A toast to Urban Kitchen Group’s dazzling Cucina restaurants
Urban Kitchen Group (UKG), founded and led by visionary restaurateur Tracy Borkum, recently celebrated a milestone 16 years in the making: the Sweet 16 of...
Taste of Wine
A.R. Valentien’s grand return at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
With sweeping views of the Pacific and the iconic 18th hole of Torrey Pines Golf Course, A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines has...
Coomber Craft Wines expands to downtown Vista
With my longtime wine partner Frank Mangio and his son Ron, visiting from Texas, looking for a place to celebrate Ron’s recent birthday, I knew...
Showcasing California excellence at Celebrate the Craft
Celebrate the Craft returned to The Lodge at Torrey Pines on April 27 with a showstopping display of California’s finest culinary and wine talent. Set...
Sojourn Cellars hosts spring release dinner at California English
With my wine partner Frank Mangio already committed elsewhere, I knew my visiting wine-and-food-loving friend Rhonda Karp from Washington state would be the perfect guest...
The Kitchen at MCASD: La Jolla art, ocean and culinary brilliance
When the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) reemerged from its extensive COVID-era transformation in 2022, it wasn’t just the art scene that was...
Marisi La Jolla: A masterpiece in Italian elegance
When Marisi La Jolla opened in 2022, it introduced a new level of Italian fine dining to La Jolla Village. The space exudes vintage coastal...
Stag’s Leap winemaker dinner shines at The Butcher Shop
Last June, I had the pleasure of touring Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley with Patrick Reilly, the winery’s trade coordinator, and winemaker Marcus...
The Cork & Craft: Where craft beer, house wine meet culinary art
Where else can you enjoy craft beer, house-made wine, and a chef-driven menu all under one roof? The Cork & Craft at Abnormal is San...
Queenstown Village: A slice of New Zealand in La Jolla
With a Kiwi-inspired lineage and the spirit, love and good nature of the Māori, NZ Eats Group welcomes guests to experience a taste of New...
The Italian legacy of Piazza 1909 in La Jolla
The story of Piazza 1909 Cucina Italiana begins in Milan, Italy, where Roberta Ruffini and executive chef Stefano Ceresoli first met. Stefano owned a bakery,...
UTC’s L55 Tacos & More: Frank Vizcarra’s newest venture
Frank Vizcarra grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, with modest means. At 16, he moved to Mexico City, returned to Tijuana, then eventually settled with family...
2024 Top 10 premium wines
When creating our Top 10 list, we usually focus on great value wines under $100. However, this year, with so many outstanding selections, I decided...
Taste of Wine and Food’s Top 10 Wines of 2024
This year has been remarkable for Taste of Wine and Food. Reflecting on the past decade, I can confidently say 2024 has been a banner...
A bold finish: Prisoner Wine Company at West End
Sal Ercolano’s West End Bar & Kitchen in Del Mar wrapped up its 2024 wine dinner series with an impressive evening featuring The Prisoner Wine...