea. “I am enamored by La Jolla’s rugged history and seaside beauty”, says restaurant owner Michael Matthews.  “I fell in love with the village in 2000, and my dream has been to own a restaurant here ever since then”, he continued.  Matthews shared with me that cowboys ran cattle up the coast to Los Angeles.  Ergo, the cowboy portion of the name.  And mermaids?  “Just look across the water, and imagine the bounty,” said Michael.  “Surf and turf have long been an integral marriage in all La Jolla fine dining, and Mermaids & Cowboys is no exception.

An accomplished entertainer to entrepreneur, Michael Matthews was an entertainment producer in Las Vegas for two decades.  His office was in the heart of Caesar’s Palace and he was surrounded by top drawer restaurants and chefs: Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsay, Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay, and the list goes on.  “I had the chance to observe and enjoy the talent of these culinary artists, with delectable dishes and incredible presentations.  I was absolutely blown away.  I knew La Jolla was where I wanted to be. The Alfonso’s space became available and we knew it was time,” says Michael.  “We respect the long and beautiful relationship Alfonso’s had with the residents of La Jolla and we intend to build the same camaraderie. We know we have big shoes to fill, and look forward to surprising and delighting our guests.”

The final piece was to find Executive Chef Chris Barre (bio includes Pacifica Del Mar, The Fishery, Le Papagayo, Vintana Wine + Dine), which completed the offering.

The vision is to have Mermaids & Cowboys similar to the feeling at Cheers where everybody knows your name.  Michael wants his customers to feel comfortable and at home at his place.  He’d like to greet them with “how’s the kitchen remodel going” or “is your new puppy still chewing the heels off your Manolo’s?”

The menu is quite unique and Chef Barre intends to present dishes in a way that has never been offered before in La Jolla. For example, the crab cake is created with bone marrow and served in a hollowed-out bone.  The salmon rillette is cooked in fat – similar to preparations at New York’s Le Bernardin.

Anything that we can look forward to in the future?  “Absolutely!”, says Michael.  “We will be serving more unique choices for brunch, lunch, and happy hour.”

We can’t wait!

Would you like your La Jolla Village business featured in this column?  E-mail jodi@lajollabythesea.com

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The goal is to create great content that can be used on social media, on Our Blog, website, in marketing materials, and to assist with media requests. Future photo shoots will be themed to reach diverse audiences:

• Family Fun
• Girls Day Out
• Health and Wellness
• Romance
• La Jolla Loves Dogs

If you have an idea for a theme OR want to get involved, click  HERE.

Check out the La Jolla by the Sea YouTube Channel HERE.

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by Robby Robinson

Baubles, and bangles, and bracelets – oh my!

Saigon, 2016: Jen Pham hands over $200 and follows her dream by purchasing an armload of jewelry supplies and begins designing fashion jewelry in her bedroom.  Fast forward one year. Ms. Pham opens a jewelry store in an expat-favorite outskirt of Saigon (Thao-Dien) and her dream of being a jewelry designer becoming a reality.  Her shop rapidly becomes a Must Visit destination in Saigon’s guide books. Well done, Jen!

Jen began traveling to the U.S. to attend gem shows and met and fell in love with La Jolla (who doesn’t?).  Sadly, her Saigon store was forced to close due to the pandemic, but, magically, a perfect space became available on Fay Avenue, La Jolla.  One door had closed and an absolutely beautiful door opened! She relocated to La Jolla, and Jen and her husband (an engineer) built out the store and decorated it, bringing in bits of Vietnamese flavor, such as the bright yellow colors of the Vietnamese colonial past and photos of former Vietnamese female leaders.  “These important women were way ahead of our time in women’s rights issues”, proudly states Jen.  “I’m proud to have come from Saigon – a city where I grew up and explored – almost all on my moped of-course!”, smiles Ms. Pham.

