Giving Back to San Diego With Pride | The Rob Benzon Foundation Celebrates its Fifteenth Annual Pride “LAUNCH” Party on Friday, July 18 from 6-10pm

July 4, 2014

The Rob Benzon Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) organization, has been hosting its annual Pride kick-off event for fifteen years now. Starting out as a back yard party, the event has grown to be known as one of San Diego’s premier Pride events. Taking place on Friday, July 18, from 6 to 10pm at the historic Burnham house on the edge of Balboa Park, the event will include a hosted bar, bites from area restaurants and a silent auction, all to benefit the longstanding charitable efforts of the foundation. SanDiegoVille has 2 general admission tickets for one lucky reader. Enter below and we'll contact the winner by email no later than July 17!

Enter for a chance to win 2 passes to the Rob Benzon Foundation Pride Kick Off on Friday, July 18!

Win Passes and Save on Tickets to Hess Brewing's 4th Anniversary Party | HessFest is Taking Over North Park on Saturday, July 19

July 3, 2014

Celebrate 4 years of delicious beer at Mike Hess Brewing's 4 year anniversary party, taking over Grim Avenue in North Park on Saturday, July 19! Enjoy some of Hess Brewing's favorite local breweries and eateries, including special collaboration brews and casks, as well as live music, great folks and excellent vibes. SanDiegoVille is offering $10 savings on GA tickets, as well as raffling off 2 general admission passes to the festivities. Entering our contest is easy - input your email below to enter, and we'll contact the winner no later than July 16!

Enter for a chance to win 2 passes to Hess Brewing's 4 Year Anniversary Party!

Karl Strauss Caps 64-medal Winning Streak with Gold Medal For Mosaic Session Ale

July 3, 2014

Karl Strauss Brewing Company’s pioneering new beer release, Mosaic Session Ale, is batting a thousand in beer competitions.  The unique single-hop brew boldly features Mosaic hops and was born out of the company’s innovative small-batch “Tank Tap” program.  The beer won a Gold medal at the California State Fair Commercial Craft Brew Competition and a Bronze at the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition.

San Diego's Third Annual Sausage Fest Returns July 16 | Local Chefs Compete in Master of Meat Showdown July 16 at Hotel Solamar

July 2, 2014

This July, expect great meat, craft brews, and a cure for the daily grind at LOUNGEsix, the rooftop terrace atop Hotel Solamar. On July 16 from 5:30-8:30pm, celebrate the start of summer with Jsix Restaurant when the annual San Diego Sausage Fest returns, as ten of the city’s meat masters will attempt to cut the competition for rights to the best sausage in town. In this outrageous cook-off, chefs will enter and prepare their favorite sausage recipes, from the unique to traditional, and present to the public for a winning vote. See who will be burnt in the pit and who will smoke the competition.

Win Passes and Save on Tickets to the ¡LATIN FOOD FEST! Grand Tasting Village | Taking Place Saturday, September 13, at the Embarcadero Marina Park North

July 1, 2014

It’s almost impossible to sample every delicious Hispanic flavor the San Diego region has to offer, that is unless you attend the ¡LATIN FOOD FEST! Grand Tasting Village on Saturday, September 13, from 11am-3pm! With tents stretching across the Embarcadero Marina Park North on the San Diego bay front, taste a variety of local and international wine, spirits, food, and beer. Best of all – the food and drink samples are unlimited! Join the hottest Latin culinary stars, 100+ restaurants, chefs, artisan food makers, brewers and winemakers for the largest and most attended Latin culinary event in California – with a huge savings exclusively for the SanDiegoVille audience! We're also raffling off 2  tickets to the event! Just enter your email below.

Enter for a chance to win 2 tickets to the ¡LATIN FOOD FEST! Grand Tasting Village on Saturday, September 13!

4th of July Menu Items From Around San Diego

June 30, 2014

As everyone’s favorite summer celebration draws near, the San Diego's best hotels and restaurants are gearing up for the 4th of July with menus to match! Summer inspired cocktails, entrees and desserts will be specially prepared for this holiday weekend. For those seeking the perfect meal with a little patriotic flare, below you'll find some of the top 4th of July destinations with unbeatable views and the best menu items.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Hosts Jason Latimer, World Champion of Magic | New summer live show experience “Perception: See Beyond the Illusion” July 5 through August 31

June 29, 2014

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and the World Champion of Magic, Jason Latimer, have teamed up to produce “Perception: See Beyond the Illusion,” a one-of-a-kind show that combines magic and science to create effects that no one thought could ever exist. “Perception: See Beyond the Illusion” starts July 5 and goes through August 31 with two shows every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 to 4:30pm. Viewers will experience effects such as shaping water, bending light, walking through solid objects, gravity-defying liquids and countless other illusions all rooted in applied science.

Big Bite Bacon Fest Takes Over The San Diego County Fair on Saturday, July 5 | Win 2 Passes to Attend!

June 28, 2014

The Big Bite Bacon Fest is taking over the San Diego County Fair again this summer with its second annual debut, presented by Albertsons/Sav-on, on July 5.  The Big Bite Bacon Festival has your bacon cravings covered with bacon inspired cuisine, cook-offs, beer tastings, entertainment, pageants, games and even a bacon-themed wedding! SanDiegoVille is raffling off two general admission passes to the dinner session (a $110 value) - just enter below!

