San Diego CLOSED Restaurants - Replacement for old board.

[mjsp1]

TIKUL just Closed in La Jolla after 3 months

[foodiechick]

Mr. Fake Name....Master of New Threads...could you please use the power given to you by a non-denominational higher power and start a new thread on this similar subject. ;D

[honkman]

El Vitral officially closed and the one in Otay "closed temporarily"

[RB Hound]

I tried to reset this thread once, but I guess it didn't take.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/888485

This is getting ridiculously long to navigate.

[honkman]

I was looking for it but the search function didn't really help

[honkman]

El Take It Easy will close mid-April. Jay opening new concept in same spot in May.

[jmtreg]

Yeah, saw that too. With all due respect to Jay Porter (who put a lot of time into El Take It Easy, and is a gracious and thoughtful owner), that place never seemed to work. There was just no focus to either the concept or the execution. The Linkery, by contrast, was grounded in comfort food.

[Charlie SanDiego]

Agreed. I wish him luck with the new concept.

[karaethon]

Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but import Gavin Schmidt back? :)

[honkman]

I think it si more likely that they will start something up in SF since Jay is not living there half the time. There chances fo success are much higher up in SF

[honkman]

Flavor in Del Mar has closed

[RB Hound]

Another one bites the dust.

Maybe we should restart this thread for 2013; this is getting unwieldy in length, as well as depressing. :(

[ibstatguy]

what?!

[Rodzilla]

Red Light District has closed

[mcgrath]

I went there twice and liked Chef Jason's food a lot. However, as I posted soon after they opened, the space was uncomfortable for fine dining because the tables surrounded a large, vibrant bar area that made things feel cramped. I could never figure out if they wanted to be an edgy bar/lounge or a fine dining restaurant. Plus, I felt the management was smug and unaccomodating to customers who were not there to spend $$$ on alcohol.

[Dagney]

Reidy O'Neils suffered the same fate many years ago. Fine dining or loud Irish bar? Also, the owners were incompetent.

[salustro]

Bayu's Ethiopian appears to be closed.

[Charlie SanDiego]

Bayou was evicted a couple of months ago. Too bad as it was a credible Ethiopian restaurant. The location is a tough one, nothing since Zolezzi's (I'm old) has had much of a run there. I say it's best suited for a bar.

[bizzwriter]

Toshi-San's last day of business was October 28th according to the sign posted inside the front door that my wife and I sadly encountered this evening when we made our biweekly stop for dinner. RIP -- we'll miss you and the wonderful staff and owners.

[Rodzilla]

I suppose it was too hidden of a gem. That's really too bad. I wish I would have made it back http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/813167

[keena]

Not surprised. Recently in the past few years, the dining room has been almost empty. We used to go fairly often but the hostess and waitresses were rude and refused to seat you at the sushi bar without reservations even when we saw ( after 1.5 hours because the service was so bad) that only 4 seats were taken. And we were fairly regular there. It also had a very cold feel and even the sushi chefs were not welcoming. Happy to have Ota as our go- to sushi place...warmer and happier feel to it, not to mention the best sushi.

[Rodzilla]

I only had one visit, and I did notice the general service could have been improved. However, once we were seated at the bar our itamae was very pleasant.

[bizzwriter]

While my wife and I never experienced rude service (we ate there most every weekend, so I guess we were part of the "family"), I always wondered how they managed to stay in business with such an empty dining room, even on Friday or Saturday nights. I figured they must have owned the building and weren't paying rent. I guess not.

[Charlie SanDiego]

While not the best, it certainly was worthy of staying in business. Alas we in the central city area suffer with the plethora grade B sushi mills and the long drive to Kaito as places like and Kazumi fall by the wayside.

[Rodzilla]

Agreed, but I found them hard to categorize. From my sole visit at the bar, I felt the quality was close to that of Katio/Shirahama/Akinori but they didn't offer quite the same experience. And if service was off for those sitting away from the bar - they aren't going to be competitive with other places in the area - especially given their higher price.

[Charlie SanDiego]

Ah good sir, we cannot place Akinori in the company of Kaito & Shirahama. I ate at Kaito the other night on what was a "limited" service due to Kaz rejecting delieveries that didn't meet his quality standards and it still surpassed any of the three meals I've had at Akinori by a long shot. The quality, the attention to construction, their in house prepped eel, its just not a fair comparison. But we digress...

[RhonelyInsanediego]

Just got an email from RBI. It's official, after 44 years El Bizcocho has served their last meal and is officially closed. RBI says that the space will be undergoing a $2.5 million renovation and opened sometime early in 2013 under the name AVANT. Heading the new restaurant will be executive chef Nicholas Bour.

[Rodzilla]

http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/Blogs...

more info

[foodiechick]

The Whaling Bar will be closed forever sometime in November before Thanksgiving. All employees will be permanently let go, some of them having been there 20+, 30+ and 50+ years.

The Sky Room will be closed forever after after service on New Year's Eve. It turns out they never went through the approval process all those decades ago, and they are now losing money on it so it will be shuttered for good.

[pickypicky]

so sad about Whaling Bar. thanks for the news.

[RB Hound]

You had control of our smiles and our tears
All those years ago

[foodiechick]

Top of the Cove closed (nothing new there), but now the building has been demolished.

[RB Hound]

Interesting - anybody have any details? It was supposedly sold last year, or about to be sold, but then we stopped hearing about it.

I'd be shocked if it came back as a restaurant - wouldn't be worth it. Maybe a luxury condo or some sort of mini hotel?

[pickypicky]

Demolished!? Wow.

[RB Hound]

The UT today had an article about the former Top of the Cove space: extensive renovation, but the owner states her intention to keep it as restaurant space:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/o...

[Note: you might need to open this in "private" or "incognito" mode in your browser to thwart the UT's tracking cookie.]

[Cathy]

Freebirds is closed http://www.nbcsandiego.com/the-scene/...

[RB Hound]

Already? Guess San Diegans didn't like the Texas burritos enough to go there after the initial hype.

[DiningDiva]

It has rice in it...

[RB Hound]

If it is going to have rice (and not be a seafood burrito, natch), it should at least been one of those yummy Mission style burritos.

[Charlie SanDiego]

They're originally from Santa Barabara but made thier bones in Texas. Honestly nothing about their effort made sense. They chose a premium location and under utilized it. Their menu is at best late night fare, giving them little chance of pulling enough lunch business given the surrounding competition. I thought they'd run a loss leader for a year, but I guess not.

[MrKrispy]

well at least Chipotle can pick up the slack for the rice burrito eaters.

[Josh]

A proper Mission burrito is awesome. That's *not* what they serve at Chipotle.

[Fake Name]

Oh, yes!

Lettuce is a key ingredient!

(Snarkasam)

[Josh]

No lettuce in Mission burritos.

[MrKrispy]

I don't know if we can trust you anymore Josh! lol

[RB Hound]

No kidding - what a traitor. I dread the day when he starts proclaiming the Bay Area to be superior in beer.

[Josh]

Nah, SD still has the edge there for sure.

Still, we have Russian River, Anderson Valley, Bear Republic, Drake's, Marin, Anchor, and 21st Amendment. All solid breweries.

[Josh]

Trust me, a well-made Mission burrito is really good. I wouldn't say better than an SD taco shop burrito, but equally good in a different way.

[Fake Name]

That's it then.

Josh has been assimilated.

[Josh]

DELICIOUSLY assimilated.

[cstr]

Until I see some of your postings on the SF board, you're a small fish in BIG POND!

