The Gaslamp Shutter | 1919, Ocean Pacific Grill & Pasha Lounge Recently Close

January 9, 2017

With rising property values comes higher rents, and combined with an increased minimum wage, the result is that many establishments are being pushed from their spaces due to the excess costs of doing business. 1919, Pasha Lounge, and Ocean Pacific Grille are the latest victims of the Gaslamp Shutter - a new disease spreading throughout San Diego and closing businesses in record numbers.

Lunar New Year Festival Takes Over Qualcomm Stadium This January 20-22

January 7, 2017

San Diego's biggest Lunar New Year Festival takes over Qualcomm Stadium this January 20-22 to celebrate the year of the rooster! Produced by The Little Saigon Foundation of San Diego, The Lunar New Year Festival draws 30,000 guests to Mission Valley each year for Asian delicacies and unique cultural delights, as well as live entertainment, carnival rides and a beer garden.

The French Table To Open At Former Clandestino Space In Hillcrest

January 6, 2017

A branch of Southern California restaurant concept Creme de la Crepe, The French Table will open on January 20 at 142 University Avenue in Hillcrest in the space that previously housed Clandestino restaurant.

Johnny Rockets Opens La Jolla Location

January 5, 2017

Johnny Rockets, a 50s-style burger and malt shop chain of restaurants, has opened its first central San Diego location in La Jolla as part of the Westfield UTC expansion that also includes San Diego's first Shake Shack.

Ballast Point Founders Rebrand Spirits Division | Cutwater Spirits To Open Distillery, Restaurant & Bar In Miramar

January 5, 2017

Former Ballast Point Founder Jack White & COO Yuseff Cherney, who left the company last summer after selling the brewery portion of the business to Constellation Brands, are rebranding Ballast's spirit division into Cutwater Spirits and will open a 50,000 square-foot distillery, bar and restaurant in San Diego's Miramar neighborhood.

An Alt-Restaurant Week Emerges In San Diego In 2017 | Inaugural Farm To Fork Week Takes Place January 15-22

January 4, 2017

The owner of Mission Hills sister restaurants The Red Door & Bar by Red Door, Trish Watlington is hosting her own week of dining deals during this year's winter edition of San Diego Restaurant Week. Farm To Fork Week will celebrate the special relationship between local farmers, food purveyors, chefs and restaurants with dining specials throughout San Diego County during the inaugural event this January 15-22.

Gigantic New Karaoke Bar Coming To Kearny Mesa | Hive Bar, Restaurant & Entertainment Center To Debut In Early 2017

January 3, 2017

The owner of the Convoy District's Chorus Karaoke & Bar is greatly expanding and taking over the adjacent space to build Hive - a 18,000 square foot dining, drinking and entertainment venue centered around karaoke.

Civico 1845 Partners With Michelin Star Chefs For New Menu Items & Tasting Event In San Diego

Michelin-starred father/son Antonio & Luca Abbruzzino

January 3, 2017

Little Italy's Civico 1845 is collaborating with two Michelin-rated Italian chefs, father and son Antonio and Luca Abbruzzino, on dishes that feature ingredients from Southern Italy to be included on the restaurant's revamped menu. To kick off the partnership, the chefs will travel to San Diego and work with Civico 1845 chefs Alfonso Pisacane and Pietro Gallo to create new dishes that highlight Southern Italy’s finest tastes with an unveiling event to be held on January 18.

Javier Plascencia Bows Out Of The United States Culinary Landscape | Celebrity Chef Parts Ways With His San Diego Restaurants

January 3, 2017

The upscale Mexican food trend may be nearing an end. The face of Baja Calfornia Mexican cuisine, celebrity chef Javier Plascencia has announced that he has separated from his San Diego-based restaurants Bracero Cocina de Raiz in Little Italy and Romesco Mexiterranean in Bonita to focus on his ventures south of the border.

Bay Ho's Red Card Café Appoints New Executive Chef & Plans Menu Revamp

January 2, 2017

Red Card Café in San Diego's Bay Ho neighborhood has parted ways with Chef Drew Lopez and promoted Alfonso Arellano to lead the kitchen and oversee a revamp of the gastropub’s new lunch and dinner menus, slated to launch January 10.

The Crack Shack Continues Expansion Up The Coast | Encinitas Location Underway & Third Location Planned For Orange County

January 2, 2017

Michael Rosen & Chef Richard Blais are continuing the northward expansion of their popular fried chicken concept - The Crack Shack. The Encinitas branch is currently gearing up for a February opening at the former Coco's space at 407 Encinitas Boulevard and a third location is planned for Costa Mesa in Orange County for a mid-to-late 2017 debut.

San Diego Restaurant Week Returns For Its 13th Year This January 15-22

January 1, 2017

Kick off 2017 with San Diego Restaurant Week, taking place this January 15-22 and offering 8 days of price fixed meals at over 180 restaurants located throughout San Diego County! Celebrating 13 years of culinary excellence, SDRW will be offering delicious discounted dining where foodies will be able to eat their hearts out at a long list of participating restaurants with unbeatable price options and, best part - no reservations required. Options includes three-course prix-fixe dinner menus for just $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person and two-course prix-fixe lunch menus for only $10, $15 or $20 per person.

Barons Market Opens Doors In North Park

December 29, 2016

In the heart of one of San Diego’s most vibrant and artistic neighborhoods, Barons Market has opened its doors to its new North Park. With its first urban store, the family-owned grocery strived to create a market with as much character and charisma as the people who live in the community.

Modern Times Beer To Open Encinitas Tasting Room | The Far West Lounge To Debut In 2017

December 28, 2016

Modern Times Beer has announced that it will open The Far West Lounge tasting room in Encinitas in 2017, offering 32 taps of beers brewed at the San Diego-based brewery's Lomaland Fermentorium, as well as beers brewed at the Los Angeles and Anaheim facilities that are currently under construction.

Submarine Crab Coming To San Diego's Convoy District

December 27, 2016

A new Cajun restaurant concept opens in San Diego's Convoy District to kick off 2017. Inspired by Southern recipes, Submarine Crab offers a menu of sauced and spiced crab, lobster, shrimp, crawfish and more, as well as signature sides and an exciting lineup of drinks.

Waterbar To Open At The Prime Former Joe's Crab Shack Beachside Space In Pacific Beach In 2017

December 26, 2016

After a complete overhaul of the beachside former Joe's Crab Shack space at 4325 Ocean Boulevard in Pacific Beach, Waterbar has taken over and is ready to raise the bar and restaurant scene with its oceanfront ambience and a menu complete with cocktails and craft beer. Located along the bustling ocean boardwalk where Grand Avenue meets the beach just south of the iconic Crystal Pier, Waterbar will offer floor-to-ceiling views of sea and sky and a seafood-centric menu.

StreetCar Merchants Of Fried Chicken, Doughnuts & Coffee Launches La Jolla Location

December 26, 2016

Gourmet fried chicken creations and handcrafted donuts are now available on Prospect Street in La Jolla. StreetCar Merchants of Fried Chicken, Doughnuts & Coffee, who debuted in North Park in 2014, have launched their second San Diego location.