PACIFIC San Diego Magazine, February 2019

JUSTIN TIME San Diego added as last-minute stop on Timberlake’s Man of the Woods tour

LOVE STINGS

A not-so-sweet blind date

+ NEWLY OPENED

February 2019

PACIFICSANDIEGO.COM

AND ANTICIPATED RESTAURANTS OF 2019, STAND-UP COMEDY, STAGE PERFORMANCES, MUSIC TO GROOVE TO AND EVENTS TO KEEP YOU BUSY

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Take me to Paris!

WITHOUT W ITHOUT THE THE PRICE TAG

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Le Parfait Paris is San Diego’s finest patisserie and boulangerie.

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For Valentine’s, Le Parfait has numerous options from their famous chocolate covered strawberry macarons, their heart shape rose, litchi and raspberry macarons, and finally their Special Valentine’s dessert made with a Crispy and buttery biscuit, subtly combined and topped with strawberry mousse and shaved chocolate pieces. You will also find a bevy of colorful macarons, and desserts displayed like fine jewelry in transparent refrigerated cases for roving eyes to adore.

Le Parfait is also known for its authentic baguettes, Normandy butter croissants, pastries and, most of all, their delectable macaron selection. They also offer an array of delicious savory entrées for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Le Parfait Paris provides its guests with a superbly French experience, stimulating all five senses.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Macarons and a Valentine’s Special, crispy and buttery biscuit subtly combined and topped with strawberry mousse and shaved chocolate pieces.

Gaslamp Quarter | Liberty Public Market | Fashion Valley Mall | 619-245-4457 | leparfaitparis.com

EDITOR’S NOTE A P P HOTO/S E TH WE N I G

The Purge I am on the move again. In the 18 years I’ve lived in San Diego, I have resided in eight places and in February I will be moving to my ninth home (that averages out to a new home every other year).

Each move acts as an opportunity to let go not just of the place I’ve called home, but of some of the things that filled it. And, while it’s tough, after all is said and done, it really does feel good. It helps provide even more of a fresh start in the new place.

And it seems I’m not the only one jumping on the cleanup train these days. People cannot stop talking about the recently released Netflix show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo which features a Japanese consultant and organization master who helps people straighten up their lives.

Kondo employs what she calls the KonMari Method which systematically has people going through their stuff and getting rid of everything that does not spark joy.

At the end of the day, in both the show and as I work toward finding joy in the stuff I own, is the realization that more important than things are experiences and shared moments in time with friends and family.

And, with that said, dear reader, it’s a good thing

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

Marie Kondo is inspiring the world to tidy up using her KonMari Method.

this month’s magazine is filled with all sorts of great activities around San Diego. Of the events I have on my calendar thus far, you’ll find me at the Justin Timberlake concert on Feb. 21 (read more about him on page 80), grabbing a cold one at the newly opened Gravity Heights in Sorrento Valley (see page 68), dining at Fort Oak in Mission Hills (see page 55), getting cultured at the Nat’s Secret Society of Adultologists (see page 22) and exploring the Groundbreaking Girls exhibition at the Women’s Museum of California (see page 38).

Stay organized, San Diego.

Cheers,

Leslie Hackett leslie@pacificsandiego.com

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Volume #13 | Issue #2 | February 2019

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CONTENTS

ON THE COVER: Superstar Justin Timberlake shows San Diego some love this month when he performs at Pechanga Arena on Feb. 21. Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images. Read more about Timberlake’s performance on page 80.

ON THIS PAGE: Gain some knowledge this month by participating in San Diego Museum Month, when you can get half-priced admission to more than 40 local museums (including the San Diego Museum of Art at Balboa Park, pictured) all through the month of February. For more events, see page 16.

FEBRUARY 2019

CURRENTS 16 Two.Nineteen

February events calendar

44 The Reel Deal

February motion

picture preview

68 Take it From the Tap

A monthly taste of beer

from here

30 Laughing Stock

February stand-up

comedy shows

50 Spotted

Where locals were seen

in January

GROOVE 70 Sounds Like a Plan

February concert calendar

PULSE 36 Art Beat

February gallery +

exhibition openings

TASTE 52 New Food A-fare

The year may be young, but

San Diego’s restaurant

scene is already heating up,

tempting those ready to find

a new culinary passion

86 Take a Spin

Upcoming EDM +

DJ performances

42 Curtain Calls

February performing

arts preview

66 Full Plate

February food + drink events

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

LOVE 88 Let It Bee

Blind daters Ian and Katrina

get buzzed on a sweet

blind date

CURRENTS WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW

BY MICHAEL BENNINGER

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

2.1-3

SAN DIEGO LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL SDCCU Stadium, Mission Valley lunarnewyearfestival.org Compete for the title of San Diego’s phở eating champion — or fill your belly in the beer garden — at this annual Lunar New Year festival offering free admission to anyone born in the Year of the Pig.

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Innovative, delicious, and unique tacos!

Traditional recipes with SoCal flavor.

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CURRENTS | EVENTS 2.1 MAD HATTER’S BALL: DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE Observatory North Park, North Park northparkcarnival.com Don your finest duds for this strictly formal affair, and join the Mad Hatter and his entourage for a journey down the rabbit hole featuring dinner, live music, craft libations and cirque performers, among other eclectic acts.

2.1-28 SAN DIEGO MUSEUM MONTH Museums throughout the county sandiegomuseumcouncil.org Aficionados of art, history and nature can score half-price admission to more than 40 local museums during this month-long celebration of the county’s rich culture.

PHOTO BY EDUARDO CONTRERAS

2.2 AMA MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS Petco Park, East Village supercrosslive.com Cramped corners, speedy straightaways and treacherous triple jumps define this elite off-road racing championship that gives spectators a chance to see many of the world’s top motorcyclists.

PHOTO BY HAYNE PALMOUR IV

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

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Chic urban living within the tranquility of Cortez Hill. Clean and modern, spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath residence with open concept kitchen, dining and living areas. Large balcony expands your living space outdoors for enjoying the amazing San Diego climate and dining al fresco. Attractive finishes include wood flooring, modern kitchen with European style cabinetry, quartz stone counters, stainless appliances, and neutral paint palette. Master en suite features marble counters with dual vanity. Additional conveniences include 2 parking and large storage room. Live in the city, but enjoy the quiet of a neighborhood. Aria is centrally located in the Cortez Hill neighborhood with close access to Little Italy and downtown, Balboa Park, the airport and convenient freeway access. Building amenities include fully-equipped fitness center; lap pool and spa; club room with catering kitchen, wet bar, home theater and pool table; gorgeous lobby; security with electronic access and monitoring; professional property management on-site; ample parking with gated entry; and underground storage. If you are looking for the conveniences and swankiness of downtown San Diego living, but also enjoy the tranquility of a quiet neighborhood, ARIA in Cortez Hill could be just the right home for you.

1441 9th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101

DOWNTOWN MARKET UPDATE # of homes for sale: 251 # of homes sold: 40 (Dec) Highest price: $1,570,000 Lowest price: $290,000 Average home price: $540,000

There is currently a 7+ month supply of homes on the market. This new buyer’s market is bringing good opportunities for buyers and is slowing down the selling process for sellers.

The average days on market for properties is now over 70 days. While forecasts for the San Diego housing market are positive for 2019- ranked as the 5th hottest market in the nationwe are definitely seeing a cooling off from the amazing 7 year run up we had. We would be honored to represent you, your family and your friends with any real estate needs in 2019.

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CURRENTS | EVENTS

2.3 SUPER BOWL BLOCK PARTY Firehouse American Eatery + Lounge parking lot, Pacific Beach firehousepb.com Watch the Big Game on a 20-foot LED screen and fill up on grub from gourmet food trucks at this outdoor viewing party featuring live DJs and a full-service bar.

PHOTO BY ANDREW MINNER PHOTOGRAPHY

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

R E A L E STAT E M A R K E T WATC H

POWAY, 92064 Stunning, move-in ready 4 bed 3.5 bath in desirable Poway offering the best schools less than a quarter of a mile away! Open & bright floorplan features vaulted ceiling, wood flooring, 1st floor bedroom & full bath w/private entry, gas fireplace, owned solar for max energy efficiency, upgraded kitchen, Milgard dual pane windows, palatial master suite with french doors to view balcony, custom tile shower & spacious walk-in closet. Low maintenance yard with patio, built-in BBQ, pool,spa & lush lawn!

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POWAY MARKET UPDATE # of homes for sale: 111 # of homes sold: 39 (Dec) Highest price: $1,605,000 Lowest price: $379,900 Average price: $855,129

The New Year is off to a positive start with interest rates at new lows. The rates are anticipated to rise again throughout the year so now is the best time to buy for any prospective buyers who have been exploring the real estate market. It’s a great time for sellers to list their homes offering an increased inventory for the buyers wanting to take advantage of these low rates and be a step ahead of those who are looking to list in Spring or Summer. The outlook is strong for the first quarter of 2019!

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CURRENTS | EVENTS 2.7-17 29TH ANNUAL SAN DIEGO JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Throughout the county, sdcjc.org Portraying the Jewish experience from contemporary and historic perspectives, this annual film festival promotes the awareness of and appreciation for the community’s diverse culture.

2.8-10 14TH ANNUAL SAN DIEGO TET FESTIVAL Mira Mesa Community Park, Mira Mesa, sdtet.com Carnival rides, the Miss Vietnam of San Diego Pageant and two stages of competitive singing, dancing and eating span this three-day festival that also boasts a beer garden and food vendors from around the world.

PHOTO BY SYDNEY TRAN

TO WIN TICKETS, SEE PAGE 23!

2.8 SECRET SOCIETY OF ADULTOLOGISTS: RED San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park sdnhm.org Celebrate Valentine’s Day at this sensual, 21+ celebration of love, lust and the color red that includes craft cocktails, delicious food and intimate conversations with The Nat’s knowledgeable scientists.

2.9 CABRILLO SUNRISE 5K Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma, cnmf.org Wake up with the sun at San Diego’s only national park during this fun run and walk that supports the educational, interpretive and scientific programs of Cabrillo National Monument.

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

Actually, it’s a bunch of prizes

Adultologists Only

This Valentine’s Day, get in the mood by winning a pair of tickets to The Secret Society of Adultologists: Red, a night of craft cocktails, beer, gourmet food and scintillating conversations with the scientists at The Nat. Celebrating all things red, this event is perfect for date night or a night out with friends. Event is 21+.

Feb. 8 at the San Diego Natural History Museum

ETHAN MILLER

Make it Kane

Cello There

2Cellos are a Croatian cellist duo who perform pop hits like Despacito and classics like Eye of the Tiger on cello for an experience like no other. Enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the San Diego stop on their Let There Be Cello tour.

Feb. 10 at Pechanga Arena

Groovy, Baby

Enter to win a pair of tickets to Local Brews Local Grooves, a signature event that brings together 12 of the best local musicians with 12 of the best local breweries for a day of grooving and boozing.

Feb. 17 at House of Blues

Around the Globetrotters BRETT MEISTER

NYC-born comic Colin Kane is known for his raw, edgy take on topics like sex, relationships and politics, and also for appearances in films including The Wedding Ringer opposite Kevin Hart.

Enter to win a pair of tickets to his gig at American Comedy Co. Feb. 15 at American Comedy Co.

Register to win tickets to these February events and more at pacificsandiego.com/contests.

