October 3 – Orchids & Onions
On Thursday, October 3 the community is invited to the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s 43rd Orchids & Onions Awards Ceremony at the historic US Grant Hotel, a previous Orchid winner.TheOrchids & Onions program brings San Diegans together to decide which parts of the built environment make our city a better place to live. The Awards Ceremony will be a thought-provoking night of commentary and discussion about the new crop of projects, spaces and places in San Diego. Guests can sip on delicious drinks and indulge in tasty appetizers while enjoying the fun-filled awards presentation.
October 5 -Stuck in the 80s Party
Pull out your 80s attire and gear up for Vintana’s “Stuck in the 80s” themed party on Saturday, October 5. A live 80s band will perform while radical eats and righteous desserts are served to partygoers to make this a totally rad party for all. Guests can take part in the 80s costume contest and dance their way to winning some great prizes and gift cards. Tickets for this 21+ party are $49 per person and can be purchased at dinevintana.com.
October 6 – End of Summer Pool Party with Mezcal Mal Bien
Say farewell to summer by celebrating at Level Four! The end of summer party with feature specialty cocktails like the Margarita, Ranch Water, Paloma, Oaxaca Old Fashioned, and others featuring Mal Bien Mezcal. Guests can also sample Mal Bien and enjoy selections from the Fruto de Carrito and Elote Bar while grooving to a DJ. No cover, but guests can purchase a drink package for $20, which gets them 2 drinks and access to the Frutas de Carrito and Elote Bar.
October 7 – Oktoberfest
The Smoking Gun will be hosting their own Oktoberfest celebration on Monday, October 7th from 8:00 p.m. to close. Multiple local breweries will be providing 4-oz. samples of their Oktoberfest beers, and tray pass sausage samples will be served beginning at 10:00 p.m. Everyone who walks through the door will receive three drink tickets and can then purchase any beer they enjoy for only $8. Also beginning at 10:00 p.m., The Smoking Gun will also be featuring a Beef Stroganoff pasta dish to enjoy!
October 8t – Karaoke for the Cure
On Tuesday, October 8th, ginger’s in the Gaslamp will be hosting Karaoke for the Cure, from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Come belt out your favorite women’s anthems – think Beyoncé, Madonna and Shania Twain -and raise money to support the fight against breast cancer. During the event, ginger’s will have a silent auction, swag and much more! You can also purchase specialty logo’ed barleymash hats, with a portion of the proceeds donated to breast cancer awareness, all October long!
October 10 – Pahlmeyer Wine Dinner at THE MED6
Join THE MED for an exceptional multi-course wine dinner prepared by Executive Chef Timothy Ralphs. The dinner will be paired with iconic Pahlmeyer wines, making this popular dinner one to attend. The evening begins with a welcome wine and a chef’s amuse, then moves on to a seated dinner with sweeping ocean views. Courses include hamachi crudo, Chef’s signature octopus and more. Dinners in this series sell out, so be sure to purchase ticket online.
October 12 -Hands-on Pasta Making Class
Each month, Executive Chef Tim Kolanko selects a different pasta category to teach, and this October guests will learn the art of making whole grain and alternative grain pastas. This intimate, 2.5-hour hands-on class offers a memorable, educational experience for home cooks of all levels and includes lunch, a glass of wine and best of all — your own fresh, handmade pasta to take home. To purchase tickets, visit: www.cucinasorella.com
October 16 – Staglin Wine Dinner at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Join Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse on Wednesday, October 16th for a night of great wines and great food for a great cause. Executive Chef Brian Christman along with Lindsey Dale, Estate Manager at the Staglin Family Vineyard, will guide diners through an exclusive five-course menu and paired wines. Since its inception in 1985, Staglin has been committed to philanthropy and has raised a staggering $920 million for charities. In addition to its flagship label, Staglin also produces a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay under the Salus label, and 100% of the proceeds from the sales of these wines are donated toward mental health research. At this dinner, guests will enjoy the Salus wines as well as Staglin’s finest from their estate, alongside dishes such as chicharron-dusted jumbo sea scallops, Yuzu butter-poached halibut, and roasted herb-marinated prime eye of ribeye. Tickets are $225 per guest and can be reserved by calling 619.272.5060.
October 16 – Pumpkin Spice Girls
Kick off your spooky celebrations at Side Bars’ Pumpkin Spice Girls themed party on Wednesday, October 16th! Sink your teeth into the seasonal charcuterie boards that will be unveiled at the event and treat yourself to sweets brought by local favorite, Donut Bar. Sip on one of the many fall-inspired refreshments that will only be available the night of the party – think S’mores Shots and Pumpkin Spice Latte cocktails! Don’t forget to document your night by posing for photos in the pumpkin patch which features a wheelbarrow and piles of leaves. Lastly, fall would not be complete without a “Basic Fall Starter Kit,” so enter to win all of this season’s essentials including Ugg slippers, leggings, pumpkin candles and more!
