SOULSHINE - Food - Coffee - Love (Mission Beach - San Diego, California)

Vegan, Organic and Gluten Free ??? 😲 Yes 😋

Photo - Elisabet Franck April 29, 2018

Image taken by another customer at Soulshine

Photo - Hiroko Drogin

My former Swim Coach, German teacher and friend, Albert Feil's son Michael Feil opened a wonderful vegan restaurant in Mission Beach area of San Diego. The restaurant is called, "Soulshine." We tried real hard to get in here a few times on our three week vacation before we left, but the traffic and parking were a tough challenge. Of course the key ingredient reasons for the parking competition was good sunny warm weather at the beaches, almost a guarantee for a long hunt in parking. Finally on a cloudy overcast Sunday afternoon April 30th, the day just before the start of "May Gray" & "June Gloom" (both San Diego Weather Anomalies) we got lucky. My parking only allowed me 30 minutes, so we just had enough time for a snack and drink. 

Image - Elisabet 2018

For the drinks I had the Mojito Style Ginger Lemonade on the left & Elisabet had the Draft Blueberry Kombucha✨

Image - Elisabet 2018

My wife had the Apple Crisp made with Granny Apples with Date Caramel and Coconut Whipped Cream and I had the spicy Aztec Fudge Brownie made with Chili and Chocolate together with a Sauce Duo (Caramel and Chocolate) and strawberries. These flavours were seriously rich tasting and you'd never know they were from a Vegan recipe. Nothing like the generic bland ingredients you'd expect from a vegan dessert sold at the local Sprouts or WholeFoods store. These flavors were for real.

Image - Soulshine

Not sure if anyone took any real note of the decor in the Cafe photo above, but it's clearly very Scandinavian in both style design and light colours. And the gray cloudy day we had certain fits the usual Scandinavian climate we have in Gothenburg Sweden back home. Another rarity in Scandinavia is the open outdoor dining experience which works here as oppose to Gothenburgs almost regular rain and misty overcast.

Image - Soulshine

The view from this photo above where we were sitting faces directly at the kitchen where all the food was prepared. But look at that large blank space above the kitchen window. Something is missing as far as art and I think a selection from the Pepperland Art Deco era might go a long way in brightening things up and sticking with the theme. Here's a few gifs below, but just not sure how a moving gif ccould be applied to a wall.

Images from Kyle Loves Animation

Of course Pepperland Blue Meanie Art Deco might clash with the softer colours of Mike's Scandinavian Design and maybe more to the liking of the Bohemian beach community to the south across the San Diego River channel, otherwise known as Ocean Beach. Seriously folks, drive through downtown Ocean Beach and the people haven't evolved since the 1960s. But surprisingly I'd highly recommend this wonderful Cafe in Mission Beach and it's pleasant lay back open air dining experience. Here is an excerpt from the Cafe's website about Chef Michael Feil.

From the Website: https://soulshinemb.com/home

About Chef Mike Feil 

"Chef Mike Feil has had a close appreciation of food at an early age. As grandson of German immigrants (Both Bakers) he would often be found in the kitchen with his Oma baking something old world and delicious. Later, Mike grew up on a small family farm in Alpine." 

"Whether he was milking goats, collecting eggs, or harvesting fresh vegetables, Mike was exposed to the fresh vibrant abundance afforded to his family. Chef Mike then attended the Culinary Institute of America (NY). In addition to learning classics culinary techniques, Mike always held a passion for plant based cuisines. He has worked in some of the best dining in the US including: Harry Denton’s (San Francisco), Coeur d’ Alene Resort (Idaho), Pine Creek Cookhouse (Aspen), and Mama’s Fish House (Maui). Later, Chef Mike Began to focus on solely plant based cuisine in Maui. There, he started his own catering company specializing in retreats and workshops. Mike Feil has opened his new vegetarian and plant based restaurant in Mission Beach." 

"Whether it was a renowned yoga teacher, Lomilomi massage group, fire dancing, or belly dancing retreat there’s was always a need for renewal, revival, or healing through a plant based menu. Mike has also been a chef at Casa de Luz in North Park (Microbiotic). For the past 3 years he has been the Chef at Trilogy (La Jolla). Chef Mike is now ready to embark on his latest plant based culinary endeavor at SOULSHINE, Mission Beach. Join chef Mike and his staff and experience what plant based menu can be and let your Soul Shine!!"

Aerial View of  Mission Beach, Pacific Beach & La Jolla

Image - OceanPacific-Properties

 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Soulshine

Telephone: 1 858-886-7252

Address: 3864 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109, USA

Hours:   

Mon  11:00 am – 8:00 pm  

Tue  11:00 am – 8:00 pm  

Wed  11:00 am – 8:00 pm  

Thu  11:00 am – 8:00 pm  

Fri  11:00 am – 8:00 pm  

Sat  9:00 am – 8:00 pm  

Sun  9:00 am – 8:00 pm

You should also be aware that Soulshine has a parent Business entiy, a bakery & market around the corner called, "Barefoot Bakery & Market."

Photo by Alan Peat

I have not eaten here, but many of the foods are produced here and sent next door to Soulshine. Here is a nice article about this sister store from sdnews.com: 

http://www.sdnews.com/view/full_story/27555163/article-Vegan--gluten-free-organic-bakery-and-market-opens-in-Mission-Beach