by Frank Sabatini Jr.
For those struck with a hankering for Chef Deborah Scott’s popular pepita and sesame-encrusted brie cheese served at Indigo Grill and Island Prime/C Level, the appetizer is now also available in packaged form at several Costco locations, including those in Mission Valley, Bay Park and La Mesa. The 16-ounce wheels sell for $9.99 and include the savory sidekicks of jalapeno jelly and garlic spread along with baking instructions for the oven or microwave.
The well-established East Coast Pizza has opened its first urban location in the heart of Hillcrest and will hold an official grand opening on Sept. 24 with daylong specials and samples. With everything made in-house, the eatery maintains its original Cardiff-by-the-Sea operation, which launched 10 years ago before expanding into San Marcos. The Hillcrest outpost is currently serving whole pizzas and slices, but will offer a full menu of baked pasta dishes, stromboli and calzones after its soft opening. A beer and wine license is also in the works. 435 University Ave., 619-501-3444.
A go-to eatery for authentic Philly cheese steaks at 3501 30th Street in North Park has sadly and suddenly gone poof. Without explanation, the voice greeting simply states: “We are sorry that Eddie’s Philadelphia Steaks has officially closed Aug. 22, 2014. It’s been a pleasure serving you all.”
Savories from the Mastiff Sausage Company food truck have become all the rage in South Park ever since it began regularly rolling up to Whistle Stop Bar from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday. Mastiff’s co-owner, Jacob Bartlett, says his partnership with the event-oriented bar at 2236 Fern St. has resulted in brisk sales of the company’s homemade bratwurst and pulled ham-and-cheese sandwiches as well as other menu items.
“Our beet Reubens get a lot of action too,” he said, adding that the sausages, sauerkraut, coleslaw and condiments are made from scratch in a rented commercial kitchen in Miramar.
The truck also appears in the early evenings every other Friday at Thorn St. Brewery in North Park, located at 3176 Thorn St. For a complete Mastiff schedule visit mastiffsausagecompany.com.
Dozens of top restaurants and their leading chefs will be cooking for a good cause during Taste of the Nation San Diego, to be held from 3 to 6 p.m., Sept. 14 at Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The culinary festival is presented by Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign, which supports the San Diego Hunger Coalition. Food samples will be doled out to guests from restaurants such as The Prado, Ironside Fish & Oyster, Jayne’s Gastropub, Alchemy, Searsucker, Pacifica Del Mar and more. A large number of local breweries are also taking part, including Stone, Culture, and Belching Beaver. General admission is $75. Tickets can be purchased online at ce.strength.org. One Park Blvd., 619-564-3333.
A special Ethiopian family-style dinner is in the offing at the internationally inspired Hanna’s Gourmet in Normal Heights. The multi-dish feast will be served in two seatings, at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18. Guests can expect braised lamb in Ethiopian spices, slow-simmered chicken in red sauce, curried vegetables, lentil stew and more. Customary injera bread used for scooping up the food will be offered in lieu of utensils. The cost is $30 per person. Reservations are recommended. 2864 Adams Ave., 619-280-5600.
—Frank Sabatini Jr. can be reached at [email protected].
