It can be hard for vegetarians to find a quality restaurant that exclusively serves vegetarian cuisine. Those hunting for such a place can find pleasant atmosphere, good service and delicious meat-free dishes at SipZ Vegetarian Fuzion Café.

SipZ is located at 5501 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. in a strip mall next to the 805 freeway. The restaurant’s goal, as stated on their takeout menu, reads, “Our continuing goal at SipZ is to promote the healthy vegetarian lifestyle by providing the healthiest and tastiest vegetarian dining possible.”

The restaurant opened in late 2002 and was originally a small coffee shop that also sold boba teas. It would later double in size and become a hotspot for vegetarians in the Clairemont and Kearny Mesa neighborhoods of San Diego.

One wall of the spacious interior is decorated with a giant nautical mural. The colorful scene shows an octopus reaching out in all directions as if attempting to grab hold of a customer’s irresistible entre.

My personal favorite is the spicy ginger tofu. It’s a good fusion of tangy ginger mixed with the spicy house sauce that really gives the fried tofu a kick. This dish is served with onions and mushrooms, so I would recommend it to those looking for a delicious meal made up of pungent flavors.

Yet not everyone appreciates the strong taste of ginger and the soft texture of fried tofu like I do. Customers craving the texture of meat don’t have to settle for a bland soy substitute, because SipZ has mastered the art of deception. Their faux meat and fish taste like the real thing, which is impressive when considering the variety of textures are all crafted out of tofu.

The Thai curry chicken is a savory blend of coconut curry and peanut sauce cooked with eggplant, bamboo shoots and tofu chicken. It is a must-try item for those skeptical of tofu’s versatility.

Those planning on paying for their entrees in cash can receive a free fruit ice tea. Be sure to remind your server of this refreshing deal when you place your order.

SipZ Vegetarian Fuzion Café can be reached at 858-279-3747. They’re open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

KSandwiches is a Vietnamese market, a bakery, a coffee shop and a delicatessen all under one roof. One corner of the store is continually stacked with fresh baguettes and croissants while the counter across the room tirelessly makes boba teas and sandwiches.

This eclectic eatery is located at 7604 Linda Vista Rd. right next to Kearny High School. Those who show up past 12:30 on weekdays will encounter a line out the door, so to beat the rush it’s best to plan accordingly.

The pictures on the menu above the register don’t accurately portray the generous sizes of the sandwiches, which are either as long as your arm or as big as your head. My favorite is the K club croissant, listed on the menu as number 23.

This freshly baked croissant is piled high with roast beef, bacon, provolone, lettuce, onions and jalapenos. The giant club sandwich is a great deal at only $3.95.

Another sandwich that tops my list is number 10 on the menu – the grilled beef baguette. This sandwich’s pickled white carrots give it an Asian flavor that compliments the juicy strips of beef and sprigs of cilantro.

KSandwiches sells a wide variety of goods, many of which reflect the store’s Vietnamese influence. It’s a great cultural experience for those brave enough to try deserts that are unusual by American standards.

On display in the middle of the store are gelatinous neon-colored patties with a consistency somewhere in between tapioca and rice cakes. These pre-packaged sweets can be dipped in the milky white frosting that’s sold with them. I’m not a huge fan of how they taste, but they’re unlike any desert I have ever seen before.

The banana egg rolls are more to my liking. The gooey banana centers are wrapped in dough and deep-fried. They’re cheap at fifty cents apiece, and can be a nice snack while waiting for your number to be called.

KSandwiches can be reached at 858-278-8961. They’re open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The purpose of this blog is to expose the unique balance of urban and suburban living in northern San Diego. Despite the urban aspects of downtown San Diego slowly creeping northward through its suburbs, there still remain several sanctuaries for nature lovers around this part of town. It’s a great area for people seeking easily accessible outdoor recreation in a big city.

The geography of northern San Diego consists mostly of high mesas separated by wide canyons that are ideal for hiking. There are plenty of routes to explore in each canyon due to the many “finger trails” that stem off the main path.

I recommend those going for a bike ride to visit the trail in San Clemente Canyon that runs eastward from the entrance on Genesee Ave. The terrain of this long stretch varies from flat in the beginning to hilly and challenging toward the end.

