Events
“Laughs @ Mavericks!” Live Comedy Show
March 25. Mavericks Beach Club debuts a new comedy night, slated for every Thursday. Enjoy several standup acts this week, headlined by Craig Conant. The comedian has performed at legendary clubs in Los Angeles and shared the stage with Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook and David Spade. Guests can enjoy a complimentary Jack Daniels or Tequila Herradura cocktail (or nonalcoholic beverage); and purchase snacks such as the loaded poke tacos, burgers and wings. Reservations required. Shows start at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. 860 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.999.0348. maverickssd.com
Earth Hour Yoga at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
March 27. Practice your downward dog in celebration of the global Earth Hour initiative to conserve energy and fight climate change. The hotel has partnered with Sol Collective to offer 60-minute, socially distanced Baptiste Yoga power-flow sessions on its terrace. Attendees are also invited to the Moonlit Social at Float Rooftop afterward for food and drink specials; as well as a hosted Earth Hour-themed cocktail. Advance reservations required. 6:30-10 p.m. A suggested $10 donation at the door will benefit the Surfrider Foundation. 207 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.702.3000. hardrockhotelsd.com
Friendly Feast’s Chef-Driven Charity Bake Sale
March 28. Snag gourmet goodies by top local pastry chefs—from candied kumquat galettes to Mexican-chocolate tarts. Participants include Yara Lamers of Ironside Fish and Oyster, Kari Cota with L’Auberge Del Mar, Arely Chavez from Born and Raised, Melanie Stagnaro of Studio Provisions, Jose Alonzo III from Nine-Ten Restaurant, and private chef Rocio Siso Gurriaran. Proceeds benefit Friendly Feast and Monarch School, which helps students impacted by homelessness. Preorder online and pick up from Born and Raised. 10:30 a.m.-noon. $35 per box. 1909 India St., Little Italy. friendlyfeast.org
Food + Drink
National Paella Day at Cafe Sevilla
March 27. Celebrate the day at this flamenco-inspired Spanish eatery. Available exclusively on Saturday, Cafe Sevilla is serving authentic lobster-and-Ibérico-pork-belly paella. This unique dish comprises a cold-water lobster tail, Ibérico pork belly, sausage and chorizo—plus clams, calamari and mussels—served atop saffron-infused Bomba rice. (Priced at $55, it feeds two; upgrade to black-squid-ink-infused rice for $5 more.) Enjoy it with a side of empanadas, sangria and live music. Reservations recommended. 4-11 p.m. 353 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5979. cafesevilla.com
Baba’s Hot Chicken
Now Open. Born in Iraq and raised in Jordan (where he and his family were refugees), Baba’s founder Mahmoud Hemood has been passionate about fried chicken since his first taste of Popeye’s after moving to California. His casual eatery pays homage, using Middle Eastern spices and halal to craft its Nashville-style chicken sandwiches. The signature Baba’s Hot Sandwich (pictured) is a must-try—two crispy chicken tenders, pickles, slaw and house sauce on a brioche bun. (Or have the buns swapped for grilled cheeses!) Open daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 406 University Ave., Hillcrest, 619.310.5391. babashotchicken.com
Animae
Reopened. The Puffer Malarkey Collective’s glam wonderland is date-night gold. Step inside a luscious Japanese forest punctuated by rich jewel tones, grand curtains, and pops of art deco and post-punk futurism. (Stop by the bar and meet Big Chuck by Berlin artists Igor Posavec and Sven Sauer.) New executive chef Tara Monsod oversees the Asian-inspired menu of wagyu and coal-fired meats; elegant sea fare; rice and noodle dishes; and refined plates that spotlight seasonal, local ingredients. Reservations required. Tu-Su beginning at 5:30 p.m. 969 Pacific Hwy., downtown, 619.432.1225. animaesd.com
Jeune et Jolie
Reopened. Candlelight, olive trees, twinkling lights and soft music … Jeune et Jolie’s “Starry Night” experience is back and better than ever—complete with new enhancements such as built-in heaters, in-ground speakers and Italian clay tiling. Indulge in a five-course menu by executive chef Eric Bost that changes often; plus optional wine pairings. Recent dishes have included Saint Jacques—scallops, Brussels sprouts, smoked eel, Meyer lemon and buttered dashi; and aged duck with rhubarb, beets and black garlic. Prepaid reservations required ($115 per person). W-Su 5-10 p.m. 2659 State St., Carlsbad, 760.637.5266. jeune-jolie.com
Happy Hour at Underbelly Little Italy
Now Available. Little Italy’s top spot for ramen has launched a new happy hour menu of discounted treats. Try the ramen nachos—crispy noodle “chips” topped with pulled pork, green onions, pickled Fresno chiles, furikake seasoning and a soy glaze—for $6; and the UB Street Dog—a bacon-wrapped Kurobuta sausage, umami mustard, scallions and sauteed onions in a steamed bun—for $2.50. The drink menu features half-off slushies and San Diego beers. Open daily 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; happy hour M-F 3-5 p.m. 750 W. Fir St., Little Italy, 619.269.4626. godblessunderbelly.com
Arts + Culture
San Diego Symphony’s A Shimmer of Strings
March 26. San Diego Symphony presents a new, multifaceted virtual concert as part of its 2021 digital season. Join music director Rafael Payare as he conducts the orchestra in a livestream production of A Shimmer of Strings. The evening spotlights Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and one of his more popular symphonies, “Divertimento,” in B-flat Major; Antonín Dvořák, whose “Serenade for Strings” is among his revered bodies of work; and Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki (pictured), known for his “Adagio for Strings” from his Symphony No. 3. 7 p.m. $20 per household. sandiegosymphony.org
The San Diego Museum of Art
Reopened. Housing a collection of more than 20,000 works that date back to 3000 B.C., the museum has reopened with new exhibits. Our pick: Rembrandt and Printmaking in the Netherlands, on view through April 18. The showcase spotlights 17th-century painters and printmakers from the Dutch Republic—including approximately 20 etchings and engravings by Rembrandt. (Pictured: Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait, Etching at a Window, 1648.) See website for hours, safety protocols and pricing. (Free admission for San Diego frontline workers and first responders.) 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. sdmart.org
Photo credits: Animae by Dustin Bailey. Jeune et Jolie by Devin Castañeda. Underbelly by Shannon Patrick. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues featured.
