SanDiegoVille: June 2012

Pita Jungle Helps Raise Money for Monarch School

June 30, 2012

In a unique partnership, Hillcrest’s newest restaurant, Pita Jungle, will begin a month long fundraiser to benefit Monarch School and its children impacted by homelessness. Beginning Thursday, June 28th through July 31st, 2012 a portion of the proceeds from Pita Jungle’s “specials menu” will be offered to Monarch School. Residents of the community are encouraged to dine-in or take-out with Pita Jungle during this time, in the spirit of supporting a worthy cause.

Superman vs. Batman

June 30, 2012

It’s that time of year again - Comic Con International hits San Diego in less than 2 weeks. Time to put on a costume, and slap on some sunscreen people! The faux superheroes will be aplenty in the streets of SD, and the people watching will be at its prime. This year, you can head to Quality Social in the heart of the Gaslamp for a selection of super-hero inspired cocktails & happy hour specials.

June 25, 2012

Summertime is synonymous with barbecue season, so be the life and the talk of the party with Brazen BBQ’s foolproof spice rub recipe! What better way to celebrate summer than by firing up the grill and enjoying a mouth-watering meal and San Diego’s sensational weather alongside friends and family?

June 23, 2012

The Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival has been a vibrant community tradition for more than three decades, attracting tourists and San Diego natives alike to sunny Ocean Beach each year. This year, more than 70,000 visitors are expected flock to Newport Ave. and surrounding areas for the 33rd Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival on Saturday June 23rd, 2012 from 10am to 8pm.

Chef Brian Malarkey

June 22, 2012

San Diego's very own 'Top Chef' and restaurateur extraordinaire Brian Malarkey is expanding his empire east to Arizona, where along with his partner and nightlife specialist James Brennan, the pair will be opening a Scottsdale-based Searsucker location in the near future.

June 22, 2012

On June 21st, the sold-out Del Mar Summer Solstice celebration took place mere steps from the rolling waves of Del Mar Beach in the gorgeous Powerhouse Park. Like last year, the event was an incredible time in a remarkable setting, highlighted by mouthwatering tastes from area restaurants, paired with sips from several California wineries and breweries. A silent auction, live music from Salsa Steel, and an ocean-view backdrop made for a wonderful ambiance to welcome and celebrate the arrival of summer.

June 22, 2012

Happening Tonight, Friday, June 22nd at Liberty Station in Point Loma, A Taste of Summer is bringing together 10 of San Diego’s best chefs from Alchemy, Urban Solace, Casa de Luz, Gabardine, JSix, Carnitas, Café Chloe, Cups, Kitchen 4140, and Sea Rocket Bistro to create a variety of unique small plates and passed hors d’oeuvres made from sustainable, local, organic ingredients.

June 21, 2012

The La Jolla Festival of the Arts takes place this weekend, June 23rd & 24th, on the beautiful coastal campus of UC San Diego at Warren Field. The “La Jolla” is one of the most prestigious juried art shows in the country and will once again feature over 190-award winning artists, along with live chalk art creations, art performances, delicious and healthy cuisines, adult beverage libations, and live entertainment throughout the weekend.

June 21, 2012

Here in San Diego it seems all to common to have the typical beer or wine pairing dinners, but come July 11th, the Brigantine in Poway is shaking it up a bit with their Whiskey of the World Dinner. And boy do we love whiskey!!!

June 20, 2012

Located along the fashionable Prospect Street in downtown La Jolla, Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar is a trendy, upscale, lounge-y restaurant that happens to have one of the best happy hours in all of San Diego, offering an array of high quality, extravagant dishes that are unique to the area and are an excellent value. And we’re talking a classy and refined daily happy hour – not two-dollar tacos and beers.

June 20, 2012

With a laid-back yet refined take on dining and imbibing, Sessions Public has been touting the mantra “Ale’s what cures you” since opening doors in July of 2010. Nestled between Ocean Beach and Point Loma, the airy 1,800 square foot alehouse effortlessly evokes a sense of casual community with 20 rotating taps, an extensive calendar of interactive beer events and elevated bar food. Showing no signs of slowing down in their third year, Sessions Public will further enhance their reputation as the neighborhood’s favorite local haunt for beer enthusiasts with the introduction of a high-caliber culinary team that will roll out enticing new menu additions in Summer 2012.

June 19, 2012

We at SanDiegoVille.com are just now recovering (three days later, mind you) from the 3rd Annual San Diego OysterFest, which rocked out Seaport Village's jam packed Marina Embarcadero North this past weekend. It was a long day of beer, music, eats, and good times with some friendly folks. Although we somehow didn't eat any oysters, we do recall consuming a bunch of other tasty treats. Let's recap!

June 19, 2012

The 18th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer is San Diego's original beer festival and cancer fighting fundraiser, and it returns to downtown San Diego on Friday, September 21st from 6 - 11 p.m. This outdoor event draws beer lovers from around the county and will once again take over the streets at Columbia and B (across from W San Diego), so mark your calendars and get tickets while they last.

