Celebrating Two Decades - The 20th Annual Taste of Gaslamp to Feature Veteran Favorites and Fresh Faces of the Gaslamp Quarter | June 8-9


May 31, 2013

The Gaslamp Quarter Association is pleased to announce the list of participating restaurants for the 20th annual Taste of Gaslamp, presented by Samuel Adams, to take place over two days on Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. From the pickiest eater to the veteran gourmand, all are welcome to enjoy this year’s Taste of Gaslamp, featuring 25 Gaslamp Quarter restaurants on each day, as well as a picturesque beer garden presented by Samuel Adams – for guests 21 and older – at Altitude Sky Lounge atop the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter.

Altitude Sky Lounge
This year’s Taste of Gaslamp is especially exciting as guests will have the opportunity to explore New Leaf Restaurant’s new menu envisioned by Chef Byron Wilson, Henry’s Pub’s recently revamped menu, Ciro’s Pizzeria and Beerhouse’s new craft beer bar, and Dick’s Last Resort’s newly remodeled outdoor dining patio. Also introduce your taste buds to the flavors of the Gaslamp Quarter’s fresh, new restaurants Pinzimini, Spike Africa’s Fresh Fish Grill Bar, The Commons Bar and ViVA bar + kitchen (opening Memorial Day weekend!).

Last year at Melting Pot!
Tickets are currently available for purchase online at www.gaslamp.org/taste-of-gaslamp, starting at the discounted advance price of $30.00 per person per day, and include tastings at all participating restaurants. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets now as this veritable smorgasbord sells out in advance each year.  Guests may check in at Latitude Lounge in the lobby of the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, where they will receive a numbered ticket and walking map so that they may navigate this self-guided epicurean escapade throughout the historic Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego. Participating Gaslamp Quarter restaurants will showcase their house specialties with a two to four-ounce sample for each ticketed patron.  Attendees also get to take home a popular event memento, the keepsake Taste of Gaslamp Chef’s Secrets, which highlights new recipes from participating Taste of Gaslamp venues.

The Gaslamp Quarter Association would like to thank the sponsors and partners for this year’s Taste of Gaslamp, including Samuel Adams, San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, Exclusive Collections Galleries, 98.1 Smooth FM, San Diego CityBeat, DiningOut Magazine, Armed Forces Dispatch, Just My Ticket, Pacific San Diego Magazine and The Rage Monthly Magazine.  Proceeds from this exciting event will go towards the Gaslamp Quarter Association’s ongoing promotional programs and efforts to enhance and protect this National Historic District.  Gaslamp Quarter Association staff will also be available for interviews or to answer any further questions.

2013 Taste of Gaslamp Participating Restaurants
(Designated Saturday & Sunday Participating Restaurants List to be released soon)

analog
Bandar Persian Prime Restaurant
Bar Vie
barleymash
Beer Garden presented by Samuel Adams at  Altitude Sky Lounge
Blue Point Coastal Cuisine
Bolillo Tortas
Brick + Mortar
Café Sevilla Restaurant & Tapas Bar
Chianti Restaurant
Ciro's Pizzeria & Beerhouse
Dick's Last Resort
Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop
Greystone Steakhouse
Hard Rock Café
Heavenly Cupcake
Henry's Pub
Hooters of Gaslamp
La Fiesta Mexican Cuisine & Lounge
La Puerta
Lou and Mickey's
Maryjane's at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon
Mezé
Mint Downtown Thai
New Leaf Restaurant
Nobu San Diego at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Ocean Room
Pinzimini
Rockin' Baja Coastal Cantina
Royal India
Sammy's Woodfired Pizza
Soleil @ K
Spike Africa's Fresh Fish Grill & Bar
The American Comedy Company
The Commons Bar
The Field Irish Pub
The Melting Pot: Fondue Restaurant
Urban Bar & Grill
ViVa bar + kitchen
Whiskey Girl


Insider Tips: Visiting 25+ restaurants within three hours is an ambitious endeavor, even within the Gaslamp Quarter’s walkable 16.5 block area. We have the insider’s tips on how to get the most out of the event. Read on and learn how to look like a seasoned Taste of Gaslamp veteran in front of your co-Tasters at the twentieth annual Taste of Gaslamp:

Parking: The Parkade at Sixth & K (at 6th Ave. and K St.) is conveniently located across the street from the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter (660 K St.), which is the location for Check-In and the Beer Garden presented by Samuel Adams. Park here for its convenience and reasonable parking rates, or park at the Park-It-On-Market (at 6th Ave. and Market St.).

Check-In: The Gaslamp Quarter Association strives to make check-in as speedy and painless as possible, but this popular event does attract a crowd. For that reason, guests are encouraged to arrive at the Check-In booth at Latitude Lounge in the ground floor of the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter (660 K St.) promptly at 12:30PM with their pre-purchased, printed electronic ticket ready and on hand to maximize their “tasting” time.  That way, guests can have their printed electronic ticket scanned at Check-In, and will receive their official Taste of Gaslamp wristband and numbered ticket, complimentary recipe/offer book and event map.  Because Check-In rarely takes longer than a few minutes, this gives guests ample time to peruse the event map and chart out their course (what we like to call “foodie’s game plan”) before the start of the event at 1:00PM.  Restaurant lines can vary depending on the set-up and service at the individual restaurants, from no line at all to ten minutes.
o The number one tip we can offer for Check-In is to make sure you print out each of your electronic ticket(s) (not the confirmation email) once you have purchased your tickets on Gaslamp.org.  This will ensure speedy check-in upon arrival.

Additional Tips for the First-Timer:
o First-time “Tasters” are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes (while Downtown San Diego’s city blocks are relatively short – random bit of trivia: the city blocks are 300 feet in length – there is walking involved between the different destinations.  Consider it this way: guests can eat to their hearts’ content without stressing too much because they are getting exercise between tastes.)
o We also recommend wearing loose fitting clothing.  While each restaurant will offer a minimum two to four ounce tasting, many Taste guests often get full by the seventh location – and there are over 30 locations on each day!
o Consider dressing in layers, especially if guests (who are 21 and older) plan on going to Altitude Sky Lounge for the Beer Garden presented by Samuel Adams – it tends to get breezy 22 stories up.
o The absolute best piece of advice we can offer is: Don’t be afraid to try something new. The Taste of Gaslamp is meant to offer guests the opportunity to explore the Gaslamp Quarter’s impressive repertoire of dining options for one reasonable price.  Whether it’s a new hot spot you’ve been dying to try, or a veteran Gaslamp restaurant you’ve been eyeing for ages, go out of your comfort zone and try something different.  Eating is what you do to survive and sustain; dining is an experience.  It’s feasting with all of your senses engaged – and the Taste of Gaslamp offers a feast in the heart of San Diego’s finest dining destination.

More information about the Taste of Gaslamp can be found at www.gaslamp.org/taste-of-gaslamp or by calling (619) 233-5227.