Life’s cool in San Diego. Here’s proof:

M AT T HI AS HA N GST/GE T T Y I M AGE S

It’s a Gift

A Harlem Globetrotters game isn’t just about basketball. It’s an event that combines entertainment, comedy and sports that leaves the crowd wanting more. Enter to win a pair of tickets to one of their upcoming San Diego stops.

Feb. 22, 24 at Pechanga Arena

Register to win at pacificsandiego.com/contests @PACIFICSD

FEBRUARY 2019

23

CURRENTS | EVENTS

2.9 T9 MERMAID HALF MARATHON SAN DIEGO 5K, 10K, 13.1 South Shores, Mission Bay, mermaidseries.com Runners and walkers alike are encouraged to participate in this scenic, aquatic-themed event with a variety of courses around Mission Bay.

2.10 NINTH ANNUAL CORONADO VALENTINE’S DAY 10K, 5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN Tidelands Park, Coronado, valentinesday10k.com Pick a bib labeled “Available,” “Taken” or “It’s Complicated” at this bayside matchmaking race followed by a breakfast buffet and beer garden at McP’s Irish Pub & Grill.

2.10 ZOMBIE ESCAPE 5K AND 1 MILE FUN RUN Rancho Bernardo Park, Rancho Bernardo thezombieescape5k.org Try to avoid getting infected at this zombie-apocalypse-themed racing event in which the undead obstacles attempt to yank flags from your belt to diminish your health.

2.15 GALENTINES: MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Bldg 177, Liberty Station, layeredvintage.com Drawing inspiration from the fairies, nymphs and butterflies featured in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this night of mystical decor and unearthly libations celebrates all that is female.

PHOTO BY BAUMAN PHOTOGRAPHERS

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

2.16 BREAKTHROUGH: THE ROARING 20S IDEA1, downtown, vanguardculture.com Dress in your best 1920s-inspired attire for this themed evening centered around visual art, spoken word poetry and live musical performances, complemented by fine wine and fantastic fare.

2.16-17 13TH ANNUAL TRITONMAN Fiesta Island Park, Mission Bay, tritonman.com UCSD’s Triathlon Team continues the legacy of the first modern triathlon by hosting a 750-meter swim, a 21K bike and a 5K run at the exact same site where the original event took place in 1974.

2.16-17 37TH ANNUAL SAN DIEGO CHINESE NEW YEAR FAIR Third Avenue & J Street, downtown, sdcny.org This celebration of the Chinese New Year includes two free days of art, culture and exciting performances alongside an array of authentic Asian food.

PHOTO BY NANCEE E. LEWIS

@PACIFICSD

FEBRUARY 2019

25

CURRENTS | EVENTS

TO WIN TICKETS, SEE PAGE 23!

2.17 LOCAL BREWS LOCAL GROOVES House of Blues, downtown houseofblues.com/sandiego Twelve local bands take over two stages, while a dozen local breweries serve their finest suds at the House of Blues’ signature beer, food and music festival.

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

2.17 FIFTH ANNUAL TANTRUMS & TIARAS The Observatory, North Park tantrumstiaras.org Five Uptown bartenders with no experience in drag slip into stilettos and compete head-to-head in rounds such as swimsuit, evening wear and special talent.

PHOTO BY CALI GRIEBEL PHOTOGRAPHY

2.21 CULTURE & COCKTAILS: LEGENDS AND VOYAGES San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park, sdmart.org Celebrating the arrival of freshly installed works depicting the adventures of Sinbad the Sailor, this artsy party includes a live DJ, a lobster food truck and maritime-themed activities that encourage mixing and mingling.

PHOTO BY BAUMAN PHOTOGRAPHERS

TO WIN TICKETS, SEE PAGE 23!

2.22, 24 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Pechanga Arena, Midway District, pechangaarenasd.com Bask in the ball-handling wizardry of the original Harlem Globetrotters, then applaud the astounding acrobatics of the Flying Globies trampoline dunk team.

PHOTO BY BRETT MEISTER

@PACIFICSD

FEBRUARY 2019

27

CURRENTS | EVENTS

PHOTO BY CHADD CADY

HOME GAMES SAN DIEGO GULLS 2.1 vs. Ontario Reign 2.2 vs. Iowa Wild 2.6 vs. Ontario Reign 2.20 vs. Tucson Roadrunners 2.23 vs. San Antonio Rampage

SAN DIEGO LEGION 2.2 vs. Seattle Seawolves 2.9 vs. Houston SaberCats 2.17 vs. Utah Warriors

SAN DIEGO SEALS 2.8 vs. Vancouver Warriors

SAN DIEGO SOCKERS 2.15 vs. Tacoma Stars 28

FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

Drink responsibly.

Corona Premier® Beer. Imported by Crown Imports, Chicago, IL Per 12 fl. oz. serving average analysis: Calories 90, Carbs 2.6 grams, Protein 0.7 grams, Fat 0.0 grams

WIN Enter for your chance to

See Official Rules for details.

Text:

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Starts at 12:00 AM (ET) on 1/1/19, and all entries must be received by 11:59 PM (ET) on 2/28/19 to be eligible for the drawing. Message and data rates may apply (available on participating carriers only). For help, text HELP to 55999. To cancel, you agree to text STOP to 55999.

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Sponsor: Crown Imports LLC, 131 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60603.

CURRENTS

Laughing Stock February stand-up roundup

BY MICHAEL BENNINGER

2.28-3.2 BIG JAY OAKERSON @ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

My daughter is going to be “ pretty loose-lipped around me.

She’s going to probably tell me things I don’t want to hear. Like sexual stuff, that I don’t want to know, when she gets older.

But if you add lesbian to any of those stories, I don’t give a s**t at all. I mean that 100%. It would change everything. It would make a horrible story a great story. If my daughter came home at 19 and was like, ‘Dad, I had a five-some last night,’ that would make my heart thump. I’d be like, ‘Oh my god, I tried to be a good father.’ And then she’d be like, ‘With four hot chicks.’ I’d be like, ‘Nice.’ I wouldn’t be upset or sad anymore. I’d smell her fingers and high-five her like a son.

”

— Big Jay Oakerson at Comedy Works PHOTO BY MINDY TUCKER

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

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CURRENTS | COMEDY

2.1 SIMON GIBSON @ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

I never looked better than “ when I was doing crystal meth.

True story. Now I get called a fat lesbian on my Instagram, and that’s fine, too.

”

— Simon Gibson on Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen

2.8-10 JON REEP @ The Comedy Store, thecomedystore.com/la-jolla

Saying Die Hard is a Christmas movie is like saying “ A Christmas Story is a Midwestern movie. ” — Jon Reep on Twitter

2.1-2 AASIF MANDVI @ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

It was tough growing up “ in a Muslim home because I didn’t have a lot of the things that a lot of my Western friends had, like the Easter Bunny and bacon bits. And I never got to see my mother’s face. You know, things like that.

— Aasif Mandvi on Aasif Mandvi’s Deportation Jamboree

”

2.1-2 VICKI BARBOLAK @ The Comedy Store, thecomedystore.com/la-jolla

It seems to me kids today “ are a little bit entitled. Am I right? So my daughter turned 16, and she says, ‘Mom, I wanna go to Coachella, and I want you to get me a hotel room.’ I’m like, ‘You’re 16!

Listen to yourself! A hotel room? If you can’t find a guy who can afford a van by now…’

”

— Vicki Barbolak on America’s Got Talent

2.2 MIKE E. WINFIELD @ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

I’m afraid to cheat. It’s “ too much stuff you have to worry about, you know? Like pregnancies, diseases, the other chick. That’s who you got to worry about the most: the other chick. She might go back and confess, mess up everything you have. That’s why I decided if I was to ever cheat, I’d have to give this other woman the best sex ever. Ever! ’Cause if she comes back and tries to confess that, my wife ain’t going to believe it.

— Mike E. Winfield on Clyde Comedy 32

FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

”

2.7-9 BRYAN CALLEN @ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

I don’t masturbate standing up. “ I’m just saying, I don’t. That’s the only time that good posture and a smile is creepy, right? If I catch you masturbating, please be hunched over a computer. Have some shame, know what I mean? Hide it from the dog, anything. If I catch you and you’re just smiling, staring at a wall, I can’t be friends with you, man.

”

— Bryan Callen at the DC Improv

2.14-16 COLIN KANE @ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

TO WIN “in bed. You ever have TICKETS, sex with an Asian girl? feels like you’re f**king SEE PAGE 23! aItPrius. ” — Colin Kane on The Color Asian girls are so quiet

don’t care at all. I bought weed from a dude in Brooklyn two days ago. He sold me weed in a napkin he just wiped his mouth with.

”

— Jordan Rock at the Gotham Comedy Club

2.22-23 ANDREW SCHULZ @ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

Anyway, I’m learning about “ Egypt. Bunch of f**king liars in Egypt. I just want to point that out.

Liars. All of ’em, f**king liars. I’m supposed to believe 4,000 years ago, you guys built the pyramids, and then for the next 4,000 years, you built jack sh*t? Not happening. Not happening. You built the greatest thing ever by humans 4,000 years ago, and then for the next 4,000 years, the best thing you could create is cotton sheets? F**k you, Egypt.

I’m not a stupid person. I’m not going to believe some bulls**t lie like that.

”

— Andrew Schulz on 4 Clubs: 4 Sets: 1 Night

Blue Show

2.15-17 ARI SHAFFIR @ The Comedy Store, thecomedystore.com/la-jolla

One time when I was little, I was “ 7, 8 years old, I found a condom, unused. And … I didn’t know what to do with it. I was still 10 years away from using condoms. And, like, 15 years away from no longer using condoms. Condoms suck. … You girls have no idea how shitty they are. Female privilege.

Never worn a condom. That’s female privilege. Nobody ever talks about that. Here’s what condoms feel like, so you know. A condom feels like you’re getting a massage while wearing a winter coat.

”

2.23 NERD COMEDY WITH TIM LEE @ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

On the radio, the oil companies “ are giving out gas-saving advice that they know you’re not going to use. Chevron has a commercial: ‘Did you know if you drive 55 instead of 65 on the freeway, you could get an extra 30 to 60 miles to the tank?’ Which is true, because you would actually get pushed forward by the honking noise and the occasional bullet coming from the traffic behind you.

”

— Tim Lee on Deep Green Comedy

— Ari Shaffir on Ari Shaffir: Double Negative

2.24 AZIZ ANSARI 2.21 JORDAN ROCK @ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

I’m trying to get better “ friends. I’m trying to get white friends. I really am. I’ve been following you guys all year. I’ve been shadowing you. … I found out something. You guys have really good weed. Like, oh my god, the presentation! It comes it jars; it’s got names on it like Blue Dream. Black people, we

@ Copley Symphony Hall, copleysymphonyhall.com

If you think about it, Donald “ Trump is basically the Chris Brown of politics, and ‘Make America Great Again’ is his ‘These Hoes Ain’t Loyal.’

”

— Aziz Ansari on Saturday Night Live

RICK DIAMOND PHOTO BY RICK DIAMOND/GETTY IMAGES; AASIF MANDVI PHOTO BY ROB KIM/GETTY IMAGES; VICKI BARBOLAK PHOTO BY VIVIAN ZINK/ NBC; MIKE E. WINFIELD PHOTO BY IMEH AKPANUDOSEN/GETTY IMAGES; BRYAN CALLEN PHOTO BY FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES; COLIN KANE PHOTO

BY ETHAN MILLE; ARI SHAFFIR PHOTO BY JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAGES; ANDREW SCHULZ PHOTO BY CINDY ORD/GETTY IMAGES; TIM LEE PHOTO BY TONY WEBSTER; AZIZ ANSARI PHOTO BY RICK DIAMOND/GETTY IMAGES.

