Chef Jason McLeod Brings Michelin Star Experience to San Diego as the New Executive Chef of One of the City's Most Innovative Hospitality Collectives

July 24, 2012

Chef Jason McLeod

McLeod To Oversee Culinary Programs for Craft & Commerce, UnderBelly, Neighborhood and More

The visionary restaurateurs-come-social engineering duo, Arsalun Tafazoli and Nathan Stanton proudly announce the recent addition of nationally renowned chef Jason McLeod to their hospitality collective, Consortium Holdings. With over 25 years of culinary experience under his toque, chef McLeod has traveled the world to train with several of the most prestigious chefs in the industry, including Raymond Blanc and Marco Pierre White. McLeod also spent time in San Diego from 2007 to 2009, serving as executive chef of the Grand Del Mar--but it was in 2011 as the opening executive chef for the Chicago’s Ria Restaurant at the Elysian Hotel that he led the restaurant from being relatively unknown, to receiving two Michelin stars during its first year of operation.

RECAP: 2nd Annual San Diego Brew Festival | What More Could You Ask For?!?

July 24, 2012

We at SanDiegoVille pride ourselves on enjoying the simple pleasures in life and always getting home early.  That's why, to us, the prospect of unlimited beer, various food truck offerings, and 90s cover music at the 2nd Annual San Diego Brew Fest made for an ideal Saturday afternoon in sunny San Diego.

RECAP: America's Pride in San Diego | Detailing the Poppin' of my Pride Cherry

July 24, 2012

The San Diego LGBT Pride Festival made history as it drew a record of nearly 200,000 people to Hillcrest and Balboa Park for a weekend marked by monumental movements towards our government’s acceptance of the equality of its citizens, no matter the sexual orientation.  In doing so, the celebration lived up to its chosen theme – America’s Pride.  It did so on its own terms, without pretense and without problems, and for a first timer, the festival was all I could ask for – good vibes, kind people, music, food, and fun in an accepting and glorious setting.  And although it was my first experience at Pride, the event consisted of a series of firsts for all participants and organizers alike.  While we at SanDiegoVille.com greatly appreciate the direct progress made by the LGBT community and are thankful for the enjoyable experience, I’m taking cue from the weekend and staying true to me in this recap article, and you all can take from it what you wish.    

San Diego Hotspots Celebrate National Tequila Day | July 24th

Our favorite tequila!!

July 23, 2012

July 24th is National Tequila Day, a country-wide celebration dedicated to an iconic beverage that we certainly love here at SanDiegoVille.com. So go out and indulge in an inspired cocktail or dish infused with the agave plant’s “fruit,” as there are numerous establishments in and around our city celebrating all things Tequila.

Toast's Technology Brings Sicily to SD for One Night Only | August 10th at 3pm!

July 23, 2012

Harvest Night marks the first night of the year that wineries harvest their grapes. This year, technology brings San Diegans a live broadcast of the Donnafugata harvest at the Contessa Entellina estate in Sicily – streamed in real time on televisions at East Village’s Toast Enoteca & Cucina.

1st Annual Bates Nut Farm Valley Center Gourmet Food Truck Fest | August 18th from 3-9pm

August 18, 2012

Bring your appetite to Bates Nut Farm for the first incarnation of the Valley Center Gourmet Food Truck Fest, taking place  Saturday, August 18th from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Join over a dozen of Southern California's finest gourmet food trucks, who will be parked under the trees, offering a wide variety of mobile cuisine.

2nd Annual San Diego Brew Fest Coming to Liberty Station TODAY | Saturday, July 21st from 2-6pm

July 21, 2012

Hey beer lovers, the 2nd Annual San Diego Brew Fest returns to Liberty Station's NTC Plaza today, Saturday, July 21st from 2pm to 6pm (3-6 for GA).  Following last year's sold out event, this year's Brew Fest will offer attendees an opportunity to sample offerings from countless breweries and numerous food trucks, all while rocking out to live music.

Community Leaders Celebrated with the Pride Spirit of Stonewall Awards

July 20, 2012

San Diego LGBT Pride is excited and proud to announce the 2012 Spirit of Stonewall Award Recipients.  The awards are designed to honor local individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact on San Diego's LGBT community.

Uniformed Active Duty Service Members and Their Families to Join Pride Parade

July 19, 2012

San Diego Pride officials are proud to announce that active duty service members of the U.S. armed forces have received approval from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and their commanding officers to march in the America’s Pride Parade Military Contingent while wearing their uniforms.  Veterans have long been allowed to wear their uniforms and now their active duty brothers and sisters will be able to march in uniform alongside them with Pride.

Good Time Design Announces Opening of Block No. 16 Union & Spirits | Friday, July 20th

July 18, 2012

Good Time Design, the all-encompassing restaurant and entertainment venue design and consulting firm, will officially open its newest venture, Block 16 No. Union & Spirits, on Friday, July 20th.  The new venue debuted with a soft opening on Friday, June 29th. The multi-level entertainment space is located in downtown’s East Village in the famed Culy Warehouse and next door to the recently opened Lucky’s Lunch Counter.  Block No. 16 Union & Spirits has a commanding 10,000 square-foot presence and is set to quickly become one of the hottest nightlife destination in downtown San Diego.

Jsix Restaurant Introduces a Stiff, New Culinary Cocktail Menu

July 18, 2012

The beverage engineers at Jsix Restaurant at Hotel Solamar have taken the building blocks of classic cocktailing and created a menu that positions them at the apex of today’s trends. Time-honored methods and techniques have come together with the freshest ingredients and an imaginative approach to produce a list of 12 quaffable delights that appeal to a wide variety of guests. Available now, the new cocktail menu (copied below) has spirited folks stirring with excitement.  Expect bold aromas, strong flavors and surprising combinations fused with Jsix’s made-from-scratch philosophy.

'Glee' Cast Member and Other Exciting Acts Join Re-Energized Pride Lineup

Alex Newell of 'Glee'

July 18, 2012

San Diego LGBT Pride is thrilled to announce the addition of Alex Newell, who plays “Unique/Wade,” a transgender character, on the smash hit show, ‘Glee.’  In line with the mission of Pride, Alex Newell has been an amazing addition to the diversity of the Glee cast.  Newell will also take part in the Pride Parade.

Isola Pizza Bar Announces Opening in Little Italy

July 17, 2012

Isola Pizza Bar is Little Italy’s newest specialty pizza restaurant, featuring an oak wood-burning oven in a chic urban setting.  With a 2,500-square-foot Italian pizzeria highlighted by an open kitchen bar and elongated back patio, Isola is now open at 1526 India Street, offering 15 types of pizzas, authentic Italian appetizers and home-made desserts by Chef Massimo Tenino of Piemonte, Italy.

Miguel's Cocina Celebrates 30 Years!!

July 17, 2012

San Diego is definitely known for its great Mexican cuisine.  Although there are a generous number of Mexican dining options all across San Diego county,  there is one such name that has truly made its mark here in America's Finest City, and that’s Miguel’s Cocina! Celebrating 30 years of business this month, the popular family restaurant chain has 6 locations throughout San Diego and a brand new restaurant in Carlsbad.