Today we have a special episode of the Happy Half Hour for you, which was recorded at our annual Best Restaurants celebration last week at the pre-party event at Room & Board.We chatted with five different chefs who were at the event, and talked about everything from what it’s like to be a Best Restaurants winner to the dishes they prepared tha ...…

This week, we’re at the pool deck of the Westgate Hotel, which is famous for its elegant Sunday brunch and high tea, and chatting with local jazz hero Gilbert Castellanos about its Sunset Poolside Jazz Series. Our special guest this week is Chef Quinnton “Q” Austin, who recently moved to San Diego from the Big Easy and leads the kitchen at Loui ...…

We’re taping from the Hilton San Diego Del Mar, which is just steps away from the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This week’s special guest is David Favela, founder of Border X Brewing in Barrio Logan, the first Latino-owned brewery in San Diego. David is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, and he grew up in Escondido. He did his undergrad at Chico ...…

This week’s special guest is Angelo Sosa, chef and owner of Death By Tequila, a Baja-Asian restaurant in Encinitas. Angelo has worked at Jean Georges and for Alain Ducasse, and in New York he ran the Michelin- recommended Añejo in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen. You may also know Angelo from Top Chef Season 7, in which he was runner-up, and from Se ...…

Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! We’re taping this episode from Suite 33 at Petco Park, and this week’s guest is Eddie Quinn, director of partnership services for Petco Park (we call him “the beer guy” at the park). Eddie manages the relationships with the Padres’ corporate partners, and more specifically, all of their beer partners (includ ...…

Welcome back to the Happy Half Hour! We are taping this episode at Petco Park, and our very special guest this week is Mark “Mud” Grant, who has been the color commenter for the Padres for 24 years. He talks about his favorite places to eat in Petco Park, and what his diet was like when he played professional baseball in the late ’80s compared ...…

We’re on location at Petco Park and taped this episode at the recent Padres vs. Mariners game. This week’s special guest is Katie Jackson, vice president of marketing for the San Diego Padres. Katie has been with the Padres for 5 years and oversees all the brand partnerships at the ballpark. She talks about the Party in the Park series—a huge t ...…

We have a very special edition of the Happy Half Hour! We taped this week’s episode at Petco Park during the recent Padres game versus the Seattle Mariners, and our special guest is Carlos Vargas, the executive chef for the San Diego Padres. Carlos talks about how the food served at Petco Park has gotten so much better over the years with the i ...…

This week’s guest is Priscilla Curiel, chef and owner of Tuetano Taqueria in San Ysidro. Priscilla’s taqueria has only been open for a little more than six months and was already written about in Food & Wine, and her birria tacos topped with roasted bone marrow is the Very Important Taco in the May issue of San Diego Magazine. Priscilla talked ...…

Our guest this week is Nino Camilo, founder of the I Love Poke Festival. The festival is an annual celebration of Hawaii’s beloved raw seafood dish, and this year is its tenth anniversary with 15 chefs competing to see who makes the best poke in San Diego. Nino talks about what’s changed since he started the festival in 2009 and how he tries hi ...…

Welcome back to Happy Half Hour! In the guest seat this week is Jason O’Bryan, bar manager at The Lion’s Share. Jason also recently joined Service Animals, a new beverage consulting company and developed the drink menu for The Florence in Poway. Jason talked about how The Lion’s Share has remained successful despite its hard-to-find location an ...…

You may have noticed that the sign at Carnitas’ Snack Shack on University Avenue now says The Porchetta Shack. We asked our guest this week, chef and owner Hanis Cavin (who has been called San Diego’s “King of Pork”), why he changed the concept for his popular North Park restaurant after eight successful years. Hanis also shared that he’s no lo ...…

In this week’s Hot Plates, we talked about the huge remodel ($260 million!) at Sycuan Casino, which is having its grand opening today. Troy got the First Look at the renovation and Bull & Bourbon, the resort’s new signature steakhouse. Also new in town is Louisiana Purchase, a New Orleans-themed restaurant in North Park, and Hess Brewing had th ...…

