Downtown's Asian Restaurant Magnate Trims Portfolio | Alex Thao Closes Rama Restaurant And Saja, Transfers Lucky Liu's

Alex Thao

September 10, 2015

Alex Thao has closed his decade-plus Rama Thai restaurant in downtown San Diego, as well as nearby Saja Korean Kitchen, which opened in June 2014, and transferred management responsibilities in Lucky Liu's Chinese, in order to focus his attention on his newly opened Sovereign Kitchen + Bar and neighboring Food Shop. Thao, a lifelong San Diegan, is known for bringing Asian-centric eateries to the Gaslamp area, but this recent load-lightening may be a sign that the restaurateur is phasing out of the restaurant business.

Toast Enoteca & Cucina Shutters In San Diego's East Village After 5 Years

September 9, 2015

Executive Chef Martin Gonzalez announced he has closed the popular East Village Italian restaurant, Toast Enoteca & Cucina, formerly located for five years at 927 J street, in San Diego.

New Belgium Brewing’s Tour De Fat Returns To San Diego On September 26 For A Day Of Bikes, Beer Bon Vivants

September 8, 2015

Dust off the costume, shine up the bike and get ready for another epic and bewildering day as New Belgium Brewing's annual Tour de Fat rolls into San Diego, arriving in Golden Hill Park on Saturday, September 26. The daylong event is free, with all donations and proceeds from beer and merchandise sales going to San Diego-area non-profits. This event is a great way to celebrate the end of summer, complete with costumes, bikes, music, performers, contests and, of course, plenty of craft beer.

Craft & Commerce To Close For Renovations To Emerge As Dual Concept

September 7, 2015

On Tuesday, September 8, CH Projects will temporarily close the doors to their Little Italy staple, Craft & Commerce, as they prepare for the build out of an undisclosed new concept located directly adjacent to the existing restaurant. During a temporary closure, Craft & Commerce will also undergo significant kitchen and design updates for the highly anticipated arrival of newly appointed Executive Chef, Jose “JoJo” Ruiz (Ironside Fish & Oyster, Searsucker, Herringbone, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Tower 23).

San Diego Cyclists Pedal For Parkinson's With Riders From Around The Globe On Sunday, September 27

September 5, 2015

Bike riders in San Diego will Pedal for Parkinson’s with riders from around the world on Sunday, September 27, showing their support for leading research that can eliminate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Five Things You Did Not Know About KAABOO Del Mar | Music, Comedy & Cultural Festival Comes To San Diego September 18-20

September 4, 2015

KAABOO Del Mar will bring an amazing lineup of live music and comedy, local eats and spirits, artists, vendors, craft beer and so much more to the Del Mar Racetrack for three days of celebrating our SoCal culture on the weekend of September 18-20. We are raffling off two single day passes for one lucky reader so be sure to enter and take a look at our list of the 5 things you did not know about San Diego's new cultural festival!

San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew Celebration Offers Culinary Delights While Benefiting Wildlife Conservation On September 26 | Party After Hours At One Of San Diego's Most Unique Food Festivals

September 3, 2015

It’s a wild party not to be missed! On Saturday, September 26, the 35th annual San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew Celebration  takes over our famous zoo for an adults-only festival that allows guests to sample culinary delights and sip beverages from more than 150 San Diego area restaurants, wineries and breweries, and meet exotic animals like a cheetah or a koala up close - all while supporting wildlife conservation.

Chef John Gray Already Out As Executive Chef Of Cohn Restaurant Group's Newly Launched Coasterra Modern Mexican

Chef John Gray

September 2, 2015

The Cohn Restaurant Group has taken to Craigslist in search of an executive chef for its brand spanking new Coasterra Modern Mexican after the recent departure of John Gray. Coasterra has been open less than 3 weeks and Gray was a cornerstone to the launch of Cohn's largest San Diego endeavor to date - the 28,000 square foot, $15million waterside restaurant and event venue on Harbor Island.

Chef Stephen Gage Leaving Blush Ice Bar For Underbelly North Park

September 2, 2015

Chef Stephen Gage joined his friend and former La Valencia boss Daniel Barron to launch Blush Ice Bar in downtown San Diego this past July, but Gage will soon depart from his position as chef de cuisine of Blush to take the reigns as Executive Chef of Underbelly in North Park, joining the CH Projects family of restaurants.

Harvard Cookin' Girl And Chef Maria Hesse To Demonstrate Paleo Cooking On September 10

September 1, 2015

On Thursday, September 10, starting at 6pm, Harvard Cookin' Girl will continue its "Rising Star Chefs" dinner series and feature Maria Hesse, co-author of 'The Intentionalist Cooks!' and San Diego personal chef. At the event, Maria will demonstrate how to cook Paleo-centric and gluten-free dishes which will then be offered to hungry attendees.

Trader Joe's Pacific Beach To Relocate On September 24

September 1, 2015

The Trader Joe's location in Pacific Beach has a seamless transition planned for the eastern relocation to its new home at 1650 Garnet Avenue within the recently redesigned strip mall between Ingraham and Jewel. Until the evening of September 23, Trader Joe's will continue business at 1211 Garnet Avenue in the heart of PB but will reopen at its new location at 8am the following day. Staples and San Diego County Credit Union will be returning to the complex as neighbors of Trader Joe’s, as well as a Walgreens pharmacy and a PetSmart location.

iDessert Creates Customizable Futuristic Desserts In Little Italy | Food Network Star & 'Best Pastry Chef Of France' Opens Outpost In San Diego

August 31, 2015

The latest addition to the burgeoning Little Italy food scene has been creating a deliciously sweet stir around San Diego? iDessert is a futuristic ice-cream shop that lets anyone be their own culinary mastermind! Founded by “The Best Pastry Chef of France” and Food Network Star, Jean-Philippe Maury, iDessert offers an interactive dining experience unlike any other.

Take A Bite Out Of San Diego's Mexican-Inspired Neighborhood At Taste Of Old Town On September 10

August 31, 2015

Thirteen restaurants in Old Town are set to roll out tastes of their best on Thursday, September 10, from 6 to 9pm and we are raffling off 2 tickets to attend! This annual, self-guided tasting event will give food and spirit lovers the chance to blaze through the streets of Old Town sampling selections of spirits and wine paired with culinary specialties from 13 participating restaurants.

Bracero Cocina De Raiz Brings Mexican Fusion To Little Italy | Take A Peek Inside San Diego's Most Anticipated Restaurant Of 2015

Bracero's wood-grilled octopus

August 30, 2015

It received more hype than any San Diego restaurant over the course of the year-plus leading up to its opening. Baja star chef Javier Plascencia's second U.S. and most northerly eatery Bracero Cocina de Raiz has been open for a little over a month in Little Italy, but OpenTable reservations have been booked up since before its debut. We had the inside scoop that bar and patio seating was first-come-first-serve, so we cozied up to a table on the first floor patio for dinner on a quiet weekday evening, and after our al fresco meal, we must say that the potential is there for Bracero to live up to the hype and become San Diego's top destination for upscale, modern Mexican cuisine.