Come and Get It

By Ron Donoho

WHETHER YOU LIVE TO EAT or eat to live, it helps to have some knowledge of the best restaurants in town. Annually, this issue is one of our best-selling. Perhaps because we let you pick the winners in dozens of diverse categories—from best of the best to best cheap eats; best breakfast to best latenight dining; best American to best Middle Eastern; best dining with kids to most romantic. You get the picture.

Our food package doesn’t stop with the readers’ poll results. We have two local food critics weigh in with their picks. Plus: Tom Gable uncorks the names of the best wines available for less than $20; Judi Strada adds spice to the notion of dining out on sushi; and David Nelson pitches the best ways to get good food at the new downtown ballpark.

Bon appétit.

AFTER SAMPLING OUR TASTY RESTAURANT COVERAGE, save room for other editorial entrées. Investigative reporter Jeannette De Wyze gets an exclusive interview with Amanda May, embattled head of the Episcopal Community Services. The local charity is being investigated for financial irregularities by the San Diego District Attorney’s Office and by the county. In the interview, May defends her accounting and hiring practices.

Then there’s our plunge into the elective adult-education world of The Learning Annex. You’ve seen their sometimes racy catalogs in the deli or noticed them parodied on TV shows. We sent four writers to take four different classes. A highlight: the account from reporter/mom/“everyday woman” Eilene Zimmerman, whom we asked to learn the art of seductive dance, as taught by a former stripper.

As always, there’s plenty more on the menu. The local jazz scene—yes, there is one!—steps into our spotlight. In his first piece for San Diego Magazine, Dan Bennett profiles one of San Diego’s most prominent leaders of a world peace movement. The folks responsible for marketing San Diego to tourists and conventioneers step into business editor Larry Edwards’ crosshairs. And Tom Blair chats with Judge Fred Link, an outspoken jurist who presided over the recent Richard Tuite trial and isn’t afraid to speak his mind on fair trials, the death penalty and the failings of the media.

That’s a lot to have on one plate. Enjoy the issue.

Ron Donoho
Executive Editor

	50 People to Watch Party 2012 This year's event held at the Saltbox at the Hotel Palomar on January 20 honoring San Diego's best and brightest.

	47th annual Presentation Tea Photos of the 47th annual Presentation Tea at a private estate in Rancho Santa Fe

	Air Supply: Filling Lungs with Love Photos of an event to raise money for Sharlie Kaltenbach at a private estate in Olivenhain

	Super Stars... Let it Shine! Photos from an evening to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad held at La Costa Resort