Kanpai BBQ opens on Convoy Street
Kanpai BBQ, a new Japanese-style barbecue and shabu shabu restaurant opened Aug. 1 on Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa. Diners choose their proteins and then cook their own sliced meats and chopped vegetables in boiling water and sauces. Hot pot options include Wagyu brisket, pork belly, lamb shoulder, Prime chuck, shellfish, squid, sole and more. Price is $39.99 per person, half off for children ages 5 to 10, and free for children under 5. Kanpai is open from 4 to 11 p.m. daily and it opens at 11 a.m. on weekends. 3904 Convoy St., Suite 114-115, San Diego. kanpaibbqsd.com
A selection of ramen dishes from Ramen Nagi, which opened Aug. 8 at Westfield UTC shopping center.
(Courtesy of Jakob N. Layman )
Ramen Nagi opens at UTC: Ramen Nagi, an internationally known 19-year-old Japanese ramen restaurant chain, opened its fifth U.S. restaurant Tuesday at Westfield UTC shopping center. It joins locations in L.A., Arcadia, Palo Alto and Santa Clara. Ramen Nagi is known for its silky noodles and five classic broths: the Original King (tonkotsu pork), Black King (black garlic and calamari ink), Red King (pork with cayenne and other peppers), Green King (pork with fresh basil) and Veggie King (mushrooms and cauliflower). Diners can customize their ramen bowls with choices of broth density and flavor, proteins and toppings. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego. ramennagiusa.com
A sample four-course prix-fixe menu at Juniper & Ivy.
(Courtesy of Kimberly Motos)
Juniper & Ivy offering prix-fixe menu: To celebrate its upcoming 10th anniversary, Michelin-recommended Juniper & Ivy has introduced a new prix-fixe menu that will change monthly. The four-course, $80 menu designed by James Beard Award-nominated executive chef Anthony Wells celebrates local farmers, fishermen, fermenters and food artisans. Sample dishes from the August prix-fixe menu include spot prawns with squash, corn agnalotti, tuna Wellington and passionfruit cream pie. Diners who prefer to dine a la carte can order from the bar menu, which is available in the bar, main dining room and patio area. 2228 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. (619) 269-9036, juniperandivy.com.
Aidan Owens is the new executive chef at Herb & Sea restaurant in Encinitas.
(Courtesy of Matt Furman)
New chef comes aboard at Herb & Sea: Herb & Sea, Puffer Malarkey Collective’s 4-year-old seafood-focused restaurant in downtown Encinitas, has a new executive chef. Aidan Owens grew up on a farm in Byron Bay, Australia, and moved to the San Francisco area when he was in high school. He learned to cook in they Bay area, then moved to San Diego where he has worked in the kitchens of Kettner Exchange, The Lion’s Share, Fort Oak and, most recently, Trust Restaurant, where he served as chef de cuisine. His skills include nose-to-tail butchery, live-fire cooking, bread-baking and fermentation. Owens will work alongside Herb & Sea’s executive sous chef Marissa Williams. 131 W D St. Encinitas. herbandsea.com
Cocktails at the Back 2 The Video Store speakeasy pop-up in downtown San Diego.
(Courtesy of Bucket Listers)
Retro video store speakeasy pops up at Parq: Bucket Listers, the experiential entertainment company that created the Malibu Barbie Cafe and Golden Girls Kitchen attractions, will open Back 2 The Video Store on Saturday. The six-week pop-up speakeasy is located inside the Parq Nightclub in downtown San Diego and is designed to resemble an old-school, ‘80s-style video rental store. Admission to the secret location in the club is $20 for a 90-minute reservation that includes choice of 20 movie-themed cocktail (or mocktail), as well as photo opportunities. Ages 21 and up only. Open evenings Thursdays-Saturdays until the end of September. 615 Broadway, San Diego. Tickets must be purchased in advance at bucketlisters.com/explore/city/SD.
Eric Bost, executive chef at Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie restaurant in Carlsbad.
