Slater's 50/50 is Ballin' | The March Madness Burger Bracket is Almost Here!

March 12, 2014

Southern California burger-mastermind, Slater's 50/50 is getting into the March Madness spirit with it's own March Madness Burger Bracket, allowing guests  to vote online for their favorite burgers in an NCAA-style tournament. The bracket features some of Slater's most popular Burgers of the Month from the past, coming out of the "vault" for a limited appearance. Guests will be able to cast their vote for their favorite vintage burger in head-to-head competitions, narrowing down the field to the Elite Eight and ultimately, the Final Four. The Final Four burgers will be featured in each of Slater's six (soon to be seven) SoCal locations throughout May to celebrate National Burger Month. Based on sales of each of the Final Four burgers, Slater's will pick the winner. The online voting will coincide with the NCAA Sweet 16 round starting March 27.

Carlsbad's West Inn and Suites Expands Farm to Offer New Farm-to-Table Dining Experience

March 12, 2014

The West Inn & Suites in Carlsbad has expanded its vegetable and fruit farm from one to three acres in order to create an authentic farm-to-table experience by supplying its West Steak and Seafood and Bistro West restaurants the freshest ingredients to include in their culinary creations. Executive Chef Eugenio Martignago’s farm-inspired dishes have become daily specialties at each eatery, offering guests a seasonal menu experience each time they visit. The three-acre plot of land is currently producing a harvest with more than 35 different vegetables, herbs and fruit.

Marina Kitchen to Host the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance Wine Tasting & BBQ Dinner | March 30-31

March 11, 2014

Marina Kitchen at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina is partnering up with the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance to host an afternoon of wine tasting and a BBQ dinner to follow on Sunday, March 30. Twenty member wineries will be on-site pouring wines, discussing the unique characteristics of wines grown in the Sta. Rita Hills American Viticultural Area, and sharing their passion for the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays produced from Sta. Rita Hills’ vineyards.

Papa Luna’s Empanadas Opens Downtown Just in Time for National Empanada Day

March 11, 2014

In honor of National Empanada Day, Papa Luna’s will be offering San Diego customers a buy one  get one free deal on empanadas (limit one per customer). The promotion will be available Monday, April 9 at both their Pacific Beach store as well as in their new downtown location, which recently opened in late February at 1050 Columbia Street.

San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter Introduces “Eat-Drink-Park” Offer for Padres Fans

March 10, 2014

Just in time for baseball season, the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter is bringing back its Eat-Drink-Park special, a new way for game-goers to enjoy an evening of baseball paired with dining, drinks and complimentary valet parking just 90 steps from the Padres’ Petco Park. The hotel’s Eat-Drink-Park promotion offers complimentary same-day valet parking to guests who spend a minimum of $25 at the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter’s Soleil @k or Latitude Lounge. The offer extends throughout the hours of the day’s baseball game, giving guests stress-free parking as they enjoy an evening of dining, drinks and the Padres. The offer is valid on home game days, does not account for overnight parking and is subject to space and availability.

An Evening of Brews, Views and Chews at Tom Ham's Lighthouse's Green Flash Beer Pairing Dinner | March 26

March 10, 2014

Green Flash Brewing Co. and Tom Ham’s Lighthouse have teamed up to provide a five-course, sit-down dinner featuring five of Green Flash’s unique brews paired with unique dishes prepared by Tom Ham’s head chef Lance Repp on Wednesday, March 26 at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse.

Stone Brewing Co. to Donate $100,000 from Sale of Matt's Burning Rosids Imperial Cherrywood-Smoked Saison

March 9, 2014

In 2013, Stone Brewing Co. suffered the loss of a close friend, team member and exceptional brewer, Matt Courtright. After exploring several ways to honor his memory, Stone decided there was no better way than to brew one of his most recent beer recipes and release it nationally for all to enjoy. Matt’s Burning Rosids Imperial Cherrywood-Smoked Saison is currently available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft in select markets across the U.S. To further pay tribute to Matt’s memory, Stone is donating $100,000 to two non-profit organizations close to Matt’s heart and contributing to The Matt Courtright Memorial Brewing Scholarship, all made possible by proceeds from the sale of his beer.

San Diego Celebrity Chefs Support Neighborhood House Association Child Nutrition Awareness Initiative | Lend Your Support on March 23

March 8, 2014

The Neighborhood House Association (NHA) is celebrating 100 years of service throughout 2014, and as part of the celebration, is commemorating a century of building healthy families and communities by hosting a culinary demonstration and charity fundraiser. Celebrity chefs from around San Diego will join NHA in its efforts to promote healthy eating habits and highlight the NHA innovative and award winning approach to child nutrition. The event will take place Sunday, March 23 from 1-5pm at the NHA Central Kitchen located at 1929 Hancock St. San Diego, CA 92110.

Chula Vista's Venga Venga Announces Noches De Venga to Liven Up the Weekends

March 8, 2014

Recently opened by world-renowned celebrity chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval, Venga Venga Cantina and Tequila Bar in Otay Ranch Town Center is spicing up Friday and Saturday nights with the introduction of Noches de Venga. With over 100 tequilas and mezcals offered on the bar menu and an exposed tequila cellar in the spacious lounge area, Venga Venga provides a natural setting for late night dining, drinking and dancing.

Prepkitchen La Jolla Finishes New Patio Just In Time for 5th Anniversary

March 7, 2014

After nearly eight weeks of construction, the wait (and rain) is over as Prepkitchen La Jolla’s unveils a charming new outdoor patio just in time for its Five Year Anniversary.  The spacious, fully-revamped space provides guests with a relaxed setting where they can linger over the artisanal items on Chef Ryan Johnston’s inventive menu.  Offering a quaint respite from the daily grind, the sleek new facade serves as a bridge between the restaurant and the neighboring stores that surround Sycamore Court, an area that has seen little change over the last decade.

Patio, Please - Four Beach Restaurants With Killer Views

March 7, 2014

Whether it’s catching rays on that perfect sunny day, watching the sunset as you sip your Sea Breeze, or dining under a blanket of stars, patios make for a great experience. Need a date location or brunch spot for a group of friends? We’ve got you covered with this list of four amazing beach patios, one to fit every style.

New Restaurant Don Chido Opens This May - Bringing Handcrafted Mexican Cuisine to Downtown San Diego

March 6, 2014

RMD Group, the development and management team behind recognized venues including FLUXX and Side Bar, along with Ken Lovi, founder and CEO of Knotty Barrel Gastropub, and Chef / Partner Antonio Friscia (of Stingaree and formerly Gaijin), announced the May opening of Don Chido, an authentic, stylish Mexican eatery taking over the former Fred's Mexican space in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.  Together, RMD Group, Ken Lovi and renown San Diego chef, Antonio Friscia, create a powerhouse team that will surely elevate the social dining scene in downtown San Diego with their new venue.

Little Italy's Ironside Fish & Oyster Assembles All-Star Culinary Team

March 4, 2014

In partnership with Executive Chef Jason McLeod, CH Projects, the San Diego hospitality group behind such projects as Craft & Commerce, Polite Provisions and the Neighborhood, continues the momentum behind their much anticipated Little Italy concept, Ironside Fish & Oyster, by announcing two new exciting powerhouse chefs to their culinary team - Chef de Cuisine Jose "JoJo" Ruiz (Searsucker, Herringbone, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Tower 23) and Pastry Chef, Donna Antaloczy (Gordon Ramsay at the London New York, Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery, La Jolla Grand Colonial Hotel’s Nine-Ten Restaurant, Rancho Valencia’s Veladora & Pony Bar Restaurant)

Renovations Underway at Former Nick's at the Beach | Set to Reopen as The Local Pacific Beach in Time for Summer 2014

March 3, 2014

The two story standalone restaurant at 809 Thomas Street that Nick's at the Beach occupied for 18 years before closing last December is getting a full gut and overhaul to become The Local Pacific Beach.  Anticipated to open this summer, as early as June, The Local Group is planning a duel concept, with the bottom level to be a more laid back, casual eatery and the upstairs level and patio to cater to PB's more raucous.