Besides a stint playing college football in Nebraska, Darrien Oliver has lived in San Diego his entire life. “I grew up in Spring Valley, went to Rancho [Elementary], La Mesa Middle, then went to Helix [Charter High School],” he says. Growing up in the area, he laughs and says he definitely remembers partying at Effin’s Pub & Grill back in the day.
To him, and many other locals, Effin’s was more than just a local sports bar—it was a community staple from 1996 until it closed due to the pandemic in late 2020. So last summer, when he started looking for a place to open his own bar and grill, he couldn’t believe it was still available. “It’s such a prime location,” he says. “I know what the space can do and what it can do for the community.” He called the broker and signed a lease for The Mesa Bar & Grill last month.
The Mesa will be the first restaurant Oliver owns, but he’s been a general manager at plenty of establishments for years. His first job was working as a security guard at Tin Roof downtown, where he worked his way up to bartender, assistant general manager, and finally general manager. Then, Covid-19 hit. But Oliver decided to keep honing his skills behind the bar and behind the desk, learning to run things at different Tin Roof locations from Kansas City, Missouri to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Once his second child was on the way, he decided to move back to San Diego permanently and started to look for new GM positions.
Courtesy of Google Maps
After talking to his mentor, Mauricio Cardoza (who owns a few downtown concepts like Cielo Rooftop Lounge, National Lampoon: The Yellow Door, and Year Of The Fortune Chinese restaurant), he decided to take the plunge and try to open his own spot. He’s shooting to open The Mesa this May, hopefully around Cinco de Mayo or Labor Day.
Advertisement
“The concept I’m trying to build there is what I like to call a modern social bar and restaurant,” Oliver explains. “Drinks will be affordable, food will be great and affordable, [I’m] just trying to revitalize the space.” The Mesa will have a full liquor license with 18 beers on tap and plenty of entertainment, like DJs, trivia, karaoke, and more. Food will skew towards typical bar fare—think burgers, salads, wings, and the like. “But everything’s going to be from scratch, for the most part,” he promises.
He plans to open for lunch every day, staying open until midnight on weekdays and until 2 a.m. on weekends, plus weekend brunch. Most importantly, he says, while he wants everyone to feel welcome, he’s specifically looking forward to relaunching a space for people who live nearby. “It’s real dear to me, being from the area,” he says. “It’s just gonna be exciting to tell people, like, ‘Hey, we’re back.’”
Courtesy of Sabor Piri-Piri
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
From the Farmers Market to National City—Sabor Piri-Piri Now Open
If you, like me, have ever had one of Candido Gadaga’s samosas or hot sauce at a local farmers market, you’ve probably been counting down the days until he opened a brick-and-mortar version of Sabor Piri-Piri, his Mozambique-inspired food stand serving specialties like chicken peanut curry bowls, black eyed peas and kale, matapa (savory sauteed collard greens in a coconut-peanut sauce), and his signature piri-piri hot sauce. Now, our wait is over. Gadaga’s first permanent location is now open at 804 B Avenue in National City next to 8th & B Poke with all the same farmers market favorites, and hopefully with a stationary kitchen, a few more things in the future. But honestly, even if I just get the samosas for the rest of my life, I’ll be set.
Photo Credit: Cole Novak MAKE Projects
Beth’s Bites
San Diegans are spoiled with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to incredible Mexican food. And for as devoted as I remain to my local taco shop, I do enjoy a fancy taco every now and again, and when the urge strikes, it’s often Puesto. Now, joining the already ridiculously talented drinks team of Beau du Bois (vice president of bar & spirits) and brewmaster Doug Hasker is creative chef Raul Casillas. Coming from Michelin-starred kitchens like Valle in Oceanside and L’atelier in Las Vegas, Casillas plans to redo the Puesto menu with items like a CDMX ribeye taco for the meat lovers, an asparagus taco for the veggie lovers, bluefin tuna ceviche for the seafood lovers, and a whole bunch more. All the yes.
North Park’s MAKE Projects is gearing up to move from University Avenue to a brand-new space at 4712 Felton Street for more room, more education, and more good stuff coming. They plan to break ground for the new location this summer, and I’m definitely keeping an eye on the exciting stuff they’re up to.
