Now in its second year, San Diego’s premier food and wine event will feature a diverse array of bites, sips, and experiences. Attendees can look forward to sampling world-class cuisine from local restaurants, mingling with celebrity chefs, and savoring some of California’s finest wines and craft beverages.

Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival offers something for everyone—from casual tastings to high-end dining experiences. Not sure where to start? Click the links below each question for more details, including event schedules, participating chefs, where to see celebs, and ticket information:

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What is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

• The 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

Why Attend the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

• Celebrity-Stacked Headliners Announced at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
• Where to See Celebs at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

What Events are Happening at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

• A Guide to the Events at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Fest
• The VIP Experience at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
• Wine Legends Head to San Diego This October

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Listen: Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Chefs on Happy Half Hour

Last year’s exclusive lineup featured some of our favorite chefs and food people. This year, some of our faves return for the big event. Learn more about a few of those returning guests on Happy Half Hour with host Troy Johnson:

• Javier Plascencia Talks Michelin Stars & Caesar Salad’s 100th
• Cardellino Owner Brad Wise on Truffles, Caviar & Butchering
• The Salt-of-the-Earth Star Power of Catherine McCord
• The Life of Failed Umpire Drew Deckman
• The Next Big Thing: New School American Cheese
• It’s Our 200th Episode! We Celebrate with Chef Brian Malarkey
• Getting Real With Celebrity Chef Lauren Lawless

Watch: Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Video Series

In case you missed it last year, check out our 2023 video series featuring some of the restaurants showcasing their fare again at this year’s event:

• Rosemarie’s Burgers
• Ambrogio by Acquerello
• ARLO
• Beeside Balcony
• Civico 1845
• Fish Guts
• George’s at the Cove
• Kingfisher
• Little Frenchie
• Matsu
• Nine-Ten
• Parfait Paris
• Tribute Pizza

Frequently Asked Questions

• Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Where to Buy Del Mar Wine + Food Festival tickets

• Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Tickets

The post All Things Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2024 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Crates of rare, ogled, oh-dang wines are being loaded onto trucks and planes on their way to San Diego—1er Grand Crus, cult loves, bottles not sent to restaurants but saved up for gatherings like this. It’s the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, and sommelier/winemaker Ted Glennon has pulled some of the country’s top somms, winemakers, farmers, and thinkers into town. Names like Mark Bright, David Ramey, Ian Cauble, Shelley Lindgren, David Lynch, and a host of others.

For three days they’ll post up at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, share tastes of rare and raved-about wines that define the wine world, and tell their stories. Here’s the lineup:

Thursday, Oct 3

In the Boardroom with Mark Bright + Benchmark Wines

A once-in-a-lifetime experience for serious wine people. Limited to 10 guests. The rarest of the rare wines at the festival, with a legendary host. Mark Bright of world-famous Saison restaurant in San Francisco has selected the wines that move him the most, to share with a few friends. Get tickets.

Blind Tasting with The Masters: Ian Cauble + June Rodil

Blind taste test amazing wines with the best wine tasters in the country—a panel of master sommeliers. Led by Ian Cauble (he won the “Best Young Sommelier in the World” competition in Athens, Greece, and was one of the stars of the documentary SOMM) and June Rodil (one of 26 women in the Americas to earn a Master Sommelier credential). How the hell can a sommelier taste a glass of wine with zero knowledge and name the grape; the part of the world it’s grown in; the appellation, sometimes even the hill, or the winemaker, and whether or not that winemaker is a side sleeper? Well, sometimes they nail it, sometimes they fail. Here’s a chance to watch some of the best in the U.S. try their hand at it. Get tickets.

Friday, October 4

In The Boardroom With Ian Cauble + Benchmark Wine Group

The second in the series, 10 guests max. This is the rarest of the rare wines at the festival, with a legendary host. Arguably the most beloved sommelier in the U.S. and one of the stars of the documentary film SOMM, Ian Cauble has selected the wines that excite him the most for you to try. Don’t miss out on these rare gems. Get tickets.

My Life in 8 Glasses With David Ramey

Hailed as “The Professor of Chardonnay” by Wine Spectator, Ramey is a pioneering American winemaker who has spent his life elevating California wines. Ramey’s chardonnays and cabs are celebrated and acclaimed worldwide. He’ll take the audience through eight wines that defined his life. Get tickets.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Three of the next generation of wine minds come together to share what they’re seeing for the future. Where’s next? What’s happening at the forefront of the industry? What are they drinking? They’ve selected eight wines that define the “now.” The trio is made up of Femi Oyediran, Amanda McCrossin, and Fahara Zamorano.

Oyediran was Food and Wine’s “Top Sommelier 2019” and is the owner of Graft Wine Shop and Bar. McCrossin a.k.a. @SommVivant on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, left the dining room to spread the wine gospel on social media, and a half million-plus followers have tuned in. Zamorano, owner of Nite Thyme wine bar in LA, was named to Zagat’s “30 Under 30” list in 2016. Get tickets.

Apertivo Italiano With Shelley Lindgren And David Lynch

Two wine legends and James Beard Award–winners: San Francisco restaurateur Shelley Lindgren (A16, SPQR) and her dear friend David Lynch (author of Vino Italiano and importer) have selected bottles to share while they tell the stories from a life in wine. Get tickets.

Great Cabernet Terroirs

Cabernet sauvignon is the most famous wine in history, but what really is the DNA of a great cab? Ted Glennon leads a killer group of heavy-hitters to taste and share insight: David Ramey, Jay James MS and Decanter Magazine’s California editor, Jonathan Cristaldi will showcase wines from Bordeaux to Chile, Napa, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Get tickets.

The Pyramid Valley Story With Steve Smith

Named as one of Decanter’s “50 Most Influential People for the Next Millennium,” winemaker and master somm Steve Smith unveils the first public tasting of the 2022 Botanical Collection. His session focuses on the most sought-after wines from New Zealand. Since their initial release in 2006, the Botanical Collection has created a new dimension for NZ wine. Get tickets.

A Perfect Wine

What’s the deal with the “points” scoring system that every wine shop touts? Is there a perfect wine? Three of the industry’s top minds from different parts of the industry—the critic (Decanter’s Jonathan Cristaldi), the sommelier (t), and winemaker (David Ramsey) each have their own ideas about what makes a wine perfect. They’ll poke a little fun at the scoring system, and share some of their near-perfect wines. Get tickets.

