Del Mar Racetrack to Host BBQ State Championships Sunday, July 17th, 2016

June 30, 2016eventsLocal WallyComment

BBQ Competition at the Del Mar Racetrack!

I am addicted to BBQ. I love the smell of the smoke in the air, I love the artistry behind great BBQ, and I love to try it all, from perfectly tender spare ribs to juicy brisket. I've been to BBQ joints in Kansas City that look like something in a Blues Brothers movie, I've done Texas BBQ, and love the tang of Carolina. Wherever there is BBQ is where I am at. So you know where I will be on July 17th - at the Del Mar Racetrack where the 2016 BBQ Championships are taking place.

More than 40 of the nation's top professional BBQ pitmasters, local restaurants and chefs will be competing in the State Championship for more than $15,000 in cash prizes. Best yet, those attending can purchase BBQ samples to see for themselves how good BBQ can be. Four 2 oz competition ready samples of brisket, pork, ribs, chicken and steak are only $10 and include a People's Choice ballot so you can vote for your favorite.

Del Mar San Diego Fair BBQ Championship coming July 17th

Come for the races, stay for the BBQ - or the other way around!

The competition, sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society, also features local craft beer options and live music and is held at the Seaside Concert Area west of the Grandstand, tickets included with track admission of $6. Oh yeah, the Del Mar horse races will be going on at the same time so dang this is going to be a great day!

You want a bite?  I know you do.  And you can, at the Del Mar Racetrack BBQ Competition — You want a bite? I know you do. And you can, at the Del Mar Racetrack BBQ Competition

Here are some BBQ rating tips from your favorite local expert, Local Wally.

1. Fall off the bone = fail. Ribs should be tender but still have some bite to them. If you take a bite and all the meat falls to the plate and you're left holding the bone then you overcooked them.

2. Sauce should never be the star. It's the meat that needs to shine. Bad BBQ is over-sauced to hide mediocre BBQ.

3. Too much smoke is as bad as crockpot BBQ. Smoke should be there but not overpowering. If it sort of tastes like an ashtray smells it was oversmoked. And don't get me started on cooking BBQ in a crockpot!

THE DETAILS

Where: Del Mar Racetrack

When: July 17th, 12 to 5

Cost: Included with $6 track admission, get four samples for $10

VIP Pre-Sale Package
Gain early entrance to sample the mouthwatering BBQ from noon - 1 p.m. Includes four BBQ samples, racetrack admission and Peoples' Choice ballot, for $25 now through July 10th.

Pre-Sale Package
Includes four BBQ samples, racetrack admission and Peoples' Choice ballot, for $14 now through July 10th.

LINK TO BUY TICKETS

Bite San Diego Review: Tasting San Diego One Neighborhood at a Time

June 24, 2016restaurantsLocal WallyComment

B ITE SAN DIEGO | 619 634-8476

At a Glance: Culinary walking tour through some of San Diego's trendiest neighborhoods. Spend an afternoon sampling food from 4 to 5 restaurants in a small group of like minded food lovers.

Wally Says: Whether you're a tourist or a local, if you love food and love discovering new places to eat then this is your type of tour.

He cuts the cheese at Venissimo Cheese Shop in Hillcrest - wait, that didn't sound right but you get the idea!

This is a pretty good idea! Bite San Diego is a food tour where you walk through various San Diego neighborhoods to taste what their restaurants have to offer. Started in 2010, BITE San Diego is an adventure for locals and tourists alike, really anyone who loves good food and wants to explore the San Diego food scene and maybe even learn a little history on the way.

Hot Wings - Red Wing Bar and Grill

Cool neighborhood bar

Super friendly at Red Wing Bar and Grill

What's cool about this type of tour is that you discover cool restaurants that you might have walked right by in your past. For example, Red Wing Bar and Grill in Hillcrest has been described as a dive bar by some, a crazy gay bar by others. I'd never been in but so glad I did after sampling their insanely fantastic hot wings, washed down with a giant PBR. Really, you like wings you need to get in there!

BITE San Diego has tours not only in North Park but Pacific Beach, Liberty Station, La Jolla, Encinitas, Downtown/Little Italy and Coronado. All of those areas have well known restaurants, places you've already been to, but that's not what BITE focuses on. Instead they find the eclectic and unusual, you know, the more foodie focused places that make you wonder why you've never been in before.

