Events
Valentine’s Day Offerings at One Paseo
Feb. 9-14. Need some Valentine’s Day gift ideas? The farm truck at One Paseo (located near the koi pond) is stocked with inspiration. In addition to individual flowers, roses and fresh-cut bouquets, the truck is also selling unique artisanal items, olive oils and organic produce (should you be planning to make a meal for your Valentine). Also pop into One Paseo’s curated boutiques for gift ideas; our favorite shops include Pigment, West of Camden and Whiskey x Leather. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Online pre-orders for farm truck offerings are also available.) 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar, 858.523.2298. onepaseo.com
Super Bowl Block Party at Firehouse P.B.
Feb. 12. Catch the big game on a 20-foot LED Jumbotron screen at this 11th annual block party in Pacific Beach, presented by Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge in its parking lot. Guests can enjoy a full bar—including an agave bar by Camino Riviera and booths serving Juneshine and Melograno—live DJ music, URBN pizza, Dirty Birds wings, a silent disco (hip-hop versus house music), and seating on couches and bleachers. See website for tickets and call for bottle service and table reservations 1:30-8 p.m. $29 per person (general admission). 722 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach, 619.344.1951. More info
Super Bowl Fun at Draft
Feb. 12. Belmont Park’s sports-centric beachfront hangout hosts a fun Super Bowl celebration, featuring a 31-foot-LED screen to watch the game. Food specials include the Giant “Pretzelcuterie Board,” Smashburger Sliders, and the Ultimate Game Day Platter with tater tots, French fries and waffle fries; and plenty of beer and cocktails. Book a VIP table for a guaranteed, uninterrupted view of the game, bottle service and exclusive lounge seating (email vip@draftsandiego.com); no reservations needed for general admission. Starting at 2 p.m. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach, 858.228.9305. draftsandiego.com
Super Bowl Party at Moonshine Beach
Feb. 12. Moonshine Beach is a designated bar for San Francisco 49er fans (sorry, guys!), but the party must go on. Watch the Super Bowl on two massive LED screens inside and outside, and enjoy specials on shots and bloody marys; drink buckets, including Budweiser and Bud Light, Kona Longboard lagers and Ranch Water hard seltzers, for $32-$35; “Ring of Fireball” buckets for $24; and your choice of three sliders for $10 (full food menu also available). Doors open at noon. No reservations needed. 1165 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.999.0158. moonshinebeachsd.com
Food + Drink
Captain’s Quarters
Now Open. Ahoy! Hospitality group SDCM brings us Captain’s Quarters—the new sister to the Grass Skirt located next door. Modeled after a 17th-century sailing ship, the nautical-themed, speakeasy-esque bar serves a mix of “refreshing” and “direct” cocktails, with a focus on gin-based libations; plus a “From the Galley” light bites menu crafted by SDCM executive chef Brian Redzikowski, featuring grilled prawns and caviar bumps. The cozy-chic, low-lit decor features nautical portholes lit by video projections of ocean sunsets and stormy seas. Open daily at 5 p.m. 910 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.412.5237. More Info
Taco Centro
Now Open. The Gaslamp welcomes a new late-night taqueria offering a taco-focused, Mexican street food experience. Feast on authentic tacos such as carne asada, pollo asado, birria, al pastor, nopal (cactus), grilled mahi-mahi, battered Baja fish tacos and more. The menu also offers 10-plus specialty burritos; bowls, quesadillas, fries and nachos; sides like Mexican street corn with cotija cheese and chili powder; cervezas to drink; and Churros con Tres Leches, paletas (locally made ice cream pops) and flan for dessert. Su-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; F-Sa 11 a.m.-3 a.m. 539 Island Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.782.9777. tacocentro.com
New Winter Menu at ARLO
Now Available. Chef Josh Mouzakes debuts a new winter menu at Arlo, filled with seafood, pastas, proteins and specialties. Menu highlights include wood-fired oysters with winter-truffle cream sauce, spinach and artichoke salad; Hudson duck breast with a smoked potato puree, forest mushrooms and glazed carrots; and the Thai Lobster Mac with bucatini pasta and Gruyere cheese. Dining at Arlo feels like a slice of Palm Springs in San Diego, with its towering palm trees, retro-chic (and dog-friendly) alfresco lounge and pool views. See website for hours. 500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley, 619.908.5058. arlosandiego.com
Arts + Culture
San Diego Opera’s The Puccini Duo
Opens Feb. 11. San Diego Opera presents two one-act operas by Giacomo Puccini in The Puccini Duo: Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi, staged at the Civic Theatre Feb. 11, 14, 17 and 19. Soprano Marina Costa-Jackson (pictured) sings the title role of Suor Angelica—a woman who is sent to a convent for penance after bearing a child out of wedlock; and Lauretta in the comic-opera Gianni Schicchi. Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe sings the role of Principessa in Suor Angelica; and will make opera history performing the title role of Gianni Schicchi (traditionally performed by a baritone). 1100 Third Ave., downtown. sdopera.org
Blues in the Night at North Coast Rep
Extended Through Feb. 12. Touted as “a decadently rich musical experience,” Blues in the Night has been extended by popular demand through Sunday. Conceived and originally directed by Sheldon Epps, the show is directed by Yvette Freeman Hatley; with original vocal arrangements and music direction by Chapman Roberts; and orchestrations and additional vocal arrangements by Sy Johnson. You’ll find yourself tempted to dance and sing along as a four-member cast and five-piece blues band perform 26 blues and jazz songs. See website for tickets. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, Solana Beach 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
New Exhibit at S.D. Air & Space Museum
Now Open. Ready for takeoff? Above and Beyond—a new family-friendly exhibit presented by Boeing at the San Diego Air & Space Museum—shows what’s possible. Fun, educational and interactive, the exhibition explores the power of innovation in aerospace—featuring immersive flight simulations, inspiring stories from past and present innovators, hands-on “design challenges,” iconic historical touchstones; and more. The sky’s the limit. See website for hours and admission info (half-off Museum Month vouchers are welcome). 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, 619.234.8291. sandiegoairandspace.org
Photo credits: Blues in the Night courtesy Aaron Rumley. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
