Naeem Khan once more wowed the fashionistas of San Diego at the Globe Guilders Naeem Khan Runway show, Tuesday, May 21st at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The internationally acclaimed couture designer showcased his 2013 collection as the 500+ attendees ooo’d and ahhhh’d over the spectacular gowns; a few of which we are sure to grace the upcoming San Diego gala benefits in 2013.

The silent and live auction that preceded the runway show served to honor the hard work of the Globe Guilders by adding greatly needed funding to the on-going forums, support, education and programs of the passionistas of style and the arts.

The champagne flowed and the cameras flashed as the show got under way capping off the show with a fun happy birthday victory round and well wishes from the crowd.

The Naeem Khan 2013 Collection Photos will be posted separately in a video shortly.

*CLICK on a photo to enlarge and use your arrow buttons to scroll through the photos.
                   

Attendees included: Sonya Berg, Karen Cohn, Valerie Cooper, Evva Fenison, May Zawaideh, Abeer Hage, MaryBeth Kellee, Kimberly Hunt, Leonard Simpson, Jeanne Jones, Lena Evans, Doreen Roohanipur, Maria Assaraf, Dana Alkasmi, Sheryl White, Phyllis Parrish, Jeanne Jones, Sally B. Thornton

Co-emcee’s Dan Cohen and Nichelle Medina of San Diego’s News 8 led the attendees along as they raised awareness and funds for the Petco Foundation’s efforts.

CLICK on a photo to enlarge and use arrow keys to scroll through photos. 

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• San Diego’s Red Cross chapter and volunteers are at the ready to head to Oklahoma to offer assistance as are the SD Fire and Rescue Teams. Texting 90999 from your mobile phone will send a $10 donation to the American Red Cross.
• United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund is open. Donations may be made online atwww.unitedwayokc.org or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK  73101 with a notation for the May Tornado Relief.
• The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - Text FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 to the group
• Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund can be made online to the Tulsa Community Fund at www.TulsaCF.org. Donations can also be mailed to TCF offices at 7030 S. Yale, Suite 600, Tulsa, OK, 74136.

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Photo courtesy of Jeff Corrigan

Chef Michael spent his younger years in the L.A. area trekking through farmer’s markets and absorbing the culture of regionally-grown food, so it is no surprise that this veteran of 20+ years in great kitchens across the U.S. still has an extreme passion for his art. Just three weeks after his arrival to Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar, we sat down for a meal and a chat.

He is dedicated to continuing to fill his kitchen with the very best ingredients available. At this early stage, Chef Michael has not yet changed the menu but he assured us that we could expect his innovative creativity to be infused into the (large) Roppongi menu soon.

Things to remember…

1) Keep the outdoor fire pit on the patio top of mind for warm summer nights because this certainly becomes the local place to be seen and the happy hour (3pm – 6pm) should be kept on your go-to short list. 2) They have a nice selection of gluten-free and vegetarian items to choose from. 3) Think about attending one of Roppongi’s Saturday Sushi School events! It’s a lesson, sake and lunch the first Saturday of every month. Be forewarned, though. It sells out quickly.

The Pan Seared Diver Scallops were stacked atop a crunchy potato pancake with Thai basil sundried tomatoes and a mmmmm good chive hollandaise sauce that had the perfect balance of richness, nothing that over-powered the flavors.

The miso soy emulsion served with the spiced crusted ahi packs a lot of punch into each bite and was quite tasty but the surprise flavor feast came in the cripsy quinoa cakes.

THIS is precisely what makes a dining experience enjoyable… the unexpected. I have not come across quinoa being used too creatively but this morsel was integrated with a delicate coconut curry mixed with the sweet flavors of apples, raisins and a mango chutney with an added crunch of celery. OMG! Bliss.

A beautiful plate of the crispy potstickers of tiger shrimp and sea scallops were packed with a refreshing mint and ginger on a puddle of rich sauce dotted with vibrant orange Tobiko Caviar. For an entree, try the Alaskan Halibut which sang of the flavors of spring from the assortment of Heirloom Tomatoes and greens.

