URBN St. Brewing Co. & Coal Fired Pizza Opens in El Cajon | Long Anticipated Brewery & Eatery Debuts

July 7, 2014

Last week on 4th of July, three of San Diego's most respected names in the hospitality and brewing industry opened doors to the highly anticipated URBN St. Brewing Co., a new brewery out of El Cajon, alongside the third outpost of the immensely successful URBN Coal Fired Pizza brand.  At the helm of the project is Jon Mangini, the respected restaurateur behind URBN Restaurants Inc. with venues including BASIC, the iconic East Village warehouse pizza concept, as well as spin-off location URBN in North Park and the Gaslamp's Gang Kitchen. Mangini joins partners, Executive Chef Alex Carballo (Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s "12 to Watch in 2012", former Exec Chef Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido, Stone Catering) and Head Brewer Callaway Ryan (Stone Brewing Co., SD; Surly Brewing Co., MN; Real Ale Brewing, Live Oak Brewing Co.,TX) to bring their vision of great beer and food to life in El Cajon’s rapidly growing neighborhood.

zpizza Launches Nat'l Tour | Hosts Local Free Pizza Event at 4 San Diego Locations on Saturday, July 12

July 7, 2014

zpizza is holding a free pizza sampling event that's open to the community on Saturday, July 12 from 1-3pm at four zpizza locations in San Diego. Attendees can enjoy free, limited-time zpizza varieties and enter to win fun prizes like free pizza for a year, $10 gift certificates and will have a chance to enter to win two seats at the main event - zpizza's exclusive Pop-Up City Tour dinner on July 23. 

San Diego Pride Welcomes All Women to She Fest 2014 | Saturday, July 12 from 11am-6pm

July 7, 2014

All women are invited to the premier of the first official women’s event taking place this Pride season – She Fest – on Saturday, July 12 from 11 am to 6 pm at North Park Community Park. She Fest is a woman-centered event that celebrates and supports the talents and contributions of all women while fostering meaningful connections within the LGBT and larger San Diego community. Women who want to feel more connected to a community of women and who love outdoor live music on a sunny day are especially encouraged to participate.

Humane Smarts Hosts Butterflies & Camels Family-Friendly Event at SMARTS Farm | Saturday, July 19

July 7, 2014

On Saturday, July 19, from 4:30 to 8:30pm, Humane Smarts will host an event for the entire family to enjoy at SMARTS Farm, on the corner of F and 15th streets in San Diego's East Village. Butterflies and Camels will be a family-friendly event with hayrides and live camels, butterfly wings for children to wear as well as a petting zoo, chuck wagon and much more. Guests will learn about nature, the environment and creativity within the garden.

Enter to Win 2 Tickets to Slightly Stoopid's Summer Sessions Tour, featuring NOFX, Stephen Marley and a Special Guest | Saturday, July 26

July 7, 2014

There are many traditions associated with summer and for the last seven years, performing at U.S. amphitheaters has become a tradition for Slightly Stoopid and their fans. This summer, the Ocean Beach based ensemble will bring their “Summer Sessions 2014” tour to Chula Vista's Sleep Train Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 26, and we have 2 lawn passes to give away to one lucky fan. Entering is easy - input your email below, confirm it, and the winner will be selected no later than Monday, July 21!

Enter for a chance to win 2 lawn seat passes to Slightly Stoopid's Summer Sessions 2014!

New Summer Menus at ALTITUDE Sky Lounge and Soleil @K

July 6, 2014

San Diego’s Marriott Gaslamp Quarter has just introduced two new summer menus. Executive Chef Edward Fincher has designed a new summer dinner menu for the hotel’s restaurant, Soleil @k, and a new cocktail menu for ALTITUDE Sky Lounge, the highest rooftop lounge on the West Coast, both complementing the season’s freshest fare.

Nearly 700 Craft Breweries from Almost Every State Sign Up To Take Part in Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp Across America Festival Tour | Coming to San Diego's Embarcadero North on Sunday, July 20

July 6, 2014

Nearly 700 craft brewers from around the country have already signed up for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Beer Camp Across America, an unprecedented multi-weekend traveling beer festival taking place this summer. Anticipating more than 1,300 total craft beers on tap, collectively representing almost every state in the union, Beer Camp Across America promises to be the largest craft beer celebration in history. Beer Camp Across America make's its stop in America's Finest [Craft Beer] City on Sunday, July 20 from 1-6pm at the Embarcadero North, and will include not only San Diego's best craft beers, but tastes from more than 400 beers from across California and the Unites States!

