Dishing It Out Archive

If you’re anything like me, you’ve often wondered what some of our top toques look like under all that chef gear. Want to see Amiko Gubbins, chef and owner of Parallel 33 a la carte, so-to-speak? Pick up the December issue of Food Arts magazine, where a full-page spread shows off our petit pan handler posing nude (except for a strategically placed Vita Prep blender). It’s part of a clever and successful ad campaign for the blenders that started in 1999. Nicknamed the “Professional Chef’s Power Tool,” this $400 kitchen appliance has enough horsepower to entice some of the country’s most famous chefs to “strip and go naked.” Each portrait is accompanied with a clever quip or slogan inspired by the featured chef. Gubbins’ tag line, “Wouldn’t you like to see one of these under your tree?” is derived from Gubbins’ well-known love for Christmas (and, of course, it is in the December issue). We’ll all be looking at you, er, for you, Amiko.

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Michael Viscouso (On Broadway, E Street Alley) has taken over the former Redfish space, at 731 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter. Deco’s, a 1930s-style dinner club, will feature “upscale steaks and seafood prepared with a French flair” as well as sushi, a full bar, live music and dancing. The space, which has been completely gutted and remodeled, is slated to open early this month. Deco’s will have an atmosphere described as a “sexy, sultry, Cuban-Latin, South Beach Miami” and will feature three levels of dancing, including an outdoor dance floor. Both live and DJ-spun tunes will be played. Jonathan Plum (La Valencia, On Broadway), a Culinary Institute of America graduate, will head the kitchen.

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One of San Diego’s oldest microbrewery/ restaurants, Hops!, changed its name to On Tap! Bistro and Brewery. The name change follows Justin Hurd, longtime g.m./partner, becoming sole owner of the eatery located in the UTC shopping center. Hurd, who started out as kitchen manager, assures he is planning no big changes and that Chuck Silva, brewmaster at Hops! for the past three and a half years, will continue on-site brewing.

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The Gaslamp Quarter is safe for liberals again. Roger’s on Fifth has been renamed George’s on Fifth (“G5”). Roger Hedgecock, the original celebrity partner and restaurant’s namesake, sold his 25 percent stake to George Harrington, the managing partner, and three other investors. Telling me he’s “Been there, done that,” Hedgecock left to pursue other non-gustatory opportunities. George’s on Fifth will continue service as usual. The only thing missing will be a famous conservative Republican at the door.

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Panini Panini is now known as the Orbit Earth Café. Steven Cazel, who purchased Panini in February, has changed the name to reflect the café’s new focus on regional cuisine. The California Culinary Academy graduate has selected 12 regions, including the United States, Norway and Australia, from which he will create a menu that will change weekly to correspond with the featured region.

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For a fabulous wine and food experience, check out Crush, located at 530 University Ave. in Hillcrest. Formerly known as The Nose (and yes, before that, way before that, Zolezzi’s), the business was purchased by Cindy Bartelli (former g.m. at Kensington Grill and Chive) and Peter La Vecchia (former bartender at Chive) in August. After a significant remodel and menu revamp, Crush opened in November with Andrew Fisher serving as executive chef. The wine bar and restaurant features more than 50 wines by the glass, an extensive cocktail list and a full dinner menu, as well as many appetizers and tapas. The restaurant is open seven nights a week, with the bar opening at 4 p.m. and dinner service starting at 5 p.m. A late-night menu is available until midnight. Starting in January, Crush will feature monthly wine dinners and wine tastings on Saturdays.

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Michel Malecot has brought The French Gourmet concept to the top of the Hotel La Jolla, the former Elario’s restaurant space. Malecot, along with Aaron Kirsch, the executive chef, has redesigned all the menus and added a “Hungry Hour,” featuring free appetizers in the Sky Lounge daily from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The live jazz, for which Elario’s has earned its reputation, will continue in the Sky Lounge Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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If you’re looking for a spot to watch the Super Bowl and don’t feel like paying for the $1,500 ticket to see it at Qualcomm Stadium, check out Moondoggie’s in Pacific Beach. Brett Miller, owner of Moondoggies’s Inc., has installed seven 65-inch screen HDTV monitors for your state-of-the-art Super Bowl viewing enjoyment. Fifty-seven additional sets ranging in screen size from 20 inches to 36 inches are included in the $200,000 installation that also includes a high-performance sound system by BOSE. Tickets to view the Super Bowl at Moondoggie’s will go on sale two weeks prior to the event for $15.95 per person and will include a barbecue buffet lunch. For more information on the Jan. 26 event, call (858) 483-6550.

Terryl Gavre believes the world would be a better place if everyone worked once as a foodserver. She is owner of Café 222, Downtown, and can be reached at (619) 233-4060, Ext. 316, or food@san.rr.com.