RESTAURANT OPENINGS

• In February 2013, Great Maple opened in Hillcrest, San Diego's LGBT neighborhood. Occupying a former diner, Great Maple keeps the classic diner vibe but adds a twist with European-inspired cuisine. Standout dishes include locally sourced moules frites served with a crusty baguette; lobster poutine with local lobster, chives and mozzarella curd served atop truffle fries, and venison chili paired with a fig and gruyere grilled cheese sandwich. Classic desserts include seasonal and apple pies as well as old-fashioned banana splits.
• In March 2013, Donut Bar opened in downtown San Diego. In addition to a few standard offerings like apple fritters and glazed old-fashioned donuts, the gourmet donut shop features an assortment of unusual flavor combinations, ranging from elegant to quirky. Signature creations include a bourbon maple-glazed donut topped with sea salt, a blueberry old-fashioned donut with Meyer lemon glaze, a "crème brulee" custard-filled donut topped with caramelized sugar and a birthday cake-flavored donut topped with sprinkles. Donut Bar also plans to add a custom milk dispenser serving plain, strawberry and chocolate milk. Donut Bar opens at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on Saturdays. The shop offers a limited production run, making only 1,000 donuts daily, and closes for the day when all the donuts sell out.
• In January 2013, Bailiwick, a new cocktail house and brunch kitchen, opened in the heart of downtown San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. Bailiwick offers a relaxed ambiance with an inviting décor of exposed brick, crystal chandeliers, birdcages and a signature clawfoot bathtub which holds champagne bottles on ice. Co-owner and executive chef Konstantin Plavnik, formerly of Busalacchi's, Searsucker and Saltbox restaurants in San Diego, has created a delightful and flavorful brunch menu offering twists on classic favorites like French Toast with Grand Marnier Crema and Agave Blueberries and a Vegetarian Benedict with Burrata and Lemon Hollandaise. The evening menu consists of small-bite plates and an extensive craft cocktail and champagne list.
• In January 2013, Buona Forchetta opened in South Park, one of San Diego's hottest new dining neighborhoods. Dedicated to the art of traditional Neapolitan pizza, Buona Forchetta boasts an impressive team of pizza experts including consultant Marcello Avitabile, a three-time World Pizza Champion, and chef Anthony Rubino, formerly of New York City's famous Keste Pizzeria. Housed in a historic 1920s building, the restaurant offers a cozy neighborhood ambience and features a wood-fired oven designed by Stefano Ferrara. Pizza offerings include classic Neapolitan pies as well as more creative concoctions like the Michelle, a pie topped with crème fraiche, speck, caramelized onion, asparagus and egg. The menu also includes several "pizze frittes," where the dough is lightly fried before being finished off in the oven; a variety of salads, antipasti and fresh pastas complete the menu.
• In October 2013, another addition to San Diego's pizza landscape will emerge when Pizzeria Mozza, the famed collaboration between renowned chefs Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton, opens in the city's former police headquarters building along the downtown waterfront. The new San Diego location will be the fourth Pizzeria Mozza worldwide, following other locations in Los Angeles, Newport Beach and Singapore. San Diego's menu is expected to feature dishes that made the original Los Angeles location famous like fried squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta, butterscotch budino and wood-fired pizzas.
• Sea & Smoke, An American Brasserie is slated to open this summer in Del Mar in San Diego's North County. The restaurant is the third from Matt Gordon, chef and owner of San Diego's popular restaurants Urban Solace in North Park and Solace & the Moonlight Lounge in Encinitas. Sea & Smoke's menu is inspired by the California wine country and will feature a la carte selections of roasted meats, seafood and vegetables offered either "for one or for the table." Chef Gordon's offerings are expected to include charred octopus with avocado, pepita and guajillo salsa; lamb leg chimichurri, and diver scallops baked in shells with a black olive crust. The 7,500-sq. ft. space featuring a dining room, sunken bar and sprawling patio space will offer a warm 1950s-inspired ambiance. The bar will connect to a spectacular outdoor lounge area, and drink offerings will take modern spins on classic American cocktails with many made from small batch American spirits.
• In April 2013, Salt & Cleaver opened in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood. Located along bustling 5th Avenue, Salt & Cleaver focuses on house-made artisan sausages in a wide variety of flavors and cultural influences. Executive Chef Carlos SanMartano brings his experience from working in the kitchens of Gabardine and Searsucker, two of San Diego's most popular restaurants, to making links in house at this cozy neighborhood venue. In addition to classic pork options, Salt & Cleaver's links include a lobster, garlic pepper and shrimp roulade sausage; a green chili-stuffed rabbit sausage, and a vegetarian-friendly brown rice and eggplant "sausage" wrapped up in a cauliflower leaf. Specialty cocktails, 20 beers on tap and an extensive bottle list complete Salt & Cleaver's offerings.

BREW NEWS

• In February 2013, Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle opened on Shelter Island, home to San Diego's popular sport fishing industry. Located at the end of the Shelter Island Fishing Pier, the maritime-themed stand serves up burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs and local craft beer in a petite 20-seat dining area licked by ocean breezes. Menu items include a pulled pork sandwich topped with house-made kimchi, chicken-filled lumpia and the "Explodo Dog," a Vienna beef hot dog wrapped in bacon and topped with pepper jack cheese, kimchi and mustard. Fathom's most creative feature, however, may be their innovative way of chilling the restaurant's carefully selected San Diego craft beer offerings - dangling kegs into the Pacific Ocean waters below the pier.
• In March 2013, Culture Brewing Company opened in the Cedros Design District of Solana Beach in San Diego's North County. With plans to focus on brewing ales, the core line-up of the 12-tap bar includes a Pale Ale, an Amarillo and Simcoe-hopped IPA, a Black IPA, Imperial Stout, Blonde, Amber and Brown Ale. The tasting room at Culture Brewing Company is an industrial space, designed to serve as an extension of the brewhouse and expose people to the ingredients, equipment and process of brewing.
• In winter 2013, Half Door Brewing Company will bolster downtown East Village's growing craft beer offerings. Housed in a turn-of-the-century white clapboard house and located one block from the San Diego Padres' Petco Park, Half Door will welcome guests with warm, Irish-family style hospitality in a uniquely cozy setting. Diners will enjoy pre-game beer pairings and an ongoing calendar of special beer dinners. Menu items will include new twists on comfort food complemented by the creations of head brewmaster Daniel Drayne, Jr., whose brewing credentials include studying at the Siebel Institute of Technology and two years at the Coronado Brewing Company.
• Slated to open in late spring 2013 in San Diego's Mission Hills neighborhood, the San Diego Brew Project will highlight San Diego's love of craft beer and be the first all-local craft beer bar in the region. The 28-tap bar will pour San Diego beers from major juggernauts like Ballast Point and Stone to the lesser known, but no less delicious, players like Offbeat Brewing Co. and Oceanside Ale Works. The new 10,000-sq. ft. bar will share space with the popular Mission Hills wine bar, 57 Degrees.

FOODIE EVENTS

• During June 8-9, 2013 from 1-4 p.m., downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter Association will host the 20th Annual Taste of Gaslamp. From the pickiest eater to the veteran gourmand, all types of diners can enjoy this culinary event featuring more than 30 Gaslamp Quarter dining venues offering house specialties. A scenic beer garden will also be hosted at the Altitude Sky Lounge atop the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter. Tickets are $30 per guest, and guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance as the event sells out each year. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gaslamp.org.
• On June 19, 2013 from 5-9 p.m., downtown's hip and historic Little Italy neighborhood hosts the Taste of Little Italy. Diners can enjoy the offerings of traditional Italian restaurants as well as an eclectic mix of non-Italian eateries. Appetizers, desserts and specialty beverages are offered as guests stroll through the neighborhood's colorful, tree-lined streets. Tickets are $40 per guest, and guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance as the event sells out each year. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tasteoflittleitalysd.com.
• Celebrating its seventh year and fast becoming one of the largest beer festivals in the country, the San Diego International Beer Festival returns June 21-23, 2013 to the San Diego County Fair with unlimited tastings of more than 350 beers from around the world. In addition to the huge selection of beers, the event also features seminars on home brewing, food and beer pairing, a Meet the Brewers event and much more. Five different beer tasting sessions are offered: noon-4 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. on Friday, June 21; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, June 23. Tickets are $55 for each session, and prices include admission to the 2013 San Diego County Fair. For more information, visit www.sdfair.com/beer
• On Aug. 31, 2013 from 2-5 p.m., San Diego will celebrate International Bacon Day with San Diego Bacon Fest. Held at Liberty Station in the coastal Point Loma neighborhood, the event will feature 40 local restaurants creating dishes of the salty pork product complemented by 40 local breweries offering perfect beer pairings. Tickets are $60 for general admission which includes all food and beverages tastings as well as a commemorative tasting vessel. VIP tickets are $100 and include early entrance as well as a special "brew caddy" for carrying tasting vessels. To purchase tickets online or for more information, visit www.sdbaconfest.com.

Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.

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