Zagat Names Bird Rock Coffee Roasters to List of "Hottest Coffee Shops in 15 U.S. Cities"

March 1, 2014

Zagat’s annual “Coffee Week” feature named local San Diego business, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, as one of the “hottest coffee shops in 15 U.S. cities” this week as well as one of the top 10 “perfect cups of coffee in San Diego.” The article say’s that Bird Rock is “a popular spot for locals and visitors and the recipient of many national awards including 2013's top 30 coffee shops by Coffee Review. All coffee drinks are crafted using free-trade beans that are roasted on-site.”

Festival Honors San Diego's Favorite Fish Monger | ReCappin' San Diego Chefs Salute Tommy Gomes

March 1, 2014

San Diego's best chefs love him.  They respect and trust him.  They depend on him.  Tommy Gomes is the face of Catalina Offshore Products, a wholesale and retail fish supplier that stocks more than 30 local restaurants with the freshest seafood in town, but he is so much more than that to so many.  On Sunday, February 23, our culinary community came together to honor him at a delicious event entitled San Diego Chefs Salute Tommy Gomes.  A pair of breweries, a master mixologist, and over 15 area chefs and food purveyors gathered with 100 or so attendees at Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley where Tommy Gomes was paid tribute the best way possible - with a party featuring scrumptious dishes, desserts, craft beers and cocktails!

Table 926 Unveils Sunday Brunch | Sophisticated Approachability in North Pacific Beach

February 28, 2014

By Ryan Bridge | SanDiegoVille Contributor

Table 926 of North Pacific Beach will launch their exciting new Sunday Champagne Brunch menu on March 2, opening its doors early to offer the bright eyed and bushy tailed a boozy breakfast with class. Tucked away on Turquoise Street, the upscale yet casual restaurant is a refreshing and sophisticated alternative to the beach bar scene often associated with PB, and with Chef Matt Richman’s delicious new creations, a welcomed one.

Veteran Beer & Restaurant Industry Team Gears Up for Launch of San Diego's Newest Brewery | Welcome URBN St. Brewing Co to El Cajon

February 27, 2014

Hospitality veteran Jon Mangini of URBN Restaurants Inc. (BASIC Urban Kitchen + Bar, URBN Coal Fired Pizza, GANG Kitchen) will open doors this April to URBN Coal Fired Pizza El Cajon and URBN’s new in-house brewery operation, URBN St. Brewing Co. The 4,000 square foot dual-concept launch will take Mangini’s collective eastward, bringing a renewed spirit to a bustling street corner at 110 N. Magnolia Avenue in the heart of downtown El Cajon.  Previously occupied by El Cajon Brewing Company, the space is currently undergoing construction to boast the same raw industrial elements and casual urban appeal that has become Jon’s signature mark on the city’s hospitality scene.

Local Habit to Host 3rd Annual Classic Crawfish Boil Featuring Valiant Brewing and the Euphoria Brass Band | March 1-2

February 27, 2014

In anticipation of Mardi Gras, Hillcrest's Local Habit will celebrate its 3rd Classic Crawfish Boil on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 with banquet style creole delights on a first-come, first-served basis, including craft brew pairings from Valiant Brewing near Anaheim and jazzy live performances from the Euphoria Brass Band. Last year, over 500 lbs of crawfish were cooked up over the weekend for this exciting and festive event!

Feathers, Beads, Flair...AND Snoop Dogg at the 20th Annual Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp | Fat Tuesday, March 4

February 26, 2014

San Diego's annual Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Celebration and Parade has pulled out all the stops for it's 20th year! The party that San Diegans know and love returns to 5th Avenue Fat Tuesday, March 4. The performers, parade and spectacle is set to be the best ever for the over 30,000 revelers expected to attend, as this year will feature a special DJ set from the hip-hopping, show stopping DJ Snoopadelic (yes, the actual Snoop Dogg will reportedly be spinning). Twenty-Two city blocks within the venue will feature 3 main stages and 3 satellite stages along and adjacent to 5th Avenue, each stage featuring live DJ entertainment as entertainers and dancers perform and toss beads to the crowd in true Mardi Gras fashion.