Mention Crazee Burger to someone who lives in North Park and they'll tell you that this is one of the best burgers in town. But I had never heard of them. That's one of the problems in San Diego - it's so big, so spread out, that it's impossible to have the insider scoop on every neighborhood. But that's exactly what BITE does - it shows you where the locals in that neighborhood eat, their favorites.

You get plenty to eat on a BITE San Diego tour

Great burgers at Crazee Burger in North Park

Ultra casual, Crazee Burger

Our next stop was Berkeley Pizza North Park, a Chicago Style pie that has a crispy, buttery crust and lots of fresh toppings. Really great, authentic, and popular with the neighborhood locals.

Deep dish Chicago style pizza at Berkeley Pizza North Park

By now I was clearly stuffed. They call this a walking tour but you really only walk a mile and a half, maybe two total, over the entire afternoon so it's not like you're burning up calories like this was the Rock and Roll Marathon. So come hungry. Come super hungry, in fact. But come on, our leader shouted, let's move on to the next stop!

Sample some wine at Splash Wine Lounge

Oh no, more food??

Over 100 bottles to choose from

We did a short pitstop to taste some lemonade at a coffee shop and then headed over to Splash Wine Lounge, a cool place where you can purchase a wine sample one ounce at a time. You insert a card, you push a button, and out comes your taste. It's a really great way to try some unusual wines. I wish Trader Joe's had this! And yes, food, more food, so much food that I could barely take a bite but there I was diving into a great flatbread. So. Stuffed! BITE San Diego says that this is supposed to be "bites', not a buffet, but really you need to be John Candy to not leave this tour feeling like you got more than your money's worth of deliciousness.

So tourists, if you want to do something really unusual, if you love food, if you want to learn more about San Diego than the basic tourist stops, then pick a neighborhood and spend a few hours exploring the food scene with BITE San Diego. And locals, you'll love it too. Go discover a part of San Diego you might have overlooked - gather some friends and spend the afternoon on a BITE San Diego tour. You'll love it!

Alfonso's of La Jolla Reopens in Solana Beach (and boy are we happy!)

June 18, 2016restaurantsLocal WallyComment

Alfonso's of La Jolla (now open in Solana Beach)

437 South Highway 101, Solana Beach | (858) 454-2232

San Diegan's are lucky. Mexican food, real Mexican food, has always been at your a part of your world. Not so for those of us who transplanted here. I came to San Diego to go to SDSU (Go Aztecs) way back when, originally from the Bay Area where tacos where filled with hamburger meat and tamales came out of cans. I am not kidding!

Ultra crunchy chips with the best salsa - seriously, I would drink this salsa with a shot of vodka and a straw!

Flashback to La Jolla 1977 when my hair was long, my car was an MGB, and Supertramp was my band of choice. My buddy Barry lived up the street in a rental with 4 or 5 other guys and one night we stumbled down Prospect in search of cheap eats, ultimately seduced by Alfonso's of La Jolla, a restaurant that looked like it had more in common with Tijuana than La Jolla. It was that night I had my first carne asada taco, grilled strips of marinated steak topped with guacamole and salsa fresca and double wrapped in a fresh tortilla.

It was life changing. Literally one of the best things I have ever eaten.

Over the years I revisited Alfonso's of La Jolla, always to eat there first and then heading across the street to Chucks Steak House to listen to live jazz and then to Bratskeller for a Zombie before driving back to State. Hey, I'm not saying this was a good plan, I'm just telling you that a trip to La Jolla always meant a stop at Alfonso's to get a carne asada taco. And a margarita. A good margarita.

So nearly 40 years later (holy cow!) when I heard that Alfonso's was closing I was more than bummed. But here's proof that there's a God, or at least a Taco God, because Alfonso's not only reopened, they opened near my house! Their new location in Solana Beach is open, airy, a bit more urban contemporary than the original restaurant but with the same owner and same waiters. And there's even parking, something that was hard to find in La Jolla.

Alfonso's of La Jolla captures the north county beach vibe.

This is it! The Carne Asada taco at Alfonso's of La Jolla

I went on opening day and ordered a carne asada taco and a margarita. Heaven! Throughout the years I've eaten perhaps 10,000 carne asada tacos, give or take, and none of them are even close to Alfonso's of La Jolla. Their new location has music at night on the weekends, happy hour specials, and a North County beach vibe that's sure to make this a popular spot with locals and tourists. Go. This Weekend. And you tell me if this is not the best Carne Asada Taco in San Diego.

