Pinky fingers out
Fancy tea service tailored for the holidays will be held throughout December at The Westgate Hotel.
One of them is kid-friendly. It’s called Santa’s Story Time Tea, which features teas, pastries, finger sandwiches, and a storytelling Santa in the hotel’s decked-out Le Fontainebleau Room. Keepsake teddy bears will be handed out to the young attendees. The tea sessions will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 10 and 11, and 17-23. The cost is $105 for adults, and $75 for children 12 and under.
An adults-only Winter Wonderland Tea will be held throughout the hotel’s decorated Grand Lobby amid music by a live harpist. Sweets, savories and a glass of champagne will be served with the teas. The service takes place from 2:30 to 5 p.m., Dec. 9-11, 15-23, 26-31, and Jan. 1. The cost is $105 per person. 1055 Second Ave., 619-238-1818, westgatehotel.com.
Attention Vegans
North Park Mini Park has made way for the Vegan Food Popup, which founder Michelle May recently debuted in the space after running it for several years exclusively in areas of North County.
The dog-friendly event is held from noon to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month. Visitors can expect dozens of rotating vendors selling everything from plant-based nachos and stir-fry noodle dishes to wraps, sandwiches, sushi, sweets, and more.
Also in the offing are vegan-friendly dog treats, beauty products, home goods, and apparel. 3812 29th St., veganfoodpopup.com.
In the spirit of Holland
The celebrated spirit of The Netherlands known as genever gets top billing at Botanica, which opened recently in North Park as the fourth local concept by Be Saha Hospitality Group.
Located within North Park’s Art Produce building, the establishment is one of San Diego’s few places serving up a diverse selection of genever, which is a botanical spirit that falls into the gin category. It’s considered one of Europe’s oldest distilled liquors, hence deserving of the elegant flutes in which it is served.
Small gourmet bites are also available. They’re crafted by chefs Tiffany Tran and Janina Garay, who previously worked together at San Diego’s Michelin-starred Addison.
Botanica is also one of the first bar lounges locally to exhibit non-fungible-token (NFT) art, which is displayed electronically within framed display screens.
Be Saha Hospitality also operates Tahona and Oculto 477 in Old Town, and Wormwood in University Heights. Botanica is located at 3139 University Ave. For more info, call 619-310-6370 or visit botanicabarsd.com.
New chef, new dishes at Ironside Fish & Oyster
The new chef at Ironside Fish & Oyster is summoning her north shore Massachusetts roots for adding new dishes to the menu at the maritime-themed restaurant in Little Italy.
Danielle Van Steen entered the culinary industry as a teenager, first as a pastry chef before branching into farm-to-table cooking, and working with sustainable seafood. Along the way, she became an advocate for women chefs.
Among the various new dishes she is presenting at Ironside is bone marrow with tuna tartare, smoked trout and salsa verde. She will also continue serving the classics such as lobster rolls and octopus a la plancha while adhering to locally sourced seafood across the menu. 1654 India St., 619-269-3033, ironsidefishandoyster.com.
Brandy Alexander with a local twist
One of our favorite retro restaurants is spotlighting one of our favorite classic cocktails in the month of December – the century-old Brandy Alexander.
Look no further than the historic Hob Nob Hill in Bankers Hill for scoring the boozy, wintertime drink, which became popular in the early 20th century after bartender Troy Alexander created it at Rector’s restaurant in New York City.
The Hob Nob is selling it this month for $10. Its construct features Ciroc VS Brandy, Creme de Cacao, and vanilla ice cream sourced from Niederfrank’s in National City. The drink is garnished traditionally with grated nutmeg. 2271 First Ave., 619-239-8176, hobnobhill.com.
