Por Frank Sabatini Jr.

What was formerly The Counter Burger at Sixth and G streets is now Double Standard, a sleekly designed restaurant combining “San Diego Americana cuisine” with popular Italian specialties.

Owned by David Mainero, who comes from a family of restaurateurs, the menu features fresh pastas, dry-aged steaks, sustainable seafood, wood-fired pizzas and an assortment of small plates.Beer and wine is available, with a full liquor license coming in the next few months. Among the design features is a large wrap-around sidewalk patio complete with grass and lounge furniture. 695 Sixth Ave., 619-269-9676.

A few Downtown chefs grabbed top honors in the annual “chef of the fest” culinary competition at November’s San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. Todd Nash of Bub’s at the Ballpark won second place for his pork collar BLT; John Hong (aka Chef Kappa) of Bang Bang ranked fourth for his tuna tartare tacos while Aron Schwartz of cocina marina came in fifth for his butternut squash soup. Seizing top place was Duvinh Ta from Jake’s Del Mar, who wowed the panel of eight judges with dry-rubbed pork ribs. Next year’s festival will be held from Nov. 15 through 22. For more information, visit sandiegowineclassic.com.

The menu at 1500 Ocean en el Hotel Del Coronado was recently augmented by new dishes created by incoming Chef de Cuisine Meredith Manee, who also revamped the Del’s oceanfront herb garden. Look for fresh, crafty creations such as tuna sashimi with coconut crema and chilies, golden-spotted sea bass with chorizo-clam broth and spaghetti squash, and a unique take on surf and turf that pairs veal cheek ravioli with butter-poached lobster. 1500 Orange Ave., 619-522-8490.

Famous for house-made Italian meals and decadent European-style desserts, Nunzi’s in Hillcrest has moved Downtown to 1254 Third Ave., a stone’s throw away from the San Diego Civic Theatre. In doing so, owner Nancy Daniele partnered with her mother within the café she operated for the past 11 years. The new, combined venture has been named Nunzi’s @ Al Teatro Panini Grill.

“I moved my baking equipment and I’ll be bringing the flavors of Hillcrest to the new location,” said Daniele, adding that she’ll oversee dinners and Sunday brunch while her mom cooks the meals for breakfast and lunch. 619-230-1485.

The stylish Flight Path wine bar has launched weekday lunch service as of Dec. 1, affording midday vino drinkers dishes such as house-made soups, sprightly salads and toasted sandwiches that include spinach-artichoke grilled cheese, sausage and peppers and prosciutto and brie. The wine inventory features more than 70 labels from regions around the globe. 1202 Kettner Blvd., Suite 104, 619-709-1202.

Tarts, macarons, quiche and other French-bakery delights are in the offing at the Le Parfait París, a new Gaslamp District café that will hold its grand opening on Dec. 5. The venture is operated by self-described “French San Diegan” Guillaume Ryon, who bakes the goods at a wholesale bakery he runs in Mission Valley. The menu extends also to coffees, salads and sandwiches. Beer, wine and champagne are coming soon. 555 G St., 619-245-4457.

Hospitalidad del puente azul Executive Chef Tim Kolanko has launched “cooking with friends,” a dinner series held at Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge in Coronado that brings in chefs from other San Diego restaurants to collaborate on the menus. Next up is a five-course meal on Dec. 9 with Chef Carmine Lopez of Great Maple in Hillcrest. The cost is $75, which includes wine pairings by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant.

The series continues through May and spotlights Chefs Amy DiBiase and Kyle Berman of Tidal in Mission Bay on Jan. 13, and Chef Fred Piehl of La cabra humeante in North Park on Feb. 3. Prices for 2015 dinners have yet to be determined. For a complete schedule, visit leroyskitchenandlounge.com. 1015 Orange Ave., 619-437-6087.

—Frank Sabatini Jr. se puede alcanzar en [email protected].