Combined Bakery and Flower Shop Coming to Convoy

The story of Flour Atelier begins as so many modern tales do: on the internet. Entrepreneurs Chrisell Nguyen and Evelyn Ozburn were building separate businesses and sharing their journeys on Instagram when a DM brought them together. After generating buzz in their home kitchens, the duo is getting ready to open their first brick-and-mortar in the Convoy area. 

At Flour Atelier, customers will have the opportunity to order specialty cakes or pick up coffee and a dessert. Drawing upon their Japanese and Filipino backgrounds, the pair employ flavors like yuzu, ube, and matcha. Their customized puff-pastry cakes come shaped like letters and numbers and topped with fluffy cream and fresh berries.

Because Ozburn also has a trained background in flower arranging, she and Nguyen decided to add fresh flowers to their cakes—and create bouquets for customers to take home with their treats. Ozburn hopes that having a physical location will allow them to serve more people than ever before. “The feeling we get from seeing how excited and happy our customers get from seeing our creations for them is what keeps driving us to move forward,” she says.

Quick Bites

• Campestre Productions hosts a five-course dinner party on Thursday, October 19, at The Guild Hotel downtown. Chefs Janina Garay and Ruffo Ibarra Arellano will design the menu and pair it with San Diego and Baja wines. 
• In other San Diego food news, taking place November 3–12, San Diego Beer Week celebrates our local craft beer industry across the county. Breweries will host events and serve up beer specials, and several local brewers are collaborating to release the new Capital of Craft IPA. 
• Gaslamp speakeasy Prohibition hosts their second cocktail class on Wednesday, November 15, in partnership with Bushmills Irish Whiskey. Guests will taste and learn about the whiskey before crafting a few cocktails. 

​​Have breaking San Diego food news, exciting scoops, or great stories about the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post SD Food News Oct. 16-20 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

New Mexican Seafood Food Truck Debuts in Golden Hill

Luis Romero always loved being in the kitchen. At a young age, he remembers watching his grandmother and aunt cook and quickly became fascinated with all things food. But, it took a layoff from his restaurant job during the pandemic to get him to realize he was ready to pursue cooking full-time. 

After a two-year journey of selling to family and friends and hosting a pop-up at his buddy’s spot at Longplay HiFi, he opened his food truck Mariscos Tone Camarón outside of Golden Hill Liquor from Wednesday to Sunday. 

Luis will be serving up ceviche, Baja shrimp tacos and aguachile verde with butterfly shrimp marinated in a serrano lime sauce. Everything on the menu is inspired by recipes from his family with seafood sourced from Ensenada. Each day, Romero plans to bring back his catch of the day from Baja to add daily specials to the menu. 

Longtime San Diego Pastry Chef Brings His Vision to Symphony Towers

A new artisan bakery run by pastry chef Adrian Mendoza (formerly of Urban Kitchen Group, Herb and Wood, and Wayfarer Bread & Pastry) is headed to downtown at the ground level of the Symphony Towers, home to the San Diego Symphony and the University Club. 

General manager Brian Lee of the University Club who had previously worked with Mendoza at Herb and Wood and Herringbone, reached out to see if the pair could create a bakery concept for the Towers. 

Two years later, Knead Bakery was born with an anticipated opening of January/February of next year. 

On the menu, Mendoza will be featuring fresh baguettes, sourdough, focaccia, danishes, muffins, hand pies and specialty cakes. Homemade breads, fresh juices, coffee, and seasonal fare from local farmers will also be on the menu. Knead Bakery will be open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. for dine-in and takeout. Mendoza and Lee are hoping this bakery can bring new life to the area and encourage the community to re-explore downtown. 

Quick Bites

• McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams is opening a new location at The Forum Carlsbad on Wednesday, October 4. To celebrate they will be scooping up free ice cream from 4-8 p.m. 

