SUGAR FACTORY GOES ‘INSANE’ FOR THE FOURTH
In honor of the Fourth of July, the Sugar Factory American Brasserie in the Gaslamp Quarter is now serving the Red, White & Boom Insane Milkshake. The $21 frosty beverage is made with vanilla soft-serve and cookie dough ice cream served in a vanilla-frosted mug that’s been rolled in red, white and blue sugar crystals and candy stars and topped with whipped cream, strawberry rock candy and gummy treats. 701 Fifth Ave., San Diego. sugarfactory.com
Distilled San Diego Spirit & Cocktail Festival: The San Diego County Fair hosts this one-day event featuring a live cocktail competition, prizes for the best distilleries and a tasting event for the public. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. $35 includes fair admission and up to five 1⁄4-ounce spirits pours or 1-ounce cocktail pours. Garden Show Area, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. sdfair.com/what-to-do/festivals
Blank Table returns: The Blank Table, a series of collaborative five-course dinners held at secret locations throughout San Diego, has kicked off its 2022 season. For each dinner, Blank Table curator Alexandria Ott, chef Frederick Keller and designer Jillian Ziska work with different restaurant owners and bar directors to create menus and specialty drink pairings for the three-hour meals. Past locations have included a barn, a yacht dock, a nursery, a vintage car garage and an airport hangar. Upcoming dinners are: July 21 with Sean O’Connell of Starward Whiskey and Mike Hess Brewing; Aug. 18 with Nick Sinutko of Campfire; Sept. 22 with Lara Worm of Bivouac Ciderworks; and Oct. 20 with a special guest to be announced. Dinners are from 6 to 9 p.m. and cost $199. theblanktablesd.com
Holding Company updates brunch service: The Holding Company in Ocean Beach is welcoming summer with several new brunch items and expanding its weekend brunch service to all ages. New brunch items include ube (purple yam) pancakes; basil chicken wings, cooked with onion, basil and fish sauce; orange chicken; buffalo wings; and katsu chicken, which is buttermilk-fried chicken breast with rice, mixed vegetables and spicy mayo. Meals can be paired with specialty cocktails.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 5046 Newport Ave., San Diego. (619) 341-5898, theholdingcompanyob.com
Birdseye adds brunch: Birdseye, the rooftop restaurant-bar at newly opened Cormorant Boutique Hotel in La Jolla, has introduced weekend brunch service. Dishes include pancakes topped with coconut butter and shaved coconut powdered sugar and carnitas eggs Benedict. Drink options include mimosa, margarita and mojito flights, a Berries and Crème cocktail with Kettle One Vanilla vodka and Chambord, and Birdseye Cold Brew with coffee, vanilla vodka and DeKuyper Crème de Cocoa. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays-Sundays.
1110 Prospect St., La Jolla. birdseyerooftop.com