Events
Ballast Point Oktoberfest
Oct. 1-3. Prost! It’s that time of year again, and local brewer Ballast Point is celebrating big time—pouring seven, traditional German-style beers this weekend for Oktoberfest. Selections include the hoppy and rich Festbier; the citrus-forward German Pilsner; the Dortmunder Export pale lager; the clean and crisp Helles Bock; and the Dusseldorf-style Sticke Alt. Oktoberfest beers are available at Ballast Point’s Little Italy, Miramar and Home Brew Mart tasting rooms in San Diego. (See website for all SoCal locations, addresses and hours.) Selections are $10 each and include a commemorative stein. ballastpoint.com
Pink Tea at the “Pink Lady”
Begins Oct. 1. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, La Valencia Hotel (aka the “Pink Lady”) presents its first-ever Pink Tea series. Slated for select dates throughout October, the experience includes a signature Pink Lady Champagne cocktail (with Piper-Heidsieck bubbly upgrades available); plus classic finger sandwiches, scones and other sweets. Guests are encouraged to wear pink, and 10% of proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen San Diego. (Exclusive hotel room packages are also available.) Reservations required. Seatings begin at 11 a.m. $95 per person. 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, 855.476.6870. lavalencia.com
Oktoberfest in East Village
Oct. 2. Head to the Quartyard in East Village for an Oktoberfest block party. The bier taps will be bubbling over with at least 20 brews from local brewers—including Alesmith, Duck Foot, Karl Strauss, Ketch, Societe and Fall Street. Soak it all up with festive fare such as Munich-style soft pretzels, bratwursts, chicken schnitzel, frikadellen (meatballs) and bratkartofflen (fried potatoes with bacon). The fun also includes live music by German-American polka band Oompah Katz, cornhole and other games, and a stein-holding contest. (It’s a thing!) 2-10 p.m. $15-$20. 1301 Market St., East Village. Tickets
One Paseo Oktoberfest
Oct. 2. One Paseo hosts its inaugural Oktoberfest celebration on the lawn behind the Harland Brewing Company tasting room. Festivities include beer tents; German-inspired picnic plates by The Butchery Quality Meats; German-chocolate cupcakes from Susie Cakes; lawn games (axe throwing, anyone?); and the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest. Tickets include tasting flights from select purveyors, such as Sundowner Spirits, Jetway, Juneshine, Harland, Embolden, Fort Point and more. Festive attire (think: dirndl dresses and lederhosen) is encouraged. 2-6 p.m. $20 per person. 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar. Tickets
Food + Drink
Filipino American History Month at White Rice
Oct. 1-31. October is prime time to check out Liberty Public Market’s new dining concept. Designed as a sari-sari (a corner bodega in the Philippines), White Rice by chef Philip Esteban (pictured) features rice bowls such as the Filipino Spaghetti with hot-dog Bolognese; and the Pinoy BBQ plate with a grilled chicken skewer, sous-vide egg and pickled veggies. The eatery is offering its “Strength of Heritage” merchandise on sale all month, with a special “Ube Day” planned (see website). Open daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 2820 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station. ricebowlsforall.com
New Sunday Brunch Menu at Arlo
Now Available. With its towering palm trees, retro-chic outdoor lounge and pool views, Arlo feels like a slice of Palm Springs in S.D. Come for Sunday brunch and get spoiled by a decadent new menu (and complimentary glass of prosecco) courtesy of executive chef Josh Mouzakes. Entrees include a smoked, crispy chicken thigh with a sour-cream biscuit (pictured); hash brown Benedict with Cuban spiced pork; an egg-white scramble with buffalo sauce and avocado; and chocolate pancakes with goat-cheese crème anglaise. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley, 619.908.5058. arlosandiego.com
Poseidon Restaurant
Open. This beloved North County outpost is known for its seafood and ample beachfront patio boasting panoramic views of the Pacific. Menu highlights include daily fresh catches, scallops, steamed clams, steaks, salads and more; plus wine, craft beer and cocktails. For dinner, try the wasabi-sesame-crusted yellowfin tuna; and the braised short ribs with a side of garlic-butter-mashed potatoes. And weekend brunch is sublime—we love the signature Poseidon Eggs Benedict with gratin-style hash browns. Reservations encouraged. Tu-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sa-Su 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 1670 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.9345. poseidonrestaurant.com
National Taco Day at The Blind Burro
Upcoming | Oct. 4. Every day is taco day in S.D., but we suggest celebrating this nationally recognized day at The Blind Burro. The Baja-inspired restaurant and bar will offer a choice of two tacos for $8—including chicken, carnitas, veggie and al pastor. Or try the carne asada or fish tacos, priced at two for $9; or the coffee-rubbed-salmon, cilantro-lime-shrimp or short-rib tacos, priced at two for $10. Drink specials include $4.50 Buena Cervezas, $5 Tosco Blanco tequila shots, $6 house margaritas and $9 Diamante tequila shots. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 639 J St., East Village, 619.795.7880. theblindburro.com
Arts + Culture
Mission Fed ArtWalk
Oct. 2-3. Celebrating its 37th anniversary, the city’s oldest fine-arts exhibition returns with an in-person event this year. Peruse works by 300 artists—from paintings, sculptures and glasswork; to fine jewelry, photography, mixed media and more. New elements this year include an attendee-created collaborative project called “What’s Your Mission,” where people write their personal missions and add them to a mural; a KidsWalk that gives children an opportunity to create butterflies; and a guitar auction benefiting ArtReach San Diego. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free entry. Between Beech and Grape streets, Little Italy. artwalksandiego.org
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Open. All aboard! Commemorating the 40th anniversary of its first public opening, this gem of a museum in Balboa Park is open and welcoming visitors. Inside, discover a family-friendly treasure trove of all things locomotive. Learn about the heritage and history of American railroading by way of educational displays, scale models of railroads that extend across California, toy trains and more. Exhibits include Pacific Desert Lines, The Tehachapi Pass and The Centennial Railway Garden. See website for admission pricing and safety protocols. Th-Su 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.696.0199. sdmrm.org
Photo credits: Oktoberfest in East Village by Quartyard. One Paseo / Harland Brewing Co. by Kimberly Motos. White Rice by Shannon Patrick. The Blind Burro courtesy of Good Time Design. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
