Highly Anticipated Bracero Cocina De Raiz Now Taking Reservations | Javier Plascencia's Little Italy Restaurant Opening July 9

Magura tostada with uni, avocado, pickled red onion and elderflower

July 5, 2015

San Diegans have been bursting at the seams in anticipation of the opening of Baja Celebrity Chef Javier Plascencia's most northerly restaurant - Bracero Cocina de Raiz - which will open at 1490 Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy on Thursday, July 9. The restaurant announced on its social media that it is now taking reservations for its upstairs portion of the bi-level eatery.

Horse Racing Returns To Del Mar For The 76th Season Starting July 16

July 4, 2015

Surrounded by free concerts, culinary and craft beer festivals and fun in the sun in one of the great party locations in America, horse racing at its best will be served up and dished out better than ever starting this summer at the place “where the turf meets the surf,” known to many simply as Del Mar Racetrack. The racing headquarters alongside the Pacific will be off and running for its 76th summer season starting on Opening Day Thursday, July 16. And instead of the usual seven-week stand that has been in place for decades, fans will get an extra week of action this go-round stretching out to Labor Day Monday, September 7. Then, to add some additional spice to the mix, the track’s second edition of its new “fall” season will beef up from four weeks to five, starting on Thursday, October 29 and racing ahead to Sunday, November 29.

New Food Festival Highlights Oceanside's Burgeoning Dining Scene | FEAST To Feature Local Restaurants, Breweries and Distilleries On July 15

July 3, 2015

Oceanside is quickly becoming San Diego’s next great foodie neighborhood, with new restaurants and breweries opening and established favorites receiving more recent, well­ deserved attention. On Wednesday, July 15, from 6-9pm, a brand new food festival and community fundraiser, FEAST, hosted by The Old Mission San Luis Rey, Osider Magazine and OnoYum’s creator Nino “Neens” Camilo (also creator of I Love Poke Festival and NorthEats), will highlight over a dozen restaurants, breweries and distilleries located exclusively in Oceanside to benefit local non­ profit organizations in the community. Participating restaurants include Master's Kitchen & Cocktail, Panca Peruvian Cuisine & Rotisserie, Privateer Coal Fire Pizza, Petite Madeline Bakery, Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen and more.

A French Night in Baja? Valle De Guadalupe's El Jardin To Present 8 Course French Dinner On July 11

July 2, 2015

What could possibly enhance the delicate flavors of authentic French cuisine crafted by Patrick Ponsaty, a world-renowned Master French Chef? How about a south-of-the-border fusion of fresh ingredients and luscious wines carefully selected by one of Baja's top chefs, Ryan Steyn! The lush Valle de Guadalupe is an easy 90-minute drive from San Diego, and a perfect getaway for a special evening celebrating the rich flavors of Baja, dressed up with a touch of French flair! On Saturday July 11, well-known Chef Ryan Steyn of El Jardín is joining with award-winning guest chef Patrick Ponsaty from Bellamy’s to create “A French night in Baja;” a remarkable eight-course dinner paired with elegant wines of the Valle.

Gaslamp's Union Kitchen & Tap To Host Groundswell Brewing For 5 Course Beer Pairing Dinner | July 14

July 1, 2015

More hops please! What’s better than cold San Diego brews paired with amazing food? How about beers specially created to have your readers exploring the hidden flavors of already mouth-watering dishes! Union Kitchen & Tap, in the heart of the Gaslamp, is hosting a 5 course beer dinner on Tuesday, July 14, with Groundswell Brewing Company that is too delicious to miss! Groundswell Brewing identifies itself as a “brewer and culinarian” - each beer is brewed specifically with meal pairing in mind. This unique dinner is meant for diners to understand the complexities of tastes with the help of a little libations!

Chef Chad White 'Rumored' To Be On Next Season of Bravo's Top Chef

June 30, 2015

We found it strange when Chef Chad White told us he would be off the radar for nearly two months. As a chef-partner in three restaurants, including Común Kitchen and Tavern in San Diego's East Village, La Justina in Tijuana and Craft Pizza Company in UTC, it seemed uncanny to take off for that length of time with such a full plate of responsibility. It all makes sense now that the word is out that Chef Chad will be a 'rumored' contestant on Season 13 of Bravo's hit cooking competition Top Chef (non-disclosure agreements certainly will not allow Chad to confirm), which wrapped up filming in America's Finest City earlier this month and is scheduled to premier as early as this fall.

Let Your Taste Buds Step Back in Time | Taste of the Past Comes To Old Town On July 11

June 29, 2015

On Saturday, July 11, the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will host ‘Taste of the Past’ - a culinary walking tour with a focus on foods of early San Diego during the mid-1800s and how they reflected the many cultural influences of that time. We have a bunch of tickets to give away to this fun and delicious event. Read on for details and be sure to enter!

