Zinc Cafe   

In the heart of the posh Solana Beach design district sits a small marketplace cafe well suited in style and elegance to the tastes of the elite neighborhood. Strolling through the imported furniture shops and art galleries can make a person hungry, and Zinc is there to fill the needs of guests who stop by either for a quick nosh on a muffin, or sit down to a luncheon date with old friends. All the food is vegetarian and prepared with flavor and panache in mind. The interior looks like it was cut out of a design journal. Locals will include the cafe on the route of their morning walk down to Fletcher Cove and reward themselves with fresh-squeezed juice and a light and healthy poached egg plate with an artistic arrangement of fruit topped with orange zest. Even without meat, the lunches can be hearty yet healthy. Vegetarian chili or personal pizza-ettes with toppings of smoked gouda, sliced potato or sun-dried tomatoes will delight the taste buds and spare the waist band. Veggie and cheese sandwiches on artisan bread make great meals to go. Appetizers, salads, dressings, spices and baked goods are also available for takeout.