Here’s what’s happening in restaurant news all over town…
Lefty’s vs. Bronx. When lip-smacking delicious Phil’s BBQ moved to Sports Arena Boulevard, it left a void in Mission Hills. But who-da thunk the space would be filled by a powerhouse pizza place? Especially with a pie titan roughly 10 blocks away in Hillcrest’s Bronx Pizza. This geographic juxtaposition presents the possibility of a big city pizza-dough throw down. Will the thin-crusted New York style prevail? Will the Chicago deep-dish of Lefty’s come out on topping? This is a mouthwatering heavyweight matchup.
Corvette Diner. The classic Corvette Diner has re-opened with an expanded Gamers Garage in Liberty Station. As reported here first, waitresses won’t be tossing Bazooka gum at patrons any more. A grand-opening celebration will take place July 11 and 12. Lady Dottie and the Diamonds are one of several bands slated to hit the stage. Come in a retro costume and be eligible to win a $500 dinner package; or, enter by emailing a photo of yourself at the former Corvette Diner to corvettedinersd@gmail.com.
Prepkitchen. The brains behind Whisknladle in La Jolla have opened a new place in the tony seaside enclave. Prepkitchen (7556 Fay Avenue) will serve gourmet takeout for lunch and dinner. Whisknladle executive chef Ryan Johnston will also oversee the lunch small bites and full dinners at Prepkitchen. “Snacks” include chicken-stuffed piquillo peppers and squid escabeche ceviche. Yep, that sounds like La Jolla takeout.
Casa de Bandini. Back when Old Town was cool—okay, it wasn’t as cool as much as it was acceptable to take your visiting tourons there—it was home to Diane Powers’ Casa de Bandini. She got a bum deal, had her lease revoked in 2005, and is finally re-opening the restaurant at The Forum in Carlsbad. Back will be the strolling mariachis and the human-head-sized margarita glasses.
Azucar. I’m not a dessert person, but people are raving about Azucar in Ocean Beach. It’s a Cuban patisserie that serves cakes, cookies and all manner of sweets (azucar means “sugar” in Spanish). The place is the inspiration of Vivian Hernandez-Jackson, who was born to Cuban parents in Miami. A Buenos Dias bundt cake is made with carrots, apples, coconut, pineapple, walnuts…and plenty of azucar.
O’Brothers. It’s home to a 100 percent organic beef hamburger. Everything is organic—from the beef to the cheese to the buns to the condiments. O’Brothers is in Horton Plaza—but like many storefronts there, it’s a little tough to find. If you’re desperate for all things organic, go to the northeast end of downtown’s phantasmagoric mall and ride the Broadway Circle escalator to just above the Levi’s store.