Living Coast Discovery Center to Host Farm to Bay Food & Wine Classic on Saturday, Aug. 2

July 5, 2014

The Living Coast Discovery Center, a nonprofit zoo and aquarium on the southern edge of San Diego Bay in Chula Vista, will host its fifth annual Food & Wine Classic on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 4 to 7:30pm. The Farm to Bay culinary celebration brings together some of San Diego’s finest names in food, wine, craft beer and spirits to support the center’s coastal wildlife conservation and education programs in its largest fundraiser of the year.

Giving Back to San Diego With Pride | The Rob Benzon Foundation Celebrates its Fifteenth Annual Pride “LAUNCH” Party on Friday, July 18 from 6-10pm

July 4, 2014

The Rob Benzon Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) organization, has been hosting its annual Pride kick-off event for fifteen years now. Starting out as a back yard party, the event has grown to be known as one of San Diego’s premier Pride events. Taking place on Friday, July 18, from 6 to 10pm at the historic Burnham house on the edge of Balboa Park, the event will include a hosted bar, bites from area restaurants and a silent auction, all to benefit the longstanding charitable efforts of the foundation. SanDiegoVille has 2 general admission tickets for one lucky reader. Enter below and we'll contact the winner by email no later than July 17!

Enter for a chance to win 2 passes to the Rob Benzon Foundation Pride Kick Off on Friday, July 18!

Win Passes and Save on Tickets to Hess Brewing's 4th Anniversary Party | HessFest is Taking Over North Park on Saturday, July 19

July 3, 2014

Celebrate 4 years of delicious beer at Mike Hess Brewing's 4 year anniversary party, taking over Grim Avenue in North Park on Saturday, July 19! Enjoy some of Hess Brewing's favorite local breweries and eateries, including special collaboration brews and casks, as well as live music, great folks and excellent vibes. SanDiegoVille is offering $10 savings on GA tickets, as well as raffling off 2 general admission passes to the festivities. Entering our contest is easy - input your email below to enter, and we'll contact the winner no later than July 16!

Enter for a chance to win 2 passes to Hess Brewing's 4 Year Anniversary Party!

Karl Strauss Caps 64-medal Winning Streak with Gold Medal For Mosaic Session Ale

July 3, 2014

Karl Strauss Brewing Company’s pioneering new beer release, Mosaic Session Ale, is batting a thousand in beer competitions.  The unique single-hop brew boldly features Mosaic hops and was born out of the company’s innovative small-batch “Tank Tap” program.  The beer won a Gold medal at the California State Fair Commercial Craft Brew Competition and a Bronze at the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition.

San Diego's Third Annual Sausage Fest Returns July 16 | Local Chefs Compete in Master of Meat Showdown July 16 at Hotel Solamar

July 2, 2014

This July, expect great meat, craft brews, and a cure for the daily grind at LOUNGEsix, the rooftop terrace atop Hotel Solamar. On July 16 from 5:30-8:30pm, celebrate the start of summer with Jsix Restaurant when the annual San Diego Sausage Fest returns, as ten of the city’s meat masters will attempt to cut the competition for rights to the best sausage in town. In this outrageous cook-off, chefs will enter and prepare their favorite sausage recipes, from the unique to traditional, and present to the public for a winning vote. See who will be burnt in the pit and who will smoke the competition.

Win Passes and Save on Tickets to the ¡LATIN FOOD FEST! Grand Tasting Village | Taking Place Saturday, September 13, at the Embarcadero Marina Park North

July 1, 2014

It’s almost impossible to sample every delicious Hispanic flavor the San Diego region has to offer, that is unless you attend the ¡LATIN FOOD FEST! Grand Tasting Village on Saturday, September 13, from 11am-3pm! With tents stretching across the Embarcadero Marina Park North on the San Diego bay front, taste a variety of local and international wine, spirits, food, and beer. Best of all – the food and drink samples are unlimited! Join the hottest Latin culinary stars, 100+ restaurants, chefs, artisan food makers, brewers and winemakers for the largest and most attended Latin culinary event in California – with a huge savings exclusively for the SanDiegoVille audience! We're also raffling off 2  tickets to the event! Just enter your email below.

