Events
Lemon Festival in Chula Vista
Aug. 14. When life hands you lemons, make a festival out of them! Chula Vista’s Third Avenue Village Association, in collaboration with Arts in the Park, hosts the 24th annual Lemon Festival. Visit fun booths by local businesses along the avenue’s sidewalk—offering lemon-themed treats, beverages and specials; plus family-friendly activities, a costume parade, an art walk, a “sour contest,” live music and more. (A fun fact: Chula Vista is the world’s lemon capital.) Bring your “main squeeze” and wear yellow! 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free entry. Along Third Avenue, downtown Chula Vista. thirdavenuevillage.com
Little Italy Summer Film Festival
Aug. 14. Grab a blanket and head to the Amici Park Amphitheater for movie night under the stars. The film festival—presented by the Little Italy Association and Cinema Little Italy—showcases a new Italian film (with subtitles) every Saturday through Sept. 18. Screening this weekend: Pranzo di Ferragosto, a comedy-drama set in Rome in the middle of August. We meet Gianni, who finds himself hanging out (and keeping up) with four elderly women, while the rest of the city goes on holiday. 8 p.m. $10. W. Date and State streets, Little Italy. littleitalysd.com
Uncorked: Del Mar Wine Fest
Aug. 14. The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club continues its summer season with this annual outdoor festival for wine lovers. More than 100 wines from across the globe will be uncorked for an afternoon of sampling; along with gourmet food vendors and live music. Tickets include a selection of wine tastings, entry to Del Mar Racetrack, parking and dedicated seating in the grandstands. 1-5 p.m. VIP tickets are $85; admission at 1 p.m. (plus special pours from select wineries). General tickets are $75; admission at 2 p.m. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. dmtc.com
Food + Drink
Adelaide at L’Auberge Del Mar
Now Open. Luxe seaside resort L’Auberge Del Mar has undergone a $10.5 million renovation that includes a remodeled lobby, a new pool and pool bar, upgraded guest rooms, and a new dining experience: Adelaide. Overlooking the pool and ocean, the indoor/outdoor restaurant is the embodiment of casual-chic coastal dining. Executive chef Nick Green oversees a locally sourced menu of seafood and California cuisine—e.g., scallops and sweet-corn risotto. Come for dinner at sunset and weekend brunch featuring live music. Open daily beginning at 7 a.m. 1540 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, 858.793.6467. laubergedelmar.com
Fig Tree Cafe East Village
Now Open. With locations in Pacific Beach and Liberty Station, Rise & Shine Hospitality Group opens its third Fig Tree Cafe outpost in East Village. Featuring a fun urban-surfing decor inside and an expansive patio outside, the eatery is known for its decadent brunch dishes and libations. Try the Benedict with braised Angus beef short ribs; the Bananas Foster French Toast; and the famous Breakfast Sushi: thick-cut bacon rolls baked with brown sugar and paprika. Chase it all with the Sparkling Strawberry Screwdriver. Open daily 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 695 Sixth Ave., East Village, 619.349.4890. figtreeeatery.com
La Puerta Mission Hills
Now Open. Gaslamp staple La Puerta has opened its second location in Mission Hills. The cantina is known for its Sinaloa-style dishes and 100% pure agave tequila selections from both big-name brands and small-batch distillers. The 4,000-square-foot space (formerly The Patio on Goldfinch) boasts ample patio dining, faux crocodile-skin booths, living plant walls, an adobe-style fireplace, and nostalgic, music-inspired artwork by Marc Sandoval. Menu highlights: the famous T.J. Dawg & Fries, Carnitas & Pancakes, and one-pound burritos. Th-Su 3-11 p.m. 4020 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills, 619.876.5200. lapuertasd.com
New Cocktail Menu at TRUST
Now Available. Discover an ode to Balboa Park in the form of a new cocktail menu at TRUST, located a few blocks from the city’s “crown jewel.” The names alone are a kick. The Reflection Pond—made with Japanese vodka, lemon, matcha and soda—is a refreshing late-summer sipper. There’s also the Florida Canyon, Old Globe, Friendship Garden and Palm Grove. Pictured (L-R): Zoo Place, a twist on a Negroni made with mezcal and hibiscus; and House of Charm, made with reposado tequila and yuzu. W-Su 5-10 p.m. 3752 Park Blvd., Hillcrest, 619.795.6901. trustrestaurantsd.com
Local Chef Dinner Series at Estancia
Upcoming | Begins Aug. 17. Dine under twinkling lights in an olive-tree-lined garden at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa’s new Local Chef Dinner Series. The lineup includes rotating guest chef collaborations (on select dates through Oct. 26) with Estancia’s executive chef Vincent Savignano. The series kicks off on Tuesday with acclaimed chef Philip Esteban of White Rice. The two chefs will prepare a multicourse meal—paired with curated cocktails and wine—and share inspirations behind each dish. 6-9 p.m. $150 per person. 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 855.430.7503. Tickets
Arts + Culture
La Jolla Playhouse Pop-Up at Liberty Station
Aug. 14-15. For a one-of-a-kind, artsy theater experience outdoors, head to the Arts District Liberty Station for a special WOW (Without Walls) installment presented by La Jolla Playhouse. The pop-up includes several short, Playhouse-commissioned theatrical performances: When the Bubble Bursts by Blindspot Collective; Get On Board by the San Diego Black Artist Collective; Can We Now? by Jesca Prudencio; and Optika Piñata by Optika Moderna, presented in partnership with The New Children’s Museum. See website for full schedule of performances each day. Free. North Promenade lawn, Liberty Station. lajollaplayhouse.org
New Works at Madison Gallery
On View. For a dose of contemporary art, stop by Madison Gallery—owner Lorna York’s 4,000-square-foot space with soaring warehouse-style ceilings. Exhibits span a range of media and center on mid-career and established global artists. Peruse new works by artists including Elliott Routledge, James Austin Murray, Thrush Holmes, Lino Lago, Matthew Shlian and Claire Kirkup (whose painting, Simon Says Good Night, is pictured). And don’t miss Lori Cozen-Geller’s exhibit, Minimal Movement, which closes Aug. 14. M-Sa 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 320 S. Cedros Ave., Suite 200, Solana Beach, 858.523.9155. madisongalleries.com
Photo credits: Uncorked by Sean Paul Franget / SPF Studios. La Puerta by Brogen Jessup Photography. Estancia by Justin Halbert. La Jolla Playhouse by Jim Carmody. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
