Michelin-starred Baja California restaurateurs Drew and Paulina Deckman, who opened their first American restaurant — 31ThirtyOne by Deckmans — in August in North Park, have just launched an eight-seat chef’s menu at 31ThirtyOne.
The chef’s counter, which faces the kitchen, has a seven-course fine menu with additional surprise bites. Cost is $250 per person, with optional spirits or non-alcoholic beverages. It is offered by reservation only, Tuesdays-Saturdays.
The new chef’s counter menu complements the restaurant’s regular dining room menu, a four-course prix-fixe dinner priced at $120. Beyond those two options, diners don’t need a reservation for the rooftop bar, where cocktails and mocktails are served with Baja seafood, steak tartare, clam ceviche and other small plates.
Meanwhile, Drew Deckman’s long-awaited documentary series “Ingredient: Mexico” is now streaming on Amazon Prime. In the six-part series, hosted and produced by Deckman, he travels around Mexico and explores the country’s food scene through its restaurants, farms, fishermen and artisans.
Finally, 31ThirtyOne is hosting one exclusive dinner with 20 seats with wines from Dragonette Cellars in the Santa Ynez Valley. The five-course menu — featuring lobster, bigeye tuna, swordfish, California squab and more — costs $350.
For booking, visit the3131.com/reservations.
Paradise opens in Mission Hills
Paradis, a European-inspired cafe and bar, opened Nov. 2 on the ground floor of the Sasan building at 901 W. Washington St. in Mission Hills.
Paradis offers brunch and a coffee menu during the day with pastries by Alyn Lyng. In the afternoon, Paradis transitions to chef Jon Hawkins’ menu of pintxos (the Spanish word for small dishes, skewered snacks) and tapas (small plates), which are designed to accompany bartender Eliza Woodman’s drink menu of cocktails, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as beer and wine. Some of Hawkins’ brunch dishes include stracciatella toast and apple and farro pudding. Evening entrees, ranging in price from $2.50 to $24, included ponzu salmon, pistou shrimp, Calabrian dates and pulled pork.
Paradis is the first of two restaurants to be opened in the Sasan Building by Pacifica Restaurant owner Jacquèe Renna. Later this year, she will open the much larger rooftop restaurant Communion.
Paradis is open from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm on Thursdays; 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fridays; 8 am to 9 pm Saturdays; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Visit paradissd.com.
AKA is opened in the gas lamp
AKA, an immersive Asian fusion restaurant, bar and lounge, opened Thursday in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
AKA, which replaces the former Italian restaurant Lavo at 611 Fifth Ave., is owned by San Diego restaurateurs Alessandro Minutella and Giancarlo Guttilla, in partnership with Vincenzo Lo Verso, and chef-partner Takuya Kudo.
Kudo’s menu features classic Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes, including a wide selection of sushi. The restaurant will also offer cocktails, bottle service and in the evenings live music, entertainment and dancing. Visit akagaslamp.com.
Tavolo tasting
Busalacchi Restaurants has launched a monthly Tavolo Tasting Tour series, where diners can stroll through Little Italy and make three behind-the-scenes culinary stops at various Italian restaurants. The first Tavolo tours offered in October, November and December sold out quickly. A new tour has been added at 5pm on December 12th for 15 diners.
Diners start with cocktails and light bites at Lala, followed by appetizers, pasta and wine at Barbusa, next door. Then the evening ends with a two-block walk to Nonna’s for desserts and espresso or a cocktail. Tickets are $100. For bookings or news about future test drives, visit barbusa.com/product/tasting-tour/.
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