A Coronado Staycation Story | When San Diegans Need A Vacation From Vacation Life

October 31, 2015

Coronado, best known by its misnomer, Coronado Island, or to others as The Crown City, lives up to the expectations of pristine beauty, affluence and prestige, and certainly serves as a source of pride for America's Finest City. Just 2.12 miles across the iconic Coronado Bridge from the Gaslamp Quarter, or a 15 minute ferry cruise across the bay, lands you in a bustling little downtown along Orange Avenue where tourists and locals alike can be found strolling the sidewalks, peering into art galleries, shopping, or eating and drinking their ways through some of the many diverse and highly praised restaurants. We recently immersed ourselves in San Diego's 'island life' for a brief staycation, so read about our exploration and plan your own weekend on the other side of the bridge!

San Diego Chefs To Compete At World Food Championships In Florida This November

San Diego's own Ricardo Heredia was the 2014 World Food Champion!
October 30, 2015

The World Food Championships are taking place this November 5-10 in Kissimmee, Florida, and three San Diego chefs are competing, including the 2014 reigning World Food Champion Chef Ricardo Heredia! In addition to Heredia, two other competitors from America's Finest City are vying for thousands of dollars in prizes - Keoni Simmons from Ocean Beach's BBQ House and Kurt Metzger of Kitchen 4140 in BayHo.

Mission Bay Brew-Cation Returns To Celebrate San Diego Beer Week With Craft Beer & Local Chefs On November 6 | Save On Passes & Enter To Win Tickets

October 30, 2015

To celebrate San Diego Beer Week, The Dana on Mission Bay will host the 2015 Mission Bay Brew-Cation on Friday, November 6, from 6-10pm! A social evening of culinary delight highlighting San Diego's local chefs and breweries, Mission Bay Brew-Cation will offer attendees the chance to explore the union of some of San Diego’s finest beers at numerous different tasting stations as each chef pairs locally sourced dishes with craft brews. Attendees will also have the chance to vote on the best pairing. For a mere $45 ticket price, enjoy unlimited craft beer and food. SanDiegoVille has 2 tickets to give away to one of our craft beer loving readers, as well as promo code SDVILLE for $5 savings on tickets. Read on for all the details and be sure to enter!

A Top Chef Is Ready To Bring The Fried Chicken | Richard Blais' The Crack Shack To Hatch On November 11 In Little Italy

October 29, 2015

Gourmet fried chicken is peaking in popularity and coming to San Diego's Little Italy this November! Top Chef Richard Blais' second collaboration with Mike Rosen, The Crack Shack, is set to hatch on Wednesday, November 11, right next door to their acclaimed Juniper & Ivy, with possible plans to expand the concept in the future. The fast casual concept will embrace the fried chicken trend and feature all day chicken and eggs with a menu conceptualized by Blais and Juniper & Ivy's Chef Jon Sloan.

The Brew Project Now Dishing It Out In Hillcrest | Check Out The Full Menus And Take A San Diego Brewery Tour Under One Roof.

October 29, 2015

Owners Beau Schmitt and Mike Sill developed The Brew Project to celebrate the craft beer culture and cuisine of San Diego. With a fully rotating draft list that features 24 local micro-brews, this Hillcrest destination takes the “tour” out of tasting. Honoring its SoCal surroundings, The Brew Project also allows visitors to sip on cocktails made from locally-distilled spirits and munch on San Diego-inspired food. Guests can even take a piece of their visit home with them - The Brew Project’s Bottle Shop sells bottles of local brews and wine.

Baja Wine + Food Brings Tijuana Favorite, Madame Ur Cabaret, To Golden Hill For Exciting Event Of Art, Music, Wine & Deliciousness | Saturday, November 7

October 28, 2015

Sexy music, nude art, Baja Wine and delicious Mexican tacos? Now THAT'S a Saturday! Baja Wine + Food will bring Tijuana's sexiest band north of the border for an evening of art, music, Baja Wine and Mexican fare when Madame Ur Cabaret performs live at Planet Rooth Design Haus on Saturday, November 7, from 7-10pm (and beyond). Planet Rooth Design Haus is Gustaf Rooth's famed local art gallery, event space, furniture shop and showroom in Bankers Hill, which is also home to Barrelly Made It and Baja Wine + Food's headquarters. This rendezvous will be a festive celebration of erotica through arts, music, wine, food and friendship among like-minded people.

San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival Brings Fish Taco TKO Competition To New Venue At Quartyard on November 17 | Enter To Win 2 Tickets To The Ultimate Taco Tuesday

October 28, 2015

Taco Tuesday: (n.) - an event where restaurants and bars offer specials on tacos and beer specifically on a Tuesday. In San Diego, the tradition of Taco Tuesday extends far beyond a weekly ritual - it is part of the city's lifestyle and culture. On Tuesday, November 17, the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival gives foodies something to "taco 'bout" with the fourth annual Taco TKO Featuring Fish Taco and Beer at Quartyard San Diego - the ULTIMATE Taco Tuesday! We are raffling off 2 tickets, so read on and be sure to enter.

CH Projects Unveils Initial Plans For New Little Italy Concept

October 27, 2015

San Diego-based social and culinary collective CH Projects (Ironside Fish & Oyster, Craft & Commerce, Underbelly and more) has acquired the lease on their newest endeavor - the property formerly occupied by Nelson Photo Supplies in the heart of Little Italy at 1909 India Street. The company intends to perform a $2.5million build-out that will transform the building into a 10,000-square-foot-plus, 2 story, indoor-outdoor steakhouse-style restaurant and cocktail bar, the company's biggest project to date.

