Mangia! Mangia! Taste Of Little Italy - More Than Meatballs And Hand Gestures

June 23, 2015

By Rosanne Adamo

As a result of growing up Sicilian, there are three things I’m sure of: one, I love being surrounded by a strong sense of culture; two, nobody knows how to throw together and execute on an incredible guilt trip quite like an Italian Mother (“Stay and eat the pasta! You can go to the gym later! I spent all day making all this food! What’s the matter with you?!”); and three, as a result of the second, I live to eat. The Little Italy Association of San Diego’s 2015 Taste of Little Italy did a beautiful job confirming what I already knew. As a frequenter of culinary walking tours around San Diego, I’m a practiced food walker. I appreciate organization, variety, and passionate restaurant workers. With 38 stops on the walk, each with something uniquely mouthwatering to offer, Little Italy did not let me down.

Top Of The Hyatt To Host Post-Independence Day, Pre-Renovation Celebration On July 5

June 23, 2015

On Sunday, July 5, from noon to midnight, Top of the Hyatt inside the Manchester Grand Hyatt is hosting a send-off party celebration prior to its upcoming renovations. For years this waterfront hotspot, complete with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, has elevated the bar for San Diego nightlife, literally. Perched 40-stories above the city’s big bay, The Top of the Hyatt is situated in the conveniently located Manchester Grand Hyatt – the tallest waterfront hotel on the West Coast.

La Valencia To Host 'Six Degrees Of Michael Mina' 6-Course Charity Dinner On July 22

June 22, 2015

La Valencia Executive Chef James Montejano has invited his mentor and friend, James Beard Award Winner, master chef, cookbook author and restauranteur, Michael Mina, to headline a fundraiser on July 22 at the iconic hotel to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego and help support a meal program or kitchen enhancement at the house. The six-course dinner with wine pairings, entitled “Six Degrees of Michael Mina” will bring together five of the area’s top chefs - each of whom has worked with and/or been influenced by the cooking styles of Michael Mina - to once again work with Mina for a night and help a worthy cause.

The San Diego Symphony Presents The Ashford University 'Summer Pops' Outdoor Concert Series | June 27 - September 6

June 21, 2015

The San Diego Symphony is bringing its popular, outdoor Summer Pops series back to San Diego's waterfront for a concert experience like you have never had before! Blending today’s hottest pop with the accomplished San Diego orchestra, this 10-week concert line-up kicks off on June 27 and runs until Labor Day, featuring an array of themed performances, as well as special appearances by Ben Folds, LeAnn Rimes, Burt Bacharach and more!

Surf Photography Gems From The 70’s And 80’s To Be On Display At Culture Brewing Co. In Ocean Beach

Aaron Chang

July 20, 2015

Aaron Chang Ocean Art Galleries and Culture Brewing Co. will hold an exhibition of photographs from the archives of surf photography legend, Aaron Chang, bringing back some of his most iconic images from the wild-west days of surfing on the North Shore of Hawaii. The show will feature iconic surfing photos spanning 4 decades, including some never before seen images that will be unveiled in this unique show.

Celebrate 5 Years Of Craft Beers With Mike Hess Brewing On Saturday, July 25 | Save On Tickets And Enter To Win Passes To HessFest

June 19, 2015

Celebrate 5 years of delicious craft beer at Mike Hess Brewing's 5 year anniversary party, taking over Grim Avenue in North Park on Saturday, July 25! Enjoy some of Mike Hess Brewing's favorite local breweries and eateries, including special collaboration brews and casks, as well as live music, great folks and excellent vibes. SanDiegoVille is offering $5 savings on tickets with promo code SDVILLE, as well as raffling off 2 passes to the festivities.

Bayside Resorts Celebrate Summer With Weekly Events | Bahia Introduces 'California Dreaming' & Catamaran Continues Weekly Luaus

June 18, 2015

Sister resorts, the Bahia Resort Hotel and the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, have announced their summer entertainment lineup. Along with the Catamaran hosting its Summer Sunset Luaus for the 15th straight year, the Bahia Resort Hotel is poised to introduce  its first weekly summer series, California Dreaming: San Diego’s Beach Party of the Decades. Locals and visitors will have an opportunity to attend and enjoy two very different, but equally entertaining, themed events on San Diego’s beautiful Mission Bay.

Inaugural Cork & Draft Classic Brings Best Of Both Worlds To San Diego's Waterfront On August 29 | Save On Tickets And Enter To Win 2 VIP Passes

June 17, 2015

Get ready to sip, taste and socialize at San Diego’s newest epicurean experience! On Saturday, August 29, from 3-6pm (2pm for VIP) the inaugural Cork & Draft Classic takes over Embarcadero North for a festival combining delicious wines, breweries and more. This will be a dress to impress event with a relaxed San Diego vibe… think Catalina Wine Mixer here in America’s Finest City! We are offering promo code SDVILLE for $5 savings per ticket and also raffling off a pair of VIP passes to attend! Keep reading...

