Another 'Top Chef' Touches Down In San Diego | Chef Casey Thompson Takes The Lead At The Inn At Rancho Sante Fe's Morada

December 8, 2016

We have more than our fair share of former Bravo TV Top Chef contestants cooking up a storm in America's Finest City. There's Brian Malarkey (Season 3) at Herb & Wood, Rich Sweeney (Season 5) at Waypoint Public, Giselle Wellman (Season 13) at Pacific Standard, and Richard Blais (Season 4, All-Stars) at Juniper + Ivy and The Crack Shack. The latest former cheftestant to enter San Diego is former Season 3, Season 8, and current Season 14 competitor Casey Thompson, who recently accepted the role of Executive Chef at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe’s Morada restaurant.

Queenstown Public House Transforms Into Life-Sized Gingerbread House To Benefit Little Italy Holiday Toy Drive

December 8, 2016

Queenstown Public House has transformed into a charming, life-sized gingerbread house to celebrate the holiday season and gather donations for the Little Italy Association’s annual toy drive for the foster children of New Alternatives, taking place until December 20. Stop by the New Zealand-inspired and American fare restaurant located inside a quaint, historic craftsman cottage in San Diego’s Little Italy, and be sure to bring an unwrapped toy for donation.

Stuffed Burgers To Open Brick-And-Mortar Location & Donut Shop In Pacific Beach

December 7, 2016

Adding to its Liberty Station hub, AG Industry Concepts will expand its Stuffed! burger concept with the opening of a second location in Pacific Beach. The local restaurant group will also tap into the donut trend and open Frat Boy Donuts in the neighboring space within the new shopping plaza at 1380 Garnet Avenue, which we recently reported will also house a Mission Brewery tasting room.

Chef Aaron Obregon Out At North Park's Beerfish

December 7, 2016

It's always a curious thing when a new restaurant parts ways with its launch chef, especially when that chef was recently nominated by one San Diego publication as a contender for Chef of the Year honors. We have received word that Aaron Obregon has parted ways with North Park's Beerfish, which opened this past June, and RoseAna Peyron will take the lead in the kitchen.

Harrah's Resort SoCal Debuts Area's First Casino Brewery | SR76 Beerworks Is Now Open

December 7, 2016

Harrah’s Resort Southern California has opened SoCal's first tribal-owned brewery! SR76 Beerworks is a new 5,000-square-foot, 15 barrel brewery situated adjacent to the resort and casino, inspired by the ten-thousand-year ancestry of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and named after State Route 76, the original footpath along the San Luis River that led the tribe to the coast each season. The same road will now guide beer-lovers east from the Pacific to the brewery.

Seaport Village's Upstart Crow Bookstore & Coffee House Announces Impending Closure

December 6, 2016

Sadly bookstores are becoming a thing of the past. A Seaport Village fixture for 35 years, Upstart Crow Bookstore & Coffee House took to its social media this week to announce that it will close for business at the end of the month.

Chef Steve Brown Taps Into The Future Of Fine Dining With Permanent Pop-Up Restaurant | Cosecha To Launch Inside Former Shima Steakhouse Location In Coronado

December 6, 2016

We broke the news earlier this year that Chef Steve Brown was returning to his hometown of Imperial Beach from Los Angeles to open a monstrous shipping container constructed restaurant - The Shipping Yard. We have also reported about several of his Cosecha pop up dinners, including the incoming Wagyu & Whiskey Dinner on December 17. We now learned that the talented chef has found a permanent home for his Cosecha pop up concept within the former Shima Steakhouse space in Coronado and will soon tap into the future of fine dining - ticketed specialty suppers.

After More Than 10 Years In Business Heaven Sent Desserts Says Goodbye To North Park | Cafe Figaro To Take Over Space For Figaro Desserts

December 6, 2016

After more than a decade serving up hand-crafted sweets in San Diego's North Park neighborhood, Heaven Sent Desserts has closed for business. Downtown coffee shop Cafe Figaro will take over the space and operate Figaro Desserts where it will continue to offer Heaven Sent prepared desserts and pastries.