Enter for a chance to win 2 tickets to the ¡LATIN FOOD FEST! Grand Tasting Village on Saturday, September 13!

4th of July Menu Items From Around San Diego

June 30, 2014

As everyone’s favorite summer celebration draws near, the San Diego's best hotels and restaurants are gearing up for the 4th of July with menus to match! Summer inspired cocktails, entrees and desserts will be specially prepared for this holiday weekend. For those seeking the perfect meal with a little patriotic flare, below you'll find some of the top 4th of July destinations with unbeatable views and the best menu items.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Hosts Jason Latimer, World Champion of Magic | New summer live show experience “Perception: See Beyond the Illusion” July 5 through August 31

June 29, 2014

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and the World Champion of Magic, Jason Latimer, have teamed up to produce “Perception: See Beyond the Illusion,” a one-of-a-kind show that combines magic and science to create effects that no one thought could ever exist. “Perception: See Beyond the Illusion” starts July 5 and goes through August 31 with two shows every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 to 4:30pm. Viewers will experience effects such as shaping water, bending light, walking through solid objects, gravity-defying liquids and countless other illusions all rooted in applied science.

Big Bite Bacon Fest Takes Over The San Diego County Fair on Saturday, July 5 | Win 2 Passes to Attend!

June 28, 2014

The Big Bite Bacon Fest is taking over the San Diego County Fair again this summer with its second annual debut, presented by Albertsons/Sav-on, on July 5.  The Big Bite Bacon Festival has your bacon cravings covered with bacon inspired cuisine, cook-offs, beer tastings, entertainment, pageants, games and even a bacon-themed wedding! SanDiegoVille is raffling off two general admission passes to the dinner session (a $110 value) - just enter below!

Enter to win 2 passes to the dinner session of the Big Bite Bacon Fest, taking place Saturday, July 5 from 5:30-8:30pm

Trader Joe's in Pacific Beach Plans Move to Bigger Location in 2015

June 28, 2014

The Trader Joe's in Pacific Beach currently located at 1211 Garnet Avenue has plans to relocate slightly east to 1650 Garnet Ave into the shopping area where Staples and CVS was located prior to closing a couple weeks ago. The complex on the 1600 block of Garnet has some structural issues, which will require a total demolition and rebuild. Expect Trader Joe's to "seamlessly transition" into its new space after construction is completed in or around the summer of 2015. Rumor has it that a Walgreens will take over the adjacent CVS space.

Don Chido to Open in the Gaslamp on Monday, June 30 | Chef Antonio Friscia and RMD Group Bring Baja-Inspired Mexican to Downtown San Diego

June 27, 2014

From RMD Group, the development and management team behind recognized venues including FLUXX and Side Bar, along with Ken Lovi, founder and CEO of Knotty Barrel Gastropub, and Chef-Partner Antonio Friscia (of Stingaree and formerly Gaijin Noodle House), Don Chido will officially open to the public on Monday, June 30. An authentic, stylish, Mexican eatery taking over the former Fred's Mexican location in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, Don Chido will surely elevate the social dining scene in downtown San Diego.

Running of the Bulls | A Celebration of Spanish Cuisine in 5 Wine Paired Courses at The Patio on Lamont on July 1

June 26, 2014

In celebration of Spain’s traditional “Running of the Bulls” from July 6 - 14, wine aficionados and food lovers alike can rejoice with The Patio on Lamont’s wine dinner featuring 5 courses of vibrant Spanish cuisine  upcoming, taking place on Tuesday, July 1 at 5:30pm.  Featuring dishes such as Pato con Melocotones with Duck Prosciutto and an Heirloom Peach salad, Manilla Clams with Spanish Chorizo and Butter braised Leeks and a sweet dessert of Crema Catalana Custard, each course is paired with hand-selected wine from Northern Spain.