On this visit we had dinner at the Tavern first. I really liked this restaurant and I would come…read moreback here when not attending a show. The menu has an option for everyone. So many good choices I had a hard time deciding what to order. Great trivia and history on the walls with pictures of past performers from many years back. So fun! I look forward to coming back and trying different things

One of our long-time local favorites. In warm weather, we enjoy the patio and watching the…read moreever-changing array of characters ambling along South Cedros, some destined for shows at The Belly Up. The inside dining room and bar is cozy and decorated with posters from musical acts. Tavern is popular before shows and we go early on weeknights to beat the crowds and enjoy the food. The menu is reasonably priced. The tasty pan seared lemon and butter scallops on linguine was $29. The lobster tacos are $28, with the lobster chunks in a bowl with a subtle tomato sauce, and choice of torillas, with Spanish rice and black beans. Tavern has a full bar and a short but excellent wine list, reasonably priced, and mostly from California. Wines by the glass start at $11 and go to $14. A bottle of William Hill, Central Coast, Chardonnay, wsa $42 and the Rombauer Carneos, $65. Corkage is $25. Most cocktails are $15. It has local beers on draft and in the cans. Service is always fast and friendly. They check regularly for water refills, and any thoughts on the meal. We enjoy the casual, neighborly feel to the Tavern. A California beach town classic.

3.5 stars - Over the weekend, we attended one of Park Hyatts Jazz in the Park Concert Series where…read morethey had Mindi Abair (July 6), Peter White (July 13), Hiroshima (July 20) in attendance; and this weekend, Euge Groove is scheduled. While we would've liked to see them all, the only date that worked for us was when Hiroshima was playing. My husband saw them perform in the 90's and was really excited to see them again. The cost for tickets were $75 per person and the venue is situated outdoors on the grounds of the Park Hyatt, Aviara. If you're familiar with this hotel, it's not on the main level, it's down below in the large grassy area near the tennis courts and along the golf course. It's a very intimate venue in very scenic surroundings. They have tables set up for those that want to wine and dine but they also have several rows of chairs set up near the stage for those there for the entertainment. While these jazz concerts have dated back to when this Park Hyatt was a Four Seasons property, this was our first time attending. We went with another couple and decided to make it a date night so we planned to have dinner and drinks. For dinner, it was $25 per person and cocktails were $10 each--or you could order a full bottle of wine and/or champagne at various prices. For food options, you can choose from 1 of the 3 different food stations featuring dishes from each of their restaurants at the hotel; Argyle Steakhouse, Vivace and the California Bistro. Menu selection was: Argyle Steakhouse --Mixed Grill of California Natural Brandt Farm Beef Top Sirloin, Garlic Chicken and Sausage served with Chimichurri, BBQ Sauce, Charred Tomato Salsa or Chipotle-Lime Aioli --Summer Corn and Tomato Salad --Root Beer Baked Beans --Double Fudge Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies Vivace --Wood Fire Oven Flat Bread with House Made Mozzarella, Pesto and Cherry Tomato Salad --Apricot and Raspberry Almond Cake, Panna Cotta Cream California Bistro --Smoked Chicken Lollipops with Cilantro Lime Sauce --Zucchini and Grilled Tinkerbell Pepper Salad --Peach and Macadamia Nut Tart With our group, we had a one of everything and first off, we were terribly disappointed with the serving size of the plates. For $25, it WAS NOT WORTH the money! I've been really good about portioning by protein to 3-4 oz when I cook at home but this was much smaller than that. They were very stingy with everything. I selected the dinner from Argyle and rather than going with the red meat and sausage, I requested an all chicken plate. I got 3 small slices of chicken a small scoop of the corn salad and an even smaller scoop of the beans. My friends who got the full meat and chicken combo, received 2 slices of the sirloin, 2 slices of chicken and 2 slices of the sausage. Clearly a lot more than my 3 small slices of the end of a chicken breast so while still small, inconsistent to what I received (3 small slices of chicken). As far as the entertainment, I would give Hiroshima a solid 4 stars. They were great and their guest vocalist Terry Steele was an amazing surprise. I'm a Luther Vandross fan and he brought a little Luther back to life with his powerful, soaring voice. Combined with Hiroshima's jazz fusion, it worked wonderfully. We thoroughly enjoyed the show. I would definitely come back to future shows at the Aviara Jazz in the Park but would not recommend paying $25 for the dinner option. We all ended up going out for a FULL dinner after the show. That's how hungry each of us were a mere 2 hrs after we ate here.

