Greg Koch
CEO and Co-Founder, Stone Brewing, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Garden, stonebrew.com/
Live: East Village
Work: The Stone Brewing Co. / Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens is in Escondido
How long: 10 years
My personal rule is "no commodity / industrial meat." This means that unless I know that a bar or restaurant chooses ethically-raised meats, I'll choose vegetarian. Besides, it's not like people need even 1/10th of the meat our society eats, so I don't mind. Among the many benefits, this drives me to places with excellent vegetarian choices and non-industrial meat philosophies. Not surprisingly, places that focus that much on their food choices, tend to also serve some of the best dishes you can get in our region.
Breakfast: My typical breakfast is my pot of homemade french press coffee. Strong. Very Strong. Ryan Bros. Broadway Blues is my primary choice. However, I'm going to do more for my good-friend-from-out-of-town than pour them strong cups of coffee. Presumably, we were out drinking local craft beer until late the night before, so I'll take them to enjoy the unique and restorative character of downtown San Diego's famous Pokez Restaurant. Chips, salsa and a vegetarian chimichurri. Belly now = bigtime full.
Lunch: Well, it goes without saying that after filling up on hearty punk rock tinged vegetarian mexican fare at Pokez after an out-too-late night before (and since the Urbanist Guide made us actually get up for breakfast instead of just sleeping through it), the next order of business was crashing out for a digestive nap. Now that we're up, we walk from Parkloft up to Broadway, catch the #2 bus to Hamiltons. No food yet, we need a beer. And not just any beer. We need an amazing San Diego brewed beer, and Hammies is gonna provide one of the best selections you can find. Perfect. The afternoon is definitely starting to look up, and we're getting hungry. No, I mean HUNGRY. Time to grab the #2 again and head up 30th to Sea Rocket Bistro for some artfully prepared day-catch, and another great San Diego craft beer. Or maybe The Linkery for their grilled ginger green beans, a "I never knew that part of the cow could taste so good...glad to know it's a grass-fed cow" item, and another great San Diego craft beer. Come to think of it, maybe we're in the mood for the signature Shepard's Pie at Ritual Tavern and, you guessed it, another great San Diego craft beer. Yeah, I know, life's full of rough choices.
Dinner: Off to Neighborhood. Gotta show my buddy my favorite hang spot. Great bartenders (I think I've secretly fallen in love with every single woman that works there), awesome creative food, and...wait for it...an amazing selection of great craft beer. We're just here for a warm-up beer, and an appetizer. Then it's off to Masala on 5th Ave., my favorite Indian Restaurant. Amazing flavors and awesome vegetarian food. Pair that with a draft Stone IPA, and I'm in heaven!
Bar: Finally, it's over to Quality Social for a little quality spectating and some more tasty beer. Hell, maybe even some active participation. Just sayin'. No promises ladies...I'm hangin' with my best bud from outta town after all. Gotta get the quality beer time in with my bro. Besides, I've got a full belly and I've had WAY more beer today than average...even for this pro....