When it derive to dining in San Diego , a spate of us are prostrate to routine : go to the same ol' places , order the same ol' thing . It ’s time to be as adventuresome deplete out as we are with our outdoors escapades . Mix it up at one of these 10 pop - up dinners ( ad-lib ! ) and supper clubs ( fancy ! ) for a modification .

Abnormal Dinner Series

Rancho BernardoWhen : Monthly , Monday nightsIf you ’ve been to theCork & Craft(and if you have n’t , shame on you ) , then you already know that it ’s crank out yummy eats six days a week . But one Monday dark a month , it does something , well , unnatural . Executive chef Phil Esteban open up his kitchen to collaborate with other gifted chef and a top - notch brewery for the Abnormal Dinner Series . In the preceding 13 dinners , it ’s worked with breweries like Alesmith and Stone Brewing , and has brought in chefs like Anthony Wells ofJuniper & Ivyand Chris Osbourne ofCowboy Star . Check theFacebook pagefor info on upcoming dinners ; these typically sell out , so get your tickets in advance .

Cow by Bear

Various locationsWhen : Friday and Saturday nightsA chef dress up in a bear costume serve up you dinner is something you ’d only wait to hap at a furry convention . But thanks to moo-cow by Bear , you could have this pretty odd experience every Friday and Saturday Nox at 8 pm . Anonymity is key for Bear , although there is hatful of surmise about the identity operator of the chef in costume . S / he comes out of the kitchen to greet guests and for photo ops , but does n’t talk and never break character . The culinary theme changes for each dinner party except for one constant : the 45 - mean solar day wry - aged costa center assist as the independent course . There are only 10 behind at these five - course dinners , so it incline to deal out weeks in progress . Although typically hold up somewhere Downtown - ish , the location rest as orphic as the identity of Bear until the computer address is emailed to you the solar day before . To earmark your patch at the table , visit thewebsiteand electronic mail Bear for upcoming appointment .

Cellar Door

Normal HeightsWhen : Intermittently throughout the monthSeveral times a month , chef Logan Mitchell and mixologist Gary McIntire open their menage in Normal Heights for a individual “ friends only ” dinner party . Each menu has a creative theme , from a Judy Rodgers testimonial to a re - creation of the duo ’s wedding menu , and the courses are always utterly partner off with a cocktail . There are personal feeling at every table they fix , like handwritten menu , or beautiful plates & glassware . Thanks to the cordial reception of this talented duet , everyone might get as stranger , but will get out with a table full of new acquaintance . you’re able to signal up for theemail listfor update on when you’re able to be a part of the next dinner / friendly relationship circle .

Green Flash Brewing Co. Supper Club

MiramarWhen : Intermittently throughout the yearIf you loveGreen Flash beers(and who does n’t ? ) , then enjoying them paired expertly with the culinary joy of a carefully chosen chef is something you do n’t want to miss out on . Each twelvemonth , Green Flash sells 20 supper club membership that let in discounts on ticket to its dinner party , a commemorative growlette with a detached fill at each upshot , and other pillage that ’ll make you feel topnotch particular . Memberships are already sold out for 2016 , but not to worry – you could still buy tickets to the dinners even if you are n’t a member . Each effect is five row create by a San Diego chef and paired with a Green Flash beer by its music director of beer education and certified cicerone , Dave Adams . Visit theevents pageon the website for update on future dinner .

Toronado beer brunch

North ParkWhen : Monthly , Sunday brunch hourWhat chance when you take together large chef with groovy beer ? Toronado beer brunch , that ’s what . In case you have n’t heard , everyone ’s favourite beer ginmill hosts a monthly Sunday beer brunch . Each bill of fare features beer pairings from a select brewery and the culinary stylings of a local chef(s ) .

SoundBite

Various locationsWhen : Intermittently throughout the yearNick Brune , chef and proprietor ofEco Caters , has combined euphony and food into a SoundBite dining experience – medicine to both your ear and taste buds . Brune and invitee chef collaborate on a multi - course meal while the lot that inspired the menu performs live . Before each track , the chef explicate how they were inspired by a certain song and how that stirring translate onto the plate , arrive at this an interactive , creative experience for the guests , chefs , and musicians .

Common Theory Public House

ClairemontWhen : Two to three times a yearCommon Theory Public House was n’t mess around when it host its first pop - up beer dinner back in January . As if convey together nine ( yes , nine ! ) of SD ’s most beloved chef under one roof was n’t enough , each of the nine courses was pair with a beer from the laurels - winningAlesmith Brewing Company . Common Theory is project to host these popping - up dinners only two or three times per year , so ensure you get your hands on tickets for the next one . The next engagement has n’t been announced yet , but after the vast success of the first dinner party , it will decidedly betray out .

Sacha’s Supper Club

Various locationsWhen : MonthlyGet dressed up in previous Hollywood garb and take a trip back in meter , live the aphrodisiac nighttime of Havana after dark . This monthly event is a swanky evening of dinner party and dancing to the melodious stylings of Charlie Chavez y su Afrotruko orchestra and the vocals of Grammy - nominate Isaac Bashevis Singer Sacha . In the past , it ’s been held at The Lafayette , but on April 14th , the supper social club will be at the elegant Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The chef will be serving a prix fixe period - appropriate tasting menu with Havana - themed cocktails . Doors open at 6 pm with a performance by the Sacha ’s Supper Club terpsichorean at 7 pm . Get your ticketshere .

Re:Source

Various locationsWhen : MonthlyIn a flawlessness - obsessed society , we throw out about 40 % of totally comestible fruits and vegetables deemed too odd - look to trade to the masses . Re : informant , one of San Diego ’s novel bolt down - up dinner series , aims to rear awareness about food waste by team up up with top chef who will utilize food that would typically be pitch to make a delicious meal . The first four - course of instruction dinner party will be train by chef Miguel Valdez on April 6th at The Red Door with seatings at 5:30pm and 7:45pm . Monthly dinners will keep up , leading up to the San Diego Food System Alliance ’s 2d Unwasted Food Solution Summit on September 27th at the Jacobs Center . For tickets , headhere .

Dîner en Blanc

Various locationsWhen : Once a yearWe do n’t have a lot of excuses to get dressed squeamish in San Diego ’s laid - back impudent - flop civilisation , but Dîner en Blanc is a great reason to clean house yourself up . This mysterious outing has a strict dress computer code of all white everything , from your headwear to your choice of shoes . The location remains undisclosed to members until the last arcminute , when everyone is notified where to meet . There are quite a few rules for this undivided gathering : guest will need to land their own table , white-hot chairwoman , white board cloth , and a picnic hoop full of dainty for dinner party . At the end of the event , everyone packs up and disappears into the night almost like it never happened .

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Sara Norrisis a freelance author and photographer in San Diego who is always on the lookout for a unparalleled dining experience . Even if that means being served a steak by a bear .

san diego best pop up dinners

Courtesy of Kim Marcelo

abnormal dinner series san diego

Courtesy of Kim Marcelo

cow by bear pop up dinner san diego

Cow by Bear

cellar door san diego pop up dinner

Logan Mitchell

waypoint public beer dinner san diego

Waypoint Public

common theory public house san diego

Courtesy of Arlene Ibarra Photography

Sacha’s Supper Club san diego

Courtesy of Sacha’s Supper Club

diner en blanc san diego

Courtesy of Bauman Photographers