Miguel’s Cocina | Upscale Mexican in Historic Old Town

November 18, 2011

Mexican food eateries are a dime a dozen in Old Town San Diego, but Miguel’s Cocina stands out from the others by offering upscale cuisine and mighty margaritas in a warm and charming setting without the formulaic décor and overwhelming liveliness of neighboring spots.

Closing Out San Diego Beer Week in Style | Beer Garden Event at the Lodge at Torrey Pines

Vanessa with Zane Lamprey

November 15, 2011

Our first San Diego Beer Week experience has come to an end, and the grand finale was the opulent Beer Garden event at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, featuring plenty of beer and culinary pairings from some of San Diego's finest chefs.  We even got to party with professional boozer and Drinking Made Easy host, Zane Lamprey.

San Diego Brewers Guild Festival | The Start of a Beautiful Beer Week

November 6, 2011

San Diego Beer Week began its 3rd incarnation with an unprecedented Brewers Guild Festival, featuring rocking live music, food offerings from many local businesses and food trucks, and of course, samplings of all the beer you can swallow from almost every brewery in the area.  Did I mention it was like 80 degrees and beautiful?  Gotta love San Diego!

Don't Miss the 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival | November 16-20th

October 29, 2011

For the 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, join over 9,000 enthusiasts from around the country, including culinary personalities, cookbook authors and celebrity chefs, and enjoy a gourmet showcase of food, wine and spirits in America's Finest City.

Starry Night at Starlite Lounge in Mission Hills

October 17, 2011

Approaching Starlite from India Street, picture an unassuming, understated desert oasis with a soft stucco façade, accentuated by an array of cacti and a vertical beamed fascia which reveals the glowing name and theme of this Mission Hills’ hotspot.  But enter the hexagonally shaped portal to another dimension, far from the surrounding body shops and the nearby noise of the interstate and airport.  A huge glass door, encased in wood opens, and takes your breath away.  The dimly lit interior is an architectural dream filled with life. 

Brazen BBQ is Smokin’ Hot in Hillcrest

October 14, 2011

San Diego’s reigning king of barbecue better watch its back, because newcomer, Brazen Barbecue Smokehouse & Bar has made its way from the smoky circuits of national competition to the corner of 5th and Washington in Hillcrest. Based upon the meaty deliciousness being served up, they’re here to stay. 

A New Social Dining Experience at Harney Sushi

September 21, 2011

Photos provided by Sinsay Fitography

Chef Anthony Sinsay left a haute cuisine career that included stints in Las Vegas and Beverly Hills, and returned to his hometown San Diego to be close to his ailing mother. A chance encounter with a co-owner of Miso Harney Sushi led to his first executive chef position and an opportunity to showcase his molecular gastronomy skills in full freedom at the "nook" booth at Harney Sushi's Old Town location.

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.