Edition: January 2007



 Dishing It Out

 By Terryl Gavre



Two New, Three On The Way
Urban Mo’s and Tractor Room are open while
Blue Coral, Roy’s and George’s are coming

The legendary Hamburger Mary’s at 308 University Ave. has changed its name and concept (well, sort of). The former burger joint famous for its pink flamingos and plastic chairs is now known as Urban Mo’s — urbanmos.com. The owners are still the same (Chris Shaw, Doug Snider and Matthew Ramon) and they still own and operate Baja Betty’s down the street. The menu is still casual, weekendy fare featuring sandwiches, burgers and melts. The open-air patio is breezy and features comfy cabana booths and new high-top tables offering a bird’s-eye view of the colorful clientele.

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Been to The Tractor Room? It’s the new eatery brought to you by Andy Beardslee and Johnny Rivera, the people behind the much-loved Hash House A Go Go. Located at 3687 Fifth Ave, in the former Rice Jones space, it’s already a hit as a nightspot for hipsters. Those lucky enough to push their way through the crowds and the black velvet curtains will find a dimly lit, eccentrically decorated dining room with a menu that favors meat and potatoes, big drinks, a long drink list and lots of late night dining. Worth checking out.

***

The new Heaven Sent Desserts — heavensentdesserts.net — at 3001 University Ave. in Hillcrest is offering an “Afternoon Delight” happy hour daily between 3 and 6:30 p.m. For $6, choose one of three housemade desserts and a cup of coffee or tea. Bring a friend for the “Double Delight,” two desserts and two cups of coffee or tea for only $10.

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Slated to open in mid-January, Blue Coral Seafood and Spirits in UTC is the second in a planned string of seafood restaurants from the makers of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse. Located at 8990 University Center Lane (formerly Sophia’s Italian Table), this high-end seafood eatery — bluecoralseafood.com — has enlisted Hans-Trevor Gossman as executive chef. You may remember Gossman as opening chef for Downtown’s Royal Brasserie and Bar before it was re-concepted into Lou and Mickey’s. Gossman most recently was chef/partner at the San Diego Wine and Culinary Center.

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Construction begins soon on the new Roy’s Restaurant opening in Downtown’s bayfront San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. It will take over the The Yacht Club space. The two-story Roy’s will offer waterfront dining (inside and out), a sushi bar and lots of private dining space. This will be the second San Diego-area Roy’s — the first one opened in 2001 at the Costa Verde shopping center in UTC.

***

Longtime George’s at the Cove fans are waiting on pins and needles for the re-opening, or “rebirth” as they are putting it, of George’s California Modern. The two-month, $2.5 million (at least, I’ve heard through the indie grapevine) project will be a complete redux of every floor, wall, nook and cranny of the restaurant. The only wall that they’re not messing with is the floor-to-ceiling picture window overlooking the cove. Founding partner George Hauer, along with his partners, Executive Chef Trey Foshee, and General Manager Mark Oliver, say they plan on “redefining fine dining.” The design and remodel is being implemented by architect Jennifer Luce with Luce et Studio. Check out georgesatthecove.com to stay up to date.

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


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