And the Winners Are... ..the entire communities of Pacific wake-up call to the smoothest spot those who aspire to excellence every Beach, Mission Beach and Mission for a soothing nightcap - and every - day and inspire new businesses to Bay. With what seems like an endless thing in between. reach the heights. list of great restaurants, boutiques and retail shops, everything you need These awards recognize the people Because both the nominees and can be found in our vibrant slice of and places that make our beach com - winners were chosen by the people America's Finest City. munities truly extraordinary. who live and work here, the Readers Choice Awards shows a true insider’s Categories in the first Beach & Bay Some of the winners may surprise look at the best of what Pacific Beach, Press Readers Choice Awards cover you; others have enjoyed sterling rep - Mission Beach and Mission Bay have the sunniest corner for your coffee utations for years and even decades. to offer. We hope these awards will delight

The 2007 Readers’ Choice Award winners were selected by Beach & Bay Press readers! But what's on the menu counts, too - Re aders RESTAURANT like the tortilla-crusted mahi mahi, Bare Back Grill pastas, dinner salads, sandwiches and Chilean sea bass, a huge local (See entry and photo on the left) favorite. Add the banquet facilities 0 and take-out service, and you've got Cho ice Nicks, now 12 years on and nothing World Famous AWARDS 2007 in its way. Visit Nick's at the Pier in Amid names like Maui grilled shrimp Ocean Beach, too!
salad, Hokkaido sea scallops and Mardi Gras seafood pasta, you'd think Nick's at the Beach World Famous has its seafood menu 809 Thomas Ave., covered. And you'd be right. What you 270-1730 Voted may not know is that this eatery is also www.nicksatthebeach.com famous for its vegetarian entrees, such 0 as pasta and salad. In fact, there's no Olde City Grille Best cuisine or time of day that's beyond this place, from the amazing breakfast This Garnet Avenue favorite lays claim omelets and eggs Benedicts to the sun - to superb preparation of an American Restaurant set you get to take in with your steak staple - the Philly cheesesteak sand - and scampi combo. Although there are wich, the ones with all that lean beef food specials every night of the week, and cheese melted inside two big Bare Back Grill Taco Tuesdays usually draws the pieces of crusty bread. Owners Kenny biggest crowd. Choice and a global per - Casciato, Zach Cotler and Chris Kelly Those aren't manhole covers on top of spective on seafood are always on the have assembled a menu that features your plate, you big silly. Those are the two menu here -- if this place isn't world the same kind of fare - hot and cold giant organic beef patties that come with famous, it should be.
sandwiches, New York-style pizzas, the Bare Big & Dirty, the central jewel in World Famous giant wings, meal-size salads and a the Bare Back Grill's amply adorned French fry platter called a "dumpster crown. And that's not a piece of driftwood 711 Pacific Beach Drive 272-3100 plate." The giant patio is ideal for peo - sitting on your placemat, you big silly ple-watching, Pacific Beach's unofficial again. It's the menu, hand-cut and lami - www.worldfamous.signonsandiego. com hobby. There's an eastern U.S. flavor nated by Bare Back co-owner P.J. Lamont to it all, which only makes sense, since himself. Lamont is one of a trio of New 0 the owners hail from that area.
Zealanders who built a lot of this place from the ground up - but that was fine by Olde City Grille them, because the final product was that LATE-NIGHT 967 Garnet Ave. much more genuine. They tout their 483-4624 lighter dishes like chicken and fish sand - DINING www.discoversd.com/san- wiches with the same enthusiasm they do Nick's at the Beach diego-restaurants/san-diego- their beer and wine and burgers - they casual-dining.html even serve beet root as one of their gazil - This neighborhood restaurant has 0 lion toppings on the latter.
made a name for itself by serving the best seafood in a comfortable, casual Bare Back Grill environment. It's also no stranger to PATIO DINING 4640 Mission Blvd. press accolades - a local magazine 274-7117 once rated it the top neighborhood Pacific Beach Bar www.barebackgrill.com eatery. The sidewalk café can accom - and Grill modate up to 20 people, and the This venue, also popularly known at "the PHOTO BY Casey Dean / BEACH & BAY PRESS Sports Bar upstairs touts a large out - door ocean-view deck and 29 - TVs. Grill," is located two blocks from Crystal Jennifer Craven pours a tastey beer at the Bare Back Grill. Pier, and the patio is about the size of the THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007 Beach & Bay Press 3 pier itself. The Grill offers a full-ser - The Eggery where you work or play. Either way, vice menu featuring a serious selection you win. Owners Lynda and Joe The Eggery's reputation precedes of appetizers, salads, Mexican entrees, Tickey also run the 4263 Mission it, what with "best breakfast" pizza, pasta, burgers and sandwiches. Blvd. location.
accolades from the likes of AOL It caters to the gamers in no less a City Guides and the Zagat fashion - it features pool tables, darts, Subway Restaurant Survey. But you interactive TV and 72 televisions for 2015 Garnet Ave. won't need to rely on that once watching just about every sport that 270-5450 you're inside. The quaint country satellite carries (four of the screens are www.subway.com setting and wide-ranging morn - 8 feet wide). If sports isn't your thing, 0 ing and afternoon menus are there's always dancing - and that's enough to persuade any self- when Club Tremors comes in handy, Caffe Bella Italia respecting patron who likes to just a few feet away. There's some - eat five minutes from SeaWorld. Bet ya didn't know that Italy had a thing for everybody here.
This place understands eggs food critic in the 4th century B.C. His Pacific Beach Bar & Grill Benedict better than most -- five name was Archestratus, and he was a 860 Garnet Ave. varieties await, along with chil - Greek Sicilian who eschewed the use of 272-4745 dren's and healthful-dining seasonings and spices. He'd be amazed www.pbbarandgrill.com menus. There's an espresso bar, at today's Italian cuisine, with its end - less array of sauces and cheeses 0 which you might have figured on, and your choice of champagne, designed to enliven a meal. You'll be mimosas, bloody Marys and amazed too, because Caffe Bella Italia BREAKFAST screwdrivers (fresh juice, of serves them up better than just about course)
anybody else. The spinach ravioli with Kono's Surf Club Cafe butter sauce is to die for (but please If you like a little dinner with The Eggery don't); the place served the best your breakfast, Kono's is your 4150 Mission Blvd. bruschetta in the area; and the eatery PHOTO BY Casey Dean / BEACH & BAY PRESS 274-3122 offers no fewer than 32 pizzas to place. That's because nobody does Interior of Cafe Anthena. potatoes like this eatery, with www.theeggery.com choose from. That's only the start, and cheese, bell pepper and whatever 0 you have 10 hours a day, seven days a other topping you can think of to week, to discover the rest in as warm boot. If you like a little view with and inviting an interior as you could Voted Best Dinner your morning meal, you could do LUNCH hope to find.
worse. Cross the boardwalk and Subway Caffe Bella Italia Cafe Athena sit on the modest patio that over - OK. So it's corporate. So it's fast. It's 1525 Garnet Ave. looks the ocean; you'll see first - The Greek cuisine at this spot is so good, and its reputation so also darn good food, if you ask us 273-1224 hand why you live in Southern formidable, that it's probably best to make a reservation. If you don't, (but you don't really need to do that, www.caffebellaitalia.com California. And if you like quotes you may wait a while on the area's most comprehensive Greek menu, because this is your poll, see). This on the wall of your eatery, you're 0 which includes terrific gyros, souvlaki, moussaka and no fewer than 1 Garnet Avenue Subway serves the in the right restaurant as well, million desserts. The three-room decor is tasteful yet upscale and same fare that all the others do with a little erudition adding to reflects a Greek islands motif. The cuisine is shaped by simplicity and (among the items are the world- DINNER the flare of the décor. There's a spawned by ingenuity. Simple, unpretentious foods such as grains, famous turkey breast on wheat with laid-back surfer vibe amid it all as Cafe Athena pasta and legumes are enriched by the pungent flavors of garlic, onion, avocado and vinegar/oil, in either 6- well, which makes it perfect for eggplant and artichoke and by the essences of olive oil, lemons and inch or foot-long editions, and all (See entry and photo on the right) Pacific Beach and the surfer raisins. The best Greek cooking is tied to nature and to the seasons, and the other low-fat items for the 0 crowd that stops off after an early it flourishes accordingly. Cafe Athena strives to serve its dishes with the health-conscious). The attraction to morning on the waves.
same elemental quality.
this one is likely its out-of-the-way TAKE -OUT Kono's Surf Club Café character. It's several blocks east of Cafe Athena 704 Garnet Ave. the oceanfront and the beach-inten - Subway 1846 Garnet Ave. 274-1140 483-1669 sive din that makes Pacific Beach (See the entry under Lunch.) www.sdbeachlife.com/kono.htm what it is. But its Garnet address 0 www.cafeathena.com ensures it's not all that far from THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 4 Beach & Bay Press READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007

