"IT NEVER RAINS IN CALIFORNIA..."

That song certainly applies to San Diego where we have been for the last week for BestWeekends.com. On average there are 266 sunny days in the city and rainfall is less than 12 inches per year. Temperatures average 72 degrees year-round with August and September the warmest at 77 and 78 degrees. It is truly a most delightful climate. This is the September weather we wait for all summer in the East. And they have it all year!

With 1.4mm people it is the 8^th largest US city and the second largest in California. The city is best known for the San Diego Zoo, quite possibly the best in the world, 1,200 acre multi-attraction Balboa Park, Sea World, the USS Midway Museum and the great Torrey Pines Golf Club, site of this year's U.S. Open. The city is also home to professional baseball’s San Diego Padres whose stadium is downtown in the Gaslight District.

Our lodging recommendations include two spectacular resorts, Fairmont Grand del Mar and The Lodge at Torrey Pines, both golf meccas; two Gaslight District hotels in the heart of the city, The Pendry and Andaz; a 5 star Inn in the Del Mar area Rancho Valencia and charming inn in the La Jolla area, Estancia La Jolla and finally a wonderful old school hotel in downtown La Jolla that overlooks the ocean, The Grande Colonial.

Dining in San Diego is a treat, not only for the food but for some great views. Mister A's sits atop an office building in downtown San Diego with spectacular views of the city. Born & Raised is an old-time steakhouse with an open air rooftop dining room to complement its traditional dining room downstairs. The Marine Room sits on the beach in La Jolla and offers "High Tide" dinners when the waves crash against the glass windows. Addison at The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is the most decorated restaurant in san Diego earning a Michelin star, the AAA Five Diamond Award, Forbes Five Star Award and the Wine Spectator Grand Award. A.R. Valentian at The Lodge at Torrey Pines is also a Michelin recognized restaurant has has amazing  golf course (18th green) and ocean views. George's at the Cove in la Jolla sits atop the towering cliffs of the cove and NINE TEN at the Grande Colonial is also a Michelin recognized restaurant.

Altitude Sky Bar, Raised by Wolves and The Nolan were favorites for cocktails and after dinner you don't want to miss The Shout House with its dueling pianos and sing-alongs. Finally no visit to San Diego would be complete without a stop at The Crack Shack for what may be the best fried chicken you've ever had.
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THE WINE CORNER

2019 Colene Clemens Dopp Creek Pinot Noir. $29.99 at The Bottle Shop, Spring Lake

The fruit for Dopp Creek is 100% de-stemmed into small stainless steel tanks and begins with a 4-5 day cold soak. Following this, tanks are gently warmed, and fermentation by indigenous yeast begins and proceeds for 10-14 days. During primary fermentation, the tanks are gently punched down by hand twice daily. Once fermentation is complete, they allow for 5-7 days of extended maceration in tank before draining the tanks and pressing the skins, stems, and seeds very gently to procure the remaining juice. Both the free run juice and pressed juice then go directly to barrel without settling. After 10-12 months in French oak—28% new; 30% 1-year old; 32% 2-year old; 10% 3-year old—the wine is then blended and bottled. READ MORE
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CHEF DAVID BURKE'S OMAKASE DINNERS ARE A SURE BET AT RED HORSE

Globally awarded, celebrity chef David Burke - also known as the “Culinary Prankster” – has got some surprises for his food-adventuress fans: a series of bi-monthly omakase dinners. And fans are gobbling it up. His last three every-other Tuesday night omakase dinners were sell-outs. The next available omakase dinner is scheduled for September 7 at 6:30 p.m., an extravagant celebration of red meat of Land & Sea Omakase with the highest grades available of beef and tuna ($110 or $155 with three wine pairings). To reserve call (732) 576-3400 or visit www.redhorsebydb.com
 
The unique 10-course omakase dinners held in the beautiful art-filled Sushi Loft at Red Horse are under the direction of Chef Sang Choi. Chef Choi trained in Japan and is the owner of three Japanese restaurants, and was chosen as the chef for Japan Airline, First Class Chef. He is certified to train other sushi chefs too - and has a few other hidden talents as well - such as serving as Korean Japanese Interpreter in International Trading and as a rugby player on the Korean Rugby Team. Chef Choi has been Chef Burke’s sushi chef at his highly awarded restaurants for several years now proving he has met Chef Burke’s strict standards and highest of expectations.
 
Omakase is a traditional Japanese style of dining with a set "chef's choice" tasting menu using only top, seasonal ingredients presented in breathtaking presentations. The menu consists of high-quality, made-to-order seasonal sushi, sashimi and some non-sushi dishes such as soups, salads or tempura. Part of the fun is not knowing what is on the menu giving the omakase experience an element of surprise. And here’s where Chef Burke’s genius is at its best. He plans on continuing to riff on omakase menus for future dinners, stretching the boundaries – mixed in with the expected traditional exquisite sushi courses will be some unexpected delicacies using lobster, red meat, chicken wings and more, all with gourmet garnishes.

