Moving Past the Pop Culture Festivities and on to a Celebration of Equality | San Diego LGBT Pride Festival - June 20-22, 2012

July 16, 2012

With Comic Con 2012 in the rear view mirror, the next big event to hit America's Finest City is the San Diego LGBT Pride Festival which takes place in historic Balboa Park July 20 - 22nd.  In anticipation of the San Diego Pride Festival, SanDiegoVille.com will be publishing a new Pride-related article each day this week, so be sure to stay classy and keep checking in with us!

Phil’s BBQ Padres Tailgate Raises Money for Military Mentoring Program

July 16, 2012

Phil's Ribs!

Phil’s BBQ and Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County are partnering for the fourth straight year to raise money for Big Brother Big Sisters’ military mentoring program, Operation Bigs. Phil’s will be serving up its famous mesquite-grilled ribs, chicken and side dishes to thousands of hungry event-goers at PETCO Park before the Padres take on the Cubs on Monday, August 6, 2012 in order to raise money for the Operation Bigs program, which pairs children whose parents are in the military with a mentor from the community.

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center Announces Celebrity Models for 35th Annual Haute With Heart Fashion Show

July 16, 2012

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) has announced the line up of celebrity models for its 35th Annual Haute With Heart Fashion Show. On August 18, 2012 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, San Diego icons including local news anchors, radio DJ’s and even a World Series winning baseball player will strut their stuff in the 35th Annual Haute With Heart Fashion Show.  All proceeds from the fashion show, themed "Let the Sunshine In," will benefit SMSC’s programs for nearly 400 adults with developmental disabilities.

Café 21, “Nature’s Kitchen,” Launches New Dinner Menu, Featuring Ingredients 100% Sourced From Local Farms

July 14, 2012

Café 21, Nature’s Kitchen eatery, tea and wine bar, debuted a new dinner menu this week. The menu’s items are now 100% sourced from local and organic farms, reflecting Café 21’s commitment to being “Nature’s Kitchen” within San Diego.

Chef Dawn Parks is the New Lady Chef for St. Germain's Cafe

Chef Dawn Parks

July 14, 2012

This August, Chef Dawn Parks of The Wild Thyme Company-Catering and Events becomes the third chef in St. Germain's Cafe & Bistro's successful Lady Chef Series, a quarterly guest chef series featuring San Diego’s top female chefs. Chef Dawn Parks will collaborate with St. Germain Cafe’s Executive Chef Kaitlin Ramos to create a flavorful, female-influenced Lady Chef dinner menu beginning August 1st and available throughout that month.

Iris Food & Spirits is Focused in Carmel Valley

July 13, 2012

By Sean Jackson | SanDiegoVille Contributing Writer

One of the great things about San Diego is that you never know where you'll end up finding a culinary gem.  My parents recently ventured south from the OC to check out the San Diego Fair and wanted to meet up for dinner afterward.  Though I usually pick the restaurant, this time I passed that duty along to my dad and was rewarded with one of the better meals I've had in quite a while.  Iris Food & Spirits, located on Carmel Valley road in Del Mar/Carmel Valley, offers noteworthy new American cuisine with amazingly tranquil views overlooking Los Penasquitos marsh and Torrey Pines State Park. 

Tomato Battle Comes to San Diego TOMORROW, July 14th

July 13, 2012

Modeled after La Tomatina, the annual festival held in Bunol, Spain in August each year, Tomato Battle offers an extremely unique way for community members to enjoy live local music, a costume contest, a never-ending beer garden and a full fledged food fight to end all food fights with up to 80,000 pounds of tomatoes.  This Saturday, July 14^th, Tomato Battle will be bringing it’s one of a kind event to San Diego.

Best Ways to Cool Down This Summer In and Around San Diego

July 13, 2012

Summer is in full swing and things are starting to heat up! Fight the flame this season with Southern California's hottest ice-cold sweets and offerings.  Below, you'll find an assorted list of San Diego’s top tasters that will help tame the summer heat and satisfy your taste buds.

"I Ain't Afraid of No Ghost (Pepper)!" Sabuku Sushi features the newly crowned World's Hottest Pepper - the Trinidad Scorpion Pepper

July 13, 2012

Spicy food, like any intense culinary flavor, is an acquired taste. Hot sauces and dishes delivering extreme heat have developed a cult-like following, with disciples of the movement constantly looking for the next hottest thing. Enter Sabuku Sushi Head Chef Zach Stofferahn’s new Suicide Special that features the World’s Hottest Pepper, the searing Trinidad scorpion pepper.

The Brigantine Del Mar Set to Reopen for Race Season with a New Makeover

July 11, 2012

Just in time for the much anticipated season of the Del Mar Racetrack, the Brigantine in Del Mar has reopened after undergoing a complete remodel. Locals and racetrack patrons are sure to be impressed with the new additions to the restaurant that conveniently boosts views of the racetrack. This total and complete renovation gives the restaurant a new contemporary look, but don’t worry, as it still offers the signature Brigantine feel and ambiance.

Tickets for the 9th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival Now On Sale!

June 10, 2012

Tickets for the 9th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, taking place November 14-18, 2012 are now on sale. The weeklong wine and food extravaganza is widely recognized as the largest food and wine festival across Southern California and has become an iconic fixture in the national wine and food landscape. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival brings together a cadre of A-list chefs and culinary personalities, master and advanced sommeliers, and nationally acclaimed winemakers in a combination of over 25 epicurean experiences that appeal to the sophisticated palates of wine and food enthusiasts from across the nation.  SanDiegoVille.com was fortunate enough to cover last year's festivities, and based upon that experience and what's planned for this year, we can say that this is one epicurean event that is not to be missed!!!

RECAP: All Things 'Cue at the 2nd Annual San Diego Soul Food Festival

July 9, 2012


By Heather Reineke

If you've ever been tempted by the alluring wafts of sweet 'cue on a warm summer day, then the second annual San Diego Soul Food Festival would have been your taste bud's ticket to heaven.

Grub Sprawl Makes its Way to Old Town | TONIGHT - Monday, July 9th

July 9, 2012

Tonight, Monday, July 9, 2012, from 6 to 10 p.m., San Diego’s foodies will come together to participate in a savory stroll through the historic neighborhood of Old Town. The Old Town Grub Sprawl welcomes participating restaurants such as Harney Sushi, El Agave, Miguel’s Cocina, The Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant, El Fandango and more.

Steal Away to Shelter Island this Summer

July 8, 2012

School is out and summer has officially started! While your friends splurge on stressful getaways and less-than-tranquil trips, save some serious dough (and your sanity) this season by indulging in a spectacular San Diego Staycation. With outstanding ocean and city views, historic hotspots, specialty shops and an irresistibly relaxed atmosphere, Shelter Island is the perfect place to escape to without ever leaving town. Grab your guidebook, tap into your inner tourist and while you’re there, explore these exceptional eateries.