Mike "Bossman" Hardin, Owner Of Hodad's, Dies At Age 56

February 6, 2015

The San Diego community is mourning the loss of a local legend. The news of Mike "Bossman" Hardin's death spread in the late evening on February 5, 2015. The owner of the iconic Hodad's burger restaurants was 56 years of age. Both Hodad's locations will remain closed through Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7, but plan to reopen Sunday.

An Ode to New York in the 1980s | Chef Anthony Sinsay Returns to San Diego in a Big Way with AD Nightclub's Dinner Club Kick-Off

February 5, 2015
Photos by TJ Sinsay/Sinsay Fitography

Chef Anthony Sinsay

On Thursday, January 29, Chef Anthony Sinsay's San Diego homecoming came in the form of a five course pop-up supper at AD Nightclub, entitled An Introspective Look at New York City in the 1980's. The sold out crowd was excited to welcome Chef Sinsay back to his hometown after a year-plus relocation to Los Angeles. Sinsay seemed exceedingly elated to be back - vowing never to leave again! -  and proceeded to present a riveting dinner experience before announcing his new job as Executive Chef of the incoming Duke's La Jolla.

Don't Miss the Largest Mardi Gras Celebration on the West Coast | Win VIP Passes to the 21st Annual Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp

February 5, 2015

The largest Big Easy parade on the west coast returns with the 21st annual Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp on Fat Tuesday, February 17, from 5pm-12am! Get ready, as this nationally recognized Mardi Gras celebration will bring 16 blocks of sensory overload to San Diego's Gaslamp District with vivacious energy, glam floats, local celebrity dignitaries, bright lights and an explosive selection of music, including a DJ set by Snoop Dogg, aka DJ Snoopadelic! SanDiegoVille has 2 VIP tickets (a $200 value) to give away to one of our readers. Read on for details and be sure to enter.

Mission Federal ArtWalk Announces Featured Artists at Second Annual Artie Awards

February 5, 2015

Last night, the second annual Arties were held at The Westgate Hotel, honoring the supporters of San Diego’s arts scene and the annual Mission Federal ArtWalk event. Artie honorees included long-time ArtWalk premiere sponsor the Cymer Corporation, the Little Italy Association for its longstanding support of the event, ArtWalk volunteer coordinator Carmen DeBello and Gwen Nichols, a Board Member of ArtWalk’s charity partner, ArtReach.

Chef Paul McCabe to Return to San Diego to Take Over Culinary Duties at Town & Country Resort & Conference Center

February 5, 2015

Once you get San Diego in your blood, it's hard to stay away for too long. Just ask Chef Paul McCabe. Chef McCabe is in the process of leaving his position as executive chef of T. Cook's at the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix, Arizona, a position he's held for about a year and a half. He will return to San Diego in May to assist in revitalizing the Town and Country Resort & Conference Center in Mission Valley.

New Asian Inspired Restaurant James’ Place Opens Adjacent to La Jolla Playhouse

February 5, 2015

Renowned sushi master James Holder has opened his latest restaurant venture, James’ Place, adjacent to one of San Diego’s cultural epicenters, La Jolla Playhouse. The opening comes amid high anticipation from theater patrons, the UC San Diego community, La Jolla locals and San Diegans across San Diego county who have experienced a void since Wolfgang Puck’s Jai closed its doors nearly 18 months ago. The new 3,900 square foot space boasts a sleek, minimalist design intended to seamlessly complement Holder’s Asian inspired menu offerings.

Celebrate Valentine's Day Early with Dinner Lab on February 12

February 4, 2015

The national pop-up supper club, Dinner Lab, returns to San Diego to present a pre-Valentine’s Day dinner on Thursday, February 12, at 7pm, featuring the cuisine of Dinner Lab Chef de Cuisine Daniel Espinoza and Chef Jhoana Ruiz of Rocking Horse Chicago. Both originating from Illinois, Daniel and Jhoana will spotlight their hometown favorites with a West Coast flair, featuring a collaborative menu concept described as “Meals shared between two lovebirds, now shared with the world.”

Water Grill to Bring Premier Seafood to the Gaslamp Starting March 16

February 4, 2015

Water Grill debuts in America's Finest City on Monday, March 16, introducing an extensive selection of seasonal seafood within a vibrant setting at the massive, two-storied, 11,000 square-foot restaurant formerly occupied by The Palm in San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter.  The restaurant received a complete overhaul and now features a refreshed design, a menu consisting of first-of-season fresh fish, shellfish, prime meats, a raw seafood bar, and multiple spaces for private events and gatherings. In addition to the culinary offerings, the restaurant’s opening accounts for the creation of 200 new jobs in the local economy.

Share the Love With One of These 12 Valentine's Day Specials and Events

February 3, 2015

This February 14, show your loved one how much you care with a special Valentine's Day that they won't soon forget. SanDiegoVille wants to make planning your romantic outing easy so we've listed specials from all around town - from beachside dining to an undead bar crawl, San Diego is the ideal destination for fun this Valentine's Day. Celebrate with one of these 12 San Diego specials and events!

Oceana Coastal Kitchen Now Offering Waterfront Dining at Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa in Pacific Beach

February 3, 2015

Oceana Coastal Kitchen, the new multi-million dollar waterfront restaurant at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, is now open in Pacific Beach. Under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Steven Riemer, the coastal cuisine includes a dedicated cold bar featuring fresh seafood favorites as well as playful interpretations of classic dishes highlighting local produce and ingredients. Embodying a true California experience, the breezy 8,200 square foot indoor/outdoor restaurant incorporates an ocean-inspired design including an 800-gallon aquarium (soon home to fluorescent jellyfish) and showcases stunning unobstructed views of Mission Bay.

