They will be joined by Cucina\u2019s newest executive chef, Tim Kolanko, and beverage director Augusto Ferrarese.<\/p>\n
The family-style dinner will be held at 6 p.m. June 24. The cost is $55 per person with optional wine pairings that can be purchased a la carte from a selection of about 10 labels specially chosen for the occasion. In addition, an after-party will be held from 8:30 to 10 p.m., featuring a mini \u201cCucina 10\u201d menu. 505 Laurel St., 619-239-2222<\/em>, cucinaurbana.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Former \u201cTop Chef\u201d contestant Rich Sweeney has taken on the role of area culinary directory for Los Angeles-based Tocaya Organica<\/strong>, a popular health-conscious eatery with locations in the Gaslamp Quarter (755 Fifth Ave.<\/em>), UTC in La Jolla (4301 La Jolla Village Drive<\/em>), and another opening this summer at un paseo<\/strong> in Carmel Valley.<\/p>\n Sweeney, who is also known for the comfort fare he dished up when operating the former R Gang Eatery<\/strong> in Hillcrest for five years, most recently served as executive chef for norte de italia<\/strong> in Fashion Valley Mall. Before that he helmed the kitchens at Punto de referencia p\u00fablico<\/strong> in North Park and the former Florent Restaurant & Lounge <\/strong>in the Gaslamp.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be doing quality control and training-development for locations in San Diego and Arizona,\u201d Sweeney told us, adding that he is fond of Tocaya\u2019s culinary concept.<\/p>\n \u201cThe entire menu starts out vegan, and then if you\u2019re a meat eater, you can add meat and cheese to the dishes. We buy just about everything we can organic. And the environments are cool and welcoming \u2014 not hoity.\u201d tocayaorganica.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n A wide range of cuisine is in the offing during the return of \u201cViernes de camiones de comida<\/strong>\u201d at the El Prado<\/strong> walkway in Balboa Park. The event, now in its fourth year, runs from 4 to 8:30 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 27. It features about a dozen different food trucks each week as well as live entertainment.<\/p>\n Trucks scheduled for June 21 include Eat Your Heart Out, Currywurst Frankfurt, Born in Brooklyn<\/strong> y el Pierogi Truck<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The series is presented by the Balboa Park Conservancy and the city of San Diego\u2019s Parks and Recreation Department. Free round-trip shuttle service is provided until 8 p.m. from the Inspiration Point parking lot, located at the corner of Park Bouvelard and President\u2019s Way. Plaza de Panama\/El Prado, 619-331-1920<\/em>, balboaparkconservancy.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n The long-shuttered Al Reef Mediterranean Restaurant<\/strong> at the corner of University Avenue and Utah Street has sprung back to life as Two Blu Ducks<\/strong>, a breakfast-lunch spot that operates from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily. Owned by restaurateur Djani Ivanov of The Hopping Pig<\/strong> in the Gaslamp Quarter, the commodious 3,500-square-foot restaurant is still in its soft opening with portions of the menu still in development, we\u2019re told. 2835 University Ave.<\/em><\/p>\n After about 18 months in the making, Sisters Pizza<\/strong> is up and running in a charming 1930s-era building in Bankers Hill. The newly opened pizzeria, which specializes in a range of other Italian-comfort food such as chicken or eggplant Parmesan, spaghetti with house-made meatballs and hearty submarine sandwiches, occupies a quiet corner at Fourth and Brookes. It greets with an expansive patio and a cozy interior with midcentury touches.<\/p>\n Owner Emily Green Lake is a former literacy teacher who became motivated to open the restaurant after the unexpected passing of her sister, Kate Green.<\/p>\n \u201cI always wanted to run my own restaurant, and my sister and I were big pizza lovers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Helming the kitchen is Long Island transplant Marc Damiano, who previously worked at Mr. Moto Pizza House <\/strong>y Pizza de jinete de surf<\/strong>.<\/p>\n On any given day there are nine specialty pizzas available by the slice. The pies are also sold in 16-, 18- and 20-inch sizes, in addition to a 14-inch gluten-free option.<\/p>\n Sisters Pizza is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays is expected to begin in July. 3643 Fourth Ave., 619-255-4200<\/em>, sisterspizzasd.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n An all-vegan menu featuring more than 200 food and beverage items awaits at The Modern Vegan<\/strong> in North Park, which opened June 8 in a new mixed-use complex on 30th Street.<\/p>\n The restaurant marks the second location by owners Todd and Gia Schultz, who opened the original Modern Vegan last year in Las Vegas. The dual-residency couple say the menus are the same at both locations, a compendium of \u201call-American comfort favorites\u201d that include loaded nachos, Louisiana fried \u201cchicken\u201d and \u201clobster\u201d rolls.<\/p>\n There are also shakes, smoothies and organic juices and sodas. A full liquor license is in the pipeline. 4332 30th St., 619-310-5712, tmvrestaurants.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
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