Posts by Clyde Van Arsdall

Do you wonder where chefs go for their seafood? Look no further than Catalina Offshore Products. Chefs and restaurants buy their fish there, and so can you; they gladly welcome the public. Not only do they sell fantastic seafood, but Catalina also has a small but thoughtfully planned out market. Definitely bridgeworthy. The market feels…

The old fashioned has come a long way since its inception. The term old fashioned did not refer to a specific cocktail but rather a mixology style. To serve any spirit “old fashioned,” one simply adds sugar, water, and bitters. Over time rye whiskey became the most popular spirit associated with this preparation, and the…

For 116 years, bartenders have been slinging drinks at 965 Orange Avenue [see note below].* Well before the introduction of the Slam Burger or the World Beer Tour and long before the iconic mural took its place on Danny’s wall, there existed other bars and publicans. The first bar was The Palm, established in 1907…

We all have our favorite places to eat and drink right here in Coronado. However, people often ask me where to take a date off the island. Venturing off the rock can sometimes take some thought.   Many great food spots appeared on my radar this past year, but not all were date-worthy. Date spots serve…

Most restaurant people have a love-hate relationship with Yelp. Who doesn’t like a good review? Bad reviews however can hurt your feelings and your business. When Yelp first started, it was a simple way to find out where the good stuff was. Then everyone with a cell phone became a critic. It drove those of…

Where have all the neighborhood Chinese restaurants gone? Most have shuttered, leaving their communities with no good and convenient Chinese food, as well as a sense of loss. The restaurants that are left operate in areas with large Asian populations, like the Convoy Asian Cultural District in Kearny Mesa or Little Saigon in City Heights. …

There are a few East Coast regions that feature a signature beef sandwich. Philly has the Cheese Steak, Chicago has its Italian Beef, and New England has the North Shore Roast Beef. Most people have tried a Cheese Steak, the most famous of the three. A few have had the Windy City’s Italian Beef. Although…

How do cheese, craft beer, and booze qualify as a trifecta? Artisan cheese, craft beer, and top-shelf liquors all under one roof feel like a triple win. Bottlecraft and Venissimo in North Park are a marriage made in heaven. I have loved both of these stores for years. It blew my mind when I discovered…

Cocktails take center stage this time of year, with New Year’s Eve quickly approaching. Professional bartenders and amateur mixologists must prepare for the ball drop. Every bar needs the right tools to function efficiently. I have ordered bar tools online and have often been disappointed. Where can you get a good quality jigger, a shaker…