Frames of SAN DIEGO By Simone Lucchini

February 1, 2016

Italian filmmaker Simone Lucchini recently came to San Diego and spent 2 weeks capturing images from all around the city, documenting her journey and capturing America's Finest City in all its charming, magnificent glory. Check out our great city through the eyes of a newcomer and be grateful for the place many of us call home.

Will Ferrell's Beer Fest Of Choice Returns To San Diego On March 12 | Save On Tickets & Enter To Win VIP Passes To The Best Coast Beer Fest

February 1, 2016

Touted as actor and comedian Will Ferrell’s beer festival of choice, the Best Coast Beer Fest returns to Embarcadero Marina Park South on Saturday, March 12 for a day of unlimited craft beer, food samples from area chefs, live entertainment, and possibly even an appearance by the Anchorman star himself, all to raise money for Cancer for College. As usual, promo code SDVILLE saves on tickets and we are raffling off 2 VIP passes for the evening session for one lucky reader.

An Interview With Chef Ivan Flowers About His New Culinary Instructor Position At Kitchens For Good

January 31, 2016

Ivan Flowers, an extremely talented chef with over 25 years of experience in fine cuisine, is embarking upon a new venture that will enable him to pass along his knowledge to at-risk youths and young adults. After leaving his former-position as Executive Chef at Top of the Market and in spite of receiving plenty of offers for employment, Chef Flowers decided that it was time to give back, so he took the position of culinary instructor at San Diego based Kitchens For Good, a nonprofit whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty, food waste and hunger through workforce training, healthy food and social enterprise. We recently sat down with Chef Ivan to discuss his new role and what inspired him to move from the professional kitchen to the culinary classroom.

Improv Lovers Unite For Third Annual San Diego Improv Festival | Finest City Improv Hosts Four-Day Comedy Binge February 11 - 14

January 30, 2016

In 2013, Amy Lisewski stirred up San Diego’s improv scene when she launched the first-ever San Diego Improv Festival. Three years later, the festival returns, attracting improv enthusiasts from around the country for the four-day comedy binge. From February 11-14, at Finest City Improv’s North Park theater, the festival will offer professional workshops, performances from a selection of hand-picked improv teams from cities around the country and master classes from two of the most well-known improvisers.

Urban Restaurant Group To Open Cucina Sorella In Kensington This Spring

January 29, 2016

With over 2 decades of experience, highly successful Southern California restaurateur Tracy Borkum has announced that she will transform the former Fish Public/Kensington Grill space at 4055 Adams Avenue to Cucina Sorella - the newest addition to the Urban Kitchen Group collection of restaurants. Located in the heart of the city’s beloved Kensington neighborhood and set to open this spring, Cucina Sorella will offer a new spin on the signature CUCINA concept.

Dance Night Date Discovery - Suppanee House Of Thai Becomes Our New Favorite!

Supannee House

January 28, 2016

After our weekly dance class, we've made it a Friday night tradition to dine somewhere we've never been, and our most recent choice blew us away. Supannee House of Thai in Point Loma is a family run establishment, offering a curated draft list of San Diego craft beers and delicious dishes made with farm-fresh produce, locally sourced seafood, and love, served by a charming and gracious waitstaff. Supannee quickly became our new favorite Thai restaurant in San Diego!

8 San Diego Cocktails With Some Kick!

Bracero's The Ready Lane

January 27, 2016

Nobody complains about a cold beer on a hot day, or a shot to celebrate, but what about those special drinks with a little spice for this cooler San Diego weather? Made with a variety of alcohols and mouthwatering ingredients, these 8 drinks are giving bar-goers some fresh options for nearly any occasion. From mild to hot to watery eyes, there’s a choice for us all!

The Smoking Goat To Open Sister Concept This Spring | One Door North To Debut At Former Mosaic Wine Bar Space

January 26, 2016

Husband and wife duo Executive Chef Fred & Tammy Piehl of Piehl Restaurant Group have operated  the popular, French-inspired The Smoking Goat in North Park since 2010. In response to The Smoking Goat’s overwhelming success, the Piehl Restaurant Group is expanding, venturing into the space next door to launch an entirely new concept, One Door North, serving farm fresh small plates and seasonal fare in an approachable setting with a design nod to discovery and adventure. One Door North will debut this March/April in the space that formerly housed Mosaic Wine Bar.

