Coronado

**Popped into the latest pizza place to grace the University Heights dining landscape: Pizzeria Bruno. Three of us arrived about 6:15 and asked to be seated in the bar area—two adorable, yet screaming children were enjoying pizza on the other side of the room. The kids aside, this is terrific pizza as it should be made…a wood fire oven, very fresh ingredients and a pizza crust that is light, slightly chewy, blistered from the fire and worth every carb bite.

Try the house made mozzarella and tomato salad (ripe heirlooms) with a lovely little balsamic dressing served on the side to be dabbed not smothered on the cheese. ($8) The handmade breadsticks (from the pizza dough) work to sop the cheese, fresh garlic slices and olive oil on the platter. ($6). The 11-inch Campania pizza included tomato sauce, mozzarella, fennel sausage, mushrooms and roasted onions ($15). The short Italian wine list features small boutique wines by the glass and bottle (nothing over $35). Service is spot on and smart (and our server didn’t need to announce her name, she was great). Open for lunch Thursday to Saturday, from noon, closed Monday. 4207 Park Blvd, (between Howard and El Cajon), 619-260-1311.

**Love wine, German wine in particular? Or never tried it, think it always just something sweet? Well, here’s a chance to taste more than eight mostly white (in many styles) top notch German wines with Rudi Wiest, one of the best known German wine importers. This rare event is happening at ENO and 1500 Ocean, two great venues at the Hotel Del Coronado. Starting at 4pm in ENO with wines, cheese and charcuterie with a four-course dinner at 6:30 by chef Brian Sinnott at 1500 Ocean.

Cost: $105 for both or ENO $35, dinner: $70. Drink to your heart’s content and spend the night with 20% off a room at the hotel. For information and reservations: 619-522-8490 or contact Ted Glennon, ENO wine director at tglennon@hoteldel.com.

Cooks Confab, is a collection of fourteen chefs in San Diego who cook together every so often. Their next event is “Craft Beer: Grain to Glass, Farm to Table” and promises (as their events always are) to be a knockout at Stingaree. On August 9, some of the food and drink you can expect for your $90 (a portion of which goes to Slow Food Urban San Diego) includes: Lightening Brewery, Green Flash Brewing Company, AleSmith Brewing Company to go with food from the confab chefs (Katie Grebow, Cafe Chloe; Amy DiBiase, Roseville; Jeff Jackson, A.R. Valentien; Andrew Spurgin, Waters Fine Catering, among others). For reservations: 619-544-9500 or online at Stingaree.

Over at one of the nicest venues in San Diego, Eno at the Hotel Del begins the week with bubbles. Every Monday, all sparkling wines will be half price, all night (5pm to 11pm) including bottles, flights and glasses. What a great way to start the week and watch the sunset…

Wine tasting and dinners abound so be sure to check out The 3rd Corner, Wine Vault & Bistro, Winesellar & Brasserie, three places known for good wine shops as well. We’re hearing Cucina Urbana sells wine at the restaurant for a small corkage fee.

And if you want to meet fellow food lovers, get on the email list for Slow Food Urban San Diego so you can go to one of their monthly mixers…meet local chefs and taste local artisan foods.

If you’d like to taste some Parker 93 point plus wines, then Enoteca Style in Little Italy is the place to be on Thursday, February 26. Cost is $20 to experience Palmeyer, Palazzo and others. RSVP online.

There’s a new city magazine that launches mid-May, OurCity: San Diego. It’s a magazine for our times that will cover things to do, places to go, the food scene (Buzz is the food editor) all with an eye to family, community and the people who are a part of this glorious place, San Diego. Sign up online for three free issues.

San Diego’s first Passover seder at Urban Solace, takes place on Wednesday April 8, the first night of the holiday. Reservations and information: 619-295-6464.

As Buzz mentioned on February 19, Winesellar & Brasserie will open a take away/sit down area downstairs from its Brasserie. Split @ The Winesellar & Brasserie opens Wednesday February 25 with a small menu to expand as it grows. Hours: 11am to 2pm Monday through Friday.

Eno at the Del, hosts a new series of Connoisseur Dinners that kick off with Willi Brundlmayer, the well-known Austrian winemaker. The March 4 dinner is limited to 24, cost is $85 plus tax and tip and for reservations call 619-522-8490.

If Austrian wines aren’t your thing, 1500 Ocean, the terrific restaurant at the Hotel Del (yes, Buzz loves the place for its top food and service) hosts the first dinner in a series to celebrate sustainable foods. On March 24, Cooks Confab, local chefs who value farm and sea to table regional ingredients, will hightlight sustainable seafood. Chefs involved include, Brian Sinnott, Christian Graves, Nathan Coulon, Jack Fisher, and Jason Knibb among others. The eight-course dinner is $95 plus tax and tip and for reservations call 619-522-8490.

