Carlos Saldanha, Lil Rel Howery, Zooey Deschanel, Benjamin Bottani and Zachary Levi
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
San Diego has long been a craft beer town. But based on the recent proliferation of wine bars, events, clubs, and retail shops, we seem poised to embrace grapes as our regional beverage of choice.
Wine bar and shop Merenda will be the newest addition to San Diego’s burgeoning wine scene when it opens at The Flats in Oceanside this July-ish. “Very heavy on the ish,” jokes Aaron Crossland, who co-owns Merenda with his wife, Lauren Crossland-Marr. “We’re moving really quickly so far, but there are always things that come up.”
Merenda is Italian for “snack,” or, more specifically, a snack shared with others. The duo spent time in Italy while Crossland-Marr studied food anthropology and culture, which led to a love of food, drink, and especially wine, explains Crossland. Neither planned to get into the wine business for themselves until two things happened.
“We got this idea for Merenda during Covid, and thought it would probably happen when we were a little older,” he says. “But as it happens, when you hit 40, I realized I really kind of hated what I did for a living and wanted to pursue my passions.”
The two moved back to Oceanside, Crossland’s hometown, to be closer to family and participate in the city’s revitalization. “[We] saw how wonderful Oceanside has been doing economically, with all the new restaurants and stuff coming into town, and wanted to be a part of it,” he explains.
It took about a year to find the right space, but they jumped on it when they saw the opportunity to take over The Flat’s retail suite. “I love the idea of having people actually living in the same space where we’re doing this,” he says, adding there are 18 residential units on-site. Merenda will occupy around 2,000 square feet of space on the ground floor, plus a small patio, with approximately 300 square feet reserved for the retail area. Crossland says they’ll start with a small collection but hope to grow to offer a few hundred SKUs of different wines, heavily emphasizing Old World wines.
The food program will feature local produce and ingredients as well as Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, with a lot of the direction still being worked out. But Crossland says their charcuterie program will set them apart, with items like housemade salumi, coppa, bresaola, and mortadella. Overall, it’ll be the experience that he says people will come back for.
“We’re really going for an Old World European feel,” he explains. “Lots of wood, very approachable decor.” Bells + Whistles (Jeune et Jolie) handles the design, which Crossland describes as his living room, but better. Details like hand-painted tiles from Portugal, artwork from their collection, and a mural over the pass-through window between the kitchen and dining area will give the space a balance between “comfort and quality,” he says. There will also be a small particular event space for private events.
Once open, Crossland says they plan to launch a wine club and host many events, collaborations, and other tastings to cater to locals who may already know about wine and those just getting started. “A space for people like myself, who obviously love wine, but without all that pretentious B.S.. that goes along with it.”
Former Juniper & Ivy chef Anthony Wells is now the executive chef at Sea & Sky, the new sea-to-table restaurant at Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton in La Jolla Shores. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Sea & Sky uses seafood and other local ingredients for dishes like yellowtail crudo, whole snapper, bone marrow with tuna sashimi, and more. The recently renovated hotel has more in store for guests, with a second renovation on track for late 2024. Reservations for Sea & Sky are available here.
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is upping the dining game, announcing its 2024 culinary series lineup with superstars like Javier Plascencia (July 14), David Castro Hussong, Alfredo Villanueva, and Maribel Aldaco (June 27), and adding Emiliano Safa as the property’s new executive chef. Lots of news to chew on (literally)!
Calling all plant lovers—on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., come enjoy, buy, and chat plants at TapRoom Beer Company with House Plant House Call. Plants and beer? The definition of my perfect Saturday.
Say it ain’t so, Sicilian Thing. The stalwart North Park pizzeria has apparently and unceremoniously shuttered after 17 years on 30th street. I know we still have Tribute and Blind Lady nearby, but it still feels like the end of an era.
The Michelin Guide finally made it to Mexico. Congrats to all the fantastic teams and people the Guide recognized for the first time, including Drew and Paulina Deckman (Conchas de Piedra, Deckman’s en el Mogor), Javier and Lauren Plascencia (Animalón), and more. Check out the complete list here.
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The San Diego Fire Department responded to a commercial fire in the Gaslamp area on Friday afternoon, according to the department on X.
SDFD is working a Structure Fire – Comm / Apt at 939 04TH AVE. The call was received on 07/26/2024 at 07:27:41 PM and unit(s) arrived at 07:31:53 PM. Updates at: https://t.co/Zaf3wKVsgq #FS24132848
— SDFD Newsworthy Incidents (@SDFD_Incidents) July 27, 2024
Firefighters received the call at 7:27 p.m. at 900 blocks of 4th Avenue, near the San Diego Convention Center, where Comic-Con is currently taking place.
According to SDFD, a total of 77 crews were assigned to assist with the fire.
This is a developing story. 10News will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Deadpool & Wolverine, San Diego Comic-Con and Harold and the Purple Crayon.
