Get Ready For The Chill | Blush Ice Bar To Open In Downtown San Diego This Summer

April 4, 2015

Blush Ice Bar is taking over the former Wet Willies location at 555 Market Street in downtown San Diego and gearing up for a summer 2015 opening.  Not much is known as of now, but Chef Daniel Barron (formerly of La Valencia and Blue Pointe Coastal before that) will run the "East/West" kitchen located on the corner of 6th & Market.

Sample Over 30 Restaurants At The 15th Annual Taste Of Hillcrest On Saturday, April 18 | Enter To Win 2 Tickets

April 4, 2015

Explore the best that Hillcrest has to offer at the 15th Annual Taste of Hillcrest, taking place on Saturday, April 18, from noon to 4pm. This year's event will bring together the top neighborhood chefs and cuisines to offer tasters and food connoisseurs alike the opportunity to embark on a self-guided culinary tour and sample over 30 restaurants. As usual, we are giving away a pair of tickets to this event. Read on and start planning your route!

Valle de Guadalupe’s Hotel Boutique Celebrates Fuego’s One Year Anniversary With 9-Course Wine Pairing Dinner

April 3, 2015

On Saturday, April 11, Fuego Restaurant and Lounge in Valle de Guadalupe’s Hotel Boutique is celebrating their one year anniversary with a 9-course, wine-paired feast. Fuego has invited five well-known Mexican chefs to participate in this culinary event. Hailing from Baja California and Mexico City, chefs Israel Montero (Kaah Siis), Esteban Lluis (Ambar Cocina Urbana), Bianca Castro (Biscotti’s Repostería Artesanal), Denisse Zamudio (Patiseria), Maribel Villareal (L’abricot Brasserie) and host chef Mario Peralta will prepare for guests this special dinner.

A New Board Game And Comics Themed Bar & Restaurant To Open In Hillcrest | Tabletop Commons Debuts This Month

April 2, 2015

Get ready to get your game on! Tabletop Commons is currently revamping the space at 1263 University Avenue in Hillcrest, formerly occupied by Commonwealth Ultra Lounge, and before that, The Range, and has secured experienced Executive Chef Miguel Valdez (100 Wines, The Red Door, The Glass Door, Anthology) to lead the kitchen of San Diego's only board game and comic book-themed bar and restaurant.

Girls Think Tank “Wild West Roundup For Rights” Gala To Fund Programs for Basic Human Dignity | Saturday, April 18

April 1, 2015

G​irls Think Tank, a San Diego­-based nonprofit comprised of young attorneys, other professionals, and people living on the streets, will host its sixth annual gala, “Wild West Roundup For Rights,” on Saturday, April 18, from 7-10pm at the new downtown library located at 330 Park Boulevard. The mission of the gala is to raise funds for programs that advance basic human dignity in San Diego, including the Transitional Storage Center at 252 16​ Street, where displaced citizens can leave their belongings while interviewing, working, attending school or enjoying mobility, as well as free legal referral clinics held at four different locations in San Diego, legal education community workshops for the displaced, annual survival supply distributions and other grassroots and policy initiatives.

The Westgate Hotel to Welcome Celebrity Guest Chef Flor Franco for a Spirit of Baja Event On Friday April 10 in the Fontainebleau Room | Enjoy Exquisite Tequila Tasting & Six-Course Wine Pairing Dinner

March 31, 2015

San Diego's Westgate Hotel will bring guests south of the border on Friday, April 10, when they host an unforgettable gastronomic journey inspired by the colorful flavors of Baja California, Mexico. The Spirit of Baja Dinner will begin with a tequila cocktail reception and tasting at 6pm, followed by a 6 course meal starting at 7pm. Don't miss what is sure to be an amazing evening!

Win VIP Tickets To The CityBeat Festival Of Beers | Saturday, April 18

March 31, 2015

The CityBeat Festival of Beers returns outside North Park's Lafayette Hotel on Saturday, April 18 for a day devoted to two of San Diego’s best known exports - music and craft beer. Presented by the San Diego Music Foundation, participants are invited to enjoy tastes of over 100 beers from more than 60 breweries, as well as live music, local vendors and great food. We have 2 VIP tickets to give away so be sure to enter!

Old Harbor Distilling Co. Keeps It Flowing With Local Flare In San Diego's East Village

March 30, 2015

Old Harbor Distilling Co. is the innovative local craft distiller that opened its East Village distillery and tasting room in September 2014, and they’re not slowing down in 2015. The distillery plans to gradually increase its spirits portfolio this year, with new additions to include a coffee liqueur in collaboration with Coffee & Tea Collective and a barrel-aged white rum. It seems that the creativity and momentum applied to the craft beer industry in San Diego is gradually making its way to spirits, and rightly so.

Mess Royale To Bring Montreal-Style Poutine, Bagels And More To Hillcrest | Opening April 2

March 30, 2015

Mess Royale Poutine & Bagels will soon open at 142 University Avenue in Hillcrest. A fast casual restaurant, Mess Royale will specialize in quality comfort food such as authentic Montreal poutine, bagels from legendary Montreal bagel bakery St-Viateur Bagels, an array of sandwiches, as well as craft beer and more.