The store is elegantly merchandised with a variety of gemstone jewelry made from labradorite, larimar, agate, lapis lazuli, jasper, malachite, amber, and the list goes on.  “Each piece is a one-of-a-kind unique piece – just like each of us”, says Jen. Saigon Spring displays a varied selection of water buffalo horn pieces. This domesticated ox-like Asian mammal is an integral part of life in Southeast Asia and here’s why:

• The animal is used on farms for labor and milk.
• When the animal dies, no part of it goes to waste.
• The buffalo provides meat, milk (Mozzarella Cheese), leather, and from the bones and horns – jewelry.
• The crafting of jewelry from the buffalo remains a tradition in Southeast Asia that goes back many generations.
• By using the horns for jewelry, they are not being incinerated and thus, offending the environment.
• The buffalo is never killed only for the horns – the animal is much too valuable for that.

“I am in awe of the beauty of La Jolla and the caliber of the jewelry designers who live here.  I hope to follow in their footsteps”, says Jen.

Would you like your La Jolla Village business featured in this column?  E-mail jodi@lajollabythesea.com

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by Robby Robinson

January 1, 2018 – New Year’s Resolution? Eat Healthy.

January 1, 2019 – New Year’s Resolution? Eat Healthy.

January 1, 2020 – New Year’s Resolution?   Eat Healthy.

Foiled again? Three ( or maybe 13) straight years and you still can’t get your #1 New Year’s Resolution right?  Right?  We can help you!  Mary’s Gourmet Salads has your back – and your stomach.  This new-in-town one-stop shop is all about health.  Here’s what you’ll find at Mary’s – healthy salads that make reaching your resolutions easy and yummy! They provide tasty and fresh salads, delicious goodies, and an endless place for creativity and a diverse salad selection.  Mary’s has a selection of nine scrumptious salads and, the tenth salad ———— is all yours to design and create.  You name it-they’ll make it!

Look at this variety – Super Food (includes roasted sweet potatoes), Kale Caesar (includes baked pita chips), Capri (includes artichoke hearts), Chinese Chop (includes mandarin oranges), Summer Breeze (includes fresh mint), Santa Fe (includes roasted corn), East Coast (includes deli turkey and roasted chicken breast), and Harvest Cobb (includes candied pecans). And, as if that weren’t special enough, every dressing is made in-house with simple and natural ingredients. The most abundant ingredient in salads is lettuce.

Let us discuss lettuce. Are there many species of lettuce?  YES!  And here goes:  Arugula, Summer Crisp, Belgian Endive, Butter Lettuce, Chrysanthemum Greens, Dandelion Greens, Frisée, Little Gems Lettuce, Lamb’s Lettuce, Escarole, Romaine, Asparagus Lettuce, Iceberg, Mesclun, Mizuna, Oak Leaf, Bibb, Kale, and Radicchio. I  thought there were only about 3 or 4 types – silly me.

Fabulous news – one cup of shredded lettuce equals 5 calories.

Here are a few lettuce facts:

6. Lettuce is the second most popular fresh veggie in the U.S. Potato beats Mr. Lettuce.
7. The average American eats about 30 pounds of lettuce a year.
8. About 70% of the lettuce grown in the U.S. comes from California – yay for Cali!
9. 75% of all lettuce grown in the U.S. is iceberg.
10. Because lettuce is about 95% water, it has to be eaten fresh and cannot be frozen, dried or canned.
11. Christopher Columbus was the person who actually introduced lettuce to America during his second voyage to the New World in 1494.

Michael Azakie opened Mary’s Gourmet Salads recently at 723 Pearl Street (next to Cafe Milano). He saw the void in the quick and healthy food scene in San Diego. Thus, the concept of Mary’s Gourmet Salads (named for Michael’s mother) was formed. Together, with his right hand, Ivy Cormier, the two young (Ivy is a 23-year-old college student and Michael is a 28-year-old real estate attorney) and ambitious entrepreneurs took the leap, signed a lease and hung up the sign.

