As a resident UTC Westfield shopper, I know my way around the mall like the back of my hand, even through the significant renovations it has undergone over the last decade. Of course, nothing works up an appetite like a shopping spree, which is why I’m grateful for UTC’s growing number of dining options.
This isn’t your typical food court fare. UTC has embraced global cuisine, hidden speakeasy gems, and elevated establishments and transformed into a gastronomic haven, drawing in food enthusiasts as eagerly as it does folks on the hunt for a new pair of shoes.
So the next time you need a break from browsing shelves—or are seeking a dining destination in its own right—try one of these 14 food and drink spots at Westfield UTC.
Courtesy of Lucrezia
Lucrezia
When it comes to Italian cuisine, I’m a discerning critic, but Lucrezia managed to surpass all of my expectations. Among the freshest additions to UTC’s culinary scene, this coastal Italian spot captivates with an ambiance that transports you to the Mediterranean, and servers, while attentive, allow guests to savor their meal without feeling rushed. The memory of the exquisite cacio e pepe and grilled baby lamb chops lingers, and I eagerly anticipate my return to explore their pizza offerings.
Courtesy of Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung
I frequently daydream about the xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung, and the constant line and the scarcity of available reservations on OpenTable serve as a testament to the fact that I’m not alone in my admiration for this UTC gem. If you’re lucky enough to snag a table, try the vegetable and pork dumplings, chicken spicy wontons, and tantalizing noodles with spicy sauce. Your taste buds will thank you later.
Courtesy of Javier’s
Javier’s
Javier’s Cantina reigns supreme among dining experiences that effortlessly convey you away from the bustling mall environment. The decor inside Javier’s will make you feel like you’re entering a high-end eatery in Cabo. This is one of my go-to picks for a date night, birthday dinner, or special event, thanks to the restaurant’s perfectly shaken margaritas and steamy empanadas. Tyr their fresh seafood dishes like aguachile del rey made with callo de hacha, camaron and pulpo or signature plates like the chile negro made with braised angus short ribes in chile negro sauce.
Courtesy of Ramen Nagi USA
Ramen Nagi
If you go to Ramen Nagi, be prepared to do some waiting. While standing in the serpentine line that winds its way through an exterior courtyard, though, you’ll receive a customizable ramen order sheet to tailor your bowl precisely to your preferences—right down to the desired quantity of oil, garlic, and spice. If you’re in the mood for a more traditional soup, the Original King is an excellent choice. Seeking a spicier adventure? The Red King beckons. Beyond the realm of ramen, make room for the crispy karaage chicken.
Courtesy of Haidilao Hot Pot
Haidilao Hot Pot
At this hot-pot hot spot, you’ll choose up to four broths in which to cook an array of meats, seafood, and veggies, including harder-to-find proteins like tripe, sea cucumber, and duck tongue. Spring for access to the sauce and seasoning buffet to kick all your selects up a notch. Futuristic robots traversing Haidilao‘s add a quirky and entertaining dimension to your dining adventure.
Courtesy of Queenstown Bistro
Queenstown Bistro
This restaurant’s menu may be New Zealand–inspired, but the décor of its outdoor bar and bistro embraces the laidback SoCal spirit. Queenstown Bistro sits in the heart of UTC Mall, offering an indulgent baked brie, a delightful soup and sammie combo, and the Hogs & Heifers burger (a grass-fed beef patty with bacon, edam cheese, and tomato chutney), plus an ever-evolving selection of wines, beers, and cocktails.
Courtesy of Raised by Wolves
Raised by Wolves
When you cross the threshold of the hidden-in-plain-sight speakeasy Raised by Wolves, you’re ushered into a chair flanking a fireplace that pivots to bring you into the inner sanctum of the bar. While the initial journey can feel like the entrance into an amusement park ride, the energy inside more closely resembles a Victorian gentleman’s club. My drink of choice here is the Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, a blend of blanco tequila and Aperol with strawberry, habanero, and lime.
One Silverlake dish is that has left an indelible mark on my taste buds is the garlic truffle ramen, a flavor bomb featuring a creamy pork and veggie broth blend with thick noodles, kale, mushrooms, and the soup’s titular garlic and truffle oil (that said, it’s not a great date night choice). In addition to its delectable ramen offerings, Silverlake Ramen offers savory rice bowls and chicken, pork, and Impossible meat bao buns.
