URBAN PLATES DEBUTS SEASONAL SEAFOOD DISHES
Urban Plates has introduced two new seasonal seafood options and two new side plates. Wild, line-caught ahi tuna and sustainably caught barramundi sea bass are now available as a protein option for the chain’s salads, bowls and plate entrees. One option for the wild ahi is a Nicoise salad (pictured) featuring herb-crusted, seared ahi with chopped organic egg and tomatoes, seasoned Yukon Gold potatoes, capers and mustard-Champagne vinaigrette. Also on the menu are two new sides, Basmati rice and organic farro with sweet peppers and corn. Locations in Carlsbad, Del Mar and La Jolla. urbanplates.com
Provisional Kitchen adds aperitivo service: Provisional Kitchen in the Gaslamp Quarter has introduced a new three-day-a-week Italian-style aperitivo service (pre-meal drink and bites). Diners can order Italian Aperol spritz and apple Negroni cocktails as well as food items that include burrata and tomato panzanella and veal meatballs.
5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays only. Pendry Hotel, 425 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 738-7300, pendry.com/san-diego/dining/ provisional
Guild Bar serves up new sips and bites: The lobby bar at the historic Guild Hotel in downtown San Diego has introduced several new menu items. There’s a panzanella salad with house-made mozzarella, and an appetizer dish of burrata cheese with dandelion green pesto and golden raisins served with focaccia bread. New cocktails include Honey, I’m Home!, made with Cachaca, a Brazilian spirit distilled from sugarcane, with calamansi lime and lychee foam, and Local Lover, made with vodka, mango, makrut lime and curry oil. 500 W. Broadway,
San Diego. (619) 795-6000, theguildhotel.com/eat-drink/ the-guild-bar
Habit Burger gets spicy: The Habit Burger Grill has introduced for a limited time the Cuban Char, a Caribbean-inspired hamburger. The new sandwich features a char-grilled burger topped with mustard-grilled honey ham, two slices of melted cheese, and more mustard on a toasted brioche bun. The fast-food chain has more than a dozen locations countywide. habitburger.com
Smokey & The Brisket adds pizza, arcade: This 16-month-old barbecue spot in La Mesa has expanded its entertainment and menu offerings this spring. New pizza varieties include a pie topped with brisket burnt ends and chipotle onion jam and a Spanish ricotta pizza made with spinach. The new arcade area has a pool table, pinball and driving machines, and a few retro video games. 5465 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 439-6544, smokeyandthebrisketsd.com