[Cathy]

All I know is that rice + lettuce in a tortilla = wrap, not burrito. Even if salsa instead of ranch is on the inside.

[hungerpane]

Kadan (actually a bar) has closed at the corner of 30th and Adams Ave,and is most likely where the new venture by Consortium Holdings will open.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/j...

[Charlie SanDiego]

Alas with the closing of Kadan, so goes "Moonshake" which was a good night for electronica in the area. Hopefully McLeod raises their game. In any event it will be good for Cantina to have something "hot" around it.

[hungerpane]

And don't forget about Jayne's across the street. For some reason, though, I just can't get into Sabuku. As a nearby Kensington resident, I look forward to the changes happening at this intersection.

[Charlie SanDiego]

I too have yet to get into Sabuku as I'm inherently skeptical about any "fusion" sushi that touts the latest ghost pepper roll. Alas I will because now with Kazumi gone, I need a spot other than Shirahama & Kaito that is within a bike ride of the casa. So Let's hope for the best from Consortium et al

[calauctions]

Thanks for the info...

[Rodzilla]

try Akinori http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/864100

[Charlie SanDiego]

Funny you should say so. Went under extreme conditions (Sunday happy hour, large party of non sushi folks who controlled the ordering). Alas I cannot derive any food related conclusions other than to say the plating was thoughtful and the rolls were a cut above what you would find at the place such as Nozomi. As the saying goes I don't eat rolls often but...In any event I'll be headed back to take a seat at the bar soon.

[Rodzilla]

I'll look forward to the report.

I'm with you, I don't deny that those western fusion rolls can be damned tasty - but they're not what I consider sushi, and certainly not a way to gauge skill.

[Rodzilla]

Pita Pit in pacific beach...not the usual CH spot, but a closing none the less

[honkman]

Cavaillon has closed

[karaethon]

is it permanent? when you call the answering machine just says it's "temporary"

[honkman]

The webpage (blog part) just says that they are closed. I doubt it will be temporary.

[karaethon]

You were right:
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/s...

[Rodzilla]

I blame the foie ban.

(yes, joking)

[phee]

I heard through the grapevine that Aperitivo is closing. Anyone know if this is true?

[sdurban]

According to various folks on twitter, yes.

Also, Thai Joint in Normal Heights has closed, moving a few blocks west to 3190 Adams, re-opening as Prana Thai.

[jmtreg]

There has been something weird going on with Apertivo over the last few months - the Twitter feed has been increasingly desperate, and according to Twitter, it closed yesterday. If so, why not inform folks a few weeks in advance? Very odd.

If Apertivo is indeed closed, then it is a very sad occasion - the concept was great, but the execution (and the food) wasn't there - especially after the move from 30th to Texas and El Cajon.

[MrKrispy]

IMO it was over with well before the move. Hoping for a decent revamp after the move, I begrudgingly went for a group dinner (6 of us) a couple of months ago and it was a complete disaster. Seriously, probably the worst service I have ever had in SD. Main courses were coming out with the appetizers, a few main courses weren't brought out until they were also bringing out desserts, and they got mad when we had to remind them about one of our missing entrees (asked 3 times over 45 minutes). When we asked if there was a table mixup because they were bringing out some of the entrees to people that hadn't gotten their appetizers yet, they said "that's how they are served". Ciao!

[stevewag23]

"few main courses weren't brought out until they were also bringing out desserts"

Wow. Did they bring the check before the entrees?

Did they say, "Have a good night, thanks for coming" when you walked in?

[jmtreg]

Um. . .there are no entrees at Apertivo. That's the point of a tapas restaurant - so the food should have come more or less at the same time. That said, the food really declined after the revamp.

[MrKrispy]

sorry, I forgot to mention it was a "prix fixe" menu, and the menu was listed in courses...so shouldn't they be served as courses? When I had dined at Apertivo in the old location they didn't bring out the dishes in randomized order or randomly not-at-all.

[honkman]

When we went to the old location they always brought the dishes in random order

[sdurban]

Ono Sushi in Hillcrest closing this weekend, to become Uptown Tavern in July, from owners of True North, West Coast Tavern etc.

[honkman]

El Bizcocho will close soon. Will be replaced by another restaurant after reconstructions (I doubt it will be an upscale restaurants again unfortunately - based on the early reports it will be more about "disposing of the whole fine dining thing and focusing on a style that's more communal and about sharing (plates)" - what an innovative and novel concept.

[stevewag23]

A "gastropub" with craft beer perhaps?

Small plates under $20?

Deviled Eggs?

Mac and Cheese?

Burrata?

Maybe?

[honkman]

Yes and they are only 5 years late

[stevewag23]

It is never to late to make every restaurant in san diego the exact same.

If they add an incompetent bartender that makes "craft cocktails", and close the kitchen promptly at 9:30pm I am certain the place will be a hit.

[RB Hound]

9:30? Have you ever been in that neck of Rancho Bernardo, Steve? They probably have to close the kitchen by 8:00 so they won't disturb the neighbors.

[SmellingNice]

Sam's Place and Nobu in Solana Beach are both history.

[bundydavis]

Is Nobu closed for good or are they just relocating? Does anyone know? I love the sushi at Nobu. Some of the freshest fish and sitting with Nobu was always a lot of fun.

[ikeg]

My wife is going to be very sad about Sam's Place closing... she LOVED their broasted chicken.
Does anybody have good tips on restaurants that serve good broasted chicken in SD county?

[MrKrispy]

according to the UT, Maria Maria in Hazard Center is closing. I assume a burger place will open in place of it since there is only one (Smashburger) in Hazard Center currently.

[RB Hound]

Maybe the Malarkey empire should buy that space. Organza? Velveteen?

[DiningDiva]

Oooo....Velvet Elvis....

[Josh]

Duct Tape

[Tripeler]

I'm still rooting for a Malarkey stab at Muslin Terrace, but it seems it's just not gonna happen.

[stevewag23]

Boudoir is closed.

Club King of The Century, Mike Viscuso takes another beating.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/boudoir-san-d...

[honkman]

According to mmm-yoso blog Ba Ren is closing by the end of the month

[DiningDiva]

I'm sorry to hear that. I wa there about 4 or 5 months ago and while it was still fairly good, it had clearly lost a step or two.

[karaethon]

That certainly is bad news. I would also have to agree with DD, I was there about 1-2 months ago and the dishes did seem to lose a step...

[KirkK]

Actually, once Wendy left the place lost it's footing. Which is sad, the Chef is a certified Master Chef in ChongQing. I think they hit top during the Beer Week dinner there in '09. The Chef's son told me he needed a break.

[daantaat]

this is depressing....the Chinese food scene is sorely lacking in SD and now we're one less...will have to figure out how to get more trips into the SGV.

[stevewag23]

Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano in Little Italy, closed.

[cstr]

There was a place called The Black Pearl on the corner of Grand and Cass in PB that's gone. It was kinda bar with some seafood and pub grub offerings.

[bizzwriter]

No doubt something similar will soon replace it, just as it replaced the Australian bar that was there before it.

[stevewag23]

I believe that The Black Pearl was owned by the wife of the owner of The Aussie pub. She got it in a divorce, changed the name and ran it into the ground.

[MrKrispy]

is this the old "Aussie Pub"? Wow I used to go there for cheap wings back in the 90s.
I remember the owner and his wife...didn't even know it changed to The Black Pearl.

I stopped going after it always started smelling like vomit at the bar haha

[bizzwriter]

Viva la PB!

[stevewag23]

Alex's Brown Bag - CLOSED.

