Karl Strauss Celebrates 26 Years of Crafting the San Diego Beer Scene with Changing of the Barrels Event | Saturday, Feb. 7

January 28, 2015

On Saturday, February 7, from 6-9pm, Karl Strauss Brewing Company is celebrating 26 years of crafting the local San Diego beer scene with its annual Changing of the Barrels event. The company opened San Diego’s first craft brewery on February 2, 1989 and more than a quarter century later it continues to pioneer with its innovative beers, cask offerings, and West Coast Pub Fare. Guests are invited to experience the company’s tasting room and beer garden at the main brewery in Pacific Beach. The event will feature 26 award-winning and limited edition beers on tap, brewery tours, food pairings from MIHO Gastrotruck, live music by Dead Feather Moon, commemorative glassware, and a souvenir bottle of the 26th Anniversary Belgian Dark Strong Ale.

90's Inspired 'Humpty Brunch' Launches at Counterpoint in Golden Hill

January 28, 2015

Just when you thought you’d seen it all in terms of brunch, from the typical bottomless mimosa to the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar, Counterpoint in Golden Hill is switching things up with the launch of Humpty Brunch. Inspired by the classic song The Humpty Dance (one of my go-to karaoke picks!) which, lets face it, makes anyone want to party, Humpty Brunch will kick off this Saturday, January 31, and continue every Saturday from 10am-2pm.  Guests can expect 90's hip hop music and a brand new brunch inspired cocktail list created by Kate MacWilliamson, formerly of Starlite.

Wine & Roses Charity Wine Tasting Returns To The Grand Del Mar Hotel On June 7 | Tickets Now On Sale

January 28, 2015

The 32nd annual Wine & Roses Charity Wine Tasting will make a lavish return to the luxurious location of The Grand Del Mar Hotel this spring for this year’s can’t-miss charitable event. The fundraiser, put on by the Social Service Auxiliary of San Diego and the San Diego International Wine Competition, will be held from 3-6pm on Sunday, June 7. All proceeds will benefit youth summer camp, Camp Oliver, located in Descanso, CA. This ticketed event is open to the public, and prices begin at $100 for general admission, $150 and $250 for VIP admission, and $2,200 for a VIP Table.

Juniper & Ivy to Launch Weekly "Left Coast" Chefs Tasting Menu Starting February 19

January 27, 2015

Approaching its one-year anniversary as a tour-de- force addition to the San Diego culinary landscape, award-winning Juniper & Ivy will launch its highly anticipated Left Coast chefs tasting menu on Thursday, February 19. Located on the edge of San Diego’s historically rich Little Italy neighborhood, the restaurant’s new dining series will offer the opportunity for eight guests - on Thursday night at 6pm each week - to completely surrender their control over choice. The food-adventurous can expect a fully unobstructed view to the action and whimsical dishes flush with one-of-a-kind creations.

Bracero is Coming Soon to Little Italy | Check Out the Restaurant's Teaser Trailer

January 27, 2015

Famed Baja chef Javier Plascencia's northern most eatery, Bracero Cocina de Raiz, is expected to open at 1490 Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy as early as March. To increase excitement levels to epic proportions, today the Bracero team released a teaser trailer (yes, like for movies) promoting the opening of what will certainly be San Diego's next biggest restaurant. Check it out.

5th Annual Battle of the Chef Bands Returns to Belly Up Tavern on Monday, February 9 | Enter to Win 2 Passes to Attend

January 27, 2015

On Monday, February 9, San Diego's culinary industry will converge at Belly Up Tavern to rally as fellow restaurant industry insiders rock the roof off a packed house at the 5th annual Battle of the Chef Bands! Hosted by Sam 'The Cooking Guy' Zien and Josh Kopelman of DiningOutSD, Battle of the Chef Bands is an annual fundraiser where bands made up of restaurant employees and chefs compete battle-of-the-bands-style to benefit the domestic violence awareness efforts of the esteemed Center for Community Solutions, all while other eateries sample their fare to concert goers. SanDiegoVille is raffling off two tickets to this amazing evening. Read on and be sure to enter our raffle!

