By Frank Sabatini Jr.
The much-anticipated Lemonade out of Los Angeles will make its San Diego debut in Hillcrest soon, according to a company spokesperson. The media opening is set for the evening of Aug. 3. It will be followed by a second opening in Westfield UTC La Jolla around mid-August. Its Fifth Avenue location moves into the modern, 2,500-square-foot space left vacant earlier this year by Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria. Touted for its chic, cafeteria-style concept, customers can expect a cornucopia of mix-and-match vegetables, brick-oven flat breads, braised meats, and of course, several varieties of gourmet lemonades. 3958 Fifth Ave., lemonadela.com.
Several design changes were made at The Red Door in Mission Hills, which recently reopened to unveil a new midcentury, modern look that includes new seating, a fresh paint job and exterior awnings constructed of natural wood. In addition, the front door has been given a new shade of red, and newly planted drought-resistant ivy will soon begin cascading from the roof.
At 5:30 p.m., Aug. 5, the restaurant will hold its fourth “Farmers, Friends and Fisherman” series, which allows diners to meet and greet various purveyors contributing to the dinners. For the upcoming four-course meal, guests will be Phil Noble of Sage Mountain Farm; Tim and LaVonna Connelly of Connelly Gardens; Tommy Gomes of Catalina Offshore Products; and brewer Alex Carballo of Urban Street Brewing Company. The cost is $80, which includes beer pairings. Reservations are required. 741 W. Washington St., 619-295-6000.
The owner of City Tacos in North Park is taking his passion for south-of-the-border fare another step further with his upcoming Tostadas, due to open by late August in the space that formerly housed Swoon Dessert Bar. “Mexican food is a thing of beauty,” professed Gerry Torres, who also owns IB Street Tacos in Imperial Beach. For his newest venture, look for crafty combinations of seafood, seasonal produce and zippy house-made sauces set atop fresh tortillas. 3139 University Ave.
A second and slightly larger location of Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop is about to open “very soon” in North Park in the space where Marie’s Café formerly operated. The offshoot arrives several months later than originally planned. Jose Luis Rojano, who owns the business with his two brothers, said their second venture will be “the same fun and unique concept” as the original shop in Mission Hills. 3016 University Ave., 619-296-8226.
Technology and confections combine at the new iDessert by Jean-Philippe in Little Italy, where visitors select from a number of cakes, crusts, sauces, fruits and more at iPad stations for customizing their sweet creations. The colorful shop was launched recently by renowned pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury, a native of southern France who hails from The Bellagio and ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. 1608 India St., Suite 104, 619-544-1033.
Some of the vendors planning to take up residence at the upcoming, 22,000-square-foot Liberty Public Market in Liberty Station include Wicked Maine Lobster, Mastiff Sausage, Liberty Meat Shop, Venissimo Cheese, Pho Realz and Fully Loaded Juice. The $3 million project, headed by Blue Bridge Hospitality, promises an indoor-outdoor “mecca” of 30-plus artisan merchants occupying a circa-1920 warehouse. More vendors will be revealed in the coming months. The market is slated to open in late October. 2816 Historic Decatur Road.
After a 38-year run, Great News! Cookware and Cooking School in Pacific Beach will close its doors on July 31. Lauded for its massive line of retail cookware, the store also became home to regular cooking classes headed by popular, local chefs. Its owner, Ron Eisenberg, cites retirement as the primary reason for closing, adding that “I’ve had a great run of business and enjoyed every minute of it.” Until then, the inventory will be sold off at clearance prices. 1788 Garnet Ave., 858-270-1582.
— Frank Sabatini Jr. can be reached at [email protected].