Saturday, October 5

Trip The Fizz Fantastic With Ted Glennon 

Dig bubbles? Same. Champagne started the category, but now there’s a whole solar system of great bubbles. Beverage director Ted Glennon (former wine director of the Hotel del Coronado and beverage director of Pebble Beach Wine + Food) leads a panel of rising-star talent to take us on a fizz-tacular voyage through nine new worlds of great sparkling wine. Get tickets.

The post Wine Legends Head to San Diego This October appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Thursday, October 3

Rocco DiSpirito, Jackson Kalb & Jason McLeod

Trattoria di Prato 

On Thursday, acclaimed chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Jackson Kalb, and Jason McLeod will host a four-course Italian dinner on the lawn at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. An award-winning chef and best-selling author, DiSpirito has worked in some of the best restaurants in the country, including the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Jardin des Sens in France. 

Joining him will be Top Chef alum Jackson Kalb, who launched his own catering company at the age of 12. Today, Kalb is chef and owner of Jame Enoteca, Jemma, and Ospi in LA, chef and partner of Wake&Late, a private chef, and a caterer. He’s also working to secure funding for his flagship concept, Workshop Restaurant.

With over 25 years of culinary experience, chef Jason McLeod rounds out the talent for the exclusive event. His skills earned him two Michelin stars in Chicago, and in 2022, he became the culinary consultant for Clique Hospitality in Las Vegas. Tickets are priced at $300 per person.

Friday, October 4

Drew Brees & Kyle Cooke

Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle

Former pro football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints Drew Brees will host the annual Whispering Angel Celebrity Pickleball Tournament on Friday, October 4. The event, benefiting Feeding San Diego, will also feature other celebrity participants, including tennis champs CoCo Vandeweghe and James Blake; Olympian Chase Budinger; San Diego Padres alums Mark Loretta and Tim Stauffer; Shannon Mac Milan, legendary Hall of Fame USA Women’s Soccer Player and current VP of the San Diego Wave FC; San Diego Wave FC; the San Diego Padres; and Alicia Gwynn. Plus, Summer House’s Kyle Cooke will hit the courts with Lover Boy, his line of sparkling hard teas, spritzes, and cocktails. Food Network host Catherine McCord and The Grill Dads will be onsite as well, serving up delicious bites for the afternoon. Tickets start at $125 to spectate or up to $500 to play a round with a pro. 

Maneet Chauhan

The Kitchen at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego 

Catch award-winning chef, television personality, and author Maneet Chauhan at the Night of Divine Art + Cuisine event on Friday, October 4. A judge on Food Network’s Chopped, Chauhan is also the first-ever two-time winner of Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions, in which she competed against renowned chefs from across the country. The sunset dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. and includes four courses and wine pairings. Tickets are priced at $300.

Jason McLeod

Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Join some of the top Napa wine producers for a walkaround tasting experience at Rancho Santa Fe hosted by chef and restaurateur Jason McLeod and the culinary team at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. On Friday, October 4, guests can sample some of the wine country’s best pours. Tickets are priced at $225 per person.

Beau MacMillan, Matt Carter & Rene Andrade

Private La Jolla Estate

Get ready to don your best western flair and beachy elegance at the Coastal Cowboy dinner presented by Experience Scottsdale and co-hosted by James and Ryane Shields. Join acclaimed chefs Beau MacMillan (Guy’s Grocery Games, Next Iron Chef), Matt Carter, and Rene Andrade (James Beard Award winner for “Best Chef in the Southwest”) for a family-style tasting event at a private estate in La Jolla. Not able to attend? MacMillan will also be at Saturday’s Grand Tasting event, so be sure to grab your tickets. Tickets for the dinner are priced at $550.

Saturday, October 5

Claudia Sandoval & Aarti Sequiera

Private Estate in Rancho Santa Fe

On Saturday, chefs Claudia Sandoval (MasterChef) and Aarti Sequiera (The Next Food Network Star) will host a tasting experience incorporating spices from around the world in their Spice Girls Dinner. Born and raised in San Diego, Sandoval got her passion for food from her mother and grandmother, who both taught her how to cook. After winning the sixth season of MasterChef, she later became a judge on the Food Network and recently launched her own celebrity chef meal delivery service. She is also a bestselling author of Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico. Sequiera, known as “The Spice Queen,” was the 2010 winner of Food Network Star. Tickets are priced at $500 per person.

Sunday, October 6

Brian Malarkey & Javier Plascencia

Moonlight Beach & Herb & Sea

This year’s Beach Cleanup and Seafood Brunch will be hosted by Top Chef’s Brian Malarkey and Baja culinary icon Javier Plascencia. One of the most successful restaurateurs in the country, Malarkey has created over 15 successful restaurant concepts, including Herb & Wood, Herb & Sea, and the new Le Coq in La Jolla. San Diego’s own surf legend Rob Machado will join the cleanup, while Herb & Sea’s executive chef Aidan Owen will prepare food in collaboration with Malarkey and Plascencia. Tickets are priced at $150 per person.

Drew Deckman & Benito Molina

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Enjoy a raw bar, tray-passed reception, and four-course dinner at Rancho Bernardo Inn hosted by chef Sergio Jiminez (Avant Restaurant) and chefs Drew Deckman (31ThirtyOne) and Benito Molina (MasterChef México) alongside wines pairings from Austin Hope and DAOU. The French-Baja fusion dinner will take place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and feature sustainable seafood dishes from places like Baja Shellfish Farms Oyster Bar. Tickets are priced at $250 per person.

Tiffani Faison

Nolita Hall

On Sunday, celebrity chef Tiffani Faison (Top Chef, Tournament of Champions) is teaming up with the Big Queer Food Festival to celebrate San Diego Wave FC. Mingle with the club and check out dishes inspired by the players’ hometowns. Tickets are priced at $150 per person.

Grand Tasting, Day 1

Claudette Zepeda

Surf Sports Park

On Saturday, say hi to award-winning celebrity chef Claudette Zepeda at the Grand Tasting event at Surf Sports Park on Saturday, October 5. An alum of Netflix’s Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, Zepeda is known for her fearless approach to regional Mexican cuisine. Stop by her booth at the fest to taste her masterful fare. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.

Travis Swikard

Surf Sports Park

Callie’s Travis Swikard will be on the ground at day one of the Grand Tasting event, showcasing his culinary talents. After spending a decade in New York, he made his way to San Diego to open Callie in 2021. Now, he’s set to launch a second restaurant in La Jolla in 2025. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.

Brian Malarkey and Beau MacMillan

Surf Sports Park

Keep an eye out for a special collaboration between Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey (Herb & Wood, Le Coq, Animae) and Beau MacMillan (Guy’s Grocery Games, Next Iron Chef) at Saturday’s VIP tent. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.

