Where yummy meets tummy

Revisit your favorite local eateries and try out some exciting new ones when the Heart of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk returns Sept. 20. The annual event, sponsored by Discover Pacific Beach, the local business improvement district, offers diners a chance to sample foods from upward of a dozen PB eateries in a self-guided culinary tour. “Getting out of the car and walking around the neighborhood its a great opportunity to remind yourself what amazing, diverse restaurants and businesses we have here in PB,” said Sara Berns, executive director of Discover Pacific Beach. “Enjoy running into your neighbors while sampling delicious food. … This event not only supports our local businesses, but proceeds go toward projects that benefit the business district.” Participants this year include Café Athena, LaCosa Pizza, Tastee Freeze/Mr. Frosty, Great News! Cookware, Woodstock’s Pizza, the Tap Room, Costa Brava, Fig Tree Café, and Café Bella Italia, among others.   New features for this year’s event include the recently-opened Fish Shop, located at 1775 Garnet Ave. at the corner of Garnet and Kendall Street, which will host Karl Strauss beer tastings. Live music will be entertaining guests outside of Lotsa Pasta.  One ticket allows guests to visit all participating restaurants to try samples of the food and get a feel for the atmosphere. Berns said funds raised from the 15th annual event will go toward programs like street cleanups, the “Shop Local” holiday campaign and Discover Pacific Beach’s signature annual event Pacific Beachfest (Oct. 1), a family-oriented community festival at Mission Beach from Thomas to Felspar streets. Discover Pacific Beach also hosts bi-monthly business networking mixers, which are open to the public. The next such mixer will be held today, Sept. 15 at the office complex at 1010 Turquoise St. The Heart of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk draws about 500 guests annually, said Berns, including a large local crowd. “It’s a chance to try the restaurant without committing [to a full meal],” said Niki Morgan, a beach-area resident for more than 22 years, who has enjoyed the local restaurant walks in prior years. “I also like the community feel; walking around the neighborhood and seeing other people walking. It’s festive.” Tickets for the Heart of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk are $20 and may be purchased online at www.govavi.com, or in person at Woodstock’s Pizza, 1221 Garnet Ave.