El Sueño’s sushi is so popular that the owners decided to convert the restaurant’s second story into a brand-new sushi and crudo-focused concept called Tako Vibrant Sushi. It’s slated to soft open at 2836 Juan Street on Tuesday, September 3. 

Tako, which means octopus in Japanese, will offer Mexican-Japanese fusion and rotate based on what fish and other seafood are in season. Owner Pietro Busalacchi, who owns Tako, El Sueño, and Trattoria Don Pietro with his father Sal and partner Gustavo Rios, says guests should expect cocktails with an “over the top” presentation, with an emphasis on tequila, sake, and Japanese whisky. He says the food will be just as eye-popping. 

“The crudo and sushi at Tako is fresh, playful and bursting with flavor,” he promises. “As with our other restaurants, we’ll be focusing on quality, service and the full experience.” Head chef Eric Steadman (Hane, Barbusa) is behind Tako’s menu development. “He also developed El Sueño’s popular inaugural crudo menu, which did so well, we decided to expand and let him do his thing,” says Busalacchi. 

The 1,100-square-foot space, designed by Busalacchi, features floral and jungle-themed décor, with a DJ booth, a 12-seat bar, and what he says is a small and intimate atmosphere that feels vibrant and fun. “[Tako] feels more like a speakeasy or intimate supper club,” he explains. 

Tako’s hours will run Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.; and closed Mondays and Wednesdays. Reservations aren’t open yet, but locals should watch before the tourists catch wind. (No word on whether any of the Whaley ghosts are sushi fans.)

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Coasterra to Host the 21st Annual Harvest for Hope on Sunday, September 22

Since 2003, the Emilio Nares Foundation has helped more than 11,000 families across Southern California who have faced the most dire diagnosis they could receive—their child has cancer. To raise money and awareness for families affected by pediatric cancer, they launched Harvest for Hope, now in its 21st year. Head to Coasterra on Sunday, September 22, for the annual fundraiser and food festival with wine, beer, spirits, and plenty of food from 25 local businesses. Click here for tickets and more details. 

The First Taste of College Area Kicks Off Sunday, September 29

College Area’s food selections are firing up. Now, the best of the best will showcase their stuff at the inaugural Taste of College Area on Sunday, September 29. From Ultreya Coffee to Corbin’s Q, taste over 25 local vendors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buy your ticket ahead of time and save $5.

Beth’s Bites

• I tend to prefer a light Japanese lager with my ramen, but Tajima just launched a new bar program spotlighting a few different drinks, like their spin on a margarita that uses sabe, a tequila-sake blend. That one can be found at Tajima East Village, while their North Park location has a new Sesame Highball, and Convoy has a Matchaholic with hot matcha, sake, and lychee. It sounds like a ramen bar crawl is in order.
• There’s a new coffee-slash-surf-shop in Rosarito called Migrant Society. Brothers Erick and Carlos Palacio have done several pop-ups and farmers markets across San Diego, and this new spot features coffee from Danie Brewing, a unique surfboard design by Tyler Voth of Solana Surfboards. San Diego may be next if all goes well with the Baja California location.
• Yakitori Tsuta opens this Wednesday in Convoy. The $108 yakitori omakase menu reservations are only available between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., with à la carte and walk-ins after 8 p.m. I can’t wait to get my hands on chef Tatsuro Tsuchiya’s charcoal-grilled delicacies.

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

The post Tako Vibrant Sushi Opening in Old Town appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Flying Pig

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The Palm Restaurant is closing this month, and will reopen as a seafood spot under new ownership in 2014.

2

Oceanside gastropub The Flying Pig will soon open a second location in Vista.

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Coronado will soon get a new steakhouse called Stake from the same group behind Leroy’s, Mootime Creamery, and Lil’ Piggy’s Bar-B-Q.

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Mission Hills is on its way to becoming home to a restaurant row again, with The Patio on Goldfinch set to debut in the ’hood in early 2014.

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After being open only a year, Block 16 is closing to make way for Moonshine Flats from the same owner, with a huge stage to host country rock and dance acts.

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Gaslamp institution Fred’s Mexican Café is closing, as is the neighboring Marble Room. The combined spaces will become a new restaurant from the owners behind Fluxx and Sidebar.

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Alfredo and Felipe Sandoval will launch their first food truck enterprise—Mercadito Wheels—in San Diego this fall.

Lobster roll

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Meatball Cucina has closed its location on Broadway downtown.

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Locals’ favorite Besta-Wan Pizza House is expanding to a second, larger location in Carlsbad.

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Lobster West in Encinitas has launched a new happy hour with $2 off beer and wine and $4 mini lobster rolls.

The post 10 Hot Plates appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Chinese noodles

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Lucky Liu’s has filled the Chinese food void left downtown when Red Pearl Kitchen closed last year. It’s now open in the Gaslamp.

