May is Red Velvet Cake time - smooooooth

Heaven Sent Desserts features its Red Velvet Cake by the slice this May 30th. It's rich, it's smooth, it's amazing. The special cream cheese filling is a sotto voce glissando experience from Heaven ... decorated with a rich chocolate phesel. And you will be well able to indulge in more than one slice at this special 30th on 30th price!

Don't forget our regular special Afternoon Delight: Choose one of 3 desserts and house coffee or tea for only $6.00; or bring a friend for $10.00!

Self-guided Bike/Walk Tour of South Park

New for 2010: In celebration of the 12th annual Old House Fair (Sat. 6/19, 10am-4pm in South Park), the organizers have published a self-guided bike or walking tour of historic homes in the neighborhood. For a printed copy, visit Thomas Community Bike Shop on Fern St., or download a copy from the website (click on Bike/Walk Tour tab): www.TheOldHouseFair.com.

On the day of the Fair, copies will be available at the Info Desk at 30th & Beech, and there will be a bike corral and bike rental services nearby as well. Also on tap are free walking tours by neighborhood historians (at 11 and 2), a $5 Trolley Tour, and the always-popular Historic Home Tour ($20, includes 5 docent-led tours of historic houses, including one designed by Irving Gill). Visit the website for complete information.

Gorgeous Salon's 10th Year Anniversary Party

Party: 10th Year Anniversary, Live art, Giveaways (tickets, Hair tools, Hair/Dermalogica products ), Dj Artistic and his friends are djing, Art Showcase, food provided by lots of local restaurants

Date: Saturday, May 8, 2010

Time: 5pm-10pm

Location: Gorgeous Salon and Gallery

Street: 3605 30th Street (and Dwight)

City: North Park, Ca.

We at Gorgeous Salon hope to see all our neighbors there!

Parfaits from Heaven Sent Desserts for 30th

Tres Leches … mmmmmmmmmm….. vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, cajetas, leches … Heaven Sent Desserts is pleased to offer a simply delicious Parfait of Tres Leches:

... white vanilla chiffon cake layered with cinnamon infused pastry cream and caramelized sweet diced bananas, all of it soaked in the three milks and topped with a heavenly cajeta topping.

And, the price for 30th on 30th is a very special $3.25!

Sicilian Thing 30th on 30th

Want to remind the 30th on 30th folks to stop by Sicilian Thing Pizza for $3.00 drafts.
With any pizza purchase at all (slice or whole pie) you are welcomed to Paulaner Hef, Racer5 IPA, Stone Pale Ale, and Ballast Point Yellowtale on tap for only $3. Come see us and our 3oth Street neighbors as well.

Julian Hard Cider on tap on 30th Street

Sea Rocket Bistro is just thrilled to have Julian Hard Cider on tap right now. One of our newest local products, Julian hard Cider uses just one ingredient - apples! It's a delicious, drinkable, dry, slightly sparkling cider that pairs wonderfully with just about anything on our menu. If you think you don't like cider (I thought I didn't), it may be that you've only had bland, sweet, massed produced versions made from apple juice concentrate. This locally produced artisanal cider may just open your eyes!

Ritual Drink About Wednesday April 21st: AleSmith Nautical Nut Brown

Here at the Ritual Tavern, we are so excited about our cask this week that we are tapping into it a day early. Instead of waiting until Thursday, we are going to tap our firkin of AleSmith's Nautical Nut Brown on Wednesday April 21st. It may be a coincidence: Drink About* happens to fall on the same day too ;-) We hope you'll join us for this particularly tasty beverage.

* 2 "Brewery Tours of SD" Busses loop for 4 hours, stopping at 8 craft-beer bars.
Hop on and off FOR FREE at Blind Lady, Small Bar, Live Wire, Toronado, Ritual Tavern, Sea Rocket, The Station & Hamilton's.
www.sddrinkabout.com

Local Fruits Stolen from South Park

A South Park resident reported that a beautiful and beloved tree in his yard was robbed last week. The thief escaped with most of the low hanging loquats, but fortunately his lack of ambition protected the higher fruits. Eye witnesses to the crime described the suspect to a police sketch artist who created this composite drawing.
The loquats were described as very juicy and delicious, showing the famed South Park terroir beautifully.
If you see the suspect, especially around your own fruit trees, contact the appropriate authorities immediately. No fruit is safe!

