San Diegans Focus National Attention on Lack of Art Education With New Documentary | “Art Across America” Seeks to Reignite Creativity in Schools

April 21, 2013

Blake Byers (left) and Andrew Fisher (right) gave Conan O'brien
a portrait that Byers created, to spark his interest in their cause.

By Megan Gallagher | SanDiegoVille Contributor

In January 2013, filmmaker Andrew Fisher had just moved back to San Diego after living in Los Angeles for seven years, working in restaurants and trying to launch his film career. Artist Blake Byers was wondering what his next step would be after selling all of his belongings and spending 10 months hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis. Flash forward just four months later and the pair have assembled a team of eight artists and producers, and are in the midst of making a potentially ground-breaking documentary about the state of the United States art education system.

San Diego Knows Avocados | Don't Miss the 27th Annual Fallbrook Avocado Festival on Sunday, April 21st

April 19, 2013

Are you aware that California is the nation's largest producer of avocados with San Diego County being the capital?  San Diego County produces over 40% of California's avocado crop, which in turn produces 95 percent of the nation's avocados!  This Sunday from 9am to 5pm, thousands of avocado lovers from around the world will converge on the town of Fallbrook, located in San Diego's North County, for the 27th Annual Fallbrook Avocado Festival.  Free to attend, participants will get a chance to sample avocados, view the crazy cooking contest entries, buy interesting avocado-themed gifts and enjoy bands, live entertainment and friendly beer gardens.

Bite of Boston Set to Open Third Location in Pacific Beach

I think this is just a stock photo for the real thing.

April 18, 2013

By Megan Gallagher | SanDiegoVille Contributor

Over the past few years, San Diego has emerged as a culinary starlet, founded on farm-to-table menus and microbrews. But as far as the dining scene has come, east coasters who’ve relocated to the city know that it is lacking in one particular area - sandwiches. Sure, any restaurant can throw together a few slabs of meat, some greens and a bun, but nothing compares to authentic subs of the east coast variety.  Luckily, SD is about to get one step closer to redeeming their sub reputation. Bite of Boston is a family owned and operated submarine sandwich shop set to open its third location in Pacific Beach in late May 2013.

California Kebab & Beer Garden and Amplified Ale Works | Delicious Food + Great Beer + Warm Sun = Happiness

April 17, 2013

Dust the sand from between your toes, peel off the wetsuit or throw on a bikini cover up and some flip flops and head straight from the beach to California Kebab & Beer Garden - an oasis of great food and the finest beer sitting loftily one block from the board walk in Pacific Beach.  Cali Kebab has brought a new level of delicious, healthy, and relatively quick food to PB, while maintaining the chilled-out surfer vibe this neighborhood is known for.  And if savory Mediterranean specialties weren't enough of a draw, Cali-Kebab has partnered with their in-house brewpub Amplified Ale Works to offer some innovative beers while also serving the cream of the crop from other (mostly local) breweries.  And to top it all off, everything is served with a salty breeze and ocean views.

Life's a Beach at The Coast of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk | Tuesday, May 21st

April 16, 2013

Pacific Beach is more than just San Diego's favorite party town!  Discover the best eats in PB at the Coast of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk on Tuesday, May 21st from 4-9pm.  Bring your appetite as this popular annual event continues to grow and will offer a great variety of food choices by over 25 local restaurants as well as special deals from local retailers as you stroll past the shops. Get your tickets soon as there is a limited time price of $18!!

Just Call Us Volunteers Hosts 2nd Annual Fundraiser | Taste of Asia to Take Over San Diego Public Market on April 20th

April 15, 2013

Just Call Us Volunteers (JCUV) - a San Diego-based nonprofit that cooks and serves healthy meals to the city’s homeless - will host its 2nd annual fundraiser, Taste of Asia, on Saturday, April 20th from 6-10 pm at the San Diego Public Market.  The Taste of Asia, which will have an Asian market theme, will feature more than 20 of the San Diego-area’s most popular chefs who will prepare Asian-inspired signature dishes for guests. The night will also feature a silent auction and entertainment to include a martial arts demonstration, Chinese lion dance team, sumo wrestling and a chance to meet six-time U.S. sumo wrestling champion Dan Kalbfleisch.

Del Mar Plaza Presents First Ever 15th on 15th Event | New Shopping, Dining and Social Event Launches on April 15th

April 14, 2013

On the 15th of each month, Del Mar Plaza will offer special restaurant tastes and retail and service promotions all with unbeatable ocean views. 15th on 15th is the first series of its kind for the shopping and dining destination, located on the corner of 15th Street and Camino Del Mar. The savings and happenings will change each month, so customers can expect something new each time. The Plaza invites guests to shop, dine, and drink it all in this Monday, April 15th for the first ever 15th on 15th event.

