Phil Esteban @ Taco Takeover
WHEN: February 28, 5 p.m.-Close
WHERE: Galaxy Taco, 2259 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla Shores
Taco Tuesdays are old hat in San Diego. But at Galaxy in La Jolla Shores, they invite some of the better chefs from around the city—and the country, since Trey Foshee has some big-time chef friends—to do their thing. And on February 28, one of the city’s most talented young chefs, Phil Esteban, will be making tacos with Galaxy chef de cuisine Christine Rivera. Esteban is now the R&D chef for Consortium Holdings (Craft & Commerce, Ironside, etc.), and formerly the guy who made Cork & Craft a notable North County destination. After trying his food multiple times, I’d say he’s the name to watch in San Diego. And you can try it, with a taco, on a Tuesday.
COST: Cost of Tacos
Family Winemakers Tasting
WHEN: March 5
WHERE: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
Good restaurants have wine from all over—the big guys to the tiny, almost hidden vineyards. But most restaurants are dominated by the same small list of big, commercial wines. You’ll find a J Lohr. And a Mark West Pinot. That’s because smaller wineries don’t have the muscle, distribution, or clout to break into mainstream restaurants. Too bad, because oftentimes their juice is the best. The Family Winemakers is their voice—a traveling road show of mostly mom-and-pop wineries. It’s a chance to taste the indies. And this year they’ll have over 125 wineries serving over 500 wines, representing about 40 different varietals.
COST: $75-$95
Festa Della Donna
WHEN: March 12, 4-7 p.m.
WHERE: Cucina Enoteca, 2370 Via De La Valle, Del Mar
What a year to be a woman. There was a march. There was a shushing on the Senate floor. Decent time to show some support, and this event is how to do it. Restaurateur Tracy Borkum has gathered eight of the area’s top female chefs to pair with eight of the West Coast’s top female winemakers, brewers, and distillers to celebrate female empowerment. Portion of the proceeds go to Lawyers Club of San Diego Fund for Justice and the Center for Community Solutions. Each chef pairs with one beverage maker for the night, and there will be live music (Steph Johnson Band, Sounds of Our City Choir) and art from Sohani Holland. Chefs include: Kelli Crosson (A.R. Valentien), Amy DiBiase (Grand Restaurant Group), Gina Frieze (Venissimo Cheese), Jenny Goycochea (Tasting Room Del Mar), Giselle Wellman (Pacific Standard Coastal Kitchen), Karen Krasne (Extraordinary Desserts), Stefani De Palma (Addison), and Isabel Cruz (Barrio Star, Coffee Cup). Beverage makers are: Kerith Overstreet (Bruliam Wines), Megan Glaab (Ryme Cellars), Kathy Joseph (Fiddlehead Cellars), Pam Starr (Crocker & Starr), Susie Selby (Selby Winery), Kristina Werner (Arrowood Winery), Laura Ulrich (Stone Brewing), and Laura Johnson (You & Yours Distilling Co.).
COST: $68 plus tax
Cucina Enoteca | Photo courtesy of Urban Kitchen Group