SanDiegoVille's Best Bites of 2014 | Our Year in Review

January 7, 2015

Happy New Year 2015!!! Our apologies for the radio silence over the holidays. Every year we venture back east, braving the frigid cold to spend time with family and friends, causing our content to suffer (not to mention our health). But this time also provides us with the opportunity to reflect on all of the deliciousness we have been privileged to enjoy over the year. So without further ado, we present to you SanDiegoVille's Best Bites of 2014. Better late than never!

Curtain Opens with New Ownership at The North Park Theatre and West Coast Tavern

January 6, 2015

Starting off the New Year, The North Park Theatre and West Coast Tavern will be under new ownership as of January 15. Running the show at these popular establishments will be independently operated SD Observatory LLC., who are present owners of The Observatory in Orange County. The North Park Theater and West Coast Tavern were previously owned by David Cohen, Bobby Jones and The Verant Group.

Experience the Winter Bounty of Baja California at Deckman's en el Mogor in Valle de Guadalupe | Saturday, January 10

January 5, 2015

On Saturday, January 10, Deckman’s en el Mogor in Valle de Guadalupe will be hosting a culinary feast! For $100 (USD), guests will be able to dine on a five-course meal, paired with five wines to showcase the winter bounty of Baja California. The intimate 40-person meal will begin at 6:30pm and will be hosted by Chef Drew Deckman and guest chefs Robert Ruiz, Andrew Spurgin and Ryan Steyn. The dinner will include sustainable Baja ingredients with a strong focus on sustainable fisheries.

University Heights' Bourbon Street and Lei Lounge Purchased by Local Restaurateur John Pani

January 4, 2015

Bourbon Street San Diego and neighboring restaurant Lei Lounge in University Heights (4612 & 4622 Park Boulevard) have both been sold by longtime owners, brothers Michael and Bill Weiss. The leases to both locations were purchased by John Pani, founder of hospitality investment and management firm, ELE Collective, who also owns Waypoint Public in North Park and Hotel Vyvant in Little Italy.

Anthony Sinsay Returns Home to San Diego | Welcome Him Back at AD Nightclub's Dinner Club on January 29

January 3, 2015

Although 2014 was great in most regards, there was one thing it lacked. It was the first year since living in America's Finest City where we did not experience the culinary creations of Anthony Sinsay, one of our favorite local chefs. In 2013, Sinsay, a San Diego native, relocated to Los Angeles to lead Brian Malarkey's and Enlightened Hospitality's Herringbone at the Mondrian Hotel. He recently moved back to sunny San Diego, and although his permanent digs are still shrouded in secrecy, he was kind enough to reveal to SanDiegoVille that he will be the guest chef at AD Nightclub's next dinner club on January 29, where diners can experience 5 themed courses entitled An Introspective Look at New York City in the 1980s.

Closing Alert - La Villa and Fish Public Shutter

January 2, 2015

The former Kensington Grill, owned and operated by Tracy Borkum's Urban Kitchen Group, tried a new concept in Fish Public, but lasted only a year and a half, closing on New Year's Eve 2014. Expect the space to be used for a new Cucina location, whether it be an Urbana or Enoteca, we don't know. Another notable closing is La Villa Restaurant & Bar on India in Little Italy. San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood is becoming much less Italian-centric, making it more difficult for restaurants Italiano to succeed. Expect to see more such closings in the future.

Javier Plascencia Mentors on ABC's The Taste

January 2, 2015

On Thursday, January 8, our local celebrity chef Javier Plascencia, known as one of the founders of Baja Med cuisine, will be a guest mentor on ABC’s The Taste, airing at 8pm. He’s handsome, knows how to cook, and his family has built a restaurant empire from Tijuana to San Diego, featuring a specialized Mex-Med brand of cuisine. He’s even been dubbed the ‘Wolfgang Puck’ of border-town cuisine.

Explore the Top Eateries in America's Finest City at the 11th Annual San Diego Restaurant Week | Sunday, January 18 to Saturday, January 24

January 1, 2015

Happy New Year, San Diego! With our ever evolving culinary community, 2015 is going to be the highlight of every food lovers dream, starting with San Diego Restaurant Week. Presented by San Diego County Lexus, celebrate 11 years of culinary excellence as San Diego Restaurant Week offers 7 scrumptious days of discounted dining at some of the county’s finest restaurants! For one week only, Sunday, January 18 through Saturday, January 24, food lovers will be able to eat their hearts out at a large list of participating restaurants, which includes new price options and no reservations necessary.

"Iron Chef Vietnam" Takes the Helm at New San Diego Restaurant | Welcome Sovereign Vietnamese Cuisine to Former Royal Thai Location

December 20, 2014

San Diego is soon to be home to one of Vietnam’s culinary ambassador. Opening in early 2015, Sovereign will take over the former Royal Thai location at 467 5th Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp and will offer a modern twist on Vietnamese cuisine, much more than the pho concepts many expect. This will be the fourth restaurant concept introduced to the San Diego market by restaurateur Alex Thao, known for developing unique Asian-inspired destinations like Rama, Lucky Liu’s and Saja Korean Kitchen. Chef Michael "Bao" Huynh is coming back to the U.S. after spending two years in his treasured home country of Vietnam.

