Kettner Exchange Unveils in Little Italy | Get Your First Look Inside

October 29, 2014

The long-awaited Kettner Exchange opens its doors at 2001 Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy today at 5pm. From the crew behind Vin de Syrah and Analog downtown and Firehouse in Pacific Beach, owner and restaurateur Matt Spencer introduces his newest 2 story bar and restaurant concept, boasting progressive American cuisine by Chef Brian Redzikowski and a unique menu of craft cocktails. This $3.6 million project is two years in the making and will have multiple niches for dining and lounging, including the only rooftop lounge and patio in Little Italy with views to San Diego Bay.

Iron Pig Alehouse to Open in Pacific Beach on Thursday, October 30 | A First Look at San Diego's Newest BBQ & Craft Beer Destination

October 28, 2014

A barbecue and craft beer haven is about to heat up the scene in the heart of San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood. Iron Pig Alehouse will open to the public on Thursday, October 30 at 1520 Garnet Avenue serving authentic, slow-cooked, smoked, Texas-style barbecue coupled with an extensive craft beer program. Get your first look inside PB's barbecue and craft beer hotspot and start salivating over the menu!

Chefs Chad White and Hanis Cavin Team Up for 5 Courses of Porky Pleasure on November 13 at Común Kitchen and Tavern

October 28, 2014

On November 13, Común Kitchen and Tavern continues its monthly dinner series where Chef Chad White invites a guest chef to team up with him in preparing a multi-course, price fixed meal for ticketed guests. Entitled Mi Casa Su Casa, the next event will be a pork bonanza as Chef Hanis Cavin of Carnitas' Snack Shack will join Chef Chad for 5 courses of piggy pleasure. This is a meal not to be missed.

A Tribute to Local Food Producers at The Red Door's Inaugural Farmers, Friends and Fishmongers 4-Course Dinner | Tuesday, November 4

October 27, 2014

The first in a quarterly series of events designed to galvanize the local food community takes place next Tuesday, November 4, at 5:30pm at The Red Door Restaurant & Wine Bar. Located at 741 W Washington St. in Mission Hills, The Red Door is a restaurant that takes farm-to-table to the highest level, with all ingredients sourced locally and using all meats that are humanely raised. To that end, they're hosting Farmers, Friends and Fishmongers, an intimate dinner series designed to educate the community about who is producing their local food.

Oggi’s New Vista Location to Host Grand Opening Football Celebration on Sunday, November 2

October 26, 2014

Oggi’s will celebrate its newly opened Vista location with a grand opening football party on November 2. Festivities at the newly opened 18th Oggi's location will kick off at 9:30am with raffle prizes including a LaDainian Tomlinson signed jersey, LaDainian Tomlinson signed mini helmet, t-shirts, pint glasses and Oggi’s gift cards. Each guest wearing a football jersey will receive a free order of Oggi’s Stix-pizza dough topped with parsley, mozzarella and parmesan cheese as well as enjoy $5 Oggi’s beers and Bloody Marys throughout the day. The Mighty 1090 street team will also be on hand to give away even more items.

Celebrate Halloween at These Nine Delicious San Diego Spots!

RA Sushi's Black Widow Roll

October 25, 2014

“When witches go riding, and black cats are seen…the moon laughs and whispers, ‘tis near Halloween…” No one knows who said that famous 19th century quote, but fast-forward to Halloween 2014 with our list of haunted happenings from San Diego’s bars and restaurants! Check them out and make your Halloween spooky in a delicious way with these trickless treats!

Hakkasan Group Announces New Concept for Stingaree in Downtown San Diego | Omnia San Diego to Open in Spring 2015

October 24, 2014

Earlier this year, global hospitality company, the Abu Dhabi based Hakkasan Group, bought a majority stake in James Brennan and Brian Malarkey's Enlightened Hospitality Group (Searsucker, Herringbone etc.), which included taking ownership of Stingaree nightclub in downtown San Diego. After much anticipation, Hakkasan Group has announced Omnia San Diego will open in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter in Spring 2015, replacing Stingaree.  The announcement of Omnia to San Diego comes shortly after Hakkasan announced the flagship location to take over Pure Nightclub in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Javier Plascencia's Bracero to Bring Mexican to Little Italy | Construction Starts Soon for Planned Spring 2015 Opening

October 23, 2014

Chef Javier Plascencia's upcoming Little Italy eatery, Bracero: Cocina Mexicana de Raiz, will start construction at the end of the month. Set to open in Spring 2015, the newest restaurant from the well-seasoned Chef Plascencia will be located at the Ariel Suites in Little Italy and feature multiple dining levels to cater to both casual and fine dining, each including a bar, kitchen and patio and a focus on Mexican spirits, wine and modern Baja fare.

All Treat, No Trick: Karl Strauss Peanut Butter Cup Porter is Back, And This Time In Bottles

Peanut Butter Cup Porter Float, anyone?