VIP Restaurants

The full list of VIP restaurants includes Amalfi Llama, Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Austin Hope Wines, Azuki Sushi, Booker Wines, Callie, Caymus Vineyards, The Cov Wine, Cowboy Star, Cuvaison Winery, DAOU Vineyards, 31ThirtyOne by Deckman’s, Despacio Mezcal, Domaine Ott, Ember & Rye, Fraiche Wine Group, Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards, G.D. Vajra, Huntress, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Kobrand Wine & Spirits, Kingfisher, Kinme Omakase, The Marine Room, Marisi, Puesto, Pyramid Valley Vineyards, Ramey Wine Cellars, Rare Society, Robert Green Vineyards, Roma Norte, Four Seasons Aviara, The Setting Wines, Tap Truck, The Fishery, Warung RieRie, Valle, Vinos Finos de California, and Whispering Angel Rosé.

Grand Tasting, Day 2

Alex Morgan

Surf Sports Park

Come hang with former USWNT player and San Diego Wave FC captain and DMWFF host Alex Morgan at the Grand Tasting event on Sunday, October 6. Morgan will once again be onsite this year in the VIP tent for photo ops, soccer chats, and wine-glass cheersing. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.

The Grill Dads

Surf Sports Park

Opening the day’s events at the VIP reception will be The Grill Dads‘ Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey. The pair have been best friends for more than 20 years and in 2017 won first place on Guys Big Project which gave them the opportunity to have their own Food Network series. They will be serving up their barbecue and meats at the VIP reception from 11:30 to 1 p.m. ahead of the Grand Tasting.

Eric Greenspan

Surf Sports Park

Eric Greenspan is an acclaimed chef and TV personality featured on Food Network shows like Guy’s Grocery Games and Iron Chef America, where he defeated Bobby Flay in a cooking battle. He’ll be showcasing his creations at Sunday’s Grand Tasting, including dishes using his New School American Cheese. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.

VIP Restaurants

The full list of VIP restaurants includes The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Nine-Ten, Ambrogio by Acquerello, Extraordinary Desserts, Paradisaea, Lumi, Red Tracton’s, Despacio Mezcal, Garibaldi cocktails, The Fishery, 31ThirtyOne by Deckman’s, Seasons Restaurant, the Amalfi Llama, and The Marine Room.

Monday, October 7

Lauren Lawless

Loma Santa Fe Country Club

If you missed chef Lauren Lawless (Supermarket Stakeout) at the Saturday’s Grand Tasting event, grab your clubs and head to the Happy Fillmore Golf Classic Event on Monday, October 7. The event will also feature bites from Eric Greenspan in collaboration with Hodad’s as well as The Grill Dads. Need more reasons to attend? Tickets purchased to play golf between now and Friday, September 27 include a general admission ticket to Sunday’s Grand Tasting.

Don’t see your favorite chef listed above? Check out Del Mar Wine + Food Festival’s talent page and click on each name to see which events they’ll be participating in.

The post Where to See Celebs at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

With more than 25 offerings throughout the week, including a two-day tasting event, charitable golf and pickleball tournaments, and exclusive culinary experiences around the city, there’s plenty to love about the second-annual event. Plus, a portion of this year’s ticket sales will benefit Feeding San Diego once again.

At the Grand Tasting, held on October 5-6 at Surf Sports Park, more than 100 restaurants and 150 international wine, spirits, and beverage producers will showcase their best for attendees. Guests can enjoy bites and sips while mingling with celebrities, including Food Network stars, celebrity chefs, and professional athletes like two-time Olympic medalist Alex Morgan. 

General admission for a one-day Grand Tasting pass is $165 but if you’re looking for the best-of-the-best, check out all the perks afforded VIP ticket-holders. Priced at $425 for one-day passes, the VIP experience includes the below offerings: 

Saturday & Sunday

Bluefin Tuna Filleting Demonstration & Sashimi

On both days, VIPs can enjoy a fileting demonstration of an 80lb Bluefin tuna, led by master sushi chef Jeff Roberto, owner of Sushi On a Roll and Kyoto Japanese Market. Guests will also have the chance to sample fresh sashimi, highlighting the art of sushi-making.

First Glass by Whispering Rose

Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Whispering Rose, perfect for toasting to a fun-filled day in the sun.

Complimentary IVs from LIVV Natural & Med Spa

Guests can enjoy IV therapy from LIVV Natural & Med Spa, offering vitamin-rich fluids and nourishment to keep you on your feet and energized during the Grand Tasting.

DJ Sets

Both days, DJs will be spinning vinyl throughout the day in the VIP tent, including music from longtime San Diego radio personality Chris Cantore. 

Saturday Only

VIP Host: Troy Johnson 

Food Network personality (Guy’s Grocery Games, Iron Chef) and co-owner of San Diego Magazine, Troy Johnson, will emcee day one of the VIP Experience. Visit the VIP tent to chat with the longtime food critic and San Diego native. 

First Bites with Celebrity Chef Lauren Lawless & Puesto

Celebrity Chef Lauren Lawless, known for her appearances on Food Network shows like Chopped and MasterChef, will be serving up wagyu tartare on crispy furikake rice. Puesto will also be in the VIP tent, offering zesty bites from their salsa and guacamole bar that might just be worth spoiling your appetite for.

VIP Reception

VIP ticket-holders get to enter the event before GA attendees and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. can enjoy exclusive bites from Cucina Enoteca, Flawless Cuisine, Puesto, Sushi on a Roll, Warung RieRie, Seabreeze Craft Chocolates, and Lauren Lawless. Plus, drinks from Tapo Truck and premium rosé from Whispering Angel. 

VIP Exhibitors

At 1 p.m., kick-off the festivities at the VIP tent offering even more exclusive food and beverage options such as: Amalfi Llama, Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Austin Hope Wines, Azuki Sushi, Booker Wines, Callie, Caymus Vineyards,The Cov Wine, Cowboy Star, Cuvaison Winery, DAOU Vineyards, 31ThirtyOne by Deckman’s, Despacio Mezcal, Domaine Ott, Ember & Rye, Fraiche Wine Group, Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards, G.D. Vajra, Huntress, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Kobrand Wine & Spirits, Kingfisher, Kinme Omakase, The Marine Room, Marisi, Puesto, Pyramid Valley Vineyards, Ramey Wine Cellars, Rare Society, Robert Green Vineyards, Roma Norte, Four Seasons Aviara, The Setting Wines, Tap Truck, The Fishery, Warung RieRie, Valle, and Vinos Finos de California, and Whispering Angel Rosé.

