Name: Cafe 21
Location: 750 5th Ave. Downtown San Diego
Date Reviewed: 01/28/2012
Cuisine: New American
Must Try: Sangria, Chicken Curry Cakes

In downtown San Diego, restaurants and bars often come and go, many of which are unable to consistently offer fresh and flavorful food, reasonable prices, and outstanding service. Luckily, Café 21 is not one of these lacking restaurants. Located at 750 5th Avenue between G Street and F Street, Café 21 offers delicious dishes that feature seasonal, organic, and locally grown ingredients, as well as an extensive drink menu to match. Equally impressive to the food and beverage menu is the personal touch that each diner is guaranteed to receive with experience while at Café 21.

“When you’re here, we want you to feel like you are at your friend’s house, to feel welcome,” say owners Alex and Leyla. “We want you to feel like you’ve come to my house and I asked my wife to make food for you.” After moving to San Diego from Baku, Azerbaijan, Alex and his wife Leyla initially opened Café 21 on Adams Avenue in University Heights in 2007 with the motto “Neighborhood fare with a flare.” Luckily for us, the pair recently expanded to downtown, bringing the same neighborhood values, fine food and homey, yet elegant décor to 5th Avenue. After being warmly greeted by Alex and his staff, we were seated at a table that was complete with a portable purse rack for the ladies at the table.

Café 21 takes a communal approach to serving, so we had several servers, including Alex himself, all who offered thoughtful recommendations on food and drinks. But before we even had a chance to get to the food menu, we had our eyes on the 2 page, brightly colored drink menu. While the friendly service and dynamic dishes certainly make Café 21 a superior downtown dining destination, the additional presence of such a dynamic drink menu, featuring both exotic and familiar flavors alike, really helps to set Café 21 apart from other drinking and dining choices in the Gaslamp.

For first timers, do your taste buds a favor and order the sangria Flight. For $10, the Flight includes five sample-sized glasses of their homemade sangrias of the day, garnished to match their featured flavors. The sangria menu changes frequently, based upon the availability of fresh and in-season ingredients. The five sangrias in my flight included blood-orange citrus, mango papaya, cranberry vanilla, almond rosemary, and of course, original. A combination that one might more readily associate with a roasted winter chicken, the almond rosemary sangria proved to be a surprisingly refreshing and delicious combination that you just might find yourself craving on both hot and cold days alike. The blood-orange citrus also packed a punch with bold flavor that I will definitely be back for.

Because we were dining during brunch and were already overwhelmed by two orders of Sangria Flights, the only additional drink that we had room to order was a Bloody Mary. However, this was not your typical Bloody Mary. Forget canned tomato juice and a wilted celery garnish, this cocktail was something much more. Made with Tru Organic Vodka and Café 21’s salty and spicy homemade tomato mix, this brunch time favorite came topped with not three, not four, but five strips of crispy bacon and a massive skewer of olives and sweet peppers. The Café 21 Bloody Mary is sure to ease your Saturday hangover or help to start your Sunday funday. Having been thoroughly impressed with their daytime drinks, we can’t wait to visit during happy hour to check out more of their creative cocktails served from their full bar, which is stocked with top of the line organic tequilas and vodkas. Out for something even more organic? Try one of their organic teas or coffees.

While the drinks alone are reason enough to visit Café 21 for a quick lunch out of the office or happy hour, we were anxious to try some of the food too. Inspired by both their American and Middle Eastern roots, the menus at Café 21 are unique and full of flavor. We ordered three items from their brunch menu: Curry Chicken Cakes, Lamb Sausage Omelet, and the Prosciutto Omelet. The Chicken Curry Cakes were served with poached eggs, creamy saffron sauce, red onions, and Havarti cheese. A great combination for those indecisive between breakfast and lunch, this dish was perfectly seasoned and satisfying. The omelets were each served in their own individual cast iron skillets and baked to perfection. For salt lovers, definitely try the prosciutto omelet, which was generously filled with meat, cheddar cheese, tomatoes and cremini mushroom. Sausage and meat enthusiasts should definitely try the lamb sausage omelet, which came with four juicy, meatball-sized pieces of lamb sausage, goat cheese, tomato and mozzarella.