The Vibe: Beach friendly

The Price: Very reasonable - a couple of fish tacos, rice and beans, $12, less than ten bucks gets you 3 rolled chicken tacos with rice and beans, a serious bargain.

Margaritas: Lots of options, the house margarita still the best value for a real margarita with enough punch to make you happy!

Wally Says: North County has some very good Mexican restaurants - Fidel's, Tony's Jacal, La Especial Norte - but none of them beat Alfonso's carne asada taco!

Where to Find San Diego's BEST Burgers!

May 19, 2016restaurantsLocal Wally3 Comments

I'm not dissing on In N Out Burger because frankly I think they make one of the BEST burgers in the world. I mean, come on, even Thomas Keller of The French Laundry fame, the place where dinner for two will set you back $1,000, says that In N Out is his favorite burger and one of his favorite meals. But today we're talking San Diego homegrown burgers, the best burgers in town made by local joints so while I love In N Out, and I really do, we're going totally local here.

Juniper and Ivy

It's not on the menu but 30 people every night, and only 30, can get Chef Richard Blais' version of a Double Double Animal Style burger for under $20. I love all of the food at Juniper & Ivy but this burger is outrageously great. When the small plates start arriving at the table protect your giant burger from those around you who are eyeing your fries with envy. Shoo, shoo!

Tavern

Tavern has been welcoming big crowds in for drinks, dancing and sport-watching since 1997. With a revamped menu created by Chef John, beach-goers are also flocking to the hotspot for delicious food. You’ll surely crush any burger cravings with the B.E.A.T. Burger; an all-natural beef patty that is surrounded by applewood smoked bacon, arugula, bourbon-roasted tomatoes, garlic herb ale aioli and topped with a fried egg. This is the best way to B.E.A.T. your longings for a juicy patty!

1919

1919 is known as one of the best sports bars in downtown, but it’s menu image002.jpgis equally as brag-worthy. There is no better way to celebrate National Burger Day then with their Suicide Burger in-hand. Made with jalapeno jam, cayenne-candied bacon and pepper-jack cheese, this burger is sure to spice up your night… and your taste buds!

Barleymash

The burgers at barleymash follow suit with the restaurants innovative theme – everything is better with a little alcohol, especially food. The Surf ‘n’ Turf Burger combines multiple proteins as well as multiple alcohol-infused ingredients. A grilled beef patty combines with Añejo tequila n’ butter-poached Maine lobster meat to make an elaborately messy burger of epic proportion. It also includes cream cheese, baby arugula, whiskey-caramelized onions and white truffle aioli.

Backyard Kitchen and Tap

Backyard Kitchen & Tap grills better burgers than your average backyard cookout, and the Bison Burger is renowned in Pacific Beach for “changing the game”. It is a free range bison patty with Shaft bleu cheese, rocket arugula and basil aioli on a brioche bun. If that’s not enough, add a fried egg for $2 – and then wash it down with a beer from one of their 20 taps.

Pacific Beach Duck Dive

Pacific Beach’s Duck Dive is an eatery of surf and coastal culture. The signature Duck Dive Burger is served with an all-natural beef patty, tomato relish, caramelized onions, butter lettuce, garlic aioli and pimento cheese (a southern U.S. specialty made of sharp cheddar, spices and greatness) on a toasted brioche bun. Swim, surf, drive, bike or run on over to Duck Dive for a bite of a burger and the sun.

Barrel Republic

Barrel Republic’s Oceanside location is serving a burger that’s big on taste and a big win for cheese lovers everywhere! The Barrel Burger entertains the company of 100% chuck black wax cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion, all served on a brioche bun. Order this burger cut in quarters, and share the juicy bite with your friends.

Pacific Beach Ale House

Pacific Beach AleHouse, providing beautiful views of the ocean from their Skydeck, is grilling up a patty of picturesque Brandt all-natural beef (raised in the California sun without hormones or antibiotics) for the Mushroom Truffle Burger. Mushrooms of course, with Cambozola (a mix of cow’s milk cheese from Italy and France), arugula, truffle butter and a fried egg all fit onto a brioché bun. AleHouse provides you plenty of options to accompany the burger; a choice of seasoned fries, tator tots, sweet potato fries, salt and vinegar chips or cottage cheese is included. Another courteous option the kitchen offers is switching out any beef patty for chicken breast!