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FEBRUARY 2019

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ARTS | COOLTURE ART BEAT

BY LISA DEADERICK

THROUGH 2.3

The AjA Project presents

Collective Voices: The Power of Empathy San Diego Art Institute 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park 619.236.0011, sandiego-art.org A collaboration through The AjA Project and United Women of East Africa featuring three collaborative photography pieces that focus on mental health and building unity in Emotion Portraits and the Power of Radical Listening, Beyond Borders: Anger, Destruction, and Rebuilding and A Retrospective: Expectation and Reality.

Somali Bantu Field Trip

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PULSE | ART BEAT

Art Beat

February gallery + exhibit openings

BY LISA DEADERICK

THROUGH 4.7 LOOK TO THE STARS Visions Art Museum 2825 Dewey Rd., Ste. 100, Liberty Station 619.546.4872, visionsartmuseum.org Inspired by the Stephen Hawking quote “look to the stars…” the Canyon Quilters answered this quilting challenge by creating works based on the quote, interpreted in their own, personal way.

Star Talk by Pat Anderson

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on the airwaves Every month PACIFIC teams up with Facebook group Eating and Drinking in San Diego to bring podcast listeners the latest and greatest on San Diego’s food and drink scenes. You can find Dish It Up and Kiss My Glass on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month on your preferred podcasting platform.

Here’s what to keep your eyes and ears open for in February.

Dish It Up on Feb. 11 with guest Matt Gordon of Urban Solace + Solace and the Moonlight Lounge Kiss My Glass on Feb. 25 with guest Tim Mays of The Casbah, Krakatoa Cafe, Live Wire + Starlite

Brunch Directory OLD TOWN TEQUILA FACTORY & CANTINA (buffet style) 2467 Juan St., Old Town (across from Heritage Park) 619.260.8124 | oldtowntequilafactory.com A spectacular scenic hillside spot for your Saturday or Sunday Champagne brunch with panoramic views from the Coronado Islands, over Old Town to Mission Bay. This traditional Mexican buffet, served 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, features sizzling steak, shrimp, carnitas or chicken fajitas and includes favorites like fresh menudo and pozole, cheese enchiladas, homemade chile rellenos, agave glazed ribs, flowing Champagne and more. At $26.99 (kids under 12, $12.99), it’s perfect for bridal/baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries, holiday parties and reunions.

CHINA MAX (table service) 4698 Convoy St., Kearny Mesa 858.650.3333 | chinamaxsd.com Experience the true delight of an authentic Chinese dim sum brunch, dozens of varieties (from $2.45) and their famous regular menu. Served Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.

KAISERHOF GERMAN AMERICAN RESTAURANT

(table service) 2253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., Ocean Beach 619.224.0606 | kaiserhofrestaurant.com Enjoy Sunday brunch in Kaiserhof’s award-winning and quaint German American restaurant. Served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. the brunch menu features dishes such as German pancakes, eggs benedict, Kaiserschmarren, steak & eggs, poached salmon, omelets and more. Includes a glass of Champagne, mimosa or orange juice and fresh rolls and butter. From $12.95.

OLD TOWN COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL & RESTAURANT

(table service) 2660 Calhoun St., Old Town 619.297.1874 | oldtowncosmopolitan.com A blend of American and Mexican favorites served in their uniquely historic setting, either on the patio or indoors. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with entrees starting at $7.95 and $7 mimosas and Champagne. Kids under 12 eat free (one per paid adult). Additional kids, $5.95.

PARKHOUSE EATERY (table service) 4574 Park Blvd., University Heights 619.297.7275 | parkhousesd.com Located in University Heights, Parkhouse Eatery features a garden patio, a bright, window-lit living room and the cozy warm room with a wood-burning fireplace. Brunch menu items includes mimosa flights, house-made pancakes, house-made breakfast pizza, churro pancakes, cowboy benedict, the original avocado toast and more. Brunch and dinner served seven days a week, with happy hour Monday through Friday.

94TH AERO SQUADRON (buffet style)

8885 Balboa Ave., Kearny Mesa 858.560.6771 | 94thsandiego.com Join 94th Aero Squadron Sunday for their Champagne buffet brunch. Buffet includes omelet bar and eggs benedict, Belgian waffle station, carved meats, fajita station, pasta station, dessert station, chocolate fountain and much more. Served from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with an early brunch special from 9 a.m to 10 a.m. Early pricing is $29.95 and regular pricing is $34.95 (per adult). Children ages 4-10 are $16.95.

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FEBRUARY 2019

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PULSE | ART BEAT

2.1-22 HEARTS ON FIRE Brandon Gallery 105 Main Ave., Fallbrook 760.723.1330, fallbrookbrandongallery.org These “symbols, scenes, and stories of love” are created by artists 18 and older, and judged by multi-media artist Daniel Marquez, who has been influenced in his work by surrealist painters and maintains an interest in indigenous rituals and spirituality.

Be My Valentine by Bonnie Woods

2.1-4.28 GROUNDBREAKING GIRLS Women’s Museum of California 2730 Historic Decatur Rd., Ste. 103, Liberty Station 619.233.7963, womensmuseumca.org What started as an artist’s search for inspiration after the death of a spouse has led to painting the portraits of strong, empowering women throughout history.

2.9-3.2 JUNE STRATTON: MODERN DRYADS

Harper Vogue by June Stratton

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Distinction Gallery 317 E. Grand Ave., Escondido 760.707.2770, distinctionart.com Artist June Stratton uses the emotions from her dreams and combines them with elements of nature, symbols and her point of view as a woman to tell her stories in this exhibit.

2.16-3.24 DEVIATE / LANDSCAPE San Diego Art Institute, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park 619.236.0011, sandiego-art.org The artists featured in this exhibit use contemporary approaches like painting, photography, installation, and video to imagine a landscape as a constructed and deconstructed space.

Prototype for nonfunctional satellite

PULSE | ART BEAT 2.16-6.30 CHRISTIAN MARCLAY: TELEPHONE San Diego Museum of Art 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park 619.232.7931, sdmart.org A combination of popular culture while examining human nature and emotion, this exhibit uses clips of phones ringing and being answered, including scenes featuring Katharine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, the 1983 film Mr. Mom and the 1993 film Sleepless in Seattle.

2.22-6.2 TREVOR PAGLEN: SITES UNSEEN MCASD Downtown, 1100 & 1001 Kettner Blvd., downtown, 858.454.3541, mcasd.org MacArthur Award-winning artist Trevor Paglen is described as “a conceptual artist with activist intentions” and this exhibit presents his early photography along with his more recent sculptures, and his work with artificial intelligence.

Mission Church, No. 121 by Matthew Barnes

2.16-3.24 TRINH MAI: THAT WE SHOULD BE HEIRS San Diego Art Institute, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park 619.236.0011, sandiego-art.org A collaborative work that uses handwritten letters as a form of healing, participants are encouraged to submit letters that document the stories of immigrants in native tongues, survivors of tragedy and hardship, and stories of triumph that will be bound and rolled to remain private while part of this installation.

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2.23-5.12 MATTHEW BARNES: PAINTER OF THE NIGHT Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside 760.435.3720, oma-online.org This is a rare solo exhibition of the imagist, surrealist and expressionist work of artist Matthew Barnes, an “original master of California ‘noir,’ ” who created darker, more shadowy landscapes that were the opposite of the sunnier side of the state.

PULSE | CURTAIN CALLS

Curtain Calls

February performing arts

BY JAMES HEBERT

2.1 KISS & TELL: VALENTINE’S CABARET Moonlight Stage Productions’ ClubM Moonlight Amphitheatre 1250 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista 760.724.2110, moonlightstage.com A half-dozen romantic couples who also happen to be among the top musicaltheater performers in San Diego (and beyond) put their hearts into this Valentine’s cabaret show.

2.1-3.3 CRAZY FOR YOU San Diego Musical Theatre Horton Grand Theatre 444 Fourth Ave., downtown 858.560.5740, sdmt.org SDMT likewise has Valentine’s in mind with this Tony Award-winning celebration of romance, Gershwin-style, featuring such classic tunes as Embraceable You and Someone to Watch Over Me.

2.2-10 RIGOLETTO San Diego Opera San Diego Civic Theatre 1100 Third Ave., downtown 619.533.7000, sdopera.org Giuseppe Verdi’s potent epic, named for a hunchbacked court jester with one troublesome tongue, gets a sweeping revisit, with Stephen Powell in the title role.

2.14 SOMEBODY TO LOVE

2.20-3.3 ALADDIN

Music Box 1337 India St., Little Italy 619.795.1337, musicboxsd.com The music of Queen gets the ballet treatment in this one-of-a-kind, Valentine’sminded piece performed by Kirsten Bloom Allen and Brian Justin Crum, an America’s Got Talent finalist.

Broadway/San Diego San Diego Civic Theatre 1100 Third Ave., downtown 619/858/760.570.1100, broadwaysd.org Local fans of this Disney favorite finally get their wishes granted, as the hit Broadway show about genies, magic carpets and forbidden romance hits town for the first time under Tony Award winner (and former San Diegan) Casey Nicholaw’s direction.

2.15-2.17 RITMOS LATINOS San Diego Ballet Lyceum Theatre 79 Horton Plaza, downtown 619.294.7378, sandiegoballet.org San Diego Ballet once again celebrates Latinx rhythms, with three dance pieces that dip into the sounds of mariachi, jazz and more.

2.19-4.7 DIANA La Jolla Playhouse 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla 858.550.1010, lajollaplayhouse.org This one’s got national buzz: The Playhouse stages its world-premiere musical about the late Princess of Wales, whose story is told by the team behind the Tony Awardwinning, La Jolla-launched Memphis.

2.20-3.17 GABRIEL North Coast Rep 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach 858.481.1055, northcoastrep.org NCRT stages the West Coast premiere of Moira Buffini’s wartime drama about a mystery man who washes up on a small island and the four women who strive to protect him.

2.21-3.24 HERSHEY FELDER, BEETHOVEN San Diego Rep, Lyceum Stage 79 Horton Plaza, downtown 619.544.1000, sdrep.org A decade after premiering this piece at the Old Globe, Hershey Felder — the consummate pianist-playwright-actor — returns to this music-filled saga of the great composer.

2.23 BEER AND BALLET California Ballet The Observatory North Park 2891 University Ave., North Park 619.239.8836, sandiegoballet.org It must just be the month for unusual ballet pairings — but hey, “IPA” almost rhymes with plié.

Tickets for this show include brews with your views of world-premiere dance pieces.

2.9-3.10 TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS Old Globe Theatre Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park 619.234.5623, theoldglobe.org Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame turned Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling book into this stage piece about the bittersweet bond between an advice columnist and her readers.

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

Rigoletto

PACIFIC HIGHLANDS D EN T I S T R Y A ND ORTHODONTI CS

PULSE | MOVIES

The Reel Deal

February motion picture preview

BY MICHAEL BENNINGER

Miss Bala

MISS BALA Plan every move. Play every side.

Risk everything.

