20


GAY SAN DIEGO December 17-30, 2010


DINING FROM PAGE 13 NORTHERN The ownership of Arrive-


derci has opened Au Revoir French Bistro in the space where La Vache formerly oper- ated at the Corner of Robinson and Fourth Ave. French verse decorates one of the walls and the staff is mostly of European descent. Au Revoir’s offerings include some darn good mus- sels and frites we tried during a brief lunch last week. Look for a full review in Gay San Diego early next year. Au Revoir is at 420 Robinson Ave., (619) 268-2400.


Naked Pizza, which re- cently made its San Diego de- but in Pacific Beach, is about to open in Hillcrest, at 3803 Fifth Ave. The New Orleans-based chain specializes in healthy pizzas using dough that is forti- fied with probiotics and more than 10 different types of seeds and grains. The menu features such


tempting pizzas as The


Pima (black beans, jalapenos, cheddar and lime), The Rajin’ Cajun (sausage, chicken, garlic and bell peppers) and the meaty Farmvil (pepperoni, sausage, hamburger and ham). A couple of vegetarian options are also available. The Glass Door’s new


chef, Brent Calley, has rolled out a new, cosmopolitan winter menu that includes French-im- ported smoked trout (used in a salad), Italian clams puttanesca and chicken confit with sun- dried cherries. The restaurant had been without an executive chef for three months until Cal- ley’s recent arrival. The Glass Door is located on the top floor of the Porto Vista Hotel, at 1835 Columbia St., (619) 544-0164.


San Diego’s only Azerbai-


jani restaurant, Café 21 in North Park, will open a second location in the heart of the Gaslamp District within the next few months. Owned by Alex and Leyla Javadov, the new location will carry the same name and feature a mix of rustic and modern design elements. Café 21 is at 2736 Adams Ave, (619) 640-2121. The new location will be at 750 Fifth Ave.♚


—Frank Sabatini Jr.


Naked Pizza’s Superbiotic pizza pie


springy poppy seed buns. But the attempt at tradition ends there since these dogs are split lengthwise instead of served whole, and they’re grilled (with the weights on top) rather than steamed. The meat was a little chewy as a result. If you want the real deal, go to Lefty’s in North Park or Mission Hills. During my most recent visit, the “Smashchicken” proved sat- isfying, though I initially received the wrong toppings. The staff was quick to make another, sans the Ranch dressing and cheddar cheese. Round two came with the red onions, lettuce, tomatoes and


Smashburger’s classic burger with pickles, onions and secret sauce. (Frank Sabatini Jr./GSD)


FROM PAGE 17 BURGER


mayo stated on the menu. Salads are available in half or


full orders and feature freshly cut veggies and lettuces. Served in modern “diaper” bowls, the vari- ous medleys yield to stimulating ingredients such as cranberries, sunflower seeds, applewood ba- con, shaved Parmesan cheese, or in the case of the “Smashcobb,” an oozy fried egg.


For those who can’t eat a


burger without a milk shake parked alongside of it, the company uses Haagen-Dazs ice cream to make them. Root beer floats are also available, served in frosty mugs just like our par- ents or grandparents remember when slurping them from lunch counters in Main Street depart- ment stores.


Icy mugs aside, Smash-


burger’s interior design fits the mold of the modern burger boom with gleaming white walls interspersed by bright colors. Thick panes of glass dominate the scheme, allowing for copious sunlight to enter. But commu- nication between front-counter staff and the kitchen needs streamlining, as food mix-ups were occurring all around me last week—three months after the company smashed onto the San Diego scene and finished its dress rehearsal.♚


GAY SAN GAY SAN DIEGO DIEGO


a few chuckles as several of the youths awkwardly thanked the North County LGBT Coalition for “the money.” It was precious to see them forget some of the nice- ties and hit the nail on the head: the GSA awards from the Coali- tion means pizza for the meetings! As Mr. Dearie remarked, when it comes to student attendance, pizza can do wonders. In the end, every single student who spoke thanked the advisors and the Co- alition members for their support. From the stories and tears in the room, you knew it wasn’t about the pizza. It was about the love. Oh yes, the facts: Each year,


the crowd and number of North County schools with GSAs has grown. Honored this year were: Carlsbad, Oceanside, Orange Glen, Rancho Buena Vista, Ramo- na, Scripps Ranch (not present) and Vista high schools, as well as Palomar College. The clubs received certificates and funding from the North County LGBT Coalition. Coalition Youth Coor- dinator Carolyn Bolton directed the event, with introductions by Coalition President Max Disposti and assistance from Social Justice Coordinator Morgana Mlodoch. Our local GSAs are always look- ing for community members to speak at their meetings. You don’t have to be a pro at the podium; just go share your story. The students eat it up almost as fast as the pizza. Learn more at northcountycoali- tion.org or simply call your local high school and leave a message for the gay-straight alliance advisor. If the office staff says they don’t have a GSA, maybe think about something in this article and then ask, “Oh yes? And when will you be getting one?” Then maybe offer them the Coalition’s website. Give them a nudge toward the future for our beautiful youth.sqw♚


—Jennifer Schumaker is a


writer, activist and mother of four, living in Escondido. In 2006, her activism and motherhood inspired her to embark on a 500-mile “Walk for Togetherness” from San Diego to San Francisco, an act intended to draw attention to LGBT equal- ity that was covered extensively by national news media.


www.gay-sd.com


Mention this ad for 20% OFF all merchandise through December 31st!


3823 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 619.683.2199 luigivera.com | Luigi Vera Oneofakindclothing on Facebook Store Hours: | M-F: 11am - 7pm, Sat-Sun 11 - 6 pm


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32