I also enjoy walking or riding my bike westward through Rose Canyon, which is also accessible via Genesee Ave. about a mile north up the road from the San Clemente Canyon entrance. The north side of the canyon has steep hills and is a great trail for cardio workouts. The south side is extremely flat and can be easily traversed right up to the base of Mt. Soledad.

The ocean isn’t the only body of water to exercise by in this city. Lake Miramar is a serene spot in northern San Diego with a paved five mile trail around its perimeter that makes it a pleasant area for biking.

The west side of this elevated lake drops off dramatically, offering a beautiful view of Mt. Soledad and the University City skyline in the distance. To get to this spot take the I-15 to Mira Mesa Blvd. and go east. Turn right when the road ends at Scripps Ranch Blvd. and then turn left onto Scripps Lake Dr.

San Diego’s scenic beauty doesn’t stop at the coast, so put on your hiking shoes and explore this city’s inland wildlife for a change.

For a pizza place with an atmosphere that is relaxed and attracts a cool urban crowd, Basic is the place to go.

Located in the East Village section of Downtown San Diego, 410 Tenth Avenue, Calif. 92101, Basic upholds their name by keeping the interior of the restaurant with its original brick walls, high ceilings and industrial garage doors.

Basic serves New Haven, Connecticut thin crust brick oven pizzas nightly until 2 a.m. daily. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

“One of my favorite hangout spots in San Diego.  It has a great location, just a bit off the busy Gaslamp but close enough you can easily walk anywhere,” Greg Dertly, an occasional diner said.

A large warehouse with a few couches spread out, two long bar-style tables and a large bar is basically the compilation of the lounge area.  It is very open and tall, so claustrophobia is not an issue.

At night there is a deejay that play’s a great playlist of music, everything from today’s top 40, hip hop, house, electro, and other genres.  Diners are having a good time listening to music and enjoying their pizzas.

The restaurant is exactly what its namesake refers to, basic. The menu is simple and delicious. The decor is minimal but very nice. It is definitely a worthy upscale pizza restaurant to check out and see for yourself.

For more information about the place, visit http://www.barbasic.com/ or call 619-531-8869.

To fend away from restaurants that exclude the youth because of the open bar, Extraordinary Desserts is a place where the under aged can grab a light bite to eat and lavish their desserts that they are widely recognized for in San Diego and not be afraid of being booted out because of the age limits.

It is located 1430 Union St. San Diego, Calif. 92101, amongst other fine dining. It won best Desserts in San Diego Magazine reader’s and critic’s choice and features dozens of cakes, tarts, pies, custards, puddings, cookies, shortbreads, cupcakes, ice cream and more. It’s just the right place for an afternoon brunch, a light lunch and an evening full of a wide variety of desserts. Almost every plate of desert is sharable size. Nighttime is when it is the busiest. Diners come after dinner to enjoy a sweet bite to share.

“I’m not a chocolate fan, but the desserts are beautiful and there is a wide variety of desserts and teas to choose from. I had the blackberry bread pudding, crème brulee. It was amazing!” Denise Karadine, an occasional diner said.

People have to literally wait out the door to order these decadent desserts. They bakers do a fantastic job with the presentation. All the desserts have flowers on them and each dessert is carefully executed with little additions here and there, from the careful strokes of chocolate drizzle to the gold foil flakes set on each dessert.
For more information about the place, visit http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com, were you can order online, or call to make reservations at 619-294-7001.

Located between Fourth and Fifth Avenue on 919 E St. San Diego, CA 92101, Belo nightclub is famous for its 20,000-square-foot basement nightclub.

Belo’s is well known by their regular 18-year-old night clubbers for their Epic Friday events. “Occasionally there will be special 18 and up nights you must keep an eye on. Probably about 50 percent of Epic Fridays are 18 and up but it is upon announcement”, according to Crystal Higgins, Belo’s director of sales.