Thriller | Mystery Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke Starring: Gina Rodriguez, Ismael Cruz Cรณrdova and Anthony Mackie In theaters: 2.1 After a night out in TJ erupts in violence, a young woman finds herself at the mercy of a murderous drug cartel holding her best friend hostage.

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

@PACIFICSD

FEBRUARY 2019

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PULSE | MOVIES

Cold Pursuit

COLD PURSUIT The perfect revenge is all in the execution.

Drama | Thriller Directed by: Hans Petter Moland Starring: Liam Neeson, Tom Bateman and Tom Jackson In theaters: 2.8 An upstanding snowplow driver suspects foul play after his son suddenly dies from a drug overdose, then he embarks on a bloody mission to hunt down the ruthless criminals he believes are actually responsible.

THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART They come in pieces.

Fantasy | Sci-Fi Directed by: Mike Mitchell Starring: Alison Brie, Chris Pratt and Margot Robbie In theaters: 2.8 After an alien invasion strikes the city of Bricksburg, a motley crew of adventurers battles to restore awesomeness to their beloved land.

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

WHAT MEN WANT She can hear men’s thoughts. Let the games begin.

Comedy | Romance Directed by: Adam Shankman Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Max Greenfield and Wendi McLendon-Covey In theaters: 2.8 A strong-willed woman struggling to climb the corporate ladder wakes up with the ability to read men’s minds after ingesting an intoxicating concoction.

EVERYBODY KNOWS The deeper the love, the darker the secrets.

Drama | Thriller Directed by: Asghar Farhadi Starring: Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Ricardo Darin In theaters: 2.8 When a wedding in Spain is suddenly interrupted, the bride’s sister finds herself in the middle of a horrifying situation tied to secrets from her past.

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PULSE | MOVIES

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC None of the feels.

Comedy | Romance Directed by: Todd Strauss-Schulson Starring: Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth and Adam Devine In theaters: 2.13 An unlikely 30-something finds herself at the center of a cheesy rom-com after attempting to escape from a man mugging her.

Isn’t it Romantic

HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U

NEVER LOOK AWAY

Death makes a killer comeback.

Slasher | Horror Directed by: Christopher Landon Starring: Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard and Ruby Modine In theaters: 2.13 This spooky sequel set two years after the first feature follows a girl who must die again and again in order to save her friends from a creepy masked killer.

FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY Meet an outsider who changed the game.

Drama | Comedy Directed by: Stephen Merchant Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Stephen Merchant and Florence Pugh In theaters: 2.14 A brother and sister born into a family obsessed with professional wrestling earn an opportunity to audition for the WWE.

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

Drama | Thriller Directed by: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck Starring: Tom Schilling, Sebastian Koch and Paula Beer In theaters: 2.15 A tortured German art student struggles to maintain a relationship with his one true love after the girl’s father vows to keep the two youths apart.

Alita: Battle Angel

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL An angel falls. A warrior rises.

Sci-Fi | Thriller Directed by: Robert Rodriguez Starring: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz and Ed Skrein In theaters: 2.14 An amnesiac cyborg assembled from junkyard parts attempts to discover the truth about her mysterious past — and her deadly purpose — in this film set centuries into the future.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD Fly on your own. Find your way home.

Animation | Action Directed by: Dean DeBlois Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett and America Ferrera In theaters: 2.22 A young Viking and his winged companion grow up — and apart — after an alluring female dragon arrives at the same time as an ominous threat.

Eating healthier and shopping local at your neighborhood farmers’ markets looks good on you!

IC BEAC CIF H PA

TUESDAY

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WEDNESDAYS 9AM-2PM

SATURDAYS 8AM-2PM SanDiegoMarkets.com

Spotted: San Diego

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FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

1.11.19 Those who are in-the-know attended The Traveler’s Club & Hide N Go Freak Warehouse Takeover with ESTA at Spin Nightclub in Mission Hills . Photos by Isiah Jones

1.15.19 San Diego’s own Whiskey House was awarded the Guinness World record for “Most Whiskey Available Commercially In The World” at a private party.

Photos by Jared Gase.

See more photos of San Diego’s best events at pacificsandiego.com @PACIFICSD

FEBRUARY 2019

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TASTE EAT | DRINK | PUFF DINING OUT

BY PAM KRAGEN

Toast Gastrobrunch /Carlsbad

In late January, Sami Ladeki relaunched his former Pisco Rotisserie & Cevicheria in Carlsbad as a boozy brunch, breakfast and lunch eatery. The Carlsbad venue was originally a location of Ladeki’s long-established Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza chain.

He revamped it in late 2017 as the Peruvian-style Pisco, but the concept failed to connect with diners. Sammy’s executive chef/partner Alfred “Alfie” Szeprethy has designed a hearty menu with items including smoked brisket hash and pistachioshredded toast. A creative brunch cocktail program includes Flaming Coffee, Boozey Start, Lavender Lady and a number of bloody mary concoctions.

5970 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, 760.438.1212, toastgastrobrunch.com

New Food A-fare 52

FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

The year may be young, but San Diego’s restaurant scene is already heating up, tempting those ready to find a new culinary passion This month, there are many new reasons to love San Diego’s culinary scene. Here’s a roundup of recently opened spots around town, plus some highly anticipated newcomers of 2019.

TASTE | DINING

Ad Libitum Cocktail Bar & Global Restaurant Hillcrest

In Latin, ad libitum means “at your liberty.” It’s also the name of a globally-inspired restaurant/bar owned by Peter Shih, which opened in late December 2018. Mixologists and beverage consultants Jay Choi and Ram Udwin head up the bar program, which includes barrel-aged cocktails, Boy Drinks World Bitters and Nostrum Shrubs. Specialties on Chef Irene Yoon’s menu are tuna tartare, vodka-fried mushrooms, Korean chicken wings, grilled squid and grilled lamb pops.

1263 University Ave., Hillcrest, 619.487.0361, adlibitumsd.com

El Gato Room /downtown

Good Time Design closed its Cat Eye Club tiki lounge downtown in September and reopened it three months later as the El Gato Room, a private dining room expansion space for The Blind Burro restaurant, which Good Time owns next door. The 670-square-foot room is partitioned from the restaurant with retractable glass garage doors.

The renovation of Blind Burro will be complete with the introduction of a new menu early this year.

639 J St., downtown, 619.795.7880, theblindburro.com

From the founder of Oceanside’s Local Tap House & Kitchen, Gabe Hogan, comes this new wood-fired Southern Mexican restaurant, which opened Jan. 7 in Oceanside. LTH chef Daniel Pundik — whose cow heart pastrami taco won the “People’s Choice” award at the 2018 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival — has developed a menu centered around cooking on a Santa Maria-style wood-fired oven. Tortillas, moles and other ingredients are made in-house. Specialties include flatbreads, tacos and plated entrees.

236 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside 760.547.1469, exhaleoceanside.com 54

FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

J IM SU LLIVAN

Exhale /Oceanside

Fort Oak /

Mission Hills Trust Restaurant Group co-founders Steve Schwob and chef Brad Wise opened this new restaurant/bar in January. Anchoring the mixed-use The Fort complex, Fort Oak specializes in seasonal small plates spotlighting the chef ’s wood, coal and ember cooking techniques.

The restaurant features a 16-seat chef ’s counter and raw bar in the kitchen, a stand-alone cocktail bar and a dining room that’s a bit bigger and quieter than the company’s signature eatery, Trust, in Hillcrest.

1011 Fort Stockton Dr., Mission Hills, 619.722.3398, fortoaksd.com

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FEBRUARY 2019

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JUL I E C HUN G

TASTE | DINING

Insomnia Cookies /Pacific Beach

When you’ve got the late-night munchies, this new wee-hours bakery (that opened in December) will come to your rescue. Insomnia was started in 2003 by then-college student Seth Berkowitz to satisfy the cravings of students cramming all night for exams. The Philadelphia company’s more than 100 locations stay open and make deliveries until 3 a.m. daily. The P.B. shop — one of four in California — sells five varieties of fresh-baked cookies, as well as brownies, milk, cookie cakes and ice cream.

1007 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach 619.600.0416, insomniacookies.com

HOWARD LIPIN

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Javier’s Cantina /Westfield UTC

Founded in Laguna Beach in 1995, Javier’s opened its first San Diego County location in early January. Javier’s serves elevated Mexican cuisine and a vast selection of tequilas in luxurious surroundings. Traditional and contemporary Mexican dishes are prepared with prime Nebraskan Angus beef, Mexican prawns, Maine lobster, Dungeness crab and natural chicken.

4545 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla, 858.200.2222, javiers-cantina.com

Jeune et Jolie /Carlsbad

This nouvelle French Bistro opened Dec. 16 in Carlsbad Village. It’s the second project from Campfire restaurant owner John Resnick and chef Andrew Bachelier. Before launching the rustic wood-fired culinary program at Campfire two years ago, Bachelier honed his fine dining credentials at five-star Addison in Carmel Valley. The refined art deco-inspired restaurant, named for Resnick’s daughter Elsie June and Bachelier’s daughter Margot Jolie, has a modern, whimsical and lighter take on French cuisine.

2659 State St., Carlsbad, 760.637.5266, jeune-jolie.com

FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

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Sourdough Clam Chowder Bread Bowls $ 10 • All Day • Every Day!

Our bread bowls are fresh & local, made daily for the Duck Dive at The Olive Cafe.

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TASTE | DINING

Little Sakana Japanese Sushi Bar & Grill /Mira Mesa

This all-you-can-eat sushi spot opened in mid-December in the Mira Mesa Mall. It’s the latest restaurant concept from entrepreneur Tuan Nguyen, who operates Pokeland a few doors down, and partner Jenna Hu, co-founder of ICMonster dessert shop. The 40-seat restaurant serves hot and cold items, including sushi and nigiri, noodles and teriyaki dishes.

8270 Mira Mesa Blvd., Ste. E, Mira Mesa 858.860.5000, littlesakana.com

The Morning After Gaslamp Quarter

SERGIO LOPEZ

In December, nightclub impresario Jamie Johnson opened this unique dual-use bistro/bar, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch by day and serving as a sports bar by night.

Featured daytime dishes include Fruity Pebbles pancakes and a red velvet waffle with cream cheese icing. Bar offerings will include chicken and waffles, sliders, buffalo wings and more.

531 F St., Gaslamp Quarter 619.542.9664, themorningaftersd.com

Natural Style Chicken Hillcrest

H OWARD LIPIN

In 1979, Natural Style Chicken opened on West Point Loma Boulevard and quickly became famous for its #11 plate: Teriyaki Chicken with Rice. Over the years, the family-owned fastfood restaurant has also earned a following for its rotisserie chicken and Korean-style ribs. After 40 years, the company has expanded with a second location that opened in December in Hillcrest.

501 University Ave., Hillcrest 619.228.9442, naturalstylechicken.com

Ramen Ryoma Japanese Ramen & Tapas Bar /Pacific Beach

Founded in Beaverton, Ore., Ramen Ryoma is now expanding rapidly across San Diego.

Its first local noodle shop opened last summer in Clairemont Mesa. A second opened Dec. 26 in Pacific Beach. A third will open later this year on University Avenue in Hillcrest.

Owned by Yoshinari Ichise, Ramen Ryoma is known for its housemade Rustic Temomi (hand-massaged) ramen noodles that don’t get soggy because of a special wheat flour that’s used that doesn’t absorb too much of the house black pork broth.

