Category Archives: Events

AmiLoan.com San Diego Blues Fest Happening September 10

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By Wendy Lemlin

Blues Fest

The fight against hunger in our community has been waged on many fronts, but perhaps the most pleasant battlefield happens each year at Embacadero Park with a soundtrack that includes the hottest national and local blues artists around.

Since 2011, the AmiLoan.com San Diego Blues Fest has partnered with the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank with a two-fold mission: present top name blues artists at an affordable price while raising much needed funds—-and awareness—-to benefit the Food Bank. It’s been a rousing success; to date,sponsors and festival goers have helped contribute 20 tons of food and more than $435,000 to help the Food Bank fight hunger in San Diego County. And no one’s crying the blues about that!

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Baja Bash to Benefit WILDCOAST

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by Wendy Lemlin

baja bash

Having fun and conserving our coastlines on both sides of the border..

These days, everyone loves Baja, especially her beaches and coastal areas.  In fact, people love Baja so much, that much of her once mostly-deserted 1900 miles of coastlines have fallen under targeted assault from increased development and industrial growth. Coral reefs and mangrove forests teeming with fish and sealife, pristine beaches where endangered sea turtles nest, and bays that are the birthing areas for gentle California grey whales—all are in danger of disappearing, and the marine species and other fauna that depend on these fragile ecosystems are also in peril.

Luckily, 16 years ago WILDCOAST (aka COSTASALVAJE in Spanish) began working to watchdog and protect the marine ecosystems and wildlife on Baja’s coasts, as well as coastal areas in San Diego and in other Mexican and Latin American regions. Continue reading →

Baja Exchange: A Crossborder Celebration of Baja Med Cuisine and Wines in San Diego

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By Wendy Lemlin

Chef/owner Miguel Angel Guerrero

Chef Miguel Angel Guerrero

Fifteen years ago, Chef Miguel Angel Guerrero opened La Querencia in Tijuana, and BAJA MED cuisine was born. These days, the term “Baja Med” is bandied about constantly in foodie circles, but, what many people don’t know is that the term originated with Guerrero and is now copyrighted in the names of his restaurants. “Baja Med is what this region is all about”, he defines. “It melds together the street food from Tijuana, the seafood that fills the market stalls in Ensenada, Asian influences from Mexicali, and the Mediterranean-type ingredients, such as olive oils, wines, cheeses, meats and produce grown and produced locally, from the coast to the Valle de Guadalupe.” Continue reading →

Art Alive Blooms at the San Diego Museum of Art

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By Wendy Lemlin

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Floral arrangements as art, art as floral arrangements—the annual Art Alive show opened today at the San Diego Museum of Art. Now in it’s 35th year, the popular 3 day show features more than 100 floral interpretations of well-known works from the Museum’s permanent collection. Continue reading →

Barrel Smoker Dinner Series V: The Paella Edition

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By Wendy Lemlin

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Paella.  Can I just say how much I love it?  To me, delving into the delectable rice dish is like a treasure hunt, or a Christmas tree full of presents to unwrap one by one. Dig into the pan and find gifts of seafood nestled among the savory rice—a bite of fish here, a tender shrimp or scallop there, clams and mussels peeking out from their shells, succulent tentacles of octopus or squid to be savored. Add the juicy morsels of chicken, maybe the spiciness of chunks of sausage, the aromatics of onions, garlic, bell peppers and a few threads of saffron, and you have what I consider the ideal one pan meal.

On Thursday, February 18, lucky diners can experience the perfection of paella at the Barrel Smoker Dinner Series V: The Paella Edition, to be held at Planet Rooth Design Haus, 3334 5th Avenue, in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood. Two-time World Food Champion Ricardo Heredia will join with Paella Master Carlos S. Cervantes of Paellas Villa de Cervantes in making all your paella feasting fantasies come true. Both chefs will be using the iQ Oak Barrel Smoker designed by Swedish master craftsman Gustaf Anders Rooth, to update the classic dish with a pleasant depth of smokiness. Whistles will be wet with Baja wines by Hacienda La Lomita Winery and Villa Montefiori/ Paoloni Wines and Baja craft beer by Cerveceria Agua Mala.

The evening includes the pre-opening of the art exhibition “Glossed Over” by artist Daphne Hill, who will be in attendance.

Program:
6-7:30pm “Glossed Over” Pre-Opening/Oyster & Raw Bar by Ricardo Heredia
7:30-9pm Smoked Paella Extravaganza by Carlos S. Cervantes

Feb 18th, 6-9pm
Price: $75 USD (includes food, wine, beer and entertainment)
Tickets: https://barrelsmokerdinner5.eventbrite.com/

Get them ASAP—almost sold out!

