Pop-up shops, new restaurants and a rooftop movie theater have San Diego locals ushering in the sunny season in style.
Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas offers stunning ocean views PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
VAGA executive chef Claudette Zepeda. PHOTO BY KIMBERLY MOTOS
A culinary adventure awaits at VAGA Restaurant & Bar at Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas. Led by James Beard-nominated chef Claudette Zepeda, the Elements of Nature Dinner Series pays homage to the four elements—earth, fire, water and air—by spotlighting one during a five-course meal paired with specialty cocktails. Discover the elements in their physical and spiritual form as Zepeda and her deft culinary team take you on a transcendental journey through food. Stop by on June 29 for Th e Nature of Earth, Sept. 21 for Th e Nature of Air, and Dec. 21 for Th e Nature of Water. Past dinners have included astrology readings, candle rituals, live music and plenty of fresh ingredients prepared with traditional cooking methods. How’s that for a date night to remember? vagarestaurant.com/events
Kinme’s Edomae-style nigiri and sushi features fish caught near Tokyo Bay PHOTO BY JAMES TRAN
Calling all sushi lovers—an intimate omakase dining experience is now open in Bankers Hill. Enter Kinme Omakase, a 900-square-foot restaurant led by Azuki Sushi’s Shihomi Borillo and chef Nao Ichimura where guests are invited to enjoy a 10-course Japanese tasting menu during two seatings per night (at 5PM and 8PM) Wednesdays through Sundays. With just 10 seats available, the experience is highlighted by seasonal ingredients and fish sourced both locally and from Tokyo’s famed Toyosu Fish Market. Th e 10-course tasting menu changes monthly and is accompanied by exclusive sakes, Japanese whiskeys and vintage varietals. Go ahead, dive in. kinmeomakase.com
Just 10 seats await at Kinme’s Bankers Hill outpost. PHOTO BY JAMES TRAN
The scenic setting at Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero PHOTO BY ERIC SCIRE
Skip a night at home with Netflix to catch a flick on the big screen at the sky-high Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero. Located atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, the outdoor theater has released its star-studded summer lineup. June highlights include screenings of Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All at Once (June 15); Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 18); How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (June 20); Breakfast at Tiffany’s (June 25); and Sleepless in Seattle (July 2) in honor of the film’s 30th anniversary. Celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 with Theodore Witcher’s Love Jones and Rick Famuyiwa’s The Wood, and enjoy a variety of other classic films that range from Y2K favorites to action thrillers throughout the season. Movie buff s, unite! rooftopcinemaclub.com
Kopari’s pop-up shop at Westfield UTC is open now through September PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Known for its clean beauty products for the face and body, Kopari is kicking things up a notch with the debut of its first-ever pop-up shop at Westfield UTC in La Jolla. Helmed by San Diego-based founders Kiana Cabell and Gigi Goldman, the beach-chic shop offers the brand’s popular SPF products—including its new Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50—plus moisturizing body butters, scrubs and more. “We’re beyond excited to bring Kopari back to its roots with our first-ever pop-up shop launching in sunny La Jolla, where it all began,” says Cabell. “From luxurious textures to tropical paradise-inspired scents, our products are not only clean and effective but incredibly transportive and experiential.” Experience the magic daily through the first week of September. koparibeauty.com; westfield.com/utc
The brand’s bestselling Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50 and Sun Shield Soft Glow Daily Face SPF 30. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
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