June 16, 2012

There will soon be a new kid on the block in Hillcrest. Located on University Avenue in the heart of Hillcrest, a refreshingly new experience is set to come about later this summer in the opening of Uptown Tavern.

June 16, 2012

Today, the 3rd Annual San Diego OysterFest returns to the Marina Embarcadero North by Seaport Village for a day of beer, music, eats, and debauchery. Tickets are still available for what is sure to be a fun filled event.

June 15, 2012

On Saturday, June 23rd, don't miss out on the 1st Annual Encinitas Foodie Fest - a free family fun event with superb arisanal food vendors, cooking demonstrations, live music, food trucks, a children's cooking booth, and even Zumba dance performances.

June 14, 2012

See Spot surf at the annual Loews Dog Surfing Competition this Saturday, June 16th, from 10am to 2pm at Dunes Park and Beach, located at 700 Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach.

June 14, 2012

On Friday, June 15th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, enjoy wine, cheese, chocolate tastings, and live music at the 5th Annual Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Festival located at the Spanish Village Patio at Balboa Park.

June 12, 2012

This year, for the 19th Annual Taste of Gaslamp, the Gaslamp Association decided to hold the event on two days spanning an entire weekend. SanDiegoVille.com got the chance to a sample day two's participating establishments, including usual favorites barleymash, Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, and Whiskey Girl. For those who didn't make it out for the event, and for those that may not remember so well after imbibing at the Sam Adams Sky Lounge at Altitude, here is a recap of what you may have missed.

June 10, 2012

A one man band? Yessir - that means guitar, harmonica, singing plus a kick drum, high-hat, snare drum, tambourine, even live harmonies, all performed at the same time. Bandaloni has rediscovered this old tradition and by means of present day technologies, infused it with a modern makeover to wow crowds across the world and at our very own San Diego County Fair.

June 7, 2012

Paradise Point Resort & Spa's waterfront Barefoot Bar & Grill celebrates its 50th anniversary and welcomes summer with the Dos Equis Sunday Fun Day Summer Concert Series. Knock back some throwback drinks from the original 1962 menu like the Barefoot Blockbuster, and dine on nostalgic nibbles like ceviche tostadas and luau-inspired pizza as 60's and 70's cover bands and classic films play against a Mission Bay backdrop.

June 7, 2012

Red Light District has announced the launch of The Chef’s Table dining experience. And adaptation of a traditional Japanese omakase and prepared by Executive Chef Jason Maitland, the Chef’s Table dining experience plans to highlight the best local and seasonal ingredients that Southern California has to offer.

Whiskey Girl taste from last year

June 6, 2012

The Gaslamp Quarter Association presents the 19th annual Taste of Gaslamp, a culinary self-guided tour taking place on Saturday, June 9th, and Sunday, June 10th, from 1-4pm. The event features more than 30 Gaslamp Quarter dining venues on each day, as well as a thirst quenching beer garden presented by Samuel Adams (for guests 21 and older) at Altitude Sky Lounge atop the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter.

June 6, 2012

Pint-sized Pomeranian and newly crowned author, Gentleman Norman, as he is famously known, is pleased to announce the release of his first book (yes the dog is the credited author), Gentleman Norman: How to Be a Man. From grooming and wardrobe, to relationship maintenance and manners, the book details the fundamental qualities of a true gentleman and demonstrates the virtues that every respectable gentleman must possess.

June 6, 2012

On Thursday, June 21st, the Del Mar Summer Solstice event returns to the beachside Powerhouse Park. If you missed out last year, be sure to get your tickets while they last, because this event is known to sell out every year and really is an amazing time in a truly beautiful setting, highlighted by delicious tastes from well-known area restaurants to be paired with sips from several California wineries and breweries.

June 5, 2012

Alchemy Restaurant is set to host the inaugural fundraising "Front Burner Fund" event on Tuesday, June 12th from 5:30pm to midnight, featuring food tastings, beer and wine samplings, and culinary themed activities, all benefiting a charitable cause.

June 5, 2012

The San Diego County Fair begins it's 3+ week annual tenure at the Del Mar Fairgrounds this Friday June 8th. On day two, fair goers get the unique opportunity to wash down the 'caveman turkey club' (or any number of interesting treats) with a sampling of local wines at the San Diego County Fair Commercial Wine Competition and Festival.

June 4, 2012

SanDiegoVille had the good fortune of attending the third annual Where the Wild Things Are Food & Wine Classic at the scenic and remote Living Coast Discovery Center (formerly the Chula Vista Nature Center), a non-profit wildlife sanctuary and aquarium on San Diego's South Bay.

June 1, 2012

Behold Whisknladle, one of La Jolla’s many restaurant gems, where, in tune with their successful theme, good food, good wine, and great people come together. Whisknladle prides itself on working with farm-to-table products, making most of their food from scratch, and serving quality-driven, seasonally inspired food. After my very pleasing experience dining at Whisknladle’s sister restaurant, PrepKitchen, I had to give big brother a try.