But re-opened in pacific beach.

From yelp:

We have closed the Bankers Hill location.Our new location is at 5019 Cass St. Pacific Beach HopeTo See YouSoon! Open 7 days!

[Charlie SanDiego]

Their quality went down the last few years, but with Philly Grill selling, this leaves a cheese steak void in the area.

[stevewag23]

Agreed.

I thought it was decent 5-7 years ago.

But since then every time I ate there or had it delivered, it seemed to get progressively worse.

I think they might have had some ownership changes, but I am not sure.

[bizzwriter]

That's funny -- I just noticed the tiny new sign out front when I walked by with my wife a few evenings ago. I was wondering what the hell Alex's Brown Bag was supposed to be. Now I know. It's co-located with the Latitude 32 pub which has been around for quite a few years now.

[cstr]

Hennesey's Tavern in PB bit the dust, can't say I'll miss it.

[bizzwriter]

You sure about that? I thought they were just doing a remodel.

[foodiechick]

That particular location was sold, but heard they may have an agreement to keep the name. Who knows, maybe the new owners will be an improvement.

[bizzwriter]

Thanks for the confirmation, FC! On a slightly different topic, have you wandered over to Table 926 yet, in the old Chateau Orleans space? Looks promising...

http://www.table926.com/

[hungerpane]

Table 926 looks interesting. Menu appears similar to 25Forty Bistro. Will have to check it out.

[foodiechick]

Wow, news to me. Hope they fill a niche, looking forward to trying it! Let us know what you think if you try it out.

[CTDub]

Ate there this week and was a bit underwhelmed. But I'm willing to give them a little room to grow. I really want a place like this in north PB to succeed. (And even if I wasn't blown away it's 1000 times better than Chateau Orleans, where I ate once and that was once too many.)

Of the dishes we tried, including the chicory salad (with poached egg and bacon), duck tacos, sweet potato gnocchi, burger, and oxtail ragu, I thought the best was actually the cauliflower bisque. Simple but delicious. Many of the other dishes I found on the bland side. The caramelized (or "zinfandel-honey braised") onions on the burger were cloyingly sweet for me and overwhelmed the beef.

Service was eager and generally attentive, but not too polished. Wine was served by the busboy, not our server, which was a little strange and he struggled a bit. Subtle service points like the way empty plates and the wine bottles were handled felt a bit amateurish. The space is nice. Perhaps a little too brightly lit and they could do with some art on the walls, but it's a clean design.

FYI, Tuesday is 1/2 price wine by the glass, Wednesday is 1/2 price draft beers, and Thursday is 1/2 price wine bottles.

I'm a little worried that I wasn't more excited by the food on a first take even though we sampled a reasonable number of dishes. I'll still go back: to give them more chances, because it's 5 minutes from my house, and as I said there's a need for this type of place in PB. I'd be interested to hear other opinions if you guys dine here.

[DiningDiva]

How long have they been open?

[CTDub]

Since December 9th.

[DiningDiva]

So 3 weeks...I'd give them at least another 3-4 weeks (minimum) to get the worst of the kinks ironed out

[Island]

Was in that area last week and the sign on the door says Hennessey's moved to La Jolla. No mention of what would replace it, but construction was in full swing.

[foodiechick]

Hennessey's opened a "slightly" more upscale location in La Jolla about a year ago. Supposedly a new concept, but the menu is very similar, and food just as disappointing. I read that the CFO of the corp. was recently convicted of embezzlement. Maybe this is part of the reason of the PB sale?

[honkman]

Caffe Vergnano closed in Hillcrest.

[littlestevie]

Not that it was any loss, but the El Torito in the Encinitas Ranch Center closed. The only reason I mention this is that location is taking on a death jinx. That building has been there for what 10 years, and this is about the 5th or 6th place. I know that the chain is in trouble, but I really thought they could make a go of it in Encinitas. Chains seem to do real well up here in No. County. Good luck to the next entrepreneur.

[Cathy]

Caffe Vergnano 1882 just posted on Facebook that today is their last day. They had really good coffee and snacks.

[jmtreg]

Somehow that's not surprising. The coffee was really good, but the owner picked the wrong location because there was simply too much competition on that block.

[Charlie SanDiego]

Panniken Down Town. Just an FYI the ladies are still in business and doing a delivery service until they reopen a brick and mortar. Call them with you order at 619-239-7891. I have to admit, having them both pull up to my house in the red buggy is pretty funny.

[sdurban]

Trattoria La Strada downtown.

[stevewag23]

Isn't that one of the "gaslamp renovation originals"?

Hopefully something good and unique will fill its place.

Anyone want to hold their breath?

[mikec]

Not one of the originals. Fio's, Morgan's, Dakota, Golden Lion and a few others predated La Strada by at least 3-4 years.

I keep trying to remember the name of the restaurant that was just off 5th on Market, it had a tiny upstairs (maybe 4 2-tops) with a bar and fairly large seating area downstairs, glass block, gray and mauve decor, california-cuisiney very mid-80's.

[stevewag23]

You are right.

Are " Fio's, Morgan's, Dakota, Golden Lion" all closed as well?

[Fake Name]

Yes, all closed. Croce's, however remains open- I forget the New Orleans themed place that was at that location before it.

Ah, Morgan- great Caesar Salad.

[Divamac]

I don't know if this is old news, but Carnitas Uruapan in Lemon Grove is closed. Anyone know the story?

[Fake Name]

Wow- that's the end of an era.

It used to be down in that area near Sweetwater Road. And it's the same familia as the TJ location near the bullring- but I've not been there is over 20 years. Around the back of that location was a vacant lot with open pit fires under cauldrons of boiling fat.

[plantman]

I just saw a sign for new location on Spring Street, just north of the94 freeway, south of the Henry's Market, in La Mesa. The last few times I had the carnitas, I felt the quality had been slipping, so I hope that a new location will improve things..

[bizzwriter]

Wandered through Pacific Plaza in PB yesterday and was sad to see that San Diego fresh pasta pioneer Lotsa Pasta is gone -- to be replaced by a new Massage Envy franchise. Although they were nothing special in recent years, Lotsa Pasta stood out from the crowd of neighborhood Italian joints for the better part of two decades. RIP.

-----
Lotsa Pasta
1762 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109

[Island]

Lotsa Pasta website says were there 23 years, lost their lease and are pursuing other options. Lost lease seems to be a common occurrence these days.

Gingerlily Bakery closed. Fantastic cupcakes, tarts and a few other goodies made from organic and locally grown products sold at the Poway and Mira Mesa Farmers Markets. She closed shop to take a job in another state. Bummer, I crave her hummingbird and chocolate blood orange cupcakes.

[Beach Chick]

Lotsa Pasta had this broccoli salad with golden raisins that was so good..

In regards to 'lost lease' in these economic times, I can't believe that a lessor wouldn't be willing to negotiate a better psf and some $$ for TI's.
They were in the 'elbow' of that shopping center with no visible exposure...wonder what their sf in that space was...recall it was quite large..downsize, regroup and snag a spot with good demographics..

[honkman]

According to Twitter Aquamoree in LJ is closing

[shouzen]

That place never seemed to catch on with anyone. IIRC they even changed their concept to the current incarnation, still no luck...

[RB Hound]

That's turning into a location of death, isn't it?

[foodiechick]

The usual "Closed because of family emergency" note has been on the door for almost a week. Talented chef, but I never understood why they went for that concept. I'm not sure that there is much of a demand (or understanding) in San Diego for upscale "southern tapas". Maybe in Atlanta, where they are from. I feel badly for the Chef's mother, who underwrote the whole thing for a year and relocated from Atlanta.

