January 10, 2009

What a beautiful day. When I took off from the Cafe for my morning walk It seemed a little special. It was a bit warmer, but clearer than usual. I had seen the papers prediction of warmer weather ahead, but as it happens often it can be overstated. When I had gotten to the Harbor I could feel a gentle gust of warm air. I mean warm air at 5:00 am in the morning. Did I say how big and bright the Moon was? I have walked in my community Oceanside along the beach, the Harbor and Highway 101 for over thirty-five years now and must say I truly enjoy each walk. The Moon was so cool I grabbed my camera at my office when I got back so I could get a picture of the moon setting over the Pier. I have hundreds of photos of the sun setting over the Pier, but not one of a Moon setting. So now I have some. Unless you get out early in the morning you miss it's incredible tranquility and beauty. You can also witness unbelievable sunrises, yes the opposite of the sunsets you do enjoy.

See you on the beach.

Any Reason is a good reason to come into the 101 Cafe

Since the 101 Cafe opened in 1928 people have stopped in for more reasons than we can count. About the time you think you seen it all some Else comes in for a new reason or using a new mode of transportation. I thought I'd share some images of folks and their rides at the Cafe.

Thanksgiving Day Meal is HOW much?

It may occur to you that we have reached a place in time that people are giving more thought to their daily budget than ever before.

That may not be true or at least some restaurants here in San Diego North are hoping its not.Much to surprise I spotted an ad in that touted a Thanksgiving day offerings for only $ 47.50 adults and $ 22.95 for children under 12 at a public golf course in Carlsbad. OK, if it was the Lodge at Torrey Pines I would not of have blinked, but, come on now. I did some checking to see if it was a little let's say aggressive so below are some offerings on Thanksgiving Day:

Adults and Kids prices;

Aviara $ 85 $ 42.50

La Costa $ 58 $ 27

The Lodge at Torrey Pines $ 75 $30

The Crossing $ 47.50 $ 22.95

El Camino Counrty Club $ 31.99 $ 11.99

Mimi's $ 14.99 $ 6.99

It is commonly known the first three have Chef's of known reputation.

For three years nowhttp://101cafe.net/has served a full Holiday Turkey dinner including everything for just $ 9.99 from now until January1.

We have been in the business of providing meals for over twenty years and now does not compare to anytime before when it comes to our business. So I may have just given you your choices for where to eat this Turkey day, but I hope it at least gives you cause for thought.

Comfort Food for our times

It is the perfect time to discover why Comfort Food appeals to us. Some people do no like the definition of Comfort Food; food prepared in a traditional style having a usually nostalgic or sentimental appeal, Merriam Webster Dictionary online Dictionary, Food that is simply prepared and associated with a sense of home or contentment, Answers.com,but it is clear that many people seek this type of food when facing uncertainty and trying times.

Trying times defines our now.

I have observed over the last twenty years that people often times come to the 101 Cafe after the death of a family member or a friend. This is probably the one event that made me think about people coming into the Cafe to seek comfort. Taking it to an extreme 911 brought thousands in seeking the solace, contentment and comfort for months afterwards. I felt a little guilty about our crowds when other businesses were challenged by the huge disruption brought about by terrorist

Comfort Food has accounted for a substantial number of our guest. It is clear that nostalgia is a big draw and over the years people have come back to see the Cafe. We get guest who's parents have brought them from the North on their way to San Diego from as early the 1920's and every decade since. We get veterans from the military who have come here since we've opened in 1928. We get returning Marines from Iraqi seeking the foods they have missed and the smiles from our staff. It is great to see the returning vacationers from all around the world bring family and friends to see the Cafe that they so love.

What ever you call it these foods help form an attraction to a place like the 101 Cafe we hope will never end.

Season Change in Oceanside

I like all the seasons, but I must admit I enjoy the change we make here in Oceanside as August ends and September begins. We have many humid days in June, July and August and our temperature only varies about eight or nine degrees. I like cool mornings and evenings and warm days and wait patiently for our September change into dry warm days with the cool evenings and mornings. OK we do get Santa Anas from now until whenever, but day in and day out this is our Best Beach weather. I think this month we started the change later than some and it felt like the change is imminent. I felt it as I rode my Schwinn cruiser along The Strand this morning. Today the skies cleared by mid-morning and Hot has returned. Lets hope the humidity leaves us soon.

Another sign of this change is the Woodies that cruise South along Highway 101 to Wavecrest in Encinitas where hundreds of these wooded wheeled Beach icons come to celebrate California's' Beach and Car culture. It is hard to describe how many different and totally unique vehicles are to be seen. A must see California original

Surf Monkey Swimming Running & Paddle Boarding

I guess I should of looked at the Special Events Calendar the City has, but I didn't so I was surprised to see the crowds at the Pier this morning. I was told it some surfmonkey thing? The Xterra WetSuits' SurfMonkey is a collection of events that has something for every endurance sports monkey. They say that "Only the chosen elite will ever consider that they might, one day, touch the monkey." It was way cool to see the different athletes compete in these three events and the combos including the 3 Event Stage Race combining the Run, Swim & Paddleboard Race to crown the King & Queen Monkey! Includes entry in the 5km run, the 1mi swim, and the 8mi paddleboard race. How cool .

Close yet so far away

A couple of months ago the city posted that the bridge crossing the San Luis Rey River into the Harbor would be done in June 2008. If you have checked lately you will see that there is still plenty of work to do. Regardless of all the finger pointing we will have to wait till it done before we can resume our complete cruise of Oceanside's coastline. No matter how you do it cruising has been a sport that began with the first wheeled vehicles that showed up. I certainly am guilty of doing it and I now walk, ride and drive Pacific Street, The Strand and Harbor Drive for fun at least once a day if I am in town.

Thanks to anyone who helped this bridge become a reality.