Open Wide: Taste of Coronado Dishes Out the Best Bites on the Island!

It’s that time of year again! The kids are well into their school routines, there’s a lovely chill in the air and the Coronado party season is upon us! Nothing kicks off the festivities like a Taste of Coronado, one of my favorite events of the year. I caught up with Jessica Settle Cunningham from Coronado Junior Women’s Club to get the scoop on this year’s “Taste.”

“This is a favorite local event of the year,” says Jessica. “It can be a date night, a family night, a girls night, you name it. All are welcome to join in the fun!”

It’s all happening on Wednesday, October 10th from 5-9pm. Put on by the ladies of the Coronado Junior Women’s Club, a portion of this year’s event proceeds will benefit the Monarch School, a K-12 school designed to educate homeless youth; and Walk on Water, a national nonprofit that provides surf therapy to kids with disabilities.

So what exactly is “Taste of Coronado,” you ask? In short, it’s a chance to savor bites, sips, nibbles and samples from 30 restaurants and businesses in town. From crowd favorites like the Brigantine, Nicky Rottens, Stake, and McPs, from the Ferry Landing all the way to the other end of town, your $45 tasting card ($50 the day of) gets you more food and drink than you can shake a coconut crunchy shrimp at.

For guests 21 and over, be prepared to sip on champagne, beer and wine from participating businesses!

“This event really brings the community together, while experiencing the amazing local eateries and businesses AND giving back,” says Jessica.

Best part? If you’re too tired to walk (or you want to get from the Ferry Landing to uptown in a jiffy) you can hop on the complimentary trolley. It makes stops along the “Taste” route all night long, and is a great setting for an impromptu dance party (of course while you remain safely in your seats, ahem.)

New to this year’s lineup are El Roys Tequila Bar & Kitchen, Fonda Don Diego, the new Mexican Village, and Gelato Paradiso. In addition, Clayton’s Bakery & Bistro (they are opening in the former digs of Firefly on Orange) is joining in on the fun.

 

I’m dying to try dishes like Clayton’s Signature Monte Cristo with a side of fried pickles (yes, please!) and the Nicky Rottens mini Thai chicken lettuce cups. I’m also hoping the Brig serves up their mango ahi poke…after all, they won the “Crowd Favorite” award for 2017!

Some of my other favorite stops from last year include tasty and tender meat slices from Stake, a playful round of beer pong at Village Pizza Bayside, and even a shoulder massages at Coronado Bliss Salon.

Sadly missing from the lineup this year is Il Fornaio–which was often a crowd favorite. I hope they come back next year!

Also new this year, according to Jessica, one lucky winner who votes for their favorite stop will be selected on Friday, October 12th to win TWO FREE TICKETS to the 2019 events…just for voting!

Thinking about hoping on board the Taste train? Then don’t hesitate…buy your ticket now because every year this event sells out! Buy your ticket here and get more info on where to grab your tasting card.

Not sure? Check out my blog post and pictures from last year’s event.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for “Taste” news and updates!