“We make everything fresh and from our hearts here in the shop”, says Ivy.  “We are the customers”, she concludes.  They both adore the location they selected and are extremely fond of their customers.  “Our customers have become our friends.  They are so loyal to us and we are so grateful to them.  One customer, a skilled carpenter organized and helped with our entire renovation”, continued Cormier.

Future plans?  Oh, yes!  The pair is looking to partner up with small and local farms to avoid purchasing products from large companies.  These two are socially conscious.

Mary’s Gourmet Salads will keep you healthy and happy – and full!

Would you like your La Jolla Village business featured in this column?  E-mail jodi@lajollabythesea.com

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by Robby Robinson

In June, during the middle of the COVID 19 pandemic, one passionate family braved the elements and opened the winning MVP Family Restaurant at 811 Prospect.  The four team members on the front line of the restaurant are Ned Kern and his wife, Sami as well as son Zach and Zach’s wife, Lauren.  Ned has a solid background in the restaurant business and Zach specializes in the food prep division, having graduated from the San Diego Culinary Academy and starred in several San Diego top drawer restaurants. He also worked in a butcher shop.  Clever, smart, and the perfect way of understanding meats. Good thinking, Zach.

This is a true family-style restaurant.  The owners hope that this will be a destination for family dinners and celebrations.  They envision birthdays, anniversaries, and just plain old family gatherings.  The Kern family grew up playing Little League and were always seeking a restaurant to host the players and their families after games.  They decided to build their own!  The name came to Zach in a snap – MVP Family Restaurant.

The restaurant is sleek, beautiful, roomy, and includes an awesome large patio area with a fire-pit.  A cool looking open-air patio runs the full length of the exterior of the restaurant facing Prospect Street.  People watching galore.

MVP’s menu nicely includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Ahem – from experience, the French Toast gets a home run, the burgers get a 3-pointer, the pulled pork hits it out of the house, and the grilled cheese gets a touchdown. All foods are made from scratch (what a treat!). Zach cures his bacon and the bacon cures our hunger in the best way possible. The slices are THICK! And the service???  A five-star rating.

One wall is covered with photographs of popular sports MVPs.  A most impressive collection and great fun to see.

Here are some MVPs in top sports categories.  Let’s see what you know!

NFL – Peyton Manning.  Yeah, baby, He won the MVP with the Indianapolis Colts in 2003, ‘04, ‘08, ‘09, and then again with the Broncos in 2013.

MLB – Barry Bonds.  Oh, he’s good.  He won the MVP in 1990 and ‘92 with the Pirates and in 1993, 2001, ‘02, ‘03, and ‘04 with the SF Giants.  Wow.

NBA – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  You just gotta’ love this guy.  He won the MVP in 1971, ‘72, and ‘74 as a Milwaukee Buck and in 1976, ‘77, and ‘80 with the Lakers.  Go ahead – jump in with Jordan or King James, but neither has as many MVPs as Kareem.

NHL – Gretzky!  There are no other words needed. Except maybe the “Great One.”

Major League Soccer – Preki.  Ok, want his full name?  You asked for it – Predrag Radosavljevic.

PGA – You’ll know this without my help.  TIGER!

Men’s Tennis – Pete Sampras.  He won the ATP Player of the Year a record six times.  Federer and Djokovic are knocking at the door, however.

Women’s Tennis – Steffi Graf.  Serena Williams could catch up this year, though.

Auto Racing – Jimmie Johnson.

No list of sports greats would be complete without mentioning Floyd Mayweather, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray – and – Secretariat!  And of course, there is the Luge champ — Georg Hackl. Store that away for your next game of Trivia.

“I want the restaurant to be known for good food and a good time.  From our friendly staff to our dedication in the kitchen. We want to be a place where you can take the family out to have an affordable meal, but also come for a date night to impress”, says owner Zach Kern.

Well, Zach, you certainly hit those goals out of the park.  The restaurant lives up to your goals. At MVP Family Restaurant, you will dine like an MVP while being treated like a VIP.