825 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.483.0177, ramenryoma.net 58

FEBRUARY 2019 @PACIFICSD

Sugar Factory American Brasserie /Gaslamp Quarter

This whimsical, Instagram-worthy restaurant is the culinary centerpiece of the Theatre Box entertainment complex, which opened downtown on Dec. 11. Corporate chef Bryan Ogden, son of James Beard Foundation award-winning chef Bradley Ogden, has created an over-the-top comfort food menu that includes Monster Burgers loaded with toppings from waffles to plantains, sliders, sandwiches, pastas and brunch items.

But the real reason people arrive, phone cameras in hand is its Goblets — huge colorful cocktails (and non-alcoholic drinks) for a crowd, filled with fruit, gummy candies, smoking dry ice and toppings of cotton candy, suckers and more.

701 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.814.2225 sugarfactory.com/location/sugar-factory-san-diego

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FEBRUARY 2019

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TASTE | DINING

Tahona /Old Town

Tahona, which opened in October, is a mezcal tasting room, bar and Oaxacan-style restaurant that serves 120 varieties of mezcal. The 52-seat restaurant/bar re-creates the look, taste and feel of the mezcal tasting rooms founder Amar Harrag visited during his travels in Oaxaca. Among the mezcal brands it will serve are Casa Tribal and Mezcal Animas. In February, owners will open a 25-seat speakeasy inside Tahona called Oculto 477, so named for the spirits of the 477 early San Diegans buried in the El Campo Santo Cemetery next door.

2414 San Diego Ave., Old Town, 619.255.2090, tahonasd.com

Most Anticipated Openings of 2019 Animae, downtown Blade 1936, Oceanside The Bungalow, Westfield UTC Casero Taqueria, Carlsbad Ciao Plaza Restaurant, Vista Draft Republic, La Mesa Eggies, PB & East Village Feast & Fareway, Coronado Flap Your Jacks, North Park Herb & Sea, Encinitas Huntress, Gaslamp International Smoke, Carmel Valley (One Paseo) Louisiana Purchase, North Park Lump Rooftop, Gaslamp Morning Glory, Little Italy My Yard Live, San Marcos The Outpost Urban Food Hall, Poway Pan y Sal, Barrio Logan Park Commons, Sorrento Mesa The Plot, Oceanside Sisters Pizza, Bankers Hill Social Syndicate unnamed project, Del Mar Storyhouse Spirits, East Village Sycuan & Clique expansion, El Cajon Travis Swikard restaurant project, location TBA Unnamed Tajima project, East Village (in former spot of Café Chloe) Ways & Means Oyster House, La Jolla and Carmel Valley Wild ‘N Out Sports Bar and Arcade & iLov305, Gaslamp Quarter (in the Theatre Box entertainment complex) Zinqué, Little Italy

WhipHand American Brasserie +EastBeer Bank Village

Open since mid-December in the former Comun Kitchen space in East Village, WhipHand is the latest project of Grind & Prosper Hospitality Group (other restaurants include Miss B’s Coconut Club in Mission Beach and Park 101 in Carlsbad). The 2,000-square-foot restaurant has an open kitchen turning out gourmet comfort foods, as well as 24 self-serve beer taps in the intimate industrial chic dining room. Sample dishes from chef Quinnton “Q” Austin’s menu include short rib pie a la biscuit, lobster roll with jalapeno slaw and a smoked cheddar burger.

935 J St., East Village 619.450.5515, whiphandsd.com 60

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VISIT ONE OF OUR 7 LOCATIONS: TAJIMA EAST VILLAGE | TAJIMA NORTH PARK | TAJIMA HILLCREST TAJIMA CONVOY | TAJIMA MERCURY | TAJIMA LONG BEACH | TAJIMA TIJUANA

TAJIMASANDIEGO.COM

/TAJIMARESTAURANTS

@TAJIMARESTAURANTS

@TAJIMASANDIEGO

PROMOTION

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IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN Say ‘I do’ to these romantic gift ideas

Roses and chocolates fill the air and you’re feeling it — the pressure to find just the right gift for your other half.

Whether you’ve been cohabiting happily for years or only just swiped right a few weeks ago, here’s a list of gift ideas to cover all the bases.

NEW RELATIONSHIP

You’re still getting to know each other, so don’t overthink getting the perfect gift. Look for something simple but thoughtful, like: Sign up for an experience. Try a cooking class or cocktail class, go whale watching, take a winery or brewery tour or get concert tickets.

Dine al fresco. On a budget? Take your sweetie for a late afternoon hike or stroll along the beach, then enjoy a picnic while watching the sunset.

Handmade gifts or baked goods. Does your new boo have a sweet tooth? Whip up some made-with-love (or at least strong like) cookies or brownies.

DATING EXCLUSIVELY

Maybe you haven’t put in a ring on it, but you two are definitely together. Let Valentine’s Day be a chance to splurge on the following: Book a trip or getaway. Wrap up a guidebook to the city you’ll be visiting or something you’ll be able to use on the trip.

Or stick the tickets in a sleek new passport holder.

Spa day. Mud baths, couples massages, facials, scrubs — go all out.

Gourmet foodie items. Small batch, fair trade coffee or chocolate, specialty teas, imported cheeses — think of something your partner loves and get the really highend version.

SERIOUSLY COMMITTED

You’re engaged, married, or in a long-term partnership. Celebrate that commitment with your gift: Something to sleep in. Think sexy robe, sleek boxers, a cute nightie or matching footie PJs. Home spa day. Look good, feel good with some fancy skin care products, luxe lotions and aromatherapy sprays.

Personalized ___ to mark a special date, event or location. You can get just about anything personalized with dates, GPS coordinates and more: jewelry, art prints, mugs, frames… the options are endless.

ANYTIME IN THE RELATIONSHIP No matter your relationship status, you can’t go wrong with: Flowers and chocolate. But not just the generic box you get at the grocery store.

Make it special with your sweetheart’s favorite candy or snack, and instead of roses, try a mix of flowers in their favorite color.

Photo book, album or framed print.

Highlight a vacation or just the greatest hits of your relationship.

Romantic dinner. Skip Netflix and chill, get dressed up and go out. San Diego can offer something for every palate and price point, just check out the following pages for some ideas of where to make a reservation.

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SIDE BAR

SECRET FOR THE SINGLE LADIES: Check out Side Bar on Wednesday, Feb. 13 for an exciting night hosted by Blake Horstmann from the Bachelorette!

Side Bar will have “Will you accept this Rosé” specials, a Blake Meet and Greet and chick flicks playing throughout the venue.

Side Bar went through a major makeover in Fall of 2018 and now offers a gorgeous lounge with craft cocktails and delicious bites. You can choose your party pleasure with a late night on the dance floor with unexpected champagne showers and sparkling chaos, or a classy rendezvous with cocktails and shareable plates. Side Bar offers VIP services such as bottle service, and bachelor and bachelorette packages.

Side Bar 536 Market St., downtown | 619.696.0946 SideBarSD.com

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Part floral and fanciful, part bitchy and indulgent, the Side Bar Lounge offers a whimsical and sophisticated atmosphere for you and your crush on Valentine’s Day. Heat up your evening with flirty bites like Hot Dam Cauliflower, Tokyo Bites and Wild Child Flatbread; pair your plates with craft libations like “Hush Money” and “Haute Couture Prosecco,” and let the evening carry you and your date away.

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RUSTIC ROOT Rustic Root showcases a dynamic rustic American cuisine where dishes are rooted in tradition yet have an inventive modern flare. Their signature drink menu concentrates on timeless and iconic classics, with creative options for playful drinkers. The traditional dining room dinner menu features high-quality ingredients that

transform simple favorites into flavorful and seasonally-infused dishes and cocktails.

Socialize, sip craft cocktails, and dine under the stars on Rustic’s buzzy open-air rooftop. The expansive deck flaunts market street lights with a modern yet whimsical décor in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.

Rustic Root 535 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter | 619.232.1747 rusticroot.com

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Whether you’re with the love of your life, your fling for the month or your besties, join Rustic Root for a 3-course menu that will seduce your tastebuds!

The delicious menu featuring dishes like their Seared Salmon will be offered all weekend long in addition to the regular menu, because their love for good food, good company, and cheesy holidays runs deep!

TASTE | EVENTS

Full Plate

February food + drink happenings

BY MICHAEL BENNINGER

2.2 ’90S BAR CRAWL bars throughout downtown facebook.com/ 90sbarcrawlunlimited Pump up your Reeboks, bust out your Beanie Babies and jump into some JNCO jeans before heading to this ’90s-themed booze-fest featuring drink specials and an era-appropriate soundtrack at several of downtown’s best bars.

JOHN GASTALDO

2.9 10TH ANNUAL BREWBIES FESTIVAL Bagby Beer Company, Oceanside, brewbies.org Join people from across the globe at this beer festival centered around breast health issues and education, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Keep A Breast Foundation.

2.9-10 NOURISHED FESTIVAL

2.9 FOR THE LOVE OF CHOCOLATE Downtown Escondido downtownescondido.com A passport for this chocoholiccentric festival featuring samples, pairings, swag and romantic horse-drawn carriage rides will make any sweet tooth swoon, especially when adding to the mix a seat at a chocolate-making class.

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Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar nourishedfestival.com Learn how to live your best gluten-free life at this large special-diet festival featuring informative classes and showcasing an assortment of allergen-free vendors offering steep discounts on hard-to-find products.

2.11 GUINNESS DINNER PAIRING Shakespeare Pub, Mission Hills shakespearepub.com Toss back a few pints of

Ireland’s signature stout during this international beer tasting complemented by delicious home-cooked food and featuring the famed brewery’s ambassador, visiting all the way from the Emerald Isle.

day of barrel-aged beer and caffeine-infused creations, while attendees can toss back unlimited samples of either or both types of beverages.

2.16 THIRD ANNUAL CARNIVAL OF CAFFEINATION

Leichtag Commons, Encinitas sandiegofermentationfestival.com Immerse yourself in workshops, live entertainment and presentations from esteemed experts at this outdoor fermentation fest featuring artisanal food merchants and granting guests 10 tasters of boozy craft concoctions.

Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, Chollas Creek Villas moderntimesbeer.com Several of the city’s most badass brewers and reputable roasters join forces for a

2.17 SAN DIEGO FERMENTATION FESTIVAL

M AT T FA R R I N GTON

2.23 COASTERRA TEQUILA FEST Coasterra, Harbor Island cohnrestaurants.com/coasterra Tear into some tacos, pack in the paella and sample a fine selection of tequilas and mezcals at this cocktail-style event that includes a blind-tasting challenge, a margarita-making competition and unlimited access to all food and drinks.

Celebrity Chef Series with Susan Feniger

2.17 APHRODISIAC COCKTAIL CLASS Collins & Coupe, North Park aphrodisiaccocktails.brownpapertickets.com Learn about the history of aphrodisiac ingredients and how to use them while mixing together two different romantic cocktails.

2.22 CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE BREWS CRUISE Flagship Cruises & Events, downtown rockstarbeer.com Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker aboard this Willy Wonka-themed world on water that includes a cupcake room, an Oompa-Loompa band and unlimited samples of chocolates, confections and fruit-flavored beers.

Taste of Eastlake

2.23 TIJUANA STREET FOOD, CRAFT BEER + MARKET DAYCATION

© COAST HIGHWAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Throughout Tijuana (Meeting point at San Ysidro Trolley Station) clubtengohambre.com Cross the border with a roving supper club for stops at six of TJ’s top foodie spots, including three street food stands, two craft cervecerías and one traditional Mexican market.

