Four San Diegans Make Top 15 on Fox's MasterChef | Part One of SanDiegoVille's 4-Part Series: An Interview with San Diego MasterChef Howard Simpson

Top Left Clockwise:  Lynn Chyi, Natasha Crnjac
Howard Simpson and Savannah Sturges
Photo by Greg Gayne/Fox
Copyright 2013 Fox Broadcasting

June 22, 2013

A formidable four people from San Diego have made it to the Top 15 Finalists on season four of Fox's hit cooking competition MasterChef. Howard Simpson, Natasha Crnjac, Lynn Chyi, and Savannah Sturges are all from America's Finest City and surpassed thousands of aspiring home cooks to solidify their spot on primetime television.  We recently sat down with these MasterChef hopefuls to discuss our glorious city and what makes it fantastic for food enthusiasts.  Check out SanDiegoVille's four part series of interviews with San Diego's MasterChefs.

2nd Annual Baja Bash Shows Off Best of Regional Cuisine While Spotlighting Sustainable Sources

Photo from Kenny Kondo

June 21, 2013

On the evening of Saturday, June 15th, eight of San Diego and Baja's best chefs converged at The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier for the 2nd Annual Baja Bash, a celebration of regional cuisine, sourcing sustainable ingredients, and life in general.  This intimate affair was hosted by WILDCOAST and highlighted the organization's conservational successes on both sides of our shared coastline, all while offering guests delicious dishes, local libations and an amazing setting for a party that successfully promoted philosophies of unity and eco-consciousness.

The Fabric Is Unraveling | Three Chefs Depart from Brian Malarkey's Enlightened Hospitality Group in the Wake of Gingham Closure

June 20, 2013

Chef Brian Malarkey and nightlife guru, James Brennan, the duo behind Enlightened Hospitality Group (EHG), have been popping up restaurants like they're going out of style, but are they spreading themselves too thin?  In a span of three years, the group has opened five San Diego restaurants (Searsucker, Burlap, Gingham, Gabardine & Herringbone), as well as two out-of-state Searsucker locations in the past year (Scottsdale and Austin).  But growth doesn't mask struggles. Two weeks ago, Gingham closed and was sold to the Cohn Restaurant Group.  Last week, Burlap shut its doors to reopen in July as another Searsucker restaurant.  Gabardine is struggling and is resorting to online deals and extravagant specials, and this week alone EHG lost its three star chefs:  Herringbone Executive Chef and Top Chef alum Amanda Baumgarten,  EHG's pastry chef Rachel King, and Burlap's Executive Chef Anthony Sinsay.  We get to the bottom of the chef exodus and pontificate over the future of the fabric named restaurants.

Progressive Insurance San Diego International Boat Show Makes a Splash June 20-23, 2013

June 19, 2013

The Progressive Insurance San Diego International Boat Show, formerly the San Diego Yacht & Boat Show, cruises into Harbor Island June 20-23 for four days of fun on the water. As the region’s premier summer boating event, the 2013 boat show provides attendees an all-access pass to discover the boating lifestyle and a chance to shop the newest boats and marine accessories. More than 100 vessels, from entry-level family cruisers and personal watercraft to luxury motor and sailing yachts, plus a new selection of superyachts, will be docked in the marina and parked on land for visitors to browse, board and buy.

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station Now 'Officially' Open

June 19, 2013

The location has been open to the public for over a month now, but Stone is rather reserved with announcing their new ventures until fully complete.  Stone Brewing Co. is thrilled to announce that its second decidedly eclectic restaurant, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station, is (finally!) open in what use to be the Naval Training Center in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego. The brewery restaurant opened its doors May 15th and recently finished construction of its garden, marking the completion of the entire facility.

"We Laughed, Literally, THE WHOLE Time!" | SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience

June 18, 2013

By Lois Lewis | SanDiegoVille Contributor and Mother Extraordinaire 

For the past five years, the Brewers Association of America has hosted SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience in Washington, D.C., but this year they brought the event to the Big Apple to honor small and independent craft brewers. Being that New York City is the culinary capital that we were raised in, we at SanDiegoVille knew we had to seize the opportunity to cover such a diverse sampling of 'hometown' beers paired with gourmet bites in a dynamic setting, so we sent our east coast correspondents and lovers of beer to survey the scene and sample some of the 76 beers of 39 different styles, hailing from 31 different states, representing all regions of the country, all paired with gourmet tastes. Read on for the ReCap!