We loved this place! We were in town and wanted a cool chill spot for the night after a day of…read morebeing out. My husband found this place and was interested because of the live music and it being a jazz place. We ubered there which seemed smart because it's street parking and seemed quite limited. There's a $5 cover on Fridays and Saturdays (I think they have live music both days) and we did not have a reservation. I think if you have a reservation you can get a table in their back area. We were up front with the band. It's a pretty small place, maybe about 5 or 6 high top tables in the front, the bar toward the back, and that back room which we didn't look in. We cozied up until someone left a high top and then hung out there. We ordered some drinks that were specials for the night and some that were regularly on the menu. We had a great time! Drinks were good, I think also reasonably priced. Music went from 7pm to 10pm and we got there around 7:30 and it was good and busy! This definitely feels like a family joint, their mascot is their little chihuahua Wishbone and I love that so much. Owners were fun, kept things going while the band was on break, just overall a really good time. I'm not much of a drinker so I can't speak to the types of liquor, but I definitely was feeling my drinks and couldn't finish my 3rd. If we lived here I think this would become a regular spot for us. What a fun time!

I checked out Jazzy Wishbone for the first time, and overall, it was an okay experience. The…read moreatmosphere was nice, and I'm always willing to try somewhere new, especially when there's live jazz and comedy. That said, I was a little disappointed to find out that even with a reserved table, there's a $30 minimum if you want to stay for the jazz, and a $25 minimum for the comedy. I understand businesses have minimums, but personally, I prefer places where I can come in, relax, listen to the music, and decide what I want to spend without feeling pressured--especially when I'm experiencing a band or comedian for the first time and don't know what to expect. The waitress was okay, although there were a few assumptions made during my visit that I didn't feel were appropriate. I'm glad I checked it out and experienced it for myself. It just probably isn't somewhere I'll return to. I'm looking for more of a laid-back, come-as-you-are kind of spot where I can enjoy the entertainment without feeling obligated to meet a spending minimum. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! At least now I know.

Event was great! Surprised to see San Dieagan's get out of their shorts and flipflops and into…read morereal swanky clothes. Entertainment was great and place was top notch. The biggest disconnect was that there were not enough servers, but I'm sure this will be corrected next time.

Sacha is one undiscovered talent in San Diego. We are so lucky to be able to hear this amazing…read morevoice that can sing everything and entertain for hours. Amazing concert last night at Il Sogno Italiano. We will definitely be back. Thank you Sacha for sharing your beautiful voice with us.

The City of Carlsbad hosts Jazz in the Park every Friday night in the summer. The event rotates…read morebetween 3 different parks with 12 different bands throughout the season. This weekend we attended the event for the first time this year with another couple and it was at a park/baseball field. A stage was put across home plate and the pitcher's mound and people sit in the outfield. It was amazing to see how many people attend this event. We felt as though, ah ha, this is where everyone has been hanging out at. We got a prime spot in center field for our camping chairs and table. Since the event started at 6:00pm, we didn't have much time to pack a picnic after work and therefore grabbed takeout from a local Thai restaurant, The King and I. We got the Shrimp Rolls (surprisingly tasty), Chicken Pangang Curry (#3 was the max spicy level, for me!), Hot Basil Chicken (group favorite), Beef Pad Thai Noodles (nice complimentary entree) and for dessert Mango with Sweet Rice (highly recommend). Since there is a ban on alcohol at our beaches, this is a nice alternative for an outdoor place to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening. We were able to find easy parking in the local neighborhood and had a short walk to the park. There also was not much traffic on our way out, making it a nice, quick and easy summer evening outing. The event ends at 8:00pm and is a perfect venue to take the kids to, as they are able to run around, while the parents are able to enjoy the evening with family and friends as well.

The Kraken is easily one of my new favorite dive bars. It's been around since the '70s, and it…read morestill has that wonderfully unapologetic coastal biker-bar personality. It's exactly the kind of place that looks like it has some stories to tell, and probably shouldn't tell half of them. The vintage décor, random ornamentation, pool tables in the back, and laid-back crowd give the place an incredible amount of character. Everyone was having a good time, the bartender was quick, professional, and genuinely fun, and the drinks were surprisingly well-priced for being this close to the coast. We happened to come in while The Kaotics were playing, and these guys absolutely crushed it. Classic rock covers, great energy, and a packed bar enjoying every minute of it. Huge shoutout to the band! Cold drinks, pool tables, classic rock, good people, and decades of coastal character. The Kraken isn't trying to be anything other than The Kraken, and that's exactly why it's so damn fun.

