18th Annual North Park Festival of Arts Returns Saturday, May 17

May 4, 2014

Spend the day with your family and friends exploring the historic North Park neighborhood at the 18th Annual North Park Festival of the Arts, presented by San Diego County Credit Union on Saturday, May 17 from 11am to 6pm on University Avenue between 30th and 32nd Street. This free festival includes an experiential and interactive art area with local artists and galleries, unique vendor booths, food trucks, and five live music stages with performances from local and regional bands and dance groups. Being on the forefront of the art scene, the North Park Festival of the Arts celebrates all types of art forms. There will be something for everyone including the kids, with the Hands-On Arts area offering children the chance to participate in free activities designed to stimulate and inspire their imaginations to create their own masterpieces.  There will be a beer garden with a live music stage, a Plein air art competition, and a juried arts section with local artists showing and selling all forms of art.

The 5th Annual Taste of Cardiff Takes Place Thursday, May 8 | Get Your Tickets then Taste and Sip Your Way Through Cardiff-by-the-Sea

May 3, 2014

Cardiff 101 Main Street presents the 5th Annual Taste of Cardiff on Thursday, May 8 from 5-8pm.  During the annual event, downtown Cardiff will have over 20 unique eateries & 8 sip stops for ticket holders to enjoy.

San Diego Company, Bon Affair, to Appear on ABC’s Shark Tank | Founder Jayla Siciliano Pitches ‘The Sharks’ and their 7.8 Million Viewers on May 9

Bon Affair founder Jayla Siciliano

May 2, 2014

The wine spritzer revolution will be televised on Friday, May 9 when “Self-professed wine connoisseur Kevin O’Leary gives advice to a lady from Solana Beach, CA on her lighter, healthier alternative to a full-bodied wine.” That lady is Jayla Siciliano, founder of Bon Affair wine spritzers from Solana Beach. The top-shelf, lighter option for wine drinkers has had success at Whole Foods, Nordstrom’s and Albertson’s. But expansion costs money, and a deal with the right shark could mean even bigger things for the San Diego-based company.

Top Cinco de Mayo Happenings in San Diego

May 1, 2014

The countdown to Cinco de Mayo has begun and San Diego is getting into the fiesta by offering fun specials surrounding the holiday. Whether it’s a refreshing margarita, .55 street tacos or the first annual Guacamole festival, there is something for everyone to celebrate the festive holiday.

El Agave Blends Traditional With Modern at New Del Mar Plaza Location

May 1, 2014

Owner Juan Carloz Gomez finally unveiled his third restaurant in San Diego with El Agave Del Mar's opening in the beginning of April at the Del Mar Plaza. Like his other two spots (El Agave in Old Town & Iberico Spanish Bistro in La Jolla), El Agave Del Mar boasts a second story view and offers traditional classics with historic recipes. Being that El Agave's version still sits atop my list of favorite moles, and since we're big fans of tequila and sunsets, we chose to avoid our customary 'waiting period' for a new restaurant and stopped in for a first bite when the eatery was only 2 weeks in.

Union Kitchen and Tap Gaslamp Set To Open This Friday | A First Look at the Menu and Interior

April 30, 2014

Set to open this Friday, May 2, Union Kitchen and Tap Gaslamp is the newest venture for proprietor Eric Leitstein. His popular Encinitas restaurant of the same name has been a staple since 2011. The new restaurant, located at 333 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp District, has significantly more square footage than its counterpart to the north. Union Kitchen and Tap Gaslamp features a patio and two huge garage-style doors that open at street level. Armed with an entertainment license, Union Kitchen and Tap Gaslamp will host live music, pairing dinners and more. The space includes two main bars, a charcuterie station, a rolling craft cocktail cart and a separate private dining area which seats 70 with an additional adjacent bar.

Don't Miss Chef Celebration's 4th Annual Artisan Food & Craft Beer Festival at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station This Sunday, May 4!

April 29, 2014

This Sunday, May 4 from 12-3pm, the Chef Celebration series holds its grand finale celebration - the 4th Annual Chef Celebration Artisan Food and Craft Beer Festival at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens – Liberty Station. Sample 12 small-bite courses prepared by local chefs and paired with 12 amazing craft beers carefully selected by Stone Craft Beer Ambassador “Dr.” Bill Sysak with proceeds from ticket sales donated to a special scholarship fund enabling local students to attend courses at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, Calif.

Storyteller's Dinner Experience Heads Back to San Diego for its First All Vegetarian Meal | Sunday, May 4

April 29, 2014

Chef Nick Brune of Eco Caters and Hillcrest’s Local Habit collaborates with Dave Holtze of Green Truck for a special vegetarian meal paired with 5 tracks by musician, BRI, on Sunday, May 4.  This special evening of great food complemented by awesome music is the fourth installment of the popular Storyteller’s Dinner Experience and will take place at Porters Pub in La Jolla.

