Pick or Pan Roasted

Southern California’s meatiest, most incisive dining column…bacon included!

Pick: Zio’s Italian Restaurant

Saturday, April 10, 2010

By Kurt Cunningham

I love to eat. So, when Darren James, chef/owner of ZIO’S Italian Restaurant in North Park, invited me to try his new lunch menu, I jumped right on that offer. I’ve been to ZIO’S several times for dinner and lunch but Darren was debuting a new $5 lunch menu along with some new entrees.... »

Pick! Gossip Grill

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

By Joseph Flanigan

Housed in the old Cafe Eleven location, the anchor space of a small-ish strip mall at the corner of Normal Street and University Avenue, lies the most girl-centric restaurant I’ve ever been to (well, unless you consider Hooters…but I’m referring to patrons AND staff, not staff alone.) Enter Gossip Grill, the latest drink & dine destination from funtrepreneur... »

Pick: Point-Point Joint Turo-Turo

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

By Aaron Heier

I love Asian cuisine, from Thai, to Japanese, to Korean to Tajik. The flavors and styles are as vast as the regions they hail from. Recently I had a hankering for some Asian food and wanted it authentic, but nothing in the gayborhood was speaking to me. So, I called my friend La Lee... »

Pan! The Cheesecake Factory

Friday, December 4, 2009

By Joseph Flanigan

Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have gone to The Cheesecake Factory at Fashion Valley Mall the day after Black Friday and expected perfection. I have been to this location several times on very busy nights and have had great experiences. This time however, left a bad taste in my mouth, and I can say with... »

Pick! Pizzeria Luigi

Thursday, November 26, 2009

By Joseph Flanigan

I was a fan of Pizzeria Luigi in Golden Hill before they ever expanded. My only gripe was that this literal ’slice of heaven’ was way across town, so when I had a hankering for some pie, I would stop at Lefty’s or some lesser known joint closer to my North Park hood. However,... »