Hours: Daily 8:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Would you like your La Jolla Village business featured in this column?  E-mail jodi@lajollabythesea.com

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by Robby Robinson

Don’t you wish you could help save the planet while you are sleeping?  You can!

And here’s how that can be done – by buying an Avocado Green Mattress.  The mattresses are designed in New Jersey and handmade in California, in their own factory, with only the finest certified organic, natural, and non-toxic materials.  Their mission is to be the most respected source for organic and natural mattresses, pillows, and bedding at affordable prices – while maintaining environmentally – conscious, ethical, and sustainable business practices across the entire supply chain.

Ok – that is a tall order to fill and let’s see how it is all done.

Avocado owns its own factory and by doing that the company can ensure high-quality craftsmanship, sustainable manufacturing practices, and safe and healthy working conditions.

The company owns their own sheep – nearly 200,000 of them wander throughout the Himalayan foothills, enjoying the views.  They are shorn twice yearly and the 100% certified wool is used in the mattresses assuring natural and thermoregulating luxury.

Let’s discuss the foam.  Avocado owns a 4,000-acre rubber tree farm in India.  The sap is hand tapped from the trees. The raw latex is then turned into natural and comfortable foam corps.  Wow!

The coils are made from recycled steel.

Important for you to know: Avocado Green Mattress consistently rates as the #1 top mattress by independent, third party reviewers.  Top marks are given to the company by the likes of Good Housekeeping, U.S. News & World Report, The Today Show, Goop, dwell, Real Simple, and a slew of organic publications and organizations. Yay for Avocado!

And now for a little pat on their backs.  In 2019, Avocado became the first mattress company to be Climate Neutral Certified.  In other words, their carbon footprint is net-zero.  That’s big.  Wait.  It gets even better.  In 2020, the company went carbon negative, offsetting more carbon than it generates – the new bar for all sustainable brands. Buying this mattress is Helping The Planet.

Extra wonderfulness about this company.  Each month they donate money to a nonprofit that inspires them.

Hold on.  Remember the rumor that circulated saying Nordstrom will take back your used tires?  Fake News.  Ready for awesome customer service? Avocado will give you a ONE YEAR trial period of a mattress.  Real news.  And how long is the warranty?  Wait for it – TWENTY FIVE years.  And free shipping. Right?

How did this miracle mattress come about?  2016.  Hoboken, New Jersey, Biggie’s Bar and Restaurant. A party of five (three relatives and two friends) from diverse careers, shared a common vision – to create a green mattress made from nontoxic, natural, and organic materials – that was affordable. They did it!  They mastered a farm to mattress business!  Kudos to them.

Come and visit the new La Jolla Experience Center at 7646 Girard Avenue.  The sleek and chic showroom is truly an alluring space.  There are also showrooms in Santa Monica, and Hoboken, New Jersey.  A new space is due to open in Fullerton shortly.  Visitors to the new space will be able to see into the factory floor, where the team members craft the organic mattresses.  Cool, right?

Why did Avocado Green Mattress select La Jolla as a first San Diego location?

“We chose La Jolla because it embodies so much of what Avocado is all about.  Like Avocado, this is a community that believes in wellness, sustainability, and eco-consciousness.  We believe we’re not just bringing the San Diego our top-rated organic mattresses and bedding products, but a company the local community can be proud to have in its neighborhood”, says Brett Thornton, Vice President of VX and Retail.”  Thank you Mr. Thornton – we’re honored that you selected us for your top drawer business and eye-catching store.

Sleep tight, sleep well, and know that while you are dreaming of making the world a better place – you are!