Just Call Us Volunteers Hosts Bombay Bazaar Fundraiser | An Amazing Indian-Themed Event for a Worthwhile Cause

April 28, 2014

On Sunday, April 27, the SILO at Maker's Quarter was beautifully transformed into an Indian-themed extravaganza for Just Call Us Volunteers' annual fundraiser, this year entitled Bombay Bazaar. Attendees enjoyed delicious bites from some of San Diego's best chefs and vendors, as well as spirits from local cocktail companies and craft beer offerings from San Diego breweries. Other highlights included a hookah lounge, dance performances, a stilt walker, a fire show, a silent and live auction, and hilarious MC'ing by Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien and local food critic, Troy Johnson.

Trot to barleymash for the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” on Saturday, May 3

April 27, 2014 

Join barleymash for its San Diego Derby Party on May 3 from 11am until 4pm. Check out the live bluegrass band during brunch as barleymash rolls out the turf at this paddock-sized party surrounding the Kentucky Derby.  This special event will feature a suit and hat contest, raffle prize giveaways and Derby Day specials on food and drinks.

Baja Beach Bar Opens at the Former Green Flash Location in Pacific Beach

April 26, 2014

Armando's The Green Flash closed on Sunday, April 13 after a nearly 50 year tenancy, and it's new tenant, Baja Beach Bar, owned and operated by the Sunset Restaurant Management Group (owners of Cabo Cantina, PB Cantina, Fiesta Cantina, and others) has already opened its doors. The building is now pink, the outside tables now don festive Margarita glasses, and the notorious 2-for-1 happy hour signs are visibly on display. The once-family oriented restaurant opened this weekend and is ready to turn the corner of Thomas and Ocean Front walk into another rowdy bar scene, this time on the beachfront.

Belly Up Presents 3rd Annual Ocean Commotion Concert on May 13 | An Event to Benefit San Diego Coastkeeper

April 25, 2014

On Tuesday, May 13, San Diego Coastkeeper invites San Diego to rock for a cause at Belly Up’s 3rd Annual Ocean Commotion Concert. Featuring three of the hottest names in local music, the concert for a cause will return to Solana Beach to perform in celebration and support of San Diego’s fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters. Bands include The Barnwell Shift, Lee Koch and The Blue Moonies. 

Rubio’s Hosts 3rd Annual CoastFest on Saturday, May 10 | Free Event Includes Beach Cleanup, Complimentary Food and Drinks, Music Festival, VIP Beer Garden and Educational Components

April 24, 2014

Researchers say the world’s oceans are at a critical point in their existence, from climate changes and ocean acidification, to poor fishing practices and pollution. The actions taken to protect the oceans throughout the next 10 years will determine the state of the oceans for the next 10,000 years. For these reasons and so many more, Rubio’s has counted the ocean as a source of inspiration and resource since the restaurant’s founding more than 30 years ago. On May 10, the brand known for its craveable coastal cuisine and popularizing the fish taco is inviting all Southern California residents to its 3rd annual Rubio’s CoastFest – a free celebration of the ocean complete with beach cleanup, complimentary food and drinks, music festival, VIP beer garden, educational components, activities for attendees of all ages and more in Oceanside, CA.

Green Flash Brewing Co. Announces National Release of Road Warrior Imperial Rye IPA

April 23, 2014

Green Flash announced today the May 2014 national debut of Road Warrior - an Imperial Rye India Pale Ale that is brewed and named to pay tribute to the brewery's tireless national sales team. The hoppy recipe was derived from a popular brew from the 2013 Hop Odyssey series (simply called Imperial Red Rye). This year, Road Warrior is being introduced for the first time as one of the brewery’s three “seasonal” offerings, with availability from May through August.

The Headquarters Hosts San Diego's First SoCal Etsy Guild This Saturday, April 26 from 10am-5pm

April 23, 2014

The Headquarters at Seaport District is introducing the SoCal Etsy Guild Marketplace to San Diego this Saturday, April 26, from 10am til 5pm.  A collection of more than 30 merchants will fill the beautiful outdoor courtyard at The Headquarters offering an array of handmade and vintage items, art and artisanal food.  The day will include live music, working artists and free children’s activities. All products featured at the market will be handmade, vintage, artisanal food or art. This collection of merchants is one you won’t want to miss.

Karl Strauss Sorrento Mesa Now Ready for San Diegans to Come Enjoy a Pint at Fully Remodeled Brewery Gardens

April 22, 2014

Karl Strauss Brewing Company is thrilled to unveil its completely renovated Sorrento Mesa brewery restaurant. Affectionately referred to by the locals as “Brewery Gardens” for its tranquil setting, this hidden gem is located in the San Diego Tech Center and offers a unique beer oasis.

Mario Lopez Is Casting at The Duck Dive This Weekend | April 26 & 27

April 22, 2014

This weekend, April 26 and 27 from 1-6pm, Mario Lopez, known by any child of the '90s as AC Slater, will be at The Duck Dive in Pacific Beach for an open casting call in the search for the next big reality show stars. In association with Via Mar Productions and Gordo Entertainment, the crew is searching for "hot guys and girls, 21 and over who know how to party 'Diego' style." The ad for the casting states that the search is limited to San Diego and "it doesn't matter if your stomping grounds are PB or the Gaslamp, we want you to show the world the true meaning of 'America's Finest City!' If you're ready for the summer of your life, then we want to hear from you!" No word yet on what the show actually is, but we don't think that really matters.