[daantaat]

that's too bad. it was pretty good and moderately priced, esp for La Jolla.

[sdnosh]

While I never tried this restaurant, I wonder if a concept like this, in a more casual setting might work in North Park to new hip dinning destination.

[stevewag23]

Suite & Tender is closed.

Not surprising.

To be replaced by:

"Saltbox, a Kimpton restaurant, is taking over the old sexily lit Suite & Tender. The new chef, Simon Dolinky, comes with an LA pedigree (most recently from another Kimpton restaurant, BLVD 16) and we’ve read he’s got a respect for seasonal and natural ingredients. The menu will be shareable plates, under $25 - think a gastro-lounge with Lobster Corn Dogs with a Ginger Remoulade.

[Island]

Lobster corn dogs? Sacrilege.

[shouzen]

This was in the thread about SD new openings. We ate there a few weeks ago - it was good (great for the Gaslamp)

[stevewag23]

Saltbox?

How was the price point?

Busy?

Which night?

[shouzen]

Saltbox, yes. Sunday night around 9pm-ish. It was very quiet, only 2 other tables in the large restaurant space on the second floor. Food was very well-priced actually - IIRC it was under $10 for all the small bites, and under $20 for almost everything else. What I especially liked was the option to get half-portions for many items.

[Beach Chick]

Steve..
You need to saddle up with Prince Harry who is in town for the month..
Staying downtown and keeping the bars open till 2 am..
Shutting it down every night..even in sleepy San Diego..
Sure you can piggyback that good time to summers in Ibiza..

[stevewag23]

Leaving for New York City tonight.

[Beach Chick]

sweet...no place like NYC..

[ChowBaccus]

La Playa Bistro in Point Loma closed a few weeks ago...and the new little place they were opening next door as well. I think that, given time, they really could have made the adjustments needed to the menu, food, and pricing and really produced a winner. It's a shame - I was rooting for them.

[sdnosh]

Yea, I was rooting for them also as was most of Point Loma. We are in desperate need of a casual but interesting place that is not attached to a hotel or yacht club. However, the problems they had, they had from the beginning and didn't seem to be making the changes as the went along. It's a great location with a for lease sign on it. Dear Cafe Chloe, how about a location in Point Loma?

-----
Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Point Loma Cafe
4856 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

[hungerpane]

After 34 years downtown, Pannikin Coffee and Tea closes this weekend because the landlord wouldn't give them a new lease. The sister owners are looking at North Park, U-Heights, Little Italy or another area of downtown to re-open under another name.

[littlestevie]

Under a different name? That is going to be tough to start a coffee/tea/ light food place without any name recognition. Are Pannikins franchises? I always thought that they were under a single ownership group.

[Fake Name]

Huh. I thought that building was owned by the (now late) Bob Sinclair, who started Pannikin there many many years ago. IIRC, the sisters worked there before he sold the business. One of my first commercial photography jobs was photographing him roasting coffee in the back, behind the retail store.

I hate coffee, and was gagging on the smell of hot, roasted beans. Ugh.

[honkman]

168 restaurant - the taiwanese restaurant in the Ranch 99 building closed. It might be not the best restaurant we ever visited but we liked the food and when we came to SD 10 years ago as postdocs it was one of the few placed where you could get good food around midnight after work. We will miss the place and its owners.

[shouzen]

Now where am I going to get my stinky tofu!?

[mliew]

Kind of sorry to hear about 168. I too have fond memories about the place from my college days but unfortunately the food quality seemed to have gone downhill quite a bit in the past 3 years or so. The family that ran the place was always very nice to us. Any ideas on if anything new is planning to open in its place?

[honkman]

Somebody is renovating the place to open a new restaurant. I think the name was Savory Garden

[mliew]

Interesting. Looks like they're already registered a domain name for their website:

http://www.thesavorygarden.com/

Wonder if anybody has managed to get the scoop on what kind of Chinese food they plan on serving.

[honkman]

We tried to talk to the owner (?) yesterday when we wanted to go to 168 for lunch and she answered all our questions about her food with "good, cheap food". So we have to wait when they will open soon

[steveprez]

I believe that they are calling it "Military Village" food. Similar to Mama Liang's on Convoy.

[stevewag23]

Top flight Carlsbad institution Pat & Oscar’s Files for Bankruptcy Protection, Closes 3 Locations

http://www.sdbj.com/news/2011/sep/27/...

[Josh]

A severe blow to big breadstick.

[Island]

I hate to see any businesses go under. Don't need any more unemployment or empty storefronts.

[MrKrispy]

Blanca is closing :(

[DiningDiva]

To reopen in a different guise

[hungerpane]

Blanca chef Gavin Schmidt says he will be opening a restaurant "closer to Downtown" in a space formerly occupied by a restaurant. Sounds like Solana Beach's loss will be North Park, Hillcrest or Bankers Hill's gain. Could it be the recently closed El Camino in South Park??

[foodiechick]

Nope, that site is already spoken for.

[hungerpane]

Oops....I forgot that Juan Chou's is going in there.

[surfer1966]

Gulf Coast Grill is closed. They are suppose to reopen with new owners. I loved that place in the beginning when they had these awesome fried chicken wings on there appetizer/happy hour menu.

-----
Gulf Coast Grill
4130 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103

[sdurban]

word on the street is pizza nova in hillcrest is closing at the end of the month due to a rent increase... unconfirmed.

[honkman]

FoodbuzzSD confirms that Pizza Nova will close as well as Banana Leaf. City Deli around the corner is also up for sale.

[Josh]

Won't be sorry to see any of them go, honestly.

[Charlie SanDiego]

Add Kazumi to that list as well. This is a large tragedy for me, because not only was Kazumi-San a long time friend, next to Shirahama, this was the best sushi close to my house. I have no idea what the Promenade is thinking jacking the rent in this economy.

[Josh]

Property owners are still living in the boom.

[stevewag23]

Yeah, especially since the Promenade has been dying a slow death.

Maybe a comfort food place with craft beers will move in?

Or a burger joint?

[jbol]

Oh this makes me very sad, watching the family grow up over the years.

[Charlie SanDiego]

They placed on note (with an email) on the window saying Kazumi may be doing private cooking classes as they regroup to find another location. I dropped them a note, when I hear something I'll post it.

[jbol]

Yes, please do. I don't live in the area any longer so was an infrequent diner there the past couple of years.

[ChowBaccus]

jbol - You don't happen to drive a Jeep, do you?

[jbol]

No, I don't have a jeep...

[MrKrispy]

wow a big bummer but not a big surprise. When I lived in the area it was easily the best sushi place in Hillcrest, seemingly the only one that took pride mainly in the fish quality not how much cream cheese they could stuff in a roll or how many different things they could deep fry and pack in a roll.

[honkman]

El Camino is South Park has closed.

[foodie bride]

wow, really? I can't believe I didn't know that considering I live about 10 blocks from there and walk by it constantly. Was it pretty recently? I was there maybe a month ago, and it seemed relatively busy. Certainly not as packed as when it first opened, but still seemed to be reasonably popular.

[MrKrispy]

I was there a month ago also and it was swamped. It has been busy every time we have been there too. Wow, very surprising.

[Cathy]

I have El Camino as a 'friend' on Facebook and they were open on Saturday- posted at 7p.m.