Would you like your La Jolla Village business featured in this column?  E-mail jodi@lajollabythesea.com

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by Robby Robinson

Who wants pizza?  I do, I do!  Who wants fried calamari?  I do, I do!  Who wants a Greek salad?  I do, I do!  Who wants a salmon wrap?  I do, I do!  Whaaaa?  All of this variety at a pizza place?  Wait – it gets better.  This precious little place also offers wraps, many pasta choices (shrimp rigatoni!), kabobs, and desserts, too!  Did we mention pastrami sandwiches? And so much more.  Literally, there is something for everybody.

Helen Lee bought Pizza Pronto four years ago.  She was no stranger to the pizza business as she had previously owned a Domino’s franchise in South Korea. It’s truly a family business.  Helen employs her son, Jake, and his new bride Julia.  Friendliest People Ever.

Pizza began its popular food career in Naples, Italy, in the late 1700s.  It began as a flatbread consisting of cheese, mozzarella, and tomato sauce – none of today’s fancy stuff like clams, rustic fig, chicken tikka, applewood bacon, fried calamari, rhubarb, grilled peaches, beets, and pistachios.  However, if you were in Australia, your toppings might include crocodile, emu, and kangaroo.  Seriously.

Italian immigrants introduced pizza to the United States in the early 1800’s.  When WW11 veterans returned to the US after fighting in the Italian Campaign, the demand for pizza rose.  There was a ready market for the yummy flatbreads.

Ready to chew on some fun pizza facts?  Here goes!

• Which cities have the best pizza?  Chicago, New York, New Haven, Orlando, San Francisco.
• Which are the best pizza sales days?  Super Bowl (surprise, surprise), New Years’ Eve, Halloween, New Years’ Day and the night before Thanksgiving (better to not scarf up the stuffing).  Domino’s reports that their drivers log in a total of 4 million miles on Super Bowl Sunday.
• What restaurant serves the most expensive pizza in the world?  Louis XIII, Salerno, Italy.  Ready for the price?  $12,000 per pizza!  And why?  The pizza is loaded with three types of caviar, lobster is flown in from Norway, and perfectly aged dough.  Talk about dough!
• In which country, per capita, do folks consume the most pizza.  You will never ever guess this one.  Norway.

Want some more cheesy pizza facts?

• In what city was the longest pizza made?  Fontana, California.  The finished product was 6,333 feet.
• What is the highest-grossing independent pizzeria in the nation?  Moose’s Tooth Pub, Anchorage.  $6M a year.
• 94% of Americans regularly eat pizza.  Steady pizza eaters consume on average 23 pounds of pizza annually,  HELLO Weight Watchers.
• Get this!  Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachov had a pizza delivered to him while in orbit!  And you think your pizza guy was a rock star for schlepping All The Way from Claremont.
• Who wants to take a small pizza quiz?  No cheating.
• What is the most common pizza topping?  Pineapple.  Kidding!  It’s pepperoni. Pizzerias go through 25l,770, 000 pounds of pepperoni per year.
• Which is more popular in the U.S. – thin crust or thick?  Thin.
• Are men or women better tippers?  WOMEN!

Try out Pizza Pronto for yourself and leave room for the tiramisu!

Would you like your La Jolla Village business featured in this column?  E-mail jodi@lajollabythesea.com

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by Robby Robinson

While wandering down Girard Avenue, you cannot help but turn into Adelaide’s florist.  The aromas of this wonderland draw you in and the rest of your senses are then aroused. An explosion of color greets your eyes. The merchandised flower arrangements, plants, and gift displays are to perfection.  A+ on the fragrance,  A+ on the visuals.  And, get this, even an A+ on the taste buds!  Adelaides carries truffles by Moonstruck – out of Oregon.

Adelaides has been providing fine floral arrangements to homes, hotels, restaurants, and events for over 80 years.  The florist is known for designing dreamy and glamorous weddings and has even produced a few hush-hush affairs. Nope -my lips are sealed. Adelaides will accommodate all of your needs from traditional 30’s and 40’s displays to hipster edgy.  The designers work with all of the generations of Adelaides clients.

