Forget zombies.  Craft beer is about to take over San Diego. 

Friday, Nov. 6 through Nov. 15, breweries, bars, restaurants and hotels will celebrate the first-ever San Diego Beer Week with tons of awesome events all around town.

From beer dinners, cask nights and barrel-aged tastings, to learn-to-brew classes and beer education seminars local brewers plan to show off the goods that recently earned San Diego the honor of being named the top beer city in the country by Men’s Journal.

The kickoff event is the San Diego Brewers Guild Festival on Friday at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park.  The festival will feature 80 beers brewed in San Diego – admission includes 10 samples, complimentary food, live music and a souvenir tasting glass.  

Festivities wrap up on Nov. 15 with a Chef Celebration of San Diego Beers in La Jolla.  The event will feature 16 local chefs and eight San Diego breweries. Admission includes a souvenir tasting glass, live music, all you can eat pairings and beer seminars presented by local brewers and chefs. 

During the 10 days in between, there are more than 200 fun San Diego Beer Week events. 

You heard me right, that’s two full weekends of pints, pours and parties. 

Plus, if you’re considering a last-minute trip, hotel packages and special rates are still available.  Come and raise a glass with us!

Tags: craft beer, dining, drinks, festival, food

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Side Bar sets the bar.

Last night, my friend and I went to check out the new Side Bar in Gaslamp Quarter, which reopened in May after a multi-million dollar renovation. 

Upon entering, this bar/lounge/club was unlike anything I had ever seen. The black, red and silver décor was over-the-top in the most fabulous way –  I swear, I spent a couple of minutes actually considering how I could attempt to steal all the lights, mirrors and rugs – and the ambiance exuded a sense of mischief, intimacy and dare I say… sexuality.

Aside from all the amazing décor there are a lot of neat design details that many may not notice. For example, the VIP booths have secret compartments for girls to hide their purses, and the bench cushions you sit on?? Yeah, they come off to reveal your very own personal dance floor underneath. How cool is that?!

After making our usual lap, (you know, the one where you walk around and scope out the scene) we sat down at a table to taste some of the menu selections. While everything was fantastic, I highly recommend the Toasted Raviolis and the White Spinach Pizza, they were delish! For drinks, we tried the Watermelon Mojito (fabulous, but strong) and the Absolute Side Bar (mmm, the fresh strawberries were a nice touch, except for when they clogged my straw, sad face).

After dinner, we hung out for a bit as the DJ revved up for the evening, but as responsible girls with work the next day, we called it an early night and left before the mass crowds came to let loose.

Side Bar is open Tuesdays – Sundays from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. for dinner, drinks and dancing. The owner told me that the place gets packed on Fridays and Saturdays, so come early to avoid the lines… I know I’ll be there, with my Toasted Raviolis in one hand and my Absolute Side Bar in the other. Cheers!

Tags: drinks, food, Gaslamp Quarter, night club

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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While it is a good bet that on any given night of the week you’ll find me in one of San Diego’s numerous 24 hour Taco Shops, that doesn’t mean that I don’t like to “suit up” and head someplace nice for dinner every once in a while. There are so many options in town that I almost don’t like going to the same place too often, because I want to try them all!

With the economy the way it is these days, everyone is watching their pennies. A lot of times that is reflected in the places we eat and the activities that we do. Fine dining restaurants have definitely seen this reflected in their dining rooms over the last year.

So..I was super excited to hear about a new website promoting prix-fixe, 3-course meals at fine dining restaurants throughout San Diego county. To my knowledge, there isn’t anything else like this around the country! Ingrid’s List has begun working with a number of fantastic restaurants in the region to bring $30 and $40 prix-fixe meals to those of us who might be a little short on the cash, but still wanting to dine with The Joneses.

Dessert at Bertrand at Mister A's

It’s truly simple. Log on to the Ingrid’s List website and see which restaurants fall under what pricing. Pay online and print out a certificate at home. Then just call the restaurant to make your reservation (this is fine dining after all!) and tell them that you’ll be using an Ingrid’s List gift certificate. Upon arrival you’ll have your choice of a few different options for each course. In a sense, this is like a year-round Restaurant Week for fine dining!

My stomach is growling just thinking about it!

Tags: deals, dining, drinks, food

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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The weather is heating up, and one of the surest ways to cool down is a nice cold slurpee. You know, the iconic iced beverages at 7-11 that have names like Mutant Berry, Radiation Rush, and Slurpurita Pomegranite? Well tomorrow is July 11 (or 7/11) which means National Free Slurpee Day! Most local San Diego 7-11’s  are offering free slurpees and discounted snacks tomorrow until 11 p.m. There’s even a 7/11 Slurpee Pub Crawl happening tomorrow that will hit up 11 free slurpee spots via party bus.

Big Hugs for Giant Slurpees!

My personal (and probably boring) favorite happens to be the Diet Pepsi Slurpee. What could be better than a thirst-quenching Diet Pepsi in ice-slushy form? I’m already imagining myself on the beach tomorrow with my 75 SPF in one hand and my free giant Diet Pepsi slurpee in the other. Or maybe I’ll be adventurous and mix all the flavors together (a.k.a. The Suicide) and head to the Over-The-Line Tournament  in Mission Bay. Either way, I’ve got a fever, and the only cure for it is Free Slurpee Day.

Tags: beach, drinks, pub crawl

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Ahh, Friday in July.  The weather is gorgeous.  Are you looking forward to the weekend?  

With sunshine like this, there’s no way you should consider kicking it off indoors.

Just Se "Hello, weekend!" at Siren

Naturally, there are lots of outdoor cocktails to be had in San Diego but, I’d suggest reaching for the sky and heading for the roof. 

Yes, you should beat a path to the newest downtown rooftop lounge…Siren at the Se San Diego. 

I’ve heard that every weekday from 5-7 p.m. they serve up half-price specialty cocktails like the St. Germaine, prosecco and aloe juice Silver Leaf or the Studio Sutra with VeeV, blueberry and cucumber – regularly about $11, yours for $5-6  – and free tray passed appetizers like mini Kurobuta corn dogs and Hamachi fish tacos.

A few other rooftop happy hours where you can kiss the week goodbye in style:

• Tuesday-Friday from 5-8 p.m. Stingaree has half-price signature cocktails and wines by the glass, $5 wells, $3 beers.
• Next door at Lounge Six, from 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, they’ve got $3 drafts, $4 bottles and half-off wells.
• Even higher, 22 stories high actually, Altitude has $5 premium wells, $4 domestic drafts and half-off artisan flatbreads from 5-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
• Over in PB, Firehouse has $3 drafts, $4 wells, $3 house wines and half-off appetizers from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday - and ocean views all day, every day.

Tags: deals, downtown, drinks, food, happy hour, pacific beach, rooftop bar

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If you’re mid-century modern fan, The Mingei Museum in Balboa Park has an exhibit for you this summer.  Masters of the Mid-Century California Modern covers the careers of Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, designers whose home accessories, furniture and architectural elements were at the forefront of the now iconic design movement.

In celebration of the exhibit, the museum is hosting Hollywood Modern: Modernist Set Design in Mid-Century Cinema, a film series with screenings on three consecutive Thursdays in July. 

The three films they’ve selected all feature amazing mid-century modern design and hilarious hi-jinks: the romantic comedy Pillow Talk, the Doris Day and Rock Hudson classic (July 2); the spy spoof Our Man Flint starring James Coburn (July 9); and Blake Edwards’ raucous comedy The Party with the incomparable Peter Sellers (July 16).

I don’t know about you but I love me some Peter Sellers! 

Hollywood Modern at The Mingei also features that staple of the 50’s and 60’s – the cocktail party – with film-inspired cocktails and appetizers from 6 – 7 p.m.

Admission is $10 for members and students and $15 for non-members.

Tags: balboa park, drinks, film

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Travel Like A Local with Modern Mixology and other summer fun.

Did you know we’ve got an online radio show?