Celebrating Misión 19’s Fifth Anniversary

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By Wendy Lemlin

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When Misión 19 opened in 2011, the sophisticated, stylish restaurant was a game changer for the Tijuana dining scene.  The city was just beginning a rebound from some tough years—years when the crossborder tourist stream had slowed to barely a trickle and when even residents were less enthusiastic about going out and socializing at night. Now, five years later, Tijuana is widely acknowledged as a hot culinary destination, and chef/owner Javier Plascencia’s star is shining brighter than ever. Misión 19 has had a lot to do with that. Continue reading →

Fishing for Compliments at San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

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Ocean-to-Table Wine Pairing Luncheon features an impressive roster of chefs

By Wendy Lemlin

Something’s fishy at the 12th annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival this year—- and that’s a good thing!

The abundance of delectable seafood found in our local waters will be the inspiration for a 5 course wine pairing luncheon held at The Marine Room, La Jolla’s iconic oceanfront restaurant, on Wednesday, November 18, from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM.  Hosted by Executive Chef Bernard Guillas, the exclusive luncheon will feature the formidable talents of a cadre of local celebrity chefs known for their creativity and passionate respect for the sea’s bounty.

Chef Bernard Guillas

Chef Bernard Guillas

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San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival November 15-22

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By Wendy Lemlin

SBWFF

   Wonder how much San Diego loves food and drink? Just look at the success of the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, now in it’s 12th year, bigger and more comprehensive than ever. Running November 15-22, with a full roster of events, dinners, tastings, classes, and exhibits, it is one of the largest food and wine festivals in the country, shining a spotlight on both San Diego’s burgeoning gourmet dining scene and our cross-border connection with Baja’s exciting culinary landscape. From tacos and beer to wine paired-haute cuisine, there is something for anyone who loves indulging in crave-worthy food and spirits.  And really, who doesn’t?

More than a dozen celebrated national chefs, including Rick Bayless, Gayle Gand, and Suzette Gresham will join over 40 local luminaries in presenting delicacies and/or cuisine-related educational programs. Look for such regional favorites as The Marine Room’s Bernard Guillas, Javier Plascencia of  Bracero, Finca Altozano, and Mision 19, Jason SBWFF grand tasting smokerKnibb of NINE-TEN, Chad White of Comun and La Justina, Ironside Fish & Oyster’s Jason McLeod, Flor Franco of Finca La Carrodilla and Indulge Contemporary Catering, Mario Medina of Bernini’s Bistro, The Patio Group’s John Medall, Anthony Sinsay of Dukes’s La Jolla, James Montejano of La Valencia Hotel, and a host of others.

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October Food Events

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Eat Your Way Through October

by Wendy Lemlin

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What is it about October that always makes it such a busy month for food events? Is it because it’s usually one of the best weather months in San Diego, when temperatures start to cool down and skies are clear?  Is it because it fits so nicely between summer vacations and holiday frenzies? Or maybe it’s more about fiscal calendars and venue availabilities.  Whatever the reason, this will be every foodie’s dream month—just be prepared to splurge, both calorie-wise and money-wise, if you plan to go to everything! Here are a few events coming up. Continue reading →

Giving Hunger the Blues

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by Wendy Lemlin

Chronic hunger can give anyone the blues.  This weekend, however, the blues will be helping to kick hunger’s butt when the 4th annual AimLoan.com San Diego Blues Festival

Marcia Ball headlines Saturday at 6:30 pm

Marcia Ball headlines Saturday at 6:30 pm

benefits the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. With headliners such as Marcia Ball, Booker T. Jones, Tommy Castro & the Painkillers, Kim Wilson, and Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, this year’s festival promises an eclectic spectrum of blues performers.

 

Running on September 26 & 27, from noon til 8pm at Embarcadero Marina Park North, the festival features continuous music alternating back and forth between 2 stages. Click here for the complete lineup. Tickets are $25 for a 1 day pass, $40 for a 2 day pass.  VIP passes are $125 for one day, $200 for 2 days and include

  • Early admission
  • Preferred viewing area with tables, chairs and some shade
  • Catered lunch and munchies
  • Private bar service
  • Private restrooms
  • Two complimentary adult beverages
  • Unlimited complimentary water and soft drinks

The festival began in 2011 with a mission to provide great blues music at an affordable price, and raise money to support the battle against hunger in our community. Since then, the festival’s sponsors and attendees have helped contribute more than 18 tons of food and more than $350,000 to help the Food Bank fight hunger in San Diego County.

For all the info, go to www,sdbluesfest.com