Sunday Only

VIP Host: Alex Morgan 

Recently retired San Diego Wave captain and two-time Olympic medalist Alex Morgan will host day two of the VIP Grand Tasting experience. Her involvement in the festival honors San Diego’s blend of sports and culinary culture, while also supporting her nonprofit which will be hosting mini golf and football activations during the Grand Tasting. 

First Bites with Lola 55 & Crudo Cevichería & Oyster Bar

VIP guests arriving on Sunday will be welcomed with tacos from Michelin-recognized Lola 55, along with an irresistible ceviche and raw bar from Crudo Cevichería & Oyster Bar.

VIP Reception 

Similar to Saturday’s events, come early from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enjoy exclusive offerings from Cow by Bear, Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar, Cucina Enoteca, The Grill Dads, Lola 55, Rock Angel, Sushi on a Roll, Tapo Truck, and Whispering Angel Rosé at the VIP reception.

VIP Exhibitors

On Sunday, check out the VIP wineries you missed the day before or enjoy new restaurants showcasing their fare on this day only. Restaurants exclusive to Sunday’s guests are: The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Nine-Ten, Ambrogio by Acquerello, Extraordinary Desserts, Paradisaea, Lumi, Red Tracton’s, Despacio Mezcal, and Garibaldi cocktails. Don’t worry, The Fishery, 31ThirtyOne by Deckman’s, Seasons Restaurant, the Amalfi Llama, and The Marine Room will also be back for day two.

The Grand Tasting will be held at the Del Mar Polo Fields (at Surf Sports Park) on Oct. 5-6. Get your one- or two-day VIP tickets at delmar.wine. 

The post The VIP Experience at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

When is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival takes place October 2-7, 2024, with the Grand Tasting October 5-6. Doors open for VIP ticket holders and early entry at noon, general admission opening at 1 p.m.

Where is the festival located?

The event is held at Surf Sports Park, formerly the Del Mar Polo Fields, at 14989 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014.

What are the different ticket options?

General Admission

One-day general admission tickets are priced at $165, while the two-day pass goes for $265. Both options grant you unlimited food and drink during the Grand Tasting from the festival’s selection.

Early Entry General Admission

Get in ahead of everyone while still having all the wide selection offered at general admission using the early admission tickets. Priced at $225 for one-day tickets and $375 for two-day passes, you gain an extra hour for first dibs and to meander the grounds before the crowds come.

VIP Tickets

At $425 for a one-day ticket and $775 for a two-day pass, the VIP tickets offer access to a special VIP-only area, as well as more food and drink vendors to choose from. More details on the VIP experience will be announced closer to the date of the festival.

What food vendors will be there?

With a multitude of vendors and options for tasting, many top restaurants in San Diego will be featured at this event, including Civico 1845, Deckman’s Restaurant Group, Finca, Jolie, Kingfisher, Little Frenchie, Lola 55, the Marine Room, Marisi, Nolita Hall, Rosemarie’s Burgers, Tacos 1986, and many more. See the complete list here.

VIP Exclusive Food Vendors

• Amalfi Llama
• Ambrogio by Acquerello
• Azuki Sushi
• Crudo
• Deckman’s
• Kinme
• Marisi
• Puesto
• The Fishery
• Warung Rie Rie

What wineries and drink vendors will be there?

No day in a field by the sea is complete without the perfect selection of fine wines right at your fingertips. DMWFF will be featuring several wineries and breweries, including Adobe Road Winery, Bianchi, Calera, Doffo Winery, Domaines Ott, Hahn, Henebery Spirits, Library Collection Wine, Melograno, Solento Organic Tequila, Tap Truck, and many more. See the complete list here.

VIP Exclusive Wineries

• Austin Hope Wines
• Booker
• Caymus Vineyards
• Cuvaison
• Daou
• Fraiche Wine Group
• J. Lohr Vineyards and Wine
• Ramey Wine Cellars
• Whispering Angel

What VIP experiences are available for purchase?

There are 12 VIP experiences for purchase that are separate from the Grand Tasting. Tickets for these events range from $125 to $600.

Wednesday, October 2

• San Diego FC Hosts Tacos, Tortas + Tequila at Monarch Ocean Pub
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Thursday, October 3

• Marisi’s Fall Harvest with Pio Cesare
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• Trattoria di Prato with Chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Jackson Kalb + Jason McLeod at the Lawn at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• In the Boardroom with Mark Bright + Benchmark Wine Group at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• Blind Tasting with the Masters at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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Friday, October 4

• Napa Luxe at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• Drew Brees Hosts the Whispering Angel Celebrity Pickleball Tournament at Bobby Riggs
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• Coastal Cowboys Dinner presented by Experience Scottsdale in La Jolla
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• A Night of Divine Art + Cuisine at The Kitchen at the Museum of Contemporary Art
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• My Life in 8 Glasses at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• A Few of My Favorite Things at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• Apertivo Italiano Wine Seminar at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• Great Cabernet Terroirs at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• The Pyramid Valley Story at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• In the Boardroom with Ian Cauble MS + Benchmark Wine Group at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• A Perfect Wine at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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Sunday, October 6

• Mer de Baja with Chefs Benito Molina + Drew Deckman at Rancho Bernardo Inn
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• Tiffani Faison Hosts Hometown Heroes with San Diego Wave FC & Big Queer Food Festival at Nolita Hall
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• Beach Cleanup and Seafood Brunchwith Brian Malarkey + Javier Plascencia at Herb & Sea
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Monday, October 7

• Happy Fillmore Golf Classic Benefiting Feeding San Diego
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Are the same food vendors and wineries available both days?

Most food vendors and wineries will be at the Grand Tasting on both days. However, we do recommend you check the event’s itinerary online for more information on vendor schedules.

Will I see any celebrities at the event?

Of course! The DMWFF will be hosted by Food Network and San Diego Magazine’s own Troy Johnson (Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives; Guy’s Grocery Games). Returning to the DMWFF are Wave FC’s Alex Morgan, former pro footballer Drew Brees, and pro surfer Rob Machado. Celebrity chefs such as Aaron May, Benito Molina, Catherine McCord, Claudette Zepeda, Claudia Sandoval, Javier Plascencia, and many more will be featured in events throughout the festival. Other guests include Kyle Cooke of Bravo’s Summer House, as well as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Charlie Day.

Are children and pets allowed?

As this is a 21+ event, children and pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals.

Is there a dress code?

While there is no formal dress code stated, it is recommended to show off, it being Del Mar and all. But no need to worry about getting tuna crudo all over your best shirt. Semi-casual wear is welcome, too.