Should you find yourself in New York on March 30, join Addison’s executive chef William Bradley and wine director Jesse Rodriguez for dinner at the James Beard House. For reservations, call 212-627-2308.

The 3rd Corner features a number of wine events and dinners including a March 9 wine dinner with wines from Fallbrook Winery. Others throughout March and April center on wines of Italy, Argentina, Malbecs and more. For information and reservations: 619-223-2700.

Family Winemakers of California comes to Wyland Center at the Del Mar Fairgrounds with 240 wineries participating on Sunday, March 15 from 3pm to 6pm. Cost is $40 or $50 at the door. Order tickets online.

At Wine Vault & Bistro you’ll find an ever changing and interesting lineup of wines and winemaker dinners. You need to be on the email list to know about the events.

The Kiwanis Club of Alpine Foundation hosts their 19th Annual Vintage Alpine on May 3 where you can enjoy wine, food, music and a silent auction. $40 before March 24, $50 at the door. For more information: 619-672-3861 or online.

If you’re still wondering what to do New Year’s Eve, here are some suggestions: Support your favorite neighborhood restaurants where you may be able to sit at the bar if they’re already booked for dinner, or think about early drinks and then home with friends–you cook or get food to-go. It’s a good way to stay close to home, enjoy the evening and support the restaurants. Party–even in these woeful economic times–and everyone wins.

The possibilities are numerous for celebrating with many venues offering early and late seating and prix-fixe dinners of three plus courses at reasonable prices. So rather than list every place that sent Buzz a release (and many who didn’t post anything on their websites or send an email), here are some of my top picks.

Downtown/Gaslamp/Little Italy: Crescent Heights Kitchen & Lounge, Quarter Kitchen, Tabule, Bacchus Wine Market (3 to 6pm tasting), Anthology and Enoteca Style for cheese, chocolate and Champagne.

Coronado: The Hotel Del celebrates the 50th anniversary of the movie Some Like It Hot, Eno and 1500 Ocean also at the hotel, Candelas (Ferry Landing and Gaslamp).

East County: Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, Frida Mexican Restaurant and many other local area restaurants.

North Park: Urban Solace, Sea Rocket Bistro, Alexander’s on 30th and The Linkery, not to mention the newest wine bar Splash. At the opposite end of 30th is Jaynes Gastropub and around the corner on Adams, the wildly popular Farm House Cafe.

Point Loma/Liberty Station: The Pearl Hotel, Roseville, Solare Ristorante , Tender Greens (perfect also for a party at home as you can order online for take-away), The 3rd Corner (also in Encinitas) Pomodoro in the old Luna Notte spot, no website: Phone: (619) 523-1301) and Mellow A Wine Bar.

Hillcrest/Bankers Hill: The Better Half, Modus, Wine Vault & Bistro, Avenue 5 Restaurant & Bar, Hexagone,(no website, 619-236-0467), Laurel Restaurant & Ba and Bertrand at Mr. A’s,

La Jolla/Del Mar: The Marine Room, Nine-Ten Prospect, Market Restaurant & Bar, and The Grand Del Mar

Richard Sweeney, who recently was executive sous chef at Confidential before his short stint as a contestant on seaon 5 of Top Chef, became the executive chef upon his return.

The Gaslamp’s Quarter Kitchen in the Ivy Hotel elevated one of their own, Nathan Coulon, to the executive chef position vacated by Damon Gordon. Gordon takes his toque (and his attitude) to the fairly conservative Mayflower Hotel in Washington.

San Diego foodies may wonder what happened to Michael Stebner after he closed Region, his popular Slow Food inspired eatery in Hillcrest. Well, he returned to Phoenix. Working with Dr. Andrew Weil and his recipes for the anti-inflammatory diet, Stebner is the executive chef at Weil’s new restaurant, True Food Kitchen. While in Phoenix for the day last week, Buzz tried the cold buckwheat soba noodles with wasabi dipping sauce ($9) and wild ahi sliders with wasabi, slivered radishes and cucumber on pumpernickel bread ($13). Both were good as was the service, though as generous as the ahi was, the bread turned out to be a mushy Hawaiian flax white bread (they forgot to change it on the menu). If I lived in the area, it could easily be a favorite place.

Should you find yourself in Windsor near Ft. Collins, Colorado, drop into Chimney Park Restaurant & Bar and savor the food of chef/owner Jason Shaeffer. For those with short memories, Shaeffer had a stellar career in San Diego as executive chef at the orginal Laurel and opening chef at the Del’s 1500 Ocean.

Closer to home in Point Loma, Pomodoro, opened a week ago in the spot that was Luna Notte. The tiny restaurant’s menu is similar to its sister Arrivederci in Hillcrest with most notably all of the mains priced in the mid-teens.