CH Projects' Soda & Swine Concept Coming to Liberty Station

February 2, 2015

We told you that San Diego rumors tend to be true! It's now official. In partnership with Michelin-starred Executive Chef Jason McLeod (Ironside Fish & Oyster), the design-savvy hospitality collective CH Projects (UnderBelly, Craft & Commerce, Noble Experiment, etc), had announced an expansion of the group’s mom-and-pop-style meatball and apple pie shop, Soda & Swine, with a second location slated to open doors at Point Loma’s Liberty Station in April of 2015.

Will Ferrell’s Beer Festival of Choice to Make San Diego Debut on March 7 | Enter to Win 2 Tickets and Get a Free Pint Glass for Best Coast Beer Fest!

February 2, 2015

Touted as actor and comedian Will Ferrell’s beer festival of choice, Best Coast Beer Fest makes its San Diego debut to Embarcadero Marina Park South on Saturday, March 7, bringing together over 50 of San Diego’s craft breweries, 14 local chefs and emerging San Diego artists and entertainment, including a possible appearance by the Anchorman star himself. We are giving away 2 GA tickets to the event as well as offering a special promo code (SDVILLE) to get a commemorative pint glass when you purchase passes!

Mister A's to Commemorate 50th Anniversary With Series of Celebrations

Tableside service in 1979

February 2, 2015

For 50 years Mister A’s, the iconic penthouse restaurant in Bankers Hill now owned by restaurateur Bertrand Hug, has been a landmark of fine dining for San Diegans and visitors alike. To celebrate a half century of success, Mister A’s has unveiled a new logo, featuring the classic styling and red hue of its famous sign, and website and will host a series of celebrations throughout the year.

A How-To Guide to Approaching the Sunday Brunch at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse

February 1, 2015

Being that we are not football fans, we enthusiastically seized the opportunity on Super Bowl Sunday to escape the usual crowds and enjoy our favorite brunch at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse - a buffet feast of epic proportions that includes unlimited Champagne, an other-wordly raw bar and unrivaled views of the Big Bay...for only $42! This was probably our seventh time at Tom Ham’s Sunday Brunch (who's counting?), which means that we have a planned course of action and a good idea of how to maximize enjoyment. So here it is, our guide to approaching the Super Sunday Brunch at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse.

Take It Slow and Lunch the Mexican Way at Cueva Bar's New 'Saturday Lunching'

January 31, 2015

San Diegans know a thing or two about eating Mexican food, but many of us aren’t as accustomed to the act of truly enjoying a meal like our Mexican counterparts. A mad rush through lunch eliminates the pleasure of sharing food, savoring flavors, and enjoying company - all necessary ingredients to create a fantastic dining experience in Mexico. To teach us how it's done the Mexican way, Chef Oz at Cueva Bar in University Heights has launched Saturday Lunching to encourage his diners to slow down, share food, hang out, and enjoy the day.

Donovan's Steak & Chophouse Now Open on Prospect Street in La Jolla | Former Donovan's Space To Become Red O Restaurant

January 30, 2015

There was a steakhouse shuffle last September when both the Steakhouse at Azul and Donovan's Steak & Chophouse near UTC both announced their closures at around the same time. The reality was that after not being able to come to terms with its landlord after a nearly 15 year tenancy, the soon-to-be-displaced Donovan's approached the Brigantine restaurant group, made 'em an offer they couldn't refuse and bought the Azul location at 1250 Prospect Street in La Jolla. After ceasing its operations at the UTC location on January 3, which will become an incarnation of Rick Bayless's Red O restaurant, the new Donovan's in now officially open, pouring Martinis and grilling prime steaks with a side of Pacific views. Check it out!

Build-Your-Own Pizza Chain Rolls Into San Diego This March

January 30, 2015

We all knew Seinfeld's Cosmo Kramer was on to something with his make-your-own pie idea nearly 25 years ago. Now, the concept is coming to America's Finest City in the form of two PizzaRev locations. Opening in Scripps Ranch (10393 Spring Canyon Rd.) and Carmel Valley (7835 Highland Village Place) in March 2015, PizzaRev will offer locally sourced vegetables and toppings, fresh pressed dough made in-house daily, all-natural cheeses and vegan and gluten-free options for customers looking to build their own custom pizza pies.

Chef Anthony Sinsay Returns Home to Become Chef at Jake's Del Mar and the Incoming Duke's La Jolla

January 29, 2015

The beachfront Jake’s Del Mar has announced that San Diego native son, Chef Anthony Sinsay, has returned to America’s Finest City to take the position as the new Dining Room Chef at Jake’s Del Mar, joining the T S Restaurants family in preparation for the opening of Duke’s La Jolla, where he will be Executive Chef when it opens this summer at the much anticipated location at 1216 Prospect Street on the prime parcel once occupied by the Top of the Cove restaurant.

Karl Strauss Celebrates 26 Years of Crafting the San Diego Beer Scene with Changing of the Barrels Event | Saturday, Feb. 7

January 28, 2015

On Saturday, February 7, from 6-9pm, Karl Strauss Brewing Company is celebrating 26 years of crafting the local San Diego beer scene with its annual Changing of the Barrels event. The company opened San Diego’s first craft brewery on February 2, 1989 and more than a quarter century later it continues to pioneer with its innovative beers, cask offerings, and West Coast Pub Fare. Guests are invited to experience the company’s tasting room and beer garden at the main brewery in Pacific Beach. The event will feature 26 award-winning and limited edition beers on tap, brewery tours, food pairings from MIHO Gastrotruck, live music by Dead Feather Moon, commemorative glassware, and a souvenir bottle of the 26th Anniversary Belgian Dark Strong Ale.