One of Coronado’s most delicious events of the year is A Taste of Coronado, an annual evening hosted by the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club (CJWC). On Wednesday, October 14, from 5-9pm, over 30 restaurants and shops throughout Coronado will open their doors and offer samples from their menus for guests to try. Tickets went on sale on September 1.
Renee Nutter of CJWC is the co-chair of the event, and she’s especially excited about the record number of restaurants participating in the event this year. “We have 32 great stops with everything from filet mignon drizzled in balsamic vinegar to ice cream.” The event combines so many good things: food, fundraising, and bringing visitors and locals together to enjoy Coronado. “We have amazing restaurants and shops,” says Renee, “and A Taste of Coronado gives local businesses a chance to showcase their specialties. This is a great opportunity to try new restaurants and stop in to your favorites. It also a FUNdraiser benefiting The Wampler Foundation, Barrio Logan College Institute, and The Coronado Junior Womans Club.”
Before the event, I had a chance to chat with a few of the restaurant managers who are preparing for A Taste of Coronado. They were eager to share about what dishes they are showcasing for the event as well as what they hope to contribute to the community.
Candela’s on the Bay, a restaurant known for its huge window overlooking the water, wants “our visitors to take away a great memory of an unique opportunity to get to taste so many different options in the island.” General Manager Stefano Pezzoti says, “I picked the Enchiladas Suizas [for the event] because it is one of our most popular items in the menu. Customers love it. Not only that, but starting next week this item will be on special at the bar every Friday at $5 per order.” He also noted that, “It’s a shame that I will be working, otherwise I would be tasting at all the restaurants!!”
Also located at Ferry Landing and looking out over the bay is Il Fornaio, a favorite for fine Italian dining. Luca Allieri, General Manager of Il Fornaio, explains why they chose to feature filet mignon for A Taste of Coronado. “The dish chosen to represent our restaurant is one of the longer-standing dishes on our menu, and for sure it is the one that drove our business since the beginning. [We wanted to give] a seasonal food choice that can be enjoyed during Fall or Winter while drizzled with our superb balsamic reduction sauce. We will end with a piece of our famous tiramisù, and we hope patrons will feel well taken care of and happy for their dining experience.”
Luca also noted that they will not be skimping on service for the event. “As usual and since the beginning of our participation of A Taste of Coronado, all food will be delivered while patrons are seated at our best white-clothed tables.” Combining the beauty and tradition of old Italy with this American island is what Il Fornaio does best. “What we want is to help represent the Coronado community, and we will do all our best to emphasize the beauty, old style-kindness, and charm of our island.”
A few blocks from Candela’s, Nicky Rotten’s hosts sports-loving crowds every night of the week. This year, General Manager Rob Vetere and his staff are “looking to thank our existing customers and hopefully showcase a great venue for new guests.” He chose a slider as the Taste of Coronado plate this year, saying “for us, a slider is the perfect teaser for our burgers,” which consist of their signature Rotten’s sauce, locally baked bread, and a juicy burger patty. “The beauty of Coronado,” says Rob, “is how close it is to the rest of San Diego, while feeling like a constant vacation.” He hopes A Taste of Coronado’s guests will experience that while visiting Nicky Rotten’s.
Executive Chef Tim Kolanko of Blue Bridge Hospitality shared what he will be preparing at two restaurants in Coronado: grilled beef skewers with chimichurri and signature popcorn at Stake, and a Korean style pork meatball at Leroy’s. He says that they are “looking forward to showcasing our diversity as a company and our commitment to cooking from scratch and using quality ingredients,” two things for which Stake and Leroy’s are well-known already. Tim also gave a nod to the many visitors who will be coming across the bridge to enjoy an evening in Coronado. “I hope visitors realize how unique Coronado is. It’s worth the trip just to walk along the beach or have a great meal, and the fact that you can do both with just a ten-minute ride over the bridge makes it a great opportunity just a stone’s throw from downtown.”
Tom Latona, a long-time Coronado local, recently opened High Tide Bottleshop and Kitchen with a few of his friends. “We are a group of local residents/owners who love our city of Coronado,” he says. “In the past we have been on the tasting side of Taste of Coronado, and we are excited to be on this side now, sharing our specialties.” Tom explained that they will be sharing some of the shop’s favorites with the community for A Taste of Coronado. “To showcase our signature pizzas, we will provide a selection including Bonfire BBQ, Great White, The Duke, and a side of our Caesar salad.” As locals know, though, High Tide is not just about pizza, and the menu is expanding even as the shop’s staples continue to draw crowds. “We hope that visitors walk away not only enjoying the food, but realize that we have so much more to offer than great pizza. We are able to also deliver great local wines, craft liquors and beers, and have other great menu items including sandwiches and salads.”
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