Brazen BBQ

It seems like the Smokin’ Jalapeno Burger, a meal-sized sambo, was made to show off during National Burger Month. It’s been contributed to the patty craving community by Brazen BBQ . This burger is topped cheddar cheese, friend jalapenos, and B.R.A.G. BBQ sauce to make this burger a San Diego favorite. Yes, it can get messy, but like the five house-made BBQ sauces (ranging from sweet or smoky to spicy) – a roll of paper towels is on every table for stress-free availability.

Common Theory

One very uncommon take on the burger is at Common Theory in Kearny Mesa. It’s simply and appropriately titled the Chicken-Fried Cheeseburger; a panko breaded beef patty is skillfully fried and topped with a horseradish Havarti, charred scallions and an aioli-style country spread. Common Theory sports one of the best rotating selections of unique drafts in the craft beer capital of the world (30-34 taps at all times!).

San Diego's BEST Breakfast Sandwiches!

April 30, 2016Local WallyComment

Weekends are Made for Indulging - Start with San Diego's BEST Breakfast Spots!

Do you oftentimes find yourself torn between breakfast and lunch? If you’re a lover of both, try these hearty breakfast sandwiches that offer the best of both worlds! Find a morning pick-me-up at these six San Diego eateries that are serving up the ultimate breakfast sandwiches to kick start the day.

Breakfast Republic in San Diego's North Park

Located in the heart of North Park, Breakfast Republic is the hot topic among breakfast lovers in San Diego. If you’re looking for classic American morning flavors in the form of a sandwich, try the Breakfast Sammie. It’s crafted on sourdough bread with their Jurassic Pork bacon, tomato, herb spread and eggs sunny side up. Combine all of your favorite items in this take on a traditional breakfast. Don’t forget to dig into the house potatoes that are served on the side!

Bringing a reimagined taste of New York delicatessens to San Diego, Carnivore Sandwich has sandwich cravings covered. As early as 7 a.m., with locations in East Village, Little Italy and downtown, Carnivore is serving up sandwiches fit for the most important meal of the day. Take a bite of the East Coast with the Lox Crostini, complete with toasted challah bread topped with lox, cream cheese, walnuts and sliced avocado. These stacked creations will bring a smile to your face.

Say NO to McMuffin and Go San Diego Local for Breakfast!

Head to Pacific Beach and enjoy your morning meal at The Duck Dive, a neighborhood eatery and bar inspired by the San Diego surf scene. Commence your day with Biscuit and Gravy Sliders, two handcrafted biscuits loaded with scrambled eggs and sausage and topped with scratch-made sausage gravy. Pair these hearty breakfast sandwiches with bottomless mimosas or Bloody Buddies, served daily!

At Farmer’s Bottega, you will find quality ingredients and farm-to-table-cuisine that allow for a guilt-free start to a busy day. Try the Farmwich, a meat and veggie filled sandwich that is sure to impress. It combines a fried egg, bacon, sautéed spinach, mushrooms, onions and aged cheddar between slices of rustic sourdough.

The Gaslamp’s barleymash not only offers a lively atmosphere, but a menu that has weekend brunch lovers rejoicing! Relish in the bold flavors of The Remedy Sando, a barley bun filled with applewood-smoked bacon, pork sausage, two fried eggs, pepper jack, aged cheddar and bourbon brown-butter hollandaise. The dish is served with a side of roasted potato hash, so arrive with an empty stomach and let your taste buds do the work!

Who says breakfast has to be consumed in the morning? At Brian’s 24, you can indulge in breakfast cravings any time of day, any day of the week. Load up on the Waffle Cristo, thin-sliced ham and cheddar jack cheese served between two halves of a housemade bacon waffle. Satisfy your appetite with this meaty sub any time of the day.

Check out San Diego’s best breakfast sandwiches and start your morning with a meal fit for champions!

Looking for San Diego's BEST Desserts? Here They Are!

April 26, 2016restaurantsLocal Wally2 Comments

Ditch your diet for decadent desserts! We’ve rounded up some of San Diego’s most satisfying sweets that will put the cherry on top of any meal.

Brian's 24 Root Beer Float - not flat, float!!  :-) — Brian's 24 Root Beer Float - not flat, float!! :-)

Brians's 24

Whether it is 2:00 p.m. or 2:00 a.m. Brian’s 24 will satisfy your sweet tooth if you’re in the Gaslamp. Enjoy their Root Beer Float served in a gigantic 32 oz. mug filled with root beer and three scoops of vanilla ice cream. Cozy up to their Joan Crawford’s mahogany bar beneath their crystal chandelier and rest easy knowing you’re at a family-owned diner with family-inspired recipes.

