Explore the World Locally at the Inaugural San Diego Travel Festival | Win 2 Passes for the September 12-14 Weekend Event

September 3, 2014

The number one activity listed on bucket and wish lists around the world is “travel." Some want to see the northern lights, others may just want to spend a weekend in San Diego. In 2014 alone, more that 33 million people will enjoy travel throughout San Diego - one of the top destinations in the US, so it’s no surprise that Travel Festivals International chose America's Finest City as its new market for their rapidly-growing annual festival. From September 11-14, don't miss the inaugural San Diego Travel Festival and explore the spirit of adventure with no packing required! Enter to win 2 weekend passes below and read on for all the details on this exciting new event.

Enter for a chance to win 2 all-access passes (9/12-14) to the San Diego Travel Fest!

Displaced Donovan Prime Steakhouse Takes Over the Steakhouse at Azul Location in La Jolla

September 2, 2014

After nearly two decades in business, The Brigantine Group's Steakhouse at Azul has closed for good, with the seaside location being sold to Donovan's for a revival of Donovan's Prime Steakhouse La Jolla, which was recently displaced from its UTC location. Azul posted the news on its website today. No word yet on when Donovan's will move into the prime space at 1250 Prospect St.

The Unconfirmed | Wheat & Water To Take Over Bella Roma Pizza in La Jolla

September 2, 2014

We all too frequently see announcements of coming restaurants that never come to fruition (Roosterfish for example), but in the interest of sharing information, it's better to reveal than conceal. The latest unconfirmed rumor sourced from social media is that the former site of Bella Roma Pizza and Restaurant, located at 5737 La Jolla Blvd. in Bird Rock/La Jolla, will soon be the location of Wheat & Water, which describes itself on its Facebook Page as "Stylishly urban design meets seaside neighborhood vibe...Wood-fired pizza + charcuterie + #CraftBeer." We also see on its Instagram that it is planning quite the elaborate sour beer collection.

Pacific Beach Ciro's Pizzeria & Beerhouse To Close | Location to Become Crushed With Former Partner to Open BBQ Spot Nearby

September 2, 2014

We're sad to report that one of our favorite beer bars and pizzerias, Ciro's Pizzeria & Beerhouse in Pacific Beach, will soon close and the location will transition to Crushed, which is rumored to be an all-day-brunch restaurant concept linked (to some extent) to PB's Bub's Dive Bar.

San Diego Top Chefs to Raise Awareness for Domestic Violence at Iron-Chef Style Competition at the 10th Annual Chef Showdown | Thursday, September 18

September 1, 2014

Center for Community Solutions (CCS) will host the 10th Annual Chef Showdown on Thursday, September 18, from 6-9pm at an exciting new venue - the San Diego Harley Davidson on Morena Boulevard. The annual fundraising event kicks off Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is held in October throughout the country. This one-of-a-kind culinary event will benefit the programs and services of CCS, a San Diego nonprofit that provides advocacy, legal support, healing and prevention services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. In addition to offering tastes from some of the area's best eateries, the event highlights San Diego top chefs participating in an “Iron Chef” style competition where two teams of chefs and mixologists will compete using a secret ingredient and their dishes must pass muster in front of 8 judges.

Win Tickets to The Lodge at Torrey Pines 12th Annual Celebrate the Craft Culinary Festival | Sunday, October 12

August 31, 2014

On Sunday, October 12, from 11:30am to 3pm, The Lodge at Torrey Pines will host its 12th annual Celebrate the Craft, a longstanding culinary tradition that showcases the region’s best chefs, produce, wine, and beer, all taking place on the picturesque Arroyo Terrace for a day of indulgence overlooking Torrey Pines Golf Course. SanDiegoVille has 2 tickets to attend for one of our readers (a $250 value) - input your email below to enter our raffle and keep reading for all the details on the event!

Enter for a chance to win 2 tickets to the 12th annual Celebrate the Craft

Southpaw Switches It Up | New Menu, Nightly Craft Beer Special, GM, and Chef Shuffle

Bacon wrapped meat balls

August 31, 2014

Southpaw Social Club, a Good Time Design (GTD) venue located in East Village with a back patio overlooking Petco Park, has announced several exciting changes including, a new menu, new management team, an internal chef shuffle and a nightly 2-for-1 craft beer program. These changes were brought on by feedback from customers and GTD refining the concept in preparation for future expansion.

MasterChef Season 6 to Hold Open Casting Call in San Diego on Saturday, September 13

August 30, 2014

Do you have a passion for cooking and think you have what it takes to compete against some of the best home cooks in America?!? FOX's MasterChef is now casting for Season 6 of the popular culinary competition and will be traveling to 11 cities to meet the best home cooks in America, with a stop in San Diego on Saturday, September 13!

Table No. 10 is Where You Should Eat Tonight | East Village Corner Elevates Itself To One of City's Best

August 29, 2014

San Diego's East Village is quickly becoming one of the premier dining destinations in the city, and Table No. 10 may just be the best in show. Heck, based upon our experience, it's one of the top spots in all of America's Finest City. Embracing the historic industrial charm of the area with an exciting bi-level design and complementing the ambiance with elevated culinary techniques and artful presentation, the eatery is as approachable as fine dining can get, offering elegant and beautifully prepared dishes that don't come with a side of pretense.