Courtesy of Pacific Catch
Pacific Catch
Inside Pacific Catch’s breezy, wood-paneled UTC space awaits a diverse spread of sustainably sourced seafood. Fish is rolled, raw, into sushi; fried and tucked into tacos or beside fries; and served grilled in bowls or next to sides like kimchi fried rice, blistered shishito peppers, and broccoli brushed with miso butter. I’m partial to the crispy Baja shrimp taco with avocado-tomatillo salsa.
Courtesy of Board & Brew
Board & Brew
Few sandwich places in San Diego compare to Board & Brew. I used to trek to their original location in Del Mar to get my hands on the coveted Turkado (turkey breast, jack cheese, and avo on sourdough) with the shop’s cult-favorite secret sauce. Over the last few years, the chain has expanded across San Diego, OC, and Tempe, adding a location in UTC. If sandwiches aren’t your jam, Board & Brew also offers a winning cobb salad and a grilled Baja chicken wrap loaded with spicy jalapeños.
Courtesy of Tocaya Modern Mexican
Tocaya Modern Mexican
After a Mexican-food feast, I typically find myself wishing for more forgiving pants, but Tocaya presents a refreshingly light twist on Mexican cuisine. They have a robust lineup of vegan offerings, and you can customize protein options (including plant-based meats) for nearly every dish. I can’t get enough of the plantain chips and guac, and the Fajita del Rey bowl—featuring sautéed peppers and onions, rice and beans, and dairy-free chipotle crema—is my go-to order.
Courtesy of Wushiland Boba
Wushiland Boba
This tea spot is a great place to meet up with a friend before hitting the shops—but don’t come hungry. Wushiland is all about the drinks. They offer refreshing sips like grapefruit green tea and the floral Four Seasons tea, as well as creamier picks such as a red bean black tea latte. I like a classic milk tea with a scoop of ice cream inside, like a richer version of a float.
Courtesy of True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen
Nationwide chain True Food is the kind of spot that manages to strike that ideal balance between scrumptious fare and a lighter, more health-conscious approach. Though their seasonally rotating menu makes brilliant use of less-common ingredients like sea moss and sweety drop peppers, my favorites are deceptively simple: the Tuscan kale salad shines with lots of lemon and garlic (add salmon to make it a meal), and their nostalgia-inducing flavored lemonades remind me of carefree childhood days.
Molly Delmore is a freelance writer and content creator from San Diego. When she’s not checking out San Diego’s newest restaurants, bars, and shops, she’s planning her next trip to the mountains to snowboard or a new country to explore. Her work has been featured in San Diego Magazine, Mashed, and Tasting Table.
If you’ve ever squeezed yourself into a pair of black skinny jeans with a studded belt, sported a track jacket under a band t-shirt, or swept your Manic Panic-hued hair so far to the side that your part got caught in your cartilage earring, I have good news: Ocean Beach will get a shot of emo and pop-punk nostalgia when Drink 182 opens this July.
The pop-punk bar and pizza spot comes with bonafide scene points. Co-founder Jay Nightride runs the music production studio Nightride Visuals, has worked with artists like Steve Aoki, Lil Jon, and Fall Out Boy, and also plays in Death Cab for Karaoke, a live karaoke band that performs every month at Soda Bar (among other venues). His partner Tony Jaw is easier to spot—he’s the guy with the sky-high mohawk manning the karaoke booth at Redwing Bar & Grill who’s been in the local bar and hospitality business for over a decade.
Nightride says he’s had the idea for an emo enclave for years, but it wasn’t until after Covid that he partnered with Jaw and got the funding to move forward. “What I was looking to build was a place that I would want to be, where would I want to go to remember these nostalgic songs,” he says.
Pending permits and final inspections, Drink 182 is slated to open the second half of July. The vibe will be dive bar meets emo night, with memorabilia from different bands who have supported the project splashed across the walls, plus a few arcade games, TVs, and (I assume) a decent sound system. The hours are still undetermined, but Nightride says they tentatively plan to be open until 2 a.m. on weekends and Wednesdays for the OB Farmers Market. In the mornings, they’ll serve fresh pastries and coffee from the similarly music-aligned James Coffee Company (whose co-owner David Kennedy is a member of Angels & Airwaves with blink-182’s Tom DeLonge).
