{"id":248537,"date":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-04-24T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/uptown-food-briefs-april-24\/"},"modified":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2015-04-24T07:00:00","slug":"uptown-food-briefs-april-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/uptown-food-briefs-april-24\/","title":{"rendered":"Uptown Food Briefs \u2013 April 24"},"content":{"rendered":"

Por Frank Sabatini Jr.
\nA restaurant and bar featuring tabletop games and a comic-book motif has soft-opened in Hillcrest, in the Googie-style building that formerly housed Commonwealth Ultra Lounge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Tabletop<\/a>
Tabletop Commons has a playful atmosphere. (Courtesy of Tabletop Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Its new tenant, Evan Jones, promises a playful atmosphere at Tabletop Commons<\/strong><\/a>, where guests can square off over popular games such as Cock & Bull, Boss Monster, Say Anything and many more. Craft beers and specialty cocktails augment a menu of comfort food and desserts authored by Chef Miguel Valdez, who recently helmed the kitchen at 100 Vinos<\/strong>. A few empty wall spaces for rotating artists are yet to be filled. 1263 University Ave., 619-487-1382<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Hillcrest will see its first urban winery with the July arrival of Vinavanti<\/strong><\/a>, which is moving its entire operation from Sorrento Valley into the former V Outlet building on University Avenue. Vinavanti president and winemaker Eric Van Drunen said he was looking for a bigger space in a more retail-friendly location for selling his certified-organic wines, which use grapes sourced from Ramona, Temecula and Warner Springs.<\/p>\n

\"Vinavanti<\/a>
Vinavanti is on schedule to be the first urban winery in Hillcrest (Courtesy of Vinavanti)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cSince opening in Sorrento Valley three years ago, we\u2019ve been producing about a dozen different wines annually,\u201d Van Drunen added. \u201cAnd our new location will feature a tasting room and a first-time food menu. 1477 University Ave., 877-484-6282<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\n

More than 20 restaurants are taking part in the 26th annual Taste of Point Loma<\/strong><\/a>, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., April 22. The event is presented by the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and encompasses restaurants on Shelter Island, parts of Rosecrans Street and several of its side streets. New to the lineup is Vessel Restaurant at Kona Kai<\/strong> y Pomodoro Restaurant Italiano<\/strong>. They will be joined by repeat participants such as The Wine Pub<\/strong>, Old Venice Restaurant<\/strong>, The Elegant Truffle<\/strong>, Mitch\u2019s Seafood<\/strong>, The Pearl<\/strong> and more. Admission is $25 or $15 for cyclists, students and active military. Tickets include a sample dish from each restaurant. For more information, visit peninsulachamber.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Chef Mike Almos is calling it \u201cthe big night\u201d at Hacia<\/strong><\/a> in University Heights for when he presents a prix fixe family-style dinner at 6:30 p.m., April 29, in celebration of the restaurant\u2019s one-year anniversary.<\/p>\n

Inspired by scenes from the movie, \u201cBig Night,\u201d which will be showing without sound, guests will be seated at communal tables while passing around platters of food. Among the dishes in the five-course lineup are black kale salad, King Ranch flat iron steak, chocolate mousse and more. The price is $35, not including tax, tip or beverages. Reservations are required. 2121 Adams Ave., 619-269-9152<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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The eco-conscious Hammond\u2019s Gourmet Ice Cream<\/strong><\/a> in North Park has introduced several first-time flavors to its ever-changing repertoire. As of this month, look for candy ginger, Jack Daniel\u2019s, Kahlua Cream and Reese\u2019s Pieces in the rotation. Known for its super-premium ice cream containing 18 percent butterfat, the shop features a communal table made from a fallen eucalyptus tree and a chandelier crafted from repurposed sundae cups. 3077 University Ave., 619-220-0231<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Bleu<\/a>
New dishes herald the arrival of spring at Bleu Boheme in Kensington. (Courtesy of Bleu Boheme)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leave it to the French kitchens for snagging some of the first seasonal bounties when devising their spring menus. Chef Ken Irvine of Bleu Boheme<\/strong><\/a> in Kensington has just introduced a new list of dishes that unite early asparagus and English peas in farro salad; fresh heirloom cauliflower and haricots vert for steak au poivre; and pistachios and local strawberries in apricot-mascarpone tarts. In addition, mussels cooked in a variety of different sauces and herbs are now available in 1- or 2-pound pots. 4090 Adams Ave., 619-255-4167<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Attention taco and burrito lovers on the hunt for something a little different but not over the top. The new Amorcito Corazon Mexican Bistro<\/strong><\/a> in North Park is up and running with a few menu standouts you don\u2019t often find amid the competition. Vegetarians, for example, can opt for tortillas filled with cactus or huitlacoche (corn fungus) while carnivores can opt for red snapper, calamari or chili verde in theirs. And for those who can\u2019t live without their kale salads, this one receives a worthy kick from jalapeno-Caesar dressing. The modestly decorated eatery recently replaced Veg-N-Out<\/strong>. 3442 30th St., 619-293-3569<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u2014Frank Sabatini Jr. puede ser contactado en fsabatini@san.rr.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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