2.24-26 THIRD ANNUAL INTENTS CONFERENCE Marina Village Conference Center, Mission Bay intentsconference.com Farmers, food makers and market managers can benefit from three days of panels, roundtables and inspiring speakers during this one-of-akind event designed to increase the income of those who earn a living at farmers markets.

2.28 SPEAKEASY SUPPER & SPIRITS

2.21 CHEERS TO FOUR YEARS Carruth Cellars, Solana Beach, carruthcellars.com Celebrate Carruth Cellars’ fourth birthday — and the winery’s ongoing fundraising efforts — during this free party featuring live music, reduced-priced wines and a pair of chocolate and cheese fountains.

Searsucker, Gaslamp Quarter searsucker.com/san-diego Food, drink and pairing education are just the start of this night that combines craft cocktails from You & Yours Distilling Co. and a five-course dinner from Searsucker featuring such signature dishes as grilled octopus and a swoon-worthy 40-ounce Tomahawk ribeye.

@PACIFICSD

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TASTE | BEER

Take it from the Tap

A monthly taste of beer from here

BY PETER ROWE

THIRST-QUENCHING

A local beer to spend some time with Beer: Bear Cookie From: Bear Roots Brewing, Vista Why: Seeking a beer to tempt your Valentine’s sweet tooth?

Consider this chocolate peanut butter stout. A seductive blend of Reese’s Pieces and roasted coffee, Bear Cookie is rich and smooth, finishing with a gentle hop nip.

Geeking out: 6.4% alcohol by volume, 22 bittering units.

Seeking out: Bear Roots recently began canning its most popular beers, including Bear Cookie. They’re on sale at the brewery.

Bear Roots Brewing 1213 S. Santa Fe Ave., Vista 760.726.4204, bearrootsbrewing.com

DRAWN BY GRAVITY Go: Gravity Heights Know: Opening amid deafening buzz, this brewpub boasts a stellar pedigree: Whisknladle CEO Arturo Kassel unites with #sdbeer pioneer Charles “Skip” Virgilio. Co-founder of AleSmith, Virgilio was the first local brewer to medal at the Great American Beer Festival (a 1994 gold for a Belgian Strong Ale created for the now-defunct Pacific Beach BrewHouse).

Glow: Gravity Heights has 13 house-brewed beers, plus several collaboration brews. Check out the abbey dubbel-style “Stein Beer,” created by Virgilio, Lost Abbey’s Tomme Arthur, Nickel Beer’s Tom Nickel and Rouleur’s Rawley Macias.

Pro: Virgilio is a master of hop-forward West Coast IPAs and spicy Belgian-influenced ales, but don’t miss his blonde ale. “It’s a really tasty, drinkable beer,” Virgilio said. “It’s not dumbed-down like some blondes are.”

Gravity Heights 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd., Sorrento Valley gravityheights.com 68

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Love at First Bite .

Indulge in a delicious affair of the taste buds that will always leave you... wanting more. .

And A nd tto o get get things things going, going, try one of our amazing appetizers starting at $6.95, and drinks starting at $3*

322 FIFTH AVE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 | (619) 546-9292 | COLDBEERS.COM *Beers starting at $3 are available monday - friday | 3pm-6pm during happy hour

GROOVE MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE SOUND DECISIONS

BY SCOTT MCDONALD

DaniLeigh 2.5

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego The Miami-born, L.A.-based singer, dancer and creative director was discovered by Prince, directed his Breakfast Can Wait video, and has appeared as the lead dancer in others by Daddy Yankee and Nelly Furtado. Her debut album, The Plan, was released in November and features appearances from YG, Lil Yachty and more.

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GROOVE

Sound Decisions February Concert Calendar

BY SCOTT MCDONALD

MadeinTYO PHOTO BY ASATO IIDA

Jacob Banks

2.1

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com This British-born, Nigerian soul singer is signed to Interscope and released his debut album, Village, in November. Banks is also the first unsigned act ever to appear on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge. Fellow countryman Jamie N Commons opens the show.

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2.2

@ Music Box, musicboxsd.com After a string of singles, EPs and mixtapes, Atlantabred, L.A.-based rapper MadeinTYO (aka Malcolm Davis) released his debut album, Sincerely, Tokyo, in October. The 14-song collection features a slew of guests including A$AP Ferg, Gunna, Roy Wood$, Blood Orange, Tinashe and Davis’ own brother, 24HRS.

Marc Anthony Travis Scott

2.7

@ Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com The singer, actor, producer and multi-Grammy winner returns to Point Loma on his LEGACY Tour. And even if Anthony never makes a follow-up to his last album, 2013’s 3.0, the multi-faceted performer’s own legacy is well intact. He released a pair of singles recently, Está Rico with Will Smith and Bad Bunny, as well as Adicto with Prince Royce, and has sold over 12 million albums worldwide.

2.4

PHOTO BY ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES

@ Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com The latest album from Houston rapper (and Kylie Jenner baby daddy), Astroworld, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200, was certified Gold in its first week of release, and follows 2016’s Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight as Scott’s second No. 1 album. And if that wasn’t enough, the Astroworld Tour features a fully functional roller coaster that operates above the crowd.

PHOTO BY THEO WARGO/GETTY IMAGES

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GROOVE | SOUND DECISIONS 2.1 OKILLY DOKILLY @ Soda Bar, sodabarmusic.com There are far fewer metal bands than ever these days, but there has still never been one like Okilly Dokilly. The Arizona-based, Ned Flanders-themed rippers stand as the world’s only “Nedal” act and bring their Simpsons send-up to town for the first night of the band’s 2019 ReNEDucation Tour.

2.5 GANG OF FOUR @ Casbah, casbahmusic.com Their name may say differently, but pioneering post-punkers Gang of Four have spent most of their career as a two-man mob. And until 2012, that was singer-guitarist Andy Gill and lead vocalist Jon King. The politically minded English quartet still features Gill, but now features John “Gaoler” Sterry on vocals.

2.7 KISS @ Viejas Arena, viejasarena.com The long-running, Kabuki-costumed rockers are finally (I mean, so they say) hanging it up. Calling this last run “The End of the Road” tour, original members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss head to Viejas Arena for one more night in San Diego filled with their trademark pyrotechnics, showmanship and arena-sized rock tunes.

2.8 ATMOSPHERE @ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com Veteran Minneapolis-based hip-hop duo Slug (rapper Sean Daley) and Ant (DJ/producer Anthony Davis) love the Observatory! They return for this sold-out show to celebrate the 2018 release of their ninth studio album, Mi Vida Local, as well as the 20th anniversary of their fifth studio album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That S**t Gold.

2.10 2CELLOS @ Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com Croatian duo Stjepan Hauser and Luka Šulić are cello-playing virtuosos who perform instrumental versions of well-known pop and rock classics. They also happen to have a social media following in the millions. Listen to them put their spin on songs like Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, U2’s With or Without You, Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On and more when they bring their Let There Be Cello tour to San Diego.

TO WIN TICKETS, SEE PAGE 23!

2.15 THE MARIAS @ The Irenic, theirenic.com The bilingual L.A.-based psychedelic/soul/lounge quintet released their second EP, Superclean, Vol. II, in September.

Dreamer Boy and Vanessa Zamora open the show.

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MØ

2.5

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com Danish superstar MØ (aka singer/songwriter Karen Ørsted) released her second full-length album, Forever Neverland, in October. It features an appearance from longtime collaborator Diplo, as well as Charli XCX, Empress Of and What So Not. Rapper and performance artist Mykki Blanco opens the show.

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GROOVE | SOUND DECISIONS

2.10

Lee “Scratch” Perry

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego The reggae legend and Studio One super-producer, along with his Subatomic Sound System backing band, hit the road to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Upsetters’ seminal Blackboard Jungle Dub LP. Jah Rasta!

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EVERY GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD DESERVES AN EATERY WHERE LOCALS AND VISITORS CAN COME TOGETHER AND ENJOY “ .”

honest food done right

FARMER'S TABLE IS NOW IN LA MESA, NEW TO BAY PARK, AND NEXT, OPENED IN LITTLE ITALY!

Our Now Neighborhood 8141 LA MESA BLVD. LA MESA, CA 91942

LA MESA

Our New Neighborhood

BAY PARK

3055 CLAIREMONT DRIVE SAN DIEGO, CA 92117

Our Next Neighborhood Now Open!

LITTLE ITALY

550 DATE STREET, SUITE #A SAN DIEGO, CA 92101

VISIT US ONLINE MYFARMERSTABLE.COM | FOLLOW US! EQ FARMERSTABLESD

GROOVE | SOUND DECISIONS

Sheila E.

2.15

@ Sycuan, sycuan.com The percussionist, singer and longtime Prince collaborator released her latest album, Iconic: Message 4 America, in 2017. It features a collaboration with George Clinton on his iconic One Nation Under A Groove, as well as a cover of the Beatles classic Come Together, featuring Ringo Starr and The Revolution.

PHOTO BY DEBRA L ROTHENBERG/GETTY IMAGES

2.16 PANIC! AT THE DISCO @ Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com After starring in Kinky Boots on Broadway, Panic! At The Disco (aka Brandon Urie) released their (his) sixth studio album, Pray for the Wicked, last summer. The album debuted at the top spot of both the U.S. Billboard 200 and Australia’s ARIA Albums charts.

2.21 BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND @ Viejas Arena, viejasarena.com It’s another farewell from an American classic. Despite releasing his 18th studio album, I Knew You When, less than two years ago, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is currently on his final stretch of live dates. The Travelin’ Man Tour includes a career-spanning set list that features hits like Night Moves, Old Time Rock and Roll, Turn The Page and more.

2.22 AURORA @ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com The 22-year-old Norwegian electropop singer Aurora Aksnes released her second EP, Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1), in September. The eight-song offering is the first installment of a twopart album scheduled for completion by 2020. She also recently recorded the song Baby Mine for Disney’s upcoming live-action reboot of Dumbo.

2.22 EASTON CORBIN @ Moonshine Flats, moonshineflats.com Last here in November when he played after the races in Del Mar, the Floridaborn, Nashville-based country singer switches to the much cozier confines of a honky-tonk bar downtown for this followup performance.

2.23 LAUREN DAIGLE @ Balboa Theatre, sandiegotheatres.org Thanks to her third studio album, Look Up Child, this 27-year-old Grammynominated Christian singer spent the last few months alongside artists such as Drake and Ariana Grande at the top of the Billboard and iTunes charts.

2.23 BRUBECK’S TIME OUT IN CONCERT @ Copley Symphony Hall, sandiegosymphony.org Curated by San Diego’s own Gilbert Castellanos, pianist Josh Nelson, saxophonist Danny Janklow, bassist Anna Butterss and drummer Joe LaBarbera tackle the 1959 jazz classic in its entirety.

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GROOVE | SOUND DECISIONS

Justin Timberlake 2.21

@ Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com Sure, Justin Timberlake grew up in a musical household, appeared on Star Search and the All-New Mickey Mouse Club before even hitting his teens, and was also part of the massively successful boy band *NSYNC. But his storied career beyond that has eclipsed even the wildest of expectations.

The 10-time Grammy winner has already sold 35 million solo records, seen all four of his studio albums go platinum and been named as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World — twice!

And that’s all in addition to fostering a successful acting career, writing a memoir and more than dabbling in both business and philanthropy.

