Urbanist Guide


Todd Gloria

City Councilmember, District Three, sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd3/about/
Live: City Heights
Work: Downtown and throughout Council District Three's neighborhoods of Balboa Park, Hillcrest, University Heights, North Park, Normal Heights, City Heights, South Park, Golden Hill, Talmadge and Kensington.
How long: Most of my life.
BREAKFAST:
 
District Three is legendary for its awesome breakfast options – although we prefer to call it brunch. While everyone knows about the amazing fare offered in town, one hidden gem in our neck of the woods is Toby’s 19th Hole at the Balboa Park Municipal Golf Course.  Now, I know what you’re thinking – bacon and eggs at a City golf course? Yes! The 19th Hole features a full menu, great service, low prices and a million dollar view of the golf course, Balboa Park and the downtown skyline. And in this land of long brunch lines, you’ll rarely encounter one here.

LUNCH:

San Diego’s fortune is its climate. We have some of the most unbelievable weather in the nation. Given this fact, it is always perplexing to me that more venues don’t make better use of outdoor dining options. One establishment that combines maximum use of what Mother Nature gave us with delicious food (and great beer) is The Station in South Park. Occupying an award winning, architecturally stunning green building, you can eat an amazing hamburger, sweet potato fries and tater tots while looking cool and reducing your carbon footprint. I love the outdoor picnic tables and the hip family-friendly accommodations. Delicious food, beautiful design and environmentally friendly, it doesn’t get more District Three than The Station.

DINNER:
 
Picking a great dinner spot in District Three is like shooting fish in a barrel. Feel free to pull the car over almost anywhere, walk into the closest restaurant and you’re almost guaranteed to go home happy. One stand out to me is Kensington Grillon Adams Avenue.  Tracy Borkum has made this neighborhood eatery a local favorite for years with some great entrees – I’m a fan of the roasted free-range chicken – or small plates if that’s your thing. The grill also has a cocktail menu that is nothing to sneeze at. I think this one’s location is also unbeatable. You can enjoy your meal in the glow of the recently restored neon Kensington sign and afterwards check out the latest indie flick at the legendary Ken Theatrenext door (or come early and rent a movie at the world-famous Kensington Video- say hello to Winnie for me!).
 
BAR:
 
Home to some of San Diego’s best nightlife and America’s Beer Boulevard (30th Street,) getting a good drink in my favorite neighborhoods is not hard to do. Naturally, when I’m headed out for a night on the town, I look west to Hillcrest. You can’t go wrong with The Caliph’s karaoke and heavy pours, or Chris Shaw’s famous hospitality at Urban Mo’s. But, if you’re looking to try anincredible variety of cocktails options, don’t miss Martini’s Above Fourth. This classy joint is well appointed with a full menu and an even fuller martini menu. You can sip your drink choice on the great patio that overlooks the hustle and bustle of Fourth Avenue. And like so many of our neighborhood’s proprietors, Dale, Chaz and Johnny give so much back to the community that you can feel good about ordering another round because you know it will go to support great organizations like the San Diego LGBT Community Center.