Stella Public House and Halcyon Open in San Diego’s East Village

Photo by Sam Wells

December 17, 2014

San Diego's East Village has welcomed two tested and celebrated culinary concepts to the neighborhood. The modern coffeehouse and cocktail lounge, Halcyon, and its sister restaurant, the local ingredient driven, wood-fired pizza eatery and craft beer tap room, Stella Public House, have opened their doors to the public just in time for the holidays. Located at 1429 Island Avenue, the unique food and drink establishments share a gorgeous 3,000 square foot indoor/outdoor space and a 1,500 square foot patio overlooking downtown’s newest, as-yet-unnamed public park. Stella Public House and Halcyon, which debuted in tandem to rave reviews in San Antonio, Texas last year, now arrive in San Diego under the guidance of the Austin-based investment group Zebo.

Josefas and Iberico Go Dark in La Jolla

December 16, 2014

The dual concept Josefas Cocina Mexicana and Iberico Restaurant in La Jolla have both closed. The second floor eateries located at 909 Prospect Street were owned by the group behind El Agave restaurants. In mid-November, the restaurant partnership allegedly dissolved, with the owners of the Old Town eatery taking the longstanding El Agave name and brand and leaving the more recent Del Mar location, Mola Gastro Bar, Iberia and Josefas (which only opened September 2014) on their own. There is no word yet on what will come of the Del Mar El Agave, as they are supposed to change their name and branding by year's end. We'll keep you informed on what happens and who takes over the prime spot in La Jolla. El Agave in Old Town is still thriving and will continue with the same level of service and quality of food that it has since 1996.

Air Conditioned Lounge Debuts San Diego's Only LED Touch-Activated Dance Floor

December 15, 2014

Just in time for the holidays, The Air Conditioned Lounge has recently renovated their VIP room from floor to ceiling. This legendary bar and nightclub known for great music and service has revamped its private room with a personal craft beer tap, disco balls hanging from the ceiling and San Diego’s only LED touch-activated dance floor (just like a Michael Jackson music video)! Think 70s mod meets 80s dance party. The perfect intimate setting for Christmas and New Year’s parties, the option to order bottle service assures that guests never have to leave the party to order their cocktail of choice.

S&M Sausage and Meat Launches Happy Hour

December 14, 2014

Want to watch PETA protestors while getting a deal on delicious cocktails and exotic meats? North Park's S&M Sausage and Meat recently launched a great Happy Hour Monday - Friday from 3-6pm featuring $2 OFF of ANY drink and a free strip of savory house made bacon (flavors rotate daily at Chef's whim and include Honey Sriracha, Garlic Parmesan Rosemary, Sesame Soy, Hickory and Honey Mustard). Check out some photos of the cocktail specials and stop in and enjoy. 

New Menu Items at The Blind Burro, Puesto and Zymology 21

December 13, 2014

With 2014 wrapping up, local chefs are creating new and innovative dishes and drinks for everyone to enjoy during the holidays and into the new year! We've rounded up some new and exciting menu items from The Blind Burro, Puesto and Zymology 21, from shrub cocktails to lobster scampi. Keep reading and go grab one of these tasty treats for yourself. 

Big Bay Balloon Parade to Liven up North Harbor Drive on December 26

December 13, 2014

The San Diego waterfront will come alive on Friday, December 26, when the 24th annual Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade makes its way down North Harbor Drive. Kicking off at 3pm in front of the County Administration Building, the parade proceeds south on North Harbor Drive and ends where North Harbor Drive meets Pacific Highway, near Seaport Village. This year's parade theme is "Forever Young" and the grand marshal is Meb Keflezighi, the Eritrean-born American long distance runner. Keflezighi is a San Diegan, having attended Memorial Academy and San Diego High School and was a silver medalist in the 2004 summer Olympic Games and won this year's Boston Marathon, the first American male to do so since 1983.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas By Letting One of These San Diego Restaurants Cook For You

December 12, 2014

With the whirlwind of holiday mayhem up until Christmas Eve, you deserve to take it easy for the holidays. Instead of adding more to-do’s on your list for the perfect Christmas family dinner, leave the cooking (and cleaning, decorating and worrying…) to the pros and focus on celebrating at some of the best San Diego spots opened just for you on Christmas. From enjoying frozen drinks to relaxing with the ocean-side sunset view, prepare to have the best Christmas yet, as unconventional as it may be!

