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Kensington,
the Spirit of San Diego
Article written by Kristel
Boe
Traffic. Bustle. Crime. Pollution. These are just some of the
things that can plague a city, and San Diego unfortunately isn’t
immune to this destruction either. So, where can one go to get
away from it all? Sure, you can sail to an exotic island, or
hike to the top of a mountain, but would you believe there's
a retreat practically within our backyards? Believe it, it's
a small neighborhood in the heart of San Diego that has a lot
of spirit.
The quaint neighborhood known as “Kensington” adds
a dash of class along the mostly artsy fartsy Adams Avenue.
Only stretching approximately 6 blocks, there is still much
to this hidden community. Fine old Spanish style homes line
the twisty-curvey streets that make up the residential area,
and mom and pop means of business thrive. Kensington boasts
having a traditional family friendly community; yet the people
also encourage artistic development from artists that call this
neighborhood home. By balancing a family friendly feel and by
supporting artistic events and businesses, Kensington keeps
the spirit of San Diego in full bloom.
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Kensington
Restaurants & Best Places for Dining |
So
your in Kensington, and your hungry…what now? Well, like
many, you can drive a few extra blocks to North
Park and find something there, but then you’d be missing
out on the unique flavor of this neighborhood that runs deeper
than the food.
Kensington Coffee Co. (4141 Adams Avenue) is
THE original coffee shop in Kensington. Within the past few
years a Starbucks moved in across the street giving the Coffee
Co. a bit of competition. Locals remain true to their community
and opt. for the Coffee Co. anyway. Besides the great coffee
and tea, this local coffee house offers free WiFi and that's
something Starbucks doesn't have. The Kensington Coffee Co.
offers some 100 different kinds of coffee beans, 45 different
teas, and other trinkets such as mugs, baskets, cards, stationery,
stickers, tea kettles, tea pots, coffee makers, flasks, chocolates,
picture frames... Not to mention delicious eats! Along with
coffee and tea, the Coffee Co. makes some delicious croissants,
sandwiches, wraps, and pastries.
The Kensington Bistro (4116 Adams Avenue) is
an excellent choice for an inexpensive, yet filling, lunch or
dinner. Their menu consists of sandwiches, salads, appetizers,
soups and pasta. Most Italian entrée’s are under
$10, making the meal so much more satisfying! Catering for special
events is available upon request.
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Just
Fabulous Kensington (4116 Adams Avenue) is all about
dessert, and it is just fabulous (no joke)! Actually, Just Fabulous
offers more than just sweets; in fact it has a full menu, though
a full course meal can be a little pricey, averaging $25 a person.
The décor is bright, with orange walls and ceilings and
hints of lemon and lime along the windows. These colors are
known to really ignite one’s appetite! Just Fabulous creates
delectable cakes, cookies, tarts, etc. Some favorites include
ginger-orange cookies, fresh pear and apple-almond tarts, and
rich cheesecakes.
The Kensington Grill (4055 Adams Avenue) has
delicious entrees that reflect the chef’s vision of “Californian
Fusion” vision. Entrée’s average $23 a plate,
but it is well worth the money. Being just about the classiest
restaurant in Kensington, it's worth checking out if you are
in the mood for a little wine or would just like to enjoy casual
upscale dining. The Kensington Grill shares the same ownership
as Chive and Laurel (downtown), two thriving restaurants in
the Gaslamp district and has created quite an impressive reputation
in the city. Early bird specials run from 5-6pm on select days.
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Kensington
Nightlife, Live Music & Entertainment |
Kensington
is a martini shake away from North Park and Normal Heights,
which both offer an eclectic array of nightlife options. But,
if you want to remain right within the border of Kensington,
your options are limited. You will not be disappointed though
because what Kensington lacks in variety, it more than compensate
with personality.
The Kensington Club is the only available bar/club/music
venue in Kensington. This happening joint is a full-on hipster's
swingin' hangout, which also doubles for a club (with DJ’s
on select nights) and a punk rock/ska/indie playground when
bands are featured in the boom room. The Kensington Club is
complete with a full bar and a separate room for musical talent,
as well as a pool table, and a juke box with some awesome punk
rock selections. The Kensington Club received recognition last
year by making the top ten list for best dive bars in San Diego.
The Kensington Club came in #6, beating out the Ould
Sod in North Park and Joe and Andy’s in La Mesa.
Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant might be a
“restaurant” but it makes the best margaritas in
Kensington and is a nice alternative to the Kensington Club.
Ponce’s offers basic Mexican cuisine and killer margaritas.
A tequila bar recently replaced the lunch counter and the best
Mexican tequila is always on site. If you’d like a bite
to eat between your shots, locals recommend the three tostada
plate.
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Kensington
Art Galleries, Cinema & Library |
Ladybug
and Medium Art Gallery (both on Adams Avenue)
are worth stopping and strolling through. Artists thrive in
Kensington’s tucked away neighborhood and local art is
on display within both of these galleries. A great afternoon
outing might be to visit the gallery after grabbing a beverage
from the Kensington Coffee Co.
The Ken Cinema shows an eclectic variety of
movies and is best known for featuring The Animation Show
every year. The Ken, a one theatre cinema (which just updated
its seats) is pretty much in the same condition it was 30 years
ago when it was constructed. It isn’t a mainstream theatre,
nor are the films it shows, which is what makes it so special.
Films are still run on reel-to-reel projectors and a classic
looking popcorn maker still sits in the lobby. The Ken steers
clear of box office big shots and stays true to its indie roots.
The Ken was the very first theatre to introduce foreign films
to San Diego and was the second theatre in the city to be labeled
a “Landmark Theatre”. If you truly want to experience
the Kensington community, you must watch a foreign or independent
film in this theatre, it is truly unlike any other.
The public library may not seem very exciting, but it does offer
an escape from urban living. It is a local hotspot for families,
containing a playground and picnic tables outside, but inside
it is a quiet retreat.
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