11th Annual Spirits of Mexico Festival Announces New San Diego Location for September 28 Event | Win Tickets and Save!

September 16, 2014

Mexican spirit connoisseurs, tequila lovers and San Diego foodies will gather in Del Mar on September 28 for the 11th Annual Spirits of Mexico Festival. Formerly held over a five-day period in Old Town San Diego, this year’s event will take place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for a giant one-night celebration of tequila, spirits and the fine art of Mexican distilling. Attendees will sample and drink a variety of spirits including tequila, mezcal, bacanora and Mexican wine, as well as taste Latin-inspired dishes that pair perfectly. In addition to offering our readers a promo code to save 15% on passes, we're giving away 2 VIP tickets to the event - keep reading and be sure to enter!

In Partnership with Liberty Station, Blue Bridge Hospitality Announces Liberty Public Market | A 22,000 Sq. Ft. Locally Focused, Specialty Venue - Opening Summer 2015

September 15, 2014

San Diego is poised to get it’s first-ever food hall with the announcement of Liberty Public Market, a 22,000 square-foot artisans mecca to be filled with a carefully curated lineup of 30+ specialty purveyors. The $3 million project lies in the hands of Coronado native David Spatafore, Principal of Blue Bridge Hospitality, who is partnering with Liberty Station’s developer, The McMillin Companies, to transform the 1920s-era warehouse-syle building into an indoor-outdoor public market by June of 2015. Spatafore's marketplace concept is reminiscent of similar public markets sweeping the nation, such as Napa’s Oxbow Public Market, Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market and Vancouver's Granville Island, and will operate as a co-op, giving small business owners a brick & mortar platform to showcase their products on a larger scale without the commitment or contracts of a formal lease at Liberty Station.

Cheers To Seven Years | Mission Hills' Starlite Shines Bright with 7 Days of Charity Celebrations for its 7th Anniversary

September 15, 2014

Starlite in Mission Hills is celebrate its 7 year anniversary with a 7-day charity initiative from September 29 to October 5. The owners and local indie music legends, Tim Mays (Casbah, Krakatoa) and Matt Hoyt (music video director and three-time winner at the San Diego Film Awards), have supported small farmers and purveyors the same way they've supported small bands and relatively unknown artists over the years - just part of the reason that the Starlite concept has found success since it opened doors in 2007. In addition to partnering with organizations such as The San Diego Music Foundation, Slow Food Urban San Diego, Olivewood Gardens, Wild Willow Farm and more for the week, their high-design, midcentury-modern inspired haunt will also break out a stash of Pappy Van Winkle for their anniversary celebrations, the extremely rare family reserve whisky, which has developed a cult-like following.

Gaslamp Quarter Association to Launch Largest Urban Pop-Up Park in Downtown San Diego for PARK(ing) Day | Friday, September 19, 2014

September 15, 2014

Leave your car in the garage and “park” your office outside for the day on Friday, September 19. In celebration of PARK(ing) Day, the Gaslamp Quarter Association, in partnership with participating Gaslamp Quarter businesses and the Downtown San Diego Partnership, invite you to enjoy a temporarily-installed public park on Fourth Avenue between Market Street and Island Avenue for your enjoyment from 7am-5pm. The Gaslamp Quarter Association’s PARK(ing) Day event will feature a block-long pop-up park with benches, tables, chairs, temporary landscaping and lawns, games, and free Wi-Fi for up to two hours. All are welcome to take advantage of San Diego’s trademark perfect weather, enjoy lunch or breakfast al fresco, lounge outdoors, or partake in the day’s schedule of free programming.

Josefas Cocina Mexicana Opens its Doors in La Jolla at Former Iberico Location | Owner's of El Agave Open Contemporary Mexican Eatery

September 15, 2014

Josefas Cocina Mexicana opened its doors today at the revamped space at 909 Prospect St. at the location that formerly housed Iberico in La Jolla. Inspired by the vibrant colors and bold flavors of Mexico, Josefas Cocina Mexicana is a fun representation of its culture brought to life by the owners of El Agave in Old Town and Del Mar (and previously Iberico). The Cocina features whimsical, contemporary and unique offerings, atop very Mexican elements, such as trajineras - a miniature version of the festive boats that gracefully float in the canals of Xochimilco, Mexico.

The Westgate Hotel to Celebrate the Best Whiskeys of the World at 4 Course Dinner on September 19

September 15, 2014

The Westgate Hotel has partnered with Pacific Wine and Spirits to present “The Best Whiskeys of the World” at an annual whiskey pairing dinner on Friday, September 19, beginning at 6:30pm in the award-winning Le Fontainebleau Room. Renowned Master of Whiskey, Ed “Dirt” Adams will introduce guests to the captivating flavors, aromas, history and folklore of the best whiskeys in the world – Crown Royal XO, Oban 18 Year Old Single Malt, Talisker Storm Single Malt, Lagavulin 16 Year Single Malt and the Barterhouse 20 Year Old Bourbon – perfectly paired in harmony with a five-course dinner specially created by Fabrice Hardel.

