Starstruck In Miami | A Weekend at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival

March 4, 2013
By Cody Lewis | SanDiegoVille Contributor

The opportunity to cover a full weekend of the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting at the 12th annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival was both unexpected and exciting. After all, there are dozens of different foods to try, unlimited booze, and Food Network celebrity chefs hosting live shows and mingling with the crowd, all right on the beautiful South Beach sand in blistering Miami, Florida.  And yet, even with the incredible nature of this event in mind, the paradise that awaited me at SOBEWFF was shocking.

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center presents 15th Annual Morning Glory Brunch | Saturday, April 13th

March 3, 2013

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center’s 15th Annual Morning Glory Brunch will brighten the lives of San Diego families and residents while raising funds and awareness for the organization that changes the lives of many. The popular brunch will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on St. Madeleine’s campus at 2119 E. Madison Avenue in El Cajon.

San Diego's Whole Foods Markets Each to Open Unique Brewpub Restaurant

Just a sampling of the taps at The Trifecta Tavern at Del Mar
Whole Foods Market

March 2, 2013

"Kids - Mommy & Daddy are running to the grocery store!"  "Honey, let me know if you want me to pick up anything from Whole Foods!"  These phrases will become far more prevalent as food shopping takes on a whole new appeal.  Local Whole Foods Markets are embracing San Diego's craft beer scene and opening up unique brewpub restaurant concepts in each of San Diego's locations - Hillcrest, La Jolla, and the newly opened Del Mar.  By the end of next week, patrons will be able to grab a bite and brew before, during, or after their shopping experience, from right inside the market.

Sloppy's Burritos To Bring Sustainable and Locally Sourced "Flash-Grilled" Burritos to Hillcrest

March 1, 2013

Sloppy’s Burritos is opening in Hillcrest this month.  This quick-serve, healthy restaurant, features a simple, yet highly customizable menu of burritos, salads and bowls made with organic, locally sourced ingredients. The 1,100-square-foot restaurant takes an innovative “flash-grilling” approach and has a strong emphasis on sustainability and simplicity. Sloppy’s Burritos will open Saturday, March 2, 2013 and is centrally located in Hillcrest at 3884 Fourth Avenue and features modern Southern California décor with indoor and patio seating for 32.

Bleu Boheme's Daily Happy Hour is 60 Minutes of Félicité

February 28, 2013

It was 4:55pm on a Tuesday. Seven people were lined up in front of us on the corner of Adams Avenue and Kensington Drive in Normal Heights (maybe Kensington?). The simple fact that there was a line made me salivate with excitement.  It was our first time at Bleu Boheme, and though we've received positive recommendations in passing, we weren't expecting a queue for the daily, hour-long happy hour, especially during the week. Within the hour, it all made sense.

Bear Mountain Hosts 4th Annual War of Rails | March 1st to 3rd

February 27, 2013

Bear Mountain is hosting the 4th Annual War of Rails presented by Under Armour that will take place this weekend, March 1-3, 2013. This event brings top freestyle skiing professionals from all over the world together to compete for a $30,000 cash purse. The professionals will take to the sky with outrageous tricks and impressive agility. Bear Mountain makes for the perfect place to showcase the raw talent of these competitors and the unique design of features in this exciting contest.

Gaslamp Quarter Association to Unveil Gaslamp Quarter Archway Refurbishment at Re-Dedication Ceremony and 21st Anniversary Reception | Thursday, February 28th

February 26, 2013

Serving as one of San Diego’s favorite photo backdrops for 21 years, the Gaslamp Quarter Archway at 5th Avenue and L Street will come to the forefront as its complete rehabilitation is unveiled. The Gaslamp Quarter Association invites any and all to the presentation of the Gaslamp Quarter Archway’s highly anticipated refurbishment and re-dedication ceremony at the base of the Archway this Thursday, February 28th at 5:30pm, as well as a celebration of its 21st anniversary with a reception to immediately follow at 6:15pm to be held at Dick’s Last Resort, located at 345 4th Avenue, with a back entry also on 5th Ave., not far from the archway.

Photo Video West Returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds | The West Coast’s Largest Educational Photography Expo Returns to San Diego April 27-28, 2013

February 25, 2013

Tickets for Photo Video West, the largest educational photography expo on the West Coast, are now on sale.  The action-packed two-day event takes place April 27-28, 2013, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in O’Brien Hall and serves as a forum for photographers of all levels to learn, share, network, and expand their photographic abilities, said Ken Lost, co-producer of Photo Video West.

Any Given Sunday | Forget the End of Football With These San Diego Brunch Offerings

Chicken and waffles at Uptown Tavern

February 24, 2013

It’s been a couple weeks since the NFL season had its grand finale in New Orleans but for some of us the season has been over much longer than that (sorry Chargers fans). Has the lack of football left you feeling empty? Look on the bright side, several San Diego eateries are stepping up to help fill the void. Football will be back eventually, but in the meantime create a new Sunday tradition at one of these hot brunch spots.

