8 San Diego Cocktails With Some Kick!

Bracero's The Ready Lane

January 27, 2016

Nobody complains about a cold beer on a hot day, or a shot to celebrate, but what about those special drinks with a little spice for this cooler San Diego weather? Made with a variety of alcohols and mouthwatering ingredients, these 8 drinks are giving bar-goers some fresh options for nearly any occasion. From mild to hot to watery eyes, there’s a choice for us all!

The Smoking Goat To Open Sister Concept This Spring | One Door North To Debut At Former Mosaic Wine Bar Space

January 26, 2016

Husband and wife duo Executive Chef Fred & Tammy Piehl of Piehl Restaurant Group have operated  the popular, French-inspired The Smoking Goat in North Park since 2010. In response to The Smoking Goat’s overwhelming success, the Piehl Restaurant Group is expanding, venturing into the space next door to launch an entirely new concept, One Door North, serving farm fresh small plates and seasonal fare in an approachable setting with a design nod to discovery and adventure. One Door North will debut this March/April in the space that formerly housed Mosaic Wine Bar.

Croce's Park West Goes Silent In Banker's Hill

January 25, 2016

Ingrid Croce opened her namesake restaurant in 1985 as a tribute to her late husband - singer/song writer Jim Croce. In 2014, she moved her eatery to Banker's Hill and renamed it Croce's Park West. After more than three decades serving up tasty dishes and live music in San Diego, Ingrid has closed Croce's.

The Lodge At Torrey Pines To Undergo Major Renovations | The Grill To Close For $2.5 Million Facelift

January 25, 2016

The Lodge At Torrey Pines will temporarily close its casual, in-house eatery The Grill as of February 1 to undergo construction with plans to reopen by this June. The restaurant's closure coincides with a year-long shutdown of Torrey Pines Golf Course’s world famous 18-hole northern course, which is slated to undergo extensive renovations.

Cerveza Jack's Debuts In Pacific Beach At Former Fred's Mexican Cafe Space

January 24, 2015

Good Time Design opened Cerveza Jack's this past week at the former Fred's Mexican Cafe at 1165 Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. Although still in its 'soft opening' phase (meaning there's still work to be done), we popped in for a first look at the space and menus. Check it!

El Agave To Host Aphrodisiac Inspired 5 Course Beer & Tequila Paired Dinner

January 23, 2016

The search for sexy foods is an ancient pursuit, and aphrodisiacs come in so many natural forms. Old Town's El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria has partnered with San Diego based Modern Times Beer, Sweet Bricks and Tres Tonos Tequila to lure guests with a five course aphrodisiac-filled menu that will get anyone in the mood for food. Taking place on Thursday, February 4, from 6-9pm, Amor Por Mexico will include toffee-inspired dishes, each individually paired with beer and tequila libations to seduce even the most demanding palate - possibly causing love at first sip.

Broadway San Diego Announces Exciting Line Up For 40th Anniversary Season

January 22, 2016
Broadway San Diego hopes to celebrate its 40th Anniversary with one of their biggest and most chart-topping seasons, offering a lineup that is a blend of Broadway classics and critically acclaimed newcomers straight from New York, including The Lion King, Cabaret, The Sound of Music and more.

Arrivederci Acqua Al 2 | After 15 Years, Restaurant To Close For Business On January 30

January 22, 2016

Acqua Al 2 has sold after 15 years of serving award winning Tuscan-style dishes in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp District. Helmed by Chef/Ower Martin Gonzalez since its inception, the restaurant will keep regular hours so that guests will be able to enjoy its homemade Italian food one last time before closing for business on January 30.

Little Italy's Sirena Closes On February 1 For Facelife & Rebranding

January 21, 2016

Sirena is firing-up the taste of their décor to match their menu of vibrant flavors from Chile, Peru and Mexico, closing on February 1 for renovation and a few tweaks to their branding. Little Italy’s home for Latin American cuisine will be splashing with color after reopening this February 8.

JRDN Restaurant Launches New Feast With Friends Dinner Series & Weeknights Beachside Specials

January 20, 2016

After a successful debut event, JRDN Restaurant at TOWER23 Hotel has announced two more events in their new “Feast With Friends” winter dining series, taking place on February 10 & 22. The beautiful beachside eatery also revealed information on the start of their new “Weeknights Beachside” specials. On Sundays through Wednesdays from 5pm to close, beginning February 7, guests will enjoy nightly deals while indulging in the restaurant’s sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, spectacular sunsets and memorable food and drinks.

Verant Group To Open Westroot Tavern In Carmel Valley

January 19, 2016

Carmel Valley’s east side will be coming to life with the addition of Verant Group’s new Westroot Tavern. Planted in the recently developed Village at Pacific Highland’s Ranch, the restaurant and bar is expected to open this spring, and will be all about "fresh, inspired food crafted from land and sea in true Southern California style." Offering a tavern-like experience and impressive lineup of music and nightlife, Westroot should be staged to become a neighborhood favorite.