Not a fan of meat? Try their feta or herb omelet, which are packed with tasty veggies and cheeses. All omelets are served homemade house toast and a choice of one side, which vary but generally include Café 21’s signature pancakes, grilled prosciutto, mixed greens with strawberries, fruit, potato chips or soup. Though we ordered brunch, Café 21 also offers an extensive lunch and dinner menu which, like their signature sangrias, varies by the availability of seasonal, fresh, local, and organic ingredients.

The bottom line: Whether you’re downtown for business lunch, a night out with friends or for a romantic dinner date, the quality of the food and the thoughtful and gracious service truly make Café 21 a superior restaurant worth frequenting.

Check out the Cafe 21 website for updated menu information and more on Alex and Leyla: http://cafe-21.com/

Photos by Bonnie Dickson

1. What is your favorite venue to go to in Downtown SD?

Favorite Venue Depends on night but always have an amazing time at Ivy

2. So far, what has been the highlight of your job as a promoter?

Highlight of the Job is seeing how happy everyone gets after they have a good night. Me getting them in or setting them up with a bus makes my night!

3. Give the best bit of advice you could give to someone else who is just starting out in the industry?

Network! Dont burn bridges you never know who that person could be.

4. What is your “motto”?

Work hard, Play Harder

5. Who is your personal hero?

Lance Armstrong

6. What are you favorite hobbies outside of the club?

Going to the Beach, Working out, Ejoying time amoungst Loved ones

7. What else do you do? What is your “daytime” job?

I am a Territory Development Specialist for iForce Nutrition

8. What are your rules of dating in the industry?

Dont, Bad to have trash in your front yard! Something Negative usually comes out in the end.

9. What is your “perfect” date?

DisneyLand

10. Give me the top three songs that you live your life by?

Florence and The Machine- You got the love (mark Knight remix)

Bob Marley- Three Little Birds

David Guetta- Titanium (alesso Remix)

Every weekend, we try and pull out all the stops so you can have amazing stories to come back and tell your coworkers and classmates about! San Diego is growing to be the perfect setting for the all-out “rager” so be sure to hit up either one or all of these events! This weekend, we have a mix of superstar DJ’s and hot venues that will be sure to get your party animal blood racing…so we invite you to come take a step into our world…it’s sure to be the most fun you have had in a long time

Thursday: CEDRIC GERVAIS AT VOYEUR NIGHTCLUB

We are happy to announce that we will be featuring Cedric Gervais at Voyeur San Diego! This DJ has earned his right in the entertainment world with his masterful mixes and fluid transitions, and will be sure to capture not only your heart but your musical imagination. It is an uncommon occurrence in the Electronic Dance Music scene to find an artist talented as both a DJ and a producer. Cedric Gervais is of the rare breed whose talents behind the decks translate over into the production room.

He has captivated clubbers and party-goers as he reigned supreme over the Miami dance scene. Although originally born in Marseilles, Cedric Gervais has chosen Miami as his adopted home, and the city has been more than happy to embrace him. Cedric’s presence at the club Space Terrace was felt immediately as people in the thousands began lining up to witness him devastate the after-hours scene.

Despite being in such heavy demand, Cedric still found time to take his talents into the studio. His first single with Ultra Records, “Burning” was a great success on both the charts and the underground circuit. Soon after, he unleashed his debut album “The Experiment”, which featured the massive hit, “Spirit in My Life”. The album took him to a different level as he spent the next couple of years touring the world, entertaining and thrilling his many fans. His production credits include working with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Deep Dish, Steve Lawler, and Rachel Star, just to name a few.

Very few have managed to enjoy the kind of success Cedric Gervais has worked hard to achieve in such a short span of time. The scary, yet enthralling aspect about Cedric’s career is that it has yet to reach it peak. Although it would be cliché to say the future is bright for this young star, it is extremely true. We are not sure what is in store for Cedric, but what can be certain is his impact is one that will be felt forever!

Watch the music video for his song – “Ready or Not”:

Artist Links:
www.cedricgervais.com
soundcloud.com/cedricgervais
www.facebook.com/cedgerv
twitter.com/CedricGervais

Listen to, and download his Miamification Podcast:

Friday: FRIDAY NIGHT FIX FEATURING PS1, DIGG’S, DJ RED, AND STATIC PROMENADE
Come get your Friday Night Fix with us at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego! We are featuring talented local artists that are sure to get you grooving into the night. We have PS1 and Digg’s in 207, and we are also bringing to you guys our open-air Electronic Dance Music scene showcase up at Float nightclub on the rooftop. So be sure to tip the bottles and your glass back as you enjoy what Downtown San Diego has to offer!

There will also be a hosted bar at Float from 9:00-10:00PM so come and enjoy some complimentary drinks while listening to our opener. You MUST RSVP to our event invite at ——–>http://on.fb.me/FridayNightFix020312 in order to save your spot!

Artist Links:
PS1 -
www.djps1.com
www.myspace.com/deejayps1
www.facebook.com/djps1music
DIGG’S -
http://on.fb.me/djdiggs
www.myspace.com/theofficialdjdiggs
DJ RED -
www.therealdjred.com
STATIC PROMENADE -
www.facebook.com/staticpromenade
soundcloud.com/staticpromenade
Saturday: IVY SATURDAYS AT THE ANDAZ HOTEL FEATURING SCOOTER & LAVELLE

We are always excited to feature Scooter & Lavelle. These guys have blown up so fast in the scene and have played together or separately such in countries such as South Korea, Mexico, the EU, and in the good ol’ United States. Scooter and Lavelle both have such different styles, yet when they play together, you get a sound that is not only original but also full of your favorite club bangers!

Take a listen at one of their most famous beats (and our personal favorite) – “Beats Inside my Head”.

The Ivy nightclub at Andaz features three levels each with their own sets of DJ’s at each floor. Whichever you choose to go to, you will be delighted by the sick sounds escaping from each set of turntables.

On the Ivy Rooftop, we will be featuring sounds by one of our industry favorites Craig Smoove with Menikmati opening. Both of these guys are sure to get your heart pumping and head bobbing!

The Winebar at Andaz will feature DJ Angle from San Diego. He is a master at what he does and definitely is NOT someone you want to miss!

The Ivy Nightclub is one on it’s own. They not only feature their own sexy dance troupe (Lipstik Inc.) but they also feature oxygen blasters and the loud ass sound systems that are a little reminiscent of Las Vegas. This Saturday, we will have the Ivy’s resident DJ Este hit the tables before letting veterans Scooter & Lavelle take the reigns.

The best part? If you get a table on the Mezz, you can sit back, enjoy your bottle, look out and listen to the music as the entire crowd stares back up at you. Sounds good right?

Artist Links:
SCOOTER & LAVELLE -
www.scooterandlavelle.com
www.facebook.com/scooterandlavelle
soundcloud.com/scooterandlavelle
CRAIG SMOOVE -
http://craigsmoove.com
www.myspace.com/craigsmoove
www.soundcloud.com/craigsmoove
ESTE -
www.myspace.com/dj_este
www.facebook.com/DJESTE
ANGLE -
http://facebook.com/DjAngle
MENIKMATI -
http://on.fb.me/MenikmatiDJ

Sunday: Guesthouse Dayclub (our craziest part yet) has been postponed until the damn Superbowl Madness is over…plenty of things to say about that one but we will let you football fans have your day . Here are the themes and lineups for the next three weekends, however, so all of you Sunday Funday party people can get your shit ready!

2/12/12 – We will featuring DJ Scooter at our MOUSTACHE PARTY! Get your furry little friend’s on your face ready to party because you know Scooter will be bringing it hard with his!

2/19/12 – NEON PARTY – Remember our opener? How absolutely crazy and effing wacked out it was? Well guess what, we are bringing it back! “If it ain’t neon, it shouldn’t be on!” with none other than Sex Panther. They kill it every time they step in the building…our question to you is: Do you have what it takes to party harder than our DJ duo?

2/26/12 – The Villains will playing this day, and we could not be more happy. This duo is from Los Angeles and brings the energy every time they hit the decks. Come wearing your favorite disco-inspired gear for our SHINY DISCO BALLS PARTY!

