Today, Thursday, April 24 is the eighth annual Dining Out for Life San Diego, and participants have their choice of more than 80 locations to dine out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and dessert.
Dining Out for Life has quickly become a community tradition, with great enthusiasm behind it. Local restaurants and bars agree to donate 25-100 percent of their food and liquor sales on this day to benefit HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs at The San Diego LGBT Community Center.
All three Mission restaurant locations – North Park, Mission Beach and SoMa/East Village – will be donating 100 percent of its sales to Dining Out for Life. The Mission has been a Dining Out for Life participant since the event first began in San Diego, and this is the second year of their 100 percent commitment.
“HIV is an issue that hits close to home for all of us. Everyone knows and remembers someone who has been affected, so my partners and I wanted to do more,” said Deborah Helm, co-owner of the Mission Restaurants. “We know how hard it is to raise funds for the services our community needs and Dining Out is another great way to help. We’ve loved being part of this event from the start and we are excited to help it grow.”
In addition to the Mission locations, the following restaurants/bars will be donating 50 percent to Dining Out for Life – Adams Avenue Grill, Barrio Star, the Brass Rail, East Village Asian Diner-Hillcrest, Mariposa Ice Cream, Martinis Above Fourth Table + Stage, Project Pie, The Fresh Asian Bar and Bistro, Wang’s North Park and Which Wich.
Adams Avenue Grill and Chef Tim Klepeis will again extend the number of days they will offer their 50 percent donation, from Thursday, April 24 through Sunday, April 27.
“We are thrilled with the incredible response to this year’s event,” said Ian Johnson, director of special events for The Center. “These wonderful establishments are going above and beyond to support The Center’s HIV/AIDS services. Not only are these businesses generous and community-minded, but the food, drinks and desserts are great, too!”
Dining Out will also draw participation from local officeholders, who will be out and about throughout the city April 24. U.S. Congressman Scott Peters will be in the East Village at Cowboy Star for lunch, and California Assembly Speaker-elect Toni Atkins will be in University Heights at Adams Avenue Grill for dinner.
San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria – who previously declared that “calories don’t count” on Dining Out for Life day – will start the day with breakfast at The Mission-North Park, and will join with San Diego Unified School District Board President Kevin Beiser to dine and serve guests for dinner at Harvey Milk’s American Diner.
City Council President Pro Tem Sherri Lightner will dine out for lunch at The Mission-SOMA, and Councilmember Mark Kersey and his staff will participate by enjoying lunch at Café 21 downtown.
For a full listing of restaurants participating in Dining Out for Life, visit thecentersd.org
