All kinds of stuff happening around town with summer fast approaching. New hotel about to open, a drive through cup o' joe, a new restaurant that we actually need, and getting tubed before you get tubed at Swami's. Make sense of it all? Of course not. Let me try to sort it out.
The
Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa is set to open in July. They've got a few finishing touches going on- like filling the pool with water and landscaping- but the hotel, restaurant, and spa look to be prettty close to being finished. Room rates are listed at $269 for the cheapest room, up to $1248 for the baller suite (that's me).
The restaraunt is called Chandler's ('cause Rick Kane's was already copyrighted) and it will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. All in all it's sad to see the 'Wood not for sale' house go (I think it was a house- remember the place with all that firewood and they weren't selling it? Hmmm.) but the hotel will be a cool place to stay- especially if there's a firing south swell this summer across the street at the campgrounds.
It's the end of the world as we know it- yet another Starbucks in Encinitas (or as my wife says- a blessing from God) but I have to admit- a drive through Starbucks makes sense on the corner of Leucadia Blvd. and the 5 Freeway. Who else would want that location- especially on the site of a former gas station (and don't say I didn't tell you when you think that latte tastes a little funny). They finally broke ground after years of trash and weeds piling up at the site. I don't have a firm date yet on the opening- but knowing Starbucks and Walmart- they bang those buildings out quick. I would assume only a couple months to get it up and running. Which is also the case of the new Walmart at the former Home Expo building- expect that to be open this spring.
And they're finally building the tunnel under the train tracks at Swami's so everyone and their brother don't have to 'illegally' cross the tracks on their way to the beach. Interesting concept with the tunnel- no one wants a bunch of hoodlums hanging out at the tunnel at dark. But building a bridge across the tracks would be next to impossible as you'd have to make it 30' high just so the train could go underneath. So I guess the tunnel is the way to go. As long as it's wide and well lit and the inevitable graffiti is cleaned up daily- then it will be worth it. Only problem is- where is everyone going to park when they want to use the tunnel and head to Swami's? In the pumking patch? And what about a crosswalk when they finally hit the 101 and cars are zipping by at 50mph?
And last but not least, what is to become of the old El Torito building at the Encinitas Ranch Town Center? Remember the original restaurant that opened their about 12 years ago? Some weird Japanese/American futuristic fusion place? Creepy. Then it turned into some Chesapeake Bar and Grill or something like that. And I can't even remember what else has been there. But let's start taking bets on what the new establishment will be. If you do a little guess work, you can eliminate what's NOT going to be there. Like another Mexican Restaurant (Casa De Bandini took care of that). Olive Garden won't go in because of Buca Di Beppo across the street. And we've got most chain restaurants already (Denny's, Coco's, Soupplantation, Islands, Chili's, etc). There's more than enough fast food in the area- and it's too big of a location for a generic fast food place anyway. So what does that leave us? Beer. And lots of it. Seriously- hear me out. What would do well in a family type location? Someplace with beer- and maybe pizza. I can see a Pizza Port going in there. Or a Karl Stauss or a Stone Brewery. But a little birdie told me that someone's been bidding on the place- and that someone is the Yardhouse. YES! A Yardhouse! Bring it! Who knows if all parties are in agreement and if it will go through- but it's a logical choice for that spot. We'll see...
