Editors’ Picks
Everyone knows what they like best about San Diego, even those of us working behind the scenes here at Ranch & Coast. While we take a step back when it comes to voting, letting you, the readers, dictate the winners of the readers’ poll, we can’t help but toss out a few of our own favorites. It is, after all, our job to know the county inside and out. The following are some San Diego gems we find ourselves returning to again and again. — Ryan Thomas

Best Coffee House:
The Pannikin
I’ll admit it, I love my Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, but I can’t remember the last time I actually stayed to drink my coffee, or caught up with friends there. There’s something to be said about a coffee house with history and charm — a place where you can get a great java fix and lose yourself in conversation or a good book. The Pannikin has all this and more. Its Leucadia location is housed in the historic Encinitas train station, built in the 1880s, and offers everything from fresh-baked pastries to steamers (eggs that are steamed instead of scrambled) and tasty lunch offerings. A must try: a half and half combo of the Toltec Tuna Melt and the Insalata Riviera. The walls are adorned with paintings by local artists, and an eclectic gift shop houses Zen home accessories and kitschy décor. The Pannikin also has locations in Del Mar in Flower Hill Promenade and in La Jolla on Girard Avenue.
(760/436-0033) — Mia Stefanko

Best Trip To Italy Without Leaving San Diego:
Osteria Romantica
I no longer need to travel to Italy to experience homestyle Italian meals and the warm atmosphere of a trattoria. Osteria Romantica in La Jolla Shores is as authentic as you can get without buying a plane ticket. Green and white-checked cloths cover tables in two cozy rooms inside; diners also linger on a patio adjacent to Avenida de la Playa. Owner Fabio Speziali grew up near Lake Como and has hand picked waiters who share his talent for offering true hospitality. "They’re used to flirting with women; it comes naturally." Favorite menu items include Pollo Empolese with artichokes and mushrooms in a white wine and tomato sauce, ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, and Osso Bucco. (858/551-1221, www.osteriaromantica.com)
— Elizabeth Hansen

Best Restaurant:
A.R. Valentien, The Lodge At Torrey Pines
As a food critic, I am most frequently asked about my favorite place to eat. I usually want to say "my kitchen," but in all seriousness, I never answer with one explicit place without asking a series of questions and understanding the expectations. For me, the whole dining experience is having an open mind to the bigger picture. Depending on what your priorities are, I love to relax in a warm, friendly place with beautiful food. The rustic lodge-type setting at A.R. Valentien is one of my favorites. The view of the Torrey Pines Golf Course and the ocean beyond is simple and romantic. The regional cuisine and service is always impeccable. The best part is that the menu changes often, allowing for a pleasant surprise every time I dine. (858/453-4420, www.lodgetorreypines.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana

Cause Close To Our Heart:
Kids Korps USA
Ever since the first Kids Korps gala Bob and I attended eight years ago, I knew this organization was something special. I couldn’t wait for Evan to join. He has now been a member for almost three years and, while she joined officially this year, Lucy participated in her first lagoon cleanup at age three. She was so proud to haul ice plant bigger than she out of the way of the native vegetation. I helped start the local Kids Korps chapter at their school last year and the response has been overwhelming. During a recent graffiti paint-out, the kids ran from spot to spot covering the unwanted messages with all the enthusiasm of playing a video game. The annual Stuff-A-Thon in May brings hundreds of youth volunteers together to help other kids by preparing duffle bags of comfort essentials for those entering foster care. And these are just two of the many ways Kids Korps fosters a love of community and volunteerism in youth — a gift that keeps on giving as children grow up with a strong sense of giving back. So, this year, when asked to be gala chairs for Kids Korps’ annual fundraiser, we had to accept. Join us downtown at the U.S. Grant on March 24 and you’ll know why this organization is so dear to our hearts. (858/259-3602, www.kidskorps.org) — Collette Stefanko

Best Soaps:
Mistral
Mistral’s collection of soaps and lotions, imported direct from the south of France, have become so popular that local resorts are now stocking them in guest rooms. Owner Matthew Tilker began selling the soaps out of his mother’s house in Solana Beach, building up a reputaion for the finest quality that enabled him to open his first boutique. Nowadays, Tilker works with renowned perfumers in France to create fragrances that stand out above conventional fare. Make sure you stop in each season to see, and smell, the latest creations. (866/647-8725, www.mistralsoap.com) — Bob Stefanko