Taste of Hillcrest:
4 Reasons Why You Can't Miss It

Apr 12th 2011 1:00PM / by Nanette Wiser

Satisfy your culinary cravings this Saturday, April 16 from noon to 4pm for the annual Taste of Hillcrest, wherein locals nibble their way through San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood. If you are a fan of the Sunday Farmers' Market or Fabulous Hillcrest's Tuesday Nite Out Happy Hours, you already know the delights of Ortega's Bistro,Urban Mo's, lovable Porkyland and Buonissimo 2. Indulge your taste buds, meet local chefs and enjoy the best of this movable feast.

Babycakes: If you haven't brunched on Babycakes' red velvet hotcakes, sipped a chocolate cake (yes, sipped), nibbled guava mango cupcakes or sampled their chicken potpie, your foodie quotient just hit rock bottom. An ab-fab hotspot for dreamy Sunday morning dates and dessert proving that life is a bowl of cherries with sprinkles on top.
3766 Fifth Ave.; 619-296-4173

Bo's Seafood Market & Grill: Neptune's bounty and a lovely boutique wine list enhances Bo's fresh fish market's take-home or dine-in fare, especially the shrimp and crab Louie, homemade tuna salad, shrimp ceviche, beer-battered fish and chips and the calamari tacos.
1040 University Ave.; 619-574-2800

Gossip Grill: Popular sister of Urban Mo's and Baja Betty's, this clever eatery with feminist-inspired Dada art, a racy cocktail menu and delights including ahi tuna wontons, Moroccan veggie burgers, soba noodle and shrimp salad, and truffle mac 'n' cheese. Gossip Grill's $5.99 weekday lunch specials from noon to 2pm pack 'em in.
1440 University Ave.; 619-260-8023

The Tractor Room: The Tractor Room's unique brunch features elk sausage hash, ground lamb feta basil scramble, buffalo quesadilla scramble and sage fried chicken Benedict. The funky bar and restaurant continues to fly at dinner with the Indiana roasted duck or the pheasant with cognac and rabbit sausage -- best devoured with the black-skillet cornbread. Tractor always fulfills the promise of "honest drink and meats."
3687 5th Ave.; 619-543-1007

$30 (advance), $35 (day of)
Order tickets online ; 619-233-5008

Photo Courtesy of BabyCakes San Diego