• Ballast Point’s Little Italy location is turning 10 and they’ve planned an all-day celebration on Saturday, October 14 with family-friendly activities, classic dishes from their kitchen and 10 new small-batch beers. The team is also bringing in former Ballast Point Little Italy brewers to collaborate on new brews like an English Bitter beer from Nathan Stephens, now the principal brewer at Eppig Brewing Company.  

• The 14th annual San Diego Spirits Festival is back this weekend on Oct. 7 and 8 at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego with opportunities for tastings at more than 65 premium spirits and craft cocktail vendors. Bites from local restaurants like Beeside Balcony and Lobster West will also be on site along with live music and performances. 
• Taste of North Park is bringing back its food and drink crawl on Saturday, October 7 with a chance to taste from nearly 50 restaurants, craft beverage companies and cafes, including Michelin-recognized Mabel’s Gone Fishing, Louisiana Purchase, Kairoa Brewing Co. and Bivouac Ciderworks Adventure Lodge, to name a few.

​​Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post SD Food News: October 3-7 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Tuétano Taquería and Second Mujer Divina Location Secure New Locale in Chula Vista

After speaking with Priscilla Curiel, I realize I’ve been living under a rock. I had no idea that the culinary mastermind behind the famous bone marrow birria tacos at Tuétano Taquería also owns National City burrito and coffee house gem Mujer Divina. Lucky for me (and my fellow San Diegans), in about six months or so, her two ventures will be neighbors and easier to enjoy side-by-side. Tuétano Taquería will depart its current Old Town brick-and-mortar and Mujer Divina will launch its second location, taking over two spaces on the bustling Third Avenue in Chula Vista.

Chula Vista is Curiel’s hometown, where she gained some of her restaurant chops while working at her parent’s restaurant Talavera Azul (just down the street from her new spot). The taquería will offer counter service with room to sit. Birria will still be the star of the menu, but she’s also hoping to bring back some OG menu items like arrachera tacos and rajas. The coffee shop will be grab-and-go style, like her National City space, but a few tables offer seating if you prefer not to take your burrito and café de olla on the go. Mujer Divina will continue to serve up their 21 coffee offerings, including the churro latte and the Mexican mocha, plus bites like machaca and bean-and-cheese burritos. “It wouldn’t be Mujer Divina without the coffee or the burritos,” Curiel says. “They compliment each other.” The two spaces are expected to open early next year.

Quick Bites

San Diego breweries took home five gold medals (and 18 medals overall) at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival this past weekend. Some of the gold winners were Ballast Point Brewing Company’s Barometer Drop in the “Strong Porter” category and TapRoom Beer Company’s PB Haze in the “Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale” category.

Sushi master John Wong is hosting an 150-minute, 18-course omakase dinner for 10 diners at his recently opened restaurant, Hitokuchi, on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month. The dinners launch October 7 and 8 with a focus on seasonal ingredients, particularly fish, 70 percent of which will be flown in from Japan. Menu highlights include live abalone with liver sauce and 18-day aged bluefin tuna.

​​Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post SD Food News: September 25–29 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Mains 

Soichi Owners’ Daughter Joins Family Legacy with Japanese Comfort-Food Restaurant on Adams Avenue

Sakura Kadoya’s parents own Japanese restaurant Soichi, and now she’s following in her folks’ footsteps. She recently opened up a restaurant of her own alongside her business partner, Rey Palisoc—and it just so happens to be located right next door to her family’s spot on Adams Avenue. Hatsuzakura focuses on Japanese comfort food with dishes like omurice, an omelet with a tomato-based chicken fried rice inside. Another dish, the guratan, is a baked macaroni casserole with a homemade white sauce, chicken, onions, and mushrooms, all smothered in mozzarella cheese.The restaurant’s interior matches the vibe of its food: cozy and welcoming ambiance with a pop of pink as a tribute to Japanese cherry blossoms. The team has curated wine pairings for each dish on the menu—try the pét-nat sparkling wine alongside the tomago sando, an egg salad sandwich with cucumber and onions. They also make their melon soda in-house (and can upgrade it to a dreamy ice-cream float).

