Allow Us to Introduce You To 1.5 Gallons of Glory. San Diego’s largest cocktail, “The Mason Jar” at barleymash

Kate Sessions!

October 24, 2012

Delicious in taste and serious in size, barleymash ups the ante with The Mason Jar, a hefty new way to order your favorite cocktail. This huge 1.5 gallon Mason jar comes filled to the brim with your choice from one of five specialty cocktails and it is sure to satisfy several or leave one properly hydrated (ahem, that’s inebriated).

The 12th Annual Fall Back Festival: The Children's Historical Street Faire Takes Place Sunday, November 4th from 11am-4pm

October 24, 2012

There's no need for the DeLorean to venture back in time. Join the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation as they present the 12th Annual Fall Back Festival on Sunday, November 4th, 2012 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in front of the Gaslamp Museum at 4th and Island Avenues.

Win Free Tickets to the San Diego Reader FEAST! This Friday, October 26th

October 23, 2012

Tickets are more than affordable and selling out quick for the inaugural San Diego Reader Feast! Event, but if you're a low rollin' cheapskate like us, give yourself the chance to get comped and win either 2 VIP tickets or 2 GA tickets to FEAST!  All you have to do is 'Like' SanDiegoVille on Facebook or 'Follow' us on Twitter, then share one of our many posts about the Feast! event.  Winners will be announced Thursday night or Friday morning.  If you can't 'share' or 'retweet' the posts, I guess just 'liking' would suffice!  Best of luck!      

Feeding America San Diego’s Sunset Soirée: A Sublime Success

October 22, 2012

With the incredible sunset at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club as the backdrop, Larry King had the crowd roaring with laughter and Sheryl Crow had everyone on their feet dancing at the inaugural Feeding America Sunset Soirée, which took place on Saturday, October 13th.  The unforgettable evening transitioned to a celebration of ambition, empathy, and benevolence, as community leaders, philanthropists, and humanitarians came together to benefit Feeding America San Diego (FASD), San Diego’s largest distributor of food to in need children, families and seniors.

Stone Brewing Co. Lines Up a Bunch of San Diego Beer Week 2012 Events

October 21, 2012

Stone Brewing Co. will celebrate San Diego Beer Week November 2nd through 11th with a slew of beer-centric events at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens.  Here's what the North County San Diego beer company has on tap:

Community Invited to Celebrate Halloween in Little Italy for Trick-or-Treat on India Street | October 31st from 5:30-7:30pm

October 20, 2012

It's time for Trick-or-Treat on India Street in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood!  This is a special one as families who live downtown in sky-rises need a place to celebrate Halloween too!  Little Italy Association invites downtown families to trick-or-treat in a safe, family-minded environment in San Diego’s Little Italy community on Wednesday, Oct. 31st from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

SanDiegoVille’s Specialty Menu Adventure - First Stop: Del Mar Rendezvous’ Gluten-Free Menu

October 19, 2012

Because we have come to live in a time where food allergies, preferences, and eco-consciousness dictate where a growing proportion of diners will dine, we at SanDiegoVille are embarking on a specialty menu adventure in an attempt to highlight some of the health-conscious offerings in and around San Diego.  Follow us on SanDiegoVille.com while we feature not only our favorite food places, but those that have extensive menus dedicated to various dietary needs.  First stop, Del Mar Rendezvous’ Gluten-Free menu.

Pacifica Del Mar Adds Fresh Talent to Its Kitchen | New Chef Brings Peruvian Flare to Coastal Restaurant’s Fare

Chef Stephanie O'Mary-Berwald

October 19, 2012

Pacifica Del Mar introduces a fresh talent to their culinary team. The seaside eatery has appointed experienced chef Stephanie O’Mary-Berwald, to work alongside veteran chef/partner Chris Idso as Pacifica's new executive chef. O'Mary-Berwarld's experience and training stems from the acclaimed kitchens of renowned chef Todd English and James Beard winning chef, Michael White. Having worked on both coasts and in high-profile restaurants of different cuisines, O’Mary-Berwald’s culinary roots run deep. Her first efforts include adding a variety of autumn-harvested produce to dishes that have already become local favorites, while slowly introducing new items that demonstrate her unique perspective and love of cross-cultural cuisine.

Recap of the Medaglia d'Oro Media Luncheon with Top Chef Antonia Lofaso

Chef Lofaso during her cooking demo at FESTA!

October 18, 2012

On Sunday, October 14th, a select group of media were invited to enjoy a delicious Italian meal during Little Italy FESTA!  The private luncheon, hosted at Bencotto Italian Kitchen, featured the charming celebrity Top Chef Antonia Lofaso.  Invitees learned about Chef Antonia's new online recipe book, part of her collaboration with Medaglia d’Oro, in which she created a host of recipes that incorporate espresso in surprising ways (well beyond tiramisu!).  Our three course meal prepared by Bencotto's Chef Fabrizio Cavallini featured Maglia d'Oro products in each serving and was an excellent example of how the coffee bean can be incorporated into many different dishes and flavors.

San Diego's Top Chef Brian Malarkey to Join Anthony Bourdain and others as Culinary Mentors on ABC's New Reality Series "The Taste"

Chef Brian Malarkey

October 17. 2012

San Diego's culinary bad boy Brian Malarkey has announced today that he has been retained by ABC television network to be a mentor on the new cooking competition reality program "The Taste," joining the likes of No Reservations host Anthony Bourdain.  Brian Malarkey is the famed former Top Chef behind San Diego restaurants Searsucker, Burlap, Gingham, Gabardine, and Herringbone.