“A lot of people label Belo’s as a ghetto nightclub but for us youngin’s it’s hard to find a legit club to have fun it, no horseplay and just dancing…You do have to watch for the 18 and up nights…I like it because the DJ’s are poppin’ and even though there are a lot of old men creepers the building is cool and they serve expensive lemonade-better then nothing”, Raven Hillard, a regular nigh clubber.

The club consists of three main rooms and two special rooms that are available for hosting private  events “ranging from a small bachelor party of 50 people to corporate events for 1,100 executives or a sit down dinner for 300 guests”, general manager, Manuel Arreguin said.

The Green Room is the largest of the three main rooms. With an elevated disc jockey booth and gogo dancer platforms, “this room has had World Class DJ’s such as Paul Oakenfold, Miguel Migs, Deadmau5, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Scotty Boy, Dirty South, Mark Farina, Grand Master Flash and live performances by Pit Bull, Kid Cudi, Slick Rick, Omarion, J Holliday, Bobby Valentino, De La Soul, Mickey Avalon and more”, according to Higgins. This room also has two large VIP rooms the white room and the black room along with six other VIP booths.

The Red room is a darker more intimate room. It has six designated VIP areas that “consistently sell out”, Higgins said. The Orange Room is the last of the three main rooms and has a huge bar as its centerpiece so unfortunately 18 and under folks are not allowed in.

The Champagne room is designed for smaller parties of 5-10 people, located in the front of the club “so you will be seen as you party the night away”, Higgins said. The final VIP room is called Psychedelic that is designed for larger parties up to 30 people. “It is secluded but still close to all of the rooms so you can see and be seen. “It is colorful and chic décor sets this room apart from the rest of the club”, Arreguin said.

Belo provides a wide variety of party choices and is a great option for a night of dancing with your under aged friends. For more information contact general manager, Manuel Arreguin, at (619) 231-9200 or visit www.belosandiego.com.

When you’re in search of great tunes and a night of easy listening, the House of Blues (HOB), located on 1055 5th Ave. San Diego, Calif. 92101, is the perfect place.

Open every Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday’s from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. frequent shows play for all ages, everything from your favorite rock band to stand up comedians.  The venue is small yet intimate and the balcony seats are available for sold out shows. Even the bathrooms are cleaner than you would expect.

“Foods good, service is great, and the venue speaks for itself. Rock and roll baby! A little bit of everything and the best of both worlds,” Rachel Bowers, a frequent HOB attendee, stated.

Almost every weekend the HOB has well known bands coming to play. On regular weekdays dining is open to enjoy local artists perform for free. The biggest attraction that HOB is known for is the intimate shows were from any location from inside the venue you able to see the artists on stage. It is arguably one of the best venues to actually see the performers and shake hands with them, as well as, feel the vibrations of the bass from every corner of the room.

Box office hours are every Wednesday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday through Tuesday 3:00 p.m. until tickets are sold out on concert days only. Make sure to double check to see if each concert is an all aged show. For more information visit www.houseofblues.com.

Located near Downtown’s Gaslamp quarter between 3rd Ave. & 4th Ave., Fumari Hookah bar is one of the biggest hot spots  for the under aged.

Open Monday thru Thursday and Sunday nights from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday thru Saturday from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. With a live DJ and seating indoor and outdoor, Fumari is a lively and versatile place to unwind and chat with a few friends.

This hookah lounge brings its own uniqueness by creating their own tobacco and using different pipes for specific flavors. That way you get a fresh flavor every time and you do not get a hookah that tastes like whatever the last customer smoked.

It has a very relaxed type of atmosphere and the personnel do not really mind how long you spend hanging out with your hookah.  The flavor menu is extensive and they allow customers to smell samples before you order and mix and match as you please (mint and fakhfakhina is a great combo).  The seating, cushions and benches, are comfy and the music does not play too loud so you do not have to yell to talk to people.

The service is fantastic. The staff are all friendly and laid back (even the bouncer). The cappuccinos are great as well and they give you a rock candy stirring stick to go with it (my favorite detail about the place).  All in all, I give the venue four out of five stars for being a notable place in Downtown to spend a few hours spending time with friends, talking, drinking cappuccinos and smoking hookah.