egated to roadside haunts and cafete - Cafe Athena former, Taco Surf has it knocked. ria-style eateries. This restaurant pro - There's not much to the decor of the (See entry under Dinner.) vides fine dining with exceptional ser - 0 place other than a pick-up counter vice amid the tranquil vista and the and a few small tables -- but the ceil - tropical breezes of Mission Bay in San ing is lined with some sweet classic Diego. Pacific Beach is known for its HAPPY HOUR surfboards to fuel the local flavor. occasionally roughhewn demeanor -- Gringo's Cantina The burritos, tacos and fajitas are but The Atoll is a world apart, especial - big and fat to boot, and you get to ly on late Sunday mornings.
The secret to any successful happy hour experiment with a massive choice of is its people -- and you can bet the toppings. You reportedly can't go The Atoll Catamaran crowd at Gringo's doesn't disappoint. wrong with the California burrito, Resort Hotel It's very young, very lively and very topped with hashed browns.
3999 Mission Blvd. Pacific Beach, which means it knows its 539-8635 wines, margaritas and tequilas. The Taco Surf www.catamaranresort.com wine list tends toward the South Ameri - 4657 Mission Blvd. 0 can stuff, which begs for companion - 272-3877 ship with food like the venue's very www.tacosurfpb.com Pacific Beach Bar good chili verde. $3 draft beers, a house 0 and Grill wine and house margaritas sweeten the PHOTO BY Casey Dean / BEACH & BAY PRESS deal; weekly specials abound, like Mar - PLACE TO GO Tower Bar and Lounge at Tower 23 Hotel. (See entry under Patio Dining.) garita Mondays ($2 Imperial beer and 0 half-off Margaritas all night) or Wine Wednesdays (half-priced bottles of ON A BUDGET Voted Best Wine Selection FAMILY wine). Gringo's has thought of every - RT's Longboard thing -- the least you can do is oblige.
Grill RESTAURANT Gringo's Cantina Tower Bar and Lounge Nightly drink specials, live music, 4474 Mission Blvd. Tony Roma's televised sports, cheap pool and (at Tower 23 Hotel) 490-2877 palm-thatch tables color the budget- You can actually credit the Tower's creative wine list to another estab - Restaurants, even if they're good, www.gringoscantina.com intensive effect at RT's -- it's com - lishment in the same hotel. It's JRDN (or "Jordan," for the purists who can come and go on a dime. Thirty- 0 prefer the phonetic pronunciation), a very high-end restaurant that five years ago, the folks who founded fortable and unpretentious here, swears by the magic it performs on beef and other meats. Red wines go the Tony Roma's franchise threw Bare Back Grill replete with surfboards and a neon swimmingly with that kind of thing -- and that translates to a compre - caution to the wind -- today, this sea above the square bar. If you’re hensive selection at the bar (the powers that be didn't forget the whites, family restaurant company has 200 (See entry under Restaurant.) watching pennies, you're strongly either). Meanwhile, the bar offers a casual yet sophisticated experience. venues the world over, from Tokyo 0 encouraged to try Open Mic Night The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the crowd is hip yet mellow - to Madrid, and has staked its claim on for size. It's on Tuesdays, and it - everybody gets to enjoy an ocean view while sipping signature cock - in a signature dish. It's pretty much features fish tacos for $1.25 and Corona beer for $3. The very friend - tails and nibbling on sushi.
about the ribs at Tony Roma's -- WINE SELECTION baby-backs, St. Louis style, rib com - ly service has its roots in the surfer Tower Bar and Lounge bos and more line the menu, strad - Tower Bar and Lounge community. The bar is in fact a 723 Felspar St. dled by an array of salads and soups, memorial to Ron Trenton, a life - (See entry and photo above) guard and pilot whose plane disap - (866) TOWER23 sandwiches, chicken entrees and 0 www.tower23hotel.com more. The best news is that you peared in 1997. His brothers opened don't have to go to Tokyo or Madrid RT's to fulfill his dream -- ownership or anywhere else to join in on the BURRITO of a laid-back beach bar.
fun and food.
three of the last 10 years. You appar - Taco Surf RT's Longboard Grill 1466 Garnet Ave. SUNDAY BRUNCH ently feel the honors are deserved, Tony Roma's The burrito is to fast Mexican cui - 270-4030 The Atoll because you've followed suit for 2007. 4110 Mission Blvd. sine what the hamburger is to the www.longboardgrill.com This Sunday brunch features generous 272-7427 uneducated American palate. Each (at the Catamaran Resort Hotel) Champagne pours and mounds of www.tonyromas.com item is incredibly tasty when it's 0 The Atoll has won a local magazine's sushi, the popular raw fish usually rel - done right -- and in the case of the first-place Sunday Brunch nod for 0 THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007 Beach & Bay Press 5

