The Times They Are a Changin' | Openings, Closings and Rumors In Pacific Beach

November 5, 2013

San Diego's rowdy oceanside town of Pacific Beach has recently had a whole host of changes take place in its inundated dining and bar scene. It seemed like many of these developments happened over night, so in order for us to keep track of them, we wanted to document all the developments in one place.

Los Angeles-Based Create-Your-Own-Pizza Chain To Open 20 Locations in San Diego

November 5, 2013

America's Finest Pizza City may soon be overpopulated, as LA-based The Pizza Studio has big plans to expand into San Diego County after signing a multi-unit development agreement for 20 new locations with veteran restaurant entrepreneur George Katakalidis. The first location will open in downtown San Diego in January 2014, with a second location in Kearny Mesa opening in March 2014.  The Pizza Studio is a fast-casual franchise concept that invites guests to create their own custom pizza masterpiece. A wide assortment of crusts, sauces, meats, fresh and roasted vegetables and other ingredients are offered. Wait, wasn't that Kramer's idea?!?

Our Top 5 Picks For the 10th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival | November 18-24

November 4, 2013

We've covered the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival for the past two years, and although the events vary year after year, we have a good idea of what to expect.  We've looked over the schedule of nearly 30 meals, demos, classes and events offered throughout the weeklong epicurean extravaganza and have broken down our top 5 picks for the 10th incarnation of Southern California's largest culinary festival.

Roy's Remains Remarkable | Roy's Pacific Rim Cuisine in La Jolla Stays True To Form After Extensive Changes

November 3, 2013

In February 2013, Roy's Hawaiian Fusion in La Jolla underwent a complete overhaul, from the name and branding, to the decor and menu, to the chef-partner.  The location on Genessee Avenue is the same, but Roy Yamaguchi's Pacific Rim Cuisine is the new name. Former Executive Chef Perci Oani is now at The Shores Restaurant, since being supplanted by Chef Partner Charles Andres.  New items are on the menu, and the interior has been casualized, but regulars need not fret, as Roy's still maintains its menu favorites, it's commitment to only the freshest ingredients, a lovely decor, and impeccable service.

San Diego Cellars Opens First Combination Urban Winery, Tasting Room and Kitchen in Little Italy

November 2, 2013

San Diego wine enthusiasts have another reason to head to Little Italy this fall - San Diego Cellars.  The fully operational urban winery, tasting room and kitchen, is set to officially grand open to the public on Saturday, November 9 at 2215 Kettner Blvd. in Little Italy. The recently opened urban facility, encompassing a tasting room and kitchen, wine preparation area and outdoor garden patio, is currently open Tuesday through Sunday at 3pm.

Queenstown Public House | Gourmet Burgers in Little Italy - Kiwi Style

November 1, 2013

By Ryan Bridge | SanDiegoVille Contributor

Photo by Carly Ealy

If you’re looking to find a great burger in downtown San Diego, you’ve got a lot of options to choose from. Variations on the American staple are so abundant that restaurants have to create something truly special to stand out. Queenstown Public House, situated on the corner of Columbia and Cedar in Little Italy, stands above the rest by crafting delicious selections of unique, organic burgers and sandwiches, while maintaining a friendly New Zealand attitude. Run by the owners of Pacific Beach’s Bareback Grill and Ocean Beach’s Raglan Public House, Queenstown boasts gourmet burgers, an impressive beer list, and delectable house specialties in an adorable setting.

Mia Francesca and Davanti Enoteca Show Off Autumnal Additions | Del Mar Promenade's Sister Italian Restaurants Offer New Menu Items for Fall

October 31, 2013

Located on the second floor of Del Mar Highlands Town Center, Mia Francesca and Davanti Enoteca each offer contemporary and creative takes on classic Italian dishes.  With a culinary philosophy that embraces the use of seasonal, local ingredients, the sister restaurants have introduced a tasty lineup of warming autumn flavors to showcase Fall crops in a modern way.  We recently visited the restaurant duo, and enjoyed some of their seasonal offerings that will certainly ease diners into the crisper weather.

Baja California Culinary Fest Chef's Dinner | Eight Courses at La Caza Club in Tijuana

October 30, 2013

The Baja California Culinary Fest is a celebration of the upscale gastronomical explosion in Baja Mexico, marked by the featured Friday night Chef's Dinners, hosted by more than thirty chefs at seven different restaurants across Tijuana, making for a once in a lifetime dining experience.  We had the honor and pleasure of enjoying our Chef's Dinner at one of TJ's newest hotspots -  La Caza Club, a warm and beautiful space, accented with library-like features, from oversized leather booths, to bookshelves, to antlered busts donning the dark wood walls. We cozied into our seats, ready to embark on an eight course eating adventure prepared by our esteemed host chefs - La Caza Club's chef Humberto Aviles, San Diego's own - Jason Knibb of NINE-TEN, Ensenada's Chef Juantxo Sanchez, and Chef Jose Miguel Garcia of La Barraca Valenciana.  This magnificent meal was accompanied by wine and beer pairings chosen by the talented Juan Pablo Vazquez of La Guia del Vino.

Tijuana Uncovered | A Baja Culinary Adventure with Club Tengo Hambre During the 3rd Annual Baja California Culinary Fest

October 29, 2013

Thousands of foodies flocked to Baja this past weekend for the third annual Baja California Culinary Fest, a deluge of inspiration for the senses.  Of the many events held throughout the four day festival was the Tijuana Curbside and Craft Beer Outing hosted by the street savvy power couple, Antonio and Kristin of Club Tengo Hambre. Club Tengo Hambre, a roving supper club dedicated to the exploration of great food and beverage in and around Baja California, celebrates the social aspects of food by bringing together a group of strangers to embark upon a foodie adventure curtailed to their preference.  Due to our undying love for street food and beer, we were eager to jump aboard.

