A How-To Guide to Approaching the Sunday Brunch at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse

February 1, 2015

Being that we are not football fans, we enthusiastically seized the opportunity on Super Bowl Sunday to escape the usual crowds and enjoy our favorite brunch at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse - a buffet feast of epic proportions that includes unlimited Champagne, an other-wordly raw bar and unrivaled views of the Big Bay...for only $42! This was probably our seventh time at Tom Ham’s Sunday Brunch (who's counting?), which means that we have a planned course of action and a good idea of how to maximize enjoyment. So here it is, our guide to approaching the Super Sunday Brunch at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse.

Take It Slow and Lunch the Mexican Way at Cueva Bar's New 'Saturday Lunching'

January 31, 2015

San Diegans know a thing or two about eating Mexican food, but many of us aren’t as accustomed to the act of truly enjoying a meal like our Mexican counterparts. A mad rush through lunch eliminates the pleasure of sharing food, savoring flavors, and enjoying company - all necessary ingredients to create a fantastic dining experience in Mexico. To teach us how it's done the Mexican way, Chef Oz at Cueva Bar in University Heights has launched Saturday Lunching to encourage his diners to slow down, share food, hang out, and enjoy the day.

Donovan's Steak & Chophouse Now Open on Prospect Street in La Jolla | Former Donovan's Space To Become Red O Restaurant

January 30, 2015

There was a steakhouse shuffle last September when both the Steakhouse at Azul and Donovan's Steak & Chophouse near UTC both announced their closures at around the same time. The reality was that after not being able to come to terms with its landlord after a nearly 15 year tenancy, the soon-to-be-displaced Donovan's approached the Brigantine restaurant group, made 'em an offer they couldn't refuse and bought the Azul location at 1250 Prospect Street in La Jolla. After ceasing its operations at the UTC location on January 3, which will become an incarnation of Rick Bayless's Red O restaurant, the new Donovan's in now officially open, pouring Martinis and grilling prime steaks with a side of Pacific views. Check it out!

Build-Your-Own Pizza Chain Rolls Into San Diego This March

January 30, 2015

We all knew Seinfeld's Cosmo Kramer was on to something with his make-your-own pie idea nearly 25 years ago. Now, the concept is coming to America's Finest City in the form of two PizzaRev locations. Opening in Scripps Ranch (10393 Spring Canyon Rd.) and Carmel Valley (7835 Highland Village Place) in March 2015, PizzaRev will offer locally sourced vegetables and toppings, fresh pressed dough made in-house daily, all-natural cheeses and vegan and gluten-free options for customers looking to build their own custom pizza pies.

Chef Anthony Sinsay Returns Home to Become Chef at Jake's Del Mar and the Incoming Duke's La Jolla

January 29, 2015

The beachfront Jake’s Del Mar has announced that San Diego native son, Chef Anthony Sinsay, has returned to America’s Finest City to take the position as the new Dining Room Chef at Jake’s Del Mar, joining the T S Restaurants family in preparation for the opening of Duke’s La Jolla, where he will be Executive Chef when it opens this summer at the much anticipated location at 1216 Prospect Street on the prime parcel once occupied by the Top of the Cove restaurant.

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.