Hotel Solamar's Jsix Restaurant | How Food Should Be

October 17, 2012

Neither my mind nor my pen could keep up as Chef Graves rapidly described the intricacies of his dishes.  Persimmon carpaccio??  Vanilla poached pears?  Crispy parsnips? House cured salmon?!  These items seemed like second nature to Jsix's executive chef Christian Graves, but to me, the thought process and attention to detail implemented into each of Graves' layered flavor profiles were so mindfully crafted and uniquely artistic that I couldn't help but do a double take of some of the ingredients used and techniques mastered.  It was an experience unlike any other as my partner and I enjoyed an amuse plus three savory courses at the preview of Jsix's fall dinner menu offerings.  Each dish was beautiful, delicious and evidently well thought through by one of the most innovative and eco-conscious chefs in San Diego.

Restaurant Halloween Specials Around San Diego

October 16, 2012

We always tell potential visitors that Halloween is a great time to come to San Diego, as our city knows how to do it right. This Halloween, there are plenty of events around America's Finest City, including some taking place at Session's Public in Ocean Beach, Quality Social in the Gaslamp, and East Village's BASIC urban kitchen + bar and El Dorado Cocktail Lounge.  Check out the lineup, and feel free to email SanDiegoVille with any questions, comments or concerns.

Tracy Borkum of Urban Kitchen Group Announces CUCINA enoteca to Open in Del Mar | May 2013

Tracy Borkum

October 15, 2012

As a leader in San Diego’s culinary landscape for the last seventeen years, proprietor and restaurateur Tracy Borkum announces a major addition to her nationally acclaimed Urban Kitchen Group with CUCINA enoteca, a two-story, 7,000 sq ft restaurant and wine shop projected to launch in North County in May 2013. Borkum—one of the city’s most notable female hospitality innovators—reveals that this new multi-million dollar project will be her most elaborate San Diego venue yet, and will be located in the former Chevys Fresh Mex location at Del Mar’s Flower Hill Promenade.

Highly Anticipated North County Restaurant AVANT Opens in 2013, Replacing Famed El Bizcocho at Rancho Bernardo Inn

October 15, 2012

Slated to open early 2013, AVANT (Uh-Vahnt), housed in San Diego’s acclaimed luxury resort Rancho Bernardo Inn, will replace El Bizcocho, the legendary restaurant which set the stage for San Diego’s fine dining scene when it opened 44 years ago. The new space represents a $2.5 million transformation, designed to pay proper homage to the culinary history, oenophile roots and legendary ambiance of the original space. The long awaited new restaurant, AVANT focuses on unpretentious, approachable cuisine with homegrown culinary touches paired with handcrafted classic cocktails, local craft beer and boutique wines from around the world.

FEAST! San Diego Reader Brings All the Elements Together at the Gorgeous Broadway Pier | Friday, October 26th

October 14, 2012

On Friday, October 26th, the San Diego Reader will feed your craving for culinary exploration in a whole new way, with the combination of its 4th annual Feast Issue, set to release October 18th, and the first ever Reader Feast Event to take place on October 26th. The Feast event will feature food and drinks from some of the city's best neighborhood eateries, wineries, breweries, distilleries and food trucks. The event will take place at the picture perfect Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier on the scenic San Diego Big Bay.

October's Most Festive Cocktails

Beaumont's Jack-O-Lantern cocktail

October 13, 2012

With the changing colors of October comes the revival of the holiday spirit, and San Diego restaurants and bars are excited to offer festive sips in honor of the season. Below, we have included a variety of cocktails inspired by the month of October, from those sporting the month’s signature ingredient of pumpkin to scary elixirs concocted for spooky Halloween soirees to cocktails featuring autumn's seasonal ingredients:

Ode to Champagne at CUCINA urbana | October 25-28th

October 12, 2012

"Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right."~Mark Twain.

Raise a flute as the nation bows down to bubbles on Friday, October 26th---the Champagne Bureau USA has designated this special day as a global recognition of the quintessential effervescent. San Diego's acclaimed CUCINA urbana in Bankers Hill will celebrate Champagne Day in true form with a limited-edition tasting and artisan pairing menu. Wine Director, and Level 1 Court of Master Sommelier, Samantha Gabryelski has selected three exquisite champagnes, each with a unique profile, to properly pay homage. $25 for (3) pours available October 25th-28th only.

Art and Fashion Collide at Andaz San Diego | October 18th

October 11, 2012

Andaz San Diego has announced the next installment in its Andaz Salon series of events: Art and Fashion Collide. Beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, innovative San Diego art will coincide with a display of stylish creativity in Andaz’ Ivy Wine Bar and Ivy Nightclub.  Fashion and art aficionados are invited to peruse an intriguing display of contemporary abstract art from featured artist Heidi Thompson, courtesy of art critic, collector and acclaimed art dealer Alexander Salazar.  Following this art show, guests can take in the cutting-edge stylings of local menswear designer Maceoo during a fashion show in the hotel’s renowned Ivy Nightclub.

The Patio on Lamont Street Makes Its Much Anticipated Debut in Pacific Beach

October 10, 2012

Featuring a luxurious and natural atmosphere, diverse menu and welcoming spirit, The Patio on Lamont Street in PB aims to set the standard for a true neighborhood retreat.  Combining a menu that uses local, seasonal ingredients; a bar that encourages experimentation and mixes unique cocktails; and warm, earthy décor that features natural materials such as marble, fallen Torrey Pines slabs and vintage crystal, The Patio hopes to delight food, cocktail and wine enthusiasts who seek a new and original culinary experience.