Dozens of restaurants, from hip, new joints to old favorites, will showcase their finest fares at the annual “Taste of Downtown” restaurant walk Thursday, Sept. 17.
The self-guided culinary tour will give visitors and residents alike the opportunity to sample cuisine from several local establishments in the Gaslamp, East Village, Horton Plaza and Little Italy neighborhoods.
“We try to feature all different areas and new restaurants in particular,” said Jane Cuarezma, events and promotions manager for McFarlane Promotions.
“That is what’s so great about this event, there’s always new restaurants popping up.”
In the ever-evolving East Village, Java Jones and Zanzibar Café are two new add-ons that will debut at the Taste this year.
“I thought it was fun and it gave me the opportunity to try restaurants that I otherwise would not have,”said Elijah Orozco, an East Village resident who attended the event for the first time last year.
Orozco said that he has since returned to several of the establishments that he tried at the last walk. He plans on attending again this year to catch even more of the new places that are springing up in his neighborhood.
The new business from patrons like Orozco is exactly the reason why restaurants return to the walk year after year as well.
“It’s a gateway to open up to people our restaurant,” said Anthony Zizzo, executive chef and co-owner of Vincenzo Restaurante Italiano, 1702 India Street in Little Italy. “After [last year’s] event, I had customers say they had a sample, liked it, and came back and ordered the same.”
Zizzo said that this is their second year participating and they will be sampling rigatoni pasta with sausage, bell pepper and sun dried tomato marinara.
The event benefits the Downtown San Diego Partnership, a privately funded non-profit business organization created to improve downtown for residents and businesses. One beneficiary is their “Clean & Safe” business improvement district program that funds safety and cleanliness ambassadors.
Because there are so many restaurants participating, Cuarezma recommends strategically planning routes and restaurants ahead of time. A complementary shuttle will transport guests from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Taste of Downtown runs from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 and advance purchase is recommended, as the event has sold out in previous years. Tickets can be purchased online or at select participating restaurants. For tickets or more information call (619) 233-5008 or visit www.dtsd.org.

Participating
Restaurants

Gaslamp Quarter
Aqua Blu
Acqua Al 2
Alambres
Bella Luna
Buca di Beppo
Chive
Dakota Grill and Spirits
Dick’s Last Resort
Dublin Square Irish Pub
Dussini Mediterranean Bistro
Gaslamp Tavern
Gelateria Frizzante
Henry’s Pub
Jolt’n Joes
Maloney’s Tavern
Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge
Olé Madrid
Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
The Field Authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant
Trattoria La Bocca

Financial District
Broadway Taco Company
Crunch Time Popcorn
House of Blues
Le Cake Chateau
Quiznos
RA Sushi Bar Restaurant
Sixth Avenue Bistro
Yard House

Little Italy
Buon Appetito
Caffé Italia
Indigo Grill
It’s A Grind Coffee
Petrini’s
Sogno di Vino
Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano

Horton Plaza
Beach City Market
Samba Grill

East Village
Buca di Beppo
East Village Tavern & Bowl
Java Jones Coffee House
Mondo Gelato
Neighborhood
Pannikin Coffee & Tea
Salad Style
Quiznos
Zanzibar Cafe