formers among the best, but Cane's is PLACE FOR A more like an informal club than a con - MARGARITA cert venue. Underneath it all, some - Gringo's Cantina BIRTHDAY PARTY thing insidious is fueling that success, Bare Back Grill and it's probably the killer calamari (See entry under Happy Hour.) appetizer Somebody in the kitchen has 0 (See entry under Restaurant.) a bead on the secret to good calamari - Fred's Mexican Cafe 0 - you can only deep-fry it for under two minutes to prevent it from getting too The margarita is as iconic as its Joe's Crab Shack tough. Your palate will take it from history, and there's probably no If your birthday party winds up here, there for an appetizer experience you way to get to the authenticity it's a cinch you're not looking for a tradi - won't soon forget. Even the 25 TVs behind all that lore. The coolest tional celebration. Somewhere between crammed with sports are insufficient story concerns Mexican bartender the dance lights, sirens and ear-splitting distractions.
Daniel Negrete, who in 1936 pre - music, a conga line will form and weave sented an original concoction of Cane's Bar and Grill lime juice, tequila and Triple Sec its way through the throngs to wish you 3105 Ocean Front Walk many happy returns. Crab claws, to Margarita, his sister-in-law, as 488-1780 a wedding present. Fade to 2007 shrimp and other juicy entries like Buf - www.canesbarandgrill.com falo wings and corn on the cob dot the and Fred's, where the staff are menu here, a fitting complement to the 0 hip to the fact that this treasured ice cream and cake you would have had potable has taken a beating over at home. Joe's is popular with the col - the years in order to make it hip, BURGER PHOTO BY Casey Dean / BEACH & BAY PRESS lege folks, just so you'll know what trendy and fast. Fred's knows you're getting into on the big day.
Bare Back Grill exactly what it's doing in this Saskas in Mission Beach. area -- the result would bring a Joe's Crab Shack (See entry under Restaurant.) 0 smile to Daniel's face.
4325 Ocean Blvd. Voted Best Steak 274-3474 Rocky's Crown Pub Fred's Mexican Cafe www.joescrabshack.com 1165 Garnet Ave. Saska's Steak and Seafood 0 Nothing fancy or schmancy about this 483-8226 place. Just expect a big, juicy, great www.mooserestaurantgroup.com/fred Saska's Steak & Seafood is even older than you are, if that's possible. burger, the way Rocky's has been mak - 0 Joe Saska opened this restaurant all the way back in 1951, bent on MOST ROMANTIC ing them for centuries. One customer offering quality steaks and real Roquefort dressing. Since the first day, Tower Bar and Lounge reported he went back after years away steaks have always been the main draw here -- the juicy, expertly from PB and found the place just as STEAK cooked Duke is one of the most delicious in town. Saska's also offers an (See entry under Wine Selection.) awesome as before he left; another Saska's Steak engaging variety of seafood entries and a great selection of pastas. 0 said Rocky's is the reason he's no There's also a weekend brunch, a full bar, lunch, dinner and late-night longer a vegetarian. A lot of it has to do and Seafood dining. Saska's has come a long way since 1951, and so have you. You Lamont Street Grill two really ought to strike up a conversation sometime.
with the bun; the things are so fresh (See entry and photo to the right) Lamont serves California comfort food, and warm they fall apart in your 0 Saska's Steak and Seafood punctuated by bold and sometimes hands. The bar may be on the smallish 3768 Mission Blvd. strange Mexi/Asian/Cajun flavors, in a side, but a cold beer and a cheeseburg - 488-7311 rambling converted residence with sev - er make up the best meal in the history PIZZA www.saskas.com eral rooms and levels for gazing into cer - of the universe -- so the bar doesn't tain eyes and popping certain questions. really need to be much larger, now, Filippi's Pizza Grotto
Dinners come with soup or salad, and does it? In name, Filippi's has been in San -- the couple's business savvy fed on back for more somewhere else. Filip - many entrées are served over marvelous Diego since 1950, which makes it itself until Filippi's pizza took hold. pi's has venues from Temecula to Rocky's Crown Pub Fifteen delicious pizza entries, with Chula Vista.
house-made fresh pasta. Salmon over 3786 Ingraham St. older than most of you. The thing is, fettuccine in a delicate dill cream sauce mountains of the traditional top - 273-9140 it didn't start out as a pizza restau - Filippi's Pizza Grotto is especially fine. The huge array of pings, spearhead a menu that rant at all. Its origins were in Little 962 Garnet Ave. desserts is house-made too, with some - 0 includes lasagna, ravioli, spaghetti, Italy, where Vincent dePhilippis and 483-6222 thing for every palate. The most desir - soups, salads and subs. If you're not Madeleine Stefani ran a deli grocery www.realcheesepizza.com able tables are on the lovely fireplace- DESSERT satisfied with that, you can always go heated patio, not far from the full bar.
The French Gourmet Lamont Street Grill 4445 Lamont St. The Gourmet's traditional bakery is 270-3060 renowned for its outstanding French www.lamontstreetgrill.com pastries. It's also a showcase for full- service catering and wedding cakes, 0 which many consider to be the best in the history of the universe. The OCEAN VIEW Gourmet's selection of breads, break - fast pastries, cookies and cakes include World Famous the French Gourmet chocolate mousse (See entry under Restaurant.) and the strawberry bagatelle -- layers 0 of white sponge cake dabbed with syrup, filled with Bavarian cream and Tower Bar and Lounge fresh strawberries and topped with a thin layer of marzipan. Wash it all (See entry under Wine Selection.) down with an espresso drink or a glass 0 of wine, or keep the experience moving with pâté, quiche or imported cheese. APPETIZER
Cane's Bar and Grill The French Gourmet Recent entertainment at Cane's 960 Turquoise St. includes bands like Ozomatli, Zero 7 929-1984 and MIA. Not only is the slate of per - www.thefrenchgourmet.com THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 6 Beach & Bay Press READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007

