The nineteenth edition of the weeklong San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival takes over America's Finest City this November 6-12, so we've compiled a list of our top 7 picks from the lineup of over 20 meals, events, tours and festivals!
We've had the pleasure of attending Southern California's largest epicurean event for the past decade, and while the schedule may change from year to year, we've developed a solid understanding of what to anticipate. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival shines a spotlight on the ever-evolving culinary scene of "America's Finest City." While there are package deals available that offer participants an all-encompassing discount, including savings on accommodations at top-notch area resorts, going a la carte might be the ideal choice for attendees seeking to tailor their SDBWFF experience to their preferences. We've meticulously explored the myriad of events on offer, and after some tough choices, we present our top seven selections from the extensive list of options.
7) Love Thy Neighbor(hood) Expedition: Convoy District - ($220, Thursday, November 9, 11am-3pm, Jasmine) - This experience will explore some of tbe best of San Diego's beloved Convoy Street area of Kearny Mesa. The tour will showcase specialized pan-Asian food, drinks, and desserts across four award-winning restaurants, from a traditional dim sum restaurant to the first Cajun Southern boiled seafood restaurant in San Diego. Meet and engage in intimate dialogue with the chefs and restaurateurs behind some of Convoy’s most popular establishments.
6) Truffle Euphoria: A Journey Through Italy's Black and White Gems - ($305, Wednesday, Nov 8, 6:30pm, Cori Pastificio Trattoria) - Cori Pasta Owner and Executive Chef Accursio Lota is a former World Pasta Champion with more accolades than one can count, so this dinner is definitely going to be fantastic. The flavors of Alba’s famed White Truffles (Tartufo Bianco) and Umbria’s exquisite Black Truffles (Tartufo Nero) will be front and center over five courses paired with California Coast wineries.
5) The Grand Decant - ($75, Friday, November 10, 6-9pm, Julep Venue) - Get ready for the Grand Tasting with up-close access to the country’s top sommeliers, wineries and winemakers for a walk around tasting event to expand the palate and taste from over 200 domestic and international wineries representing over 300 wines from around the world. This exclusive pre-Grand Tasting epicurean event takes place at the beautiful Julep Venue in San Diego's Middletown area. This is the ultimate event for the true wine lover!
4. Six Course Sake Pairing Dinner at Matsu - ($200, Tuesday, November 7, 5pm) - Join Chef William Eick at his Matsu restaurant in Oceanside for an intimate 6-course sake pairing dinner. Matsu’s cuisine embodies the essence of modern Japanese cooking while respecting centuries-old traditions and showcasing the local terroir with the finest, freshest ingredients. This is one of San Diego's top restaurants, making this a not-to-miss event.
1) San Diego Bay Wine + Food Fest Grand Tasting - ($200+, Saturday, Nov 11, 11am-3pm, Embarcadero Marina Park North) - If you are only going to one event at this year's San Diego Bay Wine & Food Fest, make it the Grand Tasting. This is the biggest party of the festival, featuring more vendors than you can count, dishing out everything from jelly beans to jambalaya. Held at the Embarcadero Marina Park North behind Seaport Village, this lavish seaside affair features live entertainment, cookbook signings, celebrity chefs, cooking demos, 200 wine and spirit purveyors, 80 of the West Coast and Baja’s top chefs, dozens of gourmet food vendors, and a riveting "Chef of the Fest" competition, making for the premier tasting opportunity. Come very, very hungry, and if you can, get early entry to avoid the crowds, at least for the start.
For more information on the 19th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, including packages, hotel discounts and to purchase tickets, visit sandiegowineclassic.com.
For more information on the 19th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, including packages, hotel discounts and to purchase tickets, visit sandiegowineclassic.com.
