Coronado's Favorite Restaurant Family Announces Sixth Concept | Stake Chophouse + Bar Coming Spring 2014

November 21, 2013

Set to be the only existing tried-and-true steakhouse on the island, Stake Chophouse + Bar is coming next spring as the newest concept from Blue Bridge Hospitality group, a locally-owned and operated restaurant group, based in and born out of a love for the city of Coronado. First launched in 1998 with MooTime Creamery, a partnership between Coronado cousins, David Spatafore & Leroy Mossel, Blue Bridge has experienced tremendous growth over the past 15 years with several distinct family-friendly concepts. Most recently venturing into chef-driven dining by launching Leroy's Kitchen + Lounge in 2011, Stake will now elevate the collective (and Coronado's dining scene) to a entirely new level with this contemporary, steakhouse and lounge. Although a executive chef has yet to be announced, we've got our hands on early details on the project.

The 4th Annual Bikes, Boards and Brews Event To Celebrate San Diego's Beach and Beer Culture | Saturday, December 14

November 21, 2013

Celebrate San Diego's famous beach culture and all the oceanside goodness it has to offer at the 4th annual Bikes, Boards and Brews event, taking place on December 14, bayside at the beautiful Catamaran Resort and Spa. Just as the autumn chill creeps in, this event will bring you back to the endless summer days with surf boards, beach cruisers, beach inspired art, craft beer samples and tasty offerings from some of the area's best bars and eateries.

Encore: Gaslamp's Brand New Champagne Bar Debuting mid-December from the Owner of Bleu Boheme

November 20, 2013

From the owner of Bleu Boheme, Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room is a new concept set to come to San Diego - a champagne-centric destination in the heart of the Gaslamp with a French-inspired menu, scheduled to open off 6th and F this December. The former L.A. Rack Casual Ware space now features a large bar and dining room and will offer champagne, sparkling wine, caviar and much more, a bubbly-inspired spot sure to enhance the San Diego bar and dining scene. Encore will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, along with brunch on Saturday and Sundays.

Sea Rocket Bistro Announces Closure | Restaurant's Last Day of Business is December 8

November 20, 2013

Known for cooking up delicious, wild and sustainably-caught local seafood, Sea Rocket Bistro has been a North Park favorite since opening in June 2008. Headed by Executive Chef Tommy Fraioli, General Manager and Co-Owners Elena Rivellino and businessman Dennis Stein, the restaurant's closure is yet another disheartening demonstration of the trials and tribulations facing restaurants operating on moral principles and devoted to the sustainable sourcing of ingredients.

Holiday Recipe | Chef Matt Gordon's Famous Cinnamon Rolls

November 20, 2013

Chef Matt Gordon’s famous cinnamon rolls are a favorite for San Diego locals and a perfect dish for the holiday season.  Every day Chef Matt welcomes guests with the sweet smell of cinnamon, sugar and butter pecan. This beloved treat has led customers to try many of Chef Matt’s other dishes including his bread pudding, s’mores and warm cheese biscuits, all made with zero artificial ingredients. These dishes are a terrific addition to a holiday meal!

Puesto Mexican Street Food Opens New Eatery at The Headquarters | Expanded Food Menu, Full Bar, Cocktail Frescas and Professionally Designed Ambiance Highlight 2nd Location

November 19, 2013

Puesto, the popular La Jolla taqueria that artfully mixes a casual approach with an original twist on Mexican street food, has opened their second location in Downtown San Diego’s new dining hub - The Headquarters at Seaport District. Neighboring the likes of Pizzeria Mozza and Seasons 52, the second Puesto location is set to grand open on November 21 and will offer an expanded menu highlighted by their coveted tacos made with crispy melted cheese and the finest ingredients to hit fresh, house-made tortillas. The new Puesto menu will feature antojitos (Mexican tapas), and innovative cocktail frescas in a full-service, beautifully designed restaurant, along with its signature taco line in an awesome  atmosphere.