Amore here, like the great barbecue plates and ed a shellfish company in the spirit of Good-Time Charlie's pan pizzas, at your peril. There's lots of SUSHI the family members whose sepia- If the pizza doesn't get you inside (See entry under American.) authenticity behind the food prepara - toned pictures line the walls. In the Amore -- and it certainly should -- the Sushi Ota 0 tion at Big Kahuna's -- it opened in late 1990s, it morphed into The Fish - garlic knots will. These insidious little 1992 on Oahu, only to find itself in San The coolest thing about Sushi Ota is that ery, where product sustainability is a pastries are just what the name Great Moon Buffet Diego nine years later. The atmo - it relies on the sushi tradition, not the company philosophy. Wherever possi - implies, twisty garlic bread that fea - sphere is as open as the two front trendy fusion concept, to see it through. ble, the venue procures its product When it comes to the Great Moon, tures a firmer crust and a squished-out areas, which can accommodate parties The menu is short because the regulars locally. Its harpooned swordfish, sar - don’t be fooled by the tired old “all- middle. You can't possibly eat just one, of up to 50. The 14 tap beers and two look to the daily specials posted behind dines, rockcod, shrimp and California you-can-eat” marketing ploy. For a so be careful, or you won't have room giant TVs can't hurt either.
the counter. The chefs turn the day's spiny lobster are seasonal delicacies buffet restaurant, this is a pretty tony for the gigantic slices and toppings catch into artful little bundles accented coveted by savvy chefs. The Fishery place, with its unusual entrance and served on that extra-thin, New York- Big Kahuna's Pacific Beach with spices. Seafood, teriyaki-glazed has earned a distinction as a beautiful fancy chandelier. And have you ever style crust. Meatball sandwiches are a 3780 Ingraham St. meats, feather-light tempura and a vari - Pacific Beach landmark, and freshness tasted a loquat, let alone ever seen the fave, too -- the meat is spicy and dense. 270-9200 ety of small appetizers dot the rest of the is the hallmark of its success. A remod - word? Loquats, indigenous to China, But those garlic knots...
www.bigkahunaspacificbeach.com menu. It's located about three seconds el begins early next month.
look like pears and taste kind of like from the I-5 -- no romantic views of the Amore 0 apples; an Escondido firm even makes ocean here -- then again, you're not going The Fishery 4653 Mission Blvd. beer out of them. You can get them in for a view of the concrete expanse.
5040 Cass St. 272-6673 here as a dessert fruit after you’ve SANDWICH 272-9985 engorged on stuff like charcoal-grilled Sushi Ota 0 www.northpb.com eel or crabmeat, only two of the 150 Subway 4529 Mission Bay Dr. items Great Moon features every day. 270-5670 0 HAWAIIAN (See entry under Lunch.)
0 0 Joe's Crab Shack Shaka Hawaiian Great Moon Buffet Quiznos Zen5 Sushi (See entry under Place for a Birthday 1840 Garnet Ave. Grinds Party.) 273-6868 There's at least one other longtime pur - A local icon, Zen5 offers the freshest Shaka Hawaiian Grinds is -- well -- 0 veyor of subs and such in the universe fish within 40 sushi combinations -- 0 orange. So orange, in fact, that San (see above), but that doesn't mean it's the most in town -- including the Diego County is now experiencing a cornered the market on quality. self-effacingly named kamikaze roll. AMERICAN major shortage of pumpkin-hued THAI Quiznos does everything the other guy Zen5's chefs are among the best in paint. But the blinding color is only a Tony Roma's does, and it does it just as well. You can the area and are always inventing Lanna Thai gimmick. Inside is what matters, like taste the quality of Quiznos' ingredi - (See entry under Family Restaurant.) new rolls to entice and challenge the If peanut sauce whets your appetite, Hawaiian breaded chicken and gravy, ents: artisan breads, premium meats, 0 palate. The menu covers everything Thai cuisine is for you. It’s premiere macaroni salad, panko-coated shrimp, its own signature sauces and lots more. from quick lunch specials to full, among the billions of spices and herbs pineapple chicken, Hawaiian grinds six Things are always fresh and don't Good-Time Charlie's multi-course meals. The traditional that make Thai among the most popu - days a week, Kahlua pig and Hawaiian change from one visit to the next. The dishes include yakisoba noodles, We're in the thick of college football lar with American palates. The chefs at Sun drinks. The eatery's been serving recipes are pretty great the way they soups and teriyaki. And don't buy bowl season, and that means things at Lanna Thai know this and know it well PB patrons in even greater numbers are, but go ahead and change things up that stuff about sushi always being Good-Time Charlie's are in full swing. – in fact, they encourage you to specify than those back home.
-- nobody will tell the chefs! Quiznos raw. Zen5 also has many deep-fried NCAA ball is one of Charlie's stocks in the level of your taste for spice (from 1 won't settle for less than the best Shaka Hawaiian Grinds and baked sushi options.
trade; food until midnight on the week - to 10), peanut sauce and all. The because it knows you won't either.
1315 Garnet Ave. ends, fish taco dinner specials, stir-fry, Zen5 Sushi restaurant’s Island Treasures, a young 273-2009 hamburgers and salads are among the Quiznos 1130 Garnet Ave. coconut stuffed with veggies, or the www.shakahawaiiangrinds.com 1975 Garnet Ave. others. There's no happy hour, but the charbroiled, prime-cut Bangkok Steak 490-0121 drinks are strong and competitively 0 483-0032 www.zen5sushi.com are two delicious places to start. Lanna www.quiznos.com priced. The place is also located off Thai uses local products wherever pos - 0 Garnet, which sometimes can be a Big Kahuna's 0 sible – hard to believe that the result maddening thoroughfare to boot. yields such exotic fare.
Pacific Beach Charlie, whoever he is, has planned a SEAFOOD Lanna Thai There's a garlic bread/melted cheese CHEESESTEAK good time for you accordingly.
4501 Mission Bay Dr. entry here that goes by a name we The Fishery Olde City Grille Good-Time Charlie's 274-THAI can't print, but that shouldn't stop you In 1979, fisherman Judd Brown found - 910 Grand Ave. (See entry under Late-Night Dining.) www.lannathaticuisine.com from eating it. In fact, avoid everything 274-3834 0 0 Kafe Yen CHINESE Chicago is one of the country‘s pre - China Inn miere cities, so anytime anybody relo - cates a business from there, it’s poten - How this place charges almost nothing tially big news. Kafe Yen’s owners did for its food and at the same time main - just that 15 years ago, moving their tains its flashy decor is beyond us. The Thai eatery to San Diego – and they funksters that populate this place, were dead serious about their move, young and usually without a lot of having hired a professional decorator money, can expect to let go of less than to spruce up the interior. But you’re $10 for generous helpings of Chinese not there to eat the walls. You want staples such as egg foo yong, chow more palatable stuff, like the Shumai mein, chop suey and variations on (steamed chicken dumplings) or the chicken and beef dishes (prices for the Roti (pancakes with cucumber salad Imperial Lobster and Peking Duck are and peanut sauce). It’s all there at Kafe somewhat higher). If you have even less Yen, with Chicago’s loss translating to to spend, you're welcome to spend time San Diego’s gain.
at the full bar -- cocktails, like the rest of the fare, are anything but pricey.
Kafe Yen 4516 Mission Blvd., #E China Inn 373-3936 877 Hornblend St. www.kafeyen.com 483-6680 THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007 Beach & Bay Press 7