Burgeon Beer Company

Courtesy of Burgeon Beer Company

Burgeon Beer Company Joins Vista’s Thriving Brewery Scene

Vista holds the shiny title of most microbreweries per capita in the US, so it’s no surprise that the city is adding another local brewery to their roster. Burgeon Beer Company is moving into an 1,820-square-foot space (with extra room for an outdoor patio) in downtown Vista’s Paseo Artist Village. On tap, they’ll have 18 of their award-winning brews and new releases for guests to enjoy. The taproom will also be dog-friendly for those bringing their pups. Expect a grand opening before the end of the year 

Lola 55

Courtesy of Lola 55

Quick Bites

Taco-focused restaurant Lola 55 opens in Carlsbad tomorrow, September 6, with dishes inspired by the co-owner Frank Vizcarra’s trips to legendary taco locales like Mexico City and Oaxaca. Lola 55 received a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for its top-notch food at an affordable price.Second Chance Beer Company celebrates its eighth anniversary with a beer-and-wine pairing dinner on Saturday, September 9, at 6 p.m. The event features a three-course meal from O’Brien’s Pub executive chef Tyson Blake, wine from Mia Marie Vineyards, and beer from the brewery. Some of the proceeds will benefit local dog rescues The Animal Pad and Second Chance Dog Rescue.Marisi in La Jolla is bringing back their monthly wine dinner series with their first pairing event of the fall on September 14. The Tuscan Harvest Wine Dinner will feature a five-course Italian menu matched with Tuscan wines poured by certified sommelier and Marisi wine director Chris Plaia.​​Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post SD Food News: September 4–8 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Tanner’s Prime Burgers

Courtesy of Tanner’s Prime Burgers

The Mains

Fine-Dining Chef Opens Prime-Grade Burger Pop-Up at the Del Mar Racetrack

Brandon Rodgers’ resume reads like a beginner chef’s vision board. He worked at Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant The French Laundry, then opened Benu alongside Corey Lee in San Francisco—and nabbed three Michelin stars himself. He was nominated twice for a James Beard Best Chef of California Award for his work at In Situ. Now, he’s putting his fine-dining days aside and taking a stab at burgers. Of course, a chef like Rodgers is going to bring at least a little refinement to the American classic. His burgers are made with 100 percent USDA prime-grade beef—a distinction assigned to less than 2 percent of the beef produced in the US.Rodgers opened up Tanner’s Prime Burgers as a pop-up at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s third floor clubhouse this year, serving up his star dish with beef-tallow fries and a beef-tallow ice-cream sandwich that adapts his wife’s chocolate-chip cookie recipe. His burger calls for a third-pound of prime-grade meat from Brandt Beef, a housemade hot sauce, lettuce, onion, tomato, Eric Greenspan’s New School American cheese (a cheese that comes from cheddar but melts more like American), diced beef bacon, and caramelized onions on a brioche bun. Once the racing season wraps up, he’s got his eye on opening a brick-and-mortar space in San Diego. Tanner’s and New School American will demo burgers and cheese at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival on Sept. 9.

The Plot Express

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Plant-Based Restaurant The Plot Launches “Express” Location in Carlsbad Village

The Plot, the zero-waste and plant-based restaurant owned by husband-and-wife duo Davin and Jessica Waite, is growing. The couple is opening The Plot Express, a new counter-serve location in Carlsbad Village at the newly developed The Cottages (which will also be home to Revolution Roasters, Stella Jean’s Ice Cream, and Shootz Fish & Beer).The Waites designed an entirely new menu for their Carlsbad spot (with one notable exception—the beloved Caesar salad remains). Try the gyro wrap, sliced lentil gyro swaddled in pita with greens, quinoa tabbouleh salad, and tzatziki. The taco salad bowl comes with mixed greens, roasted corn, pico de gallo, red beans, “quefaux” cheese, pickled onions, chipotle crema, and tortilla strips.

