Marina Kitchen to Host the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance Wine Tasting & BBQ Dinner | March 30-31

March 11, 2014

Marina Kitchen at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina is partnering up with the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance to host an afternoon of wine tasting and a BBQ dinner to follow on Sunday, March 30. Twenty member wineries will be on-site pouring wines, discussing the unique characteristics of wines grown in the Sta. Rita Hills American Viticultural Area, and sharing their passion for the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays produced from Sta. Rita Hills’ vineyards.

Papa Luna’s Empanadas Opens Downtown Just in Time for National Empanada Day

March 11, 2014

In honor of National Empanada Day, Papa Luna’s will be offering San Diego customers a buy one  get one free deal on empanadas (limit one per customer). The promotion will be available Monday, April 9 at both their Pacific Beach store as well as in their new downtown location, which recently opened in late February at 1050 Columbia Street.

San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter Introduces “Eat-Drink-Park” Offer for Padres Fans

March 10, 2014

Just in time for baseball season, the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter is bringing back its Eat-Drink-Park special, a new way for game-goers to enjoy an evening of baseball paired with dining, drinks and complimentary valet parking just 90 steps from the Padres’ Petco Park. The hotel’s Eat-Drink-Park promotion offers complimentary same-day valet parking to guests who spend a minimum of $25 at the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter’s Soleil @k or Latitude Lounge. The offer extends throughout the hours of the day’s baseball game, giving guests stress-free parking as they enjoy an evening of dining, drinks and the Padres. The offer is valid on home game days, does not account for overnight parking and is subject to space and availability.

An Evening of Brews, Views and Chews at Tom Ham's Lighthouse's Green Flash Beer Pairing Dinner | March 26

March 10, 2014

Green Flash Brewing Co. and Tom Ham’s Lighthouse have teamed up to provide a five-course, sit-down dinner featuring five of Green Flash’s unique brews paired with unique dishes prepared by Tom Ham’s head chef Lance Repp on Wednesday, March 26 at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse.

Stone Brewing Co. to Donate $100,000 from Sale of Matt's Burning Rosids Imperial Cherrywood-Smoked Saison

March 9, 2014

In 2013, Stone Brewing Co. suffered the loss of a close friend, team member and exceptional brewer, Matt Courtright. After exploring several ways to honor his memory, Stone decided there was no better way than to brew one of his most recent beer recipes and release it nationally for all to enjoy. Matt’s Burning Rosids Imperial Cherrywood-Smoked Saison is currently available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft in select markets across the U.S. To further pay tribute to Matt’s memory, Stone is donating $100,000 to two non-profit organizations close to Matt’s heart and contributing to The Matt Courtright Memorial Brewing Scholarship, all made possible by proceeds from the sale of his beer.

San Diego Celebrity Chefs Support Neighborhood House Association Child Nutrition Awareness Initiative | Lend Your Support on March 23

March 8, 2014

The Neighborhood House Association (NHA) is celebrating 100 years of service throughout 2014, and as part of the celebration, is commemorating a century of building healthy families and communities by hosting a culinary demonstration and charity fundraiser. Celebrity chefs from around San Diego will join NHA in its efforts to promote healthy eating habits and highlight the NHA innovative and award winning approach to child nutrition. The event will take place Sunday, March 23 from 1-5pm at the NHA Central Kitchen located at 1929 Hancock St. San Diego, CA 92110.

Chula Vista's Venga Venga Announces Noches De Venga to Liven Up the Weekends

March 8, 2014

Recently opened by world-renowned celebrity chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval, Venga Venga Cantina and Tequila Bar in Otay Ranch Town Center is spicing up Friday and Saturday nights with the introduction of Noches de Venga. With over 100 tequilas and mezcals offered on the bar menu and an exposed tequila cellar in the spacious lounge area, Venga Venga provides a natural setting for late night dining, drinking and dancing.

Prepkitchen La Jolla Finishes New Patio Just In Time for 5th Anniversary

March 7, 2014

After nearly eight weeks of construction, the wait (and rain) is over as Prepkitchen La Jolla’s unveils a charming new outdoor patio just in time for its Five Year Anniversary.  The spacious, fully-revamped space provides guests with a relaxed setting where they can linger over the artisanal items on Chef Ryan Johnston’s inventive menu.  Offering a quaint respite from the daily grind, the sleek new facade serves as a bridge between the restaurant and the neighboring stores that surround Sycamore Court, an area that has seen little change over the last decade.

Patio, Please - Four Beach Restaurants With Killer Views

March 7, 2014

Whether it’s catching rays on that perfect sunny day, watching the sunset as you sip your Sea Breeze, or dining under a blanket of stars, patios make for a great experience. Need a date location or brunch spot for a group of friends? We’ve got you covered with this list of four amazing beach patios, one to fit every style.