This week we met with up Candice Eley, director of communications for the San Diego Tourism Authority, and learned about her passion for promoting San Diego's arts and culture, diversity, dining scene and proximity to Mexico, and how she gets travel stories about our city to appear in national media, like this recent story in Travel and Leisure ...…

This week, we chatted with Mary Kay Waters, owner of Waters Fine Foods & Catering, which has been in business in San Diego for almost 30 years. Waters describes herself as a food perfectionist with very high standards who refuses to accept anything less than the best. She also has a café that sells “fine foods to go” on Morena Boulevard that yo ...…

Small Bar’s second life, a contest seeking SD’s best taco recipe, plus lots of food newsWe got the scoop on what’s happening with Small Bar in University Heights by chatting with owner Karen Barnett. Karen gave us an update about the renovation and the bar’s new life, and how her new partnership with chef Brad Wise (Trust, Fort Oak) is taking s ...…

We finally hosted a parking expert on the show! Colin Parent, who runs mobility think tank Circulate San Diego while also serving as an elected member of the La Mesa City Council, gave us insights on parking in San Diego, how it affects restauranteurs as well as regular people dining out, as well as the overall effects on neighborhoods, the hou ...…

This week, we rundown the news that Cutwater Spirits sold to Anheiser Busch, Carruth Cellars is having a big party where you can taste wines before they have aged, Bobboi Gelato is opening two new shops just blocks from one another in Little Italy and the Cohn Restaurant Group is experimenting with call buttons as a way to make service more eff ...…

This week's episode is brought to you by Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego and their Dream House Raffle. Visit www.sdraffle.com to buy tickets and learn more about the hundreds of prizes! Early Bird deadline is February 22, 2019! On this week’s show we meet a new restauranteur with an interesting background that includes a stint at G ...…

Thorn Brewing talks tasting rooms and is the Little Italy Food Hall one of the top 10? by San Diego MagazineBy San Diego Magazine.

Today we’re talking Metallica, John Resnick, and Jeune et Jolie.In Hot Plates, we’re discussing the new Farmer’s Table in Little Italy, RMD Group’s new project Lumi with Michelin-starred chef Akira Back, Powerhaus Pizza’s debut in Pacific Beach. A collaboration beer between Metallica and Stone Brewing Co., and more.In the guest seat is Resnick, ...…

Today’s episode starts with news about one of the city’s buzziest restaurant openings: Fort Oak. Troy had the First Look and tells us about its seafood-centric menu, the high design, and how a parking garage caused major problems.Elsewhere in Hot Plates, we discuss Sister Ray’s, a new chili dog and burger concept from the teams behind The Balbo ...…

On today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour we’re talking To the Point, tuna fishing, Tribute Pizza, and more.In Hot Plates, we discuss the opening of Natural Style Chicken, a Hillcrest barbecue spot that’s taken over the old Tokyo Ramen space; Cesarina, which previously operated as a farmers’ market vendor and will open in the former To The Poin ...…

A new year means new changes to the restaurant scene, and Pisco Rotisserie & Cevicheria in Carlsbad is switching gears to become Toast Gastrobrunch by the end of the month, just one year after opening the Peruvian concept in North County. The update, still led by local restauranteur Sami Ladecki will be a breakfast-and-lunch eatery serving gour ...…

Welcome to the first Happy Half Hour of 2019! In today’s show, we’re talking about a luxury theater slash restaurant in the Gaslamp and a new “American brasserie” now open in the East Village. Plus, lots of donut news, including Sidecar Doughnuts debuting in Del Mar and a new venture from Nomad Donuts’ Kristianna Zabala.Back in the guest seat i ...…

Malls are cool again, marijuana is being infused into food, plant-based menus are everywhere, and California’s minimum wage laws are wreaking havoc in the restaurant world—we’re covering all of it and more in our last episode of 2018.We open the show with the top five news items of the year, including the craft beer downturn and Westfield UTC’s ...…