How Do You Kill An Oyster? Tickle It To Death With Your Tongue! Oysterfest Returns to San Diego for its 4th Installment

June 18, 2013

Saturday, June 15th was another gloriously-epic, sunny San Diego day at the Embarcadero Marina Park for San Diego's Fourth Annual Oysterfest.  Throngs of people flocked to this beautiful bayside locale to imbibe, indulge and rock out...and that they did.  Oyster's were shucked, sucked and swallowed as musicians enticed the crowd with sweet rhythms.  Another lively day by the bay!

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza and Stone Brewing Co. Put on Excellent Beer Master Dinner

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station
Brewing Master, Kris Ketcham

June 17, 2013

On Thursday, June 13th, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza in Liberty Station teamed up with Stone Brewing Co. for a continuation of its monthly Beer Master Dinner series, featuring 4 courses of Sammy's original dishes paired with selections from Stone's line up of renown brews ($40 with tax and tip include). Although not in attendance, Stone's resident cicerone and affionado of all things beer and food, Dr. Bill Sysak, lined up the pairings, which were presented by Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station Head Brewing Master, Kris Ketcham. The night was filled with surprises, new friends were made, and we all got good and tipsy while stuffing our face with a dance of liquid & solid deliciousness.  Read on!

The La Jolla Brewhouse Under New Ownership | Will Be Reborn as La Jolla Brewing Company

June 16, 2013

By Megan Gallagher | SanDiegoVille Contributor

San Diegans looking for another craft brew option won’t have to wait very long. La Jolla Brewing Company has announced plans to open its doors this August. The new brewery and restaurant will take the place of the beleaguered La Jolla Brewhouse.

Westfield UTC to Host Uncorked Wine Walk and Concert Featuring Michelle Branch

June 15, 2013

Westfield UTC will pair perfectly with some of Temecula Valley’s finest wines at the upcoming Uncorked Wine Walk taking place on Saturday, June 29th from 4-8pm at Palm Plaza in the heart of Westfield UTC. This inaugural event, taking place in the heart of the newly renovated shopping center, will feature a self-­‐guided wine tasting tour throughout the shopping center, small plated bites from fine culinary vendors like Seasons 52 and Sam the Cooking Guy, and a concert with guest performances by Grammy Award-­‐winner Michelle Branch and singing/songwriting duo Brandon & Leah featured on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”.

Get the Ultimate Ballpark Experience at the 8th Annual Philly Invades Petco Park | Tuesday, June 25th

June 14, 2013

The fine folks at Ciro's Pizzeria & Beerhouse and RMD Group are once again ready to blitzkrieg Petco Park for the 8th Annual Philly Invades Petco Park, taking place when the Phightin' Philadelphia Phillies take on the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, June 25th! If you haven't been on one of Ciro's annual trips, it's the Philly sports PHAN event of the year and includes all-you-can-consume EVERYTHING unlike any other ballpark experience.  So whether you're a Phillies fan, a Padres fan, or just a fan of fun, check out what is sure to be an incredibly good time.

The Newest Member of the Kiwi Family, Queenstown Public House, Kicks Off Summer Brunch!

June 14, 2013

Queenstown Public House, the newest member of the “Kiwi family” of restaurants (San Diego’s Raglan Public House and Bare Back Grill) has unveiled its summer brunch menu complete with kiwi-inspired breakfast, sangrias and mimosas.  With its large al fresco dining, Queenstown Public House has created a line up of meaty creations, amongst traditional favorites such as chicken and waffles.

Don’t Miss The Best of The Californias At The 2nd Annual Baja Bash | Saturday, June 15th

June 13, 2013

Wildcoast is hosting an evening of celebration of the shared coastal conservation successes of Southern California and Baja at the 2nd Annual Baja Bash, and marking the occasion with the best chefs, beer, and wine from both sides of our border, San Diego and Baja California.  On Saturday, June 15th at the beautiful Port Pavilion at the Broaday Pier, starting at 6:00PM, enjoy a Baja-inspired tasting menu designed by world renowned Baja California and San Diego Chefs, including regional wines, beer and tequila, and live music by San Diego’s own B-Side Players.

San Diego Chapter of California Restaurant Association Presents Gold Medallion Awards to Local Eateries

Fred Glick of Phil's BBQ receives
Restauranteur of the Year Award

June 13, 2013

The San Diego County Chapter of the California Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted its 29th annual Gold Medallion Awards Banquet (full results below), San Diego’s most prestigious restaurant honors, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the Town & Country Resort Hotel. This industry awards gala is a highly celebrated peer-to-peer awards dinner in San Diego recognizing worthy and exceptional restaurants and industry partners in the region. It is an opportunity for members to acknowledge their fellow restaurateurs for their business practices, concepts, and achievements in more than 40 award categories.