A Cook's Tour of San Diego with Amy Finley

San Diego is blessed with more than just nearly perfect weather. Its location on the Mexican border, plus a vibrant and varied immigrant community, plus outstanding agricultural resources like Chino Farms, plus an abundance of fresh locally-caught seafood, plus (are you getting the picture?) a health-conscious population that likes to eat well, all adds up to a town with some serious foodie resources. Here are some of my favorite destinations and establishments in America's Finest City. (And yes, I am a proud third-generation native).

For Cookware

Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop & Cooking School
Encinitas is one of the coolest beach communities in North County San Diego, about a 20 25-minute drive north of downtown on the coast. Locally-owned and unpretentious with a really knowledgeable staff, Kitchen Witch carries top-of-the-line equipment, including my favorite Le Creuset pots.

Website: www.kitchenwitchonline.com

For Tableware

Ikea
I love serving pieces that are either very plain or very graphic, and I can get both – and at great prices – at the Swedish superstore. I’m currently in love with little glossy black bowls that have a white interior decorated with bold black dots. I buy in sets of 12 so I have enough for entertaining, and I mix and match for a not-perfect look.

Website: www.ikea.com

For Remarkable Produce

The Vegetable Stand – Chino Farms
Be Wise Ranch
Chino's – possibly the most revered farm in the country – is located down a back road in the middle of Rancho Santa Fe (home of gorgeous and pricey sprawling estates). The variety is mind-boggling, the fruits and vegetables awe-inspiring. Be Wise runs a CSA (Community Sponsored Agriculture) program that delivers a box of fresh, organic, seasonal fruits and vegetables to a pick-up location near your home on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. It’s a great way to stretch your repertoire of vegetarian dishes while supporting local farming.

Website: www.bewiseranch.com

For the Best Carne Asada

Valley Market
Near my house in East County, the market’s been around since 1956 and their butchers prepare carne asada in both the wet marinade style, or the dry-rubbed Imperial Valley style. Grab some flour tortillas and avocados and BBQ San Diego-style.

For the Freshest Fresh Seafood

99 Ranch Market
The Clairemont area has a concentration of Asian shops, and the big daddy of them all is 99 Ranch, where tanks of still-swimming or scuttling fish – even eels – and crustaceans await purchase. The store has everything else you’ll need to prepare a proper Asian feast with your fresh catch.

Website: www.99ranch.com

For Exotic Flavors

Vine Ripe Market
There’s a flourishing Middle Eastern community in East County San Diego, where I live, and Vine Ripe has everything required to produce a taste of home. The bakery produces gorgeous light flatbreads, perfect for dipping in oil and a little za’atar (a spice blend of sesame, sumac, thyme, and salt). I buy rose water and orange flower water here for perfuming cocktails and desserts.

Website: www.vineripemarket.com

And of course, there are my favorite restaurants...

Favorite Restaurants

• Tandoor -- Unassuming but fabulous Indian food, including the best samosas anywhere.
  Website: www.tandoorsandiego.com

• Café Chloe -- Gets bistro fare right without affectation.
  Website: www.cafechloe.com

• Salad Style -- Probably the best take-out in all of San Diego. Healthy! Organic! Beautiful!
  Website: www.saladstyle.net

• Jrdn -- Quintessentially San Diegan with the perfect blend of laid-back and high-end beach style. Great seafood and a killer view.
  Website: www.jrdn.com

And a whole category unto itself...

Favorite Mexican Restaurants

• Sarita’s Taco Shop -- In Casa de Oro, has fabulous chicken and pork adobado tacos and burritos.

• La Posta -- This Hillcrest taco shop is open 24 hours and makes the best chili relleno burrito in the city, according to my connoisseur of a husband.

• Old Town Mexican Café -- It’s always crowded, but my family’s been coming here faithfully for more than 30 years. Good margaritas and my favorite pico de gallo style salsa, served with endless baskets of complimentary tortilla chips. The "tortilla ladies" making fresh tortillas in the window are my son’s favorite thing about the restaurant.