SAN MARCOS BREWERY CLOSES AFTER 27 YEARS DUE TO PANDEMIC
After 27 years in business in the Old California Restaurant Row shopping center in San Marcos, the San Marcos Brewery & Grill has announced its permanent closure.
In a post on Facebook on Nov. 19, the owners of the brewpub wrote: “Well, the time has come. With the restrictions of COVID-19, and the purple tier, the Brewery has suspended its operations. We’ve had a good 27-year run and now it’s time to call it ... done. Thank you all for the support through the years.”
Opened in 1993 at 1080 W. San Marcos Blvd., the San Marcos Brewery was one of the region’s first gastropubs, with an onsite micro-brewery where its brewers produced English-style ales and oatmeal stout beers.
Flawless food truck owner to compete on upcoming season of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’
San Diego’s Lauren Lawless, who competed on season eight of TV’s “MasterChef ” in 2017, will compete this winter on the Fox competition series “Hell’s Kitchen.”
Lawless, the self-trained chef/owner of Flawless Cuisine Food Truck & Catering in San Diego, will be one of 16 chefs competing in Las Vegas on season 19 of “Hell’s Kitchen.” The Gordon Ramsay-hosted series will premiere Jan. 7. Visit: fox.com/ hells-kitchen/.
Salt & Straw sells scented items
Salt & Straw ice cream shops in Little Italy and Del Mar are selling some new gift products this fall aimed at the ice-cream lover who has everything.
Ice cream doesn’t have a scent, but the fresh-baked waff le cones the scoops are served in do. So to re-create the sensation of a scoop-filled waff le cone, the Portland, Ore.-based company has introduced A Whiff of Waff le Cone scented candle ($30) and A Whiff of Waff le Cone perfume ($28). Developed by chief f lavor creator Tyler Malek, the new products have notes of vanilla, heavy cream, salted caramel and cinnamon. Visit saltandstraw.com.
Karina’s Cantina opens in La Jolla
Karina’s Group has opened its fourth Karina’s restaurant location at 1055 Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla. The restaurant specializes in Baja-style seafood dishes, rib eye burritos, chicken enchiladas and more.
The new location joins three other Karina’s venues, including Karina’s Mexican Seafood, Karina’s Ceviches & More and Karina’s Taco Shop. Visit karinasseafood.com.
Rare Society planned in Solana Beach
Trust Restaurant Group has announced plans to open a second Rare Society retro steakhouse and bar next spring in the Solana Beach arts district.
The original Rare Society opened in November 2019 in University Heights. The new location at 330 S. Cedros Ave., Suite 104, will have 90 seats indoors, including 26 at the bar, as well as 36 seats outdoors. It’s slated to open in April or May and will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Rare Society in University Heights reopened for outdoor dining on Saturday with a new outdoor dining room. Hours are limited, at least initially, from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays. Visit raresocietysd.com.
Local quick-service chains expand
Three San Diego-based fast-casual restaurant chains are in expansion mode this fall. They are:
• Luna Grill, a Mediterranean food chain, will open a location Thursday in The Millennia shopping center at 2030 Birch Road, Suite 101, in Chula Vista. Visit lunagrill.com/ millennia.
• Mr. Moto Pizza House, which specializes in New York-style gourmet whole pizzas and slices, opened its sixth location Tuesday at Seaport Village, 849 W. Harbor Drive in San Diego. Visit mrmotopizza.com.
• Everbowl, a 4-year-old superfoods bowl and smoothie chain, opened its latest location Nov. 13 in the Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch shopping center at 5980 Villageway, Suite 102, San Diego. Visit everbowl.com.