Gator By The Bay Festival Returns To San Diego For Its 14th Year | Zydeco, Blues And Crawfish Festival Takes Place May 7-10

April 17, 2015

It’s Mardi Gras in May! Get that New Orleans culture without leaving San Diego at the 14th annual Gator By The Bay, taking place Thursday, May 7 through Sunday, May 10, at Spanish Landing Park across from the San Diego Airport. The largest, most authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou, Gator By The Bay is presented by San Diego’s Bon Temps Social Club and features four days of live music with over 85 musical acts on six stages, along with 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked from Louisiana, non-stop dancing, shopping, playing and eating on the beautiful San Diego Bay. We are giving away two tickets to attend on Friday, May 8. Keep reading for all the details and be sure to enter.

Croce's Park West Launches New Jim Croce Inspired Cocktail List

April 16, 2015

Bankers Hill neighborhood restaurant and live music venue Croce’s Park West is taking new strides to keep the memory of Jim Croce alive with a just launched spring cocktail menu, featuring a bevy of libations all named after the music legend’s iconic songs, from well-known hits to lesser-known gems. Bar Manager Becky Nixt tapped into the Croce nostalgia and utilized some of the season’s freshest and innovative ingredients to concoct the musically inspired “set list” that’s divided into four different sections: Sound Check, First Set, Second Set and Encore.

San Diego Magazine To Host The 5th Annual Best of North County Party At Park Hyatt Aviara Carlsbad On Friday, April 24

April 16, 2015

San Diego Magazine’s Best of North County Party returns to Park Hyatt Aviara for the fifth year in a row on Friday, April 24, from 6:30-9:30pm. Guests can sample North County’s best restaurants, breweries, wineries and spirit companies all in one place. Attendees can sip and sample their way through the party as tickets include unlimited tastings. Live music, DJs, casino games, unexpected entertainment and a dance floor will cap off an unforgettable evening in a beautiful location. The party stems from the annual Best of North County feature, published by San Diego Magazine in the April issue.

Pacific Beach Bar & Grill Sold To Verant Group Partners

April 15, 2015

The sale of PB Bar & Grill has been finalized. Eric Lingenfelder and Mark Cirillo of the Verant Group and David Cohen (formerly of West Coast Tavern and co-owner of Uptown Tavern) purchased the building and the business. They have closed down the bar and restaurant and start an extensive remodel, hoping to reopen sometime this summer.

Sycuan Casino & Alesmith Brewing Company Partner For Brewer's Dinner | Tuesday, April 28

April 15, 2015 

Something is brewing at Sycuan Casino. The entertainment and gaming destination has partnered with one of San Diego’s favorite beer makers, AleSmith Brewing Company, to create an exclusive four-course Brewer’s Dinner, taking place on Tuesday, April 28,  at 6:30pm at the casino’s popular GameDay Sports Bar & Grill. The special meal will feature delicious craft beer and custom dishes made specially for the event. 

San Diego Council On Literacy To Host Eat.Drink.Read. Charity Tasting Event On Wednesday, May 13 | Enter To Win 2 Tickets

April 15, 2015

In its sixth year, Eat.Drink.Read. A Culinary Event for Literacy is taking new direction. Chef Brian Malarkey is opening one of his newer San Diego culinary creations, Green Acres, to Eat.Drink.Read. on Wednesday, May 13, from 5-8pm, for this delectable event focused on raising funds and awareness of the liberating effects of literacy. In addition to a new location and culinary host, the event is also offering a VIP package, granting patrons an exclusive reception with Malarkey. We have two tickets to giveaway, so read on for all the details and be sure to enter.

Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro Celebrates 10 Years With Weekend Of Special Events | April 23-26

April 14, 2015

Before Bracero Cocina de Raiz opens in Little Italy, head down to Bonita to celebrate a hallmark occasion for Chef Javier Plascencia and his first popular San Diego restaurant - Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro ! It's been 10 years since Chef Javier crossed the border and brought his famed Baja-Med cuisine to the states. In honor of the milestone, Chef Javier is inviting everyone to enjoy a special weekend of events from Thursday, April 23 to Sunday, April 26, including a beer pairing dinner, an evening of iconic Plascencia dishes, a sneak-peak at what's to come at Bracero and finishing with a day for the whole family.

A New Generation Of Italian Cuisine Comes To Little Italy With Civico 1845 | Former Zia's Bistro To Serve Traditional Italian Flavors This Spring

April 13, 2015

Like mama used to make, with modern flair - this is the vision brothers Dario and Pietro Gallo have created for their new restaurant, Civico 1845 (pronounced CHEE-vee-ko), bringing flavors of Cosenza, Italy to the former Zia's Bistro location in San Diego’s Little Italy. Situated in the heart of Little Italy at 1845 India Street, the eatery is slated to open in the spring of 2015. With a focus on lighter fare and modernized versions of Italian classics, Civico 1845 will also offer selections not commonly found in Italian cuisine - vegan and gluten-free dishes.

