By Frank Sabatini Jr.
A former chef-partner at Roy’s in La Jolla and Palm Springs (Charles Andres) has teamed up with a former manager of Roy’s in Phoenix (Brian Norris) to open Ocean Pacific Grille in the Gaslamp Quarter. The new restaurant is located in the space that formerly housed Encore Champagne Bar, and it fulfills a longstanding dream by Andres, who was born in the Philippines.
“I always wanted to open my own place with an emphasis in Filipino cuisine and flavors,” he said. “We’re a seafood restaurant but we offer about five steak choices as well.”
Since launching June 25, his top sellers have included Filipino tocino toast with burrata cheese and roasted tomatoes, crispy sea bass in tamarind-tomato broth, and olive oil-poached ono with Kabocha squash puree. The restaurant’s warm design features a bar lounge, a large dining room and an open kitchen with seating at a chef’s counter. 531 F St., 619-578-2828.
San Diego’s towering penthouse lounge, Top of the Hyatt, located on the 40th floor of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, will close July 6 for renovations and reopen sometime in mid-fall. The makeover involves implementing a “California coastal” motif that corresponds to other renewed areas of the hotel. The work will also include a reduction of pillars and drapes to further expose the dizzying views. 1 Market Place, 619-232-1234.
A second location of The Front Porch in Mission Hills is slated to open this month in Coronado, at 918 Orange Ave. The shop, which specializes in kitchenwares and gourmet pantry items, is operated by The Patio Group, which also owns The Patio on Goldfinch and The Patio on Lamont Street restaurants. 928 Fort Stockton Drive, Ste. 101, 619-377-0430.
Little Italy’s latest newcomer, Civico 1845, is now up and running and has begun cranking out an array of contemporary Italian dishes for vegans and carnivores alike. The restaurant, which was previously home to Zia’s Bistro, is owned by brothers Dario and Pietro Gallo, who are natives of southern Italy. Diners can expect a tempting selection of colorful salads, homemade pasta dishes, and meats and seafood served in crafty sauces. A separate vegan menu features items such as escarole pie and spinach-ricotta ravioli draped in San Marzano tomato sauce. 1845 India St., 619-431-5990.
The neighborhood is catering further to vegans with the anticipated arrival of Café Gratitude, due to open in the coming month within the Broadstone Little Italy development. With locations in Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and Kansas City, the restaurant specializes exclusively in gourmet vegan cuisine. 1980 Kettner Blvd., cafegratitude.com.
With a name like Lemon Zest & Garlic Fest, who can resist? The inaugural event will spotlight nearly 40 chefs doling out culinary creations using the namesake ingredients on July 18, from noon to 5 p.m. at Downtown’s Waterfront Park. The grounds will also make way for cooking demos, retail vendors, beer and wine gardens and a kid-friendly area featuring games and inflatables. Event founder Lynda West said she wanted to create something in San Diego similar to the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, but with the extra spin of lemon. General admission is $65, which includes unlimited food, beer and wine. 1600 Pacific Highway, lzgfsd.com.
A barbecue and beer tasting honoring San Diego Padres’ Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn will be held July 18 from 3 – 5 p.m., at Bottega Americano in the East Village. The culinary offerings will include tribute dishes such as house-smoked tri tip served with Tony Gwynn BBQ sauce and garlic pizza knots infused with Tony Gwynn .394 Pale Ale by Alesmith Brewing Company. The cost is $30, which includes food and a beer flight. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation. 1195 Island Ave., 619-255-7800.
—Frank Sabatini Jr can be reached at fsabatini@san.rr.com.
