Little Italy's Monello | An Authentic Farmers' Market-Inspired Brunch

Monello's brunch pizza

February 1, 2013

Some of my fondest memories derive from a summer spent traveling throughout Italy.  Italia is a remarkable country where the people embrace the beauty of simplicity, understand the comforts of leisure and take pride in even the smallest of tasks.  So it goes at Monello in the 'Q' Building of Little Italy, where we recently enjoyed a stellar Italian-inspired weekend brunch on a most beautiful San Diego day.  As the warm sun shined in my face, I sipped on my Bellini, enjoyed a simple salad of rocket and fresh mozzarella, ordered my brunch, and was instantly swept back to Parma.  But wait, does 'brunch' as we know it even exist in Italy?

Super Bowl Craft Brews & Qs

January 31, 2013

The Super Bowl brings out the competitive spirit in everyone – from wing eaters to chili connoisseurs – indeed, there are no shortage of food features for the big game! But at Iowa Meat Farms & Siesel’s Meats, they’re as serious about their BREW as they are our (bb)Q.  So in the spirit of the sport, being that the two final teams this year hail from hallowed beer ground, Iowa Meat Farms & Siesel’s Meats have pitted the Super Bowl cities in a brawl of the brews -- with the Meat Masters’ offering their favorite easy at home bbq pairing recipes for each city!

San Diegans “Shave it Clean in 2013” to Benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation | Saturday, March 9th

January 30, 2013

This March, The St. Baldrick’s Foundation San Diego chapter is teaming up with The Commons for the organization’s annual, nationwide Shave-a-Thon, celebrating the event’s fifth and most anticipated year yet!  San Diegans will converge on the downtown hotspot on Saturday, March 9th to shave their heads in the name of generating awareness, funding research for childhood cancer, and continuing to help survivors live long and healthy lives.

Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Unmasks New Look for 2013 | 19th Annual Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Tuesday, February 12th

January 29, 2013

After nearly twenty years, San Diego’s longest running Mardi Gras street festival, Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp, is shaking things up to debut an all new Fat Tuesday extravaganza unlike any that came before it. The 19th Annual Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp, taking place on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 from 5:00pm to 11:00pm, will embrace the musical traditions that have been part of the Gaslamp Quarter story since the early 1900’s in the heart of Downtown San Diego, elevating the event to the next level in 2013, while continuing to give event goers lasting memories with new experiences.

Get The Ultimate San Diego Public Market Experience at the Taste of the Market Event | Sunday, February 10th

January 27, 2013

Don't miss the chance to join local farmers and esteemed chefs on Sunday, February 10th from 4 pm to 6:30 pm for Taste of the Market at the new San Diego Public Market.  This exclusive event will provide participants with a look at some of the artisan foods and dining experiences that will occupy the market later this year.  Local chefs including Andrew Spurgin, Melissa Mayer, Trey Foshee, Chad White, Pete Balistreri, Katie Grebow and more will use local farm ingredients at tasting stations while market purveyors will offer a preview of what's to come.  Enjoy live music and tours of the 92,000 square foot market property and support the creation of San Diego's very own Public Market.

Little Italy Association Presents the 10th Annual Carnevale 2013 | Saturday, February 9th

January 27, 2013

Reminiscent of Venice, Italy, San Diego’s Little Italy community brings an artsy evening full of whimsical surprises with vignettes of entertainment at the 10th Annual Little Italy Carnevale on Saturday, February 9th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  This family friendly experience is based off Italian traditions and is free to attend thanks to presenting sponsor Alliance Residential Company and support from Buon Appetito, Kettner House, Craft & Commerce and many others.

Flying For A Cure | An Inspiring and Successful Fundraising Gala

January 26, 2013

Photo by Monica Hoover

Last Saturday evening, hundreds of generous San Diegans gathered at the picturesque Hyatt Regency La Jolla Aventine to raise funds for ALS research (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) at an event tokened Flying For A Cure.  The evening's playful flight theme took a cue from honoree John Constans' 30+-year career as a Navy, PSA and US Airways pilot and honored his love for life by embracing a more casual and fun-loving approach to the festivities. The evening led off with the chill vibes of the Paul Cannon Band and featured an exclusive performance by internationally acclaimed musician and San Diego-native, Tristan Prettyman.