Croce's Park West Goes Silent In Banker's Hill

January 25, 2016

Ingrid Croce opened her namesake restaurant in 1985 as a tribute to her late husband - singer/song writer Jim Croce. In 2014, she moved her eatery to Banker's Hill and renamed it Croce's Park West. After more than three decades serving up tasty dishes and live music in San Diego, Ingrid has closed Croce's.

The Lodge At Torrey Pines To Undergo Major Renovations | The Grill To Close For $2.5 Million Facelift

January 25, 2016

The Lodge At Torrey Pines will temporarily close its casual, in-house eatery The Grill as of February 1 to undergo construction with plans to reopen by this June. The restaurant's closure coincides with a year-long shutdown of Torrey Pines Golf Course’s world famous 18-hole northern course, which is slated to undergo extensive renovations.

Cerveza Jack's Debuts In Pacific Beach At Former Fred's Mexican Cafe Space

January 24, 2015

Good Time Design opened Cerveza Jack's this past week at the former Fred's Mexican Cafe at 1165 Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. Although still in its 'soft opening' phase (meaning there's still work to be done), we popped in for a first look at the space and menus. Check it!

El Agave To Host Aphrodisiac Inspired 5 Course Beer & Tequila Paired Dinner

January 23, 2016

The search for sexy foods is an ancient pursuit, and aphrodisiacs come in so many natural forms. Old Town's El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria has partnered with San Diego based Modern Times Beer, Sweet Bricks and Tres Tonos Tequila to lure guests with a five course aphrodisiac-filled menu that will get anyone in the mood for food. Taking place on Thursday, February 4, from 6-9pm, Amor Por Mexico will include toffee-inspired dishes, each individually paired with beer and tequila libations to seduce even the most demanding palate - possibly causing love at first sip.

Broadway San Diego Announces Exciting Line Up For 40th Anniversary Season

January 22, 2016
Broadway San Diego hopes to celebrate its 40th Anniversary with one of their biggest and most chart-topping seasons, offering a lineup that is a blend of Broadway classics and critically acclaimed newcomers straight from New York, including The Lion King, Cabaret, The Sound of Music and more.

Arrivederci Acqua Al 2 | After 15 Years, Restaurant To Close For Business On January 30

January 22, 2016

Acqua Al 2 has sold after 15 years of serving award winning Tuscan-style dishes in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp District. Helmed by Chef/Ower Martin Gonzalez since its inception, the restaurant will keep regular hours so that guests will be able to enjoy its homemade Italian food one last time before closing for business on January 30.

Little Italy's Sirena Closes On February 1 For Facelife & Rebranding

January 21, 2016

Sirena is firing-up the taste of their décor to match their menu of vibrant flavors from Chile, Peru and Mexico, closing on February 1 for renovation and a few tweaks to their branding. Little Italy’s home for Latin American cuisine will be splashing with color after reopening this February 8.

JRDN Restaurant Launches New Feast With Friends Dinner Series & Weeknights Beachside Specials

January 20, 2016

After a successful debut event, JRDN Restaurant at TOWER23 Hotel has announced two more events in their new “Feast With Friends” winter dining series, taking place on February 10 & 22. The beautiful beachside eatery also revealed information on the start of their new “Weeknights Beachside” specials. On Sundays through Wednesdays from 5pm to close, beginning February 7, guests will enjoy nightly deals while indulging in the restaurant’s sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, spectacular sunsets and memorable food and drinks.

Verant Group To Open Westroot Tavern In Carmel Valley

January 19, 2016

Carmel Valley’s east side will be coming to life with the addition of Verant Group’s new Westroot Tavern. Planted in the recently developed Village at Pacific Highland’s Ranch, the restaurant and bar is expected to open this spring, and will be all about "fresh, inspired food crafted from land and sea in true Southern California style." Offering a tavern-like experience and impressive lineup of music and nightlife, Westroot should be staged to become a neighborhood favorite.