[honkman]

The Little Italy location is still open

[Kitsune_SD]

I know this goes WAY back in time - but does anyone remember Hell's Kitchen in PB? I seriously want to cry every time I think about that place - we used to go all the time and loved their food. I think they were just 10-20 years ahead of their time...

[Ms. Verde]

OMG, I loved that place, too!

[bizzwriter]

Hmmm...please jog my memory -- exactly where and when in PB?

[mpotter14]

Bread on Market is closed. Such a bummer too, that was a great place to get a sandwich downtown.

[Cathy]

Box Lunches for Padre games from Bread on Market were the best.

This one is making me sad.

[mpotter14]

Spicy Pickle in Little Italy / Downtown has closed. A for lease sign was on the window of the building. Seems like sandwich places downtown are dropping like flies!

-----
Spicy Pickle
303 W Beech St, San Diego, CA 92101

[RB Hound]

Everybody's going to Hodad's.

-----
Hodads Restaurant
5010 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

[Kitsune_SD]

It was down on Garnet near Mission in that weird complex on the corner that now houses a Sketchers shoe outlet and the timeframe was, if I recall correctly, the early to mid 90's. They did an all spicy food menu and I think their big downfall was not having a beer and wine sales license, as well as being ahead of the whole chipotle flavor craze.

[bizzwriter]

Thanks for the reminder -- I vaguely recall the restaurant, don't think I ever ate there. The best thing that ever landed in that particular complex was the brewpub -- one of the very first in San Diego as I recall. It also was ahead of its time and only lasted a few years.

[eatemup]

That was run by the guy that started Pacifica downtown. Neil something.

[foodiechick]

Neil Stuart, who was the original Pacific chef. They still use many of his original dishes at Pacifica Del Mar.

-----
Pacifica Del Mar
1555 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014

[eatemup]

Bingo. I loved that place when was cooking.

[pegasus505]

The Fish Merchant went out of business at least one month ago. On Saturday I drove by and the storefront had been destroyed and a line of grocery carts was the only thing preventing anyone from going inside. Don't know what happened, but the chairs and tables were still there and some were thrown around.

-----
Fish Merchant
7005 Navajo Rd, San Diego, CA 92119

[DiningDiva]

I was in the CVS next door when it happened. A woman accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake when she was parking and ended up jumping the curb and going through the front window of the Fish Merchant. Thank god they were closed. Had they been open - and they would have been at the time the accident happened - diners would have been injured, perhaps seriously.

-----
Fish Merchant
7005 Navajo Rd, San Diego, CA 92119

[pegasus505]

A whole new meaning to "drive through restaurant",

[Tripeler]

Drive-in restaurant, for sure.

[FireFlyFiftyFive]

Poway closings:

http://poway.patch.com/articles/doors...

House on the Hill closed. NE corner of Pomerado and Poway Rd. They made it work there longer than most. 5+ years I think. I only went one Thanksgiving. They gave you a sandwich to take home as leftovers. Big old house with a big patio. Give us an Urban Solace here!

Cin Cin in the Poway Target shopping center. I never went there. Again they had been there the better part of 5 years, I believe.

-----
Urban Solace Restaurant
3823 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104

[MrKrispy]

Heard the Vine is closing in OB, which is quite shocking as it seems to be busy when we go there.

[Cathy]

Solunto's Bakery in Little Italy.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/20...

Last sentence in third paragraph:

[jmtreg]

Son of a bitch. . .Solunto's Bakery was my parents' favorite bakery for Italian rolls and cookies. I have noticed that in recent years the wholesale business has declined (as fewer and fewer places were serving Solunto's rolls). Also, the pizza they served there was just like my Grandma's.

[stevewag23]

Yeah, that is the loss of a san diego icon.

[foodiechick]

Read that. End of an era.

[jabsykes]

Best bread & rolls - very very sad to see it go. Sausage King meat on Solunto rolls were the best...

-----
Sausage King
811 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103

[honkman]

Yakitori Yakyudori in Hillcrest is closing.

[stevewag23]

Terrible news.

Do you know the story behind the closing?

[bizzwriter]

I hope to God that the Convoy location is okay -- I went for the first time a month ago and the place blew my mind. Love it.

[honkman]

I hope they are trying to focus on only one restaurant. We went several times to the Convoy location and it is much better than the Hillcrest one which was quite underwhelming the few times we were there and it was hard to justify to go back. I don't think they had a enough good people to run both restaurants at the same time with consistent good quality.

[daantaat]

I think the Convoy one is doing fine. Between ramen all day and ramen and yakitori at night, it's hard to see them closing. They do both well and on weekends when school is in session, it's standing room only.

[DougOLis]

Do you know when it's closing?

[honkman]

No.I just heard it from a few people (and read it on Twitter) that they are closing but not when

[honkman]

Just drove by yesterday night on our way to a midnight milkshake at Cafe Bassam and it was closed.

-----
Cafe Bassam
3088 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

[sdnosh]

I spoke to a good friend of Bassam's and she said Cafe Bassam was not closed, Bassam was just reducing his hours - but I have not spoken to him directly nor driven by.

-----
Cafe Bassam
3088 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

[honkman]

The discussion is about Yakitori closing not Bassam.

[foodiechick]

Not exactly a closure but chef departure and more. Hotel La Jolla (formerly know as The Summerhouse Inn) has been sold and the new owners have brought in the boutique hotel management company Kimpton to run the property. The top floo restaurant Clays (formerly known as Elario's) has been renamed The Grill at Hotel La Jolla and Chef Clay Bordan has departed. The owners plan to move the restaurant to the ground floor and make the top floor home to luxury suites.

Sorry to see them move the restaurant downstairs, but the Kimpton guiding hand is encouraging about the direction they will take.

[bizzwriter]

Kimpton does great hotels -- stayed a year ago at the Monoco in Chicago and it was VERY nice. There's hope for the Hotel La Jolla yet!

[honkman]

We also often enjoy our stays at Kimpton Hotels and their restaurants we tried tend to be very good, JSix, Blvd 16, Fifth Floor.

[mpotter14]

Goodbye Gringos in PB...Overpriced Mex.

It is now called: Fat Fish Cantina. It is now under the same ownership as World Famous. The menu as been tweaked a little for the better. And most importantly all the tacos everybody loves on the bar menu at WF are now at Fat Fish but with a "latina flare".

[sdnosh]

Yes Gringos was overpriced, but it was pretty good and it was always packed. Given it's location in PB, it's going to be expensive. World Famous isn't exactly cheap and the food is not very good. I end up getting stuck going to World Famous from time to time because of friends wanting to each on the boardwalk and I can say, there has always been a problem with the food from warm items served cold (the brie comes to mind), and just bad combinations. I can't see how they could make Gringo's better.

-----
World Famous
711 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego, CA 92109

[stevewag23]

"always packed"

Why did they close?

[jonfin]

Agree. World Famous is terrible. Overpriced, dreadful service and mediocre food. I hope they can improve upon their reputation in a new location. Incidentally, I think the name Fat Fish Cantina is terrible. That place should last a few months....

-----
World Famous
711 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego, CA 92109

[stevewag23]

I think they should call it "FAT Pig Gringo Cantina" and just put an end to all the terrible names of bars/restaurants in san diego.

Then we can start over from scratch.

Thoughts?

[DiningDiva]

"all the tacos everybody loves on the bar menu at WF are now at Fat Fish but with a "latina flare"."

Huh? Tacos *are* latin? How can you add "latina" flare to something that's inherently latin? This doesn't make sense.