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Dunkin’ Donuts will open soon inside the Embassy Suites location across from Seaport Village. It’s among the first of 150 stores planned for Southern California.

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Richard Sandoval is behind the new Venga Venga Cantina and Tequila bar debuting in Otay Ranch Town Center this month, in the former El Vitral space.

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Along with coffee and pizzas, Caffé Calabria is now home to the city’s first parklet, a small patch of green space in place of one parking space outside the café.

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Jimbo’s… Naturally grocery store opened its first downtown location at Westfield Horton Plaza last month and plans to offer cooking classes.

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Two local restaurants, Stone Brewing Co.’s Liberty Station location and Polite Provisions in Normal Heights, were nominated for Orchid & Onion design awards.

Farm House Kitchen

Farm House Kitchen

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Encinitas welcomes the new Priority Public House, with a focus on local beers and happy-hour deals.

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Lucky Bastard Saloon is now open downtown, with dozens of TVs, pool tables, beer pong, and shuffleboard.

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The Marine Room will offer a special new menu for the holiday season. Beginning this month, look for pumpkin-themed desserts and more.

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After a $2.5 million reno, the Temecula Creek Inn’s new restaurant, Farm House Kitchen, is now open, featuring an all-local menu.

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Succulent Cafe

Succulent Café

Go Green

Fresh Pick!

Oceanside has a new secret gem, the Succulent Café. Peter Loyola serves up espressos, sandwiches, and freshly baked pastries from his coffee cart, surrounded by an enchanted garden and his stunning plant-based artwork. Succulents spill from wall art, painted planter boxes, window frames, and more. Find it next to the Apotheque Spa on Cleveland Avenue, just north of the train station.

Now Open

Tavern on the Green

Overlooking the polo fields, James Limjoco brings Sublime Tavern to Del Mar, filling the musical chairs space formerly occupied by Tommy V’s and Pasquale. The rustic eatery offers gourmet comfort food, savory seafood dishes, and 55 craft beers on tap. Stay, please?

Ryan Studebaker

Studebaker is Back

Chef Ryan Studebaker has landed back in North County, after some time with Brian Malarkey in La Mesa at Gingham and a stint downtown. Wisely, chef Matt Gordon has plucked the young talent to helm Solace & The Moonlight Lounge, while Gordon focuses on Del Mar’s Sea & Smoke.

SCENE

Please be Seated…

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe’s $12 million renovation ushers in a superlative al fresco dining scene this summer with a seasonal menu by executive chef Todd Allison and his new sidekick, Brian Black. A major culinary score for North County, Black is a James Boyce alum from the Studio at Montage Laguna Beach, and a Michael Mina protégé.

MARKETS

From Peru, With Love

Tamale

Our favorite ceviche spot, Del Mar’s Café Secret, has launched Secret Pantry, a gourmet Peruvian market, just two blocks south of the café. Owner Daniella Basagoitia will share the flavors of her childhood, like homemade tamales and sauces, infused olive oils, Peruvian chiles, South American fruit pulps (guanabana, anyone?) Peruvian corns, homemade jams, dulce de leche, and marzipan confections.

grilled fish

Sunset Grilling

Dedicated barbecuers should check out Sheraton Carlsbad’s “Sunset Grilling with the Masters.” Running from late June to mid-August, the series kicks off with Stone Brewing Co.’s chef Alex Carballo, followed by Amanda Baumgarten from Herringbone and Mario Moser from Flying Pig Pub + Kitchen.

The post North County Food News appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

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For the first time in its 50-year history, Bertrand at Mister A’s is now serving weekend brunch on the wraparound deck.

mussels

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Saltbox at the Hotel Palomar downtown now offers all-you-can-eat mussels on Wednesdays for $19, grilled bread and a beer included.

3

Kelli Crosson was promoted to executive chef at A. R. Valentien recently when Kara Snyder announced a move to Tender Greens.

4

My Big Fat Greek Restaurant is coming soon to Temecula, promising Greek food, live music, and a portion of proceeds donated to local charities.

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The folks behind Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizza and Craftsman American Tavern in North County will soon open Blue Ribbon Rustic Kitchen in Hillcrest.

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Amaya La Jolla (a second installment of the Amaya at the Grand del Mar) is under construction on Prospect Street in La Jolla.

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From the family that brought you Salvatore’s downtown and When in Rome in Encinitas, look for Rosina’s Italian Restaurant to open soon in Santaluz in the former Cavaillon space.

Thai iced tea

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The chef behind J Wok opened J&T Thai Street Food in Linda Vista a few months ago and is already making waves for his Thai tea.

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Sublime Alehouse is coming to the Del Mar space once occupied by Tommy V’s, with a focus on craft beer and comfort food.

sausage

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Abe Froman’s is still bringing sausage to Hillcrest, only under a different name. Salt & Cleaver will debut this spring.

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