One of the Top Cocktail Festivals in America Returns August 23 & 24 | Save $$ and Win Tickets to the 6th Annual San Diego Spirits Festival

August 17, 2014

Named one of the Best Cocktail Festivals in America by Fodor's Travel, the San Diego Spirits Festival is back for its 6th year and ready to provide a tremendous occasion to sample and experience the finest spirits and food from San Diego and beyond. Taking place at the picturesque Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier over the weekend of August 23 & 24, this annual festival offers attendees the unique opportunities to learn how to create and pair the perfect cocktail. Each year, the annual festival brings more spirits, culinary delights and an eclectic blend of entertainment, and 2014 proves to be the biggest year yet. In addition to offering a promo code to save $25 per ticket, SanDiegoVille is raffling off a pair of passes to attend the San Diego Spirits Festival on Sunday, August 24 ($170 value). Submit your email below to enter!

Enter for a chance to win 2 passes to the Sunday edition of the San Diego Spirits Festival 2014

Support a Great Cause at a Most Unique Culinary Event | Don't Miss the 11th Annual Flavors of San Diego Culinary Gala on Sunday, September 7

August 17, 2014

The American Liver Foundation will host its 11th Annual Flavors of San Diego Culinary Gala on Sunday, September 7, at the Grand Del Mar from 5:30-10pm. This event offers a most unique dining experience, featuring 30 of San Diego’s best chefs showcasing their talents and representing their restaurants. While many organizations host tasting events where participating chefs prepare a small dish for everyone in attendance to sample, Flavors assigns one chef to each table of ten guests. Each chef then stages the entire table and cooks a creative, multi-course meal for the attendees that differs from table to table and chef to chef.

The Patio on Goldfinch Gets Prickly With its Tequila Dinner | 5 Courses on Tuesday, August 26

August 16, 2014

Tequila novices, connoisseurs and catadors can gather and rejoice with the return of The Patio on Goldfinch’s beloved Tequila dinner on August 26. Hosted by Montalvo Tequila, the five-course dinner incorporates nopal, also known as prickly pear cactus, into each dish and is paired with hand-crafted tequila cocktails.

Coronado Brewing Co. Creates Special Edition San Diego Festival of Beer Brew | San Diego Brewery Debuts New Beer to Celebrate Fest’s 20th Anniversary

August 16, 2014

San Diego Festival of Beer announced today that Coronado Brewing Company will release a special brew for the festival's 20th Anniversary. The limited edition beer, which Coronado Brewing has dubbed 'SD Party Pilsner,' is being brewed for keg release.  The brewery will also donate $1 of each pint sold on the evening of August 20, to the San Diego Professionals Against Cancer (SDPAC), the nonprofit group that runs the annual San Diego Festival of Beer, to benefit local cancer charities.

Win Tickets to Westfield UTC's 2nd Annual 'Uncorked' Wine Walk and Concert | Event to Showcase Temecula Winegrowers, Chefs and Musicians on Saturday, August 23

August 15, 2014

Westfield UTC has announced its highly anticipated second-annual Uncorked Wine Walk and Concert, taking place on Saturday, August 23 from 4-7pm. Guests will savor a diverse selection of award-winning wine varietals and chef-crafted bites from Westfield UTC’s gourmet dining options, complemented by live local musicians with proceeds benefiting the Temecula Valley Wine Grower’s Association and the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. In addition to offering a promo code for $10 off tickets, we have two tickets to the event for one of our readers (a $60 value) - input your email below to enter and read on for more details on the event.

Enter for a chance to win 2 passes to Westfield UTC's Uncorked Wine Walk and Concert

Yasmani Grandal of the San Diego Padres and ALTITUDE Sky Lounge at San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter to Host Masq Madness Masquerade Ball

Yasmani Grandal and Gary Sinise

August 15, 2014

ALTITTUDE Sky Lounge at the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, along with Yasmani Grandal, catcher for the San Diego Padres, will host Masq Madness, a glamourous black tie affair, on Saturday, August 30, beginning at 9pm. Proceeds from this enchanting event will benefit the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Bang Bang Introduces New Menus

Sizzling sirloin steak

August 14, 2014

Just celebrating their one-year anniversary, Bang Bang is excited to debut a new hot plates, sushi and cocktail menu. With a kitchen and sushi bar helmed by Executive Chef John Hong, aka Chef Kappa, Bang Bang has undergone nearly a complete menu overhaul now featuring new, innovative and daring delectables.  Still showcasing ‘the greatest hits of Asian cuisine’, Bang Bang’s new menu displays progressive yet approachable items while still offering a variety of playful dishes, including guest favorites such as the Crispy Wonton & Tuna Tartare Tacos, Asian Hot Wings and Bang Bang Pork Buns.