Lots of things are happening at The Lodge at Torrey Pines (and yes, most of them are bougie). Besides A.R. Valentien finally reopening next month, the resort’s annual Celebrate the Craft on April 27 is one of the toniest tastings in town, with chefs from Valle, 31ThirtyOne, George’s at the Cove, Nine-Ten, Trust, and more gathering alongside local vintners, brewers, distillers, and creations of all scrumptious sorts. All proceeds go to The Ecology Center, so sip and savor to your heart’s delight
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
Oceanside Harbor Beach. (File photo courtesy of @CityofOceanside via X)
A man apparent drowned in the waters near the Oceanside Pier Saturday morning, despite efforts by lifeguards and paramedics to revive him.
The Oceanside Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division and the Oceanside Police Department responded to a report of a missing man at about 4:30 a.m.. Officials said the man was last seen swimming in the ocean about a half-hour earlier.
Lifeguards and police immediately initiated a coordinated search effort using pier vantage points, surveillance cameras and watercraft, but the search was suspended at approximately 5:30 a.m. after no one was found, fire officials said.
“At approximately 10:50 a.m., lifeguards discovered an unresponsive adult male, matching the earlier description, in the water near Lifeguard Tower 12, at Oceanside Harbor Beach,” Division Chief Blake Dorse said in a statement. “The individual was removed from the water, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately initiated.”
Advertisement
Fire and rescue personnel continued efforts to resuscitate the man on the way to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He is believed to be the one who was reported missing near the pier.
Authorities did not release the man’s name.
“The Oceanside Lifeguard Division reminds the public to exercise caution when entering the ocean, especially during early morning hours or when lifeguards are not actively monitoring the water,” Dorse said. “Always swim near an open lifeguard tower and avoid entering the water alone.”
A decade of unforgettable meals calls for a proper celebration. This April, Herb & Wood marks its 10-year anniversary, honoring ten years of shaping San Diego’s culinary identity from its stylish home in Little Italy.
Since opening in 2016, the restaurant has played a defining role in modern San Diego dining, ushering in a more ingredient-driven, chef-forward era while setting the standard for design, hospitality, and overall experience.
A Month of Throwback Favorites and Celebratory Surprises
To commemorate the milestone, Herb & Wood is celebrating all month long by bringing back a selection of OG favorites alongside the signature dishes that have remained staples over the years.
Order from the anniversary lineup and receive a scratcher ticket for a chance to win prizes like a whole Jamón Ibérico ham leg, a custom Johnny Lane painting, and a coveted “lifetime” branzino card. It’s a fun and fitting way to toast one of San Diego’s most influential restaurants.
Advertisement
A Collaborative Anniversary Dinner
The celebration concludes with a special four-course anniversary dinner featuring standout chefs from the Puffer Malarkey Collective. Brian Malarkey, Aidan Owens, Tara Monsod, and Kylie Cablayan will come together for an unforgettable evening that highlights their creativity and culinary artistry.
The celebratory menu includes:
Course One
Parker House Rolls with honey herb butter
Oyster & Beef Tartare with smoked oyster mayo, caramelized onion, and beef fat snow
Course Two
Lechon Kawali with grilled strawberries, pickled mustard seeds, pickled Tokyo negi, mustard frill, and strawberry sarsa
Course Three
Woodfired Tenderloin & Charred Prawns with garlic and chili, fennel oil, celery root, and whipped tallow butter
Course Four
Funfetti Cake with blueberry jam, lemon curd, and Swiss meringue buttercream
This one-night-only collaboration is a delicious tribute to Herb & Wood’s legacy and a memorable way to toast ten remarkable years in Little Italy.
A Defining Force in San Diego Dining
Over the past decade, Herb & Wood has become a cornerstone of Little Italy’s vibrant dining scene. Known for its warm ambiance and thoughtfully crafted menu, it continues to set the tone for modern dining in San Diego.
Whether revisiting longtime favorites or discovering something new, this anniversary celebration is the perfect excuse to gather around the table and raise a glass to ten remarkable years.
See you there!
We’ll be celebrating in Little Italy with throwback bites, celebratory pours, and plenty of toasts to ten iconic years at Herb & Wood.
