The Vetted Table

Posted by Sean on August 7, 2012

A new chapter in the book of MIHO opened last night. The Vetted Table held a pop-up dinner at El Take It Easy in North Park, greeting guests at the entirely re-styled entry, complete with vintage love seats and service staff looking impeccable. (photo above by MIHO)

The Vetted Table crew brought in collaborators from the weddings & special events they cater to transform EZ into a one night Vetted Table experience. Mother Sponge was honored to be asked to develop the brand for The Vetted Table – and we were stoked with the results. Take a look over here at some of our design work for MIHO’s newest brand.

Cheers to the successful launch and a bright future for The Vetted Table!

Filed in: Booze, California, Clients, Design, Events, Food, Food Trucks, Restaurants, San Diego, Tijuego Comment →

Beer Work

Posted by Sean on July 10, 2012

We’ve been busy busy busy, buried in our design cave in Barrio Logan, working closely with many friends and colleagues on a brand development project for Societe Brewing Company. These guys treat beer like art, which has made the long nights and beastly tasting room installation an honor to pour our creative energies into.

We’ll be posting a more comprehensive case study on the project soon, which includes everything from branding to tasting room decor. In the meantime, here’s a little background on the Societe Brewing Company Grand Opening event.

Filed in: Beer, Clients, Design, Events, Interiors, San Diego, Video Comment →

Art & Food

Posted by Sean on January 11, 2012

One of my clients (El Take It Easy) is hosting a special dinner each month in collaboration with local cultural notables who are also vegan. The series is aptly named “Veganized.”

I got to help out with this month’s dinner, which will be hosted by the prolific artist Acamonchi (who painted the pedicab in the photo above). The artist will share some of his latest paintings, and join the rest of us in enjoying a three-course meal featuring produce from Suzie’s Farm. El Take It Easy also has phenomenal cocktails and an extensive list of mezcals.

The dinner is tonight, Wed. 1/11 at 5pm. Hope you can make it!

Filed in: Booze, Clients, Events, Farms, Food, Restaurants, San Diego, Tijuego, West Coast Comment →

The People Have Spoken

Posted by Sean on October 24, 2011

A couple of our clients racked up a lot of votes in the latest 2011 Readers Poll from San Diego Citybeat, so I thought we could honor them here for their hard work and great food!

MIHO Gastrotruck won Best Food Truck for the second straight year! Juan and Kevin deserve this – they work damn hard to deliver top quality local/organic food at fair prices. And you can’t deny the ability of their inventive & tasty menus to build a big following around San Diego.

Chef Max Bonacci received an honorable mention for Best San Diego Chef for his fine work at The Linkery and El Take It Easy.

The Linkery also received an honorable mention for the Best Contemporary Cuisine category (another nod to Bonacci’s talent).

El Take It Easy received an honorable mention in the Best Margarita category – a good tip of the hat for their extensive cocktail program. Speaking of the EZ, don’t miss their second pop-up dinner with chef Gavin Schmidt this Wednesday!

Congratulations to all the hard working people in both the front and back of the house who make these fine food operations come to life and inspire local eaters to vote for them!

 

Filed in: Booze, Clients, Events, Food, Food Trucks, Restaurants, San Diego Comment →

Why are there yams in my beer?

Posted by Sean on August 27, 2011

Because Patrick Rue wanted them there – that’s why.

Rue and his cohorts at The Bruery have been brewing beers with very unconventional ingredients with some great success, and getting a lot of attention for their innovation and craftsmanship. Luckily for San Diego beer dorks, Mr. Rue will be speaking today at the first ever BEER-CON, a new conference for the brewing industry and its fans taking place at the Handlery Hotel.

Mother Sponge says, you’re a home brewer or local bar-hand looking to bolster your chops, you best head down to soak up the knowledge while partaking in the “Tap Heaven” beer garden.

Check out some more cool photos of The Bruery’s Autumn Maple beer (the one with the yams).

Filed in: Beer, Booze, Events, Food, Homebrew, San Diego Comment →