Come Play At Backyard Kitchen & Tap | Pacific Beach's New Grub-And-Brew Hotspot

April 13, 2015

The latest in a series of upscale, gastro-taverns to open in Pacific Beach, Backyard Kitchen & Tap has taken over the prime location at 832 Garnet Avenue that had been left dormant by Moondoggies for all of 2014. Eric Leitstein and his OMG Restaurant Group (Union Kitchen, PB Alehouse) completely overhauled the space, pimping out the giant al fresco patio, back bar and exterior, and ramped up the menu to offer elevated yet laid-back items with PB flare.

Tonight In San Diego Continues To Shine In Third Season | Enter To Win Tickets To A Live Taping

April 13, 2015

San Diego’s You Tube Based late night variety style TV show, Tonight In San Diego, is in the midst of its highly anticipated third season with live episode tapings at the beautiful Horton Grand Theatre every Monday at 7:30pm. The show features late night show style interviews with local San Diego celebrities, business owners, notable personalities, and a musical performance. We are giving away 4 packs of tickets to attend any taping. Read on for details and be sure to enter!

Renewed Local Habit Launches Sunday Jazz Brunch And New Happy Hour In Hillcrest

April 12, 2015

Local Habit, Hillcrest’s recently reinvented Cali-Creole eatery that re-opened at the end of March, kicks off its new Sunday jazz brunch today. Like the lunch and dinner menu, brunch will feature local SoCal farm-to-table cuisine inspired by Louisiana Creole and Cajun recipes and will offer a range of traditional New Orleans-influenced craft cocktails and local beers to compliment the food.

Eight California Chefs To Present “Chef’s Whim Spring Fling” Charity Dinner at Kitchen 4140 On Thursday, April 23

April 12, 2015

Farm-to-table restaurant Kitchen 4140 will spotlight eight of Southern California’s talented chefs during its Chef’s Whim Spring Fling dinner on Thursday, April 23, starting at 6:30pm. This event, priced at $125 per person and taking place around a large communal table in Kitchen 4140’s private wine room, will feature eight courses - each one carefully crafted by one of the evening’s participating chefs. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the San Diego chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Fiesta Old Town Cinco De Mayo Returns On May 2-3 | 32 Years Of Tradition Packed In One Weekend

April 12, 2015

Each year thousands flock to Old Town, San Diego’s oldest, historic neighborhood, to take a step back in time and celebrate! The 2015 Dos XX Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo will be celebrating 32 years of tradition packed with activities for all ages as the Old Town neighborhood is transformed into the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration north of the border, filled with mariachis, cervezas, great food, and more. This free family-friendly festival takes place on Saturday, May 2, from 11am to 10pm, and Sunday, May 3, from 11am to 5pm.

Mama's Day Tasting Extravaganza Fundraiser Returns To Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine On Friday, May 8

April 11, 2015

Considered one of the top culinary events in San Diego, the Mama’s Day fundraiser returns to Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine on Friday, May 8, from 6:30-9:30pm, offering attendees tastes from some of San Diego's most notable chefs and restaurants. Now in its 24th year, Mama’s Day is the original San Diego tasting event and helps to raise critical funds for Mama's Kitchen's mission to deliver hot, nutrition-specific meals free of charge to local men, women, and children affected by AIDS or cancer.

Social Tap To Take Over Former Southpaw Location Adjacent To Petco Park

April 10, 2015

We noticed that the former Southpaw Social Club space adjacent to Petco Park at 815 J Street in San Diego's East Village has a new tenant. Social Tap will soon open in the space, offering elevated bar food with ballpark views and plenty of craft beer.

Coastkeeper Celebrates 20th Anniversary With 4th-Annual Ocean Commotion Concert | Saturday, April 18

April 10, 2015

San Diego Coastkeeper is ready to rock in the name of clean oceans at its 4th annual Ocean Commotion Concert on Saturday, April 18, from 11am - 10pm. This year plans to be bigger, better and more fun at Campland on the Bay to raise money and celebrate San Diego Coastkeeper’s 20th year protecting and restoring fishable, swimmable, drinkable waters.

A New Pho Shop Descends On Point Loma | Former Gabardine Space Finally Gets A Suitor In Seaside Pho & Gril

April 9, 2015

After over a year dormant and on the market, the 2,800+ square foot, former Gabardine space on the corner of Rosecrans and Talbot in Point Loma has finally been taken over. Seaside Pho & Grill Vietnamese Bisto will soon open at 1005 Rosecrans Street. Not much is known at this time, and it appears that Gabardine may have sold off the location's liquor license. We'll let you know when we learn more.