Downtown dwellers can wake up to a loaf of freshly baked Bread and Cie bread on their doorstep thanks to High Rise Bread. The company — highrisebread.com — says it wants to “bring back the personalized attention and convenience of bread delivery to the home.” (I don’t remember that. Was it before my time?) It offers delivery service of artisan breads seven days a week to CityFront Terrace, Discovery, Harbor Club, Horizons, Park Place, Renaissance, The Pinnacle, The Grande and Meridian. Breads are sold at retail prices and a $1 delivery fee is added per order.

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La Mesa residents are yakking it up about the recent opening of Habana Restaurant. Habana, at 7777 University Ave., is in a landmark location that for more than 40 years housed the much-loved Jamar Restaurant. The menu features authentic Cuban and Caribbean cuisine.

Although this is the first restaurant venture for proprietors Ralph and Debbie Flores, they’ve got some good support. Five years ago Ralph’s brother opened a Habana Restaurant in Austin, Texas, with his wife Yasbel, who grew up in Cuba. The restaurant was such a success that Ralph and Debbie were inspired to open one in La Mesa. The couple imported the recipes, which are all classic dishes served by Yasbel’s mother and grandmothers, as well as the original chef to train the cooks.

Look for dishes on the menu like “Bistec Palomilla,” a 10-ounce hand-cut aged rib-eye marinated in Cuban spices and pan seared with onions and wine, or from a wide variety of chicken, pork and seafood dishes. Be sure and wash it down with “The Habatini” or “The Commandante,” two of Habana’s specialty drinks that really pack a wallop. Food prices range from $9.95 to $16.95. Habana is closed Mondays. For more information: (619) 713-2011.

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Hard Rock Café in La Jolla has reopened for business after a two-month closure due to flood damage. A sprinkler system in an upstairs business was tripped and water flowed for more than seven minutes before it was disabled, causing extensive damage to the ceiling at Hard Rock.

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The San Diego County chapter of the California Restaurant Association hosted its 22nd annual Gold Medallion Awards Banquet last month at the Town and Country Resort. Drawing a crowd of about 1,000, this industry awards gala is a highly celebrated peer-to-peer awards dinner recognizing worthy and exceptional eateries and is an opportunity for members to acknowledge their fellow restaurateurs for their business practices, concepts and achievements in many different categories.

“Because these winners are nominated, and then voted on by their colleagues in the industry, the Gold Medallion awards are considered a huge honor by those who receive them,” says Beresford Wall, chapter president.

Among the biggie awards, Beverly Mascari, co-owner of Anthony’s Seafood Group, was named restaurateur of the year. Susan Sbicca, the executive chef and co-owner at Sbicca American Bistro and Meritage Restaurant and Wine Bar, who looked smashing in her skinny, strapless dress, was honored as chef of the year. The Marine Room at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club received the People’s Choice Award.

Category winners were:

American casual dining, Sbicca American Bistro; American fine dining, George’s at the Cove; bar, The Waterfront; barbecue, Phil’s BBQ; breakfast, Café 222; casino buffet, The Ranch House Buffet at Barona Valley Ranch; casino restaurant, The Grove Steakhouse at Viejas Casino; caterer, French Gourmet; coffeehouse/beverage, Jamba Juice; continental//French casual, The Prado at Balboa Park; continental//French fine dining, Pamplemousse Grille; delicatessen, Tip Top Meats European Deli; desserts, Gelato Vero Caffe; hamburger, In-N-Out Burger; hotel restaurant casual, Arterra; best hotel restaurant fine dining, NINE-TEN at the Grande Colonial; live music venue/restaurant, Humphrey’s by the Bay; neighborhood casual, Bread & Cie; neighborhood fine, Kensington Grill; new casual, Visions; new fine dining, Laurel; pub, The Field; quick-service restaurant, Anthony’s Sea Grill/Fishette; recreation/clubs, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club; seafood casual dining, The Brigantine; seafood fine dining, Oceanaire Seafood Room; sports restaurant/bar, Moondoggies Pacific Beach; steakhouse casual, The Gaslamp Strip Club; steakhouse fine dining, Donovan’s Steakhouse; Sunday brunch hotel, Crown Room at the Hotel Del Coronado; Sunday brunch restaurant, Tom Ham’s Lighthouse; Asian casual dining, Taste of Thai; Asian fine dining, P.F. Chang’s; ethnic, Zocalo Grill; fusion, Parallel 33; Italian casual dining, Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana; Italian fine dining, Trattoria Acqua; Mexican casual, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill; Mexican dinner house, Café Coyote; Pacific Rim, Roy’s; sushi bar, Café Japengo; pizza, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza; associate member of the year; McFarlane Promotions; president’s award, C. Terry Brown, Atlas Hotels Inc.

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 terryl@sandiegometro.com.