Now in its 16th year, the festival features lunches and dinners, cooking classes, panel discussions, plus wine, beer and spirits tastings conducted at various local venues. The biggest attraction, however, is the \u201cgrand tasting\u201d held on the grassy lawns of Embarcadero Marina Park North.<\/strong> (400 Kettner Blvd.<\/em>)<\/p>\n That event is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m., Nov. 16. It will bring together more than 60 restaurants and chefs, along with 200 wineries, breweries and distilleries \u2014 all doling out samples of their latest and greatest creations.<\/p>\n Among the Downtown kitchens taking part are Lionfish, Grant Grill, Eddie V\u2019s Prime Seafood<\/strong>, y Social Tap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n New to the grand tasting is the Miyokos Plant Based Zone spotlighting vegan food options and \u201cnatural\u201d wines. Also, the Grupo de restaurantes Cohn <\/strong>will present \u201cCamp Cohn\u201d featuring food samples from restaurants within the company, and another area will feature a chef\u2019s table from which dishes by local chefs are consumed and discussed.<\/p>\n General admission to the grand tasting is $135 (or $175 for admission one hour earlier). The price for VIP tickets is $250, which includes special tastings and live entertainment in a designated tent.<\/p>\n For details and prices on the festival\u2019s citywide events, and to purchase tickets, visit sandiegowineclassic.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n A new chef de cuisine has landed at Vistal Restaurant + Bar<\/strong> en el InterContinental San Diego<\/strong> hotel, located on Downtown\u2019s bayfront.<\/p>\n Gil Manipon hails from Viejas Casino and Resort\u2019s Grove Steakhouse,<\/strong> where he achieved an AAA Four Diamond Award. He will work alongside Vistal\u2019s executive chef, Amy DiBiase, who helped launch the nautical-inspired restaurant a year ago. In aiming for seasonal menu spins, Manipon has introduced dishes such as wood-smoked duck breast with honey-turnip puree; house-made corn agnolotti pasta with prosciutto and brown butter; and angel food cake \u201cFrench toast\u201d with fig-tequila anglaise.<\/p>\n The restaurant also revamped its cocktail list, using liquors from local distilleries such as You & Yours, and Cutwater Spirits. 901 Bayfront Court, 619-535-0485<\/em>, vistalsd.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Brews will be flowing from two bars and a beer garden from 2 to 11:30 p.m., Nov. 9, at the first-ever Cali Love Music & Arts Festival at 10 Barrel Brewing Co.<\/strong> en el East Village.<\/p>\n The event pays homage to the brewpub\u2019s top-selling Cali Love IPA. Organizers say they will transform the space into a festival reminiscent of KAABOO, with three stages for live reggae and indie-rock performances, plus a silent disco, and noshes such as craft tacos and pizza from 10 Barrel\u2019s kitchen. Entry is free, although \u201cskip-the-line\u201d VIP tickets are $15 each. 1501 E St., 619-578-2311,<\/em> 10barrel.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Gaslamp Quarter\u2019s only open-air rooftop bar is up and running atop Theatre Box<\/strong>. The space, named 5th and Sky Rooftop Gardens & Lounge<\/strong>, features lush Japanese-style flora and comfy seating with views of the surrounding skyline. A full bar offers crafty cocktails, craft beers, and wines from a curated list. A variety of shareable plates featuring sushi and smoked filet carpaccio toast are available as well. 701 Fifth Ave., 619-814-2225<\/em>, theatrebox.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveler recently turned its attention to our prolific dining scene by citing the \u201c25 best restaurants\u201d in San Diego County \u2014 from Oceanside and right on down to our urban core. Seven establishments in Little Italy received shout outs.<\/p>\n The restaurants were cited for everything ranging from the souffle pancakes at Morning Glory<\/strong> and the opulent steakhouse environment at Born and Raised<\/strong> to the wide-ranging local seafood choices found at Pescado y ostras Ironside <\/strong>and the experimental cuisine of celebrity chef Richard Blais at Juniper & Ivy.<\/strong><\/p>\n Blais also took honors for his free-range chicken and egg dishes dominating nearby Crack Shack\u2019s<\/strong> menu. The other Little Italy restaurants named were Herb & Wood<\/strong> y Monello.<\/strong><\/p>\n To see the complete list and their summaries, visit cntravler.com and enter into the search field \u201c25 best restaurants in San Diego.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Food](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/San-Diego-Bay-Wine-and-Food-Festival-wine-pouring.jpg\")
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