SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL 2014

As one of the largest wine and food festivals in the nation, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has helped shine the light on San Diego's thriving food scene. We've got our eyes and ears peeled for the city's most drool-worthy restaurants and newest food trends to hit the streets, bringing you an epicurean experience unlike any other. The magnitude of culinary talent in San Diego combined with an international showcase of the world's premiere wines and spirits, and the nation's trendsetting culinary masters, makes attendance at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival a mouthwatering feast and precursor to the Thanksgiving holiday.

LOOK BACK: 2013

A look back at our dinning adventures of 2013 including our official journey from Southern California to New York City!

For more information on dinning out, healthy recipes, entertaining ideas and decor go to www.OneDishAtATime.com

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

NOVEMBER 20-24, 2013

As one of the largest wine and food festivals in the nation, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has helped shine the light on San Diego's thriving food scene. 

We've got our eyes and ears peeled for the city's most drool-worthy restaurants and newest food trends to hit the streets, bringing you an epicurean experience unlike any other. 

The magnitude of culinary talent in San Diego combined with an international showcase of the world's premiere wines and spirits, and the nation's trendsetting culinary masters, makes attendance at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival a mouthwatering feast.

OCEAN BEACH STREET FAIR & CHILI COOK-OFF

OCEAN BEACH STREET FAIR & CHILI COOK-OFF

The 34th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off Festival will offer attendees eclectic fun in the sun that's great for all ages. Join more than 70,000 visitors throughout the day for tasty festival nosh, art, beachfront entertainment, shopping and more. The chili competition will feature more than two dozen tastings from amateur entrants competing for the titles of Hottest Chili, Judges' Award and grand prize People's Choice Award. Attendees of all ages can take part in creating the annual Street Fair mural or playing outdoor laser tag.

Festival highlights include:

• Five outdoor stages plus one indoor stage of continuous live music
• Artists' Alley
• Community Mural Art Project
• Wonderland Children's Area
• Chili Cook-Off
• Beachside Beer Garden & Spirits
• Food vendors and local restaurant fare
• Unique handcrafted merchandise: clothing, accessories and more
• ClimbIt Wall
• Raffle with prizes from more than 20 local businesses
• Celebration of Wonderland Amusement Park's 100th Anniversary

Saturday, June 22, 2013 - 10:00am ~ 7:00pm

TASTE OF SAN DIEGO CRAFT BREWS 2013

FEBRUARY 16, 2013 - 5:00PM - 9:00PM

San Diego's hottest brewers are paired with mouth-watering bites by celebrated Cicerone, "Dr." Bill Sysak. Celebrate San Diego’s history-making brews. All attendees will be treated to award-winning beer samples and exquisite food pairings and have the chance to bid on one-of-a-kind auction items.

Taste of San Diego Craft Brews launches the History Center’s “Year of Craft Beer” which includes the exhibition, Bottled & Kegged: San Diego’s Craft Brew Culture.

BEST OF SAN DIEGO PARTY 2012

I'm so excited!! This is one of the events I wait for to come around every year ... It seriously is the best executed event, its an amazing display of the top restaurants, wines  beers that San Diego {SoCal} has to offer!!!


Click below for more information ... hope to see you all there!!

A TASTE OF CORONADO ~ OCTOBER 12, 2011

A Taste of Coronado


Spend a night on the Island...indulging your senses and feeding your appetite with Island fare in the ocean air.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 5:30 - 9:00 pm, the Island of Coronado will be host to foodies and gourmands alike with it's 2nd annual Taste of Coronado. 

Take a culinary trip around the world one bite at a time. Locally-owned bistros, full-bodied wines, All-American barbecue, spicy Thai, regional Mexican fare, and fresh seafood. All of these flavors are laid out before you as Coronado prepares to tempt your taste buds in one of San Diego's premier neighborhoods. 

Stroll lazily along Orange Avenue or let the trolley deliver you to your next mouth-watering destination. It WILL be a night to remember!

Proceeds benefiting San Diego Family Justice Center and SAFE anti bullying campaign.

17th ANNUAL LITTLE ITALY FESTA ~ OCTOBER 9, 2011

17th Annual Little Italy Festa
October 9, 2011   10:00 am - 6:00 pm

The Little Italy Festa is known to be one of the largest single-day Italian American festivals West of the Mississippi. Enjoy the wine & beer garden, entertainment on 2 stages, over 120 Italian food & crafter booths, sidewalk chalk art, and shop to your heart's content.

Little Italy - Downtown San Diego
India Street - between Ash & Grape Streets
Info: (619) 233-3898 www.littleitalysd.com 

SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT WEEK ~ SEPTEMBER 18-23, 2011

Experience cuisine that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in San Diego. 

Held twice annually, this beloved culinary tradition features discounted prix fixe menus from more than 180 of San Diego’s best restaurants.