Yes – there was an Adelaide!  Adelaide Phillips began her business in 1936 as a roadside stand in Encinitas with a walloping $6 investment.  The Phillips family moved into the current location, 7766 Girard Avenue, in 1945. The business was sold in 2010. Larry Anhorn and Jerry Parent (who also owned FloraStyle) were hired to lead the store’s creative vision.  Parent and Anhorn bought the store in 2016.  Fun fact – they work alongside Adelaide’s two granddaughters! Green thumb, indeed, must be hereditary in one’s DNA (I’m on google right now).

Flower trivia:

• How many species of flowering plants are there? Up to 400,000! You didn’t know that?
• What’s the most popular flower?  I’m waiting.  Yes – you got this – the rose.
• The other most popular flowers are Peruvian lilies, Cala lilies, daisies, gardenias, gerbera daisies, lilies, and orchids.
• How many species of orchids are there?   Up to 30,000!
• Flowers for $800, Alex. What is the rarest flower in the world?  The Middlemist Red Camilla.  Only two known examples are believed to exist- one in London and one in New Zealand.  The plant was brought from China to England in 1804 by John Middlemist. Google – its a stunner.  Google it!

Larry Anhorn and Jerry Parent are proud to be the ones to carry on Adelaides fine name and reputation.  They feel privileged to keep the creative engine running. Well, gentlemen, we consumers feel privileged to have the opportunity to shop and browse in your floral masterpiece!

Thanks for reading.  We’re sending you bouquets of love.

Yay for flower power!

sales@adelaidesflowers.com

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by Robby Robinson

“One order of chocolate chip pancakes, two scrambled eggs on the side, an order of fruit, a small orange juice, and a coffee black, please”.  It’s 6 a.m., the first order is taken, and Harry’s Coffee Shop is open and humming.

This legendary coffee shop/diner/gathering place has been at 7545 Girard Avenue since 1960, winning a handful of America’s Best Diner awards from notable publications and a television segment from the Food Channel. Whoa – this place is famous!

So how did all of this come about?

Restaurant founder, Harry J. Rudolph was born and raised in Brooklyn, an avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers (and even landed a position as a kid as a batboy).

Oh no!  The Brooklyn Dodgers pulled up stakes and relocated to Los Angeles in 1958.  Harry’s heart was broken.  There was only one way to heal it.  He and wife Catherine also pulled up stakes and followed the team to Los Angeles (for real – talk about a devoted fan-man).  The Brooklyn couple decided to open a Brooklyn style diner in Southern California and settled on the village of La Jolla for their future venture.  They had instant love for “the jewel” (who doesn’t?) and, thus, Harry’s Coffee Shop was established.  The restaurant reputation grew and so did their family.  The Rudolphs went on to have nine children (when the current day Rudolphs gather they number 45) and to establish themselves as a part of the La Jolla Community.

Harry was devoted to his diner as he opened the door at 5 a.m. daily.  He walked the floor and greeted his customers by their names – for nearly fifty years. (Ahem – my coffee shop barista doesn’t have a clue as to what my name is after 1 1/2 years.) He hired friendly staffers and served delicious, tempting, and inviting menu items.  The restaurant is more than just that – it is a community.

The tradition continues and is now owned by Harry’s son, John Rudolph.  John credits his amazing staff for keeping the guests happy.  And how is the staff loyalty at Harry’s?  Wait for it ——-kitchen staffer, Ignacio, recently retired after 45 years!  Jesus and Alberta have been with the restaurant for well over 25 years.  (I think the crispy bacon contributed to the longevity.)  Any famous peeps show up at the restaurant?  “I’m told JFK Jr. sat at the counter”, says John (can you even!) “and Junior Seau was a regular.  Phil Mickelson stops in for breakfast.”

All-time most popular dish?  The BW Benny!  The Food Channel flew down to La Jolla to cover this phenomenon.  It’s Harry’s version of a bacon waffle eggs benedict.  Surprises and secrets now revealed:  Harry’s puts chopped up bacon into the waffle batter!  So- we have the waffle, a slice of ham, two slices of bacon, 2 poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, and a sprinkling of cayenne pepper.