[mjill]

By making them less gringo I suppose

[DiningDiva]

No doubt

[stevewag23]

"This doesn't make sense."

Agreed.

But did you think anything would make sense it a place formerly occupied by the name "Gringos"?

[stevewag23]

Gringos might have been the worst name ever for a bar/restaurant.

Fat Fish Cantina is slightly better.

I am very optimistic.

[bizzwriter]

Man -- you beat to this one. Surprised to see on a Monday-evening walk that Fat Fish had replaced (overnight?) Gringo's. Regarding the demise of Gringo's, all I know is that they went straight downhill after they stopped offering that hot cheese dip concoction along with their chips and salsa. I've never been a big fan of World Famous, but hopefully they'll breathe some new life into this tired place.

[stevewag23]

Was the old chef at Gringos the guy who now spearheads Cowboy Star?

I am trying to figure out who was the mastermind behind that "cheese goop" Gringo's served.

Anyone know?

[mjill]

Yes, Victor Himeniz was there for a stint. He also worked at JRDN prior to opening Cowboy Star. I had lunch at CS recently and it's as good as ever.

[CTDub]

Thank god. Gringo's lasted ten times longer than it should have. Awful place overall, given the delivery vs promise ratio, despite the nice setting and great location. The food skirted the mediocre side of tolerable, with a few hits but many bland misses, but was far better than the drinks. The margaritas were so watery as to be criminal (I'll pay gigante prices for a decent grande margarita if needed any night of the week, thank you). They rode the wave of upscaled PB as long as they could -- which is a needed and potentially successful niche, but difficult -- see Tower23 (successful, I hope) and Bar West (aka Margarita Rocks with a refurbishing and persistent fights outside, basically a fresh coat of paint on the same place, now with bottle service!).

Good riddance...

[eatemup]

Bring back the Old Ox (btw another great restaurant name).

[Beach Chick]

The 'Box'...
That was the place around 1am on Saturday night....gosh, I miss that place!
Good for Sunday breakfast if that other classic place on Thomas/Mission in PB was packed..can't remember the name..
Dang!

[bizzwriter]

What WAS the name of that place at Thomas & Mission??? I did the Sunday brunch at Diego's (and danced the night away with my wife-to-be) more than once or twice before they crashed and burned.

[mpotter14]

Nicks?

[bizzwriter]

Nick's is more recent. I'm pretty sure I'm thinking of the Old Pacific Beach Cafe (now the Rip Curl Surf Center). BC may be thinking of the Spice Rack, which was very popular for breakfast, and was located where the Ralph's shopping center is today.

[Beach Chick]

Spice Rack...that's it!
Thank's bizz..they made the best omelettes with the basket of muffins..
Remember TD Hays..they had the best bleu cheese dressing...wasn't their a Mulvaney's around the World Famous which is where the Green Flash used to be?
; )

[foodiechick]

GAWD - Spice Rack! Totally forgot about that place...and Mulvaney's. I'm officially old.

[DiningDiva]

And let's not forget Foggy's Notion and the Aspen Mine Co. If you remember the Cinnamon Cinder does that officially make you a dinosaur?

[Beach Chick]

Loved Foggy's after concerts at Sports Arena and was a little SAE sister at SDSU and would Togo at Aspen Mine Company the night away..

Where was Cinn Cinder?

[DiningDiva]

So, do you rember the Quaff Barrel (aka QB) as well?

Cinnamon Cinder was out El Cajon Blvd. around 74th or 75th, maybe even a little further. Live music and they used to get some pretty decent national touring acts. And, actually, I never went. They closed before I got to be old enough to get in.

[Beach Chick]

I was in college at 15..I don't remember the Quaff...couldn't get into most of these places until I got the 'fake id'..
; )

[Island]

Diegos! Now there's a blast from the past. Never hit the club, but Friday night after work on the patio was a must, as was an occasional shrimp burrito. I loved that place!

And the PB Cafe for music and a world of beer choices.

[stevewag23]

How is Tower 23 doing these days?

Busy?

Same horrible service?

[CTDub]

Busy at key times (summer sunsets), empty at others.

Service in the "restaurant" space is quite good, I think. Service at the bar/patio seating is always way overstretched, to the point that you're better off ordering your next cocktail now, just in case.

I sincerely hope they're doing well. When they opened people wondered how a Miami Beach styled hotel would work in Pacific Beach. I think they've proved there is a local market for something beyond Moondoggies / PB Bar & Grill / Longboards.

[daantaat]

Papachino's and the Brazilian steakhouse (Foga de Chao?) in the Flower Hill Mall are closed.

-----
Papachino's Restaurant
2650 Via De La Valle Ste C210, Del Mar, CA 92014

[Island]

Never tried that Brazilian steakhouse, but it wasn't there very long was it? Papachino's finally gone? That place had staying power, but no idea why. Can't understand why Paradise Grille still lives on either. Any idea what's going in those spaces?

[daantaat]

I never went to any of those 3 places to eat. Something about them screamed overpriced average food. No idea what will go in those spaces. Both of them look recently shuttered.

[littlestevie]

They are finally doing the major remodel in the FHM, but maybe not because there still maybe some litigation. I think a lot of places in the mall will be closed during the remodel

[cstr]

Foga de Chao is a chain, maybe the concept doesn't work well in SD.

[jmtreg]

More likely, it didn't work in the Flower Hill Mall, but would work elsewhere. The Brazilian place in the Gaslamp does good business.

[stevewag23]

Agreed.

That place has been an anchor tenant in the Gaslamp.

The Chain concept is alive and well in SD.

[mliew]

I think you guys are thinking of "Fogrill Del Mar" which is unrelated to Fogo de Chao. I really wish there was a Fogo do Chao in SD county, the one in Beverly Hills is top notch.

[honkman]

Looks like Red Velvet Wine Bar is closing today.

[sdaints]

I am pretty surprised by this. I have only been there once and it was crowded and it seems busy any time that I have walked by. Any reason as to why?

[honkman]

According to Foodbuzz%3

22...To answer Dailey’s question of “why”, Buzz talked with wine director Kyle Showen today to get the answer. Bottom line: Owner Wendy Segal wants time off and isn’t ready to recalibrate the staff as Kyle is moving to San Francisco where Katie Brookshire (opening wine director) now works. Terrific chef Luke Johnson will be missed as will the very contemporary and grown-up spot for interesting wines and well-paired food. We hope that Segal will not keep the place shuttered too long..."

[stevewag23]

I live close by and it always seemed empty.

I personally think their prices were way, way too high for a glass of red.

Everyone I know that went, never went back.

Update ---

Just looked at their wines by the glass http://www.redvelvetwinebar.com/sampl...

Average price about $14 per glass, with a few $20 and $28 dollars per glass. Pretty expensive to drink a glass of red in a small box of a room.

I think this may have had something to do with it.

At those prices, you really need to be supplying wall to wall female fashion models.

I am not even sure those prices would fly during the multi-colored striped shirt Mortgage broker era of San Diego.

[bizzwriter]

Tamales Ancira on Garnet in PB has vanished without a trace.

-----
Tamales Ancira
1404 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109

[menuinprogress]

That's a shame. I always thought it was a strange location, but really appreciated them being there.

[cstr]

I hate reading this thread, so depressing.

[DiningDiva]

Are their Chula Vista and Escondido locations still open? They're web site is still active

[dustchick]

On Yelp, the entry for the PB location says that the other locations are still open. I'm bummed about the PB closure, though.

