Entrance to Viewpoint Brewing Company

From time to time I write about “Places to Know” around San Diego County which are special. Viewpoint Brewing Company is one of them. I had heard about this Del Mar brewing company located near the water, but never explored it until recently. Located across from the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and along side the San Diego Lagoon and trails of the San Diego River Park, it is a very well done 7,000 sq foot restaurant and experienced brewery offering 20 tasty beers that is a real surprise.

A Partial Glimpse Inside Viewpoint Brewing Company

The menu is as diverse as the crowd that sips the beer and soaks in the view. Open Tuesday through Friday noon to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 9:00pm, and closed on Mondays. When I walked into Viewpoint Brewing Company for the first time, it was packed for one thing, but I thought what a great place for weekend brunch before or after a walk on the river trail. The valet service confirmed that before noon on weekends is a good time to come.

Can’t Go Wrong with the Food, Flatbread and Caesar Salad

Viewpoint Brewing Company Has Great Views

After you have had your brunch and hike around the trail, if you are heading north for home, why not stop at the Sunday Solana Beach Farmers Market on the south end of Cedros Avenue, noon to 4pm, for fresh vegetables, flowers, and more.

Solana Beach Sunday Farmers Market on Cedros Ave.

A Few Related Past Posts on “Places to Know”

The Flower Palette

Oceanside's Seabird Resort

Wicked Maine Lobster

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend….Bonnie

Pipes Cafe in Cardiff, California

From time to time I write about “Places to Know” around San Diego County which are special. Pipes Cafe in Cardiff is one of them. Pipes Cafe is a breakfast and lunch hot spot, open 7am to 2pm daily, where one can rub elbows with locals, visitors, and surfers. Friends, neighbors, and foodies all meet up here. Dogs are welcome too. Pipes Cafe has indoor and outdoor seating, take out, and a full service espresso and smoothie bar. If you have family or out of town friends visiting you, this is the place to bring them for a bit of friendly local vibe and color. Pipes Cafe, 121 Liverpool Drive, Cardiff, California 92007, (tel) (760) 632-0056.

I think the original concept of Pipes Cafe, was to feed hungry surfers after a morning riding the waves. The food is great, prices are reasonable, portions very generous, and the wall décor is famous waves and surfers. Right or wrong on that hunch, it is a great spot for everyone. My husband and I like to go there for Sunday breakfast and then hit the scenic coastal walking Rail Trail nearby for fresh air and panoramic coastal views.

Casual Dining with Great Food

From the Rail Trail on the south end, you can cross over Coast Highway 101 at the San Elijo Ave. light and walk up the coast to Swamis Seaside Park, a great view point and internationally known surfing spot. After your walk on the Rail Trail, stop in at Cardiff Seaside Market for something special from their extraordinary meat and seafood counter to take home.

Surfer Breakpoint at Swamis Seaside Park

Take the time to relish a delicious breakfast, take a brisk walk admiring the coastal beauty, listen to your thoughts, breathe in the wonderful sea air, and soak up some golden sunshine. A great way to start a relaxing day, any day of the week!

Beautiful Coastline from Cardiff Down to La Jolla

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend….Bonnie

The Floral Palette Shop on Girard Street in La Jolla

From time to time I write about “Places to Know” around San Diego County which are special. I was not familiar with The Floral Palette until a dear friend highly recommended I stop in and explore their original Rancho Santa Fe location at 16089 San Dieguito Road, Suite H101. Recently, owner, Natalie Maxwell has opened a second location at 7643 Girard Ave. Suite B in La Jolla. Both locations are closed on Sundays.

If you are not familiar with The Floral Palette, I would like to introduce you to it now. The flower arrangements are stunning, fresh, and very creative. Besides flowers, it is quite an extraordinary gift shop with areas that cover culinary, entertaining, holidays, accessories, baby, and much more. Both shops are expansive and beautifully merchandised, it really is a dilemma narrowing what to buy for your special someone or yourself!

The Floral Palette, La Jolla Location.

In the Floral Palette La Jolla location, there is an honest to goodness mouth-watering “Patisserie” in the back for coffee, croissants, Paris-oriented patisseries, and breads.

The Floral Palette, La Jolla, Surprise Patisserie in Back

I could go on and on raving about The Floral Palette, but the best thing is to check it out for yourself, whether the Rancho Santa Fe or La Jolla location is more convenient. Better yet invite a friend, or a loved one and make an adventure out of it.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend….Bonnie

Cortez Halibut Ceviche Appetizer

From time to time I highlight “Places to Know” around San Diego County. Across from the Solana Beach train station on the Coast Highway, the restaurant Alce 101, is a great restaurant to know, especially if you are enjoying the nearby shopping Cedros Design District. Former owners and restaurant veterans of Cilantros and Epozote, opened this farm to table Southwest restaurant, Alce 101 in 2019. It is certainly a nice addition to this area with good food and drink, upbeat vibe, and lots of outdoor seating.

