Shooting Stars of Thought |

1. Yes, they serve sausages.

tonight there were 6 options:knockwurst, hot italian, linguica, veal bratwurst, a veal/pork brat, and one more i can’t remember. We ordered the linguica (taking up chef dylan’s suggestion), and the pork/veal brat, which were EXCELLENTLY paired with the Hollister “The j” and the Pizza Port Carlsbad Ruby Black, respectively. Lets just say the pairings were perfect–the bacony smokiness of the J pairing amazingly with the flavorful punch of the linguica, and the sweet coffee flavors marrying with the sweet undertones of the brat. (yes, you read that right-bacony smokiness–it’s a must-try)

The only other thing on the menu was the cheeseburger. Yes, seriously, as in cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger, belushi style. (I was half-wishing one of the bartenders would say “no coke, beer” when i tried to order). No matter–despite the tempting combination of maytag blue, spinach, and beef, there’s no doubt you have to order a sausage when eating at Toronado. (Ok, between the two of you, order a cheeseburger and a sausage, but for god’s sake, split them). Toronado means beer + sausage, right? (although I was assured that a more intricate menu was forthcoming, which I’m excited about, and which, eventually, I will probably let distract me from those perfect sausages).

2. My god, the place is small.

We arrived just shy of 8:00, snagged the last two bar stools, and spent the next two hours watching the space around us fill up. Granted, we saw some old Liars Club comrades, and a few other familiar faces, but we also saw an onslaught of 30 + wig-bearing members of the equivalent of brother love’s traveling salvation show, who uncomfortably took over the space during a stop-over of a 30th street bar-hopping tour. moral of the story: get in before 8:30 to secure a seat.

3. the beer selection is UNRIVALED

um, unrivaled in San Diego, that is. (or maybe california-wide, or maybe nation-wide; i’m not in the position to judge). but yes, that’s about 52 taps you count. 52! I spent a good five minutes perusing the list above the bar, then another 5 minutes eliminating all the beers I’d tried, then another 5 minutes narrowing down the remaining selection. This is a place to please your taste buds, to satisfy your curiosity, to continue to learn about beer. which is good, because based on tonight I will be back often.

As it stands, after dinner and two rounds, it was time to move the evening away from the crazy wig-bearing-bar-crawlers and on to the legitimacy of a home brew. so toronado, as much as I love you so far, you’ve yet to beat putting on the new hold steady album, pouring a pint of homebrewed vanilla porter, and retiring to the couch…

operative word there being yet: i have faith you’ll come about in the next few weeks, adding the food and the ambiance, and certainly continuing to boast the beers that will keep me there for hours and hours…(um, might i also suggest you try to attract the hold steady when they’re in town next weekend??)

all in all, welcome to the ‘hood.