October 17 – Dine Out for the Cure at Cusp Dining & DrinksC
As part of Susan G. Komen’s Dine Out for the Cure campaign on Thursday, Oct. 17, two La Jolla restaurants are coming together for a tasteful night of fundraising. Food Network Champion and chef/owner of Sugar and Scribe, Maeve Rochford, and Executive Chef Ingrid Funes of Cusp Dining & Drinks are hosting a fundraising dinner to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The multi-course dinner will feature an amuse and 4-courses – two from chef Maeve and two from Chef Ingrid. An optional Drink Pink beverage pairing will also be available. Cusp Dining & Drinks has pledged to donate 10% of the evenings sales – from the dinner to their dining room – to Dine Out for the Cure. So whether you want to be a part of the chef collaboration dinner, or simply order a dish for the cause, Cusp Dining & Drinks is the place to be Oct. 17.
The Dine Out for the Cure Dinner at Cusp Dining & Drinks will start at 6pm. The dinner is $70 per person with an options Drink Pink beverage pairing for $20. Reservations can be made here.
October 17 – James Beard Dinner
On October 17th at 7:00 pm, beloved restaurant, Juniper and Ivy, is hosting a West Coast James Beard Dinner in its Private Dining Room. Coming off a successful sold-out dinner at The James Beard House in New York City, Chef Anthony Wells is bringing his six-course menu and wine pairing experience back to San Diego. Attendees will have the chance to enjoy decadent takes on halibut, spot prawns, sheepshead, lamb neck wellington, and more. Interested parties can purchase tickets here.
October 18 – Foley Wine Dinner at Vintana wine + dine
On Friday, October 18th, Vintana wine + dine hosts a special four-course meal accompanied by pairings from wine empire Foley Wines’s New Zealand labels. Beginning at 6 p.m., this Kiwi-inspired meal will feature menu highlights such as New Zealand mussels in a coconut curry sauce and chimichurri lamb chops. Foley Wines will present select pours from their collection of New Zealand estates, produced in the country’s most acclaimed wine regions. Menu is priced at $70 per person, excluding tax, gratuity and surcharge. Reserve your spot today by calling 760.745.7777.
October 19 – Fall Literary Tea
The Westgate Hotel is hosting a three-course afternoon tea with international bestselling author, Sarah McCoy as she discusses her new novel, “Marilla of Green Gables.” The gourmet afternoon will include tea, champagne, petite tea sandwiches and a fresh selection of handmade savories, pastries, and French macarons and cakes crafted by in-house Pastry Chef Gabriel Liberman. Tickets are $65 per person and include tax and gratuity. Paperback books will be available for purchase and for signing during the event for an additional $16. The seasonal literary tea will be held on Saturday, October 19, from 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
October 19 – Witches of Westgate Afternoon Tea
It’s time to celebrate witching season with a deliciously magical afternoon at the Westgate Hotel, hocus pocus guaranteed. Come dressed in your most bewitching costume and enjoy their renowned afternoon tea complete with house-made pastries, savory tea sandwiches, gourmet teas, kid-friendly beverages, and a host of treats with a distinctly wicked twist. Awards will be given for the best-dressed witch contest and witch cackling competition.
The Witches Tea will take place on Saturday, October 19, from 2:30 P.M. – 5 P.M. in the Versailles Ballroom. The price is $69 for adults, $40 for children ages 4-12 and complimentary for ages three and under. Prices include tax and gratuity. Special event parking is available for $10.
Tickets include tax and gratuity and can be purchased by visiting https://www.showclix.com/event/the-witches-of-westgate-tea
October 22 – C Level’s Single Malt Scotch Dinner
Scotch reigns supreme at C Level on Tuesday, October 22nd. Join guests at 7 p.m. for a four-course meal paired with rare single malt scotch from Bowmore, Glen Garioch, Laphroaig and Auchentoshan. Courses include fresh-shucked Kumiai oysters, braised duck agnolotti and a surf and turf entrée with charred fall vegetables. For $69 per person, excluding tax, gratuity and surcharge, guests can indulge in these delectable dishes, rare pours and gorgeous San Diego skyline. For reservations, please call 619.298.6802.
October 25 – Nason’s Beer Hall Celebrity Bartending Event
On Friday, October 25, Nason’s Beer Hall will host five local celebrity bartenders to “pour for a purpose” to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Networ (PANCAN), ahead of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November. Local celebrity bartenders pouring drinks all night include Rick Morten, morning show host of Morten in the Morning; Geena the Latina, host of Kramer & Geena Mornings on Channel 93.3; Kalyna Astrinos, reporter, anchor and host of ABC 10News and, more. Tickets are $20 and include two drinks, and $10 of each ticket as well as a portion of food and drink proceeds from the night will go toward PANCAN. Eventbrite ticket link, here.
