Mission Hills, University Heights & Bankers Hill all offer their own unique takes on the ‘taste’

By Anthony King | SDUN Editor

Following the success of the recent Taste of North Park, three more neighborhoods in Uptown will be hosting their own version of the popular food and community “tastes.” Mission Hills, University Heights – part of the annual UH Arts Open – and Bankers Hill all have special events planned over the next two weeks.

Taste of Mission Hills

The first of the three Uptown tastes happens in Mission Hills, on Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 5 – 9 p.m. The Mission Hills Business Improvement District-sponsored event will include a free Old Town Trolley shuttle between Goldfinch and Washington streets to International Restaurant Row on India Street, celebrating its one-year anniversary as a City-sanctioned dining district.

“Experience an evening in Mission Hills while sampling tastes from around the globe,” organizers said, with a variety of restaurants – from fine dining and delis to specialty shops and a café – opening their doors to ticket holders. “Only 500 tickets are available,” they said. The Taste is now in its second year.

BID Executive Director Gerrie Trussell said she was encouraging businesses that are not restaurants to participate by staying open later than usual or coming out for the night to pass out coupons for their stores.

On International Restaurant Row, participating restaurants once again include Shakespeare Pub & Grill, Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe & Afternoon Tea, Rubicon Deli, The Regal Beagle and Gelato Vero Caffé. Venissimo Cheese, The Wellington Steak House & Martini Bar and The Red Door Restaurant on Washington Street will be offering samples, and on Goldfinch Street, Brooklyn Girl, Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria and Meshuggah Shack are all participating as well.

Cake Bakery, located on Reynard Way in lower Mission Hills, will once again have samples of their desserts at Meshuggah Shack on Goldfinch Street, and the trolley will be taking tasters to Starlite Lounge, located farther south on India Street, too.

Tickets for the Taste of Mission Hills are $20, with a $1 discount for official Treasure Seekers cardholders. Tickets are being sold at the Chase bank at 365 Washington St. and US Bank at 610 Washington St. To purchase tickets online, and for more information, visit treasuremissionhills.com.

Taste of University Heights

Organized by the University Heights Community Development Corporation and the UH Arts Association, this year’s eighth annual UH Arts Open and Taste of University Heights has a new element: a trolley tour of historic University Heights led by Urban Safaris, scheduled every 30 minutes from 10 – 11:30 a.m. The entire University Heights celebration happens Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“Experience the best of what University Heights has to offer,” organizers said. “Take a walking or trolley tour of our vibrant community and savor foods from an eclectic array of restaurants, enjoy the work of local artists and appreciate the history of our 125-year-old community.”

The taste event anchors the day from 12 – 3 p.m., while the UH Arts Open runs from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and highlights the work of local artists both in their private studios and in University Heights “artists venues,” ranging from Big Front Door to Diversionary Theatre.

For the taste, the 17 participating restaurants are located along Park Boulevard, Mission Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard, with Great Maple on Normal Street also offering samples. Free trolley service courtesy local realtor Mary Anne Stevens will be provided throughout the day.

Monica’s at the Park – offering tastes Oct. 20 as well – will be hosting a pre-event “art + food Fusion” reception, Friday Oct. 18 from 7 – 9 p.m. The café, located at 1735 Adams Ave., will also serve as the location of the official information booth Oct. 20, offering maps to all the art locations.

Tickets for the Taste are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event, and historic tour tickets are $10, which includes a free copy of a self-guided walking tour of the neighborhood. All tickets can be purchased at the Fusion reception, online at bestofuniversityheights.com or by calling 619-297-3166.

Taste of Bankers Hill

Different than Mission Hills and University Heights, the Bankers Hill Business Group and the Metro Community Development Corporation will be hosting the Taste of Bankers Hill Oct. 23 from 6 – 9 p.m. The difference? They are bringing participating restaurants to one location: The Abbey, located at 2825 Fifth Ave.

Jake Sutton of the Bankers Hill Business Group said they like to bring participants to one spot because the district is so large and the sense of community one location provides is important, to both residents and restaurants.

“They like the ability to be among other community members,” Sutton said of all involved, something they learned from last year’s inaugural event. “Everyone loved it, and restaurant owners got the chance to interact with their customers, and make new ones as well.”

At the time this story went to press, participating restaurants include Sanfilippo’s Italian Restaurant, Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Café, Wet Stone Wine Bar, Five Two Five Restaurant, Pizzicato, Bertrand at Mister A’s, Barrio Star, The Abbey, El Indio and Croce’s Park West.

Regarding Croce’s, Sutton said his organization was excited to have them participate, and called them a draw to the neighborhood. While Croce’s Park West has not officially opened, they will be offering tastes based out of their Downtown location.

“They have done a tremendous job of outreach for the community,” Sutton said. “It’s really going to raise the awareness of Bankers Hill.”

Tickets for this 21-and-older event – Baja Wine + Food will be offering alcohol samples as well – are $20, pre-purchased online and $30 cash at the door. For more information and tickets visit tobh.brownpapertickets.com or bankershillbusinessgroup.com.