san diego lifestyle january | february

www.davekinghomes.com

Dave KingDirect: 619.405.1937

[email protected] #00882101

Dedicated to the extraordinary. The exceptional. The unique.

Entertainers paradise, a car collectors dream!

This sprawling ranch style home has it all! Situated on 1.44 acres of pristine beauty.

3725 sq.ft. with 4 bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths. This spectacular property includes a sparkling pool, casita/in-laws quarters, 3 garages for up to 8 cars, 4 fireplaces,

lighted putting green, horseshoe pit, and panoramic views. Seller will entertain offers

between $925,000 - $975,000.

Dave King

Office: 619.269.2266 | Fax: 619.269.3766 | 2850 Womble Rd. | Suite 102 | San Diego

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing. Produced by Upscale Real Estate Marketing • 858.245.5393 • www.UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com

Luxury Market UpdateHigh-end Sales Surge

Undeniably Delicious!Underbelly’s Charred Kimichi Ramen

Super Bowl Party Time!

GET BOWLED

San Diego Exclusively Presented

By Dave King

S A N D I E G O

High-end or “luxury” real estate continues strong growth throughout the US in 2014 with sales of the priciest one percent of homes up 21.1% this year according to the real estate brokerage firm Redfin. Contrast this with the other 99% of the real estate market which has dropped 7.6% this year. In about 10 housing markets throughout the country, high-end real estate sales have surged above 50% in 2014. Luxury homes are considered those homes priced between $500,000 to $1 million and make up the highest one percent of the market in that locale, according to the real estate website Realtor.com. However, location varies greatly on the price to reach the top one percent of that locale’s housing market. For example, in San Francisco the top one percent of homes sold for $5.35 million or more. About 350 miles down the road in Los Angeles, the top one percent of homes sold for at least $3.65 million. Contrast these California markets with some east coast markets such as Atlanta where the top one percent of homes sold for

a mere $861,000 or Raleigh at an $815,000 starting price point. Nearly every city in the US has highly coveted neighborhoods where buyers will often times purchase properties in that neighborhood “sight unseen”. Many times emotion plays a leading role in these purchases overcoming logic and practicality – much like the romance of falling in love. A buyer falls in love with the neighborhood and is willing to pay in order to get into that neighborhood. Neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco dominate the high-end real estate markets with the highest number of luxury home sales, according to Redfin’s “Luxury Report”. The top three neighborhoods leading the pack were Beverly Glenn ($11.86 million); Holmby Hills ($9.91 million); and Malibu Road ($9.51 million). The most sought-after amenities for affluent home buyers are a chef’s kitchen and sweeping views – especially ocean, mountain or cityscape views. Other

desired features are the square footage of the property and an expansive master suite. Many affluent buyers cite the desire to have unique features in their proper-ties – features with an exclusive back story that appeals to their need to impress. One Realtor highlighted a hand-carved stone bathtub in a luxury property’s marketing materials. This marketing message was designed to pull in buyers who want the one-of-a-kind feature that no one else would have.

HELLO SPORTS FANS! If you’re into football (and a bit of golf, too), have we got some news for you: Where can you be at five major sporting events over the span of roughly 30 days all within one warm, sunny state? It’s Arizona, of course, where from the end of December through February 1, you can catch some serious sports action at the Fiesta Bowl (December 31), the Cactus Bowl (January 2), the Pro Bowl (January 25), the Waste Management Phoenix Open (January 26 through February 1), and of course, the Super Bowl (February 1). So book your tickets—or if you’re lucky enough, your own private jet—and get ready to touch down in the Valley of the Sun for some stupendous sporting excitement. No doubt, the biggest draw to Arizona during this action-packed time is Super Bowl XLIX, held this

year at the University of Phoenix Stadium. In case you didn’t know it, the Super Bowl is a major social and sporting scene. In fact, according to Forbes magazine the Super Bowl is among the biggest worldwide events for private jet travel, with an estimated 5,300 business and private jets journeying to Arizona the week of Super Bowl XLIX. There’s also a lot of eatin’ going down on Super Bowl Sunday, the second highest day of food consumption in the U.S., second only to Thanksgiving. This is tailgating in serious style. And Phoenix is ready to host the Super Bowl like never before. Since last hosting the big game in 2008, the city has pumped some $4 billion into new downtown development including 250,000 square feet of new retail space, a completed Phoenix Convention Center, 20 miles of light rail, 1,500 new hotel rooms, and more than 30 new restaurants. Ticket holders will also want to check out

Super Bowl Central, a 12-block pedestrian-friendly area in downtown Phoenix, which will serve as the hub of Super Bowl activity for fans, sponsors, media, and the NFL itself. Estimated to attract one million attendees, this hub will host football-themed activities, a nightly fireworks show, an autograph and concert stage, local food trucks, beer and wine gardens, and television network broadcast stages. Party central! But let’s not forget about the Pro Bowl, held every year to highlight the NFL’s best and brightest as voted by the players, coaches, and fans, which will also be held at University of Phoenix Stadium. Fun fact: This game will be only the third time a Pro Bowl and Super Bowl are held in the same location, making Arizona the place to be this year for football fun. Throw in two college football bowl games and a major golf tournament, and you can see why Arizona is this season’s sports hot spot. See you at the stadium!