But it’ll be the pizza that really stands out—or at least, they hope. “We’re doing New England beach pizza… a really niche pizza that not a lot of people would know about, unless you’re from North Shore, Massachusetts,” says Nightride, a former Bostonian. “It’s a thin crust, very sweet sauce, very simple, fast, go-to-the-beach kind of thing.”
“Beach pizza” is characterized by its rectangular shape, very thin crust, sweet tomato sauce, and slices of Provolone cheese with minimal toppings. Drink 182’s version will feature homemade dough and sauce, as well as freshly sliced Boar’s Head Provolone. And yes, they are aware there are already a lot of pizza options in the area. It won’t be the same, Nightride promises.
“Everybody’s first reaction when they hear ‘pizza’ is like, ‘Oh great, another pizza place in OB,’” he laughs. “But we’re trying to do something different, just enough to differentiate it and give people another option.” If you’re not keen on the style, try one of their “drunkables,” another nostalgic riff they hope the pop-punk and emo crowd will appreciate. And if you still need a reason to give Drink 182 a try, I have more good news—you don’t actually have to break out your old skinny jeans. (In fact, please don’t.)
Drink 182 opens July 2026 at 5049 Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach.
Courtesy of Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Beth’s Bites
If the steak hype wasn’t hot enough already, The Heritage Steakhouse in Santee just announced Meredith Manée will serve as executive chef of the New York-style steakhouse when it opens in August. Her star-studded kitchen resume spans over 25 years, with stints at the Hotel del Coronado, the Four Seasons, and The Ritz-Carlton Maui, so I think it’s safe to assume we’ll be in good hands.
Rather than waste away in Margaritaville, you have the chance to support the San Diego Music Foundation at the annual Jimmy Buffett-inspired Day of Service at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. On September 4 starting at 5 p.m., the rooftop bar will be rocking with live music and plenty of flowing cocktails, plus a silent auction and other activations to raise money for the local music education organization. I’ll drink to that.
The early bird gets the worm and you can get the early ticket to Celebrate the Craft, the annual culinary festival that takes place at The Lodge at Torrey Pines on October 18. If you snag your ticket before the end of June, you can save $50 (which is nothing to sneeze at), plus you’ll be helping support the San Diego Food Bank.
Mani e Grani, the pizza spot from the same people behind Ciccia Osteria, seems to be inching ever closer to opening its doors in Barrio Logan. I know I’m not the only one anxiously awaiting sinking my teeth into some wood-fired, chewy but crispy, hot-from-the-oven, authentic Italian pizza.
Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
The NFL 2024 season kick-off is here and with it brings Sunday festivities, heartbreaking upsets, and the sullen reminder that the Chargers are no longer in San Diego. With a gridiron-shaped hole in our hearts, the NFL season is an opportunity to don your other hometown’s team jersey, apply face paint, and follow your top fantasy league draft picks each week at a nearby watering hole. Send your grievances to the Spanos family and rejoice with these local sports bars catering to your favorite NFL team, even if it isn’t the Los Angeles Chargers. (Before you @ us, not all teams are listed. We had to go check on our fantasy drafts.)
Taste and Thirst is a New Yorkers home away from home when it comes to football. This Jets’ fan homebase is always packed during game days—and win or lose—the bar serves happy hour from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., which is a win-win in our opinion.
Bring those red, whites, and blues out. The Local PB shows up for Bills games in a big way. Arrive early on game days, though, the line to get upstairs fills up quickly. But with TVs indoors, outdoors and a spacious pet-friendly patio, there are plenty of ways to cheer on your favorite team.
Originally a 1920’s era bike shop that was transformed into a bar 60 years ago, Saddle Bar is the quintessential San Francisco bar in town. Wear your Rice or Montana jersey and stick around for live music from local rock bands and DJs weekly.
A block away from the beach on Bacon street, Arizona Café is the local spot for Cardinal fans to catch the game. With a kitchen that’s open till 1 a.m daily., it’s the ideal spot for your post game discussion, late-night fantasy football trades, and an opportunity to win back your failed parlay bet during pool.
Catch the reigning 2022 Super Bowl champs at Kansas City BBQ take on the Detroit lions at this legendary outpost Downtown. Gather with local Chiefs fans to relish in historic San Diego memorabilia, recount your favorite Top Gun lines and watch Patrick Mahomes score six while enjoying their daily happy hour from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Immerse yourself in Philadelphia sports at this tucked-away gem in North Park ideal for America’s most passionate sports city. Like the name implies, Pretzels and Pints has an excellent selection of hot pretzels baked daily paired with local craft beer and even an irresistible beer cheese to fumble over as Jalen Hurts scrambles for another touchdown.
