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<\/a>New to the menu are duck tacos with cactus and fig jelly; crispy ahi tuna tacos served over Mexican rice; and salmon burritos wrapped in tomato tortillas. 2304 San Diego Ave., 619-220-0692.<\/em><\/p>\n Restaurateur Johan Engman purchased Western Steakburger<\/strong> in North Park nearly a year ago to eventually bring an \u201cInstagram-worthy\u201d eatery to the neighborhood. His vision for Rep\u00fablica del desayuno<\/a><\/strong> will finally materialize in late June, now that the original owner of Western has ceased operations and entered into retirement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re doing a thorough remodel,\u201d Engman said, revealing that the restaurant will serve both classic and uncommon breakfast fare from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The redesign will feature front and back patios, an entrance wrapped in galvanized metal, and restrooms rigged with recordings of jokes and quotes that break randomly into songs. He\u2019s also installing a 20-tap chrome beer tower, assuring that the suds will pair swimmingly to dishes such as s\u2019mores french toast, Vietnamese chicken wing breakfast bowls and standard egg dishes.<\/p>\n \u201cI want a restaurant that stands out for photo ops on Instagram and other social media,\u201d Engman said, referring also to an exterior painting that will depict roosters escaping from a henhouse.<\/p>\n Engman\u2019s portfolio consists of Fig Tree Cafes<\/strong> in three locations, including Hillcrest, plus Caf\u00e9 Cantata<\/strong> in Del Mar. He said a lease has already been secured for a second Breakfast Republic in metro San Diego, but can\u2019t reveal the details just yet. 2730 University Ave<\/em>.<\/p>\n Nearly 30 restaurants located largely along India and Kettner streets will swing open their doors and offer samples of their latest and greatest dishes at this year\u2019s Sabor de la peque\u00f1a Italia<\/a><\/strong>, which runs from 5 to 9 p.m., July 17. Foodies can choose from full or partial routes, with the north and south ends each priced at $30. Or for hearty grazers, the full shebang costs $45. Among the restaurants taking part are Davanti Enoteca, Ironside Fish & Oyster, Kettner Exchange, M Winehouse, NaPizza, Queenstown Public House, the new Pan Bon and more. littleitalysd.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Construction is underway to the space that formerly gave reign to R Gang Eatery<\/strong> in Hillcrest. Its new tenants, beer consultant Beau Schmitt of The Brew Project<\/a><\/strong> and Mike Sill, who previously managed Quality Social<\/strong>, will open The Brew Project House<\/strong> in July.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re pushing to be open before Pride, which is July 18,\u201d said Schmitt, adding that he\u2019s aiming for the style of \u201can old Victorian country house.\u201d<\/p>\n The establishment will feature 28 handles devoted exclusively to San Diego craft beers. A cocktail program is also in the works along with a food menu flaunting salads, tortas and shareable plates. 3683 Fifth Ave., thebrewproject.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n The new Burnside<\/a><\/strong> in Normal Heights is a quaint sandwich shop with a big imagination. Launched recently by the owners of Sycamore Den<\/strong> two doors away, the menu takes on cosmopolitan flair with sandwiches such as Korean rib eye with kimchi; a Cubano made with pork belly; and the French-inspired \u201cstinky grilled cheese\u201d accented with braised leeks. Of the American-style offerings, there is buttermilk chicken or braised pot roast tucked into bread as well. The sandwiches can be consumed inside the eatery or while imbibing at Sycamore. 3373 Adams Ave<\/em>.<\/p>\n Soon to replace the long-running Royal Thai Cuisine in the Gaslamp District is the highly anticipated Sovereign Kitchen & Bar<\/a><\/strong>, a modern Vietnamese restaurant headed by Michelin-starred chef Michael Bao Huynh and San Diego-based restaurateur Alex Thao, who also owns Rama and Lucky Liu\u2019s.<\/p>\n Huynh, a native of Saigon, previously opened a series of restaurants in New York City that earned him glowing accolades by New York\u2019s top food critics and celebrity chefs.<\/p>\n Sovereign is due to launch in early June with a menu focusing on pho and other signature dishes. Until then, the restaurant has been giving consumers a casual primer via the adjacent Food Shop, which the team opened recently with a selection of banh mi sandwiches, noodle bowls and Vietnamese coffees. 467 Fifth Ave., 619-888-4829.<\/em><\/p>\n
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(Courtesy of The Brew Project House)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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