Quick Bites

To raise money for families affected by the Lahaina wildfires, Little Italy’s Cloak & Petal is hosting an all-you-can-eat buffet fundraiser on Sunday, September 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. $50 gets you a full spread with dishes like chicken yakitori, fried rice, spam masubi, chicken katsu with curry, and Hawaiian mac salad.Alejandra’s Fine Mexican Food and Cantina in Carlsbad offers a five-course tequila-pairing dinner on Thursday, September 14. Sip Código 1530 tequila while enjoying a seafood dinner with dishes like green shrimp aguachile tostaditas and halibut à la Veracruz.The Hilton San Diego Bayfront recently welcomed chef Douglas Dalisa as their new executive chef. Dalisa comes to the hotel after leading culinary operations for local resorts like Paradise Point Resort & Spa and the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.​​Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post SD Food News: August 28–September 1 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Salt and Lime

Photo Credit: Jake Theoldore

The Mains

Mexican Food Truck Lands in a Brick-and-Mortar Space in Del Mar

After more than six years of drawing customers to his Mexican food truck, Alan Efter recently opened Salt + Lime in downtown Del Mar, serving bites inspired by the flavors of his childhood in Mexico. His menu’s stars include a quesabirria taco with slow-cooked beef birria, cheese, onion, cilantro, and consome, all wrapped in a homemade tortilla. Their traditional white mole—topped with a mushroom medley—is another standout.

Kanpai BBQ Convoy

Courtesy of Kanpai BBQ

All-You-Can-Eat, Japanese-Style BBQ and Shabu Shabu Restaurant Opens in Convoy

On one side of Kanpai BBQ, Japanese-style barbeque sizzles on tableside grills. Meander to the other end of the space to experience all-you-can-eat shabu shabu with plenty of soup base choices (including sukiyaki, tom yum, and tomato broths) and meat options (like prime angus chuck eye, pork belly, and wagyu brisket). There’s also a bar to grab seafood (such as shrimp and scallops), veggies, and dipping sauces to dunk in your boiling broth. The BBQ area is still in the works and should launch in the next few months, but the shabu shabu experience is officially open at the Convoy space.

Malibu Farm

Photo Credit: Erin Kunkel

Farm-to-Table Eatery Malibu Farm Joins Seaport Village This Month

After nearly two years and a multi-million dollar renovation of a 14,000-square-foot waterfront space, Malibu Farm is about unveil its new location in Seaport Village. 3,500 of those square feet are dedicated to outdoor dining areas, giving customers the chance to catch sea breezes while munching on veggie-focused cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farms. The indoor space leans farmhouse-meets-Scandinavia. Stay tuned for menu announcements as the grand opening gets closer.

Quick Bites

Chef Eric Bost of Jeune et Jolie is collaborating with Salty magazine to host a guest chef dinner on Wednesday, August 30, with chefs Marcus Jernmark of Habitué in Los Angeles and James Beard Award–winning chef Dave Beran of Santa Monica’s Pasjoli. The $275-per-person, multi-course dinner explores French and Californian influences.The San Diego Distillers Guild holds its fifth annual festival on Saturday, September 23, celebrating nearly twenty craft distilleries and local spirits brands at Liberty Station.The 19th annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is a binational wine and food extravaganza taking place November 8–12. The event features curated dining experiences, educational talks, and hands-on experiences, including more than 800 different wines and spirits on tap from around the world.Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Food News: August 21–25 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Pinky’s

Courtesy of Pinky’s Cafe

The Mains

Community-Focused Music Cafe Brings New York City Vibes to North Park

Alia Henderson used to hang out at jam sessions in downtown San Diego while she dreamed of becoming a jazz singer. The ambiance of those musical meetups inspired Pinky’s Cafe, a coffee shop by day and a once-weekly jam sesh hub by night. The eatery has a full coffee and espresso bar with specialty drinks like the strawberry matcha (three words: strawberry cold foam) or the namesake “Pinky,” a rose and vanilla latte. Pastries—including their signature homemade cinnamon roll—come from a local artisan bakery.Alia is also bringing in her love for animals to the space. The café gets its moniker from her late rescue pit bull, Pinky. As a part of Pinky’s legacy, Alia plans to donate a portion of her proceeds to animal causes, and she’s working on adding a patio where customers can bring their pups.Stay tuned for jam sessions and performances once the stage is set. In the meantime, Alia intends to offer mocktails and charcuterie boards on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Pastrami Stand

