SD Food News

Chefs are restless people

Mistral at Loews Coronado

As SD Food News first reported, Master French Chef Patrick Ponsaty left his post at Mistral at Loews Coronado to helm a new restaurant group in Escondido that includes Bellamy's and The Ranch at Bandy Canyon. Now Mistral just tapped his replacement by pulling Adam Cho away from Katsuya in Downtown. No word on who’ll replace Cho, although it sounds like a sous may be promoted….

An update on an earlier report.... The Haven pizza joint will open in Kensington this week. Owner Lauren Passero is married to one of the city’s top artists, Kelsey Brooks, who will have two large pieces hung in the joint. Chef Kevin Strombel is a vet of Rancho Santa Fe’s Dolce Pan E Vino (which did wood-fired pies) and Sammy’s.

A new restaurant will be taking over the troubled La Jolla spot that formerly held Pasquale (then Aquamoree, Tikul). A Mediterranean-ish joint (with Mexican, Asian influences) called The Hake is set to open in May. Those familiar with the spot say it's tough being a view-less restaurant in a view-tastic part of town.

Former Grand Del Mar sommelier Jesse Rodriguez has landed safely a bit north at the iconic Montage Hotel & Resort in Laguna Beach, where he’ll oversee the entire wine program…

Chef Michael McDonald, formerly of Top of the Market and the 2011 California Restaurant Association Chef of the Year will take over as the new chef of Roppongi.

We’re hearing Alex Thao (Rama) is doing a Chinese concept in the Gaslamp with dim sum as a big focus. We know he’d been looking at the former Galileo 101 spot, but opted not to do that one (no parking, a tricky liquor license). No details on the new plans yet.

Yep. Carnitas Snack Shacks is looking for more locations.

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