Bartender Shake-Up | Award-Winning Bartender Eric Johnson Joins Juniper & Ivy And Sarah Ellis Takes His Place At Sycamore Den

March 22, 2015

Local cocktail curator Eric Johnson will be leaving Sycamore Den and joining the team at Little Italy hotspot Juniper & Ivy as the restaurant’s new bar manager. Johnson's longtime friend Sarah Ellis will take his place as bar manager at Sycamore Den. Ellis first tended bar alongside Johnson at lauded Noble Experiment and El Dorado - and both were trained under celebrated cocktail guru Sam Ross of New York City’s Milk & Honey.

Celebrate San Diego's Vibrant Outdoor Lifestyle at Westfield UTC's Inaugural Weekend Escape | March 28 & 29

March 21, 2015

Want inspiration for living the good life? On the weekend of March 28-29, Westfield UTC will host its inaugural Weekend Escape - a two day discovery that celebrates San Diego’s vibrant outdoor lifestyle and aims to inspire the community to rejuvenate its health and fitness regimen, perk up its surroundings at home and rediscover the local landscape. Guests will enjoy free activities for the whole family throughout the center and Palm Plaza, including fitness and yoga instruction, cooking classes, staycation ideas, gardening tips, a pottery barn and more!

A Bacon Lover's Paradise Returns to San Diego | Save On Passes And Enter To Win Tickets To Bacon & Barrels

March 20, 2015

Bacon & Barrels returns to San Diego's Embarcadero Marina Park South on Saturday, May 9, for a day devoted to America's favorite porky pleasure! A food festival for bacon lovers everywhere, Bacon & Barrels is an all-day event showcasing local chefs’ imaginative recipes incorporating bacon, and highlights the best artisan and craft barrel beverages such as bourbon, beer, wine, and scotch. SanDiegoVille has 2 VIP to give away, and as usual, we are hooking our readers up with savings on passes - $5 off any ticket type with promo code SDVILLE at checkout!

Don't Miss The Free East Village Opening Day Block Party On The San Diego Padres' Petco Park Home Opener on April 9

March 19, 2015

For the fifth year in a row, the East Village Association celebrates the start of baseball season as the San Diego Padres open the gates of Petco Park to host the San Francisco Giants for the first game of the season on Thursday, April 9! This free, family-friendly, Opening Day Block Party will be the ultimate tailgating scene on J Street between 6th and 10th Avenues from 10am to 7pm, offering live entertainment, a craft beer garden and cocktail lounge, food selections from local restaurants and food trucks , and much more.

Think You Have What It Takes To Be A Food Fighter? Don't Miss The Open Call Auditions On Saturday, March 28

March 18, 2015

NBC's exciting cooking competition show, Food Fighters, is returning for Season 2 and they are in search for the next lineup of America’s best home cooks (ages 9 and up) and professional chefs to compete in front of former-Man vs. Food star Adam Richman! Think you have what it takes, there is an open casting call this Saturday, March 28, from 10am-3pm at Embassy Suites in Downtown San Diego!

Three Fun Facts About Nomad Donuts

March 18, 2015

Donuts seem to be all the rage in San Diego at the moment and Nomad Donuts is eager to satisfy cravings. Located on North Park’s commercial corridor, 30th Street, this globally inspired donut and coffee shop sits square in the middle of North Park, Normal Heights and University Heights and combines a fascination with our diverse planet and a love for all things delicious. We have 3 fun facts that set Nomad Donuts apart and reflect its commitment to being a crafty, community-centric donut shop. Read on!

Catania Now Open In The Heart Of La Jolla

March 16, 2015

Whisknladle Hospitality has opened it's newest restaurant, Catania, right in the heart of La Jolla, adding to the brand's respected portfolio of local dining destinations including three Prepkitchen locations and La Jolla’s flagship restaurant, Whisknladle. Nestled on the top floor of the newly redesigned La Plaza Center on the historic corner of Wall and Girard, the 3,750-square-foot restaurant is poised to provide guests with authentic Italian coastal cuisine.

San Diego's Largest Oceanfront Sushi Restaurant Set To Open April 1 | Cannonball Is Now Ready To Make A Splash In Mission Beach

March 15, 2015

Cannonball, Mission Beach's highly anticipated Pacific Rim and sushi concept, is scheduled to re-open on April 1 at Belmont Park. Created by Eat.Drink.Sleep., the San Diego based hospitality company that manages signature properties such as Draft South Mission Beach, Tower23 and The Lakehouse Hotel & Resort - the soon-to-be largest oceanfront rooftop bar and restaurant in the city will feature three distinct dining experiences including a modern bar and lounge, Pacific Rim inspired dining space and a glass sushi cube overlooking the Pacific Ocean featuring a traditional sushi bar.

Park & Rec To Open At Former Bourbon St. And Lei Lounge in University Heights

March 14, 2015

As one of San Diego’s oldest communities, University Heights’ rich history dates back to the city’s first land boom during the late-1880’s. Nestled in the heart of this charming neighborhood is a 5,000 square foot property, which has been home to a variety of popular neighborhood watering holes for more than 50 years, including most recently Bourbon Street and Lei Lounge. Come May of 2015 John Pani, founder of hospitality investment and management firm, ELE Collective (Waypoint Public, Hotel Vyvant), will breathe new life into a well-loved neighborhood gem with the launch of University Heights’ newest cocktail concept, Park & Rec.