MARDI GRAS IN THE GASLAMP

“Mardi Gras” means “Fat Tuesday” in French.  It refers to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and follows the Christian calendar of Lent.  Traditionally, Fat Tuesday is the final day of indulgence before the 40 days and 40 nights of Lent.  It is a day that is celebrated worldwide - Each Mardi Gras celebration has its own unique character, whether it's in Rio, New Orleans or here in San Diego. As the largest Mardi Gras celebration on the West Coast, Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp has become a signature San Diego event (celebrating it's 17th year!), with a distinct Southern California flavor. San Diego embraces the tradition of Fat Tuesday with it's own spin as a night of decadent indulgence in the heart of Downtown San Diego. 

Mardi Gras In The Gaslamp is a fabulous block party that hosts a variety of stages & lounges with DJ's & Musical Performances, a Gaslamp-wide outdoor celebration featuring dancing in the streets! With an Incredible Masquerade Parade on 5th Ave at 9:30 pm. 

For more info go to: www.gaslamp.org

WHERE: 

Gaslamp Quarter,
901 5th Avenue

San Diego, CA  92101

TWO ENTRY GATES: 

a) 5th Ave & Broadway  

b) 6th Ave & K Street

WHEN:

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 6:00 PM - 11:55 PM 

Advance Tickets @ http://bit.ly/dP8xHK

CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MONTH

As we are all partaking and enjoying San Diego Restaurant week, I thought I'd share with you something that everyone may not know about....not only can you enjoy great special menus at the best restaurants in San Diego, but throughout California as San Diego Restaurant Week is part of California Restaurant Month. 

California Restaurant Month: 

Splurge, Savor, Save in JANUARY

Sexy outdoor cafes in Southern California, ultra-fresh ingredients in Northern California, amazing seafood along the coast, and all the bounty of California's Central Valley. Virtually every corner of the state has extraordinary restaurants, bistros, and cafes. And now is your chance to try them. 

Caprese, California Style!

California Cuisine

California Comfort Food

California Seafood 

Introducing California Restaurant Month, a statewide celebration of special savings traditionally offered this time of year. Treat yourself to that urban hotspot you’ve always wanted to try, or plan a quick getaway to gorgeous wine country, the dramatic coast, or a cozy mountain retreat. Click on the regions below, and see where you’ll be making dinner reservations. (Note: offers and dates may vary.)

More tasty news: Check our events section for more restaurant and wine & dine events throughout the year.

Can’t make it to California during California Restaurant Month this January? Check out these Restaurant Weeks going on in California throughout 2011.

To learn more about California Restaurant Month and other participating cities please visit California Restaurant Month.

HAPPY HOUR @ TOWER 23

I love a little posh in my life every now and then....

And for me that involves prosecco, oysters and a delightful ambiance sometimes!

I love JRDN Restaurant @ Tower23, with it's splendid sunset views and it's fantastic bar menu that contains classic bar faves as well as elaborate gourmet bites.....plus they have raw bar happy hour!!

Ummmm, yes, I love oysters!!

But, if raw-bar fare is not your thing, I absolutely recommend that you indulge in the many other small bites the bar menu has to offer....

Like the baked goat cheese plate.

Or perhaps a light and tasty tuna tartar.

And if bubbling wine doesn't float your boat either, they have a very impressive wine selection and specials on their bottles of wine on Tuesdays (don't worry guys, they have plenty of beer to offer as well!!)

But the point is, that no matter what you decide to drink or eat, you should decide to go, grab a seat on their outside lounge and enjoy the beautiful sun setting on the beach period!!

CHEERS!!

ENJOY!

SUSHI LUNCH

Great place to grab fresh delicious sushi and not break the bank! As an absolute sushi fanatic, I was driving everyone I met when I first moved to San Diego crazzy asking them where there was a good sushi place....finally someone had mercy on me and decided to take me to the only place they new..........Sushi Deli 1 in Hillcrest, which became my first sushi experience in SoCal and has become one of my few "go to" local spots!! They have one in downtown on Broadway too.





I love coming here, they have a great variety of sushi and Japanese cuisine.....and an awesome Sake bar!





So today I decided to surprise my friend that works near by and see if we could grab some rolls and a chat for lunch....here's what we chowed on....

We shared their scrumptious garlic edimane to start with, a definite must have every time I go there!

She ordered the Monday #1A lunch special that came with sushi, gyoza and salad





I absolutely had to have sushi, so I ordered the Yokozuna combo which came with a spicy tuna roll, 5 pieces of sushi and lovely salad.




It was all delightful, quick and easy on the wallet. 2 people can eat very satisfyingly for $25 or have a couple of rolls and a couple of drinks for the same price....just great.....but they do have a bit of a wait (for lunch and dinner), so do plan to go 25-35mins early and put your name on the list....they don't do reservations.....but well worth the wait!

MY 1st TASTE OF THE GASLAMP

A Day In San Diego's Historic Gaslamp District

A Sampling Sensation

As a new resident of beautiful San Diego, California, I had been advised to plan mightily for the Taste Of The Gaslamp......and let me just share with you straight from the beginning, I was NOT disappointed. I debated whether to blog about this awesome event (which I recommend to all that live in the San Diego - be there next year!!). But I find myself in the month or so since the event, making many dishes influenced and/or derived from my Gaslamp experience. So I decided to share my day at the Taste....

