It's been a few months since our last foodie event, which happened to be a wonderful weekend of chocolate, food, wine and spirits at Pechanga Resort & Casino. We thought it would be nice to reminisce by sharing our photo highlights! Below is the Chocolate Decadence event. Make sure to check out the Wine Festival event as well!
Chocolate Decadence
This event featured more than 30 wine varietals that pair with chocolate and other sweet desserts. Included in admission was a souvenir wine glass, unlimited two ounce samples of wine and spirits, gourmet dessert samples from Pechanga’s acclaimed pastry chefs, live music and silent auction. This year's event was the 12th annual event and was held on Friday, March 6, 2020 from 7-10pm (general admission).
We're enjoying the warmer weather these days which encourages us to do more outdoor activities like relaxing strolls or energetic cycling routes. A compliment to that active lifestyle includes some healthy dining at restaurants such as Powerhaus Wholesome Pizza & Eats. We were invited to check out their accommodating and nutritious selection of pizzas and smoothies earlier this year. This local small business has been open for 1.5 years and is located on Garnet Street in easy breezy Pacific Beach.
Texas de Brazil in Carlsbad celebrated its one year anniversary on March 6, 2020. The restaurant provides an experience of Brazilian barbecue meats grilled over charcoal, sliced by hand at your table, controlled by a green (go) / red (stop) card, plus access to an excellent salad bar and hot food bar. During our introductory visit last year, we gorged on their salad bar and meats. This visit, we were able to attend a mixology class for the classic Brazilian drink Caipirinha, get an insider view of their kitchen, then feast once again on their food! Read on for details on our recent visit!
San Diego Restaurant Week is back between January 19 - 26, 2020! Participating restaurants throughout San Diego County offer prix fixe meals with lunches ranging from $10-25 and dinners at $20-60. Through a media pairing with Peohe's, we were able to visit majestic Coronado Island and dine within meters of the ocean!
Seriously, what could be grander than food with a view? From one side of the restaurant patio, you can see the San Diego downtown skyline and from the other side, you can see the Coronado bridge. Peohe's is next to the Coronado Ferry Landing, has free parking (yay), and presents an elegant atmosphere with family, friends or that special someone!
If you like tasty breads with toppings, Toast Gastrobrunch offers several as well as other breakfast choices! I've noticed them on social media recently and had a mini-preview during this year's Reader Brunch and Booze. We were recently invited for a full restaurant experience which led us to Carlsbad in north county San Diego. It's one street away from I-5 highway exit Palomar Airport Road. Luckily they have a larger parking lot outside so we were able to park close. By 10am, the place was packed with at least 2-3 parties waiting outside. It got busier as the morning continued.
Omakase has been on my to-do list for a while and I finally had the opportunity earlier this month! TOO Sushi Project strives for the best quality seafood and other ingredients, which includes sourcing from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo or local fisheries. That morning, fresh fish was flown in from Japan so we were in for a real treat!
The newest food festival to hit town was the first annual San Diego Reader Brunch and Booze! There was no way we would miss out on this tasting, considering how much we've enjoyed their other events Tacotopia and Burgers & Beer! The festival was held at NTC Park in Liberty Station on Saturday October 19, 2019 between 12-3pm (or 11-3pm for VIP). Parking was much easier than Golden Hill from prior activities.
A few hours of exploration was in my weekend forecast at the new North City described as "An urban, mixed-use development in the heart of North County San Diego". I was able to join several social media ladies to check out the new restaurants serving the area.
To start was Grit Coffee for some coffee and tea from the neighborhood coffee shop. Order from the barista on the left and sip nonchalantly on the barstools or tables to the right.
Fresh off the block is Butcher's Cut, the newest steakhouse in the San Diego Gaslamp, which provides aged steaks and plenty more. Dennis and I were lucky to indulge in the wide array of food and drink samples during a recent media party!