Searsucker Del Mar Launches SearSupper Club with Stone Brewery | Tuesday, August 19

August 14, 2014

Searsucker Del Mar has announced the next SearSupper Club dinner in partnership with Stone Brewery on Tuesday, August 19.  In an intimate and upscale coastal vibe, certified cicerone Dr. Bill from Stone will reveal his expert beer tidbits to guests while chef de cuisine JC Colon creates an exquisitely unique and daring six-course menu featuring both local ingredients and pairings.

Prepkitchen + Sycamore Den are Getting' Tiki

August 14, 2014

Tiki Oasis is back to takeover San Diego and Prepkitchen Little Italy is joining in on the festivities! In celebration, PK’s talented cocktail curator, Adam Lockridge is serving the Kanaloa, an excitingly eccentric drink, featuring a blend of Damrak, Sweet Falernum, Lime, Galliano and an added kick of Angostura Bitters. The Kanaloa is only available Thursday-Sunday after 5pm at Prepkitchen Little Italy. It’s Tiki Time! Also in the spirit of Tiki, the 1st Annual San Diego Neighborhood Face Off is happening this Saturday, August 16th. North Park (Coin-Op) vs. Normal Heights (Sycamore Den) will duke it out in a good old-fashioned popularity contest. There will be no violence in this battle, but there will be guaranteed good times, neighborhood pride and all day drink specials And, it’s all for a good cause! A portion of the featured cocktail sales will go to a local charity chosen by each bar (Sycamore Den - Ocean Discovery Institute). May the best 'hood win!

Fig Tree Cafe Liberty Station Turns One!

August 14, 2014

Nearly one year ago, Fig Tree Café planted roots at Point Loma’s Liberty Station. To celebrate its one-year anniversary this month, owner Johan Engman is treating guests at the Liberty Station location with their choice of either a glass of champagne or a dessert to share at the table. The anniversary offer is valid only for patrons dining in from August 25 until August 27 at Fig Tree Café in Liberty Station.

Chef Jaison Burke No Longer with The Pearl Hotel | Former San Diego Bay Wine & Food Fest Honoree to Leave San Diego

Chef Jaison Burke

August 13, 2014

Chef Jaison Burke announced on his Facebook page that he is leaving his position at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma. Burke has been The Pearl's executive chef since 2011, but later this month, he'll be starting at Ojai Valley Inn and Resort in Ventura, CA. Burke was an integral part of the launch of The Pearl's taco shop - Tacos Perla in North Park. He was also the People's Choice winner for Chef of the Fest at the 2012 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival.

Lagunitas Brewing Company and Sessions Public Partner for Smokey Beer Dinner | August 21 at 7pm

August 13, 2014

On Thursday, August 21, Sessions Public is partnering with the always popular Petaluma-based Lagunitas Brewing Company for a special Lagunitas ‘Smoke Sessions’ Beer Dinner that craft beer lovers won’t want to miss. Beer advocates will unite at the Ocean Beach/Point Loma neighborhood spot, already beloved for its craft beer variety with 20 rotating brews always on tap. Lagunitas Marketing Director Chris Meyers will be making the trip down from Petaluma to educate guests on each of the several beers being paired throughout the night.

Kona Kai Resort & Marina Renovates 'Vessel' | See Inside the Refreshed Shelter Island Mainstay

August 13, 2014

Shelter Island's Kona Kai recently completed a $22 million refreshment and is ready to delight guests with an intimate SoCal experience in a fresh environment of casual elegance, where nautical chic meets beach bungalow. Travelers will experience brand new guest rooms, revitalized in-room amenities, a refreshed pool and meetings spaces, and a completely renovated lobby and waterfront restaurant - Vessel.

