The dishes join an existing lineup of light fare that extends to breast-meat turkey burgers, chicken pita tacos and barbecue bison burgers. They\u2019re available at all locations, including at the Hazard Center in Mission Valley. 1370 Frazee Road, 619-814-6350<\/em>.<\/p>\n The 3,000-square-foot Allegro Bistro<\/strong> in Middletown closed July 1, leaving open the possibility of a replacement under a different dining concept. The restaurant, annexed to 57 grados<\/a><\/strong> wine and craft beer bar, launched in October as a breakfast-only operation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will soon begin working with a consultant to explore new ideas,\u201d said 57 Degrees owner, Russ Kindom, hinting that he\u2019d like to see an American-themed restaurant \u201cwith Louisiana twists\u201d come in.<\/p>\n In the meantime, he plans on utilizing Allegro\u2019s kitchen to add new lunch dishes and entr\u00e9e-slanted items to 57\u2019s daily food menu. 1735 Calle Hancock, 619-234-5757<\/em>.<\/p>\n Reorganization has begun at Mystic Mocha<\/a><\/strong>, the quaint breakfast-lunch caf\u00e9 in University Heights that was purchased in early June by Hillcrest residents Francis Weidinger and his wife, Natalie Buczkowski. The couple has retained the popular dishes established under two previous ownerships, such as chilaquiles and assorted egg scrambles. But they\u2019ve switched to organic ingredients in many of the recipes right down to the whipped cream used in mochas.<\/p>\n A facelift to the structure and its garden-like patio is also underway, with freshly planted flowers and new table umbrellas already in place. Weidinger says the caf\u00e9 will close for a few days sometime in July for repainting the interior, after which several new menu items will be introduced. \u201cOur goal is to provide customers with an urban, organic oasis while supplying the menu with better products,\u201d he adds. 2105 Mission Ave., 619-688-0858<\/em>.<\/p>\n Lines snaked out the door on the first weekend of operation for Rep\u00fablica del desayuno<\/a><\/strong>, which opened June 25 in the cozy structure where Western Steakburger<\/strong> stood in North Park. Owner Johan Engman, who also runs Caf\u00e9 de la higuera<\/strong> in three locations, including Hillcrest, says the Republic\u2019s top sellers thus far are the pancake flights and shrimp-n-grits topped with three eggs. The restaurant, which sports a shiny metal fa\u00e7ade, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2730 University Ave., 619-642-0299.<\/em><\/p>\n After a 10-day closure, Hamburguesa loca<\/a><\/strong> has reopened at 3993 30th St. in North Park in a new space that features about the same square footage as its previous location, but with a more open layout and a back patio. The menu remains the same, except for a few additional exotic-meats options that include elk, duck and pulled-pork burgers. 619-282-6044<\/em>.<\/p>\n Remodeling is under way at 3011 University Ave. in North Park, as Postres enviados del cielo<\/a><\/strong> transitions into the space that formerly housed Ms Vintage Clothing Boutique<\/strong>. The bakery began operations in 2006 a couple doors away, at the corner of University Avenue and 30th Street. It\u2019s scheduled to reopen by late July and will introduce a slate of new signature desserts and coffee and tea drinks.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re reinventing ourselves since we will no longer be cooking at our location because we\u2019re using a commercial kitchen in Miramar. But we\u2019ll have a whole new menu with new and old favorites, such as our Bourbon Street bread pudding,\u201d said manager, Kimberly Harrison. 619-793-4758<\/em>.<\/p>\n The Hillcrest location of Jack in the Box<\/strong> was the test ground for several changes that were recently made company-wide to popular menu items. According to employee Led Nives, customers gave their thumbs up to the new pre-seasoned beef patties now used in the Jumbo Jack Burgers and they quickly started digging the toasted, buttered buns used on many of the burgers. In addition, the company has phased out its onion mayonnaise in lieu of \u201creal mayo.\u201d 804 University Ave., 619-298-1273<\/em>.<\/p>\n A second location of The Front Porch<\/a><\/strong> in Mission Hills is slated to open this month in Coronado, at 918 Orange Ave. The shop, which specializes in kitchenwares and gourmet pantry items, is operated by The Patio Group, which also owns The Patio on Goldfinch<\/strong> y The Patio on Lamont Street<\/strong> restaurants. 928 Fort Stockton Drive, Suite 101, 619-377-0430<\/em>.<\/p>\n A former chef-partner at Roy\u2019s<\/strong> in La Jolla and Palm Springs (Charles Andres) has teamed up with a former manager of Roy\u2019s in Phoenix (Brian Norris) to open Ocean Pacific Grille<\/a><\/strong> in the Gaslamp Quarter. The new restaurant is located in the space that formerly housed Encore Champagne Bar,<\/strong> and it fulfills a longstanding dream by Andres, who was born in the Philippines.<\/p>\n \u201cI always wanted to open my own place with an emphasis in Filipino cuisine and flavors,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re a seafood restaurant but we offer about five steak choices as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Since launching June 25, his top sellers have included Filipino tocino toast with burrata cheese and roasted tomatoes, crispy sea bass in tamarind-tomato broth, and olive oil-poached ono with Kabocha squash puree. The restaurant\u2019s warm design features a bar lounge, a large dining room and an open kitchen with seating at a chef\u2019s counter. 531 F St., 619-578-2828<\/em>.<\/p>\n San Diego\u2019s towering penthouse lounge, Top of the Hyatt<\/a><\/strong>, located on the 40th floor of the Manchester Grand Hyatt<\/strong>, closed July 6 for renovations and will reopen in mid-fall. The makeover involves implementing a \u201cCalifornia coastal\u201d motif that corresponds to other renewed areas of the hotel. The work will also include a reduction of pillars and drapes to further expose the dizzying views. 1 Market Place, 619-232-1234<\/em>.<\/p>\n Little Italy\u2019s latest newcomer, C\u00edvico 1845<\/a><\/strong>, is now up and running and has begun cranking out an array of contemporary Italian dishes for vegans and carnivores alike. The restaurant, which was previously home to Zia\u2019s Bistro<\/strong>, is owned by brothers Dario and Pietro Gallo, who are natives of southern Italy. Diners can expect a tempting selection of colorful salads, homemade pasta dishes, and meats and seafood served in crafty sauces. A separate vegan menu features items such as escarole pie and spinach-ricotta ravioli draped in San Marzano tomato sauce. 1845 India St., 619-431-5990<\/em>.<\/p>\n With a name like Lemon Zest & Garlic Fest<\/a><\/strong>, who can resist? The inaugural event will spotlight nearly 40 chefs doling out culinary creations using the namesake ingredients on July 18, from noon to 5 p.m. at Downtown\u2019s Waterfront Park<\/strong>. The grounds will also make way for cooking demos, retail vendors, beer and wine gardens and a kid-friendly area featuring games and inflatables. Event founder Lynda West said she wanted to create something in San Diego similar to the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, but with the extra spin of lemon. General admission is $65, which includes unlimited food, beer and wine. 1600 Carretera del Pac\u00edfico<\/em>, lzgfsd.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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