If you have never seen what goes in this building on Sunday Day’s, here is a little video that is sure to make your senses go wild…

GuestHouse DayClub Sunday’s Grand Opening – DJhere Productions, DDJ & Night Access – djhere.com from DJhere Productions on Vimeo.

That’s it for us this week! Stay tuned to find out a little more about the DJ’s and venues we have coming at you every weekend.

Artistic has invested millions in the Bank of Hip Hop. Every day with every step he takes, he tries to embody the heart and soul that fuels the music he loves so dearly. When he’s behind the decks, he lets the crowd dictate what they want to hear; playing to the energy, the mood and the groove, instead of what’s popular on the charts.

He’s a party rockin’ DJ who’s biggest sense of satisfaction comes from seeing club goers lose their voices singing to the songs he spins or when someone’s wants to know the title of a track he just played.

From what started as his childhood dream over 20 years ago, Artistic has worked hard to turn it into reality. Starting his career in 1995 by throwing Apollo-style events called “The Breakthrough,” he brought up and coming DJ’s and MC’s to showcase their skills in front of a crowd. These events started a buzz about Artistic’s skills and his reputation for a man who cared enough about the music community around him to help others succeed with him.

From there he grew into a successful local DJ himself, then a producer for Deep Rooted—which has won a San Diego music award for Best Hip Hop album in 2008. He has gone on tour with legends like Public Enemy and has shared the stage with the great Richard Humpty Vision. Artistic has come a long way from playing small venues across the city to performing in front of packed arenas and touring across the country.

As a testament to his never-ending work ethic Artistic tirelessly hustles his own weekly radio show on www.jellyradio.com and effortlessly balances a schedule of 2 monthly residencies, a weekly and a smattering of one-offs.

With this kind of dedication to his craft and desire to better himself as a man and as an artist its clear why he’s earned nods from San Diego City Beat for Best Club DJ 3 years running (2007, 2008, 2009).

There is no stopping Artistic’s altruistic mission to share the passion, love and enthusiasm he has within him to every person getting down in front of him. He is a true “No Sucker DJ” that brings his A-game to each of his gigs

If you haven’t heard of him yet, you will. DJ Artistic is on the fast-track to greatness, coming to a club near you.

Mixing it up every 4^th Thursday of the month with something for every generation, Artistic delivers new episodes of his podcast: Generations Podcast. There’s something for everyone in Generations Podcast 019. Listen up.

SGM Podcast | 2012-01-26 | Artistic | Generations Podcast 019

Ladies, you know those nights when you try on every item of clothing in your closet and every pair of earrings on your jewelry rack, only to find yourself wearing the same old dress and bangle that you tried on in the first place? Never fear, this Saturday January 28th, rock your go-to black dress, ditch your accessories, and come spice up your look with this season’s hottest new accessories and clothing at the Andaz Salon Glitz and Glamour Jewelry Trunk Show.

This event, which will be held at the Ivy Winebar at Andaz, will feature must have spring looks from local favorites Gloss Boutique shown by regional manager Alana Grim, Hav2Hav Accessories by Lizette Gonzalez, Chole and Isabel Jewelry, and Ihana Style by Eeva Rytkönen-Hetnar. These ladies will be showing and selling both new and vintage jewelry, scarves, belts and clothing. Creativity and style and definitely not lacking among these three fashionistas, who all pride themselves on keeping up with old trends, while also rediscovering old ones with vintage items. Eeva Rytkönen-Hetnar of Ihana Style proudly professes her passion for fashion with her fellow shoppers, saying ”This is my passion, to bring affordable style to people who don’t have the time, or the energy to go looking for it, or for someone who’s just browsing for that next special find.

So what do you have to lose besides that same, tired look that you rock every Saturday?! It’s time to treat yourself! Come out for a night with the girls, sip on your favorite wine or cocktail at the Ivy Winebar and enjoy a fabulous night of fashion at the Andaz Salon’s Glitz and Glam Jewelry Trunk Show. This event will begin at 10 p.m. and all pieces shown can be purchased with cash.

Here is a little tease of some of the featured looks by Gloss Boutique, Hav2Hav Accessories and Ihana Style. Don’t miss out on snatching some of these looks for yourself! See you there fashionistas!