Little Italy’s FESTA Returns for 20th Year on Sunday, Oct. 12 | Annual Street Festival Features Food, Music, and Incredible Chalk Art

October 3, 2014

Little Italy’s FESTA returns for its 20th year on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 10am-6pm, and will feature food, live music, kids’ activities, stickball and bocce ball tournaments, cooking demonstrations, Gesso Italiano chalk art and so much more! This festival is one of the most-visited events in Little Italy, and one of San Diego’s most beloved neighborhood events. Put on annually by the Little Italy Association, it is expected that over 100,000 attendees will fill the streets of Little Italy during FESTA, celebrating their love of all things Italian

San Diego Brewers Guild to Hold San Diego Beer Week Summit on Tuesday, October 7

October 2, 2014

The San Diego Brewers Guild (SDBG) will host the inaugural San Diego Beer Week Summit on Tuesday, October 7, from 4 to 7pm at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina’s ballroom. The presentations will be from 5-6pm with opportunities to network and sample craft beers an hour before and after the event. The invitation-only San Diego Beer Week Summit will feature discussions led by key figures in the local craft beer community on important and trending topics in the industry. In addition, the San Diego Brewers Guild will present the latest updates on San Diego Beer Week, an annual 10-day countywide event scheduled to run November 7 - 16.

Fig Tree Café Commemorates 6th Anniversary with Breakfast Specials on October 9

October 2, 2014

Since Fig Tree Café opened in the fall of 2008 owner Johan Engman has seen his mission to create an inviting and genuine dining experience surpass even his own vision. The original café in Pacific Beach inhabits an old cottage with a dog-friendly patio evocative of breakfast in your own backyard. Since then Fig Tree Café has expanded to three locations that each share a commitment to using homegrown herbs and fresh locally sourced ingredients with a modern, open-kitchen concept.
To celebrate the 6th anniversary of the Pacific Beach-area Fig Tree Café, Engman dreamed up a breakfast dish that represents the restaurant’s contemporary yet simple cuisine and atmosphere. On October 9, at the Pacific Beach location, the aptly named fig and ricotta cheese-stuffed French toast is specially priced at $6 and can be paired with a mimosa for an extra $3. Fig Tree Café in Pacific Beach will also offer two mimosas for $6 all day.

Baja California Culinary Fest and Ensendada Gastronómica Joins Forces to Offer Amazing Line Up of Culinary Experiences | Festivals Expand to Three Regions to Offer Best in Mexican Cuisine

October 1, 2014

For the first time, the Baja California Culinary Fest is teaming up with culinary conference, Ensenada Gastronómica, to present a full five days of mouth-watering excitement and amazing events and tours not to be missed. Guests can pick and choose from a packed schedule of culinary outings and create their own amazing experience. From October 29 to November 2, guests will be able to explore the many flavors of Baja California, Mexico, and discover the local natural resources of the region that are being produced for the rest of the world. Chefs’ dinners, outings, tours and culinary competitions are among the exciting events planned for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. In the past, the event only took place in Tijuana, but has now expanded to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe for 2014.

Taco Selfies at Puesto This Saturday, October 4 | Take a Selfie, Get a Free Taco!

October 1, 2014

This Saturday, October 4, Puesto is inviting guests to take a selfie while eating a Puesto taco and post it on Facebook or Instagram to get one taco taken off their bill (limit one per customer). It's their way of saying thanks to loyal customers who are out to celebrate National Taco Day with the best tacos in San Diego. The selfie promo is available at both the La Jolla and Headquarters locations all day.

Napizza Community Nights Support Local Schools and Charities Every Tuesday Starting in October

October 1, 2014

Locally owned and operated, Napizza, has launched a new program to support its local neighborhoods. Beginning in October, the restaurant will host “Napizza Community Nights” every Tuesday evening from 3-9pm where guests will know their dollars are going farther to support local schools and charities. Co-owners Giulia Colmignoli and Christopher Antinucci have committed to giving 10 percent of all proceeds from Napizza Community Nights to select non-profits.