Where can I park?

Surf Sports Park offers plenty of parking at $20/day. Utilizing designated drivers and rideshare services are highly recommended, especially if you plan on drinking. Public transportation is also available in the area.

What public transportation options are available?

The bus route 308 drops passengers off at Via de la Valle and Caminito Porta Delgada. If that’s still a little far for you, the COASTER commuter train meets at the 308 route at the Solana Beach stop.

What hotels are nearby?

For those looking to invest in an overnight stay for the Del Mar Wine + Food festival, hotels like the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, Residence Inn Del Mar, and the Residence Inn La Jolla are all close to the Surf Sports Park.

Will there be live music?

Yes! More information on live music and DJs will be posted on the festival’s website and socials.

What cause does the Del Mar Wine + Food festival ticket support?

The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival has once again chosen to partner with Feeding San Diego, who focus on distributing food and alleviating hunger within the San Diego area. Portions of the tickets and proceeds will be donated to this organization.

When is the last day to buy tickets?

Tickets are sold day-of, so long as they aren’t sold out at that point. However, that doesn’t mean you should wait until then. Secure your tickets ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out on this event.

How can I contact event organizers?

For general inquiries, email [email protected]. For questions regarding tickets, email [email protected]. For media inquiries, email [email protected]. 

The post Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2024: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Even though its list of famous residents can sometimes read like an Illuminati roster, Del Mar has always been a classic coastal community at heart. No matter how many celebrities call it their summer home, the town’s tapestry—a mix of early-bird surfers, college professors, rooted families, retired inventors, rare Torrey pines, and lots of dogs—remains tightly woven. This town has been booming, thanks in part to Monarch Ocean Pub helping transform Del Mar Plaza from a sleepy shopping mall to a full-on scene. It’s where residents have gathered together again since the pandemic.

Del Mar Historical Society president Larry Brooks says that because half of the town’s residents are part-time, many of the million-dollar homes sit empty. But with new billion-dollar development, affordable housing requirements, and more short-term rentals on the way, a vibe shift is on the horizon, troubling local groups determined to hold onto Del Mar’s provincial spirit.

Things to Do in Del Mar

Meatballs at Beeside Balcony

While Vafiadis can’t resist breakfast at the beloved Harry’s Coffee Shop, she likes to venture off the beaten path for lunch. The meatballs at the Mediterranean-inspired Beeside Balcony are her current go-to. “It’s a shareable plate,” she says. “But I don’t share.”

Beach Walks to Torrey Pines

Surfboards are as common as cars in Del Mar, but Vafiadis prefers to explore on land via a nice, long beach walk. She starts on 17th Street and makes her way down to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, a pleasant route for people-watching and seashell-hunting.

Sunset Drinks at Monarch Ocean Pub

While there are no bad views in Del Mar, Monarch Ocean Pub’s third-story vantage is hard to beat. “I credit Monarch with really reviving this town more than anything,” Vafiadis says. “The energy up there is so wonderful.” She likes their grapefruit slushies—and that she can see Stratford Square from where she’s sitting.

Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

Debuting in 2023, the annual Del Mar Wine + Food festival taking place in October brings together some of the best chefs and food and drink makers in southern California for a six-day event featuring immersive culinary experiences and sold-out dinners across San Diego. From celebrity chefs to TV personalities and exclusive VIP events during the week, it’s one of the best culinary events of the year.

Facts About Del Mar

• Start saving for that seaside abode—luxury real estate agent Mike Cady says that the average cost of a 1,200-square-foot home near the beach in Del Mar is between $3 and $5 million.
• In their infamous 1963 bop “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” Del Mar is the first stop on the Beach Boys’ rundown of all the top surfing locales in Californ-I-A.
• Sunday mass at St. James Catholic Church was like a red carpet event in the 1960s. Jimmy Durante, Desi Arnaz, and Lucille Ball often attended, while Bing Crosby and Pat O’Brien served as ushers.
• Tony Robbins once lived in Del Mar’s only castle. Designed by local architect Richard Requa, the five-bedroom home was built in 1927 for $150,000 (almost $3 million today) and features six fireplaces and a lookout tower.
• To make ocean swimming safer, wealthy cattleman Colonel Jacob Taylor built a 198-foot pool at the bluffs’ base in the 1880s that filled with seawater at high tide. Some original pylons are still visible at low tide near 11th Street.

Local Tips for Del Mar

For as physically small as it is, Del Mar offers a surprisingly full itinerary—especially if you’re betting on the next Seabiscuit or taking a fried food tour through the fairgrounds. But you don’t need to wait for a major event to visit. The residents’ dedication to maintaining their town’s idyllic topography and coastal charm makes even the most mundane pastimes feel like something out of a movie montage.

One of those residents is KC Vafiadis, chairman of the Del Mar Village Association and daughter of longtime developer Jim Watkins. She grew up watching her dad bring the local economy back to life with projects like the L’Auberge Del Mar. While she’s understandably biased toward the spots steeped in her own family history (particularly the historic Stratford Square that she now runs), she has more than enough love for the rest of Del Mar to go around.

What’s Next for Del Mar

Several projects that will reshape the town’s landscape are in the works, with some replacing timeless favorites. Hillstone Restaurant Group (HRG) is constructing a 3,300-square-foot spot on Camino del Mar in the former site of the beloved Bully’s North. A rep from HRG confirmed it’s slated to open as a new Honor Bar location in early 2025. Valley Farm Market and The Cottage should also soon arrive on the town’s local business scene.

Jen Grove, executive director of the Del Mar Village Association, hopes that by continuing to attract San Diego–grown businesses, Del Mar can stay true to its small-town roots. “We’ve had a lot of change,” she says. “I think what people would like to see is just continuing to support what we have. Because what we have is really good.”

But the most controversial modification to the community’s landscape isn’t happening at the street level. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is working to relocate the rail line from Del Mar’s coast (which is threatened by eroding cliffs) onto a more stable inland route via a tunnel with a $4 billion– plus price tag that would potentially run underneath the town’s main thoroughfare. Residents are concerned about construction disruption and potential impacts on property values. But Brooks, who’s also a retired engineer, believes that as long as SANDAG doesn’t dig up the main drag of Camino del Mar, locals’ fears are mostly (though not totally) unfounded.

“It’s going to impact a couple of people on the north end, probably,” he says. “But the south end is a piece of cake. They’ve got all kinds of places [the train] can come out and not bother anybody.”