The MiraCosta College Department of Theater and Film is headed by Eric Bishop and Tracy Williams, and most of their productions are directed by them, though this year Grossmont College theatre arts instructor Lisa Berger was brought in to direct the dark comedy “The House Of Blue Leaves” by John Guare, which was recently revived on broadway starring Ben Stiller.

“We do use outside directors on occasion”, Williams explained, “This year Lisa Berger was with us to direct The House of Blue Leaves. Next season we are joining with North Coast Repertory to put on a professional production of Henry IV.”

The 2010-2011 season started with the farce “Charley’s Aunt” and was followed by the 1928 drama “Machinal”, the Sheldon Harnick musical comedy “She Loves Me” and lastly Guares “The House Of Blue Leaves”. This is a season most professional theatres wouldn’t tackle, let alone a Community College. And next year their season promises to be even more daring starting with William Inge’s “Dark At The Top Of The Stairs, following that will be the musical extravaganza “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, which originated at The Old Globe, the North Coast Repertory collaboration of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV Part 1″ directed by Artistic Director David Ellenstein and ending with the play, based on a true story, “Real Women Have Curves” by Josefina Lopez which was made into a film in 2002 starring America Ferrera.

The casting process for these productions are mainly pulled from two sources. “Because we are community college it is our mission to serve both the students enrolled in [the school and] the community which we serve”, Williams said, “Auditions are open to everyone but once cast you must enroll in a section of rehearsal and performance.”

In a related story, MiraCosta theater students Sassan Saffari, recently awarded “The National Kennedy Center ‘Beacons of Hope’ Award for playwriting, and Anyelid Meneses, Irene Ryan acting scholarship winner, are both slated to be honored at the Kennedy Center this year.

For more information on MiraCosta theatre offerings you can visit them at
www.MiraCostaTheatre.com or you can contact Tracy Williams at 760.757.2121, ext. 6448

It is clear that Mesa College has a theater department that rivals that of City College in both season and diversity, but what about Grossmont, Southwestern, Palomar and MiraCosta Colleges?

Southwestern College located in Chula Vista, CA, has a full season, but it is not easy to find on their website. In fact, finding who is in charge of the theatre department and their season is not an easy task.

Searching the theatre department link and emailing someone in the department from there could be your best bet. Even after that it may be difficult to navigate through their website. Try contacting Jeff Nevin (jnevin@swccd.edu), he is in charge of the music department and works closely with Mark Pentilescu (mpentilescu@swccd.edu) who is in charge of the theater department. Mr. Pentilescu was in rehearsal and unavailable for comment, however, Nevin was available and filled in in his absence.

The difficult website navigation was given no explanation, but their season, and who is involved was.

According to Nevin, there is a campus event calendar at http://www.swccd.edu/2ndLevel/index.asp?L1=14 that has a listing of campus events and the theater productions are listed throughout that calendar. “It’s all of the events on campus”, Nevin said, “so you’ll have to hunt for the Theatre productions, they should be in there.”

Nevin also commented on how their theater season offerings work. “We generally do one ‘big’ play per semester and a number of smaller plays. Often those smaller plays are student-written and/or student-directed.”

Most of the productions are done in their main theatre which holds about 400 patrons. They also have a black box theatre which has around 45 seats and when smaller productions are done they will use the larger theatre by putting 100 seats on stage.

In November their main stage offering was “Macbeth-Shakespeare set in Tijuana” and was directed by teacher, and San Diego Artistic Director, Ruff Yeager.

Nevin also explained that several smaller plays, or one-acts, are performed on the same night as with their recent Festival of New Student Plays going on from March 16-20. This particular program featured four different student written plays on alternating nights with a different director for each play.

“Our directors, when not students, are Southwestern College faculty [that teach] Theatre classes”, Nevin said. “We don’t invite ‘guest directors’ from off campus.”

As far as the casting process is concerned, Nevin pointed out that auditions are posted to students and the community and while they have invited guest performers, or established actors who agree to perform with students, in the past it hasn’t been done in some time.

For more information on future productions at Southwestern College you can contact their box office at (619) 482-6367 or visit them online at http://www.swccd.edu/2ndLevel/index.asp?L1=14