The former site of LG’s Steakhouseat F and Sixth Avenue will soon have a new upscale concept from George Katakalidis who started the popular casual chain, Daphne’s Greek Café. Look for EXY Chic Greek Restaurant and Lounge to open mid November.
There’s an ambitious project under way for Victor Jimenez, previously of Tower 23’s JRDN restaurant in Pacific Beach. Jimenez’s new restaurant is called Cowboy Star in the East Village, on Tenth Avenue. But it’s a long way off for this themed steak house as Buzz recently drove by the site and found construction has barely begun on the building renovation.
Del Mar’s latest addition to the hotel scene is The Grand Del Mar slated to open in October. Heading up the culinary team for the hotel will be Jason McLeod as executive chef and executive pastry chef Thierry Delourmeaux. McLeod come from years with various Four Seasons Resorts and is a Canadian native, while European trained Delourmeaux brings experience from stints at The Beverly Hilton and The Ritz Carlton hotels. The over-the-top, stand alone Addison (the property’s fine dining restaurant) continues with William Bradley as executive chef.
Jerome Astolfi takes his front-of-the house magic as general manager to Del Mar’s popular Market Restaurant + Bar. He’ll work with owner/chef Carl Schroeder and partner Terryl Gavre (owner of the popular downtown breakfast/lunch place, Cafe 222). Astolfi’s prior stints were Jack’s La Jolla and the recently closed Delirios.
1500 Ocean at the Hotel del Coronado has a new chef, Brian Sinnott, who jumped from the acclaimed Molly’s at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. No immediate menu changes are expected. General manager Claude Rennerand sommelier Amanda Murray round out the new team.
Zanzibar Café, the well-known Pacific Beach coffee house and casual eatery opened its second location downtown on G Street, a few blocks away from the popular Cafe Chloe.
The acclaimed Blanca in Solana Beach has a new General Manager. Corby Hagen steps in with experience from as far away as Tyson’s Corner, Chicago and Carmel. He brings expensive wine knowledge as a certified sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers.