One of our endeavors for 2016 is to list the top San Diego epicurean events each month so that our readers know where to find the best in beer and wine pairing dinners, multi-course meals and all-around delicious occasions. Here we're tracking the shortest month of the year - February - including an extra day of leap year indulgence in 2016!
We already ran down a list of Valentine's Day specials from all over town, but we'll include a few more very unique offerings here. Happy dining!
February 8, Meatless Monday At Cueva Bar - Every 2nd Monday of the month, Cueva Bar goes vegetarian. In February, Chef Oz will welcome his friends and fellow chefs Ellian Rohrbacher, a local Cheese expert and sales rep for Peacock Cheese, executive Chef at Eco Caters, and founder highly rated Soundbite event's founder Nick Brune, as well as Cheffin' Around's Co-fouder Chad Kilgore. 4 courses will be paired with hop juice from Pizza Port Brewing Co. for only $40 per person.
February 8, Belching Beaver Beer Dinner at The Safehouse - North Park's The Safehouse is hosting its neighbor Belching Beaver Brewing for a 4 course beer pairing dinner. Chef Adrian has tasted and compiled 4 pairings that include blackened salmon with candied serranos, citrus segments, yogurt spheres and tempura bits paired with Me So Honey; pimenton dusted fried chicken wings with habanero buttermilk dressing, pineapple cilantro cabbage slaw and scallion French toast paired with Here Comes Mango IPA; five spice pork ribs with roasted root vegetables, curried cauliflower puree and pickled papaya served with Hop Highway IPA; and “The Elvis” - banana custard with vanilla ice cream, bacon and strawberry jelly and caramelized banana served with Peanut Butter Stout. Tickets are only $35.
February 10, JRDN Feast With Friends #2 Sparkle So Bright Champagne + Appetizer Pairing - Guests are invited to join Domaine Chandon and take their taste buds on a uniquely sophisticated journey of champagne and appetizer pairings. Tom Tiburzi, the Director of Sparkling Wine Production, will be on hand to answer questions. This evening of sparkling sips starts at 6pm and tickets are $40 per person.
February 13, Fall In Love With Beer For Breakfast At Small Bar - Chef Karen Blair is throwing a special Valentine's version of Small Bar's Beer 4 Breakfast series. Fall Brewing Company will feature distinctive draft selections including Red Hands Pomegranate Berlinerweiss, Green Hat IPA, Plenty For All Pilsner, Jinx Remover Imperial Schwartzbier, Unicorn Stampede American Red Ale, 2 AM Bike Ride and an exclusive cask of Maple Coffee Apocalypse Pony Imperial Stout.
Brunch Specials include a lump crab cake benedict and ribeye steak n' eggs. Everything is a'la carte, so no tickets are needed.
February 14, Toronado's 2nd Annual Coffee Beer Fest - On the morning of Valentine's Day, start it off with the 2nd Annual Coffee Beer Fest at Toronado in North Park. Up to 40 coffee beers will be on tap as well as some great breakfasty-type treats to start the day off right. No tickets are needed.
February 28, Surfrider Foundation Samples Of The Sea - Support the San Diego Surfrider Foundation as it takes over the Mission Beach Women's Club on Sunday, February 28, starting at 3pm for its annual Samples for the Sea event. Drink samples will include a variety of beer and wine from breweries and wineries located across San Diego County, all the way up to Northern California. Live music will be provided by local artists The Heart and Rob Mehl, both native to San Diego. General admission is $40 per ticket and includes unlimited beer and wine samples, food, a commemorative tasting glass, live music, a silent auction, and more.
February 28, South Park Brewing Company HUNGRY SOUL! - Don't miss this 5 course guided food and beer pairing meal featuring South Park Brewing Company's award winning boutique beers paired with a southern themed brunch menu that includes shrimp and cheesey grits, crawfish cake with braised collards and poached egg, beer braised pork and sweet potato hash, biscuits and andouille country gravy and beignets!
February 13, Fall In Love With Beer For Breakfast At Small Bar - Chef Karen Blair is throwing a special Valentine's version of Small Bar's Beer 4 Breakfast series. Fall Brewing Company will feature distinctive draft selections including Red Hands Pomegranate Berlinerweiss, Green Hat IPA, Plenty For All Pilsner, Jinx Remover Imperial Schwartzbier, Unicorn Stampede American Red Ale, 2 AM Bike Ride and an exclusive cask of Maple Coffee Apocalypse Pony Imperial Stout.
Brunch Specials include a lump crab cake benedict and ribeye steak n' eggs. Everything is a'la carte, so no tickets are needed.
February 14, Alpine For Your Valentine At Quad Alehouse - The Gaslamp Quarter's beer study hall will offer an amuse and 4 paired courses of amazing food from San Diego's local chef's - Brandon Brooks, Nick Brune, Nate Soroko, and AG Warfield. And of course, Dave Adams will be there doing his beer thing. Each course will be paired with craft brews from Alpine Beer Company. Tickets are $50.
February 14, Addison's 9 Course Valentine's Day Dinner - San Diego's reigning king of fine dining is going big for Valentine's Day. Experience Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef William Bradley’s passion for fine French cuisine with nine exquisite courses that will show you what love is all about. The dinner is $250 per person with a $175 wine pairing offered (not including tax and gratuity. The full menu is available online.
February 15, Abnormal Dinner Series With Stone Brewing Co. - For its twelfth installment of its monthly dinner series, Abnormal will welcome brewing behemoth Stone Brewing Co. for a dinner of at least 8 paired courses. One of the beers served during the evening will be a collaboration brew between Abnormal Beer Co and Stone Brewing Co. Abnormal Head Brewer, Derek Gallanosa, and Stone Brewers Kris Ketcham and Nick Norton are in the works creating a Strong Scotch Ale with Ecuadorian cacao nibs, toasted almonds, and coconut. Tickets are $99.
February 17, Tom Ham's Beer Pairing Dinner With Green Flash, Alpine & Cellar 3 - Enjoy a 7 course beer pairing dinner complimented by sprawling views of San Diego Bay and Downtown as Tom Ham's Lighthouse invites Green Flash Brewing for a special meal that will include beers from Green Flash, Alpine and Cellar 3. At $55 a person, this meal is a steal.
February 17, San Diego Hotspot Dinner At Kettner Exchange - Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski recently prepared a five-course feast at the historic James Beard House in New York City and will cook up the same menu in Little Italy. The price for this multi-course meal is $95 per person and reservations can be secured by emailing [email protected].
February 17, An Evening In "The Ageless Kitchen" With Chef Tina Martini At Te Mana Cafe - "The Medicine Chef" Tina Martini will provide a 5 course meal designed to take diners on a nutritional journey with hand picked fresh organic ingredients and drink pairings. Starting off with a welcome drink of warm and spicy citrus toddy, the meal will include gluten-free crostini with smoked stone fruit, cashew cream, and honey; roasted cauliflower bisque layered wih troasted tomato bisque and a hot and cold bite (bbq duck, crispy duck skin, sorbet, served on the soup spoon); French ribs in puff pastry with parsnip puree, broccoli rabe coulis, and carrot/parsnip crispy ribbons; a duo of poached pears with blueberry goat cheese served in endive boats with champagne drizzle; and baked Alaska - spice cake with pumpkin gelato, Italian merengue, and candied ginger snow. There are 2 seatings and tickets are $65 per person.
February 18, Barrel Smoker Dinner Series V: The Paella Edition - Baja Wine + Food & Planet Rooth Design Haus present the 5th installment of the Barrel Smoker Dinners Series, a bohemian rendez vous with leading culinary chefs, winemakers, brewers and artisans. Two-time World Food Champion Ricardo Heredia and Paella Master Carlos S. Cervantes will be featured. Both chefs will be using the iQ Oak Barrel Smoker, the revolutionary smoking device designed by Swedish master craftsman Gustaf Anders Rooth. Baja Wines by Lomita and Villa Montefiori/@Paoloni Wines and Baja craft beer by Cerveceria Agua Mala will be featured. Tickets are $75.
February 18, San Diego Museum Of Art Sculpture & Cocktails - To Celebrate the opening of Art of the Open Air, the Museum's new public art exhibition located in Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama 66, patrons are invited to enjoy signature cocktail from Kill Devil Spirits and delicious eats from Quad Alehouse, while strutting to the sounds of Dance Party Lounge. Tickets are $5 for members and $35 for non-members.
February 14, Addison's 9 Course Valentine's Day Dinner - San Diego's reigning king of fine dining is going big for Valentine's Day. Experience Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef William Bradley’s passion for fine French cuisine with nine exquisite courses that will show you what love is all about. The dinner is $250 per person with a $175 wine pairing offered (not including tax and gratuity. The full menu is available online.
February 15, Abnormal Dinner Series With Stone Brewing Co. - For its twelfth installment of its monthly dinner series, Abnormal will welcome brewing behemoth Stone Brewing Co. for a dinner of at least 8 paired courses. One of the beers served during the evening will be a collaboration brew between Abnormal Beer Co and Stone Brewing Co. Abnormal Head Brewer, Derek Gallanosa, and Stone Brewers Kris Ketcham and Nick Norton are in the works creating a Strong Scotch Ale with Ecuadorian cacao nibs, toasted almonds, and coconut. Tickets are $99.
February 17, Tom Ham's Beer Pairing Dinner With Green Flash, Alpine & Cellar 3 - Enjoy a 7 course beer pairing dinner complimented by sprawling views of San Diego Bay and Downtown as Tom Ham's Lighthouse invites Green Flash Brewing for a special meal that will include beers from Green Flash, Alpine and Cellar 3. At $55 a person, this meal is a steal.
February 17, San Diego Hotspot Dinner At Kettner Exchange - Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski recently prepared a five-course feast at the historic James Beard House in New York City and will cook up the same menu in Little Italy. The price for this multi-course meal is $95 per person and reservations can be secured by emailing [email protected].
February 17, An Evening In "The Ageless Kitchen" With Chef Tina Martini At Te Mana Cafe - "The Medicine Chef" Tina Martini will provide a 5 course meal designed to take diners on a nutritional journey with hand picked fresh organic ingredients and drink pairings. Starting off with a welcome drink of warm and spicy citrus toddy, the meal will include gluten-free crostini with smoked stone fruit, cashew cream, and honey; roasted cauliflower bisque layered wih troasted tomato bisque and a hot and cold bite (bbq duck, crispy duck skin, sorbet, served on the soup spoon); French ribs in puff pastry with parsnip puree, broccoli rabe coulis, and carrot/parsnip crispy ribbons; a duo of poached pears with blueberry goat cheese served in endive boats with champagne drizzle; and baked Alaska - spice cake with pumpkin gelato, Italian merengue, and candied ginger snow. There are 2 seatings and tickets are $65 per person.
February 18, Barrel Smoker Dinner Series V: The Paella Edition - Baja Wine + Food & Planet Rooth Design Haus present the 5th installment of the Barrel Smoker Dinners Series, a bohemian rendez vous with leading culinary chefs, winemakers, brewers and artisans. Two-time World Food Champion Ricardo Heredia and Paella Master Carlos S. Cervantes will be featured. Both chefs will be using the iQ Oak Barrel Smoker, the revolutionary smoking device designed by Swedish master craftsman Gustaf Anders Rooth. Baja Wines by Lomita and Villa Montefiori/@Paoloni Wines and Baja craft beer by Cerveceria Agua Mala will be featured. Tickets are $75.
February 18, San Diego Museum Of Art Sculpture & Cocktails - To Celebrate the opening of Art of the Open Air, the Museum's new public art exhibition located in Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama 66, patrons are invited to enjoy signature cocktail from Kill Devil Spirits and delicious eats from Quad Alehouse, while strutting to the sounds of Dance Party Lounge. Tickets are $5 for members and $35 for non-members.
February 19 & 20, San Diego Winter Brew Fest - Escape San Diego's unseasonably brutal winter and head to the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park as the San Diego Winter Brew Fest returns for its 4th year, featuring 2 nights of unlimited craft beer samples from some of the country's finest breweries. In addition to offering promo code SDVILLE to save on tickets (limited to the first 100 passes purchased), we are also raffling 2 VIP passes! Tickets start at $40.
February 19 & 20, Cheeses Of Europe Pop-Up Educational Cheese Tasting - Cheeses of Europe, a European Union-financed cheese board devoted to promoting everything French cheese in the U.S., are on their Cheeses of Europe Tour, and they are bringing their pop-up, educational cheese tastings - which have been a major hit in cities like New York, San Francisco and Miami - to San Diego on Friday, February 19 & Saturday, February 20, from 11am. to 6pm both days. Samples of over 30 types of French cheeses, as well as beer from Green Flash's Cellar 3, will be offered alfresco in front of Macy's at Fashion Valley Mall. The event is free for the public to attend.
February 19 & 20, Cheeses Of Europe Pop-Up Educational Cheese Tasting - Cheeses of Europe, a European Union-financed cheese board devoted to promoting everything French cheese in the U.S., are on their Cheeses of Europe Tour, and they are bringing their pop-up, educational cheese tastings - which have been a major hit in cities like New York, San Francisco and Miami - to San Diego on Friday, February 19 & Saturday, February 20, from 11am. to 6pm both days. Samples of over 30 types of French cheeses, as well as beer from Green Flash's Cellar 3, will be offered alfresco in front of Macy's at Fashion Valley Mall. The event is free for the public to attend.
February 21, Catalina Offshore Products Presents Collaboration Kitchen Featuring Chef Celebration Chefs - Support the future of our local culinary community while enjoying delicious bites and educational seminars lead by Amy DiBiase of Tidal, Jeff Rossman of Terra American Bistro, Augie Saucedo of Brother's Signature Catering & Events & two recipients of the Chef Celebration Scholarship to Napa. Alcohol, provided by URBN will be served and BYOB is welcome. Enjoy a fun filled night of seafood & fresh produce education and tastings, brought to you by Specialty Produce and Catalina Offshore Products. Tickets are $75 per person and 100% of proceeds from Collaboration Kitchen go to Chef Celebration, a nonprofit organization that strives to enhance the knowledge and potential of promising young chefs and lay a foundation of excellence for San Diego’s culinary future.
February 21, Lost Abbey Brunch At Toronado - The latest in Toronado's series of brunches from Nate Soroko and his band of brothers and sisters, this time it's seafood, and the delicious beers from the Lost Abbey. Each attendee will receive a bottle of 2014 Cable Car included in the price of admission. Tickets are $235!! Whoaa!
February 21, Lost Abbey Brunch At Toronado - The latest in Toronado's series of brunches from Nate Soroko and his band of brothers and sisters, this time it's seafood, and the delicious beers from the Lost Abbey. Each attendee will receive a bottle of 2014 Cable Car included in the price of admission. Tickets are $235!! Whoaa!
February 22, JRDN Feast With Friends Finale With The Cork & Craft - Tower23 Hotel's in house eatery will feature five courses from three fabulous collaborators for one exceptional night of dining. The $65 ticket unlocks a thoughtful menu of fun fare prepared by the creative culinary minds behind The Cork and Craft and JRDN restaurants, complemented with fine wines from local winemaker, Fallbrook Winery, one of the leaders in California's emerging South Coast wine region. Tickets are $65.
February 22, SafeHouse + Bootlegger Brewing Beer Pairing Dinner - North Park's Safehouse is hosting the new and not-yet-open Bootlegger Brewing for a 5 course beer pairing supper. There aren't many details on this event just yet, but at $35 per ticket, you really can't go wrong.
February 23, A Psycho Night With Tim Johnson At Saiko Sake & Sushi Bar - Saiko is pulling out all the stops with Saikou Salmon Alpine Farm, Young's Market Company, Catalina Offshore Products, and Specialty Produce, and hosting a private dinner to raise funds in support of Tim Johnson, who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. For $150 enjoy an elegant menu, including upscale items donated by local, high end producers. Prepare to indulge in an exquisite, five course, chef's dinner followed by dessert, all paired with fine wine & premium Japanese sake.
February 23, Torre Fornello Wine Social at Monello - Little Italy's 'Naughty Boy' will be hosting Enrico Sgorbatti (Torre Fornello's owner and chief wine maker) and his timeless wines from the hills of Piacenza, Emilia Romagna, Italy. Come and sit down with him for a couple of hours to truly experience these wines that are rarely found outside of Northern Italy. These hills have been producing wine for centuries...so far back that even Julius Caesar's father-in-law produced wine here. To honor this tradition, quality and authenticity our Chef Fabrizio Cavallini will pair the flavors of their shared home region with these highly sought-after, lesser known wines and varietals. Tickets are $40 per person plus tax and gratuity. Email [email protected] to make a reservation.
February 23, Beer Beautiful Beer Dinner At The Patio On Lamont - Chef de Cuisine Giovanni Gadiano of The Patio On Lamont is joined by Executive Chef Craig Jimenez of Supernatural Sandwiches for a 5 course meal, paired with 5 selections from Coedo Brewery. Tickets are $55.
February 25, Soundbite @ Quad Alehouse - A combination of local music, food and beer, this incarnation of the popular SoundBite dinner series will start this year off at Quad Alehouse with musicians, Piracy Conspiracy. The dinner will feature Chef Nick Brune of Eco Caters, Chef Brandon Brooks of Quad Alehouse, and Chef Lhasa Landry of The Crack Shack. Soundbite showcases collaborations between leading local chefs and musicians, creatively tying together local bands' songs with creative cuisine inspired by the music. In the days prior to each event, participating chefs create their courses while listening to select tracks, later serving the musically-inspired menu to SoundBite guests while the corresponding musician plays live, performing the same tracks used to inspire each chef. Tickets are $60.
February 27, EDSD Presents Abnormal Tube Meat Madness At Machete Beer House - Eating and Drinking in San Diego is throwing a sausage party, an Abnormal sausage party. It is all about the Tube Meat and it's taking over south county's newest craft beer destination. Six Chefs will stuff some form of tube meat, whether it's sausage, bratwurst, merguez, hot links, chorizo, whatever - and each will be paired with a beer from Abnormal Beer Co and head brewer Derek Gallanosa. Tickets start at $40.
February 22, SafeHouse + Bootlegger Brewing Beer Pairing Dinner - North Park's Safehouse is hosting the new and not-yet-open Bootlegger Brewing for a 5 course beer pairing supper. There aren't many details on this event just yet, but at $35 per ticket, you really can't go wrong.
February 23, A Psycho Night With Tim Johnson At Saiko Sake & Sushi Bar - Saiko is pulling out all the stops with Saikou Salmon Alpine Farm, Young's Market Company, Catalina Offshore Products, and Specialty Produce, and hosting a private dinner to raise funds in support of Tim Johnson, who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. For $150 enjoy an elegant menu, including upscale items donated by local, high end producers. Prepare to indulge in an exquisite, five course, chef's dinner followed by dessert, all paired with fine wine & premium Japanese sake.
February 23, Torre Fornello Wine Social at Monello - Little Italy's 'Naughty Boy' will be hosting Enrico Sgorbatti (Torre Fornello's owner and chief wine maker) and his timeless wines from the hills of Piacenza, Emilia Romagna, Italy. Come and sit down with him for a couple of hours to truly experience these wines that are rarely found outside of Northern Italy. These hills have been producing wine for centuries...so far back that even Julius Caesar's father-in-law produced wine here. To honor this tradition, quality and authenticity our Chef Fabrizio Cavallini will pair the flavors of their shared home region with these highly sought-after, lesser known wines and varietals. Tickets are $40 per person plus tax and gratuity. Email [email protected] to make a reservation.
February 23, Beer Beautiful Beer Dinner At The Patio On Lamont - Chef de Cuisine Giovanni Gadiano of The Patio On Lamont is joined by Executive Chef Craig Jimenez of Supernatural Sandwiches for a 5 course meal, paired with 5 selections from Coedo Brewery. Tickets are $55.
February 25, Soundbite @ Quad Alehouse - A combination of local music, food and beer, this incarnation of the popular SoundBite dinner series will start this year off at Quad Alehouse with musicians, Piracy Conspiracy. The dinner will feature Chef Nick Brune of Eco Caters, Chef Brandon Brooks of Quad Alehouse, and Chef Lhasa Landry of The Crack Shack. Soundbite showcases collaborations between leading local chefs and musicians, creatively tying together local bands' songs with creative cuisine inspired by the music. In the days prior to each event, participating chefs create their courses while listening to select tracks, later serving the musically-inspired menu to SoundBite guests while the corresponding musician plays live, performing the same tracks used to inspire each chef. Tickets are $60.
February 27, EDSD Presents Abnormal Tube Meat Madness At Machete Beer House - Eating and Drinking in San Diego is throwing a sausage party, an Abnormal sausage party. It is all about the Tube Meat and it's taking over south county's newest craft beer destination. Six Chefs will stuff some form of tube meat, whether it's sausage, bratwurst, merguez, hot links, chorizo, whatever - and each will be paired with a beer from Abnormal Beer Co and head brewer Derek Gallanosa. Tickets start at $40.
February 28, Surfrider Foundation Samples Of The Sea - Support the San Diego Surfrider Foundation as it takes over the Mission Beach Women's Club on Sunday, February 28, starting at 3pm for its annual Samples for the Sea event. Drink samples will include a variety of beer and wine from breweries and wineries located across San Diego County, all the way up to Northern California. Live music will be provided by local artists The Heart and Rob Mehl, both native to San Diego. General admission is $40 per ticket and includes unlimited beer and wine samples, food, a commemorative tasting glass, live music, a silent auction, and more.
February 28, South Park Brewing Company HUNGRY SOUL! - Don't miss this 5 course guided food and beer pairing meal featuring South Park Brewing Company's award winning boutique beers paired with a southern themed brunch menu that includes shrimp and cheesey grits, crawfish cake with braised collards and poached egg, beer braised pork and sweet potato hash, biscuits and andouille country gravy and beignets!
