My Favorite Happy Hours | Pacific Beach & Mission Beach

April 20, 2012

When I’m not cooking at home or covering an eatery or event, I usually head out only for happy hours or daily specials. I’m a professional deal hunter, and being that I live in Pacific Beach, I try to keep it local as often as possible. Who wants to hang out with a designated driver anyway? No one. Well, not me.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival: A Tasteful Extravaganza

April 17, 2012

Embarking on an adventure up the ineffably picturesque California coast from San Diego to the Monterey Peninsula was merely the tip on the iceberg of decadent pleasure and visual stimuli that this past weekend presented. The journey culminated in a weekend filled with celebrity chefs, exquisite tastes, wines from around the world, and was marked by over-indulgence, with the renowned Pebble Beach as a fittingly luxurious background for the events of the 5th Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine festival.

Puesto Street Tacos | La Jolla’s Classy Taqueria

April 13, 2012

In San Diego, tacquerias are everywhere.  If you’re going to open a taco shop here, you have to stand out amongst the crowd.  Puesto Mexican Street Food does just that by offering upscale casual-fare in a delightful space in downtown La Jolla.

Fifth Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival – A Culinary Experience of a Lifetime

April 3, 2012

In less than two short weeks, I will embark on a journey north on the fabled, twisting, cliff-hugging Pacific Coast Highway, to the famed Pebble Beach coastal resort destination of Monterey for a culinary experience of a lifetime.  The Fifth Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival (April 12-15, 2012) is the premier epicurean lifestyle event of the West Coast, luring national and international attendees to arguably the most picturesque sliver of coastline in the world. 

Whiskey Girl - Home of the Whiskey Burger

March 29, 2012

Since moving here over two years ago, I've been a big fan of Whiskey Girl.  The bar had a laid back feel.  Happy hour was long, often and worthwhile.  Catchy old music videos played alongside sports. Cold, local craft beer was served on tap, and the food was, well, the food was consistently satisfying.  It was one of my customary starting points for a day or evening in downtown SD.  When I learned that Whiskey was moving uptown one block into a new, renovated location for 2012, I became nervous.

Chef Anthony Sinsay Is Newest Member of Team Brian Malarkey!

March 27, 2012

Chef Anthony Sinsay

It's official, the young and talented Chef Anthony Sinsay, the former executive chef at Harney Sushi, is now working for Team Malarkey.   Malarkey released the information with a Facebook update on his personal page on March 27th, saying:

The Steakhouse at Azul | Surfin' and Turfin' La Jolla Style

February 14, 2012

Perched above scenic La Jolla Cove's "restaurant row," Steakhouse at Azul has plenty going for it. But your focus quickly turns to the inside, as it gracefully delivers top notch service and precisely prepared fare in a warm and cozy environment.

PB Knows Wings at Dirty Birds - San Diego’s King of Chicken Wings

February 12, 2012

“Buffalo Wings” have historically been known as an East coast food-staple, but in Pacific Beach, one restaurant makes the spicy chicken wings feel as So-Cal as fish tacos.  For those that don’t know about Dirty Birds, let me introduce San Diego’s “King of Chicken Wings.”

The Shores Restaurant: Well the View Was Probably Nice

February 8, 2012

Ahhhhh…..the thought of classy and sophisticated dining  with The Shores on one of the country’s most alluring and prestigious stretches of beach had me salivating all day.   My usual hesitations regarding dining during San Diego’s Restaurant Week were quelled by my personal notion that renowned The Shores would not sacrifice quality for such an event.

Del Mar Rendezvous | Upscale, Modern, and Delicious Chinese Fusion

January 25, 2012

Located on the main strip at the northern end of Del Mar Plaza, Del Mar Rendezvous has been satisfying San Diegans with upscale Chinese and Asian fusion cuisine since it opened its doors in 2004.  With the year of the Dragon before us, Rendezvous has made perfection its resolution for 2012, as it aims to build upon its early successes and maintain its supremacy as one of the finest Chinese restaurants in San Diego County. 

Enoteca Adriano – PB’s First Italian Wine Bar

The Pope's Pillow

January 11, 2012

Forget jet-setting - embark on a trip to Italia without leaving San Diego.  Enoteca Adriano in Pacific Beach offers delicious Italian fair in a dimly lit and authentically romantic café setting, with both indoor and outdoor patio seating.  Modeled after many of Italy’s cultural centers, Enoteca Adriano is a wine bar/restaurant featuring regional Italian wines and traditional dishes served up with impeccable white linen service.  With the warmth of a traditional Italian family, owner Franco Tassone invites you to indulge in recipes born of his family of chefs and restaurateurs. 

Pacific Beach Alehouse | A Laid-Back Brew Pub on the Beach

January 5, 2012

Offering views of the ocean waves, the bustling boardwalk and nearby Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach Alehouse has been a favorite restaurant and microbrewery of locals and tourists alike since it opened its doors and patios in 2008.

Whale Watching In Style on Yacht "America"

January 3, 2012

From December 17th through April 15th, enjoy an extraordinary experience whale-watching on Next Level Sailing's famous racing yacht "AMERICA."

Slater's 50/50 – OC Hotspot Opens in Liberty Station

Peanut butter and jealousy burger

December 29, 2011

Burger-centric eateries are abundant in the city of San Diego, but there is only one where you can get a 50% beef / 50% bacon patty and choose from over 100 beers on tap – hail Slater’s 50/50.

"Ladies Night" | The Unruh Civil Rights Act

December 15, 2011

Many bars and restaurants are apparently uninformed of the Unruh Civil Rights Act, being that there are still "ladies night" discriminations taking place in San Diego. Whether it be the typical no cover for women, or any other sex-based prices or benefits, some members of the hospitality industry continue practices forbidden by Unruh.

Splash Wine Bar – A Unique Wine Lounge in North Park

December 14, 2011

Unlike traditional wine bars, samplings at Splash Wine Bar in North Park are ultra casual - self-serve from one of the three centric red wine Enomatic wine dispensing systems (maintained at approximately 57 degrees), or from the back side bar featuring chilled white wines (a refreshing 47 degrees).

A Recap of the 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

November 25th, 2011


The 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival attracted more than 9,000 epicurean enthusiasts from around the world, including culinary personalities, cookbook authors and celebrity chefs, to enjoy a gourmet showcase of food, wine and spirits in America’s Finest City.  SanDiegoVille.com had the amazing opportunity to cover some of the events, so join us as we take a tour through Southern California’s premier lifestyle celebration of fine dining at its best.

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.