Courtesy of The Pastrami Stand

NY-Style Pastrami Sandwich and Hot Dog Stand Starts Serving at Farmers Markets

Howard Solomon’s deli order is easy—it’s a New York–style pastrami sandwich. The kind that’s stacked so high you can barely take a bite. This problem was that he couldn’t find anything in San Diego that hit the spot like the pastrami sandos he chowed down on in the Big Apple. Determined to bring a bit of the East Coast to the West, he created The Pastrami Stand, a farmers market pop-up in Poway and La Jolla that offers meat on bread to rival the NY-style, mile-high classic.Howard will serve up two different pastrami sandwiches. The No. 18 piles pastrami high on Jewish corn rye and adds caraway seeds and mustard, while the pastrami dip packs smoked meat inside a roll with yellow mustard and pickles and comes with a side of pastrami jus dipping sauce. The stand will also have a variety of hot dogs on hand, from a tried-and-true chili dog to a pastrami pup on a poppy-seed bun with deli mustard, pickles, and Howard’s signature ’strami. Howard hopes to eventually open a brick-and-mortar shop in La Jolla.

Mai Tai

Courtesy of Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern

Quick Bites

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern in Point Loma is donating a portion of the proceeds from every Mai Tai that they sell to support the Maui wildfire relief efforts. The restaurant’s owner will also match every donation to help the island community.Pali Wine Co. hosts a Summer Sessions Backyard Bash on Sunday, August 27, to celebrate the release of their summer sessions natural wines. Sip the new vino, listen to live music, and munch on food pairings from local chefs, including Carlos Anthony of Herb & Wood and Yara Lamers of Ironside Fish & Oyster.Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Food News: August 14–18 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Lullabar

Courtesy of The Lullabar

The Main

Coffee Shop with Child Care Opens in Carlsbad

When San Diego County’s restaurants and cafés started opening their doors again after the pandemic, locals Stephanie Issa and Christine Ong couldn’t find chic locales where they could bring their kids. In response, they spent two years developing The Lullabar, a Carlsbad-based wellness cafe for families, alongside their CFO Christine Armani Dawood. Together, they’ve created a cozy community space with a coffee shop, nail salon, and child care facility onsite to provide parents and caregivers with a place to relax, work, or grab a mani with their kids safe and sound nearby. “Parents are actually able to get a break, whatever it means to them,” Stephanie says.Grab a La Colombe coffee or try one of their popular specialty drinks like the strawberry cream matcha or the chocolate-covered strawberry latte (according to Stephanie, it tastes exactly like your favorite date-night dessert). Baked goods, including croissants, come from local bread guru Praeger Brothers. The team sources salads, multigrain bowls, and chia seed puddings, amongst other grab-and-go options, from local caterer Fresh Creations. And, while the cafe is geared toward families with kids, it’s a relaxing spot for anyone to enjoy, little ones in tow or not.

Raised by Wolves

Photo Credit: Arlene Ibarra

Quick Bites

Hospitality industry nonprofit Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announced the results of their 2023 Spirited Awards on July 28. La Jolla cocktail bar Raised by Wolves received the esteemed World’s Best Spirits Selection title.The Desmond at the Kimpton Alma hotel hosts a five-course Black Beverage Dinner on Friday, August 11, with Brandon Montgomery of @BlackBeerTravelers. The event features dishes from chef Jason Neroni paired with beer, wine, and spirits from Black-owned companies.The first annual Sabor Del Barrio kicks off on Sunday, August 27 from 12 to 4 p.m. Thirty-seven Barrio Logan restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and coffee shops will dish up a taste of their specialties. Ticket-holders also get free access to the community’s museums and art galleries.Encinitas’ Herb & Sea just got a new executive chef, its first in almost two years. Chef Aidan Owens comes from Australia and will craft new dishes at the coastal restaurant in the next month. He brings a love for farm-to-table cuisine and Mediterranean and international flavors.Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Food News: August 7–11 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Crack Taco Shop San Diego Seaport Village

