Carlsbad’s Manka delivers real deal Peruvian cuisine
Peru has quietly become one of the world’s great culinary destinations. Its cuisine blends Indigenous, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, African, and Italian influences into one of...
Taste of Wine and Food
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,...
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...
Del Mar Wine and Food Festival dazzles; Blue Angels soar
Now in its third year, the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival has quickly become one of San Diego’s signature culinary events, thanks to the...
Lucien sets a new standard for fine dining in La Jolla
In a town rich with culinary talent, Lucien immediately raises the bar. On July 16, I had the privilege of a sneak preview before the...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
Beyond the Cellar: A celebration of exceptional wines, food
For wine lovers, Beyond the Cellar at The Lodge at Torrey Pines was an absolute delight. Held in the stunning coastal setting of La Jolla,...