The first annual Taste of La Mesa hosted by the La Mesa Chamber and Title Sponsor Gio Bistro Wine Bar was held on July 20th at the La Mesa Community Center to a sellout crowd.  Twenty two local restaurants, caterers and other food providers fed approximately 500 during the evening while Karl Strauss and Spaten supplied premium Beer, Palm Springs Liquor provided the wine and GIO offered attendees a sample of their new signature Sangria.  Everyone was thrilled with the large variety of food and no one went home hungry.  In addition to the food vendors, 20 Chamber members offered their goods and services by purchasing vendor tables and the Chamber thanks them for their support. During the evening, attendees had the opportunity to win several raffle prizes including a 1 week stay in Jackson Hole donated by H&N Construction, a 3 day-2 night stay at Royal Solaris Los Cabos, donated by Unique Travel Concepts, a 1 night stay and dinner for 2 at the Sheraton Hotel in Mission Valley  donated by the Sheraton Hotel, $100 in gift certificates to Karl Strauss Restaurants donated by Karl Strauss $100 gift card to Diamond Creations donated by the La Mesa Chamber and 2 tickets to a Padre game donated by San Diego CW - Channel 6.  Joan O'Steen and the Community Center did a great job setting up the venue and the Chamber highly recommends this venue for public or private events.  Additional thanks to Cloud 9 Super Shuttle for providing shuttle service between the parking lots and the event, Homeland Florist for providing the floral center pieces, AAA Imaging for helping with the printing of event materials, Continental Catering for the belly bars and linens, Windermere Real Estate for the use of the street sign holders, EDCO for providing the trash and recycle containers and Eric Lund, owner of Events With Pizazz who constantly supports local events by donating, as well as offering great discounts for his master of ceremonies expertise, music and D J services.  Finally, the Chamber would like to thank our title Sponsor GIO, Bon Appétit Sponsors Edible Arrangements, Isagenix - Cindy Braaksma, Keller Williams Realty of La Mesa, My OSHA Store, Tarantino Gourmet Sausages and all the volunteers and Board members who helped make this event a big success.  We sincerely appreciate the participation of the following food providers without whom this event would not have happened:

 

Title Sponsor

GIO

www.giowineanddine.com

Bon Appetite Sponsors

Edible Arrangements

(619) 464-1111
www.ediblearrangements.com

Isagenix-Cindy Braaksma

(619) 990-4884
www.cindybraaksma.isagenix.com

My Osha Store

(858) 947-3244
www.myoshastore.com

Tarantino Gourmet Sausages

619-232-7585

Keller Williams Realty of La Mesa

(619) 667-8049
www.kw.com

25 Participating Restaurants include: 

Antique Row Cafe of Lemon Grove
Bella’s Finest
Black Jack International BBQ
Brigantine Restaurant of La Mesa
Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chopsticks Inn Restaurant
Continental Catering
Costco
Edible Arrangements
Gibs Ribs
Gio Bistro Wine Bar
Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill
La Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant
Marie Callender’s
Nonno’s Italian Food Olive Garden
Riviera Supper Club
Rubios Fresh Mexican Grill
Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
Sheraton Hotel-Mission Valley
Tarantino Gourmet Sausages
Tiramisu Trattoria
The Lunch Box Cafe & Deli
West Coast BBQ & Catering