A meal at Roppongi is not complete without an order of its signature dish, the Signature Crab Stack. Made to share, this dish has never left the menu for a very good reason. If it isn’t broke…

If you have not been to Roppongi lately, it can be a brand new adventure for you. With the recent loss of a few great chefs over the last couple years, it is with joy and relief that we applaud the return of  Chef Michael McDonald.

Welcome home, Chef.

Several chefs like Chef Dawn Parks from Wild Thyme Company and event architect Chef Andrew Spurgin were present to show their support along with several of the local foodies like the Walther-Meades. We wonder who in the family takes the title as Champion Foodie Fanatic, Yolanda S. Walther Meade or brother, Carlos Walther-Meade?

Below is the “invitation” that was sent out for the latest Pop-Up! Get on the list and be in the know. You won’t want to miss out on the fun.

You will also come across Chad White giving back to the community in the way he knows best… with food. Chad White is in good company as a participating chef for San Diego’s New Children’s Museum Exhibition Launch Weekend of “FEAST! The Art of Playing with Your Food”

Way to go San Diego! Supporting our innovative chefs means keeping them IN San Diego. Kudos to YOU!

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It takes a unique group of ladies who can pull off these events on a whim. The signature event of the Beach & Country Guild is its annual fall ladies luncheon and fashion show, Dia Del Sol, which will take place at the Grand Del Mar this year. It was decided in late January that perhaps the fleeting idea of a casual spring evening cocktail party might be nice. A handful of women decided it was worth trying and obviously it was a success. Attendees had a great time and were introduced to some newbies in the neighborhood such as Culture Brewing Co, Aimstar Kandy Bazaar, Baja Olive and 067 Eatery. We also saw some familiar purveyors like Gen 7 Wines, Cafe Secret, Snake Oil Cocktail Co & Dolce Pane e Vino.

Congratulations Beach & Country Guild on your inaugural event. See you all next year!

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A successful team is built with great people and Chef Gordon has rallied those people together in Head Sous Chef, Michael Welch and manager Jeffrey Apadoca, who were incredibly knowledgeable about their food, its source and the reasoning behind every plate.

Solace & the Moonlight Lounge is anchored on the corner of Pacific Station in Encinitas, a LEED silver certified retail center. The two story restaurant has an upper deck with views over HWY 101 and out to the Pacific Ocean and just steps from the railroad station, making it a simple choice with great parking options and fantastic ambiance. The area is a hub of life and Solace & the Moonlight Lounge has heightened the experience.

Chef Gordon is also one of the incredibly talented and generous culinary masters who is joining the team for the New Children’s Museum fall exhibition gala, FEAST! The Art of Playing with Your Food.

The lunch crowd was a mix; couples, ladies who lunch and business types. The atmosphere has a lively, casual, friendly vibe with background music of Lumineers, FUN and Imagine Dragons piping in.

Special Days to remember: Saturday and Sunday - Brunch  Wednesday -$30 three-course vegetarian menu

For Starters: Oysters on the half shell are no ordinary fare at Solace’s raw bar. They have your customary selections for San Diego but if you want something completely different than you will find elsewhere, try their Beau Soleil oysters. These are not the tiny, slick oysters you are accustomed to. Beau Soleils are cold water oysters that have a wonderfully clean, crisp taste and a bit of a firmer texture than your ordinary oyster. The oysters come paired with your choice of either the house-made cocktail sauce (slightly chunky texture…mmm) and a tangy lime tarragon mignonett. I was delighted to hear from Manager, Jeff Apadoca that the perfect pairing for the oysters… BUBBLES! Yes a little bubbly. Who knew!

The seasoned jumbo White Shrimp packs a lot of flavor into a small package and comes with a Tabasco aioli for dipping but the seasoning on the shrimp makes it good enough to eat without the extra punch.

Great for sharing was the Yellowtail Tartare with toasted pepitas, diced chilis and an herb puree on cornmeal crackers. The buttery flavor of the fresh yellowtail with its basil pesto, chives and red bell peppers leaves you wanting for more.