With all the restaurant development that’s happened in Little Italy and North Park, it was only a matter of time before the trend trickled northward. In today’s edition of Hot Plates, we have three new restaurants above the 56, including D.C. export ChiKo in Encinitas, Eve (coming to Oceanside next year), and Exhale—a modern Mexican restaurant— ...…

On today’s show, we’re talking about chef Accursio Lota’s exit from Solare and the new restaurant he’ll open downtown, El Jardín landing on best restaurants lists in both Esquire and Food & Wine, and Buona Forchetta’s move into the barbecue world. Plus, Council Brewing announces its close, SuperNatural Sandwiches opens a new location, and Fort ...…

This week we’re back at Fernside, the new South Park cocktail bar and eatery from Christian Siglin (Bracero, The Grass Skirt, Cutwater Spirits), Shane Gerde (UnderBelly, Cutwater Spirits), and Adam Cook (Bluefoot Bar & Lounge) and also one of the participating restaurants in this year’s SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off.In Hot Plates, we’re talking ab ...…

This episode is sponsored by the SoNo Fest. The free street festival returns to the South Park-North Park area on Sunday, December 2 with 40 of the best restaurants from both neighborhoods competing in the ultimate #chilismackdown. There will also be a craft beer garden, food trucks, live music, and a kid’s fest. The best part? All proceeds go ...…

Lobster rolls with yuzu aioli, pollo a la abrasa on buttery brioche, spicy drunken noodles—we’re feasting at The Willows Hotel & Spa at Viejas Casino & Resort, today’s sponsor alongside chefs Antonio Votta and Larry Banares. We kick off with Hot Plates. Popular Kensington Tex-Mex spot Ponce’s has opened a new location in Del Sur and Modern Time ...…

On today’s show we’re coming at you from our sponsor, The Willows Hotel & Spa at Viejas Casino & Resort, along with vice president of food and beverage David Duran.In Hot Plates, we’re talking about two upcoming events, including the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival and the first annual San Diego Food Tank Summit with bold-faced names of the ...…

What’s better than one Buona Forchetta concept in South Park? Two! On today’s show we’re talking about the debut of the Neapolitan pizza pro’s new wine bar, a Cohn Restaurant Group (Coasterra, Island Prime) concept coming to Mission Valley, and the closing of a Vista brewery.In the guest seat, meet Lee Chase, co-owner of Blind Lady Ale House, T ...…

In today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour, Troy, Erin, and Archana are discussing Mutual Friend Ice Cream, the hip new ice cream shop from the team behind Dark Horse Coffee Roasters,Surf Rider Pizza Co. coming to La Mesa, and a new hand roll concept coming to Liberty Station from Land & Water Co.’s chef Rob Ruiz. Plus, we have two Thanksgiving- ...…

On today’s show Troy, Erin, and Archana are talking about The Brigantine’s new concept Ketch Grill & Taps, South Park’s Fernside courtesy of some of San Diego’s top talents, and the US Grant’s soon-to-debut Prohibition era-themed bar inside the downtown hotel.Our guest is David Cohn of Cohn Restaurant Group, the man behind San Diego staples lik ...…

On today’s show, we’re talking about two buzzy new imports: the new dumpling restaurant that’s landed at Westfield UTC by way of Tawian, as well as Cava, the fast-casual Mediterranean concept that started in Washington, D.C. and recently opened an Encinitas outpost. Less exciting news is the closing of Russian-Georgian restaurant Kafe Sobaka an ...…

In today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour, Erin, Troy, and Archana are chatting restaurant news, like a new Mexican eatery at Fashion Valley started by the team behind True Food Kitchen and Flower Child. Plus, the mezcal tasting room Tahona is coming to Old Town next month and Common Stock is now open in Hillcrest.Our guest is Ben Simon, the CE ...…

On today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour, we’re talking about Hundred Proof, the gastropub in Hillcrest that just hired former George’s at the Cove bar director Stephen Kurpinsky to revamp their cocktail offerings. Plus, an Indian restaurant is opening next month in South Park and Aero Club will live on thanks to its new owners, The Waterfront ...…

A local vodka co. wins big, and Bertrand Hug of Mister A’s and Mille Fleurs drops by by San Diego MagazineBy San Diego Magazine.