[Saabiar]

Pizza Gourmet Express in University Heights which was my go to Pizza place. Not sure what the deal is but their voice mail said they had to close their doors :-(

-----
Pizza Gourmet Express
4615 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116

[Saabiar]

Finally went to look at the sign on the door, says they will open under new ownership in July with some extras and a wine bar

[bizzwriter]

Was walking down Garnet in PB with my wife yesterday evening and noticed that Philly cheesesteak purveyor Olde City Grille is now officially defunct -- soon to be replaced by a Ciro's Pizzeria.

[keena]

Sad. They were true Philly- style and even used Amoroso rolls.

[stevewag23]

That is a big loss.

Arguably the best cheesesteak in san diego to be replaced by arguably the worst fake NY slice in san diego.

I am pretty surprised Olde City closed: good location, good food, foot traffic, popular, devoted following etc

Strange.

Anyone have the inside scoop?

[MrKrispy]

SOHO on El Cajon Blvd closed just shy of a year. Horrible location, they were probably a few years too early.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/20...

[SDGourmand]

I think the news that frankie the bull is still cooking is worse than soho closing.

[bizzwriter]

At the Ramada Inn in Kearny Mesa??? Hmmm...not exactly at the top of my bucket list...

[globocity]

I tried this place the first week it opened. Our initial impression: This place won't last.
That's not to say we didn't enjoy the food on some levels but it was too mediocre to warrant the prices. The location was very odd. Didn't Appertivo open their second location close by?

[sdaints]

I saw that Pizza Fusion has closed. There is a sign up saying that it is planning to reopen in the future with new chefs and an improved concept. There are so many pizza places that have opened within a few blocks of that location that I don't know how they could all survive.

-----
Pizza Fusion
, San Diego, CA 92101

[Maxmdwinter]

Pizza Fusion in Hillcrest was terrible, which I'm finding to be true of many of these "organic" pizza chains (Z Pizza, etc.)--too thin, too dry, too flavorless. Naked Pizza, which recently opened in HC, also piggybackson the "organic" marketing trend, but comes closest to tasting like mom and pop pizza

-----
Pizza Fusion
, San Diego, CA 92101

[bizzwriter]

In-Fluence French restaurant on Mt. Soledad in La Jolla has officially given up the ghost -- phone is disconnected. Hope whatever restaurant finds its way into that cursed location next has better luck.

[foodiechick]

Again, one year after a renegotiated lease, Trattoia Acqua has announced they are closing forever on January 31st. The owners told us that they are going to open a new restaurant in the Mission Hills/Hillcrest area in late spring...probably June. They are participating in Restaurant Week with what I think is an above decent $30 menu, and continuing it the following week until they close. They will once again be having an auction/sale on their wine inventory the first week of Feb.

Good luck to the ding-a-ling landlord who hopes to lease that space in this economy. Lots of empty windows on Prospect and Girard these days.

[Fake Name]

While it is unfortunate one of your favorites is closing due to an unreasonable landlord, I will seek to comfort and provide support to them after their transition to a more welcoming and kinder neighborhood.

: )

[cstr]

Have to agree foodie, lots of property owners still in denial and some probably just stupid. I mean, what's better half a loaf or nothing. I bet after several months of being empty, reality will set in, and whether in LJ or elsewhere, it doesn't matter, no 'hood is above this economy.

[Beach Chick]

Can't blame Mike and Vicky for walking...great people whom I wish all the best!
I see that the former Chart House location signed a deal for Eddie V's from Scottsdale..high end steak/seafood restaurant...slated to open May 2011.

www.eddiev.com

[bizzwriter]

I personally think the problems at Acqua go much deeper than the pricey lease and unreasonable landlord. I am a HUGE fan of the restaurant -- I have brought my family there for my birthday dinner the last three years running, and I often bring out-of-town visitors there for the great food and the luscious view. However, I also have lunch with a client every Monday at Crab Catcher. While Crab Catcher is almost always at least semi-busy for Monday lunch, Acqua is like a ghost town, 9 times out of 10. Many times over the past year I have told friends (including my client) that I don't think Acqua will be around much longer -- it was obvious to me that they weren't getting enough customers to keep the place in the black. I will definitely follow them to their next location, though since my b-day is in February, it looks like my family and I are going to miss out this year. :-(

[Encinitan]

I just noticed that the Kitchen Witch, a gourmet kitchen shop and cooking school in Encinitas, has closed. In the same Ralph's strip mall, a Pickup Stix has closed; never thought I would see that. Also, in the same mall, another Encinitas taco shop is due to open - Chronic Tacos (a chain originating in the upscale coastal region of Orange County by non-latinos who apparently love ganja).

[goodhealthgourmet]

i can't say i'm surprised about Kitchen Witch. their stuff was really overpriced, and in all the times i went in there i never once saw another customer.

[keena]

In the Gaslamp, Aqua Blu closed awhile ago and now has "the Hopping Pig" there. It's billed as a gastropub--anyone tried it?

-----
Aqua Blu
734 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

[stevewag23]

Confidential Closed:

I intercepted some cables about Confidential Restaurant + Loft. It will affect those of you who like to melt into white leather couches and sip Skyy vodka cocktails with 20-somethings. Yes, half of San Diego needs to know that the Gaslamp spot on Fourth Avenue has secretly shut down. Owners Darren Moore and Merritte Powell are remaking the 5-year-old sleek scenester into The Lincoln Room bar, opening in January.

http://www.enlacelink.com/news/2010/d...

[Fake Name]

"I intercepted some cables"

No doubt decoded with the Enigma device.

Or a Lektor.

[ibstatguy]

"Lektor" - love the reference!

[littlestevie]

Also buried in that story is , that El Bizchoco (sp?) lost its chef again, for what the third time this year? I have not been there for a while except for brunch, so I can't comment on the dinner food, but I just didn't see the last couple of chefs as good fits for the restaurant and the property. The crowd that they get out there is, ahem, older and not so adventurous. I hope the next chef the get works out for them, maybe Amy Dibiase might still be looking for work, and her talents would work better there than Old Town.

[SDGourmand]

Wow that was fast. I figured he wouldn't last. His menu was too high priced and way to adventurous for that area.

[SDGourmand]

It also talked about a "pop-up" restaurant coming to North county "a chef with TV cred" I hope it's not Ludo.. I've been to his pop up concepts in LA and they were some of the worst of overpriced food I've had to date..

[DiningDiva]

Jeez, and I was just hoping it wouldn't be Brian Malarky!

And since when does being on TV give a chef "cred"?!?!???

[stevewag23]

"And since when does being on TV give a chef "cred"?!?!???"

Since the self-absorbed media hype/television/facebook/twitter/Internet world really took hold. I would guess circa 2005.

[Island]

And since when would anyone really know about most chefs, or the latest trend ...cocktail mixologists, TV or otherwise, if it wasn't for the media? This is media! How many people out there consider themselves food experts with superior palates because they blog? Countless.

[honkman]

We still haven't gotten a reservation for Ludo but would really like his (pop-up) restaurant in SD. His style is very similar to the one from Laurent Quenioux at Bistro LQ which for us is the best/most creative restaurant currently in LA (or anywhere). I guess you wouldn't like Bistro LQ but perhaps you should give them a try (if you do go for the full tasting menu.

[SDGourmand]

I've been to two of his pop ups.. The first time the orginal 1.0 at breadbar was the best.. Still had some misses but overall it was a good meal.. The last one i went to was the downtown LA spot and that was just awful.. Presentations were a mess and flavors just didn't go.. I tried the whole menu and there wasn't one dish that didn't have serious flaws.. After dropping 300 on that dinner I would never go out of my way again to get a reso.. He needs his own spot and focus on that... Not constantly changing locations and hiring new cooks..

