Pastaria Vivi’s secret ingredient is its culture
When Frank and I attended Pastaria Vivi’s grand opening media event in Encinitas a few months ago, we left knowing there was much more to...
Rico Cassoni
Romanella features Ruffino at inaugural wine dinner
Since opening last October in San Diego’s Bay Park neighborhood, Romanella Cucina Romana has quickly established itself as a destination for authentic Italian cuisine. Created...
Rancho Bernardo Inn’s 54 hours of culinary excellence
Following a standout inaugural year, Rancho Bernardo Inn’s 54 Hours with James Beard Award-Winning Chefs returned this spring as a multi-day culinary celebration bringing together...
Wine Spectator uncorks world-class wines in San Diego
For years, Frank Mangio waxed poetically about the Wine Spectator Grand Tours he attended in Las Vegas. This year, Grand Tour expanded to Denver, San...
CTZN brings Basque spirit, California soul to Solana Beach
CTZN is the creation of Willy Wu Jye Hwa and Karine Beers, a brother-sister duo whose warmth and hospitality are as memorable as the food...
La Costa’s Nomada a bold new chapter for GRG; Encinitas’ Pastaria Vivi opens
Recently opened in La Costa, Nómada marks an exciting new chapter for the San Diego-based Grand Restaurant Group (GRG). The concept is led by newly...
Pala Casino’s Elementa shines as a culinary oasis
At Pala Casino Spa Golf Resort, the energy hits you right away. More than 2,000 slot machines fill a 90,000-square-foot gaming floor, from penny reels...
Guy Fieri brings taste of Flavortown to La Costa
When celebrity chef Guy Fieri rolls into town, the crowd follows. That was the case at the recent Santo Tequila signing at the La Costa...
Dora Ristorante brings Tre Forchette distinction to La Jolla
Chef Accursio Lota and Corinne Goria, the husband-and-wife team behind North Park’s acclaimed Cori Pastificio Trattoria, a Gambero Rosso Tre Forchette awardee, have opened Dora...
Breakfast Republic serves up morning magic in Encinitas
From coffee cups to kicking off the day, mornings demand a proper breakfast. When Frank Mangio and I visited the Encinitas location of Breakfast Republic,...
Butcher Shop, Rombauer set the table for a standout wine dinner
When Sal Ercolano stepped to the microphone to kick off the evening, it was immediately clear this was more than just another wine dinner. Not...
Del Mar’s Zen Modern Asian Bistro delivers next-level Chinese cuisine
When MSG Hospitality Group reached out to let me know that Zen Modern Asian Bistro was relocating from its Sabre Springs location to Del Mar’s...
Our Top 10 wines of 2025
Frank and I swirled, smelled and savored another outstanding year of wine. This year was especially meaningful as we celebrated 20 years of writing and...
Amalfi Cucina: Joseph Phelps wine dinner and Oceanside revival
Franco and I were warmly welcomed to Amalfi Cucina by Amalfi Restaurant Group co-founder and general manager Emiliano Muslija, along with manager Matteo Bovio, who...
Savory Farms is Carlsbad’s new one-stop gourmet destination
Carlsbad has welcomed a delicious new addition to its culinary landscape with the opening of Savory Farms, a thoughtfully curated gourmet market that is far...