Sonny's Pizza in University Heights

When I moved back to San Diego, I lived in the University Heights neighborhood for about a year. It’s still one of my favorite hoods around. I don’t spend as much time there now as I used to, and a lot has changed there since 1999. A number of high-rise mixed used buildings have sprung up, changing the quaint skyline, and some of my favorite haunts have been replaced by soul-less brewpubs. So…I was happily surprised on a recent visit when I saw this neon sign just off Park Boulevard (the main drag) on Madison. When did Sonny's Pizza go in?!? It wasn’t long before I checked it out for myself.



According to my sources, it is part of the Consortium Holdings collection (the group that renovated/runs the Lafayette Hotel). From the attention to detail and interesting art featured there, it doesn’t surprise me. Notice the TVs in the window, all playing vintage movies. The TVs are marked “Sonnys” instead of “Sony.” Brilliant.



While less than a year old, when you walk inside, the place feels as if it’s been in the neighborhood for decades. The design and decor are spot-on for an east coast pizza joint. Not a restaurant…a joint.



LOVE the high ceilings.



A bright orange pizza oven dominates the interior, along with the cool Swiss-chalet styled staircase up to the second level.



Unlike most of the Consortium Holdings ventures, this place has food that is worth going back for. Typically, their restaurants are high on the Instagram factor, but “meh” on the food offerings. The Pepp (as in Pepperoni) Rolls are a fave of mine.



The pizzas are good, but they also have other fare that I really enjoy, like the Tagliatelle Bolognese:



…and the Chicken Francese, a pan-fried cutlet in lemon-butter sauce.



Besides indoor dining, there is a vibrant outdoor patio:



 Reservations are suggested, even for a joint - especially on the weekends. My one caveat to this place would be the service - the staff is fairly friendly, but don’t go expecting the staff to go overboard for you. When you are seated, using the QR code on the table to order for yourself is suggested vs. ordering from the wait staff. Food is not brought out at the right time either; typically entrées arrive much earlier than the appetizer. The wait staff is hip, young, and don’t seem to really be concerned by what they SHOULD be doing. And yet…at this place it doesn’t bother me. It goes along with the east coast vibe. I highly recommend it!

See more University Heights neighborhood photos at my main website.

Dining at Madison on Park

One of my favorite things about living in San Diego are the historic neighborhoods spread throughout the city, each with their own character. My very favorite is University Heights, which is where I lived for a few years when I moved back to San Diego in 1999. Completely walkable, it is filled with some of my favorite restaurants, watering holes, and unique shops. A few years back, the restaurant Madison on Park opened, and it quickly became the “go-to” spot for me to take people to when I wanted to provide a memorable dining experience.



Clean and simple in design, it has a unique indoor/outdoor vibe all at once. A barrel-shaped ceiling is overhead with openings on either side that let the fresh air in.



Speaking of fresh, no plastic faux flower arrangements here.



The drinks are magnificent, with the Motor Bike being one of my faves. Yes, it tastes as good as it looks.



The Portabella Fries, served with avocado cilantro aioli and chipotle pepper sauce are a new favorite. If this is what vegan eating is about, sign me up!



I often get the Pork Chop here (out of this world!), but this time I tried the flank steak, and it too was delish.



See more University Heights photos at my main website.

Smelling The Roses Pt. 2

Two years ago, I wrote what has turned out to be my most popular post at over 80,000 views. It was time for the smog check on my car and I left it at the shop while I wandered on foot through the neighborhoods of San Diego with my camera. It's amazing how time flies because in the blink of an eye, the notice from the DMV showed up telling me it was time. So…this time I let history repeat itself but changed things up a bit by walking in a different direction.



This time I had an upgraded lens as well as two more years experience of shooting.



Beginning in the University Heights neighborhood (where I once lived), the first landmark I encountered was the Parkhouse Eatery. I really enjoy dining here, but it looks so much more magical at night. Thus, the photos inserted here will be from one of my recent visits for dinner (it's pretty cool for brunch, too!).



I TOTALLY dig this clock!



I am assuming the structure was once a home. They did a great job adapting it and creating many different spaces that give a feeling of intimacy when dining.



The decor is eclectic with a bit of Moroccan flair.



Back to my journey on foot I encountered this mural which is one of many that has been popping up around town.





Somebody was really tripping when they conceived this. Still, I dig the style and execution of it.



A somewhat hidden treasure of San Diego is the Vermont Street Pedestrian Bridge which connects the residential neighborhood of University Heights to the Hillcrest Uptown Shopping Center.



Plenty of quotes to ponder along your journey.



I sure hope this one is true.



For years I have driven by and noticed this church, saying that one day I would stop and photograph it.



This was that day.



The Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church is a beautiful building on the exterior; having never been inside I can't speak to how that looks.



These statues are fantastic.





AND a classic light fixture. I truly was in heaven!



Thanks to the DMV for providing another opportunity for me to stop and smell the roses in San Diego!

More Daveland San Diego photography at my main website.

Smelling The Roses

It was time for my car to get its annual smog check. Most people would probably hang out at a coffee shop while waiting, or perhaps go grab a bite to eat at a local bistro. Not me. In the heat of the day, I took my camera and schlepped from Park Boulevard in University Heights down Adams Avenue to Normal Heights. San Diego is a fairly large city, but becomes quite small within each of the quaint historic neighborhoods that are spread throughout its borders.

There's something different about walking on foot versus driving a route day after day. No matter how many times you may have traveled on a road by car, I guarantee you that by hoofing it, you will notice details and treasures previously passed over. Case in point. Even though I lived in University Heights for two years, I had never really noticed these birds on top of the University Heights neon sign (not seen in photo below, as they exist on the extreme left and right sides of the sign).



These elephant heads on the top of Small Bar on Park Boulevard are so wacky; especially the one with the silver-starred eyes.



This pillar of river rock on Adams Avenue commemorates the Trolley Station/Barn that used to reside here. Today, it is a large park area with a scenic view of the freeway at the furthest edge.



All County Fire on Adams Avenue services fire extinguishers. I don't know much else about it, but I sure do love the Mondrian-style color squares on its façade.



As it is with all neon signs, this one hanging over Adams Avenue welcoming guests to Normal Heights looks much better at night. Unfortunately, the service of my car occurred during the day.



This terrazzo flooring can be found in front of the Discount Fabric store, which was once called the Adams Avenue Theatre. This beautiful deco design is one of the few remnants that tells shoppers here about the original tenant.



This vintage pharmaceutical sign hangs above a new bar on Adams Avenue called Polite Provisions. Note to myself: come back at night when the sign is lit.



I have always wished I was loaded so I could buy a Spanish-style apartment like the Alta Canada complex on Adams Avenue. I have no idea what the individual apartments look like on the inside, but the outside has been very well-maintained. Designed by Master architect Allen H. Hilton, they have always been a fave of mine.



This wacky structure on Adams and Boundary is known as the Triangle Building. I noticed two birds on top of the signage as I was approaching it.



When I moved in for a closeup, one bird had already flown the coup, proving that if you wait too long, life will often pass you by. Thanks for that important life lesson, Ferris!



Just in time to pick up my car (which mercifully passed!), I was back to where I started. My last shot for the day was of a local watering hole, The Lancers.



I hope you enjoyed my obscure photographic tour of San Diego—and be sure to stop (or at least slow down) and smell the roses whenever you get the chance!



See more vintage & current San Diego photos on my San Diego web pages.