(Courtesy of Elodie Bost)
Jeune et Jolie announces collaboration dinner: Eric Bost, executive chef of Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad, will host a collaboration dinner on Aug. 30 with chefs Marcus Jernmark of Habitué in Los Angeles and James Beard Award-winning chef David Beran of Pasjoli in Santa Monica. In collaboration with Salty Magazine’s Guest Dinner Series, the three chefs will present a $275, multicourse, prix-fixe dinner menu celebrating Southern California gastronomy. Reservation slots available from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 30. 2659 State St., Carlsbad. Prepaid minimum of two diners per party. Reserve at https://tinyurl.com/4cvfbwck.
Black Beverage Dinner: Chef Jason Neroni’s The Desmond restaurant will host a Black Beverage Dinner hosted by Brandon Montgomery of Black Beer Travelers. The menu will feature five courses paired with beers, wines and spirits from Black-owned producers. 8 p.m. tonight. The Desmond, Kimpton Alma Hotel, 1047 Fifth Ave., San Diego. $130. stayalma.com/san-diego-restaurant/the-desmond
SIP The City Festival: SIP San Diego collective presents the fifth annual celebration of its 14 urban wineries in San Diego County. Carruth Cellars, Gianni Buonomo Vintners, Koi Zen Cellars, Lost Cause Meadery, Propaganda Wine Co., Solterra Winery and many more will be pouring samples, accompanied by light bites from California Poppy restaurant and live music. 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Escondido City Hall, 201 N. Broadway, Escondido. $79. eventbrite.com/e/sip-the-city-tickets-664882670967
Long Story Short sets opening date in North Park: Long Story Short restaurant will officially open Aug. 16 in North Park. The concept by the husband-and-wife team of Chefs Elliott and Kelly Townsend takes over the space previously occupied by Little Thief Wine Bar & Kitchen. The Townsends’ seasonal California cuisine menu is inspired by produce they source from local farms including Chino Farms. Long Story Short was previously in residence at Vino Carta in Solana Beach. Doors will open at 4 p.m. daily with dinner service at 5 p.m. 3017 University Ave., San Diego. Reservations are now open at exploretock.com/long-story-short-san-diego.
Beers by the Bay with Mike Hess Brewery: San Diego Mission Bay Resort hosts its second beer-centric dinner. Chef Roy Hendrickson will prepare a four-course dinner with pairings of Mike Hess lager, IPA, ale and more. Food courses will include wild shrimp aguachile and local white sea bass. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. 1775 E. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego. $75. Reserve at (619) 677-1161, missionbayresort.com
Enchanted Tea Summer’s End Ball: Westgate Hotel will host a princess teatime experience for all ages this weekend. Rapunzel and Princess Tiana will make appearances for a lunchtime experience of songs, a princess oath and photo opportunities. Tea service includes pastries, tea sandwiches, desserts, teas and hot cocoa. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. 1055 Second Ave., San Diego. $95 per person. westgatehotel.com
Big Bad Reds Wine Dinner: Ambrogio15 Del Mar will serve a four-course Italian dinner with pairings of Italian red wines. Dishes include tuna carpaccio, pizza Pomodoro, polpette fritte (crispy meatballs) and affogato al tiramisu. Reservations from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 28. Sky Deck, 12841 El Camino Real, Suite 201, San Diego. (858) 925-7036, ambrogiodelmar.com
Giaola introduces grab-and-go lunches: This Italian restaurant in Carlsbad’s Bressi Ranch is now offering a grab-and-go lunch special from noon to 3 p.m. weekdays. All six selections are $15 and include choice of side salad or cup of soup, as well as a fountain drink. Orders are ready within 10 minutes. Dishes by chef Amy DiBiase include meatball panini, Italian cold cut panini, eggplant caponata panini, chicken Caesar salad, lasagna, and caprese calzone. 2668 Gateway Road, Suite 180, Carlsbad. giaolakitchen.com
George’s expands summer menu: George’s At the Cove’s executive chef Masa Kojima has added three items to his summer menu: Glazed pork belly with toasted cashews, stone fruit, and mustard honey dressing; linguini & clams with garlic, espellete pepper, lemon, and parley oil; and rigatoni with charred broccoli pesto, pecorino Romano, and Meyer lemon. 1250 Prospect Street. www.georgesatthecove.com
Taste of East Village: The East Village Business Associations has announced plans for its inaugural Taste of East Village culinary tour, offering bites and sips from more than 35 neighborhood restaurants and bars. 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 29 and 31. Tickets will be $35. eastvillagesandiego.com