Watch Sunday night football with the remnants and hold-outs from the Chargers fan base at Park 101 in Carlsbad. With large outdoor LED screens, a spacious outdoor patio, a rooftop deck complete with a bar, this BBQ joint is the perfect space for parents, dogs, and kids to enjoy a bolts game.
Come see if the New England Patriots can earn themselves another Super Bowl ring this year at The Sandbox in Ocean Beach. Wear your Patriots jersey, paint your face red and blue, or don your signature Bill Belichick hoodie to this island-themed bar. Order one of their specialty pizzas like their meat lover’s Hungry Surfer and enjoy a game of skeeball or pool while you count down to kick off in Foxborough.
Despite a disappointing 2022 season following their 2021 Super Bowl win, Ram’s fans can rejoice at this three-story hotspot on the beach. On game day, members of the “ramily” can gather at Ocean Beach Brewery featuring a rooftop bar with oceanfront views, plenty of activities to after a quarter, and even their own microbrewery offering up craft beer brewed daily.
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
Nobody knows the booze scene like the bartenders who are in the trenches, mixing and pouring and chopping it up with their regulars night after night. These sophists of spirits can tell you the secrets of life—or at least where to go for an absolutely life-affirming drink. So we decided to play a game of boozy bartender telephone, asking these experts to tip their hats toward their favorite cocktails around town.
Photo Credit: Lucianna McIntosh
Smoke and Mirrors at Mister A’s
Mateo Hoke’s Pick
We begin with the Smoke and Mirrors at Mister A’s. “[We balance] mezcal and rye whiskey … with vermouth and dry curaçao,” says bar lead Alvin Pugeda. “We add a few dashes of Havana and Hide bitters, which lends a tobacco finish. The cocktail is finished with smoked hoja santa, imparting an anisette and pepper aroma.”
Courtesy of Lion’s Share
Cheeto Fingers at The Lion’s Share
Alvin Pugeda’s Pick
Pugeda says the Cheeto Fingers—a violently orange blend of tamarind mezcal, Fresno chile, cucumber, lime, and agave—at The Lion’s Share in downtown offers “a great balance between spicy, funky, juicy, and savory flavors.”The sip gets its cheddar hue from the fermented Fresno juice. “My coworker said it looked like Cheeto water,” adds bartender Cassandra Feather. “That sounded so gross I changed it to Cheeto Fingers—the signature acid-orange finger pads you get from mowing through a bag.”
Photo Credit: Mateo Hoke
Lazy Suzan at Happy Medium
Cassandra Feather’s Pick
Feather recently popped by North Park newcomer Happy Medium, where she fell in love with the Lazy Suzan. “It’s a bright, imaginative, and interesting rum cocktail,” she says. “It has [melon] and celery bitters. I found myself craving another after I’d gone.” The sip gets its name from Suze, a unique, bittersweet French aperitif.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos
Gimlet at Mabel’s Gone Fishing
Christian Siglin’s Pick
Happy Medium owner Christian Siglin doesn’t have to travel far for his favorite drink. He traverses a few North Park streets to get to Mabel’s Gone Fishing, where he orders a gin-and-sherry gimlet, finished with makrut, cardamom, and lime. “[It’s] an interesting take on an old classic: slightly salty with plenty of acid to keep me coming back,” Siglin says. “It pairs great with their oysters, as well.”
Photo Credit: Mateo Hoke
Esquire Martini at Turf Supper Club
Anna Canrinus’ Pick
Embracing all things retro is an unwritten requirement at this red-lit, 1950s-era Golden Hill haunt for DIY steaks. It’s no surprise Mabel’s Gone Fishing bar lead Anna Canrinus sticks to a beloved standby here. “They shake the martini, so tiny ice chips form on the surface and it’s very pleasant,” she says. “I like to grill up a ribeye when I’m at Turf Club, and the bleu cheese olives pair beautifully.”
Photo Credit: Megan Burgess
Pomona at Botanica
Jesse Ross’ Pick
For a night out in North Park, Turf Club bartender Jesse Ross recs Botanica’s Pomona, “a memorable cachaca, sherry, guava, Cinnamon Toast Crunch situation that’s punchy and somehow delicate at the same time—a total party in your mouth,” he says. “Marina Ferreira’s drinks are all bangers, and all the menu cocktails are accompanied by pretty pictures, which I love. Pro tip: Get the tempura olives.”
