By Frank Sabatini Jr.
Johan Engman of Breakfast Republic and Fig Tree Cafes is on a roll with plans to open two new restaurants in North Park. In mid-January, he will introduce North Park Breakfast Company at 3131 University Ave., where Moncai Vegan previously operated.
“I have a wait line everyday at Breakfast Republic, so I wanted to expand and do something different in the area,” he says.
The menu will feature an entirely new slate of dishes backed up by breakfast-friendly craft cocktails, many of which will involve coffee.
Later next year, he will open a dinner-only restaurant next door to Breakfast Republic, at 2726 University Ave. The space formerly housed a pet shop and will be completely remodeled with a full kitchen and wine and beer bar. Engman says he will finalize the concept after renovations begin.
Look for a mid-spring reopening of Endzone Pub & Grill in North Park, which closed last year and recently came under new ownership by Louie Namou of neighboring Glenn’s Market. He’s keeping the name, and says the bar will remain a gathering spot for watching sporting games, with little changes to the food and drink menus. The interior, however, is undergoing a full cleanup and fresh paint job. 2859 University Ave.
An interior remodel is underway at a former hair salon in University Heights to make way for Pop Pie Co., an eatery that will sell mini pies filled with everything from braised pork and curried vegetables to spiced apples and pastry cream incorporating Earl Grey tea. Due to open in early summer, the venture was conceived by local business banker Steven Torres, and baker Gan Suebsarakham, who fell in love with a specialty pie shop in his native Thailand before moving here.
The savory pies will measure five inches in diameter, with the sweet ones ringing in at three inches. Sidekicks will include mashed potatoes and gravy, citrus-pesto cauliflower, kale slaw, and more.
Since starting the business last year, Torres says they’ve been making the pies mainly for weddings and special events. 4404 Park Blvd., poppieco.com.
Dozens of restaurants throughout San Diego County are participating in this year’s Dining Out for Life, which supports HIV/AIDs programs at the San Diego LGBT Community Center. The restaurants taking part will donate a portion of their sales proceeds on April 28 to the cause, with some giving 50 percent ( Crest Café, Napizza, Waypoint Public, The Mission, Martinis Above Fourth, and many more). For a complete list of participants, visit thecentersd.org/events.
Vinavanti Urban Winery in Hillcrest recently began selling made-to-order white and red sangria in pitchers. Customers seated at the bar get to see the various “all-natural” ingredients that go into them. The price per pitcher is $30, although during happy hour (4 – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday) they’re $10 off. In addition, the menu was revamped to include more items such as hearty salads, sandwiches and flat breads. 1477 University Ave., 877-484-6282, vinavantiurbanwinery.com.
New to Bankers Hill is Royal Stone, a seasonally based, European-inspired bistro launched by John and Jackie Stone. The couple took over the space previously occupied by Royal Café under different ownership.
“After working in a corporate career, I wanted to follow my heart by opening a place with a warm and welcoming atmosphere,” Jackie said. “Business has been terrific.”
The restaurant serves breakfast daily, and dinner on Wednesday through Sunday. It also offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. 3401 First Ave., 619-738-8550, royalstonebistro.com.
—Frank Sabatini Jr. can be reached at [email protected].
