3rd Corner's Ed Moore Picks the Best Food and Wine in San Diego

Oct 15th 2010 2:05PM / by Nanette Wiser

Before the San Diego culinary scene exploded, Ed Moore was racking up Wine Spectator awards for his cellar and Zagat points for his continental cuisine. He's since launched the San Diego Celebration of Chefs, opened coastal cuisine hot spotNick's At The Beach and his beloved 3rd Corner Wine Store & Bistro, first in Ocean Beach (2000), then in Encinitas (2008), and just this fall, Palm Springs. "Encinitas is the hot spot, and it's cougar heaven at the bar on weekends," he says. "There's a wait list still at 11pm since we serve food late." One of the best known restaurateurs, Moore is both chef and wine muse, a fan of down-home dishes and sophisticated Euro-fare. Here we talk to him about his favorite places to wine and dine -- and get the scoop on the culinary scene in San Diego.

Favorite chef: "Everything Carl Schroeder does is the best, he's San Diego's hottest chef and Market in Del Mar across from the Polo Field is all good -- from the food at the bar to the sushi. Brian Donagon, his sommelier, is very knowledgeable, a first-rate experience from start to finish."
Regular neighborhood hangouts: "Typically, we try to stay in Ocean Beach where we live, but we love all the new places in North Park, especially Urban Solace. Marla (his wife) likes their burger. We also enjoy the comfort food and hanging with Joey at The Venetian, and Pomodoro's prices are just right and the food is excellent."
Best date spot: "You can't beat the view at Mr. A's. We like to go there, share appetizers, drink wine and canoodle over the sunset."

The "now" hot spot: "I'm excited about what's going on with the old Thee Bungalow remodel by the Cohn group and Felipe, who designed the French Side of the West. There's even going to be a pizza oven outside."

Best inexpensive wine: "(Wine) used to be just for snobs and those with money. Now you can get absolute bang-for-the-buck wines under $20 that drink great. We're seeing a whole new generation of wine collectors and consumers. We change up our wine by the glass menu because people always want to find the new hot thing. 3rd Corner sells a Rhone 94 for $16.80, Jordan Chardonnay for $17 and a California meritage, Eponymous for $21, a serious wine with a long finish, very complex and delicious."
Seasonal favorites by the glass: " I love reds still, especially the Provence region and Konig Cellars (the kids from Peachy Canyon) but I'm enjoying the dry crisp citrusy taste of Sauvignon Blanc as well as Dry Riesling and Fume Blanc, as long as they are not too herbaceous."
Best now noshes: "You can tell by my menu what I'm into. Baked Humboldt fog goat cheese with wild mushrooms and toasted brioche, stilton and goat cheese terrine with dried fruits and pistachio nuts/zucchini bread, grilled shrimp skewers with saffron aioli, olives and charcuterie, wild mushroom pasta, smoked salmon, smoked duck breast salad, mussels and pan-seared sea scallops in a white lemon sauce."

How he stays fresh: "Travel, wine tours, reading my cookbooks and magazines. I'm taking my staff to Paso Robles next, that should get the culinary juices flowing."