Turquoise Bar Café Europa with Fox is an icon among PB’s Garnet FRENCH any regularity, chances are you’ll Avenue establishments, even as Gar - The French Gourmet get to see some. Turquoise offers net swims in such venues.
tapas, appetizers and main cours - (See entry under Desserts.) es such as panini sandwiches and Silver Fox Lounge 0 meat and cheese platters to go 1833 Garnet Ave. with all that music (it does jazz www.silverfoxlounge.com ITALIAN and blues, too) and abundant art 0 on the walls. Lots of sophistica - Mamma Mia tion here amid a feel for Old World culture.
COFFEE SHOP The left hand definitely knows what Zanzibar Cafe the right one’s doing at this place. Turquoise Bar Cafe Europa The servers’ suggestions are spot-on 873 Turquoise St. Zanzibar Café has been serving coffee – listen and heed them when they 488-4200 to the locals for more than 17 years recommend Italian staples like lodi - www.cafeturquoise.com and doubles as a friendly neighbor - giana salad, lasagna and ravioli al 0 hood café and a tourist destination. casale. You simply can’t go wrong The people who run it are having with those choices. Neither will you such fun that they thought they’d shirk at the sight and smell of the MEXICAN open another location – so they did, handmade pasta or the idea of exclu - Gringo’s in downtown San Diego’s East Vil - sively in-house preparation. There’s lage. Both places boast killer java, quaint all around, too – Mama Mia’s (See entry under Happy Hour.) which you’re welcome to drink in the is located in an old wood house, 0 restaurant and wine bar, where the lending new life to the term “home eatery offers many wines exclusive to cooking.”
BAKERY the business. Zanzibar’s gourmet Mamma Mia market next door carries salads and 1932 Balboa Ave. Charlie’s Best Bread entrees by the pound, homemade baked goods, coffee, tea, chocolates, 272-2702 (See entry and photo right) 0 olive oils and vinegars – quite a 0 potential haul for a coffee shop.
Caffe Bella Italia PHOTO BY Casey Dean / BEACH & BAY PRESS BAR Zanzibar Café Jesus Cervantes cuts a fresh slice of bread at Charlie’s Best 976 Garnet Ave. (See entry under Lunch.) Pacific Beach Bread in Pacific Beach. 0 272-4762 Bar and Grill www.zanzibarcafe.com 0 MEDITERRANEAN (See entry under Patio Dining.) Voted Best Bakery 0 Café Athena Café 976 Charlie’s Best Bread (See entry under Dinner.) Silver Fox Lounge Half this iconic eatery’s name betrays the home-style vibe inside If the smell at the front door doesn’t entice you inside, the myriad 0 The Silver Fox Lounge has an 800- and out. “976” is actually a street samples surely will. You could fill up on those alone. But don’t – oth - foot bar, a leopard carpet, a happy Turquoise Bar address, and no wonder – the venue erwise, you’ll miss your shot at the zucchini bread, chocolate bread, a hour from 6 to 10 a.m. in addition to is a converted Craftsman house built million kinds of cookies and sunflower seed dinner rolls. Charlie’s also the one in the afternoon, three pool Café Europa about 80 years ago and surrounded offers lots of vegan options, and if you ask nicely, the accommodating tables, $2 bloody Marys and screw - staff will even make bread from your own recipe. The locals swear by Flamenco is much more in the by every tree that’s ever been grown drivers on weekend mornings, pool, this place – and although we don’t advocate dirty language, we cer - public mind than the word indi - in recorded history. You’re invited to softball and soccer teams and a gal - tainly wouldn’t let a little thing like that discourage you.
cates. It’s come, gone and come choose from any number of nooks lon of trophies to show for their again from its Moorish roots to and crannies at which to sit and efforts. It’s also got Sheila, the owner Charlie’s Best Bread tell a tale of human survival enjoy the generous breakfast and since 1980, who’s known to cook up 1808 Garnet Ave. through dance and song. It’s a lunch choices from the remodeled a fantastic meal or two around the 272-3521 living archive of some pretty roily counter – and you simply must wash holidays. All that is to say that the history – and if you go to down your meal with a Nutty Irish - THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 8 Beach & Bay Press READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007

Vegan Zone less cost since you’re not paying for a ICE CREAM / lot of overhead.
Actually, this restaurant probably FROZEN YOGURT belongs in another classification. Pennywise Books Veganism is a step removed from 1331 Grand Ave. Bogart Yogurt vegetarianism - the word connotes a 270-1640 The length of your sweet tooth doesn’t way of living that seeks to exclude all 0 matter; Bogart Yogurt has you cov - forms of exploitation of, and cruelty ered better than the rest. The trick, to, animals for food, clothing or any Open Door Books see, is to serve yogurt that doesn’t other purpose. Pretty radical philos - ophy, but one worthy of pursuit in If you’re looking for certain mainstream stand out in the sugar department – titles, Open Door may not be your first that way, you’re free to add toppings many circles. That doesn’t mean that the fare is at all exotic or remote – choice. This venue’s mission is to encour - to taste. Some of the flavors here age understanding and acceptance of all change regularly, but there’s always a Vegan Zone has lots of starters, sal - ads, sandwiches, soups, noodle and people regardless of creed, race or sexual staple or two, like vanilla, peanut but - preference by offering a wide selection of ter and chocolate. The cake batter fla - rice dishes, curries and sushi rolls to suit any taste.
reading material. Its fare features, but is vor will speak to your childhood, not limited to, books on mainstream when you used to filch from the Vegan Zone Christian churches, Eastern philosophies, kitchen; meanwhile, the venue’s Cali - 859 Hornblend St. Judaism, Buddhism, Native American - fornia Killer Cookies are freshly made 272-1913 ism, feminism, family, marriage and par - and will make quick work of whatever 0 enting. It also touts quality fiction and sugar fix you have left.
nonfiction books and the greatest respect Bogart Yogurt LIVE MUSIC for the power of the pen.
910 Grand Ave., Ste. 108 Open Door Books 581-0202 PHOTO BY Casey Dean / BEACH & BAY PRESS VENUE 4761 Cass St. 0 Owner Bea Arrues and partner Shawn Deyzel pictured with a 710 Beach Club 270-8642 vintage “taxi”, one of their many divine finds available at their Cold Stone Creamery www.opendoorbks.com store located on Cass Street in Pacific Beach. The thing that sets 710 apart from 0 There’s actually something to Cold the other venues is probably Pacific Stone’s name beyond its funky sound. Beach itself. The club is directly off Voted Best Antiques See, ice cream’s most plentiful ingredi - Crystal Pier, which is about as PB a CHIROPRACTOR Olga & Stella ent is air, and the staff makes its prod - landmark as you’ll find. A look at the Buechel uct on a slab of frozen granite. Since online photo gallery shows just how Chiropractic Center Devine Finds granite is nonporous and airtight, raucous things can get, but what the you’re assured of the most authentic pictures don’t show is that every - “The doctor of the future,” Thomas Just because this venue is in Pacific Beach doesn’t mean it doesn’t come taste man knows how to reproduce. thing’s all in fun. Live music every Edison said, “will give no medicine but with a pedigree. The owner used to work with the rich and famous in Scores of flavors are available, and the weekend, a great lineup of special will interest her or his patients in the hoity-toity Beverly Hills until she came to her senses and moved back here staff dares you to throw in your own and weekly events, Monday Night care of the human frame, in a proper with all that lofty expertise in tow. You’ll find many unique pieces here, recipe. Not only will they create a final Football and more: 710 has every - diet and in the cause and prevention of and the staff knows of what it speaks amid the special place true antiques product, they probably have a cake to thing PB demands and the ocean disease.” He was apparently talking hold in the public mind.
go with it. Shakes and smoothies are right out the door to boot.
about Robert Buechel of the Buechel high on the Cold Stone list, too – in Chiropractic Center, which specializes Olga & Stella Devine Finds 710 Beach Club fact, not much gets past these guys in modalities that in Edison's day were 4680 Cass St. 710 Garnet Ave. when it comes to this country’s most considered snake oil. Massage therapy, 483-4680 483-7844 vital fun food.
personal training referrals and www.710beachclub.com acupuncture are available here, too.
Cold Stone Creamery man espresso, replete with good that you might end up spending 0 4603 Mission Blvd., Ste. 104 Buechel Chiropractic Center hazelnut and mint. 976 is pretty your money on food instead of booze. 272-5200 Canes 4535 Fanuel St. un-PB for PB, but PB wouldn’t In addition to the biggest, fattest deli 866-6688 be PB without it.
sandwiches on the planet, Crest carries 0 (See entry under Appetizer.) www.buechelchiropractic.com a baked potato salad to kill for. All this 0 Café 976 in an environment as pleasant as you VEGETARIAN 0 976 Felspar St. please; the staff wears ties and bends 272-0976 over backward to make your day. World Curry ANTIQUES Libs www.cafe976.com They’ve learned their lessons over time Don’t be afraid. World Curry lets you Olga & Stella Chiropractic Center 0 to boot – Crest opened a stratospheric decide how spicy your food should be Devine Finds Chiropractic is based on the principle 70 years ago and, like you, shows no with a simple four-step scale -- mild, that the body is a self-healing, self- signs of slowing down.
medium, hot or really hot. The eatery (See entry and photo top left) DELI regulating organism. Chiropractic also provides dine-in customers its own 0 Crest Liquor adjustments are said to promote Crest Liquor fresh chili paste so they can spice to 3787 Ingraham St. health accordingly, by strengthening taste right at the table. And anyway, Crest Liquor kills two gray Pacific gulls 274-3087 BOOKSTORE the nervous system’s control over the science has proven that spicy food with one stone. Yeah, it’s primarily a body. Libs Chiropractic would like to 0 releases chemicals in your brain that Pennywise Books liquor store with the usual liquor store show you how it’s done, especially if stimulate feelings of pleasure – so stuff – but the deli products are so If you ever had a bookcase made of you suffer from any number of stoke up! There’s a variety of vegan and cinder blocks and plywood, you annoying physical distractions. The vegetarian curry to choose from, rang - probably know something about how maintenance of health, Libs asserts, is ing from the exotic Caribbean variety to Pennywise Books looks inside. This superior to the treatment of disease.
the straightforward Singapore entry. is a totally no-frills shop, with nary Curry is far from the mouth-searing an information booth in sight, and Libs Chiropractic Center beast it’s thought to be. Let the folks at that’s part of the charm. The nonde - 4410 Lamont St. World Curry show you why.
scriptness leaves your imagination 483-8500 www.libschiropractic.com World Curry free to discover the wonders within – 1433 Garnet Ave. there are enough used books here to 0 270-4455 keep readers enraptured for months. www.worldcurry.com The new stuff’s available too, and at FURNITURE STORE Underground Furniture You never know what the future holds. Just ask the peeps over at Under - ground Furniture, where the inventory is clean-lined and modern, like it was in the ’50s and ’60s. This place is always trying to keep that aspect in the store, and that’s the way it’s been since its opening 10 years ago. And in all that time, you’ve responded so well that Underground is inviting you to get into the act. You can now build your own sofa – custom colors, sizes and everything else – if you ask.