For today’s episode, Erin, Troy, and David are kicking things off with some beer—a saison San Diego Magazine created in collaboration with The Bell Marker. Our producer and in-office beer expert David shares the details on how we picked the style, the fruit he himself peeled, and where you can drink find it around town.In Hot Plates, we’re disc ...…

On today’s show, Erin, Troy and Archana are chatting about the opening of Simsim in Kearny Mesa, the new brewpub coming to Chula Vista next year, and a food hall going into a mixed-use space in Poway.Our guest is Bill Keith, co-founder and CEO of Perfect Bar. Dubbed “The Original Refrigerated Protein Bar,” the bar was the brainchild of Bill and ...…

In today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour, Erin, Troy and Archana are discussing Lola 55’s opening in the East Village, a new Mexican restaurant in Coronado, authentic Filipino in Miramar, and Lane Field Park Markets, the new weekly market on downtown’s North Harbor Drive featuring food, drink, and art.In the guest seat we have Angie Weber, co- ...…

On today’s show Erin, Troy and Archana are talking about Ramen Ryoma’s entry into San Diego, Taproom’s new North Park location, and the San Diego restaurant that will be cooking at the prestigious James Beard House in New York.Our guest is Stone Brewing Co. co-founder and chairman Greg Koch, fresh off a trip to Shanghai to open the latest Stone ...…

In today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour Erin, Troy and Archana are talking Hot Plates, from the new Death by Tequila in Encinitas and its claim to have “the best margarita in town” to chef Paul McCabe’s new project downtown.Our guest is Gina Freize, co-owner of Venissimo, the beloved local cheese shop that launched 14 years ago in Mission Hil ...…

On today’s show, Erin, Troy and Archana are talking Hot Plates, including Pop Pie Co.’s new ice cream shop landing next month in University Heights, a new ramen spot in Kearny Mesa, a long-awaited holiday event coming to Polite Provisions, and more.In the guest seat is Sam “The Cooking Guy” Zien, the former biotech-er turned cooking show host, ...…

In today’s episode, Erin, Troy and Archana are talking Hot Plates, including the Cohn Restaurant Group’s two-acre project in La Mesa (miniature golf in involved), the openings of Nomad Donuts and Young Hickory downtown, and a steakhouse chain that’s finally opened in the Gaslamp after years of construction delays.Joining us is Claudette-Zepeda ...…

On today’s Happy Half Hour, we’re talking about Simsim headed to Kearny Mesa, a new wine country-inspired restaurant in the Gaslamp, classic burgers coming to Barrio Logan, and new menu items at The Crack Shack and Mendocino Farms.We’re joined by Javier Plascencia, the prolific chef known for toggling both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border with h ...…

On today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour—first things first—we’re announcing the winner of our 100th episode Fantasy Restaurant Draft. Plus, we’re dishing on Hot Plates news—Little Italy Food Hall, Casa Rústica in Carmel Valley, and a new project in Oceanside, helmed by ex-Bice chef/owner Mario Cassineri.Joining us is Master French Chef Patric ...…

After last week’s intense fantasy restaurant draft, we’re back and aboard Hornblower Cruises for this week’s episode. Erin Chambers Smith and Troy Johnson along with producer Archana Ram are talking restaurant openings, like Tocaya Organica in the Gaslamp, The Patio 101’s new Encinitas location, and Ramen Menma in Oceanside.Our guest is Peter H ...…

Happy 100th episode! We’re toasting to our milestone episode aboard Hornblower Cruises’s Sights & Sips Cocktail Cruise, but before we get to our draft (more on that below), we open with restaurant news. The team behind Campfire is opening a modern French bistro in Carlsbad, You & Yours Distilling Co. is expanding their East Village space and ha ...…