FALLING UP -- COMINGS AND GOINGS AROUND RANCHO SANTA FE, CALIF. AREA WITH DAN WEISMAN

FALLING UP -- COMINGS AND GOINGS AROUND RANCHO SANTA FE, CALIF. AREA WITH DAN WEISMAN

Welcome. And whatever that guy'girl in 'Cabaret' sez. Paseo Delicias Avenue.

 Some short takes from around town this week, A few of these are in the what da ya know variety, but if you didn't' see them here, you wouldn't see them anywhere. Somewhat surprising stuff if I do say so myself in best Ed Grimley fashion.

Actually, I first wrote an amazing 5,000 word diatribe to go with this update. a lot of it was talking about what a little money would do for us here, but then it sounded kind of whiney although totally true. So, I'll skip it for now.

The story began: "I'm continually amazed about the quantity and quality of stories around Rancho Santa Fe, Olivenhain, Del Dios, etc. that go unreported and unrecognized..."

And away we go...

COMINGS

Ranch Deli Market has put the market in Ranch Deli big-time. Landmark -- and four-star rated in the informal dining world -- Fairbanks Ranch Deli has blown up like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon glomming over the space occupied by the Farm Fresh Market convenience store.

 The deli is a well-known way-station dating to 1984. It's at 16236 San Dieguito Road., otherwise known as Fairbanks Village Building # 2-13. The expansion doubled the size of the dining area as well as added wine and sundry sales.

Farm Fresh Market always was a bit of a misnomer. Oddly out of sync with this, the most upscale of areas

Yelp Review by 'Tony N' Capturing Essence of: 

 In it I'm Tony Andolini, an Italian tough from the Bronx trying to get close to the evil don who killed my father.

One day he summons me to a deli for a job. But when I get there, the don is sitting in a chair and 5 of his biggest soldiers are waiting for me. They grab me and hold me down on the butcher's block. 

"You thought I didn't know who you were? You're the son of that puttana that stole my prosciutto!"

"What? That's all???"

"Yes - now let's make some sausage, boys."

This is when I wake up craving some deli sandwiches. 

Ranch Deli is not one of these places. The owners are Middle Eastern, the staff is comprised of Mexicans, no one greets me with "Eyyyy! Doh-neeeee!!!"  And yet, they manage to make some really awesome sandwiches, pasta and soups. Which leads me to suspect that there's someone named Guiseppe in the back doing all the prep work. They keep him docile by setting up a tv in his cell locked on Italian Series A soccer highlights and cigarettes. 

This is a really popular spot for people working around Fairbanks Ranch/RSF. I'm not sure if that's because it's pretty good (which it is) or if it's one of the only delis in the area (which it is). I'd go with a Grosso - salami, prosciutto, provolone mozzarella and various vegetables with some Italian dressing and pepperccinis. 6" for $7.99 and 12" for $12.99. The soccer moms (and there are a lot of them here) seem to love the salads here and the soups are pretty hearty and filling. Also available are pizza slices and burritos. 

Take it from me - a guy who watches a lot of gangster movies - this is good stuff. It might not be authentic, but when you're out in the boondocks, it really hits the spot.

GOINGS

Gracie Mahvi went out of business last week. Not totally, but totally outside Rancho Santa Fe. Gracie will maintain a Sorrento Mesa warehouse for her designs, but she is out of the retail game.

I've spoken to Gracie a few times over the years and have so much respect for her it's funny, since I don't usually think much of...well, anyway, this lady so has it together I'm sorry we're not married. So there, I said it.

 Sadly, however, she closed her Del Rayo Village store after a dozen years, and after closing her Paseo Delicias shop last year. The shops were doing surprisingly well in these economic times, but Gracie wanted t take personal time to spend with family and such.

Joining the glorious heritage of the dearly departed Robyn Nussbaum Shoe Lounge, these two stores should be in the Fairbanks Ranch Merchants Hall of Fame as charter members.

Salutations and salute....

  DUMPSTERS (DIVING OPTIONAL)

I've said it before and I've said it again. Rancho Santa Fe has the BEST of everything, including the BEST DUMPSTERS FOR DIVING IN THE WORLD.

Not only are these dumpsters state-of-the-art, they contain an incredible assortment of goodies from foodstuffs to financials. What's more they are totally unsullied by the horrible stench of poor -- UGGH POOR -- people rummaging through the goodies. These dumpsters are pure as melting Arctic iceberg water.

In my humble opinion, however, these particular dumpsters reign supreme. I am naming them the #1 dumpsters for diving in San Diego County and possibly the West Coast (haven't been to Montecito or Atherton lately).

A special Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News shout-out then. Do you recognize these dumpsters. the finest dumpsters in all the land. IF you do, we will be having a special flash mob meet-up there 4 p.m. Sunday, June 19. See ya there.

RANCHO SANTA FE FIRE STATION #3

 This is your big boy. The $5 million uber-fire station and training facility at 6356 El Apajo, across the street from Helen Woodward Animal Center is WAY behind schedule and...Cool, but did you know there were some political shenanigans taking place behind the scenes, too. Maybe that has something to do with the delay. That story continues to develop and will be addressed later in June.

As for Fire Station #3, Rancho Santa Fe , we sing praises of thee...Once promised for May, May has gone and now the new date is when? Whenever they get round to it, I guess, they haven't provided an update. Oh well.

MISCELLANEOUS

Lemon Twist now open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday at 8175 Del Dios Highway Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 - (858) 756-0826. Good stuff!

But what about this outrage?

I'm "outing" this "scoop" at the end since it's such a scandal, but a dumb scandal. The former proposed site for the ill-fated moronic 'The Lilian' mixed-BS development -- it went belly-up and couldnt get any county permits by the way -- has morphed and phoenix-like risen from its own ashes as THIS...Plaza de Acacias monstrosity. Same song, different verse. You will be reading it's unfiltered PR line soon enough at the Ecinitas Coast News and Rancho Santa Fe at Carmel Valley, San Diego Review, but this is the first of what it looks like and good luck to this piece of tomfakery.

YEAH THAT'S HOW WE ROLL! All for now folks....