Pillbox Tavern

Apparently an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so go crazy for Pillbox Tavern’s Apple Pie Crisp. Sit down on their dog-friendly patio and wind down the day with this carefully-crafted dish that’s made with sliced apples mixed with brown sugar oatmeal, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Pillbox Tavern is a retro modern beach bar that only serves fresh and locally-sourced ingredients, so you know this crisp is some of the best around.

Tavern in Pacific Beach

If you appreciate the finer things in life and agree that crème brulee is most certainly one of them, visit Tavern in Pacific Beach. Tavern’s Crème Brulee is proof that patrons are provided with nothing but the best. Enjoy your desert inside the comfort of Tavern’s laidback bar or catch some rays on the lively street side patio.

Pan Bon

Another heavenly dessert worth ditching your diet for is Pan Bon’s Tirami-Su’ a creamy coffee treat that is baked with mascarpone image004.jpglayers and coffee soaked sponge cake that’s dusted with cocoa. Stepping inside Pan Bon is like discovering a little sliver of Italy and their wide variety of baked desserts won’t disappoint.

Taco Stand

Are you looking for something warm, sweet and easy to eat? Chomp on some Churros from the Taco Stand, with locations in both La Jolla and Downtown, while you’re on the go. The Taco Stand also offers south-of-the-border, flavored popsicles for you to cool down with in the image009.jpgSan Diego sun.

Woodstock Pizza

Contrary to popular belief, Woodstock’s Pizza serves more than just pizza. They also serve one of the best (and shareable) desserts in San Diego. Their Cinnabread is a warm pie smothered with brown sugar, cinnamon and icing. Add apple, bacon or caramelized pecans to truly make it a savory treat. There are seven Woodstock Pizza locations across Southern California so swing by and taste one of America’s best independent pizzerias.

Barleymash

Let barleymash give you that campground experience with their Grilled S’Mores Sandwich. It’s crafted with toasted cinnamon swirl bread, bourbon chocolate ganache, vanilla bean marshmallow, cinnamon crunch ice cream and graham cracker cookies. barleymash is restaurant and bar that encourages a good time with the help of entertainment and a menu that celebrates the richness of American culture.

Treat yourself and don’t skimp out on the good stuff. San Diego is America’s finest city so naturally it offers some of America’s finest desserts. Ditch your diet because life is too short to not eat sweets.

What to Do in San Diego: Bacon and Barrels Festival, May 21st, 2016

April 25, 2016eventsLocal WallyComment

Bacon, Bacon, Bacon, AND BEER!

The Bacon & Barrels Festival is back, and this time it’s better than ever. On Saturday May 21st, the hottest chefs from the finest local restaurants will prepare and serve small plates starring bacon in its most inventive forms. The best mixologists, brewers and wine makers will quench your thirst with refreshing bacon-based and bacon-inspired cocktails and brews. The event will feature equally impressive views, as it will be held on the waterfront at Embarcadero Marina Park South.

This hog heaven will include artisan and local vendors, live music by The Spazmatics, demos by celebrity chefs and a whole lot of fun! To celebrate special achievement in the bacon arts, one chef and one mixologist will be named the 2016 Jefe del Porko by well-known food enthusiasts. It's pretty much the Bacon Oscars, and not one to be missed!

Tickets are now available for those 21 years and older and can be purchased here. Not to mention, all food and drink tastings are unlimited and included in the ticket prices. Go hog wild!

Good Eats San Diego: Seasons 52 at Seaport Village Headquarters

April 20, 2016restaurantsLocal WallyComment

Nice dining room at Seasons 52 in San Diego's Seaport Village

I normally avoid chain restaurants. It's not that I'm a food snob it's that when I want consistency I go to McDonalds. I like restaurants where the chef makes a difference, where food isn't cooked on a conveyor belt. That perfectly describes Seasons 52. With 43 locations, 2 in San Diego alone, there's no getting around it - this is a chain. But with a seasonally changing menu prepared by talented chefs, Seasons 52 rises above and places itself squarely into Good Eats territory, certainly a contender for your next night out. I was lucky enough to check out their new Spring menu - let's have a look.