Underground Furniture 1345 Garnet Ave. 581-0229 www.undergroundfurniture.com THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007 Beach & Bay Press 9

0 folks at Sunglass City can't do any - PLACE WITH APB thing about the wallet part, but they can get you up and running other - UNUSUAL GIFTS Kevin Bacon likes to hang out at wise. They're an authorized dealer Pangaea Outpost APB, the self-styled, socially out - for Ray Ban and more than 20 other spoken menswear boutique. As brands of eyewear. Now, if only Once upon a time, Pangaea was the you've already guessed, we're not you'd remembered your money...
center of the world, a colossal land talking about the acclaimed mass that contained anything and movie actor. This Kevin is a pig, Sunglass City everything its inhabitants needed, and he's APB's beloved mascot. 1478 Garnet Ave. including the trinkets. Pangaea’s He's also a reflection of the way 272-6401 gone ahead and split into seven conti - APB does business - decidedly 0 nents in the last little while – but the out of the ordinary. This place Outpost has kept the name and spirit has been around for a while, but Dziner Eyez alive with all manner of gifts from all now it's got a storefront, and the over the world. Fancy kitchen uten - socially relevant messages on At Dziner Eyez, it doesn't take a lot sils, Eastern cultural artifacts, some of its clothing can't be bad to look like a lot. That's the whole baubles, bangles and even beads: for business.
point, in fact. This store sells design - Pangaea’s the place to duck into for a er knock-offs on the cheap -- $10 to look at the world as it was and is.
APB $25 for eyewear that make you look 4850 Cass St. like you've stepped out of a band Pangaea Outpost 787-0282 box. Nobody really knows what a 909-A Garnet Ave. 0 band box is, but it sounds good in 581-0555 any discussion about your appear - PHOTO BY Casey Dean / BEACH & www.pangaeaoutpost.com ance. Dziner Eyez wants to add to BAY PRESS 0 AUTO REPAIR that discussion without lightening (above) Store manager Mossy Ford your wallet.
Jason Roberts at the River. BANK Did you know that today's typical car Dziner Eyez 870 Garnet Ave. Washington Mutual engine has more than 500 computers (left) Marina Machada, a PB in it? The modern mechanic almost 581-3939 resident, tries on several Not too many years ago, the state of has to have a grad degree in informa - 0 Washington was preparing a preemp - tion systems management to stand a hats at the River. tive military strike against California. chance at employment. At Mossy Seems investors from the Sunshine Ford, however, the service personnel SWIMSUITS State were overrunning the place with have adjusted with the times and then Gone Bananas California money and business incen - some. They're certified in whatever the Voted Best Men's Apparel tives, and nobody up North was very occasion calls for, which means every Beachwear happy about it. Things have changed one of your 500 computer systems is This place has one up on the other big-time in the recent past, to the point safe in their hands.
beach clothing stores in the area. It The River that you’ve voted Seattle-based Wash - takes its fashion cues right off the The River is one of Pacific Beach’s larger clothing stores, offer - ington Mutual your favorite bank. Mossy Ford beach. It's just off the boardwalk, after ing well-known brands like Lucky, Von Dutch and Diesel at rea - They figured they couldn’t beat us, so 4570 Mission Bay Dr. all, and it has everything you need for a sonable prices, a happy medium between cheap no-names and they’ve joined us.
273-7500 day on the sand - cover-ups, bikinis, overpriced designer lines. Surfer casual is the key word, with a www.mossyford.com one-piece suits, sandals, beach bags Washington Mutual little bit of finesse. The store boasts a decent variety of jeans, 0 and more. All this stuff comes in 1000 Garnet Ave. jackets and shirts, and the shoe selection, ranging from Con - designer or more affordable models. 483-4801 PB Foreign & verse to sexy heels, is worth a careful peruse.
www.wamu.com And you're so close to the beach that you don't even have to take your pur - 0 Domestic Car Repair The River chase home first.
1020 Garnet Ave. If you hurry, you can take advantage of 270-3022 HOTEL lots of holiday specials at this venue – Gone Bananas Beachwear with all the extra road wear on your 3785 Mission Blvd. Catamaran vehicle this time of year, they’ll come 488-4900 Resort Hotel in handy. And you’ll feel you’ve left 0 your car in the hands of some pretty At the Catamaran, the biggest draw knowledgeable folks. Not only has this isn’t the beautiful studios and suites. shop been open since 1981, it’s family FLORIST It’s not even the tropical garden. And it owned, which translates to a solid Potts by Patt certainly isn’t the placid setting along investment in the business’ credibility. Mission Bay’s sandy shores. It’s the The staff will get you rolling – after all, Garnet Avenue is often cited for its - birds – namely the lobby’s longtime it’s a family tradition.
well - gustatory prowess, shall we parrot-family members who entertain say. No less than 4 million bars and the guests with their antics and vocal PB Foreign & Domestic Car Repair restaurants dot both sides of its 18 refrains. They’re a nice touch to a nicer 4570 Mission Bay Dr. blocks - and while that's all well and venue, one that features surprisingly 480-3637 good, the street does have its conces - affordable rooms. And then there’s www.pbautorepair.com sions to other proprietorships. Potts always the spa.
0 by Pat is one of them. It's a full- service florist, set a bit away from the Catamaran Resort Hotel beach area and its characteristic hus - 3999 Mission Blvd. EYEWEAR tle and bustle. You'll love the prices (800) 422-8386 Sunglass City and location -- and that smell!
www.catamaranresort.com 0 Don't tell us. Let us guess. You were Potts by Patt just walking onto the beach when 1560 Garnet Ave. Tower 23 Hotel you realized you left your prize sun - 237-0566 glasses on top of the microwave at 0 (See entry under Wine Selection.) home, along with your wallet. The 0 WOMEN'S APPAREL The Closet If you need a shirt to go out in and never wear again, this is your stop. Your choice will look good for one night, and then when you wash it, it'll stretch and fade -- but that's the idea, because it cost next to nothing. Throw - away shirts, gym tanks, going-out clothes, one-time dresses: You're set, as long as you know how to wear the article as well. That's the key.

