San Diego

Weekend roundup

March 18-21

Outdoor Fun

Rooftop Cinema Club

Reopens March 19. Outdoor moviegoing reaches new heights with the return of Rooftop Cinema Club, which presents movie screenings on the fourth-floor terrace of the Manchester Grand Hyatt throughout the spring. Enjoy city views and an elevated cinema experience—including a state-of-the art projector, provided headphones and deck chairs; plus snacks available for purchase. The lineup ranges from recent box-office hits to cult classics. Opening weekend is ‘80s-themed, beginning with The Princess Bride on Friday. See website for tickets and full schedule. 7:30 p.m. 1 Market Place, downtown. rooftopcinemaclub.com

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Now Open. Spring wildflower season is here, and with recent heavy rainfall, you can expect bountiful blooms in Anza-Borrego. Located approximately 60 miles east of Escondido, it’s the second largest state park in the U.S.—spanning 640,000 acres of hiking and biking trails, 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas, historical landmarks, campgrounds, canyons and caves. On the wildflower front, be on the lookout for brittlebush, yellow asters and blueish-purple halgania solanacea. There’s even a wildflower hotline you can call for updates: 760.767.4684. (See website for location and entry points at Borrego Springs.) More Info

San Diego Zoo’s “Inside Look” Tours

Reopened. It’s all about animal attraction at the San Diego Zoo—home to 3,500-plus animals—which has reopened with advance reservations required. Go for an upgraded experience by booking a private “Inside Look” tour for up to six household members. Offered daily, the two-hour experience lets you see the animals up close and learn more about their care and conservation. Customize your tour for exclusive access to the polar bear habitat, the famous flamingos and more. The zoo promises a surprise thrill or two along the way. 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, 619.718.3000. sandiegozoo.org

Food + Drink

National Ravioli Day at Bleu Bohème

March 20. Ravioli at a French bistro? Oui, oui. Available exclusively on Saturday, Bleu Bohème is offering raviolis d’agneau—house-made lamb ragout and goat-cheese raviolis served with sauteed mustard greens and Beaujolais sauce. Or try the raviolis maison—shiitake-and-oyster-mushroom raviolis with white-wine cream sauce, served over sauteed spinach. Pair with a French wine or specialty cocktail; and save room for the warm brioche bread pudding for dessert. The restaurant features expanded outdoor dining with a heated sidewalk patio. 5-9 p.m. 4090 Adams Ave., Kensington, 619.255.4167. bleuboheme.com

Huntress

Reopened. The high-style steakhouse and Japanese whisky bar by RMD Group is offering an expanded bites menu and alfresco dining on its spacious patio. Our favorite dishes: the seared wagyu sashimi (pictured); the prime filet sandwich on toasted brioche with a side of truffle fries; and the miso Chilean seabass—which arrives with a dashi consommé, surrounded by vegetables and fragrant truffle-prawn wontons. For dessert, the cookie trio with milk makes for a nostalgic, sweet finish. Reservations required. F-Sa beginning at 6 p.m. 376 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.329.4868. huntresssteak.com

New Menus at You & Yours Distilling Co.

Now Available. The distillery celebrates its fourth anniversary with refreshed spring menus. New small plates include stuffed artichoke bites with pine-nut gremolata; lettuces wraps with pork belly; and spring-pea arancini (pictured) with house-made vodka sauce, mint and Parmesan. Wash it all down with new cocktails such as the Liquid Sunshine and Bahamian Bride. There’s even a new Sunday brunch menu, featuring Sunday Gin Waffles and spinach-artichoke quiche with a cheese-hash-brown crust. W-F 4-10 p.m.; Sa 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Su 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 1495 G St., East Village, 619.955.8755. youandyours.com

Takeout Taste of the Village

Upcoming | March 22-25. Food lovers are invited to take a culinary tour of La Jolla, while also helping its small business community. The village’s top restaurants—including Isola Pizza Bar, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Duke’s La Jolla and more—will offer four-course menus for two people. Participants will receive an insulated, reusable tote bag to carry their meals to be enjoyed at home. A maximum of 150 tickets will be sold per night to minimize crowds, and 20% of proceeds will benefit the restaurants directly, to help with pandemic-related hardships. 4-7 p.m. Tickets are $85. jollabythesea.com

Arts + Culture

Davis-Horton House Virtual Ghost Tour 

March 19. Do you believe in ghosts? The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation aims to convert skeptics with its virtual tour of the Victorian-era Davis-Horton House. Built in 1850 and now a museum, it’s downtown San Diego’s oldest standing structure—and reportedly its most haunted. Each room represents a different period and function in the house, which once was used as a makeshift hospital and a pre-Civil War military officer’s barracks. Dim the lights, log in, and be guided through several rooms in which people have claimed to experience paranormal phenomena. 6:30 p.m. $15. gaslampfoundation.org

“Ladies Who Brunch!”

March 21. Cygnet Theatre brings together San Diego’s favorite actors and singers—who are also lifelong friends—and invites the public to join them all for a virtual brunch. Hosted by Anise Ritchie (pictured), the inspirational celebration features Eileen Bowman, Melinda Gilb, Bets Malone and Leigh Scarritt; with special appearances by Eboni Muse and Erin Vanderhyde. Join the ladies in toasting with coffee or a mimosa as they share laughs and stories of their journeys, particularly through the pandemic. (And chances are strong they’ll break into song more than once.) 11 a.m. $25. cygnettheatre.com

North Coast Rep’s Trying

Upcoming | Opens March 24. Imagine the experience of working closely with Francis Biddle (1886-1968). He served as the U.S. attorney general during World War II; as well as the primary American judge during the postwar Nuremberg trials. Playwright Joanna McClelland Glass was his assistant during the final year of his life. Her play, Trying, is a touching capture of her experience—centered on their very different personalities and the challenge to understand each other. Directed by David Ellenstein, the streaming production (available through April 18) stars Emily Goss and James Sutorius (pictured). Tickets start at $35. northcoastrep

Photo credits: Anza-Borrego by Tim King. North Coast Rep by Aaron Rumley. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues featured.

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