His latest album, Man of the Woods, was released two days before he headlined the halftime show of Super Bowl LII last year, and the accompanying tour of the same name has been seen by almost 2 million attendees and counting.

Fun Facts • Some of Timberlake’s cast mates on the All-New Mickey Mouse Club included future girlfriend Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling, Keri Russell and JC Chasez.

• Timberlake has performed with many of music’s biggest stars, including Sir Elton John, Madonna, Beyoncé, Chris Stapleton, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears and the infamous Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction” with Janet Jackson.

• Thanks to bruised vocal chords and strict doctor’s orders to rest, Timberlake appeared with good friend Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show last November in an interview where he didn’t speak a single word.

Social Status Facebook: @justintimberlake, 37.8 million likes Instagram: @justintimberlake, 53.3 million followers Twitter: @jtimberlake, 64.7 million followers YouTube: 7.7 million subscribers

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PHOTO BY KEVIN W INTER/GETTY IMAGES

DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

PHOTO BY KEVIN W INTER/GETTY IMAGES

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@PACIFICSD

GROOVE | SOUND DECISIONS

2.24

Gregory Porter

@ Balboa Theatre, sandiegotheatres.org After releasing a tribute to Nat King Cole in 2017, this multi-Grammy-winning jazz vocalist — and one-time San Diegan — followed it with a concert album, One Night Only — Live at Royal Albert Hall, last year.

PHOTO BY ERIK UMPHERY

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GROOVE | SOUND DECISIONS

2.28

Sharon Van Etten

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com After nearly five years off (which included giving birth to her first child, going back to school, and acting on the Netflix drama The OA), the singer-songwriter returned last month with her latest fulllength, Remind Me Tomorrow.

PHOTO BY RYAN-PFLUGER

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GROOVE

Spin Cycle February EDM + DJ performances

BY SCOTT MCDONALD

2.1 CARNAGE @ OMNIA, omnianightclub.com Diamante Blackmon, aka Guatemalan-born, L.A.based trap DJ and producer Carnage, released his sophomore full-length, Battered Bruised & Bloody, last year. His latest single, El Diablo (feat.

Sludge), has been out since August.

2.1 THE GLITCH MOB @ Spin, spinnightclub.com The L.A.-based DJ trio of Edward Ma, Justin Boreta and Josh Mayer released both regular and deluxe versions of their third studio album, See Without Eyes, last May. In September, they teamed with League of Legends and Mako on the single, RISE (feat. The Word Alive).

2.2 EDX @ Bang Bang, bangbangsd.com Last here in September, Swiss-born Italian DJ and producer Maurizio Colella (aka EDX) recently picked up a Grammy nomination for his Dubai Skyline Remix of Charlie Puth’s How Long.

Colella’s latest single, Who Cares, was released on Spinnin’ Records in January.

2.8

Destructo

@ Spin, spinnightclub.com Former CEO and founder of HARD Events, and current president of LiveStyle, Gary Richards has somehow still found the time to DJ quite regularly for the last 20 years. Richards released his latest single, Boom (feat. Problem), in November, and remixes for his recent single with rapper Busta Rhymes, F#cking Sh*t Up, in December.

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2.16 SPAG HEDDY

@ OMNIA, omnianightclub.com In November, the Grammynominated, globetrotting DJ and entrepreneur released Neon Future III, his fifth studio album. The most recent chapter in his Neon Future concept series, it featured collaborations with everyone from blink-182 and Lil Yachty to Daddy Yankee and Lady Antebellum. Even celebrity scientist Bill Nye gets in on the action.

@ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com Dutch-born, Spain-based DJ Mischa Reining released his latest EP, Gospel, last year. The four-track offering pairs the dubstep producer with the trio of BORN I MUSIC, Sam King and Armanni Reign. Reining also teamed with fellow DJ SLANDER on the November single, Running to You (feat.

Elle Vee).

2.9 ARTY

@ OMNIA, omnianightclub.com Last here with Kaskade and Porter Robinson as part of OMFG NYE 2019 at Pechanga Arena, Illenium (aka Denverbased DJ Nicholas Miller) released his latest single, God Damnit, in November, the same month he remixed Halsey’s smash hit, Without Me.

@ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com Russian DJ and producer Arty (aka Artem Stoliarov) was last here in 2017, but performed under his other moniker, Alpha 9. As Arty, his latest is a joint offering with progressive house DJ Audien, the Novemberreleased single Never Letting Go.

2.15 LEE FOSS @ Spin, spinnightclub.com The Chicago-based Foss cofounded the Hot Creations label with Welsh DJ Jamie Jones and the pair play together in the electro-house group Hot Natured. Last in town playing a set for CRSSD After Dark, Foss and Eli Brown released the single Freak You Right in October.

2.15 LIL JON @ OMNIA, omnianightclub.com Ok, ok. Yes. It seems like the DJ, producer and Grammy-winning King of Crunk is here every eight weeks. (Psst. That’s because he is.) But it’s hard to argue with dude’s ability to lead a party.

His latest single, December’s All I Really Want For Christmas (feat. Kool-Aid Man), is a perfect example. It’s nearly impossible to find a holiday jam that bumps harder than that one.

2.17 ILLENIUM

2.17 LED ANNIVERSARY W/ RL GRIME

2.23 LOST FREQUENCIES

@ Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com LED celebrates their eighth anniversary with another 18+, 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. extravaganza.

Joining in the festivities will be 4B, Devault, i_o, k?d, Ray Volpe and Tails. Headliner and trap producer RL GRIME released his second studio album, Nova (as well as two accompanying remix albums), last year.

@ Parq, parqsd.com Belgian DJ and producer Felix De Laet (aka Lost Frequencies) was last in San Diego to open for Don Diablo at the Observatory in North Park. De Laet returns for a more intimate show at Parq after spending the end of last year dropping his latest single, Like I Love You (feat. The NGHBRS), as well as remixes for both that song and for his 2017 single, Crazy.

2.22 BORGEOUS

2.23 VIRTUAL RIOT

@ OMNIA, omnianightclub.com Miami-based DJ John Borger teamed with singers Jared Watson, IAMSU and Alex Issak on last year’s five-track EP, Dear Me. For his latest release, the big room house producer got L.A. crooner Nevve to sing on the November-released single, Only Love.

@ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com Twenty-four-year-old German DJ Christian Brunn released his 14th EP (!), Preset Junkies, in October.

And on New Year’s Eve, the dubstep producer’s latest single, Cry Some More, was included on the album Knights of the Round Table Vol. 2.

Pleasurekraft

2.8 STEVE AOKI

2.23

@ Spin, spinnightclub.com Once a tech-house duo consisting of Washington, D.C.’s Kaveh Soroush and Sweden’s Kalle Ronngardh, Soroush has been manning Pleasurekraft by himself lately.

The pair’s debut album, Friends, Lovers, and Other Constellations, dropped last year.

@PACIFICSD

FEBRUARY 2019

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LOVE | BLIND DATE

L eT IT B ee

BY JENNIFER IANNI PHOTOS BY DAVID BROOKS MATCHMAKER JESSICA PELLIGRA

Ian and Katrina get buzzed on a sweet blind date

I

t’s February in San Diego and love is in the air. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and, most importantly, the bees are buzzing in anticipation over this blind date.

This month’s daters are Katrina, 34, a wine expert who eschews popular dating apps and chooses to spend her free time outdoors, and Ian, 38, a hopeful courier with a unique sense of style and humor who has reached out to PACIFIC (a few times, actually) to make his blind date dreams come true.

This date stands out for a few reasons, the first being that this was the blind date that almost never was. From weather concerns to last-minute drop-outs and favors cashed in, this date seemed doomed from the get-go (and nearly caused the PACIFIC crew to break out in hives). But, like Ian, the cupids at PACIFIC are persistent, and for the sake of finding our San Diego 88

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singles true love, we never gave up.

Because of the nature of the date, we made an exception to the rules and informed the daters beforehand about what their activity entailed, which if you hadn’t noticed from earlier puns involves bees. Both brave daters gamely signed on, and Ian even wore his finest white lab coat, perhaps in an attempt to prove to his date that he is a doctor of love?

It’s the big day and an Epic Limo is about to drop Ian and Katrina off at Girl Next Door Honey in National City for a beehive tour neither will soon forget.

Will Ian find out he can catch more bees with honey, or will he end up getting stung in his attempts at lasting love?

Sit back, relax and let’s meet our daters, via their pre-date interviews.

Where are you from and where do you live now?

KATRINA: I was born in Portland,

Ore., but mainly grew up in Vancouver, Wash. I currently live in South Park.

IAN: I’m from Kensington, a small town in Northern California located in the East Bay. I’ve lived in San Diego since 2003. I currently reside in Tierrasanta — “The Island in the Hills.”

What do you do for a living?

KATRINA: I am in wine sales and currently looking into future entrepreneurial opportunities.

IAN: Courier for Amazon Flex.

What’s your Instagram handle?

KATRINA: @hurricane_katrina84 IAN: @coolguy9000 What dating apps can be found on your phone currently?

KATRINA: I can happily say, I do not have one dating app on my phone.

IAN: Dating apps? Aren’t those apps

just to boost your ego and get more attention?

Where can you be found on a weekend?

KATRINA: Gym, farmers market, hiking, cooking at home, brunching, enjoying food and wine, concerts, sailing, really wherever the fun takes me. I do really want to get into mountain biking.

IAN: On the weekends, I can be found shooting hoops at either Bub’s or Coin Op Game Room in downtown San Diego to throwing strikes at Aztec Lanes at San Diego State. Working out or playing basketball at my alma mater, San Diego State, to people watching in P.B. and/or downtown.

What are you best at?

KATRINA: Networking, design, event planning and organization.

IAN: I am best at taking constructive criticism.

LOVE | BLIND DATE

What do you suck at?

KATRINA: Water sports, push-ups and sitting still.

IAN: I suck at reading social cues.

Describe your special brand of sex appeal in a Tweet.

KATRINA: #SinInASundress IAN: I am simply “Ian-isistible.”

What are you looking for in a date, physical or otherwise?

KATRINA: Chemistry, sense of humor, good social skills, spontaneous, open-minded and honest.

IAN: In a date, I’m looking for a person that is bubbly, friendly, genuine and sweet with a beautiful smile and sense of humor. Being interested in sports would be a plus.

But similar interests are a must.

Rate yourself on a scale from one to 10 for looks.

KATRINA: I’d say I’m a solid eight.

IAN: With my smile and beautiful blue eyes, my looks are through the roof.

Why do you think you’ll be a good date?

KATRINA: Because I have great energy, I’m enthusiastic, happy and open to adventure and new experiences.

IAN: I would be a good date because I am honest and genuine, as well as sweet and a good listener.

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Rate yourself on a scale from one to 10 for personality.

KATRINA: 10.

IAN: To infinity and beyond.

What’s your cocktail of choice?

KATRINA: A good rendition of a Paloma.

IAN: Cabernet.

What’s a total deal-breaker on a date?

KATRINA: Loud or obnoxious laugh. Being rude to service industry. Dirty nails. Bad breath.

IAN: A total deal-breaker on a date would be the complete opposite of what I am looking for in a date.

How many people have you slept with?

KATRINA: Not enough to find the one!

IAN: Not enough to have a track record.

Fill in the blanks: I want my date to be “blank” and “blank.”

KATRINA: Funny and charismatic.