Ray at Nite

This Saturday is Ray at Nite, a festival of local galleries and businesses centered on Ray Street, near 30th and University. OBR Architecture is hotsting artist Martha Martin and her Hearts and Stuff series; Cirello Gallery features Mark Smith whose paintings are inspired by local architecture.

Come check it out, it's fun and gets better all the time!

Spring "Hunting" in South Park

Something new at this Saturday's Spring Walkabout in South Park (3/27 - 6-10pm):

"Scavenger Hunt" with quizzes and prizes ... for adults and for kids.
Here's a preview --

HAMILTON'S TAVERN: How many beers do we have on tap? Prize is 25% off your beer or wine purchase.

ALCHEMY: Where is the exercise bike at Alchemy and who put it there? Give the correct answer to the person at the door and it gets you a free snack coupon on your next visit for dinner.

MYTHOLOGY: Tell us 2 facts about the holiday OSTARA - i.e. origins, meaning, symbols, etc, and we will grant an additional 20% discount on your total purchase (sale merchandise included)!

ABSOLUTE SKIN: get Facemapped (a short consultation regarding their skin), then get a sample package of products and a coupon for 20% off any service at Absolute Skin.

ENERGY GARDEN MASSAGE: Name three of the massage treatments, Energy Garden Massage offers and receive a 1 hour massage for $40. Visit www.energygardenmasssage.com for details, you can access wireless internet at Rebecca's Coffeehouse where I will be offering complimentary 10 minute massages, Find me for the coupon and stay for a coffee.

POSH WASH: How many tables are in the back patio and how many "8-load" washers do we have? The correct answers will get a coupon worth a credit toward 1 free use of a "2-load" washing machine valid anytime.

STUDIO MAUREEN: What animal is covered with mosaic tile and who is the artist who made it? The prize is a pack of notecards.

KIDS HUNT:

DAILY SCOOP: How many flavors of ice cream do we serve? Receive a free scoop of ice cream.

SO CHILDISH: Tell us who is coming to visit the store on Saturday, April 3rd!! receive a prize.

STUDIO MAUREEN: For the kids: Count the red eggs in the gallery's two front windows. Prize: Pick something from the gift jar (beaded bracelet, animal pin, rubber insect).

March yourself to down to 30th St.

Spring is in the air!

In the past few weeks the days have gotten longer, the weather has
gotten warmer and 30th street is even cooler!

This week alone you can enjoy -
Drink-About tonight! Wednesday March 24th, - and the Victory Garden Fundraiser at the Linkery tonight too
South Park Walkabout on Saturday March 27th and then next Tuesday's
30th on 30th!

Cask & Oyster Thursday too!

Each Thursday you can count on fresh shucked oysters from Carlsbad Aqua Farms, served on the half-shell with fresh mignonettes created by Nick. Two oyster varieties, one small and sweet, one larger and briny: paired with hand pumped ale, these oysters are sure to please.

This week we'll be pouring North Coast Brewing Red Seal on the beer engine.

Tonight, Wednesday, March 24th! Two "Brewery Tours of SD" Busses loop for 4 hours, stopping at 8 craft-beer bars.
Hop on and off FOR FREE!
download bus schedules here

We hope to catch you at one or all of these events this week.

Cheers!

From all of us, at your local Ritual :-)

p.s.

Thank you for shopping locally! Our local organic farmers, craft
brewers, artisanal sausage makers and bread bakers and 30th street craft beer purveyors all thank you!

Ritual Tavern
4095 30th St @ Polk
San Diego, CA 92116
619.283.1618

Heaven Sent Desserts' "30 on 30 Parfait"

Heaven Sent Desserts on 30^th and University are offering their special “30 on 30 Parfait” – a luscious heavenly chocolate mousse layered with icy mint mousse, interspersed with our famous triple chocolate brownie bites, topped with whipped cream sprinkled liberally with delectable curlicues! All for the extra special price of $3.25 just for the 30^th on 30^th!

