My interview with La Torta Cafe Owner and San Diego Celebrity Chef, Miguel A. Rojas
Well, I go home after work and watch the food channel, so yes, I like food, cooking and restaurants.
Tonight,
I m going home to take a shower and Im going back to work--as evidenced
by his La Torta Cafe shirt--Miguel Rojas was happy to chat about his
well known San Diego eatery as I nabbed him for further information.
You don't have to live in San Diego very long to hear about the
famous La Torta Cafe. I have been listening to raves about their food
for years.
I could see it from my house in La Mesa and the cafe
was all anyone talked about--going to La Torta, enjoying a sandwich and a
beer and sitting at the beautiful outside table on historic La Mesa
Blvd. Oh, and have you tried the fries?
Well, everyone wondered what happened when they temporarily stopped service--the word divorce was whispered on main street.
Then,
in an even more beautiful setting with its own tree filled, shady
courtyard, creating a sanctuary of good food in busy downtown La Mesa, a
new La Torta Cafe rose from a family and restaurant re-invention. It
is basically right around the corner from the old location but the
setting is even more picturesque.
Mr. Rojas was eager to talk about his restaurant--its so obvious he
loves it. He talked with compassion about his divorce, selling his
other locations in San Diego, closing his original in la Mesa, a much
loved and grown establishment from his own heart--and eventually
rebuilding an even more successful and renown establishment.
It was inspiring just to hear him talk. Oh my gosh I love
restaurants and I love food--what a perfect respite from a busy, hot day
of shopping at the La Mesa Farmer's or antiquing on LMB.
Miguel has that certain gusto, he has that special spark that makes a restaurant a hit.
Personally, I'm going there right now to sit on the patio with the
flowers and the trees, try the shrimp tacos and enjoy a nice cold beer
under the shade. I'm challenging anyone to beat that recipe for a good
time in La Mesa.
And by the way--It's a torta, not a sandwich!
--
chloelouise