Escape Fish Bar on Fifth | Casual & Tasty

September 16, 2011

In hopes of satisfying my lingering craving for fried fish, I recently visited the newly-opened Escape Fish Bar on Fifth Avenue in the heart of Downtown's Gaslamp District, and I was very happy I did.  Escape is a casual, petite seafood alcove which prides itself on offering the freshest catch, a great selection of local craft beers, and an ample wine selection.

True North Tavern | Where Some Like it Hot

September 12, 2011

Just off bustling University Avenue in the heart of North Park, enter True North Tavern -- literally one of the hottest spots in town. This neighborhood favorite offers a casual, laid-back atmosphere, boasting heavy wood encased booths, medieval-style chandeliers, exposed brick, a couple full size pool tables, and over twenty flat screen televisions.

Saska's $10 IN and OUT Deal (including tax and tip)

July 31, 2011

$10 for lunch, a beer, tax and tip!! For lunch, Saska’s in Mission Beach offers an unbeatable special. For their “$10 IN and OUT Deal,” weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., choose an entrée and one beverage (including soft drinks, select draft beer, and white and red wine choices), and pay a mere 10 bucks for your meal, including tax and tip!

Grand Opening of Stone Brewing Co. Company Store in South Park

June 29, 2011

Greg Koch, Mayor Sanders, and
Councilman Todd Gloria

The grand opening of the Stone Company Store-South Park occurred on June 22nd, 2011, and according to the Stone Facebook Page, the event was a huge success with Mayor Sanders even stopping by to learn about brewing and to declare it "Stone Brewing Co. Day" in San Diego.

Brian Malarkey's Lunch Bunch at Searsucker

June 28, 2011

In the past year, Gaslamp's Searsucker has sizzled, sparked and flamed its way into the role of hottest spot in town, and seems unlikely to surrender the title anytime soon (although partners Brian Malarkey and James Brennan want the spotlight shifted to their just-opened Burlap in Del Mar Heights).

An Evening at the Sold Out Del Mar Summer Solstice Event

June 24, 2011

On Thursday, June 23rd, from 5-8p.m., the sold-out Del Mar Summer Solstice event took place in Powerhouse Park, just steps from the rolling waves of Del Mar beach. If you missed it, be sure to mark your calendars for next year, because this event was an amazing time in a beautiful setting, highlighted by delectable tastes from well-known area restaurants to be paired with sips from several California wineries and breweries.

BiCE Ristorante | Old World Italian in the Gaslamp

June 24, 2011

With locations that span the globe from Dubai to Buenos Aires, BiCE (pronounced "Bee-chay") Ristorante has come a long way since Beatrice "Bice" Ruggeri opened the original in Milan, Italy in 1926. The San Diego restaurant stays true to form with a steadfast hold on classic Northern Italian dishes and traditional Italian culinary values, such as using fresh and simple ingredients and enhancing them with wine, cheese and other highly flavored items.

A Shuckin’ Good Time | 2nd Annual San Diego OysterFest

June 13, 2011

The 2^nd annual San Diego OysterFest returns to the Marina Embarcadero this Saturday, June 18^th.  This year, the event features a new local focus with live bands and beer from area microbreweries, as well as plenty of fresh West Coast oysters and restaurant offerings from a variety of San Diego restaurants. Along with oyster shucking contests and cooking demos, this 21-and-over event spotlights some of San Diego's favorite bands, including headliners Pepper, plus The Nervous Wreckords, Vokab Kompany, Paulo Da Rosa, Sic Waiting and several DJs.

Truluck's | The House That Crab Built

June 13, 2011

Truluck's is an upscale, Southern-style seafood haven at which you can savor the freshest catch from a menu that changes with the tides (almost). Along with tender, juicy steaks, nightly live music, more that 100 wines by the sampling, glass, and bottle, and a value-oriented cocktail hour, Truluck's is a charming choice for a delectable meal. It's also a well-rounded establishment that should please both connoisseurs and recreational wine drinkers.

The Linkery to Become a "Brewpub"??

May 31, 2011

On Sunday May 28th, the Linkery updated their Facebook status to say, "I (Jay) have become engaged with the idea of transforming the Linkery into a restaurant/brewery." The update also linked to a blog post called "What'll Be Brewing At the Linkery" from Linkery owner, Jay Porter's blog, entitled "The Farm and The City."

More Than Meets the Eye at Bay Park’s Offshore Tavern and Grill

May 28, 2011

With the curb appeal of a neighborhood tavern, the interior attributes of a sports bar, and the food quality of a high-end gastro pub, the Offshore Tavern and Grill is a comfortable place worthy of a trip to Bay Park.

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.