Flower Hill Promenade to Host Wine & Cheese Tasting with Venissimo Cheese & Wine Connection | Thursday, August 28

August 13, 2014

Del Mar’s premier outdoor shopping district, Flower Hill Promenade, will offer a fun, interactive wine and cheese around the world pairing adventure on Thursday, August 28.  Featuring neighbors Venissimo Cheese and Wine Connection, the wine and cheese pairing event will include TWO courses in ONE - wine 101 + cheese 101.  Attendees will enjoy six perfect pairings while learning the basics of pairing fine wine with fabulous cheese with the help of experts from both worlds.  The class will be held at Venissimo Cheese from 6-8pm and guests can sign up here for $60 per person and also receive a 10% discount on any in-store purchase the night of the class.

Del Mar's Sea & Smoke Gets a Bar Update

August 12, 2014

Chef Matt Gordon's third restaurant, Sea & Smoke, located in Del Mar's Flower Hill Promenade has just completed a facelift on their bar, including a menu update with new cocktails and food. The lower level bar has been updated with a golden-hued paint color (an exact match to their mule mugs), outdoorsy wall paper, new lighting, new art work and new wall decor to welcome guests looking for a chic but comfortable place to sip cocktails and nosh on Chef Gordon's American brasserie fare. The bar and happy hour menu now includes several more items from Sea & Smoke's wood-buring oven and sustainable kitchen including Chef Gordon's Niman Ranch burger ($11.50 during Happy Hour), the Solace watermelon salad ($9 at happy hour), the oysters Del Mar ($12 during happy hour) and Mary's chicken liver pate terrine ($8 during happy hour).

Get Your Thai Fix During Thailand Week Starting September 1 | Sample San Diego's Best Thai Food at Special Preview Event Held August 15 in Escondido

August 12, 2014
By Megan Gallagher | SanDiegoVille Contributor

If pad thai, drunken noodles and coconut soup are among your favorite meals, you’re going to want to mark your calendar for September 1 – 7 when Thailand Week rolls into San Diego. The program was created to promote the wide variety of Thai food in America, and involves hundreds of “Thai Select” restaurants throughout the United States, including many in Southern California. During the week, these restaurants will be offering a 15% discount to diners in an effort to encourage restaurant goers to explore all of the tastes of Thailand. As promotion leading up to Thailand Week, on Friday, August 15, more than two dozen Thai eateries throughout San Diego will show off their culinary chops in an effort to earn their very own “Thai Select” status recognition from Thailand.

Stone Brewing Co. Releases Stone 18th Anniversary IPA: The Hoppiest Golden-Brown IPA on Earth

August 11, 2014

Eighteen years ago, beer geek entrepreneurs Greg Koch and Steve Wagner launched Stone Brewing Co., selling the first keg of Stone Pale Ale to San Diego County brewpub Pizza Port. Since unleashing that inaugural brew, Stone has earned a reputation for making bold, flavorful and hop-centric beers. What better way to celebrate yet another year of grand-scale accomplishments (and announcements) than by releasing an elegantly hoppy beer? Stone 18th Anniversary IPA is an imperial IPA dry-hopped exclusively and abundantly with El Dorado hops. Beginning today, this one-time specialty ale will start arriving in 22-ounce bottles and on draft at retailers, restaurants and bars in select markets nationwide.

Closing Alert - Acme, Wet Willies and Veg-N-Out

August 11, 2014

Acme Southern Kitchen is no more in the East Village after only 8 months in business. The always-empty Wet Willies frozen daiquiri bar in downtown San Diego was put out of its misery, and the vegetarian eatery Veg-N-Out is closing its doors in North Park at the end of the month.

San Diego Coastkeeper Announces its Annual Seaside Soiree | Proceeds from September 10 Event Will Protect Fishable, Swimmable and Drinkable Waters in San Diego County

August 11, 2014

On September 10, San Diego Coastkeeper hosts its annual Seaside Soiree to raise money and celebrate swimmable, fishable and drinkable waters in San Diego County. This year marks the 17th annual Seaside Soiree where guests, supporters, board members and staff gather to celebrate the importance of protecting San Diego’s underwater treasures and healthy waterways. Taking place at the Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla, participants will mingle inside and outside and enjoy an oceanfront view with a spectacular sunset. The event, which runs from 6-9pm, promises a roaming buffet, cash bar, auction and opportunity drawing, interactive educational booths, fishy dance moves and fun.