Transforming the Market Halls Into an Authentic Farm to Cart Festival | The San Diego Public Market Presents Street Food Market 2013

February 23, 2013

Cultures the world over have been served by tiny, portable kitchens that turn out hot, fresh food designed to be eaten in the street.  On Sunday, March 24th, some of San Diego and Baja’s best chefs will come together to honor that age-old culinary tradition at the inaugural Street Food Market at the San Diego Public Market.

Uptown Tavern Makes Brunch Chic in Hillcrest

February 22, 2013
By Laurel Vozely | SanDiegoVille Contributor

Situated on University Avenue, amidst the hustle and bustle of Hillcrest, Uptown Tavern is establishing itself as a neighborhood hot-spot, despite its difficulty shedding locals’ familiarity with the space’s former occupant, Ono Sushi.  Not only is there buzz about the dinner menu, but positive word of Uptown’s weekend brunch spread my way, so I had to try it. After all, who does brunch better than San Diegans?

Three Chefs Take Three Ways Into the Kitchen | Three Chefs From Three Restaurants Will Host Three Course Dinners

Top to Bottom: Lockhart, Dolinky, Graves

February 21, 2013

No longer is the idea of being asked to participate in a threesome an awkward, off-putting concept when it comes to the culinary world. This March, a trio of chefs are embracing the idea and jumping into the kitchen together to host a series of Three-Way Dinners. The culinary crew consists of Donald Lockhart of Cusp Dining & Drinks, Simon Dolinky of Saltbox, and Christian Graves of Jsix, all sister restaurants of Kimpton. Known for their great food and laid-back personalities, the city’s hottest triad will collaborate on a series of three-course dinners held between their three restaurants. The first event is March 14, and will take place at Cusp Dining & Drinks. Guests can embark on this eating adventure for a mere $35 per person, gaining you access to three chefs for the price of one.

A Lavish Evening for A Great Cause at the 3rd Annual San Diego Wine Affair

Photo by Rebekah Peace

February 20, 2013

On Thursday, February 7th, over 350 elegantly-dressed attendees were treated to a celebrity style entrance into the prestigious Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa for the 3rd Annual San Diego Wine Affair. After being greeted with a buffet of gourmet sliders and a red carpet reception decorated by a luxury car display, guests were led to the sophisticated and luxurious La Jolla ballroom, which had been transformed into an enchanting escape for a wine tasting fundraiser that was truly exquisite.

From the Crew Behind Craft & Commerce, Consortium Holdings Opens Polite Provisions and Soda & Swine in Normal Heights

February 19, 2013

The dual-concept launch of Polite Provisions and sister restaurant, Soda & Swine, puts one of the nation's most respected bartenders, Erick Castro (of San Francisco's Rickhouse and Bourbon & Branch fame), alongside two-star Michelin Executive Chef, Jason McLeod, to bring a renewed spirit of community to a bustling street corner of one of San Diego's most eclectic, burgeoning neighborhoods, Normal Heights. Helmed by Southern California hospitality collective, Consortium Holdings (Noble Experiment, Craft & Commerce, UnderBelly, Neighborhood, El Dorado), Polite Provisions aims to revive and modernize the golden era of the neighborhood drugstore with spirited cocktails prepared with housemade bitters, soda pop, tinctures and syrups, as a nod to those ingredients' medicinal uses. The adjoining eatery, Soda & Swine, features a straightforward menu consisting of two classic staples: meatballs and apple pie, keeping in line with the simplicity of Main Street America.

4th Annual Zane Patrick’s Day Returns to San Diego's McFadden's | Saturday, March 16th

February 18, 2013

Tickets are now on sale for the 4th Annual Zane Patrick’s Day celebration, set to take place on March 16th at McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon in San Diego. This will be the 3rd year that Drinking Ambassador, Zane Lamprey, host of AXS TV’s “Drinking Made Easy,” has celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with fans and party goers in San Diego.  If you've seen Zane's television shows or his stand up performance, you know that this will be a wild and debaucherous occasion.

OB Noodle House | If You Don't Know, Now You Know

February 17, 2013

By Bunny Anderson, SanDiegoVille Contributor and Nightlife Reporter for Examiner.com

Situated just a few blocks from the beach on Cable Street, near the corner of West Point Loma Drive, OB Noodle House has become a beacon of Ocean Beach.  This cozy little restaurant is consistently packed with moppy-haired surfers fresh off the latest set and groups of friends huddled over the eatery's coveted pho soup and other Asian fusion offerings.  And with one of the best beer selections in San Diego offered up at half price on a daily basis, OB Noodle House is THE place to be for happy hour. Craft beer snobs, rejoice! This is the place for you.

SeaWorld to host Sustainable Seafood Gala to Benefit San Diego Oceans Foundation in Conjunction with Sustainable Seafood Week

Culinary Chair Andrew Spurgin's tasting table

February 14, 2013

On Thursday, March 7th, SeaWorld San Diego will host the Sustainable Seafood Gala - a fundraiser to benefit the San Diego Oceans Foundation, bringing together community members, businesses and the fishing and culinary community to educate participants about the best sustainable practices.  Join local chefs, breweries, and vineyards at SeaWorld San Diego’s Dolphin Point and Manta Exhibits for a sustainable seafood celebration and educational experience sure to provide something new for both your mind and palate.