[Encinitan]

Le Bounne Bouffe, a french restaurant that has been in Encinitas for decades, has closed. The space is to be occupied by a taco shop. As there are currently only about 8 dozen taco shops in Encinitas, I look forward to the change .

[littlestevie]

Isn't there a taco shop in that mall already? I thought there was one on the other side of the pharmacy, or did that go under as well. That is going to be tough competition for that Del Taco around the corner, Heh.

[Encinitan]

That taco shop didn't last very long. That space is now occupied by a bakery that sells oatsy bars and muffins.

[goodhealthgourmet]

any chance you know the name of the bakery?

[Encinitan]

Gordy's Bakery

http://www.gordysbakery.com/index.html

[littlestevie]

I am in that mall all the time and I just didn't notice it. With ( my favorite)Elizabethian desserts a good block away, I guess there is no good reason to check it out.

[goodhealthgourmet]

oh, right! i remember seeing it the last time i went to that Smart & Final. i looked it up after that, and found out it's the guy who used to supply baked goods to the short-lived Java Kai in Del Mar Plaza. i tried a few of the muffin-y creations back in those days (before i had to go off gluten). they were all very heavy, dense, and *extremely* sweet. not my thing.

[carli]

Awww, give Gordy's a try!

Gordy is a great guy and I love to support him, not only because he makes great baked goods but also because he's a beloved local coach for track and x-country at San Dieguito Academy and has a great bond w/many local current and former students and their families.

Gordy worked for years at Movin' Shoes running store until recently, and always spoke of his dream to open his own bakery. For many years, he was baking and selling his power/energy type muffins (called plonks) to several local coffee shops but didn't have a bake shop of his own. People loved the plonks and his other creations (especially runners). He searched and searched for the right location in Encinitas, waiting/hoping that something would come up, but finally settled on the shopping center where he is now, and many of us have our fingers crossed that his place will survive/thrive.

You're right that many of his products are dense, but I don't find them extremely sweet (and I'm one who dislikes overly sweet desserts). His stuff is more along the lines of granola bars, muffins, fruit-type desserts, not fluffy cupcakes and three-layer cakes (of the type that I love at Elizabethan). So, when you're in the mood for something more "healthy" (ha ha...or at least seemingly more nutritious, with less chocolate and more fruit, oats and nuts), give Gordy's a try.

Oh, also, he makes a mean shortbread (I think he's Scottish). Good coffee, too.

[Fake Name]

Shortbread?

Mmmm.

[carli]

Oh yeah. His shortbread is really awesome, and I'm not normally a shortbread person. I usually like to save my dessert calories for anything with chocolate, but I've been making many exceptions at Gordy's, especially shortbread and the "lunch lady" bar, which is dense with oats and peanut butter...delicious with a good cup of coffee or tea.

[goodhealthgourmet]

well, i don't live in the area anymore, and even if i did, i can no longer eat gluten so all of his stuff is off-limits to me.

i tried the plonk, the big bang and the fruit bomb, and none of them did it for me - all too sweet and heavy. but i understand why people who like sweet, dense baked goods enjoy his stuff...and they're obviously a good choice for any local athletes who need to carbo-load ;)

[carli]

Yep, I gotcha. Different strokes for different folks. Interesting, because I don't find his things overly sweet at all, and I'm one who really can't stand anything too sweet.

[goodhealthgourmet]

it was several years ago, so maybe he adjusted the recipes...? anyway, i'm just glad he has a devoted following. even though his stuff isn't my cup of tea, it makes me happy to see people supporting a small, independent shop instead of buying mass-produced stuff from giant corporate grocery chains!

[stevewag23]

I am very bullish on taco shops in the down economy in san diego.

And I am very bearish on French restaurants in the down economy in san diego.

[DiningDiva]

Taco shops are a cop-out for the operator. Low food cost, low labor cost, low operating costs and depending upon location the rent probably isn't unbearable. Not very challenging, but usually pretty profitable

[stevewag23]

And don't forget, the demand is out of control.

A taco shop is the only kind of restaurant I would ever open up in san diego. That is if the goal of the restaurant was to make money.

[DiningDiva]

After all, fish tacos are all that we San Diegan want, right?

[stevewag23]

Don't forget carne asada burritos, flip flops and lower back tattoos (girls only).

[Fake Name]

Hey! CABs are not girls only.

[MrKrispy]

I can afford rolled tacos on unemployment. Escargots de Bourgogne not so much.

[4wino]

Verry saddened by the news about Bonne Bouffe. It was the quintessential of a country small French restaurant. Liked their beef bourguinon very much. Wine prices were reasonable too.

[sd4life]

Between Encinitas and Leucadia....there must be at least more taco shops than Tijuana. I like them all.

[SDGourmand]

Bull Taco just lost there executive chef who was running both the Cardiff and Oceanside location.. It's going to be tough for them as there staff is stretched extremely thin and the oceanside location is not doing as well as hoped..

Also I saw that Nozomi Carlsbad is up for sale on selling restaurants.com.. Very sad to see them struggling as I was a loyal patron since they opened. I hope the manage to get through but it's not looking to promising..

[sdaints]

It was announced a few weeks ago but Kemo Sabe looks to be officially closed. I think there is talk of them maybe reopening in North County. I saw Sushi Itto in Hillcrest appears to be closed. No loss there as it was probably some of the worst sushi that I have had in SD.

-----
Kemo Sabe
3958 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103

[foodiechick]

Rumors are swirling on twitter about The Big Easy closing. Website is down, phone unanswered and Chef Matt from Urban Solace said that he saw them hauling items out of the space when he drove by this morning. Anybody? In Hillcrest?

[foodiechick]

Confirmed. Big Easy gone.

[Island]

How long was big Easy in business?

[bizzwriter]

Since February 2010 I believe.

[MrKrispy]

based on our visit last month, not surprising at all. 2 strikes for Frankie the Bull.

[stevewag23]

Yeah, for some reason, he hasn't been the san diego media darling like brian malarkey.

[RB Hound]

He doesn't look as good in hipster gear.

[stevewag23]

True.

That location is so tough as well. You really have to be putting out exceptional food if you want to succeed there. Big Easy had pretty average food and poor service.

And there menu read like "worst hits" of New Orleans cuisine. (Well, maybe not worst hits, but nothing inspiring).

Looks like they got pretty hammered on yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-big-easy-...

I had a feeling this place would have a rough go when the chef was confusing Creole and Cajun cuisine in an interview.

[DougOLis]

That location is death. No one has succeeded there in the last 5 years or so. Not even The Better Half which did put out great food.

-----
Better Half
127 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

[Josh]

We had a few good brunches there several months ago. Last visit was a disaster.

[bizzwriter]

Sorry in advance for a post about fast-food joints ;-) but Jack in the Box is closing 40 stores mostly in Texas and the Southeast by this upcoming Sunday. Don't know if any are in the San Diego area:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/20...

[Josh]

Boy, there's a modern tragedy.

[Encinitan]

They neglected to add grits to their menu in the southeast and Texas.

[daantaat]

there's several Jack in the Boxes. One off Del Mar Heights Rd and another off Washington, just east of El Cuervo. I think there's another one in PB and another one in Hillcrest, east of 6th, on University.

[Encinitan]

Now we know where four new taco shops will be.

[goodhealthgourmet]

five. isn't there a Jack-in-the-Box in Cardiff next to Wine Steals?