Start with the Flatbreads

Light and crispy flatbread at Seasons 52

Flatbreads are the rage at so many restaurants but so many fail. I'm no flatbread expert but many of them are just bad pizzas. No so at Seasons 52 where the flatbreads are thin and crispy and topped with super high quality ingredients. My favorite has to be the Lobster and Fresh Mozzerella with roasted sweet peppers, slivered scallions, lobster sour cream, and paired with a glass of Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte Anne Champagne. That's right, don't forget that Seasons 52 has an extensive wine list with 52 wines by the glass always available - try them all!

Oh My Cod!

Asian-glazed Sea Bass at Seasons 52 in San Diego

Ordering something new off a menu is a bit like internet dating. It looks good, it sounds good, but will it meet your expectations when it arrives? Well let me tell you, the Asian Glazed Chilean Sea Bass is one of the most beautiful, best executed fish dishes I have ever experienced, a true 10 on the 1-10 scale, a knockout in both looks and flavor. The black rice was insanely delicious and the glaze was just sweet enough without being cloying. Order this an watch the heads turn at the tables as it passes by, it's that stunningly perfect.

Mmmmm, Meyer Lemon Ricotta Ravioli

Say it - Wow! Yes, this is another example of why I love Seasons 52. The lemon ricotta ravioli was topped with a brown butter sauce, some roasted peppers and English peas and so tangy delicious that its memory is forever embedded into my taste buds.

Even More Good Eats at Seasons 52

Grilled Scallops at Seasons 52 in San Diego

Grilling scallops could be a disaster but Seasons 52 knocked it out of the park with their Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops with Lemon Risotto. Scallops were delicate, the risotto complimented, the fresh peas and roasted asparagus cooked perfectly, this is a top dish. Get this one if you love seafood. But wait... there's more?

Yes, a serious Wood Grilled Rack of Lamb with spring vegetables, Yukon Gold mash and shallot jus. It was gorgeous, perhaps a touch of finishing salt would make it pop. You do bring your own Maldon Salt with you to restaurants, don't you?

Meet the Chef

Chef Mo is the guy who makes it all happen at Seasons 52 at San Diego's Seaport Village Headquarters. With a resume from some of the best restaurants in San Diego he knows his way around the kitchen. So thanks Seasons 52 and thanks Mo for an awesome meal. Chain restaurant? Perhaps. Predictable chain restaurant food? No way! Seasons 52 is good enough to rival the best in San Diego and deserves to be on your foodie bucket list.

Local Wally

Madama Butterfly: Local Wally Goes to the San Diego Opera (and doesn't die)

April 15, 2016eventsLocal WallyComment

OK, I will admit that the idea of going to the opera, the opera, was not initially my idea of a good time. I mean, I don't know nothing about the opera other than they sing in a foreign language and ain't nobody's got time for that. Well wait, hang on, I am here to tell you that I went to the San Diego Opera and saw Madama Butterfly and not only did I not die but I actually enjoyed it. You should go. Seriously.

GET TICKETS HERE! IT WILL SELL OUT SO GET THEM NOW!

Now some people out there (i.e. my wife) are thinking that I am just showing how uncouth I am, akin to stating that one's a Trump supporter while waiting in line for tacos in Tijuana, but I think there are a lot of people out there like me who have either never been to an actual opera or who went so long ago that memories of being spanked come to mind. But Madama Butterfly wasn't hard to understand, the plot simpler than a Will Ferrel movie but with perhaps a bit more emotion. Look, I'm saying you won't be cocking your head like a confused dog, it's not that hard to figure out the story!

And then there's the music, live music played by real people! Oh my goodness, we have been listening to preprogrammed and synthetic music for so long that there is something so sweet and organic, human, about a real orchestra. And when the singers step up to the mic's - wait, there are no mics so they actually have to belt these songs out and the power of their voices is simply amazing. Just. Beautiful.

So go. Get tickets. It's way cool!

LOCAL WALLY

The Official Press Release:

San Diego, CA – San Diego Opera is proud to present Puccini’s Madama Butterfly as the second mainstage offering of its 2015-2016 season when it opens on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 7 PM for four performances at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Returning to San Diego Opera in the title role, is American soprano Latonia Moore, who dazzled audiences in 2013 as Aida, and audiences at the Metropolitan Opera earlier this month when she sang her first American Butterfly. The Company is excited to welcome Romanian tenor Teodor Ilincăi as Pinkerton, a role he has sung the role to critical and popular acclaim in Vienna, Paris, Budapest, Toulouse, and Hamburg, in his American debut. Also making an important Company debuts are American mezzo soprano J’nai Bridges as Suzuki and American baritone Anthony Clark Evans as Sharpless. Taiwanese-American tenor Joseph Hu returns as Goro and American bass-baritone Scott Sikon returns as the Bonze. Franco-Canadian conductor Yves Abel, last heard leading the orchestra in 2014’s Pagliacci, returns to lead the San Diego Symphony for these performances. American stage director Garnett Bruce will stage the production.

