Lightning Brewery

Apparently there a growing craft brewery network in North San Diego. So Tagen to J and I to a very small operation out of Powey called Lightning Brewery.

From San Diego Summer 2009

To say that it is a small operation is an understatement. First of all they only produce a tiny amount of beer annually, I don't remember the number but it wasn't much. Secondly, the physical operation is really tiny. Working out of a modest office building provides only the most limited space. The top photo here is really all there is aside from a couple of front offices.

From San Diego Summer 2009

But what they have to offer is good quality small scale beer (all though they don't get very high marks from the beer geeks on BA). I brought home a Thunderweizen Ale for our grill since I felt it would do well with the food and the weather. It got rave reviews from both mom and dad.

Tastings are free twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays and worth checking out. But the current set up was off putting for me. Without Tagen to march in and get things going I would have likely loitered around front for a while. There little indication of where the tasting took place compared to the small empty office.

From San Diego Summer 2009

The people were friendly, most of the people giving us samples weren't even employees, and I got the feeling that little separated Tagen in his company shirt from the guys helping us. The oddest part was trying to talk to one of the older guys; when I told him I was visiting from Boston he replied, "that's too bad, they don't have any good beer out there." ... joke. Right?

"This isn't a bbq, its a fancy grill"

Since I was home and showing J around and all that, I decided that my big brother and I should have a little shindig to mark the occasion. When it was all said and done J commented how she was used to "putting some [frozen] hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, throwing a bag of chips and people and calling it a day."

But Mom just don't go out like that. Instead we got a Costco cornucopia: chicken breast, sausages a case of beer backed up by bean salad, coleslaw, home made hummus, bread, veggies and do-it-your-self ice cream cones. Boom.

We started off by marinating chicken breasts in a secret sauce (read: we didn't know what it was), added kosher salt, pepper, minced onion, garlic, olive oil, white whine and rosemary.

From San Diego Summer 2009

Meanwhile we parboiled Italian sausages in beer with a little bay leaf to ready them.

From San Diego Summer 2009

Aaah the rosemary; not only was it part on the chicken we also opted to smoke it on the food as well. Thanks to an abundance in my parents backyard we filled an empty tin can with fresh sprigs and placed the can in the coals to smoke during cooking.

From San Diego Summer 2009

If you look carefully you can just make out the green of the rosemary among the coals.

From San Diego Summer 2009

All in all, I think it was a smashing success. I recommend trying the fresh herbs in your grill if you have the means and the appropriate weather.

California Update: California Burrito

My goal was to get it, and get it I did. The California burrito with the works: carne asada, french fires, salsa, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. Say it in the Kool-Aid man voice: Oh yeah!

Take J into Pacific Beach, aka the den of vileness, we wandered into the northern edge of Mission Beach and spied a typical Mexican place: La Playa Taco Shop.

From San Diego Summer 2009

All thought "authentic" seem dubious to me - much like how a Londoner said to avoid anything with "ye olde" on it - the trappins were all correct. Small. Simple. Proper menu. Besides a small inside and a few table outside, like most taco stands, this was nominally a quick eat or take away location.

From San Diego Summer 2009

From San Diego Summer 2009

I was pleased to see that they had red and green sauces on hand in plentiful squeeze bottles.

From San Diego Summer 2009

When the coveted item arrived it was just as I wanted it: warm and just a little crunchy on the outside.

From San Diego Summer 2009

I don't care how hideous this looks to you, it is heaven wrapped in a grilled tortilla.

From San Diego Summer 2009

The meat was lean and juicy, the fries crispy on the outside but soft and tender within. The cheese was melted but not coming apart. Enough juices flowed through to keep the whole thing supple without becoming a total mess. High marks.

The only negative for me was that I loved it so much I could have eaten about 30%-40% more.

New Season

And with my first pint of Sam Octoberfest last night, it is officially fall in New England. Plus, you know, the weather's changed too.