ReCappin' the 5 Elements Festival | A Celebration of Life, Love, Music & Yoga

April 13, 2013

The 5 elements of earth, wind, fire, water and space were each celebrated through peace, love, yoga, music and nourishment on the sprawling lawn of the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station in Point Loma during the inaugural V Elements Festival held on Saturday, April 6th. It was a gorgeous day filled with yoga classes set to music, and attendees were encouraged to check out artistic vendors, enjoy free massages by Adams Avenue Integrative Health Center, engage in acro yoga demonstrations, and clean off at the Dr. Bronner's foam-blasting All-One-Ark. After a day of refreshing yoga, the sun set and live music took over the grounds.  Yes, it was a bit of a "hippie fest", but there is something soothing about just letting go and embracing the moment, and that was the true beauty of V Elements.

Lions, Tigers & Bears to Host Annual Wild In The Country Gala | Saturday, May 4th

April 12, 2013

Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB), the Alpine, Calif. non-profit exotic animal sanctuary celebrating 10 years of saving lives this year, is hosting its annual Wild in the Country Gala on May 4, 2013 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. The event is open to the public and will feature a silent and live auction, live entertainment, catered food, a live music performance by Lisa Sander, visits with the big cats, bears and animals in Animal Encounters, and fun for the whole family.

BURLAP Launches Street Food Social Hour | Each Thursday Beginning April 11th

April 11, 2013

A playful tone on "Asian Cowboy" cuisine, Burlap in Del Mar is launching a discounted street food nightly special to begin today, April 11th, and continue each Thursday from 8-10pm.  Dubbed a Street Food Social Hour, Chef Anthony Sinsay has refined street food to offer signature favorites including spicy tuna crispy rice and lumpia to nosh on along with discounted sips (full list below) and music from local DJs.

Urban Kitchen Group's Tracy Borkum Introduces FISH PUBLIC & New Chef to San Diego | Replacing Kensington Grill This Summer

Chef Jordan Davis

April 10, 2013

After much anticipation Tracy Borkum, the female restaurant visionary behind the Urban Kitchen Group (Cucina Urbana, Kensington Grill, Cucina Enoteca, & Urban Kitchen Catering, proudly introduces the name and Executive Chef for her newest concept. FISH PUBLIC will take the iconic former Kensington Grill space and will be helmed by an extraordinary new talent arriving in San Diego. Executive Chef Jordan Davis brings experience from several of the most esteemed kitchens in the U.S. Chef Davis has tenured at San Francisco's powerhouse Boulevard Restaurant (last year's James Beard winner for "Outstanding Restaurant"), as well as the renegade "nose to tail" venue, Animal in Los Angeles.

Celebrating The Taste Championship | Team Malarkey Wins Again at Burlap

April 9, 2013

Brian Malarkey and Chef K showing off The Taste gold

We watched the first episode of ABC's The Taste with the man himself at the flagship of his fabric restaurants - Searsucker - all the while feeling proud to witness the blooming of San Diego's renowned Top Chef.  It's been less than three years since Brian Malarkey took this town by storm with the opening of Searsucker in the Gaslamp.  Since then, along with his business partner, James Brennan, the duo operating as Enlightened Hospitality Group has opened five more restaurants (Burlap, Gabardine, Gingham, Herringbone, and a Searsucker in Scottsdale, AZ), an office campus eatery (Green Acre), and they now have plans to open two more Searsucker locations in Austin and Los Angeles (possibly San Fran as well, based upon current rumors).  In addition to popping out restaurants like Gordon Ramsay on Ritalin, Malarkey has also partnered with other esteemed local chefs to open the Campine catering company.  He released his first cookbook in 2012, and to top it all off, he joined the likes of Anthony Bourdain as a mentor and judge on ABC's primetime cooking competition, The Taste.  As loyal San Diegans, we were rooting for Team Malarkey all season, and when his young Fillipino chef Khristianne Uy brought home the win, we knew it only meant great things would be coming to San Diego.  Shortly after The Taste finale, announcements were made that Malarkey would be hosting price fixed dinners with Chef K at three of his San Diego eateries.  We knew that the Burlap meal would not disappoint, as Chef Anthony Sinsay would be behind the curtains, ensuring that everything came out perfectly... and right we were.

