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News for Restaurants in San Diego
October 2009 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Offering authentic tastes of Italy, BICE makes its debut in San Diego this month. Rooted in history, BICE honors its founder Beatrice Ruggeri, aka "BICE," known for her amazing heartfelt cooking and gracious hospitality. She opened her first trattoria in Milan in 1926. Bice Ristorante hit New York City in 1987 and has several incarnations across the country. Offering a modern interior, a one-of-a-kind cheese bar and a hospitable atmosphere, BICE has all the right elements to become a favorite neighborhood eatery. The restaurant is known for its homemade pastas such as the veal ravioli in porcini sauce, potato gnocchi and BICE's signature osso buco. BICE, 425 Island Street, San Diego, CA 92101, 619-239-2423.
 
The Ivy Hotel has recently opened its new Ivy Ultra Lounge and Wine Bar, with 80 wines by-the-glass and a savvy pairing menu designed by executive chef Nathan Coulon. The wine list mixes dependable favorites with unusual cult wines with pours ranging from Taste (1.5 oz) to Half (4 oz) and Full (6 oz) with pricing as low as $1.76 for a taste of the 2007 Willamette Valley Reisling to a full glass of 2004 Opus One (Napa Valley) for $28.47. For an interactive engaging experience, clientele can try the new WineStations for self pours to experiment with a variety of selections. Chef Coulon's menu includes prosciutto and arugula pizza, blue cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon with duck rillettes along with wine-friendly desserts like strawberry semi-fredo, macerated grilled peaches and Belgian chocolate torte. Open Sunday through Wednesday from 1 p.m. to midnight and Thursday through Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m. Ivy Ultra Lounge and Wine Bar, Ivy Hotel, 600 F Street, San Diego, CA 92101, 619-814-1000.
 

News Bytes

The Grand Del Mar Offers Three Elegant Thanksgiving Experiences
Fine-dining choices abound at The Grand Del Mar this Thanksgiving. A sumptuous brunch will be served in the Capella featuring made-to-order waffles and omelettes along with citrus gravlax, smoked green lip mussels, house-cured tuna, Snow Crab claws, Prime rib and slow-roasted veal loin. The cost is $85 per adult; $25 per child. Addison will offer a four-course extravaganza featuring the talents of chef William Bradley---think gourmet surprises like ham hock risotto and turkey rôti with caramelized cornbread and Périgord truffles. The price for this menu is $98 per person. Amaya boasts a three-course fall tasting menu for Thanksgiving with entrées like turkey, roast rack of lamb, Loch Duart salmon with seasonal vegetables and sweet potato pie or pumpkin tiramisu for dessert. Prices are as follows: $65 per adult; $90 with wine pairings; $25 per child. The Grand Del Mar, 5300 Grand Del Mar Ct., San Diego, CA 92130, 888-314-2030.
 
Stone Crab Season Hits La Jolla
La Jolla’s latest seafood haunt, Truluck's Seafood, Steak and Crab House restaurant, specializes in über-fresh Florida stone crab, whose season started October 15. Truluck’s has its own fleet of crabbing boats in Naples, so the crab you eat in San Diego hits the table in less than 24 hours from being caught. They plan to give the spiny lobster season a run for its money. Truluck’s also serves 100% antibiotic- and hormone-free Niman Ranch beef, pork and lamb and has an excellent wine list. Truluck's Seafood, Steak and Crab House, 8990 University Center Lane, San Diego, CA 92122, 858-453-2583.
 
Marine Room Offers Festive Holiday Lunch Throughout December
On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during the month of December, The Marine Room will open for a special lunch service so you can enjoy the panoramic views of the Pacific and share some holiday cheer with friends or family in beautiful La Jolla. Executive chef Bernard Guillas and chef de cuisine Ron Oliver have created a menu featuring seasonal treats such as classic seafood crepes, Nebraska center-cut filet mignon, cashew-spiced Baja shrimp cocktail and the three-layered Callebaut chocolate mousse. The Marine Room, La Jolla Shores Hotel, 2000 Spindrift Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037, 858-459-7222.
 
Dog-Friendly Happy Hour at Hotel Indigo San Diego
Hotel Indigo San Diego invites you and your dog for an evening out at their pet-friendly "Canine Cocktails" happy hour in the lobby every Tuesday through December 29. Guests can enjoy specialty drinks and tapas from Phi Bar & Bistro between 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. (One dollar of every drink sold will go to the San Diego Humane Society.) A special doggie menu offers complimentary dog bones, snacks and bottled water. Hotel Indigo San Diego, 509 9th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101, 619-727-4000.
 

Chef Shuffle

One of North County’s finest, Blanca has a new chef in the kitchen. Jason Neroni, who hails from New York City’s 10 Downing Food & Wine, has landed Pacific-side and has created a new menu that spotlights modern French with Mediterranean and Spanish influences. Design-wise, Blanca's modern interior has warmed up with more color and soothing darker tones. Neroni replaces former chef Wade Hagerman. Blanca, 437 S. Hwy. 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075, 858-792-0072.
 


Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for San Diego to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from the past. Mr. Tiki Mai Tai Lounge, R.I.P.

Check back soon for more news.

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to
learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.


View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in San Diego

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VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

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CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

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GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

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