Events
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival
May 16-18. It’s hands down the biggest music festival to ever take over San Diego’s downtown waterfront. Wonderfront spans multiple venues—including Seaport Village, Ruocco Park and Embarcadero Marina Park North. (Water taxis and Old Town Trolleys will be standing by to take guests from one venue to the next). More than 80 bands and musicians will perform across myriad stages‚ with headliners including Foster the People, Peggy Gou, Jason Mraz, Gary Clark Jr., Khruangbin, Janelle Monáe (pictured), The Fray and 4 Non Blondes. See website for full schedule and tickets. Downtown waterfront. Details
Escondido Street Festival
May 18. Now in its 36th year, the family-friendly street fair in the heart of downtown Escondido features live local bands; international and artisanal food vendors, including barbecue, Mexican, Hawaiian, Italian, Thai, gourmet desserts, funnel cakes, hot sauce, jarred foods, coffee, cotton candy and ice cream; retail, craft and art vendors selling unique, handcrafted gifts, homewares, clothing, accessories and jewelry; a beer, wine and spirits garden; and more. See website for details. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free entry. Along Grand Avenue (between Escondido Boulevard and Juniper Street), Escondido. More Info
I Love Poke Festival at Bali Hai
Upcoming | May 20. Bali Hai Restaurant hosts the 14th annual I Love Poke Festival—a festive tasting event and spirited poke competition along the property’s scenic waterfront. Sample island-inspired fare by more than 20 of San Diego’s top chefs and restaurants, including poke competitors like Rolled Up SD, Kairoa Brewing Company, Herb & Wood, Matsu and Unreal Poke; and other Hawaiian fare by Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, Kaiju Pizza, Hodad’s, Lia’s Lumpia and more. 6-9 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 2230 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. More Info
Food + Drink
The Bar at The Beau
Opens May 16. The Beau Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter debuts its onsite restaurant and bar: The Bar at The Beau. Offering a full-day menu crafted by executive chef Robin James, the new outpost serves breakfast, midday bites, happy hour and dinner. The menu for the latter includes American comfort food dishes like duck potpie, whole roasted branzino and braised pork shank; while the cocktail list comprises nostalgic libations such as the 1886 Old Fashioned and the Beau Bloom (a delicate gin sour). See website for hours. 927 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.310.5896. More Info
San Diego Crawfish Boil
May 17. The LSU Alumni of San Diego presents the 36th annual San Diego Crawfish Boil at Waterfront Park. It’s the largest crawfish boil in the world, bring together around 4,000 people to enjoy 20,000 pounds of crawfish trucked in from Louisiana. Guests can enjoy live music all afternoon, including a special performance by the Grammy Award-winning, New Orleans-based Rebirth Brass Band (pictured); craft beer and libations; local food vendors like Crab Hut, Louisiana Purchase and Filippi’s Pizza Grotto; and bay views. See website for full schedule and tickets. 1600 Pacific Highway, downtown. More Info
6th & G Breakfast Co.
Now Open. Rise & Shine Hospitality Group debuts its newest eatery: 6th & G Breakfast Co. The casual outpost offers indoor/outdoor dining, classic brunch dishes with creative twists, specialty lattes, local craft brews and cocktails. Choose from an array of omelets and scrambles, Benedicts, pancakes, French toast, buttermilk “waffle pops,” and sides like jalapeño bacon. Specialties include Chipotle Chilaquiles, the Breakfast Sausage Sandwich, a grilled birria sandwich, and “The Bucket” (fried chicken with buttermilk waffles). Open daily 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 695 Sixth Ave., East Village, 619.349.4890. breakfast-co.com
Piedra Santa
Now Open. Little Italy welcomes an Argentinian-inspired steakhouse by restaurateur Alberto Morreale. With an ample outdoor patio and a warm, elegant ambiance, Piedra Santa centers on Argentine asado—premium dry-aged steaks grilled over an open flame—plus craft cocktails and Argentine wines. The menu includes starters like empanadas and beef carpaccio; a raw bar with Scallops Tiradito, tuna tartare and oysters; and mains from Kurobuta pork chops to lobster ravioli. But steak is the star; try the bone-in ribeye with house-made chimichurri. See website for hours. 555 W. Ash St., Little Italy. piedrasantasd.com
Treehouse
Now Open. Located at the Pacific Center life sciences campus, Treehouse is Sorrento Valley’s new 9,300-square-foot dining collective and gathering hub. With plenty of natural light and indoor/outdoor seating, the fast-casual eatery offers ahi tuna burgers, farm-fresh salads, bowls and more; plus a grab-and-go area for quick snacks. It also houses The Can Do coffee bar, which uses Cafe Moto beans; and also serves teas, house-made lemonade, pastries, and breakfast items such as the Brioche Egg Sando and avocado toast. M-F 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 9945 Pacific Heights Blvd., Suite 200, Sorrento Valley. treehousesm.com
Arts + Culture
Concetta Antico Exhibition Opening
Opens May 17. Tetrachromatic artist Concetta Antico (who has a rare ability to perceive more than 100 million colors) debuts the exhibition A Modern Muse with a VIP Opening Reception at The Salon of Art Gallery on Saturday. The collection comprises more than 25 works that meld together psychedelic color, futurism and flower power—all brought to life by the artist’s tetrachromatic color perception—inspired by her ‘60s and ‘70s childhood. 6-9 p.m. Admission is free but RSVP is required to attend (see website to register). 7655 Fay Ave., La Jolla Village. Details
Broadway San Diego: Hamilton
Through May 18. Presented by Broadway San Diego, Hamilton visits the Civic Theatre, through Sunday. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash musical follows the famous yet surprising story of West Indies immigrant Alexander Hamilton, who assisted George Washington during the Revolutionary War and became the nation’s first treasury secretary. A winner of 11 Tony Awards, Grammy and Olivier Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the production features an electric score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway music. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com
Photo credits: The Bar at The Beau by Ollie Paterson Photography. Treehouse by Ron Cadiz. “Hamilton” by Joan Marcus. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