Former Lei Lounge In University Heights To Open As Madison Restaurant & Bar This December

Chef Mario Cassineri
October 27, 2015

Madison restaurant will open in the space formerly occupied by Lei Lounge in San Diego’s University Heights neighborhood by the end of December, bringing upscale dining and cocktails, modern design and curated music to the dynamic food scene of Park Boulevard. The new restaurant and bar is a collaboration of familiar restaurant industry faces, such as Chef Mario Cassineri of BiCE San Diego - charged with designing the Madison Menu, to those better known for their design and cultural endeavors, including Jeffrey Fink, owner of M-Theory Music & managing parter of FLUXX, and ARCHISECTS, the industrial design firm behind FLUXX’s rotating themes. Partner and General Manager Matt Sieve, formerly of Isabel’s Cantina and third generation restaurateur, will run Madison’s day-to-day operations.

Garlic Centric Restaurant Coming To San Diego

October 27, 2015

The location at 549 25th Street in Golden Hill that has housed a revolving door of short-lived restaurant concepts will soon be wafting the delicious scent of roasted garlic. Garlic Shack has put up its sign and although we have not been able to find out more, it appears like San Diego will soon have its own garlic-centric eatery. If you have more information on Garlic Shack, please feed us the details by emailing feed@sandiegoville.com.

Smash Global Presents A Luxury Charity Event Showcasing Professional MMA At San Diego's Hall of Champions Museum On November 13 | Save $50 On Tickets To The Main Event II With SDVILLE

October 26, 2015

Professional mixed martial artist and entrepreneur Steve Orosco will once again combine MMA, business networking and extravagance on Friday, November 13, when The Main Event II takes over the prestigious San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Presented by Smash Global, this black-tie gala will bring together some of the top business professionals in America's Finest City for an evening where 12 talented mixed martial artists will compete in six thrilling professional bouts sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission. The winners will move one step closer to their place in MMA history, and the audience will have a front-row seat for all the action. Best of all is promo code SDVILLE saves $50 per ticket!

Scenes From The Lodge At Torrey Pines' 13th Annual Celebrate The Craft

October 26, 2015

This past Sunday was The Lodge At Torrey Pines 13th annual Celebrate the Craft - one of San Diego's premier food festivals - created to showcase Southern California’s finest chefs, food artisans, produce, wine and craft beer. Benefitting the Slow Food Movement, Celebrate the Craft attracts foodies from far and wide each year for an event celebrating our thriving culinary community, taking place at the world renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course. Check out our photos from this year's amazing event and mark your calendar for next year!

Urban Kitchen Group Announce Plans For Former Kensington Grill Space

October 26, 2015

Tracy Borkum's Urban Kitchen Group has announced that the space previously occupied by Fish Public and Kensington Grill before that will be converted into a casual version of her popular CUCINA concepts (CUCINA urbana and CUCINA enoteca).

Local Restaurants To Battle It Out For Gooey Greatness At Inaugural San Diego Mac N' Cheese Festival On November 7 | Enter To Win 2 Tickets

October 25, 2015

Mac 'n cheese has to be one of the most widely loved dishes in America, and on Saturday, November 7, it will receive the tribute it rightfully deserves when the first annual San Diego Mac n’ Cheese Festival takes over Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego. Over a dozen restaurants will battle it out to see who can make the best gourmet macaroni and cheese on a day devoted to one of America's top comfort foods. We are raffling off two tickets to this delicious event, so read on and be sure to enter.

AleSmith Opens San Diego County's Largest Brewery Tasting Room

October 24, 2015

After more than a year of design and construction, AleSmith Brewing Company has opened the doors to its brand new, 25,000-square-foot tasting room at 9990 AleSmith Court in San Diego’s Miramar neighborhood. This highly anticipated project comes at the tail end of the award-winning craft brewery’s twentieth year in business. The largest tasting room in San Diego County, the indoor/outdoor space is filled with unique features, including a zigzagging bar giving way to a trio of massive copper tap towers and a view of a custom-built, two-story brewhouse behind glass panes stylishly frosted over with AleSmith’s anvil logo.

After Over 50 Years In San Diego, 'Cult Classic' Albie's Beer Inn To Close This December

October 23, 2015

It's been a San Diego staple for over half a century, serving up steaks, seafood and cocktails in San Diego's Mission Valley since 1962, but on December 23, after 53 years in business, Albie's Beef Inn will close, as well as it's neighboring breakfast restaurant, Adam's Steak & Eggs.

The San Diego Brewers Guild Presents 7th Annual San Diego Beer Week From November 6-15 | 10-Day Celebration Of San Diego’s Thriving Beer Community To Feature More Than 500 Events

October 22, 2015

San Diego produces some of the best and most sought after beer in the world and this fall, the San Diego Brewers Guild will bring together for the seventh consecutive year San Diego County’s more than 100 breweries, as well as visiting breweries from out of area, for the city’s highly anticipated annual celebration of beer - San Diego Beer Week. The 10-day event, happening Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 15, consists of more than 500 beer-centric events held at locations around the county, plus two bookend events hosted by the Guild - San Diego Brewers Guild Festival, beer week’s official opening two-day event held at downtown’s Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, and The Beer Garden, the week’s closing event held at the Lodge at Torrey Pines.