San Diego Culinary EventsHungry? 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. We've also got the latest San Diego Restaurant News and Wine Events.
February 2-12Enjoy the "Monaco Takes Orange County" festivities in honor of the special performances of "Cinderella" by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa February 9-12. From February 2-12 in the Jewel Court at South Coast Plaza, there will be an exhibit entitled "Monaco: A Dream Come True," highlighting photos and memorabilia of Princess Grace, Monaco and the ballet. Meanwhile, several restaurants, including Marché Moderne, Pinot Provence and Leatherby's Cafe Rouge, will offer "Taste of Monaco" menus February 6-12. For more information, visit www.MonacoTakesUS.com.
February 14
The Grand Del Mar offers two romantic dinners for a special Valentine's Day. Addison’s chef William Bradley and his team will offer a six-course menu that includes sea bass ceviche with cucumber, caviar and champagne; smoked Port agnolotti with bottarga; king salmon with green apples, red radish and dashi; and an artisan cheese course with tarte au chocolate. Dinner is $155 per person and $255 with wine pairings. Or try the four-course dinner at Amaya and delight in delicacies such as seared sea bass, grilled Creek Stone prime filet mignon or seared lamb loin prepared by chef Camron Woods for $125 per person or $170 with wine pairing. For reservations at Addison call 858-314-1900 and 858-314-2727 for Amaya. Addison, The Grand Del Mar, 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA 92130, 858-314-1900.
June 10
Kick off the summer with Rhythm & Vine, a music, wine, and food spectacular benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego. This year, the event will take place at Broadway Pier. Join the spirited celebration and sample from wineries, spirits and breweries, and some of the best local restaurants and gourmet foods, while rocking out to the sounds of live musical performances. For more information on Rhythm & Vine, visit www.rhythmandvine.org.
Ongoing
Set in the lovely grounds of Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, Mustangs & Burros has a new happy hour. Chef Timothy Ralphs has created a lively and fun menu with exciting edibles and potables. Each weekday celebrates different food and beers, from handcraft brews with fresh ceviche to mule drinks with ginger beer paired with real-deal TJ hotdogs. Thursday means street tacos with Tecate; Fridays are pitcher specials with platters of Cal-Mex eats. Most beers and nibbles run $5. Happy hour takes place Monday through Friday with drinks on special from 2 p.m.-7 p.m., and food deals from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Mustangs & Burros, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, 9700 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, 858-550-1000.
Sundays
A Sunday Supper menu will be offered weekly at the Mediterranean Room. The three-course dinner will be served family-style, including several appetizers, entrees and desserts. Though the menu will change every week, chef will prepare dishes like heirloom tomato and burrata salad; roasted beet salad with toasted hazelnuts and goat cheese; seared bay scallops, morels and fava beans; braised halibut, caponata and sauce Vierge. Sunday Supper runs from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The cost is $29 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. For reservations please call 858-551-3761 or visit www.LaValencia.com. Mediterranean Room, 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037, 858-454-0771, 800-451-0772.
Ongoing
Jsix has a new $6 happy hour featuring chef Christian Grave's exquisite cuisine in tapas portions, along with six wines for $6 and various handcrafted cocktails also for a mere six bucks. New seasonal menu items include Dungeness crab gratin (crab with potatoes, sunchokes and Meyer lemon); salmon with brussel sprouts, cauliflower, potato hash and brown butter hollandaise; and a tantalizing dessert --- the nutty pear --- hazelnut butter cake, vanilla poached pears and vanilla ice cream. Happy hours runs weekdays from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Jsix, Hotel Solamar, 616 J St., San Diego, CA 92101, 619-531-8744.
Ongoing
George’s California Modern has a new, festive gourmet option for parties of 8 to 10. Chef Trey Foshee will prepare a whole suckling pig that is presented tableside, then carved in the kitchen and served with seasonal side dishes, salads and sauces. Groups can enjoy the feast in California Modern or at the communal table in the Modern Bar. The price is $600, plus tax and gratuity. Wine pairings are available as well. Interested parties must call three days in advance for reservations. George's California Modern, 1250 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037, 858-454-4244.
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.
First Tuesdays
Harney Sushi in Old Town is offering a new social dining experience with a 10-course meal. The Nook Dining experience is named after the private booth tucked away in this Old Town San Diego restaurant. Chef Anthony Sinsay will showcase an exclusive tasting menu based on distinct themes of seasonality, local events or great eras in dining with a new and exciting twist. The Nook Dining booth can seat up to eight guests. The entire booth can be reserved for a private party or guests are invited to enjoy the meal while mingling with unfamiliar faces. Nook Dining occurs on the first Tuesday of the month. The cost is $150 per person, and includes both food and drink pairings. To make a reservation, call 619-295-3272. Reservations are available in even-number parties only. Harney Sushi, 3964 Harney St., San Diego, CA 92110, 619-295-3272.
Tuesdays
The Glass Door Restaurant & Lounge at the Porto Vista Hotel & Suites features a variety of tapas, sides and table shares ranging in price from $6 to $14. To encourage guests to sample them all, the restaurant is hosting “Tapas Tuesdays,” where guests can purchase three tapas for $20 all day. The Glass Door Restaurant & Lounge, Porto Vista Hotel, 1835 Columbia Street, San Diego, CA 92101, 619-544-0164 . 
TuesdaysAnthology 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 & Fridays
The James Beard-nominated executive chef of Blue Point Costal Cuisine, David Barron, has launched an 11-course tasting menu featuring high-quality ingredients flown in from around the world. Many of his forward-thinking dishes are molecular gastronomy-inspired, such as root beer-flavored cotton candy wrapped around fresh hiramasa belly with tsume chile; short rib prepared sous vide for 60 hours, accompanied by horseradish, potato and guajillo; and lobster lollipops rolled in corn nuts and pop rocks. Sweet tooths will covet his peanut butter brittle crisps served with freeze dried blueberries and chipotle chocolate mousse. "The Experience” is available for up to 16 people every Thursday and Friday evening, beginning at 7 p.m. sharp, and costs $99 per person. A smaller six-course version will also be available every evening at a lesser price point, and will be offered throughout the entire dining room with full table participation required. Blue Point Costal Cuisine, 565 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101, 619-233-6623.
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.
Sundays
For a little nostalgia and tradition on Sundays, chef Eugenio Martignago has launched family-style Sunday night suppers at West Steak Seafood & Spirits where diners choose from a selection of starters, entrees and side dishes. Think corn chowder with bacon, cheddar cheese and fresh basil, or mixed greens with gorgonzola and caramalized walnuts. For the main course, it's osso bucco, Prime rib, lamb shank, short ribs or veal osso bucco, all slowly cooked. Sides include truffle fries, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes and rataouille. Dinner is $29.95 per person. The event occurs every Sunday except holidays starting at 5 p.m. West Steak Seafood & Spirits, West Inn & Suites, 4980 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008, 760-930-9100. Friday-Sunday
Saturdays |
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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.
