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ranchandcoast.com 56 JUNE 2025 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE Incredible food meets live music every Thursday through Saturday at Amalfi Marina Bar at the Lakehouse Resort in San Marcos. Whether you're a foodie craving wood-fired Italian dishes or a music lover chasing that perfect vibe, Amalfi is where the two collide, offering everything from smooth acoustic sets to high-energy performances. Tune in to NBC now through June 30 to watch Yes, Chef!, co-hosted by Martha Stewart and José Andrés. The cooking competition series puts 12 highly skilled chefs from around the country, including Resort Executive Chef Emily Brubaker of Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, through the ultimate test. Each episode ultimately leads to the crowning of that episode's Most Valuable Chef, who then competes in a cook-off and will be given an important decision to make in the challenge that will have a significant impact on who will be eliminated from the competition that week. This month, Cucina Urbana marks 16 years of community-driven hospitality and a story of reinvention, risk, and resilience in San Diego's ever-evolving dining scene. Founded in 2009 by visionary restaurateur Tracy Borkum, Cucina Urbana was born in the wake of the financial crisis, when Borkum transformed Laurel restaurant, a successful pre-theater haunt she had operated since 2005, by gutting the space and starting fresh. She sold the furniture and ditched white tablecloths, replacing them with reclaimed wood, vintage finds, a retail-driven wine program, and rustic California-Italian fare. The concept took off and hasn't slowed since. Cucina Urbana earned one of California's first Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand awards in 2019 — an honor it still holds. To mark 16 years of staying power, all Cucina locations in San Diego and Orange County are offering a limited-time "Sweet 16 Anniversary Menu," available Sunday through Wednesday throughout June, alongside the regular menu. Designed as a heartfelt thank-you to longtime guests, the à la carte menu offers signature throwbacks, new creations, and curated sips — all priced at $16 each. A cross-border culinary experience is coming to La Jolla for one night only. On June 5, from 7 to 10pm, Chef Christophe Cevasco of Beeside Balcony and Chef Antonio Quindere of Valle Omakase and Japas will present Baja Meets Beeside, a collaborative seven-course tasting menu that will take guests' tastebuds around the world. The progressive menu merges Cevasco's refined Mediterranean sensibilities with Quindere's boundary-pushing flavors. Designed for adventurous diners who trust in the chefs' collective vision, the evening's menu will be revealed course by course. Guests will also enjoy globally-inspired drink pairings, along with live music rounding out the experience. Sip, savor, and support at the Encinitas Wine & Food Festival, celebrating its 22nd anniversary on June 7 from 4 to 7pm at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course, with the VIP event starting at 3pm. Enjoy tastings from 50+ local restaurants, wineries, breweries, and spirit vendors, and live music by Celeste Barbier. In partnership with Encinitas Rotary, proceeds support a wide array of local nonprofits focused on youth, education, the arts, environment, animal welfare, and community wellbeing. Taste of Little Italy returns June 17 to 18 from 4 to 8pm, transforming Little Italy's 48 square blocks into a dynamic culinary tour, offering a taste of the neighborhood's most iconic and innovative dishes. Each evening presents a unique lineup of 20+ participating restaurants, ensuring guests can experience new flavors and fresh pairings on both nights. CHEF EMILY BRUBAKER: PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC UNIVERSAL CUCINA URBANA: PHOTO BY KIMBERLY MOTOS CHEF CHRISTOPHE CEVASCO: PHOTO COURTESY OF BEESIDE BALCONY Chef Christophe Cevasco Omni La Costa's Chef Emily Brubaker (second from right) Cucina Urbana <<