IAN: I want my date to be affectionate and bubbly.

Will the night end with a kiss, something more or something less?

KATRINA: This being my first blind date ever, I have no expectations. In my opinion, the chemistry will direct this outcome, but it will definitely be kept PG considering he’s a complete stranger.

IAN: Depends. If the date goes well and there are positive vibes amongst

us, the night will either end with a kiss, an undercover hug and/or both. If not, at best, the night will end with a regular hug.

So, here’s what we know so far: Ian thinks quite highly of himself (you might say he thinks he’s the bee’s knees) and Katrina relies on chemistry to dictate whether she kisses on the first date (even if Ian believes himself to be “Ianisistible”). That’s okay, though, because Ian is DTH (down to hug), and he even has a mysterious undercover hug that Katrina might learn more about, if she’s lucky.

And while Ian admits he’s not the best at reading social cues, and Katrina prefers a partner with good social skills, both began their answers to the dreaded “How many people have you slept with?” question with the same words: “Not enough.” Maybe it’s time these two learned a little more about the birds and the bees?

Let’s keep the buzz going.

LOVE | BLIND DATE

SUITING UP?

Blind daters take a hive tour, and then a detour before dinner

O

nce the daters arrive at Girl Next Door Honey, beekeeper Hilary Kearney takes them under her wing. Girl Next Door Honey is a local business that promotes “bee-centric” programs like beekeeping, hive tours, bee removal and management and other educational endeavors.

The daters suit up in traditional beekeeping gear, with their bodies, heads, hands and feet covered to protect them from any errant stings.

During the hive tour, Hilary breaks open a beehive to show Katrina and Ian where the honey is made and even manages to find the queen bee.

Immediately following the tour, the daters get to partake in some organic honey tasting. Sweet!

Both daters find the entire experience to bee entertaining and educational.

Eventually, the daters wave goodbye to Hilary and make the long journey up to North County for a surprise trip to a secret speakeasy that specializes in buzz-worthy cocktails that are sure to wet their whistles.

Entering Beekeeper Bar is no easy feat. Hidden next to an unassuming Outback Steakhouse in San Marcos, Beekeeper Bar is accessed by entering a secret PIN at an ATM machine outside. Once entered, a photo is taken, a password is given and then a prompt appears instructing the daters to flip a switch that alerts the bar that guests have arrived. A small window opens at the door and, once the correct password is given, entrance is finally granted.

Inside, the daters are treated to a curated hour of intricate, intoxicating drinks, all bee-themed, of course, and by the end, they’re famished and ready to chow down on some dinner at Urge Gastropub + Commonhouse, a sprawling restaurant and bowling alley at North City in San Marcos.

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The daters might be hungry after a long day of chasing bees (and chasing drinks), but are they feeding off of each other as well?

Well, not quite.

How’s it going so far?

KATRINA: It is going great.

I’m really enjoying the date. The experience is awesome. I don’t think the match is the best.

IAN: I think it’s going pretty well. The venues themselves are somewhat out of the ordinary as far as a typical date.

On first glance, would you swipe right or left on your date?

KATRINA: I think left is moving on, right? That’s what I would do.

IAN: I would swipe left. My date is pretty, but I have a different perception of who I like to date.

What do you think of the way your date is dressed?

KATRINA: The lab coat was aggressive. He could be the date doctor, we don’t know. (Laughs) But he didn’t put the moves on.

IAN: I think she’s dressed very nicely. She managed to dress well for all the venues.

How was your experience at Girl Next Door Honey?

KATRINA: Really awesome. Hilary was amazing. She was informative and great. I had always hoped to beekeep one day, but never thought I’d actually do it. So, it was a really awesome experience to do it and see all that. There was a real awesome beauty behind it, so I really enjoyed that aspect of it.

IAN: I would say it’s something out of the ordinary, something I would never expect to do on a first date.

How was your experience at Beekeeper Bar? KATRINA: Fantastic. Absolutely

amazing. I highly recommend it.

The cocktails, the demeanor, the owner, the bartenders, the design.

I was really impressed. It was really great. All the drinks were delicious.

IAN: I’m speechless. The layout, the overview of the establishment. The drinks are phenomenal.

What do you think of the menu at Urge?

KATRINA: The menu has a lot to offer. Really good food. The tortilla soup was great. Chicken wings were fantastic. The sliders were really yummy. Exceptional. And then the venue overall, the lighting, the style, the design, the bowling alley. It’s a really great place.

IAN: I saw it as typical bar food. It was fine. It will suffice.

What’s the most attractive thing your date has done so far?

KATRINA: I would say being really polite. Good manners.

IAN: The most attractive thing she’s done is just being easy-going and been a good listener.

What’s the least attractive thing your date has done so far?

KATRINA: He seems very nervous.

IAN: Nothing.

Rate your date on a scale from one to 10 for looks.

KATRINA: Six. IAN: Seven.

And for personality?

KATRINA: Six. IAN: 10.

What’s your date’s most attractive physical quality?

KATRINA: His eyes.

IAN: Her eyes.

What’s your date’s least attractive physical quality?

KATRINA: I would have to say his

uncomfortable-ness. You can tell there’s not an ease with social skills.

IAN: None.

Do you want to kiss your date right now?

KATRINA: No. IAN: No. Does your date want to kiss you?

KATRINA: I don’t think so.

IAN: I’m not entirely sure.

Is this someone you’d take home

to mom, or just take home?

KATRINA: None of the above.

IAN: I would say neither.

How and when will the date end?

KATRINA: I’m hoping it ends once we finish our meal and then that’s it.

IAN: I think the date will end with possibly exchanging numbers or social media and a hug.

Wow. It appears Ian has high standards for both his dinner and his date, which might be why

Katrina said she didn’t want to kiss him (or give him an undercover hug, presumably). She also said she felt Ian’s nerves were getting the best of him.

Both daters claim they would swipe left on the other, but they also both complimented each others’ eyes.

And you know what they say: beauty is in the eye of the bee-holder.

It doesn’t appear that this date resulted in a love connection, but let’s see what the daters had to say the next day.

@PACIFICSD

FEBRUARY 2019

93

LOVE | BLIND DATE CLOCKWISE (from upper left): The spicy chicken sandwich from Urge; the short rib sliders from Urge; a honey-inspired cocktail from Beekeeper Bar; the meatloaf, served with mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts, from Urge.

DON’T WORRY, B ee HAPPY A fun date doesn’t equate to a love connection

W

hile this blind date appears to have been a bust, romancewise, it turns out, it was also a bust, speakeasy-wise. In the days following the date, Beekeeper Bar mysteriously shut down and, while there’s no word on whether it will return, the daters both said the speakeasy was their favorite part of the date.

That stings.

How did everything go?

KATRINA: Overall, I had a fun day. I don’t think the date went very well…

IAN: I must say, it was one of the most unique and intriguing dates I’ve ever been on, as far as the activities go, with the beekeeping and the top-secret bar. That was the icing on the cake. That was very different and something I would never think to do.

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Where did you go and what did you do for the rest of the evening after dinner?

KATRINA: We both went home.

It had been a long day. We were together for, like, eight hours. It was cool, I liked the whole idea of the bees and honey and the whole process of that was really cool.

IAN: After dinner, we decided to call it a night. Our driver dropped us off at our separate places.

Did you guys exchange numbers?

KATRINA: No, we did not.

IAN: No, we exchanged Instagram handles.

Hook up?

KATRINA: No, he did follow me on Instagram. That’s about it.

IAN: No. What’s the funniest thing that happened during the date?

KATRINA: I would have to say the fact that he was wearing a lab coat.

I’m not sure if it was a joke or what.

He took it off to put the beekeeping outfit on, but that’s what he chose to wear. (Laughs) I don’t know. So that was that.

IAN: I think the funniest thing that happened on our date was that we didn’t get stung, but our beekeeper tour guide got stung. (Laughs) The bee was making a little twirl trying to get off and the guts exploded.

What was the best part of the date and why?

KATRINA: The best part of the date was the Beekeeper (Bar) speakeasy because they had some really eccentric cocktails, the way they were made with the fire and the devices. There were all sorts of really cool things with the different cocktails that they had us try, which was really awesome.

IAN: I think the best part was Beekeeper Bar. Just being exposed to the different smells and textures and tastes of the drinks and the chemistry behind all of it was pretty awesome.

What was the worst part of the date and why?

KATRINA: There just wasn’t any chemistry, so it was just like hanging out with a friend. You could kind of tell that immediately, and I felt like that was on his part also. I don’t think he was interested in me either. We didn’t hate each other, we still had a great time and enjoyed the date for what it was.

But I did definitely think from the get-go there wasn’t really any romance. It happens.

IAN: The duration of the date. It was enough time, but it was longer than necessary and we didn’t get enough privacy.

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LOVE | BLIND DATE

Do you follow each other on Instagram?

KATRINA: Yes, I’m following @coolguy9000.

IAN: Yes. Did your opinion of your date change once you saw their social media profile?

KATRINA: Well, I could tell that he was slightly socially awkward, and I picked up on that on the date.

So when I saw his social media with very limited photos and followers and likes and friends, it made me know that my first judgment was pretty accurate.

IAN: No, my opinion of Katrina didn’t change at all. She was the same person when I first met her initially.

Will there be a second date? Why or why not?

KATRINA: No, there will not be, because he’s not really my type.

IAN: No. I don’t believe there 96

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will be. I didn’t really feel a strong physical connection with her. I felt like friendship would be most suitable. There weren’t any fireworks or romantic connection, in my opinion, at least.

Do you have any dating tips for your date?

KATRINA: Don’t wear a lab coat and maybe work on being a better conversationalist.

IAN: No tips for her whatsoever.

Continue to be her warm and charming self.

Any final thoughts, parting words, shout-outs or anything else to add?

KATRINA: Shout out to (matchmaker) Jessica for giving me this opportunity. Hopefully I can have another opportunity to maybe go on a successful blind date. This was my first one ever, so it was a little bit discouraging. And to Ian, he was a very nice guy and we did enjoy the date and the activities

together, so it wasn’t a total wash at the end of the day. And to PACIFIC magazine for giving us a fun, active day and some really amazing cocktails.

IAN: I’d like to thank PACIFIC magazine for allowing me to enjoy this blind date experience. It was something out of this world; something I’ll probably never get to experience ever again.

sometimes disappear into thin air.

We did not, however, learn what an undercover hug is.

Another important lesson to take away from this date: Dating attire is important and you should bee-ware that just because your date shows up wearing a white lab coat, it doesn’t mean there will be any chemistry.

In the end, despite PACIFIC’s best efforts, these two won’t be calling each other “honey.” And even though there was a lack of romance, the fact that they were still able to enjoy the date and part as friends (at least on Instagram) does take the sting out of it a bit.

And what did we learn, dear readers? We learned that sometimes, blind dates that appear doomed actually are. We learned that even beekeepers get stung. We learned that cool hidden speakeasies in the back of an Outback Steakhouse

EDITOR’S NOTE: Daters’ answers may have been edited for length and clarity.

SPECIAL THANKS TO AND PROMOTIONAL CONSIDERATION FROM: GIRL NEXT DOOR HONEY 619.921.8189, girlnextdoorhoney.com BEEKEEPER BAR (NO LONGER OPEN) URGE GASTROPUB + COMMON HOUSE 760.798.8822, sm.urgegastropub.com MATCHMAKER JESSICA PELLIGRA matchandmagic.com

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