Don't miss out - Make the 30th a celebration!

Ritual Drink About Wednesday March 24th

Drink About is a great way to explore San Diego's great craft brew culture. One Wednesday a month* you can get from South Park to North Park to Normal Heights to University Heights for free. without having to worry about driving or parking yourself. (*usually the 3rd Wed., but St Paddy's Day got in the way this month)

2 “Brewery Tours of SD” Busses loop for 4 hours, stopping at 8 craft-beer bars.
Hop on and off FOR FREE at Blind Lady, Small Bar, Live Wire, Toronado, Ritual Tavern, Sea Rocket, The Station & Hamilton’s.

The first buses will be leaving Blind Lady at 7pm and Hamilton’s at 7:10pm. They will run in a circular pattern until 11pm, stopping only at stops on the right side of the street. This means they will only stop at Ritual on an express route from Hamilton’s to Blind Lady.

Important Tip: The buses will do their best to always stop at Toronado and Ritual Tavern at the same time so that you can transfer at this point.

To get more info and to download a bus schedule go to the official Drink About site.

South Park Walkabout next Sat. 3/27

Make plans now for the Spring South Park Walkabout, featuring scavenger "hunts" for adults and kids, with specials and giveaways galore!

More info on participating South Park businesses, and a free South Park newsletter are available at www.southparkscene.com.

Ritual Tavern (not so weekly) Update

We've been hearing from a few people that we should post more updates.
It has been a while since we've chatted, so here's whats doing this
weekend. . .

Appetizer specials this weekend include a golden and red beet salad
with goat cheese, roasted yellow squash and yogurt mustard dressing.
Or try a bowl of sweet potato leek soup. The entrée special this
weekend is a Niman Ranch boneless pork loin with red wine jus served
with a sweet potato and parsnip puree and Suzie’s Farm organic broccoli and
chard. It’s a little early in the season, but we do have some organic
strawberries from JR Organics served with out famous shortbread
cookies and fresh whipped cream. Come by early: these berries are sure
to sell out!

This weekend’s cask is sublime, in a self righteous kind of way.
Brewed by Stone Brewing, Sublimely Self Righteous Ale is a Black IPA with
8.7%ABV!! Mighty tasty, you won’t even notice the alcohol.

This month’s Drink About has been postponed a week because of St.
Patrick’s Day Usually held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, Drink
About provides a free shuttle bus from Hamilton’s in South Park to
Blind Lady in Normal Heights with stops in at Ritual every 30 minutes
until 11:20pm. (first stop 7:20pm) Join us for Drink About on March
24th.

We’re gearing up for St Patrick’s Day best we can. In addition to our
signature Shepherd’s Pie and casked stout, we’ll have the Ritual
corned beef and cabbage. We’re corning/brining Niman Ranch beef briskets
without using that pesky salt peter* (In addition to avoiding high
fructose corn sweetener we like to avoid manufactured chemicals in our
food preparation.) Please join us for a plate and a pint this coming Wednesday March
17th.

Cheers!
from all of us at your Ritual :-)




*”Salt peter typically refers to the chemical compound potassium
nitrate, though it may also refer to sodium nitrate. Salt peter was
once collected from decomposing material, but today, it is generally
manufactured by treating sodium nitrate, mostly mined in Chile, with
potassium chloride and collecting the precipitate. Salt peter was one
of the ingredients of the first gunpowder, black powder. Today, it has
many uses in both the laboratory and the larger world.. . . . Sodium
nitrate, also called salt peter, shares many applications with
potassium nitrate. Both can be used to manufacture nitric acid, to
propel model rockets, and to increase the shelf life of meats and
other foods. Sodium nitrate is also used to manufacture glass and
enamel. Like potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate may increase one's
likelihood of developing cancer, but it also occurs naturally in leafy
green vegetables and may have some health benefits. A small study
conducted in Sweden suggested that the nitrates found in vegetables
may help lower blood pressure.”
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-salt-peter.htm

Heaven Sent Desserts is offering our fabulous Valentine's Day dessert for 30th on 28th!

