Scott Diehl took over earlier this year as executive chef of Prime 10 Steakhouse in Del Mar and his touch was fully evident during a recent wonderful meal. Readers may remember Diehl from his tenure as executive chef at WineSellar & Brasserie. Most recently, he worked briefly at Montage Resort and Spa in Laguna Beach where he partnered with Gregory Short, former executive sous chef of French Laundry in Napa Valley. Look for some ch-ch-changes at Prime 10 after the track season.

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Arterra Restaurant in Del Mar has appointed Brian Pekarcik as executive sous chef. He is teaming with his former colleague, Carl Schroeder, from Bertrand at Mister A’s. In 2001, Pekarcik worked with legendary chef and restaurateur Gary Danko at his namesake restaurant in San Francisco. “Gary taught me the importance of never lowering the level of your standards and having pride and passion for your work,” says Pekarcik.

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Moshen Khaleghi, the new g.m. of Hyatt Regency Islandia, will oversee operations at the 421-room hotel. Prior to his promotion, Khaleghi was resident manager at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, where he had overseen the construction and expansion of the hotel as well as day-to-day operations since November 2000.

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Check out the redecorated Scalini Restaurant in Del Mar. The dining room and patio were recently stripped down, un-done and re-done. The result is a much lighter, airier dining room to enjoy the lighter, airier food of Executive Chef Brant Beauchamp. You may remember that Beauchamp started at Scalini last year right before track season and is an alumnus of French Laundry in Napa Valley.

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After nearly two years in the making, Riko Bartolome’s Asia-Vous has finally opened in downtown Escondido. Located at 417 W. Grand Ave., the 45-seat fine dining establishment brings a new and exciting French/Asian concept to North County. Bartolome spent several years at 150 Grand, also in Escondido, before a recent stint as chef de cuisine at the Hotel W’s RICE restaurant. Asia-Vous serves lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday.

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Check out the new “scene” at Tutto Mare restaurant in La Jolla/UTC. On Saturday nights the restaurant morphs into a new “Ultra Lounge” called Aqua. Aqua Lounge is a promotion brought together by the team of Robert Frias and Roly Quiamboa of SD Afterdark. Saturday nights at Tutto Mare will still feature the same Italian seafood menu, but with the space transformed through lighting, music, candles and plush furniture into a sexy after-hours club. The VIP lounge offers private cocktail service and exclusive bottle service. On occasion, Aqua will host art exhibits, charity events and private screenings for feature films. Music begins on Saturday nights after dinner service and includes an eclectic mix of down tempo lounge, house, club mix and top 40. The dress code is stylish upscale.

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The Shout House, a dueling piano bar, is open at 655 Fourth Ave. in the Gaslamp. The dueling piano concept consists of two piano players/singers performing at separate face-to-face grand pianos set in front of two large mirrors. Mirrors are used so the audience can see themselves as well as the hands of the performers throughout the evening. The audience can request anything from classic rock ’n’ roll hits of the ‘50s to today’s hip hop. Requests are played all night long and even the employees get in on the act and have their turns on stage in between serving guests burgers, pizzas and other munchies. Food is served late.

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