New Restaurant Don Chido Opens This May - Bringing Handcrafted Mexican Cuisine to Downtown San Diego

March 6, 2014

RMD Group, the development and management team behind recognized venues including FLUXX and Side Bar, along with Ken Lovi, founder and CEO of Knotty Barrel Gastropub, and Chef / Partner Antonio Friscia (of Stingaree and formerly Gaijin), announced the May opening of Don Chido, an authentic, stylish Mexican eatery taking over the former Fred's Mexican space in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.  Together, RMD Group, Ken Lovi and renown San Diego chef, Antonio Friscia, create a powerhouse team that will surely elevate the social dining scene in downtown San Diego with their new venue.

Little Italy's Ironside Fish & Oyster Assembles All-Star Culinary Team

March 4, 2014

In partnership with Executive Chef Jason McLeod, CH Projects, the San Diego hospitality group behind such projects as Craft & Commerce, Polite Provisions and the Neighborhood, continues the momentum behind their much anticipated Little Italy concept, Ironside Fish & Oyster, by announcing two new exciting powerhouse chefs to their culinary team - Chef de Cuisine Jose "JoJo" Ruiz (Searsucker, Herringbone, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Tower 23) and Pastry Chef, Donna Antaloczy (Gordon Ramsay at the London New York, Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery, La Jolla Grand Colonial Hotel’s Nine-Ten Restaurant, Rancho Valencia’s Veladora & Pony Bar Restaurant)

Renovations Underway at Former Nick's at the Beach | Set to Reopen as The Local Pacific Beach in Time for Summer 2014

March 3, 2014

The two story standalone restaurant at 809 Thomas Street that Nick's at the Beach occupied for 18 years before closing last December is getting a full gut and overhaul to become The Local Pacific Beach.  Anticipated to open this summer, as early as June, The Local Group is planning a duel concept, with the bottom level to be a more laid back, casual eatery and the upstairs level and patio to cater to PB's more raucous.

North Park's Waypoint Public Announces Highly Anticipated 2014 Brewery Dinner Series | Executive Chef Amanda Baumgarten Partners With Lost Abbey’s Co-Founder Tomme Arthur for Inaugural Beer Dinner

March 3, 2014 

After the success of their Feb. 24 Supper Club at Green Flash Brewery, Waypoint Public thought it best to continue the momentum. On Wednesday, March 12th, North Park’s notable new bistro & beer bar, Waypoint Public, will team up with one of San Diego’s top rated breweries, The Lost Abbey, to kick off the restaurant’s very first dinner for its brand new brewery series. Housed inside of Waypoint’s newly constructed private event space, dubbed “the bear den”, this inaugural event will feature an incredible nine-course lineup by Executive Chef Amanda Baumgarten, paired perfectly to a variety of Lost Abbey’s rarest and most exclusive brews – a handful of which are off the market and will NEVER be reproduced again!

Stone Brewing Co. Introduces Stone Go To IPA | A New Addition to the Stone Year-Round Release Lineup

March 3, 2014

Intensely hopped and big-flavor brews are known to be quite the passion for Stone Brewing Co. Taking another step in their lupulin obsession, the craft beer company is pleased to introduce Stone Go To IPA. This vibrant hop-bursted session IPA is the tenth addition to Stone’s year-round lineup and, starting today, fans will be able to find the new release in 12-ounce bottle six-packs and on draft at retailers in all of the states where Stone beer is distributed.

2014 Adams Avenue Unplugged Announces Festival Artist Line Up | 3rd Annual Event to Take Place April 26 & 27

March 2, 2014

The third annual Adams Avenue Unplugged will feature more than 100 artists performing on 24 stages along a two-mile stretch of Adams Avenue on Saturday, April 26, noon -10pm, and Sunday, April 27, noon-7pm. The event is free and open to the public, and will feature performances staged in participating restaurants, bars, coffeehouses and galleries, as well as four community stages along Adams Avenue.

Zagat Names Bird Rock Coffee Roasters to List of "Hottest Coffee Shops in 15 U.S. Cities"

March 1, 2014

Zagat’s annual “Coffee Week” feature named local San Diego business, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, as one of the “hottest coffee shops in 15 U.S. cities” this week as well as one of the top 10 “perfect cups of coffee in San Diego.” The article say’s that Bird Rock is “a popular spot for locals and visitors and the recipient of many national awards including 2013's top 30 coffee shops by Coffee Review. All coffee drinks are crafted using free-trade beans that are roasted on-site.”

Festival Honors San Diego's Favorite Fish Monger | ReCappin' San Diego Chefs Salute Tommy Gomes

March 1, 2014

San Diego's best chefs love him.  They respect and trust him.  They depend on him.  Tommy Gomes is the face of Catalina Offshore Products, a wholesale and retail fish supplier that stocks more than 30 local restaurants with the freshest seafood in town, but he is so much more than that to so many.  On Sunday, February 23, our culinary community came together to honor him at a delicious event entitled San Diego Chefs Salute Tommy Gomes.  A pair of breweries, a master mixologist, and over 15 area chefs and food purveyors gathered with 100 or so attendees at Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley where Tommy Gomes was paid tribute the best way possible - with a party featuring scrumptious dishes, desserts, craft beers and cocktails!