For the kimchi (makes 10 servings):1 Napa cabbage, diced1 carrot, diced1 cucumber, diced1 onion, diced1/2 c. garlic, diced1 c. salt2 gal. water2 c. Korean red pepper powder1/2 T. garlic, minced1/2 T. ginger root, minced

For the vegetable broth(makes 10-12 servings):Olive oil2 yellow onions, diced1/4 c. ginger root, sliced1/2 c. garlic, minced1/4 c. cilantro, chopped4 shishito peppers2 T. black peppercorns5 bay leaves2 c. mirin1 1/2 gal. water1/2 sheet (approx./ 5 oz.) kombu or other dried kelp2/3 c. porcini mushroom powder1/2 c. miso paste1/4 c. tahini2 T. chili flakesSalt to taste

For the ramen:12 oz. ramen noodles3 c. vegetable broth (see above)1/2 c. bean sprouts1/2 c. dried wakame1/2 c. green onions, sliced2 T. sesame seeds, toasted1 t. ginger, minced2/3 c. shishito peppers, charred in grill pan2/3 c. baby carrots, blanched and charred in a grill pan2/3 c. kimchi (see above)

Make the kimchi. Place diced vegetables in a plastic container. Combine salt with water and pour over vegetables, making sure they are submerged. Brine for 24 hours. Strain and set aside.Mix the red pepper powder, garlic and ginger together with a little water to form a paste. Add to brined vegetables. Allow to sit at room temperature for three days. Leftover kimchi can be refrigerated for future use.Make the broth. Heat oil in a large soup pot. Add onion, ginger, garlic, cilantro and peppers. Cook until soft.Stir in peppercorns, bay leaves and mirin. Cook over low heat until mirin is reduced by half, about 8 minutes.Add remaining ingredients, except salt. Turn up the heat and stir until the miso paste and tahini are dissolved. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Add salt to taste. Strain the broth and keep hot while preparing the ramen.Cook ramen in boiling water for 2 minutes. Strain and place in a large soup bowl. Add vegetable broth.Place bean sprouts, wakame, green onions, sesame seeds and ginger in the center of the bowl. Top with charred peppers and carrots. Add kimchi to taste.

CHARRED KIMICHI RAMEN

UnderBelly(619) 269-4626 | GodBlessUnderbelly.com

In Good Taste

LUXURY HOME MARKET CONTINUES STRONG PERFORMANCE

Whale and Dolphin Watching AdventureSan Diego Bay | January 1 – April 26888.467.6256 | HornBlower.comIf you love whales, dolphins, sea lions, and sea birds, hop on board for a breathtaking experience on the open ocean. You’ll speed out to sea on one of our large, comfortable yachts and pass barking sea lions and pods of leaping dolphins as we search for the legendary gray whales—known for migrating the longest distance of any mammal on Earth.

2014 Best of Nature Photography Show Natural History Museum | January 1 – February 1877.946.7797 | sdnat.org/BestOfNature View 74 magnificent nature-based images by amateur and professional photographers from San Diego and around the globe. The images on display depict gorgeous landscapes and majestic creatures in their natural habitats.

Bite San Diego Food TourSan Diego Downtown & Little Italy January 14 – February 10619.634.8476 | BiteSanDiego.com Experienced tour guides introduce you to the tastes making San Diego’s food scene one of the hottest in the country. Guests are led on an exploration of the history, roots, and reasons San Diego is becoming a food fantasy mecca for locals and visitors the world over.

California Dreaming: An International Portrait of Southern CaliforniaOceanside Museum of Art | OMA February 1 – March 29760.435.3721 | oma-online.orgThis exhibition will raise the fundamental question: Is the “California Dream” still alive and thriving? This juried exhibition of original work is an exploration of the popular fascination with the celebrated lifestyle, influences, and environs of Southern California.

Paws FUR Pink Run/WalkSan Diego NTC Park Liberty Station | February 15PawsFurPinkSD.com Paws FUR Pink® celebrates the unconditional love and healing that our four-legged best friends bring us. This dog-friendly run/walk takes place over the 2015 Valentine’s Weekend with partial proceeds benefiting Komen San Diego. Featuring a 5K run/walk, a 1-mile walk and a PAWsitively Pink Costume Contest.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015

Event Calendar