Local Habit Celebrates Fourth Anniversary With New Executive Chef | Chef Jimmy Tessier Is The New Mastermind Behind San Diego’s Only Cali-Creole Restaurant

June 16, 2015

A new executive chef brings his flair for fusion cuisine to San Diego’s only Cali-Creole restaurant, just in time for its fourth birthday. Local Habit, Hillcrest’s newly renovated eatery focused on blending Creole flavors and dishes with fresh California ingredients, is proud to announce the hiring of Emeril Lagasse protege, Jimmy Tessier, as new executive chef. Bringing 25 years of experience to every plate, Chef Tessier will bring new and imaginative dishes to the Louisiana-inspired restaurant just in time for its Cajun vs. Creole themed anniversary celebration taking place on June 26 & 27.

Arts & Amps Returns To Karl Strauss On Saturday, June 27 | San Diego's Original Craft Brewer Spotlights Local Art And Music

June 16, 2015

The second installment of Karl Strauss Brewing Company’s Arts & Amps event takes place on Saturday, June 27, from 5 to 8pm at Karl Strauss’ main tasting room in Pacific Beach. San Diego is the “capital of craft," and its craft beer pioneer, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, has relaunched its popular art, music and beer series (formerly B.A.M.) as Arts & Amps to feature live music and local art to compliment some of the finest brews in America's Finest City.

True Food Kitchen Launches 'Feed The Soul' Initiative To Help End Childhood Hunger

June 15, 2015

True Food Kitchen has partnered with nonprofit organization No Kid Hungry, to help end childhood hunger. Now through August 31, $1 from each Kids Menu item ordered will benefit the organization’s campaign to connect kids in need with nutritious food, and teach families how to prepare meals that are both affordable and healthy.

Live A Great Story And Tabletop Commons Team Up For “Live the Journey” On Thursday, July 2

June 14, 2015

Live a Great Story, a San Diego-based social movement and lifestyle brand, will join newly-opened board game bar Tabletop Commons in Hillcrest on Thursday, July 2 between 5 and 9pm for “Live the Journey,” an evening offering guests a variety of ways to sip, play and interact while benefiting the Hillcrest Youth Center.

Take A Three Hour Booze Cruise With Stone Brewing & RockStarBeer | Stone Brews Cruise IV Takes To Sea On Friday, June 26

June 13, 2015

How could a 3 hour sunset boat cruise on San Diego Bay get any better? Add unlimited rare craft beers by Stone Brewing Co., Mother Earth Brew Co. and Avery Brewing Company! On Friday, June 26, from 6-10pm, don't miss the Stone Brews Cruise IV, featuring a tour of San Diego Harbor on a Horblower yacht, limited-release craft beers, a brewers send-off, a souvenir tasting mug and live musical performances. Although we usually raffle off tickets for such an event, we are keeping these tickets for ourselves!

Pacific Rim Seafood Restaurant Takes Over Former Encore Champagne Bar Space In Gaslamp | Ocean Pacific Grill Now Open

June 12, 2015

Two Roy's Hawaiian Fusion veterans have chosen the former Encore Champagne Bar space on the corner of 6th and F Streets as the location for Ocean Pacific Grille - a modern seafood restaurant with a Filipino flare now open and set to have its grand opening party on June 25. Located in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, Ocean Pacific Grill is helmed by Chef Charles Andres and managing partner Brian Norris and aims to serve “bold Pacific flavors in a Filipino state of mind.”

Eating Vegan Or Vegetarian Doesn’t Mean Skimping On Flavor At Sammy's Woodfired Pizza

Sammy's Brie Pizza

June 11, 2015 

In our quest to uncover restaurants that serve food that is equal parts healthy and tasty, we were led to Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza restaurant. Unbeknownst to many, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza has menu items for discerning palates, health conscious diners, and those with dietary specifications. It’s rare to find a restaurant that caters to Gluten-Free eaters as well as vegans, vegetarians, and everyone in between. We wanted to challenge Sammy’s by only exploring their vegan and vegetarian options--a tough litmus test for most food purveyors. Here’s what we discovered.

Slater's 50/50 Resident Beermonger Mark Schultz Provides His 5 Best San Diego Beers To Expect This Summer

June 10, 2015

Enjoying an iced cold craft beer seems synonymous with living in San Diego - especially in the summertime. We are home to some of the most innovative breweries on the planet and can you imagine a better setting to sip in? Since summertime is right around the corner, we had Slater’s 50/50 Beermonger Mark Schultz compile a list of the 5 local beers that he is most looking forward to this summer.

Planet Rooth Design Haus And Baja Wine + Food To Host Second Barrel Smoker Dinner On Thursday, June 18

June 9, 2015

On Thursday, June 18, from 6-9pm, Planet Rooth Design Haus is again opening up its gallery in Banker's Hill to showcase the breadth of culinary possibilities of the revolutionary iQ Barrel Smoker at the Barrel Smoker Dinner Series II. Joining hosts Gustav Anders Rooth and Fernando Gaxiola of Baja Wine + Food for this multi-course dinner are guest chefs Drew Deckman, Ryan Steyn and Karla Navarro - all hailing from kitchens in Baja California, Mexico.