The Patio on Lamont Hosts 5 Course Pirate's Feast | September 2

August 29, 2014

The Patio on Lamont will host A Pirate’s Feast on Tuesday, September 2 at 5:30pm as part of the neighborhood restaurant’s monthly wine dinner series. This five-course pairing dinner will highlight island cuisine from the colorful Caribbean countries of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. The menu is made up of authentic island-inspired dishes including Mofongo, Ropa Vieja, Jerk Shrimp Skewers, and Haitian Griots, with a delicious Rum Cake for dessert. Each course is expertly paired with a complimentary wine.

Hilton San Diego Del Mar Announces Completion of Multimillion Dollar Renovation

August 28, 2014

Hilton San Diego Del Mar announced the completion of its multimillion dollar renovation this week. Funded by Wheelock Street Capital and Sage Hospitality, the hotel's completed renovation includes the lobby, business center, fitness center, restaurant, meeting spaces and all 257 guest rooms. The property is the closest hotel to the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack and is situated less than a mile from San Diego’s pristine beaches.

Win 2 Tickets to Green Flash Brewing Co.'s Treasure Chest Fest to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure San Diego | Saturday, September 6

August 28, 2014

Green Flash Co-Founder, Lisa Hinkley, is celebrating 4-years breast cancer free and she and the entire Green Flash organization are thrilled to celebrate at the 4th annual Treasure Chest Fest on Saturday, September 6, from noon to 6pm. This is the brewery's largest and most anticipated rare beer event of the year and serves as a fundraiser for local breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure San Diego. A celebration of craft beer and local culinary talent, this event provides attendees the opportunity to sample from an exceptional lineup of rare, barrel aged and one-of-a-kind cask beers, as well as a hand-selected lineup of local chefs and artisan food purveyors that offer an array of perfect small plate pairings to complement each beer. SanDiegoVille has a pair of passes to this amazing event - submit your email below to enter our raffle!

Enter for a chance to win 2 tickets to Green Flash's Treasure Chest Fest 2014!

Twisted Manzanita Ales Tasting Room Coming Soon to Pacific Beach

August 28, 2014

Twisted Manzanita Ales has tapped the former Surf Indian space in Pacific Beach as the spot for their 2nd tasting room. Located at 4652 Mission Boulevard, the location intends to open mid-September (shooting for 9/12) and will offer flights, pints and take-out brews, including kegs and growler fills. The original brewery and tasting room will continue in Santee.

Enjoy Labor Day Brunch at barleymash this September 1

August 28, 2014

Take advantage of the three-day weekend and celebrate the unofficial end of summer at barleymash. On Monday, September 1, the Gaslamp hot spot is open early for Labor Day brunch. Doors open at 10am and brunch features favorites like the Angry Orchard Bread Pudding French Toast, the Double Battered Chicken-Fried Steak and the popular Skyy Vodka Bloody Mary Bar. Before the Padres take on the Diamondbacks at 1pm, sit back with a cocktail or two before heading over to Petco Park. Don’t have tickets to the game? Hang around, barleymash has 35 flat screen TVs for optimal viewing and prime proximity to the bar.

A Tasty and Cultural Preview of Thai Restaurant Week | Enjoy 15% Discount at More than 30 San Diego Eateries September 1-7

August 27, 2014
By Megan Gallagher | SanDiegoVille Contributor

On Friday, August 15, the Thai Trade Center of Los Angeles, the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Thai Restaurant Association of San Diego hosted a night of fine dining as part of their latest campaign “Thai Food for Health.” The event was not only a great opportunity to sample traditional Thai dishes from some of the best Thai restaurants in San Diego County, but was an interesting glimpse into Thai culture. It also served as a preview event for Thai Restaurant Week, taking place September 1-7, across San Diego and the United States.

Jsix brings Us Wednesday Friends-Day | Starting September 3

Italian sliced meat sandwich

August 27, 2014

Having friends does have its benefits! Starting September 3, guests can grab a friend or co-worker and head to Jsix for their new Wednesday Friends-Day lunch. Every Wednesday from 11:30am-3pm, guests can bring in a friend and their lunch is on Jsix. How does it work? One simply goes to Jsix's Facebook page and snags the "Wednesday Friends-Day" password. Once at Jsix, the guest must mention the password to their server and Jsix will pick up the tab of one entrée.

Counterpoint Celebrates Labor Day Weekend with Final Smokehouse Sunday | August 31

August 27, 2014

This Sunday, August 31, Counterpoint in Golden Hill will mark the “unofficial end of summer” by hosting the last of its weekly Smokehouse Sunday series.  Perfect for those who want an elevated, yet relaxed take on the typical backyard barbecue - the final meal by Chef Rose Peyron will feature House made smoked summer sausage, grilled summer vegetables over a cream corn puree, finished off with a smoked vanilla ice cream with stone fruit and a stone fruit glaze.  The grill will be heated up starting at 3pm and the meal costs $20 per person.