Harney Sushi Oceanside Chef Wins 2010 San Diego Bay Food & Wine Fest Award

Harney Sushi in Oceanside near the train station is one of my favorite restaurants for lunch. Now the 2010 San Diego Bay Food and Wine Fest folks agree and awarded the Chef of the Fest award to Oceanside's own chef Robert Ruiz with his tantalizing dish "The Cunning Lengua." Although I'd be chicken to try this dish, I think the use of local and seasonal Fuyu persimmons was brilliant.


Here's the dish: Cunning Lengua - Very Clever Beef Tongue

- Sapporo style braised Newport beef tongue

- Whole roasted matsutake mushrooms from Washington state

- 3-d demi-glace slowly loved into existence over 3 days and sliced as sashimi

- Crisp fuyu persimmon from Fallbrook

- Chili spiced fresh shredded daikon radish

- Fresh minced ginger and micro shiso garnish

According to Harney Sushi, this dish is not served on their regular menu, but sitting at the sushi bar, you can ask for your own special creation.  Better yet, Harney Sushi Oceanside CA is now having daily happy hour specials: 

Photo Courtesy Harney Sushi

5:30-6:30 Monday through Friday at Harney Sushi Oceanside 

(bar seating only) Food specials from the late night happy hour along with--

$5 large hot sake

$5 flavored sake and nigori carafes

$1 off all draft beer

California Beaches Hit Hard by Sand Loss

Visitors to Southern California beaches may have entirely different experiences from one year to another, and even more so from one season to another. The taking and giving of sand is a natural occurrence here on the San Diego coast, but one that isn't always fair or equal.

As we head into the 2010-2011 "winter" storm season in San Diego (which our guests from the northern climates typically enjoy) we can expect winter beaches to appear. In fact, we're seeing some already. I was at the beach at high tide this morning and can see the changes taking shape. Winter beaches mean less sand and more "cobbles" (rocks), fewer people, and more interesting finds cast aside from waves. Today will be a -1 foot tide (ultra low) so I'm hoping to explore and find some shells, perfect stones, or sea glass this afternoon. In past winter explorations in Oceanside outside of North Coast Village, I've had major sand dollar finds during tides like this.

Every year San Diego association of governments (SANDAG) studies sand levels. The biggest losers last winter were my home beach (Cardiff) and my work beach (Oceanside). Read more from the North County Times.

North Coast Village is Fresh and Ready in Oceanside CA

North Coast Village Oceanside CA - Aerial Photo by MahaPix

Every fall the beach front condo complex of North Coast Village in Oceanside, CA takes on maintenance projects to keep the 13 acre oasis looking fresh, and ready to welcome residents and guests to our vacation rentals.  Once again the 2010 projects do not disappoint.





Completed just in time for seasonal guests to North Coast Village:

• sea wall fortified to protect North Coast Village oceanfront cottages from wave action;
• C building foundation/garage waterproofing completed and re-landscaping in progress;
• Koi pond filter replaced and the fish are ready for feeding by kids and adults alike (did you know in the winter the HOA actually have to feed the fish, but in the summer we have enough guests treating them from the feeder?);
• B building lobby and laundry room remodel almost complete;
• E building jackhammering completed.

North Coast Village is a 13 acre beach front complex of privately owned condos at the north end of The Strand between Oceanside's wooden pier and boat harbor. A portion of these beach condos are available for rent. For a BETTER vacation rental experience go ahead and book your next stay online (best rates and special deals) at www.bettervacationrentals.com or call 800-277-2734.