Good: It's a decent bar during the day time: You can actually talk to people and easily get a…read moredrink. You can see the ocean and the vibe is chill. Bad: It's a terrible bar on the weekends. Sure, sometimes there is good live music, but it's hard to get a drink, it's packed full of a-holes, the staff is also overwhelmed a-holes, and there's no view. But it's sometimes full of cougars though for the Marines, good luck boys.

Huge night market with mostly food, but also plenty of crafts. Spans 5 blocks. Something for…read moreeveryone! Some faves: Hunter's tri tip K-Bop's kimbap and japchae combo Nora's cakes Take a walk on the Pier after! Parking can be tricky, but you can park at the Civic Center lot and walk a couple blocks.

This place is so much fun! Can't believe it's every week. Most diverse food fair I've ever been…read more The Mediterranean chicken, tamales, lamb chops were standout. Sausage rolls and the candied nuts were yummy also. Took home Java rice, short ribs, paella, and pizza as well. Need to go back for the tri tip sandwich and fish and chips and all those desserts! Great location in downtown, easy to walk around and street parking nearby. Cool beachy vibe. Some lines were long but moved fast. Lots of vendors providing samples. Cash is king, most vendors prefer otherwise an extra fee.

Kevin of Saxophone Music San Diego was one of the highlights of our daughter's wedding! From the…read moremoment he started playing, he created an incredible atmosphere that our family and guests absolutely loved. What made Kevin stand out was how interactive he was. He didn't just stay in one place--he walked throughout the venue, mingled with our guests, and happily took requests, making everyone feel like they were part of the performance. His talent, professionalism, and warm personality were evident all evening, and we received countless compliments about him from our guests. If you're looking for an amazing saxophone player who will truly elevate your event, I can't recommend Kevin of Saxophone Music San Diego highly enough. He helped make our daughter's wedding unforgettable, and we are so grateful he was part of our special day. Thank you, Kevin!

Kevin was such a delight to work with! Kevin was a saxophonist at a wedding I helped plan and his…read morecommunication was superb which is music to every planners ears! He came prepared and even dressed the part. He went above and beyond to ask me the wedding party's colors and matched them which was visually great to see in person and in pictures because it helped everything and everyone look cohesive! He brought everything he needed to swiftly set up and the key here was that he wasn't over stepping and in the way of guests during set up. He set up what he needed to and got playing! You can tell he's experienced! Highly recommend Kevin for your event!

Great little spot on UCSD campus, upstairs in the Price center. They have drinks, soda, small bites…read moreand dessert things like lemon bars. Sometimes lectures or popup shows, bands will be featured in this space.

I had never visited this theater before and was excited to attend for a special afternoon date with…read moremy son. He picked a cartoon, since he is 8. The theater was nice enough, although our seating area could have used a good deep cleaning. There were crumbs and other leftover food noticeable. The waitress who took our order once seated seemed annoyed she had to climb to the top where we were sitting with obvious exacerbation over the task. In the two times she was there to take our orders I was displeased with the way we were treated, and some of the comments she made. I got the impression she was annoyed with the audience of children, which mad the experience substantially less enjoyable for me and my son. I will definitely not be going back to this theater and expected a lot more from La Jolla, especially when paying almost $50 for a matinee and over $100 on food. Definitely think this theater could take a renovation in their weekday staff and provide their customers with a more enjoyable movie dining experience. When someone doesn't enjoy their job it shows, and I saw this with several staff members there that day. Would not go back or recommend.

We went to see Mama Mia this weekend. What an amazing production. I was super impressed with the…read moreset design and how easy the Flow was to change Seen's . The costumes were spot on. The choreography was great. The actor/ actresses looked like theY we're having ing fun. My favorite part was that I could see into the pit. This band geek loved watching the conductor and musicians. After the play we met the stage manager & the producer. Great job by all. What a splendid way to spend a Sunday afternoon

Went to see Alice by Heart. Very interesting play it was a bit drippy of a musical. Great staging,…read morepre show business with characters doubling as ushers in costume. There were some standout acts the caterpillar and white diamond Duchess were two of them. The Brubeck theater is a nice venue. This is my second time going here. Easy to get to with parking within steps of the theater. Great pricing for shows to support the arts.