You & Yours Pairing Dinner
When: April 11
Where: Kettner Exchange, 2001 Kettner Blvd, Little Italy
The craft spirits movement continues to emerge in San Diego, and, much like craft beer, it’s largely male-dominated. That’s why, aside from good quality, You & Yours is a breath of fresh air, owned by two local women. On this night they’ll do a five-course pairing dinner with one of the better chefs in town, Brian Redzikowski, at Kettner Exchange’s chef’s table, which is perched over Kettner Blvd. It’s all gin cocktails in different forms. A gin-grapefruit-lime-Champagne will be paired with seared king salmon, grapefruit, and soy-yuu. A gin-rhum Agricole-lime-mint will be paired with Kobe beef, chickpeas, and papaya-mint salad. And on and on.
Cost: $125
Gluten-Free Pairing Dinner
When: April 18, 6 p.m.
Where: Indigo Grill, 1536 India Street, Little Italy
Chef Deborah Scott has been one of the city’s top chefs for decades now, and Indigo Grill was her concept that started it all. For this four-course, gluten-free dinner they’ve paired with Duck Foot Brewing, a local craft beer outfit whose beers are treated with an enzyme that removes nearly all of the gluten. A shrimp and bay scallop ceviche in coconut milk and citrus vinaigrette will go with The Coconut Contender IPA. Shaved pear and apple salad meets Drink This Or the Bees Die Honey Ale (a portion of whose proceeds to go The Planet Bee Foundation). Chicken and red tomatillo sopes are paired with the Rojoe Red Ale, and hickory smoked pork ribs with an espresso glaze gets an oatmeal stout.
Cost: $60
San Diego Magazine’s Best of North County Party
When: April 29, 4 p.m.-7
Where: Park Hyatt Aviara, 7100 Aviara Resort Dr., Carlsbad
Yes, shameless self-promotion of the mother ship. But I genuinely like our mother ship. And even before I worked for the magazine, I snuck into their parties because they’re usually pretty fantastic. For this one, it’s a celebration of the best food and drink in north county, which has finally emerged as a place to find good food and drink. Twenty-five restaurants will be there serving bites, including Addison, Mendocino Farms, Miller’s Table, NaPizza, Pisco Rotisserie, Prepkitchen, Vivace, and the Wooden Spoon. The liquid side brings nearly 20 makers, including Bagby Beer, Bitter Brothers, Cutwater Spirits, Fallbrook Winery, Mike Hess, and Viewpoint. There’ll also be live music, lounges, lawn games, boutique pop-ups, you name it. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.
Cost: $85
April 29: San Diego Magazine‘s Best of North County Party