Balboa Park December Nights Returns For 39th Year On December 2 & 3

November 13, 2016

San Diego’s favorite kick-off to the holiday season, Balboa Park December Nights will take place for the 39th year on Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3. The beloved holiday event features sparkling lights, multi-cultural music and dance performances, carolers, bell-ringers, choirs, bands and food throughout the historic park. In the spirit of the holidays, participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9pm both evenings. During December Nights, Balboa Park is transformed into a holiday wonderland with historic Park promenades, plantings and structures adorned with seasonal decorations and lights. More than 350,000 attendees are expected, making this the largest free community festival in San Diego.

Rancho Sante Fe's Ponsaty's Restaurant To Host Decadent White Truffle Dinner On December 1

November 13, 2016

After celebrating the truffle harvest at the annual White Truffle Fair in Alba, Italy last month, we have a whole new appreciation for the prized delicacy and were excited to hear that a local master French chef would be preparing a multi-course dinner using the valuable fungus. Ponsaty’s Restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe’s will celebrate the upcoming holiday season with a White Truffle Dinner on Thursday, December 1, starting at 6:30pm.

La Jolla's La Valencia Hotel To Host Gatsby Gala To Celebrate 90 Year Anniversary

November 12, 2016

Flappers unite! On Thursday, December 15, La Jolla's Pink Lady is hosting a lavish affair to celebrate nine-decades in San Diego. To commemorate its 90th birthday, La Valencia Hotel will host the Gatsby Gala, a most exclusive party featuring live music & dancing, Prohibition era cocktails, a buffet, and more, with a percentage of ticket sales benefiting the La Jolla Historical Society.

Cheers To Proposition 64! North Park's True North Tavern Introduces San Diego's First Cannabis Cocktail To Celebrate Marijuana Legalization In California

November 11, 2016

The day of the cannabis cocktail is upon us! With 56% of California voting to pass Proposition 64 this past November 9, marijuana is now legal for those 21 and up in California (with some caveats, of course), who will control, regulate and tax cannabis starting next year. With availability comes experimentation, particularly in the bartending community and the cocktails they make, and True North Tavern is the first bar in San Diego to offer a cannabis laced cocktail.

Breakfast Republic Hatches In Encinitas | Third & Largest Location Of Popular San Diego Eatery Now Open In North County

November 10, 2016

Known for their innovative breakfast menu, bright & colorful décor, and humor-cracking signage, Breakfast Republic continues to grow as San Diego’s breakfast destination. Opening today, the Encinitas location is the first North County outpost for the brand, and is also the largest at 3,500 square feet plus an additional 700 square foot patio space. New décor/design pieces for this location include a lounge area with egg chairs and tables, and cheeky sayings written across booth tables, such as “Brunch: The socially acceptable excuse for day drinking.”

Huge Dining Destination Coming To Carlsbad | Park 101 Aims For Early 2017 Unveiling

November 9, 2016

This February, the burgeoning Carlsbad Village community will unveil an expansive 8,000 square-foot, multi-level, plaza-style restaurant and lounge complex to the neighborhood. Park 101 will be unlike anything in the area, bringing a fresh dining, drinking and “grab and go” concept to this coveted seaside village. Kid-friendly and dog friendly, this unique plaza is expected to be a landmark destination for neighbors and visitors to the area.

Shake Shack To Open In La Jolla | Popular Burger Chain To Expand Into San Diego In 2017

November 8, 2016

Celebrity Chef Danny Meyer's "fine-casual" burger chain is opening an outpost in San Diego! The Shake Shack will touch down in La Jolla within Westfield UTC as part of the outdoor shopping destination's $500 million expansion, anticipated to open in mid to late 2017, and the company intends to open more locations in America's Finest City in the future.

Kansas-Based Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Launch 2nd San Diego Location In San Marcos

November 8, 2016

Kansas-based Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has made its North County debut at 767 Center Drive in Nordahl Marketplace in San Marcos. It is the second San Diego metro-market site for the fast-casual restaurant franchise, which opened a location in National City in early October. A third location is planned for 4S Ranch.

