San Diego Unseen: An Urban Portrait
A dish from La Valencia Hotel's Mediterranean Room
Looks like he still has access to Ignite’s Twitter account, @IgniteCarlsbad, though, judging by two June 8 posts: “Sorry not gonna be a foodie place. Burger and pizza joint. Same owners as La Costa Grill. I never shoulda gotten involved” and “Place is gonna suck. I regret ever getting involved with them. Sorry.”
Zakarian said he was working on a farm-to-table concept for Ignite when he found out it was under the same ownership as the former La Costa Grill (JRO Restaurant Group, LLC), which closed after its liquor license was suspended in October, allegedly owing money to several former employees. It was with that knowledge, he said, that he departed.
According to a recent craigslist post in the employment section, the owners held interviews for bartenders and cocktailers over the weekend. Interested parties can apply for a slew of positions online from sous chef to bartender to server.
Stingaree’s restaurant has closed, making room for Guest House, the venue’s new nightlife concept. Chef Antonio Friscia who, with chefs Brian Malarkey and Andrew Spurgin, recently launched collaborative catering and events company Campine, will continue to host private events at Stingaree.
On Wednesday, June 15, Revolver’s (at Voyeur) farm-focused menu will be replaced with a selection of sliders, chicken wings and other bar food. Executive chef Kari Rich is now focusing more on her farm-oriented food truck, SD Food Farm, while contributing select house-made elements—like sauces—to the management’s new concept. revolversd.com
Solare Ristorante (2820 Roosevelt Road in Point Loma’s Liberty Station) serves free tapas Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. in the lounge. solarelounge.com
The Vine Cottage (6062 Lake Murray Blvd. in La Mesa) offers a glass of wine from any bottle opened a previous day for $5. thevinecottage.com
Chef Jason McLeod, who returns from Chicago after solidifying his reputation at The Elysian Hotel—you know, garnering goodies like a pair of Michelin Stars—is now consulting as director of culinary and food and beverage operations at La Valencia Hotel. The property’s Mediterranean Room recently unveiled new menus and Sunday Suppers—a weekly three-courser for $29. lavalencia.com/dining/mediterranean-room
The Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen, a new Oceanside (626 S. Tremont St.) gastropub helmed by husband-wife team Roger “Roddy” and Aaron Browning, along with Mario Moser, formerly chef de partie of La Jolla’s Nine-Ten, offers “Mercy of the Chef,” a five-courser—plus amuse bouche—with beer or wine pairings for $45 per person. The menu is at chef’s whim. flyingpigpubkitchen.com
Balboa Park employees Heather Hart and Maren Dougherty, aka the “Marathon Girls,” are spending 26 days and nights (May 30 through June 25) in the park to highlight all it has to offer. Meet the girls Friday, June 17, or Wednesday, June 22, when the Chop Soo-ey Food Truck, helmed by chef Deborah Scott, stops at the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Museum of Man, respectively from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oink (yes, like a pig) and you’ll get your meal for half price. chopsooeytruck.com
The Little Italy Mercato will celebrate its third year on Saturday, June 18, with a Citrus Circus, featuring citrus-fruit jugglers, a Limoncello-making demo and citrus-inspired samples and products. The farmers market takes place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. littleitalymercato.com