Olivewood Gardens And Learning Center To Host Cultivating Conversation: A Dine and Learn Series Event Taking Place March 21 From 4-7pm

March 13, 2015

Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center will host Cultivation Conversation: A Dine and Learn Series event on Saturday, March 21, from 4-7pm. This intimate outdoor dinner will include four courses prepared by the staff from Cowboy Star, as well as a guided tour and thought-provoking discussion in Olivewood's beautiful garden setting in National City. Engage with local experts and enjoy authentic farm-to-table cuisine from a celebrated San Diego restaurant. Use promo code SDVILLE to save $5 on tickets to the event!

Mission Valley Craft Beer & Food Festival Returns After One Year Hiatus | Save On Passes And Enter To Win

March 13, 2015

Through its four previous installments between 2010 and 2013, the Mission Valley Craft Beer & Food Festival has come to be known by many as the tried-and-true, locals-friendly craft beer festival. MVCBF has always been reasonably priced, includes food and great music and offers the finest San Diego craft beers. In 2014, the event was called off and thought to be gone for good. Well, it's 2015 and MVCBF is returning bigger than ever! On Saturday, April 4, the event will take over the gigantic practice field at Qualcomm Stadium for a day devoted to the finest craft brews paired with some of our city's best restaurants and chefs. Use promo code SDVILLE and save $5 on tickets and enter to win a pair of GA passes to attend!

CityBeat To Throw Beer Club 8 Year Anniversary Party At SILO In Makers Quarter on March 28 | Save On Passes And Enter To Win

March 12, 2015

Celebrate the CityBeat Beer Club 8 Year Anniversary with an afternoon of craft beer sampling, food trucks, live music and more on Saturday, March 28, from 3-7pm at the SILO in Makers Quarter. All tickets get unlimited 2 ounce samples and a free souvenir taster cup, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the San Diego Music Foundation. Save $3 on tickets with promo code SDVILLE and enter to win 2 passes to attend!

RUMORVILLE: Cohn Restaurant Group May Be Eying Beachside Location In PB

March 11, 2015

Word on the street is that the prolific Cohn Restaurant Group is eying the Joe's Crab Shack location in Pacific Beach for another restaurant concept for 2016. The Cohn Group has been strangely absent from the Pacific Beach/Mission Beach neighborhood, so it makes sense that they want to move into this popular beachside community. Allegedly, Joe's only has until the end of September before its liquor license expires and just a couple months on their lease after that, so they're considering closing the location at 4325 Ocean Boulevard overlooking the Pacific. We will be sure to let you know as we learn more.  

Chef Celebration Returns For Its 20th Dinner Series | Over 50 Local Chefs Unite To Build San Diego's Culinary Future

March 11, 2015

With a unified passion and desire to help build a foundation for San Diego’s culinary future, more than 50 award-winning chefs from around the county will come together to donate their talents and tastes for the charitable Chef Celebration Annual Dinner Series. Founded in 1995 by a small group of local gourmands, Chef Celebration strives to enhance the knowledge and potential of young, aspiring culinarians in San Diego. Through a series of events held annually the foundation has raised over $225,000 to provide culinary scholarships to more than 80 individual recipients, many of which have become staples within San Diego’s culinary community including Hanis Cavin of Carnitas’ Snack Shack, Victor Jimenez of Cowboy Star and Denise Roa of Art Institute.

Unplug In San Felipe | Baja California’s Sleepy Beach Town Is More Accessible Than Ever

March 10, 2015

San Felipe has been beckoning us to its lazy shores since we moved to San Diego. Whispers of its relaxing coastline, amazingly fresh seafood, warm and pristine waters, and friendly inhabitants have enticed us to plan the 4-hour drive down Baja California to this quiet fishing village for a little R&R, exploration and sumptuous tacos. But in December 2014, this sleepy Mexican beach town became much more readily accessible with Seaport Airlines launching service for direct flights to San Felipe from San Diego’s commuter terminal four times a week. So, after 5 years of researching and planning our journey, we finally made it to beautiful San Felipe for 3 days of fun, deliciousness and new friends in a most relaxing locale.

Save On Passes To The 2nd Annual Bankers Hill Art & Craft Beer Festival On Friday, March 20 | Enter To Win Tickets

March 10, 2015

The Bankers Hill Business Group and the San Diego Brewers Guild will host the 3rd Annual Bankers Hill Art & Craft Beer Festival on Friday, March 20, from 5pm-9pm, at The Abbey, located at 2825 5th Avenue. For the price of admission, attendees get ten, 4-ounce pours from participating breweries, unlimited food samples and access to art installations from world renowned Bankers Hill artists. As usual, we're hooking our readers up! Promo code SDVILLE saves $5 per ticket and we have a bunch of tickets to give away!

Public Memorial For Recently-Deceased Hodad's Owner Mike 'Bossman' Hardin To Be Held At Petco Park | Saturday, March 28

March 9, 2015

Hodad's announced today on its social media that a public memorial will be held for the iconic burger restaurant's recently deceased owner, Mike 'Bossman' Hardin, taking place at Petco Park on Saturday, March 28, at 11:11am. Hardin passed away from a heart attack at age 56 on February 5.