Harold and the Purple Crayon special screening
Zachary Levi, Zooey Deschanel, Lil Rel Howery and Benjamin Bottani joined director Carlos Saldanha at a special Los Angeles screening for their Columbia Pictures film on Sunday.
Carlos Saldanha, Lil Rel Howery, Zooey Deschanel, Benjamin Bottani and Zachary Levi
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Zachary Levi, Zooey Deschanel and Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Deadpool & Wolverine premiere
Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, Matthew Macfadyen, Aaron Stanford, Brianna Hildebrand, Lewis Tan and Tyler Mane joined director Shawn Levy and producer Kevin Feige at the Marvel film’s New York premiere on Monday, with support from Blake Lively and Gigi Hadid.
Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin and Ryan Reynolds
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Disney
Blake Lively and Gigi Hadid
Noam Galai/Getty Images for Disney
Shawn Levy, Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman and Disney chief brand officer Asad Ayaz
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Disney
San Diego Comic-Con
The annual comics convention kicked off in San Diego with stars from Deadpool & Wolverine, Transformers One, Planet of the Apes, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, What We Do in the Shadows and Those About to Die.
Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, and Shawn Levy onstage during Marvel Studios: The Ultimate ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Celebration of Life in Hall H.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Keegan-Michael Key, Brian Tyree Henry and Chris Hemsworth speak during the ‘Transformers One’ panel.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Mark Proksch, Paul Simms, Kristen Schaal, Kyle Newacheck and Matt Berry at FX’s ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Vampire Residence.
Araya Doheny/Getty Images
Iwan Rheon, Gabriella Pession, Jojo Macari, Dimitri Leonidas, Sara Martins, Moe Hashim and Roland Emmerich, at ‘Those About to Die: The Chariot Race’ activation.
Christine Bartolucci/Peacock
Kevin Durand, Owen Teague, Freya Allan and Peter Macon attend the ‘Planet of The Apes’ Experience.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios
RuPaul’s DragCon LA
World of Wonder hosted the annual RuPaul’s DragCon across Friday and Saturday at the Los Angeles Convention Center, featuring performances, signings and meet and greets with fan-favorite Queens and a Friday night DJ set with RuPaul himself.
Michelle Visage, RuPaul and queens from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Gottmik
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Whoopi Goldberg Key to West Hollywood
Whoopi Goldberg received the Key to West Hollywood on Saturday for her consistent support of the LGBTQIA+ community and for having had the first branded/tested woman-owned cannabis brand in California. Later that night, Goldberg celebrated the launch of WhoopFam’s new cannabis brand, Emma & Clyde, and the relaunch of her Whoopi & Maya brand in Venice, with guests including Leslie Jones, Jo Koy and Meagan Good.
Chelsea Byer, Whoopi Goldberg, Joshua Marin-Mora and Jason Beck
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Leslie Jones and Whoopi Goldberg
Peach Hill Media
Room to Grow brunch
Room to Grow, with co-hosts Uma Thurman, Catherine Carmody, Rashaan Reid and Nancy Twine gathered supporters over a private brunch in Water Mill, New York, on Saturday. The organization provides critical support to families raising babies born into low-income circumstances.
Uma Thurman, Gayle King, Nancy Twine and Room to Grow CEO Akilah King
Marsin Mogielski
God’s Love We Deliver party
God’s Love We Deliver, which provides nutritious, medically tailored meals for people too sick to shop or cook for themselves, celebrated the 23rd annual Midsummer Night Drinks on Saturday at the East Hampton home of Lisa and James Cohen, in partnership with GALERIE magazine.
Kyle MacLachlan, Desiree Gruber, David Ludwigson, Lisa Cohen and James Cohen
courtesy of God’s Love We Deliver
War Game HamptonsFilm SummerDocs Series screening
Alec and Hilaria Baldwin attended the HamptonsFilm SummerDocs Series screening of War Game on Saturday in East Hampton.
Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Baldwin
Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images
DÌDI (弟弟) special screening
The cast and crew of Focus Features’ DÌDI (弟弟), including writer-director Sean Wang and stars Joan Chen and Izaac Wang, celebrated the film with a special screening in L.A. on Monday.
Sean Wang, Izaac Wang and Joan Chen
Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Focus Features
Pee-wee’s Playhouse Reunion
Paul Reubens’ former Pee-wee’s Playhouse castmates reunited to honor the late comedy legend at The Groundlings Theater in L.A. on Monday.
Suzanne Kent, Tracy Newman, Bob Drew, Lynne Marie Stewart, Doug Cox, Laraine Newman, George McGrath, Joan Leizman, John Moody, Jessica Pohly, and Phil LaMarr
Courtesy of The Groundlings
Dress My Tour premiere
Kathy Hilton, Toni Braxton and Dr. Holly Carter hosted a celebration for the premiere of Dress My Tour, Hulu’s first reality competition show, on Tuesday.
