Daily Plugs

"Does this hurt?" Bruce, our podiatrist, asked me in his somewhat clinical tone as he pushed his thumbs into my heel. I muffled a scream as I attempted to scrape myself off the ceiling. "Plantar fasciitis," he says. "Textbook."

Bruce Manchel is a mensch who has been treating Leslie's family's foot ailments for a couple decades. Great guy and great doctor. Coronado but worth the trip. He proceeded to chemically ice my foot and then administered the coup de grace, an overlarge needle filled with cortisone right into the inflamed area. Slipped me a new pair of inserts and we made our quick exit, might need another shot in a month, something I am not exactly looking forward to.

Your feet give you a lot and ask little in return. Take care of them.

Dr. Bruce Manchel
Coronado Foot Specialists
www.coronadofootdr.com
1121 10th Street
Coronado, CA
(619) 435-0151


*

We left Coronado and decided to grab a bite in San Diego, cruising up fifth towards Banker's Hill. We walked over to our standby, Cucina Urbana but it is apparently closed monday lunch. What to do? We looked across the street at fifth and Laurel and saw that french place, Hexagone. Looked alright, if a bit stiff.

Hexagone is in the same place that the ill fated Gemelli resided, Vince's restaurant after the Busalacchi brothers had their family squabble. I had a gold name plate at the old Busalacchi's, the staff were like family but it got a little uncomfortable when you had to pick sides.

Leslie and I walked into Hexagone, only a couple other tables were seated. Looked at the menu, french bistro and thought why not.

I am happy to tell you that our lunch was superb. Somebody in the kitchen knows how to cook. I started off with a caesar. It was huge and delicious, for seven bucks a steal. Split it with Leslie. Enjoyed the nice crusty bread, one of my pet bugaboos if not decent.

Leslie had a scrumptious duck confit salad with incredibly good goat cheese. The duck leg was just cooked to perfection.

I ordered lamb chops in rosemary. What a revelation! Cooked with yellow raisins, cinnamon and a touch of mustard, the five large chops were divine, could not have been better, on a bed of mashed potatoes, green beans and tender young brussel sprouts. I think I speak for both of us, we can't wait to return. Our server Garo, was excellent as well. Just a delightful meal at reasonable prices. Check out the menu for yourself.

Hexagone
495 Laurel Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: 619.236.0467, Fax: 858.673.5471

*

I don't know what it is about hair stylists, you get a new one and they give you this great haircut and then after a period of time, the returns start to diminish and they sort of mail it in and you look like hell but you don't say anything and then you start looking around for somebody new. Maybe they get religion, maybe they lose interest, I don't know. When things get really bad, I go to Ralph's in Hillcrest. They have been my slightly more expensive "triage" haircut for the last twenty years. When things are really bad, go with the gay barber, fellas. You will leave looking the place looking like Rock Hudson, trust me.

Ralph's Hair Place
409 University Ave
(between 4th Ave & Brant St)
San Diego, CA 92103
Neighborhood: Hillcrest
(619) 291-2887