10 Hot Plates
Rumors, openings, & coming-soons
Sweet Spot: Toast

The toast trend has landed in North Park. Made with Prager Brothers breads, this fancy toast is worth every bit of its $3 price tag. A thick slab of country sourdough is toasted to order, drizzled with organic butter melted over an individual burner, then sprinkled with raw sugar and cinnamon. Coffee & Tea Collective, […]
Sweet Spot: Toast
The toast trend has landed in North Park. Made with Prager Brothers breads, this fancy toast is worth every bit of its $3 price tag. A thick slab of country sourdough is toasted to order, drizzled with organic butter melted over an individual burner, then sprinkled with raw sugar and cinnamon. Coffee & Tea Collective, […]
V.I.P: Flor Franco

Meet the Valle de Guadalupe’s rising star chef
V.I.P: Flor Franco
Meet the Valle de Guadalupe’s rising star chef
New Restaurant: Don Chido

The Gaslamp’s getting better. Don Chido is proof. Antonio Friscia is one of the most respected chefs in San Diego, and this is his festive, Technicolor home for from-scratch Mexican food. He’s got one of the only Santa Maria grills in the county, wood-smoking meats for tacos (carnitas, Baja fish, etc.), and big plates. His […]
New Restaurant: Don Chido
The Gaslamp’s getting better. Don Chido is proof. Antonio Friscia is one of the most respected chefs in San Diego, and this is his festive, Technicolor home for from-scratch Mexican food. He’s got one of the only Santa Maria grills in the county, wood-smoking meats for tacos (carnitas, Baja fish, etc.), and big plates. His […]
Trending: Waffles

Move over, donuts; waffles are the hot new hand-held treat. Here are three new spots to score one.
Trending: Waffles
Move over, donuts; waffles are the hot new hand-held treat. Here are three new spots to score one.
Acquired: Swell Cafe

Over in Mission Beach, the Patio Restaurant Group (PRG) acquired sustainable coffee outpost Swell Café. This month, it will start roasting different blends with partners James Coffee Company. Some of those custom roasts, of course, will go to the Patio’s existing and planned locations—now including Pacific Beach, Mission Hills, and Liberty Station. With PRG’s help, […]
Acquired: Swell Cafe
Over in Mission Beach, the Patio Restaurant Group (PRG) acquired sustainable coffee outpost Swell Café. This month, it will start roasting different blends with partners James Coffee Company. Some of those custom roasts, of course, will go to the Patio’s existing and planned locations—now including Pacific Beach, Mission Hills, and Liberty Station. With PRG’s help, […]
Dig in to Flavor at Hanna’s Gourmet

Fans of authentic ethnic food experiences, take note. The popular Normal Heights caterer Hanna’s Gourmet recently expanded into a full dining room, and now offers family meals on the third Thursday of each month. Owner Hanna Tefsamichael creates menus showcasing cuisines of different countries, and September’s dinner features specialties from her native Ethiopia—which means guests […]
Dig in to Flavor at Hanna’s Gourmet
Fans of authentic ethnic food experiences, take note. The popular Normal Heights caterer Hanna’s Gourmet recently expanded into a full dining room, and now offers family meals on the third Thursday of each month. Owner Hanna Tefsamichael creates menus showcasing cuisines of different countries, and September’s dinner features specialties from her native Ethiopia—which means guests […]
Puesto Change-o

Brothers Eric and Alan Adler, plus cousin Isi Lombrozo, have amped up their original Puesto taco shop in La Jolla to be more like their full-service designer restaurant downtown at The Headquarters. The new sit-down dining room features more menu items like ceviche verde, various moles, and short rib barbacoa. They also have a patio—because […]
Puesto Change-o
Brothers Eric and Alan Adler, plus cousin Isi Lombrozo, have amped up their original Puesto taco shop in La Jolla to be more like their full-service designer restaurant downtown at The Headquarters. The new sit-down dining room features more menu items like ceviche verde, various moles, and short rib barbacoa. They also have a patio—because […]
Southern Flair at ACME Southern Kitchen

Local chef Terryl Gavre is on a roll, opening two new eateries this year. Stepping into her East Village outpost, ACME Southern Kitchen, is like time-traveling to a 1950s diner in the Deep South, with vintage décor and Hank Williams on the stereo. Start with pimento cheese and Saltine crackers on the simple menu that’s […]
Southern Flair at ACME Southern Kitchen
Local chef Terryl Gavre is on a roll, opening two new eateries this year. Stepping into her East Village outpost, ACME Southern Kitchen, is like time-traveling to a 1950s diner in the Deep South, with vintage décor and Hank Williams on the stereo. Start with pimento cheese and Saltine crackers on the simple menu that’s […]
INCOMING: Duke’s

Iconic Top of the Cove restaurant location gets new life
INCOMING: Duke’s
Iconic Top of the Cove restaurant location gets new life
THE DEBATE: Minimum Wage and Tips

A restaurant owner lays out his industry’s argument in detail
THE DEBATE: Minimum Wage and Tips
A restaurant owner lays out his industry’s argument in detail
FIRST LOOK: Fairweather
Anthony Schmidt tackles “sunny” vacation drinks at Downtown’s new patio bar
FIRST LOOK: Fairweather
Anthony Schmidt tackles “sunny” vacation drinks at Downtown’s new patio bar
Minimum Wage, Maximum Death!
Will San Diego’s minimum wage kill restaurants? Or just tipping?
Minimum Wage, Maximum Death!

Will San Diego’s minimum wage kill restaurants? Or just tipping?
INCOMING: Manzanita Tasting Room, More Swell Cafes

Santee brewer opening tasting room in P.B.; The Patio acquires Swell, plans expansion