Gaslamp Quarter Association to Unveil Gaslamp Quarter Archway Refurbishment at Re-Dedication Ceremony and 21st Anniversary Reception | Thursday, February 28th

February 26, 2013

Serving as one of San Diego’s favorite photo backdrops for 21 years, the Gaslamp Quarter Archway at 5th Avenue and L Street will come to the forefront as its complete rehabilitation is unveiled. The Gaslamp Quarter Association invites any and all to the presentation of the Gaslamp Quarter Archway’s highly anticipated refurbishment and re-dedication ceremony at the base of the Archway this Thursday, February 28th at 5:30pm, as well as a celebration of its 21st anniversary with a reception to immediately follow at 6:15pm to be held at Dick’s Last Resort, located at 345 4th Avenue, with a back entry also on 5th Ave., not far from the archway.

Photo Video West Returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds | The West Coast’s Largest Educational Photography Expo Returns to San Diego April 27-28, 2013

February 25, 2013

Tickets for Photo Video West, the largest educational photography expo on the West Coast, are now on sale.  The action-packed two-day event takes place April 27-28, 2013, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in O’Brien Hall and serves as a forum for photographers of all levels to learn, share, network, and expand their photographic abilities, said Ken Lost, co-producer of Photo Video West.

Any Given Sunday | Forget the End of Football With These San Diego Brunch Offerings

Chicken and waffles at Uptown Tavern

February 24, 2013

It’s been a couple weeks since the NFL season had its grand finale in New Orleans but for some of us the season has been over much longer than that (sorry Chargers fans). Has the lack of football left you feeling empty? Look on the bright side, several San Diego eateries are stepping up to help fill the void. Football will be back eventually, but in the meantime create a new Sunday tradition at one of these hot brunch spots.

Transforming the Market Halls Into an Authentic Farm to Cart Festival | The San Diego Public Market Presents Street Food Market 2013

February 23, 2013

Cultures the world over have been served by tiny, portable kitchens that turn out hot, fresh food designed to be eaten in the street.  On Sunday, March 24th, some of San Diego and Baja’s best chefs will come together to honor that age-old culinary tradition at the inaugural Street Food Market at the San Diego Public Market.

Uptown Tavern Makes Brunch Chic in Hillcrest

February 22, 2013
By Laurel Vozely | SanDiegoVille Contributor

Situated on University Avenue, amidst the hustle and bustle of Hillcrest, Uptown Tavern is establishing itself as a neighborhood hot-spot, despite its difficulty shedding locals’ familiarity with the space’s former occupant, Ono Sushi.  Not only is there buzz about the dinner menu, but positive word of Uptown’s weekend brunch spread my way, so I had to try it. After all, who does brunch better than San Diegans?

Three Chefs Take Three Ways Into the Kitchen | Three Chefs From Three Restaurants Will Host Three Course Dinners

Top to Bottom: Lockhart, Dolinky, Graves

February 21, 2013

No longer is the idea of being asked to participate in a threesome an awkward, off-putting concept when it comes to the culinary world. This March, a trio of chefs are embracing the idea and jumping into the kitchen together to host a series of Three-Way Dinners. The culinary crew consists of Donald Lockhart of Cusp Dining & Drinks, Simon Dolinky of Saltbox, and Christian Graves of Jsix, all sister restaurants of Kimpton. Known for their great food and laid-back personalities, the city’s hottest triad will collaborate on a series of three-course dinners held between their three restaurants. The first event is March 14, and will take place at Cusp Dining & Drinks. Guests can embark on this eating adventure for a mere $35 per person, gaining you access to three chefs for the price of one.

A Lavish Evening for A Great Cause at the 3rd Annual San Diego Wine Affair

Photo by Rebekah Peace

February 20, 2013

On Thursday, February 7th, over 350 elegantly-dressed attendees were treated to a celebrity style entrance into the prestigious Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa for the 3rd Annual San Diego Wine Affair. After being greeted with a buffet of gourmet sliders and a red carpet reception decorated by a luxury car display, guests were led to the sophisticated and luxurious La Jolla ballroom, which had been transformed into an enchanting escape for a wine tasting fundraiser that was truly exquisite.