Courtesy of Crack Taco Shop

The Mains

Late-Night Dessert Bar Opens in the Gaslamp

Husband and wife team Bêrîvan & Çeko Kurd always preferred the late-night coffee and dessert scene over crowded bars while living in Europe and the Middle East. But when they moved to San Diego, that nighttime ritual was impossible to find.So they created their own space and opened Hinar Bar, a dessert bar and café that’s open until 9 p.m. every night. The Kurdish couple are bringing an elevated, yet casual, café to the Gaslamp with terracotta pots displayed on shelves, pieces they’ve collected over the years from the Mediterranean and Middle East, and cream-colored furniture mingled with plants.

Hinar Bar San Diego East Village Dessert Coffee Cafe

Courtesy of Hinar Bar

On the menu, they have a full espresso bar, using beans from a local roastery, with specialties like their orange blossom and vanilla lattes with natural ingredients and sweeteners like brown sugar. As for desserts, Çeko recommends the Basque cheesecake, inspired from the Basque region of Spain, or their banana hazelnut praline jar filled with vanilla chocolate cream custard, hazelnut praline, and bananas.

European Café with a Mexican Flair Opens in La Jolla

Patricia Paramo has been dreaming of opening a café since she can remember. Today, she’s living that dream with Encanto Cafe, her new European-style coffee shop in La Jolla—with a Mexican twist. Some of her must-try items include the breakfast croissant made with egg, tomato, spinach and homemade aioli; as well as the salmon toast or the turkey pesto sandwich. For drinks, the cafe offers traditional coffees and espresso drinks as well as smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices, and teas.

Seaport Village Gets Two New Neighbors: Mike Hess Taphouse & Crack Taco

Seaport Village is growing with two new spots to try for the summer. Mike Hess Taphouse opened its second location in the area in June and Crack Taco Shop is opening in early August. Mike Hess Taphouse will feature a 1,200-square-foot sundeck with views of the bayfront and a selection of 24 beers on tap from hoppy IPAs to dark beers.If you’re not into beer, they have sangrias and spiked slushies available, too. Along with the drinks, save room for a tri-tip steak taco at Crack Taco Shop, where they use the Seaside Market’s famous “Cardiff Crack,” a melt-in-your-mouth burgundy pepper tri-tip. The grab-and-go style space will feature menu items like their breakfast burritos made with tri-tip, eggs, cheese, and potatoes and Ballpark Nachos. They’ll also have a 560-square-foot outdoor space to enjoy a bite while people-watching.

San Diego Craft Beer Guild Craft Beer Con Event

Courtesy of the San Diego Craft Beer Guild

Quick Bites

Mesa Agrícola chef Juan Gonzalez just moved into Vino Carta Solana Beach and is collaborating with chef Reese Murakami for a traditional Japanese kaiseki seven-course dinner on Saturday, August 5. The menu will focus on San Diego produce and local wild caught seafood. Reservations are required.San Diego Brewers Guild’s Craft Beer Con is back on Tuesday, August 8 at Mira Costa’s San Elijo campus for a conference that takes a look at craft beer trends while learning from local beer experts about leadership and technical brewing. Beer tastings start at 4 p.m. and food trucks will be on site for lunch.Have breaking-news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Food News: July 31–Aug. 4 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Polleto Arrosto from new restaurant The Heights in Little Italy