Main Course: Try the Seared Diver Scallops or the Mustard Crusted Sea Bass. Dinner for two… order one of each and taste the best of both! The rich, buttery Diver Scallops are seared and covered in a delicate Meyer lemon roasted onion sauce 9to die for) and a spring veggie medley while the Mustard Crusted Sea Bass has a wonderful twist of textures on a plate. The Sea Bass comes on a bed of sautéed farro, black pepper sauce, peppercress greens and asparagus drizzled with the sweetness of a red wine reduction.

Solace & the Moonlight Lounge provides a casual atmosphere with food that exudes quality and freshness and a staff that confidently believes in the commitment to service, culinary creativity and enjoyment of experience… all the things that make a great meal.

*FYI… They also have the best grilled cheese and tomato soup you will eat; an old classic with a modern update. 

Dustin Haarstad and Adam Stemmler are the ultimate friends to have around especially oh say … on your birthday! These guys know their stuff and love what they do. They started their collaboration of Blind Tiger Cocktail Company to consult in bar design, cocktail development (uh… yum), private events, education and training. Things are good… so good in fact that they brought on another passionate mixologist to mix things up; Jason O’Bryan.

While Dustin & Adam take over Seattle and the Bay area, Jason O’Bryan heads up operations here in San Diego. Here is what he had to say.

What lead you to take on the business of cocktails?

Interest led to hobby, led to job, led to all-consuming passion. It’s what engages me. The world of cocktails is limitless and fascinating: drinking better is one of the main pillars of living better, and knowing how much there is to know — the incredible debt of knowledge you take on by stepping into the cocktail world — is truly a lifelong endeavor.

What is your personal favorite cocktail to make and drink?

At the moment, I think it’s got to be a Marigold, which is a spin on one of our favorite classics. It’s Amontillado Sherry based, with Benedictine and a bit of absinthe — a low alcohol, high complexity, delicious little sipper.

What do you want your “drinker” to come away with after having one of your unique concoctions?

I want to pair the right drink with the right person. If someone wants to sit there and think about how interesting and complex their cocktail is all way to the end, I’ve got some of those. If they’ve had a long day and want something to just sink into, I’ve got a few of those, too.

What is unique about Blind Tiger Cocktails?

I think what makes us unique is that we work with owners to make not just great cocktails, but great cocktails that fit their concept specifically. It’s not about us. I mean, I like birchwood-smoked kumquats as much as anyone, but it wouldn’t fit in a sports bar. We try to listen more than we talk.

What is on your “mixology” bucket list?

Oh god… so many. I want to go distillery-hopping in Scotland. I want to go to New York for 6 months and drink at a different bar every day. I really want to drink daiquiris in Cuba. I hope I get to do that someday.

I think many of you are with me when I say, I wouldn’t mind stealing a couple of Jason’s bucket list items and adding them to mine. Cheers!

“The Heartland Smash”, Tequila Cocktail Recipe from TasteTequila.com on Vimeo.

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Glamour Crew

Sonya Berg – KUSI & San Diego Fashionista & her fabulous Bond Guy & Girl Models – https://www.facebook.com/sonyabrg
Aston Martin of San Diego – http://www.astonmartinsandiego.com/
Redmon Wines – http://www.redmonwines.com/
Lost Abbey Brewing – www.lostabbey.com
Culinary Concepts Catering – www.cateringspecialist.com
Stone Brewing World Bistro Gardens – www.stoneworldbistro.com
St. Petersburg Vodka – www.stpetersburgvodka.com
Poway Sushi Lounge – https://www.facebook.com/powaysushilounge
3D Candies – www.3dcandies.com
Black, Starr, & Frost – www.blackstarrfrost.com
Ooh La La – http://www.shopoohlala.com/
Mia Bella Couture – www.miabellacouture.com/
Furs by Graf – www.fursbygraf.com
Lashes to Lashes – www.lashes-to-lashes.com
William Williams – Hair by William – www.hairbywilliam.com
Rene Gonzales – C&E Make-up Artistry Team – http://www.CandEmakeupartistryteam.com/
Susie Talman Photography – www.susietalman.com
Cindy Matalucci – The Pulse – www.thepulsesd.com
Fine Magazine – http://www.finehomesandliving.com/

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