From the Crew Behind Craft & Commerce, Consortium Holdings Opens Polite Provisions and Soda & Swine in Normal Heights

February 19, 2013

The dual-concept launch of Polite Provisions and sister restaurant, Soda & Swine, puts one of the nation's most respected bartenders, Erick Castro (of San Francisco's Rickhouse and Bourbon & Branch fame), alongside two-star Michelin Executive Chef, Jason McLeod, to bring a renewed spirit of community to a bustling street corner of one of San Diego's most eclectic, burgeoning neighborhoods, Normal Heights. Helmed by Southern California hospitality collective, Consortium Holdings (Noble Experiment, Craft & Commerce, UnderBelly, Neighborhood, El Dorado), Polite Provisions aims to revive and modernize the golden era of the neighborhood drugstore with spirited cocktails prepared with housemade bitters, soda pop, tinctures and syrups, as a nod to those ingredients' medicinal uses. The adjoining eatery, Soda & Swine, features a straightforward menu consisting of two classic staples: meatballs and apple pie, keeping in line with the simplicity of Main Street America.

4th Annual Zane Patrick’s Day Returns to San Diego's McFadden's | Saturday, March 16th

February 18, 2013

Tickets are now on sale for the 4th Annual Zane Patrick’s Day celebration, set to take place on March 16th at McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon in San Diego. This will be the 3rd year that Drinking Ambassador, Zane Lamprey, host of AXS TV’s “Drinking Made Easy,” has celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with fans and party goers in San Diego.  If you've seen Zane's television shows or his stand up performance, you know that this will be a wild and debaucherous occasion.

OB Noodle House | If You Don't Know, Now You Know

February 17, 2013

By Bunny Anderson, SanDiegoVille Contributor and Nightlife Reporter for Examiner.com

Situated just a few blocks from the beach on Cable Street, near the corner of West Point Loma Drive, OB Noodle House has become a beacon of Ocean Beach.  This cozy little restaurant is consistently packed with moppy-haired surfers fresh off the latest set and groups of friends huddled over the eatery's coveted pho soup and other Asian fusion offerings.  And with one of the best beer selections in San Diego offered up at half price on a daily basis, OB Noodle House is THE place to be for happy hour. Craft beer snobs, rejoice! This is the place for you.

SeaWorld to host Sustainable Seafood Gala to Benefit San Diego Oceans Foundation in Conjunction with Sustainable Seafood Week

Culinary Chair Andrew Spurgin's tasting table

February 14, 2013

On Thursday, March 7th, SeaWorld San Diego will host the Sustainable Seafood Gala - a fundraiser to benefit the San Diego Oceans Foundation, bringing together community members, businesses and the fishing and culinary community to educate participants about the best sustainable practices.  Join local chefs, breweries, and vineyards at SeaWorld San Diego’s Dolphin Point and Manta Exhibits for a sustainable seafood celebration and educational experience sure to provide something new for both your mind and palate.

Pacific Del Mar | A New Chef Readies Herself at Del Mar's Seafood Mecca

February 15, 2013

In its 20+ years perched atop Del Mar Plaza, Pacifica Del Mar has solidified its reputation as a fresh fish haven.  This past October, after Chris Idso's decade-long reign as executive chef came to a halt due to his promotion to managing partner, his position was passed along to the young and experienced Stephanie O’Mary-Berwald, whose resume includes tenures at the acclaimed kitchens of renowned chef Todd English and James Beard winning chef, Michael White, as well as a degree from Columbia University.  As food aficionados, we had to make our way to Del Mar to sample some of the new chef's offerings and a glimpse into the future of Pacifica Del Mar.

San Diego's Newest Cocktail House - Bailiwick - Launches a Party Brunch

February 14, 2013

Awaken your senses with mouthwatering grilled oysters and bottomless mimosas  as the Gaslamp Quarter's newest cocktail lounge launches what will certainly become a legendary brunch, complete with morning cocktails, entertainment and spectacular fare. This season, Bailiwick delights San Diego with a weekend champagne-filled brunch, where the party is the main attraction. Bailiwick’s brunch includes a bathtub filled with bubbly, and they lend wooden mallets and Lewis bags for customers to crack ice for their signature or bespoke cocktails.