The Closet 4475 Mission Blvd., Suite B1 483-5402 0 MEN'S APPAREL The River (See entry and photo top right) THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 10 Beach & Bay Press READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007

footwear, and that’s why they strive to GROCERY STORE carry every size and style imaginable. If PET STORE Trader Joe's they don’t have it, they’ll find it. It’s a Pet People cinch Dufresne would have come here By now, this place is a staple among if he’d been on parole.
Yes, Pet People carries every accessory PB's grocery-shopping iconoclasts. in the history of the universe, and yes, Products include gourmet foods, Atomic Trading Company it sells them at very low prices -- but organic foods, vegetarian foods, and Shoe Store the operative word here is "People." Its unusual frozen foods, imported foods, 1036 Garnet Ave. human-oriented services include every - domestic and imported wine, "alterna - 272-8822 thing from daily routine pet care to pet tive" food items (like the strawberry 0 companionship to seniors and disabled balsamic vinegar you're been looking persons. And the Pacific Beach store for) and basics like bread, cereal, eggs, touts 4,000 square feet worth of goods, dairy, coffee and produce. The chain DRY CLEANERS which means if you can't find what you has nearly 300 stores, mostly in One-Hour Martinizing need here, don't even try.
Southern California -- but it'll never grow too big for Pacific Beach.
The holidays are bound to bring their Pet People share of nasty build-up on otherwise 1780 Garnet Ave. Trader Joe's nifty clothes – and that’s where One- 270-3499 1211 Garnet Ave. Hour Martinizing comes in. The place www.petpeople.com 272-7235 likes to think it’s cornered the market 0 www.traderjoes.com on spot removal, and it’s not too shab - 0 by on clothing alterations and shoe Noah’s Ark Pet repair, either (yes, shoe repair). The Henry's Farmers Martinizing process has made dry Wash & Boutique Market cleaning available to the masses since We’re not just talkin’ any pet. We’re 1949 – this Pacific Beach location is talkin’ yours. Noah’s Ark understands At first glance, Henry's looks pretty eager to show you why it works.
that and has schooled itself according - much like any other store -- but the ly. It prides itself on its product knowl - One-Hour Martinizing similarity ends there. Your browsing edge and its friendly, helpful approach 5010 Cass St. will yield a different impression about to pet care. Healthful food is the shop’s 270-2453 the chain's commitment to value- stock in trade – “green” products and a minded, health-conscious patronage, 0 new line of nutrition-based goods for PHOTO BY Casey Dean / BEACH & BAY PRESS especially in the personal care depart - dogs and cats are set for sale soon. You Roberta Albert streaches into a technical yoga pose at Bird ment. Regular health-screening events PET HOSPITAL figure in the equation too; an e- Rock Yoga off Grand in Pacific Beach. complement the free tastings that fre - newsletter is on the horizon.
quently spring up. Henry's has you Turquoise covered.
Noah’s Ark Pet Wash & Boutique Voted Best Yoga Studio Animal Hospital 4431 Cass St. Henry's Farmers Market Turquoise Animal Hospital under - 270-8161 Bird Rock Yoga 1260 Garnet Ave. stands the profound value you place www.noahsarkpetwash.com 270-8200 For the last two years, Bird Rock Yoga has created a sacred space for Pacif - on your pet, and it’s prepared to care 0 www.henrysmarkets.com ic Beach practitioners of this special discipline. The staff knows that the for it accordingly. The state-of-the-art body is a direct manifestation of the mind; the idea is that as both heal 0 labs and surgical facilities are designed HAIR SALON individually through the meditative qualities of yoga, the two begin to for expert work on dogs, cats and communicate and heal one another. The mind and body have an inter - TRAVEL AGENCY smaller pets – and the hospital goes A Robert changeable influence on one another -- come find out how you play the just about everybody one better with Cromeans Salon vital role in that exchange.
STA Travel its spaying and neutering service, puppy obedience classes and ID ser - Anybody who's had his or her hair STA Travel has never been known to Bird Rock Yoga vice, involving chip implantation for styled more than once knows the turn down a client - but if you're a stu - 910 Grand Ave., Suite 206 instant identification of your animal.
name Paul Mitchell. Mitchell products dent, it can find you some exceptional 539-5742 are among the best in the business, deals. Show proof of your status, and Turquoise Animal Hospital known for their efficacy and cleanli - STA will issue you an International 950 Turquoise St. ness of manufacture. A Robert Student Identity Card, a vital tool in 488-0658 Cromeans Salon is a signature Mitchell finding some of the world's deepest www.turquoiseanimalhospital.com shop, which means you have access to travel discounts. These people know 0 the best advice on use of the products. travel as much as they love it and can The stylists are fun, knowledgeable especially help with travel insurance, Grand Animal and brutally honest about what they something you think you don't need feel works and doesn't work for you.
until it's too late.
Hospital A Robert Cromeans Salon STA Travel You might want to consider Grand 1263 Garnet Ave. 953 Garnet Ave. Animal Hospital next time your 581-2951 270-6401 Pomeranian terrier needs a knee replacement. No kidding. Advance - 0 0 ments in such life-changing surgery haven't left veterinary medicine out of Teasers Salon the equation, any more than alterna - SHOE STORE The stylists at Teasers Salon are so tive remedies have passed it by (one good at allaying everybody's fears that Atomic Shoe Store and cat owner tells of a set of herbal reme - they probably should have gone to dies that saved the animal's life). On Trading Company dental school. They can handle any - both ends of the spectrum and for thing your hair can throw at them, and Remember the scene from “The Shaw - everything in between, Grand Animal they do it with such quiet confidence shank Redemption” where inmate Hospital is up to the task.
Andy Dufresne walked by a guard, that you'll barely know you're under undetained, in a pair of non-issue Grand Animal Hospital the dryer. It's that kind of expertise shoes? The folks at this venue wouldn’t 1033 Grand Ave. that keeps Teasers patrons coming let that happen to you – they know 272-6255 back and, if you're a first-timer, will that you know that others notice your have you hooked before the first comb- through.