Dirty Birds Lands In Liberty Station | Popular Chicken Wing Sports Bar Opens Third San Diego Location

December 5, 2016

San Diego's king of chicken wings has opened its third location! Dirty Birds has unveiled it's Liberty Station branch, which features the restaurant's signature lineup of more than 30 flavors of wings, as well as a 3,000 square sports bar filled with high definition televisions and a large outdoor patio looking out on The Loma Club golf course.

Nomad Donuts Unveils New Location & Supports Local Cause On December 13

December 5, 2016

San Diego’s Nomad Donuts is opening the doors to its highly anticipated second location in support of a good cause! On Tuesday, December 13, from 6 to 9pm, Nomad Donuts invites guests to discover its forthcoming location at North Park’s University Avenue and Illinois Street and enjoy donuts, drinks, live music and mixing and mingling with neighbors all to benefit academic initiatives for homeless youth.

Help San Diego Children This Holiday Season By Eating Tater Tots At These 7 San Diego Restaurants

December 4, 2016

The season of giving is upon us, and what better way to give back than by eating tater tots? Seven San Diego restaurants are proud to announce that they will be donating 15% of their tot sales profits for the entire month of December to the San Diego Center for Children. So eat up for a good cause all month long!

Oscar's Mexican Seafood Expands Northward | Popular Fish Taco Shop To Open Encinitas Location & Bring Food Truck To Los Angeles

December 4, 2016

One of San Diego's most beloved fish taco spots is moving northward! Oscar's Mexican Seafood is in the process of opening its 5th location at the 1,400 square foot space within Encinitas Village at 115 North El Camino Real (Suite 119E) and will also launch a food truck, Oscar's Mobile, in Los Angeles, both anticipated to debut within the month.

Liberty Public Market's Mess Hall To Close On December 6 For Renovation To Add New Concepts

December 3, 2016

Liberty Public Market's onsite restaurant Mess Hall will close on December 6 in order to split up the space to three new concepts - a smaller reincarnation of the former eatery, a pizza counter, and a wine bar. The space is anticipated to reopen on December 19.

True North Tavern To Host Cigar & Wine Italian Dinner With Urban Solace Chef On December 14

December 3, 2016

True North Tavern in inviting connoisseurs of the greater things in life to enjoy an evening cigars, wine, cocktails and Italian cuisine a the Fest Sigaro Italiano! On Wednesday, December 14 starting at 6:30pm, this laidback neighborhood eatery opens its doors and welcomes patrons to indulge their senses in an Italian feast prepared by Urban Solace Chef Erik Miller, paired with fine cigars and to be appreciated with vino and crafted spirits, all while classic Frank Sinatra songs are played by a live band.

American Junkie To Take Over San Diego Gaslamp's La Fiesta & Ocean Room Spaces For 2017 Opening

December 2, 2016

The culinary landscape of downtown San Diego is in the midst of a transition. We recently announced that Dick's Last Resort closed after 25 years in business. Hooter's is in the process of selling after a nearly two decade tenure in the Gaslamp. And the latest news is that both Dining On Fifth restaurant groups's La Fiesta and neighboring Ocean Room, which both quietly shuttered last month, have been sold and will be turned into American Junkie, a bar/restaurant concept with locations in Orange County.

Little Italy's Sirena Cocina Introduces Ceviche Wednesdays Starting December 7

December 1, 2016

Fresh off celebrating its 2 year anniversary in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood, Sirena Cocina Latina is hoping to make Wednesdays everyone’s new favorite day of the week. What better way to celebrate making it halfway through the work week than with a flight of three ceviches, freshly created by a different celebrity guest chef each week, and a cold craft beer, Baja wine or specialty cocktail? Starting this December, Sirena is introducing Ceviche Wednesdays!

San Diego's Sweet Petite Confections Celebrates The Holidays With Santa’s Workshop, Cider Pairings & Gift Ideas This December

November 30, 2016

San Diego's favorite artisan chocolate shop, Sweet Petite Confections, will celebrate the holiday season with a trio of in-store events and new gift-worthy chocolate collections available throughout December. From holiday chocolates, to candy making classes, Sweet Petite is ready to sweeten up your holiday season this year.