Guadalajaran-Style Carne Asada Eatery Set To Debut In Downtown San Diego | Pipirins To Open January 21

January 19, 2016

A fast-casual restaurant specializing in carne asada cooked over the open flame, Pipirins will host its grand opening on January 21. Emphasizing fresh ingredients and dishes made-to-order and cooked in front of patrons, Pipirins has taken over the space at 531 Broadway St., Space B, adjacent to the newly opened Ramen Yamadaya and Biga, making this corner a new dining destination in downtown San Diego.

The World's Top Monster Trucks Are Taking Over Petco Park | Monster Jam Returns To San Diego With Car-Crushing Action On January 23 & February 6

January 18, 2016

We've been on the field at Petco Park a few times and the grounds crew is always crazy about where you walk on the grass, but in the next few weeks, there will be monster trucks ripping around the outfield! San Diego motor sports fans should get revved up, as the ultimate dirt-flying, car-crushing action spectacular, Monster Jam, returns to San Diego, playing for its second year at Petco Park stadium, the home of the San Diego Padres, for two action-packed weekend events - Saturday, January 23 & Saturday, February 6. We are raffling off two tickets to attend on January 23, so read on and be sure to enter!

Andaz San Diego To Host Its First Free-To-Attend Salon Event Of 2016 On January 28

January 18, 2016

Get ready for a free night out at one of the nicest hotels in downtown San Diego! Andaz San Diego in the Gaslamp Quarter will host an artistic evening on Thursday, January 28 from 6 to 9pm, inviting San Diegans and visitors alike to experience local music, bohemian-chic jewelry, contemporary art and complimentary food and drink at its first social and cultural Andaz Salon series event of the year.

San Diego's Bird Rock Coffee Roasters Awarded Title Of Best Coffee In Country Rachel Peterson

Rachel Peterson, Chuck Patton and Elke Patton

January 17, 2016

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, which currently has three locations in San Diego, beat out coffees from companies around the US to win the coffee category at the 2016 Good Food Awards in San Francisco, with the awards ceremony and celebration taking place this weekend. The winners of the Good Food Award are meant to represent the forefront of conscious American food purveyors, required to produce products that are not only delicious, but also respectful of the environment and connected to communities and cultural traditions. This is a national award with winners from 33 states that were amongst almost 2,000 entries. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is the only recipient of any Good Food Award in San Diego, and one of only three coffee awardees in the State of California.

Madison On Park Offers Delicious Value & Comfortable Charm In University Heights

January 16, 2016

Upon entering the newly-opened Madison on Park, we felt something special, an inviting warmth. It's difficult to describe, but sometimes a restaurant just feels comfortable, like home, and you know that it's going to be a neighborhood gathering place. After sitting down to sample a delicious dinner at University Heights' newest dining destination, we are confident in saying that the eatery has a bright future ahead. Madison offers an eclectic menu, great value, plentiful portions and a Zen-like atmosphere.

Convoy's Common Theory Public House To Host 9-Course Price Fixed Dinner With All Star Line Up Of Local Chefs | Monday, January 25

January 15, 2016

The Convoy District's Common Theory Public House is hosting its first ever pop-up, multi-course dinner on Monday, January 25. This nine course prix-fixe, beer-pairing dinner will showcase dishes from nine different chefs from acclaimed San Diego restaurants, including Ironside Fish & Oyster, George's at the Cove, Juniper + Ivy and more, who will each prepare a course highlighting their unique talents. For each of the dinner’s courses, an Alesmith Brewing Co. beer will be selectively paired to complement its dish. We know that we already included this supper in our round-up of culinary events for this month, but with the level of chefs involved, this one deserves some special attention!

Chef Anthony Sinsay Makes Duke's La Jolla His Own

January 14, 2016

There is a saying that "cooking is love made visible." Taking that as truth, we think Chef Anthony Sinsay must really, really love us. The young and exceedingly talented chef has made us some of our most memorable meals to date and always does so with humble passion. From his time at Harney Sushi, to his tenure at Enlightened Hospitality's Burlap, to his short stint at La Villa, we've made it a point to visit him at each of his recent San Diego restaurants. And in tracking his development, we know that Chef Sinsay has a long and triumphant career ahead of him. Now leading the kitchen at the newly opened Duke's La Jolla atop of the picturesque La Jolla Cove, Chef Sinsay is putting his twist on a developed brand and making it his own, elevating its cuisine substantially in the process.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company To Host 27th Anniversary Changing Of The Barrels Celebration | Saturday, January 30

January 14, 2016

Karl Strauss Brewing Company will celebrate their 27th year of brewing delicious craft beer on Saturday, January 30, from 5-8pm, with the annual "Changing of the Barrels" party at their Tasting Room & Beer Garden in Pacific Beach. To honor the occasion, they are debuting their 27th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Double Chocolate Imperial Stout and a chance to taste their 28th Anniversary brew before it spends a year in barrels.