San Diego Has a New Reality TV Star Chef! Cafe Japengo's Executive Chef Jerry Warner Soon to Compete on Japanese Television

Chef Jerry Warner

November 18, 2013

Japanese television network TV Asahi/ABC Asahi has chosen Executive Chef Jerry Warner of San Diego's Cafe Japengo to compete on “World Challenge – Pride of Japan,” a popular annual Japanese reality tv show that pits one Japanese sushi chef against one sushi chef from another country. Of all the sushi chefs in the United States, producers have chosen Executive Chef Jerry Warner of Cafe Japengo!

Duck, Duck...Duck | The Five Chef Societe II - Duck Tales Takes Off on December 5 at Handlery Hotel

November 18, 2013

The wild bunch behind the Mission Valley Craft Beer & Food Festivals are at it again.  On December 5 at The Handlery Hotel, five of San Diego's top chefs will converge for a special duck dinner paired with the fantastic Belgian-inspired beers from Societe Brewing. The Five Chef Societe II - Duck Tales is an event not to miss - the evening will start with hors d'oeuvres from Chef Matthew Morrison of Stone World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station, and will continue with 5 duck-focused courses from Chef Daniel Barron of La Valencia Hotel, Chef Hanis Cavin of Carnitas Snack Shack, Chef Rich Sweeney from R Gang Eatery/Southpaw Social Club, Chef Matt Richman from Table 926, and the host-chef of the evening, Chef Karl Prohaska of Handlery Hotel.

Growler Freedom | California Breweries Can Now Fill Blank and Obscured Beer Containers In Accordance With New Law

November 16, 2013

Taking home 1-3 liters (and maybe up to 5 gallons) of your favorite San Diego beer may soon be a bit less cumbersome.  For far too long, the Alcoholic Beverage Control board (ABC) insisted that California law mandated that breweries could only fill growlers bearing their own distinct logo, i.e. a different growler bottle for every brewery.  With over 70 breweries in San Diego county, all those bulky bottles could take up a lot of cabinet space for the avid beer fanatic. Fortunately, this year, ABC revised its interpretation of the law to permit outside growler fills...but the requirements were still hazy.  Would you have to obscure the old label, or could you just cover it up with, say, duct tape?  Due to the confusion, most California breweries continued their refusal to refill outside/non-native growlers. Recently a law has been passed to clarify the growler confusion, and with that, Stone Brewing Co. revised its policy and will now fill blank and "completely obscured" growlers at all of their locations (no, not at the airport). Will the rest of San Diego's breweries follow suit?

The Headquarters is Ready to Open at San Diego's Seaport Village | New Destination Includes Nearly 30 Dining, Retail and Entertainment Establishments

November 15, 2013

This Monday, November 18, The Headquarters at Seaport Village will open to the public, offering cuisine for every palate with sumptuous indoor and al fresco dining at San Diego’s premier seaside shopping, dining and entertainment destination. Terramar Retail Centers has already unveiled its widely-anticipated collection of top restaurants for The Headquarters, including Mario Batali's Pizzeria Mozza, The Cheesecake Factory, Puesto, Eddie V’s, Seasons 52 and more.  The Headquarters is a $40 million adaptive re-use and renovation of the Old Police Headquarters building into an approximately 100,000-square-foot retail, dining and entertainment destination.

San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter Announces Plans to Open 'City Sights' at ALTITUDE Sky Lounge

November 14, 2013

San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter hotel has announced the addition of new venue “City Sights” to the hotel’s famed ALTITUDE Sky Lounge, the highest rooftop bar on the West Coast at 22 floors above street level. The expansion of ALTITUDE Sky Lounge to include City Sights will result in nearly 360-degree views as well as an ability to enjoy year-round gatherings and events on the hotel’s award-winning rooftop. City Sights is expected to complete construction in mid-December 2013.