Though longtime residents can be resistant to change, 93-year-old Watkins views these new developments as the culmination of the vision he originally outlined in his 1969 economic report titled Why Del Mar.

“Del Mar is where it should be,” he says. “My focus was on business revitalization, and essentially that’s done. Now the idea is just keeping the character of the community.”

Where to Eat in Del Mar

Jake’s Del Mar

Poseidon Restaurant Del Mar

Pacifica Del Mar

Where to Shop in Del Mar

Del Mar Highlands Town Center

Rusty Del Mar Surf Shop

Sea Biscuit

More Things to Do in Del Mar

Del Mar Dog Beach

Crest Canyon

Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary

The post The Local’s Guide to Del Mar appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

By age seven, you’ve processed all the visual stimuli (not without a touch of trauma, some synapses had to be reduced to charcoal in the pursuit of this joy). Then, some parental figure wins you a giant plushie and you finally know what love feels like. 

By the time you reach middle school, it’s a training facility for learning to flirt with other middle-school kids. You “cruise” with new hormones in your blood and old terrors in your heart. Then you enter your thrill ride phase, where you are shaken and twisted and hurled in ways the gods never accounted for in the blueprints for mortal bodies. 

When the thought of “The Kraken” brings your therapist to mind, you’re finally ready. From here on out, it’s about the food. Finally, you have reached fair enlightenment, discovered true fair purpose. You are a seasonal attraction monk. 

I don’t care how many three-star Michelins you’ve degustated at. If you’ve lost the ability to appreciate the blue-collar entrepreneurial mayhem of American fair food, your life battery is on yellow and you should plug back in for a bit, or see if you qualify for a free upgrade on your life. 

Because, with all due respect to the performers and sows the size of minivans and quality woodwork, it is all about the food. The San Diego County Fair was started by farmers, after all. And while a deep-fried Oreo may be a stern rebuttal to the entire concept of agriculture, it’s ingestible and glorious in all the ways. 

So the question every year becomes, what are you gonna eat? You need to have a meal plan. You’re gonna need some rational food to set a base for survival (things like roasted corn or a sandwich or a fifty-pound turkey leg) and then you’ll need to try a few things that just might be the fall of American civilization. 

To assist you in this pursuit—a few of us each year get together for a group project called the Fairtastic Food Competition. The good people of the fair whittled down each year’s offerings to 18 finalists, and on Friday we tried them all. We named some winners. 

It’s a friendly competition. The true reason is to highlight the moms and pops and families who work their duffs off to create the food of the annual gathering. They travel from fair to fair each year, raising their families on the road, an entire community of people who try to feed us beasts as entertainingly as they possibly can. 

Troy’s Favorite Food from the San Diego County Fair (In Order)

Hot Honey Funnel Cake Chicken Sandwich

Chicken Charlie’s

The legend strikes again. The man who invented the deep-fried Oreo (ahem, Library of Congress) took funnel cake, glued it into the shape of a bun using hot honey, then placed a fried chicken breast between it. Sticky, sweet, salty, savory, crimes. 

The Cali Dog

Pink’s Hot Dogs

I’m a hot dog purist at heart (yellow mustard, relish, onions), but I’m getting into the loaded dog movement. This one is a quarter-pound spicy sausage topped with french fries, guacamole, sour cream, and Hot Cheetos crumbles. Hot Cheetos dust is the black truffle of the liquor store… and the county fair. 

Chicken on a Stick

Chan’s Chicken on a Stick

Welcome to your rational base. Just 12 ounces of good, moist chicken on a stick, kissed (not overly slathered) in a teriyaki sauce that’s been a family recipe for 40 years. Judge’s note: “That’s just delicious chicken.”

Disco Pop Shake

TJ’s Ice Cream

Grape soda is the yeti of the soda world. Never included in the standard rotation, always craved by those with high-quality soda mouths. TJ’s owners mix it with vanilla ice cream, then top it with a thicker whipped cream and a dusting of Pop Rocks. Gimmicks don’t usually taste this good.

The Fruit Caboose

Surfin’ USA Party Shake

When you want a shake but it’s 85 degrees, 180 degrees on the asphalt. Frozen lemonade blended with housemade vanilla soft-serve, a graham cracker crust on the rim. Part shake, part hydration.

Candied Bacon-Wrapped Pork Belly Bites

Bacon A Fair

Close to vegetarian, but not totally there. Cubes of tender, juicy, slow-smoked pork belly wrapped in thick-cut bacon, then fried in a skillet with a brown sugar glaze. This is just delicious food. 

The post 6 Weird & Delicious Foods to Eat at the San Diego County Fair appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Clique Hospitality already occupies a dynastic legacy in San Diego and beyond, behind places like Serẽa Coastal Cuisine at Hotel del Coronado, Lionfish at Pendry San Diego, and Temaki Bar in Encinitas, to name just a few. Chef Ryan Bullock, previously from MIHO Catering, will be executive chef for both locations and designer of the California cuisine menu that he says will incorporate plenty of flavors from around the globe, from continents like Asia and countries like Spain. 

While both properties will open at Torrey View by Breakthrough’s life sciences campus (and both will feature ocean views), The Kitchen’s indoor/outdoor concept will fit 200 seated guests and focus on lunch and light bites like chef-curated bowls, such as the Mediterranean chicken bowl and tuna sandwich.

But the BYOBowl options “are more similar to Tender Greens or CAVA,” explains Bullock. “You’re gonna walk up and make your own bowl or wrap… it’s all counter-service pickup.” Weekday hours will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and both locations will be closed over the weekends. 

Fare at The Clubhouse promises to be a bit heartier than its more health-conscious sibling, with Baja-inspired and signature dishes like lobster rolls and brownie sundaes available for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and early dinner. Bullock says early standouts include the smoked chicken wings, signature burger, and steak fries. Of course, plenty of curated wines and “a full mixology experience” will be available to amplify the cuisine. Around 230 guests can relax at The Clubhouse from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday. 

Bullock says once they work out the early-opening kinks, they hope to offer both spaces for event rentals. “One of the greatest things about the property is the layout for events,” he promises. “That’s something we’re hoping to hash out here in the next couple of days.” Drinking and dining with a view of the sparkling Pacific may seem like an old hat to us lucky San Diegans, but I gotta say—it never gets old. 

The Kitchen will open at 11208 El Camino Real Ste. 160, and The Clubhouse will open at 11220 El Camino Real Ste. 100.

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

It’s been a dozen wonderful years of The Lion’s Share, who we named as having one of the best bartender teams in 2023. To mark their 12 year anniversary, Executive Chef Mandy Cook designed a new menu that will launch on February 9, a day after their “celebration of exotic proportions” on Thursday, February 8 from 6 p.m. to close. Be warned—they advise guests “must love adventure and taxidermy.” 

