The quiet following the Cohn Group’s takeover of the old Fio’s space has been broken. The San Diego restaurant empire says in March it will open Mr. Tiki’s Mai Tai Lounge at the famed culinary corner of Fifth Avenue and G Street in the Gaslamp Quarter. Little known is that San Diego is a hotbed of tiki culture and tiki artisans. Mr. Tiki will feature more than a dozen custom tiki gods and masks carved by San Diego County artist Bosko Hrnjak.

Jonathan Hale, Blue Point’s executive chef, will serve as executive chef of Mr. Tiki’s. He’s a particularly good fit since he lived in Hawaii for eight years and was executive chef at A Pacific Café in Maui. Hawaii native Jesse Cruz, who will serve as chef de cuisine, has cooked at 808 in Las Vegas, Roy’s of Hawaii and, most recently, as opening chef at 808 at the Aventine. Christopher Cooke, whose experience comes from his work with Wolfgang Puck Restaurants and Scott’s Seafood Group, will serve as g.m. The restaurant will feature a lounge sushi bar headed by Shinji Okano, a master sushi chef.

The lounge will offer a variety of tropical drinks (umbrellas included) and the menu will include items like “Kalua Pork Pot Stickers,” “Bao-Bao Buns,” “Hot Sweet ‘n Sour Soup” and “Poke Platters.”

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The end of an era. After more than 15 years in business, the Bayou Bar and Grill closed its doors in December. Located Downtown on Market Street between Third and Fourth avenues, the Bayou was originally owned by New Orleans native Bud Deslatte but sold in the mid-1990s to Phillip Mossey, a waiter and bartender at the restaurant. The new owners, the father and sons team of Dale, Nick and Zack Johnston, will open Market Street Bar and Grill early this month. This sports-themed restaurant and bar will feature 60-inch televisions, a full bar, a large draft beer selection, casual bar and burgers, salads and steaks. Market Street Bar and Grill will be open seven days a week, starting at 4 p.m. for happy hour.

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It’s A Grind Coffee House has signed a 10-year lease for the 1,500 square feet of retail space located Downtown at the base of the Renaissance condominium tower at 654 Front St.

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Executive Chef Stephen Window will host a James Beard Centennial dinner on Jan. 26 at Roppongi Restaurant in La Jolla. The gatherings are being held across the country in celebration of what would have been the 100th birthday of the famed chef. All proceeds will go to the James Beard House in New York. Joining Window in preparing this six-course meal will be Jean-François Meteigner, La Cachette, Los Angeles; Mark Franz, Farralon, San Francisco; John Hui, Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas; Kerry Simon and Kim Canteenwella Simon, Simon, Las Vegas; and Matthew Zappoli, Fresh, La Jolla. Each course is paired with wine. Cost is $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. Call (858) 551-5252 for reservations. I’ll see you there.