Fruit trees. (Photo courtesy of Ralphs/iStock)
From historic brunches and new breweries to an ice cream debut, a green-thumb giveaway, and a museum afternoon packed with travel tales and tacos, San Diego’s food and drink scene is serving up something for everyone this week. Here’s what’s fresh, flavorful, and worth checking out before October wraps up:
Brunch with a Side of History in Oceanside
The Victorian at Hill Street, one of Oceanside’s last remaining Queen Anne homes (built in 1888), has launched weekend brunch with a Cali-Mediterranean twist. Expect reimagined favorites like shrimp and grits, Victorian French toast, and rosemary chicken waffles, all served on the wrap-around porch. Chef Lisa Rivera, a competitor on Hell’s Kitchen – Battle of the States, leads the kitchen. Brunch runs Fridays–Sundays, 9 a.m.to1 p.m. at 524 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside. Reservations via OpenTable; walk-ins welcome. Instagram: @victorianoceanside. Check out the menu below.
Menu image for The Victorian at Hill Street. (Photo courtesy of The Victorian at Hill Street)
Lafayette Hotel Earns MICHELIN Key Honors
North Park’s historic Lafayette Hotel continues to shine after its $31 million renovation, earning a MICHELIN Key for exceptional design and guest experience — one of only 37 new honorees nationwide, and the only San Diego property on the 2025 list.
The Lafayette Hotel in North Park. (Photo courtesy, Colliers)
Rosemarie’s Buns & Brews Expands to Encinitas
The local slider sensation opens Nov. 1 at 608 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, teaming with Gelati & Peccati. Expect Wagyu sliders, fried chicken sandwiches, blue cheese bacon fries, and a rotating selection of small-batch brews.
Barley & Sword Brewing Heads to Escondido
Vista-based Barley & Sword Brewing is taking over the former Jacked Up Brewery at 800 W. Grand Ave., offering a roomy taproom, traditional European-style beers, and rotating food pop-ups. Opening later this fall.
The interior of a Barley & Sword Brewing Company. (Photo courtesy of Barley & Sword Brewing Company)
Zen Modern Asian Bistro Opens at Del Mar Sky Deck
The family-run Yang trio brings upscale Chinese cuisine with Cantonese, Szechuan, and Pan-Asian dishes to Del Mar Sky Deck (12841 El Camino Real Suite 206). Highlights include Sichuan Dumplings, Xiao Long Bao, Kung Pao Chicken, Taiwanese Ribeye, and inventive cocktails like the Ube and Green Lantern. Open Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m.to 10 p.m., Friday–Saturday until midnight. Instagram: @zenmodernasian.
Zen Modern Asian Bistro plates. (Photo courtesy of Zen Modern Asian Bistro )
Bruster’s Ice Cream Scoops Up San Diego
The Pennsylvania-based chain debuts Oct. 29 in La Mesa (8497 Fletcher Pkwy.), serving 24 daily-rotating flavors, sundaes, milkshakes, and waffle cones. A second Mira Mesa location is planned.
Bruster’s Ice Cream Scoops yummy items. (Photo courtrsy of Bruster’s Ice Cream Scoops)
Closing Time at Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters
La Jolla Shores’ Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters, the sister restaurant of George’s at the Cove, will permanently close on Saturday, Nov. 1, with the expiration of its lease. The space from partners George Hauer and Trey Foshee (a former Food & Wine magazine Best New Chef honoree) first opened in July 2015 as Galaxy Taco, and shifted the concept to Sandpiper in October 2021. For the final month of service, Sandpiper is paying homage to Galaxy Taco with a special of three tacos (one fish, one mushroom, one birria) and a house margarita for $28. Additionally, Sandpiper is offering 50% off all bottles of wine every day. The restaurant opens at 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and at noon Saturday and Sunday.
“We are proud of the 10-year run with Galaxy and Sandpiper, and we are grateful to the members of our staff who poured their hearts and souls into it. While this chapter is ending, George’s remains as strong as ever, and we hope our fans will come visit us there for great locally sourced food and the best view of the sunset in town,” Foshee said.
Trey Foshee. (Photo courtesy of Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters)
An Afternoon at the Museum: Tacos, Travel Tales & Bourdain Memories
Fans of the late Anthony Bourdain can feed their wanderlust and their appetite at An Afternoon at the Museum, happening Sunday, Nov. 9, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Bourdain’s longtime travel companion and fixer, Zamir Gotta, shares behind-the-scenes stories from No Reservations and Parts Unknown and signs his new book, The Fixer and the Chef: My Life With and Without Anthony Bourdain. He’s joined by W. Scott Koenig (Taco Megaregion), who dives into the San Diego–Tijuana taco scene. Guests can snack on tacos from The Craft Taco (named one of Yelp’s Top 100 Taquerias in the U.S.), sip non-alcoholic drinks, and enjoy a Q&A with both authors. Proceeds benefit Survivors of Suicide Loss San Diego. Tickets ($30–$75): zamir-gotta.eventbrite.com.
Event flyer. (Photo courtesy of Zamir and Bourdain in Moscow: CNN Parts Unknown)
Free Fruit Trees in Paradise Hills
Tree San Diego, Ralphs, and the Arbor Day Foundation are giving away 200 free fruit trees from 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, at Ralphs, 3011 Alta View Drive. Options include guava, pomegranate, orange, and fig. Registration: treesandiego.org/leafingourlegacy.
The Last Bite
Whether you’re sipping, scooping, or planting something new, San Diego’s fall flavors are in full swing. From Oceanside’s Victorian charm to Del Mar’s family bistro, a taco-fueled museum afternoon, and Paradise Hills’ green revival — it’s a week worth digging into.
In invite you to drop me a line about any food related items, happenings etc. at Debbies@timesofsandiego.com
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