Alce Means Moose in Spanish

The restaurant is named Alce 101, alce means moose in Spanish. There is a great story about this particular moose which presides over the bar, and the restaurant owner going back decades. It is a heartwarming story, not a hunting story,

Delicious Epozote Mussels

The menu offers an array of diverse dishes of small and large plates, such as Grilled Eggplant Steak, Beet Salad, Elk Pozole, Corn Chowder, Rack of Lamb, Coriander Pork Shank, and Peppered Ahi. I love the Halibut Ceviche appetizer, and of course, Epozote Mussels.

Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 4pm to 8pm, Friday 4pm to 10pm, Saturday 10am to 10pm, and Sunday 10am to 8pm. Closed on Mondays. Reservations are suggested.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend….Bonnie

The Seabird Hotel on Mission Avenue in Oceanside, California

From time to time I highlight “places to know” around San Diego County. Maybe you know, and maybe you don’t, there are two new hotels in Oceanside, California next to the beach and a stone’s throw from the Oceanside Pier. One is the Mission Pacific, and the other is The Seabird Resort.

My husband John, and I are a little partial to The Seabird. Our architect and interior designer, Bill Bocken, who mastered our personal home remodel eleven years ago, has along with a design team done the stunning Seabird Resort interior design. The moment we walked into the inviting lobby, we sensed Bocken’s undeniable style.

The Seabird’s Inviting Lobby

While daytime is spectacular, I couldn’t help thinking how enchanting it would be to experience The Shore Room at sunset.

Summer Sunflowers Greet Lobby Guests

The atmosphere at The Seabird Resort is tasteful California casual, light and airy, with lots of blue tones that repeat the adjacent boardwalk setting, spectacular Pacific Ocean, and sky. A smattering of vintage California seaside photos punctuate the vibe and bring a smile to your face.

Both hotels are an asset to the ever evolving town of Oceanside! Check them out if you are in the area, or you have guests that are planning to visit the area!

A Stone’s Throw from the Oceanside Pier

As a side note, Oceanside has a plethora of great independent eateries, breweries, and cafes mainly along the Coast Highway corridor. One of our favorites is the popular Local Tap House (LTH), 308 South Coast Highway, (tel) (760) 547-1469.

Inside Local Tap House, Outside Dining Also Available

Always packed, be prepared to join a waiting list. The American cuisine is marvelous and the menu extensive. Being a Moule & Frites (Mussels & Fries) connoisseur from my Belgian days, I usually order mussels when I see it on the menu. Recently at the LTH, I ordered their Pozole Verde Mussels which came with avocado, crispy hominy, serrano crema, cilantro, garlic, radish, lime, and grilled torta roll. Heaven! Listed under “Snacks” on their menu, it was a delicious feast that got my two thumbs up!

Pozole Verde Mussels at Local Tap House, Oceanside

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend….Bonnie

À Kathy’s Maison

I have a dear friend who exudes “joie de vivre” whether she is here in San Diego, at her little stone house in Provence, or anywhere in the world. Ma Amie, Kathy Hurder. We are both Francophiles, and share the love of French country cooking, the wine, the copper, the markets, the brocantes, the lifestyle, and the beauty in the simplicity and quality of life.

With France opening up once again to tourists and foreigners, I remember with fond memories our last trip to France in 2019. Kathy and her charming husband, Ron Lauderbach, graciously invited us to their special corner of Provence. My husband, John, and I in turn invited them to share a weekend in Beaune, Burgundy, France, together a week later. We had so much fun, and yes, it was cherry season!

Sainte-Cécile-les Vignes Morning Market

No need to buy cherries this morning, as Kathy and Ron have their own happy cherry trees in their “petite jardin.” When it is cherry season, you enjoy them fresh, but also make a Cherry Clafoutis.

Cherry Clafoutis is a very popular French dessert, simple and seasonal, in which you can easily exchange seasonal fruit of the moment. If I remember correctly, we made Mimi Thorisson’s Cherry Clafoutis from her first cookbook, A Kitchen in France, and in her 2013 blog post, which she shares the recipe along with her complementary Duck Burger recipe. Yum!

Kathy and Ron, in Medieval Village, Séguret, Provence and overlooking Sablet, Provence

One of our incentives for a rendez-vous a week later in Beaune, besides the incredible Burgundy wine and regional food, was taking a “Day in Burgundy Cooking Class” with American ex-pats “mother daughter duo” Marjorie Taylor and Kendall Smith Franchini, at The Cook’s Atelier. Planned well in advance, Kathy and I were lucky to land the last two spots in a Saturday June cooking class. While at our cooking class, our fellas were happy to further explore Beaune and dabble in some wine tasting. Needless to say, it was an incredible day and experience, full of special memories. For more info on The Cook’s Atelier see below.

I can’t say enough about Beaune, Burgundy, and highly recommend spending some quality time there. It is really worth it to bike or hike into the surrounding world famous vineyards. There is a real sense and spirit of place, and the terroir is immaculately managed and revered.

