derick frederick, director of food and beverage at hotel INDIGO invites East Villagers and friends to the Shaken & Stirred Spirits Tour. Meet at hotel INDIGO on Tuesday, March 30 between 6 & 6:30pm to start the tour of 4 locations: El Vitral, The Corner, Cowbow Star, and hotel INDIGO (in that order). For just $25 per person, sip a specialty martini and taste an “amuse bouche.” Amuse bouche is French for “mouth amuser.” Sip, savor, repeat.

Actress Amanda Peet once said “If I had to give up cheese or chocolate, I’d give up chocolate in a heartbeat.”

Great news for all you fellow turophiles (cheese lovers)! Venissimo Cheese brings all the best cheese from around the world to the East Village. Proprietors & downtown residents Roger & Ginger Freize invite you to drop in and sample more than 100+ cheeses. Learn a little about cheese in a fun & relaxing environment. For serious connoisseurs, check out their Academy of Cheese. Venissimo dreams of making the camambert as famous as the cappuccino!

http://www.venissimo.com

Spicy Pickle (10th & J) has made their way to East Village and it’s been an instant hit-judging from the constant foot-traffic headed to and from our newest spot. It’s easy to see why. The second you walk in, the busy crew is smiling and ready to get your meal to you ASAP. Of course, that’s if you can decide on something from their menu-they’ve got panninis, subs (We love the Garden State and Santa Cruz) pizzetties and soup. There are a few more reasons we love this spot: it’s right next to Petco, they’re open till 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and it’s a healthy alternative to a greasy burger. Dash in for lunch hour- or get a batch of box lunches delivered.

http://www.spicypickle.com

The nights are getting crisper and cooler, and you may find yourself tempted to retreat inside-not so fast. The fire pits at the Phi Terrace are glowing warm. So tonight, when it’s “quittin’ time”, take the elevator to the 9th floor at the Hotel Indigo and order up a cocktail or two to reward yourself for a week of hard work ( or even if you’re not sure you deserve it.) While you’re there, see where a LEED-certified hotel grows their own herbs for their restaurant fixings.

Here’s the breakdown:
When: 5-8pm
How Much:$4/drink

If you’ve ever partied abroad you’ll agree that one of the most depressing things about returning to the States is the absence of your favorite European late night snack: the Doner Kebab! Thankfully, The Kebab Shop in East Village (and now Mira Mesa, as well) can fill that void.  The shop offers up doner kebabs, shawarma, tasty sides and fresh salads.  You can also enjoy a nice cold Efes Pilsen Turkish beer with your meal.  And the best part: they’re open late (10 pm Mon-Sat) so you can get your fix before hitting the town.

http://www.thekebabshop.com

If there’s one place in East Village that makes you feel like you’re sitting right on your own front stoop, it’s The Neighborhood. This joint is a go-to spot for the following reasons: They don’t believe in ketchup, their burgers and fries are so delicious you won’t need it and they’re constantly stocked up on specialty beer and wine to test out. Pull up a seat to an outdoor table, order up any burger ( because you really can’t go wrong)-or some jalapeno mac-n-cheese and watch the happenings of your neighborhood. We think you’ll also enjoy the portraits of icons chowing down on burgers alongside you.

http://www.neighborhoodsd.com

BASIC is really more than just a good local pizza joint, it’s the epitome of form meets function. Set in an old hollowed out warehouse from the early 1900’s, the original brick walls house 5,000sq feet of modern design, a huge pool table, and above all warm atmosphere. The red and white pizzas are both exceptionally delicious and the people are always friendly, so next time you’re hankering for some good food and good vibes stop by BASIC on the corner of 10th and J. Plus, if all that wasn’t enough now every tuesday they host an art and culture show they call GRAFFITI. It brings together local and foreign artists, musicians, and performers for a once-a-week exhibition of pure talent. So honestly BASIC has something for everyone, pizza lovers and art snobs alike.

http://www.barbasic.com

When you’re in the mood to kick back to some tunes and something to sip on, you’d better make your way to El Dorado Cocktail Lounge-right around the corner on 10th and Broadway. It seems like every weekend (ours start on Thursday)- they’re schedule is jam-packed with locally-grown acts or artists from abroad. They never fail to deliver-be it indie ballads or dance Pop in this Thursday, October 1st for the next round of shenanigans.

http://www.eldoradobar.blogspot.com

The secret is out: Café Chloe has recently leaked the récipe for their famous scones that have generated quite the buzz around EV. Our quaint French spot is a top pick for lunch hour or a midday pick-me-up espresso. But you don’t want to miss a dose of the old country-reserve a spot for Urban Tea everyday from 3-5 for sandwiches and sweets accompanied by gourmet tea or a glass of prosecco.

Check us out on Facebook