Half Door Brewing Company Now Pouring in San Diego's East Village

All photos by Demi Johnson | A7D Creative Group

January 26, 2015

It looks like a bar from the Wild West. The 1900s-era, white, house-like building at 903 Island Avenue has been redesigned by Gavin Duff of Duffy MacCann Design Ltd., transforming the 4,000 square foot space  into Half Door Brewing Co. - the East Village's first Irish-inspired neighborhood brewpub. Highlights of the new tavern include a huge, wrap-around porch (soon to be two-stories of deck space with views of Petco), house brewed beers, local crafts and cocktails, and inspired, pub-style fare. We have the initial menu and photos of the space. Read on and start planning your visit.

Cozymel's Coastal Mex in La Jolla is Latest Victim in String of Robberies by "Random Bandits"

January 26, 2015

Cozymel's Coastal Mexican restaurant, located at 4303 La Jolla Village Drive in Westfield UTC in La Jolla, is the most recent victim of armed robbery in a series of up to fourteen robberies that have occurred in San Diego since December 15, 2014. A masked gunman entered the restaurant and held up an employee on the early hours of Monday, January 26.

Mexican Artist Rivelino’s Monumental Artwork “Our Silences” to be Installed on San Diego Bay Front

Our Silences displayed at Place Poelaert in Brussels

January 26, 2015

The Port of San Diego, in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, is sponsoring the temporary exhibit of a monumental artwork by the Mexican artist Rivelino. The art display, titled “Nuestros Silencios” or “Our Silences,” is comprised of 10 large bronze figures, each 11 ½-feet tall. Each figure has a metal plate covering its mouth, representing the importance of freedom of expression.

North Park Beer Company Secures Space for Brewery and Tasting Room

January 25, 2015

Award winning home-brewer Kelsey McNair has finally secured a spot at 3038 University Avenue, formerly Undisputed Gym, to open North Park Beer Company. The nearly 9,000 square foot space on the corner of Ohio and University will house a fifteen barrel brewery, as well as a full kitchen and tasting room later this year.

San Diego Winter Brew Fest Returns to the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park for Two Nights | Save on Tickets and Enter to Win

Photo by Chris Brake Photography

January 24, 2015

Craft beer is blowing up and the 3rd annual San Diego Winter Brew Fest is your chance to try local favorites and new brews all in one place. This year, the now 2-day festival returns to the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park on Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21. Sample nearly 100 craft beers from over 40 breweries while enjoying live music and good times, all at an amazing location. Because we love our readers so much, SanDiegoVille is giving away a pair of passes and also offering a $5 discount on GA tickets by entering promo code SANDIEGOVILLE15 at checkout.

Step Out For Super Bowl Sunday at These San Diego Spots

January 23, 2015

Did you know that on average, more than 20 million Americans get together for Super Bowl Sunday? Close to one billion chicken wings are gobbled up and washed down with almost 350 million gallons of beer each year. You can spread the amount of guacamole consumed during the Super Bowl over one football field and it’d be nearly 11 feet deep. Stats show fans spend at least a month preparing for parties at home. Skip the cooking and the clean up and check out our list of San Diego’s favorite bars or restaurants to watch the Patriots take on the Seahawks and, most importantly, eat and drink!

Nine San Diego Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. List

Samples from Beyer Deli in Bonita

January 22, 2015

The online citizen review aggregation site, Yelp, released its Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2015 list, and nine San Diego County restaurants made the list, including SanDiegoVille favorites Beyer Deli and Eddie V's Prime Seafood. Yelp released it's inaugural Top 100 list in early 2014, and San Diego County had eight eateries listed that time around.

Don't Miss Cask Nights at Regents Pizzeria in La Jolla

January 22, 2015

On Wednesday, January 28, don't miss Tap The Cask night at Regents Pizzeria in La Jolla, featuring Helm’s Brewing Company’s Beeruccino Coffee Porter. This yearly ale is a suitable replacement to an after dinner (or after pizza) cup-of-joe. Celebrating some of San Diego’s finest craft brewers and beers, Regents Pizzeria will feature a different cask every other Wednesday beginning at 5pm with $5 glasses until the cask runs out. Also available this Wednesday is the brewery’s Hop The RIPA, a red IPA, and Autumn Equinox, Helm’s session IPA. Happy Hour runs from 4-7pm and offers $1 off all appetizers (sliders, garlic knots, polenta fries and more).