By Pastry Chef Karen Krasne
Chocolate Dulce de Leche cake | Photograph courtesy of Extraordinary Desserts
About Pastry Chef Karen Krasne
Krasne is the owner of Extraordinary Desserts bakeries in San Diego, CA. She studied pastry-making at the Cordon Bleu in Paris and regularly returns to France to train with the masters at LeNotre and Bellouet Conseil. She is also the author of the cookbook, Extraordinary Cakes.
Extraordinary Desserts is a cafe featuring a daily-changing menu of sweet and savory dishes and desserts. Two signature cakes are the Shangri-La and Chocolate Dulce de Leche. The Shangri-La features white chocolate mousse with guava mousse and fresh strawberries layered in-between whipped cream and Kirsch-infused vanilla cakes. The Chocolate Dulce de Leche has crunchy milk chocolate and macadamia nut confection with layers of chocolate cake and chocolate mousse, topped with dulce de leche.
EXTRAORDINARY DESSERTS
929 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 | T: 619.294.2132
1430 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101 | T: 619.294.7001
extraordinarydesserts.com
KAREN'S SAN DIEGO GUIDE
Breakfast
Photographs courtesy of Caroline's Seaside Cafe
Caroline’s Seaside Cafe
It is a secret gem for locals with its tasty California-style breakfast, brunch and lunch. It's located on the UCSD Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus in the Seaside Forum on the shores of La Jolla (note: parking can be tricky). Caroline's menu focuses on organic and sustainably-sourced products, wild-caught seafood, and hormone-free meats and poultry. Afterwards, you can walk the beach or drop by the Birch Aquarium.
8610 Kennel Way
La Jolla, CA 92037
T: 858.202.0569
carolinesseasidecafe.com
Parakeet Café
They have delicious matcha lattes and morning baked goods along with artisanal toasts and bowls. This adorable tiny, pink eatery is located in a neighborhood known for its yoga, spin, and pilates studios. It's great if you crave exercise and also features many other cute shops to visit.
927 Silverado Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
T: 858.412.5527
parakeetcafe.com
Farmers Markets
Photograph courtesy of La Jolla Open Aire Market
La Jolla Open Aire Market
Held on Sundays, it is one of the largest farmers markets and all proceeds benefit the La Jolla Elementary School. Full of delicious foods, fresh produce and local artisans, it's a great way to spend Sunday morning gathering finds for a day at the beach. Grab any flavor of Bitchin' Sauce and enjoy with veggies or chips.
7335 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
lajollamarket.com
Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market
Held on Saturdays and open year round with over 150 vendors. The neighborhood is one of San Diego's hottest destinations and this is a fun way to stroll your way through the area. Pick up a pizza, local artisanal farm foods or some great handmade crafts.
600 W Date Street
San Diego, CA 92101
T: 619.233.3901
sandiegomarkets.com/little-italy-mercato
Shops
Photograph courtesy of Pigment
Photograph courtesy of Lorna Jane
Pigment
This shop is in North Park and is full of clever items for the home from furniture to plants and books, as well as kitchen items. My teenage daughter and I love to drop by to treasure hunt among the well-curated goodies.
3801 30th Street
San Diego, CA 92104
T: 619.501.6318
www.shoppigment.com
Azzurra Capri
A Mediterranean-inspired clothing boutique in Little Italy with a bit of everything for the warm weather resort traveler. You can find a pair of Italian handmade leather sandals or design your own custom pair adorned with certified Swarovski crystals among the well-curated local and international clothing lines.
1840 Columbia Street
San Diego, CA 92101
T: 619.230.5116
azzurracapri.com
Lorna Jane
Chock full of trendy Australian high-performance and fashionable activewear for women. For active travelers, it will make you want to move your body.
7840 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
T: 858.729.1843
www.lornajane.com
Lunch
Ocean Terrace | Photograph courtesy of George's at the Cove
Ocean Terrace
Ocean Terrace restaurant at the Cove is the top al fresco casual dining patio in San Diego. Take in the ocean breeze while enjoying some of the best fresh fish and salads this city has to offer. At the helm is Trey Foshee, a leading chef in the San Diego food scene. He sources most of his vegetables from local Chino Farms, one of the best family farms in the United States. Reservations are a must. Drop in during your stay for a cocktail on the second floor at Level 2, for signature drinks made with house made ingredients and hand cut ice -- there is also a late night happy hour.
George's at the Cove
1250 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
T: 858.454.4244
www.georgesatthecove.com
Photograph courtesy of Trilogy Sanctuary
Trilogy Sanctuary
For the most creative 100% organic plant-based dishes. This laid back rooftop gem in La Jolla is not really a secret anymore and is a sanctuary of all things green. BLTrilogy Crepe is my favorite. It's a buckwheat crepe with eggplant bacon, heirloom tomatoes, romaine lettuce, avocado, sundried tomato cashew aioli, and sunflower sprouts. There are yoga classes for all levels and ages, including aerial yoga, as well as many special performing events that celebrate the community.
7650 Girard Avenue #400
La Jolla, CA 92037
T: 858.633.3893
www.trilogysanctuary.com
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop
They always have a line out the door. Their tacos and giant burritos are considered among the best in town. Many of the family recipes incorporate fresh, high quality ingredients with a So Cal twist, but there are also taco shop staples. They are known for their Surf and Turf Taco with steak, shrimp and avocado topped with secret chipotle sauce and queso enchilado. Don't skip over their Cali Burritos with a side of TJ Corn -- corn kernels in a cup served with queso enchilado, mayo, chili powder and lime.