The incredible Chocolate Lava Lust is no ordinary chocolate dessert - the light, fresh and heavenly individual chocolate cake is filled with liquid cacao chocolate, served with a raspberry coulis sauce that "bites" the chocolate and make the tastebuds work overtime - it is truly to die for. Make sure to stop by and make your day a celebration on the 28th!


Don't foget that we offer "Afternoon Delight" every day between 3pm and 6pm: Choose one of 3 desserts and a housedrink for $6 or bring a friend and have 2 desserts and 2 housedrinks for $10!

30th Street Drinkabout Ritual Wednesday February 17th

The folks over at Draft Magazine have a thing for 30th Street and nearby Adams Ave. Ritual Tavern and Hamilton's were honored in the 'Best Beer Bars' issue January 2009. The current 2010 issue repeats the love for Hamilton's and adds Blind Lady Alehouse into the fold.

This Wednesday, February 17th you can enjoy some of the best craft beer bars and restaurants in San Diego, California and the USA (according to Draft) The beginning, middle and end of this craft beer tour are sure to please your palate and your pocketbook. For more info check out sdDrinkabout.com

Your Linkery Valentine

Here’s how the Linkery rolls on V-Day: full menu (not fixed), no reservations, everything’s the same price it always is, it’s casual, we try to make sure everyone has a good time. Neighborhood restaurant style.

This year it falls on a Sunday, which means we open at 10am and stay open 13.5 hours for your Valentining pleasure. (That’s till 11:30pm).

It’s Smokehouse Sunday, and Max told me he’s going to add some grass-fed Prime Rib to the smokehouse in celebration of it being a luxurious holiday. Also, you can figure we’ll have some oysters on hand. Beyond that, it’ll be another Sunday at the Link.

As for the first-come, first-served factor: we’ve got lots of tables. if I recall correctly, last year we were busy but accommodated everyone with minimal waiting.

Anyway, we like Valentine’s Day, everyone’s out and having fun.

Ritual Tavern is for Lovers (and great food too!)

It's a three day Valentine’s Day weekend extravaganza!
(Monday is a Federal Holiday after all)

2 special beers to commemorate the occasion one from the Bruery and one from San Diego’s own AleSmith:

Patrick Rue at the Bruery has created Mélange No. Sechs (Six in German, sounds like sex) - a Valentine’s Day beer brewed with beets (to give it a very red color), rose petals and cocoa nibs. $6 tulip no discount

AleSmith “My Bloody Valentine”* on cask for our Valentine’s Day Dinner and Beer Pairing. A few reservation are available for 5:00pm and 8:00pm on Sunday February 14th. Enjoy 4 courses paired with AleSmith beers, while enjoying the company of your true love (the brewery staff of AleSmith) for $50 per person (+ tax & tip) What's not to love? Enjoy local fish Ceviche paired with Lil' Devil, Lobster Bisque paired with Alesmith X Pale Ale and Jidori Chicken Cordon Bleu with Niman Ranch ham and AleSmith's Horney Devil. Saving the best for last, we'll finish Chocolate Decadence Flourless cake served with cask conditioned 'My Bloody Valentine' for dessert! Unfortunately we won't be able to accommodate walk-ins for this event so please RSVP ASAP!

We've recently added some of our most popular specials to the dinner menu. We've now got a 'Catch of the Day'. Sourced through Catalina Offshore Products, we're currently plating the fish with sundried tomato cous cous, Crows Pass sugar snap peas and beurre blanc. If you're a meat eater, you'll be happy to know that the Niman Ranch Skirt Steak with potatoes au gratin and organic spinach is now available nightly.

Next Wednesday February 17th is the return of the DrinkAbout. Click the link below to get more info and download schedules for the free shuttle service running up and 30th Street!
DrinkAbout info

Cheers!

Valentine's Day Ritual: Sharing Love and Beers with AleSmith

By Reservation Only

5:00 and 8:00pm