Cabrillo Advisors Foundation Presents the 3rd Annual San Diego Wine Affair Premier Wine Event to Benefit Rady Children’s Hospital and San Diego Social Venture Partners

January 25, 2013

The Cabrillo Advisors Foundation is pleased to announce the third annual San Diego Wine Affair on Thursday, February 7, 2013 starting at 6:00 p.m. The highly anticipated soiree, to be held in the La Jolla Ballroom of the prestigious Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, will benefit Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and San Diego Social Venture Partners. The evening will unite over 300 wine enthusiasts with more than 30 top-rated California winemakers, and will feature fabulous food, lively entertainment by Dawn Mitschele and world-class silent and live auctions.

Sneak Joint Surprises Everyone With Closing | Sneaks Away Without Paying Devastated Employees

January 23, 2013

The aptly named Sneak Joint "closes for the holidays" - only never to reopen or pay employees' salaries due and owing, leaving former-staff disheartened and distraught over the disrespect demonstrated by the owners' blatant failure to compensate or even notify their devoted and dependent employees of their closing - especially in light of approaching Christmas and the New Year.

Karl Strauss Celebrates 24 years with Changing of the Barrels Event | Saturday, February 2nd

January 23, 2013

Karl Strauss Brewing Company is celebrating 24 years of pioneering San Diego’s local beer scene.  When the company first opened its doors on February 2, 1989, no one knew if craft beer would take off.  Now, with Karl Strauss helping to lead the charge, San Diego has become internationally recognized as a hotbed for craft beer culture and innovation.  Karl Strauss is celebrating this milestone with its third annual Changing of the Barrels event and the debut of its 24th Anniversary Flanders- style ale.

Jsix Launches 'Weekday Play' | Gaslamp Restaurant Offers Five New Reasons to Head Downtown

January 22, 2013

Jsix, one of San Diego’s leading culinary destinations, has expanded their list of nightly happenings Monday through Friday. After a successful launch of nightly specials like Whiskey and Cigar Night at LOUNGEsix, Weekday Play at Jsix offers tourists and locals reasons to top off their evenings at the restaurant as well. Weekday Play includes specials on local brews, craft cocktail and wine flights, and customizable signature martinis. Raise a glass to five new ways Jsix spices up nightlife in America’s Finest City.

Celebrate Craft Beer at the Inaugural San Diego Winter Brew Fest | Feb. 8th at the Port Pavilion at the Broadway Pier

January 21, 2013

On Friday, February 8th, embrace the cooler weather and get your craft beer fix on at the inaugural San Diego Winter Brew Fest at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier.  Grab your tickets to this newcomer to the San Diego craft beer festival circuit and you'll receive a commemorative glass and have a chance to sample unlimited brews from San Diego's best breweries and beyond. The Port Pavilion is a picturesque and unique venue in San Diego's beautiful bay (adjacent to the USS Midway), making for the perfect environment to sip brews while enjoying live music and snacking on San Diego's favorite food trucks.

What Are You Doing for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration | Inauguration Libations Around San Diego

January 20, 2013

With all the pomp and circumstance that will certainly surround Monday’s 57th Inauguration Ceremony in Washington D. C., it got us thinking…about the Commander in Chief’s libation of choice.  As Inauguration Day is set for Monday, January 21st, we took a look at some former presidents’ favorite drinks and where they would be able to find them here in San Diego.

Bencotto Italian Kitchen is First in San Diego to Earn International Accolades with a “Q” Rating for Best in Class for Authentic Italian Quality Dining

January 19, 2013

Bencotto Italian Kitchen is proud to announce its receipt of the coveted “Q” (Quality/Qualità) rating from the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West, an award giving San Diego’s “Best Italian Restaurant” global recognition as a truly authentic Italian restaurant. Bencotto is one of the first restaurants in San Diego to be given this world-renowned identification.