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FALL FOLIAGE 2021

If you're craving some outdoor beauty this fall, here's where—and just as important, when—to hit the road.
By SPENCER BUELL For Boston Magazine.

When it comes to leaf-peeping season in New England, timing is everything. Head up north or out west too soon, and you’ll find seas of boring old green up and down the mountains. Too late, and you’ll have to settle for the doldrums of brown.

Especially in a year that may or may not have us prioritizing fresh air over indoor spaces, the moment to plot out your autumn adventures has arrived.

What better way to aim for the sweet spot than by perusing this helpful interactive map of when foliage is expected to peak this year. It comes to us by way of SmokyMountains.com, a site that promotes travel to the also foliage-dense national park in Tennessee and North Carolina. READ MORE
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THIS 'N THAT

Don't miss The Nerds, August 28th at Reef & Barrel. Tickets. September 3rd, at Bar Anticipation on our outdoor Summer Stage! Reserve your VIP table today at www.bar-a.com/box-office . 

Squan Tavern has added another great local brewery, Ashton Brewing, from Middlesex! They join their local brewery list to now make 7 beers available between draft and cans.

Meet “the Johnny Cash” from Jersey Shore BBQ; smoked Italian sausage topped with grilled onions, peppers, and melted provolone, served on a Joe Leone's Italian Specialties hard roll. Walking the line between smoky and sweet, this baby will make you cry, cry, cry for more  This country legend is a JSBBQ Point Beach exclusive.

Join favorites DQ + SHREIDAN  at the bar with music by Autograf and Chris Carve this Saturday Night at Headliner Oasis. For reservations or info visit www.headlineroasis.com
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                   UPCOMING EVENTS

FOOD & DRINK DEALS

ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday
Team Shamrock Fundraiser with Pat Roddy Band 6pm, Spare Parts 6:30pm, Chris Dimico and Ron Ossi 8pm at Bar A
The Snakes and Bob O'Connell at Crab's Claw
Various Artists for Happy Hour, Karaoke with DJ Manny 8pm at Bum Rogers
DJ Funsize and MC Meg at Joe's Surf Shack
Live music at The Salty Whale
The Orange Blossoms at Reef & Barrel

Friday
The Neighbors and Gary Schaefer at Crab's Claw Inn
Super Trans Am 6pm, DJ Illegal, DJ Mike Nice, West End Dogs 9pm, at Bar A
Mike Dalton at Fratello's
Rich & Chad at Drifthouse by David Burke
Live music at Bum Rogers
Live music at The Salty Whale
Don't Know Jack at Joe's Surf Shack
DJ Kaos at Reef & Barrel
Montego Bay Reunion Night at Headliner Oasis

Saturday
Black Cross Band 5pm, Billy Reybert 9pm at Bar A
Retromantics and Mike Vissell at Crab's Claw Inn
Stop Playin - Mike Cagg and Jason Keats and Autograf at Headliner Oasis
Live music at Bum Rogers
DJ Hova and DJ Funsize at Joe's Surf Shack
Live music at The Salty Whale
The Nerds, DJ Mike at Reef & Barrel

Sunday
DJ Rob Busch at Joe's Surf Shack
Joe Baracata 6pm, DC Duo 7pm at Bar A
Blue Collar Duo and Rick K at Crab's Claw
Billy Hector at Bum Rogers
Enjoy 4pm at Reef & Barrel
Live music at The Salty Whale 
DJ Camillo with Nicky Rizz at Headliner Oasis

NEED A HANDYMAN?

How many times have you said you wished you had a handyman to fix something you either didn't want to fix or didn't know how to fix? That stubborn kitchen cabinet that refuses to close, the grill handle that popped off, a door that needed new hinges? Ryan Flynn, we call him "Schneider", can fix just about anything and can perform tasks like painting, caulking, grouting, small carpentry and much more. Give him a call at 732.245.7706
 

RESTAURANT/SPONSOR LINKS

Bar Anticipation - Lake Como
Bum Rogers Crabhouse - Seaside Park
Chop Box - Multiple
Crab's Claw Inn - Lavallette
Cross & Orange - Asbury Park 
Drifthouse By David Burke - Sea Bright
Fratello's - Sea Girt
Headliner Oasis - Neptune
Jersey Shore BBQ - Point Pleasant and Belmar
Joe Leone's - Point Pleasant
Joe's Surf Shack - Belmar
Moonstruck - Asbury Park
New Door - Sarasota, Florida
Prime 13 - Point Pleasant  
Red Horse by David Burke - Rumson
Reef & Barrel - Manasquan 
Rella's Tavern & Cafe - Brielle
Salt Creek Grille - Rumson
Scarborough Fair - Sea Girt
Shipwreck Grill - Brielle
Squan Tavern - Manasquan
The Salty Whale - Manasquan

SPONSORS

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Jim Flynn ShoreFoodie.com  | shorefoodie@gmail.com | www.shorefoodie.com

Our mailing address is:
Box 352, Brielle, NJ 08730