An Event to Relish | The Grand Opening of Downtown’s Smashburger

May 27, 2011


On Thursday, May 26th, Smashburger kicked off the grand opening of its fourth San Diego location by serving its "smashing" menu to a packed house that boogied to reggae and rock by A Conscious Few to work it off. The newest Smashburger location is shiny white and red, and located at 8th and Market in downtown's up-and-coming East Village.

DEAL SPOTLIGHT - Johnny V’s Friday Night Special – Free Appetizers!

May 24, 2011

Order a drink and get a complimentary personal appetizer!

Johnny V is a restaurant/bar/nightclub that brings class and sophistication to Pacific Beach without the hefty price tag. JV's Friday evening happy hour (from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.) offers a unique palate-party, since with each beverage you purchase, you can choose one of 13 personal complimentary appetizers (which cost $2 each without a drink order).

A Conversation with Giada De Laurentiis | Giada Stars at the 18th Annual San Diego Sicilian Italian Festival

May 22, 2011

As a globally revered celebrity chef, Giada De Laurentiis doesn't enjoy much free time for casual travel, especially since she has to balance raising a growing family with her flourishing career. Given her eventful and demanding schedule, the Los Angeles native rarely has a chance to enjoy San Diego, and says she was especially thrilled to visit as part of her promotion of Italy's Bella Serra wines at the 18th Annual San Diego Sicilian Italian Festival.

The Linkery | Taking a Different Road in North Park

May 20, 2011

The Linkery is a farm-to-table gastro-pub whose motto simply states, "Our friends grow food for you and we cook it." Situated in an airy setting on a lively North Park corner, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in San Diego, this eatery has annoyed some clients with a policy that replaces voluntary tips with a service charge (see the no-tipping policy), and has earned national acclaim for its farm-driven cuisine.

Good Times at the Karl Strauss' 8th Annual Beach to Brewery Fest

May 16, 2011


This past Saturday, May 14th, from 2pm to 7pm, Karl Strauss Brewing Company and the Surfrider Foundation, San Diego Chapter, hosted the 8th Annual Beach to Brewery Beer and Music Fest. The benefit took place at the Karl Strauss Main Brewery in Pacific Beach and included 22 beers on tap, live local music, and a non-competitive bike ride from the beach to the brewery.  Each admission came with 5 hefty free beer tasters, live concert with 4 local bands, brewery tours, and more.

West Coast Tavern | Turning Old to New in North Park

May 7, 2011

Once you enter West Coast Tavern at the historic Birch North Park Theater you may recognize that the vaulted ceilings, dark wood and dim lighting are handsome reminders of its origins in 1928. When he took over the space occupied by West Coast, proprietor David Cohen preserved the nature of the theater by showcasing much of the original architecture. West Coast Tavern is a trendy place to eat and drink that offers good-value and imaginative small plates, which allows patrons to experience many flavors without breaking the bank.

Roppongi's New Summer Menu Launch Event | Tasty Bites, Skinny Cocktails, and Models in Bikinis

May 5, 2011

Big Eye Tuna Bite

On Wednesday, May 4th, La Jolla's Roppongi hosted a packed event to debut their new summer menu.  Light summer fare, refreshing new cocktails and models fashioned in Sauvage Swimwear (featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated 2011's Swimsuit Issue!) took over Roppongi's open-air patio and revamped lounge, creating an entertaining and appetizing event that showcased promising new additions to an already expansive menu.

Stone Brewing Co. | World-Influenced Cuisine with a Stone Twist

May 3, 2011

Enter Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens: a desert oasis, exquisitely and artfully designed to take you on a journey to a new Shangri-La. As you enter this food and brew heaven through a lilac-canopied walkway, you are greeted by stoic stone, vaulted ceilings, 30-foot glass walls that peer into the pristine brewery, and an open-air bistro distinguished by koi ponds and glistening fire pits.

Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion | A Luau in La Jolla

April 26, 2011

The tiki torches that illuminate the exterior of Roy's Hawaiian Fusion-La Jolla beckon brightly as you approach one of the trendiest Golden Triangle hotspots from Genesee Avenue. Roy's blends the flavors and style of Hawaii with fine, fresh local ingredients to present a uniquely delicious cuisine that makes for a memorable dining experience. With a frequently changing menu, the new "Aloha Hour" and daily fixed-price specials, anytime is a prime time to escape to a tropical paradise bursting with food sensations.

Sandbar Sports Grill | A Central Spot in MB

April 24, 2011

Mere steps from the ocean, the bustling boardwalk and ever-exhilarating Belmont Park, Sandbar Sports Grill has been a favorite of locals and tourists since it opened a decade ago.

DEAL SPOTLIGHT - Costa Brava: A Very Happy Hour

April 20, 2011

Seven Days a Week From 4-6pm, Enjoy Discounted Pitchers of Sangria and Tapas at Costa Brava in Pacific Beach!

How do you say "deal" in Español?  In Pacific Beach, Costa Brava knows. This "uptown" PB restaurant offers authentic Spanish cuisine and one of the best happy hours in town, and since it is featured every day of the week, there is no reason for anyone to miss out.

Burger Wars: In-N-Out vs. Five Guys

April 12, 2011

The East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry is heating up again, and this time it smells delicious. Since migrating westward into the Golden State, Five Guys Burger and Fries has been aggressively expanding its market, causing speculation over the effect it will have on California native, In-N-Out Burger.

The Healthy Vending Machines - Fresh Healthy Vending

April 11, 2011

Move over Jamie Oliver because there's a San Diego company making strides in the fight against childhood obesity. Headquartered in Mira Mesa and started in 2010, Fresh Healthy Vending is a vending machine company that specializes in providing healthy alternatives to the typical processed junk food and drinks usually found in such machines.

The Wine Pub in Point Loma - Where Everybody Knows Your Name

April 5, 2011

Frequently referred to as the "Cheers of Point Loma," The Wine Pub combines the elegance of an upscale eatery with the quaint comforts of a neighborhood bar.  Meshing aspects of a wine bar and a lounge to form an intimate and relaxing atmosphere, Wine Pub features attractions like domestic and New World wines, local draft beers and an artisan-style menu.

Daddy-O's Point Loma | It's Cool Man

March 22, 2011

Daddy-O's knows that nothing says "Americana' better than butter-grilled, charbroiled burgers and big, juicy dogs. Add to that a never-ending list of combinations, abundant portions and a nearly impossible food-eating challenge, and the result is a brilliant portrayal of the American dream conveniently located near the Sports Arena.

Yelp Under Investigation for Extortion

March 20, 2011

This past February, two law firms filed a class action suit accusing Yelp.com of extortion. The lawsuit alleges that Yelp offers to hide negative customer reviews of their businesses in exchange for advertising sponsorship contracts and/or enrolling in a type of tiered membership.

Where Every Meal Begins with an Apple

February 21, 2011

Created by Huntington Beach-based BJ’s Restaurants, Stacked is a newly conceived eatery that is earning national headlines by eliminating the need for menus and embracing technological advances to streamline ordering. Branded as "fast-casual-plus" dining, Stacked will provide patrons the ability to customize and design their meals on a tableside Apple IPad.

A Comfort Foodie Brunch at Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern

February 15, 2011

Along the boat-filled waters of Point Loma harbor, a relative newcomer to San Diego’s gastropub scene serves a most interesting brunch. Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern has arrived full-force, focused on “comfort food for foodies,” a classic-meets-contemporary vision that encompasses aspects from food to design.

DEAL SPOTLIGHT - Enoteca Adriano: Free Corkage Three Nights!

January 4, 2011

Free Corkage Monday through Wednesday at Enoteca Adriano! An Italian wine bar that offers free corkage three nights a week? This sounds impossible but it's a reality at Enoteca Adriano in North Pacific Beach.