Feliz Navidad! Celebrate With a Traditional Mexican Feast at These Five San Diego Restaurants

December 11, 2014

With Mexico just a 30 minute trip from Downtown San Diego, it’s no wonder the city has such a Mexican influence. And us San Diegans do love our Mexican food! This month, visit these 5 San Diego Latin hotspots to get your fix for Mexican-style Christmas dishes to celebrate the season.

Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas at Counterpoint in Golden Hill

December 10, 2014

This season, Golden Hill neighborhood gem Counterpoint is getting into the seasonal spirit with the launch of its inaugural 12 Days of Christmas. No turtle doves or partridge in a pear tree, just a dozen different stuffed culinary creations from Executive Chef Rose Peyron. Peyron has crafted 12 unique dishes that will be served at the restaurant beginning this Saturday, December 13 and running through the 24 with highlights including a chile relleno, pop tart, ravioli and baked apple . Other stuffed dishes include pierogi, soup dumplings and steamed buns.

Let Bake Sale Bakery Help You Give the Gift of Deliciousness this Holiday Season

December 9, 2014

Need a quick, easy and affordable gift idea for the holidays? Bake Sale Bakery, located in the heart of East Village has a tasteful solution for friends and family! Terryl Gavre has packaged her popular snickerdoodle cookie mix in Christmas-themed mason jars. The customized gift tag has baking instructions on the back and each mix makes one dozen PERFECTLY sized 2-ounce cookies. The cookie mix jars are available now for $14.95 per jar.

Four San Diego Spots to Grab Grub After A Day of Surfing

December 8, 2014

With this storm, this weekend is sure to produce some massive surf-it’s a good time for less experienced surfers to take a weekend off! As for the rest of the surfing community, if you’re into getting dirty, the rainy weather is ripe for the adventurous! We know a long day at the beach always works up an appetite, whether you’re catching eight-footers in Encinitas or sitting on the beach watching friends score gnarly waves in Mission Beach, by the end of the day you’ll be in need of some serious grub. Here are 4 spots to grab a bite after a surf sesh.

San Diego's Top Neighborhood Eating Blocks | Venture Out and Bounce Around at These Hot Dining Destnations

December 7, 2014

We live in Pacific Beach and venturing out from our neighborhood seems like a helluva process sometimes, so when we do depart the beach we like to maximize our experience by sampling a bunch of spots in one easily walkable area. We've been making it a Sunday tradition as of late, and thought maybe others would benefit from our explorations, so we rounded up San Diego's hottest blocks where you can bounce around to many delicious locations in the same general vicinity.

43rd Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Brings Holiday Cheer to Bayfront December 14 and 21

December 6, 2014

The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, one of San Diego’s most cherished holiday events, returns for its 43rd year on Sunday, Dec. 14 and 21. This holiday tradition draws more than 100,000 spectators to the shores of San Diego Bay each night of the parade and features about 80 boats, everything from leisure yachts to kayaks, lavishly decorated according to a new theme each year - this year’s theme being “Children’s Stories on the Big Bay.”

North Park's Waypoint Public Welcomes Holidays with Festive Events and Treats this December

December 5, 2014

North Park’s beer-centric neighborhood bistro, Waypoint Public, has a handful of holiday happenings brewing this December - including a “12 Beers of Christmas” series launching Dec 12, offering special holiday brews paired with (free!) curated bites by Executive Chef Amanda Baumgarten. There is also a charity-driven toy drive that the whole family can enjoy with an appearance by Santa on Dec 16, as well as the addition of a few festive sweet treats including a twist on the classic Holiday Yule Log and Hot Apple Cider offered throughout the month of December.

Look Inside the Cohn Restaurant Group's Newest Beer-Centric Restaurant | Draft Republic Brings House-Made Sausage and Craft Beer to La Jolla

Photos by Andrew Jorgensen

December 4, 2014

The grill-you-own steak concept wasn't panning out in La Jolla's UTC area, so the Cohn Restaurant Group recently revamped it's northern most Strip Club and transformed it to the beer-focused Draft Republic, opening its doors on November 14 just across the street from the Westfield Shopping Mall. Featuring innovative American cuisine and 36 craft beers on tap, Draft Republic is a mix of modern Americana design and lively table games with a menu under the direction of Executive Chef Mike Camplin.