Out With the Old, In With the New and What the Future Holds | The Ultimate List of Restaurant Openings and Closings in 2014 and What’s Coming in 2015

December 19, 2014

We’re not going to narrow down the many, many restaurant openings of 2014 into some dainty list of what we arrogantly deem “best,” because we’ve already explained how we feel about that. But we were inclined to come up with an ultimate rundown of all the openings and unfortunate closings of the year, as well as what we already know to be coming in 2015. Check out our alphabetized list, look up the eateries, plan your visit and let us know if we missed anything!

Pacific Beach's $2.1 Million Waterfront Restaurant Announces Name and Venue Details | Introducing Oceana Coastal Kitchen at Catamaran Resort * Spa

December 18, 2014

Slated to open in early 2015 in Pacific Beach, Oceana Coastal Kitchen is set to feature chef-driven, California comfort cuisine as well as a modern, ocean-inspired design overhaul. The new multi-million dollar restaurant located at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa will soon offer a memorable bayfront dining experience at an iconic Pacific Beach hideaway. Oceana Coastal Kitchen will help elevate the rising culinary scene in the area’s beach community, and will soon be an exciting new destination for locals and visitors alike.

Stella Public House and Halcyon Open in San Diego’s East Village

Photo by Sam Wells

December 17, 2014

San Diego's East Village has welcomed two tested and celebrated culinary concepts to the neighborhood. The modern coffeehouse and cocktail lounge, Halcyon, and its sister restaurant, the local ingredient driven, wood-fired pizza eatery and craft beer tap room, Stella Public House, have opened their doors to the public just in time for the holidays. Located at 1429 Island Avenue, the unique food and drink establishments share a gorgeous 3,000 square foot indoor/outdoor space and a 1,500 square foot patio overlooking downtown’s newest, as-yet-unnamed public park. Stella Public House and Halcyon, which debuted in tandem to rave reviews in San Antonio, Texas last year, now arrive in San Diego under the guidance of the Austin-based investment group Zebo.

Josefas and Iberico Go Dark in La Jolla

December 16, 2014

The dual concept Josefas Cocina Mexicana and Iberico Restaurant in La Jolla have both closed. The second floor eateries located at 909 Prospect Street were owned by the group behind El Agave restaurants. In mid-November, the restaurant partnership allegedly dissolved, with the owners of the Old Town eatery taking the longstanding El Agave name and brand and leaving the more recent Del Mar location, Mola Gastro Bar, Iberia and Josefas (which only opened September 2014) on their own. There is no word yet on what will come of the Del Mar El Agave, as they are supposed to change their name and branding by year's end. We'll keep you informed on what happens and who takes over the prime spot in La Jolla. El Agave in Old Town is still thriving and will continue with the same level of service and quality of food that it has since 1996.

Air Conditioned Lounge Debuts San Diego's Only LED Touch-Activated Dance Floor

December 15, 2014

Just in time for the holidays, The Air Conditioned Lounge has recently renovated their VIP room from floor to ceiling. This legendary bar and nightclub known for great music and service has revamped its private room with a personal craft beer tap, disco balls hanging from the ceiling and San Diego’s only LED touch-activated dance floor (just like a Michael Jackson music video)! Think 70s mod meets 80s dance party. The perfect intimate setting for Christmas and New Year’s parties, the option to order bottle service assures that guests never have to leave the party to order their cocktail of choice.

S&M Sausage and Meat Launches Happy Hour

December 14, 2014

Want to watch PETA protestors while getting a deal on delicious cocktails and exotic meats? North Park's S&M Sausage and Meat recently launched a great Happy Hour Monday - Friday from 3-6pm featuring $2 OFF of ANY drink and a free strip of savory house made bacon (flavors rotate daily at Chef's whim and include Honey Sriracha, Garlic Parmesan Rosemary, Sesame Soy, Hickory and Honey Mustard). Check out some photos of the cocktail specials and stop in and enjoy. 

New Menu Items at The Blind Burro, Puesto and Zymology 21

December 13, 2014

With 2014 wrapping up, local chefs are creating new and innovative dishes and drinks for everyone to enjoy during the holidays and into the new year! We've rounded up some new and exciting menu items from The Blind Burro, Puesto and Zymology 21, from shrub cocktails to lobster scampi. Keep reading and go grab one of these tasty treats for yourself. 

Big Bay Balloon Parade to Liven up North Harbor Drive on December 26

December 13, 2014

The San Diego waterfront will come alive on Friday, December 26, when the 24th annual Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade makes its way down North Harbor Drive. Kicking off at 3pm in front of the County Administration Building, the parade proceeds south on North Harbor Drive and ends where North Harbor Drive meets Pacific Highway, near Seaport Village. This year's parade theme is "Forever Young" and the grand marshal is Meb Keflezighi, the Eritrean-born American long distance runner. Keflezighi is a San Diegan, having attended Memorial Academy and San Diego High School and was a silver medalist in the 2004 summer Olympic Games and won this year's Boston Marathon, the first American male to do so since 1983.