Mille Fleurs Makes Open Table's 2013 Best Restaurants in America

December 13, 2013

San Diego’s Mille Fleurs restaurant has beat out nearly 19,000 restaurants to be awarded placement on the coveted Open Table 2013 Diner’s Choice Award’s list of Top 100 Restaurants in America. Restaurants are selected based off of more than 5 million Open Table diner reviews submitted for restaurants throughout the country. A Wall Street Journal article provides a helpful breakdown of the criteria for selection.

San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter to Debut City Sights at “Bottoms Up” NYE 2014 Extravaganza

December 13, 2013

The San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter will host its signature “Bottoms Up” New Year’s Eve bash on Tuesday, December 31 beginning at 8pm. Guests will be in for a welcome surprise this year as the acclaimed ALTITUDE Sky Lounge debuts City Sights, an indoor rooftop venue offering spectacular views from the West Coast’s tallest rooftop lounge.

BlueFire Grill's Land to Linen Dining Experience | A Breath of Fresh Air

December 12, 2013

By Megan Gallagher | SanDiegoVille Contributor

There is one word that echoes in my head as I reflect on my experience at BlueFire Grill’s “Land to Linen” dinner that took place on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad- authentic. I have never had a dinner experience that was just so real, from the fresh ingredients that comprised each dish, to the genuine company with whom I had the pleasure of sharing the experience, and of course, the remarkable passion exuded by Chef Gregory Frey, Jr. From the very beginning, I knew that this wasn’t just another gimmicky "organic" ploy. The “Land to Linen” dinner is the culmination of the ideas of like-minded individuals who wish to really see a shift in what and how we eat.

The Five Chef Societe is Back and Better Than Ever! Five Inspired Courses of Duck Paired With Societe Beer

December 11, 2013

The bad boys of Mission Valley's Handlery Hotel - Executive Chef Karl Prohaska and Food & Beverage Manager Gus Thompson - are back in the dinner-pairing and event business, and these guys definitely know how to throw a party! On December 5, San Diego's Culinary Rat Pack took over Postcards at the Handlery and rocked out 5 delicious courses of duck, each paired with a craft beer offering from Societe Brewing.  Chef Karl was joined by a stellar lineup of chefs that included Matt Richman of Table 926, Hanis Cavin of Carnitas' Snack Shack, Daniel Barron of La Valencia Hotel, Rich Sweeney of R Gang Eatery/Southpaw Social Club, and Matt Morrison of Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station. The result was a one-of-a-kind meal that enhanced everyone's appreciation of duck, craft beer and fun, down to earth chefs.

A New Pop Up Dining Experience Is Inspired By Local Music | Storytellers Pop-Up Dinners Offers 7 Organic Courses Paired With Live Music

A dish from the last Storytellers Pop-Up Dinner

December 10, 2013

David Holtze of local, organic food truck, Green Truck, and Chef Nick Brune of Local Habit and Eco Caters have teamed up to bring diners a musical dining experience with their Storytellers Pop-Up Dinner event. With their next Storytellers Pop-Up Dinner, taking place at Frauds & Swindlers on the evening of Thursday, December 19, they will feature live jazz-stylings from Tori Roze and 7 locally sourced, organic courses, each one of them original and totally inspired by 7 tracks of Tori's music. Diners will have the pleasure of hearing each song live while they dine on each dish. This is a chance to hear and taste the mind of a chef, and a musician, at the same time.

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill in Del Mar Debuts Price Fixed Dinner & Wine Pairing | Inaugural Meal Features 4 Courses with Milestone Wines for $30!

December 6, 2013

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill has held craft beer dinners in the past, but on Wednesday, November 20, the Del Mar Highlands Town Center location offered its first wine pairing dinner - four courses complemented by tasty varieties of Milestone Wines.  This meal offered an incredible value for $30 per person at Sammy's beautiful setting, a unique location with old world charm and Sammy's consistently delicious and diverse culinary creations.

Who Knew Eating Light Could Taste Soo Good?!? Seasons 52 Fresh Grill Opens New Location at The Headquarters

December 5, 2013

Seasons 52 Fresh Grill has opened its second San Diego location at the beautiful new The Headquarters at Seaport District.  The sophisticated restaurant prides itself on offering fresh, low calorie dishes, each allegedly under 475 calories(!?!) in an elegant setting. We were astonished by the delicious dishes, each paired with a glass of wine from Seasons 52's bountiful list of over 100 bottles, with more than 50 offered by the glass.

Everyone KEEP CALM: Slater's 50/50 Unveils The "Sriracha Burger"

The Sriracha Burger!

December 4, 2013

Slater's 50/50 is unveiling The "Sriracha Burger" in response to the buzz about a shortage of the favorite condiment. Beginning Monday, December 9, devoted Sriracha fanatics concerned over recent news that a potential shortage of the iconic condiment may come to fruition can calm down. Slater's 50/50, the SoCal burger brand famous for its original "50/50" patty made of 50% ground bacon and 50% ground beef, has got you covered with the creation of The Sriracha Burger - the ultimate tribute to the most amazing condiment known to mankind.

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.