La Jolla's Roppongi Introduces New Fall-Inspired Dishes and Cocktails

Beef short ribs with horseradish mashed potatoes

October 1, 2014

La Jolla's Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar has introduced an array of new signature dishes and drinks just in time for the fall season. Executive Chef Alfie Szeprethy has created more than 15 new menu items highlighting his award-winning 'New Asian' cuisine, including seasonal selections of tapas, salads, soups and entrées.

Spike Africa's Present East-Coast Inspired Clam Bake for National Seafood Month

October 1, 2014

October is National Seafood Month, and Spike Africa’s is celebrating with a special inspired by the the owner's travels across the country. Spike's is encouraging guests to get their hands dirty with a dish servers will dump right on the table. The East Coast-style Clam Bake special will run all month long and includes a medley of shrimp, crab and mussels, vegetables and potatoes cooked in a seasoned broth and poured on each table in front of seated guests. Diners will be armed with bibs, Old Bay seasoning and hot sauce for the feast. The Clam Bake Special will run for dinner throughout October for $35 per person, with a minimum of two people.

Templeton Rye's Heritage Pork Project Picks Ironside Fish & Oyster to Offer Exclusive Pig-To-Plate Experience | October 6 & 7

September 30, 2014

Templeton Rye, the famed small-batch distillery out of Templeton, Iowa, has chosen 25 of the top chefs around the country, including Ironside Fish & Oyster’s Executive Chef Jason McLeod, to showcase their 25 heritage breed Duroc pigs. Dubbed the Heritage Pork Project, the process began earlier this year when Templeton arranged for 25 Duroc piglets to be raised on a farm near the distillery and fed a specially designed diet that includes spent grain mash from the production of Templeton’s rye whiskey in hopes it will affect the pig’s flavor. On Monday, Oct 6, and Tuesday, Oct. 7, Ironside Fish & Oyster in Little Italy will showcase their prized pig through an elaborate, multi-course family-style menu featuring creations from Executive Chef/Partner Jason McLeod and Chef de Cuisine JoJo Ruiz. From snout-to-tail Ironside’s team will utilize all parts of the pig and plan to complement the dishes with desserts, special breads, and signature cocktails made with Templeton Rye.

San Diego Wine & Food Festival Returns for its 11th Year | Packages and Tickets Now Available

September 30, 2014

The most craveworthy event of the year returns November 16-23 for its 11th year of deliciousness! This Fall, America’s Finest City heats up with vacation packages and getaways to tantalize the taste buds of palates across the country. Over 10,000 food and wine enthusiasts will join Southern California’s largest culinary classic, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, for a week of gourmet experiences and unforgettable epicurean memories. Featuring over 70 of San Diego’s trendsetting chefs and restaurants as well as over 200 wineries, breweries, and spirit purveyors, the weeklong wine and food festival welcomes travelers with multiple Wine Weekend Getaways and VIP packages currently available. Get your tickets now and start planning your experience today.

Quartyard to Break Ground in the East Village on October 1 | New Outdoor Urban Park To Offer Exciting Events and Vendors

September 29, 2014

Quartyard will hold its Ground Breaking Ceremony on Wednesday, October 1, starting at 12:30pm in San Diego's East Village, onsite at the corner of Park and Market. Celebrate the beginning of this transformation from vacant lot into outdoor urban park in the heart of Downtown’s up-and-coming East Village. Open seven days a week, the plaza will offer rotating food trucks, art and fashion shows, film festivals, educational events, local farmers markets, and public and private events. The marketplace will also host social gatherings such as local beer tasting events, fundraisers, private parties, urban explorations, pet-friendly events and so much more. Permanent tenants include Best Beverage Catering, Meshuggah Shack, and S&M, Sausage and Meat (a new food concept from Scott Slater of Slater's 50/50).

15 Days of Pints & Plates | Waypoint Public Celebrates 1 Year in North Park October 1-15 with Special Beer Releases and Pairings!

