Restaurateur and developer Brett Miller’s six-month close, reconcepting and remodel of the former Moondoggies La Jolla has brought us Cendio, derived from the words cenar, which means “to dine,” and incendio, which translates to “fire.” Cendio, a bar and eatery featuring new South American cuisine offers dishes such as “spicy duck empanadas with mango salsa,” and “seared mahi mahi wrapped in banana leaves with cilantro lime butter, mango and papaya.” Lunch and dinner are served daily with a long happy hour from 2 to 6:30 p.m. The address is 809 Prospect St. Web: cendiolajolla.com.

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Britt Scripps Inn named Susan Brandon as its new chef. After a stroll through the Inn’s vegetable and herb garden, and striking up a conversation with the Inn’s owner, Gordon Hattersley, the deal was quickly struck. She was first asked to cook breakfast for the inn. After a few days of wowing the guests, she was officially appointed chef of the charming Victorian bed and breakfast. Her duties will include breakfast daily and evening appetizers. For more, visit brittscripps.com.

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Fans of Carlsbad’s Dahlia Lounge were disappointed to learn the restaurant closed in early August. Owner-operators Sean and Juliana Firtel say they will reopen in late October as a supper club and concentrate their efforts on catering. The restaurant was open less than one year. For more, visit reddahlia.net.

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Addison restaurant, located at The Grand Del Mar, has appointed Jesse Rodriguez to the position of head sommelier. He previously worked at French Laundry, and also served as sommelier at The Phoenician in Scottsdale. Rodriguez worked closely with noted wine expert and author Doug Frost, who was tapped by the resort to mastermind the wine program. For more information visit thegranddelmar.com.

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Check out Masala Spices of India. Located at 314 Fifth Ave. in the former Octopus Garden Sushi Restaurant space, this Gaslamp restaurant offers fine Indian cuisine. The 5,000-square-foot space was completely gutted and remodeled to transform the former Asian-themed eatery to an elegant Indian design.

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Chef Clay Bordan recently took over the former Elario’s space atop the Hotel La Jolla and reopened the restaurant with a new look and menu as Clay’s La Jolla. The menu offers “progressive” California cuisine with an emphasis on organic fruits and vegetables that change seasonally. You can learn more at clayslajolla.com.

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Those who loved Maryjo Testa’s cuisine when she served as executive chef at Laurel Restaurant and Bar (under the previous ownership) will be glad to know she has teamed up with chef Scott Thomas to open Salad Style, which offers take-out and delivered freshly made salads to the Downtown area. Diners are encouraged to call ahead and either pick up their lunch from the kitchen located at 807 F St. or have their healthy salads delivered. For menu and catering information visit saladstyle.com.

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A La Francaise Bakery and Restaurant recently celebrated a grand reopening at its new location, 3416 Adams Ave. After many years on Goldfinch Street in Mission Hills, the much-loved neighborhood eatery moved when the block was to be demolished for a mixed-use development and businesses lost their leases. The new 2,400-square-foot café (nearly twice the size of the former location) boasts a beautiful brick wall exhibiting works by local artists.

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.