Save On Tickets To The 5th Barrel Smoker Dinner - The Paella Edition - Thursday, February 18

Gustaf Rooth & Ricardo Heredia 

February 7, 2016

On Thursday, February 18, from 6-9pm, Planet Rooth Design Haus is once again opening up its beautiful gallery in Bankers Hill to showcase the breadth of culinary possibilities of the revolutionary iQ Barrel Smoker at the Barrel Smoker Dinner Series V: The Paella Edition. Joining hosts Gustav Anders Rooth and Fernando Gaxiola of Baja Wine + Food for this feast are guest chefs - two time World Food Champion Ricardo Heredia and Paella Master Carlos S. Cervantes. Because we never want our readers to pay full price, promo code SDVILLE saves 10% on tickets to this incredible event!

iFLY Set To Deliver The Dream Of Flight To San Diego | World's Largest Indoor Skydiving Operation To Debut In America's Finest City On February 8

February 7, 2016

The world’s largest indoor skydiving operation, iFly, will began delivering the dream of flight to adventure seekers throughout San Diego starting on Monday, February 5. The new location in the heart of Mission Valley marks the 15th iFLY facility in the United States.

Pliny The Younger Is Coming To Town | Where In San Diego To Find This Rare Triple IPA

February 6, 2016

You can make the trek northward to Russian River Brewing Company in Sonoma Valley, California and deal with an 8 hour-or-so line, or you can keep reading and get your taste of this ever-so-popular, award winning, seasonal triple IPA at one of San Diego's best beer bars. The extremely limited release of the 12th Anniversary Pliny The Younger is being distributed throughout San Diego by none other than Stone Brewing Co., so whatever bars receive kegs of "The Younger" will be getting them directly from Stone. We've got the scoop on when and where it will be arriving, so keep reading and get a taste of one of the world's most coveted brews.

This Month's Top Epicurean Events | Special Dinners, Beer Fests, A Sausage Throwdown And More

February 6, 2016

One of our endeavors for 2016 is to list the top San Diego epicurean events each month so that our readers know where to find the best in beer and wine pairing dinners, multi-course meals and all-around delicious occasions. Here we're tracking the shortest month of the year -  February - including an extra day of leap year indulgence in 2016!

Sea Lion Pup Found Cozied Up At Booth Inside La Jolla's Marine Room

February 5, 2016

La Jolla's Marine Room had an unexpected visitor this week. Employees found a malnourished sea lion pup sleeping in a booth at the restaurant when they came in to open on the morning of Thursday, February 4. Was he waiting for some delicious seafood from Chef Bernard Guillas? A high-tide brunch, perhaps?

CH Projects Releases Details About Little Italy Steakhouse Project | Born & Raised To Open At Former Nelson Photo Location As Early As This Summer

February 4, 2016

Occupying the former Nelson Photo Supplies building at 1909 India Street in Little Italy will be Born & Raised - the latest endeavor from San Diego-based hospitality collective, CH Projects (Ironside Fish & Oyster, Craft & Commerce, UnderBelly). Slated to open in late summer 2016, Born & Raised will pay homage to America’s greatest dining institution, the classic steakhouse.

Chef Antonio Friscia On Board For The Patio Group's Liberty Station Project | Fireside By The Patio To Open March 9

February 4, 2016

The Patio Group has brought aboard Chef Antonio Friscia (previously of Don Chido, Rustic Root, Gaijin) as the consulting chef for their new Liberty Station behemoth - Fireside by The Patio - on track to open its doors on Wednesday, March 9. Fireside hopes to tap into Chef Friscia's knowledge to bring elevated, wood-fired and smoked globally inspired cuisine to Point Loma. Located in the historic Naval Training Center’s former firehouse, Fireside by the Patio will attempt to replicate the same level of sophistication and design that The Patio restaurant patrons have come to love, but with a rich bohemian flare influenced by the world’s cultures.

VinDiego Wine & Food Festival Returns To Liberty Station This April 1-2 | Save On Passes & Enter To Win VIP Tickets

February 3, 2016

America’s Finest City will once again become the epicenter of the California wine world as the fourth annual VinDiego Wine & Food Festival takes over NTC Liberty Station in Point Loma on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2. Wine and food enthusiasts can savor more than 300 unique tastes of unlimited award-winning wine from over 75 wineries and delectable food and appetizers from more than 20 of San Diego’s finest restaurants while enjoying live music and an upbeat atmosphere. As always, our readers save on tickets, as promo code SDVILLE saves $20 on ANY TICKET to either of the VinDiego events. We are also raffling off 2 VIP passes to the VinDiego Grand Tasting. Read on and be sure to enter!

Get Romantic This Valentines Day With These San Diego Restaurants, Specials & Events

February 2, 2016

Southern California might have been made for romance with its picturesque sunsets, beautiful people and perfect weather, and Valentine’s Day is that one special day of the year where being extra romantic is required. Thankfully these San Diego spots deliver the love with an ideal combination of food, drinks and good vibes. Before seeking out flowers or chocolate, make your reservation for one of these ultimate V-Day happenings.

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.