In Puccini’s tragic opera Madama Butterfly, the American naval officer Pinkerton marries a Japanese geisha named Cio-Cio-San (who is also known as Butterfly). Pinkerton takes the relationship lightly despite the warnings of the American consul, Sharpless. Pinkerton returns to America, and Butterfly gives birth to their child whom she names Trouble while she waits for her husband to return. When Pinkerton does return he brings with him his American wife and Cio-Cio-San must choose to live in disgrace or die with her honor intact. With the famous aria “Un bel dì” and the haunting “Humming Chorus” Madama Butterfly is full of beautiful music that will stay with the audience long after they have left the theatre.

April 5 Declared Ralph Rubio Day in City of San Diego!

March 29, 2016Local WallyComment

SAN DIEGO, CA – In recognition of Rubio’s Restaurants, Inc. Co-Founder Ralph Rubio for his entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to the community and contributions to the food industry, a proclamation will be issued on Tuesday, April 5 declaring it “Ralph Rubio Day” in the City of San Diego.

A San Diego State University alumnus, Ralph brought his love of fish tacos to the United States after a college trip to Baja California, Mexico. 33 years after opening the first Rubio’s restaurant – a walk-up fish taco stand in Mission Bay – Rubio’s Coastal Grill has established a passionate fan base throughout the Southwestern United States and has largely been credited for starting the fish taco phenomenon in America. Cited by The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times as the country’s top fish taco expert, Rubio’s Coastal Grill has sold more than 200 million Original Fish Tacos®.

To celebrate the commemoration, and as a nod to the fist taco that started it all, Rubio’s Coastal Grill will offer its Original Fish Taco® for $1.75 all day on April 5 throughout San Diego county. Following the proclamation ceremony, a special reception will be held at the Point Loma Rubio’s location (3555 Rosecrans St.) where guests can enjoy giveaways, free fish taco coupons and a chance to meet Ralph. The reception will take place from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and is open to the public.

“San Diego has been my home for over 40 years, so it’s a great honor to receive this distinction from the city,” said Rubio. “It’s remarkable to think how far Rubio’s Coastal Grill has come from where we started as a small taco stand in Mission Bay. Our following of loyal fans in San Diego have been an important part of Rubio’s success, and I can’t thank our community enough for their support.”

Ralph’s passion for protecting the ocean and giving back to the San Diego community is demonstrated through Rubio’s Coastal Grill’s annual CoastFest event, one of the largest organized beach cleanups in San Diego. Partnerships with local organizations such as the California Coastal Commission, I Love A Clean San Diego and Surfrider Foundation also demonstrate Ralph’s commitment to supporting the San Diego community.

For more information about Ralph Rubio and Rubio’s Coastal Grill, visit Rubio’s website: www.rubios.com. Guests can also join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rubios and Twitter at www.twitter.com/rubiostweets.

About Rubio’s® Restaurants:

Rubio’s first opened in 1983, in the San Diego neighborhood of Mission Bay. Today, counting the ocean as a source of inspiration, Rubio’s uses sustainable seafood in nearly all of its seafood dishes, and continues to expand its menu with innovative recipes ranging from seafood tacos and burritos to California Bowls and crisp, fresh salads. In addition, Rubio’s offers grilled marinated chicken and steak, “no fried” pinto beans, handmade guacamole, a variety of proprietary salsas, and craft beer and sangria beverage options.

The award-winning restaurant regularly receives accolades for its famous Original Fish Taco®. It was also recently ranked as one of Fast Casual’s ‘Top 50 Movers and Shakers’ as well as one of its ‘Top Five Most Loved Fast Casual Chains’. Rubio’s participates in a variety of community partnership efforts throughout the year including its annual CoastFest celebration and beach cleanup. Rubio’s is headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., has over 4,000 employees and currently operates nearly 200 restaurants in California, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Nevada. For more information, visit http://rubios.com.