Buon appetite! New Gino & Gianni’s Pizzeria by Mamma Mia in La Mesa offers artful and delicious dining experiences
By Heidi Hope December 2, 2025 (La Mesa) – Gino & Gianni’s Pizzeria by Mamma Mia, a new pizza restaurant in La Mesa, evokes Italian ambience from delicious food to images of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel paintings on the ceiling. As a huge pizza enthusiast, I appreciated the variety of pizzas on their menu. I savored […]
TOUR DE TAPAS BRINGS TASTES OF EUROPE TO LA MESA VILLAGE
An East County Eater review By Miriam Raftery April 29, 2025 (La Mesa) – Now you don’t have to venture to a tapas bar in Spain or a sidewalk café in France to savor the flavors of Europe. Tour de Tapas in La Mesa’s historic downtown village offers small plates featuring cuisine of Southern Europe […]
ADIOS TO POR FAVOR IN LA MESA: MEXICAN EATERY SELLS TO OWNER OF FARMER’S TABLE
By Miriam Raftery June 30, 2024 (La Mesa) – Today is the last day to savor margaritas and Mexican food at Por Favor in La Mesa, a favorite of village patrons for the past 50 years. The Marrujo family has sold its downtown La Mesa restaurant, but will continue to operate Por Favor in El […]
ADIOS TO POR FAVOR IN LA MESA: MEXICAN EATERY SELLS TO OWNER OF FARMER’S TABLE
By Miriam Raftery June 30, 2024 (La Mesa) – Today is the last day to savor margaritas and Mexican food at Por Favor in La Mesa, a favorite of village patrons for the past 50 years. The Marrujo family has sold its downtown La Mesa restaurant, but will continue to operate Por Favor in El […]
ANTHONY’S EXPANDS OUTDOOR DINING AMID TROPICAL MOTIF
By Miriam Raftery July 17, 2020 (La Mesa) — Just a few weeks ago, Anthony’s Fish Grotto had announced its intent to close permanently due to the COVID-19 shutdown’s devastating impact on restaurants. Then an outpouring of support from customers persuaded owner Craig Ghio to keep the doors open until dine-in resumed. The state reopened […]
LA MESA AUTHORIZES RESTAURANTS TO SET UP OUTDOOR DINING AREAS
By Miriam Raftery File photo, taken prior to the pandemic: Curbside, one of La Mesa’s newest eateries, was designed for only limited outside seating. The new executive order could enable restaurants such as Curbside to expand onto sidewalks or streets, with permission of the City Manager and adherance to other laws. July 9, 2020 (La […]
RESIDENTS, HEALTHCARE GROUPS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS REACT TO RESTAURANT AND RETAIL REOPENINGS
By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: On Friday, Sheldon’s Station in La Mesa prepared for reopening with new socially distanced tables. The owner told ECM that despite offering curbside pickup, he’s lost approximately 60% of his business since the shutdown began in mid-March and has not received any federal aid, for which he applied. May 24, […]
ENJOY A FLAMENCO SHOW, TAPAS AND PAELLA WITH OUR EAST COUNTY DINING CLUB JANUARY 30TH
January 21, 2020 (La Mesa) — You’re invited to support East County Magazine at our most exciting East County Dining Club event yet! At the Spacebar Cafe & Wine Bistro in La Mesa on Thursday, January 30th, take a virtual trip to Spain. Tapas, dinner and Flamenco music show: This special event begins with happy […]
JANUARY IS A GREAT MONTH FOR DINING OUT
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Creative Commons image via ND January 9, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – This month, restaurants across our region are offering specials for San Diego Restaurant Week January 19-26, including at least eight eateries in East County. In addition, Julian restaurants have a month-long celebration of California restaurant month with specials […]
SAVOR SCOTTISH CUISINE AND BREWS WITH EAST COUNTY DINING CLUB SEPT. 26 AT FOURPENNY HOUSE IN LA MESA
East County Dining Club September 7, 2018 (La Mesa) – Our next East County Dining Club adventure will be on Wednesday, September 26th at 6:30 p.m. at Fourpenny House, a delightfully cozy and delicious Scottish restaurant and pub in La Mesa’s downtown Village (8383 La Mesa Blvd.) RSVP early to reserve space at […]