For the First Time in 48 Years, Landmark Bertrand at Mister A’s to Serve Weekend Brunch with a View Every Saturday and Sunday

Some of the best views in the city

April 8, 2013

Bertrand At Mister A’s, the iconic rooftop restaurant in Bankers Hill, has begun serving weekend brunch as of Sunday, April 7th. Weekend brunch will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, along with a Sunday Happy Hour available from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. This is the first time in the restaurant’s 48-year history, with the exception of select holidays, that Mister A’s has dished out its award-winning service and cuisine during the day on the weekends.

Toast Enoteca & Cucina Brings Together the Highest Rated Italian Wines at its 3rd Annual Vinitaly Wine Tasting Event | Thursday, April 25th

April 7, 2013

Every April, Verona, Italia plays host to Vinitaly - Italy’s most prestigious annual wine tasting festival and exhibition, featuring more than 4000 exhibitors and hosting around 150,000 visitors per year - now in it’s 47th year. On Thursday, April 25th from 6:30 – 9:30PM, Toast Enoteca & Cucina in downtown San Diego will host its own version of Vinitaly for the third year in a row.  Guests are invited to sample some of the best wines from the festival along with tray passed bites.

The 2013 Chef Celebration Series Is Underway | San Diego's Top Chefs Organize Multi Course Dinner Series and Tasting Event to Benefit Culinary Scholarship Program

April 6, 2013

With huge support from amazing local chefs and top notch restaurant venues, the 2013 Chef Celebration Dinner Series is underway and packing in excited diners!  Created by teams of San Diego's top Chefs, this annual series of multi course dinners directly benefits the nonprofit Chefs of San Diego Celebration Foundation - an association of local chefs who annually donate their talent, time and energy to raise money for a culinary scholarship program.  The Chef Celebration dinner series offers a weekly, multi-course meal prepared by a group of chefs, to occur on each Tuesday at a different restaurant throughout the month of April The fundraising culminates with the 3rd Annual Artisan Food & Craft Beef Festival - a grand finale celebration to be held at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens on Sunday, May 5th.

Handcrafted Ice Cream Sandwich Parlor Coming to Pacific Beach | The Baked Bear Opens May 4th

April 5, 2013

Pacific Beach residents can expect a cold front in the early summer months, but it’s not from May gray or June gloom. A one-of-a-kind ice cream parlor is hitting San Diego, prepared to bring customizable desserts to beach-goers and locals all year long, starting with a grand opening celebration to take place on Saturday, May 4th. Welcome The Baked Bear - an artisan-style cookie and ice cream sandwich parlor that has taken over the space previously occupied by Pita Pit on Mission Boulevard adjacent to Crystal Pier and the sprawling Pacific Ocean.

The Best of Bird Rock | Beaumont's Eatery Wows with Cozy Renovations and Revamped Menu

April 4, 2013

We recently joined a group of San Diego food writers and media to check out the renovations and newly enhanced menu at the seven-year-old Beaumont's Eatery.  It was admittedly our first time dining there, but whenever we cruise from PB to La Jolla, we take notice of Beaumont's vibrance amongst the dark, quiet streets of Bird Rock, the beating heart of this sleepy beach town.  Once the sun goes down and Bird Rock Roasters shuts its doors, Beaumont's is the only place in this locale that packs in loyal patrons and enlivens the otherwise dormant town with live music, fabulous food, hand-made cocktails and a relaxed community vibe.  We were excited to finally sample the scene and savor the offerings from the best bet in Bird Rock.

Prowl the Point at the 2013 Taste of Point Loma | Tuesday, April 16th

April 4, 2013

It's tasting season as you can likely tell, so mark your calendars and explore new parts of beautiful San Diego!  Formerly called The Taste of Shelter Island, The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has announced that this year, the 24th incarnation of this favorite tasting tour will be dubbed the Taste of Point Loma.  This year’s event will draw thousands of attendees anxious to sample cuisine from a range of restaurants within the space of one exciting evening.

The 4th Annual I LOVE POKE Festival Returns to Bali Hai May 29th | Festival Founder, Nino Camilo, Partners with Harney Sushi’s Chef, Rob Ruiz, to Bring Only Sustainable Seafood to this Year’s Event

April 3, 2013

Tickets are now available to San Diego’s 4th Annual I Love Poke Festival, a food festival and competition that celebrates Hawaiian culture and cuisine, taking place at Bali Hai on May 29th.  For the first time in the event's history, the chefs that compete for the title of "Best Poke," will be required to use sustainable seafood in their dish.  Festival founder, Nino Camilo of I Love Musubi has partnered with Chef Rob Ruiz of Harney Sushi, San Diego's first sustainable sushi restaurant, to make this possible.  In addition, for those who really love poke, you can do it twice in a row as Orange County will host its 2nd Annual I Love Poke Festival on June 5th at Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach.