Every Sunday off Lincoln and Normal streets in Hillcrest from 9 to 2, you will find a farmer’s market that always draws a crowd. Known for its fresh fruit, veggies and flowers, the Hillcrest Farmers Market is a great way to spend your Sunday morning browsing produce or artisan stalls selling jewelry and clothing. It also boasts multiple food vendors cooking their lamb or frying their tortillas with a smell that wafts down the street and will undoubtedly persuade you to eat. Every time I visit the market I go in with the mindset to only grab some apples or squash but wind up demolishing a cornish pasty or some gyro because of that smell. Not complaining though.

The market does do a good job of showcasing the produce though by separating the stalls into two lanes. Walk down the main one and you’ll see flowers of every color as well as specialty items like herbal teas and hummus dips. While browsing the main walkway last Sunday I stumbled upon some herbs that looked great and as I was perusing the owners walked up. Whitney and Suilin run the Whole Earth Acre farms up in Vista, CA and come to the market every Sunday. Nice as can be, this couple was quick to teach me about their best sellers and which plants fare best this time of year. Even though I didn’t purchase anything with them, I would recommend stopping by to learn more and look into growing your own spices or vegetables.

On the other side of the market you’ll find the source of that great smell with stalls offering everything from big pastries to warm curries. Being a sucker for Indian food, I got a lamb masala with a vegetable samosa to warm me up on a cooler morning than most. The curry wasn’t bad but I would stick to the guy cooking up his marinated chicken for those tasty gyros next time. Down the same lane you can walk by handbags, jewelry and clothing next to some live music as you enjoy your food. Not a bad way to start your Sunday.

Fresh herbs from Whole Earth Acre farms in Vista, CA.

Whitney and Suilin with Whole Earth Acre farms.

Pink ladies among the fresh fruit offered every Sunday.

Lamb curry with a vegetable samosa from one of many vendors at the market.

This guy knows what he’s doing. Marinated chicken kebabs with pita bread.

Live music entertaining a crowd at the Hillcrest Farmers Market.

Poured on draft at Pizza Port Ocean Beach, Mongo IPA is a double IPA with a hop-forward taste and plenty of bitterness to leave you smacking your lips like you’ve just eaten a grapefruit. Sound bad? In my opinion, it’s great! I love aggressive beers like this and even though it can’t be said this beer is balanced, I say who cares? The guys at Port Brewing certainly don’t and they do a good job of making a “West Coast” brew here.

The Specs
Style:  American Double IPA
ABV: 8.5%
IBU: ? (Most likely up there)

Aroma: Hoppy with citrus notes from the Cascade, Amarillo and Simcoe hops. Smells of grapefruit and pine.

Taste: There’s a strong resin left in your mouth after drinking a pint but it’s a good feeling. Flavors from the hops dominate the taste with very little malt coming through. The beer also has a big head that lasts for some time leaving tracings along the glass.

Overall: 4.25/5 - I liked Mongo quite a bit and even though it’s up there around 8.5%, I ordered a couple of these to see me through a pizza. Would definitely order this again.

It is safe to say that I drink a lot of beer. However I don’t drink to get drunk unlike some friends of mine (looking at you Brian). I want to enjoy my beers and remember them too (that’s not to say I don’t feel good after a couple IPA’s). Living in San Diego, there is plenty of opportunity to explore what craft beer has to offer so I’m going to write about the good and the bad each week in my new weekly series: Beer of the Week.

Kicking things off this week, we have a Big Bear Black Stout from Bear Republic.

The Specs
Style: American Imperial Stout
ABV: 8.10%
IBU: 55

Poured into a snifter on draft, the color is more dark brown that black with a good tan head on it. Definitely leaves some tracings on the glass with some creaminess to it.

Aroma: Roasted malt takes over here with a little bit of coffee and caramel notes. Some hoppy aroma comes out right when you start to drink.

Taste: Coffee and roasted malts come in to play here too, with a hint of chocolate. It’s not very thick for a stout but very balanced.

Overall: 3.5/5 – I want to say I really liked this beer but I don’t see myself adding it to my fridge anytime soon. That said, it was good overall and beats out some similar stouts you’d find in the store.

Go for the beer, stay for the food.  Tiger!Tiger! tavern in North Park, owned by Jeff Motch and Lee Chase of Blind Lady Ale House, brings the best of both worlds to this cozy feeling spot right on El Cajon Blvd. With one of the first patios allowing customers to drink on the sidewalk, both guys have a great selection of brews from their own Automatic Brewing Co. and local breweries in an interesting area of town. But that’s part of what makes the charm to this place, along with the long benches and wood-themed interior.

Some of the regular brews you can find here include Cuvee de Jacobins, Mongo IPA, Pliny the Elder and Chimay Tripel; all favorites of mine that I have no problem drinking after a day of work but could find closer to my office. Where Tiger!Tiger! differs from the Toronado’s and Ritual Tavern’s of this neighborhood is the food. With their wood-fired oven at the forefront of the menu, I think they knock it out of the park with specials like their Bruschetta with Tahitian squash, prosciutto, chives, manchego cheese and drizzled olive oil or their Wood-fired Bánh Mi with Chinese BBQ pork belly, house made paté, cilantro, cucumber and chili aioli on a toasted white bun.

Come to Tiger!Tiger! with a big appetite and wash everything down with great beer. What else could you ask for in San Diego?

Wood-fired bruschetta with Tahitian Squash, Prosciutto, Sage, Manchego Cheese and Olive Oil.

Pliny the Elder on the patio of Tiger!Tiger! tavern in North Park on El Cajon Blvd.

Chinese BBQ Pork Belly Banh Mi at Tiger!Tiger! with pickled vegetables, cilantro, cucumber and chili aioli.

Jeff Motch changing the specials at Tiger!Tiger! on Thursday night.

Great beer selection including Russian River Pliny the Elder, New Belgium Ranger IPA and Ballast Point Victory At Sea.

Fennel and Coriander Crusted Albacore with Avocado, Bibb Lettuce and Gribiche Sauce on Focaccia Bread.

Menu at Tiger!Tiger! on the patio with their awesome logo.

Sun, surf and Big Breakfast #2 define my early relationship with San Diego. Every time I was in Pacific Beach I made sure to stop by Kono’s and get their giant breakfast plate. For less than $6 you can get eggs, potatoes, bacon, english muffins and french toast, but the best part is that it’s delicious and not your typical Denny’s fare you’d come to expect at that price point. Be sure to try either of their big breakfasts and check out their coffee stand directly behind the main cafe. Come hungry!

Big Breakfast #2

The Boardwalk at Kono's

French Toast and Then Some

Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach