Well-known (and Buzz favorite) chef Jason Shaeffer quietly moved on last week from 1500 Ocean at the Hotel Del Coronado. Shaeffer opened the restaurant a year ago and received high praise from critics. Word is he’s moving to Colorado to open his own place. The hotel has not yet named a new chef.
Chris Walsh, most recently of Confidential, is back in Hillcrest with his own place, Bite Modern California Bistro and Wine Bar on University Avenue. Buzz hasn’t yet been in yet but hopes to soon. 1417 University Avenue, 619-299-2483 (BITE). Open from 5pm, closed Tuesday.
Also in Hillcrest, Alex Thao, one of the best when it comes to Thai food, just opened Chow Noodle House in his original Celadon spot on University Avenue and Sixth. He moved the popular Celadon around the corner to Fifth Avenue. The restaurant features just noodles, rice and broth noodle dishes from the Pacific rim and is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm. Everything that owner Thao does is top notch and this is no exception. Most dishes are $8 or $9 and can be shared. 540 University Avenue, 619-269-9209, www.chowsd.com