Enter to win 2 passes to the dinner session of the Big Bite Bacon Fest, taking place Saturday, July 5 from 5:30-8:30pm

Trader Joe's in Pacific Beach Plans Move to Bigger Location in 2015

June 28, 2014

The Trader Joe's in Pacific Beach currently located at 1211 Garnet Avenue has plans to relocate slightly east to 1650 Garnet Ave into the shopping area where Staples and CVS was located prior to closing a couple weeks ago. The complex on the 1600 block of Garnet has some structural issues, which will require a total demolition and rebuild. Expect Trader Joe's to "seamlessly transition" into its new space after construction is completed in or around the summer of 2015. Rumor has it that a Walgreens will take over the adjacent CVS space.

Don Chido to Open in the Gaslamp on Monday, June 30 | Chef Antonio Friscia and RMD Group Bring Baja-Inspired Mexican to Downtown San Diego

June 27, 2014

From 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 Noodle House), Don Chido will officially open to the public on Monday, June 30. An authentic, stylish, Mexican eatery taking over the former Fred's Mexican location in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, Don Chido will surely elevate the social dining scene in downtown San Diego.

Running of the Bulls | A Celebration of Spanish Cuisine in 5 Wine Paired Courses at The Patio on Lamont on July 1

June 26, 2014

In celebration of Spain’s traditional “Running of the Bulls” from July 6 - 14, wine aficionados and food lovers alike can rejoice with The Patio on Lamont’s wine dinner featuring 5 courses of vibrant Spanish cuisine  upcoming, taking place on Tuesday, July 1 at 5:30pm.  Featuring dishes such as Pato con Melocotones with Duck Prosciutto and an Heirloom Peach salad, Manilla Clams with Spanish Chorizo and Butter braised Leeks and a sweet dessert of Crema Catalana Custard, each course is paired with hand-selected wine from Northern Spain.

San Diego’s 6 Best Grown-Up Versions of the Food You Ate as a Kid

June 26, 2014

Growing up, you loved ‘em. From popsicles to sugary breakfast cereals, some foods are just for kids. Check out the local bars and restaurants putting an adult twist on these back-in-the-day favorites. The evolution of these dishes will please grown-ups with a blast from the past. San Diegans both young and old delight with these interpretations of childhood favorites.

Save on San Diego Concerts, Sporting Events and Even Tickets to the Zoo By Using ScoreBig.com | New Online Bidding Service Guarantees You Save Money on Tickets

June 26, 2014

Think StubHub meets Priceline and you'll get ScoreBig. ScoreBig.com enables consumers to get great tickets for live sports, concert and theater events and even access to attractions like Legoland, SeaWorld, Aquatica Water Park, Old Town Trolley Tours and even the famed San Diego Zoo - at guaranteed savings of up to 60 percent. Customers pick their own price on seats or tickets from the floor to the rafters, always pay less than box office prices, and never pay any additional fees.

Bottega Americano to Bring Innovative Dining Concept to San Diego’s East Village in August | New Foodery will Blend European Open-Air Market Experience with Full-Service Dining

June 25, 2014

Bottega Americano — an Italian-inspired restaurant and specialty food marketplace — is set to open at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego’s East Village this August. This restaurant-meets-market concept inspired by top tier food halls, restaurants and markets around the world, will invite guests to explore new ways to dine: from dining in-house at communal tables surrounded by vibrant food bars to purchasing freshly prepared foods and specialty items to go.

Tacos Perla Arrives in North Park Just in Time for Summer | Friendly Service and Happy Tacos Define New Fast-Casual, San Diego Eatery

June 24, 2014

Now open in San Diego’s vibrant North Park neighborhood is Tacos Perla, a fast-casual, social dining experience from LWP Group, Inc., creators of The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma. Located at 3000 Upas Street in the new, Jonathan Segal-designed North Parker building, Tacos Perla guests can expect delicious, accessible cooking showcasing colorfully presented street tacos with big flavors, house-made tortillas and the best local and regional ingredients.

It Just Keeps Getting Better | The Del Mar Summer Solstice Welcomes Summer With A Beautiful Evening of Noshing, Imbibing and Dancing On The Pacific Coast

June 24, 2014

We've said it before and we'll say it again, the Del Mar Summer Solstice is atop our list of favorite San Diego epicurian events. It's a microcosm of everything a food festival should include - delicious food, upbeat music, visual and live entertainment, craft beer, fine wine, local spirits - all culminating in an enchanting evening at a gorgeous beachside park. In reality, we've attended a wide spectrum of food, beer, wine and charity events this city has to offer, perhaps the vast majority, and none have topped this year's Summer Solstice at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar, which took place this past Thursday, June 19.

The 2nd Annual Heroes Brew Fest Returns to San Diego During Comic-Con on Saturday July 26 | SanDiegoVille Readers Have a Chance to Win 2 Passes

June 23, 2014

The superhero-themed Heroes Brew Craft Beer Festival returns to the Embarcadero North on Saturday, July 26 from 3-7pm, featuring Comic-Con crowds dressed to the nines in their favorite costumes while enjoying local craft beer alongside San Diego's Downtown Harbor. The beer festival features more than 80 craft beers, along with food trucks, a costume contest and even a live performance by Vokab Kompany on a solar powered stage. Enter SanDiegoVille's raffle for a chance to win 2 GA tickets to the event - just input your email below!

Enter for a chance to win 2 passes to Heroes Craft Brew Fest, taking place Saturday, July 26!