Former Top Chef Contestants To Host Official San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival Grand Tasting After Party

Chefs Chad White & Giselle Wellman

October 30, 2016

Southern California's largest culinary classic -  the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival - will close the curtain on its 13th installment with Party After Dark, the official after party of the Festival's iconic Lexus Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 19, hosted by a star-studded lineup of chefs from the 13th season of Bravo's Top Chef, including Chefs Chad White and Giselle Wellman.

The Fall Bing Crosby Season Returns To Del Mar Racetrack This November 11 - December 4

October 30, 2016

Del Mar's iconic racetrack is gearing up for its fall incarnation - the Bing Crosby Season - heading into its third year this November 11 through December 4. It’s all about bringing back the old-school cool, journeying to the era and style of the track’s founder who started it all, Hollywood legend Bing Crosby. The 15-day session will not only bring back the world-class horse racing that the seaside track is historically known for, there will also be a variety of signature seasonal events including a pair of free concerts, festivals, Thanksgiving day events and eclectic outdoor dining options.

Huge Organic Restaurant To Open In San Diego's Gaslamp | Tocaya Organica To Take Over Former Cake Nightclub Space

October 29, 2016

We'll soon see a battle between classic versus contemporary! Coming in right down the block from downtown San Diego's incoming, traditional street taco spot, Tacos El Gordo, is a huge modern-Mexican organic restaurant. The Madera Group recently closed Cake Nightclub at 755 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp and will use the 6,000 square foot space for another one of the company's concepts - Tocaya Organica - which currently has two branches in Los Angeles with another planned for Miami.

Carnitas' Snack Shack To Close North County Location By Year's End | LA-Based Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market To Take Over Del Mar Highlands Space

October 29, 2016

The Carnitas' Snack Shack location in Del Mar Highlands Town Center will close up shop by the end of the year. The second location of the popular pork paradise, CSS Del Mar was opened in August 2014 by husband-and-wife-partners Chef Hanis Cavin & Sara Stroud, who also have outposts of their fast-casual restaurant in North Park and at the North Embarcadero in Downtown San Diego. The space will be taken over by popular Los Angeles based Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market, which anticipates to open by Spring 2017.

San Diego Based Modern Times Beer Announces Gigantic Anaheim Project

October 28, 2016

San Diego's Modern Times Beer, which first launched its Point Loma-based brewery in 2012, took to social media today to announce plans for an enormous craft beer entertainment destination planned for the downtown Anaheim, a nearly 32,000 square foot project that will include an onsite restaurant, brewing facility, café, restaurant, guest food stalls, a pool with poolside bar and movie screen, a merchandise store and more. Modern Times Leisuretown is coming!

Ex-The Cork & Craft Sous Chef Tony Guan Takes Over Kitchen At Underbelly North Park

October 28, 2016

We recently broke the news that former The Cork & Craft Executive Chef Philip Esteban had joined CH Projects restaurant group to assist in the culinary development of the burgeoning brand. Well, the young chef is already sourcing talent from his old gig, as CHP has recently hired former Cork & Craft sous chef Tony Guan to lead the kitchen at the second outpost of the company's ramen bar concept - Underbelly North Park.

Wheat & Water To Bring Artisan Pizza & Craft Beer To Bird Rock Starting November 1

October 27, 2016

It's been over 2 years since we announced that Bird Rock's Bella Roma Pizza would become Wheat & Water, but the modern pizza-pub is finally ready to unveil. Currently in its soft opening stage, W&W will grand open to the public on Tuesday, November 1, offering a stylishly urban design meets seaside neighborhood vibe with a menu of wood-fired pizza, shared plates, salads, charcuterie boards, wine, cocktails, and of course, San Diego craft beer.

Avatar-Inspired Cirque Du Soleil Coming To San Diego For Limited Run This November | Enter To Win Tickets To TORUK - The First Flight

October 27, 2016

Cirque du Soleil is bringing its newest acrobatic spectacle to Valley View Casino Center at San Diego's Sports Arena for a limited run this November 23-27, and we are raffling off 2 tickets for opening night! TORUK – The First Flight is a live immersive multimedia spectacle that brings to the stage the breathtaking world of James Cameron’s AVATAR like you have never seen it before.

