A Toast to Community: Beer, Cocktails, Dinner, and Connection

On Tuesday, July 29, the San Diego Country Estates community gathered for an evening that brought together conversation, camaraderie, and cuisine at the inaugural Homeowner Appreciation Night, featuring two welcoming events: Beer with the Board and Cocktails with Carl at the Par Lounge outdoor deck, followed by a sold-out dinner experience at The Oaks Grille.

From 5 to 6:30 pm, more than 40 homeowners mingled with Board members and SDCEA team leads while enjoying drinks and a savory charcuterie board. The featured specialty cocktails — a Bacon Old Fashioned and a Lavender Mule—were a hit, and guests enjoyed open conversations across a range of topics, from golf and equestrian activities to recreation and upcoming events.

The atmosphere was warm and engaging as homeowners shared ideas and questions directly with all our Board Members and General Manager Carl Weise, who all welcomed every opportunity to listen and engage. "This event is about coming together as neighbors to share what matters to our community," Weise noted.

At 6:30 pm, 38 guests were seated for a carefully curated three-course dinner by Executive Chef Ben Peterson and his team, Sous Chef Chris Ostermann, and Sous Chef Jessica Nelson. The meal was a labor of creativity in taste and presentation, taking three days of preparation.

Guests were treated to a seasonal salad of bird's nest greens with blood orange, Vidalia onion, goat cheese croquette, and Marcona almonds dressed in a "mimosa" vinaigrette. The second course featured a choice of either 90-day dry-aged beef tenderloin medallion with cheese tortellino, horseradish, and 50-year balsamic, or pan-seared local halibut with yuzu beurre blanc, shiitake mushrooms, and Japanese long beans. The grand finale: Tahitian vanilla panna cotta with puffed toasted rice, thyme, pistachio, and orange supreme syrup.

The wines were thoughtfully paired and served under the leadership of the new Food & Beverage Front of House Manager Chuck Kast, who ensured the service was smooth and seamless throughout the evening.

Weise stood up and said, “Thank you for joining us tonight at our first Homeowner Appreciation Dinner. The Board asked me to find more ways to connect with homeowners—and this is it: community events, shared meals, and concerts in the park."

"This is how we build community," he continued, "by sitting down over a meal with neighbors we may not have met before." Weise added, "It was refreshing to see our members enjoying themselves—talking, laughing, and learning more about the association. It was a welcome contrast to the picture sometimes painted in online comments. Tonight showed the heart of our community."

Weise also acknowledged the culinary work of Executive Chef Ben Peterson and his team as Chef Ben stood before the diners. The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause for the team behind the evening’s memorable dishes.

"I had hoped to come out and describe each dish as it was served," said Chef Ben at the end of dinner, "but I was working alongside our two chefs, preparing these plates together for the first time. I really enjoyed guiding them through every element of preparation and presentation—and especially enjoyed working with Chris and Jessica on making our homemade tortellino."

Many homeowners asked when the next Homeowner Appreciation event will be, so stay tuned.

Photos by Heather McGhee.