Dr. Holly Carter, Kathy Hilton and Toni Braxton
Christopher Polk
Sing Sing special screening
Colman Domingo and co-star Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin attended an intimate screening of A24’s Sing Sing in NYC on Tuesday, with a conversation moderated by Bevy Smith.
Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin and Bevy Smith
Courtesy of Kristina Bumphrey
The Decameron premiere event
Netflix celebrated the launch of The Decameron, with stars Tanya Reynolds, Jessica Plummer, Amar Chadha-Patel, Douggie McMeekin, Lou Gala, Karan Gill, Zosia Mamet, Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Tony Hale, in N.Y. on Wednesday.
Tanya Reynolds, Douggie McMeekin, Lou Gala, Kathleen Jordan, Karan Gill, Amar Chadha-Patel, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Zosia Mamet, Tony Hale and Jessica Plummer
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Netflix
Deadpool & Wolverine Dogpool screening
Following Monday night’s world premiere, Dogpool (played by Peggy the dog) and Leslie Uggams returned to N.Y. on Wednesday to host a second screening of the upcoming Marvel film, where guests were encouraged to bring their own pups.
Peggy the dog and Leslie Uggams
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Disney
Alok screening
UTA held a screening of short documentary Alok on Wednesday, followed by a Q&A with director Alex Hedison and star Alok Vaid-Menon. The conversation was moderated by executive producer Jodie Foster.
Alex Hedison, Alok Vaid-Menon and Jodie Foster
Roger Kisby
Love Island USA Universal Studios trip
Following the season finale of Peacock’s Love Island USA, Islanders were reunited at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday for the first time since leaving the villa.
Robert Rausch, Kordell Beckham, Serena Page, JaNa Craig, Kenny Rodriguez, Nicole Jacky, Kendall Washington, Leah Kateb and Kaylor Martin
Randy Shropshire/Peacock
Jonathan Van Ness x WhatsApp
Jonathan Van Ness took over The Americana at Brand in L.A. with WhatsApp on Thursday to celebrate the app hitting 100 million active users in the U.S.
Jonathan Van Ness
Courtesy of WhatsApp
San Diego District 2 City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell introduced an ordinance proposal Thursday that would require any new or significantly renovated facilities on city property — such as libraries, parks, beaches and recreation centers — to offer all-gender restrooms with clear signage.
Two years ago, California gave cities and counties the power to adopt such policies.
State law already requires existing public single-toilet stalls be all-gender. This ordinance would go a step farther by mandating an all-gender option for all newly constructed projects.
Philadelphia passed a similar ordinance in 2019.
Campbell’s policy advisor, Manuel Reyes, pitched the idea.
“Any public facility should have access because it’s a basic human necessity that all of us experience,” he said.
Reyes said restroom access is not just a matter of safety for trans people, but also of public health.
“Holding it all day” can cause urinary tract infections and dehydration, he said.
San Diego LGBT Community Center staff member Karina Piu called the proposed ordinance an active rebuke of national trends.
It stands in contrast to the bills passed in a dozen states in recent years, which require a person to use the bathroom of the sex assigned to them at birth.
President Biden put a ban on such blanket policies in April, but it faces legal challenges.
While the debate over all-gender restrooms is often focused on trans and gender non-conforming people, they’re also more accessible for caregivers of people needing restroom assistance, like small children, elderly people or people with disabilities.
“For example, a father, out with his daughter, and she has to go to the bathroom. What does he do?” Campbell said. “He doesn’t want to take her in the men’s room, and he can’t go in the ladies’ room. So having all-gender bathrooms is a good solution for everyone.”
And, they help fight a universal enemy: long bathroom lines.
Public comment at the Community and Neighborhood Services Committee meeting was overwhelmingly in support.
One commenter said she was concerned about safety, but said if the restrooms were single-stall it wouldn’t matter.
Campbell signaled the restrooms would be single-stall, saying: “That is the idea.”
Several more public commenters used the topic to ask the committee to address what they saw as a larger issue: the inadequate number of public restrooms in the city overall, which grand juries have repeatedly recommended to help mitigate public outbreaks of hepatitis A, shigella, and COVID-19.
The committee unanimously directed city staff to draft the ordinance.
Reyes said some of the first affected projects would be the expansion of the Ocean Beach Library, the upcoming rebuild of the San Carlos Library, and the Ocean Beach Pier rebuild.
One dead after car crashes into restaurant in Paris
Michigan rep posts video response to Stephen Colbert's joke about his RNC speech: 'Touché'
Video: Young Republicans on Why Their Party Isn’t Reaching Gen Z (And What They Can Do About It)
Movie Review: A new generation drives into the storm in rousing ‘Twisters’
In Milwaukee, Black Voters Struggle to Find a Home With Either Party
Fox News Politics: The Call is Coming from Inside the House
Video: J.D. Vance Accepts Vice-Presidential Nomination
Trump to take RNC stage for first speech since assassination attempt