Gimme all the chiles—New Mexico eatery The Farmacy is coming soon to the Gaslamp Quarter. If their popular Albuquerque location is any indication, we can expect breakfast/brunch fare, an espresso bar, and retail space where Minou previously occupied. Construction and permit holdups have delayed their opening, but we’ll be keeping an eye on their Instagram page for future updates. 

Beth’s Bites

Phillip Esteban’s popular Filipino concept White Rice just announced yet another collaborative pop-up at the White Rice Morena location in Linda Vista. The Breakfast Club will bring Bread & Butter and Provecho! Coffee every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, plus offer some sneak peeks at Esteban’s forthcoming Wildflour Delicatessen in Liberty Station. It’s everything delicious under one roof.

Now some bad news: my personal favorite chef in San Diego, Socheath Sun of Angkorian Pikestaff, announced her weekly residency inside Market on 8th is temporarily on hiatus. A few other vendors have already pulled out of the National City space—I smell trouble in paradise.

I’m obsessed with Mission Valley’s 626 Night Market and cannot wait for the next one. Their vendor signup sheet is currently live, and they promised to announce some “BIG news” tomorrow—is it the next event date? I can only (hungrily) wait and pray.

The post Clique Hospitality Set to Open Two New Restaurants in Del Mar appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Steakhouses are a place for birthdays with zeroes in them and wrap parties for long careers. They’re where big-deal clients are ornately wooed. They’re home to proposals both sacred and profane, where trusty anniversary gin is properly dirtied. All our various big life things are toasted, individually but simultaneously, through blood and bottle, under a single roof with a lot of butter.

In other words, more than the usual or recommended amount of emotions are pinned to dinner at the new Steak 48 in Del Mar. It’s a house of cheers and tears.

Sure, some come just because they’re hungry and like nice things. There are regulars who, through achievement or the natural flow of money down a bloodline, can casually dine in this strata of $500 checks and $100 tips. You often see them at the bar, their radiant epidermises the result of skin creams rare and exotic, some combo of shea butter and narwhal breath that’s illegal in many countries.

The rest of us have not yet victoriously pinned NASDAQ to the mat, are not collectors of infinity pools. But we’d like to try that on for size for a moment, and that’s important for the steakhouse. We’re middle-class Janes and Joes who have socially agreed to suspend economic disbelief for one night of carnivore dinner theater. In our daily lives, we responsibly count and monitor the outflow of our chits and eat our crucifers. Tonight, we take capitalism for a fleshy joy ride.

There are moments of pause. For instance, the waiter suggests my wife, Claire, try a Bernie Madoff–priced glass of Dom Serene Evenstad pinot ($68). I politely tachycardia.

Not because I’m cheap—I am cheap, but my cheapness knows its place. Looking for deals at a steakhouse is like trying to score drugs in church. Tonight, we’re gonna spend like we’re all launching SpaceX from our porticos at dawn.

All of this is why the most important thing about a steakhouse is the hospitality. Most of us spend our lives dutifully attending to demands, be it from bosses or banks or our lord-savior smartphones. At steakhouses, we’re splurging to be obsessively yet unobtrusively taken care of.

And Steak 48—the new arrival from Scott Troilo and the Arizona-based Mastro family (brothers Jeffrey and Michael and father Dennis), which first made its name with the wildly popular Mastro’s before selling it to Landry’s in 2013—are determined to serve you within an inch of your life.

A million people work here. Four attendants greet us at the host stand—less a welcome than a help ambush. You are swept up in a mild tornado of excellently trained wish caddies.

I recognize the bartender; she used to manage one of San Diego’s Michelin-starred restaurants. She’s getting her PhD, she explains—but, the point is, few restaurants have bartenders who used to run a Michelin.

Another night, our server is exactly who a steakhouse server should be—formal but not taxidermied, opinionated in all the right ways, a Vegas kinda funny. He has memorized every menu item and the perfect preparation and most common alterations. He may have invented steak.

Near the end of our meal, I ask if they’ve got the warm butter cake—Mastro’s famed dessert—and he says, “Have you ever opened a cease-and-desist letter? We have the warm vanilla cake, sir.”

The dude is a delight. And Steak 48 will win every service award.

Perched on the corner of Del Mar Highlands Town Center, Steak 48 is massive (12,500 square feet), with a wing built for corporate buyouts that includes its own bar and video screens. You enter first into the sunken main lounge, past a wall hung with hatchets, which is the edgiest thing about the design.

I’m a fan of minimalism or maximalism; Steak 48 casts their vote for in-betweenism. It won’t wow or offend. Granted, this place once housed Burlap, which was designed like a burlesque dinner party trying to entice a vice raid. Pendulums gotta swing.

There is a glass booth that stares directly down the line of their cold bar, which gives you a nifty view into the kitchen. The lights in the main bar and dining area are set to deep dusk with a billion LED candles. It’s like dining in a midnight Catholic prayer service, which sets a dreamy mood.

You know the Steak 48 concept—apps, chops, raw bar, caviar, “other” mains (Chilean sea bass, lamb, veal, scallops), potatoes five ways, volume-play desserts. A 3,000-bottle wine cellar (heavily West Coast reds and international whites and sparklings, both little-knowns and superstars like Opus and Quintessa). Their pours are benevolent and house party–sized (nine-ounce glasses of wine, five-ounce martinis—and they make a perfect dirty).

Your dinner plate lands at 300 or 400 degrees—the idea being that your first bite is as warm as your last. (But the reality being that any nicely pink cut of meat set down will not sear but turn a boiled-gray hue.

This is a longstanding hole in this approach—because, while I’m sure this next sentence will unsettle plant-based friends, I need the sight of blood on my steak. It activates something ancient in my marrow, and that lizard-brain bloodlust makes the steak taste better. Gray steak just looks like a mistake that only presidents prefer. Plus, just-warm beef is better than hot beef.)

We order the New York strip, their base model. Anyone with a heating surface can make a Miyazaki A5 Wagyu taste like euphemisms. The trick is working magic with the lowly gateway steak. And it’s good, seared and cooked to temp. Steak 48 specializes in corn-fed steaks— which are more marbled, sweeter, and richer than grass-fed (your mouth will always say yes to more fat).

We top the meat with soft, whipped truffle butter. It’s the river Styx of Steak 48: Whatever you dip in it becomes a bit closer to godliness. The greatest sauce, though, is “officially” served with seafood, but you should use it everywhere—olive oil with herbs and tomato.

