Cohn Restaurant Group Opens Doors to Vintana in Escondido on May 21st

May 17, 2012

After nine cumulative months of construction, the city’s most visible restaurant collective is gearing up to unveil their most anticipated concept to date—Vintana. The massive new $2.5 million joint venture from the Cohn Restaurant Group and Judy Jones-Cone, owner of The Centre at Lexus Escondido, is set to open its doors to the public on May 21, 2012 and is on track to break the mold of “traditional dining” as the first restaurant and luxury entertainment destination of its kind in the inland North County region.

Snooze | Denver's Best Breakfast Spot Comes to San Diego

May 16, 2012

By Bunny Anderson, Nightlife Reporter for Examiner.com

Over the summer I packed up my life in Denver, Colorado and ventured out west to make my home in sunny San Diego. While the idea of constant sunshine, surf, and beaches was highly appealing to me, my heart was breaking a little because I had to leave not only my amazing friends but my favorite restaurants and watering holes, including my go-to brunch heaven Snooze.

Get Your Grill Fix on This Memorial Day at BiCE Ristorante

May 16, 2012

For those wanting to avoid the crowded beaches and rooftop pool parties this Memorial Day weekend but don't want to miss out on the grilled food experience, BICE Ristorante in the Gaslamp is a fantastic option with their special Grigliata (everything's grilled) menu.

I Love Poke Festival to Auction Off Judge's Seat for Charity

May 16, 2012

For the first time in the event’s three-year history, the I Love Poke Festival, taking place May 30th from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bali Hai Restaurant, will auction off one of its coveted judging spots for charity, via eBay Giving Works and MissionFish. This auction will begin on May 16th and extend for ten days, ending on Saturday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m.

19th Annual San Diego Sicilian Festival | Sunday, May 20th

May 16, 2012

The San Diego Sicilian Festival returns to the streets of Little Italy this Sunday, May 20th, for its 19th installment.

Grant Grill "Hotel Bar of the Year" Award Party | May 16th

May 14, 2012

In February, Nightclub & Bar Magazine officially announced the winners of the 2012 Nightclub & Bar Awards naming the Grant Grill 'Hotel Bar of the Year.’ To celebrate their success, the Grant Grill is hosting a 'Hotel Bar of the Year' Award Party.

Coast of Pacific Beach to Highlight PB's Dining Industry | May 22, 2012

May 13, 2012

On May 22^nd, make your way to the beach and discover the best eats in Pacific Beach at the upcoming Coast of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk.  Bring your appetite as this popular annual event continues to grow and will offer a great variety of food choices by over 20 local restaurants as well as special deals from local retailers as you stroll past the shops, all for only $20 presale!

American Craft Beer Week in San Diego | Where to Celebrate and Why

May 11, 2012

Next week San Diego celebrates American Craft Beer Week (this is different than Beer Week, which is later in the year). Below is some info on the jubilation and a round-up of several local establishments dedicated to offering the proper way to celebrate the flourishing local craft beer scene.

Competing Chefs and Participating Restaurants Announced for I Love Poke Festival | May 30, 2012

May 11, 2012

The I Love Poke Festival has announced an impressive lineup of competing chefs who, along with participating restaurants and food vendors, will be present at this large-scale Hawaiian food and culture-fest, taking place May 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island.

A Few San Diego Mother's Day Brunches for the Entire Family

May 10, 2012

Eat, drink and be merry with Mom this Mother’s Day. It’s all about family at these San Diego restaurants.

Prepkitchen – Fresh & Flavorful in Little Italy

May 9, 2012
Food Photos by Kiera McGill

The menu quotes the late Julia Child and reads, “You don’t have to cook complicated or fancy masterpieces, just good food from fresh ingredients.” Though I may argue that the London Burning cocktail and puttanesca sauce are in fact masterpieces, Prepkitchen definitely makes good, simple food from the freshest ingredients.

TODAY! Ciro's Pizzeria & Beerhouse in Pacific Beach Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary with $2 Slices and Rare Kegs!!