Grater Grilled Cheese To Open 3rd Outpost | Coming Soon To Del Mar Highlands Town Center

October 26, 2016

What began with a food truck and a dream has become three brick-and-mortar eateries dotted around San Diego county with more on the way! Adding to their fast-casual restaurants in La Jolla and Mission Valley, Grater Grilled Cheese will soon open its 3rd outpost within the Del Mar Highlands Town Center, anticipated to open in early 2017.

Ajisen Ramen Bar To Open On November 5 In San Diego's Kearny Mesa Neighborhood

October 26, 2016

The rise of ramen continues to take over San Diego. Hailing from Kumamoto, Japan and in business since 1968, Ajisen Ramen has completely renovated the building previously occupied by Coco's Family Restaurant at 7398 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Kearny Mesa and will open its first San Diego eatery on November 5.

Oceanside's Urge Gastropub & Whiskey Bank Launches Speakeasy Concept | 101 Proof Brings The Underground To North County Starting October 27

October 25, 2016

A staple of the North County San Diego food scene, 3 Local Brothers restaurant group is ready to make waves with its newest concept, a speakeasy located within the underbelly of its Urge Gastropub & Whiskey Bank location in Oceanside. 101 Proof will open its doors to the public on Thursday, October 27, offering a reservation-only experience with a strong focus on whiskey and cocktails using hand-pressed juice.

Searsucker Del Mar New Executive Chef Cesar Oceguera Releases Refreshed Dinner Menu

October 24, 2016

Searsucker Del Mar's newly appointed Executive Chef, San Diego native Cesar Oceguera, has been hard at work and will launch a refreshed menu for the North County hotspot on October 25. Check it out!

Baja Betty's To Host Nacho Eating Contest On November 10

October 23, 2016,

On Thursday November 10, Baja Betty's in Hillcrest is hosting its 2nd annual Nacho Daddy eating contest, where contestants attempt to speed-stuff their faces with the restaurant's signature family size plate of nachos for a chance to win prizes and bragging rights.

After Parting Ways With Stone Brewing Co., "Dr." Bill Sysak Announces Launch Of His Own Brewery | Wild Barrel Brewing Company Is Coming To San Marcos In 2017

October 22, 2016

Despite an aggressive global expansion that includes a recently launched brewery in Germany, Stone Brewing Co. laid off approximate 5% of its workforce this month, with rumors being that the terminated included the brewery's longtime beverage supervisor, cicerone, and pairing expert "Dr." Bill Sysak. Well, Sysak is apparently turning lemons into lemonade by focusing his expertise on the launch of his own San Diego brewery, announcing plans for the opening of Wild Barrel Brewing Company at an undisclosed location in San Marcos in 2017.

Tom Ham's Lighthouse Celebrates San Diego Beer Week With 3rd Annual Brews, Views & Chews On November 7 | Enter To Win 4 Tickets

October 21, 2016

Are you ready for a food and craft beer tasting event at a lighthouse during San Diego Beer Week? On Monday, November 7, from 6-9pm, local breweries and chefs will take over picturesque Tom Ham's Lighthouse for the 3rd annual Brews, Views and Chews, featuring live music and unlimited samples of local brews and bites from some of the area's best restaurants. We have four tickets to give away to one of our readers! Who wants 'em?

The San Diego Brewers Guild Presents 8th Annual San Diego Beer Week This November 4-13 | 10-day Celebration To Feature More Than 500 Events Across the City

October 20, 2016

For the eighth consecutive year, the San Diego Brewers Guild will bring together over 100 breweries from across San Diego County for the region’s highly anticipated annual celebration of all things beer - San Diego Beer Week. The 10-day event, beginning Friday, November 4 and continuing through Sunday, November 13, consists of more than 500 beer-centric events held at locations around the county, bookended by two always sold out extravaganzas - the San Diego Brewers Guild Festival, SDBW’s 2 day official opening event held at downtown’s Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, and The Beer Garden, the week’s closing event held at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

Bar By Red Door Debuts In Mission Hills On October 20 | Get The Real First Look

October 19, 2016

Trish Watlington closed Wellington Steak & Martini Lounge this past June to rebrand the space into Bar By Red Door, a bar-focused lounge with an emphasis on interactive cocktails and a mainly shared and small plates food menu, set to unveil on October 20.

The 17th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival Brings Fresh Films This November 3-12

October 18, 2016

The largest showcase of Asian cinema on the West Coast returns to America's Finest City this November 3-12. The 17th San Diego Asian Film Festival will present more than 140 films from 15 countries at this year’s 10 day event.