Teasers Salon 4545 Fanuel St. 272-1876 0 NAIL SALON Prestige Nails & Spa Without the spa part, Prestige would be just another excellent place to get your nails done. Nails are a big part of the cosmetic experience, and here, the staff's expertise is complemented with a slate of spa-oriented services. You'll be so rested and refreshed afterward that you won't even know you've just had a manicure or pedicure to boot.

Prestige Nails & Spa 4343 Mission Blvd., Ste. 106 270-9988 THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007 Beach & Bay Press 11

old tricks, talking the same shop Bicycle Discovery 24-Hour Fitness franchise, you have DAY SPA that's made this place a hit in PB for 7642 Felspar St. TATTOO SHOP something in common with these big- Catamaran the last 45 years. The big pick of wet - 272-1274 Avalon Tattoo timers. They're partners in the compa - suits, footwear, sun products, beach www.bicyclediscovery.net ny's fitness advocacy programs, which Resort Hotel accessories and optics also ensure 0 The artist is especially important in the you support as well through your tattoo sales industry -- after all, you'll (See entry under Hotel.) that the shop is your new best friend membership. Remember that the next 0 for all things surfing.
Kruiser King be wearing his or her creation for the time you think about fitness as just rest of your life. That's why Avalon another part of your daily routine.
Pacific Beach Surf Shop Kruiser King sells more than 1,200 Tattoo has 12 artists for you to choose YOGA STUDIO 4150 Mission Blvd., Suite 161 beach cruisers each year, making it one from. They're dedicated to your satis - 24-Hour Fitness of the top beach cruiser retailers in the Bird Rock Yoga 373-1138 faction and safety -- they're members 909 Garnet Ave. www.pacificbeachsurfshop.com country. And with its new secure web - of the Alliance of Professional Tat - 270-6024 site, customers can shop with the same (See entry and photo page 10) tooists and are certified in the preven - www.24hourfitness.com 0 confidence they've enjoyed at the retail 0 tion of disease transmission. Serious 0 store. The Hampton Cruisers, Felt, stuff, but then again, body art is a pret - Sun, Firmstrong, Fuji, Currie, Kona SKATE SHOP ty serious undertaking.
Fitness West PB TANNING SALON and Huntington Beach brands repre - Soulgrind sent some of the best beach cruisers Avalon Tattoo Personal fitness starts with a personal I-Tan The part of a skateboard on which the manufactured and are available to you 1035 Garnet Ave. commitment -- and Fitness West PB at a competitive price. This place is has taken that commitment personally The 'I' in I-Tan stands for "indoor" -- user stands is called the truck. You'd 274-7635 also the number one bicycle rental since 1985. Fitness West is locally exactly as you thought. In this case, have known that if you'd spent any www.avalontattoo.com store in town.
owned, yet it touts an array of elliptical "indoor" means inside any of the firm's time at all at Soulgrind, your choice as 0 machines, treadmills, stairclimbers, five levels of tanning beds. You should Pacific Beach's best skate shop. Skate - Kruiser King rowing machines and more, just like see the level-five bronzing bed, as it's boards by Gravity, Sector Nine and 3830 Mission Blvd. the big guys. It also offers exercise called. It looks like it's ready for a trip other famous makers abound here -- FITNESS 488-6341 classes like boot camp cross-training, to the sun. A few minutes inside this and the skateboarding lessons them - www.kruiserking.com group cycling and cardio kick-boxing state-of-the-art machine, and you'll selves may be the most important in CLUB/GYM 0 (don't forget to duck).
look like you went with it.
Soulgrind's slate of services. Wouldn't 24-Hour Fitness want any trucks careening out of con - Fitness West PB I-Tan trol on the open road, now.
Andre Agassi. Jackie Chan. Shaquille CDS AND 1880 Garnet Ave. 1764 Garnet Ave. O'Neill. Magic Johnson. Lance Arm - 272-9378 581-9060 Sougrind strong. If you belong to Pacific Beach's www.fitnesswestpb.com www.itansandiego.com 4627 Mission Blvd. MUSIC SHOP 581-2468 Mojo Sounds 0 www.soulgrind.com 0 If you're into indie rock, hip-hop and RESALE SHOP reggae, you're probably into Mojo Sounds. And for a used CD shop, the Buffalo Exchange BIKE SHOP place has an immense selection of just Buffalo Exchange works to protect the Bicycle Discovery about every genre - inexplicably, you environment by reusing and recycling can even find T-shirts and shoes. The clothing. With all that activity, the This place is not for the faint of heart. staff also lets you listen to the CDs inventory -- including designer wear, There are more than 1,000 bikes in before you buy and will also direct you vintage, jeans, leather and one-of-a-kind this store, and some of 'em are authen - through its sizable DVD collection, items -- is ever-changing and plentiful. tic, mammoth beach cruisers. Now, where you can sometimes find a cult You'll also find new merchandise and many of the bikes and accessories are gem. The store has also started to sell accessories to choose from. Buffalo available for purchase online. With books.
Exchange offers great finds at low prices such easy access and such a wide selec - Mojo Sounds -- here, recycling is always in style.
tion, you should pretty much find what you want here. Then again, you've 1084 Garnet Ave. Buffalo Exchange been doing that at Bicycle Discovery 272-2274 1007 Garnet Ave. for the last 20 years.
0 273-6227 www.buffaloexchange.com 0 Cream of the Crop Whereas Buffalo Exchange has several excellent stores along the West Coast, Cream of the Crop is family run and has found its success by playing things close to the vest. In fact, vests are prob - ably as likely found here as anywhere else, and at prices that don't include overhead costs. There's also a dog on the premises, but he's not for sale.

Cream of the Crop 4683 Cass St. 272-6601 0 SURF SHOP Star Surfing Company When Star Surfing opened its doors in 1979, Jimmy Carter was president of the United States. The intervening years haven’t brought much change in the size of the swells; neither have they dulled the shop’s superb attitude toward the surfing community. “Everyone who walks through our door is a possible adventure,” owner Glenn Paculba says – and he proves it by stocking one of the area’s largest surfboard selections and employing one of the area’s savviest staffs.

Star Surfing Company 4652 Mission Blvd. 273-7827 www.starsurfingco.com 0 Pacific Beach Surf Shop Selection is everything at Pacific Beach Surf Shop -- so don't let terms like “thruster,” “egg,” “funshape” and “:long board” throw you during your visit. It's just the staff up to its THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 , 2007 12 Beach & Bay Press READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2007