The Great Urban Race Puts Your Mind, Body and San Diego Knowledge to the Test | November 2

October 28, 2013

By Megan Gallagher | SanDiegoVille Contributor

Think you know San Diego inside and out? Put your knowledge to the test on November 2 when The Great Urban Race runs into town. Held in 25 cities throughout the United States, the Great Urban Race is a competition that tests participants in physical and mental challenges across the city. This year’s event is hosted by Red Frog Events and sponsored by BACARDĺ OakHeart, and will challenge even the most savvy San Diegans. In addition to competing for cash and other prizes, the top 25 teams have a chance to compete in the National Great Urban Race, held in San Juan on December 7, 2013.

Beer Week Fans Play Beer Pong with Barons Market | Brewers Guild Festival hosts “Barons Pong” at official Beer Week kickoff event on November 2

October 28, 2013

Barons Market loves San Diego Beer Week. With a one of the largest craft beer selections in San Diego, this locally owned market is welcomed back to the Brewers Guild Festival to play “Barons Pong” for the second year in a row, taking place on Saturday, November 2. “Barons Pong” consists of a custom Barons Market beer pong table, a selection of local microbrews and various prize, and is one of many event highlights at the Brewers Guild Festival, the official kickoff celebration to San Diego’s Beer Week.

Latina Celebrity Emerges from San Diego Aboard a Unique Culinary Platform (English & Español)

October 27, 2013
By Ryan Lewis | SanDiegoVille Art Director and Contributor

There is a rising star on the San Diego culinary scene, and there would be much greater likelihood of you knowing about her if it weren't for one nuance that defines her recipes – they're made completely of raw plant foods. Yovana Mendoza is a petite and charming 24-year-old Mexican-American woman, and she has gathered quite a following through her internet persona - Rawvana. Her presentation of bright recipes, focusing on fresh and healthy raw vegan dishes and ingredients, has led to her accumulation of nearly 14,000 Instagram followers and more than 5,000 YouTube subscribers at the time of this writing.

Corvette Diner Invites Guests to Unwind and Rewind As They Mark the 50th Anniversary of the Cassette Tape

October 26, 2013

To celebrate the milestone 50th anniversary of the iconic cassette tape, Carlsbad’s Museum of Making Music and Corvette Diner have partnered to present a unique mobile exhibit packed with throwback artifacts and interesting trivia.  The Museum of Making Music dug deep into their archives to create a display containing everything from the oldest version of the cassette tape, to the various audio devices used long before digital streaming was available. Corvette Diner will pay tribute to the oldies but goodies that led us to the innovations of today’s musical landscape.

Three Birds Are Better Than One | Don't Miss Iowa Meat Farms & Siesel's Meats 9th Annual Turducken Festival on November 9

October 26, 2013

Whether passing a football, watching a parade, or a preparing a classic family recipe, everyone has their favorite holiday tradition! The butchers at Iowa Meat Farms and Siesel's once again invite you to join them in celebration of their favorite tradition - the kick off of the Turducken season! On Saturday November 9 from 11am to 4pm, these poultry professionals will be providing attendees with their best tips on creating memorable and delectable holiday menu items, and of course the opportunity to sample this holiday masterpiece as well as special turducken gravy and the simple-to-prepare turducken rolls!

Dave Chappelle Returns to the Spotlight | Comedian Sells Out 6 Shows at San Diego's Spreckels Theater

October 25, 2013

He's been on hiatus from the limelight since 2005, but the packed Spreckels Theater couldn't tell during any of Dave Chappelle's 6 sold out shows on the weekend of October 18-20.  The comedian, best known for his hit Comedy Central sketch series - The Chappelle Show - and his stoner classic, Half Baked, didn't show any signs of being out of the game as he had the historic theater rolling with laughter over the course of his hour-plus sets.  We attended the final San Diego show on Sunday, October 20 at 10pm and, although we were fearful that Chappelle would be exhausted after his marathon of performances, he was beyond energetic for his hilarious finale.

Enter SanDiegoVille's Spa Gregorie's Goodie Bag Raffle | SoCal Spa Offers Sampling of Its Favorite Items For One Lucky Winner

October 25, 2013

SanDiegoVille is raffling off a bag full of goodies from Spa Gregorie's!!   Now in its 15th year with locations in Del Mar, Newport Beach and Rancho Santa Margarita, Spa Gregorie’s is known for elevating the traditional luxury spa experience with a unique blend of professional services designed to enhance the lives of each client. Spa Gregorie's boasts recognition from Spa Finder Reader’s Choice for “Favorite Day Spa,” as well as the honor of “Favorite Day Spa” by American Spa Magazine in their Professional’s Choice Awards. We have a nifty little kit of some of their favorite items to show one lucky winner how Spa Gregorie's can enhance your life.

Feasting in Wonderland | Art Inspired By Food Paired With Food and Cocktails Inspired By Art

October 24, 2013

Feast: The Art of Playing With Your Food debuted to the public on October 13 at The New Children's Museum. On the eve of the grand opening, the museum offered up its 3 art-filled floors for the 6th annual benefit, Feasting in Wonderland, inviting participants to be among the first to explore the thirteen interactive exhibits, each installation paired with a local chef who translated inspiration from the art into a delicious donated dish, as well as a mixologist who coupled an inspired craft cocktail.