Past and Present Merge in these Vineyards

A Special Burgundy Birthday for John

It is a real gift to have “joie de vivre” and the ability to put a spark in other people’s lives, just by being your passionate self. Merci Kathy and Ron!

Well Fed and Content in Beaune

French Fabulous!

The Cook’s Atelier, by Marjorie Taylor and Kendall Smith Franchini, is one of the best cooking classes I have been to. From start to finish, it is a whirlwind for your senses. I often thought about them, through this pandemic. Was this small family business surviving, with no classes, no brick and mortar storefront retail? Were they writing a new cookbook? Well, good news, yes, and yes, and yes.

The Cook’s Atelier hosts regular one day classes, and also offers week long master classes. The Cook’s Atelier has taken this gift of time to expand their country home outside of Beaune, creating a large potager and teaching kitchen. They are now growing most of their own fruit and vegetables for their culinary classes, and in the week long master class will be bringing the class to their country setting for more culinary instruction and Burgundian experience. Adding to this, they have expanded into custom copper gardening tools, found on their website. Amazing.

Another Related and Past Blog Link, The Cook’s Atelier

Bon Appétit and Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Wicked Maine Lobster on Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad California

From time to time on my blog, I like to share with you “Places to Know” in the San Diego and Southern California area that are fun, memorable, and real gems. I was recently introduced to one by dear friends, it is called Wicked Maine Lobster. I would like to share this gem with you.

Do you need a fun afternoon right about now? I suggest a casual lunch at Wicked Maine Lobster in Carlsbad for a great Maine Lobster Roll, Cole Slaw, and even a Whoopie Pie for dessert. Then take a quick stroll over to the dynamite Carlsbad Boardwalk and take in the shimmering Pacific Ocean. Good food, fresh air, and beautiful water!

Wicked Maine Lobster Roll and Fries

Two brothers born and raised in Maine, came up with the concept of creating the best Maine seafood dishes to hungry Southern California foodies. Maine seafood comfort food with a California twist. Starting out at local Farmers Markets, Wicked Maine Lobster now has three locations in the San Diego area, and more locations planned in San Diego, and Southern California opening in the near future.

Cozy Outdoor Dining at Wicked Maine Lobster Carlsbad Location

At Wicked Maine Lobster in Carlsbad, you can eat tableside on the sidewalk in front, or venture upstairs to an inviting outdoor eating area, complete with fire rings, European lights, and outdoor heaters.

Wicked Maine Lobster Menu

Sometimes just a change of landscape is enough to jolt you into a fantastic mood. Add a great lunch, and a breathtaking stroll, and you can be transformed. Do you have a favorite haunt, or walk that lifts your mood?

Bon Appétit and Bon Weekend….Bonnie

At Home with Isabelle Briens French Pastry Café Sunday Croissants

In the French language, “toute de suite” means right away or immediately. I couldn’t help but put my own spin on this phrase when I wanted to write about some of the new “Places to Know” Encinitas sweet spots. Please note: please call these businesses first for exact hours, with the pandemic, most are open for take out, or might be temporarily closed.

Isabelle Briens French Pastry Café, located in the Ralph’s Shopping Center on El Camino Real in Encinitas, has a loyal following, and has been pleasing customers for years with her flaky croissants, crepes, Bûche de Noël (Christmas Log), and much more. Dear friends recently told us Isabelle now has two “Route des Croissants” delivery routes on Sunday throughout Encinitas. See website for routes. My husband John, and I are able to make a Sunday morning walk in our neighborhood, stop on the route for croissants, and walk home to create a nice Sunday morning ritual.

L’atelier de Paris Café on El Camino Real, Encinitas

Two courageous Belgian fellows have opened up in a pandemic year their L’atelier de Paris on El Camino Real (TJ Maxx shopping center) in Encinitas. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and will be carrying a nice wine list. I stopped in for a croissant, but they have crepes, baguette sandwiches, an array of mouthwatering patisseries and much more. I wish them success, as it is nice to have a Parisian café close by, and maybe a chance to catch up on Belgium, as I have fond memories having lived there in high school.

L’atelier de Paris Patisserie Case

Broad Street Dough Company in Encinitas Lumberyard

A gourmet doughnut shop has opened up in the Encinitas Lumberyard on the 101 Coast Highway. With locations in New Jersey, Broad Street Dough Company has a first location in California. Kosher certified, and guaranteed to please, I have never seen doughnuts like this.

Broad Street Dough Company Doughnut Menu

In Encinitas, California, we have many more sweet spots to mention. All great, and in no particular order. This is a partial list, and I apologize in advance if I leave anyone out. Next time you want to treat yourself, your friends, and your family, you have no excuse but to go “toute de sweet.”

Champagne Bakery

St. Tropez Bistro

The French Corner

Prager Brothers Artisan Bread

VG Donuts

Please share if you have a favorite spot you like to frequent around Encinitas, or San Diego. Who knows, maybe these suggestions might be great for Valentine’s Day treats!

Sign up for my blog/newsletter and Instagram at www.bonniejomanion.com. Merci!

Bon Weekend!!