The much-anticipated Stake Chophouse and Bar opens in mid-October in Coronado by Blue Bridge Hospitality, bringing to the island a bevy of share-friendly filets, individual chops and various dry-aged cuts along with a selection of fresh, iced shellfish. Located in the former Ristorante La Terrazza, the 4,600-square-foot space received a complete makeover to achieve an upscale, modern-masculine feel as well as a large outdoor deck.
Blue Bridge operates several other restaurants in Coronado, including Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge, Lil’ Piggy’s Bar-B-Q and Village Pizzeria. The company’s executive chef, Tim Kolanko, will oversee the menu at Stake. 1309 Orange Ave.
A mondo vegan restaurant named Café Gratitude is coming to the mixed-use Broadstone Little Italy building early next year. Born out of the Bay Area more than a decade ago, the popular eatery will crank out an array of vegan cuisine made with organic, seasonally driven ingredients. Construction to the 9,000-square-foot space begins this fall. 1980 Kettner Blvd.
Another newcomer to Little Italy opens in mid-October with a menu specializing in South American seafood dishes. Named Sirena (the Spanish word for mermaid), the restaurant is the first commercial tenant to move into the Villa Cusma apartment structure. The restaurant is being launched by Arhe Cuisine Corporation in San Diego. 1901 Columbia St., 619-564-8970.
Forget forks and knives. Diners visiting Spike Africa’s during October’s National Seafood Month need only don a bib and ready their hands for a messy, mouthwatering clambake that servers dump directly onto the tables. The meal includes a medley of shellfish, seasonal veggies and potatoes cooked in seasoned broth. Garlic bread, Old Bay Seasoning and hot sauce clench the deal. The clambakes are available for dinner throughout the month and cost $35 per person. Minimum parties of two are required. 411 Broadway, 619-795-3800.
Executive Chef Luisteen Gonzalez of Puesto at The Headquarters has partnered with fishermen from the new Tuna Harbor Pier Downtown Fish Market to create fresh-fish tacos based on what comes in on the boats. The various tacos, priced between $5 and $7, are available in limited quantities every Saturday and have so far included yellowtail, dorado and red snapper. 789 W. Harbor Drive, 619-233-8880.
Look for a refreshed menu at 1500 Ocean in the coming weeks as new Chef de Cuisine Meredith Manee comes onboard with her “eclectic seasonal inspirations” culled from overseeing culinary operations at the Four Seasons Hotel in Denver and other cities around the nation. Located within the Hotel Del Coronado, Manee will utilize the property’s on-site herb garden for introducing new dishes that are yet to be announced.
Also occurring at the hotel is the upcoming Sea + Food Festival to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which supports childhood cancer research. The event, which features a raw bar, clambake station and other seafood offerings, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Oct. 18, on the hotel’s beachfront Windsor Lawn. Craft beer, wines and spirits are also in the offing. Tickets are $125 and include parking. Guests must be 21 years or over to attend. 1500 Ocean Ave., 619-435-6611.
A quintet of San Diego chefs will showoff their body art at a unique culinary event titled, “Kitchen Ink: A Chef Tattoo Dinner,” to be held at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 23, at Saltbox Dining & Drinking. The five-course dinner allows each chef to create a dish based on one of their tattoos as they explain the inspiration behind them. In addition, each chef will pair their plates to a particular beer, wine or cocktail.
The kitchen lineup features Jeremiah Bryant of Saltbox, Jarle Saupstad of Table No. 10, Elliott Townsend of The Pearl, Rose Peyron of Counterpoint and Johnny Duran of Prepkitchen.
Tickets are $50 (plus $15 for beverage pairings). Reservations are required. 1047 Fifth Ave., 619-515-3003.
—Frank Sabatini Jr. can be reached at [email protected].
