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News for Restaurants in San Diego
August 2015 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Café Gratitude, which serves up gourmet 100 percent, plant-based cuisine, has arrived in San Diego. The popular vegan restaurant has outposts in Downtown L.A., Venice Beach, Santa Cruz, Berkeley and more. Café Gratitude focuses on organic, healthy eats and environmentally friendly products. The menu features dishes like chia seed pudding, gluten-free buckwheat-flax pancakes and Portobello mushroom tostados with cashew queso fresca and avocado. CafĂ© Gratitude, 1980 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101, 619-736-5077.
 
Liberty Public Market, the 22,000-square-foot artisan mecca set to open in Point Loma’s Liberty Station, has announced its initial line up of merchants and vendors. The particpiants include family-owned Liberty Meat Shop, The WestBean Coffee Roasters, Fully Loaded Juice, Venissimo Cheese, Southeast Asian street food Pho Realz, Wicked Maine Lobster, MooTime Creamery, Mastiff Sausage, Cane Patch Pies and Cecilia’s Taqueria. Liberty Public Market, 2816 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego, CA 92106, no phone.
 
The interior of the Hillcrest location of Lemonade L.A.’s favorite fast-casual eatery for healthy dining is debuting two new locations in San Diego. Lemonade’s Hillcrest location opened in August, and a second outpost will open its doors at Westfield UTC open-air mall in La Jolla. Lemonade’s cuisine focuses on seasonal California comfort food that’s fresh and convenient for people on the go. In addition to salads, veggies, slow-braised meats, toasted sandwiches and more, both La Jolla and Hillcrest locations will feature made-to-order flatbreads like wild mushroom, truffle and Parmesan or heirloom cherry tomato, mozzarella and basil, all baked in an open-flame brick oven. Lemonade, 3958 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103, 619-293-7900.
 

News Bytes

New Craft Cocktail Scene at Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant
Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant has a new cocktail program under bar manager Kris Rizzato. His scintillating sippers include the Balboa Constrictor, made with white rum, maraschino liqueur, ancho chili liqueur, lemon juice, grapefruit olio and mint; the Stay Classy, crafted with bourbon, cinnamon bark, Averna, allspice dram and black walnut whip; and the Pear Republic, concocted with basil-infused vodka, St. George spiced pear, lemon juice and cane syrup.  Rizzato joins the team from Spoonbar inside h2hotel in Healdsburg, Calif. Rizzato plans to elevate the bar program through experimentation with unique ingredients and techniques, including carbonation, house-made foams and infusions to pair with menu items. Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant, 2202 4th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101, 619-231-0222.
 
Happy Hour at Galaxy Taco
La Jolla Shores’ new hot spot, Galaxy Taco, has just launched its happy hour. The casual Mexican eatery and patio are the perfect post-beach hangout for drinks and bites like the Baja fried fish tacos with cabbage, pico de gallo, chipotle crema, radish and avocado or the divine lamb barbacoa with onion, tomato-mint salsa and yogurt.  Specials include a buck off all tacos and drink deals like their $10 Modelo Especial beer and Cimarron Blanco Tequila shot combo. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Galaxy Taco, 2259 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, 858-228-5655.
 

Chef Shuffle

Chef Jason Maitland (formerly of Arterra, Flavor Del Mar and Indigo Grill) has landed at FIREHOUSE American Eatery + Lounge, which has also undergone a million-dollar redesign. Maitland’s revamped menu takes the beachside eatery to new heights with delectables like four cheese polenta tots, melon and burrata salad, authentic Maine lobster rolls, grilled octopus, ahi poke, gourmet burgers and more. His brunch features excellent regional Bloody Marys like the Southwest with mezcal and spice, or the house jazzed up with a garnish of onion ring, potato, spare rib and mini dog. His decadent Krispy Kreme “Benny,” is a feast for the eyes and belly with two Krispy Krème donuts decked with maple peppercorn bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. In addition to hearty food and craft cocktails, the ocean views and sea breezes on the deck make it a great overal experience. FIREHOUSE American Eatery + Lounge, 722 Grand Ave., San Diego, CA 92109, 858-274-3100.
 


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.

Top of the Hyatt at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is temporarily closed for renovations through September 2015. Top of the Hyatt, 1 Market Pl., San Diego, CA 92101, 619-232-1234, 800-233-1234.
 

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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