September 29, 2014

Waypoint Public’s 1 Year Anniversary celebration is geared up to take place October 1-15. Highlighting their commitment and enthusiasm for great food & beer pairings, (recently named one of “The Best New Beer Restaurants” in the U.S. by the nation’s leading beer outlet, Draft Magazine in June of 2014) Waypoint Public’s Brian Jensen (owner of Bottlecraft beer shops in Little Italy & North Park) is curating a lineup of over 15 of the rarest beers he can get his hands on. Waypoint Public will be releasing one beer each day at 4pm, beginning October 1, with a grand finale of three to five very exclusive beers (we’re talking about the super nerdy kind of brews that beer lovers go nuts over) to be tapped on the date of Waypoint’s official anniversary, October 15.

Leroy's Kitchen + Lounge in Coronado to Offer 16 Days of Oktoberfest

September 29, 2014

Originally celebrated in honor of German royalty, today Oktoberfest is a great excuse for people from all over the world to eat, drink, and be merry! While the 16-day celebration in Munich (where the celebration originated) may be a little too far for travel, fortunately for local foodies San Diego is hosting its own slew of events in honor of the German tradition. For an authentic, yet modern take on all things Bavarian hop over the bridge to Coronado and get your Oktoberfest fix at Leroy's Kitchen + Lounge where the island favorite will feature a special prix fixe Oktoberfest Menu courtesy of Executive Chef Tim Kolanko and Executive Pastry Chef Francis Laureano. The special menu will be available during regular dinner service from 5-10pm, between Tuesday, September 30 and Tuesday, October 14.

Popular Pop-Up Supper Club Is Coming to San Diego This Fall | Dinner Lab is Bringing Dinner Series to America's Finest City Starting October 3

September 28, 2014

Dinner Lab is a popular, well-funded, membership-based, traveling pop-up dinner company that "exists to bring people together with new ideas in food."  The company does this by hosting exclusive dinners at obscure locations in various cities throughout the U.S., where they give undiscovered chefs a creative platform to prototype new dishes and ideas through a multi-course, themed dining experience. After the meal, the intrepid diners provide detailed feedback to help the chefs and company iterate and grow. Dinner Lab is backed in large part by investors including Whole Foods, so in addition to being a source for exciting meals, it's really a method in research and development for the upscale food industry. Dinner Lab was first launched in New Orleans, has since spread to 20 cities, and is ready to launch in America's Finest City, hosting its first dinner in San Diego on Friday, October 3 - five courses by culinary vagabond, Chef Ryan Carson of 'Pri-vē.

The 6th Annual Taste of North Park Returns for an Afternoon of Indulgence on Saturday, October 11 from 11-3pm | Win 2 Tickets to Attend

September 28, 2014

Neighborhood tasting season is upon us! The 6th annual Taste of North Park returns for an afternoon of indulgence in one of San Diego's premier dining neighborhoods on Saturday, October 11, from 11am-3pm. Walk along the streets of San Diego’s hippest 'hood while you sample food from North Park’s famous eateries, sip craft brews from San Diego’s best breweries and shop at a wide variety of boutiques and galleries. For one ticket price, participants will enjoy over 40 restaurants and 12 specialty brews. Each restaurant location will offer bite size tastes of house favorites while the galleries and boutiques offer a chance to shop while sipping award winning micro-brews. We have 2 tickets to give away to one of our readers - keep reading and be sure to enter our raffle!

San Diego Restaurant Week Extended | Many Restaurants to Continue to Offer Price Fixed Meals from September 28 to October 3

September 28, 2014

As is usually the case, San Diego Restaurant Week has been extended for another week, with 114 restaurants continuing to offer price fixed, multi-course lunches and/or dinners to patrons from Sunday, September 28 to Friday, October 3.

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill San Marcos to Host Sammy's Social Club with 4 Courses of Brews and Bites | Thursday, October 2

September 27, 2014

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill, located at 121 South Las Posas Road in San Marcos, will present Sammy’s Social Club beer pairing dinner hosted by Alex Peterson, a local brewer from The Lost Abbey and Port Brewing Company, beginning at 7pm on Thursday, Oct. 2. Sammy’s Social Club will offer a four-course beer pairing dinner priced at $40 per person.