Courtesy of The Heights

The Mains

Themed British Tearoom to Open in the Midway District

Afternoon tea conjures up images of fancy floral plates, bite-sized sandwiches and pinkies up. But, Selina Stockley, owner of The Britannia Tearooms, is adding her own spin to a classic tearoom by mixing the traditional elements of a British tea experience alongside uniquely British-themed rooms. Think: a Harry Potter-themed bathroom, a Sherlock Holmes-style waiting room that transports you back to Victorian England and even a Mad Hatter-themed room with an “unbirthday” table for guests to celebrate, or not. “Nobody else that I know of is doing anything like this, especially when we’ve touched on so many different themes. It’s all about the experience for us – it’s all about everyone coming and being transported somewhere else,” said Stockley.For an authentic British tea, Stockley says you always need butter on sandwiches and scones are traditionally served with cream (hers is imported from England) along with jam and curd, both of which are homemade using her grandmother’s recipes. Alongside her teas, she’ll have sandwiches, scones, cakes and biscuits (or as Americans call them, cookies). Her grandmother’s recipes will be centerstage for all of her treats. Stockley’s been sharing her British culture with San Diegans for more than 20 years as the owner of Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe in Mission Hills by selling foods and gifts from England. And, when her tea experiences got overly popular, she made moves to expand into this new space which officially opens on July 30.

Filetto al Gorgonzola from new restaurant The Heights in Little Italy

Courtesy of The Heights

Italian Restaurateurs & Friends Open Joint Restaurant in Little Italy

Sicilian-born restaurateurs Giovanni Gargan, Marco Provino, and Nino Cusimano are at “the height” of their culinary careers. And, with that lived experience, they’ve opened The Heights together, their idea of the ultimate dining experience in Little Italy. The “modern Italian restaurant” brings in traditional yet “innovative” Italian food, complemented by the backdrop of the team’s “sleek” New York City-inspired interior. On the menu, start with their Fiori De Zucca, squash blossoms stuffed with a four cheese blend with a fig jam reduction and continue with the unique flavors of their Ravioli al Baccala, a homemade ravioli filled with potato and cod in a lemon saffron sauce.

Smokin J’s BBQ Opens Third Location in the Gaslamp on Friday

A few months ago, we shared that Smokin J’s BBQ was opening a new location in Miramar. Now, they’re expanding once again with a new location opening in the Gaslamp this Friday. The George family are behind the growing BBQ joint – Joshua, Jeremy and Jeremy’s wife Mckenzie. In their new nearly 4,000 square foot space, they’ll serve up their classic 12-16 hour smoked pork shoulder and briskets, the Smokin J sandwich with brisket, pork belly and slaw on a brioche bun alongside a few new additions – like their pecan pie and pecan pie milkshake. On opening day, they’ll be roasting a pig to celebrate and if you join around 3 or 4 p.m., you’ll get a free portion of pulled pork with your meal.

Sip the City Festival San Diego Wine Event

Courtesy of Sip the City Festival

Quick Bites

Bottlecraft’s Little Italy location is collaborating with their neighbor RakiRaki Ramen to bring in bites to their tasting room with dishes like fried chicken sliders, pork and chive potstickers and pork belly sliders.The 5th annual SIP the City Festival is back in Escondido on Saturday, August 12th with unlimited sips from 14 different wineries, meaderies and cideries like Carruth Cellars, Lost Cause Meadery and Solterra Winery. Proceeds from the event will support SIP San Diego which is working to create awareness and a collaborative community for local artisanal wine, mead and cider makers.NOVO Brazil Brewing Company is celebrating their ninth anniversary on Saturday, July 29 with live music, food vendors like Tortas WashMobile and Casanova Fish Tacos along with kids activities at their Chula Vista location.Sweetgreen is opening its fourth salad-serving location in San Diego today in the 4S Common Town Center and for every meal they sell during opening day, they’ll donate a meal to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.Wrench & Rodent—Oceanside’s the ultra-local, eco-obsessive sushi joint run by Davin and Jessica Waite—celebrated 10 years in business this week. Ten years in the restaurant industry is like 100 human years. The couple also just opened Brine Box at the O’Side pier, and have bigger plans for The Plot Express concept, and another concept coming soon.Have breaking-news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Food News: July 24-28 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.