La Gran Terraza—a Gem on the USD Campus
Plus: Bargains at Santos Market; There Ought to Be a Law Submissions; The Mystery Home, Garden and Landscape Reviewer; and Upcoming Community Events
For many years, we have partaken of the wonderful food and ambience of La Gran Terraza and the adjoining O’Toole’s Pub on the University of San Diego campus (at Hahn University Center 5998 Alcala Park, Level 1). With its beautiful views of Mission Bay and Tecolote Canyon, La Gran Terraza appeals to people’s culinary appetite as well as their desire for attractive visual aesthetics. This fantastic place was closed during the pandemic but has recently opened on a limited basis. It is currently open from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Monday through Friday and closed during the weekend. Right now, it is only open for lunch but hopefully will open for dinner in the not-too-distant future. O’Toole’s Pub has a pub menu and is now open Monday through Friday 5 – 9 PM for ages 21 and over. Free valet parking is available for lunch.
Reservations can be made through Open Table or directly. They can accommodate small or large parties.
We recently ventured a mile or so over to USD to have a go at lunch. The free valet parking appeals to us and the tip is worth not walking a quarter mile from the parking garage.
We made reservations, but the restaurant was not crowded, and we were given a lovely window table. The view is overlooking the canyon and quite refreshing after a rain-soaked night with everything looking very fresh and clean.
The wait staff is made up mostly of USD students and they are always friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, which tends to be farm to table fare. The menu does change, but mostly seasonally. The menu items are marked if they are vegan, vegetarian, or gluten free.
The waitress quickly brought us bruschetta and water and took our drink order.
After a little deliberation we ordered Eggplant Dumplings, and Roasted Salmon atop pureed roasted eggplant with asparagus and fig. We didn’t have our usual carnivore side-kick with us, but the meat items looked delicious and our sidekick, who is now studying abroad in Greece, texted me that he would have had the Prime Rib French Dip Sandwich, which he had before and declared it delicious.
The dining room is very elegant and being surrounded by students and professors walking the halls makes it feel like you are feeding your brain as well as your body.
In the past our book club has met there and will again. If you haven’t tried this gem, please do so. I am sure you will enjoy it.
When you open their website you will see they sponsor special events periodically such as an Italian night, special Thanksgiving and Christmas offerings, trivia nights at O’Tooles and more. These events are all open to the public and reservations fill up fast.
La Gran Terraza and O’Toole’s Pub
5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110
619-849-8205
Bargains at Santos Market
In last week’s edition of the Linda Vista Update, we mentioned that Linda Vista Honey was available at one LV retail outlet—Santos Market on 6619 Linda Vista Road.
In the spirit of promoting local businesses, we decided this week to pay a visit to Santos Market and check out what it had to offer. In case you are not familiar with this business, Santos Market mainly sells canned foods, (including several Mexican food staples), fresh fruits and vegetable, plants, and flowers. The store is located adjacent to the 7-11 convenience store, and a block away from the Francis Parker School. It’s been at this location, in one form or another for 21 years! The store hours are from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm every day.
On the day we visited, the owner of the market pointed out these great bargain items.
First, he directed us to the collection of $5.00 flower bouquets, letting us know this is one of his most popular items. The price is hard to beat.
He then referred us to his $10.00 bouquets—still quite a deal.
And he was happy to show us his lineup of sunflowers.
He also showed us his orange marigolds, which he said are usually very popular in the days leading up to Halloween and right before Thanksgiving. They certainly look very autumnal.
Finally, he let us know about his sale on tomatoes which are currently going for 99 cents a pound.
If you’re looking to buy groceries or flowers, you might think about stopping by Santos Market to do your shopping.
News Brief
“There Ought to Be a Law” Program Seeks Submissions
How many times have you observed either a virtuous display of behavior that others should be mandated to emulate or some form of injustice that led you to mutter the words, “There ought to be a law”? For example, have you always thought that mimes should be banned from performing in public places? Do you believe Taco Tuesday specials ought to be mandated state-wide? Or perhaps you’ve been thinking drought-stricken Californians should be prohibited from showering on Thursdays?
Fortunately, the office of State Assembly Member Dr. Akilah Weber is launching the “There Ought to Be A Law” program for residents of the 79th Assembly District to submit ideas for new laws. Constituent input is a vital part of creating legislation that helps all Californians and they want to hear from you.
On October 1st through November 1st, 2021, you may submit legislative proposals at https://a79.asmdc.org/there-ought-be-law. All proposals will undergo a rigorous vetting process by Assemblymember Weber and her staff. You will be notified if the Assemblymember is able to introduce your bill idea in the 2022 legislative session.
If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at (619) 531-7913.
The Mystery Home, Garden and Landscape Reviewer Makes Debut
Great news! One of our loyal readers recently volunteered to be our official Mystery Home, Garden, and Landscape reviewer. This reader was tasked with periodically bringing to light fine examples of Linda Vista residential and business place aesthetics. The Mystery Reviewer traipsed vigilantly for weeks throughout the LV community to complete the task. Here is what the Mystery Viewer came up with for the initial post:
Example # 1: The Villa Vista Apartments on Linda Vista Road and Glidden Street. Reviewer Comments: Built in 1971; recently upgraded with wood floors and faux wood blinds. The units are large, the bathrooms huge. Beautifully landscaped.
Example # 2: The Vine Learning Center on Comstock Street (near Ulric Street). Reviewer comments: A local gentleman patiently tends the beautiful flowers adjacent to the Regional Post Office. It’s loose, not tightly manicured.
Example # 3: Duplex on Hyatt Street. Reviewer comments: Light gray stucco with black shutters contrasting the white window frames, new mail boxes, love the teal front doors, small plantings surrounded by contrasting wood chips. A fine street upgrade.
Example # 4: Apartment Complex on Linda Vista Road between Fulton and Levant Streets. Reviewer comments: Pops of color in red and yellow doors.
Looking good, Linda Vista!
***
The Linda Vista Update wishes to thank the Mystery Reviewer for taking the time to make these observations.
Upcoming Community Events
Francis Parker School Football: The Lancers host the Bishop School on October 8 at 7:00pm.
USD Football: The Toreros play their next home game against Drake University on October 15 at 2:00 pm.
SD Loyal Soccer: The Loyal takes on New Mexico United on October 17 at 3:00 pm at USD’s Torero Stadium. It’s YMCA Day at the game. For every $20 ticket purchased, the San Diego Loyal will give $5 to the YMCA. Tickets can be purchased here.
Linda Vista Town Council: The LVTC will hold its monthly general meeting (on Zoom) on October 20 at 5:45 pm. District 7 Councilmember Raul Campillo will be the guest speaker. All Linda Vista residents are invited. The Zoom address is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89697538858
Subscribe to the Linda Vista Update
If you haven’t already done so, we invite you to subscribe to the Linda Vista Update (it’s free). Once you do so, you will be on automatic distribution for all future posts. Just click on the below “Subscribe now” button. Join our growing readership!
The Linda Vista Update publishes informative, interesting and fun news about Linda Vista and its neighboring communities.