Amy DiBiase, executive chef at Roseville in Point Loma is set to compete again in the 4th Annual Chef’s Showdown that benefits the Center for Community Solutions. Tickets for the October 2nd event on the Promenade at Liberty Station are $125 and can be purchased online.

While we’re on the subject of Rosevile, with its French-Mediterranean menu, is now open seven days a week and September 7, begins Sunday brunch with an inspiring menu of à la carte dishes that will go far beyond the mundane eggs and bacon. The menu will soon be set, and with the innovative Amy DiBiase at the helm, I’d bet it will be sumptuous. For information and reservations: 619-450-6800, (www.rosevillesd.com still under construction),

Over in Hillcrest, Charles Kaufman of Bread & Cie at Fourth and University Avenue went round and round with the city over the height of the enclosure for his expanded wine/pizza service on the patio. He’s happy to report that devotees will soon be able to sip a glass of wine and enjoy the avenue’s scene in the next few weeks.

The Loews Coronado Bay Resort has named Timothy Ralphs their new executive chef for their signature dining room Mistral, as well as the entire property. Ralphs local experience includes three years as executive chef at Top of the Cove, banquet director at the Omni where his menus went way beyond the boring banquet fare, with his additions such things as amuse-bouche, organic ingredients, and more. He European travels and work (he’s also trained in wine and is an advanced sommelier). Along with good local ingredients, Ralphs can pick fresh herbs from the hotel’s 3800 square foot herb garden. Tours of the garden are given every Friday at 3pm and include a tasting and recipes. Cost is $20 and for information and reservations call the hotel’s concierge at 619-424-4000 x 6300.

Buzz loves unusual restaurant locations particularly places with views beyond four walls and food that makes the trip worthwhile. Whether it’s the ocean, mountains or sky-high city/bay panorama, San Diego’s varied terrain affords many dining choices. These are a few of my favorites.

BY THE SEA: You might think of the Hotel Del Coronado as a spot reserved only for vacationers, but think again. It’s a place with many choices depending on your mood. There’s Eno, the wine bar under the direction of the very knowledgeable Ted Glennon. The Del sits almost on the sand of the Pacific so you can sit outside, sip a glass, flight or bottle of wine, nibble on cheese, charcouterie or chocolate paired (if you wish) to the wine and watch the sunset or stargaze. Glennon offers Saturday “Eno-Versity” classes with winemakers for $35: Sake on August 16; German wines on August 23 and Rosés on September 6. Open from 4pm. For information 619-522-8546.

Finish your wine, take a short walk on the promenade and head down to 1500 Ocean where Chef Brian Sinnott does wonders with homemade featherlight papparadelle in sauces that change with the season, including the current ethereal one with morels, pea tendrils and pancetta in a light mushroom butter fondue. September 17 features a special lobster and sparkling wine dinner and November 12, a four-course celebration of truffles, both are $135 per person. Dinner from 5:30pm. Reservations: 619-522-8490.

Further up the coast in Del Mar, Sbicca invited a few media to celebrate their tenth anniversary with a dinner held in their upstairs wine room. The restaurant sits a few blocks from the ocean so the view of the ocean with the rooftops is a bit like being in a quaint, coastal Mediterranean restaurant–relaxed. There’s a lovely outdoor patio just off that wine room with the same textural view.

A block away is , Epazote that sits on the hill in the shopping complex at 15th and Camino del Mar. The views from their Ocean Terrace room (all glass) take in the rooftops and a large expanse of the ocean. Executive chef Justin Hoehn adds his touches to the menu with lemon linquinini wild arugula pesto and veggies, Niman Ranch pork osso bucco with gnocchi and lots more. Happy hour runs daily from 3 to 7pm.

THE MOUNTAINS: Cavaillon, is up the 56 and off Camino del Sur, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere is now somewhere if you live in Santa Luz or that neck of the woods…or if you travel between the 15 and the 5. And now chef/owner Philippe Verpriand has a lovely small plate summer menu. A recent media event there featured wines from Paris Drigger (a distributor) and tasting plates of such things as really good pommes frites with truffle oil and Parmesan (yes, everyone does the dish; not everyone does it well), mushroom ravioli, steak salad and more. The venue allows you to watch the sunset from the hills rather than the ocean and a relaxing atmosphere pervades the patio dining area. Along with the food and location, the service is top-notch. If I lived in that corridor of Rancho Santa Fe, Escondido and Carmel Valley, it would be on my favorites list. Prices range from $4.50 to $14 and the menu is available Sunday to Thursday from 5pm to 7pm. For information: 858-433-0483.

SKY HIGH:

Watch the planes, have a drink, lunch or dinner, Bertrand at Mister A’s has the spectacular city, bay and airport view…Though I haven’t been there for awhile, the vista hasn’t changed! For reservations: 619-239-1377.