Photo Credit: James Tran
Dirty Ishigami at Realm Of The 52 Remedies
Marina Ferreira’s Pick
Ferreira, Botanica’s general manager and a self-professed “huge dirty martini fan,” appreciates Convoy speakeasy Realm of the 52 Remedies’ twist on an old standby: negi-infused gin, cocchi Americano, sansho oil, and housemade Japanese brine, with a teensy serving of pickled green onion. “It just hits it on the head of being interesting, yet familiar, eye-opening, and still comforting,” she says. “The balance between salinity and softness is incredible. Not to mention there’s a snack on the side.”
Photo Credit: Mandie Geller
Hugo Spritz at Marisi
Jonny Nguyen’s Pick
Diners often sing the praises of the housemade limoncello at La Jolla Italian joint Marisi, but Realm bartender Jonny Nguyen opts for the sparkling wine–based Hugo Spritz. “It’s a simple yet elegant cocktail that gets a touch of bright herbal flavors from basil and stone fruit from elderflower,” he says. “That liquid gets fully carbonated to order, making every sip as crispy as the last.”
Photo Credit: Elodie Boss
Old Fashioned at Jeune Et Jolie
Derek Cram’s Pick
“Andrew Cordero—the beverage director at Jeune et Jolie and Campfire—is one of the best recipe guys in San Diego,” says Marisi’s director of bar logistics, Derek Cram. “His old fashioned adds plenty of intrigue with a bourbon and cognac split-liquor base, cacao, and hazelnut, all while exercising restraint and keeping it within the comforting confines of an old fashioned template.”
Photo Credit: Shannon Patrick
Polynesian Forty Niner at False Idol
Andrew “Coco” Cordero’s Pick
From their cave-like perch in the back of Little Italy’s Craft & Commerce, False Idol’s bartenders mix orange-and chai-infused bourbon with pear brandy, lemon, orange, and gardenia to produce the orchid-adorned Polynesian Forty Niner. “It’s tropical and juicy with a hint of chai spice,” Cordero says. “It’s almost like a buttery Good Humor Creamsicle Bar.”
Amelia Rodriguez is a writer and journalist and winner of the San Diego Press Club's 2023 Rising Star Award and 2024 Best of Show Award, she’s also covered music, food, arts and culture, fashion, and design for Rolling Stone, Palm Springs Life, and other national and regional publications. After work, you can find her hunting down San Diego’s best pastries and maintaining her five-year Duolingo streak.
Finding a gift that feels truly personal can be surprisingly difficult. In a sea of generic options — flowers, gift cards, candles, and the like — Xplosion Box offers something more lasting: a customized keepsake built around the photos, messages, and memories that matter most.
Founded by Southern California entrepreneur Jay Vijay, Xplosion Box LLC creates fully customized explosion gift boxes that arrive professionally designed, printed, assembled, and ready to gift. Each box opens layer by layer to reveal personal photos, heartfelt messages, pull-out albums, origami-style photo pockets, and hidden notes, turning a simple gift into an emotional reveal.
The brand was built for people who want to give something meaningful without spending hours printing photos, cutting paper, folding cardstock, or assembling a DIY project. Customers simply choose a box, upload their favorite photos, add personal messages, and the Xplosion Box team transforms those details into a polished keepsake that feels thoughtful, personal, and beautifully made.
Xplosion Box offers personalized gift boxes for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, proposals, bridesmaid gifts, long-distance relationships, and thoughtful “just because” moments.
Customers can choose from flexible customization options starting at $27. The Mini Surprise Box includes 10 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note, while the Mega Surprise Box offers a fuller keepsake experience with 40 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note.
What sets Xplosion Box apart is its high level of customization combined with convenience. Filled with personal photos, custom text, decorative details, and layered surprises, each box gives customers the freedom to create a gift that feels one-of-a-kind — without having to make it themselves.
At its core, Xplosion Box helps people turn favorite photos, stories, and words into something tangible: a keepsake that can be opened, revisited, and remembered long after the occasion has passed.
