Taste and Toast This Holiday Season At the Hillcrest Taste n’ Tinis | Thursday, December 12

December 3, 2013

Mix up your annual holiday cheer during the most festive time of the year in Fabulous Hillcrest at Taste n’ Tinis on Thursday, December 12 from 5-9pm.  Take in the dazzling holiday decorations and embark on a self-guided walking tour of delightful drinks, delicious eats and fabulous retail shopping. Celebrate the season with more than 25 establishments as they welcome tasters and toasters alike with festive faire such as an assortment of specialties from mouthwatering appetizers and entrees to decadent sweet treats.

MABUHAY Fundraiser for Victims of Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines at FLUXX Nightclub | December 11

December 2, 2013

The creators of the I Love Poke Festival has teamed up with FLUXX Nightclub to raise funds for the Philippines Typhoon Haiyan victims by hosting a fundraiser event on December 11 from 6-9pm.  Celebrating life, MABUHAY is a Tagalog greeting which is the imperative form of “live”, from the root word buhay (live) - a word that this event hopes to embrace. The event will consist of a tasting from 10 San Diego chefs, many of whom will be making a Filipino/Asian inspired dish for the event while two of Southern California's legendary Filipino DJ’s "Question" and "Freddie Joachim” will create an upbeat vibe spinning 90's golden era Hip Hop.

Balboa Park December Nights is San Diego's Largest Free Festival | 36th Year of San Diego’s Favorite Holiday Event Coming December 6 & 7

December 1, 2013

Balboa Park December Nights is one of San Diego’s favorite kick-offs to the holiday season and includes fun for all ages. This event will take place for the 36th year on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7. The beloved holiday event, co-produced by the City of San Diego and the Balboa Park Conservancy, features incredible holiday festivities that include sparkling lights, multi-cultural music and dance performances, carolers, bell-ringers, choirs and bands, a culinary world tour taking place throughout the Park and much more. In the spirit of the holidays, participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9pm on both evenings.

UPDATE: San Diego Chefs Salute Tommy Gomes | A Seafood Festival in Honor of San Diego's Favorite Fishmonger To Be Held February 23, 2014

November 28, 2013

Tommy Gomes

Everybody in San Diego's culinary community knows Tommy Gomes.  The face of Catalina Offshore Products, a local seafood wholesale and retail company, Gomes is a native San Diegan who comes from a long family history of professional fisherman. He personally works with more than 30 local restaurants to provide the freshest catch from Southern California and Baja. On February 23, 2014, the gentlemen behind the Mission Valley Craft Beer & Food Fest will pay tribute with a seafood and beer festival like no other - entitled San Diego Chefs Salute Tommy Gomes.

San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival Holds One of a Kind Taco Tuesday | The San Diego Classics: Fish Tacos & Craft Beers Featuring a Fish Taco TKO Challenge at Stone Liberty Station

Sandbar's winning creation

November 27, 2013

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station sectioned off its massive, back rock garden on Tuesday, Nov. 19 for San Diego Bay Wine & Food Fest's The San Diego Classics: Fish Tacos & Craft Beers featuring a riveting Fish Taco TKO Challenge between 11 fierce competitors. Attendees were each provided 3 tokens to vote for their favorite seafood taco(s), each paired with a craft beer option by Stone's resident cicerone and pairing master "Dr." Bill Sysak. At the end of the night, Sandbar Sports Grill from Mission Beach reigned supreme, with The Blind Burro taking a close second, followed by third place Casanova Fish Tacos. It was truly an epic Taco Tuesday!

Just in Time For Thanksgiving - Bear Mountain to Open Wednesday, November 27 Snow Summit to Follow Shortly

November 26, 2013

The time has finally arrived for skiers and snowboarders to break out their gear and hit the slopes! Bear Mountain will be opening for the long-awaited winter season on Wednesday, November 27 at 8:30 a.m. Snow Summit is not yet open, but should open in the near future. At Bear Mountain, Chair 9 will be open from top to bottom. This includes the Upper Park Run, Expressway, Gulch, and Lower Park Run trails. Over twenty terrain features will be available to ride. The Chair 9 trails vary in difficulty from intermediate to advanced. There will be NO beginner trails available at Bear Mountain on opening day.

Chef Tommy Fraioli Is Heading to Beaumont's Eatery After Closure of Sea Rocket Bistro

November 24, 2013

It was announced last week that North Park's Sea Rocket Bistro would be closing after service on December 8, and with that news, the natural question was where would Chef Tommy Fraioli be heading. The young and talented chef has made quite the name for himself in San Diego, even taking home the coveted Chef of the Fest honor at the 2012 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. We caught up with Chef Tommy who revealed that he will soon journey to Bird Rock to join Chef George Morris at Beaumont's Eatery.

Smashburger and Stone Collaborate to Create New Pairing Menu

November 24, 2013 

By Ryan Bridge | SanDiegoVille Contributor

Craft beer is on the rise and Smashburger is all about it. The Denver-based burger joint is teaming up with craft breweries across the United States to design burger and beer pairing menus unique to each region. It is no surprise that Smashburger San Diego has designated Stone Brewing Co. as their So-Cal counterpart, launching their exciting new pairing menu last Friday (11/15). With over 250 Smashburgers in cities throughout the U.S., it will be exciting to watch the craft beer community expand as great beer becomes even more accessible to the general public.