The Definitive Guide To Easter Specials In San Diego

March 29, 2015

"Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin' down the bunny trail, hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way!" Whatever the hell that means?!? It's that time of year again when the masses honor an ancient zombie story through painted eggs and human-sized rabbits, all the while truly just celebrating the rebirth of the northern hemisphere as the Spring season arrives through a series of strange symbolism! Anyway you look at it, like all holidays, Easter is a great occasion for enjoying a big meal with loved ones, and San Diego's restaurants and hotels are gearing up with specialty Easter brunches, teas, and treats. Here's our definitive guide to Easter 2015 in San Diego!

La Jolla Concours d’Elegance Celebrates 11 Years Showcasing Coachbuilt Classics of the 30’s and 40’s | April 10-12

March 28, 2015

Named one of the top three most anticipated car shows of the year by British automotive magazine, Octane, La Jolla Concours d’Elegance has become a must for automobile aficionados internationally. With the La Jolla Cove as a breathtaking backdrop, this elite automotive-inspired event transforms the sleepy, coastal community into a weekend playground with a remarkable automobile showcase, fabulous shopping, five-star accommodations and unforgettable culinary experiences throughout the weekend of April 10-12. We are giving away 2 VIP tickets to the Sunday, April 12, La Jolla Concours d’Elegance and La Jolla Motor Car Classic at the Concours (a $250 value)! Read on for all the details and be sure to enter.

CH Projects To Branch Out With Barbershop Concept In San Diego's East Village | The Dover To Open This June

March 27, 2015

CH Projects first made their mark on San Diego’s hospitality scene in 2006 by launching Neighborhood, a casual beer bar and eatery in San Diego’s then-sparse East Village, followed by El Dorado Cocktail Lounge in 2008 just a few blocks down the way. The group has since gone on to create some of the most notable cocktail and culinary concepts in the city. Now the hospitality collective once again sets its roots down in the “hood that started it all” by branching out of food and drink and opening doors to The Dover - a 1,100 square-foot barbershop and shaving parlor on the corner of 8th & G Street. Located catty-corner to Neighborhood and directly next door to 5&A Dime clothing shop, the concept’s cheeky moniker is short for “Dover Harbor” (an era-specific British term for “barbershop”), and will offer haircuts, hot towel razor shaves, coffee service from San Diego’s Coffee & Tea Collective and other amenities upon opening doors this June.

Celebrate The Start Of Baseball With Franks & Friars | Rare Form's Gourmet Hot Dogs Debut Just In Time For Opening Day

March 26, 2015

Hot Diggity Dog! Baseball season in San Diego officially kicks off on April 9 at Petco Park with the Padres gearing up against the San Francisco Giants for the home opener, and nothing screams a day at the ballpark like a good ol’ fashioned frank! It's a love affair that has spanned generations, and this year, with the new addition of Rare Form, CH Projects’ neighborhood delicatessen located alongside Petco’s Park at the Park, fans can say goodbye to mystery meat and get their gourmet fix of this cherished, pre game staple. Executive Chef Aldo Negrete’s creative lineup of housemade 'haute’ dogs is set to debut at Rare Form this Friday, March 27, and playfully pays tribute to famous ballparks across the USA, while staying true to Rare Form's everything-made-in-house credo with handcrafted hot dog buns and condiments.

Wanderlust Brings A Reimagined Triathlon Experience To San Diego On Saturday, May 9 | Enter To Win 2 Passes To Attend

March 25, 2015

Dubbed as the world's first and only 'mindful triathlon,' Wanderlust 108 makes its stop in San Diego on Saturday, May 9, featuring a reimagined triathlon experience that includes a 5k run followed by a 90 minute yoga class and finishing with a guided meditation led by world renowned teachers, starting and fininishing in Embarcadero Marina Park North. Off the mat, triathletes will enjoy live DJs and bands, acroyoga, slacklining, hooping, and other surprises, and throughout the day, the Kula Marketplace will offer the finest from local craft vendors, including unique apparel, jewelry, and handcrafted items. Local food purveyors will also be on site to provide an eclectic mix of healthy organic food options, including vegan and vegetarian fare. SanDiegoVille has 2 tickets to give away to one of our readers so be sure to enter!

Chef Richard Blais' Casual Concept Gets A Name And Theme | The Crack Shack To Open Adjacent To Juniper & Ivy In Little Italy This Fall

March 24, 2015

Situated on the same block as Juniper & Ivy in Little Italy, Chef Richard Blais' new concept has been in the works for almost a year and has finally got a name. The Crack Shack will occupy a former construction/welding office/mechanics shop that has sat empty at the corner of Juniper and Kettner for at least 20 years. Anticipated to open early fall this year, The Crack Shack will be all about chicken and eggs - all day long - fried, grilled and otherwise.

Dinner Lab Returns For 5 Course Ethereal Palate Supper on April 9 | Get Your Membership With SanDiegoVille And Save $20 On First Meal

March 23, 2015

The national pop-up supper club, Dinner Lab, returns to America's Finest City on Thursday, April 9, featuring the cuisine of Chef Jason Fullilove, Executive Chef of Malibu Pier Restaurant. Assisting in the dinner's preparation is nutritionist and fermentista Theodora Holt, who will help honor the dinner’s theme - “Ethereal Palate.” Each course will be inspired by ancestral tradition and modern innovation, while highlighting the healing power and nutrient density of an expertly assembled culinary composition. As with any Dinner Lab event, the menu will seek to tell a compelling story, featuring dishes and ingredients inspired by the chef’s heritage, life experiences and personal passions. A happy hour including signature cocktails, wines and beers will take place for the first 30 minutes.

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.