Pick your poison. Everybody has their favorite liquor, and San Diego is home to a vibrant and diverse bar scene, with many outposts specializing in a single type of booze. From record-setting collections of fine whiskeys to in-house distilled liquors and the wine cellars of your wildest dreams, join us on a tour through San Diego’s top establishments tailored to the most popular spirits.
Courtesy of The Whiskey House
Whiskey Bar in San Diego
The Whiskey House
For scotch enthusiasts and whiskey connoisseurs, The Whiskey House stands out as San Diego’s number-one destination. The bar, located in the Gaslamp Quarter, boasts the record for the world’s largest collection of purchasable whiskey, sourcing over 2,467 unique varieties from around the globe. You can sample a range with a whiskey tasting flight, which includes brands from San Diego, Kentucky, Ireland, and Japan. Join their Whiskey Club for monthly tastings and discussions with visiting distillers. | 420 Third Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Notable Mentions: Seven Grand, Aero Club
Courtesy of Mabel’s Gone Fishing
Gin Bar in San Diego
Mabel’s Gone Fishing
Cozy, Spanish-inspired seafood restaurant Mabel’s Gone Fishing lures locals for more than freshly shucked oysters and jamon iberico—they also have one of the best G&Ts in San Diego. Mabel’s and accompanying bottle shop, Bodega Rosette, offer an extensive collection of gin and a rotating gin and tonic of the month. For $75 per quarter, you can also join their gin club, which gets you curated deliveries of gins, tonics, and mixers, plus access to their exclusive release parties. | 3770 30th Street, North Park
Notable Mentions: You & Yours Distilling Co., Botanica Art & Cocktail Bar
Courtesy of 619 Spirits
Vodka Bar in San Diego
619 Spirits
The rare San Diego bar producing its own vodka, 619 Spirits was one of the city’s first craft distillery and tasting rooms to hit the scene in 2012 before expanding into a full-fledged bar and restaurant. Located in North Park, this under-the-radar watering hole offers unexpected farm-fresh vodka infusions, including pickle, coffee, rose petal, and scorpion pepper. You can order shots, pick up a whole bottle, or opt for a mixed drink (though, if you’re seeking complex craft cocktails, be aware that it’s all about the vodka here—libations are simple and spirit-forward). | 3015 Lincoln Avenue, North Park
Established in 1996, El Agave is home to the largest selection of tequilas in the US, with over 2,000 unique brands of tequila and mezcal (they call it their “tequila museum”), including their own award-winning spirit, Agave Artesanal. Attend one of their various tequila-tasting events on their lively outdoor patio overlooking Old Town. Or, if you really feel like treating yourself, opt for a shot of rare 1800 Colección for just over $185. | 2304 San Diego Avenue B, Old Town
Notable Mentions: Cantina Mayahuel, Tahona Bar, La Puerta, Quixote
Courtesy of Tanuki Sake Bar
Sake Bar in San Diego
Tanuki Sake Bar
One of San Diego’s only sake bars, Tanuki (the Japanese name for cute canids called raccoon dogs), is a must-visit for patrons seeking tough-to-find brands of Japanese rice wine. Located in Kensington, Tanuki offers over 100 junmai daiginjo, nigori, ginjo, and sparkling sake flavors from Dassai, Shinsei, and other major exporters. Keep an eye out for their omakase events, ticketed multi-course dinners thoughtfully paired with sakes. | 4191 Adams Ave, Kensington
Notable Mentions: Beshock Ramen, Cloak and Petal
Courtesy of The Rose Wine Bar
Wine Bar in San Diego
The Rose Wine Bar
Housed in the renovated 1927 Rose Grocer building, the Rose Wine Bar bar is a laid-back locale ideal for enjoying some of the city’s best natural wines. Relax with a glass of white and a charcuterie board on their dog-friendly patio or pop by the accompanying bottle shop for the finishing touch on a home-cooked Italian dinner. Membership in the bar’s wine club includes up to four bottles of wine of your preferred type per month and discounts on bottle shop purchases and tastings. | 2219 30th Street, South Park
Perched in the Gaslamp Quarter, Havana 1920 is inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s time in Cuba (it’s where he wrote The Old Man and the Sea). You can party like the famous author and daiquiri downer with one of our city’s most robust rum collections, from traditional agricole rhum to imported bottles from Barbados, Jamaica, Bermuda, Guyana, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico. | 548 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
Notable Mentions: False Idol, Raised by Wolves
Courtesy of Womwood
Absinthe Bar in San Diego
Wormwood
From the shores of the French Riviera to the mountains of Switzerland, bar-goers can sip their way through a world tour of absinthe and pastis at Wormwood in Normal Heights. The dreamy French bistro serves the “green fairy” over a sugar cube, as many famous writers and artists enjoyed it, but they also mix the anise-flavored spirit into balanced cocktails like the A La 30th, a blend of absinthe, rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters. | 4677 30th St, University Heights
Notable Mentions: Noble Experiment, The Lion’s Share
Courtesy of Realm of the 52 Remedies
Japanese Whisky Bar in San Diego
Realm of the 52 Remedies
For a taste of single-malt goodness, visit Realm of the 52 Remedies, an apothecary-themed Convoy speakeasy packed with traditional Japanese artwork and more than 20 whiskys from the Land of the Rising Sun. Order your favorite straight, or try a cocktail inspired by Japanese treats and even pop culture like anime and manga. Plan your visit in advance, as reservations for this underground spot are extremely limited and only available two or more weeks in advance. | 4805 Convoy St, Kearny Mesa
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
Two of the top bar people in the country are taking over a North Park institution. And they have a pretty innovative idea for it: Do nothing.
No neon birdcages. No wallpaper that looks like an O’Keeffe mating with a Dalí. Instead, they’re keeping a local institution largely as it’s been, preserving the emotions of a room with favorite seats and preferred corner stools—only with world-class drinks at Tuesday prices.
A five-star dive bar.
The institution is Gilly’s Cocktails. The barmen: San Diego native Erick Castro, who co-founded cocktail temple Polite Provisions (he’s since sold his share in it) and who remains co-owner of Raised By Wolves (SDM’s “Best Cocktails” 2022). His partner is Jacob Mentel, who studied with national bar-brain Sam Ross at Youngblood and ran Polite for a bit.
“I’ve been wanting to do this concept for years, but I had to find the right space,” Castro says. Paul Ahern of Next Wave Commercial helped Castro find the place and broker the deal.
“I’ve seen places like this in Europe and around the US,” Castro continues. “An honest neighborhood place where you can walk in and play some pool and darts and watch the game, and then you’re like, ‘Holy shit, that’s a great old fashioned… with clear ice… What the—!’”
So aside from a minor name change—to Gilly’s House of Cocktails—that’s the one major update under Castro and Mentel. A hell of a cocktail program. An obsessive’s collection of spirits. Ice that’s clear as rain. Chefy garnishes that aren’t dumb. In skipping the billion-dollar redesign and just cleaning up a comfortable place, they can pass those cost savings onto the patrons.
“It’s going to be a local neighborhood bar that does incredible cocktails that aren’t $20,” he says. “Where you can get a great old fashioned for $10 … so you can afford to go there two or three days a week.”
Gilly’s, located right across the street from the new Lafayette Hotel and down the street from Live Wire, has been a bar since 1968. Originally called Gil’s, it changed names a couple times, but, since 2006, it has been named Gilly’s Cocktails after owner Martin Gill. Gill is retiring, and was picky about who he sold the place to—it had to be someone who would keep it a neighborhood place.
“I don’t see Jacob and I as owners,” Castro says. “We’re stewards of an institution. We wanna honor North Park and the neighborhood. No reason to try to do something fancier. I already own one of those [with Raised by Wolves]—I don’t want to own two. The neighborhood also needs an everyday place.”
Castro and Mentel take the reins on Nov. 15. They’ll shut down for just a couple days to do some maintenance, housekeeping, and cleaning. They’ll keep it open through the holidays, then probably close in January for a small stretch to paint, put in a pinball machine, make some un-drastic improvements.
Troy Johnson is the magazine’s award-winning food writer and humorist, and a long-standing expert on Food Network. His work has been featured on NatGeo, Travel Channel, NPR, and in Food Matters, a textbook of the best American food writing.
Chemotherapy and radiation have long been considered gold standards of cancer treatment, but they can cause severe side effects. A promising new approach called theranostics—a combination of “therapeutics” and “diagnostics”—could offer patients with certain types of metastatic cancers new hope. It’s a two-step process that uses a drug that binds to specific receptors on cancer cells. Advanced imaging detects this radioisotope, allowing doctors to then use a second radioisotope that binds to the cancer cells and destroys them. Click here to learn more about how specialists at Scripps Cancer Center are using theranostics.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