From The Mind Behind Fig Tree Café - Breakfast Republic Now Open In North Park

June 29, 2015

Breakfast Republic is raising feathers and giving San Diegans something to crow about with its highly anticipated opening that took place this past weekend. In search of a fun and unpretentious place to enjoy a clucking good breakfast? Look no further! This innovative breakfast destination offers a top spot for locals and visitors to flock to every morning. Breakfast Republic took over the space that was previously occupied by Western Steakburger, and is using an avant-garde approach to décor that is innovative and inviting!

Del Mar To Host Fashion Trifecta At The Track On Sunday, July 12 | Strolling Fashion Show To Prepare The Stylish For Opening Day

June 28, 2015

Fans and fashionistas will have the opportunity to peruse this season’s most ornate, whimsical and over-the-top styles on Sunday, July 12 at the Fashion Trifecta At The Track. The first ever pre-race fashion event will be held at Del Mar in preparation for Opening Day which takes place the following  Thursday, July 16. From bow ties to bold jewelry, this trunk show will be a one-stop shop for everything needed to get race-day ready and preview the summer’s latest trends.

Civico 1845 Now Open | Bringing Contemporary Italian Classics - Vegan Included - To San Diego's Little Italy

June 27, 2015

Straight-from-Italy brothers Dario and Pietro Gallo have opened the doors to Civico 1845, serving up authentic Italian cuisine that is anything but “old school.” Situated in the heart of San Diego’s Little Italy, Civico 1845 (pronounced CHEE-vee-ko), provides a modernized Italian dining experience –with an array of vegan dishes included. Located at 1845 India Street at the former Zia's Bistro space, Civico 1845 is a contemporary Italian restaurant that features fresh flavors and revamped versions of Italian classics. The Gallos’ southern Italian roots serve as the inspiration for much of the restaurant, both in its cuisine and design.

Port Of San Diego To Light Up The Sky With 15th Annual Big Bay Boom And Imperial Beach Pier Firework Shows This July 4

June 26, 2015

The skies above San Diego will light up again this year with the annual Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom July 4 Fireworks Show on Saturday, July 4. In addition, the Port is sponsoring fireworks in South County being launched off the iconic Imperial Beach Pier. This year's Big Bay Boom will be the 15th annual show that provides spectacular fireworks to over 500,000 viewers around San Diego Bay starting at 9pm on Independence Day, with fireworks launched simultaneously from numerous barges around the bay, providing a spectacular waterfront view.

Save On Tickets And Enter To Win 2 VIP Passes To The 3rd Annual Hormel Black Label San Diego Bacon Fest | Saturday, September 5

June 25, 2015

Bacon - either you love it, or you're wrong. What other singular ingredient elicits such desire and excitement? There are many a food festival in America's Finest City, but this coming Labor Day weekend, on Saturday, September 5, from 2-5:30pm, the Hormel Black Label San Diego Bacon Fest returns to Preble Field in NTC Park in Liberty Station for a festival centered around America's favorite porky pleasure. Organized by PushPins Media and sponsored by Hormel Black Label Bacon, this event will unite the masses with San Diego's finest chefs, breweries, eateries and distilleries for a day of unlimited indulgence in honor of International Bacon Day. SanDiegoVille has 2 VIP tickets for one extremely lucky porker (a $200 value), as well as promo code SDVILLE for $5 savings per ticket!

Mac No More | North Park's Bazinga Eatery To Shutter By Week's End

June 24, 2015

North Park's "urban spot for mac 'n cheese" took to Facebook to announce that it will close for business at the end of the week. Bazinga Eatery took over the location previously occupied by the well-regarded Sea Rocket Bistro in early-2014, opening the doors to the macaroni-and-cheese-centric restaurant last June. They say that the first year is always the hardest in the restaurant business, and this must have rung true for owner Leila Oualha.

Two New Pizzerias Open In Pacific Beach | Welcome Lu Pizzetta And Mr. Moto Pizza House To The Neighborhood

June 24, 2015

In our opinion, there could never be too much pizza in the world! In just one week, two new pizzerias debuted in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego. Lu Pizzetta is an Italian-owned hub on Cass Street near bustling Garnet Avenue that has a small menu specializing in pizzettas - 7" mini-pizzas - as well as a couple calzones. Mr. Moto Pizza House is a family run operation that took over the location previously occupied by Amore Pizza and offers New York-style whole pizza pies and slices, as well as an array of salads, pastas, calzones, strombolis and sandwiches.