October 23, 2014

Just in time for Halloween, Karl Strauss Brewing Company is bringing back its cult-favorite, Peanut Butter Cup Porter. The company is pleased to announce that for the first time, a ridiculously limited amount of the beer will be available in 22oz bottles, in addition to draft offerings in select accounts. Originally brewed as the company’s San Diego Beer Week beer in 2012, Peanut Butter Cup Porter was an instant hit, garnering praise from raving fans across the region. This year, Karl Strauss has ramped up production, more than doubling the amount of beer brewed.

Parq Restaurant & Nightclub to Host Grand Opening Celebration This Saturday, October 25 | Get Your First Look Inside San Diego's Newest Venue

October 23, 2014

Parq Restaurant & Nightclub will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, October 25, from 8-11pm. Celebrities and San Diego notables will savor menu items at Parq Restaurant created by Executive Chef Errol LeBlanc. After dessert, guest will move on to Parq Nightclub and enjoy a musical set by DJ Shift. Rumor has it the Parq grand opening will be attended by numerous celebrities including Jamie Pressly, Karina Smirnoff and Wilmer Valderrama.

Southpaw Social Club Closes in the East Village

October 22, 2014

It looks like Southpaw Social Club is the latest victim to the "curse of Petco." The ballpark-adjecent project from Good Time Designs is the most recent project to fall flat in a location where one would think it would thrive. The eatery announced on its website that it will no longer be open starting today. Good Time Designs is shopping the space, and we'll let you know who picks it up. We're sad to see Southpaw go, as it was a pretty rad bar with great beer and elevated bar food.

Top of the Market Continues to Exude Excellence After 25 Years | Landmark Restaurant Offers Seafood at its Finest with Views to Match

October 22, 2014

Top of the Market truly is one of those establishments that offers subdued elegance without pretense. It can be as casual or luxurious as you choose to make it with consistently amazing food and a staff eager to please. Nothing is overly complex or unapproachable, rather simply fresh and fine ingredients are prepared perfectly by a seasoned chef and well trained crew. We recently revisited this San Diego landmark for a four course tasting menu prepared by Executive Chef Ivan Flowers and thoroughly enjoyed one of the most delicious meals we've had in a long time. Get ready to salivate.

Draft Mission Beach Introduces New Seasonal Menus

October 22, 2014

Draft in Mission Beach has introduced their new breakfast and fall menus designed by Executive Chef Brad Wise to complement the season’s freshest fare.  Draft’s new menus features casual, handcrafted fare and an array of new items from enticing appetizers and starters like the Short Rib Jar with smoked mashed potatoes and Papas Bravas with spicy mayo, as well as an assortment of entrées, such as the Pastrami Reuben served with on rye bread with gruyere cheese. Their new breakfast menu features innovative items such as their Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with cream cheese whipped cream and their Loco Moco – 2 eggs with an Angus beef patty, gravy and fried rice.

Rosarito Beach Hotel to Host Steak & Lobster Festival | Sunday, October 26

October 22, 2014

The seaside Mexican resort, Rosarito Beach Hotel & Spa, located 30 miles south of San Diego, is known for a number of things - its iconic hotel, being the location for the movie "Titanic" and world-famous Puerto Nuevo-style lobster, among them. On Sunday, October 26, from noon to 7pm, the Rosarito Beach Hotel will combine surf with turf when it hosts in its oceanfront gardens the Steak & Lobster Festival, with Mexican music, dance and food from 10 area restaurants. Admission is free and a plate of lobster, steak and drink costs only $20!

College Area to Get New, Weekly Farmers Market | Wednesdays from 2-6pm

October 22, 2014

The San Diego State University neighborhood, aka the 'College Area,' is getting a new, weekly farmers market starting next Wednesday at the College Avenue Baptist Church. The market will offer farm fresh produce from area farmers as well as prepacked goods and prepared food. The College Area Farmers Market will take place weekly on Wednesdays from 2-6pm.

The San Diego Natural History Museum Presents the 2014 Best of Nature Photography Show

Cheryl Strahl Annas Hummingbird

October 21, 2014

The San Diego Natural History Museum will be opening the 2014 Best of Nature Photography Show, a new photography exhibition, this Saturday, October 25. The exhibition, free with paid admission, is a result of an international photography contest and will contain 74 nature-based works from extremely talented artists, both amateur and professional. The new photography exhibition will remain on view through February 1, 2015.

Clean the Bay Day Takes Over South Shores Park on Saturday, October 25

October 20, 2014

San Diego Coastkeeper and SeaWorld Cares are teaming up for the 3rd annual Mission Possible: Clean the Bay Day on Saturday, October 25, from 8-11am. Mission Possible beat its own record in 2013 by removing more than 561 pounds of trash polluting Mission Bay. This weekend brings the annual land and water cleanup event back to South Shores Park. People come in boats, kayaks, paddleboards and on foot to incorporate what makes the bay enjoyable into how they help clean it. Last year over 200 volunteers came out and removed nearly six hundred pounds of trash from the beach, park, and waters around South Shores Park