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San Diego Culinary Events

Hungry? Need to fill your culinary calendar? Here is where you will find all the restaurant and culinary happenings in San Diego . We feature a calendar of special dinners, tasting menus, prix-fixe meals, food festivals and other culinary events, including regularly occurring food events as well as special one-time-only events featuring top chefs. Keep checking back so you can know all that's going on in the world of restaurant and food events in San Diego .

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CULINARY EVENTS

Best Romantic Restaurants

IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE
Best Romantic Restaurants
Top 10 Honeymoon Hotels Worldwide
Top 10 Wines for Romance
Top 10 Romantic Gifts

February 12-14
JRDN Restaurant will serve a special Valentine's menu with optional wine pairing offered all weekend from Friday, February 12 through Sunday, Febraury 14th, featuring chef Warner's culinary take on romantic dishes like Maine lobster risotto, oysters on the half shell, delicious raspberry tiramisu, and lavender panna cotta. Hotel specials available at Tower 23 as well for a romantic weekend. JRDN Restaurant, Tower23, 723 Felspar St., San Diego, CA 92109, 858-270-5736.
 
February 12-14
Celebrate Valentine's Day at La Jolla's favorite, Roppongi. which will proffer a tantalizing yet affordable menu featuring tasty edibles like Thai coconut lobster soup, arugula Asian pear salad with macadamia nut-crusted goat cheese and sesame-crusted Mahi Mahi with passion fruit vinaigrette. Their famous sticky English toffee puddingwith caramel gelato might just be the best dessert in town. Or for the romantics---a heart-shaped chocolate flourless cake with raspberry-pomegranate jelly and vanilla sauce awaits. $45 per person. Roppongi, 875 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037, 858-551-5252.
 
February 14
Attention carnivores: Morton's The Steakhouse knows the way to your heart with their three-course Valentine's meal featuring Caesar or Morton's Salad, juicy filets with choice of broiled sea scallops, jumbo lump crabcakes and colossal shrimp, decadent potatoes and vegetables. Their featured Valentine's Crush cocktail blends Absolut Citron, Grand Marnier, raspberry puree and Segura Viuda Sparking. Save room for the hot chocolate cake or key lime pie. $109 per couple. Morton’s The Steakhouse, 285 J St., San Diego, CA 92101, 619-696-3369.
 
February 14
One of San Diego’s most romantic spots, Bertrand at Mister A’s will feature a special Valentine’s Day menu for couples seeking a gourmet rendez-vous. Enjoy stellar views from the Penthouse of the lights of San Diego while savoring Dungeness crab salad, Brandt Farm steak carpaccio a duo of pan seared line caught swordfish and scallops, and roasted California rack of lamb. White chocolate crème brulée or Crepe Suzette with blood orange segments shine sweetly for dessert. $85 per person. Bertrand at Mister A’s, 2550 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103, 619-239-1377.
 
February 14
Chef Jason Neroni wants you and a loved one to enjoy a playful evening of food and flavors at Blanca. A special "no silverware" five-course meal will take you on a gustatory romantic journey -think hearts of palm and caviar as an amuse, oyster with vanilla and saffron mignonette, fondue with manchego cheese and figs, a langostine lollipop, and a strawberry shake with cocoa and petit fours as a sweet finish. Dine on Sunday, February 14 from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The cost is $85 per person. Blanca, 437 S. Hwy. 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075, 858-792-0072.
 
February 25
L'Auberge Del Mar's Kitchen 1540 presents The Art of Soul & Food. Chef Paul McCabe will collaborate with painter Christopher M (known for his celebrated paintings of chefs) for an epicurean evening featuring a four-course meal, special wine pairings and an unveiling of Christopher M's work---all inspired by the four emotions: Nostalgia, Blue, Amorous and Euphoria. A champagne reception will kick off the event, followed by a sit-down dinner and art show of Christopher M’s collection. $85 per person and includes a gift. Kitchen 1540, L'Auberge Del Mar, 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014, 858-793-6460.
 

ONGOING EVENTS

Ongoing
Hit the pleasant terrace of Red Marlin for the daily happy hour from 3 p.m.-5 p.m., which features $5 cocktails and sweeping views of Mission Bay, the marina and sunsets over the Pacific. Appetizers like seared tuna tataki or crispy calamari are discounted as well. A two-for-one menu features garlic shrimp, barbecue wings and savory dips like roasted garlic aioli. Red Marlin, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina, 1441 Quivira Rd., San Diego, CA 92109, 858-221-4868.
 
Monday-Friday
A local La Jolla Shores favorite, Barbarella offers a $5.95 happy hour bar menu that features Fontina grilled cheese, truffle fries, salmon tartar, sliders, fresh pomegranate mojitos, martinis and more. Happy hour is available Monday through Friday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Barbarella, 2171 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, 858-454-7373.
 
The dining room of Anthology Tuesdays
Anthology hosts Fresh Vibe Tuesdays, with the Anthology house band playing jazz, R&B and soul. The cover is only $5 on these nights, and a special half price menu is available from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. For more information on the live music and comedy acts hosted by Anthology, please visit www.anthologysd.com. Anthology, 1337 India St., San Diego, CA 92101, 619-595-0300.
 
Thursdays
JRDN Restaurant's bar & lounge has a new "Loungin' Around" menu with chef-selected gourmet appetizers for $9 per plate. Think lobster mac-n-cheese, steamed mussels with chorizo or tasty sliders served three ways (Kobe, bbq pork and portobellos). Enjoy retro sippers like cherry vanilla-infused vodka with coke or a chili-mango margarita for a like fiery kick. JRDN also has their "so raw" bar with sustainable seafood delicacies like Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab, oysters on the half shell, sashimi and jumbo prawns. On Thursdays, this menu is 50% off from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. JRDN Restaurant, Tower23, 723 Felspar St., San Diego, CA 92109, 858-270-5736.
 

Friday-Sunday
Enjoy three-course afternoon tea service at The Grand Del Mar, complete with Bernardaud china and Italian linens. Offerings include tea sandwiches (egg salad and bacon; smoked chicken salad; smoked salmon and dill), balsamic mushroom tarts, scones (one traditional and one seasonally inspired flavor) and pastries, such as fruit tarts, orange madeleines, cherry bombs and éclairs. The menu also includes a selection of wines, including Billecart-Salmon, Rosé, Brut, Mareuil-sur-Ay; Dow’s Tawny 20 Yr. Port; and sherry and dessert wines such as A. Margaine, ‘Demi-Sec,’ Villers Marmery. Afternoon tea is served Friday-Sunday, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Tea service costs $36 for three courses. For reservations, please call 858-314-1988. In the Library (adjacent to the Lobby Lounge), The Grand Del Mar, 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego.

Saturdays
Owner/chef Pascal Vignau of Savory in Encinitas now offers dual sips—tea and Champagne—Friday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. For $21 per person (plus tax and gratuity), enjoy a choice of teas with finger sandwiches, mini pastries and warm sultana scones with lemon curd and rose petal jam. For $6, you get a glass of Champagne as well. Savory, 267 El Camino Real, Encinitas, 760-634-5556.

Wine dinners & tastings at NovusVinum.com

RESTAURANT AWARDS

Just published! Our annual restaurant issue features the Best Cheap Eats and our Top 40 U.S. selections, including including Corton in New York and more!

A SEASON OF LOVE

Set the mood for love by reserving a table at one of the Best Romantic Restaurants near you, or view our list of Valentines Restaurants in your area that will show you where to find restaurants offering unique menus just for February 14. Also, see who sets the standard for seductive dining across the country with our Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. list.