Advertisement
📆 April 3 – 29, 2026 | Culmination celebration April 30 📍 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego 🎟️ Book your table here ℹ️ Click here for updates
The San Diego Wave and their fans deserved every second of the festive Friday morning that played out at Snapdragon Stadium.
Wave personnel and fans erupted in cheers as Catarina Macario, a star striker with San Diego roots who agreed to a record-setting contract, displayed a Wave No. 20 jersey at an introductory news conference.
Macario, 26, has taken injury detours, but stands indisputably as one of the world’s better goal-scorers among women.
The Torrey Pines High School and San Diego Surf alum’s local pedigree may also boost the fifth-year Wave, who through no fault of the club’s current leaders, lost considerable star power in recent years, contributing to an attendance decline.
Advertisement
At a reported $8 million, the five-year deal is reportedly the most for a women’s soccer player.
Macario, smiling often, labeled her new reality “unreal,” while seated next to Wave sporting director Camille Ashton.
She was 12 when family members, seeking better opportunities, brought her from Brazil to live in San Diego after first visiting Dallas.
“I never would have imagined, I guess, that 12-year-old Cat, not knowing how to speak English, being super scared, would one day come back and get to represent her hometown team,” Macario said. “It’s very special. It’s something I’m very proud of. It will just mean that much more, once I step on the field.”
Catarina Macario, right, holds up her jersey with Camille Ashton, Sporting Director and General Manager, at a news conference held to announce
her signing with the San Diego Wave FC March 27, 2026 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Denis Poroy)
Ashton called it “a monumental signing.”
Advertisement
Ashton, formerly Camille Levin, won a national championship with Stanford as a player. She said Macario, who came to Stanford after Ashton turned pro, fits well into the possession-driven, uptempo style the Wave have developed in a season-plus under coach Jonas Eidevall.
“Cat is a world-class player of exceptional quality, intelligence and character,” Ashton said. “Her technical ability, vision and goal-scoring instinct make her one of the most exciting talents in the game today. Just as importantly, she brings a professionalism and competitive drive that will both complement and elevate the high standards already established within our squad.”
Turmoil marked the 2024 season, the franchise’s final one under team president Jill Ellis and coach Casey Stoney.
Ellis fired Stoney, the franchise’s coach since its inception, before midseason. The team’s offense was tedious, leading to a ninth-place finish and the franchise missing the playoff cut for the first time. Ellis, amid reports of a harsh work environment, moved on.
In the first full year under Ashton and Eidevall, the Wave’s offense improved and the team made the playoffs, but was bounced in one game.
Advertisement
Macario will give the Wave a better chance to rebound at the gate and on the pitch from the exodus of popular stars Alex Morgan (retirement in 2024), midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (traded at her request in January 2025) and defender Naomi Girma (who was transferred to Chelsea later that month for $1.1 million).
The Macario signing comes 16 months after Lauren Leichtman and Arthur Levine, founders of a private equity firm in Los Angeles, completed a $120-million purchase of the Wave.
The record contract “just shows how serious they are about me, and getting the club to succeed even more,” Macario said.
NWSL leaders facilitated the deal as well. Ashton said the league’s adoption four months ago of the High Impact Player Rule, allowing an exception to the salary cap, “came at an incredibly good time.”
Macario said she knows several Wave players and played with versatile fullback Perle Morroni on France’s top club team, Lyon.
Advertisement
Given that Macario has scored goals at an extraordinary pace throughout her career — with the Surf, Torrey Pines, Stanford, Lyon and Chelsea — there’s only one major concern about how her Wave career will play out:
Health.
A left ACL injury suffered in the final game of her season with Lyon four years ago cost her a full season.
An irritation in her right knee cost her a spot on the U.S. team that won gold at the 2024 Olympics in France.
She was sidelined in recent months at Chelsea, creating uncertainty about her Wave debut.
Advertisement
“We’re confident her best years are ahead,” Ashton said.
Macario offered no details Friday about when she’ll be ready to play for the Wave, who’ll face Chicago in a home game today.
Smiling, she suggested being in San Diego will improve her health.
“Maybe the skies were a little too gray for me,” she quipped about health setbacks in England and France. “The sunshine will help me heal a little bit quicker.”
For a franchise that was enveloped by clouds in 2024, the forecast grew much brighter Friday.