I went with some local friends whom have done this once or twice before. They had a plot a theme and a story!!

We started at The Palm, they had a surf and turf selection, which kicked off the day in the perfect direction. The stake bites where out of this world.

The Palm - San Diego

615 J Street

San Diego, CA 92101

619.702.6500

Next stop Nobu....While I was eagerly expecting to sample some of Nobu's incredible sushi selection, I was sadly disappointed with what they thought to be suffice for their Taste sampling. They offered King Crab Gazpacho, I do not know if I owe the blah sensation I got from the gazpacho to the expectancy of sushi or what, but I found the sake infused guava and passion fruit juice far better than the "main course"

They also offered Nobu Labeled items and cookbooks which was a great idea to taste that which was not sampled.

However the King Crab Gazpacho was rather lovely.

Nobu - San Diego

207 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6908
619.814.4124

Bondi Australian Beer & Food is next on our list....I was quite excited about sampling some of the food at Bondi, as I have been there on previous occasions for drinks. I was disappointed to say the least, cheese balls are not my personal opinion of bringing someone back to try the rest of your menu. Though the ambiance is nice and the restaurant very nouveau, I'd say I will keep to the drinks...

Bondi

333 5th Ave

San Diego, CA 92101

619.342.0212

Chinese time @ The Red Pearl - Ahi tuna on tempura eggplant, spicy kung-pao prongs yum @ The Red Pearl!!!!!! Delissssssh! It was so great I was to busy eating and completely forgot to photo document the whole thing!

The Red Pearl

440 J St
San Diego, CA 92101-6980
(619) 231-1100

Tabule served a refreshing white Chilean sea bass ceviche, very memorable!

Tabule International Cuizine

535 4th Ave

San Diego, CA 92101-6901

619.238.0048

Cafe Sevilla rocks! Paella, roasted chiken, mushroom empanada, artichoke ham salad and dessert...wow!!

The line was incredible, but well worth the wait.

I have since made shrimp, chorizo/onions/manchego, chicken and of course I made a baby portabella/white/shitake mushroom combo that was incredible.

You can get pastry sheets and try them at home, they go great with beer and a few drops of hotsauce!!

Explore the possibilities HERE

They also have a killer sangria at the Tapas Bar and awesome ambiance complete with live music, very authentic of the bars in europe....aaaaand a dance club with latin music and dancing downstairs, I love it!!!!

Cafe Sevilla of San Diego

555 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-5979

La Puerta was our next stop. Great mexican food, it was fresh and tasty and comforting all the same time AND their house salsa was incredible I could have drank that stuff!!!

They served carnitas/pork quesadillas and potato flautas (first time I ever ate them and I'm sold!) I couldn't wait to go back again......simply delicious.

They also have a great ambiance and great tequila list.....and an awesome Taco Tuesday.

La Puerta

560 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 696-3466

Yogotango they had an aray if exotic flavor, I was pleasently surprised with a dreamy green tea flavor!

And check out these toppings....a yogurt addicts dream come true!!!

Also, I find it worth to mention that it is very easy on the waist line and nutritious!

Yogutango

711 4th Ave

San Diego, CA 92101-6970

(619) 696-7700‎

Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge looked like a verry fun place to have some drinks and a few appies. The decore made it for a great start of your evening.

The had a very crispy and tasty Coconut shrimp w/sesame mandarin sauce, really finguer licking good.

Check it out for yourself....

Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge

801 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6107
(619) 233-1183

The Merk on 5th....HOT HOT HOT amazing ambiance, we where there too late to taste their samplings, but it surely made us go back again....it was so cool we thought, that we decided to celebrate my friends birthday there a few weeks later....great martinis!

The Merk

820 5th Avenue

San Diego, California 92101

619.814.Merk (6375)

Sinful Eats is fully loaded and ready to go for those unexpected "sinful" cravings.

I believe this says it all!

Sinful Eats

corner of 6th and F street

Brian's 24 - I had to mention Brian's , having grown up in the NYC area and recently having moved from Miami Beach, I found ONE place thats opened 24hrs!!! I couldn't believe my eyes....lol!

Brian's 24

828 6th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6307
(619) 702-8410

Dublin Square Irish Pub & Grill, I must say I didn't know that this would be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!

I've been looking for a good shepherd's pie for quite a long time now and I had to land in San Diego to find it, go figure......they also served a yummy in your tummy potato pancake with beef stew and a refreshing chiken salad

Dublin Square Irish Pub & Grill

554 Fourth Avenue

San Diego, California 92101

Phone: (619) 239-5818

That was incredible over all, we had beautiful crisp sunny southern California weather and we made it to 16 out of 32 restaurants in 2 1/2 hrs....we where trully pros. Obviously all didn't make the memorable worth mentioning mark, but there is always next year and I'm already looking forward to it....

Taste of Gaslamp - June 2010

I hope you enjoyed my tastebud adventure through the Gas Lamp and you feel encourraged to come out next year.....I'll be there!