FLURRY OF NEW EATERIES OPEN, DESPITE DINING ROOM SHUTDOWNS
Opening a restaurant is one of the riskiest of business ventures, but opening in the middle of a pandemic takes nerves of steel. That hasn’t stopped several local entrepreneurs from debuting new eateries across San Diego County this month.
Eggies, a walk-up brunch concept developed by Rise & Shine Restaurant Group, has opened in three locations around the county since May. The takeout-only restaurants serve egg-, poultry- and meat-based breakfast sandwiches, jarred French toast and potato hash side dishes and cooked-to-order churros. Open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, the locations are at 707 G St. in East Village and 2400 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 103, in Liberty Station, as well as the newest location that opened just last week, at 4465 Mission Blvd. in Pacific Beach. Visit eggies.com.
Switchboard Restaurant & Bar opened Thursday in Hilton Tapestry’s new The Fin Hotel at 131 S. Coast Highway in Oceanside. Named for the telephone switchboard office that once occupied the same location during World War II, Switchboard serves Hawaiian-inspired fare. Specialties include Korean loco moco, chicken curry katsu sandwich, Auntie Pua’s char siu pulled pork sandwich, malasadas doughnuts and banana lumpia. Until county public health officials OK the reopening of restaurant dining rooms, Switchboard is doing takeout only. Visit theswitchboardrestaurant.com.
Monti’s Munchies ,a vegan-friendly bakery cafe run by Montana Donahue, held its grand opening Friday in Hillcrest. Donahue started her Munchies business in high school as a catering service to raise money to feed the homeless. After working for many years in restaurants and bakeries, she opened her own restaurant, which she says offers a friendly, welcoming alternative to the negativity in the world right now.
The shop sells breakfast sandwiches, toasts and bagels, sandwiches and fruit bowls. Baked goods, including vegan and gluten-free items, include cinnamon rolls, cookies, muffins, tarts and brownies. There are also gluten-free, baked dog treats. The shop also sells jewelry and other products made by local artisans, and it offers pop-up art shows. Located at 312 University Ave., it’s now open for outdoor dining and takeout. Visit instagram.com/montismunchies/.
Phil’s BBQ, a San Diego institution since 1998 with seven local locations, opened its first restaurant outside San Diego County last week in Temecula. Due to social-distancing orders, the new location is only offering takeout services until health orders lift. The new location is at 40830 Winchester Road. Visit philsbbq.net.
Blade 1936 earns ‘Napoletana’ certification
Blade 1936, the authentic Italian restaurant that opened last September in Oceanside’s historic 1936era Blade-tribune newspaper building, has earned an international honor for its Neopolitan-style pizzas.
It was named the 20th California restaurant, and 10th in Southern California, to become a certified member of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. The certification means the restaurant’s pizza program, overseen by Blade co-founder and pizzaiolo John Carlo Ferraiuolo, meets the international standards of true, traditional Neopolitan pizza. This includes the sourcing of ingredients, dough preparation and fermentation, presentation and cooking temperature.
Blade 1936 is a collaboration between founding partners Maro Cassineri, Ferraiuolo and local chef Danilo “DJ” Tangalin. Blade 1936 is at 401 Seagaze Drive, Oceanside. Visit blade1936.com.
Pacifica Breeze Cafe introduces outdoor dinner service
News from San Diego’s restaurant industry
Pacifica Breeze Cafe, the all-outdoor casual sister eatery of nearby Pacifica Del Mar restaurant in the Del Mar Plaza shopping center, has introduced dinner service for the first time to appeal to quarantine-weary diners.
Previously open only for casual breakfast and lunch options, Pacifica Breeze is now offering dinner service starting at 4 p.m. Thursdays-sundays, featuring tacos, burgers, salads and half-size portions of Pacifica Del Mar classics, including sea bass, scallops and seared ahi, as well as full bar service. It’s on the Plaza’s second floor at 1555 Camino Del Mar. Visit pacificadelmar.com/breeze-cafe.
Pam Kragen writes about restaurants for The San Diego Union-tribune. Email her at pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com.