One of the nicest little neighborhood eateries, The Better Half in Hillcrest, just began serving Sunday brunch from 10am to 2pm. Haven’t tried it yet, but my guess is it will be good, given the terrific press it’s been getting.

New in Liberty Station, stashed away near Trader Joe’s is Tender Greens that serves salads, sandwiches and plates for $10…and uses local produce, bakery goods (including Con Pane’s cibiatta), humanely raised meats and sustainable seafood. To drink you’ll find boutique wines and local microbrews. Haven’t had a chance to check it out…but certainly will soon.

Candela’s, the well-known downtown Mexican restaurant with sophisticated upscale Mexico City style food, opened at on Coronado’s Ferry Landing with views of the city. Note to the locals who live on the Island…you can get a 20% discount on your meals for a year. Check out the website.

Nearby at the Ferry Landing (and at their Del Mar location) at Il Fornaio, features a menu with regional dishes of Sardegna through July 20.

Jack’s La Jolla redid their upscale dining room to an Italian venture called Viaggio. The menu features chef Tony DiSalvo’s homemade pastas and much more. Haven’t tried it, as it apparently just opened with little fanfare.

La Jolla based Burger Lounge comes to Coronado and will open their third location at the end of July in the old Island Wok space at 922 Orange Avenue. If you want an organic beef burger with hand-cut in house fries, this is your place. To top it off, they are now one of a handful of green certified restaurants in San Diego.

The Cohn Restaurant Group, that many say sets the bar in the city for middle-of-the-road food and service aimed at the mass market/convention customer, is expanding. They’ve partnered with Sunroad Harbor Island (a subsidiary of Sunroad Enterprises) who just got the go ahead from the Board of Port Commissioners for a $9 million overhaul of the former Reuben E. Lee floating restaurant, currently at the end of Harbor Island. Located conveniently next to the Cohn owned restaurant, Island Prime, the LEED certified restaurant will be designed by Graham Downes Architecture whose eclectic portfolio includes Nine-Ten, Chive, and the redo of its sister property Laurel. Along with Lesley and David Cohn, chef/partner Deborah Scott will operate the Lee. Expect construction to begin late 2009 and finish about 2011.

While we’re on the subject of the Cohn collection, as Buzz reported in May, David’s supposedly best-kept-secret-that-everyone-knew-about is finally out. Hard Work, Inc. (Cohn Restaurant Group) signed a 10-year lease for The Corvette Diner to relocate to the old Officers Club at the Barnett entrance end of Liberty Station. Renovation is underway on the space. And further up the coast, in the coming-on-oh-so-hip Oceanside, the Cohns will open a steak and seafood place called 333 Pacific in the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort on Pier View Way and Pacific Street. Expect to see the restaurant open by the end of the year.

The Cohns join others who find Oceanside the newest area ripe for restaurant expansion. Old Town’s popular Harney Sushi just opened their second very contemporary spot on the corner of Mission and Cleveland close to the pier. They have a sake bar, lots of sushi rolls and more. The place was very hip and hopping at their opening just last night.

Bread & Cie’s owners Charles and Dori Kaufman plan to expand the hours of their well-known Hillcrest bakery to offer specialty pizzas, salads, signature desserts and a small selection of wines. Look for things to be in place by the end of the month. Bread ovens make perfect pizzas and Kaufman spent months experimenting with doughs and toppings for the new menu additions. Pizza available from 5:30pm to 9pm. 350 University Avenue, at Fourth Avenue.

Venissimo’s cheese loving customers can now get their chocolate fix with Jack Fisher’s fabulous bon bons. Don’t forget Valentine’s Day!

You’ll find more wine and chocolate down at the Hotel Del Coronado’s newest addition, Eno. Buzz is partial to the property (a hotel on the ocean is pretty special) and to what Eno and its director, Ted Glennon want to achieve. Whether it’s just a glass or one of many flights of interesting wines that go far beyond chardonnay and cabernet, this is the place to go. Glennon’s expertise shows with the training he gives his staff as well as his desire to share his knowledge with patrons. To pair with the wine, there are flights of cheeses, charcouterie and chocolates. There are more than 30 wines by the glass and some of Jack Fisher’s chocolates are featured here as well.

It's Got Bite

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
About San Diego's Food Scene

Bites: Pizza and German Wine

Bits and Bites: Beer, Bubbles and More

Bits and Bites: New or Special Events

New Year’s Eve Roundup

Bits and Bites: Chef Updates

Bits and Bites: Pt. Loma, Coronado and Hillcrest

Rooms with a View

Bits and Bites: New Arrivals

Bits and Bites: Oceanside to Coronado Update

Bits and Bites: Pizza, Wine, Cheese and Chocolates

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