Suzie’s Farm Hosts Fourth Annual Autumnal Equinox Dinner At The Grove | Celebrate Nature’s Bounty With A True Farm Dining Experience this Saturday, September 20

September 14, 2014

Suzie’s Farm will host its Fourth Annual Autumnal Equinox Dinner on Saturday, September 20, from 5-10pm. The highly anticipated yearly event is intended to show humble gratitude for the generosity of the community, give thanks for the abundant bounty of the farm’s summer harvest, and to commemorate the turning of the season. Guests of the intimate gathering will savor a four-course meal inspired by nature’s vivid hues and prepared by acclaimed Chef Ryan Johnston of San Diego’s Whisknladle Hospitality restaurant group.

Win Tickets to The Heart of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk and Craft Beer Tasting | Wednesday, September 24th from 5-9pm

September 14, 2014

Sample some of the best eats in central PB at the Heart of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk on Wednesday, September 24, from 5-9PM. Be sure to bring your appetite, as this popular annual event continues to grow and will offer a large variety of food choices and beer sampling from over 15 restaurants as attendees enjoy a leisurely stroll between Everts and Lamont St. - all for the meager $20 ticket price!  This event is a legitimate value and always makes for such a fun evening, so gather your friends and family and get your tickets. We have 2 passes to give away - enter our raffle and read on to learn more about the event!

Sessions Public and Coronado Brewing Company Team Up for Special 4 Course Seafood Dinner | Thursday, Sept. 18

September 14, 2014

Point Loma's Sessions Public is bringing in Coronado Brewing Company for a special beer dinner on Thursday, September 18, starting at 7pm.  As a nod to the brewery’s coastal location, the 4 course dinner will have a seafood emphasis with dishes that highlight the best our ocean has to offer.  The Coronado Brewing Company Beer Dinner is priced at $45 and includes four delicious courses paired with Coronado brews.

Thrillist to Take Over Hard Rock Hotel for a Weekend of Delicious Debauchery | Don't Miss Hotel Thrillist Sept. 19-21

September 13, 2014

Dubbed Hotel Thrillist, the popular online publication is taking over the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego for the whole weekend of September 19-21, offering a seemingly epic line up of events to sendoff summer. Hotel Thrillist is hosting a poolside tasting event with celebrity chef Brian Malarkey, a pig roast, daytime pool party and closing out the weekend with an after dark, dance party finale. Keep reading for all the details and get your tickets while you can, because these events are sure to sell out.

Get Your Guac On at These 5 San Diego Spots | Celebrate Mexican Independence Day and National Guacamole Day This Tuesday, Sept. 16

Puesto's Guacamole en Nogada

September 13, 2014 

Mexican Independence Day and National Guacamole Day will take place on Tuesday, September 16. Coincidence? We think not! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite San Diego restaurants and bars for those that want to celebrate both holidays with some chips and a bowl of guacamole.

Green Flash Brewing Co. Raising Funds for Breast Cancer Charities from Coast to Coast | 2014 National Treasure Chest Beer Program to Reach 30 Cities

September 12, 2014

Green Flash Brewing Co. co-founders Mike and Lisa Hinkley officially announce that the San Diego-based craft brewery’s annual “Treasure Chest” program, an annual beer release and event series to raise funds for breast cancer charities, will reach 30 US cities from coast to coast through the end of October. On Sept 6, Green Flash kicked off the fundraiser by hosting over 600 guests at the 4th annual San Diego Treasure Chest Fest – a rare beer and food pairing extravaganza at the So Cal brewery. Next month, Treasure Chest Fest will be replicated on the future site of the Green Flash East Coast brewery (slated to open in 2016). Each year, the San Diego festival debuts a Green Flash Treasure Chest beer – the 2014 edition is a pink-hued Barrel Aged Saison with Plum that will be featured on tap at every Treasure Chest event through the end of October 2014. Green Flash will donate one dollar from every full pour of Treasure Chest beer sold to a breast cancer charity in each of the cities where events are being held.

Fat Fish Cantina to Host Ceviche Throwdown | Restaurants Compete for Title of San Diego's Best Ceviche on Saturday, September 20

September 12, 2014

On Saturday, September 20, from 5-8pm, Fat Fish Cantina Grill and Pacific San Diego Magazine are holding a "Ceviche Throwdown" on Fat Fish's outdoor patio in Pacific Beach. Chefs from local popular restaurants known for their delicious and unique ceviche recipes will go head to head, and foodies are invited to come sample some of the best ceviche in town. A panel of 3 judges and the crowd will cast in their votes to choose the Ceviche King or Queen. There will be live music, drink specials, and food lovers from all around San Diego! We have two tickets to attend the event for one lucky ceviche-lover. Read more and enter our raffle!

Boudin SF Brings the Flavor of Fresh-Baked Sourdough To San Diego’s Balboa Mesa Shopping Center | Free Bread for a Year for First 100 Guests on Opening Day, October 2

September 12, 2014

Fresh-baked sourdough bread will soon be available at San Diego’s Balboa Mesa Shopping Center.  Boudin Bakery CEO Sharon Duvall today announced that the company will open Boudin SF at Balboa Mesa on October 2, continuing its Southern California expansion.  Boudin SF is a casual-dining restaurant where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner.  San Diegans can soon savor the unforgettable experience of breaking open an aromatic loaf of The Original San Francisco Sourdough in a location close to home.  Balboa Mesa marks the company’s third San Diego restaurant and follows the recent opening of Boudin SF in Huntington Beach in early September.