Whether You've Been Bad or Good, Santa Mile is Coming | Benefitting Pacific Beach’s Holiday Parade on Dec. 15!

November 23, 2013

Dust off your Santa hats and put on your stockings! Pacific Beach has a new reason why it is the place to be this holiday season. On Sunday December 15, Santa Mile is taking over Garnet Avenue for a 1 mile community run to benefit Pacific Beach’s Holiday Parade and collect toy donations for the holiday season.

Thanksgiving Is Easy When You Let One of San Diego's Best Restaurants Do It For You | Specials From All Around San Diego!

November 22, 2013

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, but you need not fret! Relax this year and let one of San Diego's finest restaurants prepare your Thanksgiving meal for you. Vacuuming and cleaning before guests arrive is a drag and the cooking, oh the cooking! This year, we have a roundup of ideas for you… nary a one of them involve sweating it out in the kitchen or deciding which one of your weird cousins has to sit at the kids table.

Coronado's Favorite Restaurant Family Announces Sixth Concept | Stake Chophouse + Bar Coming Spring 2014

November 21, 2013

Set to be the only existing tried-and-true steakhouse on the island, Stake Chophouse + Bar is coming next spring as the newest concept from Blue Bridge Hospitality group, a locally-owned and operated restaurant group, based in and born out of a love for the city of Coronado. First launched in 1998 with MooTime Creamery, a partnership between Coronado cousins, David Spatafore & Leroy Mossel, Blue Bridge has experienced tremendous growth over the past 15 years with several distinct family-friendly concepts. Most recently venturing into chef-driven dining by launching Leroy's Kitchen + Lounge in 2011, Stake will now elevate the collective (and Coronado's dining scene) to a entirely new level with this contemporary, steakhouse and lounge. Although a executive chef has yet to be announced, we've got our hands on early details on the project.

The 4th Annual Bikes, Boards and Brews Event To Celebrate San Diego's Beach and Beer Culture | Saturday, December 14

November 21, 2013

Celebrate San Diego's famous beach culture and all the oceanside goodness it has to offer at the 4th annual Bikes, Boards and Brews event, taking place on December 14, bayside at the beautiful Catamaran Resort and Spa. Just as the autumn chill creeps in, this event will bring you back to the endless summer days with surf boards, beach cruisers, beach inspired art, craft beer samples and tasty offerings from some of the area's best bars and eateries.

Encore: Gaslamp's Brand New Champagne Bar Debuting mid-December from the Owner of Bleu Boheme

November 20, 2013

From the owner of Bleu Boheme, Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room is a new concept set to come to San Diego - a champagne-centric destination in the heart of the Gaslamp with a French-inspired menu, scheduled to open off 6th and F this December. The former L.A. Rack Casual Ware space now features a large bar and dining room and will offer champagne, sparkling wine, caviar and much more, a bubbly-inspired spot sure to enhance the San Diego bar and dining scene. Encore will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, along with brunch on Saturday and Sundays.

Sea Rocket Bistro Announces Closure | Restaurant's Last Day of Business is December 8

November 20, 2013

Known for cooking up delicious, wild and sustainably-caught local seafood, Sea Rocket Bistro has been a North Park favorite since opening in June 2008. Headed by Executive Chef Tommy Fraioli, General Manager and Co-Owners Elena Rivellino and businessman Dennis Stein, the restaurant's closure is yet another disheartening demonstration of the trials and tribulations facing restaurants operating on moral principles and devoted to the sustainable sourcing of ingredients.

Holiday Recipe | Chef Matt Gordon's Famous Cinnamon Rolls

November 20, 2013

Chef Matt Gordon’s famous cinnamon rolls are a favorite for San Diego locals and a perfect dish for the holiday season.  Every day Chef Matt welcomes guests with the sweet smell of cinnamon, sugar and butter pecan. This beloved treat has led customers to try many of Chef Matt’s other dishes including his bread pudding, s’mores and warm cheese biscuits, all made with zero artificial ingredients. These dishes are a terrific addition to a holiday meal!

Puesto Mexican Street Food Opens New Eatery at The Headquarters | Expanded Food Menu, Full Bar, Cocktail Frescas and Professionally Designed Ambiance Highlight 2nd Location

November 19, 2013

Puesto, the popular La Jolla taqueria that artfully mixes a casual approach with an original twist on Mexican street food, has opened their second location in Downtown San Diego’s new dining hub - The Headquarters at Seaport District. Neighboring the likes of Pizzeria Mozza and Seasons 52, the second Puesto location is set to grand open on November 21 and will offer an expanded menu highlighted by their coveted tacos made with crispy melted cheese and the finest ingredients to hit fresh, house-made tortillas. The new Puesto menu will feature antojitos (Mexican tapas), and innovative cocktail frescas in a full-service, beautifully designed restaurant, along with its signature taco line in an awesome  atmosphere.

San Diego Has a New Reality TV Star Chef! Cafe Japengo's Executive Chef Jerry Warner Soon to Compete on Japanese Television

Chef Jerry Warner

November 18, 2013

Japanese television network TV Asahi/ABC Asahi has chosen Executive Chef Jerry Warner of San Diego's Cafe Japengo to compete on “World Challenge – Pride of Japan,” a popular annual Japanese reality tv show that pits one Japanese sushi chef against one sushi chef from another country. Of all the sushi chefs in the United States, producers have chosen Executive Chef Jerry Warner of Cafe Japengo!