A line is forming when I arrive at the rooftop social area at the Radian, a downtown San Diego high rise. This is the check-in spot for Day Two of the third annual Taste of East Village.
Fuse Events owner Curt Brooker, who’s helping the East Village Association with logistics and marketing for the event, tells me 200 people bought tickets for Day One and 250 are scheduled to show up for the second day.
“That’s about the same numbers from last year,” Brooker says. “As a trend with other ticketed events, we’ve noticed people are holding back on spending of late, so we’re happy to do the same numbers this year.”
The procedure for Taste of East Village is simple. Participants buy a ticket and show up at the check-in spot (Day One’s spot was Venue 808 near Petco Park). You get a passport with the names of the restaurants participating in the Taste Of event. There are 30 eateries total, with half taking part each day.
Participants can refer to the map on their passport and decide on the restaurants they want to try in order.
Restaurants on Day Two include Bambucha, Tajima Ramen, The Kebab Shop (pictured, above) , Bay City Brewing, Knotty Barrel (two options), Lotus Thai, Krisp East Village, Nektar Juice Bar, Tavern + Bowl, Milk & Cookies, Monzu Fresh Pasta,, Beshock Ramen & Noodle Bar, El Comal at Quartyard and ASA Bakery.
Brooker says the feedback he’s getting is that most of the restaurants are giving out big sample sizes.
“You’re supposed to get a bite, but everybody’s giving out a full-sized slider, a big bowl of mac-and-cheese, or whatever,” he says.
FOLLOW THE SUN: Attending Taste of East Village to sample some food and do a write-up, I was happily taken aback by readers of The San Diego Sun who approached me to say hello. When it happened a third time, I awarded a happy couple a $25 gift card to Karl Strauss.
We have a Follow The Sun contest ongoing. When you sign up for a free weekly subscription to The Sun, you’re automatically eligible to win a gift card. (FYI: Follow The Sun happens to be the name of a lovely summer lager made by Karl Strauss.)
For Following The Sun’s editor, literally, and giving me an effusive greeting, congrats to gift card winners Gary and Celeste Hewitt. SDSun
