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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

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March 29-30
Delicias has slated two exclusive art events in March, marrying good food with creative artistic endeavors. A Ladies Lunch Art Show will take place Monday, March 29 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and a Cocktail Evening Art Show will follow Tuesday, March 30 from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Artists Lee Peterson, a local San Diego photographer, and Lindsay Duff, a painter of colorful dream-like worlds, will have their works on display. Tickets are $40 per event. Delicias, 6106 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067, 858-756-8000.
 
March 31
The Fourth Annual Shuck & Swallow Competition will take place at LOUNGEsix at Hotel Solmar Wednesday, March 31, and is being hosted by Jsix and chef Christian Gaves. This amusing event takes 10 duos---one shucker, one swallower---from various San Diego restaurants to see who can open and eat the most oysters in 10 minutes. Competitors include Jsix, Pacifica Del Mar, Water's Fine Catering, Quarter Kitchen, The Oceanaire Seafood Room and 1500 Ocean, with each team dressed in "themed" costumes. Free to public with drink and food specials from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Jsix, Hotel Solamar, 616 J St., San Diego, CA 92101, 619-531-8744.
 
April 4
The Grand Del Mar has big plans for Easter. Enjoy an Easter Brunch Buffet at Capella with made-to-order favorites like chocolate and buttermilk pancakes, ricotta-citrus blintzes, and spinach and feta egg soufflés. Other tempting bites include a seafood extravaganza featuring lobster cocktail, snow crab claws and Pacific oysters on the half-shell, along with entrees like thyme-marinated leg of lamb and sugar-spiced Prime rib. Egg races, crafts, two Easter egg hunts and a visit from the Easter Bunny will entertain the kids. The cost is $85 per adult; $30 per child ages 6–12. Afternoon Tea and fine dining at Amaya is available, too. The Grand Del Mar, 5300 Grand Del Mar Ct., San Diego, CA 92130, 888-314-2030.
 

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.
 
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!

DINING ON A BUDGET

Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.