May 9, 2012

Ciro's Pizzeria and Beerhouse in Pacific Beach will be celebrating its one year anniversary today, Wednesday, May 9th from 11am to close.

One Small Dinner, So Many Possibilities...Exciting New Small Group Dating Service Launches in San Diego

May 8, 2012

An interesting new company has decided to make its national launch right here in San Diego. DinnerDate is a small group dating service that’s making San Diego restaurants the main ingredient for singles seeking new relationships. Below is a full description about who they are and what they have planned for America’s Finest City. Since their April launch, they have had over 1500 people sign up with a profile and DinnerDaters are already meeting one another at restaurants and events!

Hump Day Stimulation: Guava Beach Trivia Wednesdays

May 8, 2012

By Bunny Anderson, Nightlife Reporter for Examiner.com

If the ho-hum of the work week has you down and you are looking for some hump day stimulation for the brain, grab your smarty pants friends and head on over to Guava Beach Bar & Grill for Trivia Wednesdays, hosted by Americas Finest Trivia. Guava Beach provides a fun, chilled out atmosphere right in the middle of Mission Beach (3714 Mission Blvd.) Trivia usually gets started around 8pm but I would suggest getting there early to claim prime seating.

Fast-Growing Stash Hotel Rewards Offers Point-Based Program for Independent Hotel Stays in the U.S.

May 8, 2012

West Inn & Suites, an 86-room independently owned and operated boutique hotel in Carlsbad, has joined Stash Hotel Rewards, the largest loyalty program for independent hotels in the United States.
Accepted into the Stash Hotel Rewards program because of its top TripAdvisor rating in Carlsbad, leisure and business travelers can now earn and redeem points in a rapidly increasing network of independent hotels across the country.

FIVE San Diego Restaurants Make the National Top 100 Brunch List!

   May 7, 2012

Brockton Villa's Brunch View

94th Aero Squadron, Brockton Villa, Humphrey's Restaurant, R-Gang Eatery, and Tom Ham's Lighthouse

Just in time for Mother's Day, OpenTable announced the 2012 Diners' Choice Award winners for Best 100 Restaurants for Brunch in the United States. These awards reflect the combined opinions of nearly 5 million reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners for more than 12,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

San Diego Brewers Clean Up at the 2012 World Beer Cup | See the Full Result Here

Karl Strauss Crew with their Gold
for Best Irish Style Red

   May 7, 2012

Brewers from around the world received awards from an selected international panel of judges in the 2012 Brewers Association World Beer Cup in San Diego. The ninth bi-annual competition had the strongest field of entrants on record, with 799 breweries from 54 countries and 45 U.S. states entering 3,921 beers in 95 beer style categories. This was a 17.7% increase over 2010.  The entries were eligible for gold, silver and bronze awards in their respective categories. Judges presented a total of 284 awards.

Korean Fusion Restaurant, Fuze Restaurant and Lounge, Opens in Mira Mesa

May 7, 2012
Mira Mesa recently welcomed its newest Korean fusion restaurant with the opening of Fuze Restaurant and Lounge. Located at 9379 Mira Mesa Blvd., the 3,300 square foot restaurant will be open daily for lunch and dinner.

Le Dîner à San Diego Announces Exclusive Partnerships with San Diego’s Leading Culinary Visionaries, Campine and Snake Oil Cocktail Co., and Non-Profit Slow Food Urban San Diego

 May 7, 2012


Le Dîner à San Diego, Southern California’s inaugural spontaneous flash “pop-up picnic” dinner feast to occur on May 25th, has announced a partnership with San Diego’s leading and most exclusive fine dining catering company, Campine. Dubbed “a culinary + cocktail conspiracy,” Campine is helmed by Chef/Partner Andrew Spurgin formerly of Waters Fine Catering, Antonio Friscia of the famed nightclub and event venue Stingaree, and celebrity chef Brian Malarkey, Chef/Owner of Searsucker, Burlap, Gingham, Gabardine and the upcoming Herringbone.