Tajima Opens North Park Location | San Diego Ramen Pioneers Continue To Expand

November 7, 2016

San Diego's Ramen OG has launched its 7th location. Tajima Ramen is now open at 3015 Adams Avenue in North Park. The new location was designed by Basile Studio and offers 1,300 of dining space in the building that previously housed Fiesta Market and a menu of Japanese cuisine by chef/owner Sam Morikzono.

New SONIC Drive-In Opens In Pacific Beach

November 7, 2016

A new SONIC Drive-In location has opened at 2736 Garnet Avenue near Mission Bay Drive in Pacific Beach. Famous for its 1950s-style drive-in stalls, roller skating carhops and its menu of burgers, chili cheese dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches and milk shakes, the PB location marks the eighth Sonic franchise in San Diego County.

Peace NOT War! Pushkins Russian Restaurant Encourages Unity With Amazing Date Night Special

November 6, 2016

In order to encourage improved US-Russian relations during this tumultuous political time, Pushkins  Russian Restaurant in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is showing the love by offering up an incredible $49 date night special this November.

Enjoy Thanksgiving With A Seaside View At One Of These 10 San Diego Spots

November 5, 2016

In San Diego, we have the privilege of year-round beautiful weather and miles and miles of picturesque coastline, so what's not to be thankful for?!? Celebrate Thanksgiving this year by leaving it to the professionals and enjoy an authentic holiday meal with a seaside view. This November 24, treat yourself to a stress free holiday and let one of these 10 San Diego restaurants feed you a delicious dinner on the water.

Downtown's BIGA To Launch Wood Fired Bakery & Pastry Program

November 5, 2016

BIGA, which opened in the beginning of the year on the corner of 6th & Broadway in the historic, 1920s-era Samuel Fox Lofts building in downtown San Diego, has announced that it has hired two rock star chefs to assist in the operation of the restaurant's new wood burning bakery and pastry program, set to launch on Tuesday, November 8. 

Harvest By The Patio Premiers In San Diego's East Village | The Patio Group Expands With Health Conscious Concept

November 4, 2016

The Patio Group continues its rapid expansion and has opened its newest culinary venture in San Diego's East Village. Harvest By The Patio is ready to bring health-conscious, fast-casual cuisine to the downtown neighborhood, featuring a menu with an emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and a down-to-earth cocktail program.

Our Top Five Event Picks For The 13th Annual San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival | Taking Over America's Finest City This November 14-20

November 3, 2016

Get ready for lucky #13! The thirteenth edition of the weeklong San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival is coming up fast! We've covered Southern California's largest epicurean event for the past five incarnations, and although the schedule varies year after year, we have a good idea of what to expect. We've looked over the lineup of over 30 meals, demos, classes and festivals taking place from November 14 to 20 and have narrowed them down to our top 5 event picks. Because we adore our readers so much, we are also raffling off 2 general admission tickets to the San Diego Wine & Food Festival's Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 19, so read on for our picks and be sure to enter!

Local Restaurants Compete In Ultimate Chili Competition At 7th Annual SoNo Fest & Chili Cookoff On December 4

November 2, 2016

On Sunday, December 4, from 11am to 5pm, the 7th annual SoNo Fest & Chili Cook­off will take over 32nd & Thorn streets to give San Diegans a chance to buy local, eat local and drink local, all for a great cause. This free-to-attend event promises an amazing lineup of competition-worthy chili as local restaurants go head-to-head to see who is crowned the SoNo Fest Chili Champion of 2016. There will also be live music, local vendors, a kids zone, and a craft beer & wine garden - with all proceeds benefiting McKinley Elementary School.

San Diego's Berry Good Food Foundation To Host Free Panel Discussion On Sustainable Seafood Practices

November 2, 2016

Worried about farmed fish and what's on your seafood plate these days? Join San Diego's Berry Good Food Foundation on November 16 for the fourth installment of the non-profit's educational Future Thought Leaders panel series. Safe Harbor: Myths, Truths, and Misinformation is a free-to-attend event that will begin with food and drinks from Chef Isabel Cruz followed by a rivetting discussion featuring scientists, fishermen, chefs, and nutritionists who will discuss the impact our seafood choices have on the well-being of the oceans.