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.

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

FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO

WISHING EVERYONE A SAFE AND HAPPY 

CINCO DE MAYO

SALUD Y BUEN PROVECHO!!

NYC SALTY PRETZELS

One of the things I miss about home is the wonderful street corner pretzels, if you enjoy pretzels as much as I do or if you just want to try them, here is a fun and easy recipe so you can have them right in your neck of the woods. 

New York Pretzel ( serves 8 large pretzels)

• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 (1/4-oz) package active dry yeast (2 1/2 tsp)
• 3 3/4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp table salt
• 1 1/2 cups water 
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp pretzel salt*

• Parchment paper

Brown mustard - optional 

Stir together sugar, yeast, and  water - lukewarm  (105 to 110°F) in a glass measuring cup, then let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, discard and start over with new yeast.)

Whisk together 3 1/2 cups flour and 1 tablespoon table salt in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until it forms a dough. Dust work surface with 1 tablespoon flour, then turn out dough and knead, gradually dusting with just enough additional flour to make a smooth sticky dough, about 8 minutes. (Dough needs to be somewhat sticky to facilitate rolling and forming into pretzels).

Return dough to bowl and cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap, then let dough rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Turn out dough onto a clean work surface and cut into 8 equal pieces. Using your palms, roll 1 piece back and forth on a clean dry work surface into a rope about 24 inches long. If dough sticks to your hands, lightly dust them with flour. Twist dough into a pretzel shape. (Dough will retract as you form the pretzel.)

Transfer pretzel with your hands to an oiled baking sheet and form 7 more pretzels in same manner with remaining dough, spacing them 1 1/2 inches apart.

Let pretzels stand, uncovered, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 425°F. Bring a wide 6-quart pot of water to a boil.

Using both hands, carefully add 3 pretzels, 1 at a time, to boiling water and cook, turning over once with tongs, until pretzels are puffed and shape is set, about 3 minutes. Transfer parboiled pretzels to a rack to cool. Repeat with remaining 5 pretzels in 2 batches.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper and oil paper, then arrange pretzels on sheet. Brush pretzels lightly with some of egg and sprinkle with pretzel salt. Bake until golden brown and lightly crusted, about 35 minutes. Cool 15 minutes, then serve warm.

*Available at King Arthur Flour (800-827-6836).  If not available you can substitute with kosher salt.

Chef's notes: ~ Dough can be mixed and kneaded in a standing electric mixer fitted with dough hook.

 ~ Pretzels are best the day they are made. (When they are kept overnight, salt may dissolve and may get harder  than desired)

Grab your favorite refreshments and enjoy the amazing taste of a warm salty New York Pretzel!!

Above all, make sure you have fun with it, 

you can make it in any shape you'd like. Remember, 

they don't necessarily need to look pretty, they HAVE TO BE TASTY!!

HAVE FUN!!

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.

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!