NOH8 Campaign Hosts First Open Photo Shoot of 2013 at Hotel Solamar | Sunday, February 17th

Kim Kardashian supporting NOH8

February 13, 2013

Join the silent protest against marriage inequality, as this Sunday, February 17th, the NOH8 Campaign will set up its first mobile studio of 2013 at Hotel Solamar from 2pm to 5pm.  The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with "NOH8" painted on one cheek in protest.

A Taste of the Market | Getting A Look at the Future of San Diego's Very Own Public Market Experience

February 13, 2013

Spirits were high as foodies flocked to the new and still-developing San Diego Public Market this past Sunday, February 10th.  At the Taste of the Market event, the soon-to-be-awesome warehouse opened its doors to Kickstarter donors, ticketholders, friends and family for a firsthand, behind-the-scenes glimpse at what the future holds for the 92,000 square foot space located in Barrio Logan.  Although the interior basically remains in its unadulterated, industrial form, chefs, restaurants, and specialty vendors constructed their own unique areas to offer up samples of what we should be ready to expect in the next year in what is sure to become the "Pike Place" of San Diego!

The Patio On Lamont Street | Bitter-sweet in Pacific Beach

February 12, 2013

I soo wanted to fall in love with The Patio on Lamont Street... I imagined long walks up Garnet Avenue in the cool summer breeze, enjoying some Manhattans on the patio while snacking on an array of unique tapas.  Located in my neighborhood of Pacific Beach, the restaurant recently opened in November 2012 after completely overhauling the former space occupied by the Lamont Street Grill.  The Patio was to be unlike any restaurant in Pacific Beach.  Not a raucous sports bar, not a locals' dive bar, not a hipster beach bar, but a bar for the more distinguished folk of Pacific Beach with an appetite for something more upscale - something with class, if you will.  But although the interior is beautifully designed and decorated, on our visit, the food and service fell short.  Being so unique to its locale, The Patio on Lamont will certainly get a pass for slight slip ups, and hopefully these growing pains will subside and the restaurant will reign in and refocus its culinary output.  Missteps aside, The Patio on Lamont Street is worth a visit, even if its merely a stop off to take in the the decor and a delicious handcrafted cocktail before an afternoon at the beach.

Famed Celebrity Chef Jonathan Waxman Unites With Acclaimed Local Chef Trey Foshee For Special Charity Dinner | Saturday, March 9th

Chef Waxman and Chef Foshee

February 11, 2013

Celebrated chef, restaurateur, Top Chef Master and cookbook author, Jonathan Waxman, known for his famous eateries, Jams and Barbuto, will join George’s California Modern executive chef and partner Trey Foshee for an intimate six-course charity dinner on Saturday, March 9th at the private residence of Chef Foshess. The dinner will showcase the seasonal harvest of renowned Chino Farms and the freshest catch from local purveyor Catalina Offshore.

Spike Africa's Fresh Fish Grill & Bar | Recently Raising Its Sails For A Long and Prosperous Voyage

February 10, 2013

Almost two decades ago, Forest Gump stole our hearts.  A year later, Paramount Pictures approached the team from the touristy Rusty Pelican’s with the idea of opening a chain of family-style shrimp restaurants; and soon after, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurants began popping up everywhere.  In 2010, partners Rob and Gordon sold their interest in the Bubba Gump restaurants in a failed effort to retire.  Just a couple years later, their creative minds were itching to do something new, and since was born downtown’s newest fish eatery - Spike Africa's Fresh Fish Grill & Bar.

The Perfect Combination for a Happy Life - The 4th Annual Mission Valley Craft Beer and Food Festival is Coming | Sunday, March 24th

February 9, 2013

There are a lot of food tasting events in San Diego and maybe even more beer festivals, but not many gatherings concentrate equally on both!  This March at the Handlery Hotel & Resort, come for the beer, stay for the food, or come for the food, and stay for the beer!  Either way, get your tickets now for the 4th Annual Mission Valley Craft Beer and Food Festival, as on Sunday, March 24th from 2-5pm (1pm for VIP), 30 breweries, 20 chefs, and 4 bands will join together in serving up the best in local craft beer, rocking out some SoCal music, and providing gourmet bites from some of San Diego's best eateries.