If you haven’t already – try this!

Fun fact – John estimates Harry’s serves over 300,000 eggs in a year – Holy Toledo!  Yes, that’s right – the population of Toledo is 300,000, too.

Happy stories that took place at Harry’s?  Funny you should ask. “Recently one of our servers ended up meeting and marrying a local police officer.  They met at 5:30 a.m. as the restaurant was opening”, says John.  “Folks conduct meetings, celebrate significant life events (anniversaries, birthdays, and graduations) at the restaurant.  We’ve been fortunate to have some of the most generous, loving, and kind guests imaginable.  It’s incredible that we’re celebrating 60 years of serving our wonderful guests and the community”, says Rudolph.

Oh, I wouldn’t call this good fortune, Mr. Rudolph,  I would call this hard work, dedication, fantastic service, excellent food – and a homey and cozy and happy environment.

The post La Jolla Behind the Scenes – Harry’s Coffee Shop appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

by Robby Robinson

Casual, comfortable, chic, and unique Gracie & Co. is about to reopen its stylish doors.  This popular La Jolla women’s clothing boutique has been dressing ladies for 35 years.

“I’ve seen my customers marry, have children, and now grandchildren”, says store owner Judi Shapery.  “It’s not unusual to see three generations of women come in the doors together – it’s just wonderful.  I love the family we have established.”

Cashmere is a fan favorite with companies such as White & Warren and Claudia Nichole on display.  Ms. Shapery combs companies far and wide to find a special jacket, pants, dress, or top.  “I only buy a limited number of each piece, so my customers won’t see their favorite new Gracie & Co. jacket on other women at George’s or Catania”, comments Judi.

The store is chock full of sporty linen jackets in tangerine, jade, and white.  Our flirty summer dresses are just adorable – you must see to believe!

Gracie & Co. is a well-known destination for those all-important perfect black pants.  Featuring styles from New York’s Piece of Cloth, Equestrian, and Canada’s Up!, one has a golden opportunity to find her soulmate black pant.  And how many pairs of black pants does Ms. Shapery own?  “I’m not telling.  But I can tell you that it is more than 1 and less than 65.”

“We have a rather unusual item that is causing quite a stir in the store at the moment.  A company approached me with exclusive bedazzled fashion masks.  I really was not sure about purchasing them, but I thought as long as my customers need to be safe, they can be safe while being chic.  Who knew?”, states Judi. “We are giving a percentage of the proceeds from the mask sales to UCSD Health COVID-19.”

Oh- and did we discuss Judi’s store mascot? Gracie- the cutest and friendliest Maltese! You have to experience her to believe her!

Follow Gracie & Co.on instagram: gracieco.lajolla

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by Robby Robinson

Shawn and Patty McManigal and Joe and Karla Britt are pleased to have opened two chic and shiny CBD stores in La Jolla.

“We create our premium quality CBD products with wellness in mind and are excited to showcase them in our two new stores in beautiful La Jolla,” comments Shawn.

With so many CBD products available, it is important to have a local store where knowledgable salespersons can answer customer questions. Injoi is an expert in the field.  There are over 100 phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant from which CBD hemp extract is derived.  These plant-based cannabinoids interact with our own human endocannabinoid system to help promote balance in our bodies.  Much research is being done on all of the benefits of CBD, and many clients obtain therapeutic relief from chronic pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, and other troubling issues.

“The most common misconception about CBD is that it will get you ‘high’”, remarks Shawn.  “This is simply not true.  Legal hemp CBD products contain less than .3% THC, which is the compound that produces psychoactive effects.  With our broad-spectrum products clients receive the benefits of CBD along with the favorable effects of other minor cannabinoids”, explains McManigal.

CBD can also be beneficial for pets!  Our beloved companions are able to derive relief from anxiety, stress, pain, and joint issues. Animal supplements are formulated specifically for them.