Sides are hot and cold. The crème brûlée corn is topped with turbinado sugar, torched and caramelized. It is soup candy, a delicious bugle call to insulin manufacturers. Also try the whipped praline sweet potatoes. Again, they are a dessert in an appetizer costume with mascarpone cheese, candied pecans, and streusel crisp.

The wild mushrooms aren’t sautéed nearly enough. If not sizzled into submission, the forest sponges retain their bland, unseasoned moisture. And the creamed spinach would be more honest if named “spinached cream”—too heavy on the gloop.

That speaks to a weakness that pops up a lot on Steak 48’s menu. The big hits are so dependent on cream, butter, cheese, and sugar. The Maine lobster escargot is very tasty, but you’re not really tasting lobster or anything except truffle mornay sauce (to be fair, escargot and lobster are both traditionally drowned in butter). The other issue Steak 48’s gotta figure out is temperature.

Our red wine comes so cold. It is cabernet served like it’s sauvignon blanc. Red wine should be stored at 57 degrees Fahrenheit but served closer to 68, just below room temperature. I throw no shade at how people prefer to drink their wine. If you love Screaming Eagle with a couple ice cubes in it, I’ll grab the ice tongs for you. You like it with just a touch of salt and a dash of cigar ash? Cheers, weirdo.

But if you just enjoy red wine in the missionary position, as I do—good juice near room temp in a clean glass—then order your wine an hour before you come to dinner at Steak 48 and ask them to let it sit out on the bar for a while.

Same with the crab salad. Ours arrives nearly blast- chilled. Cold temps bury flavors. That’s a good thing when serving sorry ingredients or college beer. But this is very good crab. We ignore it and let it warm a touch, and it’s delicious—lumps of meat atop fresh avocado (another food that should never be served cold) and a slice of heirloom tomato, seasoned with a little basil pistou.

Get the hasselback potato, a 1950s Americana staple that was wrongly left for dead. It’s a whole spud, partially sliced so that it resembles an extreme-sports armadillo, baked until the exterior edges are crisp but the middle is tender and doused with truffle butter and chive cream sauce. Also order the hamachi crudo (served at the perfect temp) with hearts of palm, tapenade, and white soy.

Steak 48 isn’t out to set a new frontier for the genre. The steakhouse is a classic American song, one unexpected in San Diego, where our eating habits strike fear in the hearts of plants more than steer. But in times of uncertainty—as we finally normalize viral pandemics only to watch the formless mothership of AI ingest not only our roles in society, but our cultural identity and basic uniqueness as a species (no biggie)—an old song can soothe souls.

And Steak 48 sings it decently.

The post Review: Del Mar’s Steak 48 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

These are words Jeffrey Mastro, co-founder and CEO of Steak 48, never wants to hear you say. So, what’s he going to do about it? He’s opening another one. This time, aiming to quell the yawns, eye rolls, and wallet-clenching associated with this white tablecloth dining trope.

This newest Steak 48 location will open its doors in Del Mar October 13, replacing the long-shuttered space that formerly housed Searsucker and two other businesses in the Del Mar Highlands. Taking up 12,500-square-feet, the space can host 487 guests, has an in-house butcher shop, a 3,000-bottle wine vault, and eight private dining options. 

Mastro is doubling down on the historic appeal of this venerable gastro-genre, while giving it a modern glow-up that speaks to the community of Del Mar.

Oliver Badgio, the group’s chief brand officer, admits, “This was as an industry a little asleep at the wheel for a lot of years.” Steakhouse is as steakhouse does. After selling the successful chain of Mastro’s restaurants in 2007, Badgio and Mastro wanted to create something fresh. And the Steak 48 concept was born. “With Steak 48, the DNA changed,” says Badgio. But don’t worry. Not fundamentally.

There are white tablecloths. Voluminous, V-shaped martinis. Steaks are served on volcanic 500-degree plates. And, somehow, those cascading crab legs on seafood towers don’t topple over. 

The standards are there but there’s a buzz through the building that belies all the staid traditions of a classic steakhouse. Portraits of surfers adorn the walls, a buoyant soundtrack sways from Dusty Springfield to Joe Strummer, and the staff is as unpretentious as they come (entering this space without being said “hello” to by at least 14 different people is impossible).

Think Peter Luger cosplaying as Taylor Swift. It’s fastidious without being fussy. It’s fancy and fun.

“We don’t want to be stuffy,” says Mastro. “We want to be approachable.”

The food and beverage program speaks to the playful streak of the Steak 48 brand. Though anchor dishes like Tomahawks, A5 Wagyu, and three different grades of caviar are stationed on the menu, so are more whimsical dishes like the Maine Lobster “Escargot” and Crispy Shrimp Deviled Eggs. 

While the wine list maintains classics from Napa (yes, you can get Screaming Eagle if you’d like to forgo paying rent all year), the by-the-glass options are well-appointed with reasonably priced Pinots alongside lesser-known gems like Domaine des Baumard’s 2016 Savennières. At Steak 48, the classic and contemporary co-mingle.

Guided by interior design expertise from Testani Design Troupe and the team at Nelson Architects, the space is cavernous but welcoming, with buttery leather and geometrically patterned wood floors guiding you through the sprawl of meticulously set tables. The main dining room hums with energy from its centered, horseshoe bar, while the kitchen is encased in floor-to-ceiling glass and offers a chic, voyeuristic quality that’s grounded in literal and figurative transparency. 

You can wave at chefs on the line as you ogle the impressive raw bar display and drool over the delicate confections from the pastry department. Set back in the cozier, corner realms of the restaurant is the Del Mar Room, which features a more intimate setting along with a reservation-only bar.

“The ultimate goal that Jeff has always wanted us to have is that you sit down and you say to yourself, ‘I am in the right place,’” says Badgio. The sense of place is a huge theme for the group, which has nine other properties established throughout the country. Each location has its own personality to fit their clientele and community.

“Not being a corporation but being a sophisticated family business allows you to do those interesting things and allows you to be available for your neighborhood, because you’re not designing a Steak 48 that fits every single [place]. We’re designing Steak 48 Del Mar. This is just for this community,” says Badgio.

The company intends to not only invest in the community but help give back. Before opening its doors to the public, Steak 48 Del Mar will be hosting five nights of charitable giving, working with local foundations like the San Diego Opera, Voices for Children, and Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund. “When you have the opportunity to give back, it’s a privilege and one that we don’t take lightly,” says Badgio.

Not another steakhouse indeed.

The post First Look: Steak 48 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.