The Gem Institute of America in Carlsbad is a fabulous place to visit. The free tours are full of gem and science information, intrigue and history. This is mainly a teaching facility to learn how to grade diamonds, test synthetic gems and research gemstones. Students come from throughout the world to the campus and graduate with prestigious degrees. San Diego’s tourmaline stones are on display and bedazzling to the eyes!
I was curious about the New England styled restaurant, Green Dragon Tavern and Museum in Carlsbad and what it was about. The name comes from the original tavern in Boston where the tea party met in 1773 and the headquarters for the American Revolution. This replica is a lively place to eat and the museum is free. My Shepherd’s pie was filled with beef, corn, peppers and topped with mashed potatoes and Guinness gravy. You can walk through the museum drinking a cold pint of beer and get a quick lesson in colonial history!
Chocolate in Carlsbad! Remember when Chuao Chocolatier had a boutique in Encinitas in the early 2000’s? Now the chocolate making facility is located in Carlsbad and sells varieties of bars easily found in many retail stores. Two brothers from Venezuela started the company using their family’s history of Venezuelan cocoa and share the “joy” of chocolate with their decadent treats. Share the joy!
Born and raised in Carlsbad, Clinton and Louie Prager bake organic old world breads at their Prager Bros Artisan Bread shop. I first saw their breads years back at farmers markets and the bread continues to rise in popularity. Clinton showed me how they freshly mill grains and the new location in Carlsbad offers breads, pastries and sandwiches. I bought the whole grain sourdough with walnuts and couldn’t wait to tear into it. Clinton has a college degree in music and Louie in plant biology. The breads were music to my taste buds!
Gem Institute of America
5345 Armada Dr
Carlsbad, Ca 92008
www.gia.edu
Green Dragon Tavern and Museum
6115 Paseo Del Norte
Carlsbad, Ca
www.greendragontavernca. com
Chuao Chocolatier.com
2350 Camino Vida Roble Suite 101
Carlsbad, Ca 92011
www.chuaochocolatier.com
Prager Brothers Artisan Breads
5611 Palmer Way Suite C
Carlsbad, Ca 92010www.pragerbrothers.com