The Injoi product line includes hemp supplements, topical creams, pet supplements, and edible candies – all without THC.

“We are happily looking forward to being in this stellar community.  The combination of delightful residents and a dazzling setting make La Jolla a magical place and we are eager to join in!” Shawn remarks. Feel free to contact Shawn.McManigal@icloud.com

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by Robby Robinson

WELCOME TO WARWICK’S!

Walking into Warwick’s is walking into history!  Warwick’s is the oldest continuously family-owned and operated bookstore in the United States.  The year all the fun began – drum roll, please – 1896!  Seriously.  Nancy Warwick is the great-granddaughter of the founder, William T. Warwick, and took the reigns in 1997. In addition to stocking the multitude of books, Warwick’s is also brimming with gift selections of jewelry, pens, leather goods, stationery, art supplies, and party goods.  Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?!  The store presents phenomenal online events – feast your eyes on the upcoming events page – wow! www.warwicks.com

Nancy is eager to give us some fun facts to know about La Jolla’s literary jewel.

Ready?

Nancy was in elementary school when she first started working at the store.  Her earliest job was making bows with an old fashioned bow machine.  She would sit on the floor of her parents’ office and make piles of bows for the gift wrappers.  I bet her holiday bows were magnificent!

Nancy gives high praise to her parents since the store’s success and reputation has so much to do with their hard work, decision making, and dedication. The store was successful even before their reign.  Nancy’s grandmother, Louise Warwick, was a determined, hard-working woman who didn’t retire until she was 98 years old! What a firecracker!

When asked who were some high elected officials who visited the store, our answer was——Jimmy Carter and Margaret Thatcher.  Nice!

Does Nancy have staff loyalty?  I’ll say!  Adrian Newell, the head book buyer, and operations manager for the book department began his career with Warwick’s in l988.  The store general manager, Joe Porteous, began his Warwick’s years in 1999.  Two other employees just hit the 20-year mark and another three staffers have worked at the store for over 10 years.  What??  This is unbelievable.  Nancy must make killer chocolate chip cookies for snack break.

Ok, fun story. Colin Powell, while setting up to sign his book, My American Journey, asked Nancy what was the largest number of books signed at a Warwick’s author event.  That distinction belonged to Rosie Daley – Oprah’s personal chef – 1000 books. Colin was determined to break that record and assigned one of his assistants to use a clicker to record the numbers.  He told Nancy he would not stop signing until he surpassed that record.  He did!  Until Hillary Clinton showed up and the rest is history.

Stay in touch with Warwick’s – stop in, by phone, website, Instagram, Facebook, or carrier pigeon.  There are so many inspiring events happening!

The post La Jolla Behind the Scenes – Warwicks appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.

Robby Robinson is a woman on the go.  She is typically seen roaming the Village with her husband Chuck and adorable Seymour, the four-legged senior member of the Robertson household.  Through Seymour, Robby has met new friends, discovered new places and most importantly learned where all of the good treat stops are.  As a La Jolla resident, professional writer, and publicist, Robby will be lending her talents as our resident blogger; going behind the scenes of La Jolla’s iconic, new and unique businesses. new merchants and services.

It would be only fitting that Robby would be just mad about writing a column featuring a behind-the-scenes look into the Village’s merchants and stores. Robby has a 35-year history in retail and public relations. She has owned retail clothing stores in La Jolla and Pacific Beach and owned a PR marketing and events firm specializing in fashion, retail, beauty, and style. Her most recent endeavor entails pro bono writing and marketing for non-profit organizations. Flip through the column and get a look behind the merchants’ front doors.

Upcoming columns will feature La Jolla’s newest businesses — injoi CBD and Decker’s Dog + Cat as well as those with fierce longevity such as Warwick’s and Harry’s.

The post New Blog Column Debuts: La Jolla Behind the Scenes appeared first on La Jolla by the Sea.