1810 West Washington Street
San Diego, CA 92103
www.luchalibretacoshop.com
Afternoon Sweets
Photograph courtesy of Beaming Cafe
Beaming Café
Grab a "Beam Me Up" smoothie full of bananas, cocoa nibs, cold brew Stumptown coffee, aphrodisiac cacao energy blend, flax, chia, and gogi berries.
7863 Girard Avenue #201
La Jolla, CA 92037
T: 760.944.3331
www.livebeaming.com
Pappalecco
Yummy traditional Tuscan hand-crafted gelato. Hit it up during or after strolling through the Little Italy outdoor Mercato on Saturdays. You can enjoy it in a cup, cone, in-between homemade cookies, or with espresso poured on top.
1602 State Street
San Diego, CA 92101
T: 619.238.4590
www.pappalecco.com
Salt and Straw
They serve scoops of ice cream and make a brilliant Maple Peanut Butter Brioche French Toast flavor. You'll have to stand in a long line but it's worth the wait.
1670 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
T: 619.542.9394
saltandstraw.com/sd-locations
Snack
Photograph courtesy of El Camino
El Camino
This is a kitschy Mexican restaurant that's a hit with gringa hipsters. It features popular modern foods from Mexico with many ingredients sourced locally. We always order their sweet potato flautas. This restaurant is a favorite of ours when going out with all our family and kids in tow. You can watch the planes arrive overhead, take selfies in front of the great mural art and enjoy the serious margaritas. It's a fiesta whenever you arrive.
2400 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
T: 619.685.3881
www.elcaminosd.com
Cocktails
Photograph courtesy of Rancho Valencia Resort
Rancho Valencia Resort
It is in Rancho Santa Fe which is a 30-minute drive from San Diego. Reserve a massage lounge at their spa pool and then drop into the Pony Room for top eats and delicious cocktails.
5921 Valencia Circle
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
T: 858.756.1123
www.ranchovalencia.com
Level 2
Drop in for a cocktail on the second floor at George's at the Cove and get their signature drinks with house-made ingredients and hand-cut ice. They also do a late night happy hour.
George's at the Cove
1250 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
T: 858.454.4244
www.georgesatthecove.com
JRDN Bar & Restaurant
Located in the Tower 23 hotel, sit outside to people watch on the oceanfront bike path while enjoying a local craft beer and raw bar specialties.
Tower 23 Hotel
23 Felspar Street
San Diego, CA 92109
T: 858.270.2323
www.t23hotel.com
Dinner
Photograph courtesy of Buona Forchetta
Buona Forchetta
It's a South Park Italian restaurant that gets crowded on most evenings. It features authentic Italian food and wood-fired pizzas. Sit outside most of the year and enjoy some of the best Neapolitan style pizzas and delicious handmade pastas. The wait is worth it.
3001 Beech Street
San Diego, CA 92102
T: 619.381.4844
buonaforchettasd.com
Trust
Perfect for a date night or a dinner with friends. This handsome Hillcrest neighborhood restaurant is in a Jonathan Segal glass and cement designed building. Many of the shareable inventive dishes are wood-fired and use locally-sourced ingredients. Two menu items I love are the Wood Grilled Octopus with a delicious salsa verde and the Wood Grilled Cauliflower with golden raisins and serrano aioli.
3752 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92103
T: 619.795.6901
www.trustrestaurantsd.com
Herb & Wood
Chef Brian Malarkey's restaurant is my favorite. It's on Kettner Street in Little Italy and it's a foodie haven. Two of my go to dishes are the roasted beets with burrata, sherry and walnut pesto, as well as the crispy potato with lemon vinaigrette, horseradish, and parmesan.
210 Kettner Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101
T: 619.955.8495
www.herbandwood.com
BOOK A TABLE
Edible Souvenir
Tortilla Chips from El Indio
They've been making Mexican food for generations. Their chips are made fresh on-site daily and have a sprinkling of chili pepper. These are so good that you should pick them up on your last day or they probably won't make it home.
4749, 3695 India Street
San Diego, CA 92103
T: 619.299.0385
www.elindiosandiego.net
City Activities
Photograph courtesy of Balboa Park
Balboa Park
This is centrally located and minutes from the airport. It offers something for everyone with more than 16 museums, The San Diego Zoo, multiple performing arts venues, botanical gardens, hiking/running trails, picnic spaces, and a hub of cultural events.
Birch Aquarium
Over 5,000 fish in 60+ habitats with gorgeous panoramic views of the coastline.
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92037
T: 858.532.3474
aquarium.ucsd.edu
Mission Bay Sportcenter
Rent a paddle board, kayak, or sailboat from the Mission Bay Sportcenterand get out on the water. It is a must activity for all levels and ages.
Torrey Pines State Preserve
Hiking or running throughout the winding paths along the coast between La Jolla and Del Mar is awe-inspiring. Start at the Lodge at Torrey Pines and valet your car, then work your way through the preserve. When you come back, have breakfast at the Lodge or time it right for sunset over the Pacific.
12600 N Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
torreypine.org
Discover FED 24-Hour Guides for California
FED California Feature Guides