Last week, she interviewed guests who spoke about all the summer activities at Loews Coronado Bay Resort - ranging from Modern Mixology classes to guided herb garden tours – and the free outdoor summer movies presented by San Diego County Parks & Recreation. 

Organic cocktails and outdoor movies?  Sounds like a perfect summer afternoon to me!

Tags: coronado, drinks, film, summer, travel like a local

(2 votes, average: 2.50 out of 5)

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I’m having a Calgon moment and a bubble bath won’t cut it.  I need something stronger.

What’s a girl to do when only a technicolor cocktail with an umbrella will suffice?

Follow the lead of generations of Californians and embrace Tiki culture, of course.  That way, I can take an exotic getaway - just for a happy hour (or two) – and I don’t even have to leave the Gaslamp Quarter much less blow 1000 bucks on airfare to Tahiti.

So, I’m heading to Mister Tiki’s Mai Tai Lounge for their $5 on Fifth happy hour specials. 

This is not the $5 drink. What are you crazy?

Just five smackers will buy me my choice of fun island-inspired drinks like the Haole Mai Tai, Lilikoi Mojito or Coconut Kiss Martini.  And, my guy – he’s not a big umbrella fan- can enjoy a large Sapporo for the same price. 

Of course, the South Seas – like happy hour – are not just about the drinks. 

PuPus are fun to say and even more fun to eat!

Mister Tiki’s deals cross over to the sushi bar where for five bucks you can choose from California, spicy tuna, spicy yellowtail, shrimp tempura or vegetarian rolls.  And, $5 PuPu specials offer modern takes on Tiki fare with crispy shitake & goat cheese wontons, spiced chicken potstickers, chicken lettuce wraps, tempura baby shrimp and calamari fries.

It’s a proven fact, PuPus are far superior to appetizers in elevating one’s mood.  And, tropical cocktails will make your happy hour happier than most other drinks.

Mister Tiki $5 on Fifth specials, Monday-Friday from 5-7 p.m. 

Mai Tai, take me away!

Tags: deals, downtown, drinks, food, happy hour, tiki

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The hops are on the right...

So, you’ve heard about how San Diego has one of most exciting craft brew scenes in the world and you want to come explore for yourself.   

Maybe you’re a hard-core hop head who wants the insider scoop on cult favorites.  Maybe you’re a newbie looking to broaden your beer horizons.  Maybe you just want to relax and enjoy without worrying about driving. 

If any of the above apply, I’d highly recomend a guided, chauffeured beer tour with Brewery Tours of San Diego  or BrewHop.

Recently, I spent an afternoon with the later touring a few breweries around town.  BrewHop is great because they do custom tours – just you and your group – with tons of personal attention and lots of craft beer insight from their expert guides.

I got to chat with the brewers, sip some blow-your mind beers and hip to barrel-aging, the technique San Diego brewers are using in the country’s most sought-after small-batch brews. 

Check out photos and all the details after the jump…

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Tags: craft beer, drinks, tour

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So what does an attractive, single, 30-something professional do on a Friday night in San Diego?  Well I don’t know about guys like that, but here’s what I did…

Stingaree's Peach Tiramisu

I had the distinct pleasure of patronizing Stingaree for the evening last Friday, and all I can say is that my friends and I will be remembering that night for a while to come.  No, it was not a Hangover reminiscient night of debauchery that I couldn’t remember the next day.  Rather, it was an opportunity to enjoy a delicious dinner with friends, a few dances on the dance floor, and to relax under the stars listening to the DJ (accompanied by the live instruments of Jason Whitmore and Kofi) on Sting’s rooftop deck.

More well known for their nightclub than their restaurant, Stingaree’s been doing great things to bring the restaurant to people’s attention.  Their Happy Hour includes 50% off their lounge menu, and reduced prices on drinks.  But if you’ve got the time, I recommend sitting down for a full dinner!  (TIP:  Those eating dinner at Sting, have complimentary access to the nightclub afterward! Avoid the cover charge & lines and enjoy a great meal instead!)

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Tags: downtown, drinks, food, nightlife

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