An Inspirational Tour of Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe During the 3rd Annual Baja California Culinary Fest

November 13, 2013

There are very few places where one may feel truly at home, and on October 27, during the 3rd Annual Baja California Culinary Fest while touring through the gorgeous Valle de Guadalupe, SanDiegoVille founders experienced a feeling not felt since our very first visit to San Diego - a beckoning, a longing and a welcoming.  Along with a group of travel media, we ventured southeast to 'The Valle,' sipping, swirling and noshing as we explored many diverse and beautiful locations, including Malva at Viñedos Mina Penélope, Deckman's En Mogor at Mogor Badan vineyard, Almazara Gastrobar at Rancho Olivares, Encuentro Guadalupe, Latitud 32 at El Cielo, and finally to Chef Javier Placencia's Finca Altozano where we were treated to a wholesome 'family style' meal. It was a day we will never forget, and we are honored to share it with our readers!

Cohn Restaurant Group Introduces New Pizza, Salad & Rock N' Roll Concept to Oceanside | ZIGZAG Pizza Pie To Cater To Growing Fast-Casual Market

November 12, 2013

The Cohn Restaurant Group is pleased to announce ZIGZAG Pizza Pie, an all-new, quick-service restaurant in Oceanside. Located on the same block as their popular beachfront restaurant, 333 Pacific, ZIGZAG seats 60, and returns the group back to its original roots in fast-casual dining. The Cohn Restaurant Group first debuted in 1982 with Rory’s, a ‘50s style hamburger and hot dog joint located on Mission Gorge. Now, more than 30 years and 15 restaurants later, having developed outstanding chef-driven and fine dining concepts throughout the Southern California area, they’re re-joining the fast-causal market, adding to their diverse roster of award-winning venues.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Announces Theme for 42nd Annual Parade | December 8 & 15, 2013

November 11, 2013

The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights announced today the theme for the 42nd annual holiday parade, scheduled for the evenings of Saturday, December 8 & 15. Participants in this year’s cherished holiday event will decorate their boats according to the chosen theme, “The Big Bay Toy Parade.”

Whiskey Girl Turns Eight!!! Celebrate With Them on November 13

November 10, 2013

Whiskey Girl is turning eight years old and to celebrate the milestone, they are hosting an 8th Anniversary Party on Wednesday, November 13.  Whiskey Girl is one of the longest running venues in the Gaslamp and has been listed in Nightclub & Bars Top 100 in 2012. The fun and festivities begin at 7pm by invitation only, and the party is open to the public at 9pm.

Local Businesses Support La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival | December 8

November 8, 2013

The newly formed non-profit La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival Foundation announces it is able to keep the tradition alive for the 56th annual event.  The parade and holiday festival, which draws over 25,000 people a year, will kick off Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 2 pm. The theme this year is “Christmas in the Surf and Sand.” In honor of their 50 years, the WindanSea Surf Club has been named Grand Marshal of the event.

Scavenging Around San Diego | Exciting Fun at The Great Urban Race

November 7, 2013

By Megan Gallagher | SanDiegoVille Contributor

Arriving at the Great Urban Race on Saturday morning, our team (Team SugarRush based on our candy-themed costumes), was full of anticipation and excitement about what was going to happen over the next few hours. Perhaps one of the greatest elements of the race is that you really don’t know what to expect going into it, so it is anybody’s game. We had researched clues and challenges given in previous races and eagerly wondered, “will we have to eat something strange?”, “will we have to solve a Sudoku puzzle?”, and “is there actual running involved?” The answer to all of those questions, as we found out throughout the afternoon, was yes.

The Ugly Sweater Run Makes Its First Visit to San Diego | Nov. 30

November 6, 2013

Bringing light to a very serious matter... horrible holiday sweaters, The Ugly Sweater Run, presented by Human Movement Management (HMM), invites San Diego to celebrate the holidays by participating in the ‘Ugliest 5k on the Planet’. Runners, walkers, children and four-legged friends will unite at NTC Park on Saturday, Nov. 30 for a little cardio, hot chocolate, Samuel Adams beer and a winter wonderland celebration.

The Times They Are a Changin' | Openings, Closings and Rumors In Pacific Beach

November 5, 2013

San Diego's rowdy oceanside town of Pacific Beach has recently had a whole host of changes take place in its inundated dining and bar scene. It seemed like many of these developments happened over night, so in order for us to keep track of them, we wanted to document all the developments in one place.