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DINING DINING WITH FRANK SABATINI JR.


Hillcrest welcomes a historic Italian caffe


DIGGING GOLD IN OLD TOWN


Prices: Salads, soups and appetizers, $3.50 to $12.95; sandwiches and entrees, $8.95 to $24.95 H=poor HH=mediocre HHH=good HHHH=exceptional


2543 Congress St., San Diego, CA 92110 (Old Town) 619-220-0101


Old Town Mining Company HHH


than 150 years ago are long dead, although their legacy is loosely acknowledged through smoky tri- tip and other meaty meals at the Old Town Mining Company. Located off the taco-crazed


T


tourist trod that is San Diego Avenue, we turn to nearby Con- gress Street for a peaceful escape that feeds us such American favorites as slow-roasted prime rib, classic meatloaf, mesquite- broiled chickens and year-round turkey dinners served with the usual holiday fixings. Tacos ap- pear only on the appetizer list as an obligatory footnote. Interspersed throughout the menu are a few quasi-Cajun dishes also carried over from the restaurant’s original proprietor, who started the restaurant 15 years ago in San Marcos. This newer, second location in Old Town features the exact same recipes, all of them adopted verbatim by the latest owner. Visiting with a hardcore


carnivore who couldn’t wait to sink his chops into the house- smoked tri-tip, we began with an order of low-impact “spicy” tequila shrimp. The chilies were missing in action, although the clinging, garlicky butter and a few squirts of lime spared the crustaceans from blandness. Never a fan of spinach-


artichoke dip, we moved on to one of the few versions I’ve ever liked. Party-host recipes typically call for mayonnaise, which turns oily when heated. This sticks purely to cream cheese, or so it seemed, creating a rich, velvety “soup” stocked generously with the chokes, including plenty of the prized hearts. It’s served with decent garlic toast and tortilla chips. From the soup category we passed on New England clam chowder and more easily skipped over the baked potato cheese soup in lieu of robust tri- tip chili that will have me crawl- ing back for more come winter.


he hungry miners who flocked to this area for rich surface ores more


We also tried the turkey Creole soup, which sent our palates to the Midwest rather than to Louisiana. Despite a few chunks of faintly smoked turkey floating within, it basically tasted like


see Mining, pg 22


Chieri, Italy, the two-month-old Caffe Vergnano 1882 in Hillcrest is giving coffee drinkers a jolt of Italian tradition in a chic and art- ful setting. The coffee menu shows off a


variety of stout blends made with premium beans imported from Italy. At center stage is a shiny, eye-catching Elec- tra espresso machine that is reminiscent of a classic Belle Époque from the turn of the century. Inside the ornate contraption, however, is a state-of-the- art system that barista Juan Gutierrez says, “Pro- duces the best espresso I’ve ever made.” The café’s arrival to


CAFFE VERGNANO 1882 Taking its cue from the original


619-255-1882 3850 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103 café founded 129 years ago in


in this community,” says owner Hector Rabellino, who moved to San Diego from Savona, Italy to operate the café.


Ranking as the Cadillac of


coffee drinks is the energiz- ing “1882,” which incorporates beans from Brazil, Nicaragua,


long history in small-batch cof- fee brewing. The date logo also appears illuminated on a wall behind the bar, adding a warm, el- egant glow to the quaint confines. Augmenting the caffeine


offerings are paninis, salads, quiche and vegetable-rich soups finished off with olive oil and Parmesan cheese. The dinner hour ushers in the addition of pizzas using ingredients such as imported moz- zarella, prosciutto de Parma and artichokes. “We’ve adapted the


menu to people on the go, so that nothing takes a long time to cook,” adds Rabellino. In keeping with the tradition of Italian


The new coffee shop. (Courtesy Caffe Vergnano 1882


Hillcrest marks its first location in the nation, adding to 53 other Vergnano cafés sprinkled throughout 10 different countries. “Our customers here ap-


preciate that we offer something different. We feel very welcome


Costa Rica, Ethiopia and India. As with all of the café’s coffee drinks, the beans are ground to order and the creamy top layer is date stamped in cocoa powder to remind us of the company’s


café culture, a sidewalk patio will open and a wine and beer list has already been established. Caf fe Vergnano 1882 is located at 3850 Fifth Ave. For more information, call 619-255- 1882.t


August 12–25, 2011


GAY SAN DIEGO


15


FREE SPECIALTY COFFEE With the purchase of one of our fabulous


50% OFF


Bring this ad in for offer. Exp. 8.31.11


CASUAL THAI KITCHEN 406 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92103


619.298.2929


A San Diego Landmark Since 1944 Quality Home Cooking


Present this ad to our Baristas when you visit us today! Cannot be combined with any other special offers.


As Seen on TV!


Restaurant & Bakery Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner


$2.00 OFF Any Menu Entree


Up to 2 people minimum $8 Entree. Not valid with other offers, weekends, or holidays. Expires 08/31/11


Open Daily: 7am-9pm


2271 First Avenue (Corner of 1st & Juniper) www.hobnobhill.com • (619) 239-8176


(619) 255-1882


3850 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 www.1882sandiego.com


puchase one entree and get another at 50% price with purchase of two beverages.


Wine & Martini Lounge HAPPY HOUR 4-7 p.m. Mon.–Fri


breakfast or lunch panini sandwiches


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