Davanti Enoteca in Del Mar to Host 5 Course “Tour of Italy” Wine Dinner on March 6

February 25, 2014

Davanti Enoteca in Del Mar will offer a five course Italy-themed wine pairing dinner on Thursday, March 6 between 7-9 pm. The evening will provide guests the opportunity to taste a selection of Italian red and white varietals from an assortment of regions in Italy.  This is the first wine dinner menu from new Chef de Cuisine Michael Nogera, who took the reins of the Davanti Enoteca Del Mar kitchen in January 2014 and will showcase his culinary prowess with dishes like braised rabbit and smoked pork loin. Each wine will be paired with rustic fare from Chef Nogera, while Johnathan Gragg, certified sommelier and representative for Estate Wines, will present and educate guests on the unique qualities of each wine.

Alchemy Turns Five and Celebrates with a Month of Specials!

February 24, 2014

Alchemy is turning FIVE and will celebrate this milestone the best way a restaurant can - by showing appreciation for their customers! During the month long celebration, the South Park eatery will be offering all of their bar snacks for only $5, $5 Tapena Wines, $5 Mia Wines, and $3.50 Societe Harlot drafts (an Alchemy and SanDiegoVille favorite). Chef Ricardo will also be featuring one or two "throwback" dishes over the next month on a rotating basis to commemorate the last five years.

Pillbox Tavern & Grill is Coming to Solana Beach

February 23, 2014

From restaurateurs Leigh Gibson (Dirty Birds, La Jolla Brewing Company) and Mike Garcia of Saddle Bar, get ready to welcome Pillbox Tavern & Grill to Solana Beach. The team is currently revamping the space previously occupied by Sushi Solana, readying to open this Summer, possibly sooner. Expect a refined "gastropub" with a strong focus on an elevated menu, as well as a lengthy list of local craft beer.  

Chef Kyle Bergman Out at La Valencia Hotel

February 22, 2014

Chef Kyle Bergman announced on his Facebook this morning that he will no longer be cooking at La Valencia Hotel. Prior to jumping onboard to assist with La V's Mediterranean Room redesign, "The Med," Bergman worked as executive chef at North Park's Ritual Tavern and chef de cuisine at The Grill at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.  Bergman was woo'ed over to The Pink Lady by the resort's executive chef Daniel Barron in September of last year. No word yet on where Bergman will go to next or the reason for his departure. Godspeed.

Karl Strauss Collaborates with the Aussies that Inspired a Brewing Revolution

February 21, 2014

Karl Strauss Brewing Company is celebrating 25 years of crafting the San Diego scene with a nod to its roots—a collaboration with the Australian brewery that inspired San Diego’s craft beer revolution. Karl Strauss Co-founder, Chris Cramer, first experienced micro-brewed beer when he was visiting Freemantle, Australia in the mid 1980’s.

Top Chef Richard Blais' Juniper & Ivy Set To Open its Doors In Little Italy March 3

February 20, 2014

He's already shown himself the best from a group of previous Top Chef contestants when he came out victorious on Bravo's Top Chef All Stars competition, but we'll soon see how he fares compared to San Diego's Top Chef Alums when Richard Blais joins the likes of Rich Sweeney, Amanda Baumgarten and Brian Malarkey as a chef in America's Finest City.  Juniper & Ivy, a modernist American restaurant from acclaimed Chef Richard Blais, will open its doors in Little Italy, San Diego, on Monday, March 3.

A Musically Enhanced Culinary Experience at Storytellers Pop Up Dinner | 5 Courses at Pizza Port OB on Feb. 23

February 19, 2014

Chef Nick Brune of Eco Caters and Hillcrest’s Local Habit are set to collaborate with musician, Katie Leigh and the Infantry, and Pizza Port Ocean Beach for a special evening of great food complemented by awesome live music and delicious craft beer at the latest installment of the popular Storytellers Pop-Up Dinner, set to take place at Pizza Port Ocean Beach on Sunday, February 23.

Jsix Returns Revitalized After Extensive Renovations to Restaurant and Menu

Chef Graves' Rainbow Beet Terrine

February 19, 2014

With its much-anticipated renovation completed, Jsix Restaurant at Hotel Solamar has reopened its doors to welcome San Diegans back to its tables. Located in downtown’s East Village, the restaurant has retained the unique charm and culinary perspective that have made it a top choice for neighborhood dining for the past seven years, but it has been dialed up with a completely overhauled interior and refocused food and drink programs. Created by award-winning Executive Chef Christian Graves, the new menu offers guests sophisticated examples of scratch-cooked American cuisine. To complement Graves’ food, Jsix added top bartender Nate Howell to the roster to engineer a bar program that exemplifies the tradition and history of cocktails. The result is a modern American restaurant that serves quality food and drinks that honor the past and recognize its place in the future.